Hidan no Aria - Volume 2 - Chapter 6

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Last Ammo: Who Performed the Last Move?

"I'd like to thank the person..."

With the cool Shiranui's voice, and my guitar's sound, the Adseard closing ceremony, Aru=Kata, had started.

Before, in the underground warehouse, I, who had once again entered Hysteria Mode in front of Shirayuki and Aria, noticed something about how I was playing the guitar...

There was a very strong sense of abandonment in that sound...

Ahhh.

...How could I say those words...

What was "You can't disappear without a sound anymore, Shirayuki"?

And to Aria, didn't I say something I would never be able to take back? How could I say 'for as long as I live'.

Once I thought about this...I had an extremely strong urge to commit suicide.

If it was just that, I'd at least be able to blame the circumstances...But in front of Aria and Shirayuki, I discovered Jeanne's disguise, figured out a way to counter with such alacrity, and I caught her sword with my bare hand...I might not have been that way from the start, but it was still too outstanding.

With that, I created another reason for Shirayuki and Aria to think that I'm amazing.

After that incident, I was barraged with compliments like "If you try, you can do it!" "Kin-chan is amazing after all," etc...It pains me just to think about it.

And with that, Aria's feeling that I was driven into action whenever I was in a tight situation was confirmed...in her mind.

And, it's definitely those tight situations with bullets flying everywhere, and swords clashing.

"Who shoot the flash..." (English)

Really, Butei High is...way too tightfisted with the budget, would it really be so bad to have a professional band?

Before this, I had been pretty rusty with the guitar, but now, I had grown used to the guitar, and I blasted the DC59's noise over the second field. Bb, Gm, Cm7.

Damn it, the weather is too good.

"Who flash the shot like the bangbabangbang'a" (English)

While the song suddenly sped up, the cheerleaders, Pom Poms in both hands, ran onto stage, smiling.

"A-as expected, this is too..."

Hearing this voice, I glanced to one side, and I saw Shirayuki, extremely embarrassed, standing at the entrance to the stage--

"Ah, really! You're already here and you're complaining! Alright, get out there!"

As if being kicked onto the stage by Aria, Shirayuki ran in, and in the center too.

Whoosh. Standing next to Shirayuki, blushing and raising her Pom Poms, was Aria.

This squad of cheerleaders were headed by the most athletic Aria, as well as the person that Aria forcefully recommended, Shirayuki, who was chosen to be her partner at the last moment. Because the Preparatory Committee had Shirayuki in mind in the first place, this suggestion seemed to be taken on board fairly easily.

At the start, I was a bit worried about Shirayuki, not knowing whether she could perform well on her first time. However, when she came onstage, as expected of an honors student, she performed a perfect routine in front of the audience.

Wearing those kinds of clothes in front of everybody made her face tense up, extremely embarrassed, but Shirayuki, it really is your horrible luck to be targeted by Aria. If she ever gets stuck to you, you'll never get her off. She's like an electromagnet...one that's linked to a power plant.

"Each time we're in frooooooooont of enemies! We never hide'n sneak away!" (English.)

For Shirayuki, having the courage to stand in front of others like this, was all because of the battle.

You've already left the school with Kinji, and then you released your forbidden arts. Since you've already broken the rules, then you should just break as many as you want!

She was encouraged this way by Aria, and she burst through the dam, agreeing to take part in cheerleading.

But no matter what one says, defeating Durandal like that was a good experience for her--at least, that's what I think. Well, it might be cheerleading now, but I understand, Shirayuki.

You're no longer a "Caged Bird".

You might only be able to fly close to the nest, but you're already a bird who can use her own wings to fly--that's right, mmm, a crane. You've already transformed into a red-crowned crane.

The reason I was thinking about this kind of thing, was because I was unwilling to think about Hysteria Mode--

That enormous pair of Mount Fujis...were vigorously...shaking...!

Th-this isn't good. I'm going to change.

But, I can't. I'm right in front of the crowd, I can't turn my eyes away like in practice.

I have to find a way! I turned my gaze towards Aria, next to Shirayuki.

--What a relief.

These mounds will stay stationary, not moving at all.

But, I can't become careless.

This place has risk as well. Because Aria was so tiny, her clothes were a little loose.

There are volcanoes everywhere I look. It's very possible that I could enter a situation far more dangerous than the one in the underground warehouse. If I enter Hysteria Mode in a place crowded with girls like this, I'm finished.

In short, I have to think of something else.

Hmm.

Well, those things may have happened underground, but Butei High wasn't blown to pieces, and we safely returned to the Adseard closing ceremony...hmm.

"Who flash the shot like the bangbabangbabang'a" (English.)

That's right, Jeanne. Jeanne d'Arc the 30th. As ordered by the police and the Tokyo Butei Section, she was first to be questioned by Tsuduri-sensei from Dagula.

When we gave Jeanne, staying silent, to Tsuduri, Tsuduri said "She looks very...teasable," with a smile that chilled me to the very bones. That kind of smile...it's the first time I've seen it.

"Who was the person, I'd like to hug the body." (English.) In sync, the girls, Pa!

threw their Pom Poms into the air, and the atmosphere in the field heated up.

In their hands were their guns, previously hidden underneath their skirts. And like the lyrics in their song, they fired blanks up into the air. And I'm not sure if it was on purpose, or whether they had gotten excited, but it was far more than in rehearsals.

Aahh...that's why I said, don't have these kinds of festivals.

The aim of this festival is to make Butei's reputation, in the eyes of the people, better, right?

I just hope that the cameramen will cut this out during editing.

Finally--

The girls crowded around Aria and Shirayuki, and they formed a stance like in gymnastics.

The confetti, stored in the top of the stage, was scattered all around the girls--

"It makes my life change at all dramatic!" (English.)

With that, Adseard was over.

Because of the exertion during the Aru=Kata cheerleading routine, Shirayuki was breathing hard, flashing an unabashed smile at the crowd. Confetti was flying all around, as if congratulating her for starting a clean, white new life.

...Why is the congratulatory party being held in the family restaurant?

The first congratulatory party for us guys in the band was held in here too. Weren't you going to the Estella Club in Odaiba? You two get out of here and go over there.

However, my protests were in vain, as usual. Therefore, there was a second congratulatory party held, the participants being Shirayuki, Aria, and me. It was being held in the only family restaurant on Academy Island, Rokishi.

Because we captured Durandal, the falsely charged mother of Aria--Kanzaki Kanae-san's sentence was reduced by a lot, so Aria was overjoyed, and she announced "Today is on me!" This was the only thing that could possibly be construed as good for me, but anyways, you're nobility. Couldn't you have chosen a better store than this?

However, if I were to actually say that, she'd definitely blast a hole in me, so I just chose the most expensive steak set in order to express my dissatisfaction.

When we had all ordered, and wiped our hands...

I noticed that Aria and Shirayuki were a little weird.

They were looking at each other, and they seemed to want to say something, but neither of them could open their mouths.

...What kind of atmosphere is this.

"Ab-about that." "Ab-about that."

Shirayuki and Aria opened their mouths at the same time.

"Ah, you go first."

"No, you should."

"...Do you want me to leave?"

I said to Shirayuki, sitting next to me. She violently shook her head, and then dipped it.

"Umm, Th...this, I want Kin-chan to hear this too. I...no matter what, I have something I need to say to Aria."

...She wants me to hear something, and it's also something that she has to say to Aria?

"About that...Before, when Kin-chan had a cold...I lied."

"Lied?"

"Yeah...um...the medicine that Kin-chan took...wasn't bought by me. That probably....was something that Aria had put there, right?"

Huh?

Just now, the medicine that was for me when I had a fever...

The specially bought "Special Pueraria Syrup", the person that quietly put that on the door...

"It was, Aria?"

"..."

Watching Aria, who was staying silent, Shirayuki seemed extremely apologetic.

Aria, seeing Shirayuki in that state, turned her camellia eyes to one side, facing me.

...What is that supposed to mean?

"Wh-what is that supposed to mean?"

Aria seemed to put her hands behind her head on purpose, tilting back really far.

And her face, blushing slightly now, glanced at me again.

Ah.

I remember now. When we were on the roof of Assault, Aria said...

"A noble does not show off her efforts. Because that's extremely unsightly. Even if her efforts are taken by someone else."

That...

Is this what that was supposed to mean?

"Hearing you say there's 'something' you have to say, I thought it was something important, you really made me worry over nothing."

She didn't deny it, so I guess it really was Aria.

Then that means, at that time, the person who checked my temperature so gently, was Aria as well?

However, Aria placed her fingertips on Shirayuki's chin, pushing her back.

"I didn't take notice of that. Alright, that's over and done with. Then, it's my turn."

"Mm, mm."

It looks like those two, before coming here, got ready to say 'something' to each other.

"Ahem, ahem."

Aria cleared her throat, and assumed a new stance.

"--Shirayuki. Be my slave as well!"

Whoosh! Her finger pointing towards Shirayuki, Aria's words--

Made Shirayuki, I, and even the boys sitting in the booth next to us, freeze. Ah, hey. Don't look this way.

"Thank you, Shirayuki."

And you, Aria.

You aren't even giving anybody enough time to scratch their head before you finish what you were saying?

"In terms of the reason we were able to catch Durandal, 30% of the reason was you. 40% was me, and 20% was Reki."

...What?

"After this battle, I understood. Fighting with that Durandal, Jeanne d'Arc--if we had split up and taken her one-on-one, we would have definitely failed. It's the combined powers of us three that finally defeated her. That, I recognize."

I've wanted you to recognize this since so long ago...But, I was part of those three people, right?

"The reason we could achieve victory was teamwork. From the beginning, I--no matter the enemy, I would engage them by myself, with the partner that allowed me to draw out my abilities. But in reality...there are still enemies that we can't defeat with just us two. Which also means, if we have somebody with a special ability, we should be fine. Especially you, Shirayuki, a companion who has a power I don't."

Ooh.

Companion, huh?

It looks like this [Aria]-san has learned something of use in this school of ours.

But Shirayuki, who she was pointing at, was whispering "Sl-slave...how could I...but, if Kin-chan is a slave..."--things like that, and she didn't seem to be listening.

"Your contract may be over now, but from now on, you should act together with Kinji! After this, we will do things together as a group, cultivating our team coordination! Here, this is the key to Kinji's room! After this, you can come whenever you like!"

"Thank you Aria! Thank you Kinji!"

"OOOOOOII!"

Seeing Aria drop the key into Shirayuki's chest pocket with inhuman speed, I fell down off my chair with a thud.

"No way, no way, that's impossible! That's a boy's dormitory!"

"Is there something wrong, slave #1?"

"You! Two! Never listen to me...If you listen to me, I'll be very happy...could you possibly rethink this?"

The volume of my voice suddenly plummeted, reason being, Aria had drawn her guns in the middle of my sentence.

At that moment, the waitress brought over what we had ordered, slightly scared.

Mineral water, and a steak set. Oolong Tea and risotto. As well as Coca-Cola and peach-bun-don...what is that? The person who made this menu, get out here.

"Alright! To the birth of slave #2 Cheeeeeeers!"

"Ganbai!...I'm so happy! I'm really so happy! This key...is the proof of Kin-chan's love!"

I, slave #1, under the cheers of Aria, who was so happy that her eyes were closed, and Shirayuki, who was brought to tears from joy, had been completely taken advantage of.

Aah, really...

"Whatever!"

As if trying to knock the liquid out of the cup, my cup collided with theirs.

Because of this, these two troublesome entities continued to come in and out of my house.

Right after leaving the family restaurant, Shirayuki carried everything she would need back to my room, and Aria was watching the second episode of the animal space fantasy special, happily shouting "So~Cu~te~! Kinji, come look, come look! It's a pack of otters!" while jumping up and down on my sofa.

Her shoes were messily thrown around the entrance. Her black stockings were left unattended on the floor as well. Hey, you didn't forget that this is my room, Aria-san?

"Aria, about your calculations just now in the family restaurant."

Unsatisfied, I sat down besides Aria, who was about to skip over the advertisement.

"What is it?"

"I'm talking about you splitting the reason of why Durandal was captured. You had 40%, Shirayuki had 30%, and Reki had 20%...which means, I had but 10%."

I complained,

"You were only useful at the end!"

Aria continued to press on the controller, not even bothering to look at me while responding.

"...Then I really feel like voiding our relationship as partners."

"However, you were pretty cool then, you know?"

Aria, who was extremely happy about watching otters, turned her head...Pa.

and winked.

You, you...

Just turning around like that and winking at me so gently. That's breaking the rules. That's way too cute.

I felt like my heart had been shot through by a mini-arrow.

"Partner-san, I've stopped my recording for you, so you listen well, OK? You...are on the same level as Shirayuki. The situation was very different from last time, but you have, for me, a necessary power for all those of the Holmes bloodline. After the battle, I once again acknowledged this. That's why, making up for what I lack, you are--"

Aria sat on the sofa, turning to face me.

It looks like, before saying that final sentence, she wants to sit down on the same level as me.

"--important to me."

Those camellia eyes that belonged to Aria, staring straight at me--rendered me speechless.

She...How self-centered is she, exactly?

But, I, right now, felt that there was no way I could resist, because that small girl sitting in front of me...Damn it, it's because she's so cute, right?

N-no, that's not it, Kinji.

This is definitely because she just looks like a kid.

This is because I can't deny a child. Yeah, that has to be it.

"WHAT DID YOU SAY JUST NOW?!"

From behind us, a hysterical voice rang out.

--Oh, oh shit!

My face paled, and I looked back.

Behind the sofa,

"'-important to me'! What is that supposed to mean!"

I don't need to say this, but it was a berserking Shirayuki.

I-I said that this was really scary, Shirayuki!

Those eyes spinning like that, I can't even tell what you're focusing on!

What set you off! You could just tell me that, you know! For my own safety!

"I'm warning you! Aria!"

"What is it! What's wrong!"

Aria couldn't help but retreat under the face of the demonized Shirayuki.

Shi.

She stepped on thin air, and she fell onto the ground.

"Don't think that you've won! I-I-I ki-kissed Kin-chan too--!"

Shirayuki raised her katana, which suddenly appeared in her hands, jumping over the sofa, slicing down towards Aria.

"Wh-what did you say!?"

Aria, suddenly hearing about kissing again, blushed furiously, rolling to one-side, dodging Shirayuki's attack.

KACHAK!

Aah, the table is broken again...

"A draw! I'm saying it's a draw! Us! In Kin-chan's heart! Our level is the same! I, after this! As long as I'm one step ahead it'll be fine! That's what I mean!"

Shirayuki yelled these random reasons, and started waving her blade around. KCH! KACH! She once again obliterated all the new furniture we had bought.

"Ah, hey, slave #2! You're just a slave, and yet you dare do this to your master! Quiet down!"

Aria, continuously evading Shirayuki's attacks, finally--Bang!

Fired a warning shot. She made a hole in the ceiling with her pitch-black M1911.

I'm sorry, our neighbors, I'm really very sorry.

"Yo-yo-you're just a concubine--You're still so shameless after stealing my man!"

Shirayuki was completely unintimidated.

Her eyebrows, under her neat fringe, were completely raised, and she charged towards Aria.

Aaah, I can't. I can't stop it anymore.

"Kin-Kinji! How did you kiss Shirayuki! Yo-yo-you did this sort of thing with your client!? Yo-you shameless Butei! Think of something to take her out!"

Oh, Aria.

Making that slave #2 go crazy was you.

Anyways, for my own safety, before her rage turns towards me, I'm going to get away from this Armed Miko.

Thinking this way, I stumbled...

Through the living room, onto the balcony.

Click.

This is a bulletproof cabinet.

"The aftermath is up to you guys to take care of!"

During these few days, I've learned one thing.

Quadra Aria. Armed Miko Shirayuki. If it involves these two, in the end, only my hated Hysteria Mode could possibly defuse the situation.

Anyways, if I have to continuously evade them and not enter Hysteria Mode, as well as continually doing missions with them, it won't matter how many lives I have, there won't be enough.

If the situation really becomes this bad...

Then I will need to enter Hysteria Mode again.

But there's still a lot of problems.

Hysteria Mode is something that can't be activated by yourself. My brother could...but that method is far too difficult for me.

And afterward, there will be problems as well. Girls will like my new personality, and it will become a vicious circle, making me continually enter Hysteria Mode, just like in Middle School.

But the biggest problem is, the arousal that is my trigger to Hysteria Mode. I cannot expose that, no matter the cost.

Aah, really...

There are too many problems, I really don't know what to do.

Whatever, a way to solve these problems...I'll wait for the next time I enter Hysteria Mode to think about it.