Chapter 5
Chapter 5 Like a whirlwind
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The point of the small sword approached Moroha’s head from above.
A blue brilliance dwelled in the sword blade, swaying like a blue flame.
That was the power that led to God──
Namely, the brilliance of prana.
Moroha instantly saw the blue trail of the attack that was swung downward to cut him right in half.
He only gave a step back.
With that, the blue trail grazed Moroha’s tip of nose.
He evaded it with minimal movement.
– Well done.
Having her slashing attack dodged by Moroha, Haruka smiled broadly.
The lively-looking short hair that suited her and her boyish, unadorned presence were rather cute.
The pure-blue prana put on her body was refreshingly vivid to the eye.
The small sword that was swung down was immediately connected to an upward slash this time.
When Moroha also dodged it by taking a step backward, she immediately changed it into a horizontal slash.
Her small sword, her specialized weapon, excelled at taking tight turns.
The incredibly fast consecutive attacks of Haruka.
The blue brilliance that dwelled in her whole body became more and more colorful.
Each blow was as sharp as a blue lightning.
They were formidable.
Nevertheless, he saw all the lines at the last moment and kept dodging them with minimal effort.
If he barely stepped into that line, then that would be the end of the road,
– Won’t you get tired if you swing and miss like that──Momo-senpai?
He even had time to try sneering at her.
– Don’t shorten my name or call me like that!
Haruka got angry all of a sudden.
To say elegantly, she had an honest personality, to say it poorly, she had a straightforward personality.
Without intending to get on board of Moroha’s evident provocation, she ended up making the horizontal swings slightly larger.
But, for Moroha, that「slightly」was enough.
Upwards.
He jumped over the trace of blue light drawn from right to left and leapt high into the air.
With a jumping power impossible for ordinary people. A vertical jump of several meters by means of《Godlike Movement》.
Moroha jumped over Haruka’s head, somersaulted and landed.
He got behind her in an instant.
Evading her attacks with minimal movement until now was a preparation.
He could get accustomed to Haruka’s eyes and evaded her greatly all of a sudden.
Normally, the opponent would have had the illusion that he「disappeared!?」.
Now it was Moroha’s turn.*
*TN: Turn is the furigana reading for counterattack.
A long sword was clasped in his right hand.
A single-edged sword that was several times larger than Haruka’s specialized weapon.
A fast slash was swung downward onto Haruka’s back.
Moroha’s long sword ran on Haruka’s back, following a diagonal line from the shoulder.
Despite he hit her with the bladeless back of the sword, he ended up cutting it off… or so he thought.
He felt no response in his hands.
– Your pace still falls short! 《Komon》.
He heard Haruka’s reprimand from above.
Before he knew, she jumped in the air.
Yes, what Moroha slashed was no more than her afterimage.
The application of《Godlike Movement》 which had seven variations. Or one of the advanced techniques──
《Komon》, the way or walking that produced afterimages.*
*TN: Komon literally means Giant Gate and the name also represents Merak, a star in the constellation of Ursa Major.
It was an Ancestral Art crowned with the name of the second star of the Big Dipper.
「If she were normal」, Moroha’s pace should have been able to play with his opponent by resorting to evasion, but Haruka was by no means「normal」. She easily saw through him.
And Haruka’s evasive method linked to her pace was in an「unusual」area that produced afterimages,
– How impertinent of you, thinking you can defeat me with《Godlike Movement》.
Rather, it was Moroha who lost sight of her for a moment.
With a flexible posture and wild speed as if she were a female leopard, Haruka sprung at him.
That was gallant and beautiful.
(As expected of her…)
Moroha was astonished while stopping the slash swung downward from the air with his long sword.
After being scouted by Strikers, he frequently had bouts with Haruka in the martial arts stadium like this, but the impetus given by her was quite high.
– Seiyah.
Haruka, who jumped in the air, swung her sword downward as soon as she landed.
Moroha, who was attacked the moment he lost his guard due to《Komon》, did the best he could to catch it with his sword.
He had no time to see it and dodge it.
Haruka was the most expert at《Godlike Movement》in this school.
Moroha had acknowledged her superhuman speed, taijutsu agility and mobility not only once but twice.
Even if she told him that challenging her to a《Godlike Movement》match was a mistake, she wasn’t bragging at all.
– Shall I follow the advice of my Senpai?
Moroha brought that to a sword lock immediately from the posture he blocked the small sword of Haruka.
He saw firsthand how the white radiance dwelling in his body strengthened and the prana increased.
If Haruka was slightly superior in speed, then Moroha could win with the strength of his muscles.
– Uh, oh…
Haruka panicked and forced back, but it was too late.
He mustered《Super Strength》and pushed the sword blade into her, blowing the petite body of Haruka many meters away.
The arena of the martial arts stadium was surrounded by concrete walls.
– Kyafuh.
The blown Haruka hit her back against it and raised a cute scream.
At that moment, Moroha already started pursuing her.
He dashed fiercely and hunted the prey that was finally driven to the wall.
– Awawa.
Confused, Haruka tried to escape, but it was──obviously too late.
Moroha, who had recently awakened as a《Savior》, was still far behind Haruka when it came to the technique that put《Godlike Movement》to use.
But if he just ran swiftly in a straight line, he wouldn’t be outrun even by the fastest girl within the school.
He closed in on Haruka who was driven to the wall in less than a second and thrust the tip of the long sword at her chest.
Very closely.
– Check, Senpai.
– … Dammit, I lost again.
*Clank*, the small sword fell from Haruka’s hand.
– You’re too strong! You really are too strong!
Because she looked so charming, venting her anger while facing the wall, Moroha gave a broad smile while pulling his sword away.
After the match was over, Haruka sat cross-legged on the floor of the arena, she was angry.
– Geeeez! You’re a first-year student but you’ve been acknowledged by that monster and that’s so wrong!*
*TN: Monster is the furigana reading for captain.
She threw the towel she took out of the sports bag at Moroha while boyishly inflating her cheeks.
Moroha gratefully used it.
He hadn’t sweat that much though.
– Geez, you even make a cool face…. Why is my opponent so lenient?
– I’m not lenient at all, I got desperate. I also want to reach the point where I can use《Komon》. I mean it.
Moroha justified in a hurry, glared at by the scornful eyes of Haruka.
– You say that without shame. In the end, you went easy on me.
She seemed unable to stomach that Moroha stopped the sword at the last moment.
– But I don’t like exposing girls to painful experiences.
The criticized Moroha scratched his head.
He wasn’t against having bouts or practicing with a girl. This was that kind of school.
However, he didn’t want to hurt them as much as possible.
That was Moroha’s reason and not of the school.
– The cool act of Moroha. You womanizer.
– No no, I think most men have the same opinion.
– Tch. Then in that common opinion, someone like you consider someone like me a girl?
– Huh…?
Moroha took a hard look at the boyish yet good-looking face of Haruka.
– It’s obvious, no? I’m not cute, and when I have free time, I only wield my sword. and I don’t have b-b-boobs…
Haruka put her hands on her knees and squared her shoulders while muttering so, turning red.
– There’s no mirror in Senpai’s room?
– Anyway, you say something like this to anyone as long as their chromosome is XX, no? Aa geez, I’m angry now. This kouhai isn’t cute in the slightest!
As she complained, Haruka took out a towel and briskly wiped the sweat off her neck and chest.
Probably because she got sluggish at the end, she only took off her jacket.
It seemed that she cheered up with the sense of liberation of the tank top as she wiped the whole upper part of her body seemingly comfortable.
When she raised her right arm and wiped the pure-white armpit, thrust her arm into the collar of the tank top to make it creep out through it, rolled up the hem, made her cute navel and pretty back muscles peek through and wiped the legs that extended alternately one at a time, the hem of the skirt became a problem this time.
She was lightly dressed. And her gestures had no defense.
There was no problem being kind of boyish, but,
– I may be an ugly kouhai, but I want Momo-senpai to realize that she’s a cute Senpai. So please spare me that and don’t take off your clothes so suddenly.
For Moroha, it was difficult where to look at.
– I-I said don’t call me Momo! Don’t shorten it!
Haruka snapped at something strange and raised her eyes.
– I think the shortened version is a cute way of calling you.
– Hey! I said that it doesn’t suit me, didn’t I!?
– I think it does suit you though.
Moroha smiled wryly in his mind, thinking It’s a shame she’s not aware of her cuteness.
– Shaddup shaddup shaddup shaddup! The promised dinner, that doesn’t exist anymore!
– No way… I was looking forward to eating with Senpai.
He was at a loss. The “please spare me that” that Moroha had said as if appealing to a magistrate.
– Ah, it was… that fun, g-g-going with me?
– Yes. To be honest, the dorm’s meal isn’t enough.
For some reason, Haruka was disappointed when Moroha candidly replied with the hearty appetite of a growing child.
– Humph.
As soon as she snorted,
– That’s right! You have two girlfriends so you’re tired of dating.
As if she had become stubborn, she began to wipe her body with an increasingly bold defenselessness.
Moroha could only cover his face with his hands.
It wasn’t bad that she misunderstood Satsuki and Shizuno as「girlfriends」. It wasn’t like he could clear the misunderstanding positively either.
The problem was that he was troubled by Haruka’s defenselessness and that had nothing to do with whether or not his girlfriends were there.
Furthermore, when he was about to call her attention──
The small breasts of Haruka peeked out from the opening of the disordered and loose-fitting tank top.
The breasts, which had a good shape and were similar to pounded mocha rice, felt as if they swelled out gently and plumply to that extent.
He ended up perfectly seeing even the pink and sexy pointed ends that looked like jelly deserts placed on top of them.
Moroha averted his eyes right away, but it was too late.
– U…
Rather, Haruka was quick to sense it.
The hand that held the towel and restlessly moved, suddenly stopped.
A complete different anger from a moment ago,
– D-did you see them…?
Haruka laughed to mask her embarrassment as she restlessly fixed her disordered tank top.
– You may have seen my boobs, but it’s not like that will make you happy, right?
Despite saying masochistic things of that caliber, she covered her breasts with the towel and turned bright red.
– ……
Moroha had no comment.
He turned to the other side while dripping in cold sweat.
On the contrary, the young, sweet and pounded-mochi-like breasts of Haruka made him feel a guilty sexual desire.
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The defenseless Senpai didn’t realize at all that she aroused his male instincts all the more when she said those words.
– T-that’s right! That’s what I wanted to hear!
Haruka raised her voice as if to drive away the strangely bittersweet and awkward mood.
– You’re too strong for being a first-year, you know? Your power and speed are at a high level and your balance is good. You improve quickly too. It feels like it’s nothing but a trick somehow.*
*TN: Level is the furigana reading for dimension.
If you have the secret, tell me, said Haruka, requesting while hitting her knees.
– I just do it very spontaneously…
– You liar. Don’t be so stingy.
– I’m not being stingy…
Don’t give me trouble, said Moroha, scratching his head.
It was an atmosphere where he wouldn’t get her pardon unless he replied something.
– If I’m forced to say something… I believe that even if the strength and nature of the prana are the foundation, they’re closely related to my mental state at that time. So, when I fight, I really do it in a Natural Stance.
Although Moroha said this, he himself realized that this wasn’t an explanation.
Transmitting this feeling to others was an extremely difficult attempt.
However, this was nothing but Haruka’s request. He didn’t want to treat her with disdain.
If she thought about it again instead of being normally aware of it, then she would put it into practice, right? He tried putting it into words with effort and conveyed sincerely somehow.
– Have you tried standing up in a situation in your life in which──you hold your core strongly, you don’t let it doubt your beliefs and evade it like a willow that doesn’t refuse to being pushed from outside and that doesn’t splinter despite all that? Senpai praised me moments ago by saying I have a nice balance, but isn’t that the primary factor?*
*TN: This sentence is both hard to understand and translate.
It’d be nice if something was transmitted to her, but… Moroha glanced at her complexion.
– Are you making fun of me?
Haruka said a cruel thing!
– Why would I do something like that?
– Hey, are you stupid? Didn’t you pay attention to classes? Did you just learn that common sayings such as mentality affects prana? That thing called placebo is the easiest thing to feel, and actually, the White Knight Organization has thoroughly investigated and said it has nothing to do with it!
Haruka rebuked Moroha’s opinion, referencing《Saviors》 ‘ greatest authority.
– I don’t think so though.
Moroha flatly denied the greatest authority with a smile.
Haruka was astonished for a moment.
– I’ve had eenooough. Because I knew you’re a natural airhead, strong and unpleasant guy. I’m an ordinary person so I have no choice but to make efforts steadily──
Haruka complained, throwing herself down in the shape of the大 kanji.
After she idled like a spoiled child for a while,
– That’s why we’ll have another match!
She sprung up to pull herself together and sat cross-legged.
– Eeh? Again? Senpai, you’re too energetic…
As for Moroha, he wanted to do nothing and relax for a while.
Well, of course, the match itself would be done earnestly.
But because he was going to do it seriously, he wanted a short break.
– Nope. Not making good use of every second and minute doesn’t go with me.
Haruka stopped sitting cross-legged and walked on her knees to approach him.
– You said you want to be able to use《Komon》, no? If you’re really saying that, then you should steal it from me. It’s a shortcut to become stronger by competing against strong and skillful guys. So I have no choice but to steal strength from you!
She pointed at Moroha with her index finger and spoke sharply and vigorously.
– A shabby《Savior》 like me carries the name of Strikers on my back! At least I have to do my best! My best!
Because she sidled up to him with so much energy, her index finger was about to be thrust into Moroha’s mouth, and that troubled him.
As Moroha casually faced a different direction and evaded it,
– I think Senpai is strong though.
It wasn’t flattery, he said it from the bottom of his heart.
– Liar. Moroha knows that people usually badmouths me and whatnot, right?
But Haruka didn’t accept.
– Certainly, I’m the fastest in our school. But I’m a second-class《Savior》at the best with speed but no power. I wonder why… that guy chose me as a Striker. I’m upset… but I also think… I’m the one who knows that the most… and I can’t object…
She gradually weakened as she said so and her shoulders fell, caught up in it.
Moroha was truly irritated.
– I think we should let those people say what they want to say.
The tenacity of those who badmouthed Haruka──who was this responsible, serious and hardworking person──and essentially no more than a girl, but he felt angry as if it were his own affair.
– It’s okay. I’m weak so it’s my fault.
Haruka shook her head to the left and right while wrinkling her chin as if enduring something.
– In that case, let’s prove you’re superior to them.
Moroha told Haruka with terrifyingly serious eyes.
– That’s why I’m doing my best steadily every day. I’m thinking of trying to increase my power, so let’s do that.
– That’s important but technique innovation is also important.
Moroha persuaded her.
Occasionally, there was an impenetrable wall unless one searched for explosive growth. In everything.
– Nobody defeats Senpai when it comes to speed. That’s why you should change that speed into attack power. What you should be aiming for is the speed at which you feel like you can hold down ordinary power.
The notion of a swordswoman who was fast and nothing else was wrong.
To become a swordswoman who mastered speed.
Aiming for the height of loneliness.
– … Like?
– Why not try learning《Donrou》?*
*TN: Donrou literally means “famished wolf” and it’s one of the stars of the Big Dipper (Dubhe).
Moroha raised his index finger as if revealing his second idea.
An Ancestral Art that increased leg strength through prana and secured physical ability beyond common sense.
That was《Godlike Movement》.
And there were variations derived from this technique──high-level techniques.
Since there were seven variations in total, the secret techniques of the《Saviors》were prefixed with the names of the Big Dipper.
Moroha said《Donrou》 which was one of them, this was a combination of blows from multiple directions at a speed that made one wonder if they had cloned for an instant.
Moroha continued the explanation.
– Cloning is kind of the reason why one could say the attack power is doubled or tripled. Now, I don’t know how many years it will take to double the existing power. In Senpai’s case, rather than doing so, I think it’s best to learn《Donrou》.
– It’s not that easy! I know nobody who has been able to learn that as a student!
What’s with that triumphant look!?
Haruka criticized him.
– Eh, is that so?
– I wish you had told me that after looking it up at least!
– Then Senpai will go down in history, won’t she? Oh, we’ve started a competition between us.
– Shut up, you airhead!
Haruka was at her wit’s end.
– I’m seriously worried and you come saying such an unreasonable demand!
– But it’s not an unreasonable demand.
Contrastively, Moroha replied without a care.
– I’m saying that because I think you can do it. I wouldn’t have propose this from the beginning if I thought you couldn’t do it.
– No way, not a chance, impossible, dream on! It’s absolutely impossible for me to do such a monstrous thing!
– Say that after you have tried it at least.
– But you’re saying that I can do it even before I try doing it!? What’s your basis for that!?
– I get that from looking at the color… of your prana?
– Why a question form on top of an eccentric remark!?
– Anyway, if you think you’ve been tricked, then why not giving it a try?
– It’s easy to say it when it’s somebody else’s problem!
– I’m not saying that without feeling nothing though…
I can’t get her to understand¸ said Moroha, scratching his head while giving a forced smile.
– Momo-senpai, a moment──
– I told you not to shorten it already!
– Momochi-senpai, a moment ago, you said that not making good use of every second and minute doesn’t go with you, right? I like that.
Moroha liked straight people.
In addition, if they were hardworking people, he’d like to support them.
As he got up, saying “Then shall we continue training?”,
– Don’t say “like” so thoughtlesslyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!
His ears were pierced by the loud voice of Haruka whose body turned all red.
– Why are you yelling all of a sudden?
He condemned Haruka while getting annoyed, wondering why she raised the volume of her voice.
– S-s-s-s-shut up you inconstant!
Haruka’s cheeks, forehead, earlobes, the parts that could be seen from the tank top with an open collar and even the lower side of the collarbone had become red as a lobster.
– You have two girlfriends but your advances are still not enough.
– No, I’m nothing like that…
Geez, what a naïve Senpai she is.
The way she overreacted to the word “like” was too unexpected for Moroha.
– I-i-it’s not like even if you’re the exception──
– Even if I’m the exception?
– Don’t make me say it, you bakaaaaaaaaaa.
Haruka became an unmanageable child, crying *Uwaaaaaa* and hitting Moroha over and over.
It didn’t hurt, but he didn’t want her to act violently due to the loose-fitting tank top.
The collar opened, exposing something that shouldn’t be seen inside of it.
– Calm down. Whoa, Senpai. Violence isn’t good.
– *Uwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan*.
– Don’t cling to me please.
Excitement had a limit.
– It’s not like being embraced by a mannish woman like me was somethiiiiing.
– That’s Senpai’s opinion! My opinion is different!
There were completely different creatures called men and women in this world, there was no middle ground for something like mannish woman.
Whether her chest was light or had a boyish speech and conduct, Haruka was without a doubt a girl.
The limbs that firmly stuck to him were indescribably soft and the perfume raising up from the nape was so sweet it came to be arousing.
Why doesn’t she realize her own wonderful value? What a waste.
– If someone were to see you like that, the value of female Senpais will decrease, no?
– I care nothing about it. After all, I don’t have a boyfriend! And there’s no sign I’ll have one!
As it was bad to brush a girl away, Moroha tried to convince her with words, but his Senpai didn’t lend him an ear.
In that case, what Moroha could do was to cool down her anger and work so that no strange feelings were to raise.
How much was he forced to practice that──?
The worst-case scenario happened as he didn’t let Haruka go.
– Are you here, Haimura?
The voice of an energetic woman was heard from the entrance.
Someone came and stepped into the scene where Moroha and Haruka were embracing each other….
– Are you here, Haimura──?
The female student, who suddenly appeared, was the Demon Vice-Captain Tokiko.
With an energetic voice and way of walking of a soldier, she arrived at the center of the arena.
The female-scientist looking girl was the owner of a bright and beautiful face.
The stylish small glasses looked good on her. If she wore a white robe, and if he were a fan of that field, he might have been charmed by her.
– H-hello Vice-Captain!
– Kanzaki-senpai chussu!
Moroha and Haruka greeted her in loud voices from the left and right.
They spread out at a high speed from the hugging state.
They weren’t sure if she ended up seeing them already, but it was awful they were like this.
– Hmm? Why are you strangely formal? Did you quarrel or something?
The clever senior student asked as she adjusted the bridge of the glasses.
The tone of voice they heard as a cross-examination sounded like the one of a soldier.
It appeared that they weren’t seen hugging each other, but this time she appeared to have misunderstood the subtle sense of distance between Moroha and Haruka.
– No, we’re super close friends.
Moroha smoothed it over and Haruka agreed, shaking.
– That’s right, fights among《Saviors》and the like are strictly forbidden. It’s good that you’re good friends.
They got a saying and advice from her.
However, because this Senpai was ineffective and her tone of voice and expression were oppressive and scary, they heard as if they were told「You sure are paying attention well, huh?」somehow.
– More importantly, Haimura, I was looking for you.
Tokiko came with energetic steps next to Moroha who was standing at attention with respect towards the Vice-Captain.
– You promised that you would be doing special training with me the other day, no?
– Yes, that’s right. Well──
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– I was wondering if it could be today. Are you free?
– Ah, well. That’s──
– What is it? Is there any problem?
– There are some inconveniences, but more importantly──
– What? Would you mind being clear?
Moroha cast his eyes down to make it clear.
As they were talking, Tokiko’s hand rubbed Moroha’s butt.
Moroha reproved her with his gaze.
Tokiko responded with a military-ish stern look.
– Haimura, you have a nice butt as always.
– Your impressions or the like aren’t needed, so stop please.
Moroha covered his face with his hands.
Ever since they met for the first time, the clever beautiful woman touched Moroha’s body whenever there was a chance. With a lewd way of using her hands.
At first he thought it was joke, but the person in question was serious just like her stern facial expression.
– This is sexual harassment, isn’t it? And power harassment.
– You’re exactly right, it’s power harassment. When a cute kouhai like you appeared, I wanted to play toy with you legally, so I frantically got stronger and climbed to the top to become Vice-Captain.
– This isn’t legal at all.
– Shut up. Retorts aren’t allowed. This is an order from your Vice-Captain.
Tokiko continued caressing Moroha’s butt while maintaining a grave tone of voice.
She was a serious, honest and erotic Senpai. And too wicked.
Like Haruka, every Striker had a strong desire which said「I want to be strong」.
However, it was rare for them to have「straightly impure」motives like Tokiko.
– That said, let’s go, Haimura. I’ve reserved the first martial arts stadium.
To Tokiko, who tried to forcibly kidnap Moroha when he hadn’t even said OK,
– Hey, wai──no, please wait a minute, Kanzaki-senpai!
Haruka protested in a loud voice.
– I’ve──no, I have reserved Moroha for today!
Haruka, who seemed to not be good at honorifics and polite language, lashed out while restating a few times over.
– What? Do it some other time, Momochi.
– No──I won’t. Moroha is already practically monopolized by Satsuki and Shizuno, but Nene-senpai reserved him the day before yesterday and Sophisenpai reserved him yesterday, and today it’s my turn, at last.
– I see. He’s quite popular, huh.
– That’s why I won’t──I will not hand him over!
– Shut up. Give me Haimura. This is an order from your Vice-Captain.
Tokiko folded her arms and said oppressively.
She held her head high and glared at her as if to say “This lass”,
– I don’t think you suit as a Striker. It’s the captain’s decision so I’m not deliberately raising a different opinion. Haimura is too much of a special training partner to stop with a second class like you. Know your place.
– Gguh…
Haruka, who was told so flatly, faltered.
She felt like──her weak point was stabbed. Contrary to expectations, Haruka confessed seemingly vexed with「I can’t argue」「I know that the most」towards an opinion like that.
In regard to Moroha, he ended up accepting the words of the Vice-Captain that sounded nothing but like thoughtless words.
That was why she silently bit her lips and made her slender shoulders quiver.
The appearance of Haruka, who cast down her eyes to endure it in silence, looked extremely touching to Moroha’s eyes.
– I’m sorry, Kanzaki-senpai, but I──
He tried to face Tokiko with whom he had a previous appointment.
Whether the other person was the Vice-Captain or there would be a back talk, it had nothing to do with him.
Moroha liked the Senpai called Haruka and didn’t like illogical things. That was why he didn’t waver.
But.
– … Wait, Moroha.
A thin and restrained voice was heard.
From none other than Haruka’s mouth.
– It’s as Kanzaki-senpai says. Besides, if you just stay with someone like me, then you won’t get any stronger.
She glared at Moroha with upturned eyes while tears flooded her eyes.
– It seems we all came to an agreement. Now, let’s go to the first martial arts stadium.
Tokiko linked arms with Moroha clingingly.
– See you later. Thank you for being with me today.
Seeing that, Haruka rushed out.
It was easy for Moroha to shake off Tokiko’s arm, run after Haruka and catch her.
But he deliberately didn’t do it.
That made no sense now.
That was no comfort for Haruka.
He stared at the small back of Haruka going away with a sharp and serious look in his eyes.
– I’ve heard that everyone has prepared rewards in exchange for getting you to go along with their special training. What kind of reward do you want from me? It seems you’re confident in the shape and springiness of your butt, am I right?
It wasn’t like Moroha was bad at socializing or had never requested a reward, but for some reason, everyone, including Haruka, had the custom of preparing a compensation.
Moroha listened to the conversation of the reward without paying attention to it because he still glared at the passage where Haruka had disappeared.
He pondered.
(Self-deprecation──the Senpai’s foundation is the nonexistence of confidence in herself…)
She was so cute yet she insisted that she was a mannish woman.
She had very wonderful qualities yet she insisted she was a second-class who was nothing but fast.
That self-deprecation was what keeps Haruka bound hand and foot, guessed Moroha.
If so──
A mountain forest spread in the mountain behind Akane Academy’s Girls Dormitory.
Maintenance was completely nonexistent there, all that it had were a few animal trails.
Generally, it was a place with no value, but it was used by students for secret special training.
After sunset.
Moroha summoned Haruka there.
– What we’ll be doing here?
Haruka said brusquely and seemingly displeasured.
– If it’s about Kanzaki-senpai, don’t apologize, okay? The fact of the matter is that I agreed to that. If you apologize, I’ll feel too miserable.
Did he show mercy because she was weak? Haruka, however, seemed to be like that.
Also, because he thought Haruka would accept that, Moroha didn’t run after her on purpose at that time.
– I won’t apologize. But I’ll let you proceed in a logical manner. Let’s continue the training.
– Here?
Haruka looked the surroundings, apparently puzzled.
The trees got in the way. The footing wasn’t leveled. The only light was the starlight. It wasn’t an easy place to fight at all.
– If you want to do it, I’ll do it, but isn’t it better to go to the martial arts stadium?
– That won’t do.
Moroha shook his head slowly.
– It’s too small for Senpai and I. Let’s have a real match in this vast space. As if we made a new start.*
*TN: The last part literally is: As if breaking each other’s shell.
He turned to Haruka who was bewildered and didn’t understand what he began to say.
Moroha.
– I declare. From now on, I’ll try to surpass Momo-senpai’s speed.
Without enthusiasm.
In a Natural Stance.
Because that wasn’t reckless enthusiasm but a prediction of the future that would happen next.
She smiled daringly.
– Surpass me… in speed?
Haruka changed her expression so much it was seen even in the dark.
An expression she showed Moroha for the first time.
– You’re amazing, Moroha. You’re really strong, even without Dark Arts. And because even your power and speed are among the top three in the school, I get you’re lionized as the Super Rookie. I’m no match for──
She began to talk gloomily.
Her manner of speaking had the same tone as usual, but her expression was different from usual──
She didn’t try to torture herself, saying she wasn’t a great《Savior》,
She didn’t try to gloss over her lack of self-confidence with an embarrassed grin,
– ──But in terms of speed, I’m the number one Striker!
The look of a cornered beast, but because it was cornered it bared its fangs.
The face of a warrior who couldn’t hand over the only pride she had left.
(Haha…!)
Moroha wanted to shout for joy.
So this was Haruka’s face!
The self-torturing girl who didn’t listen, asserting「How do you know before trying it?」「What’s your basis?」 to Moroha who stamped the seal of approval that he could master《Donrou》!
That was fine.
The opposite would trouble him.
(Because──the earnest Senpai, the Senpai that is worthy of my respect, the Senpai that I like but doesn’t like me is too beautiful for me to be vexed at)
He wanted Haruka to notice.
Her own qualities.
Her charm.
– I won’t ask, Moroha. I think it’s good to be confident. But since it feels like you’ve become too arrogant, I’ll have to correct your misunderstanding as your Senpai.
A small sword appeared in Haruka’s right hand that held the empty space as if it were a magic trick or sorcery.
Her eyes shone more dazzlingly than the stars floating in the night sky.
I’ll break that aggressiveness of yours, she threatened.
– I’m happy. I’m really am.
Moroha also made Saratiga manifest in his right hand.
– The one he who drives a blow with《Saturn》into the other first wins. There won’t be hard feelings even if the other gets seriously injured. Understood?
Haruka wore a pure blue brilliance.
– Fine by me.
Moroha housed a star-like white prana in his whole body.
Haruka’s stance was precisely a stand with legs in an L-shape, with one leg bent in front and the other extended behind──the small sword in her right hand, her right foot in front and the right side of her body turned completely towards her opponent.
Moroha also held the long sword with his right hand. He proudly threw out his chest, turned his body slightly diagonally and faced her.
Haruka’s expression was perfectly the one of a swordswoman.
Moroha didn’t forget to smile.
Although Haruka was a soft swordswoman, her temperament was strong. Although Moroha was a strong swordsman, his temperament was soft.
The two swordsmen, who were the exact opposite of each other, faced each other, increased their prana and aroused their fighting spirit.
White and blue.
The atmosphere between the two stung as if it were smoldering scorchingly.
The wind howled.
It ran through the treetops, dropping leaves that fell flutteringly.
As soon as one of the leaves was touched by the stinging air, *Cut*, they were split in half.
The feeling of tension that swelled until right before the explosion.
And.
– Come. If you’re faster than me, try proving it.
Moroha began an attack──in response to Haruka’s provocation.
He ran on the ground and shortened the distance. Since he used《Godlike Movement》, he could cut his way into her position in one flying step.
He sprung at Haruka who still was in the same stance without moving.
– Too slow. It’s not even a bother.
The first long sword of Moroha was easily dodged by Haruka. The moment the sharp slash attacked her, her figure disappeared.
Not only her shadow and form, even her presence was completely deleted.
An application of《Godlike Movement》that had seven variations. Rather, one of the advanced techniques──
《Rentei》, a way of walking that completely eradicated sounds and presence.*
*TN: Rentei literally means “cheap righteousness” and it represents the star “Alioth”.
An Ancestral Arts crowned with the name of the 5th star of the Big Dipper.
(I thought so)
Moroha took the next action while grinning.
He sensed that Haruka’s presence tried to connect behind him.
She, who had escaped at a great speed, went behind Moroha as she erased her presence as though both shadow and shape had gone. But the deleted presence of《Rentei》wavered with the killing intent that was leaked when turning to offensive.
Moroha immediately slashed back the long sword while making his body half rotate to the back.
However, he swung and missed again.
Haruka’s presence disappeared again.
– Attacking from the back isn’t as easy as it seems, huh.
In an instant, she evacuated 5 meters away, stood on a tree branch and looked down at him.
Moroha, still in a posture with his long sword raised overhead, looked up at the figure of Haruka that even felt as if he ended up letting her go faraway a moment ago.
Moroha was also confident in his《Godlike Movement》, but was it equal to mere child’s play in front of Haruka?
– If it’s not easy, then you’ll have to come up with something.
An instant later, the figure of Haruka moved to the top of a tree branch behind Moroha.
– What about this? Can you follow me?
An instant later, Haruka’s figure was completely hidden behind another tree.
– Interesting, isn’t it? Here, this way, this way.
An instant later, Haruka’s voice was heard from behind a completely different tree.
– Where are you looking? I’m not there, I’m not there──*Bleh*!
An instant later, Haruka’s figure appeared, hanging her legs on the branch of a different tree.
– Hey, I’m told you I’m here!
An instant later, he didn’t know where Haruka’s figure had disappeared to.
Haruka appeared and disappeared again and again, changing places at an ultrahigh speed.
She was fast. Absolutely fast. Single-mindedly fast.
To that extent. But, if it was Haruka, then something like an unconventional technique──no, she could cast a magical illusion. The terrain effect called forest helped her.
Moroha had already given up following Haruka’s figure with his eyes.
He closed his eyelids calmly.
If he couldn’t follow Haruka with his eyes, then using something else to capture her was good.
The fact that she moved so fast that it couldn’t be grasped by his eyes meant that she took an extraordinary number of steps.
The slight sound of leaves being crushed when Haruka stepped on them. The faint sound of stepped-on branches bending. Even the faint sound of stepped-on grass falling down.
He isolated his sense of sight and caught all those sounds with the sense of hearing.
An orchestra and everything could be heard by the ears of Moroha strengthened by《Divine Hearing》.
He tried to follow Haruka’s movements with the sounds and not his eyes. And──the musical performance stopped all of a sudden.
Moroha opened his eyes suddenly and widely.
He confirmed that Haruka wasn’t anywhere in his field of vision in an instant, waited a moment and released a slash…!
It was without enough visual confirmation, however, it wasn’t something you would call a shot in the dark.
The sound of footsteps suddenly disappearing certainly meant that Haruka did it to delete her presence.
And that only meant that she stopped the disturbance by means of speed and turned to offensive.
Moreover, if this wasn’t an attack from the front, then being something other than a surprise attack from the back was impossible.
(So this is also your way of doing things, Momo-senpai…)
Therefore, Moroha turned around and swung the sword without hesitation.
– As expected of Moroha, you saw through me very well!
Haruka stopped holding her breath and praised him.
She had room to praise him.
It was written on Haruka’s facial expression.
(I don’t know how you saw through my surprise attack, but that’s all there is to it. My sword is absolutely faster than yours. The one who will slash first will be me!)
Moroha’s sword speed was slow as a slash from an unfavorable posture called delayed slash.
If the surprise attack failed, then that was all there was to it. This time, she would attack him head on.
To see such a refreshing solution.
Haruka came sprinting in a straight line, wearing prana that looked like blue flames.
As she abandoned《Rentei》──the way of running that isolated her presence, she accelerated and went even for the top gear.
To drive a blow faster than Moroha into him.
A lively and leopard-like beauty.
Moroha now stored this brave charming figure in his field of vision.
From far above.
– Eh…………?
Haruka was lost for words.
She seemed to think──I charged, holding my short sword and hitting faster than Moroha’s delayed slash could touch me.
Moroha’s figure disappeared like a mist.
Namely, this was an afterimage….
– You stole my《Komon》!?
When she noticed, it was too late.
Before Haruka did a surprise attack, using《Rentei》. Before Moroha saw through her surprise attack. Before Haruka became defiant and said that the one hitting first won the game.
Before, before, before──
Haruka’s leg strength were defeated by Moroha’s thinking speed which had read the flow of the battle to that extent.
Moroha, whose real body had jumped a few meters high in the sky and who had left an afterimage by means of《Komon》that he made succeed without previous preparation, came attacking from mid-air.
Haruka, without being able to avoid him, blocked him with the small sword at the last second.
– Oooooo…
Moroha mustered his prana together with a roar, shook off the sword that stopped the blow without caring about details and blew Haruka’s petite body backwards with《Super Strength》.
(He… he…)
Haruka was thrilled while and despite being blown away by his brute force.
(This guy is really amazing! He has no limit…!)
She surrendered herself to the ecstasy and great joy that ran in her entire body.
She knew well that Moroha surpassed her in power. She realized.
But to think he would make Haruka fall behind at《Godlike Movement》…!
He had no limit. Or bottom.
The improvement in speed was enough to make those words bear a close resemblance.
Even though it took more than half a year until Haruka came to use《Komon》!
(But I still don’t want to lose. I don’t want to lose only in speed!)
Yes──
Unless she went beyond. Unless she always went ahead. If she was about to be reached, she had to be faster. If she was overtaken, she had to overtake them again. Faster, faster, faster, more and more and more ahead.
If Moroha was a man who easily broke through limits.
Then she would also go beyond limits.
No, she had to go.
Beyond, beyond limits. Go. Try going! That determination──changed a part of Haruka’s foundation.
– Nuaaaaaaah.
Haruka stood firm on both legs together with a roar.
She killed the momentum that blew her away as she made two traces on the ground. And stopped.
No sooner she stopped than she dashed forward like a bent spring.
At full speed toward that cheeky Moroha.
She decided. She already decided. Her self-confidence trampled underfoot by 《Komon》and that felt as if being beaten at her own game was nothing but wiping out the disgrace using the superior Seven-Star Techniques even more.
Yes, she would make Moroha fall speechless with《Donrou》. She decided so.
(You told me that I could do it so don’t go regretting it!)
A dangerous smile appeared on Haruka’s mouth.
《Komon》was a technique that could be used by carrying pace to extremes. She did special training so that she could change gears from a state of rest to top speed and vice versa in an instant.
《Donrou》was a technique that made one’s speed explode for an instant.
It really lasted only a fraction of a second──only those who could break through beyond bounds could hit the enemy at a speed that one could only see as if they had cloned.
She gave up, saying that she couldn’t do it.
But Haruka’s foundation knew no bounds anymore.
Thanks to Moroha!
(Here I go…)
The speed called the school’s fastest exploded even more.
The figure of Haruka was blurred. There were two Haruka: one on the left and one on the right. A duplication.
She succeeded in producing that sort of uncatchable speed.
To reach the other side of the wall that no one had achieved yet.
Swift and simultaneous connected attacks, 《Donrou》.
If he caught the left one, the right one would hit him, if he caught the right one, the left one would hit him, she launched attacks that actually hit Moroha.
Haruka swung the short sword as if extending her hand to victory.
As was expected, Moroha──
– In the end, you could do it, Momo-senpai!
──At that moment, there were four of them.
Haruka’s thinking ceased.
She was left behind by Moroha’s speed.
And that, was the end.
The swords released by 「two」Haruka were blocked by「two」 Moroha and 「another two」Moroha headed to Haruka, slashed at her and stopped suddenly at the top of the shoulders.
If one expressed the offense and defense that occurred in a fraction of a second as one saw it, it could only be described as that.
To be precise, it appeared as if Moroha, who moved at quadruple speed, didn’t thrust the edge of the sword at Haruka who moved at the normal speed of a《Savior》just before he hit her.
– Check, Senpai.
Her voice didn’t come out, even when the victory was declared. She couldn’t reply.
Haruka stopped her feet and stood stock still, dumbfounded.
Her thought began to move little by little and the meaning of the offensive and defense in a fraction of a second now gradually spread everywhere.
She stared at the point of Moroha’s sword put on the top of the shoulder with eyes as if she had seen something unbelievable and with a sluggish movement of her gaze.
– … So you… could use…《Donrou》.
– I did it without previous preparation though. I, who said Momo-senpai to try going beyond the limit, didn’t do anything and that isn’t something to be proud of, is it?
– … Goddammit. You really exceeded my speed.
– Yeah, for the time being, that is.
Moroha forcibly cleared his throat and said, looking like he regretted it very much.
What a hateful man!
– … I’ll overtake you right away.
Haruka said, raising her voice and pouting her lips; Moroha smiled warmly with a satisfied-looking face.
Seeing that, Haruka turned red to the earlobes.
It was so annoying that she knew──thought not wholly, that she was being led by the nose by a junior.
After school the next day──
Moroha changed into his combat uniform in the locker room and headed to the second martial arts stadium where he was summoned at.
Then went inside and became speechless.
– What are you doing, Momo-senpai…?
He involuntarily stared at Haruka who was sitting cross-legged in the middle of the arena with eyes half-closed.
– What? You know by seeing me, no?
Haruka replied shamelessly.
She was right in the middle of taking off her uniform, wearing only a pair of underpants below.
She changed into her combat uniform in a place like this instead of using the locker room.
Haruka didn’t have much breasts and butt. However, that didn’t mean she had the body of a child. Although the swellings and waist were gentle, they were there, forming limbs that drew seductive curves. Rather, that point reminded him the juiciness of young fruits and also looked much more exciting than superficial glamour.
– No, you shouldn’t show yourself…
Moroha covered his face with his hands.
This Senpai was really defenseless.
– Ahaha, it’s not like I’m naked, though I don’t think anyone would be delighted peeking at me changing my clothes.
Not being aware of her own charm had a limit.
– The locker room? The Senpais are so noisy (especially Kanzaki-senpai), you know? As nobody uses the second martial arts stadium, I found no problems using it to change my clothes.
Having too much problems had a limit.
Because she summoned Moroha, saying that nobody used it, they were bound to bump into each other. That kind of thinking surely had come out of the head of this defenseless Senpai.
– I’m warning you in advance. Momo-senpai, you will be attacked by a man someday.
Of course, in a sexual sense.
– If so, then I should just defeat them at their own game, no?
Without bearing it, Haruka laughed loudly.
– Well… there aren’t many men stronger than Senpai… are there?
When Moroha agreed against his will, wondering if that way of thinking was alright──
– Yeah, that! See this, Moroha!
Haruka, who stood up nimbly, spread her arms and charged in.
While wearing a pair of underpants and a loose-fitting tank top.
As soon as she suddenly wore a blue prana in front of the startled Moroha,
「「「It looks like I got the hang of it!」」」
Haruka’s body had triplicated.
With《Donrou》, which she achieved without preparation yesterday, she made not one but two clones.
Haruka made her face shine with the fact that today she could get faster than yesterday and tomorrow faster than today.
She came leaping into the amazed Moroha──and sent a rain of kisses.
The forehead, right cheek and left cheek: an instant work one wouldn’t think it happened at the same time in three places.
Despite being so fast that there was no lingering effect, the places touched by the budding lips of Haruka were hot as if he had a fever.
– What are you doing so suddenly?
Moroha tried to wipe the kissed places without thinking.
But since there were three places, he panicked, wondering where to start.
– W-what…? I’m thanking you. Because I got stronger.
Haruka, who pouted her lips, turned bright red and looked down.
That seemed to be natural, but her gesture that seemed to appeal to the part she used to kiss him made Moroha hot again.
The sulking-like upturned eyes were super lovely too.
– Or you think my kisses aren’t enough to thank you?
– No──
Moroha had no choice but to scratch his head.
– I’m happy. I’m really am.
A
A
A
A
A
A
– If we don’t return soon, you will be scolded by Satsuki-onee-san desu.
– Oops, that’s scary, very scary.
Shaken by Maya, Moroha came to his senses after indulging in meditation for a short while.
In the direction of the arm-wrestling shop (shop?), the curious onlookers still extolled Haruka’s victory without losing their excitement or rather, they continued getting excited at the strength dispute.
The defeated third-year boy was still depressed, he didn’t seem willing to stand up.
Haruka, who easily won, curled herself up, looking apologetic and embarrassed.
Moroha thought that he should go to Haruka and greet her with his eyes.
Haruka also seemed to notice him, waving his hand from above the crowd of people. At that moment, she got startled.
She blushed as if she had a fever and began to tremble abruptly.
(Eh?)
The very moment when Moroha wondered what happened to her,
– You’re wrooooooooooooong!
Haruka left her seat as she screamed.
The curious onlookers were also dumbfounded.
Haruka continued screaming without being concerned about it.
– I told you I’m not an Amazoooooooon!
She seemed to be really concerned about that.
However, when light suddenly returned to the eyes of the defeated third-year boy,
– No… you’re the best Amazon in the school.
– Senpai, what are you saying so suddenly!?
– Sophia isn’t a match for you. I guarantee it.
– Where did you pull that face full of confidence from!?
– If I had to give an example… that’s right, you’re a female yokozuna in the world of arm wrestling.*
*TN: Yokozuna is the highest rank in sumo.
– Is that supposed to be a compliment to a girl!?
– I won’t forgive anyone who makes fun of this person, even if she’s powerless!
– Put an end to this nice conversation!
「「「*Clap* *Clap* *Clap* *Clap* *Clap* *Clap*」」」
– Seeeeeeriously, why are you clapping!?
Haruka boiled, turned all red and looked at Moroha with teary eyes,
– It’s not like I have thick arms and I’m not an incredibly powerful character at all!
No sooner she insisted with all her strength than she escaped as if dashing away.
– It seems that being seen by Moroha was very embarrassing for her desu.
– Rather, did I do something wrong…?
He should have left, saying nothing.
When Moroha scratched his head──
– Wait! How dare you, Haimurkun!
The female Senpai that appeared to be Haruka’s classmate came, splitting the crowd of people.
She came while squaring her shoulders and raising her beautiful eyebrows.
– Because of you, the Amazon, our attraction, has escaped!
– Oh.
Moroha wasn’t convinced when he was told it was 100% his fault, but because he couldn’t feel it was completely unrelated to him, he got embarrassed.
– Now that this happened, how can I keep my business going!?
– I’m sorry. I’ll take responsibility.
Moroha put his palms together and begged.
– I’ll do arm-wrestling in place of Momo-senpai… so please pardon me with that.
He would be really scolded by Satsuki if he didn’t go back to the coffee shop.
There was no other way. The angry face of his「younger sister」crossed his mind and dropped his shoulders with a boo-hoo.
Then──Maya, whom she gave a ride on his shoulders, tapped his head twice.
– Moroha, look around you desu.
– Hmm?
Moroha did as he was told.
All the curious onlookers disappeared!
They completely disappeared without him noticing it, the only thing that fluttered in the empty corridor was a gust of wind….
The female Senpai shouted in anger while twitching the beautiful eyebrows that were still raised.
– If you do it, then my game won’t work!*
*TN: game is the furigana reading for business.
It was a very unacceptable story.
Maybe it was absolutely necessary for him to be aware he was regarded an S-Rank a bit more.*
*TN: S-Rank is the furigana reading for “the evaluation of his surroundings”.
After he was forgiven somehow by Haruka’s classmate, Moroha wandered inside the school building.
– We will really be late if we don’t hurry up desu?
Maya looked anxious, but it couldn’t be helped.
– There’s no way I can leave Momo-senpai like that, is there?
– That’s true desu, but…
Maya looked like something was caught in her teeth.
Moroha said while looking around for Haruka.
– When I see Momo-senpai, I feel awfully frustrated. Nobody else but me thinks that a person like that is too good. That’s why, I have to do something about it. While considering that I’m also meddlesome.
As soon as she heard so, a tuff of Maya’s hair stood up like a sensor.
No, that was an illusion, but she seemed to be very interested in it.
She cheerfully took out the memo and,
– I knew that Moroha and Harukonee-san were close desu, but to think I didn’t realize it was such a deep relationship desu. What kind of things do you think are too good desu?
– Everything.
– That’s not an answer desu!
Moroha surrendered because Maya protested, bringing her cute eyebrows near each other.
– She’s a beautiful woman but she doesn’t consider herself as such, despite having a great talent, she thinks she’s weak, she’s so good that is vexing.
– I understand she is a beautiful person desu… but is Harukonee-san that talented to be recognized by Moroha desu?
– Yes. I can’t understand at all how Momo-senpai is belittled in this school.
Certainly, the strength of her power and attack power were easy to understand.
Besides, being fast and nothing else made no sense, she couldn’t get strong unless she devised unique tactics to take advantage of her own speed and to kill the power of her opponent.
But to put it the other way around──
Haruka could only become stronger by learning and working out tactics one after another.
How amazing was the quality of being faster than anyone?
Ultimately, Moroha seemed to want to know if there was a way to win with a sword against an opponent who was so fast that couldn’t be touched.
– I think Momo-senpai will reach Rank before Sophie-senpai.
That was the talent that would approach Isurugi Jin.
But unfortunately, there was no person among the teachers of the school who could reach Haruka.
Her talent was way beyond teacher’s powers.
– Maya also feels sorry desu. I ended up looking down on her desu.
Maya, who heard that story, swallowed saliva in her mouth and took out the memo.
– It’s a new discovery nanodesu. For Moroha, there’s another important Onee-san──
– Wait wait, what are you talking about?
Moroha tried to ask, but he couldn’t.
Because he found Haruka.
She fixedly peeked at them from the other side of the shoe rack.
She only showed half of her face with tears in her eyes.
Maya told「you better go nanodesu」with her eyes and stood next to him.
Moroha headed straight to Haruka while appreciating that,
– What are you doing in a place like this?
– Moro… saw me with an acquaintance like that… I wish I could just disappear.
– There’s nothing to be embarrassed about.
– I was told I’m a female yokozuna…
– He didn’t say it with malice, but he had no delicacy either. While we’re at it, I don’t care what others say. The skill of Momo-senpai isn’t brute but beautiful, that’s what I really think.
– … You really think so?
– If Senpai made fun of a D-Rank opponent and fought with brute force, I would nag you and admonish you over and over.
– … You’re that kind of guy after all.
Haruka came out from behind the shoe rack, looking a bit embarrassed as she lamented.
– I’m going back to everyone, but why don’t we go together?
If she looked herself in the mirror, wearing a cute waitress dress, it might heal her damaged heart.
– What time is it?
– It’s almost two o’clock.
Moroha checked with his cell phone.
– Then I can’t go there yet.
Haruka said bluntly while pouting her lips.
– I promised to my classmates that I would do arm wrestling until three o’clock. Besides, I have to apologize because I ran away without thinking.
She couldn’t help but be reluctant in her heart.
Rather, this Senpai really possessed a strong sense of duty.
– That’s right. I think that’s great.
Moroha showed a big smile on his face.
But, for some reason, Haruka pouted her lips more and more,
– It’s because you understand well that I don’t care what you say to me.
She mumbled as if she spoke to herself, dyeing her cheeks lightly.
She left those words with him and went, dashing away again.
Moroha waved his hand and followed her with his eyes until she disappeared at an impossible speed while smiling. Then he returned to the dressmaking room with Maya.
His break time had ended a while back, so he prepared himself to be scolded.
There was still a line formed in front of the dressmaking room──no, the situation had changed.
Students were gathering in large numbers in the corridor, but instead of waiting their turn lined up, the line was ignored, they peeked into the classroom, standing right behind the windows.
They brightened their eyes and expressed unanimous admiration, saying things like「Amazing」or「It’s the real deal」and so on.
What on earth was happening?
Moroha had an incomparable bad feeling.
His feet stopped of their own accord, and Maya, who walked with him, holding his hand, looked up at him seemingly suspicious.
– What’s wrong desu?
– Hmm…
How would he explain this bad feeling?
When he wracked his brain──
– Ara? Welcome back.
Shizuno in waitress clothes came out from inside, noticed Moroha and greeted him.
– Customers have come for you. I think you should go fast?
Having said that much, she hurriedly went to the home economics room.
Shizuno seemed to merely go and put a plate down.
For the lazy girl, maybe this was “working diligently”.
However, her back, reflected in Moroha’s eyes, felt as if she ran away of her own accord.
– Maya also remembered an urgent business desuu.
– Uoih? Do you have any idea who has come?
– Spend your time with the customer nanodesuu.
Moroha tried to stop her, but Maya left hastily.
She really ran away….
(I should go back, huh…)
Moroha seriously considered for a moment, but he came to the conclusion that it was impossible to quit as a waiter now.
He prepared himself for the worst, but he fearfully stepped into the dressmaking room.
And an unbelievable sight happened just before his eyes──