Chapter 1
Part 1
Workshop Number: 360, Residential Area, Outer Gate Number: 2105380, Little Garden.
"Did the summoning go well, Kuro Usagi?"
"It seems so, Jin-bocchan."
Answered Kuro Usagi shrugging her shoulders in a jestful manner. She had rabbit ears and looked around 15-16 years old. The small boy next to her let out a sigh. He was wearing a large robe, which was very unfitting for his small stature.
Kuro Usagi, who was wearing a suggestive mini skirt and garter stockings on her beautiful legs, touched her index finger to her lips, and assumed a cutesy pose and added,
"Well, we will have to wait and see how it turns out. Nothing good comes from being pessimistic. We just have to emphasize how fun this place looks on the surface. It would be easiest to confess on the first meeting that "Our Community is on the brink of total destruction!" but that will only cause them to be wary about joining us," explained Kuro Usagi flinging her arms about in the process.
The reluctant boy listened, with quickly changing facial expressions, but in the end he nodded in approval.
"Sorry to leave everything to you, but can I ask you to pick them up?"
"Leave it to me!"
Kuro Usagi suddenly jumped out of the chair.
When she touched the workshop’s door, the young boy spoke to her with concern in his voice.
"Will their arrival...save our community...I wonder?"
"Who knows...but the Host promised one thing," she said while quickly turning to face him again, sending her skirt aflutter as she smiled at him mischievously, "The Gifts they possess are of the highest class in humanity!"
Part 2
"Ginyaaaaaaaaa! O-Ojou——!"
Falling from 4000m in the air, the four of them passed through multiple thin membranes of water that were prepared above the landing point, then fell into a small lake.
"Kya!———"
"Wa!———"
They landed in the water with a loud splash. As the water membranes slowed their fall enough, the three of them landed safely, but the calico cat that fell with Yō didn’t have it that easy. She embraced the cat and pulled him to the surface in a hurry.
"...Are you alright?"
"I thouht I bwas ghonna die...!"
The cat couldn’t speak properly yet, but she was relieved he was all right.
In the meantime the other two quickly reached the shore while spouting curses all over.
"I-I cannot believe it! To think they would pull me out without saying a word and on top of that, drop me from the sky!"
"Same here, dammit! Depending on the situation, it could have been Game Over on the spot. It would have been better if they summoned us inside a rock or something at least."
"...But if they did that then you wouldn't be able to move, could you?"
"No problem for me."
"I see. Quite selfish of you."
The two of them turned their back on each other with a "Hmpf", and started wringing the water out of their clothes. Behind them, Yō climbed out of the lake to the shore. Following the other's example, she started squeezing the water out of her clothes. Next to her, the calico cat shook his whole body spraying water everywhere.
While drying her clothes Yō asked,
"Where... could this be?"
"No idea. Well, there was something that looked like the end of the world, so maybe we're on the back of some huge turtle?"
Answered Izayoi to Yō’s question.
One thing was for sure, it was a place they knew nothing about. After the boy deemed his clothes dry enough, he brushed a stubborn lock of hair aside and asked,
"There is probably no mistake, but just to make sure, I'll ask you anyway. Did you guys also get a strange letter?"
"That is right, but first of all, do not address me that way. My name is Kudou Asuka. Pay attention to that from now on. Moving on; you there holding that cat, your name is?"
"Kasukabe Yō. Same situation as you."
"I see. Let us get along from now on, Kasukabe-san. Finally, you with the uncivilized and savage looking appearance over there?"
"Wow, thanks for that pompous self introduction. I’m - just as the appearance suggests - uncivilized and savage, Sakamaki Izayoi. Vulgar, brutal, and hedonistic; all that I need to be a hopeless person, so please follow the Rules of Use and Dosage Guidelines when interacting with me, Ojou-sama."
"I see. If you give me Handling Instructions I will think about it, Izayoi-kun."
"Haha, are you serious? I will make one, so be prepared for it, Ojou-sama."
Sakamaki Izayoi laughing cheerfully.
Kudou Asuka turning away haughtily.
Kasukabe Yō watching indifferently.
Watching them from the shadows Kuro Usagi was thinking.
(Uwaa, all of them seem like problem children!)
Well, she summoned them, but... she really can’t imagine them working together. She let out a melancholic sigh.
Izayoi started getting irritated.
"So, It’s all dandy that we got summoned, but why isn’t there anyone around? In this situation shouldn’t there be someone explaining about that 'Little Garden' that was written in that invitation?"
"Indeed. Without any explanation, there is not much meaning to leaving this place."
"....I doubt that being overly calm in this situation is for the best either."
(Honestly!), Kuro Usagi retorted silently.
If they would panic a bit more it would be easier to just jump out, but if they're this calm and collected, it’s hard to find the appropriate timing for it.
(Well, no use thinking about it more than this. I just have to make up my mind before the situation gets even more awkward.)
Hearing each of them express their dissatisfaction, Kuro Usagi almost got cold feet, but she persevered.
All of a sudden Izayoi took a deep breath and while exhaling said.
"I guess there is no other choice than to ask that one lurking over there."
In the shadows, Kuro Usagi’s heart jumped as if grabbed by someone. Their eyes all gathered around Kuro Usagi’s hiding place.
"Oh, you noticed too?"
"Of course. I’m undefeated in hide-and-seek."
"If they stand upwind, I know even if I don’t want to."
"Ooh, you are an interesting one."
Said Izayoi laughing, but his eyes did not seem happy.
In retaliation to the unreasonable assembly they suffered, they turned a cold and menacing gaze towards Kuro Usagi. This made her hesitate for a moment.
"Do-Don’t, three of you. If you look at me with a wolf-like expression, I'll die. Ee..., Ee... . From ancient times, loneliness and wolves are rabbits' natural enemies. So on account of Kuro Usagi’s weak heart, I would be happy if you would hear me out peacefully."
"I refuse!"
"Denied."
"I have to decline."
"Ahaha, not leaving me any time to say anything."
Said Kuro Usagi standing there defeated, still observing the three of them intently.
(They’ve got guts, that’s a plus. To be able to say NO in this situation is quite something. Well, being hard to handle does seem to be one of their flaws.)
Kuro Usagi was acting like she was just fooling around, but she was thinking calmly on how to interact with the three of them.
Unexpectedly Kasukabe Yō appeared next to her and grabbed hold of one of Kuro Usagi’s rabbit ears at the base.
"Ei?"
"Fugya!"
And pulled it with full force.
"Wa-Wait a second! If it’s only touching I would let you do it without a word, but I didn’t think you would try to pull Kuro Usagi's lovely ears off on our first meeting! What are you thinking!?"
"Sating my curiosity."
"You can’t do everything you please!"
"Ooh, these rabbit ears are real?"
This time Izayoi pulled on one of them from the right.
"....Well then, me as well."
"Wa-Wait a momen-"
This time Asuka did the same from the left. Kuro Usagi’s ears got pulled in both directions simultaneously and her inarticulate scream could be heard far and wide.
Part 3
"…Un-Unbelievable. To think it would take a whole hour for you to start listening to me... This must be how it feels to be the teacher of a class full of problem children."
"Just start it already."
Kuro Usagi with almost tears in her eyes, finally managed to get them to listen to what she had to say. The three of them sat down before her and turned some of their attention towards her.
Kuro Usagi pulled herself together, cleared her throat, spread her arms and started speaking.
"Is it really alright to start, you three? I will start! I will start right now! Welcome to the world of Little Garden. We summoned the three of you to grant you the privilege to take part in the Gift Games, in which only those with Gifts of their own could participate."
"Gift Games?"
"Indeed! You probably noticed, but none of you are ordinary humans. Those extraordinary abilities you possess are blessings you could have received from various deities, demons, spirits, and stars. Gift Games are events for those with Gifts to compete with each other. And lastly, Little Garden is a world, that was created solely for the purpose of those powerful Gift bearers to enjoy and reside in."
Emphasized Kuro Usagi the appeal of Little Garden.
Asuka put her hand up to indicate she had questions.
"I will start with basic questions if that is acceptable. First of all, who are that 'we' you mentioned?"
"Yes! Gift bearers summoned from another world must join one of the many Communities of Little Garden to thrive."
"No way."
"You must join one! Moreover, the winner of a Gift Game gets the prize provided by the Host. It’s a really simple system."
"Who is the Host?"
"They could be all manner of individuals. There are Games held by deities with too much free time, with the purpose of testing mortals, and there are ones that are self-organized by various Communities so they can demonstrate their superiority. As a distinguishing feature, the former usually does not restrict who can participate. But as to be expected from deities, those games can be brutal and extremely difficult, with no guarantee of survival. However, the rewards are exceptional. It depends on the Host, but there is a chance you will be able to obtain a new Gift. As for the latter, you need to provide something to use as a Chip in exchange for the right to participate. The rule is, if all the participants are defeated, all the Chips will belong to the Host Community."
"The latter is quite crude. What can be used as a Chip?"
"That also can be a great variety of things. Money and goods, land, rights, honor, people... And it is possible to bet the Gifts themselves. If you obtain a new talent from someone, it becomes feasible to take part in even higher level Gift Games. However naturally, if you lose a Gift Game with your Gift on the line you will also lose your ability."
There was a dark shadow underneath Kuro Usagi’s charming smile. Her smile could be taken as a provocation, so Asuka asked the next question in a similar tone.
"I see. Then is it alright if I ask one last question?"
"By all means, by all means♪"
"How can someone start the Game itself?"
"If we exclude the Games between Communities, then all you have to do is sign up before the registration deadline of each Gift Game. Shopping districts and shops organize small scale Gift Games, which you can participate in if you please."
Asuka raised an eyebrow after hearing Kuro Usagi’s words.
"Then is it correct to think of Gift Games as the law itself in this world?"
"Oh?" Thought the surprised Kuro Usagi.
"Fufun. You are quite quick on the uptake. But I’m afraid that is only 80% correct, and 20% mistaken. Theft and robbery are prohibited in our world too and exchange of goods via currency is present also. Crimes committed by the use of Gifts are preposterous! Those criminals will be punished thoroughly! However, the essence of Gift Games are just the opposite! There, the winning party will attain everything. It is possible to take the merchandise without payment if you are able to clear the winning conditions set by the shop for instance."
"I see. It seems barbaric somehow."
"You are quite right, but the Host bears all the responsibilities regarding it’s own Gift Games. In other words those cowards who don’t want their possessions taken should not even partake in such events."
It seemed like Kuro Usagi finished explaining the basics, and now she pulled out a sealed envelope.
"Now then, since it was me who requested your summoning to this world, I have a duty to answer all questions you might have regarding the world of Little Garden. However, it would take too much time right now to explain everything, and as ally candidates, we cannot avoid exposing you to the outside world for long. So if it’s alright with you, we could continue this conversation at our Community."
"Wait a minute! I haven’t asked any questions yet."
Izayoi who was only listening until now, stood up, raising his powerful voice. When Kuro Usagi noticed that his smile that seemed like it was carved on his face was gone, she asked back while staying on guard.
"...What question would it be? About the rules? About the game itself?"
"That doesn’t matter. I couldn’t care less about that, Kuro Usagi. Even if we make you recite all the rules, nothing would change. It’s a revolutionary’s job to change the rules of the world, not a player’s. The only thing I want to ask you… is about that letter we got."
Izayoi took his eyes off of Kuro Usagi, ran his eyes over the other two, and finally rested his gaze on the city covered by an enormous shroud.
He only asked one thing with a glance that looked down on everything.
"Is this world.... fun?"
"...."
The other two were waiting for the answer silently. In the letter they received, it was written as such: "Cast aside your family, your friends, your possessions, your whole world, and come to our Little Garden."
The most important question right now for them was whether or not there is a fitting compensation for their sacrifices.
"....YES! Gift Game is a devil’s game for those who transcended the limits of humanity. The world of Little Garden is much more fun than other worlds, I personally guarantee it!♪"
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