Hundred - Volume 4 - Chapter 1

Chapter 1: Summer vacation / Returning home / The mysterious Savage and the hunters 

The participation in the joint operation was over and the calendar reached August. 

The general education curriculum of elementary school, middle school and senior high school of Little Garden has already entered the summer vacation from the latter half of July, but the Martial Arts Department was the exception. 

Although they are in the summer vacation period, they stand as preparatory-department students of Warslan Company and as such, aside of guarding Little Garden, there’s the possibility that they have to be dispatched for special missions; in case the Savages have appeared in a neighboring area, etcetera. 

Therefore, they have 1 week of vacation. 

It doesn’t mean that this goes simultaneously to everyone of Martial Arts Department. They will be divided into three teams by?LiZA?, the main computer of Little Garden and will take turns. The members of Selections are the same. 

Fritz and Latia, members of Selections and who are first-year students of the Martial Arts Department like Hayato and co., were given vacations in the beginning of August. 

They said that they are going to enjoy summer vacation in their hometown of Liberia. 

The reason why Hayato and Emile were given vacations is because Fritz returned to Little Garden. 

In Yamato, it’s exactly the time of the Bon Festival. 

Then Hayato, along with his little sister Karen, went and visited the grave of their parents who had died during the Second Attack that occurred during their stay in the Kingdom of Gudenburg in the Federation of Britannia and went to make an appearance to the companions who lived together with them in the orphanage where they spent many years. 

However, and as a result of that, a total of 5 people was heading to Yamato from Little Garden. 

It was around the evening of the day when the date of summer vacation was settled. 

– I don’t want to go back to Gudenburg and there are no other places where I want to travel, so I wonder if it’s impossible to accompany Hayato and the rest? 

Emile began to talk after visiting the room of Hayato. 

– Does that mean that you are going to spend your summer vacation in Yamato with us or something like that? 

– Previously, you told me that if we had the chance, you’ll show me around Yamato, don’t you? So, I thought that this was such opportunity… or it’s no good? 

– It’s not that, I can’t, but… 

Saying that she’s coming to his birthplace is expected to be somewhat embarrassing as she’s going to see the places where he hid his everyday clothes and underwear. 

However, there’s a memory such as showing her around Yamato. 

That is, if he’s not mistaken, when they entered the large public bath of the dorm. 

– But, what are we going to do about the place to stay at? Because it’s the countryside, there are no hotels, you know. 

– What are Hayato and the others going to do? 

– Regarding us, the institution has prepared some rooms… but I don’t think that there are any rooms available… 

– In that case, is it no good if I stay with you? 

– Karen’s with me too. It’s very probable that “you being a woman” will be completely exposed, don’t you think? 

– Ah, true… 

They haven’t told Karen that Emile’s true identity is the one of a woman——moreover, that she’s not Emilia Hermit, but Emilia Gudenburg, the hidden princess of Gudenburg. 

– Err, what shall I do… 

– For the time being, and after talking to Karen, I’ll ask Ry?ko-obasan. 

– Ry?ko-obasan? 

– She’s the institution head of the orphanage where I was raised. As long as they have futons, we can cope with it and sleep in the lobby. 

As a result of the consultation, both Karen and Ry?ko-obasan, the institution head, gave their OK. 

However, the problems increased by one. 

Kirishima Sakura, who was visiting the hospital room of Karen, came up with?I want to go too if Emile-san goes?. 

– Is that true, Sakura-san!? 

Karen asks gladly. 

– This is also a good opportunity, thinking that it’s also nice to return to my hometown in a long time?. 

– In a long time, you say… you do live concerts frequently in Yamato, don’t you…? 

The other person is the Idol who travels all over the world, she’s Kirishima Sakura. 

The current Hayato, unlike the one of the past, knew that she’s performing once or twice per month, especially around the world. 

The popularity of Kirishima Sakura in Yamato which is her country of origin is high and the number of times of live concerts is large. 

She should be performing live concerts there at least twice a year. 

– But this and that are different stories! 

Sakura objected. 

– When I returned because of work I didn’t have much free time and I couldn’t look around Yamato, and also I want to see the place where Hayato-kun and Karen-chan spent their time. Besides, there is a fan of mine in the hospital near the institution, isn’t that right? 

– A fan? Are you sure about it…? 

– Well, I told Sakura-san some time ago about her, however—— 

Saying so, Karen starts talking. 

The name of the girl seems to be Kay, and like Karen, she seems to be suffering from the same disease of cause unknown that prevailed after the First Attack. 

She and Karen got acquainted by going to the same hospital and became close friends as they are “fans” of the same Kirishima Sakura and seems they are keeping in touch even now. 

– Although Kay-chan’s condition wasn’t as bad as Karen’s, I heard a conversation that she was kind of getting hospitalized as her recent physical condition was becoming considerably worse these days. Because of that, I was feeling sad… 

– For this reason, I think that I plan to go and visit her to cheer up that child. Fan service must be properly done ? In addition, by seeing provincial cities of Yamato, inspiration will be surging which will also be the source of future musical activities, it’ll be like killing two birds with one stone. So, it’s fine, right? 

Souffle Clearrail, her manager and who’s also the company president of the production where she belongs to, was forcibly persuaded by the almost fervent speech of Sakura——in the end, it was decided that she’s accompanying them to Yamato. 

With this, the total is of four people. 

The remaining person is Mihal, the nurse in charge of Karen. 

Although she’ll go back to her parent’s house for the first few days, she scheduled the last night of her vacation to spend it with Hayato and Karen. 

And thus, the night before the summer vacation came along. Hayato and the others boarded the transport aircraft of Little Garden and arrived in the imperial capital of Yamato the next morning. 

After half a day of sightseeing temples, tempura shops, the imperial capital sky tree and so forth, they parted with Mihal who returned to her parent’s house and boarded the Shinkansen* for two hours. 

*TN: ??? literally “new main line”, it means bullet train. 

From the station of the provincial town in the mountainous region where they arrived at, they headed further north for an hour or so by electric train and they finally arrive at the nearest unmanned station. 

When they left the station building, an eight-seater minivan comes into view. In front of that, an elderly woman who was about to meet her sixties was standing up. 

She’s Kizaki Ry?ko, the institution chief of the children’s home where Hayato and Karen were raised. 

– Welcome back, you came back nicely. 

She welcomed Hayato and co. with a tender smile that remains the same from half a year ago. 

– Ry?ko-obasan, it’s been a long time. 

To begin with, the wheelchaired Karen bows her head. 

Subsequently, Hayato also lowered his head. 

– Thank you very much for receiving us. 

– Are these people your school friends? 

It was Sakura who bowed her head first and turned her eyes to Ry?ko 

– Ah, yes. My name is Kirishima Sakura. 

– Oh, that Idol! 

*Clap*, Ry?ko strikes the palm of both hands in front of her chest. 

– You knew me? I’ve been indebted to Hayato-kun for a long time, he saved my life during my work. 

Her voice is slightly higher than usual. 

It’s the response of Kirishima Sakura as an Idol. 

Subsequently, Emile also saluted her. 

– I’m Emile Crossford. I’m a classmate of Hayato and his childhood friend. 

– … childhood friend? 

Ry?ko inclines her head to the side, looking curious. 

– Uhh, we were seeing each other when I was staying in Gudenburg. I’ve been recovering my memories recently… 

– Is that so? That makes me glad. I heard that Karen-chan’s body is getting better, but how better is she? 

– Karen-chan is already able to stand by herself from the wheelchair! 

It was Sakura and not Karen who answered with confidence. 

Ry?ko smiled, turning her eyes to Karen once again, 

– Karen-chan, can you get in the car by yourself? 

– Yes, don’t worry. 

Karen nodded firmly. 

– Then, let’s move promptly. 

Ry?ko opens the door of the minivan. 

Showing that she was fine, Karen comes down from the wheelchair with the receiving help of Sakura and got in the minivan by herself. 

Next, Hayato and the rest also get in the minivan, one after another. 

– When we get to the institution, I think that Hayato will surely be surprised. 

Then she got into the driver’s seat and turned on the engine. 

– Eh, this is—— 

He was shaken enough by the minivan. 

Hayato who arrived at the institution where he spent his childhood reacts as Ry?ko was saying. 

Speaking of the institution of half a year ago, it was a wooden building that was worn out for more than 50 years. 

In the last few months, however, its appearance was of a concrete building, similar to the dorm of Little Garden, it has been transformed into a beautiful building. 

– No way, it became something like this… 

He heard that the subsidy from Warslan was going towards the institution, but he didn’t know about it until it was rebuilt. 

– Karen knew about this? 

– Of course. 

Karen wasn’t surprised, as he was thinking that she possibly heard it from the kids living in the institution with whom she was in contact almost every day, so it was that in the end. 

Ry?ko says, being apologetic. 

– I told her to keep it a secret from Hayato-kun, thinking that this would surprise you. 

– I was really surprised. 

Hayato looks up at the institution again. 

It was already pitch dark and he couldn’t see it entirety, but it turned out that only a light was leaking out from the institution, he grasped its very beautiful outward appearance. 

– Ah, it’s Hayato! 

– Karen too, welcome back! 

The door of the institution opens and the children rushed out. 

It seems they were hearing the sound of the vehicle. 

– Hey! I told you to not go outside at this hour, didn’t I? 

Ry?ko is saying so as they called out Hayato who’s looking up at the building, stupefied. 

– But Hayato and Karen have returned! Hayato, it’s been a while! 

An elementary school student girl coiled around the leg of Hayato. 

– Yeah, it’s been a while. 

Hayato pats her head. 

– Say, Hayato. What kind of place is Little Garden? Is it great? 

– I want to hear that story too! 

– Umm, that’s… 

Ry?ko calls out to Hayato who tried to start talking. 

– If the story is long, then let’s get inside first. Everyone will come out if we stay here forever. 

The inside of the institution that they set foot into was as beautiful as the outward appearance. 

There’s a living room in the large lobby, as well as rooms for the children that can live in groups of four people and there are classrooms that look similar to the ones in the schools. A shelter prepared for raids of the Savages is said to have been established underground. 

There seems to be 3 rooms for visitors. 

Therefore, Karen and Sakura used one room, and Hayato and the others used each of the rooms, one by one. 

Emile said that it was fine for her to be in the same as Hayato, but Sakura strongly opposed to that and that she should be the one to do it. 

– Those two are somewhat suspicious. 

That’s the speech of Sakura. 

Speaking of why she’s suspicious, is that when going back in time, when Hayato defeated the dragon type Savage that they encountered during the?Operation: Bird in Cage?, Hayato used up his sense energy and lost consciousness. 

Hayato woke up after a day and a half had passed since returning to Little Garden in a personal airplane. 

He was in a standard hospital. 

Emile, who was on the side there, kissed him, trying to speed up the recovery of  the sense energy of Hayato. 

Unluckily for her, Karen and Sakura turned up there. 

Denying franticly that Emile was kissing Hayato, she made every possible excuse and although deceived her on the spot, it looks like Sakura doesn’t fully believe him (her). 

Not everything was terrible, since Emilia was posing as a man, 

Even though it’s harsh to suspect of love between men, like ?Hayato accepts my love, but he’s not going to marry me because he likes men??and so forth, then it would have been even more troublesome if she was appearing as a woman. The fact that Emile is a woman is a secret to Sakura and Karen. 

Putting the luggage in the room and going to the lobby, there were lots of deep-fried food, fried prawns, fried potatoes, etc. on the table, the food that children seemed to like were lined up. 

– It’s a welcome party that served as dinner. 

Ry?ko-obasan said, and continued her words. 

– However, this is cooking that it’s only intended for kids, so I’m sorry. 

– Does Ry?ko-obasan know that I also like cooking like this? 

– But I’m not talking to Hayato-kun. I’m talking to Sakura-san and Emile-san. 

– Ah, is that so…? 

*hahaha,*, laughter comes up from the children. The ones remaining in the institution now are children who are 5 years old away from Hayato. 

4 males and 3 females, a total of 7 people. 

They were a little nervous regarding Sakura and Emile, but the atmosphere has calmed a little now. 

He wonders if Ry?ko has noticed it. 

She tries to shorten the distance between Emile, Sakura and the children. 

– Well, enough about Hayato-kun and the others, would Emile-san and Sakura-san please introduce yourselves? 

– Okay then, me first. 

It was Sakura who stood up, striving to be the first. 

– I am Kirishima Sakura. Do you all know about me? 

– I know! 

– The Idol, right!? 

And, voices from the young boys are raised. 

– Give me an autograph, please! 

And voices like that were raised too. 

– If it’s an autograph, then I’ll write as much as you like afterwards. By the way, I got acquainted with Hayato-kun since he accepted to be my bodyguard and—— 

– Yes, this is taking too long, can we finish it? Next is my introduction. 

Emile stands up, clapping with *clap* *clap*. 

– Hey, why are you stopping me midway!? 

– Everyone is hungry, and I’m also hungry. I already told you, it’s my introduction. I’m Emile Crossford. I’m a classmate of Hayato in Little Garden. 

– A classmate? That means you are a Slayer, huh? 

– Have you fought the Savages!? 

– Yup, I fought them. Together with Hayato! 

– Wow, amazing! 

– The Savages are ztrong too, righte?* 

*TN: this kid had a weird way of talking. 

– Yup, they’re strong. But, Hayato and I are stronger though! 

Turning towards the looks of envy from the boys, Emile isn’t as annoyed as she would have others believe. 

Looking at it, Ry?ko noticed the uninterested expression of Sakura. 

As Emile did some time ago, she claps with *clap* *clap*. 

– Alright then, as their self-introductions have ended, let’s eat. 

They start eating, expressing their gratitude before meals at the same time. 

Welcoming songs from the children were transmitted to Hayato and the others; the party was at its peak. 

Trying to return the favor, Sakura sings children’s songs with Karen. 

Along with them, the children also began to sing. 

– Come on Hayato, you sing too. 

– You sure know children’s songs of Yamato, huh. 

– This is also a song that it’s in my country. Rather, wasn’t it originated from here? 

– Oh, you are right. 

– Come on, sing. 

Prompted by Emile, Hayato also begins to sing. 

However, he’s not able to get the rhythm very well. 

Then, one of the boys knitted his brows and said. 

– Hayato is, as usual, poor at singing, huh. 

Subsequently, Sakura said. 

– Hayato hasn’t changed from the older days… 

– Sh-shut up! 

The lobby was full of laughter. 

– Sakura, Karen, let’s play! 

In the morning of the next day, Sakura loosened up the tension with the children of the institution and played games in the lobby together with Karen and the children. That’s the same for Emile. She plays with little girls of 4 and 5 years old with building blocks and go out to the nearby lake together. 

– Hayato, this is really a nice place, isn’t it? 

It was their third day in Yamato when Emile expressed so. Sakura and Karen went out to shop in the city together with the children and while they are doing that they will be visiting the place of the girl named Kay who’s hospitalized in the hospital; she’s the aforementioned fan of Sakura. 

– … you think? 

– Ry?ko-obasan is also a nice person. When I was a child, I spent most of the time alone, so I’m really envious of such a life. I feel that I understood the meaning of Hayato who was saying “I would do my best for everyone in the institution”. 

Saying so, Emile smiled. 

Thus 5 days passed and the last event in Yamato, the festival of the Shinto shrine of the neighborhood, came along. 

– Muu, I also wanted to wear a yukata. 

Before going to the festival, Emile who visited the room of Hayato leaked so. 

– If there were for men you’ll still be wearing them, huh. 

– I’d be wearing that instead of a uniform like this. 

– You want to wear women’s clothes? But, as expected, it’s way too conspicuous to have the appearance of a woman. 

– Yup, I know. 

Regarding the rural towns of Yamato, most of the people come from Yamato. 

Although they stand out even if they are ordinary, if she’s appearing as a woman, she will stand out even more. 

It would be extremely easy to identify Emile as Emilia as they are the same person. 

– Well, a festival is a festival no matter what appearance you have. It’s your first time going to a Shinto shrine. I hope you enjoy it. 

– Yup. 

By the way, Sakura and Karen decided to wear yukata. 

The ones who aren’t wearing one are Hayato and Emile. 

However, when they went to the Shinto shrine in the center of the festival venue, there were a lot of people dressed in casual clothes. 

To begin with, they visit the shrine first. 

– Is it fine if I pray here? 

Standing before the front shrine, Emile called on Hayato. 

– Yes, that’s right. And when throwing a money offering, ring that bell. 

– What are you going to wish, Hayato? 

– Well, I wonder what I should wish… For the time being, I hope to spend time with everyone safely. 

– *Annoyed*, that’s somewhat usual, typical of Hayato. 

It’s Sakura who said so. 

– If so, shall I wish for world peace? 

– What about Emile? 

– Nope, it’s a secret. 

– What’s with that? 

– It’s a secret. 

In the end, Emile didn’t tell him what she prayed for. 

After that, they enjoyed the festival by eating yakisoba that they bought at a stall, playing “scoop the fish”, playing target practice and then they participated in the Bon Festival dance. 

In the last event, the Bon Festival dance, Sakura climbed the watchtower and started singing folk songs, so it became a serious thing. 

Many people recognized her, and they got quite excited. 

– Although it was my first time participating in the Bon Festival dance, it was really fun! 

– You really like singing, don’t you…? 

Sakura, who was coming back, was pretty satisfied. 

And in the last night in Yamato, along with Mihal who came from her parent’s house, Hayato and co. decided to do toy fireworks in the backyard of the institution. 

– Ah, mine has already fallen. 

It’s been 10 seconds since the beginning and the sphere fall from the firework of Hayato. 

– Nii-san, Karen is still there. 

– Mine too… fell down. 

– Mine also fell…. 

– Mine has fallen as well. 

The sphere of Karen is the one that lasted the most. 

Next is Sakura. 

Mihal, then Emile and Hayato, that was the order. 

Nonetheless, even if a minute was just a little longer——they feel like the pleasant days in Yamato passed approximately the same. 

In this way, the last night in Yamato went on. 

And, the early morning of the day when they return to Little Garden came in the blink of an eye. 

                            ??? 

– Hayato, Hayato, wake up… 

– Hmm…? 

In response to the voice he heard close to his ear, Kisaragi Hayato raised his body while rubbing his eyes and identifies the figure of Emile. 

——wha, why did you come into my room!? 

– Shh! Be quiet. It would be bad if we are heard by someone. 

– Certainly that’s correct, but… 

Karen and Sakura are in the next room—— 

And Mihal who joined last night is also sleeping. 

– So, what the heck are you doing? 

Hayato asks with a small voice. 

– Why don’t we go to the hot spring now? 

– Huh? And why at this hour? 

Hayato stares in wonder. 

– We’ll leave Yamato today at noon, this’ll be the last memory that we’ll be making, you know. 

Saying that, Emile continued. 

– Because I couldn’t get in with Karen-chan, Sakura-san and co. and when Hayato and the others went to the hot spring, I couldn’t go. But, if it’s now, we can go, walking stealthily. Besides, the hot spring of this time seems to be a little special(ish). 

– … special? What does that mean…? 

– It means than it’s going to be fun. So, let’s go. 

                   ??? 

Tagging with Emile, Hayato moved to the hot spring. 

It’s 20 minutes on foot. 

There’s a hot spring on the mountainside behind the institution. 

– Two people walking in this way is enjoyable. 

– Hey, don’t link arms with me! 

Shaking and untangling his arm, Hayato takes a distance of 50 centimeters. 

– Then let’s link our hands. 

– No, that’s the same… What if we are caught by someone? 

– This isn’t Little Garden, it’s Yamato, you know. Furthermore, at this time, it’s safe. 

While saying that, Emile took the hand of Hayato. 

Feeling the thinness of her fingertips and the warmth of her hand, the face of Hayato turns red. 

– Ehehe, I’m happy. 

– … is that so? 

– Yup. I’m happy——ah, look, Hayato. The sun has started to rise. 

When Emile turns her eyes to the direction indicated by her finger, the light of the sun is beginning to overflow from the ridgeline of the mountain that is visible in the distance. 

– It’s a beautiful sight. So, this is the dawn of Yamato. 

Being 5 minutes away from the hot spring, Hayato and Emilia kept watching the scene of the morning glow side-by-side for a short while. 

– ——ah, let’s go to the hot spring soon. It’s very convenient before a lot of people arrive. 

– What’s with that, huh? How’s that convenient? 

– You’ll know it once we get there. 

And, he was told that by Emile but, Hayato didn’t understand anything, even when standing before the hot spring. 

– Well then, I’ll go this way. 

Saying that, Emile loosened her hair. 

– O-okay… 

Emile was transforming into Emilia. 

Although she looks like a man in shirt and trousers, it looks like she won’t be stopped at the changing room for women. 

– Okay then, see you later. 

Parting with Emilia who enters the changing room for women, Hayato entered the changing room for men. 

– Huh…? 

As he got naked and stepped into the hot spring, Hayato felt something out of place. 

(This hot spring, was this big?) 

But I came here last night, right? 

Although the steam is rising and the visibility is bad, and because of the illumination being nonexistent, the whole can be surveyed, so maybe that’s what he felt. 

While thinking so, Hayato picked up a wooden chair and washed his head lightly with a shower and decided to soak himself in the white muddied hot water. 

– Aah, it feels good… 

If the temperature isn’t that high yet, then the sunlight of the sun isn’t strong and the wind isn’t sticky either. 

When thinking about the comfortable feeling of entering in a hot spring in the morning being really good——, footsteps were heard from afar. 

(There are people who come to the hot springs at this hour, huh) 

Turning his eyes and wondering who’s the person who will come in, the figure of Emilia meets his eyes, her body was covered with a towel. 

– Wha…! What are you doing here! 

Without thinking, Hayato ended up shouting. 

There’s no doubt that Emilia should have entered the changing room for women. 

Despite this, why is she in the men’s bath? 

– The fact that you are having such reaction means that you haven’t realized it yet. 

– Haven’t realized? What do you… 

– As a matter of fact, this time is when there are no partition intervals, so it becomes a mixed bath. 

– Wha—— 

Come again? 

– In this way, I can enter in the hot spring with Hayato, that’s why we came to the hot spring at this hour. 

*Ehehe*, and sticking out her tongue, Emile soaked her body in the hot water and brought her shoulders closer. 

– H-hey… don’t get too close. 

Even when saying so, Emilia doesn’t go away. 

She gets closer until the distance was enough to make the warmth touch each other and smiled happily. 

– Ehehe, my dearest wish has finally come true. 

– Why are you saying that…? 

– “To enter in a real hot spring with Hayato like this”. I told you when we took a bath in the dorm together, isn’t it? That I wanted to get in a mixed bath. 

– Now that you mention it, I remember that you were saying that kind of thing… 

– There are still some things that I left undone in Yamato, but I’m satisfied to some extent with this. 

– There are still some things, you say? You ate tempura, you saw Mt. Fuji and the imperial capital sky tree, you even participated in the festival, you did a lot of things, don’t you? Did you have anything else you wanted to do? 

– The most disappointing thing is that we couldn’t see the fireworks. 

– The fireworks? If that’s the case didn’t we do that yesterday in the garden of the institution? 

– Not those, but the “*BOOM*” of huge skyrocket fireworks, you know. I wanted to see them once. 

– Is it possible that you haven’t seen skyrocket fireworks? 

– Although there are a lot of fireworks going up in the beginning of the year ceremony in Gudenburg as well, I heard that the ones in Yamato are more amazing than those. Besides, I was spending most of my time in Gudenburg. I remember seeing the skyrocket fireworks only on the screen of a PDA or TV… hmm, we had this conversation before, do you remember? 

– Is that so? When was it? 

– I knew it, you don’t remember. 

Pouting her lips as she became sulky, Emilia continued. 

– It was ten years ago, in Gudenburg. We were talking about the same skyrocket fireworks and that if I come to Yamato, you promised me that you’ll show me the real fireworks, don’t you remember? 

– It’s inevitable. I still have memory problems remaining. And you, I mean, you remembered it now, don’t you? 

– That’s not it. I always remember. 

– If that’s the case, then you should have said it early. You could have stretched your legs to the place where the fireworks were being done, you know. 

– Nope, I was waiting for Hayato to remember it. But, since you aren’t remembering it… How about now? 

– I’m sorry, but I can’t remember that time… 

– Eh—— 

– But, I have remembered something. 

– What what? 

– Alphonse said it before, but the port city of Sangria where the founding festival is held seems to be a sister city of Yokohama, the port city of Yamato, and at the finale of the festival, fireworks are likely to be launched grandly in the same way as Yamato. 

– What, such a thing… 

Emile sighed with a dejected look. 

– But, if that’s the case, we can see the fireworks of Yamato together, what do you think? 

– You are saying, that you are going to see them together with me!? 

– Y-yeah. 

– Yay? 

Emilia clings to his back tightly. 

– H-hey… Stop, now both of us are naked. 

– Don’t be so conscious of each other, because I’m embracing you from behind, okay? 

– You may not be conscious about this, but I am!