Ha--
I woke up in the midst of the morning light.
...
Only after a few seconds, did I realize the situation I was in.
Ah, hey...!
Hey, hey...
...All that...Was that a dream?
Right now I was sitting on the chair in front of my computer.
On my monitor, the screen saver, a Windows logo, was spinning around.
I shook the mouse, and the Flash that Riko made, along with some text saying "Replay?" appeared on the screen together.
That's right.
I...saw this...and thought that before seeing Kana, I should take a nap, right...?
And then I...saw Nii-san, Kana...in a dream?
But in my dream, Kana said: "Kinji...let's kill Aria together"...!
I yanked the cable that had broken in the dream out of my pocket--but, it wasn't broken. Was it switched? Full of suspicion, I started examining the cable, but I was unable to tell whether it was the old one or a new one.
(--Aria.)
I suddenly stood up, hurriedly throwing open the door to the bedroom.
Over there...
Fyuu--
Fyuu--.
Aria was peacefully sleeping on the top bunk of one of the bunk beds.
Shii--one of her twin-tails drooped over the side of the bed, and her face was towards me.
Hehe. Smiling in her dream, she brought her hands to her mouth while making chewing motions in the air, as if she was chewing gum.
...It's enough to make me feel weak...that happy face while sleeping.
She's probably...eating her favorite peach buns inside her dream, right?
Fyuu. Relieved, I exhaled...which led me to notice that while I was sleeping, I had broken out into an uncomfortable cold sweat.
...That's right. That was a dream.
While showering, I reminded myself of that.
Butei Law article 9.
Regardless of the situation, a Butei cannot kill.
And Kana, as a Butei, could not have said anything like "killing" anybody.
Kana...No matter how difficult the situation is, Kana is able to solve it by herself.
Able to rush into enemy territory to save people that other Butei had left for dead. Even those Butei that have been abandoned while carrying out the strategy are saved.
The amount of Butei who have fought together with Kana and died--are 0.
And that kind of Nii-san is incapable of ever saying things like "killing" Aria.
Also...the Kana in my dream announced that she "would take Aria's life tonight."
That 'tonight', was last night. Which means that it's already passed.
Up until now, Kana has never broken any time restrictions she places on herself.
And Aria is still alive.
So that's definitely a dream--
It was, a nightmare.
--Probably.
I pretended that nothing had happened, and I asked, after getting up and changing uniforms--from today onwards, we would be wearing summer uniforms--about what happened with Aria yesterday...
"Yesterday night? Fwy (I) came back and saw Fyoo (you) sitting on the Fweah (chair) sleeping, right?"
Aria answered me while using her favorite strawberry toothpaste to brush her teeth.
Gurgle, Gurgle. Phoo.
Aria, having rinsed her mouth, took some milk out of the fridge, and after adding massive amounts of sugar, she gulped it down.
Brushing your teeth and then doing that...haven't you got the order wrong?
At this rate, you're going to have cavities.
During middle school, I had cavities on a molar on the top and on the bottom. I, having had ceramic fillings at the dentist, knew...cavities are very, very, very painful.
Thinking this while looking at Aria, who had been taught to drink colossal amounts of milk from God knows who, my--heart was still full of the remnants of last night's dream, and feelings like "This is the real Aria, she's still alive" continued to echo through my chest.
Ah, hey. Aria. Please don't use a flying kick to close the fridge.
It may be getting harder and harder to believe, but this was originally my room...
"...Aria."
"What is it?"
"Let's go to school together."
Checking my magazine, I slipped my Beretta into the holster, and for the first time--
I took the initiative in asking Aria to go to school.
"...How the winds have changed. You always act like it's so troublesome when I drag you to school with me." Her words may be harsh, but Aria's actions seemed to be a little happy as she picked up her backpack.
"Got your gun ready?"
Aria, hearing my question, widened her already big eyes in surprise...and she displayed her canines like a cat, smiling at me while drawing her silver M1911, waving it around in front of my face.
"Hah. Kinji is pretty alert today. Checking your equipment is a good habit."
Buzzz...On my bicycle, I rode through the cicadas, which had been buzzing since dawn.
Her hands resting on my shoulders, standing up on the two footrests on the back, was Aria.
If we had hurried, we could've made the bus, but for reasons unbeknown to even me, I didn't want Aria to take the normal route to school. My heart--appears to still be influenced by that dream.
...Anyways, I knew this already, but she really is very light.
"Biking to school once in a while is pretty comfortable."
"...Yeah, for the one who is not pedaling."
"I've been lax about this since I attended Butei High, but a Butei should always be ready against surprise attacks, and regularly take different routes. Also, this is way healthier than taking the bus."
"...For me, who is pedaling."
"Shall I make a hole in you?"
I complained twice, and she's already threatening me with violence.
Doesn't Japan have freedom of speech?
...For everyone's information, this is Aria's bicycle.
Aria had shown off this brand new shiny mountain bike before. That's why, when I suggested that we should use it to go to school, she flashed a face that said "Finally, there's a use for it!" and agreed.
But when I reached the parking lot, and took a look at the bike...the seat was raised until it could no longer go up, and attached to the back wheel, there were footrests for both feet.
From the start, you bought this for me to ride, right?
"But...Today, surprisingly, Kinji is acting like a Butei. Did you finally decide to start keeping pace with me? What happened?"
Aria asked, instinctively.
...How should I answer her?
Saying, I had a dream where you were killed...wouldn't be too good.
"About...about that. I'm your partner right? I'm just doing what I should."
I just said something random, half turning back, and Aria's camellia eyes blinked--
"Ye-yeah...That's right."
and she let loose a brilliant smile, even brighter than the summer sun.
Aria, suddenly seeming to be happy, randomly started to hop on top of the footrests, making the suspension groan and squeak, not able to take the force.
Ah, hey, stop jumping. How am I supposed to drive like this?
It looks like my partner-like actions made her really happy.
Parking Aria's bicycle in one of the school parking lots, we saw a crowd of students gathering in front of the notice board at Masters.
Seeing a familiar back in the midst of the crowd, I slowed my footsteps.
Jeanne. It's Jeanne d'Arc the 30th.
Looking closer, in her hand is a really thick walking stick.
"Jeanne."
Aria, following my gaze, shouted out that name.
Jeanne's hair fluttered as she turned her head around, and seeing us, she started making hand movements as if saying "Come over here."
Seeing Aria start striding towards her, I had no choice but to follow.
"--I know that you're temporarily under the care of Butei High. But, this uniform doesn't fit you at all."
Aria, suddenly letting loose words that would make any listener think that she wasn't half Jeanne's size, insulted her.
Jeanne turned her head to one side, with a "Hmph."
"I was calling Tohyama. Not you, Kanzaki H. Aria."
"I have something I need to talk to you about. --Mother's trial, you'll testify, right?"
"...I understand, that was one of the clauses in the Plea Bargain anyway."
Aria's mother, who had false charges pressed onto her by I-U, Kanae-san was now--in Tokyo prison, awaiting trial with the Supreme Court.
She was sentenced to life imprisonment during her second trial, but if we can catch those criminals--and prove their guilt, we can loosen the sentence on Aria's mother.
Hearing Jeanne promise to testify for her mother's innocence, Aria smiled wickedly,
"Well, seeing as you're injured, I'll save the bullying for later."
and she straightened her flat chest, as if showing off.
"...I don't mind if we do it right now, you know?"
Jeanne, seemingly enraged by Aria's words, seemed to be looking for a fight.
"Did you say "I don't mind"? Aren't you using a walking stick right now?"
"One leg is a fitting handicap. And inside this walking stick is the holy sword, Durandal. After it was broken by Hotogi Shirayuki, it was reforged into a saber."
As if trying to measure themselves up, their eyes locked...and sparks flew with a crackle.
"Alright, alright, let's not start fighting this early. Anyways, Jeanne...what happened to your leg?"
I quickly interrupted, asking Jeanne.
Also, Durandal...is hidden inside that walking stick?"
Treating an artifact like that is a little too much, right? Well, it has nothing to do with me.
"...It was a bug."
"A bug?"
"While I was walking, a scarab-like bug suddenly flew onto my knee."
"...Haa?"
"I was really scared. So I stuck my leg inside a roadside gutter."
"..."
"And I was struck by a bus that happened to pass by."
"...Hey..."
"Recovery will take two weeks."
Jeanne...as the saying goes, you're more than meets the eye, I never thought you were this clumsy.
Well, getting run over by a bus, yet only having a recovery time of two weeks. I can say "as expected of Jeanne" as well.
"...Well, never mind that, Tohyama. On this is your name."
My gaze shifted to the notice that Jeanne was pointing at.
Instead of a thumbtack, there was a dagger sticking the notice to the board. It said "List of people who do not have enough credits - Final week", on the list of names...Yeah, I was on there.
"2A Tohyama Kinji Specialty:(Inquesta) Credit demerit: 1.9"
Credit demerit--1.9!
Seeing that number, I couldn't stop my face from twitching.
Butei High counts as a Japanese high school after all...so those students who are lacking in credits, as per the instructions of Ministry of Education, will be unable to graduate.
Therefore, for my 2nd year of High school, within one week--more accurately, before the beginning of the 2nd semester, I have to get 2 credits, or I won't be able to graduate.
These credits can be gotten by accepting commissions from civilians specific to your special study...but I...now that I think about, I've never taken any commissions. And that's all because of Aria.
Oh crap.
With this, I'm one step further from the normal world.
Hey, Butei High. I solved the plane-hijacking case right? Couldn't you give me some points for that?
"Looks like you're a delinquent, Tohyama. But, don't worry,"
said Jeanne, pointing at a notice next to it...stuck there was, a notice with "Summer - Emergency Mission" written on it.
Yes, there's that.
Emergency Missions.
Having credit demerits is a common occurrence in Butei High, so the school will offer many contracts that require attention over the summer. If this was a regular high school, it would be like summer school.
These Emergency Missions might not pay a lot--but it'll make up for my credit demerit.
"Kinji's going to repeat a year? He's an idiot?"
"Shut up! I'm looking at it so I don't repeat a year!"
I pushed Aria, who had stuck her head in, away, and looked for a task that would fulfill my 1.9 credit demerit.
"Minato Investigate large-scale gold-sand theft (Inquesta, Informa)" ...1.7 credits. A shame.
"Minato Investigate iron-sand theft (Inquesta, Informa)" ...0.9 credits. Useless.
"Minato Investigate sand theft (Inquesta, Informa)" ...0.5 credits. Not even worth talking about.
Actually, why do all the requests from Minato have something to do with the theft of sand?
"Minato Casino "Odaiba Golden Pyramidion" undercover security (Assault, Inquesta, other studies are also accepted)"
...1.9 credits.
"This is it...!"
I carefully confirmed the contents of the notice.
Prerequisite: Group members must carry a sword or a gun. There must be 4 group members. Preferably women. Uniforms provided--
...Accepting this will be a little awkward, but the only piece of work that will get me 1.9 credits is this one.
In the past few years, this has been the only casino that has been legally approved by Japan, and they regularly employ Butei to act as bodyguards. However, because things usually never happen there, it's been underestimated in the Butei world as "work that will slow you down." Which also means, perfect for me.
I hurriedly took note of the details, and I prepared my phone to send a message informing them of my acceptance...
But, I stopped in my tracks.
Aria was beside me, idly looking up at me--
If I accept this commission, I'll be leaving Aria alone for that period of time.
--"Let's kill Aria together."--
The words that the Kana in my dream said, seemed to echo out of nowhere.
"Aria."
This is laughable. I'm being scared by that kind of nightmare.
So...
So, I'll take care of it this way.
"Why don't you take this task with me?"
Ever since then, that dream, I've been increasingly uneasy about Aria's safety.
As if being pulled by invisible strings coming from my heart, I faced Aria.
"...Why? I'm not lacking credits."
Facing Aria, who was puffing out her cheeks, I--
"We're partners, right?"
returned just that sentence.
Hearing my words, Aria's camellia eyes widened, shocked for a moment.
Afterward, she started acting haughty, and she folded her arms, turning her body to one side, looking as if she was thinking about it.
"Hmm. How unexpected. Kinji wants me to go on a job with him. Well, I'll show some goodwill."
But I could see from the side of her face, that she was smiling. She can't possibly conceal the delight she feels for the first time I asked her to accompany me on a commission.
"Anyways, the notice says that at least 4 people are required...Alright. When partners are in trouble they have to help each other. It's fine if it's me, right?"
Tsuduri-sensei, who either had a hangover or had overdosed on whatever drugs she was taking, stopped speaking in the middle of second period. Third period was swimming lessons in the swimming pool.
But the part-time teacher for physical education, Ranbyou from Assault, just tossed down one sentence, "Use your guns to play water polo and play until two or three people are dead," before leaving.
That's how it went, so all the students are really troubled.
Is this school really normal?
I...was exhausted because I had slept on a chair yesterday, so I laid down on one of the deck chairs, playing with my cell phone.
If I do this, I'll be able to replenish my energy. After all, this is an indoor swimming pool, there won't be any sunlight. And, this may be an abnormal high school, but still, the boys and girls are separated during swimming lessons. So Aria isn't here to bother me, but...is she learning how to swim?
I remember now, she doesn't know how to swim.
I couldn't help but imagine her wearing a life ring, with floats wrapped around her wrists as well, but still drowning...
"Oi, there's nobody here! Hey, Shiranui, come up here, you're so annoying!"
Suddenly, the voice of Muto Goki from Logi rang out.
I sat up a bit, looking in that direction, but all I saw were some classmates putting a round, black object into the swimming pool. Those...are students from Logi and Amdo, right?
They're all wearing swimming trunks--Ugh, and a girl in a swimsuit as well, how hateful.
"Muto-kun! Float up right now! There's no time!"
...As I thought, it's Hiraga Aya-san from Amdo. I could tell from that special way of speaking.
I calmed down a bit. If it's her, I don't need to worry about going into Hysteria Mode. After all, naively wearing that swimsuit in the midst of a crowd of boys, it's more fitting to call her a "child" rather than a girl.
However, I didn't think that she was naive enough to skip class.
"Right now? Hiraga-san, won't there be a problem if we don't preheat it?"
"Then modify that area! There's nothing that humans can't do!"
Hiraga, her short hair fluttering about, showing her ears, sat down next to the pool with a splash, laughing naively, all the while with a gigantic remote control inside her hands.
(What are they going to do...?)
Among the boys nobody noticed my inquisitive gaze, as they were busy putting a 1.5 meter long whale-like object into the pool using their combined strength.
Splash.
The top half of the object was floating inside the water, suddenly making a noise and moving...Only then did I finally realize that that was a model submarine.
From what I can see, it's remote controlled. Then, the thing in Hiraga's hands is the remote?
"We're firing!"
Following Hiraga's voice, on the back of the submarine, several small hatches popped open.
Pew Pew Pew! Blasts of fire were ejected from the holes, as if they were rockets.
"Whooh!" "Whooh!" "Whooh!"
All the people from Logi and Amdo applauded for Hiraga and Muto.
Hey, those jets of fire hit the roof, is this really OK?
Hiraga Aya...she's the grandchild of the Edo Period's inventor, Hiraga Gennai, a genius in mechanics.
I might say that she's naive, but she's the one that modified my Beretta...However, Hiraga's work may be powerful, but from time to time, there will be malfunctions. Also, her fee is huge.
My Beretta - Kinji Model is the same. I was fine with a modification allowing it to fire in full-auto, but now, when I use 3-burst fire, only 2 bullets come out. Also, they come out at pretty much the same time.
This kind of modification error, could you solve it for me for free?
"Hey, Kinji! Look at this! Super aqua-class nuclear submarine 'Vostok'!"
Noticing me, Muto--climbed out of the swimming pool, a broad smile all over his face.
"The story of 'Vostok' is tragic. It was a colossal nuclear submarine, the likes of which no one had seen before, but during 1979, after it had submerged, all trace of it was lost. And now, Hiraga-san and I have brought it back to life! How is it, Kinji!? Isn't it moving? Am I right?"
"Couldn't you at least do this in the outdoor swimming pool."
My rest having been disturbed, I directed these cold words at the pumped-up Muto.
If I continue to talk with this transportation Otaku, I'm going to go mad.
Muto muttered something like "Kinji really doesn't know the meaning of touching! Wait a minute, I'm going to crush you with the submarine!" and sat cross-legged by the swimming pool, appreciating that Vostok or whatever.
"Aha. I was forced out of the pool by those people."
Immediately following--was the person that had been in the same team as me back in Assault, Shiranui, walking over to me.
With both a well-muscled body as well as a handsome, sculpted face, Shiranui, sitting by my side, watched the remote control submarine bobbing up and down, chuckling.
Hey you, how can you be so cool while chuckling?
He obviously wanted to swim, but he had been forced out of the pool by Muto and company, yet he didn't seem to be angry at all.
This saint went quiet for a moment--
"Tohyama-kun, could I talk with you for a while?"
he said, showing his sparkling white teeth.
"There's no need to ask me for permission."
"I have some bad news that I need to tell you. Can I?"
"Bad news...? What's that supposed to mean? Well, if you want to, then say it."
"Just now second period was suspended, right?"
"That's right."
"At that time, while going to Assault, I saw a familiar face. Aria-san went too."
"Did something happen with Aria?"
"Haha. Don't give me such a scary look. It wasn't anything like that."
Shiranui seemed to have mistaken something, and he laughed lightly.
"...Does Kanzaki-san have a boyfriend?"
"I don't know. Why don't you ask Aria yourself."
"Tohyama-kun, you may have a rival in love, you know?"
"What's that supposed to mean."
"When Kanzaki-san was taking out her Butei handbook, I saw something...there was a photo of a boy inside. I didn't see it clearly, but it wasn't you."
"......That has nothing to do with me."
"Haha. You were silent for a second."
"I was just thinking about how you even report worthless things like that to me. That's why I was silent."
"You should pay more attention, Tohyama-kun. Kanzaki-san is pretty popular among the boys. If you delay it any longer, she'll be stolen away. This is just a saying, but Summer--is the season where a lot of couples form, you know?"
"I don't care. I've said this a thousand times already, Aria and I are just partners in a Butei squadron. Therefore, I don't need to know about Aria's private life."
"Tohyama-kun, your expression is really fierce."
"Hey-you-!"
When I had unthinkingly approached Shiranui--Shiranui performed a move he had learned from Assault, and deftly spun away from me. With a *Shi*, he snatched the cellphone from my deck chair.
"--Hey!"
"Now that I think about it, Kanzaki-san said something. You're going to be security for the casino over the holidays, right? Well then, for the sake of practicing security in a crowded place, what do you think about going to the Summer Festival at Hikawa Shrine? Un. That's decided, then! Everybody says that that's a shrine of bonds. Isn't that right, Muto-kun?"
Shiranui fluidly tossed my cellphone over to Muto, sitting by the edge of the swimming pool.
Muto seemed to have been ready to catch the cellphone beforehand, and he smirked.
"Ooh! That's a really good idea! Then, I'll write an invitation message!"
Th-these two.
This perfected combination.
They've obviously planned this in advance.
"Hey, Muto! Give that back!"
Seeing me get angry for real, Shiranui turned around and he held me back with his arms.
"Oh my, seeing Tohyama-kun act that way for Kanzaki-san is really exciting. The boy in the photo--which proves the existence of a rival exists, so let us give you a hand! Muto and I had this discussion a moment ago. Ah. Also, there's some work that I have to leave the school for this afternoon. If you want to take revenge, then look for Muto!"
"Hoho, the name on the contacts list isn't Kanzaki..it's 'Aria'. You sure are close, Kinji."
Recently, because of Aria--the practical joker Muto, and for some reason, the person that he fits really well with, Shiranui, have always been like this.
Tap Tap Tap. Muto typed in the message at the speed of sound, as if he had thought about it beforehand.
"'Dear Aria. As practice for being casino security, why don't we go to the Tanabata Festival together? 7:00 of the 7th, I'll be waiting for you in front of the panda at Ueno station. Wear a cute yukata, OK?' This should be fine right, Tohyama-sensei?"
"As if it would be fine!"
Muto bowed to me, who was shouting angrily at him, and Beep.
He pressed the send button.
After that, I pushed both of them into the pool--as for Muto, I targeted the tragic Vostok nuclear submarine, and watched them both sink beneath the surface, the Vostok in two pieces...
However, I can't erase the message that was already sent.
--What do I do?
(Unlucky...way too unlucky...)
Hmmm...A dark mist shrouding my body, I ascended to the Inquesta Building's third floor for class.
It was 5th period, the time for special studies.
The 4th period may have been English but Aria only entered right before she was going to be late, so I had no time to explain the message to her.
Now that I think about, as I sat down next to Aria, who was reading while humming a beautiful melody...For a moment, our eyes met...but then I felt that she turned away extremely hurriedly.
Could it be that she already read it?
I stealthily maneuvered my cellphone from under the desk, confirming the message that had been sent.
'Dear Aria. As practice for being casino security, why don't we go to the Tanabata Festival together? 7:00 of the 7th, I'll be waiting for you in front of the panda at Ueno station. Wear a cute yukata, OK?'
Absurd...
No matter how I think about it, this is way too absurd.
The whole text is full of words that can be easily misunderstood, leading me on a certain path to hell.
That bloody Muto. Only now does he have a talent in writing. This isn't what it's meant for.
Fuck. With Shiranui involved as well, I can only ignore it for now.
Click.
Uneasily, I finally, finally, checked my inbox.
Inside...Aria's reply was not present.
What am I doing?
"Nyaa..."
Suddenly hearing the noise of a kitten, I turned my head, only to see that next to me--in a seat next to the window, Riko was sound asleep.
That noise from just now, it seems to be her sleep-talking.
I'll think about Riko...and escape from this reality of Aria.
Ever since the battle with Vlad last month, Riko as of now--might still talk like the idiot she was before, but she hasn't been sticking close to me.
If you talk about distance, it's comparable with the level of contact a normal high-school girl has with others.
During summer, pointing a gun at my face was Riko. In battle, her glare, that of a beast, was Riko. From time to time, sexually harassing me was Riko. And also--like this, a normal idiot, was Riko.
How many faces do you have, exactly?
Well, this unpredictable Riko, might just be the real her.
Now that I think about it, recently, I've been able to talk with her normally.
And also, there's something I need to talk to her about.
I might not be able to ask her this in the classroom, but it's about Nii-san.
That, I must definitely ask her again.
While I was thinking that...
Shiiiii...
A summer-only beetle...?
No. Something like a female, black, rhinocerous beetle flew in from the window...
Oh...Oh?
Pa.
And it landed on Riko's right eyelid.
"Nyauh!"
Riko, as if she was a cat that had been trodden on, yelped, and started waving her hands around.
She brushed it off her face.
And that bug...Fyuu...flew out the window.
"...Hey, Riko. It's class right now, you should pay attention."
I warned her, whispering from the side.
But who knew that Riko, still in a haze, would stick the Yakult that she had bought beforehand into her mouth.
"Fuah, Fuauh"
"What are you trying to do? Ah, hey. Don't bite a hole in the cover. Drink it properly."
Ku. Gulping the whole thing down in one swallow, once again, Riko slumped back onto the desk with a thump.
"So hot~~~~"
Now, she grabbed her skirt from under the table, and she started fanning it.
She probably isn't talking to me.
"Summer is hot by nature. Telling me this is no use."
"It's--Hot!"
Fa Fa!~
Hey, hey, if you wave your skirt so enthusiastically, the Walther P99 will start firing.
"Be-be quiet. We're still in class. Anyways, the reason you're so hot is because you're wearing your modified cosplay uniform; if you don't cosplay, you won't be hot anymore.
"Lolita is all about tolerance! That's how it is!"
Pa!
Riko brought her hands to her head in a salute (is she saying her motto?), and she stood up with a *whoosh*
"Where are you going?"
"...To pee-pee."
It just went in, and now it's going out. Your digestive cycle sure is fast.
Also, don't use kindergarten language. It's amazingly depressing.
Anyways, looking at the bear-san strap on her cellphone, Riko, with the atmosphere of a "Sleeping Beauty", walked out of the room in a dignified manner. Watching her, I--
Suddenly realized that I didn't know how somebody who had such a weak character could be the Head of Staff for the teachers under the Inquesta department. Female, 22 years old, single, Takamagahara Yutori was looking this way, with tears in her eyes. Suddenly she straightened up, and returned her gaze to the textbook.
Sensei. I'm actually paying a lot of attention.
So please don't subtract my credits.
The vanilla scent that Riko had dispersed by waving her skirt around like a fan still lingered, and in the midst of it, I returned my attention to the class.
The main topic of today's class is Sherlock Holmes.
He was alive during the 19th century in the English Empire, and he would travel all around the world, solving innumerable difficult and unusual cases. It would be wholly correct to say that he's unmatched as history's greatest detective.
And, not only is he the world's greatest detective, but he also holds the equally prestigious title of the world's strongest detective.
The reason this is said is because Sherlock Holmes was a master at battle techniques, western swordsmanship and marksmanship — he serves as the basis for Butei as, all in all, a great existence. One could say that he was ahead of his time by 100 years, an impeccable genius.
(Well, his granddaughter is like that, though.)
While following random trains of thought in my head, I had come back to Aria once again, and I couldn't help but look down at the cellphone by my side...
"--Kinji."
Riko had returned from the bathroom, noiselessly.
And that expression was completely different from her idle expression from just now.
Tingle. Something ran up back, sending chills down my spine.
That gaze--it's as sharp as a beast's.
This was what I had seen during the plane-jacking, the gaze of Riko the "Butei Killer".
Confirming that the teacher was drawing something on the chalkboard, her back towards us, Riko, at roughly the same time as I started to frown, *whoosh*.
grabbed my tie, and rammed a finger into my throat, not even allowing me to make one noise.
"--!"
Then, she yanked at my belt, and with a completely noiseless motion--
She threw me out the open window!
"!"
Riipp. The cable attached to my belt slowed my descent. In that moment just now, it looks like Riko attached the cable in my belt to the windowsill.
---What is it? What's going on!
Next to me, who had just fallen to the ground from a 3rd floor window, *thump*.
Riko, not even needing a cable, glided down, with the aid of her skirt--
And into my ear, she said something that sent my body into shock.
"Kinji, head to Assault, quickly! Just now, the Butei High websites reported something--Aria is fighting with Kana, as we speak!"
Riko, who said we should split up for some unknown reason, and I parted ways, leaving me to rush towards the Assault building by myself.
Kana.
Kana and Aria are--battling!
Which means, that nightmare...
Wasn't a dream, but reality--!
So, that was reality?
"--Let's kill Aria together--"
Those words echoed around in my head.
(Aria!)
I collided with the door, throwing it open, and I made my way through the corridor, bumping into several students as I went past. My feet kept on criss-crossing, as if I was about to fall--and I rushed into gym #1.
The gym in Assault only holds the name of gymnasium...it's actually a battle practice ground.
From within the bulletproof glass, in the center of the arena...came gunshots.
Somebody in there is fighting--who might it be, and who could they be fighting with!
"Ou-out of my way! Get out of my way, now!
I pushed aside the groups of people with my hands, and ran towards the gunshots.
"I never thought that the Sapporo Butei High would have this many amazing female students--I've never even heard of them!" "It looks like Kanzaki's rumor of invincibility is about to broken." "How is she doing that, I can't even see her open fire..!?"
The assault students that I had pushed out of my way, shouted excitedly.
"GO GO GO GO GO! KEEP ON GOING UNTIL ONE DIES!"
Hearing those shouts, I raised my head and saw that through the bulletproof glass, a well-built woman was wielding a 2-meter long nodachi--Ranbyou.
Stomping on the bulletproof glass with threadbare shoes was Ranbyou, 19 years old this year.
Her age may be similar to ours, but she's a female Butei so renowned in Hong Kong that her very name strikes fear into criminals' hearts.
After that, she may have become a teacher...but because of excessive and continued violence, she's been discharged from several Butei highs, and so she keeps moving around.
"--Aria!"
I shouted, rushing in front of the bulletproof glass, and on the other side, within the sand-storm inside the arena--
--Was Kana.
Kana was wearing a female Butei High uniform, looking down on Aria, who had dropped to a kneeling position.
"Let's go, Kanzaki H. Aria. Let me--see more."
Her dazzling, beautiful face holding a disappointed expression, Kana...Bang!
Fired a bullet, faster than they eye could see.
Pa! A ferocious thud rang out from Aria's body, as if she had been violently smashed with a hammer, making my heart stop.
Kana's bullet. Hit her.
Thud!
Aria groaned, and she collapsed to the floor, as if she had been struck by an invisible knee.
There was no blood. It looks like it hit her bulletproof equipment.
The bulletproof armaments of Butei High are made of TNK fiber, able to stop bullets, not allowing them to pierce the body of the recipient. However, there's no way of reducing the impact of the bullet.
From experience, those who take a bullet while wearing the a vest feel like they've been violently struck with an iron ball.
The impact is so great that, if the recipient is unlucky, his organs will be damaged or ruptured, leading to death.
And of course, if the head is hit--
"Ranbyou, stop them! No matter how you look at it, this is illegal! Somebody will die!"
Sparring using real bullets and real guns is one of Assault's lessons.
But while sparring, the participants have to equip Class C Armament, protecting their entire body.
"Oh, let them die, let them die! For the sake of learning, graciously die in front of the crowd!"
Ranbyou, shouting something that an instructor should never dare say, *gurgle*.
Her queue swished through the air, as she threw her head back and brought her hands up to take a drink of beer from a gourd.
(That idiot...! Is she drunk again!)
I, giving up on Ranbyou stopping the fight, opened the bulletproof door with my IC.
Woah! The people surrounding me cried out, but they had no time to stop me. Barging into the arena, which was full of the acrid smell of gunpowder, I ran towards Aria and Kana, not caring about being in danger.
"Kana, stop!"
"Hey, bloody Tohyama! Don't interrupt a lady's classes! Do you want me blow your brains out!"
Thud!
Following the gunshot, echoing like thunder, Ranbyou's bullet hit the ground by my foot.
That gun is the world's most colossal handgun. The M500, nicknamed "Elephant Killer".
The impact, comparable to that of a landmine, led me to stumble forwards--but even with that, I continued to charge towards Kana!
"...Kinji?"
Taking advantage of the opening Kana showed when she looked at me--Aria, on the ground, holstered her two guns, and she sprung up with a backflip, her feet aimed towards Kana's chin.
And Kana dodged the attack by moving her head slightly.
"--Take this!"
Aria, drawing her guns before she even hit the ground, tried to hit Kana from point-blank range--
Thud. Thud.
But Kana, looking back at her, used both her hands to push away her wrists, skewing the line of fire of the barrels.
"--!"
Click Click! Click Click!
Aria, repeatedly pulling the trigger, opened the bolt of the guns.
Both of them were empty.
--But Aria took advantage of this exchange, and she flashed over to Kana's back.
And she threw her guns far into the air--
And she drew her two wakizashi in a movement as fluid and deadly as lightning, slicing down at Kana's back!
"--Kyaa!"
This was a reversal, a sneak attack on Kana's back.
Seeing Aria, who had been caught up in Kana's flow the whole match, perform a reversal, the assembled students went "Oooh!!"
...It's useless, Aria. Kana has no weakpoints...!
Clank--!!
Chiii...
Clatter. Clatter.
Aria's wakizashi...spun through the air, thudding to the ground on the left and right of the arena.
Nobody saw anything.
All they saw was Kana's long hair drawing an arc in the air.
--Scorpio.
This move, invisible to normal eyes, was nicknamed that.
This is how Kana reacts to enemies that managed to get behind her.
"Haa...Haa."
Aria, her breathing erratic--stumbled, stumbled, and hopped back, retreating a few steps. Those footfalls were obviously unstable.
A line of blood flowed out of her lips.
It looks like during Kana's movement just now, she also delivered a blow so fast that no-one could see it, to Aria's chin.
"Haa...haa...the...the gun just now... was a "Peacemaker", wasn't it...?"
Aria, in the midst of this predicament, still had the gaze of a lion cub. Her fighting spirit hadn't waned at all.
"--You're well informed. That's right. My gun, a Colt SAA--is nicknamed, Peacemaker. However, you weren't able to see it, right?"
"I could...understand. From the sound of the gunshot and action. Because it's such a model that is already out of use, an old gun, Haa, Haa...I only realized it now."
"Then, let me show you more."
Bang!
From the right of Kana, something flashed, and Aria's twin tails violently jumped, flying backwards.
"Uwaah!"
Aria, seemingly hit in the chest, slumped to the floor. Her hands seemed to be out of energy.
Stop it! She's at her limit!
She may be wearing a bulletproof outfit, but at this rate, Aria will die!
"Aria, run away!"
My Beretta drawn and aimed at Kana, I--charged over, gritting my teeth, trying to get in between Aria, who was getting up, and Kana, preparing to fire again.
Bang! Bang!
Kana shot two bullets at the same time. They brushed past my sides, and buried themselves in the ground next to Aria's waist.
(--Uu!)
My body felt like it had been impacted by two baseball bats, and I bent over in agony.
The anguish made my consciousness start to go hazy, giving me the feeling that I was vomiting all my organs out my mouth.
But, my gun hadn't wavered--!
I can't point the barrel away from Kana!
"Ge-get away...Kinji...!"
The voice coming from my back led me to turn my head around in panic.
Aria, slumped on the floor, was grabbing on to my pants, trying to climb back up.
Her knee was obviously trembling, and she couldn't even lift her head properly--
Click.
But, she held my butterfly knife in her hands, seemingly having extracted it from my pocket, having felt it there.
"Get away, Kinji."
Kana, saying exactly the same thing as Aria, ordered me.
"These reckless acts of yours, interfering from the outside, make it easier for a mistake to be made during our spar. It's dangerous."
"I know that, I don't need you tell me...!"
"Since you know, then why're you risking your life like this? You're not trying to become my enemy, are you? The inexperienced you, even with all the luck in the world on your side, could not possibly beat me---"
"I know that too!!!"
Screaming ferociously, I--
"Kinji..."
made Kana widen her eyes a little.
That was--like the one in my nightmare, on Empty Island. An expression of surprise.
"...you've changed."
That voice was inexplicably cold--Not only was her voice chilling, but it seemed to carry a hint of understanding. Kana--looked at me, then looked at Aria, before turning towards the entrance of the sparring arena.
I followed her gaze to the entrance, only to see...
"Ah, hey! What are you guys doing!"
I'm afraid that it was a small police officer from the Navy, pushing students out of her path, entering Assault.
So--it looks like there was somebody who couldn't bear to watch this, and reported it.
"You're under arrest! Everybody in this area is to be taken into custody!"
Beeep! Hearing the female officer blowing on her whistle, the students looked at each other, in panic.
"You people! Break it up! Immediately!"
Such a small officer shouted in such a loud voice, running over to us.
I just noticed that Kana's uninterested gaze at the officer seemed to be a little drowsy--
...
......
And I saw his hand reach up to his mouth...
"...Mmmm..."
Wow.
She yawned, without a hint of agitation.
...Her fighting spirit, evaporated...?
Right...That's right. You're approaching "that time". Nii-san.
From another direction, the bulletproof barrier this time,
"Kuh"
Ranbyou, extremely dissatisfied, jumped from the top of it, turning her head, looking at all the students.
Enveloped by a killing intent which radiated, "Get the hell out of here!", she chased all the students out. The drunken Ranbyou is amazingly unpredictable.
Ranbyou, taking big strides over here, *Thud*
bent her body, taller than mine, even though she was a girl, a fist smacking into the officer's head.
"Kuh. How dare you act out this bloody game, and mess up my fun. Wait a minute, and I'll bring you to Masters--Mine Riko."
Mine?...Riko?
I frowned, only to see the female officer--
"...Hehe. Hehehehe."
--twitching her face, laughing.
It's Riko's voice.
This female officer...was Riko in disguise!
Next to me, my eyes widened in surprise, Kana chuckled.
She turned around, and with another yawn, she left the arena.
Fyuu...
Finally relaxing, I covered the areas by my sides that had been grazed, kneeling.
Looking back worriedly--all I saw was that Aria, still standing up, had fainted.
Hardly unexpected.
She was enduring excruciating amounts of agony. I was amazed that she was even able to stay conscious up to this point.
Aria's knees began to bend at last, inexorably descending-- *thud*
--until they hit the floor.
"Aria...!!"
Wanting to rush to Aria's side, I had my face twisted into a [へ] shape by Ranbyou.
"Why're you so panicked, idiot."
"Pani...she almost got killed!"
"You've really become a piece of trash since leaving Assault, Tohyama. That girl, before noticing Mine Riko's horrible acting--had no killing intent at all!"
What...?
Kana had no killing intent?
From the start...she wasn't trying to kill Aria?
Ranbyou...is a Butei renowned for her ability to read people, whether they be Butei or offenders. She has animal-like senses when it comes to that.
While I was still in Assault, I had been stunned by her prowess several times--so I knew that Ranbyou's sharp senses were to be trusted, even if she's drunk.
"That girl's techniques will help to teach these little brats. It just looks like she's trying to kill her opponent. If she really had killing intent--I would've taken care of her myself."
Hehe...Ranbyou, befitting of her name, laughed ferociously, just like a leopard.[1]
Just as I was about to carry her to Ambulace, the fast-recovering Aria regained consciousness. However, she didn't say anything to me.
I bumped into a lot of Butei High students before reaching the infirmary...but it seems that Aria has no friends in Assault, so nobody came to help her. Well, Aria got beaten up as everybody looked on, after all. With that in mind, they might find it hard to strike up a conversation with her.
The students in Ambulace and Medica had all gone to the Butei Hospital to learn, so nobody was there. And Riko, still wearing that police uniform, had disappeared. So as the only one left, I couldn't help but bandage Aria, first letting her lie down on the bed...taking out an antiseptic spray from the medicine cabinet.
"...Why did you stop me."
Hearing that trembling voice, I turned my head, seeing Aria hang her head in exhaustion, sitting on the bed, hugging her legs to herself.
"Even if I hadn't stopped you, the victor had already been decided."
"You're wrong!"
Aria's seiyuu-like voice rang out, hysterically.
But, she still didn't raise her head.
As if denying reality, she kept it tucked behind her knees.
"If you hadn't interfered, I had plenty of methods to win!"
"Don't beat yourself up, Nii...Kana's distance away from you was obvious to anyone that was watching."
"--Even if our battle abilities are that far apart, I still have to win!"
Not willing to admit defeat, Aria's twin-tails fluttered over her knees, as she shouted.
"That was Kana! That was the person that Riko disguised herself as at Koumeikan, you...your past friend...the woman that could make you shiver from just looking at her! She suddenly appeared in Assault, and asked me to spar with her. I couldn't run away, nor could I lose to her! But you--!"
"Aria, I hope you understand. In this world, there are many Butei that are stronger than you,"
"No! No! I have to be strong! Even if I can repeal the sentence...mother is still in prison! And the sentence of lifetime imprisonment won't disappear! I-if I'm not strong...then I can't...I can't...save mother...!"
Uuu, uuu...
Aria couldn't help but cry.
"That's right, you're very strong. You're very strong. That I know for certain."
I...put my hand on Aria's shoulder, lightly.
"So--I hope that you have the strength to accept defeat as well. If you fight again, you will be killed."
"..."
"Don't fight with Kana anymore."
"... ..."
"Got it?"
"... ... ... ..."
Under my persuasion, Aria...
Stayed silent.
Still silent, she nodded.
This girl.
Once she realizes she's in the wrong, she has the bad habit of not saying a word.
"Don't puff your cheeks out like that. You look like a puffer fish."
Hearing my words, Aria, whether because she was hurt or out of energy, I don't know, but--Thud!
she hung her head, and thundered a fist to my chest.
"Hey...!"
Thud Thud! Thud Thud Thud Thud!
Aria, sitting on chair, continued to hit me randomly.
"Hey, why do I have to be your punching bag?"
"Shut up, Shut up, Shut up! Someone like you, get out of here!"
Aria, reverting to child form, saw that I had retreated beyond the range of her short limbs--
Fyuu! Thud!
And she threw the canister of antiseptic spray at my head.
Forced out of the room by Aria, I decided to head back to the dormitory, since I had nothing else to do.
The classes today have already ended. I was worried about whether Kana would attack again, but if she did, I wouldn't help anyway...also Kana seems to be getting near to "that time".
She probably won't visit anytime soon.
Thinking practically, I went through the door of my apartment--
"--!"
Walking into the living room, I immediately fell on my butt.
And my head smashed against the wall, with a Thud!
'All the strength had left my body', would be an appropriate description.
Reason being, against the blazing scarlet sunset, on the sofa...
was Kana, sleeping!
(...Ka...Kana...!)
I started to think that I was fantasizing, but that was without a doubt, the real Kana. I could see her reflected in the mirror on the bookshelf against the wall.
Once Kana goes to sleep--she would sleep an unbelievable amount of time.
If you'd like to know how long, it's not unheard of that she would sleep for two weeks without getting up.
This is because of the pressure that Hysteria Mode places on the nervous system, especially the tremendous stress it places on the brain.
Even I, whose Hysteria Mode can only last less than an hour, will feel a great desire to sleep afterward. And Nii-san sustains Hysteria Mode for the whole day after becoming Kana...so the exhaustion that stacks up on the nervous system will lead to an inconceivable amount of time spent sleeping.
From now, Kana will enter a hazy state, needing to sleep for a few minutes a time...and before half a day, she will enter "Sleep Mode" and sleep for around 10 days.
The reason that I relaxed my guard after seeing Kana yawn, was because I knew this.
However, thinking about where he was going to sleep, I...never thought that he would come back to my apartment.
"Mmm...Kinji?"
Kana, apparently having heard my head smashing against the wall, woke up and said that, her eyes still closed.
"You went to Ambulace. However, you didn't treat yourself. Come,"
"...You seem to be clear. You didn't see it, though."
"The smell of antiseptic spray is lingering, yet it's faint. Those people whose sides are hurting have unsteady footfalls. People give a lot of clues, just from their gait. Remember that."
Kana, opening her eyes, slapped her hand on the first-aid kit on the table with a *Thud!*
For the purpose of treating me...was that why she brought it here?
"Come. I'll bandage you."
"There's no need."
I turned my head away, not looking at Kana, who's voice alone was enough to hold me prisoner.
"It's only a scratch!" "It's only a scratch!"
Just like a mirror, Kana said the same thing as me at the exact same time.
While I was thinking about whether she had the ability to read minds, Kana seized the moment,
Whoosh. Whoosh.
and gestured towards me, smiling.
I...met Kana's gaze again, and walked over...
Thud.
In this abnormal atmosphere, I felt all will to resist drain away, and I sat down next to Kana, helplessly.
I felt the need to hear an explanation at least once.
Kana removed the uniform on my body, exposing my flanks.
Not only was medicine used, but a needle was procured as well, treating my wounds with care.
This treatment is far more intricate and effective than that of the teachers in Medica...the pain faded away, not even leaving a trace of its existence.
(Nii-san...)
From such a close distance, illuminated by the sunset, his face--was filled with the tenderness of a brother.
That's right.
Kana was...always better at healing than harming.
Not only was he qualified as a doctor overseas, but after finishing a commission by a particularly wealthy person, he used the gigantic remuneration to construct a hospital for the poor.
Kana, Nii-san...
is somebody who would never leave behind those that are hurt, or in pain. That is a fact.
And the reason Nii-san uses this strange method--entering Hysteria Mode of his own will...is because when we were children, after mother died, he would disguise himself as her and comfort me.
--That, Nii-san.
More gentle and caring than anybody else, Nii-san.
Why.
--Why would he do something like that?
I want to say it. I have to say it. I have to find the truth behind Aria's situation.
But...I'm scared.
I'm scared that the answer will, leave the image in my heart of Kana, of Nii-san--broken--
"...Kinji. Have you been earning your credits?"
Hearing Kana suddenly talk about my education, I raised my head.
"...I don't have enough. But I've accepted work as security at the casino. There's no need for Kana to worry."
"HSS - Can you use Hysteria Mode at will yet? I'm worried about how weak Kinji is to women."
...I think that your 'antibiotic[2]' as it were, is far more worrying than my weakness.
"...Kinji is someone that can do anything he sets his mind to. Your Hysteria Mode definitely holds a power greater than mine--than even the first of our bloodline, Tohyama Kinshirou. However, you've always been at a loss when it comes to girls. Hmph. You're more like an 'unmotivated hero,' right?"
said Kana while bandaging me.
"Can you just leave that aspect alone?"
"And while you're not in Hysteria Mode, you're an even more worrying normal high school boy. When I pulled you up by the cable after you dropped off the wind turbine, you had already fainted. You even made me switch your cable and send you back here...really, you've always needed someone to take care of you."
That was...Kana who saved me?
Well, the person who pushed me off in the first place, was Kana.
Kana, reflected in the mirror on the bookshelf, tenderly caressed my head.
...In Kana's heart, I'll always be a child.
When I was about to speak up in protest.
Crackle...
The atmosphere seemed to tense up--
"Kinji, be careful. There's an enemy...approaching you."
--Enemy?
I looked back at Kana, who had suddenly spoken, *click*
The sound of someone opening the main entrance reached my ears,
"...I'm back."
That voice, still annoyed, belonged to--
Aria!
Startled, I leaped off the sofa, rushing towards the entrance.
"Kinji, are you here? Um, just now...I'm sorry. I was a little hasty..."
No! No! Don't come in!
Kana is in here!
The person who beat you till you were half-dead, Kana--is in here!
"Aria, don't come in here!"
I stood in front of the door, trying to block her from opening it.
"Wh-what is it?"
"It's fine, so go back!"
Aria, having never seen me so aggressive before, blinked in surprise.
"Anyways, go somewhere else tonight! Don't stay around Butei High either!"
As long as I can delay until tomorrow, Kana will go to sleep somewhere.
Before that, I can't let Kana get close to Aria--!
"...!?"
Aria, her gaze flashing into the room for a second, frowned.
For the sake of preventing the meeting between Kana and Aria, I used my body as a shield, blocking Aria's path.
I can't leave a line of fire. Because Kana's "Invisible Bullet" could appear at any time.
Also, *click*... I closed the bulletproof door behind me.
"I saw Kana inside."
The vinyl bag Aria is carrying contains peach buns. Eel buns are also mixed in, which she probably intended to give me for apology. That hand holding the bag, started to tremble.
"...I finally, understand. So-so this is how it is, Kinji."
Shi. Both of her eyes widened, staring at me, Aria--
"So the one who instigated Kana was you! You wanted to leave my squadron!"
"Wh-what the hell are you talking about?"
"I can't be wrong, that's how it is! The reason you've been acting so much like a partner is...because you thought that this was the end, and you were playing with me, right! You ma-made me to get happy over nothing, but act-actually you were laughing at me inside!"
"Ah....hey, Aria!"
Baring her canines, Aria seemed like she was about to charge me.
Looks like her defeat at the Assault arena gave Aria, who had been brought to the boiling point of anger like a water heater, a huge shock.
Her lack of reasoning in normal situations was now amplified, making the entire thing a mess.
"What are you doing! You're acting like the whole world is your enemy just because you lost once!"
"You....you wanted to leave me! So you instigated your ex-lover...partner! You bastard! I-I've been watching you become more and more like a Butei--and I was so happy! But, but! You! Idiot Kinji!"
"Wrong! Ka-Kana isn't my lover!"
"Then what is she!?"
Facing Aria, who was shouting in a shrill voice while baring her teeth, I couldn't say that he was my brother.
If I tell her the truth, she'll definitely scream, "What kind of stupid thing are you saying, Idiot Kinji!", and she'll be even more angry.
"...!"
Seeing that I wasn't answering, Aria--Uu!
suddenly put on a cute face...
Tears started to fall from those big, round eyes.
"It is, isn't it! Why won't you answer me! What is Kana to you! Why are you two alone in a room together! Why do you want me to "get out"! Uu, anyways--you, you were laughing about how smoothly your plan went, weren't you! And celebrating the success with that demon!"
"--Wrong!"
Kana, Nii-san isn't a demon--
Right now, that's the thing...the thing that I don't want to think of!
Th-this is probably just a bad coincidence, which is why things have devolved--until the situation is the way it is now. However, the real Kana--for me, is just like a God!
"Kana! You demon! Get out of here! I'm going to make a hole in you! Kinji... Kinji... KINJI IS MINE!"
Thud!
Returning to reality, I had pushed Aria away, as if trying to distance her from Kana.
--Bang!!
I even drew my Beretta, firing a warning shot by her foot.
"...!"
The plastic bag in Aria's hand fell to the floor--and those camellia eyes opened wide in shock, staring at me in a daze.
I myself was shocked into a stupor by my own actions.
That was also a reflex. When you're assaulting an agitated offender, you have to put some distance between yourselves before firing a warning shot, preventing them from moving forward. This was a sequence I had practiced hundreds and hundreds of times in Assault, until the very memory was engraved into my body.
But, how could I do that to Aria...
Aria may always be pointing her guns at me, but I've never fired on Aria before.
...Knowing Aria's usual patterns, I thought that she would draw her M1911 for sure...
But, I was wrong.
It looks like the fact that I would shoot her has deeply hurt her soul--
"...It's...over..."
Aria's hands covered her face.
Under those fragile arms, tears, like little streams, ran down her cheeks--
"...Everyone has... Everyone has abandoned me..."
I was wondering whether she was talking to herself or not, when she turned around, seeming to not even have enough energy to run...She staggered out, and disappeared into the corridor of the apartment.
That small back...should I chase it?
Should I explain everything to her?
But in the end--I didn't do any of it...
Unable to do anything else, I just picked up the plastic bag, full of peach buns.
And returned to the room-- Kana was laughing.
"I'm sorry. I heard everything."
--He was laughing.
"...What's so funny. This...is all your fault."
"It looks like she really likes you. She even shouted "Kinji is mine!, you know."
Thud!
I smashed the gun, tightly gripped in my hand, against the wall.
I may not be Aria, but I really feel like finding a random person to vent my anger on.
"It was really worth it to resist the urge to sleep, and come here."
Kana, seeming to think it hilarious, laughed again.
Having just seen our fight...she was suddenly very happy.
"That night, pointing your gun at me surprised me--but, my predictions were correct. This is how it is. That, really does exist. It's just that you yourselves--haven't realized it."
Kana's mysterious words only served to make me frown.
"Are you drowsy already, Kana? What are you saying? What is that all supposed to mean?"
"...It's a type of "chain". For now, at least."
--A chain?
"There are a lot of weird people in the Holmes bloodline, I was puzzling over that this morning. Because I was unable to believe that Kinji would ever point a gun at me--to protect a girl from that bloodline. Therefore, I wanted to find out what kind of girl she was. I wanted to see Kanzaki H. Aria. Therefore, I went to Assault for a little interruption."
Kana didn't pay any attention to me, although I hadn't put my gun away, and he stood up from the sofa.
"--Just now, I already told Riko. I'm going to go to 'sleep'. There's a hotel reserved in Odaiba."
"After you wake, will you kill Aria?"
I asked Kana, who was striding towards the door--
"I won't kill her."
"...Can I trust you?"
"I wouldn't lie about something important like that. As long as 'second chance' exists, I won't kill her."
...a 'second chance'...?
Kana, looking directly into my eyes, said something strange.
"'As long as'? Which means, if that chance disappears, you'll assault her again? What is this 'second chance' you're talking about?"
"...I'm sorry, I can't tell you that. I wouldn't want you to be too curious."
Kana, putting on his shoes with a flowing movement, stood up soundlessly, turning his head.
"Genesis 2:18--It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.--"
Quoting scripture once again, Kana looked through the room, which had been painted by the rays of the setting sun, spilling through the glass--
"Remember this, Kinji. Aria is a dangerous girl. A girl that must have someone by her side. If that 'someone' is you...I'll be very proud."
--staring at the bright, scarlet, sunset.
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