Seiken Tsukai no Kinju Eishou Volume 4 Chapter 1

Chapter 1      Elena Arshavina

Summer vacation had ended.

It was full of ups and downs, but when looking back at them, there were many happy memories for Haimura Moroha.

September 1st was the opening ceremony. And today was September 2nd.

Akane Academy's second semester began normally.

The scenery of mornings' going to school. The crowd of students that climbed up the infernal hill in front of the academy gate.

The voices of the friends chatting with one another could be heard everywhere, it was as lively as ever.

It looked as if yesterday wasn't enough to fully describe the events that happened during summer vacation.

Moroha was also leisurely walking along the flow of such noisy people.

The wind carried a weak cool air, it became a bit autumnal.

The roadside trees had light brown tones in preparation for the autumn colors.

This was a school life's turning point, and also the transition of seasons.

However, Moroha was doing things at his own pace without being frivolous.

Natural Stance was an a.s.set of his――rather than that, it was because he went to the Academy almost every day during vacations due to Strikers' special training, so it was hard for him to feel relaxed compared to other students.

When he was walking while yawning――

He found the back of Ranjou Satsuki in front of him.

She strangely had shrunk her body and was going to the Academy at an extremely slow pace.

She wasn't the same lively Satsuki he knew, the one who was full of energy even on her back.

– Morning.

Moroha caught up with her with a fast run and stood in line next to her.

And then, he understood the reason about why Satsuki's state was unusual.

She was walking while reading a book.

When Satsuki raised her head and noticed Moroha, she put a smile on her face and,

– Doubraye uutora!

She recited a mysterious language.

– What kind of spelling game is this?

– How rude, don't treat me like I have dementia! It's just『Good morning』in Russian.

Satsuki showed the cover of the book she was holding in her hands like sticking it out.

It was a textbook of daily conversation in Russian language.

– Are you going on a trip or something?

– No, that's not it. Not now that our vacations are gone.

She was right. Above all, Satsuki was a Striker's reserve corps member, meaning that she didn't receive long vacations.

– It seems that a transfer student is coming to cla.s.s 2 today.

– Eh? To this Academy?

Moroha felt doubt.

It wasn't a surprise if a transfer student arrived in the second semester of an ordinary school, but Akane Academy was the only Saviors' training academy of j.a.pan.

From where? Under what circ.u.mstances? ――Moroha immediately understood when thinking all of that.

The book in the hands of Satsuki was connected to it.

– So this transfer student is an overseas student, right?

– That's correct! A girl is coming from Russia.

– But she'll be in the cla.s.s next to us, isn't she? Then this has nothing to do with us…

– The practical hours combine everyone during the year, no? j.a.pan is unknown for her and she has no friends yet, so she'll probably feel uncomfortable. Wouldn't be a problem if Sensei told us『Alright, you two make a pair』? That's why I want to stand by her!

– That feeling of loneliness, you understand it very well, huh?

– That's not true! I'm getting along with our Strikers-senpais!

– Haha, my bad. Satsuki wanted to say she was being tender, isn't she?

When Moroha patted her head,

– D-don't treat me like a child, Nii-sama!

Satsuki dyed her cheeks lightly while fretting.

Although she had a small touch of self-a.s.sertiveness, Moroha thought that this unsolicited call for help for the sake of strangers was the virtue of his「Younger Sister」 .

When Moroha separated his hand from her head, Satsuki showed a "don't pull your hand away" expression on her face for an instant but she immediately changed it and started jogging.

– Alright then, pakaa!

– Eh? Why did you insult me all of a sudden?

– It means『See you then』in Russian!

Satsuki corrected him cleanly and ended up moving again.

Despite wis.h.i.+ng to go to the cla.s.sroom together.

– You――

– Don't tell me that you just want to speak Russian?

– Owaah!?

Moroha was horrified with the whispering voice that came from the back all of a sudden.

When he turned back, Urus.h.i.+bara s.h.i.+zuno was standing there before he knew like a ghost.

A doll-like beauty. Today she also had a blank look on her face.

Then, she pretended making a small dimple at a corner of her mouth.

It was really very small, it couldn't be spotted unless she was closely related with Moroha.

It was a sign shown only when she was poking fun at others and when she was telling a joke.

– The ears are Moroha's weakness, aren't they?

s.h.i.+zuno imitated his breathing as she showed a dimple on her face.

– Wouldn't anyone be surprised with that just now?

Moroha closed his eyes partly and protested that this was bad for his heart.

– More importantly, you heard the conversation of an oversea student, yes?

– More importantly…?

Moroha nodded and turned those same eyes-half closed towards s.h.i.+zuno who continued as if nothing happened.

– You mean if there are other Savior training academies in other countries too?

–  Yes. Since both England and America… have lower levels than Akane Academy, the Divisions of each nation that are making future Saviors study abroad in j.a.pan and are counting on this are many. I'm sure there were 8 people by now.

Moroha grimaced upon hearing s.h.i.+zuno's explanation.

– Why so abruptly?

– Well… they were making me to study abroad, but my wish was satisfactorily taken into consideration.

She had recalled an unpleasant memory.

The thing that s.h.i.+zuno wanted to say was that she was forced to study abroad in England just a few months ago.

What would have happened if Moroha wouldn't have put his life on the line to impede it?

– I see, you're saying that I have to return the favor of that time, hmm?

– I wasn't saying so. If you were able to read people's complexion so far, then understand mine properly, okay?

Moroha was confused because s.h.i.+zuno completely linked her arms with one of his arms all of a sudden, pus.h.i.+ng her big, abundant b.r.e.a.s.t.s against him.

Before he was bewitched by that fluffy feeling, he moved and ran away.

Thereupon, s.h.i.+zuno stopped bantering with him and,

– All the transferred students that have come to Akane are pleasured that both the Academy traditions and j.a.pan are comfortable.

– Like Sophie-senpai, huh.

He felt relieved while remembering about the third-year student from America who belonged to Strikers.

– You should also become familiar with the foreign student coming today.

Moroha said together with a smile,

– I'm wondering, are you still half asleep, Moroha…?

He couldn't believe that that was pointed out by s.h.i.+zuno.

– But I did wash my face properly?

– I don't want to put a boke on top of another boke*.

s.h.i.+zuno sighed very deeply like she was amazed,

– She's coming from Russia? And at this timing? Do you know what that means?

She fixedly stared at him with suspicious eyes.

Her eyes were full of vigor, like saying they were going to see through him until the depths of his heart and immediately remonstrate Moroha if he was impudent.

Moroha turned the smile into a bitter smile and,

– You're saying that we must be careful because this might be a suggestion of that "Lightning Empress"?

"Yare yare", and he scratched his head.

During summer vacation, the Six Heads aka the top of the White Knight Organization seemed to have a big heated argument over whether or not acknowledge Moroha as S-Rank.

And one could say that the vanguard of「Disapproving Moroha Group」was "Lightning Empress" Vasilisa Yurievna Mostovaya, Head of the Russian Division.

– This may not be absolutely sure or that it's decided to be like that, but isn't it fine if you know it? Though I would be worried if you're a peace idiot like Ranjou-san.

– But I want to follow Satsuki's att.i.tude.

– … what do you mean?

The eyes of s.h.i.+zuno became more and more severe.

– Shouldn't we take a friendly att.i.tude at first? If that foreign student really planned something and is the a.s.sa.s.sin sent by Lightning Empress, shouldn't be fine if we deal with her only after she actually turned hostile?

Moroha answered with a calm voice to persuade her.

– That's naïve. Because Moroha doesn't know Russian Division's dreadfulness――.

– I don't know how dangerous it is, but being unable to put my mind at ease is not a hobby of mine.

Nevertheless, s.h.i.+zuno didn't understand, so he replied clearly this time.

They walked puffed up with pride and resolution while pa.s.sing through the academy gate.

s.h.i.+zuno was lost for words.

She was just unblinkingly staring at his face while coming along next to him.

Moroha never turned away his eyes nor did he change his opinion.

Eventually, s.h.i.+zuno vented a deep sigh and said in resignation.

– Yeah, you're that sort of person after all. It's natural for you to lend a smiling heart, and that is okay. You don't waver at all. I guess that's what they call "true strength".

– You're giving me too much credit, you know…

Moroha did nothing but scratch his face.

– I'm not that amazing, I'm just an ordinary guy who doesn't want to make strife a reality.

– Can you really say a thing like that? But because I'm weak, it's absolutely necessary for me to be like a hedgehog towards something unknown, whether it's dangerous or not.

– Are you… perhaps being peevish?

– I, who was extremely worried, is being stupid.

The face of s.h.i.+zuno that was like a Noh mask didn't recognize it, but her tone of voice was sulking resolutely.

– Sorry. And thank you, like always.

– Words are fine but actions are better?

Moroha smiled wryly and after he thought for a little――he held the hand of s.h.i.+zuno gently.

In regard to their surroundings, the students in the middle of going to school were numerous, he felt uneasy about them being ridiculed.

But fortunately it seemed that n.o.body found them, so he entangled his fingers with her soft hand firmly.

When s.h.i.+zuno saw that, she was walking straight with the same nonchalant face, but her cheeks were slightly getting dyed with a cherry blossom color.

– It's fine if you do as you like. But, there's something that I definitely want you to remember――

Given that their hands were separated by s.h.i.+zuno like she was satisfied, Moroha also did the same.

He shook off the fragrant air and lent an ear to her, who was becoming mysterious.

– It's about the Russian Division, they don't have a school that trains Saviors.

– Then, how are they trained?

– It's not a school style, but it has a policy of employing military style's severe, fighting techniques only. Moreover, they throw them out from their homes to the battlefield where they can't even make a basic thing properly.

– But then isn't that contradicting White Knight Organization's standard development?

Moroha frowned.

Because Saviors were, generally speaking, scarce and valuable and the White Knight Organization took good care of each and every one of them.

Therefore, in the battles against the Metaphysicals, tactics of maximum safety were emphasized.

They made battle formations comprised of properly trained Saviors then spent their time making cautious battles against them――that was the standard development.

– It's as Moroha says. The only one that is doing such an unreasonable thing is the Russian Division. That's why I've heard that the Saviors over there haven't had a peaceful death.

– That's cruel…

– But, the real ones survive. Lightning Empress also has proclaimed that only the real deal should survive.

It was an extreme and yet cruel, coldhearted elite of the elite doctrine that didn't care in the least about their people.

– Lightning Empress-sama may still be good but her subordinates are another thing, right?

– Yes. That's why all the Saviors of Russian Division seem to be broken in some respects. The reason why Akane Academy is pa.s.sionate about education is because it sees the worst case scenarios.

– That story left me disgusted…

That was the honest impression of Moroha.

s.h.i.+zuno nodded with a serious look.

– The foreign student that came today, is she also coming from that disgusting Division?

Moroha reacted to s.h.i.+zuno's advice seriously.

That thought ran when they haven't seen the foreign student yet, then headed to the entrance of the school building.

(This conversation resembles Edward's moment, but I had enough of it…)

If it was fighting against Metaphysicals that attacked people, then it was worth doing so.

But if it was between humans where politic conflicts were involved, then things like that absurdity had a limit.

Moroha opened the shoe locker even though he was fed up.

Only his eyes were blinking in surprise, his body stiffened.

He stared inside the shoe locker.

– What's wrong?

s.h.i.+zuno noticed the situation and looked into the Moroha' shoe locker from the side.

A thing was with Moroha's indoor shoes――

It was a writing paper.

It had a practical and persistent cold design.

– Wait, is that a love letter?

– Or perhaps a duel letter?

Moroha took the writing paper that wasn't elegant at all in his hands.

This was written inside when he opened it.

I like you.

I want to talk to you.

I want to meet you right now, so I will be waiting at the back of the first martial arts stadium.

It was no more than those three brief lines.

It was polite but formal, or more precisely, the strokes of the brush written in it weren't girlish.

– … it really is a love letter-ish.

Moroha only told s.h.i.+zuno that it was a breach of manners to show her a letter that he received from someone.

– It's also a very old-fas.h.i.+oned person, don't you think?

– It doesn't have a sender's name… but I thought that only a guy in a manga would do something like this.

Moroha had never heard of that till now, a story where someone actually hid a love letter in his shoe locker.

– I'm not surprised at all that Moroha is popular, but this surely surprised me.

– Well, you could be more surprised, honestly.

He was embarra.s.sed when he was told a thing like popular, since this was the first time in his life receiving a love letter.

– So? Are you going to reply to her?

– … it would be better to do so, no? I don't feel like ignoring her.

– Yeah, I don't want Moroha to feel guilty about that thing either.

The meeting will only be a meeting, Moroha had decided to try finis.h.i.+ng it amicably.

However, why is the other party impatient? She was so impatient that she wanted to meet him right now.

Fortunately, he had time till morning's homeroom.

– Go to the cla.s.sroom ahead of me.

Moroha told her so and tried to part from s.h.i.+zuno.

– Oh? But I'm also going?

s.h.i.+zuno quickly grabbed his sleeve.

– Isn't that bad for the other party? Get some delicacy.

– The other person is in the wrong. This will be like saying Moroha belongs to me.

s.h.i.+zuno said it clearly, but with a nonchalant expression.

(Hmmm. What a time for s.h.i.+zuno to be stubbornly persistent…)

Moroha felt bitter.

It didn't matter what kind of person the sender was, this was going to be a confession while being peeped by a third party. Poor girl.

Moroha, as a last resort, begged to the owner of the hand he wasn't grasping.

– I'll tell you everything without hiding anything. So why don't you let me go alone?

– I guess it can't be helped if you go so far to say so.

s.h.i.+zuno let go of his sleeve, she seemed to be convinced.

– By the way, since we're telling a lie, won't that instigate Ranjou-san?

– She sure is complicated, isn't she?

Moroha was about to burst into laughter but when he imagined so, he was really scared that he even ducked his head.

He parted from s.h.i.+zuno now and headed to the first martial arts stadium.

Since there were no students using the martial arts stadium at this hour, the flow of people was the opposite of growing.

(What kind of girl is she…?)

He had that thought in his mind but he eliminated it immediately. The clues were none, nothing came to his mind.

He walked energetically for a while and arrived at the back of the martial arts stadium.

It was a completely blind spot from the school building side, it wasn't popular at all.

He was thinking that this was the route of a prank――but a female student was standing up straight there.

It was a girl with darkened silver hair, that color closely resembled steel somehow.

There were no signs of her being bored. She gently closed her long-slit eyes and waited calmly in that place as if she was a millennium standstill mineral.

Her att.i.tude was good and her standing figure was beautiful.

Moroha also tried to stand up straight, but Moroha's stance was something like「a large tree that grows naturally towards the sun」and the female student's stance gave the impression of「a bra.s.s pole that was forged into a cylindrical mold」

Only a black gem hung from her neck, though it didn't give the feeling of being cosmetic or decoration. And that made it stand out too much. And more than her being Caucasian with an abundant chest.

A girl who was neither an acquaintance nor j.a.panese.

– Haimura Moroha. I thank you for coming here.

However, she greeted him using a fluent p.r.o.nunciation of j.a.panese.

Even with her eyes still closed she sensed Moroha's presence.

Then, those eyes were opened.

Extremely――grim eyes came in sight.

Those were wary and frank eyes like saying that nothing can be trusted in this world.

A one-in-million beautiful woman that was more than one deserved, the best of the best.

Even though Moroha was startled, he put himself on guard towards the girl that glared at him with a grim look in her eyes.

– Hey umm, are you perhaps the Russian student that is coming here from today?

– Yes. My name is Elena Arshavina. I was called Leshya in the Russian Division.

– Well then… Leshya? This is the first time we meet today, right?

– Yes. I was waiting while simulating all sort of things in my head like if you were able to deal with any kind of person immediately.

– You're saying then that this love letter was a trap to lure me out of school?

Moroha asked while sarcastically thinking that this was the cla.s.sic means anyway.

He received advice to pay attention by s.h.i.+zuno not long ago about someone precisely like her, and since she was glaring at him with very wary expression like this, he couldn't say a careless thing.

Moroha was a pacifist but not a guy with no principle of nonresistance.

She――Leshya took a step forward.

Moroha grabbed the ID Tag of his bosom.

It was to make sure he could unsheathe Saratiga at any time.

– …

Leshya didn't say anything, she slowly reduced the distance with 2, 3 steps.

And then ――she stopped her feet in front of the engagement distance of Moroha's sword――as if she knew it very well.

If she really knew it, then her skill was formidable.

Both prana and light techniques were unrelated to this, she wasn't a s.h.i.+rogane, she was a master of martial arts.

Moroha stared at her so as to not miss even a movement of her fingers.

But in reality, Leshya,

– That letter was not a trap.

Just moved her lips.

– I just fell in love with you at first sight.

– It's not love at first sight after you've sent a love letter!

Only that thing made Moroha be confused, it caused him to retort with all his might.

She was a fearsome woman.

He was amazed, to the point she made him feel exhausted.

– I heard from a certain reliable information that in j.a.pan it is a custom to hide love letters in shoe lockers when students propose a relations.h.i.+p to the opposite s.e.x. However, my research was insufficient, maybe I miscalculated the manners by a small portion. If that is the case――

– No, hold on. Wait. Certainly it's old-fas.h.i.+oned, but the manners weren't incorrect.

– In that case, my love was transmitted to you correctly. Then hang with me, Haimura Moroha.

– That's not the problem here…

– If so, then what do you say is the problem?

Leshya stared at him with eyes full of wariness.

– That's not the face of a maiden that is already in love, don't you think? What are you planning?

Moroha shook his head with yare yare.

In the end, the concern of s.h.i.+zuno was correct?

The Russian Division bear Moroha in mind and dispatched this girl?

– Naturally, I'm hiding a plan in my heart.

– What?

– I'm planning to be your girlfriend and having frequent dates with you.

– I'm sorry. I'm bad at Russian jokes.

– This is not a joke. I am serious.

Leshya declared while staring at Moroha with whom she was exchanging words with the same grim look in her eyes.

The sweet air was no longer present.

If he was a timid man, then he would have run away a long time ago from that confession. Confession?

(The second semester rapidly became an unthinkable thing, huh)

Moroha could only scratch his head.

Leshya continued glaring at him in silence. She was waiting for his reply.

If he were not to answer, then she would definitely not withdraw. She had that conviction.

(I guess I have no choice)

Moroha prepared himself.

– Sorry. Leshya is pretty much unknown to me, so I can't be your boyfriend.

He couldn't search for sincere words other than to clearly reject her.

Now it was time to wait for Leshya's reply while he prepared himself.

Honestly, he couldn't predict what kind of reaction she was going to have.

In the first place, he doubted that it was love at first sight.

He peeked at her appearance for a short while and――Leshya turned her eyes to the side for the first time.

She dropped her shoulders, she was cladded in dark prana similar to a dark cloud,

– I want to die…

She muttered a disturbing line.

– Huh…?

It was so disturbing that he was. .h.i.t by that surprise. Moroha couldn't understand what he was told right away.

– I was rejected by Haimura Moroha. That's why I want to die.

Leshya explained with sincerity.

In the meanwhile, she kept her eyes looking away and her shoulders were still dropped and dispirited.

(She's kidding… right? But I can't see that…)

Certainly, the aura that ended up hanging up to the neck in the moment when she took her eyes off.

It was leaking out prana.

– It's no good to treat your life shabbily.

– But I ended up being rejected by Haimura Moroha. I am depressed. I shall die.

– ….

Moroha became speechless.

He strongly thought about what he should say to her while sweating cold sweat.

Because if he made a mistake with his answer, this woman was really going to die!

He thought fervently… there was only one thing, then words came into his mind.

That was to use the cla.s.sic technique when a love letter was hidden in the shoe locker.

This may also be able to oppose cla.s.sic techniques.

Moroha made a sound with his throat with nervousness and suggested with a trembling voice.

– … don't you want to start as friends?

Leshya glared at him again.

Her shoulders went up and the cloud was cleared up.

– Thank you, Haimura Moroha.

She presented her hand with an impeccable movement.

– I cannot afford to die and leave my younger brother behind. So, thank you for showing me your kindness.

Moroha felt relieved when he was told so with an overly serious expression.

Then he shook hands with Leshya.

Her palm was sufficiently warm.

Thanks to that, he could finally believe that this hard-to-understand girl was a human just like him.

(I really… didn't think… it would become an odd thing like this)

Even when s.h.i.+zuno told him to be careful, she probably didn't mean something like this.

Until merely just now, and despite he has wondering how the second semester had started without having any changes in particular, why something like this had to happen?

Moroha couldn't help but expect the start of new troubles as he looked at Leshya with whom he was shaking hands and said「my bound to fall-in-love companion」very wary.

Normal lessons resumed from today.

In the morning there was regular study and cla.s.sroom lecture for Saviors, then they had lunch break and practical special training from the afternoon.

All the students of the four first-year cla.s.ses were gathered.

Moroha also headed to the first martial arts stadium where he changed his clothes to his combat uniform in the changing room.

He was a little b.u.mmed out and that was because he completely predicted that a strife was going to occur after this.

A large number of first years have already gathered inside the martial arts stadium.

The students of cla.s.s 1, 3 and 4 were strangely nervous.

Every time someone entered the martial arts stadium, their gazes flooded the entrance.

And they got disappointed when it wasn't the targeted person.

And then among them, the most nervous girl――

– That foreign student, she's so late!

Satsuki showed her animosity, her legs were shaking.

– That doesn't mean you have to get so angry like that…

Moroha went to her side and chided her, but Satsuki didn't calm down.

On the contrary,

– Is calming down an impossible order for you?

Even s.h.i.+zuno who was with Satsuki made a belligerent claim.

Moroha sighed stealthily.

He promised s.h.i.+zuno to give her a report without hiding anything about the events of this morning's love letter.

And Moroha fulfilled so during lunch break.

s.h.i.+zuno informed Satsuki who quickly attacked as soon as she heard it.

The result was her current state.

– She sure has some nerve to confess to Moroha immediately after changing school! This I is going to test how far she can survive!

– That's right, that questionable talk went too far.

– Why don't you become friends? That would be great in the end, no…?

– That's completely impossible!

– Not that Satsuki was saying that she wanted to get along with foreign students? Where did that resolution go?

– Well, the situation is constantly changing! Doing something like confessing to Moroha while disregard me, your little sister. That's the same as a declaration of war, don't you think!? This is a clear infringement of sovereignty!

– How exaggerated…

Moroha was with eyes-half-closed, but when Satsuki lost her cool, she was beyond help anyways because she was doing the same incomprehensible words and rash actions over and over again.

– Should I also help, Ranjou-san?

At that moment, s.h.i.+zuno brought down her usual teasing and stopped cooling her motivation and decided to encourage her just for today only.

And then――

Finally, the person they were waiting for showed up at the entrance of the martial arts stadium.

Leshya.

For some reason, she didn't wear her combat uniform, she was still in her uniform.

She was swinging impeccably her toned and properly trained limbs, walked the corridor and went through below the studying seats.

Her slender and yet big chest was swaying rhythmically. The black gem that hung from her neck also swayed.

The noise of the students who saw her for the first time was so high that it reached the ceiling.

A lot of students got very curious just by observing the foreign student who came from Russia.

But, two persons were not like that.

Satsuki squared her shoulders and s.h.i.+zuno had cold eyes as Leshya drew near them.

– If you don't stop it.

Moroha chided her, but he wasn't able to get her listen to that as expected.

– Zdoraas toviche!

It was probably Russian, but Satsuki called out to her with a hasty learned broken language.

However, Leshya,

– h.e.l.lo. Nice to meet you.

– !?

She returned a greeting in a fluently p.r.o.nounced j.a.panese, Satsuki obviously flinched from that.

– Were you planning to outs.h.i.+ne my first move with that!?

In the end, she snapped back at her arbitrarily.

Leshya didn't answer anything, she just turned eyes like she was appraising Satsuki.

– Are you the foreign student that confessed to Moroha?

Satsuki had become an expert at glaring at people, and asked her with a threatening and effective voice.

Due to the scandalous information, members of the onlookers caused a commotion.

– If by 『Confessed』you mean 『Confessed』, then yes, it was me.*

*TN: Satsuki was employing a colloquial version of confessed, "コクった" while the normal is "告白した" though the first term is directly used for this while the latter can have other meanings.

Leshya also became an expert at that behavior and replied head-on.

Even if she was drawing closer to Satsuki all of a sudden, she wasn't feeling nervous at all.

She glared back at her with very wary grim stare.

She was able to get even more support due to the scandalous information, the members within the curious onlookers were causing even more commotion.

– Why Haimura again?

– A Nordic beautiful woman… just like a fairy…

– His popularity reaches even global standards. To h.e.l.l with this era!

Those were the voices of jealousy from the young men.

– Seriously? Another formidable enemy again?

– A Scandinavian beauty… she has long legs and her waist is above average…

– Even though she's that really thin, her b.r.e.a.s.t.s are big. As expected of a Caucasian.

Those were the voices of resentment from the young girls.

In the martial arts stadium where a deeply held resentment whirled abruptly, the two beautiful girls faced each other as if no one else but they existed there.

– By the way, who are you?

– I'm Ranjou Satsuki. I'm the little sister of Moroha, you better remember that!

Satsuki gave her name while getting c.o.c.ky as she put her hand on her waist as if threating her.

She was getting angry.

– So Haimura Moroha had such a cute little sister? I feel jealous.

– T-that's right～❤. Stop, I'm feeling embarra.s.sed～ Even though it's true ❤.

*Deren*

*TN: I have absolute no idea what does this mean. Another unknown SFX for me.

The eyes of Satsuki that were getting angry collapsed in an instant.

– You don't need to feel embarra.s.sed. When looking objectively at you, I think your physical appearance is cute.

– N-no mo～～～❤ Westerners are totally troubling because they're straightforward ❤❤❤.

Satsuki writhed in pain by making her body twist around due to such unbelievable high praise.

– *Ahem*.

– *Gasp*

However s.h.i.+zuno, who was watching the situation, took a step backward and coughed. Satsuki came to her senses with that.

– Hey, I didn't come here to get your praises! You get that? And when you confess to Moroha, it's no good unless you go through me first. Understood?

– In other words, what you want to say is that my greeting was insufficient?

– If you get that completely, then regarding Moroha――

– Please give me your older brother. Please.

Leshya requested a handshake and presented her right hand.

– See? When you ask poli――ah, that's not the problem, you idiot!

Satsuki screamed and hid her right hand to protect it.

– In that case, then can I be the lover of Haimura Moroha?

– There's no way I can let you do that! Because Moroha is mine.

– I see, this means you are the owner of the "Brother complex".

– You weren't even trying to understand with such superficial words!? The relations.h.i.+p between Moroha and I is more dense and complex than of a couple!

– What you are saying is weird. In j.a.pan, marriage between brother and sister should be prohibited by law. Nevertheless, it is impossible to build a close relations.h.i.+p than a couple.

– Thaaat's whyyy I'm telling you that a shallow person like you can't understand our relations.h.i.+p! If we feel like it, we can get married as much as we like.

Satsuki laughed loudly, but why was she so much triumphant about it?

Leshya, on the other hand, suddenly turned her body away from Satsuki.

It was an abrupt reaction.

Satsuki stopped laughing loudly, she got suspicious.

– What is it?

– I am not going to speak with you anymore.

– B-but why!?

– You have been throwing thoughtless words from the beginning. I am not going to lend an ear to such absurdities. And you were also in the most part ridiculing a stranger like me. That is something that happens even in this country.

– Wait wait wait wait a minute! It's not like I'm particularly bullying you!

Satsuki suddenly and precipitately weakened when she was treated as a bully all of a sudden.

She tried to persuade her by behaving modestly, but Leshya continued ignoring her.

– … what are you doing?

s.h.i.+zuno lost her temper and finally came to the front.

She simply pushed Satsuki aside with「Step aside, stupid girl」and confronted Leshya.

s.h.i.+zuno presented her hand with coldhearted eyes and her same cold, blank expression.

– Nice to meet you. My name is Urus.h.i.+bara s.h.i.+zuno. And you are?

– Nice to meet you. I am Elena Arshavina. In the Russian Division I was called Leshya.

Leshya once again took an upright stance towards the newly appearing s.h.i.+zuno.

They shook hands. The first meeting, the picture of the beautiful j.a.pan and Russia's exchange.

However, the temperature in the martial arts stadium dropped two, three times and the feeling of tension enshrouded them.

– What were you ordered to do by the Russian Division? What's your intention by getting close to Moroha?

She went straight to the point.

– Investigation? Persuasion? Kidnapping? Or――a.s.sa.s.sination?

The biggest commotion of today arose among the students.

Even those who weren't really curious onlookers yet couldn't ignore the questions of s.h.i.+zuno.

During the summer vacation, it wasn't made public that there were troubles in the j.a.panese Division with Lightning Empress. However, it was already well-known among first years that the Russian Division and j.a.panese Division were like cats and dogs. They heard that the political opponent had sent a foreign student, but it seemed that not one but two people were feeling dubious.

The many gazes flooded those two people.

– There is no argument in your words. For that reason I won't object them anymore.

As she held the hand of s.h.i.+zuno, Leshya glared at her with even more wary eyes.

However, s.h.i.+zuno didn't falter to something like that.

– Is Elensan a s.h.i.+rogane? Or a Kuroma? What's your rank?

– I have no reason to answer you.

– Oh? Even though we'll know it immediately once the practical lesson begins?

– I will say nothing about my personal data, as this was included in the talks between the Russian and j.a.panese Divisions.

– Though what you're saying is getting more and more suspicious? I wonder if you are self-aware of that.

– About the impressions you are having, you are free to have them.

– So, what you are saying is that no matter how much I distrust Elensan, I don't need to feel guilty about it?

– I am saying that that is something you don't know about me.

The two girls exchanged sharp tongues with a calmed tone of voice while handshaking.

That's right, the war of words of the two was calm, and yet, the vigor loaded in it was like a blade that would cut you if you touch it.

s.h.i.+zuno's tone of voice was like an ice sword.

Leshya's tone of voice was like a steel blade.

They made s.h.i.+ver the spine of the listeners.

The curious onlookers were reducing the commotion like they were cooling down.

Satsuki had already caught her breath, she could do nothing but watch attentively the two girls.

s.h.i.+zuno's penetrating cold gaze and Leshya's dangerous gaze collided with each other as if it was a fierce battle of their eyes.

The mood had closed so no one were allowed to come near the two who were like standing in an arena of ice and steel.

Then right in the midst of that――

– Hey. Let's drop this here, alright?

Moroha speedily and without delay slipped into there.

He took the hands of the girls that were closed tightly very naturally. They were stiffening them, but he loosened the still hardened hands.

– Moroha has the intention of supporting Elensan?

s.h.i.+zuno glanced at him with reproach.

(If this gets too tensed, then it may get out of hands)

He had such thought and proceeded to mediate.

Instead of saying something with his mouth, Moroha rubbed the hand of s.h.i.+zuno that was still stiffened.

It seems his feelings were transmitted, the cheeks of s.h.i.+zuno were tinged with red.

She was embarra.s.sed, it was unusual.

– Leshya was also in the wrong.

When Moroha apologized instead of her, Leshya moved her neck to the left and right.

– It is not like I care about it. More importantly, it made me happy that you came to defend me. Isn't this what j.a.panese people call『dere』 ?

– But that's not dere though?

Moroha was confused with what this girl had brought up all of a sudden.

On the other hand, there was Satsuki, who remained unsatisfied.

– Onii-sama is a cheater! A youkai womanizer!

– A youkai womanizer…?

*TN: Youkai means monster, apparition, ghost, etc.

– Is that Russian girl so good!? So much that you'll dump us!?

– Why are you making this conversation jump from one extreme to another …?

– Ranjou Satsuki. It is no surprise that you are jealous. However, I have heard that love is cruel sometimes. I would like you to forgive me, please. And I want you to accept me.

– Leshya, please don't add fuel to the fire.

– You say that without shame, huh? And yet, it's not like you like Moroha even a bit, right?

– I told you already to not strike back every single time, s.h.i.+zuno. That's not like you.

However, the quarrel of Satsuki, Leshya and s.h.i.+zuno didn't show an end at all.

They completely excluded Moroha and continued quarreling.

– I do not understand why my foundation is being denied. It was strictly love at first sight.

– Love at first sight is an unacceptable answer!

– It's as Ranjou-san says. Though can I ask you why is that you fell in love with him? If Elensan really fell in love with Moroha, then that should be answered, yes?

– Why is that you like Moroha, Urus.h.i.+bara s.h.i.+zuno?

– …………..I don't dislike anything about him.

– I think that is not an answer either?

– Kuh….

– As for me, as for me, I like Nii-sama's look, I like Nii-sama's kindness――

– Isn't Ranjou-san's fondly speech being a stone in the shoe since n.o.body is paying attention to it now?

The quarrel of the three girls was heating up more and more.

Contrasting with that, the temperature of the curious onlookers was cooling off.

– What's happening here? This is not your usual scene of carnage.

– I lost interest because it's about Haimura.

– Die already.

The hatred of the young men were heard from everywhere.

(In what way do I settle this…?)

Moroha had no choice but to endure this headache alone.

The G.o.d of Salvation appeared walking in the pa.s.sage from the entrance of the martial arts stadium.

He was Tanaka Tarou, the person in charge of the first-year cla.s.ses,

A man with an unappealing appearance in his forties.

His unfas.h.i.+onable hair parted to one side and his old-fas.h.i.+oned black gla.s.ses strengthened that impression even more.

However, his figure evidently looked like a Savior for Moroha.

– Hahaha, immediately after I heard a loud voice outside, I a.s.sumed it was Ranjou-san.

While Tanaka smiled bitterly, he immediately called out to the students to begin cla.s.ses.

The students that were looking at the lover's quarrel of Satsuki, s.h.i.+zuno and Leshya, the bloodshed and the strife also started gathering excitedly.

– Tsk. You barely escaped from death.

Satsuki clicked her tongue without charm and Leshya threw a sharp parting threat with no innocence while they sheathed their swords for the cla.s.s.

With this, this「Little Sister」was an honor student overflowing with determination.

When Satsuki was distant from Leshya's spot, s.h.i.+zuno shrugged her shoulders as if she looked daunted, then followed Satsuki without saying anything.

The case was solved, somehow. Moroha took a breath with a feeling of relief.

Then he turned to face Leshya,

– I sincerely sorry. Those girls aren't really bad people. … But Satsuki made things a little worse with "Onii-chan", and sometimes she has that bad habit where I'm strangely exclusive to her. … In the case of s.h.i.+zuno, she honestly doesn't seem to hold ill preconception towards Leshya.

– I am sorry. Because I only want to take seriously the things that n.o.body but you say. However, I can't understand what you are saying.

Moroha tried to go after Satsuki and s.h.i.+zuno, but Leshya ended up waving her neck to the left and right and said overly serious gesture.

– Exclusive people, people that come in contact with other people with prejudice, why is that I am unable to understand that they aren't『Bad girls』?

– Aah. Is that so?

Moroha scratched his head.

He was a little embarra.s.sed――but he strengthened his resolve and explained in more detail while bearing it.

– Satsuki seems to like me, her older brother, way too much, she doesn't want her beloved Onii-chan to be stolen and she had thrown numerous tantrums because of that.  About s.h.i.+zuno, well, she's actually worried because the Russian Division is kind of treating me like an enemy and also feels the same towards Leshya who came from the same Division because she may have the intent to kill me. That's what rooted in both of them, so more than hating Leshya, they――

– I finally understood.

Leshya nodded deeply, blocking the words of Moroha who didn't know how much he had explained.

– In short, it means that you are very treasured by them. I envy you so much.

Moreover, he was returned such unashamed, direct words that made him feel embarra.s.sed.

(A fairly amount of resolution will be needed to get along with this girl)

It had been a few hours since they met, but that made Moroha able to understand Leshya's nature.

Her personality was poor at guessing the subtleties and hidden things of most expressions.

That's why she herself had that straightforward way of speaking.

He didn't know if it was only Leshya or the difference between j.a.panese and Russian cultures. However, the other party felt a little confusing for the j.a.panese Moroha whose virtue was modesty.

In any case, he was able to follow Satsuki and s.h.i.+zuno.

And then, the cla.s.s teacher of cla.s.s 2 also came to the martial arts stadium and beckoned to Leshya.

Leshya a.s.sented and went to follow him.

The cla.s.s teacher of cla.s.s 2 raised his voice to the students.

– Rally up everyone! Listen to me a bit before cla.s.s begins――

It was time for Leshya's self-introduction.

The students from cla.s.s 1 to cla.s.s 4 sat down in places they wanted then the cla.s.s teachers of the four cla.s.ses stood up in front of them.

Moroha, Satsuki and s.h.i.+zuno gathered together and sat down.

Leshya stood in the middle of the teachers,

– My name is Elena Arshavina. In the Russian Division I was called Leshya.

She self-introduced without an ounce of friendliness while having the same grim look in her eyes.

This was the third time Moroha have heard it.

This could be a "rite of pa.s.sage" for a transfer student, but since Leshya had to do this a number of times, she was getting tired of it. However, she didn't show such behavior at all, she just said so indifferently.

She really repeated it indifferently like an audio recording being played.

Then, girls of some of the cla.s.ses raised their hands and asked.

– The Russians have patronymic, right? Or that doesn't go for Leshysan?

It was rather a question where if it was the usual, then Satsuki would have taken the initiative.

When Moroha s.h.i.+fted his attention to his side with a fleeting glance, Satsuki abruptly turned her face away.

But while she swung her twin tails,

(About patronymics, Russians add their father's name to their surnames in addition to their ordinary surnames)

She taught him with a low voice the bit of knowledge she was studying in advance.

Even though she was still displeasured, she didn't forget the meddlesomeness. That was charming for Moroha.

(For example, if her father is Sergei-san, then she would become Elena Sergei Arshavina?)

(No, in that case it would be Elena Sergeivina Arshavina)

The name culture felt a little complex for the j.a.panese Moroha.

In the first place, even if Elena's nickname had become「Leshya」, it didn't seem that he understood what he understood.

Anyhow, Leshya replied with honesty the question she got from that girl.

It was a shocking line of hers with a stiff tone like metal.

– I don't have a patronymic. The reason is that I am an orphan, there was no father in my life.

A commotion occurred right there.

The expression of Satsuki who was feeling ill-humored changed into a very affected one.

It was an unreasonable talk because she didn't remember at all her parents she lost 8 years ago.

That's why, for this reason,

– Arshavina's last name is just the name of the orphanage where I grew up.

When they saw that Leshya spoke with no emotion at all, they wanted to consider carefully their own intentions.

*Silence* ――And.

The martial arts stadium fell completely silent.

– You don't need to be sympathetic. I have my dear younger brother, it's not that I don't have a single relative.

Even when Leshya continued explaining, the depressed atmosphere didn't recover.

(Y-you're kidding me? Isn't she herself a brocon?)

Satsuki fired mumbling, hateful, but completely lifeless words.

– Ah… is there anyone else who has a question to Arshavinsan?

Tanaka looked around the students while feeling a little awkward.

Hands were raised from nowhere and by no one.

– Alright, let's start the cla.s.s. During summer vacation, everyone started a subject, a basic training to enhance both prana and mana, but today you will show the results.

All presents stood up with Tanaka's signal.

The s.h.i.+roganes extracted prana from the gates dwelling in their bodies and wore it.

The Kuromas molded their mana and covered their surroundings with it.

On the right side of Moroha, Satsuki was cladded in her proud golden prana.

Unlike other students, not only her hands and feet were covered, but also her whole body though lightly.

It was thanks to Strikers' intense training that took place during the extended holidays and her own diligent efforts.

Of the seven gates that led to divinity, Satsuki was already able to open six of them――right hand, left hand, right feet, left feet, the glabella and the point below the navel.

Depending on the situation, there were times where she could only open five gates, but it seemed that she was in good shape today.

Among the roughly 120 first-year students, there were only two or three that opened four gates, so Satsuki's further growth drew the attention the most.

– Like I thought, the ones acknowledged by Strikers are different, huh.

– The reserve corps members aren't someone to be trifled with.

– Cool.

Voices of admiration were heard from here and there.

Satsuki's ears were getting bigger like the ears of Dumbo when she listened to those voices, and that also made her cheeks feel proud.

As soon as the color of the prana of her whole body faded,

(Don't forget Ntu-ral Stance)

Moroha poked her relaxed cheek.

(I-I know that, 100%)

Satsuki said so, but because her face was idling, he wasn't persuaded by her.

Well, her efforts were rewarded, she was happy that they were noticed by others. She couldn't help it.

Moroha felt pleased and looked at the growth of Satsuki mixed with a bitter smile.

On the other hand, and to the left of Moroha, s.h.i.+zuno was cladded in mana.

It was very inferior to other students, it was just a poor excuse of her seeming languidness.

During summer vacation, she battled Fortress by firing powerful Dark Arts than any other of the Kuroma forces and demonstrated that she was in a higher rank than Strikers' vice-captain Tokiko.

However, that fight was involved in a political matter and a gag order was laid out, so general students didn't know about it.

– How a useless person like her was acknowledged by Strikers?

– She's also a reserve corps member?

– How lame.

And, she could hear the voices of disdain from here and there.

s.h.i.+zuno showed no concern at all. Her eyes were open, but she was sleeping, wasn't she? She sure was rebel.

(You don't look so motivated…)

(If I show motivation, then something good will happen? Like Moroha inviting me on a date?)

s.h.i.+zuno showed a small dimple on her face because she was teasing him as she poked repeatedly his cheek.

Even in the second semester, the blockhead s.h.i.+zuno was in good health.

While being caught in between such completely opposite girls, Moroha didn't know if he should show his prana or mana to the teacher, but for now he went with both.

Particularly just Natural Stance without overdoing it.

However, his prana sparkled like a star and his mana was precise.

He adjusted both forces skillfully, he made them equalize and be in harmony.

Then, the pure white brilliance of his prana and the jet-black darkness of his mana drew a yin-yang symbol as if surrounding Moroha then swirled slowly.

He handled with complete control the powerful strength more than anyone else, as if he was playing with toys.

Tanaka, who saw that, showed a smile, he was troubled.

– I give up. We teachers have nothing to teach you, Haimurkun.

– No, please don't give up educating us.

Moroha ended up disheartened without planning it.

– But it's true.

– You remind me of last year's Isurugi-kun.

The cla.s.s teachers of the other cla.s.ses also agreed with him heartily, and Moroha turned an even more grim face.

The students around him also began to murmur all at once,

– As expected, the guys recognized as S-Ranks are different.

– Someday I'll also be like him…

– That's impossible.

He could hear voices of admiration from all around.

He ended up getting too much attention.

Satsuki bragged like it was her own affair.

(Wait…)

I'm not that great! Don't make of this a big deal!

If you were to look a real S-Rank, you would understand the meaning of the word "monster"!
He wanted so much to emphasize that with a loud voice, but because it was virtually impossible for them to see the real strength of England's Director-General, he gave up.

He just kept submissively showing them.

(All because the teacher said he wasn't needed…)

Moroha cursed Tanaka and stared scornful eyes at his back as he went to see the other students.

(… Would it be better to pretend that I'm part of the dunce group like s.h.i.+zuno?)

He looked towards the person to his left while considering it half seriously.

s.h.i.+zuno noticed he was staring at one point somewhere.

What is he…? She followed with her eyes what was there.

Leshya was there.

She moved to a corner of the arena and sat down, holding her knees under her arms.

She was holding her breath without giving the slightest movement, like a mineral.

– What's with her?

Satsuki also noticed her, looking blankly.

– Sensei. What happened to Elensan?

s.h.i.+zuno asked Tanaka,

– Well… she is studying by observation.

– Why is a Savior studying by observation!?

Satsuki immediately questioned sharply the reply of the teacher.

That's why she wasn't wearing her combat uniform――but there was no student who understood such a thing.

This wasn't a PE lesson of a regular school.

This was a practical lesson to train soldiers of a Savior training academy.

It was not usual for a person to study by observation.

– If she's not feeling well, then shouldn't she go to the hospital now?

s.h.i.+zuno asked Tanaka again,

– Err… It's not that she's not feeling well. Arshavinsan had decided to study by observation all practical cla.s.ses.

– Then what is the purpose of studying abroad!?

Satsuki immediately questioned sharply the reply of the teacher.

It was thanks to this martial arts stadium that Akane Academy was at a higher level than any other Savior training school.

More precisely, it was thanks to The Origin possessed by "Angel-chan" s.h.i.+mon Maya, the roommate of Moroha.

The inside of Maya's barrier Dark Art Dreamstone High Drain that was spread changed into a parallel world that would return as it was before no matter how much one were to destroy everything or get injured, just「like a dream world」.

Therefore, the students of Akane were able to do practical intense training and go all-out without fear.

International students usually came to Akane for that purpose, and yet….

– Anyway, we came to an agreement with the j.a.panese Division. So before worrying about others, worry about training yourselves.

Tanaka clapped and issued instructions, but that didn't mean they were satisfied with that.

Satsuki, the other students and even s.h.i.+zuno had slightly unsatisfied expressions on their faces.

The storming transfer student invoked a strife――

Such impression was among the first-years students the moment Leshya stuck in that place.

However, the person in question wasn't concerned at all, she kept standing still like a breathless ore.

Moroha admired her strongly.

Usually, if you were to gather that level of attention, you would be a little disturbed.

She had a tremendous nerve.

Or rather, since she decided「this」, would that mean that the feeling of unseen concentration's level was nothing but that?

Or more precisely, it felt solid like a sword that was tempered thoroughly for the only purpose of killing people.

When he stared at her, their gazes suddenly met.

She threw a shameless kiss while having that same grim look in her eyes.

She appeared to be outside the norm.

She was a――aside from that, Moroha was convinced.

(She's still a strange girl, huh…)