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Hidan no Aria - Volume 3 - Chapter 3




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3rd Ammo: Wolf and Reki

Infiltration.

It is one method of investigation where Buteis disguise themselves and sneak in as a spy to collect information regarding their target ---and use force to apprehend them in the scene if the situation deems it wise to do so. The target associations varies from violent gangs, enterprises, to night clubs, etc.

In other words, it is a deceive-and-strike method.

It had been illegal in Japan for quite a long time before it became legalized recently to counter the influx of heinous crimes.

In Butei High, this method is mainly used by the CVR girls, but other departments like Inquesta, Lezzad, and Assault sometimes use it too. I actually had an experience of infiltrating a high school for rich guys and girls. A famous story in Butei High, was that Shiranui had actually infiltrated a host club before.

So, starting next week...

Aria and I will be infiltrating into an old mansion in Yokohama named Koumeikan, disguising ourselves as a "Butler" and a "Maid".

Not to do an investigation, but to steal.

I thought to myself: Hey Kinji, even though this is a requirement to obtain information regarding Nii-san, isn't this considered a blatant abuse of technology?

As of far, the authorized personnel in Koumeikan are the master of the mansion, Vlad, the unknown manager, and the two hired housekeepers.

It seems the housekeepers are currently taking their vacations. At the same time of the manager's return, they are hiring two part-timers to take the housekeepers' place.

That's where Riko pretended to be an employee of a work dispatcher company. She contacted Koumeikan, and sent a message of job request.

Riko's efficient action never fails to impress me. Well, what she's doing is no different from a robbery though.

But before everything else...

Why the heck am I infiltrating this place?

"Yeah~" "Isn't it?" "That stinks, right." "Come to think of it, why do only us girls have to retake a physical examination?" "I don't know~ But all I can say is it's a drag~"

The voice of the girls can be heard beyond the slit on the iron plate.

This is the 7th infirmary room, located on the 1st floor of the Ambulace building.

Riko made a training course for Aria and I separately in order to prepare for the infiltration. My first lesson according to Riko was to come to this room after school. Riko sent me the order via mail.

So while complaining, I reluctantly followed the order, and when I arrived, the infirmary room was desolated... I was at loss for a while until a few girls coming from the hallway entered the infirmary as they chatted with each other. I applied the shadow gait[1] that I learned from Assault, and hid myself from their sight.

Then suddenly, the girls started taking off their uniforms one after another.

...Riko had me.

The moment I noticed that fact, everything was too late. The one and only available escape route I had... was to hide myself inside this huge locker, which explains my current situation. Somehow, confined spaces are becoming my best friend recently since I also have a bulletproof drawer in my home, which always saves my hide from Aria and Shirayuki.

"...And, what are you doing here, Muto?"

"You're one to ask?"

For some reason, there's already a first-comer inside the locker, Gouki Muto.

He's the Logi's ace, and an unwanted but inseparable friend ever since enrollment.

However, this big guy is nothing but a hindrance to me right now.

"Aren't you also here to peep at the girl's physical re-examination?"

"It's probably not convincing to say this under this situation, but this is the truth so I'll say it anyway--- NO."

"Still Kinji, you amaze me..."

"What do you mean?"

"That you singled out this place. Out of all infirmaries in Butei High, this is the easiest place to procure an escape route; in other words, a perfect place for peeping. After all, it is located in the first floor. There are trees and brushes outside the window that serve as a countermeasure against peeking, but I used that to my advantage instead. I parked a camouflaged-framed motorcycle there. In case that we've been spotted, we can use that to ride our asses out of here."

This guy turns into a genius Butei when things come to this.

"Let's see today's roster... Ohhhhh!? It's a big catch! There's Aya Hiraga, Riko Mine, and Fuu of Lezzad. Ah, Reki is also there. Hmm... I don't see Hotogi-san. Oh? Your Aria is here as well, Kinji."

What do you mean "My Aria"?

"Oi Kinji, why are you lowering your head? Look properly through the slit! What did you come here for?"

"I told you, I didn't come here to peep!"

As I whispered my appeal of innocence to Muto, my cellphone vibrated. It seems I made a wise judgement on putting it in silent mode.

I had a bad feeling. When I took a look, the sender of the mail... was Riko.

Uuwah. What's this mail littered with emoticons? It's annoying.

"Ki-kun. How's the locker suiting you? I took the liberty of clearing out its contents yesterday. Tell me if you find anyone besides Rikorin that's making you hysteric. I'll steal that girl's item that Ki-kun wants."

Decoding a gal's text message took a lot of effort. After decoding it, that turned out to be Riko's message.

T-That girl...

Come to think of it, Riko was saying something about training me to voluntarily trigger my Hysteria Mode for the actual mission. So this is part of it, huh.

Hmm?

A second mail came.

"Oh. I need to check if Ki-Kun is properly looking! Here's a question: What color of underwear is Riko wearing? Send the answer within 10 seconds. If you fail to give the correct answer, Riko will open the locker as a penalty!"

H-Hey, hey... This is bad!

I have thought of just simply asking Muto to give me the answer but it won't make it in time. Including that query, and the time it takes to input the answer, it will be past the time limit before I could even send it. Plus, I've wasted 5 seconds already from reading the mail.

As much as possible, I don't want to take my chance of risking triggering hysteria by scrutinizing girl's underwear.

However, it'll be a mishap if Riko causes a commotion. Why? Because present in this room, is our Quadra Demon Butei--- Aria-sama!

"O-Out of the way, Muto!"

Brushing aside the head of the drooling idiot, I pressed my face against the locker door's slit.

In my view---

...are girls, girls, and girls.

In the process of finding Riko, looking at the other girl's half-naked bodies were unavoidable.

The one who modified my Beretta, Hiraga-san of Amdo department. Her image was an innocent girl from outside appearance... I never expected that even her underwear is that of innocent girl's. What's with that kiddy underwear with a bear printed on the back?

But that's actually perfect. With that childish body, there's no danger of turning me into Hysteria.

Fuuma, 1st year Lezzad. As a girl, why are you wearing a fundoshi? I heard she was a grand-daughter of a ninja but that character is too innovative! This girl is also safe. Rather than a fan-service, it's more like a gag.

Standing upright like a human body model is Reki of Snipe department. She's wearing a set of bra and panties that looked like the type being sold in JUSCO for 980 yen. An unadorned plain cotton silk. Needless to say, this one is also safe.

3 seconds left.

There are other girls as well but angle-wise, or concealed by other girls, I couldn't see them.

That's a relief. Today is my day. It sure is. This might be rude, but thanks to those girls with poor sex appeal acting as a cover for other girls, I managed to give Hysteria Mode a slip.

Deliberately putting her elbows on the weighing scale, Riko appealed her location to me. The color of her underwear...

...is Honey Gold.

I swiftly fiddled the answer on the cellphone that I already left in the enter-message screen, and sent it.

Damn you, Riko. Wearing high-class underwear for a Chibi.

The cellphone that Riko is spinning with a finger through a cellphone strap, its screen flickered. She gave the cell's screen a cursory look, probably reading my mail, and gestured an OK sign and a wink facing the locker.

I heaved a deep sigh of relief. I checked myself. Sexual arousement level... is ok. It's on the verge of passing the limit, but I somehow made it.

Haha, it's my victory this time Riko!

That's right. I ain't a kid that will become aroused at every girl's underwear.

*Throb*

I could just shut my eyes, but I was distracted at Riko's figure--- when she grabbed a girl and pulled it before the locker. My heart jumped wildly from seeing that girl's figure.

Aria.

Yes. To Aria's figure who's wearing a playing-card patterned underwear.

And before I knew it, I was in Hysteria Mode.

Y...You can't be joking?

I... was consciously trying hard to control it.

This... is the first time I encountered this case...

"Okay, Aria. Let's measure your three sizes before Sensei comes in!"

With a finger movement like that of a dirty old man, Riko stretched out the measuring tape. Aria took one step back, her face slightly flushed.

"...W-Why are you measuring my three sizes? That's really perverted."

"So I can make you a maid uniform and apron, of course! For that, I need to know your measurements first. Didn't you know? Riko is actually famous in Lolita dress industry? Okay, here we go! First, let's find out Aria's bust size!"

"Bust size!?"

Aria covered her flat-as-a-washboard chest with both arms, glaring at Riko's D-cup breasts.

"I-Is that your sarcasm for me!? Just because m-my, my... my... my development is a bit, fairly, slightly, and somewhat slower than others, you...!"

"What are you talking about Aria? Chippai[2] has its popularity too, you know?"

"...What are you saying?"

"There are plenty of guys in this world that love small-chested girls. And the number isn't something that can be ignored."

"Hmph. Who would believe... such a lie. Even if it is true, I don't have any interest in guys, so it's irrelevant."

"Hnnmm? I see, this topic is over then. Lemme measure you now."

"So... A number that can't be ignored, you say. Particularly how much? How's the credibility of your sources? I'll let you measure me or whatever you want. In exchange, let me hear more information regarding that matter. What year was that statistics taken? What's the standard deviation? How was the sampling?"

Riko measured Aria's bust from behind.

Aria... you're oddly over-curious about that. Do you have a guy that you like or something?

Well, but that's something outside my business.

I moved away my eyes from the slit... After throwing a glance with a subtext of "Sorry about that" to the sulking Muto, I leaned my back to the internal wall of the locker.

In the end, I turned into Hysteria Mode but...

I deem this mode a problem only when I am with girls. Luckily, Muto is a guy, so there's nothing to worry about.

In short, I just need to wait here until I revert back to normal.

(However...)

Leaving myself aside...

I am a bit curious about the girls earlier.

Hiraga-san's ancestor is Hiraga Gennai, a famous inventor back in Edo period. My 1-year junior, Fuuma, who people normally call Fuu, is a descendant of a high-class ninja family. Reki, I am not sure. And no need to mention about Aria and Riko... From a glance, this room has a number of girls descended from famous figures.

It's odd that those girls are all coincidentally taking this physical re-examination. Is there a reason behind it?

As I contemplated those things---

*Gacha*

The girls let out a high-pitched scream from the sound of door opening.

"...Did someone come in?"

I asked Muto in a whisper.

"Yeah. Sayonaki."

Muto, still peeking from the slit, answered with an annoyed tone.

"That guy. There is a rumor around him. He pretends to be a good guy in the surface... but secretly assaults girls. Moreover, someone saw a girl walking out with unsteady steps from Sayonaki's research lab."

That's--- something that I can't ignore.

It might extend the duration of Hysteria Mode, but let's keep watch for a bit.

Sticking our face together in front of the the slit, trying to have a good look of the situation outside the locker, Sayonaki, clad in white cloth, entered the room. He said...

"...T-There is no need to take off clothes! I just need to draw your blood anyway. Didn't you read the mail? It's written in there. Okay, put all your clothes back on!"

Sayonaki after saying that, sat in a round chair, forming a wry smile.

And then looked beyond the window...

"--Fii Bucuros... Scoala buna. Nu este interesant de sange..."

...He's mumbling something.

"Fii... Bukkorosu?[3] Ah no, I reckon it's not Japanese. I wonder in what language it is?

On one hand... the girls, although still bewildered, put back their clothes on respectively. This group misunderstanding, even the Butei girls who have the same level of coyness as primitive men, would feel embarrassment.

...But.

Only one girl remained different.

It's Reki.

Not even a pattern nor a line design on it, she's still in her swimsuit-like white underwear...

Her camera-like eyes are fixed beyond the window.

Did she find out about Muto's motorcycle?

"......."

Reki stayed still... continuing on staring outside the window.

.......

...Still, her underwear is the epitome of simpleness.

Her hairstyle is cut fastidiously short. Reki, who was called "Robot Reki" by other people, seemed to be completely indifferent on things like fashion.

Like a portion of guys claim, Reki is a bishoujo if you take a better a look at her... but she's a taciturn, impassive, and apathetic. She's also indifferent to her physical looks. It's a parade of negative qualities. And to add more, she must be the type that is inconspicuous.

That motionless Reki.

...Moved.

Or so I thought...

She kicked the linoleum, and dashed...

Towards us---!

"E-Ehhhhh!?"

As I heard Muto inadvertently let out a panic voice, Reki...

...swiftly opened the door of the locker Muto and I were hiding in!

"!?"

And then she reached out her both hands and grabbed both Muto's and my neckties... and pulled us, in action that seemed like she was gonna slam us both to the ground.

"W-Wait! I apologize! I'm sor--!"

Muto's shout, faster than the girls could let out their scream--- was interrupted.

*Gashaaaaa*

By a sharp, piercing sound of shattering glass.

"!?"

Bam!

A force assaulted the locker.

The locker got distorted, and got blown away as if it was made in paper.

Thanks to Reki's pull, I was safe. However, Muto's big stature hampered Reki in pulling him on time. That delay, cost him his life.

"Muto!"

Rolling my body on Reki's side, I stared at the blown locker together with Muto.

"!!!"

Muto, although evincing a painful face, was still breathing. Well, that's a Butei for you.

He drew his gun from his holster.

Colt Manufacturing Company's long seller gun, Colt Python.

Its accuracy is bad, and it uses a revolver-type magazine. It was deemed an unsuitable gun for Butei but--- it can fire a .357 magnum bullet. Its firepower is outstanding. And with a body-build like Muto it makes firing a handgun with a power of a cannon feasible.

"...Are you... kidding me...?"

However, mumbling was all Muto could do. He didn't fire his gun.

Because he was captivated by the figure on top of him and the upended locker.

I had the same reaction as Muto, and everyone else in the room.

The figure above the locker, is actually a huge, silver-furred---

---Wolf.

Yes, a Wolf.

Not to imitate Muto's remark, but I'll also say this: Are you kidding me?

However, the fact of it being here indicates that it's not a joke. It's not a dog, but a genuine wolf. Though I am not perfectly knowledgeable about animals, I had studied about wild beasts back in Assault so I am certain that this one is the real deal.

The oppressive killing intent that it emits, its robust body that somewhat alludes of elegance, and its huge body that could weigh around 100 kilograms. No doubt. This is the real Caucasus Silver Wolf, which people had thought to be extinct already.

But... why is it in this place!?

(Reki...)

She pulled us out of the locker to save us from getting squashed. That means, she already realized long ago that we were peeping in there. She just didn't do or say anything.

And then she found out that the wolf was gonna attack the locker, and attempted to save us.

This intuition and the keen ability in sensing danger is what you expect from a S-Rank Butei.

"...Everyone! Get out of here, quick!!"

I shouted at the girls but Muto...

*Baam!!*

Fired a warning shot towards the ceiling.

Normally, animals fear loud noises. However, the gunfire blast of the .357 magnum bullet did nothing to faze the wolf.

And then it leapt towards the defenseless, half-naked girls.

"---Muto! Don't use your gun! The girls aren't wearing safety vests right now. Ricochets might hit them!"

Shouting that with Hysteria Mode still active, I charged towards the wolf.

Grabbing its sharp-pointed fur, I...

*Gashan!*

...slammed its body that's probably bigger than a normal person into the medicine cabinet.

*Roar*

The wolf, after letting out a howl for the first time, bared its sharp claws and attempted to tear my chest...

As if it used that strike to assist in rebounding its body, it jumped back.

"Kuh...!"

What power...

Although I attenuated the power by countering it with a palm heel strike, if it was a second late, having a safety vest[4] or not wouldn't matter as it would probably tear through it together with my flesh, bones and organs.

Maybe a repugnant medicine got caught on its face back when it clashed into the medicine cabinet, as the wolf is repeatedly shaking its head left and right. And then...

"...Ah!"

It tackled Sayonaki, who was standing in the other side.

Sayonaki tumbled to the floor together with the height rod. The wolf escaped through the window that it destroyed.

It was a blunder. I made a mistake in prioritizing who to protect.

Sayonaki-sensei, even though he's a Butei instructor, is a part-time instructor. He never took battle training before, and therefore, he is no different from a civilian.

He is comparably weaker than Butei girls, even if both are weaponless.

However, my Hysteria Mode didn't allow me to do that. It always put girls above all else.

Because of that, sensei had suffered...!

"After it, Kinji! Leave sensei's treatment to us!"

Hearing Aria's order from behind, I nodded as I picked myself up.

Not just Sayonaki-sensei. In this academy island, there are a huge number of civilians that work in facilities for student services.

If I leave that beast on the loose--- things will be serious.

"Kinji! Use this! It's parked beyond those trees!"

I caught the key that Muto threw as I ran outside through the broken window.


Muto. How far were you planning to escape if you were discovered?

Outside the infirmary room, and secretly parked in the underbrush is a---

BMW K1200R.

This naked bike. Isn't this the one that has the world's most powerful engine installed on it!?

W-Well... I guess you will need something like this if you want to escape the likes of Aria or Riko.

I inserted the key into the ignition and twisted it to turn on the power... Broom! Using the kick starter (which Muto had probably installed as an add-on) as a foothold, I vaulted and sat astride on the motorcycle and revved the engine.

Carrying her Dragunov sniper rifle on back, Reki, still in underwear suit, took the back seat of the motorcycle.

"---Reki!? Why are you here!? Go back and wear your safety vest!"

"You can't defeat it by yourself."

Reki is right... That wolf's fleet movement is outside the scope of what my sight can follow.

And in process of search and tracking, we might need the scope attached to Reki's Dragunov.

Moreover, I cannot forcefully reject a girl's resolution. That is, the Hysteria Mode me.

"Hang on to me tightly."

Bruuuummm.

Switching to low gear, I accelerated the motorcycle.

This 1200cc series 4-cylinder engine, also produced a sound similar to a wolf's baying.


I learned how to use an autobike for chasing missions back in Assault. Specially when the chase is done within the city, the bike's acceleration and braking power are the conducing factors for the outcome of the chase.

In that matter, this K1200R is perfect for that job. It can reach 100 kph (around 60 mph) in 2.8 seconds from a standing start, and the high caliber front suspension buffers the impact of sudden braking like magic.

And we also have Reki for navigation.

"South region of the artificial island, where the construction site is."

Not showing any sign of embarrassment, Reki, riding on my back clad in her underwear, informed me of the possible location of the wolf.

"Did you see it?"

"I saw a footprints of it inside the construction site."

I-It's a miracle that you saw that with your naked eyes. As what you expect from the 120/20 vision Reki[5].

Feeling my amazement at Reki, we entered the construction site.

As what Reki had said, a number of sandbags were smitten and its contents were dispersed on the floor. There are footprints imprinted in the sand.

Reki grabbed the sniper rifle from the back and held it in front of her chest.

Seeing that, I felt a bit worried.

"Did you bring a tranquilizer bullet with you?"

"Negative."

"...I see."

Beast extermination quests are one of the banes of Butei.

Just like today, if you didn't bring the right gear with you, in the worst case scenario, you will have no choice but to shoot down the life of an innocent animal.

"I'll take it down using a normal bullet. Please chase after it."

You haven't changed at all--- Reki.

Back in my Assault days, there were a number of times that I had teamed up with Reki doing quests, but this girl never lifted an eyebrow from start to finish no matter what kind of job and measure we took. She impassively accomplished her mission without fail.

I shifted the engine to low gear. As I followed the footprints...

"!?"

Opposite of the footprints' direction, reflected the wolf's figure through the back mirror!

---It was a trap!

This wolf. It deliberately left a set of footprints, and backtracked by carefully stepping on its own footprints in order to avoid leaving two sets of footprints, thus, faking its destination. On top of that, it even lurked its body in the shadows, ready to ambush us!!

"That's really smart!"

I instantly slewed the bike, using its frame as a shield to protect the defenseless Reki.

*Bump!*

The wolf charged the bike... and for a moment each kept pushing each other in deadlock.

It was probably trained to withdraw if the ambush strike didn't succeed in taking down the enemy, as the wolf leapt back. It jumped over a rift around 10 meters wide, a rift that leads to the sea, made during the construction.

Hmph. I see. It must be thinking that we won't be able to cross that rift.

I fired two shots with my Beretta in my left hand and toppled one end of a construction building's scaffold. Its shape became like a slide that you can find in parks.

I accelerated the bike, intending to use that slide as a ramp--- it leapt over the rift!!

And landed over the other side, slightly drifting while leaving tire prints on the ground.

"---I am a single bullet---"

Reki muttered on my back. Not even realizing since when, she's standing on the back seat.

The heck!? Are you a goddess of balancing!?

The muzzle of the Dragunov is pointed diagonally upward. At the end of its path, is a construction building.

The construction building is layered with scaffolding. The wolf used those as a stepping stone, to proceed upwards. It's completely within Reki's shooting range.

"It has no heart. Therefore, it does not think."

Aah, just like you.

"It just flies straight towards its target."

Forgive us, wolf.


*Tang*


The brass bullet shell danced in the wind...

And the relentless bullet fired from the muzzle---

Grazed the wolf's back, missing its target.

---What!?

This is the first time I've seen Reki miss her target!

We're talking about a genius girl here that can even shoot down a hardcover book that is 2 kilometers away.

"...I'm a bit glad."

"What for?"

"That you missed. As I thought Reki, you're still a human."

"??? I've been a human from the start."

"You have quite a cute side to you. Did you think badly on shooting down the wolf?"

My Hysteria Mode said that with a wry smile.

Reki, still expressionless, fixed the holding of her Dragunov to her shoulder.

It seems she doesn't intend on unleashing a second shot.

Looking upward, the wolf did its last leap, and fled to the rooftop.

But the other side of that area is the sea. There is no place to run.

I parked the bike and dismounted. Reki followed suit, and stood by my side.

And then replied with her usual toneless voice.

"I didn't miss."


I'll finish this Reki, so you stay here. ---Well, that's what I told Reki but she didn't listen and followed me to the rooftop.

The roof hasn't had an installation of fence yet. With the Tokyo's skyscrapers as the background, as if it floats above the sea...

The silver wolf is standing there gallantly.

This scenery makes one feel it's out of place, yet somehow beautiful. Or something magical that can be sensed from it.

After a few seconds of glare, the wolf started manifesting a trembling movement.

"......?"

What's happening?

With a dull sound, the wolf fell over.

If you take a closer look, on its back, starting from the neck going downwards, is a vertical abrasion mark.

"That previous bullet I fired grazed the part above the area between the spinal cord and thoracic spine, pressuring it instantly."

Reki is---

Directing those words not to me, but to the wolf.

"Right now, your spinal nerve is paralyzed. You cannot move anything below your neck. However--- it only lasts for around 5 minutes. After that duration, you'll be free from the immobility, and you will be able to move normally."

...I-Is that so.

I thought Reki missed that previous shot...

But Reki wasn't aiming for the wolf, she actually had an entirely different target, and an outrageous one at that. It was a successful hit. No, maybe it's more proper to call it a miracle shot instead.

This girl is really a prodigy.

The no. 1 girl that you would not want to choose as an enemy more than Aria.

"You can choose to flee if you want. However--- even if you run anywhere within a 2 kilometer radius, my arrow will pierce you."

The wolf stared at Reki as if it understood her words.

1 minute. 2 minutes has passed. This is bad. My Hysteria Mode is weakening.

I drew my Beretta, preparing for the worst, as I prayed and relied on it at the same time.

"---Submit your loyalty to me. From now on, I will be your master."

As if to answer those words, the wolf, panting heavily, scratching the air as if struggling, laboriously picked itself up.

It seemed the effect of the paralysis is weakening.

The injured wolf walked unsteadily...

It went past me who's swallowing my breath...

Moved near Reki...


And nuzzled her leg.

It looked like a dog now, showing its loyalty to its master.

This was... another unbelievable feat.

The assailant beast that was about to kill us a while ago, turned into a loyal pet in a matter of minutes.

As I felt impressed at Reki, I placed the gun back to the holster, producing a sigh of relief.

"...So, what are you planning to do with that wolf?"

"Treat its wound. It's loyal to me now."

"And after that?"

"Adopt as a pet."

"P-Pet?"

"That's my purpose for chasing after it."

"I-Is that so? But I heard the girl's dorms don't allow pets? Well, not that the dorm residents absolutely follow that rule, but that one will attract a lot of attention."

"I'll train it to become a Butei dog then."

H-Hey, hey.

Butei dog is the Butei version of military or police dog. In Butei School, Repier and Inquesta use it to detect the culprit's trace. I don't see any use of it in Snipe department.

Or I think we're mistaking the point of the problem here.

"...If you rationally think about it, that's not a dog but a wolf."

"It's the same thing."

"I'm not sure about that."

"Hand."

The wolf raised one paw to Reki.

...Hey, you're too quick in changing your character!

Well, I guess you don't wish to die. Because Aria usually does that same thing to me, I felt a sudden sense of closeness towards the wolf.

"...Nevermind. I'll respect your decision. I'll leave the wolf to you then. Also..."

"?"

"...Can you put on some clothes now?"

Averting my gaze from Reki, who's still in her underwear...

I recalled from the back of my mind, Shirayuki's divination to me.

'Kin-chan will encounter a wolf, a demon, and a ghost', was it?


The following day after school.

I entrusted the wolf issue together with the investigations to Reki.

After that incident, I got chased around by a barbarous twin tail for committing a crime of peeping. Not giving me any time to recover the 10+ bruises that I suffered around my body, Riko issued an order to come to her room for another upcoming mission training.

According to Riko, turning me into a butler is a relatively simple task. However, Aria here is our main problem.

I guess that's understandable.

Aria is an expert in fighting, an exactly opposite work of serving people. It's the same ridiculous analogy of asking an assassin to do a babysitting job.

"Riko!! Stop touching me in weird places!"

"Don't mind. Don't mind. Ohh!! Aria, you smell good!" *sniff* *sniff*

"H-Hentai!! Hentai number 2 is here!"

"That's right, Aria. And if Hentai Riko unleashed her full strength, Aria would already be naked with an apron!"

From beyond the room, I can hear Aria and Riko's chaotic conversation.

A few minutes ago, Riko had declared, "Everything starts with appearance!", and brought a maid suit with her. A noble like Aria seemed very reluctant in wearing that dress. She had clutched it with both hands, red-faced and petrified.

So then for starters, Riko had compromised by ordering Aria to just wear an apron above the school uniform. But this Riko-designed apron seemed impossible for Aria as well. She snarled, "There's no way I can wear this childish frilly dress!", stubbornly recalcitrant in wearing it. Finally, Riko snapped and peremptorily dressed Aria in the apron. Thus explaining the above conversation.

As for me, during that period, I was ordered to turn my back.

I'm worried about our future mission...

Well, putting that aside.

Aria mentioned "Hentai number 2" a while ago... Eh? That means, not only as a slave but I'm also 1st for being a hentai!?

"Ohhh!!? It's done! Ki-kun, Look! It's a school apron uniform! Aria, you're cute! Moe!!"

"I get it, Riko, so can you calm down for a bit? You're disturbing the neighbors."

"Look at Aria, Ki-Kun! Doesn't it make you want to gaze at her until it opens a hole in her body!?"

If I do that, Aria will punch a hole through my body instead... with a bullet.

I derisively complained inside my mind but, since our contractor this time is Riko, I can't possibly disobey her order.

"Nooooooo!!"

Aria, who was pulled by Riko from the blind spot of the closet...

She's...

Cute. It's my honest impression.

The white apron dress that is donned on top of the sailor uniform has a huge heart-shaped design in the chest part. Even the cloth that's draping along the waist also has a pocket that's shaped like a heart.

It's a girly design that you would expect from Riko.

"Okay, Aria! Let's start your training. First, let's practice inquiring your master for service."

"...What are you talking about...?"

Knitting her brows, the Apron Aria asked Riko. She's clearly getting swallowed in Riko's pace.

"Say this with a full smile: 'Master, how can I serve you today?' Of course, we'll have Ki-kun as the master!"

"EH!?", blurted Aria.

I also did an "EH!?" inside my mind.

So I was called here for that reason?

This situation seems like we're doing "house play" here.

Aria slowly turned her head in my direction like a rusted robot.

She's producing a big chunk of sweat in the forehead, and her face is as red as a conflagration. She's even gritting her teeth in vexation.

"C'mon Aria, after Riko! 'Master, how can I serve you today?', with a smile."

"M-Mas... *cough* *cough*"

Aria, being ordered by the high-tension Riko, even worse than stuttering, she coughed in the middle of the speech.

This is terrible. Aria could only say one syllable. This is beyond the level of having no flair for a maid!

"...I-I can't do this! This is too sudden! At least give me some time for mental preparation...!"

"Go! Go! Aria! You can do it! Fight, fight! Never give up!!"

Riko... Right now, your face is brimming with happiness. Are you really sure this is part of Aria's training?

Aren't you just doing this for your own enjoyment?

"...M-Mas..."

Forced to do the entirely opposite position of what Aria usually does to me, she looked like a person being stricken with a strange disease. Her face color switched randomly to red, to blue, and to white.

"...M-Ma-Mas...ter..."

Aria bared her teeth, forcing a smile.

"Ahaae", coming from Aria's forced laugh exhausted a smoke or something. T-That's scary. I tell you, it's impossible for you!

"...H-How...can I... serve..."

"Ki-kun, give Aria an order!"

Riko clapped her hands towards me.

Uhh... even if you ask me that suddenly.

"Let's see... Umm, Aria, how about doing laundry?"

I offhandedly ordered as I edged myself away from Aria.

"But don't use your chest to wash them."

*Bang* *Bang* *Bang*

Zushaa!

Let's clarify the above three lines.

Riko's dialogue, gunfire noises of Aria pumping her gun at me, and myself rolling to the floor.

Is everything gonna turn out alright for us? I sense big trouble in the future.


In preparation for our infiltration mission, not only Aria does have to be trained, but I also have my own training as a butler. Riko gave me reference materials and I used the time after school to self-study them. One day, when I was leaving the Inquesta building around 5PM...

It's raining.

Umbrella...

I didn't bring one with me today.

It's about time you learn from your past mistake Kinji.

The rain is mild to begin with, so I just thought of rushing straight to the bus station. However, it seemed that I underestimated 2-A Kinji Tohyama's second name: "misfortune". Just like a comical situation in manga, I was passing near the Fine Arts building when it rained heavily. I had no choice but to take a temporary shelter from the rain under the eaves.

My lips were forming a "へ" shape as I stared at rain droplets falling from the edge of the eaves, when I noticed that... there was diamond dust mingled with the rain... Could it be my imagination?

"......"

Standing there blankly, staring at the air... when suddenly, I recognized a sound of piano coming from the music room behind.

...The one playing the piano is quite good.

What's the name of this song?

I'm sure I've heard it before during music class... that's right! Oratorio dramatique, was it? But this one was arranged for piano.

The title is..... "Jeanne d'Arc au bûcher".

...

......I am...

.........having a very bad feeling.

I softly turn around...

"---Geh...!"

I unconsciously moved back after seeing the scene beyond the music room.

She probably heard my sudden exclamation, as she lifted her head from the piano.

Inside the music room, wearing Butei's sailor uniform is---

(J-Jeanne!?)

Last month, during the season of Adseard[6], when Shirayuki had been kidnapped, we had crossed sword and gunfire with Jeanne d'Arc 30th aka Durandal down at the junction (basement warehouse).

Jeanne caught my gaze. Slightly widening those clear blue eyes...

She looked towards the threshold of the music room.

---Jeanne's "Come over here" sign, it seemed.


Releasing the safety catch of my Beretta, I entered the music room. I didn't mistake it, Jeanne d'Arc is certainly in there.

One arm on her waist, Jeanne was in her default cool countenance.

Arising from lateral sides of her head are two long, silver braids that meet on the top of her head, and then loosely extend downward behind her back.

"...Plea Bargain?"

I said those words and clucked my tongue. Jeanne replied with a snort.

"Correct."

Her lips coated with rose-pink lipstick formed a smile as if to ridicule me.

"Even so, I am no different from being a captive. One of the conditions of Plea Bargain forces me to stay here as a Butei student. That's why Tohyama, even if you remove the safety mechanism of your gun, I have no intention of fighting you. Right now, I am just a 2nd year international student from Paris enrolled in Informa department."

---So that's your setting here, huh.

Wait, we're the same age!?

I thought she was older than me because she exudes an adult aura.

"That explains why you're wearing that uniform, despite it not suiting you at all."

To be honest, it looks nice on her. But I chose to tell lies instead out of bad mood.

"...This is embarrassing for me, you know?"

Jeanne turned towards the window's direction. She knitted her eyebrows at her own appearance reflected through the glass.

She has more height than an average girl. Her navel flashed in my eye every time she straightened her back.

"First of all, what's with this uniform? Even if hiding the guns on their thighs were the custom since Dellinger's era... unmarried girls shouldn't be openly revealing their legs like this!"

Yeah, right. Then why are you properly wearing that uniform in front of me?

Furthermore, if you claim that, what will happen to that armor you wear that shows off your waist?

"You don't wear a uniform in I-U?"

When I asked that probe-insinuating question, Jeanne, ardently surveying her reflection in the window, leered back at me.

"Do you want to know about I-U?"

"Yeah. Aria and Riko won't tell me anything."

"Well... since merely knowing about it may put your life in jeopardy. It's a top national secret after all. But for me, I would rather tell you everything and thrust you into the depths of hell as a retribution for putting me into this situation. Although, as much as I want to do that, I cannot tell you everything."

"Did someone in I-U warn you not to do that?"

"No. The problem is I-U doesn't prohibit personal fights. Depending on what I say, I may be targeted by them. That's why... I can only tell you the safe details."

"Considering your strength, I don't think there would be a problem even if you're targeted."

I said that sarcastically...

"...I doubt that."

The proud descendant of Jeanne d'Arc, shook her head pessimistically... and said the words which I wouldn't want to hear if possible.

"I am the weakest in I-U."

What... did you say?

You're telling me...

This diamond-dust witch Jeanne aka Durandal, whom we barely managed to defeat with the combined forces of Aria, Shirayuki and myself...

...is the weakest in I-U?

Dear God... So Aria was picking a fight with that kind of organization all along?

---wait, I am included in that as well.


Inside the music room, I relapsed myself in front of the table.

Jeanne sat gracefully in a chair. Her back is bent straight upwards. Her legs gently slope down, it's the sitting-style of a rich girl. Our distance is closer compared a while ago, so I can detect a faint aroma emanating from her. Maybe perfume or something? In this dismal season, the refreshing smell coming from Jeanne isn't actually bad, I thought.

"Back to your previous question--- I don't wear a uniform in I-U. Just like in this school, there's no uniform for teachers."

That's way back before.

What a serious girl. Honestly, I don't care at all about uniform and stuff.

"...You were a teacher?"

Riko mentioned before that she was "expelled" from I-U.

Then that means, their system is similar to that of school...?

"In I-U, everyone is a teacher, and at the same time, a student as well. I-U is a place where prodigies congregate, and share their skills with one another, extending their limits further, until one day, they surpass the natural order."

So, it's that kind of place. No wonder I-U wanted to abduct Shirayuki. They were after her powers.

"What are your goals?"

"As an organization, none. Everyone is free to have their own goal."

*Gulp*

I swallowed saliva as I vaguely make out I-U's creepy nature.

Geniuses sharing their abilities with one another, surpassing their limits.

That concept itself is amazing. It's one outstanding thing.

But the problem here is--- looking at Riko and Jeanne's modi operandi, they are just a bunch of criminals that have no intention of abiding with laws.

"You taught Riko strategy-making techniques, while Riko taught you how to mimic people's voices. That's one example of sharing skills, right?"

"That's right."

"I see. So the two criminals get along with each other, huh."

"We get along well. I like Riko, she's a diligent person."

"Diligent? That Riko?"

"Of all I-U members, the most ambitious and assiduous in learning... is Riko Mine Lupin the 4th. Riko wants to become stronger than anyone else. Her devoted attitude is unflagging, to the point that watching it is heartrending."

I can't help but feel surprised upon hearing Jeanne's words.

Riko... So she was the type that acts dumb on the surface, but works hard in the shadows.


Our discussion was interrupted by a middle-school girl knocking at the door. She said they will be using the music room for their club activities. We both left the music room.

The rain debilitated itself into a drizzle. Together with Jeanne, who didn't bring an umbrella as well, we fled towards the nearby family restaurant, "Roxi".

Putting aside her chivalrous personality, Jeanne looks like a beauty that appears in western fantasy movies. Her mere presence is eye-catching.

Anyway, I, who dislikes attention, swiftly ordered two drinks and pulled Jeanne towards the serving machine.

I proffered a cup to Jeanne. She knitted her brow upon receiving it. She stared at the machine.

"What kind of machine is this?"

What? You don't know?

"You press it like this, and drinks will pour out. There are a total of 10 drinks to choose from. There's a number that comes with the picture. See it?"

I pushed the button with 9 on it. It's melon soda.

"What should I press?"

"Whatever you like. It's bottomless."

"Bottomless? What do you mean?"

"It means, you're free to drink how much you like."

"No matter how much?"

"Yup."

"Really? What if... I drink 100 liters?"

"...Feel free. That's still okay."

"There's no way I can drink that much. Are you an idiot?"

"You're the one who started that!"

I almost trip myself from how Jeanne seriously asked me that dumb question.

Geez. Aria is like that, Jeanne is like this. Why couldn't you transfer students learn the common sense in Japan before transferring here?

I frowned as I take a sip of a melon soda.

This pungent melon flavor makes me want to crave these kinds of drinks occasionally.

"By the way Jeanne, your Japanese is good."

"That's because Japanese and German are our standard languages in I-U."

Standard language...? What is I-U, a country? It makes things more puzzling.

I gently sloped my head beside Jeanne, with the surreal scene of her first experience with the drink bar.


We searched for a location where there were no people around. We occupied the 2-person table in one corner.

I realized that the iceless lemon tea Jeanne had brought had ice floating in it already. I dared not to sweat the details. If she can produce ice bullets, there's nothing unusual if she can conjure small tricks like that as well.

"Going back to our discussion, why did Riko want to become strong?"

I asked with lowered volume.

Jeanne blinked her slender, beautiful eyes.

"---For her freedom."

Jeanne answered with a hint of compassion to Riko.

"Freedom?"

"Riko grew up being imprisoned since she was a child."

W...What?

"The reason why Riko has a small physique, is because she barely ate anything at that time. Her body couldn't have the nutrients it needed to develop properly. She only wore worn-out clothes as well during that period, that's why she has a strong fancy for fanciful dress."

"Y-You're kidding, right? Although the Lupin clan are thieves, they should be affluent."

"You might not know it--- but the Lupin clan went downhill after the death of Riko's parents. Servants started leaving, and their assets were stolen. Although, recently I have heard that Riko retrieved back the gun that was a keepsake of her mother."

"The Lupin clan collapsed... and what happened to Riko?"

"Riko at that time was still small. There was a person who claimed to be a relative that would look after Riko. It turned out that it was a lie and Riko was carried from France to Romania. She was imprisoned there... for quite a long time."

The stupid girl Riko. That usually bright Riko. Who would have thought she had a dark past?

You must be kidding me. I still find it hard to believe.

"...No way. Do you know who imprisoned her?"

"I-U's no. 2, 'Endless Sinner Vlad'."

"Vlad..."

"It shouldn't be an unknown name to you. The place you'll be sneaking in is one of his mansions."

She knows about our mission.

Maybe Riko had told her about it.

Jeanne redirected her face to me as she noticed my sudden silence.

"Still, I can't tell you the information that I don't possess. Even I don't know the further details regarding Riko's imprisonment besides the one I told you. That is the only information that I obtained from Vlad. However... I can tell you about Vlad himself, just in case. After all, that guy is too dangerous."

"Dangerous... huh? Then wouldn't it be better to tell this to Aria instead?"

"No, you'd rather hear it. If Aria hears about this, she will charge straight to Vlad to carry out Riko's revenge, and ending up meeting her demise. It would even put my life in peril if that happens."

It will likely become a war if Jeanne told Aria about this but...

I, who has lesser combat effectiveness and investigation skill than Aria, can't attack Vlad. Jeanne's judgement was probably based from that reasoning.

I am being trusted here, in a negative way.

"From this point on, unless it's necessary, do not leak the details to Aria. Got that? First, about the Caucasus silver wolf that appeared few days ago. It's still under investigation but, from my conclusion, that wolf--- is no doubt, Vlad's minion."

"Minion...?"

"Think of it as Vlad's dog, but not leashed."

"...So, Vlad was already aware of our movements?"

"I don't possess a definite evidence yet to conclude that. After all, his minions are scattered all around the world and act like guerrillas, each one receiving orders from Vlad intuitively. It seems the wolf was stolen by a girl in the Snipe department though and no longer Vlad's."

What do you mean by "all around the world"?

That's just like "007" that appears in Hollywood movies.

"...You know a lot about Vlad."

"My clan and Vlad are rivals. The Jeanne d'Arc twins three generations ago, joined forces with Arsene Lupin the 1st. The three of them fought Vlad together. The upshot of the fight--- was a draw."

"That was... Vlad's ancestor?"

"No. It was Vlad himself."

"W-Wait a minute. What year did that battle happen!?"

"1888. Back when Eiffel Tower was still half-built."

"H-Hey... Don't tell me that guy has been living for over 120 years? Humans can't live that long..."

"That guy is not human."

...Here it comes.

Here it comes! Here it comes! Here it comes!

Nothing can surprise me anymore. I dashed down the rest of the melon soda in desperation.

"Ah, that kind of topic eh? ...And what is it this time? A servant of devil? A mage? An alchemist?"

Sensing that the talk was heading beyond human logic, I steeled myself for the worst by randomly blurting out game jargons.

"Hmm... I am not sure how to describe it in Japanese words as well but..."

Jeanne did a finger-on-her-lips gesture. After a moment of contemplation...

"Oni (Demon). That's the closest word to describe him."

...Jeanne said that.

Demon, eh?

After wolf, comes a demon. The first two words in Shirayuki's divination were right.

"...Vlad is unnaturally obsessed with imprisoning Riko. He appeared in I-U in pursuit of Riko after she escaped her cage. Riko fought a decisive battle with Vlad, but she was defeated. Vlad was planning to put Riko back to her cage, but seeing Riko's remarkable growth in her stay in I-U--- he proposed a contract to Riko instead."

"Contract?"

"If you can become an entity that surpasses the first generation of Lupin and show me a proof of that growth, then I will never bother you again."

"Surpass Lupin the 1st...?"

I muttered, and recalled the hijack that happened two months ago.

Riko said this at that time:

"Defeating Aria will prove my existence is better than Lupin the 1st."

The phantom thief Arsene Lupin and the great detective Sherlock Holmes fought each other around 100 years ago, but the fight ended up in a draw.

The descendant of Lupin, Riko, was too determined in defeating the descendant of Holmes, Aria. And in order to create the same condition, she even set me up as Aria's partner, the same role as Watson to Holmes.

That hidden motive was gradually getting elucidated.

"Vlad... What kind of guy is he?"

Jeanne paused for a bit for a moment to think, and then...

She took out rimless glasses from her chest pocket.

I perceived her perfect-sized breasts slightly swayed inside the uniform. I averted my gaze in reflex.

"Your eyes are bad?"

"Just slight astigmatism. I don't usually wear eyeglasses."

After saying that, next, she took out a notebook and a signpen from the black bag.

She opened the notebook...

"Explaining that monster with words will only confuse you. I will draw his appearance instead."

*Kyu*, making sounds as she drew with the signpen.

First, she drew a distorted flying saucer or something.

"Listen. Since Vlad is away, then there should be no problem in sneaking in his mansion but, if the one out of a million chance that he's back and you run into him--- abort your mission immediately and retreat. You cannot win against him. That is absolute."

With a serious expression, Jeanne started adding lines to that UFO saucer.

*Kyu kyu kyu kyu*

Seems like she's drawing a jagged head that looks like a green pepper now.

Eh, wait... Jeanne...

"In case you wind up fighting him, formulate a battle plan with escaping as objective. According to the journal, the Jeanne d'Arc twins plugged silver bullets and slashed Durandal into his body--- but he never died. That guy is immortal."

Jeanne continued on drawing with the signpen.

Then she added wings... or maybe it's a tentacle, I can't really tell.

Jeanne... Your drawing...

"Although I haven't seen it directly, but after the battle with Riko, the only time he was defeated was against I-U's leader. After that, compiling the information that I gathered from I-U... one thing was made clear. In order to defeat Vlad, it seems you must hit his four weak spots around his body simultaneously."

*Kyu kyu kyu*

The signpen continued on making sound.

"Out of four weak spots, only three are known. Here, here and here. Long time ago, a paladin from the Vatican cast a secret spell upon him, putting an indelible eye-shaped tattoo to mark his weak spots. It's done. Good. It almost resembles the real thing."

Jeanne, claimed her work 'almost resembles the real thing'.

"W-What the heck... is that!?"

Jeanne's drawing is pretty horrible!

She sucks at drawing... real hard!

If I have to give an analogy, a grade-schooler's scribble in prikura is way better than her.

"Putting aside the question if it resembles the real thing or not. Can you explain to me what's that scribble that looks like it was done by a 3-year old kid?"

"S-Scribble!? T-That's rude!"

Jeanne's eyes glared at me behind those glasses, her face blushing.

As I thought, the person herself intended on seriously drawing the illustration.

"I swear Vlad is like this! You don't believe me?"

"Uhh no, it's not a problem of believing you or not... it's the problem of your drawi-- never mind. I commend your confidence for drawing that illustration despite your artistic skill."

"I'm telling you, this resembles the real thing. Keep it."

Jeanne seriously believed that she drew a masterpiece. She thrusted the drawing onto me.

Oh man...

I feel like I'll be cursed just by keeping this thing.

Well, whatever... the mansion that we'll be sneaking into... this boss isn't there.

The only people present in there will be the manager. There will be no dread in fighting. In case that this monster is in there, we'll just have to flee... That's all.

But... don't let your guard down, Kinji.

A while ago, I lowered my guard and suffered a bitter experience, or rather, it was Jeanne herself who put me in that situation.

I'll take this scribble just in case.





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