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Hidan no Aria - Volume 12 - Chapter 5




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Chapter 5: Enlightening Emptiness

Walking back home late at night, the effects of Hysteria Mode wore off…

With the tension released, I sprawled out on all fours. Ashamed of my actions, I crawled along the streets

I-I shuddered at how badly I had made a mess of things.

Snubbing the yakuza’s hospitality like that, and patting the head of their leader.

Just what the hell were you thinking… Hysterised me!?

When I am in Hysteria mode, this sense of an alternate reality builds up, so that when I look back on everything I do it feels like waking up from a dream.

In reality, in that state I was able to defeat Count Dracula, infiltrate a crowded nuclear submarine with only a gun and blade, knock down a missile with my bare hands and emerge victorious.

I wish it could all be just a dream. But that is the kind of ending I hate the most. The god in charge of my story wouldn’t write such an ending.

I left Butei High in order to become a normal person…

But 10 days later, I am drinking tea with the yakuza!

Kikuyo is sure to follow me around. Sooner or later, she will appear again.

What can I do?

Now with Hysteria Mode dispersed, I can’t think of anything. To top it all off, I am more useless than usual.

After entering Hysteria Mode, I always become drowsy and sluggish.

I’ll take a day off from school tomorrow…

But I can’t do what I did in INQUESTA and buy Riko a game to mimic my voice and answer roll call for me.

I haven’t been good with attendance at that school anyway. I really should go.

First of all, I should show my unconquerable warrior spirit by standing up…

And like a newborn foal, I stood wobbling…

「Even if you crawl, I won’t throw you any money, Tohyama.」

From the top of a lamp post, I heard a preschool-like voice.

Looking up at the owner of the voice– *Whoosh!* I hastily averted my eyes.

I don’t want to see them.

「Do not act as if you do not wish to see me!」

With a pounce, her short miniskirt flipped completely up (I didn’t see but I guessed), landing in front of me was– Tamamo.

The girl-shaped fox. Or maybe it is the fox-shaped girl.

C-come on… give me a break…!

I’m trying to become a responsible citizen.

「Why have you stirred outside the exorcism barrier1? Since days of old, you Tohyama warriors have been unpredictable.」

I drooped my head… and since it could not be avoided, I raised it again to look Tamamo straight in the eyes.

One of the reasons I had looked away was the fact that although Tamamo was dressed like a preschooler, she was wearing a short miniskirt.

I didn’t see it for myself, but shouldn’t her tail be lifting the skirt, fully exposing her underwear?

「How is this? With these garments I look like a normal maiden, do I not?」

With a spin, she twirled a 360 in place.

I was worried– but thanks to the difference in our respective heights, I did not see anything dangerous. Thank goodness.

「Maiden, you say… Even though you are 800 years old…」

She was wearing a cap with ears, but inside it her real ears were waggling and her tail shaking–although there is the slightest chance that someone would overlook that, it’s still strange.

Tamamo is pretending to be a kindergartner, but she looks to be about 7 or 8 years old.

That means she would have had to repeat kindergarten. But since it looks like I might have to repeat a year of high school, so I don’t have any room to speak.

I should buy clothes for her so that she would blend in with society better… but if I, a high-school boy, where to buy clothes for a little girl, I’d probably be reported.

A policeman would mark me out as a suspected child abductor.

I’m not interested in picking up any more labels, so I should steer clear. I know that much.

「So, what are you doing here?」

She asked, staring blankly up at me with her rounded fox eyes…

「…I really don’t know.」

I answered truthfully.

***********************************************************************

She wore an temple offertory box on her back like a kindergartner’s backpack, following me as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Thinking about it, it must look like I am escorting an elementary school girl to some kind of X-rated cosplay. It is late at night after all.

And so, avoiding the glances of strangers, we sneaked back to my house…

Reki’s shoes were in the genkan. It seems that she made it home safely after we separated at the cram school.

「Tohyama. We ought to conduct a purification ceremony. Your unhappiness may be due to possession of an evil spirit. We should exorcise it.」

You can exorcise an evil spirit. You can’t exorcise yourself. That’s physically impossible. 2

「Oi! Hold on…!」

If my grandfather found out that I brought an elementary school girl to my house, he’d line up the firing squad without waiting for a court-martial–

With quick steps, Tamamo passed down the corridor toward the bathroom

By ‘purification’, did you mean take a bath…!?

Yes, now I recall that Konayuki used those Shinto religious terms as well.

And so, before telling Reki what had happened after we left the cram school–

I ended up following Tamamo directly into the bathroom.

「These modern clothes are so difficult to remove.」

「…*Gasp!*…」

Grunting with the effort, Tamamo was… already half naked…!

She was wearing a pair of underwear that looked like it had been stolen from that little brat Aya Hiraga’s wardrobe, but then with a *Swish!*…

Sh-she’s…! completely naked…!

If my grandfather or grandmother were to discover this, I’d be in for a full course of corporal punishment.

–Run!

As I intended to back up the corridor from the changing room we were in…

「Hey! Stop wasting time. Can you not see that I require someone to help me bathe?」

「Don’t be so loud…!」

Although I could sense that everyone is asleep for the night, if someone were to wake up… it would be “The End of Kinji”…!

S-so I can’t help it. I will have to take part in this coerced bathing event as well.

Goddammit! Out of the frying pan and into the fire. Today has been an unlucky day unlike any other. There have been altogether too many unlucky days.

And so I began to undress sullenly.

「Tohyama, place me upon thy shoulders. I want to use that new bar of soap.」

Jumping up and down while her tail swished from side to side, stretching her washboard squid body while trying to reach the milk-based soap on the top shelf.

「I think that’s the family’s soap… For you, the dog shampoo they use for Haimaki should be good enough.」

Despite my grumbling, I grabbed the soap.

As if I would put a naked elementary schoolgirl on my shoulders.

Besides when it comes to hygienics, doing that before a bath is questionable.

B-but… does she really expect me to wash her? Just now this mini-person said that she needed someone to help her bathe.

Although I don’t go for younger girls, when it comes to Hysteria Mode I’m fine, but if she wants me to wash her naked body, I can’t express the same confidence.

She might be tiny, but Tamamo does have a feminine form…!

This situation might be more dangerous than when I ate with the yakuza… what should I do..!?

What is the god in charge of my story thinking? Is he an idiot?

It would be a problem if this naked elementary school girl made a fuss. More dangerous than being abducted by the yakuza.

And with the testimony of three Butei, my guilt would be a foregone conclusion. As for school, I’d spend the rest of my time in a reform school.

If I get into the bath with her I’m in for hell, and if I leave I’m in for hell…!

All at once, as I covered myself with a towel, the sliding, frosted glass door to the bath slid open… Huh…?

I saw a wall of steam in front of me. I was grateful because now Tamamo was obscured.

「… 」

It seems that someone left the hot water tap running.

Ah, what a waste!

Our bath is large, but it isn’t a public bath.

「… 」

I tried to escape reality but…

「–It appears that I shouldn’t have wasted the time worrying about you after all.」

From beyond the steam, I was accosted by Reki’s angry voice.

Since her presence was almost imperceptible, I did not notice until after entering the bath, but…

Why… what is she doing here…!?

「Oh, so the Azure Maiden Reki is here as well.」

Tamamo said something baffling as she waved her tail like a fan to disperse the steam–

Seeing me enter the bath with a young girl as if it were the most natural thing in the world, I saw Reki’s mouth compress into a tight ‘へ’ shape… Reki was already in the bath tub.

And of course, Mint-chan Yada was stark naked as well…!

Her shoulders were slightly reddened by the bath water, and her figure was adorned by glistening water droplets from the bath.

I really need to get out of here. But there’s Tamamo. If I were to leave and she made a loud fuss, I would start my life a convicted felon.

So even though I am not in Hysteria Mode, I set my brain to the task of figuring out how 3 people can bathe in on bath.

Then it hit me.

H-hurry Kinji! With how fast you had that flash of inspiration, you might have hysterised already…!

Snatching the bath bucket from Tamamo’s hands–

*Whoosh!* *Swish! Swish!*

Using the ‘High-speed bathing’ technique that I had devised a while ago in case Shirayuki or Riko tried to force their way into my bath, I bathed myself in an instant.

I covered myself with soap from head to toe, and probably because of the strange movements that accompanied this technique, Tamamo and Reki drew back, giving me some space–

Washing my hair quickly, I turned toward the tub–

「R-Reki. Get out here and bathe Tamamo.」
Eyes shut, I carefully entered the tub with my back turned.

Then, as you might expect of this inconsiderate behaviour, or because she was angry that I had brought the naked Tamamo into the bath… As we passed, Reki struck my undefended head, but…

She didn’t put too much force behind it.

She used her hands in this gentle way as if to say: 『I’m glad you’re safe.』

Ever since we dropped out, I’ve noticed that Reki’s actions have become more and more human.

Sure, she’s still as expressionless as ever, but now…

Probably because she is used to washing animals, Reki is scrubbing Tamamo down.
Behind the screen of steam she is skillfully bathing her. But as she was shampooing her tail…

「As I thought, Tohyama! Not only the Himiko, but the Rimiko is also your woman!」3

Remarking that to me, where should I begin to correct her?

「Who is this ‘Rimiko’?」

「That refers to me.」

Said Reki.

「I sort of gathered that, but… are you a miko?」

「In my homeland, I performed the duties of what is known in Japan as a ‘miko’. I have excused myself from that role, but the Wind has put my intention to resign on hold.」

The…Wind…

I had thought that the idea of ‘The Wind’ was all in Reki’s head, but…

It seems to have something to do with Irokane. Specifically the Ririirokane.

But this is a topic I don’t like to deal with, so to avoid getting involved, I won’t ask any more questions.

「Himiko, Rumiko, Rimiko, these are the three types of Irokane mikos.」4

Ms. Rumiko, please don’t appear! Shirayuki and Reki are quite enough to deal with! Please don’t show up! Don’t even think about it!

「… In short, Shirayuki and Reki are similarly mikos. But the kind of Irokane that they are linked with differs.」

「Augh! I give up. If you are going to keep talking, talk about something else!」

My spirit has already been worn down by my unfortunate encounter with Leon. Talk like that will completely exhaust my mental strength, and I’ll faint and drown in the bathtub.

「Hmm… Perhaps it is as you say, and the only thing the Tohyama are suited to is battle.」

If that’s the case, then don’t make me help you bathe.
「As for another topic… Oh, that’s right! Far East Warfare. The last battle between DEEN and GRENEDA.」

Enough already! My HP has already hit zero!

「I’ve had a telegram from Europe. Meiya of the Vatican sallied forth to attack Katze, the Witch of Cursed Water. But without decisive victory–They both retreated to their own bases, and afterward Liberty Mason’s exorcists traveled to Berlin from London to capture the weakened Katze. They should be searching for her as we speak.」

Saying that, she sketched out the military positions like pieces on a game-board.

A game like that including a map of Europe would sell well.

I continued to listen to Tamamo as if it were someone else’s problem that I was hearing.

「Sooner or later our forces in Europe will be depleted, and they will send to Tokyo for reinforcements.」

Tamamo glanced at me.

「…Don’t look at me. I won’t go. I absolutely won’t do something like going overseas.」

But, even as I give an absolute refusal… for some reason I have this jinx that makes my refusal into a reality. So I shouldn’t say any more.

Besides, there’s the Karagane– if we don’t recover the thing that housed the Hidan that Sherlock shot into Aria from the members of GRENEDA within the next few years–won’t Aria become the calamitous Scarlet Goddess?

Even so, such talk seems like a fantasy.

But if Aria’s level of brutal violence were drastically increased, she might just split the globe in a fight with me over the television channel.

For the sake of everyone in the world, that is something that must be avoided.

「Well, when it come to the matter of Sherlock shooting Aria with the Hidan, I was a part of that… So I will have to do something about the Karagane.」

「When it comes to the Karagane, I have sensed that one piece has crossed back into Japan from Shanghai. Probably with Rampan.」

Ugh… It turns out the board-game was not someone else’s problem…

「…There’s something I’m a little nervous about, Tamamo. Your detection ability, does GRENEDA have anyone that has an ability like it?」

「Everyone has the ability. Even in a dark room, you can sense that someone is in the room with you, can’t you? Birds, fish, animals, and even humans have this powerful ability. My kind has only developed it to an extraordinary degree.」

「Then, if GRENEDA has someone with supernatural powers like yours… Wouldn’t they be aware of our own movements?」

「It’s probably safe to think so. The enemy’s last movement was probably prompted by the Baskerville General stirring outside of the exorcism barrier. 」

I’m… a general? I’d rather be demoted to private.

But in any case I’m just a single piece in 『Far East Warfare』–this game of superhumans with Asia as its map.

*Sigh*… I want to become a normal human quickly…

But, as I thought, there really is no way for me to become an ordinary person. Not even here.

******************************************************************************

After that, Tamamo slipped on some soap and fell into the bathtub in a stereotypical performance that is impossible to describe–even in modern light novels–, fainted, and sank to the bottom of the tub.

Not wanting to know what kind of curse would fall upon my family if a god died under our roof, Reki and I lifted her out together.

I didn’t know which part of her I had grabbed, but I realised it was her tail…

I should consider the fact that Tamamo’s back was turned toward me as the drop of happiness in my misfortune. Just thinking if it had been the front makes my spine freeze.

If I has hysterised because of Tamamo, I would have had to commit seppuku with the Scientific Swordswoman Kaname to behead me afterward.

Returning alive from that life-and-death bath, it was about midnight.

I-I’m exhausted…

I crashed onto my futon with a flop.

A bath is supposed to be relaxing… but now I’m somehow more exhausted than before.

But bathing with two girls and managing not to hysterise, I want to praise my own powers of endurance.

The fact that 『immediately after hysterising it is harder to hysterise again』 could be said to be a positive side effect.

「So, when are you leaving?」

I asked Tamamo who was wearing a sailor suit uniform that the Butei High interns wore and gulping down milk from the carton she held in both hands — plundered from my family’s refrigerator — as she sat seiza on my futon.

「Uhmm… I plan to stay for a while. I’m going to haunt you and be your personal bodyguard.」

She answered, with her breath smelling of milk.

‘Haunt me’, you’ve already been doing that.

「Well, maybe as a ball…」

I said, voicing my thoughts…

But carrying a Japanese ball doesn’t fit my character.

It’s not like I fit in at school, anyway. But if I start carrying something strange like that, no one will come near me.

「… No, not that, if you want me to carry you around, you’ll have to become something inconspicuous.」

「Something inconspicuous? Hmmm…」

Saying that, Tamamo’s tail bent into a ‘?’ shape as she considered it, and I finally went off to sleep.

Lately I’ve had trouble with insomnia, but after hysterising, I slept much more soundly.

This too is a drop of happiness in the midst of my misfortune.

…but tomorrow…

How will I face them at school?

My classmates saw me: The fight in front of the cram school.

There were many eyewitnesses who saw how I dealt with Leon before the the police arrived. There are too many mouths to keep quiet. And Moe saw everything.

Now… everyone will be afraid of me, hate me. That’s for sure.

Until now, it seemed like they ignored me, but now things will be difficult.

Tomorrow, how am I supposed to go on at school…?

******************************************************************************

「Kinji-san… If you don’t get up now, you are going to be late…」

Reki, the human alarm clock was waking me up….

For some reason, my futon in nice and warm.

「?」

Thinking about what it could be… Th-this is… peeling back the blankets, it was just as I thought–Tamamo was sleeping soundly.

And she was using me as a body pillow.

Reki immediately stiffened with a sour expression, while at the same time:

「…That’s my Aniki for you. He doesn’t discriminate and no game is too big. I respect that.

G-3 said as he read the family scrolls on the walls.

「N-no, this isn’t a kidnapping or anything…!」

While Tamomo stirred with a mewing sound and pawed at me, I tried to give an explanation.

「This is a god, a real one. Even more powerful than our Tsukumo. You’ve had a god working for you this whole time?」

G-god you say. If she’s a god, then I’m becoming an atheist.

「As for her working for me… Ow-ow-wow-ow! Oi, what are you trying to do Tamamo!?」

「Inarizushi.」5

Saying that while half asleep, Tamamo had begun chewing on my hand so that I had to beat her in order to get her to let go.

W-what sharp teeth you have, Tamamo! They’re as sharp as Aria’s.

******************************************************************************

In the end, because of having to deal with a sniper, god, and Genion, I was a little late that morning.

When I get to school–my seat will still be there, won’t it?

Because the students had seen me act violently, they might begin agitating for my expulsion by taking away my desk.

Worried, I peeked into the classroom from the corridor, and it seems that Homeroom has already started.

My desk is still there, but… my neighbor Moe, is absent.

She has broken her record of perfect attendance that she has held since kindergarten.

But this isn’t the time to be worrying about someone else…

So, timidly…

「…Sorry I’m late.」

I quietly opened the sliding door at the back of the classroom, and slipped in..

As soon as I set foot in the classroom, everyone turned to look at me.

And in unison,

「Waaaaaah!」

But it wasn’t a cry of fear. They were cheering me with smiles on their faces.

The entire class. As soon as they saw me.

「…? ? ?」

As I stood there without a clue as to what was happening, first the athletic boys stood up–

They crowded around me energetically, as if they wanted to hoist me onto their shoulders.

「Tohyama, I can’t believe it! Is it true that you beat up a big bruiser yesterday!?」

They said, their eyes all a-sparkle.

「N-no, I just got lucky… I’m really clumsy. My body just sort of moved, and the other guy had already fallen down.」

「But I saw it, and it didn’t look like that to me! Were you boxing?」

That was my opponent.

「I’ve never seen anything like it! Do you come from a family of ninjas, or something?」

That’s my Amica Fuuma.

「No, you see.. I… that…」

From all sides, the excitement grew until I was assaulted with a barrage of question, and before I knew it, I was also surrounded by girls noisily showering me with adulation.

In this too unexpected situation, all I could do was look around me like a cornered crook.

In other words, Homeroom was interrupted because of me…

Thinking that, I turned toward the teacher’s desk where Gori was watching the scene, and his expression said: 『Yes, it’s fine, go on.』

Seeing that, I finally understood…

…Ah…

So that’s it.

Everyone was tired of these ordinary, boring days–

I was not the only one at this school. Everyone else was tired of it.

Where nothing ever happened, and there was unbroken peace, they were starved for excitement.

And then, I had beaten back the obviously ruffianly looking Leon–

Or opened a wind-hole, as Aria would say.

******************************************************************************

Afterwards, during class breaks, my classmates kept asking me things like:

「You must be really strong, right?」

「Tohyama, that guy must have been a washed-up boxer!」

「What style do you practice?」

To which I replied, respectively:

「Not really.」

「I knew that.」

「None in particular.」

I tried to say as little as possible in response, but my popularity could only increase from there.

Forget breaks, during the lunch period there was another Tohyama-mania craze as the boys and girls from neighboring classes invaded our classroom…

A-at this rate, It will be hard for me to stay at this school, but for a wholly different reason…

So holding my head, and being unable to even leave the classroom–

A tall lanky student unexpectedly appeared.

「C’moooon! Don’cha see y’all only buggin’ ‘im!」

With this horribly enunciated rebuke, he dispersed the students that held me under house arrest.

And over there shooing everyone away…. was Asao, wearing his uniform properly,

That must mean that the thin student is Fujikibayashi? I didn’t recognise him because his hair is dyed black

「S’all right, Kinji. Everyone in this lot is definitely gonna want to bug you today.」

「You should leave quickly.」

I thought that both Fujikibayashi and Asao hated me, but for some reason I don’t understand, they are helping me–

「Y-yes, you really saved me.」

I thanked them honestly, and with those two acting as guards, I escaped the classroom.

**************************************************************************
–As expected of a bunch of yankees6, the knew of a good place to hide.

I hadn’t noticed it, but up above the roof, on top of the big school clock there was another rooftop.

No one comes here.

Going up a concealed service ladder, I was finally able to pause to take a breath.

The view was pretty good, and I gazed out over downtown Ikekuburo…

「Please, let what happened between us be water under the bridge. I’m sorry.」

「Sorry!」

Side-by-side, Fujikibayashi and Asao bowed.

I can’t really remember you hurting me, so you don’t need to apologise…

Or so I was thinking, but they are men bowing their heads, so…

「Understood.」

I merely replied.

At that, they seemed relieved and sitting in seiza looked up to me smiling.

It’s a look of expectation..

It’s as if they expected to hear me chew them out.

「… Weren’t the two of you suspended?」

「We’re done finished.」

‘Done finished’?…It seems that Fujikibayashi has more trouble with Japanese than I do.

It reminds me of Shirayuki’s 『Kin-chan-sama』 using two honorifics.

「We is in the same class.」

‘We is’?… Whatever.

「To tell the truth, we wanted to stop coming to school, but… Kinji-san is here, so we kept coming.」

Asao said in a low voice, to which I replied with a 『Huh?』…

「We told Gori, and it made him happy.」

Fujikibayashi said smiling.

Ahh… So that’s why he didn’t ask too many questions about my violent encounter off school grounds.

Gori-sensei. So that’s it. Keeping students from dropping out of your class can only be good for your career.

「So you are going to come to school… then what are your plans afterwards?」

I asked, just for reference–

「Kinji-san, just like you are going to attend a cram school and work hard… I am going to study hard too. I want to become a doctor. That’ll make me popular.」

「I’m gonna take over my pop’s fishing business. But my mama says I gotta finish high school.」

Huuuuh…?

These hooligans have their futures better planned than I do.

「But really Kinji-san, yesterday was super totally unbelievable! Leon might be an old East Ikekuburo student, but he’s a real pain as a person, right?」

Even though we were classmates, Fujikibayashi had used honorifics in order to start sucking up to me.

「That might be true…」

I said that, but Leon–had climbed up onto the roof…!

He was wearing an old school uniform, and apparently he tailed Fujikibayashi and Asao and sneaked into his old school. In order to find me.

Fujikibayashi and Asao’s faces turned as red as tomatoes, and even I was a little surprised–

「–I’m not giving you a revenge match, Leon. How did things go with the Kagataka Family?」

「They kicked me out. I’m fine though.」

Just in case, I looked him over…he didn’t look particularly injured.

Aside from the bandage over his nose from my kick.

「I’m here on orders from the Family, but even so.. I’m sorry. Please forgive me…!」

In a louder voice than Asao had used, dropped and bowed on the spot.

Ah! I get it. He had tracked me down in fear, and came to make his apology.

I should be the one apologising though.

In our fight…

I vented all of my stress on you.

「That’s enough, it’s really not necessary. If you don’t pick a fight with me, I won’t raise a hand against you. Live your life the way you want to.」

Slightly embarrassed, I unilaterally ended the conversation.

Then he stayed quiet for a while…

He was different than Fujikibayashi and Asao, and he studied me with his semi-pro eye.

「… Are you sure that you’re simply human?」

「I’m not very sure, but I hope to be one.」

「Let me be your little brother!」

This… again…?

「I told Kikuyo the same thing: I have enough younger brothers.」

I said harshly.

「I’m not used to the kind of ‘games’ you play. I’m just an amateur. If you want to be delinquents, then do whatever you want. Fight if you want to. if you get suspended or arrested because of it, it’s your life. But don’t drag me into it.」

I took the opportunity to look at Fujikibayashi and Asao and turn them down as I said this…

And one by one, they all nodded. They looked a little disappointed, and I felt a small twinge of guilt.

As a rule, I dislike those kind of ‘problem children’ that act out but…

I couldn’t help but feel a little sympathy for them. I was a problem child too at my old school.

But this is no good. I have to clearly sever our ties here.

I have no intention of becoming an outlaw.

「I want to pass my days in this school normally. I tried to peacefully integrate into society and live a tranquil life. So I don’t want to be bothered by your problems. Got it?」

I repeated myself, and Fujikibayashi and Asao both nodded at the same time.

They must be good friends.

But…

Leon looked like he had something that he wanted to say, but he swallowed his words. And his close cropped head nodded agreement.

Then I began to feel something–

*Grrrrrr!*

The grave tone of the scene was ruined by the sound rumbling from my stomach.

At lunch today, everyone had rained a hail of questions on me, and because of that, I hadn’t eaten anything.

「You’re hungry! Be right back!」

Fujikibayashi’s face suddenly lit up, and he decided to be the errand boy and run to buy something to eat…

Before I could say 『No thanks』, he had already dashed off and disappeared.

**********************************************************

Haa… but if I left now I would only be mobbed by everyone again. So I just ate while waiting for my classmates to either leave for home or go to their clubs.

Fujikibayashi ran to the nearby Yoshinoya7 location, and bought a big bowl of gyudon, a cup of miso soup, and a lot of soft-boiled eggs.

As the smell of Yoshinoya gyudon is like that of McDonald’s, having a scent that could stimulate anyone’s appetite…

Seeing me receive this food, it seemed like Asao and Leon did not want to be outdone and without missing a beat, they also left, and after a while–

They offered me a tribute out of a travel bag.

A T-Tokkoufuku…! 8

I’m holding a gaudy Bousouzoku-style coat.

And on its white back, 『In all Heaven and Earth, I alone am worthy of honour 』9 had been embroidered, but… they messed up on one character.

「Kinji-san this is so perfect for you!」

「We want you to wear it. Although they have broken up, this is from my old gang, the legendary–」

Asao and Leon began explaining the origins of the coat. They apparently didn’t hear what I had just said, and as I was quivering with rage so that I was about to snap the chopsticks that came with the food…

*Tap!* *Tap!* *Tap!* *Tap!* *Tap!* *Tap!*

There was a tapping on my shoulder.

But I couldn’t see the hand responsible.

G-G-3! I told you not to follow me…!

But this guy doesn’t listen to anything I tell him to do.

But what’s this? English Morse Code?

『Nice coat. Can I have it…?』

You like things like that? But loud, flashy things must be G-3’s style.

Pretending to scratch my shoulder, I tapped a message in Japanese on my younger brother’s hand in reply: 『Don’t follow me again, Kinzou.』 as I said aloud:

「I won’t wear it, but my younger brother will love it.」

I have to get out of here soon…

But checking, there were still a lot of students at school.

With a sigh, I sat down again, and Asao took out a beer can and started drinking.

「Oi! You shouldn’t drink alcohol!」

「It’s no big deal. The can might say that it’s harmful to minors, but..」

「That’s not what I’m worried about. I’m talking about your control. In a fight, alcohol… will hurt your response time.」

Caught up in the Butei-esque atmosphere… I slipped and said that.

Asao looked happy at my teacher-like reprimand and closed the can–

Now Fujikibayashi and Leon were looking at me in obvious expectancy.

They were hoping I’d give them some other advice like what I had just said.

I still can’t leave, so there’s no help for it. I’ll kill some time chatting with these guys.

Rather, I couldn’t help but say something to them.

The secret of my level of experience was already out, so I’ll give these three a few tips on personal safety.

With a slightly serious expression, I turned to face them.

「From now on… Fujikinayashi, you should stop wearing your earrings.」

「Huh? Too flashy?」

「No, but when you grapple with someone, they are going to be ripped out. That was what I was taught.」

His eyes glistening at my frank advice, Fujikibayashi took out his earrings.

「…Leon. You have the bad habit of hanging your arm outside the car window like you did yesterday. 」

「Hmmm?」

「Fix it. You’re going to break an arm.」

I said several thing like this that Ranbyou had taught to us…

…Checking back every now and again until the number of students had thinned out.

「From here on out– There is nothing between us. There’s nothing good that can come out of it. By thy way, Leon…」

Standing up, I turned to look back at Leon–

I gave him one final heartfelt warning.

「That Makarov. Was it the Family’s or yours?」

「…It’s mine.」

「Have you looked it over?」

「No…」

「It was full of dirt and debris from being fired. Forget a disassembly, it looked like it had not received even normal maintenance. When you pointed the gun at me, your posture was sloppy. How can you carry a gun when you don’t know how to aim, fire, or care for it?」

「…」

「I gave it back to you that time, but someone who carries a gun has a certain duty. They accept the moral responsibility that at some point in time, it might be necessary to use it. If you draw a weapon needlessly, it will cause everyone around to panic. That is what happened yesterday. If you take it without necessity, not only your enemy, but there’s the chance that everyone carrying one nearby could also draw theirs. It could be me. Or maybe some policeman. And let me tell you, a policeman will shoot to kill. Between a rookie who drew his gun without thinking, and a professional trained to use it–Think hard about which one is more likely to survive.」

「…」

「You should understand this. An amateur should not be carrying a gun. The only one who should be carrying a gun is someone whose job requires them to do so. The American law that is slowly lifting the ban on the sale of old weapons is wrong. Nowadays, you can get a used Saturday Night Special for 7,000 yen10. Your gun goes for about 30,000.11 And if you go flashing your gun around recklessly,– it will be a double suicide. For you and your gun.」

It looks like if you really took the time to speak honestly, he would understand…

Leon remained silent, listening to my frank words.

「Ask yourself, is you life worth so little to you? If you’ve given up on being a yakuza, you should get rid of it.」

I concluded my speech.

「…I understand. I’ll take it to a collection point tonight and get rid of it.」

Leon said, seeming to have taken what I said to heart.

He’s not talking about using a vise to destroy it, but rather disposing of it in the official manner…

But I had handled it by illegally disposing of the bullet prize from the Sports Festival a while ago by burying them. What does that say about me?

*******************************************************

The next morning, Tamamo used her powers of transformation to turn into a 『Road Safety Amulet』.

I took her to school, wearing it under my shirt.

I thought she had been quietly keeping watch or sleeping in her own 『dimension』, but she had plundered my Nintendo DS and had been idling the entire time.

Such a care-free god…

Grumbling about this NEET god, I avoided everyone as they left the few scattered school buildings and slipped away–

In the sunset, I picked up Reki wearing her poker face in front of the school gate and headed home.

「We’re home…!」

As we arrived home, G-3 was putting the last few touches on his constructed greenhouse.

In the sitting room, Kaname is sitting in front of my late father’s shogi board, reading a book written by Shogi Master Habu.

My grandmother was playing the koto in the living room… That song… is the same one Shirayuki plays, isn’t it?

Well, it is a well-known song, I guess.

Out from under the eye of my grandmother, my grandfather is reading.

He’s put a cover on it, but judging from his grinning face, it’s one of his precious French Shoin books.12

Giving this ordinary scene a sideways glance, I entered the six tatami room that was mine.

「…」

*Swish!* *Swish!*

My room is separated from the next where Reki stays by only a sliding screen. Because the noise of Reki changing out of her uniform is too exciting, I left my room and went out onto the porch to pass the time in watching the glistening snow that was still falling from the sky.

The sun is already low in the sky.

Well, how to say it…?

Today was a hard day at school, I’m being haunted by a fox spirit, and there are several strange things going on at my house–

Despite that, I get the feeling that I am becoming an ordinary person. But I also feel like there is something that can destroy this sense of peace.

I’m thinking of something Kana told me:

When people leave behind their old norm—they have new experiences and learn from them. By doing that, they will establish a new norm.

…That’s how I feel.

I wouldn’t have had these experiences if I hadn’t left Butei High.

I learned a lot there that I couldn’t elsewhere.

But–what Kana said had a continuation:

But if a person isn’t where they need to be, they will never fit in.

…I watch the snow for little while and pondered this…

「Kinji-san, it is almost time for dinner.」

I had no idea how long she had stood there, Reki pointed this out to me–

Lately Reki has taken to wearing her Butei High sailor suit around the house.

***************************************************************

The family and border all together, we ate a bountiful meal… afterwards, since even the strangest of pets must be vaccinated, Reki took Haimaki for his inoculations– Since night time was the only time that such business could operate, Reki took him to a certain veterinary in Nerima. Since there were several kinds of inoculations, Reki and Haimaki had been going there twice a week.

As for me…

Despite lecturing Leon about it, I myself wasn’t maintaining my Beretta at all. So I thought I should check it once in awhile, and took out the gun from the cabinet…eh?

Someone had actually cleaned and serviced it. It was a modified gun, yet the maintenance was done perfectly. There were even fresh traces of lubricating oil.

…?

Turning it over in my non-Hysteria Mode brain…

My mobile suddenly began playing 『Hana no Uchi ni』13.

I picked up, but the number was strange to me.

「…Hello?」

I spoke a single word–

「–It’s just awful, Tohyama. Using your henchman like that.」

The voice answered with a suppressed smile.

It was Kikuyo.

It seems like she got my number from somewhere.

「…What do you mean?」

I had a bad feeling about this, so I listened instead of hanging up…

「Hmmm. I see. It was nothing. I was checking.」

「…?」

「Changing topics– I had a little chat with Moe Mochizuki and asked what she is to you.」

–!

That must be why Moe was absent today, even though she had perfect attendance.

It was Kikuyo…!

「…You kidnapped her, didn’t you?」

「Don’t say something so scandalous. I just wanted to invite you back to my table again, but when I started talking in the cafe she freaked out! I thought she was a quiet girl, but she has guts! So I had her stay until she calms down.」

「…!」

Now she’s done it. She’s taken a hostage.

「But back to the topic of your henchmen. Leon tailed us with Asao and Fujikibayashi to the shop where Moe and I were going to have tea. And then, as my people were trying to calm Moe down–those three idiots just burst in!」

「What…?!」

「Fufufu! I had to protect myself. But no matter what, the three of them wouldn’t give up your name. No matter how we asked–they only said that it was someone, and Moe had nothing to do with their friend, and I should let Moe go so that they could live a peaceful life.」

Until now Kikuyo had mixed in laughter with her words…

「–The yakuza can’t let that go. The four of them are your people. How are you going to pay for this?」

Now her true colours were exposed as Kikuyo’s voice became cold and serious.

「You haven’t killed them?」

「Of course not. They’re alive. For now.」

「I want proof.」

「I thought you’d say that. –Here, Moe. It’s your unrequited love.」

Kikuyo’s voice sounded slightly farther away…

Sounds of a struggle, and then a muffled voice…

「Tohyama-kun, don’t come…」

After saying that, Moe was gagged again…

I’m sure that was Moe’s voice, and I paled.

「…Tohyama. Let me tell you two facts: First, over 8,000 people are reported missing every year. Second, the yakuza know places where something can be buried and no one ever find it.」

「Threats… they’ve always been your specialty.」

「What now? You’re making me feel bad. They’re just facts. You can find them written in books.」

She’s an ex-Butei, and an ex-member of LEZZAD. That makes her hard to deal with,

There’s a well-known saying around Butei High: ASSAULT is weak against LEZZAD.

If you want a historical comparison, it’s like the relationship between the samurai and ninjas.

The samurai were stronger. They carried good swords, and were excellent swordsmen.

They had good food, and via hard training, strong bodies. And since they lived in fortified castles, their defence was perfect.

Anyone who wanted to kill them–for whatever reason– was unable to.

Attacking head-on.

But if they were attacked from behind, they could be killed.

That’s what the ninja did.

A ninja never fought like a warrior in a spectacular way. They would creep in close unnoticed, use long-ranged weapons, attack while their enemy was sleeping, use poison, and any method that could be called ‘sneaky’.

But they never thought it was shameful. They only cared about winning, and this was practically the opposite of rigid discipline.

This way how Kikuyo had been trained–as an intelligence gathering operative, this was how she worked. Such people regularly take hostages.

Even the 『Western Ninja』 Watson was able to kidnap Aria.

And although the tactics were only slightly different, I’ve been played the same way. A Butei from ASSAULT falling into a cliche trap.

******************************************************************

「–So, how about another date? Moe is anxious to see you as well–」

Leaving me with those words, Kikuyo ended the call and sent a map to my e-mail, whose address she had probably gotten from Moe’s mobile.

It was Kikuyo… the Head of the Family’s, main residence.

『Come if you want the hostages released.』 — that was her message.

Those were her final words.

I can’t help but go.

If I don’t go, Moe and the others’ lives will be in danger. The yakuza don’t think twice about killing. Kikuyo said that they were experts at making people disappear. If anyone in the organisation is accused of a crime, arrested, indicted, and receives a prison sentence they earn praise and promotion.

These despicable people, that’s practically the opposite of what normal people would think of a criminal.

But the blame here…

Is completely mine.

In order to buy time for Reki to escape, I had messed around with Leon in front of Kikuyo’s eyes. I went into Hysteria Mode and that was a huge mistake.

Everything is my fault–and I shouldn’t drag anyone else into it. Even my family that is living their everyday life.

I can’t destroy it. Their peaceful, everyday life.

So I have to take care of it myself.

Reki’s absence in taking care of Haimaki might just be a drop of happiness in a sea of misfortune.

But…

Reluctantly, I donned my bulletproof Butei High school uniform and holstered my Beretta but– I’m still me, without the influence of Hysteria Mode.

What can the normal ‘me’ do?

In Kikuyo’s main residence, the executives and their henchmen are sure to be there.

If can’t fake Hysteria Mode because Kikuyo is used to seeing me in that state, and I won’t be able to fool her sharp gaze.

If a fight broke out, even the normal ‘me’ can deal with a bunch of small-time thugs, but these are professionals.

…In the end, this won’t be settled by talking.

Thinking that, I slipped out into the dark street without a word to anyone–a light snow had fallen.

********************************************************

White breath puffing, I hurried to Kikuyo’s grand mansion in West Ikebukuro.

This has turned into an infiltration.

When crossing enemy’s defensive lines, Butei call it an 『Infiltration』.

The word has its origin in the kind of circles Kikuyo runs in, and it’s jargon for the disputes between rival families.

On full-alert, I peeked around the corner at a huge, extravagant Japanese style door…

「…Leon! Fujikibayashi! Asao…!」

Tattered and bloody, they were collapsed rather than leaning, against the side of a wall.

Panicked, I rushed over and knelt by them, and when I reached them… it was horrible.

The three of them had been pummeled mercilessly until their faces were monstrous.

It… doesn’t look like they were able to put up any kind of a fight, and they were beaten and left here.

「Why did you fight them…? Against the yakuza…?」

As I hurriedly looked them over to make sure they didn’t have any broken bones or ruptured organs…

「Ki…Kinji-san…sorry…」

With his nose broken and good looks spoiled, Fujikibayashi tried to apologise.

「E-even though we promised not to drag you into this… we ended up dragging you in anyway…」

T-that promise–

You did all of this in order to keep you promise to me?

You didn’t have to keep that promise in this kind of emergency.

「You said that you wanted to pass the time going to school normally… So we tried to get Moe Mochizuki back from the Family to honour that promise so K-Kinji-san could live his life, but… we’re s-sorry…」

Asao said weakly, his thick right arm was broken. That will take a month in order to recover.

…Because I tried and failed to forcibly make a normal life for myself at that school, these guys… tried to fix it themselves. Because I had said 『Don’t drag me into it 』.

Coughing violently and showering the snow with thin streaks of blood, Leon said–

「I-it’s alright..!」

Alarmed, I turned toward him.

「I went in bare-handed. Because of our promise. I didn’t pack any heat.」

Despite his tattered and worn out appearance…Leon showed a boastful smile.

Wh-what the hell…!

What are you guys planning on doing? Keeping that promise to the letter?

They had done all of this for me…!

「Why did you fight… until something like this happened?! If you had given my name, called for me… something like this would never have happened…!」

In my eyes, tears I couldn’t explain began to well up.

「Fujikibayashi, Asao, Leon…! You don’t owe me anything! We only fought and afterwards ate on the roof. There’s nothing between us…!」

「–Not true!」

Despite his battered appearance, Leon put on a renewed face.

Fujikibayashi and Asao… laughed weekly.

「At school, everyone looked away from us. But you looked at me and Asao and faced us head-on」

「Ki-Kinji-san, you took us seriously… Heh Heh… That actually made us glad.」

Fujikibayashi, Asao…!

「…So we just wanted to take your wishes seriously, that’s all.」

Leon…!

So that’s it…!

The three of them… had been isolated and lonely.

Shunned and ignored at school and by society, they had nowhere to belong.

I understand how painful that can be. I’ve experienced it as well.

I faced them head-on, and even though it has only been a short while, it’s like we have become friends.

They had done this for only that reason…

「B-but in the end, we… only managed to cause you trouble… Making you come out someplace like this… W-we’re really sorry…」

「Hehe… Scum will always be scum, and that’s us. A place like this is right for trash like us… Hehe…」

「People like us… you just shouldn’t have anything to do with… People like us… The world looks at us like worms.」

To Fujikibayash, Asao, and Leon I replied…

「They’re wrong…!」

Rising, I glared at the entrance to the Kagataka Family’s home.

「You fought. To help Moe, to help me. You fought fearlessly to help someone else. That’s not something anyone can do!」

I don’t know any words other than Butei words. So I spoke to them as if they were injured comrades.

「You aren’t worms. You are human. Falling while fighting for someone else with all your might is something you should be proud of. It’s human. And if anyone says anything different– They’re asking for a beating…!」

It’s me. I should be the one apologising.

I have power, and you, without power, fought my battle for me.

I can’t let that go.

–A person carrying a gun, has a responsibility.

I’m ashamed that I had the nerve to say that to Leon on the rooftop that day.

Not just with guns.

Anyone who holds power has a responsibility.

A responsibility to fight for those without power.

I had made them my scapegoats… and I was too stupid to see it until now.

They made me realise this for the the first time since leaving Butei High.

「–Kaname.」

I raised my voice and addressed myself to the street corner behind me…

「Aha! You got me!」

Saying that, Kaname appeared in her school uniform and skipped toward me.

「Hello! I’m the cute little sister that takes care of her Onii-chan from ‘Good Morning’ until ‘Good Night’.」

She offered a phrase similar to something that Shirayuki would have said.

「You didn’t think that you could tail a person on a snowy day, did you? Even though you stepped in my footprints, I heard the sound of your footfalls.」

「I knew that you had noticed me, but you didn’t tell me to go away.」

「If I had, you would have followed me anyway.」

「I guess so. Hee hee!.」

「But this is far enough. I’ll make these yakuza pay each of us to settle this fight. They have only increased my determination to do so.」

「Huh? Let me do something. I won’t tell Reki, Third, or anyone.」

「Well… You can get these three to a hospital for me. Also… Thanks for taking care of my Beretta」

「Thanks are illogical. That’s what a little sister is supposed to do.」

Saying that, Kaname winked at me in an adorable manner–

I was only half sure, but it seems that she was the one who serviced my gun so scrupulously.

Reki won’t touch anyone else’s gun without permission, G-3 treats his guns like toys, and Grandfather and Grandmother have always taught me: 『You should take care of your own things.』

So, by process of elimination I reached this conclusion: Kaname had been the one to service my gun. I owe her.

But now–

My present state of mind. Is that from my time at Butei High. I have the feeling that I have reverted.

Anger at the Kagataka Family is filling my chest, but I am still calm. Even though this situation occurred, rather than rage, my head is cool and collected.

The worrying thought of stepping into a life-and-death situation is merely a pleasant notion.

–I’m not a respectable person.

「But… Will you really be alright alone? It doesn’t look like you are in HSS.」

「I’ll figure something out.」

「Well… I believe in you.」

Kaname and I had this conversation as she lent Leon a shoulder–

「Moe is inside, right?」


I asked Leon a question.

「Y-yeah…」

He nodded.

Let’s go. The mission: save Moe. Number of enemies: Unknown. Their weapons: Unconfirmed. Forget King or Berserk, I wasn’t even in normal Hysteria Mode, I was simply me. This job is going to be difficult.

But isn’t it always? It’s the sort of steep path that I’m used to walking.

*********************************************************

「Good evening.」

Despite it’s old-fashioned design, the door was automatic and slid open…

Neatly dressed in her updated Kimono, Kikuyo greeted me.

「I’m sorry Tohyama. But it looks like I’m the type of girl that bothers the people I love.」

「I’m not in the mood to listen to your jokes. Is it this way…?」

The snow had accumulated in the spacious Japanese garden, and walking through it we passed a koi pond with fish that must have cost several million yen apiece.

We entered the house’s genkan.

As we walked I had seen a line of Ferraris in the garage, a huge Harley-Davidson motorbike, and a motorboat sitting on a trailer.

「Fu Fu! Your face, Tohyama, is lively like I thought.」

Entering the genkan that was larger than my entire room, Kikuyo covered her mouth with the long sleeves of her kimono.

Thinking she has her prey caught in her web, she looks pleased with herself.

「Where’s Moe?」

「Really now. You’re already talking about another girl. This way. That girl really has a bad temper, don’t you think?」

Whirling away in a huff, Kikuyo turned and started down a corridor. The walls of the corridor were an aquarium made of a huge tank embedded into the wall and had large fish swimming in it.

Following her down the hall, she led me into a room that was probably over 100 square metres.

「… 」

The walls of the room were covered with amazing oil paintings, and off to the side of the support pillars there were celadon vases with the image of Asura, and a glass table with a lamp.

These treasure would have cost several million yen.

There wasn’t even a trace of continuity in style, but the yakuza don’t trouble themselves about such things. They hoard pieces of art in their mansions in case the police freeze their financial assets. Because real estate and art are assets that can be liquidated easily.

But these things are not what should be noticed. Instead, the yakuza scattered throughout the room should be observed.

First, the ones I know–the executives…

The lanky Todai Graduate was sitting on the sofa wearing a suit.

In addition, like dependant children that have yet to leave home, five yakuza wearing black suits were standing by the door–

Holding assault rifles.

Five AK-47’s…?

That must have been hard to pull off.

Adopted by the former Soviet Union, they are now mass-produced in China–and it isn’t the best gun.

It’s accuracy is low, and it has design flaws. But putting that aside, it is an assault rifle, and, of course, it can fire automatic bursts.

And despite the fact that its comparatively larger and more powerful 7.62 mm bullets reduces its loading capacity, it still carries more bullets than my pistol.

It’s firepower is not something the normal me can deal with.

Although it also has the reputation of rusting easily and the rifling wearing down, it won’t fail easily.

It is a weapon designed with War in mind, and a reliable gun.

「…Gunrunning?」

As a Butei, I foolishly pointed out the obvious.

Riko’s would be easier to get into the country, but assault rifles– they would be a lot harder to get through inspection. One or two, I could understand, but a full set like this…

There’s no way that they could be registered, and they have to come from the black market–contraband guns. All of them.

With connexions to China, Kikuyo has an easy route for gun smuggling–

「I just haven’t gotten around to registering them yet.」

Her silly answer implied I was correct.

「So they don’t work?」

「Want to find out…?」14

The Todai Graduate burst into laughter at our exchange, as off to the side–

「…Tohyama-kun…!」

The executive that looked like a host pushed Moe ahead of him into the room.

「Moe…!」

I rushed over to her and saw that her two thumbs had been tied together behind her back. This is the simplest, but most effective way to immobilise someone’s hands.

Perhaps because she was so flustered, but Moe crashed into me and fell in a heap–

「They haven’t done anything bad to you, have they?」

I asked, bending down on one knee to meet her eyes and calm her.

「N-no…They haven’t done anything to me, but…」

Suddenly she looked angry.

「Fujikibayashi and the rest are at a hospital. They’ll be fine. They aren’t going to die.」

At my words, Moe’s face became calm again…Kikuyo said 『Of course they are!』, sulkily pouting.

「–Kikuyo, you have illegally detained a minor; that’s kidnapping.」

「What if we were just playing with a string and she got tangled in it?」

Now that we had come to the crux of the issue–I turned and glared angrily at Kikuyo.

「W-well… she started it by grabbing ahold of me…!」

Because she did not want me to hate her, Kikuyo bowed her head, looked up, and began explaining.

「We were in a coffee shop chatting, and I might have exaggerated our relationship a little… and she starts yelling 『Liar! Liar! Liar! Liaaaar!』. In front of my own people!」

Kikuyo explained as Moe shot an angry glare in her direction.

「T-That’s because you started to say all th-those perverted things!」

..W-what?

Kikuyo, just what did you tell Moe?

「–Some of it was true. It happened a long time ago, but still…」

Kikuyo puffed out her flat chest–

Moe paled instantly… Ahhh… and turned toward me…

In reality, it was a long time ago when Kikuyo and a group of girls trapped me in the school infirmary, or the science lab and made me go into Hysteria Mode… I-I couldn’t help but look away.

Whereupon Moe turned back to glare at Kikuyo.

She looked like she wanted to launch herself at Kikuyo again–the Evil Boss Woman.

I didn’t know Moe could be so… s-scary.

There seems to be something other than a personal grudge between the two of them. And it clearly involves me.

I can only feel increasingly responsible for the whole situation…

But as I thought about it–

*Creak!*

The Todai Graduate stood up from the sofa.

He ordered: 『Tie them up』… and this time Moe and my hands were tied behind us with a longer cord. Smiling, the Host took my gun and knife.

Of course it’s as I thought, and they won’t just let me go.

Up til now, everything had gone as I had expected, and now–I’ll be negotiating with Kikuyo.

I still have something she wants. Myself.

Kikuyo grabbed Moe, but she really was interested in me.

Kikuyo must want me to do something for her, and now we’ve come to the part where I listen to her demands…

「Miss, are you carrying a gun?」

The Todai Graduate asked Kikuyo.

「Hm? No.」

She answered, and suddenly behind her–

*Whoosh!*

The Host grabbed her.

「 –!?」

Furrowing her eyebrows, Kikuyo looked around, and the Todai Graduate was smiling wickedly.

Then the yakuza–tied Kikuyo’s hands like ours as she looked around her.

With a *Thud!* Kikuyo was forced to sit down next to me.

「Y-You…!」

Finally, the Todai Graduate and Host broke into a laugh as she glared. Hair falling across her face, she was unable to brush it away.

「Sorry Miss. You haven’t been the Boss ever since you brought that boy here.」

–A coup d’etat…!?

Th…this is bad! I didn’t count on something like this happening. With this, the possibility of negotiating a release with Kikuyo is gone.

「Don’t say you didn’t know! A girl, a brat as the Boss… How much they laughed at us! Ah… How hard it has been for all of us!」

「But now then, Miss, you haven’t been totally useless. Because of you the police didn’t take us so seriously… You predecessor was a powerful man. As his daughter you even got a lot of the old jobs. But we don’t need those anymore.」

The Todai Graduate lit a cigar and blew the smoke into Kikuyo’s face.

「We’ve got a profitable connexion to China now.」

「And you were the one who did all the hard work for us!」

They roared with laughter–but it wasn’t just them. All of the executives must approve of this rebellion.

Or maybe they were forced, if they didn’t.

If I think back… all the signs were there…

Even at that restaurant in Sengoku, Ruby– I felt the tension in the room.

Neither the Todai Graduate whose cigar she threw water on, or the Host who she made put away his kiseru 15–didn’t show even the slightest hint of anger. They simply complied. As if they were hiding something.

Even when she ordered them to leave the two of us alone… everyone left quickly without an argument.

Just now, I was only concerned with assessing the possibility of physical attack and didn’t give thought to the potential danger to Kikuyo.

I let my guard down. Even though I am a professional. I missed it.

In other words… I’m not the most important thing to them here. Kikuyo is.

They had planned better than I had.

「And finally, Miss… even though it was on a whim, you lured in this dangerous boy–Tohyama-kun. If it were just us, we wouldn’t have been able to capture him. Yes, Master Kou will be pleased!」

That’s what the Chinese wanted–me to fight for them.

「Kinji Tohyama-ku~n. You know what this means~? After this, you’re going to be sold to the Hong Kong Mafia! You can brag to your friends that you went for a lot!」

Back when I was eating with Kikuyo, my Hysteria Mode was fixed on Kikuyo, a woman, so I–

Didn’t notice their suspicious action at Ruby.

I neglected what I should have guarded against…and now I’m reaping what I sowed…

What the heck was I doing!?

In trying to become a normal person, I only caused honest people trouble…!

「And because Japan has such an Omake16 culture, we’ll include you twopretty things free.」

「Before that, we’ll take our time and have our fun with you, Miss.」

The Host said licking his lips with his pierced tongue… Kikyuo…

…turned away… and sniffled…

… and began to cry.

*Drip!* *Drip!* Large tears fell to the floor.

She looked like a normal girl.

I can’t say that she doesn’t have her faults, but… I feel sorry for her.

But what should I do now?

No matter where I look, I’m in a tough spot.

Should I cooperate with them and go to Hong Kong on the condition that they let the 『free bonuses』 go?

Just then–

「Oi, Aniki!」

disembodied voice resounded through the room.

The yakuza all startled to attention, and the executives and members started looking all around the room. I looked up and around the room as well.

「I-I didn’t know you were there, G-3! So you followed me again!?」

I said to the owner of the voice.

「Aniki, you were only focused on Kaname. You have to consider that you might have a double-tail!」

Still invisible, G-3 replied somewhat peeved–

*Snatch!*

And he picked up the wide-eyed Kikuyo who still sobbing loudly.

It looked like Kikuyo has suddenly risen into the air.

She floated through the air at a walking pace…

The yakuza and Moe were only able to stare at Kikuyo, completely dumbfounded.

「How did you follow me, anyway. For later reference.」

「I walked on top of power lines.」

「I won’t be able to use that at all… and why did you take care of Kikuyo first?」

As I spoke to my invisible younger brother, G-3–

Was already cutting the cords around my wrists.

I’m free to move. For now.

「Because this is pretty. Take it off. It’s a little cold, and my Aniki wants to get moving.」

Saying that–

G-3 carried Kikuyo to the window, cut the cords binding her, and took the obi of her kimono…

…W-why are you untying it?

There was a rustle of clothing.

「H-Hey…what are you doing… N-no…!」

Blushing with an embarrassed red, in the middle of the air– Kikuyo left behind her modern-style kimono- —

Falling, she turned round and round like a scroll. And f-from her direction…!

「Kyaaaaaa…!」

「…Waah!」

With a *Thud!*, Kikuyo fell on top of me.

It was a deep red, expensive embroidered transparent kind–

It was surprised by how adult-like it was and how little the fabric of the lingerie covered.

My heart almost burst in surprise at the sight.

— *Thump!* —

But I have a very strong heart.

And Kikuyo knows it, so I don’t want to think about why she wore that today–

To me, lingerie is a weapon. And I’m weak against red.

And white.

And black.

In addition to these three colours, I have recently found out that I am weak against yellow.

…Now that I think about it, it’s any colour.

Have I no shame?

「N-No~…!」

Some aerial version of the classic ‘Wicked Magistrate and the Town Girl’17had taken place, leaving her in her underwear, Kikuyo covered her body and chest with her hands, trying to cover the important bits.

But there’s no way you can cover your whole body with only your hands.

「Huh? Thank goodness… the cords have been cut. And yours too Tohyama-kun!」

Because Moe could not read the situation and blurted that out, I can’t pretend not to move any longer.

I stood up–

*Bzzzz!* *Bzzzz!*

With the sound of flickering lights… G-3 materialised… How should I respond to this…!

「This is quality Nishijin weave18. Look at it, Aniki! This is some kind of amazing marigold pattern, don’t you think?」

Photo-refractive Camouflage de-activated, G-3 was sporting Kikuyo’s prettykimono, an innocent smile on his face…

Wearing his sunglasses-like HMD, and on top of his usual armour he was wearing the coat that Leon and the rest of them had given to me.

Come to speak of it, that coat seems to suit him.

Well just for today… I can forgive you. Wear it and fight.

What happens from now on will be like revenge for what they did to Leon and the rest of them, so go wild.

Kikuyo could only watch G-3 and the men that had until now been her henchmen.

Her shoulders began trembling, so I…

「…Kikuyo, I was right about what I said before, wasn’t I?」

I smiled while softly re-arranging her dishevelled hair.

「You can’t trust the yakuza.」

I gave her a wink and… she blushed red, but seemed to understand.

I have become your Hero of Justice.

The yakuza finally turned their attention back to me and,

「Youu…!」 「Brat…!」 「Which family do you belong to…!?」

–*Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!*

Pointing at G-3, a thunderous roar spouted from the assault rifles, but…

*Cla-cla-clang!* *Cla-clang!*

The bullets could not penetrate his jet-black armour. On his side…

*Thrum!* *Ching!*

Using 『Coil』 — a technique similar to my 『Tornado』 — reversed the AK-47 bullets, intercepting them one after another. Precisely diverting them to strike the base of the trigger and magazine stock, he rendered them unusable.

Bullets, G-3 can deal with.

Assault rifles too.

Precisely diverting them to strike the base of the trigger and magazine stock, he rendered them unusable.

「You’ve changed, G-3!」

「It’d be rude not to! There’s Renoir, Jingdezhen pottery, Tankei, and Emile Galle!」

G-3 said, smiling as he pointed out the painting, vases, buddha, and lamp in the room.

Smashing through the door and the surrounding wall, I saw him come through the window and drop into the garden.

But he has seen the artwork in the room and changed. We are both carriers of this un-manageable condition.

「You changed for that girl, Aniki?」

「Yeah. It was kind of like fire being applied to an old ember」

I said…

While protecting Kikuyo and Moe, I led them into the garden, away from the room that was filled with the smell of gunpowder.

Snow had fallen, and I searched for a way out of the garden–there’s a gate.

First things first, I have to get the girls away from her.

「–You guys are mafia. Don’t tell me that’s all you got. C’mout and fight! Just like my Aniki, I won’t kill you!」

Tossing Kikuyo’s clothes over a pine branch, G-3 began indulging his hobby of hunting criminals around the world.

As I thought when we first met, my younger brother’s speech is rough.

In which case, how are the yakuza supposed to understand him?

Starting tomorrow, I’m going to make him start a Japanese language course.

「K-Kill them! There’s only two!」

Even though he graduated from Todai, he didn’t seem to have learned his lesson, and as the lanky executive shouted to his henchmen…

*Rumble!* *Rumble!*

Like the final showdown of a samurai film, they just kept streaming out. On the whole, they all looked fierce.

Holding shotguns and machine guns in their hands– 50 men entered the garden.

I could tell from how they positioned themselves that they were not very well-trained, but there were a lot of them.

I already have my hands full trying to protect Kikuyo and Moe.

It can’t be helped.

Just then I noticed that we had one more ally— I need their help.

With the noise of G-3’s one-sided war on the yakuza behind me, I…

「…Uh, we’re in a tight spot. But Moe, Kikuyo. You see that star over there. Please pray and ask 『Please help me.』」

Smiling, I hugged Moe and Kikuyo’s shoulders with both arms–

Both my cheeks pressed close to theirs.

I pointed out a single star glimmering in the sky.

「Because beautiful girls’ prayers are able to reach the stars.」

「 –!?」

「 –!?」

Although they have different personalities, they are both girls with a girl’s heart.

To each one of them I whispered 「Come on.」 and 「Pray.」 respectively.

*Poooof!*

They each blushed red.

Even here, even now.

Haha! They are cute, aren’t they.

「….S-Star…Help…! Please help Tohyama-kun, n-no matter what happens to me.」

As she said her prayer, I glanced at Moe by accident.

As I am now, I understand. Part of you is a schemer.

But in the future, I don’t want you to develop that part of yourself too much. I’m weak against such womanly wiles.

「M-me too… whatever happens to me is fine. B-but Tohyama…help him. S-Star…? Star…!.」

Kikuyo said as if competing with Moe.

I must have misunderstood. I thought you were a mature girl, but–

You did grow up with a complicated home-life, and it was all just a mask.

Squeezing their eyes tightly shut as they prayed, I saw their faces in profile and got the sense that they were young and innocent.

Then, I noticed that the star I had pointed out began steadily coming closer.

「Now then, the star-goddess–Quadra is coming!」

Wha? Even as I spoke it I heard it.

「Stupid Kinji~!!!」

That anime-like goddess’ voice. Even this far away, she saw us.

Aria.

What I had pointed out was not a star, but an invention created by Aya Hiraga-san… a Hover Skirt–a flight unit in which Aria H. Kanzaki now soared.

Aaaah. In the end, it looks like my escape plan has been discovered.

Carrying her trademark pair of Governments, and with the full moon behind her, Aria–

「I’ve missed you, Kinji…*Grind!* *Grind!*」

Grinding her canines, she glared down at me with her camelia coloured eyes.

「You missed me? What a coincidence!」

「What do you mean by that!」

「I’ve missed you too, Aria.」

But before I could wink at her…

*Bam!* *Bam!* *Bam!* *Bam!*

Peppering the spacious garden from the air with her Government’s, her golden shell casings littered the snow.

Her angry .45 ACP bullets knocked the guns out of the yakuza’s hands who had pointed them toward the sky.

As expected of someone who studied at the Butei Institute in Rome. She is experienced with anti-Mafia tactics.

Nimbly dodging her enemies’ bullets mid-air, she skillfully destroyed their shotguns, assault rifles, sub-machineguns, and other weapons in order of greatest threat first.

Whirling in the sky, and sometimes crossing both her arms, Aria fired non-stop destroying the enemies’ firepower. Twirling her guns around her fingers, she stowed her pistols in the space provided inside her Hover Skirt–and storing them in the holsters beneath her skirt, she descended with her two swords drawn.

She cast an angry look at me with my arms around Moe and Kikuyo.

「Now then, Aria. Who was it that told you?」

「An anonymous phone call, but the agent who read it seemed to be reading a pre-written message.」

So the person who told on me…

They like to plan things in minute detail, huh?

Yes, but who was it?

「Speaking of you, Kinji, what have you been doing!」

「Just a little social field trip.」

「Social field trip… huh?」

An astonished look on her face, Aria looked around at the yakuza surrounding us.

「So you’ve been a normal civilian this whole time?」

「That’s right.」

「So does that mean you got yourself a normal girlfriend?.」

Suddenly very angry for some reason, Aria turned a murderous glare toward Moe and Kikuyo-

Letting go of them, I raised both my hands in the air in the western gesture meaning: 「Oh well…」.

「–If I did something like that, wouldn’t that leave you all alone?」

Hearing me say that, Aria made some incomprehensible noises of 「Hu- Whah!」.

She also used here super-blush technique, and started flailing her arms in denial, and dropped her swords.

I caught them, and helped her grasp them firmly–

「A-anyway! G-3! It looks like he’s on your side. What is this!?」

Ah, she avoided the subject. And my line of sight.

「It’s complicated, but for now we’re working together…」

I explained–

Aria said 「Hmm…」 and in typical Aria fashion, accepted my brash younger brother as an ally.

「Well, there are a lot of them, so let’s finish cleaning up. This is getting interesting!」

With those belligerent words… Aria paused with an 「Oh!」 like she had just remembered something and looked up at me.

「Kinji. We’ll talk about your fee later. It’s a Butei’s job to protect innocent civilians, anyway.」

In spite of everything, you’re still happy to see me, Aria–

–Sliding another magazine into her guns, she gave a wink and turned back to the fray.

It was the kind of wink you could admire for an hour.

「But for old time’s sake, I’ll cut you a deal.」

*******************************************************

Feeling sorry, I made G-3 return the kimono he had taken, and took Moe and Kikuyo to shelter on the other side of the gate–

Although the level of danger posed by the enemies was low, still in Hysteria Mode, I returned to the garden to protect Aria.

But G-3 and Aria had taken care of almost all of the yakuza already.

They were in a pitiful state and I smiled at them as Aria was tying their legs together with some cable as their destroyed guns and bent or broken blades littered the garden.

In front of the mansion…

Next to the Todai Graduate that had fallen foaming at the mouth was the Host who had apparently been hiding until now….

「W-who the heck are you…! I-I’m the second in command here! Don’t you know what that means!」

Knees knocking together, he stood shakily, threatening Aria and G-3.

With what he had taken from me– my own gun.

But they were far from intimidated.

「That’s your Beretta, isn’t it? Why did you let him take it from you?」

「I didn’t want to wreck it. Because you’re poor after all.」]

They both had a look on their face that said 『I’ve got this』 as they spoke to me.

G-3 was so relaxed that he started cleaning out his ears with a pinky.

「Get back–! I won’t kill you, but get back!!!」]

The Host screamed incoherently…

He started waving the gun around without locking on to a specific target.

Aria and G-3 at least seem to understand– it would be bad if I were shot,

「Sure. We’ll leave. As soon as you return what you’ve borrowed.」

Not wanting to lose my gun, I made this compromise and walked toward the Host– then it happened.

…I sensed that something bad happened behind me. I turned back.

Moe and Kikuyo were there.

What the…?

Then as if answering my own question–

「–D-Don’t shoot Tohyama-kun!」

She had worked her way around the garden and stepped out of shadow of the shrubs.

In her hands…

…a gun…

An automatic pistol.

A Browning Hi-Power.

A Belgian made pistol. Sturdy, but relatively light-weight. But most of all it had a double-sized magazine and a slim grip that made it easy for Asian hands to hold. In Japan, it is a popular weapon for women.

Moe… her hands are quivering and her stance is bad.

But she could still shoot because the safety has been taken off.

It must be Kikuyo’s. She must have hidden it somewhere in the garden.

Panicking, the Host aimed his gun at Moe…

「That girl is a bona fide civilian. Don’t you dare point your gun at her! The Family doesn’t hurt civilians. Have you forgotten that?」

Saying that, Kikuyo–

Kicking up snow with each step, walked up behind me.

Then standing in front of me blocking my left side and spread her empty hands.

「If you want to shoot someone, shoot me. That should make Master Kou happy.」

「Stop it…Moe…Kikuyo! Why didn’t you run!?」

I shouted at them…

「B-Because I wanted to do something like that pink-haired girl too… to protect you!」

Giving Aria a jealous glance, she gripped the gun in both hands.

The second half of Reki’s proverb came to mind–『A dog cannot become a wolf 』– like a flash-back.

Stop Moe! Don’t pull that trigger. You are just like that collie of yours, a good dog. Don’t cross over into this world of wolves– especially not for my sake.

You’re just a girl. You couldn’t survive in that world. So don’t shoot. You mustn’t shoot…!

「–This is my fault, Tohyama. The Chinese are not so forgiving. These idiots are going to want to make excuses for everything that has happened, and they need a scapegoat to hang it on their neck.」

「…Kikuyo…」

「So, Tohyama. Moe isn’t the only one that wants to protect you, I do too. Even though all I’ve ever caused you was trouble, you still protected me… That made me happy. So I– I want to be your Hero, and repay what I owe to you.」

With her back facing me, Kikuyo’s voice is calm. The voice of someone ready to die.

Kikuyo… wants to die in order to apologise to me. For all the times she has used me–from middle school until now.

Moe. Kikuyo. You are both facing very different sorts of crisis–

「Kikuyoooo!. …Damn youuu!」

Judging that the likelihood of Moe’s bullet hitting him was low, the Host turned the Beretta gun toward Kikuyo.

Lining up the bead in the rear sights, he took aim at her head.

Are you… really going to shoot an unarmed girl? The very one who provided for you until now…!?

「…!」

This is–

A multiple-line-of-fire scenario.

A difficult situation when multiple with guns have several people in their line of fire making it difficult to make a move.

Following the ironclad rule in such a case, Aria and G-3 froze.

But this executive will shoot Kikuyo. We only have a few seconds left.

「–Raaaaaaaa!」

The Host screamed and began to pull the trigger.

What should I do? How can I stop this…!?

Right now, I don’t have a gun or a knife. It’s too late for me to shield Kikuyo with my own body.

I began racking my brain, poring over all my experiences looking for a solution, and then–

Immediately, I blinked the signal 『B』 for Browning to G-3.

And in no more time than it took to blink an eye, I gave Aria a look that said 『I believe in you 』 and in the next moment, almost simultaneously–

*Bam!* *Bam!* *Bam!* *Bam!* *Bam!*

From each direction, 5 guns flashed.

The Host’s gun roared, and in reflexive response, Moe pulled the trigger of her Browning. Aria’s silver and black Governments fired, and G-3 shot an Invisible Bullet from his HK USP.

At that instant, My world began moving in slow-motion–

Beginning with the one furthest away, Moe’s bullet that was headed toward the Host’s stomach was intercepted by G-3 Cracker… what I call Billiard, and deflected.

Next, Aria’s twin bullets pierced first the Host’s and Moe’s sleeves… grazing both their hands, and cleverly causing them to drop their guns.

Then I saw the red-hot 9mm Parabellum bullet getting closer.

His aim was good. As it is, the bullet will strike Kikuyo in the forehead dead-centre.

–*Gasp!*…

Kikuyo is on my left side–shielding my heart.

In such a position, I can’t just push her out of the way with my left arm.

In that split-second, I only moved my empty right hand.

I can’t just reach past Kikuyo’s shoulder and deflect the bullet with one hand.

I could only slightly alter its trajectory, and it would hit her in the eye.

In this position executing Tornado would be impossible.

I can’t protect her with any technique I have used before now.

So I–

In order to protect her, I hugged Kikuyo close with my left arm and with my right–!

「…」

Everything around me–

Became silent.

Everyone was staring at me with a look of shock.

The Host and Moe who had dropped their guns, and Aria and G-3 who had already fired.

Kikuyo had closed her eyes at the last minute in order to meet death… realising that my left arm had pulled her close, with a start, she looked up at my face from point-blank range.

「…」

I did it.

In my heart, I was afraid that I wouldn’t be able to pull it off in time.

Doing something like this, it’s not like that time with Riko, but I’ve become a superhuman. Goodbye humanity.

And this time… there are a lot of witnesses.

I had to laugh at myself…

「–Hot! This bullet is hot!」

I caught the bullet, and dropped it in the snow at my feet.

–Zero.19

In principle, the technique is simple.

In a short period of time, I match the speed of the bullet with my arm… Then catch it.

I got the idea from my Grandfather catching flies with his chopsticks and reduced the energy of the bullet to zero.

It’s a technique that requires the whole body to move the arm together in a direction opposite of Ouka, stopping the bullet and it’s rotation with Kitsuka.

And since the arm is moving supersonically, the amount of force transferred from the bullet to the hand in reduced.

At most, it will be moving at 100 kph, not faster than baseball pitcher can throw a ball, and so catching the 8 g bullet is not much different.

As for generating the energy in the arm movement… I copied what I saw my Grandmother do with Clear Fall Water, and used it in reverse to cancel out the force of the bullet. So, there are traces of slippage by my feet where I pushed back.

As a result–

At a glance though, it should look like I just raised my arm and caught the speeding bullet.

Of course Kikuyo and I are unharmed.

The heat of the combusted gunpowder burnt the palm of my hand.

But, hey, getting away with a blister is nothing.

「That’s something even I’ve never done!」

With a little one inch punch, G-3 sent the Host flying into the next room, recovered my Beretta, and returned it to me.

「That was my first time as well.」

G-3, who couldn’t shoot a woman, dealt with the Browning’s bullet… With her twin guns, Aria took care of the rest. They both made a snap decision.

As always, Aria never fails to surprise. She must have guessed my intent from the direction G-3 pointed his gun. As expected of Holmes the 4th.

「How did you do it, Aniki? Can I shoot you now? If I saw it again, I’m sure I’d be able to do it, then you can shoot me!」

「I’m not going to play ‘catch’ with you.」

–Guns… are like women.

Or so the adult Butei say. If you don’t bond with them they’ll sulk and get into a bad state.

Everyday, I have been running away from fights, neglecting my Beretta. Careless of how well it had served me.

So… This was my girl’s revenge, huh?

I gave a wry smile as I returned my gun to its holster.

But Beretta mine. I understand your anger about how I have treated you. Forgive me.

What kind of a host have I been? But I will never neglect you again.

While thinking those very Host-esque thoughts, to the guy who has to soothe even his own gun in Hysteria mode, Aria said…

「That face. In the short time that I haven’t seen you… have you grown up a bit?」

I had to laugh at the Gun-girl who came up to me, and who seemed to speak for my Beretta.

That was an insightful question… Aria seems to understand.

Here, outside of Butei High…

They made me realise what kind of person I am. Embarrassed at how clueless I had been I said:

「By the way, Aria, my parent’s house is nearby. If you want, we can go back there and I can introduce you to my family–」

I gave a light-hearted rebuttal…

I don’t know what she thought, but she gave a short 「Eh!」 and hurried to stand much straighter than necessary. She hastily began straightening her bangs.

「–Maybe later. We can’t exactly call this matter settled.」

Looking toward Kikuyo’s mansion…

We couldn’t see it from where we were standing, but we looked up toward where the roof should be.

It’s there.

And this time, it’s higher–the real deal.

Until now, they had been able to conceal their presence well, but as things settled down over here… the signs became much more noticeable.

G-3 had noticed it as well, and we all turned to face the same way. He’ll follow us regardless.

「Aria, the two girls… get Moe and Kikuyo to a safe place. Apparently, I’m so irresistible that I would only lure them back here.」

「Hmm… Moe and Kikuyo, is it? Alright then, but afterwards you have some questions to answer. Th-then we’ll go to your house. S-so that you can introduce me properly. I’ll put it in my planner. We’ll go for real.」

From the strange look on her face, I couldn’t tell if she was mad or happy–

「T-Tohyama-kun… W-why did you do such a dangerous thing…?」

「T-Tohyama…」

Trembling as she walked, Moe was taking care of Kikuyo who was still in shock.

Aria is a woman as well. She wouldn’t actually hurt them.

I answered Moe’s question bluntly.

「Because I want to give those cowardly little birdies a little surprise.」

I told her in a whisper, concealing the truth a little…

Then I faced them with more serious expression.

「Now is the time for all good girls to head home. I don’t want to see you pick up a gun again either. Your hands are too beautiful to be holding such a thing. But the hands of a goddess are beautiful as well.」

I answered Moe– embedding a hidden message for Aria.

How was that? Understand me?

Goddess? At that word a question mark appeared on Aria’s face, and I turned a smile toward her–

「Oi Aniki! That’s enough. They’re laughing at you over there.」

Still looking toward the rooftop, G-3 raised a angry voice.

Standing next to my little brother who apparently wanted more attention…

After checking to see that Aria and the girls had made it to safety, we headed up to the roof–

To the real enemies on the roof I said:

「You’re there right? You want to play?」

After a short silence…

「–Shi..」20

Chinese?

So, I thought. But from their answer, it seems they understand Japanese.

「It appears that you were interested in me, but I have absolutely no desire to have anything to do with you.」

There was no answer to my demand.

It would be a problem if they showed up at my house or at school after this.

So I will blow them off right here.

「Let’s go G-3.」

「Yeah– We’ll make make ’em realise they don’t want to mess with us!」

Now that I had officially asked for his help, G-3 looked happy.

Returning to the Mansion grounds, we entered a room with Chinese decor that had apparently been prepared for them…

There were signs that someone had eaten peaches and bananas and there was leftover liver.

Judging from the table setting, there are three of them.

Using the ladder, G-3 and I climbed to the roof–

With the melting snow under the moonlight, we came out onto a large tiled roof.

As I had predicted– there were three of them.

「… 」

Two of them I recognised.

The first, I could hardly forget, Coco.

She was the first that Reki and I had crossed paths with, and her sisters Paonyan and Juju.

They were supposed to be sentenced to confinement in Nagano Prison. Did she escape alone?

But I don’t recall any of them wearing glasses.

A black-haired version of Aria, she looked a little cute in her Qing Dynasty dress, but standing next to Coco…

「I’m delighted to have met you again, Kinji Tohyama-san. G-3-san.」

The thin figure with round glasses bowed a respectful greeting to us. I remember him too.

He wore a plastered smile, and bleow his rounded glasses it was impossible to tell if his thinly slitted eyes were open or closed.

He wore the classically spectacular embroidered clothes of an Imperial Han court civil official.

He is the ambassador from, Rampan that showed us the day we met on Empty Island for 『Bandire』…

I’m sure it’s him, Seigen Shokatsu.

Kikuyo’s connexion to a major Chinese player–was Rampan. The world really is a small place after all…

…but,

That’s someone I don’t want to mess with…

Furrowing my eyebrows–I regarded the third person present for the first time.

With straight black hair that reached almost down to her feet, I saw a girl who appeared to be a 5th year Primary schoolgirl.

Wearing a cutoff Nagoya Butei Girl’s school sailor suit– The girls at that school boast 『I will never be shot 』 so they wear a special uniform that has been trimmed short everywhere.

The inseams and chest seams are only 1 cm long. Forget her navel, this outrageous uniform leaves her entire abdomen exposed.

A gentle night wind ruffled her clothes, and it is obvious that she isn’t wearing any underwear underneath so that 1-3 cm of her bare breasts were fleeting exposed. Her slender tanned arms showed from inside her short sleeves.

But from this person that I don’t want to mess with… It’s not because of her overly exposed state.

The incident in the bath with Tamamo proved that, and I’m not a Lolicon either.

–I sensed something by instinct.

She is not human.

Only something that has taken the form of a girl. Like Tamamo.

Also… there’s the thin orange tail.

Her crimson-coloured eyes permanently opened wide, she wore a blank expression on her face. But it wasn’t the same kind of expressionless look as Reki. It was a look that inspired an impression of ethereal omniscience.

In comparison to the seemingly endless feeling of perception…

I don’t sense any murderous intent. She is simply standing there, observing.

With G-3 and I in Hysteria Mode, we could easily take care of her.

「Hmph… So that brat is Rampan’s rep for Far East Warfare, huh?」

G-3 must have noticed the girl as well.

We have both been drawn into the dark side of the international conflict– Far East Warfare.

In order to prevent an all-out war and large-scale destruction, rules were established that battles between the strongest representatives from each of the involved parties would settle the matter.

「Yes, that is correct, but…」

No sooner did Shokatsu’s reply confirm that she was Rampan’s representative than–

*Crunch!* *Crunch!*

「I’ve switched from 『Neutral』 to 『DEEN』. So I have a reason to fight you!」

Crushing roof tiles underfoot, G-3 advanced.

He’s wanted to fight since the beginning and that’s why he followed me–

「H-halt Tohyama! Dost thou want to fight a Buddha!」

The quivering voice came from inside my shirt.

It was Tamamo’s voice coming from the charm hanging around my neck that she had transformed herself into.

I stopped and stood still.

What exactly would I be fighting?」

「T-that form is Kou. She is on par with the Japanese Fenghuang21, chief among the shapeshifters. In India, canonised as The Fighting Buddha, the genuine… 」

「I don’t see any of that. You have to be mistaken.」

Tamamo is always nervous whenever we face off with a mysterious enemy.

So I started moving forward again.

「What you are planning almost amounts to an insurrection! You would make every shapeshifter in China your enemy!」

Because she was being noisy, I took out the charm to throw it away, but with a *Poof!* Tamamo materialised clinging to my legs.

「–Against Kou, guns and blades have no effect! Halt, both of you!」

Because Tamamo was so desperately frantic, I stopped, but cutting across in front of me–

「Ha Ha! Guns? Blades? I’ve never counted on any of those things! We use our supersonic fists!」

Still laughing, G3 clenched his right fist… *Intimidate!*

Lowering his posture G-3 set his feet in the stance for 『Meteor』– his version of my 『Ouka』.

He was facing Kou, and Tamamo called out to Rampan’s warrior.

–At this point, G-3 will win.

That’s how I see it.

But what…? Coco and Shokatsu are looking somewhat flustered.

「It’s alright if I kill a pagan god!」

As a Christian, G-3 spoke angrily as if carrying out one of the Church’s threats… and advanced on his enemy Kou… but above him… Wh-what is that?

Small specks of golden light appeared.

Their number steadily increased.

Swirling around, they formed a golden ring about 20 cm across.

That floating ring of light reminds me of the paintings of religious icons, angels, and gods–

「G-Golden Ring Crown22…! –Kou! I implore you to stop!」

Tamamo shrieked.

In the very next instant…

*Flash!*

「 –!?」

The area was bathed in red light.

But there was no sound.

From Kou’s eye, a line of laser light flashed out and struck G-3 in the chest.

It had all taken a tenth of a second.

「…!?」

And with just that–

G-3 crumpled on the spot without a sound.

His eyes wide in shock, G-3 had the expression of someone who hadn’t the slightest clue of what had happened.

Then his pupils dilated…!

From his mouth… blood came…! From the amount streaming out, I could tell at a glance that it was fatal.

「G-G-3!」

What just happened…!

It was only some kind of light.

Did something hit you? No that wasn’t it.

Bullets bounce off of your scientifically engineered armour like popcorn.

「–Ru raada fuoru, oru?」

Kou tilted her head–

And began mumbling in some unintelligible language. Red light in her eye, she turned to face me.

Coco and Shokatsu seemed to be dumb-struck by the spectacle.

Rampan itself– can’t even control this mysterious girl.

Even though I was in Hysteria Mode, it took me several seconds to understand what had happened.

「We must flee, Tohyama! We cannot help G-3! That was the Compliant Rod23… A laser beam! Even I cannot ward against it!」

–A laser…!?

That’s impossible! That’s what Kou shot from her eye!? And I couldn’t even pick up on her bloodlust…!

An attack at the speed of light.

And even if I could have predicted her, even a knife wielded at the speed of sound would not have worked. There is absolutely no way to defend against it!

G-3 and I could only take on enemies with bullets that moved at the speed of sound.

「W-What the hell…? She’s…!」

I want to immediately rush to G-3’s aid, but I can’t move forward.

Kou’s red eye is now fixed on me.

Tamamo bared her canines and shrieked at me:

「–I told you! Kou is the Fighting Buddha–Sun Wukong!」

Go For The NEXT!!!

(END OF CHAPTER)

Afterword:

Hello! Thanks for waiting! I am the person who has happily written, of course, the novel, the side stories, and the source material for the manga and 4-Koma–Akamatsu. Right now the 12th volume of the 『Hidan no Aria』 novel, 6th of the 『Hidan no Aria』 manga, 4th of 『Hidan no Aria AA』 and the 4-Koma are all for sale at the same time! It’s an Aria Festival! I’m not an author that just writes, but I also read and enjoy the story too. I was so excited and entertained that it awakened some new kind of Hysteria Mode! Fuooooo! Now for the Q&A corner!

Q: Akamatsu-sensei, of all the characters, which one do you like best?

This question was not asked by one, but several readers. This question might be the number one questions authors are asked. Thank-you for the question! And the answer is–『I love all my characters equally!』

I think this is the best possible answer, as it won’t hurt any character’s feelings. But I think that such an answer might disappoint some of my readers. So if forced, I’d say 『Takachiho Urara』 is my favorite. Huh!! Who’s that!?– You might be thinking. She’s introduced in the beginning Author’s notes of the AA manga, you should read it! The 3rd volume is coming out soon!

Takachiho is, what we would call AN Ojou-sama– a high-handed beauty. A first-year student at Butei Institute, and Aria’s Kouhai. She uses the Ruger Super RedHawk with .454 calibre bullets and is a good shot. She is beautiful enough to be recruited by CVR and she has many other good points… but she is very proud, has a hard time making friends, and tries to solve problems with the power of money. I love writing characters with many good points and flaws. Even though I’m the one writing them, I think it’s fun and awfully human to wonder how they will grow. As a matter of fact, she has already appeared in the original novels, so please look for her!

Well, Hidan no Aria has finally reached it’s 12th volume. In this volume, Kinji– like all the characters– have grown little-by-little, and if my readers so too, that would make me very happy!

A certain day in May 2012

Akamatsu Chuugaku

(END OF TEXT)

******************************
1. Made-up word meaning demon-banish-boundary.

2. The meaning here is that Kinji thinks he, or his Hysteria Mode is the issue, and he can’t exorcise or get rid of part of himself.

3. The words here are ‘Scarlet miko’ and ‘Azure miko’, obviously referring to Shirayuki and Reki, respectively

4. Rumiko and Rimiko have to do with similar blue-green colours (Japanese often makes no distinction between blue and green). Maybe Reki has an evil twin!! Haha!

5. Sushi wrapped in fried tofu

6. Word refers to a style of delinquents popular in to 70 and 80’s. No relation to American yankees.

7. A Japanese fast food chain.

8. Kind of long coat with writing on the back worn by bosouzoku and yankee delinquents.

9. The original phrase is a saying of Buddha. The original intent was that of humility because Buddha recognised that he was connected to all life, thus he was everything. It is mistakenly used as an egotistical statement of superiority by some.

10. About 57 Euro, 50 British Pounds, and 63 USD.

11. About 243 Euro, 213 British Pounds, and 270 USD.

12. An erotic novel publishing house.

13. Ending theme for a TV series about fictional Tohyama Kin– an Edo period samurai and administrator that helped the common people.

14. In Japan, gun laws are crazy strict. It is almost impossible to own a gun other than a hunting rifle. The only exception to this rule are old guns for collectors. The stipulation being that the antiques are non-functional. The implication is that she imported them as non-functioning antiques.

15. That long stemmed smoking pipe that you always see Japanese people smoking in historical settings.

16. Omake is used as an anime and manga fandom term to mean ‘extra or bonus’–usually free stuff bundled with books, DVD’s, or BD’s.

17. This is a cultural reference to a common semi-comical caricature of government corruption. As the story goes, an evil magistrate lures a town girl close and unties her obi and spins her out of her clothes.

18. Famous high-quality textile specially made since the Heian period. Expensive $$$.

19. Kanji Say ‘Bullet Grip’.

20. ‘Yes’, in Chinese.

21. Chinese Pheonix. A terrifying bird that is often associated with Yin– the complement of Yang that is associated with the Chinese Dragon.

22. Seems to refer to the golden rings on ends of the magical shape-shifting staff owned by Sun Wukong in legends. It could change size and shape based on the wielder’s wishes but weighed ~8000 kilos.

23. Explicit mention of Sun Wukong’s rod.





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