For a Butei, being a bodyguard is one of the most common types of work.
The people that Butei normally protect are government officials, famous people, or VIP company officials who need themselves or their children protected. Sometimes though, people who are targeted by other Butei request protection.
So, this kind of work usually involves staying at the client's home, however...the client this time, in other words Shirayuki, really wants to stay in my room.
I was extremely reluctant to live in a place full of chances to go into Hysteria Mode like a girl's dormitory anyway, so this might be a good thing, but...
Wanting to move in on the second day of my commission, what is she thinking?
"Muto-kun, are you sure I can ride for free...? At least let me pay for the gas..."
"Don't worry about it! That is only a trivial thing, you know!"
Muto-kun, who for some reason was using such polite language for somebody in the same grade, jumped off the Logi department van that Shirayuki was sitting in, and using movements so quick that they would make people watching nauseous, he started offloading all the luggage.
...Was Muto-kun always so hard-working?
"About that..this place, if I remember correctly, isn't this the 3rd all-boys dormitory?"
"Ah...yeah."
"Are you trying to convert one of the empty rooms into a warehouse...or something? If that's the case, when you're returning to the girl's dormitory, please come find me! What I mean is... after this, if you want to do something like going out to get something to eat, or maybe for tea..."
"Ah, Kin-chan!"
Seeing me walking out of the dormitory lobby, Shirayuki's troubled face turned into a bright smile.
Muto-kun, who seemed like he was about to say something else, looked at Shirayuki, then at me, and back at Shirayuki, all the while a great question mark emerging above his head.
"Kin-ch....Tohyama?"
"Ah, about that, Muto-kun. From today onwards, I am staying at Kin-chan...Tohyama-kun's room."
"Kin...Kinji's place?"
"Don't misunderstand, this is work. I'm Shirayuki's bodyguard for now. This is all Aria's idea anyway, so don't start spreading rumors about this, got it?"
After listening to my explanation, Muto opened his mouth wide...but couldn't find anything to say.
...What kind of reaction is that?
Right now, I'm the one that doesn't have anything to say.
After all, I'm living with these two demonic girls, who could explode and cause massive destruction at any moment.
Returning to my house, which now seems like the remnants of a battlefield, I stumbled upon Aria installing something inside the room.
Looking closer, I realized that she was installing some infrared surveillance devices that she had bought from the commissary.
"What are you doing?"
"Can't you see? I'm turning this room into a fortress."
"You can't just do what you want!"
"Why're you so surprised, you're a Butei right? This kind of preparation is the basics of fundamental protection, right? We have to install surveillance devices all over this room; that way, when the enemy approaches our client, we will notice him immediately. Thankfully, there are a lot of broken places around the room, so it's easy to find a place to install these."
"You're the one who broke them..."
"Alright, next up is the skylight."
Ignoring my protests, Aria stretched out her hand to place the device onto the window. However, the mere 1.42 meter body obviously couldn't do it. Groaning, Aria started jumping up and down in an attempt to reach the window. However, she knocked off some of the metal pots hanging above, and they fell heavily onto her head. Serves her right.
At that moment, from the main entrance——
"E-excuse me......"
Shirayuki came in nervously. After putting away the standard issue Butei High shoes, with her long black hair that seemed to form a scarf around her neck, she bowed a deep 90 degrees towards me.
"Af-after this, I will be in your care. My name is Hotogi Shirayuki."
I already know...
"I-I'm still very inexperienced, so please take care of me!"
"Uh...I've known you for a long time already, what're you so nervous for?"
"Ah... once...once I think about entering Kin...Kin-chan's room then, I...I suddenly become really nervous..."
Aha, Shirayuki flashes an embarrassed smile.
Nervous?
Didn't you barge in here brandishing a Japanese sword around two days ago?
"About that, since I just moved in, why don't you let me clean up the house? After all, I was the one who destroyed this place."
Says Shirayuki, striding in...
*Glare*
And glared at Aria who's installing an anti-theft probe in the kitchen window.
"Kufufu. Plus, there is disposable trash that needs to be disposed of too, you know."
Wearing the same smile as ever, Shirayuki turned her head, and said those words with a voice like silver bells.
...No comment.
But that reminds me...
"...Shirayuki, just no more of the piano wire, okay?"
I still remembered the death trap in the wardrobe that Aria mentioned, so I quickly warned Shirayuki.
Although, when I had finished talking, her big eyes, with those long eyelashes, opened wide.
"Piano wire? What are you talking about, Kin-chan?"
...So she's going to act stupid.
But whatever, I don't want to get involved with their personal war.
I value my own life, after all.
She's completely different from a spoiled rich girl who grew up completely devoid of any need to do household chores, Shirayuki's skill in household chores is on a divine level.
She threw all the garbage out of the room that I didn't think was possible to clean, she used a vacuum to clean up what was left, and then she used putty to fill in the bullet holes in the walls and floor, while also changing the carpet......within a mere 3 hours, she made the room look as good as new.
Lastly, she also put a greenhouse grown Japanese Dianthus in a vase, and placed it in the room.
"...Awesome..."
I watched in amazement, as I placed the Paulownia wardrobe that Shirayuki brought over next to the wall.
When I wanted to help her clean up, Shirayuki immediately said "I can't let Kin-chan do something like this!" and took my only job away, so the only thing I can do is menial labor like this.
...Just that moment.
Seeing Shirayuki entering the kitchen, Aria quickly darted over to my side.
"Kinji. You have to investigate that wardrobe properly, got it? It could be something dangerous."
"Dangerous? This is Shirayuki's personal property, you know."
"But somebody could have put something onto it while it was being moved, right?"
"You know...this, this is called paranoia."
"Butei Charter 7. 'Be ready with pessimism. Act with optimism.' I'm going to the balcony to set up a tripwire now, so I won't be able to do it myself. However, if you don't investigate for me, I'll make sure to make a hole in you later."
"...Alright, alright."
"Only say 'Alright' once!"
My pathetic struggle sent Aria fuming to the balcony along with her mobile toolbox...
But still, against my will, I roughly investigated the surroundings of the wardrobe.
...Of course, there's no way it could be holding something dangerous.
Click, when I opened the drawer, I saw various cosmetics inside.
I opened another one--
"...?"
Inside, there was a lot of mysterious cloth.
Each piece of cloth was stacked on top of each other neatly, like bamboo steamers for Dim Sum. Each one also had a little bow.
"...?"
The cloth inside was separated by white wooden tags with [Normal] and [Victory] written on them, [Normal] was a brilliant white, while [Victory] was a deep black.
[Victory]?
So you mean, this is some sort of equipment?
With that thought in mind, I reached inside to pick up a piece of the suspicious cloth.
From the luster of it, the black cloth was 100% silk, and it was as fine as string.
On the widest part of the triangle shaped cloth, the edge was embroidered with beautiful wavy lace flowers.
I lightly opened up the cloth that was so thin that one could almost see through it...
[-----!]
Bang!
I hurriedly returned the black cloth into the wardrobe, and slammed the drawer shut.
Dangerous...
Looks like there really was something dangerous.
Because the cloth inside the drawer, seemed as if, it was...it was all......underwear!
And I'm afraid that that was--something that my brother taught me about when he was alive-- A G-string. Along with high shorts, it falls under the category of sexy underwear!
Tha...that girl, Shirayuki.
She normally acts so dignified and refined...but secretly, she was wearing this sort of underwear?
Now that I think about it, when I was aiming at her chest, she was wearing something like this...
This...This isn't good.
You have to calm down, Kinji.
If I go into Hysteria mode now...then wouldn't I act like a pervert!?
"Ah..Kin-chan, sorry. You had to bring the wardrobe up for me. This is my part of the luggage, you know..."
Hearing the sound coming from my back, I spun around furiously.
Unbeknown to me, Shirayuki had approached me some time before. Shirayuki was taking off her white gloves excitedly, it seemed as if she was putting on a flower-patterned lacy apron to go cook right after she had finished cleaning.
"Ah, this, no, no problem. At least let me help you do some menial tasks."
"Thank you, Kin-chan... You're pretty strong, Kin-chan. As expected of a boy."
Narrowing her eyes with joy, it appeared as if Shirayuki hadn't noticed my previous behavior.
Although, this apron and skirt----
The perfect feminine curve on her waist was so alluring, I had no choice but to stare at it.
This was different from the undeveloped Aria, Shirayuki's divine physical features are famed among the students.
According to people from the senior class who peeked at her during swimming lessons, the sight of Shirayuki in a swimming suit rivaled the appearance of magazine models.
This, this isn't good.
I nearly imagined Shirayuki wearing [Victory] in front of me, right now.
If I had fantasized about that, even if she's my childhood friend, I would be finished.
Thinking about this, I immediately--
"...Ah...about that, Aria will be guarding you for a while. I need to go out."
"Huh, where are you going?"
"I-I'm just going out. It doesn't matter where."
"Ah...right. I'm being so inquisitive, I'm sorry."
Listening to the words of the person who wanted to escape from this place quickly, Shirayuki quickly apologized.
Ah, thank God she's so gentle. If only she was like this all the time.
Because I had nowhere else to go, I went to the only family restaurant in Academy Island, Rokishii (?) to pass the time.
While I was listening to the song Aru=Kata, that would be used for the Adseard closing ceremony on my cellphone...
A fist came out of nowhere and smacked me on the head.
I took off my earphones and looked up, only to see Aria towering over me.
"What the hell are you doing here, Kinji!"
"I...have a reason for this. Rather than that, why did you come out?"
"I'm busy catching a deserter. That's my reason!"
Chink, Aria took out a pair of handcuffs from under her skirt.
Latin incantations are carefully engraved on the surface of the silver handcuffs; they're for special use against ability users.
When we were in the commissary, I remembered it because of the extremely high price. However, she went ahead and bought this kind of thing as well?
"I'm a deserter? What about your own guarding job?"
"I let Reki handle it."
"Reki?"
"I entrusted it to her. She will be standing guard from a distant building."
Thud, Aria sat herself down on the opposite side of the table.
Reki.
Her real name is unclear.
This point by itself is weird enough, but not only that, she doesn't speak, and she has no emotion or expression. That robot-like girl missing those three things----she was the member of Snipe that we solved the bus-jacking incident with.
She's a genius that was ranked at S-level during her first year, but she also spent a whole day exercising on top of the school roof, and she always wears those large headphones, listening to I don't know what. She's a girl that is even harder to understand than Aria.
...So Aria involved Reki as well.
Letting her be a bodyguard... my brain is filled with the image of a cross-hair constantly aiming at Shirayuki.
"However, we're paying her for her time. After all, she's been chosen as the representative of Snipe for Japan at Adseard, so she's very busy. So we can only engage her services for a short time. Anyways, it won't do if you and I don't protect Shirayuki properly. Hey, Hey-! Are-you-listening-to-me?"
"Do-don't pull my ear! I was just thinking about Reki, of course I was listening. Also...there shouldn't be anyone that wants to hurt Shirayuki. Don't go randomly hiring people."
"Be more serious, Kinji! This is a real mission."
"Why did you suddenly want to be Shirayuki's bodyguard, anyways?"
In my anger, I blurted out the question that I had been thinking about since yesterday, and Aria----
Pata. PataPatata. Patata.
started to blink each eye separately.
--It's a flash signal.
Flash signal code is a signaling system used when Butei need to communicate with each other without disclosing information to others.
It's decoded in the same manner as Morse code......
--Dyurandaru no Toukyu Kiken
Durandal is, eavesdropping, danger?
What does that mean?
Aria beckoned towards me lightly. I discreetly leaned towards her bringing my ear closer--until I reached the point where I could feel her breath on my ear. She started talking discreetly.
Damn it...I didn't think that even her breath would have that bittersweet smell. It smells really good.
"Durandal is one of the enemies that framed my mother. You remember the skilled swordsman that I was talking about in the morning? There's a very high chance that it's this guy. If we can successfully capture him, my mother's sentence would probably be reduced to 635 years. If all goes well, we might even be able to get the Supreme Court to withdraw the charges."
Ah.
So that's how it is...ah.
So that's the reason for this?
So that's why she seemed to turn into a different person, when she heard the name Durandal during class.
Scarcely after I understood--
My cell phone started ringing, as if someone was really eavesdropping.
"?"
I looked at the phone with the lion-leopard phone strap--
So, it was Shirayuki after all.
"...Hello."
"Kin-chan. Dinner will be ready soon. I tried making Chinese food today."
"Is that so? I got it, I'll be right back."
"Un. I'll wait for you. But if you're with a friend, it's fine if you come back a little later."
"Ah-..."
I'm afraid that if I tell her that I'm with Aria right now, then she'll get upset.
"No, I'm alone. I'll be right back."
"Hey, I'm here as well."
"Kin.....Kin-chan? Just now, was that Aria's voice?"
Kuh.
Aria is so insensitive.
"Ah, Aria just passed by."
"What are you talking about? I was talking with you just now... Are you an idiot?"
"Kin-chan."
Following the wake of Shirayuki's scary voice...
-Chop-
Came the sound of a kitchen knife slicing up white radish.
"--Why are you lying to me?"
Thi-this voice makes me feel like I'm watching a horror movie!
"Ah-All right, all right! I'll head back immediately!"
I shut my cell phone with a clicking noise and viciously pulled on one of Aria's twin braids.
My anger was slightly curbed from hearing Aria emit such a feminine scream.
But well, just a few seconds later, she brought her heel down on my head in retaliation.
When we got back, the table was already completely covered with Chinese food.
There was prawn fried rice, fried shrimp, sweet and sour pork, dumplings and mini noodles with abalone oyster sauce. Judging by the quantity, this was already a feast, but not only that, these were all my favorite dishes too.
Shirayuki brought out Jasmine tea on a tray. She was still wearing her uniform and that apron, daintily standing by my side at the table. Once she saw me turn around, whether by intuition or something else, she neatly said,
"Please eat, Kin-chan. I made this all for you, you know."
Looking at her expression, which begged me to eat, I picked up a piece of sweet and sour pork... mmm. This is really good. Crispy yet not greasy. Also, this mild mellow taste that seems to envelope the tongue goes extremely well with the sweet vinegar.
Shirayuki is really an expert when it comes to cooking.
As for Aria, she wanted to make fried egg rolls earlier, yet only managed to make the eggs into some sort of paste and in the end, she couldn't make anything at all. The difference in skill between them is like the distance between the ground and the sky. No, it's more like the distance between the stratosphere and the bottom of the Japan Trench.
"Is..is it good?"
"It's delicious."
Even though it was that kind of a generic answer, Shirayuki covered the bottom part of her face out of joy and embarrassment.
And she also seemed to be fantasizing about something, as she murmured "...I'm very happy, my husband..." I wonder who she's talking about?
Anyways...
Although the food is delicious, with somebody watching me eat like this, I can't really eat properly.
"Come on Shirayuki, why don't you eat as well? You don't have to worry about me all the time, you know."
"Tha-that's...because you...are...Kin-chan."
"What kind of answer is that?"
"...Alright then."
Shirayuki says while sitting down, with an embarrassed smile.
Sitting next to her...Aria was crossing her arms, with her temples twitching.
"Hey, why don't I have any food?"
"This is for you."
Thud.
Shirayuki's voice dropped to absolute zero, as she placed a bowl of rice in front of Aria.
Stuck inside the bowl was a pair of chopsticks which hadn't even been separated yet.
"What is this supposed to mean!"
"If you have something to say, then I guess I'll relieve you of being my bodyguard."
Aria started grinding her teeth and glaring at Shirayuki, who turned away with a huff.
In the end, she gingerly picked up the rice.
Aria and I were butting heads over what to do. I wanted to go to the theater to watch a foreign movie, but she wanted to watch some 2 hour animal space fantasy special. While we were doing so...
Shirayuki came into the living room holding what seemed to be a deck of cards.
"Kin-chan, these...these are Miko divination cards..."
"Miko divi...divination cards?"
"Yeah, Kin-chan seems to be curious about the future, so why don't you let me divine it for you?"
"Ah~...Then, let's try it out."
Her predictions seemed to be quite accurate.
Biologically, Aria is a girl as well, so she seemed to be quite interested in the divination as well. "What are you guys doing?" she said while setting up the HDD Recorder to record the animal show. After she had finished, she also scurried up to us.
...If you could record it in the first place, why did you feel the need to fight with me?
"Kin-chan, what would you like me to divine? Do you want me to predict your future romance, your wealth, your future romance, your health, or even your future romance?"
"...Can you predict what's going to happen many years later, maybe whether I go to a university or an office job?"
After hearing my request, Shirayuki appeared to sigh for just a moment, but immediately flashed an angelic smile, and answering "yes", she began to place the cards in a star formation, turning over a few of the cards.
...Will I ever achieve a normal life?
Will I be able to transfer to a normal high school, and work for a normal office or a normal civil servant?
With this thought in mind, I was willing to even use divination as a mean to get an answer.
"So? What do you see?"
Hearing Aria's question, Shirayuki's eyes seemed like...they were dimming.
"What is it?"
"Ku, ah...nothing. As far as I can see, you will be blessed. That's great, Kinji."
"Hey, is that it? Can't you divine anything more solid?"
"A-ah well, you'll marry a black haired girl...just kidding."
Looking at Shirayuki's expression, her happiness seemed rather artificial.
What is it?
What did she find out? I'm really curious now.
"Then it's my turn next!"
Aria lost her patience, and stretched out onto the desk, so with those movements, my divination session was thoroughly over.
"It's all right if I don't tell you my date of birth, right? I'm a Virgo."
"Ah~, how unexpected."
Those words nearly sent Aria in a rage, but she held it in and neatly sat at the table, waiting for a result.
Shirayuki picked up the cards unwillingly, and flipped some of the cards over.
"If I could describe your fate in one word, it would be [Meaningless]."
Superficial----that was the mood Shirayuki gave off, and with that sentence she packed up her cards.
She obviously didn't bother to do it properly.
"Wait! Do it for me properly! You're a Miko, right!"
"So you don't trust my prediction...! I can't forgive you for that!"
"Do-you-want-to-fight!?"
*Crackle crackle crackle*
I could feel the killing intent as they locked eyes.
Thi-this isn't good.
"Well, since you want to fight so badly Aria, I will oblige you. Although I am unable to use the Hotogi secret arts, I still have a trump card."
Seeing that Shirayuki was looking down on her from under her fringe, Aria immediately stood up.
"I also have a trump card... Ku, not only one, I have two!"
"I have three."
"Then I have four!"
"Five."
"Infinite!"
"Shut up already! Why can't you guys even keep the peace over divination!"
Sure enough, pacifism should be the attitude adopted by everyone.
I intervened before the situation escalated to one where I wouldn't be able to do anything, and pulled them apart.
"Ku!"
Aria pulled down her eyelids to make a face, stuck out her tongue, and with a few "Hmphs", slammed the door to her room.
Afterwards, from the *ZiZiZiZiZi* noise, she appeared to have started checking the house for any suspicious electronic activity using the wireless device that she had borrowed from Connect.
I, who was left behind, scratched my head...and turned to face Shirayuki.
Shirayuki, with a "Fu", relaxed.
"...Although I don't wish to speak ill of others."
She continued to pack up her cards-
"Aria is a very cute girl, but she is way too noisy. Besides that, she doesn't understand Kin-chan at all. She was acting so rudely towards Kin-chan just now...the boys may think that Aria is cute, but I...hate her.
-While saying all this.
......This was the first time I had ever heard Shirayuki speak ill of others.
Shirayuki looked up at me.
So...she seems to want me to criticize Aria as well.
"Aria, eh?"
Actually, I----
Noticed something, between Aria and Shirayuki.
I'm not sure whether I should mention it, but I should at least investigate a little.
"Do you really...hate Aria?"
"--Huh?"
"Um...how do I say this. Don't you understand Aria pretty well? It's hard to believe that you two have only been with each other for a short time. Also..although I may be wrong...but I think, you've never expressed yourself like this before."
"......"
"I think, the Shirayuki that Aria sees, is much closer to the real you than the one you show to everybody else... Of course, I don't wish for you two to fight, but the fact that you argue so much means that you two share some common sides, right?"
By principle, Shirayuki has always been a very obedient girl.
Because the world has always viewed such people as good.
So everybody thinks very highly of Shirayuki. Those teachers that don't know that she is an armed Miko, will of course like her, and even among the students, everybody depends on her.
But this meek personality has its flaws.
At least, that's what I think.
As a result, that kind of personality leaves no room for what Shirayuki truly thinks.
However, when Shirayuki is provoking Aria, that is when I really feel her true personality surfacing.
"...Kin-chan, you..."
After a brief silence, Shirayuki softly said that, lowering her head.
Under her fringe, those eyes with long eyelashes were also closed.
"You really understand the real me."
"...About that...well, we grew up together after all. Although I say that, some parts are a blank."
"I think that you understand me more than I understand myself."
Shirayuki's voice was very gentle...and she slowly started to move...
Looking at me...she approached as if nothing had happened.
"Aria...she rudely intruded on Kin-chan's and my world. Just like a bullet."
Did such a world ever exist?
"Not only that, she dared face me while I was using full power, and still she refused to back down one step. It's just as you say Kin-chan, although I wholly hate her, but in some ways, I do think...she's an amazing girl."
Woah......
As I thought, Shirayuki doesn't just hate Aria, she also harbors some other complex feelings towards her.
"But, precisely because of that...I won't allow her to steal Kin-chan away. Because...she is so lovely."
"...This has nothing to do with stealing me away. Didn't I tell you that Aria and I are only a Butei squadron? Once we finish the task we agreed upon, we will say farewell. This isn't like you used to be, ever since you were my childhood friend."
"Childhood friend--I am your childhood friend."
Her frowning face suddenly shone again. I'm not sure what kind of special techniques she used while sitting, but she had moved to my side soundlessly.
Hey, hey, our shoulders are going to touch! No, they're already touching!
"Kin-chan has always understood me since a long, long time ago. Ever since the time when I was still prohibited to leave the Hotogi shrine, I remember all the kind things you had done for me... For that, I feel very fortunate."
Saying these things as if in a trance, Shirayuki subtly tilted her head towards me.
That soft, silky hair lay lightly on my arm.
Also, it emitted a mild ebony fragrance.
"Ah--...Now that I think about it, there was a time like that."
When I was around 4 or 5 years old, I stayed in a forest for a while because of my brother's job.
And on the outskirts of that forest, I got to know Shirayuki.
At that time, because of some reason, Shirayuki was forbidden from leaving the Hotogi shrine, and she obediently followed that law.
Because of that, she became extremely afraid of strangers, and when she first met me she was really scared. However, we soon warmed up to each other, and she let me join in the games of all the other little Hotogi Miko.
"And when I was able to see the fireworks with Kin-chan...I was so happy..."
Shirayuki, who had finally managed to rest her head onto my shoulder, continued to reminisce.
"At that time, Kin-chan got so excited because the fireworks in the city were so big...and he brought me out of the shrine to see the fireworks with him. That was the first time I had ever left the shrine since I became self-aware."
"Ah-...that. I didn't think you would remember that kind of thing so clearly."
I remember...after that, we were severely reprimanded by the adults, and Shirayuki was sealed inside a storehouse.
"Although you were punished so severely, you still came to Hotogi to play with me."
"It's because of my brother's work that I went there, you know. There were no other kids my age around there."
What did we play back then again? I remember that when I suggested football, all the other Miko firmly declined, and so we would do things like playing house, origami, or "Kagome Kagome."
Kagome kagome, the bird in the cage.
I still remember that childish chant.
And also brother, who nicknamed Shirayuki and the other Mikos "Caged Birds" out of pity.
I'm sitting at the end of the Adseard preparatory committee, daydreaming about Aria.
Recently she's been working hard to gather information about Durandal, and she's been running around everywhere. If there's any sort of disturbance at night, she will immediately jump up and draw her twin-guns, while looking around everywhere. Though, because she couldn't even detect the presence of any enemies, and due to the pressure of living with Shirayuki like an in-law, she would always get into a bad mood.
"Hotogi-chan, you're going to participate, right? At least join the closing ceremony's Aru=Kata."
"Yeah. We already reserved a spot for you too."
Butei High is a high school after all, so it has a student council.
Although as per school rules, all the positions in the student council are held by girls.
The reason is that there was a time when the student council was made up of boys. In the end, there was a war over the student council finances. There's no hope for this school.
As a result, the Adseard Preparatory Committee is made up entirely from people from the student council.
Why would I come to this boring and dangerous---All of them are girls---meeting, you ask? Of course it's because Aria ordered me to guard Shirayuki.
"Hotogi-chan is so pretty, you'll definitely make a good impression on the media."
"That's right. It will definitely increase the prestige of Butei High. No, of all Butei!"
"Also, you're the person who came up with the choreography... So you wouldn't have any trouble performing Aru=Kata, right?"
Hearing what these girls were saying, I looked up at Shirayuki.
"Ah, but...please just let me work backstage."
Shirayuki caught my eyes, which were trying to convey the message: "Wrap things up, you've already taken care of the main things, everything after this is just a formality."
I'm not sure if it was telepathy but,
"--I don't have much time left, so this should be all."
Shirayuki announced to the class in a clear voice.
At these moments Shirayuki's voice is really melodious, and it really gives a feeling of reliability.
If Aria was a Seiyuu, then Shirayuki would be a female announcer.
While I was thinking about these things idly, I yawned and stood up.
...Even though the meeting had just ended, all the girls had started being noisy again.
"--Hey, want to go to Odaiba after this?"
"Ah, good idea!"
"I'll go too! I heard that Marui was newly renovated."
"Great! I was thinking of getting a new summer miniskirt!"
"Once you mentioned Odaiba I remembered something! Estella's sugar pine is going on offer today!"
"Haha, the only thing more important than attractiveness for you is appetite! As expected of a Butei who has no relation with men!"
Ahaha, exactly!
Although,
they're all wearing such innocent and cute smiles...
I really can't stand this kind of thing.
The reason you girls have no relationships with men is that under your skirts, you carry guns...
That's right, I noticed.
"Hotogi-chan, why don't you come with us? Want to come browse the new summer designs?"
Shirayuki, who was invited by a first year, looked blankly at her.
"Ah well, I have to go home, I still have some SSR work to do, and I have to make the guidebook for Adseard..."
Hearing what Shirayuki said, the girls hung their heads and-
"As expected of the President. She's so hardworking..."
"Hotogi-chan really doesn't know what it means to be tired."
"She's like a superwoman..."
-Complimented Shirayuki. They weren't being sarcastic at all, and they spoke out of real respect for Shirayuki.
But--
At the same time, I felt that there was an uncrossable chasm between Shirayuki and them.
Shirayuki and I walked home in the sunset--
The committee was extremely close to the boy's dormitory, so we went there and back on foot.
...Although I normally don't like to walk home with girls, this time is an exception. After all, I am her bodyguard, so I can't really do anything about it. Also, if Aria were to hear that I let Shirayuki walk home by herself, she'd definitely pepper my body with holes.
"I-I was really nervous today, with Kin-chan watching me the whole time. How...did I do?"
Shirayuki, who was holding her bag in front of her with both hands, seemed very embarrassed.
However, her expression seemed to show that in her heart she was really happy that we could walk home together.
"I think that everyone really trusts you, isn't that good?"
Hearing my indirect answer, Shirayuki's face blushed a color reminiscent of a scarlet Hakama, and dipped her head.
"...I-I was...pra-praised by...Kin-chan..."
She said to herself.
Hey, you should look forward when walking.
Look, you just walked into a telephone pole.
"Anyways, aren't you going to be one of the performers for Aru=Kata? Everyone wants you to, you know."
"I-I can't. How could I? Being a performer...the role should go to a more cute and lively girl. An unremarkable girl like me would only stain Butei High's reputation."
"You...shouldn't look down on yourself like this, you know. It's a bad habit. You just need to pretend to be lively while on stage, right? You might even become really happy while you're on stage, you know. Just trust in yourself, and let everybody see the real you."
"But..."
"Could it be that--you're afraid of Durandal? That kind of thing doesn't exist. You won't be attacked by it."
"Yeah...I got it. Durandal...doesn't exist...but I still can't do it."
"Why?"
"The Hotogi will get angry."
The Hotogi.
What Shirayuki means is the Hotogi shrine--
Which is also her clan.
"Why would they get angry over this kind of thing?"
I've heard her make this excuse several times, so I have an inkling of an idea...
The Hotogi shrine places several restrictions on Shirayuki in return for letting her attend a Tokyo high school.
They say that these measures are put into place to help preserve etiquette, but in truth, it's really just a set of annoying restrictions.
"I--can't show myself in front of too many people,"
Shirayuki said stubbornly.
She didn't give a reason, and she just continued to refuse.
From her reaction, it looks like it's impossible to get her to perform.
"......when that first year at the committee invited you to Odaiba, did you also refuse because of the Hotogi?"
"Yes."
"Hey now..."
"If--I don't have permission, I'm not allowed to leave the shrine or the school."
Hey...what is this.
Even if it's your clan, they can't forbid you to go out, right?
This is way over the top...to the point of violating human rights.
While I was about to say so, I noticed something about Shirayuki--
"The Hotogi Mikos are armed Mikos. From the time we are born to the time we die, our body and soul belongs to the Hotogi,"
she said simply, as if talking to herself.
"The reason for the existence of our generation...is to be Mikos for the Hotogi. This has been set in stone. Of course, if we are needed, we will go to other shrines, and we will also receive modern education...but only the lowest level. The Hotogi were firmly opposed to something as simple as going to Butei High..."
"But haven't you already left? There's no need to observe those old customs anymore. You've already entered high school, how can you just accept their reprimands like a good little girl?"
"......"
"It's fine if you don't make dinner for us tonight. You should meet up with the girls at Odaiba."
"It-it's fine. Also...I've always thought that...it was very scary outside."
Shirayuki's line of sight dropped down.
"Scary? Marui? Isn't that just a normal clothing store?"
"But I...throughout elementary and middle school, I only went to Miko academy."
Miko academy.
It's a sort of theological college, an all-girls boarding school that affluent Miko go to.
"So I haven't...ever gone out to shop, or even gone out to eat. I...don't have the confidence to go out with everybody in public."
"...Confidence?"
"They know things that I have no idea about. If it isn't school related, there's no way I could participate in the conversation. Snacks, Karaoke, TV Series...I don't know anything about what's popular. They...won't understand."
"Shirayuki..."
"But it's OK, since I have Kin-chan by my side. Kin-chan is the only one who can understand me. You're the only one that can fully accept the real me, just like back then. So that's all I need. I'm satisfied with this."
Shirayuki...
Shirayuki.
You.
Aren't you...exactly like back then?
You've already left the Hotogi so far behind--and yet, you still,
Are just a...caged bird.
That night, I took a shower and dried myself, then put on my pants and turned off the light.
I left my shirt off...and glanced at my watch.
It was already 10:00PM.
It seems as if Aria hadn't returned yet. She left a note in the afternoon saying that she was going to Lezzad, I guess she was still looking for news about Durandal.
Even though I no longer needed to do any morning exercise because of my duty as Shirayuki's bodyguard, Aria announced "From now on, I'm going to sneak attack you as training," and she would really launch a surprise attack from time to time.
I was still unable to perfect Edge Catching, but I was being stubborn about it.
While I was thinking about this and drying my head--
*patter patter patter*
I heard soft, quick footsteps from the corridor.
For some reason, those footsteps sound panicked.
"?"
What's going on?
I automatically turned towards the curtains of the changing room--
"--Kin-chan! What's wrong!?"
*rattle*
The curtains of the changing room--opened completely!
And the person who opened it, was Shirayuki in her Miko outfit.
For some reason, she had a panicked expression, and her eyes were opened like big circles.
"Huh, huh!?"
...About this.
This situation.
Normally--actually, I have no idea what's normal anymore-- As a male and female, shouldn't our positions be switched?
"Wh-what's going on?'
"Uh, bu-but, Kin-chan you...ph-phone call."
"--phone call?"
"You to-told me to come immediately, and then it suddenly disconnected."
"I didn't call you!"
"It could have been Kin-chan, although it was a blank number--but you said 'I'm in the shower!'"
No way.
She's got to be imagining this.
"How could I shower and make a phone call at the same time! Why would I do something weird like that!"
"Bu-but, the ph-ph-pho--!"
It appeared that Shirayuki had only now realized that I was half naked, and her gaze traveled from my face, to my collarbone, to my chest, to my navel......--the whole way down. However, her face seemed to be going pale from the bottom up, as if she had exceeded some sort of capacity limit, and with a "Fu" her face became flaming red.
Also, it seemed as if she was hyperventilating, because of her long, deep breaths.
"Go!"
Go?
"I'm sorry!!"
*Ching!*
And with an unimaginably strange jump, she bounded backwards at an oblique angle.
She seemed to adopt a stance in the middle of the air, as she flung out her hakama and sleeves, and she landed on the ground with a *Thud!* - kneeling.
"I-I-I-I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!"
She was curled up into a ball, and it seemed like steam was about to come out of her ears, seeing as how red her face was.
*Stare*, it seemed as if she had jerked her head up too furiously, and her eyes were swirling.
"Kin-chan was showering! So I imagined Kin-chan naked!, I wa-was practicing my Kidoujutsu[1], and I completely forgot that you were in the shower, that's the truth!"
"I-I didn't ask you that!"
"But, once I imagined it, I started hyperventilating! Pl-please forgive me! Shirayuki is a bad girl! I was pretending to be good, but I'm actually a bad girl that fantasizes about things that she shouldn't! I'm a girl that has to put on 10 layers of cat skin![2]! But my heart is still so dirty......@#%!"
This isn't good.
"Ah, hey..."
If I continue to let her rampage like this, the slightly abnormal Shirayuki will become really abnormal.
Thinking this way, I knelt on one knee in front of her.
"All right, all right. It's OK. It's just somebody getting the wrong number. There's no need to apologize like this."
Although I did that in an attempt to calm her down...
It appears that approaching her half naked was extremely stupid.
Shirayuki--*smack*
Subconsciously used her hands to cover her eyes.
...But it seemed as if she was peeking at my chest from between her fingers......
And,
"It's a draw!"
She suddenly shouted randomly.
After Shirayuki removed her hands from her face, I saw that it was completely red, as if she had a fever.
But what's going on? It does feel like it's getting hotter. Are you a stove?
"A draw? What draw?"
Hearing my question...
Shirayuki exhibited the actions she would take when her brain short-circuits.
"If Kin-chan sees me change as well, it'll be fair!"
"Huh?"
*Rustle!* Her right hand already grasped hold of the collar of her white outfit.
*Rustle!* Her left hand pulled off the obi holding her hakama.
Shirayuki, as if she couldn't stand the feeling of her clothes any longer--began taking off all her Miko garments!
"Wa-wait wait wait! This isn't fair at all! Don't strip!"
I hurriedly said while tugging on her clothes.
"I have to strip, I have to strip, I have to strip--! It's OK! It's OK if it's Kin-chan-sama! I don't mind at all! So don't worry!"
Ho-how could I let you strip!
If I see [Victory] again, I'll definitely enter Hysteria Mode!
So I used all my strength to pull at her outfit and her hakama.
"Stop it, Kin-chan! Let go of me!"
Shirayuki said.
"Stop struggling!"
I said.
"I'm back-"
Aria said.
...
......
............Aria......?
Oh. Crap.
Falling from the hands of Aria, who returned to this horrible situation of utmost despair, was a paper bag.
One Matsumoto peach bun, tumbled out of it,
and hit Shirayuki's white sock, while she was still entangled with me.
-Seeing the appearance of Aria, Shirayuki immediately screamed "Ahhhhh!" and fixed up the bottom part of her Miko garments.
--Her black eyes were teary, and all the clothes on her torso were in a mess.
---Added to this, I was still holding on to her clothes, with my upper body still naked.
----And the finishing touch was the words we spoke earlier. "Stop it, Kin-chan! Let go of me!" "Stop struggling!"
"...You...you you you you..."
*rumble...rumble rumble rumble rumble*, Aria's voice suddenly became the voice of a lion.
Click.
She thrust her dainty hands into the sides of her skirt.
"Stupid Kinji--------!!"
Bang Bang!!
Without any warning, the pitch black and silver-white M1911 fired .45ACP bullets!
"Woah?"
The bullets that were aimed besides my foot, suddenly ricocheted towards me.
Wait! Wait, wait!
I'm not wearing a bulletproof vest right now, I'm naked!
"---I-I-I leave you alone for a little while, and this is what happens? You, you! Obscene pervert! Die!"
Bang! Bang! Bang Bang! Bang!
Along with Aria's furious voice came bullets, continuously pounding into the ground by my feet.
"Wait! Wait a moment! Let me explain!"
I continued to dodge backwards, as Aria's bullets peppered the floor in front of me.
"You bastard! You-really-are-a be-beast! Insect! Germ!"
Bang! Bang! Bang Bang!
Aria's dual guns continually fired towards me, and hit the ground beneath my feet with a Thud! Thud! noise.
Finally, I was cornered on the balcony.
I-I can't escape anywhere anymore!
Behind me is Tokyo Bay!
"You, you-you-you, after molesting me, you go after Shirayuki!? You, you, you big pervert!"
Click Click! Aria's dual guns are finally pointed towards me.
Wh-what do I do, Kinji!?
Even if I hide in one of the cabinets, she'll definitely throw me out the window!
"Th-that isn't it, Aria! Don't deny it anymore!"
Hearing Shirayuki's strange words, Aria wrinkled her eyebrows and turned her head.
"De-deny what?"
Said Aria, showing her canines. Shirayuki answered,
"That wasn't Kin-chan assaulting me! We both consented!"
"Yo-you both what--?"
"That's right! I was the one who wanted to strip! So Kin-chan is not in the wrong!"
"Yo-you wanted to strip! Wh-wh-wh-what were you two doing!?"
With a "Heh!", Shirayuki snatched the guns from the confused Aria's grip.
Al-although what Shirayuki was saying was a little...but whatever, well done Shirayuki! Keep going!
"Bu-but--ev-ev-even if both of you consented, it still isn't OK!!"
*Fu Fu Fu* Breathing in and out, the blushing Aria charged into Shirayuki's arms, *Thud!*
*Thud!*
They both tumbled backwards to the floor.
"Ah!"
"Kinji! Tha-that's forbidden for a bodyguard!"
Aria shouted that while showing her canines, and leaped over Shirayuki to me.
"If-if you were just in a relationship, it would be OK! Bu-but doing this kind of thing with your client...you fail as a Butei! You fail! You completely fail--!"
Aria shouted in a voice shrill enough to break glass,
"I'm going to make some holes in you!"
Bang Bang Bang Bang Bang Bang!
The guns in her hands unfeelingly spit tongues of fire towards me!
"--!"
I jumped off the Boy's dormitory balcony, and used the cable in the obi to hang in the air like a spider.
I'm hanging from a thread of fate...literally.
I had just thought this when,
"Go cool down your hot head! I'm not throwing you a buoy!"
Bang! Snap!
The cable tying me to the balcony was snapped by a bullet from the screaming Aria, and I fell straight into the safety net. *bounce*
*Splash!*
When I came to, I had already dropped into the sloping Tokyo Bay.
Bodyguards--
Are not allowed to have a deep relationship with their clients.
This is the basic of the basics, and is even written down in the Assault textbooks.
The reason being that, if a bodyguard gets too comfortable with his/her client, he will be too relaxed, and in the case of an actual emergency, his decisions will be flawed.
However, this job was only taken because of the over-enthusiasm of the Masters, and is more like 'playing Bodyguard', rather than a real job.
But Aria, who got extremely agitated when she heard Durandal's name, made me take all this seriously, and even got angry when I didn't meet her expectations. It really is troublesome.
Therefore.
After the incident with Shirayuki after the shower, I, who was already tired, fell into Tokyo Bay, and...
I caught a cold.
And that morning, although Aria said "How useless," when she saw that I was so unsteady, with a thermometer stuck in my mouth...she didn't attack me like usual.
Shirayuki was extremely worried and wanted to take care of me, even if it meant that she had to skip school. However, I thought that there was no need to go to such extreme measures, and told her to go to school, for better or worse.
When they had all left, the only thing I could do was lie on my bed.
My temperature had already risen to nearly 38° Celsius (100.4° Fahrenheit)
Although at times I didn't feel too bad, right now I could hardly endure the pain.
It appears that increasing my temperature was my body's last defense against the viruses, and my consciousness slowly blurred.
I'm not sure how long I laid there...
It was probably around noon.
Somebody came inside.
It seemed as if they wanted to check my condition...so, it was probably Shirayuki.
I was so weary that I couldn't even muster the effort to make a sound, and so...I continued to lie down.
And on my burning forehead...
Someone's hand, as if checking my temperature...lay on it.
It was a very...gentle hand.
When I woke up, it was already 2:00 in the afternoon.
The thermometer showed that my temperature was still 38° Celsius (100.4° Fahrenheit), but it appeared that I had adapted slightly, as I was a lot more comfortable.
"......"
Alone in the room, I slowly sat up.
I was really thirsty. Probably because I had sweat a lot.
I stood up in search of water and I shakily...stumbled out of my bedroom, but when I wanted to close the door...hmm?
I suddenly felt some bags that had been hung up on the outside of the door.
"?"
I opened it cautiously, and noticed that inside was the Yamato Pharmaceutical's "Special Pueraria Syrup".
Wrapped inside some ancient packaging for me, whose body was largely unaffected by drugs, this particular cold medicine had an amazing effect.
--Shirayuki, huh?
She really does, understand me.
But, this medicine...I've told her before, right? Whatever, who cares.
As expected of the "Special Pueraria Syrup".
Because of its amazing effects, when I woke up again, my temperature had returned to normal.
It was already evening, and I was about to leave my bedroom, but I bumped into Shirayuki who had just come in.
"Ah, Kin-chan. Is your cold all right now?"
"Yeah. The fever has receded, and my head doesn't hurt anymore."
"That's great...that's great...*sniff*....Waaa..."
"Don't cry just because of a little thing like this."
"Yes."
Shirayuki wiped away her tears, and immediately flashed her bright smile again.
"...This is all because of the "Special Pueraria Syrup" you bought. I drank some and slept, and now I'm fine again."
"Huh? I...thought that Kin-chan didn't like medicine, so I was going to make some medicinal food for you..."
"What? You're the one who bought that right? I'm sorry about that. That syrup can only be bought in some messy pharmacy deep in Ameyoko. It must have been scary for a girl to go there alone. Thanks for that."
"Huh...ah."
Shirayuki's snow white fingertips were covering her mouth...as if...she was thinking about something-
"...Uu...un"
-and with that, she fled from my sight.
In the Assault facilities, which seemed like a gymnasium, I was carrying an electric guitar that clashed with me completely.
Today was the rehearsal of the Adseard closing ceremony, so I, who was forced by Aria to join the Aru=Kata performance, was playing a borrowed DC59.
"I'd like to thank the person..." (This is in English.)
I wasn't the lead singer, I was just part of the chorus of performers.
I snuck into the Butei High affiliated Middle School, and had practiced a little there, plus the song was only around 2 minutes. Added to this, Shiranui was there, and his skills were excellent, so the rehearsal wasn't very difficult...but I still didn't feel comfortable. Surprisingly, the Assault facilities were being used for peaceful purposes, which was kind of sad.
Opposite of Muto, who wished to show off his skills on the drums, was Aria and the other girls with Pom Poms, practicing their cheerleading.
*Pa Pa Pa* *Pa Pa Pa*
Their short skirts fluttered along with their quick dance movements.
Damn it.
Why do they all have to wear this kind of thing? Even though Muto said that this was an annual chance to feast one's eyes, for me this was a terrifying sight.
Because if I'm not careful, I will definitely enter Hysteria Mode.
I'll just concentrate on my own hands then.
"Alright, this should be enough for today. Thanks for the hard work, everyone."
Shirayuki announced, just like a teacher, and the girls dispersed.
Although I was greatly relieved, I didn't want to hang around in a place full of the scent of women...so I immediately packed up my guitar, and climbed the stairs to the roof.
--The weather was nice and sunny.
The sunlight was really warm.
The weather really is amazing.
Thinking this way, I laid down on my back.
I deeply inhaled the fresh spring breeze.
Ahh...this is really comfortable.
...The wind in May really is the best.
While I was appreciating the Spring sun,
The wind seemed to take on a sweet smell, reminiscent of Gardenia.
"?"
I automatically opened my eyes and,
*Smack!*
My heaven became hell.
A white sneaker found its way onto my face.
"Huh!?"
Bang! Smack!
This time, that small sneaker wound up for a kick, but I managed to dodge by spinning my head.
Thud!
"Stop slacking off! Go protect Shirayuki, you piece of trash!"
With one foot thudding by my ear, Aria stood above me in her cheerleader outfit.
Her hands, holding Pom Poms, were at her waist, and she was really angry.
"Ar-Aria?"
I never thought that she'd chase me up here.
I looked at her in protest, and sat up--
"--Hmm?"
Woah.
Aria, very unlike her previous cheerleading movements, stretched her right foot all the way up, until it touched her head.
The sun's glare hid that foot in shadow.
--Hah, I understand.
She's using her feet to teach me Edge Catching!
Understanding this, I prepared myself to block her heel crush.
Thud!
But my hands only managed to clap together above Aria's calf...
That 21 centimeter foot continued on its inexorable path, and descended onto my head.
......Thump......
I fell down to the floor again.
I can't take this...Aria-sama, spare me.
Although I'm already used to being heel crushed from our sparring in Assault, but if I'm to fight back now I'd definitely be killed.
Next to me, Aria straightened out her own flat chest,
"How useless. Edge Catching...at least succeed once! I'm not here to play with you, you know!?"
*Glare!* She extended her canines while glaring at me.
"Th...that..."
I rubbed my head with one hand, and stood back up.
"...You, if you really want to be my partner, then please think about my condition as well. Would it be so bad to let me rest for a while? I just got better. And the reason for me getting sick in the first place was because some idiot pushed me into the cold, filthy, Tokyo Bay at night!"
Hearing my angry voice, Aria said,
"Th....I apologize for that. I myself think that I went way over the top......"
Those red eyes turned, and looked to one side.
That cute expression, it makes me...
instinctively want to help her.
"Well, let's not talk about my cold anymore. After all it became all better after Shirayuki gave me the "Special Pueraria Syrup"."
"Huh?"
Hearing my words, Aria's head immediately snapped back into position, and her eyes were opened wide in surprise.
What's with that reaction?
What I said just now wasn't surprising at all, right?
"Th-that...I..."
She started muttering something, and I wrinkled my eyebrows and put on a "?" expression, as if asking her to clarify.
But Aria shut her mouth, and it seemed as if she would not utter another word.
"...What is it? Only that kind of medicine will have any effect on me. Didn't I tell you this before? I'm not sure Shirayuki knew about it, but she bought it for me."
With my rough explanation, Aria's...mouth opened,
"...Did Shirayuki tell you that?"
she asked me.
"Hm? Yeah."
"......"
......
What's going on?
Why isn't she saying anything?
"Wh-whatever, as long as you're better. I'm nobility, I can tolerate this kind of thing."
"?"
What I said just now...what would make Aria mad enough that she would need to hold it in?
I really don't understand this at all...
"A noble does not show off her efforts. Because that's extremely unsightly. Even if her efforts are taken by someone else."
"What's that supposed to mean? If you're going to explain, then explain more clearly. This isn't like you at all."
"'What's that supposed to mean?'! It has nothing to do with you! If I don't want to explain, then I won't!"
Bah!-Aria stuck her tongue out at me.
"It's great isn't it, having Shirayuki to take care of you! Shirayuki this, Shirayuki that, every time someone does something nice for you, it's Shirayuki! Why don't you just marry Shirayuki and be done with it!"
Aria gritted her canines, and blasted me above her normal 30% capacity voice.
Why is she so angry all of a sudden?
Although it's obviously something I said that made her so angry, I have no idea what it was.
"Ah, hey! Why are you so angry!"
"Shut up! I'm not angry!"
"Yes you are!"
"No, you're the one who is angry!"
Our faces, which were almost touching, locked eyes with a crackling noise.
But mostly because I was around 30 centimeters taller, it was more like she was glaring up at me, and I was dipping my head to glare at her.
*Crackle Crackle Crackle Crackle*
Aria, who refuses to explain why she's angry, really makes me angry as well!
It makes me remember everything she's done to anger me.
She reduced my home to ruins, brought Shirayuki over, and now she keeps on doing this sort of thing!
"Then let me use this opportunity to say something, I will stay with you as your partner--but, I'm never going to do Edge Catching training anymore! Only geniuses would know that sort of thing! It can't be that easy to learn!"
"No way! You have to continue! There's a rumor that Durandal carries a sword that can cut through anything! That way, even if you have a knife or a shield, it won't be of any use! So right now, learning how to Edge Catch is a must! If Shirayuki was attacked, then you'd realize--"
"If? I've been protecting Shirayuki these past few days, but there hasn't even been a sign of danger! Since we're already arguing like this, I'll say this directly! The enemy, Durandal, doesn't exist!"
Hearing my words, Aria opened her eyes wide.
"I know that you want to save your mother--Kanae-san immediately! But, you've already completely lost your cool! Just hearing that "Durandal" could appear is already enough to make you think "I hope that he appears." And without knowing it, you're deluding yourself into thinking that the "enemy" is here!"
"You're wrong!"
Glare! Aria pointed one Pom Pom at me while extending her canines!
"Durandal definitely exists! My senses tell me that he's already very near!"
"Those are delusions! Shirayuki is definitely not in danger, you can go do whatever you want! Before Adseard's closing ceremony finishes, you can let me be her bodyguard by myself!"
"What's that supposed to mean!? You're pissing me off!"
Under me, Aria's face became red and roared,
"You're right! I'm just an idiot after all, a paranoid! Despite that you two are a bodyguard and client! Ye-ye-yet, you still dare to strip each other....how shameless!"
"Tha....that also! It's only because you had your own preconceptions that you made the situation even worse! Just because you were born in a better family doesn't give you the right to think of me as a piece of trash! You may be a genius, but the world counts on ordinary people like me to turn! You're the one that's out of the ordinary!"
I shouted, enraged--
Aria, softly sobbed...she was more hurt by my words than I thought.
She...didn't retort.
Not only that...
She...backed away from me a step.
Two steps, Three steps.
And weakly, unlike the Aria I knew, she retreated.
"You're...also like that. You also say those sorts of things."
Aria, softly muttering those words, was trembling.
But that soft voice, was far stronger than her normal one--
--it was able to truly express, the rage she felt inside.
"Nobody understands me. They all say I'm a reckless, solitary, girl that only knows how to rush forward-- They said that I was unworthy of being in the house of Sherlock Holmes. I didn't think you were this way too!"
Aria lowered her face and said to me--no, those words weren't directed to anybody.
It was as if she was shouting this out to the whole world.
"I understand perfectly! The enemy is approaching Shirayuki! Bu-but, I can't explain it! I can't be like my ancestor, Sherlock Holmes, who was able to explain these situations so that anyone could understand! So nobody is willing to believe me--I've always been an "Aria"-- Bu-but, my instinct has never been wrong! I've already explained it so clearly, but why! Why won't you believe me!"
Aria, who's eyes were brimming with tears, threw her Pom Poms to the ground, and started wailing like a child.
...At times like this, I should say something gentle to comfort her, right?
But, I was already agitated from arguing with Aria,
and I was unused to being blunt with her.
So I said,
"...That's right, I don't understand! An enemy that doesn't exist is approaching! Who would believe that? Since you say that, why don't you show me some proof! If you're a Butei, then give me some proof! If you can't, then I'll say this as many as times as I need to! The enemy doesn't exist!"
And--
as if I wanted to hurt Aria again--
I uttered those words.
"You, you, idiot! Idiot Idiot Idiot Idiot Idiot----!!"
Since my reaction was completely unexpected, Aria flew into a true rage--
Her face became flushed with blood, and she drew her dual guns!
"Wa...!"
Without even letting me say "Wait!",
Bang Bang Bang Bang Bang!
Countless bullets grazed me as they flew towards my body.
This sudden surprise attack left me only one choice, taking cover on the ground. *Thud!*
"Kinji you idiot! Idiocy gold medalist! You win a Nobel Prize for idiocy!"
Aria stamped her foot where she had stepped on my face just now, loaded her guns, fired in a random direction, and stormed back down the stairs.
Once again I was lying on the ground like a cross.....I felt that the water tank behind me was leaking, and looked back at it.
The water tank had multiple holes in it from the barrage just now...
Looking closer, I noticed that the bullet holes formed a straight line...no, they formed words-
" I d i o t K i n j i"
-those two words were written on the surface of the tank.
Hey......
There's no way I'm going to be able to fix this...
But really, her marksmanship is amazing.
It's you that's the gold medalist, isn't it? If you entered Adseard, you'd definitely take home the gold medal for Marksmanship and Idiocy.
After that incident, I returned to my room...calmed down a bit...and decided that no matter what, when Aria came back I would apologize. With that, I waited for her return.
But, no matter how long I waited, she didn't come back.
She probably did as I said, and went off to do her own things.
When night fell, and she still hadn't returned, I explained the rough situation to Shirayuki--
"So, does that mean that Kin-chan will be my only bodyguard from now on?"
...It appears as if Shirayuki was extremely happy about that.
"Yeah. Well, probably."
I sat down on the newly-bought sofa, and took apart my Amdo-modified Beretta M92F so I could maintain it.
Aria isn't here anymore.
With that, even with this gun, I felt powerless.
"Before the Adseard closing ceremony, I will be your bodyguard. Although this task was just something that the Masters and Aria insisted I do, but...well, a promise is a promise."
Hearing me say "promise," Shirayuki became excited.
"Kin-chan is...protecting me...promise..."
Seeing Shirayuki say that as if savoring the aftertaste, after which she dipped her head and said "I'm very happy...", I continued to say: "Don't you...feel uneasy? Having an E rank Butei like me protecting you... Well, although I don't think that Durandal exists, if he actually does exist, when he launches his attack--"
When Shirayuki heard me, who merely wished to confirm her words, she violently shook her head.
"I've never felt uneasy."
"..."
"Because I have Kin-chan by my side. Kin-chan is really strong. You won't lose to anyone. I have faith in you. So, Kin-chan, let me ask you again...please protect me."
"Ah...right."
Hearing Shirayuki use such polite language in what seemed to be a playful manner, I accepted by reflex.
But Shirayuki's voice was not playful at all, nor was it flattery, it was what she really felt from the bottom of her heart.
That's right. I was the one who got rid of the guys who were bullying Shirayuki, so ever since the day of the entrance exam, Shirayuki has always put 100% of her trust in me.
Although, the person she trusts isn't the normal me.
Rather, it is the me in Hysteria Mode.
If--
the one in a thousand chance,
that Durandal, really exists...
The one in a million chance,
if Lezzad and the S rank Buteis were right...and like Aria said, Shirayuki was targeted by him.
The one in a trillion chance,
that something actually happens.
Will I...be able to protect Shirayuki?
Am I able to answer her words of trust that allow her to be at ease?
...I probably won't be able to.
...But.....well, I don't need to worry.
These few days, I've been constantly taking note of everything that happens around Shirayuki, but there isn't even a trace of danger around her? There shouldn't be a problem, right? Yeah. There definitely won't be a problem.
I thought, placing my maintained Beretta onto the table.
"Ki-Kin-chan-sama."
As if she was waiting for me to finish my maintenance...Shirayuki used that strange name again, and slowly turned towards me.
"What is it?"
"Th-the obstacle during Golden Week... No, what I mean is...Aria won't be here during Golden Week either, right?"
"Yeah...she probably won't. Do you want to go somewhere?"
"N-no. I'll be taking it easy and studying at home,"
said Shirayuki, hurriedly waving her hands.
"...Isn't that just sitting at home? You're always studying, if you don't relax once in a while, won't you regret it? When you're older you might say something like 'Ahh, it would've been better had I played more when I was young.'"
"Bu-but..."
Looking at Shirayuki's dejected expression, I remembered something,
"Is it because of the Hotogi?"
"..."
Shirayuki didn't deny it.
Unable to leave the shrine or the school, just like a...
Caged bird.
This thought appeared in my brain, and added to this, my irritation from having argued with Aria earlier, led me to stand up in anger.
And with a *thump*, I sat down in front of the computer.
Shirayuki, on whom I had turned my back, became agitated because of such a small thing.
"Ki-Kin-chan, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. But, I..."
Not knowing why I'm angry, she apologized to me by reflex.
But I didn't say anything to her, and continued to type away..looking for something on Tokyo Travel Guide--
Bing--
Hearing the printer rattle to life, Shirayuki started, but immediately went to retrieve what I had printed.
She reversed her direction, and walked back towards me.
"This is for....Kin-chan. What is this, all of a sudden?"
"This isn't for me. This is for you."
"?"
Shirayuki turned the paper towards herself in surprise.
"...May 5, Tokyo Disneyland Fireworks show...change into your kimonos and with the stars - enjoy the bright mirages...?"
After reading the contents, Shirayuki turned towards me with a face full of doubt.
"You should go."
"Ah!"
"Is this really so surprising?"
"I-I can't, in that kind of crowded place...I..."
"Don't worry. You don't need to go into Disneyland, you can see the fireworks from Kasai Rinkai Park. And it's only one day, just think of it as training so you can go outside."
Although training to be able to go outside is kind of weird, she's not normal in the first place, so this is unavoidable.
"Bu-but...I..."
I stood up, and with a *thud* I placed my hand onto Shirayuki's shoulder, who as I thought, was extremely reluctant.
"...I'll be your bodyguard, and come with you."
"Go...going out with Kin-chan...?"
"Yeah. After all, this is before Adseard's closing ceremony."
Saying this, I refused to let Shirayuki, who's eyes were shining for some reason, refuse.
Shirayuki--nodded.
That neat fringe shook, and rested back on her head.
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