Absolute Duo Vol 4 Chapter 1

The first Sat.u.r.day after coming back from the seaside school has arrived.

Seasonally, the world would completely be in a summer mood but, that’s something unrelated to Kouryou academy.

With a minimum of one general subject lesson added in, Kouryou has taken in consideration the time for ability training-----battle arts, the summer break here takes the Bon festival as the main holiday and the break isn’t even one week.

With that said, even though it’s the last 2 weeks of July, it was the time where they should be heading back to school but-----

“Julie, Let’s get going”

While dozing off and sitting down, the silver girl opened her eyes when I called out to her.

“Ja-………..”

“Are you alright? It’s been hot every night recently, and it looks like you haven’t been sleeping much……”

“Nai. I am okay, please don’t mind me”

Even though Julie said that, the hot days will continue from now on, and there was a forecast that today was going to be a very hot day with a temperature crossing over 35 degrees.

(Uuun, it would be nice if there’s something I can do for her………..)

I probably can’t do anything with the heat but, I pondered on whether if there is something I can do when she goes to sleep, and when I was doing so-----

“Okay then, let’s go Tooru”

“Aah, okay”

Instead, I was the one getting urged and we left the room with Julie following me from behind.

Even though it was unneeded to say this, a strong suns.h.i.+ne was s.h.i.+ning down when we got outside the dormitory.

“It looks like it’s going to be hot as predicted. It’s probably going to be tough but, let’s work hard, Julie”

“Ja--♪”

After the girl with Silver BlondeSilver hair nodded, the ribbon’s bell echoed and made a cooling sound.

In the familiar street to the school from the dorm----

There were students heading to the school in the surroundings and a lot of them were wearing dark expressions.

Even though it’s summer break--------that was not the reason.

They were wondering if they should continue attending Kouryou academy or not.

The day they got back to the main school from the seaside school, the chairman’s speech that took place during the school's emergency a.s.sembly was the cause for that worry.

Pretext—the attack that happened before was revenge from a criminal organization which has fought the Dawn organization’s public order last time. Just like what happened, this revenge to the academy was the first case that happened but, there was a possibility that the same thing might happen again in the future.

With that based on, she left the decision to everyone if they wanted to stay in Kouryou academy.

As a result, it left many students to ponder on the choice for their future.

That’s because, the attack not only caused property damage because of gunshots and explosions, but many were injured and-------the death count was in the double digits.

That reality was the main reason why many students were worried.

It’s only normal.

They were just normal middle school students living a normal peaceful life until they enrolled in Kouryou academy. A person’s life and death would only happen in the filter of the internet and television or maybe, in fictional categories like in games or Manga.

From the explanation we received before enrollment, there will be danger during training and lessons after enrollment as well as danger during missions when they get employed into the public order maintaining team after graduation.

However-----they noticed this reality when they saw someone close to them had their life taken away from them.

No, they were forced to notice this.

They were forced to notice that the path they are going to go through will not be one found in a normal world, but instead it will be the realm of abnormality.

That was why; this incident has become a big crossroad.

They can either return back to their normal world if they treasure their life, or they can make up their determination and will to advance through the world of abnormalities.

Conclusion-----

Until today, 12 first year students that encountered the attack have left the academy. Most likely from now on, more students will probably choose to quit too. From what I can see, half of the remaining students were pondering if they should continue or leave.

Maybe the upper level students have attended several somewhat dangerous missions in their training, there were less people that chose to quit. But even so, many of them were also pondering too.

Me----and the silver girl walking beside me, has chosen to continue on this road.

As long as both of us follow the path of the

“…………It turned prettier huh, Tooru”

“Aah, that’s right”

We stared at the scars on the school in front of us that was caused from the previous attack.

Even though the enemy----who has the name >, attacked the school for the > research facility located under the school, the most violent battle that took place was only at the school entrance.

The pillars and wall were damaged or destroyed and red-black bloodstains that came from either the enemy or comrades were sticking on them.

There were offering of flowers left beside the pillars. There were students that stopped and pray and there were also students that quickly entered the school so that they won’t have to see that.

“………Let’s pray too I guess”

I joined my hands towards the flowering offering and Julie made a silent prayer.

Within the crying sound of cicadas, we quietly pa.s.sed the time.

When I entered the cla.s.sroom, there were only 70% of the total cla.s.smates excluding the students that quit, even though the cla.s.s was going to start.

The people pondering on their course of action probably felt like skipping school.

I looked around at the cla.s.smates in the room, and leaked a small sigh when I could not see a close female friend----Miyabi in the cla.s.s.

Her >--Tachibana was attending cla.s.s and she was talking with a girl.

Nevertheless, it’s not like Miyabi was not in school because she was pondering if she wanted to quit or continue Kouryou.

She might still be shocked from almost getting harmed by the battle suit man but, she came to cla.s.s and seriously attended cla.s.s and training without resting.

But other than those time slots, she would leave her seat and won’t stay in the cla.s.sroom.

I didn’t even need to think for the reason why she took those actions; it was probably the effect of the incident before.

“I love you”

Her feelings reached me, because the waves stopped.

Right after that, the feelings in her heart were put into her mouth and it told me her affections to me.

But, I could not reply to her.

That’s because I didn't know how to reply her as I thought about myself as an

Ever since that day, the gears of the normal days I gained inside the abnormal days in Kouryou academy, has gotten out of order.

The last time I talked to Miyabi was right after we left the isolated island.

“Tha-thank you for saving me yesterday, Tooru-kun………….and……….sorry………you encountered danger because of me, I am really sorry…………”

Ever since, Miyabi would only apologetically greet me and would avoid having a conversation with me.

Maybe she wanted to avoid her clear change of att.i.tude, she would show her face during meal time with everyone----but, no one noticed that there was no conversation occurring between me and Miyabi.

I can’t talk to her even if I wanted to.

This frustrating situation has been continuing ever since the seaside school.

(I have to do something about this………)

I have no idea if this changed relations.h.i.+p will return to the way it was but, I will continue struggling.

That’s because I want Miyabi to smile.

Even if that smile was not going to be directed to me.

Soon, Miyabi quickly entered the cla.s.sroom when the main bell echoed in the school.

Even though it was just as predicted, it looks like I can’t take the time to bring her out and talk to her.

(I guess I will take her time during break time)

The moment I thought that,

“Who is it~~?”

My view suddenly got blocked----and a sweet scent floated at the same time.

Someone was hugging me from behind and covering my eyes.

“………Lilith right”

Without panicking and causing any troubles I took off her hands from my eyes and looked towards the girl who has dazzling Yellow Topazblonde hair.

---However, I was far from calm in my heart.

That’s because her 2 soft voluptuous hills were getting squeezed onto my back.

“Fufu, as expected from Tooru huh. It’s definitely because we love each other on a normal basis”

“If I eliminate the people that would do this, Lilith would be the only one who would do this”

I shrug my shoulders to the gold girl who winked at me before showing a smile.

“Me being the only one would mean that I am special in a way right? Fufuu”

With another name called >, Lilith went ahead and placed herself in my special spot-----

“Uuh!?”

My view was blocked again.

Once again, someone hugged me from behind and covered my eyes.

“Who am I, Tooru?”

“…………Julie”

“As expected, Tooru, my >”

“Haha, you’re welcome…….”

Even though I replied with a wry smile, there was no way I would mistake Julie’s voice.

---The feeling touching my back was one of the reasons for my conviction that it’s her.

Leaving that aside, the girls who covered my eyes were now looking at each other.

“………..you want to say something right?”

“He immediately knew it was me when I covered his eyes so, you aren’t the only one that's special”

“Hee, now you said it”

Lilith raised her mouth, angle in an interested manner.

Without changing her expression, Julie looked straight back at her.

It was a glowing sun and a magical moon.

Two girls with opposite impressions were not in agreement like usual.

Julie turned against the gold girl who wants to make me into her >-----even though with that said, it seems Lilith was not concerned about it but, for a rare scene, she talked back to Julie’s complaints maybe because her special spot was denied.

(Ya-re Ya-re, these two are the same…….)

I made a small sigh and was about to stop them-----

“Okay okay♪ Good morning everyone ☆HR is going to start so sit down♥”

Contrary to the school’s atmosphere, a voice which was so cheerful that the person that made it was probably in the wrong room, echoed throughout the room.

Having released her real power to take on the >, our homeroom teacher---Tsukimi was now valued in the cla.s.s and by people as someone to be counted on after they witnessed her mowing down many enemies.

[Good morning White Usa-sensei] [You’re tension is high today too, White Usa-sensei] [Well it’s White Usa-sensei]

Replies and talks could be heard in the cla.s.sroom when Tsukimi greeted us.

The thing different from last time was that she was being called “White Usa”.

The reason for that was-----

“OooRah! Hurry up and sit down you brats!!”

[It’s Black Usa-sensei mode] [This is bad, it’s Black Usa-sensei; this is bad] [Black Usa-sensei, scold more……]

Having her ident.i.ty questioned when her real-self was seen; she showed her snapped off appearance to everyone.

“The gold and silver fighting over a guy there. HR is going to start so, hurry up and end the Shuraba love triangle with the couple and mistress”

“It’s not a Shuraba or anything”

“Ja---“

“I agree with that but, I am curious on why I am called the mistress when you looked at me”

“Iyaaan, the Ojou-sama’s check sure is strict huh♪”

“Seriously, I always tell you that I am the legal wife”

“Nai, I refuse”

“Why must you be the one doing the refusal!?”

The sights of the 2 girls with silver and gold hair collided again.

I made a small sigh, and stood in the middle.

“Come on, let’s end it there. HR is going to start”

“……….Maa, it can’t be helped if Tooru says so. Okay then, see you later, Tooru”

Lilith winked at me before returning back to her seat.

“Okay then, now that I said that HR is going to start, its message time☆There is going to be a joint training with the 2nd year students today okay♪ Okay next; people that turned > will have to join a training soon☆Okay next; the people I am going to call now-----“

Turning back to her White Usa-sensei mode, Tsukimi was in her usual high tension, and I could sometime hear giggles from someone.

Inside that, I looked behind at a slanted angle.

Up at my view, Miyabi was a making a depressed expression.

It turned to break time; I chased after Miyabi and called out to her when she stood up from her seat and exited out to the corridor.

“Miyabi, can I have a bit of your time?”

“So-sorry. I am in a hurry……..”

“Ah……..So-sorry”

She most likely did not have any special matter and judging by her recent state, I was able to guess that she was using this way to avoid having a conversation with me.

But even so, I backed down since she told me that she was in a hurry.

When Miyabi quickly turned a corner at the corridor and I could not see her anymore, I made a small sigh and dropped my shoulders; just when I did that-----a dignified voice called out to me from behind.

“Kokonoe, can I have a little of your time?’

When I turned around, I saw my familiar and close cla.s.smate---Tachibana.

However, she was currently on crutches and it looked painful.

“Aah, what is it?”

“It’s a little about Miyabi. She looks tired recently so, I am thinking of bring her out for a change of scenery after school. So, err, you……….”

Even though she hesitated to say at the last part, her intentions were told to me.

Tachibana was saying that I should not talk to Miyabi now.

Tachibana probably felt something happened to me and Miyabi during the seaside school.

But even so, I feel happy for Tachibana’s thoughtfulness for taking care of Miyabi’s heart first, even though it’s something obvious.

“I get it; I’ll leave it to you…..but, be careful”

“Umu. Its okay, we aren’t going to somewhere deserted. But, from what I heard, it seems the enemy’s target is the chairman, > and also Lilith so, it’s probably safe to say that we aren’t getting targeted”

“That might be true but. Then, go have fun. Just remember not to force your legs”

“Fufu, you worry too much. Nonetheless, I’ll listen to your warning, and will be careful not to force myself”

Tachibana’s heels were diagnosed to recover fully in around a month's time.

Since the >’s recovery ability totally exceeds a normal person’s, it seems she will be able to take off the cast by next week.

“……..also, thanks Tachibana”

“It’s not something to thank me for. It’s for my precious > too”

And after she said that and made a soft smile, Tachibana went back into the cla.s.sroom and I followed her.

But----

At this time, we had no method to know this.

The fact that there was a malice that would drag everyone in its target’s surrounding into the problem without any hesitation,

The fact that Miyabi encountered a devil when she went out,

After noon; we headed to the medical building to have a check-up on the wounds I got from the fight with >.

The recovery progress was doing well and it seems I and Julie will be fully healed by around mid-next week.

We were told that it’s okay to undertake some light exercise and we quickly headed to the training room after the check-up.

“Even though it’s light, I'm happy to get permission to exercise”

“Ja--. I did not move my body at all recently”

“Incidentally, we’ve been only studying nowadays………”

Taking into consideration that there were many wounded students during the attack, battle and stamina enhancement training were turned to lessons related to knowledge-based general subjects as well as special techniques for mission-purposes.

Thanks to that, once cla.s.ses ended over the past few days,I felt as though I might have smoke puffing out my head as my frustration continued to pent up. That’s why I am happy that I got permission to exercise and my legs turned naturally faster to the training room.

When we reached there, there were quite some students inside and they were using the room for their personal training.

Inside there, I saw familiar faces at the sparring s.p.a.ce.

The giant Tatsu crossing over 180 centimeters and a small boy----Tora were sparring.

Strangers that don’t know their situation would probably think that Tatsu was at an advantage but, actually, since Tora’s > was higher, he was handicapped with a weight.

“Tora, Tatsu!”

I called out to them from afar.

“Tooru, and Julie huh. Can you two move your body already?”

“If it’s light”

“Fumu. Then, let’s spar since it’s been quite a while? All this muscle head ever does is swing his fist with power”

Tora splendidly ignored Tatsu’s opinion which was “A man won’t use stupid tricks”.

“Uuuun, I guess I’ll pa.s.s. Sparing with you won’t end up as light exercise”

Thinking of our personality, I can see us lighting up in fire once it starts.

“Fuun. Well I have no choice then. It won’t even be something to brag if I beat an injured opponent. The results would be the same if you were fully healed though”

“Bulls.h.i.+t”

After I laughed back at Tora, I stood in front of the mirror.

“Shadow?”

“Aah. There’s something I want to confirm. Julie, striking?”

“Ja----“

Julie picked up training swords and stood up in front of a target that looks like a man which was located beside the mirror.

Julie’s self-training centered around sparring and striking and it seems it did not change today too now that she can start training.

“You aren’t at full form, so don’t force yourself”

“……………”

“Julie?”

The silver girl did not reply for some reason and frowned her eyebrows instead.

“That’s the line I wanted to tell Tooru. Tooru, you always force yourself”

“Uguh………..bu, but I only force myself in situations where I have to do so………”

“………That might be true but, you can’t stop me by saying it can’t be helped”

The side of her eyebrows dropped and her Ruby eyesred eyes looked at me.

I could guess her emotions when I saw the uneasiness in her shaking eyes.

(I see, she’s pilling her father’s image on me…….)

She might be worried that I'll end up like her father someday.

That’s why; I made a smile to make her feel some relief before patting her head.

“Hey, Julie. You remember the promise I said about protecting you?”

“Ja---“

“I have that promise so I will not die. If I die, I won’t be able to protect Julie right?”

“Tooru…………”

“However, I will do my best to not be reckless. I’ll feel bad for making you worry too much”

“Ja--♪ it’s a promise”

Even though I lost to the feeling to make a wry smile, Julie made a smile in replacement for that.

“……..Go back to your room”

“Hnn? Did you say something, Tora?”

When I looked at Tora who mumbled something, he was looking at me with disgusted eyes for some reason.

“I am just asking you if you’re going to train or not. That’s because your mouth was the only part moving, from what I am seeing just now”

“Haha, I’m going to start now. Okay then, let’s start, Julie”

I made a stance towards the mirror while Julie looked back to the target.

The same time I lightly swung my fist towards my image shown on the mirror.

*Pann*! *Papann*!! The training sword hit from the left and right and the target made a loud sound.

(She’s fast like I thought……)

While continuing my shadow, I thought of that when I sometimes see the silver girl’s movements.

Julie repeated slashes with blinding speed.

However, she wasn’t reckless and I could see her hold back her strength.

After thinking I didn’t need to be worried anymore, I decided to concentrate on my shadow.

With half of my strength, I swung my fist, switched to the body movements Tachibana taught me and performed a kick.

(…………..my body still hurts when I turn my body. Next----)

After I confirmed the thing I was curious about during the fight with >, I switched to the left posture.

Hrungnir------unlike Mjolnir which is a one-hit kill move, it was a high-speed punch for diversion.

“Haah!!”

I stopped my fist after some shots because of the pain on my chest.

But, that was enough for me to notice.

(It’s true that my fist was lowered. But, it’s amazing that he can notice this in such a short time, what’s more during battle, that >…………)

It was humiliating to have my weakness pinpointed by the enemy but, it gave me good gains.

Leaving aside the chances that we might meet > again later on or not, I won’t be able to beat him if I don’t fix this habit.

“Tooru. What’s that move?”

Maybe he took a rest from his spar; Tora saw Hrungnir and asked me.

I told him about me mastering this technique, that this technique got broken by > who found it’s weakness in the last battle, and the name given to this technique-----

“Hrung………Since it’s Norse mythology, Julie was the one that named it?”

A weird question came over.

“Aah. I thought of naming this as bullet punch but, it resulted into that”

“………………..”

“What’s wrong, why are you quiet?”

“No………you have to thank Julie”

“To Julie? Thank what?”

Without understanding his meaning, I looked at Julie with a questioning face.

“---------?”

It seems the silver girl heard her own name and [Did you call me?] tilted her small head.

“It’s a little but, I think it was refres.h.i.+ng for her”

Evening-----as usual, Tachibana talked to me with a voice only audible to me when I was picking the buffet for my menu.

Although we did not say who, it’s obviously Miyabi.

“I see, that’s great. Also-----Thanks”

“Fufuu. I told you this already during the day but, you don’t have to thank me. As a friend and her >, I was concerned about her”

“So---where is she?”

From what I can see in my surroundings, it seems Miyabi wasn’t in the cafeteria.

“She said she wanted to run a bit so she went outside. She said she wanted to make up for the the times she did not run for the past few days”

Ever since > attacked, Miyabi stopped her daily runs even though she attended lessons and training.

That’s why, I felt relieved when I heard that she was going to run again.

(It’s about that confession huh………)

I think of talking to her when I see her, once my feelings become positive, and while thinking about that, I reached the table.

After that, everyone had their dinner like usual but-----

“Hey, Tooru. It’s about the summer break but, want to go to the UK?”

“Huh?”

Lilith has been as fixed member of our dinner table ever since > and it’s only natural to be shocked at the sudden change of topic.

It’s only natural since she invited me out to go overseas with no warning at all.

“That’s sudden…….”

“Rather than suddenly reporting about our marriage, reporting about our relations.h.i.+p first would make things smooth later on I think, you know?””

“………..We aren’t going out”

“It’s not bad to start going out after this chance you know?”

“Rejected”

Sitting on my left side, Julie swung her head and pulled me to take some s.p.a.ce away from Lilith who was sitting at my right side.

“Oh my, Tooru’s the one to decide that”

“Before even the topic of going out or not going out, he has to go back to his hometown during summer break so it’s impossible to go to the UK”

“I see, how sad. I think I’ll give up this time”

“Haha, this time huh…….”

While making a wry smile at Lilith’s reply, I thought about my hometown which was vacant now when I said those words.

There’s no family waiting for me.

(But even so, Otoha’s going to be lonely if I don’t show up now and then……….)

And, when I was a little sad,

[One, two……..] [[[Congratulations on your birthday-♪]]]

Celebrative voices could be heard at one corner of the cafeteria.

Noisy, cheerful and happy voices echoed in the cafeteria.

“Seriously, how noisy”

“I think it’s nice to have a cheerful atmosphere. Thinking about the recent events, I think this is a must” I smiled at Tora who was frowning his face and told him.

“………Fuun. That’s true”

Tora snorted roughly and *Dooka* leaned against the back of his chair while folding his arms.

(Birthday huh……..)

My birthday was coming next week.

My heart felt dejected when I thought about it.

That’s because, the day before my birthday----was that day in summer.

“Tooru. I have something to talk about”

Tora called out to me when we went out of the cafeteria after dinner.

His expression had an air that won’t let me say no and-----

“…….Julie, can you go back first?”

“Ja---“

I made Julie go back to the room.

“Where should we talk?”

“Outside”

(……..Going all the way outside means that, it’s a talk that he does not want anyone else to hear”

While looking at his small back walking in front, I started to think about the topics Tora would talk about.

After he exited the front door, the heat from the afternoon was still there and it felt a little hot.

The surroundings were naturally dark but, thanks to the light coming from the dorm, we did not have a hard time walking and we walked over the gra.s.s.

“I guess around here is okay…….so, what do you want to talk about.

I folded my arms and asked Tora who was walking closer to a nearby tree----

“…………”

There was no reply.

It’s not like he didn't hear my voice. Furthermore, the atmosphere he was giving off was as if it was something hard to say.

Judging by Tora’s straightforward personality, I could grasp the contents of his topic as something serious.

The silence continued for a while and------Tora talked about his business.

“Still can’t mend your relations.h.i.+p with Hotaka?”

“Buuuu!? Wha-whawhahwahwa, h-how do you, no, you noticed……!?”

I did not tell anyone that my relations.h.i.+p with Miyabi had gone weird.

Of course, that goes for Julie too.

I thought the only one who noticed this was Miyabi’s > and at the same time roommate—Tachibana but------

“Fuun, there’s no way I won’t notice. In the first place, judging by your att.i.tude with her until now, there’s no way I won’t guess that something happened during seaside school”

Just as expected from him.

Judging by the recent state, I never would have thought that he would notice this.

Which means, I think this might be unlikely but, things might have turned complicated because of some reason……….

“I heard this from Tachibana during the afternoon but, Hotaka is going back to her home during summer break. Even though it’s short, it will probably be harder to mend things later on if you don’t meet her for about one week. That’s why, hurry up and do something about it before summer break starts”

“A-aah………Sorry, to make you worry about this……”

Whether it’s the last matter or the last attack, Tora has been helping out a lot.

“It’s not like I am worried about you, it just feels annoying……….and, that isn’t the only thing I want to talk about”

“Eh, there’s something else?”

I thought the problem with Miyabi was what he wanted to talk about so I tilted my head.

“It’s about going home. It’s not about Hotaka’s, it’s yours”

“Mine?”

Tora nodded and continued on with his original business.

“That woman said this during dinner time right, that you will be going back home”

“I plan on doing so but, what about it?”

“…………..Can I follow you when you go back?”

“Aah, let’s go back together. We are going to be together for half the trip anyway”

“No”

It was a quiet and yet strong tone.

When I thought Tora was different from usual, his face turned unusually serious and he looked a little stiff.

“I am asking if I can go to your house, Tooru”

My heart skipped a beat.

Tora has been to my house many times in the past.

But, it was when Otoha was still alive.

During a dojo exchange that occurs only a few times per year, we became friends since we were the same age and not long later, Tora started coming over to the dojo to learn and would often come over to my house.

However----That was also 2 years ago.

Tora does not know this.

He does not know that the house no longer has anyone living in it anymore.

“I-I plan to stay for one night only so, Tora head back to your----“

He doesn’t need to know.

I decided to reject his visit so that Tora can only recall back the memories of the warm Kokonoe house of the past.

“No, I am going. Let me go. Let me offer flowers to---Otoha too”

“-----!?”

I was so shocked from those unexpected words that I gasped.

That’s because ever since we reunited during the enrollment ceremony I never took on an att.i.tude that would bring him to that conclusion.

“You……knew……….”

After a while, I managed to squeeze my voice out and Tora tilted his head vertically silently.

“……….I got contacted by the dojo”

“I see……..”

I missed out something simple.

Because he was with us for a long time, it’s only natural for this to be told to him.

“It seems the dojo encountered a fire disaster because of a tobacco misuse. I knew this and keep quiet about it so, sorry. This may be too late but, this was just sad. She took care of me before. So-----“

“………I get it. Since you know about this, I am counting on you then. Otoha will be happy”

Whenever Tora and I sparred, Otoha would be the one who treated our wounds.

I could clearly remember her giving it her all to a.s.sist us and I would probably never forget about it.

I would never forget the memories of me, Tora, Otoha, and----him; all 4 of us playing together.

“Sorry. Even though you know, this was something I should tell you…….”

“Fuun, don’t worry about it. Everyone has things they don’t want to say……….okay, our talk ends here. Let’s head back to the dorm”

Tora started walking in front and I followed behind.

Even though he has a foul mouth, I am grateful for him for being concerned about his friend.

However, Tora does not know.

2 years ago, the disaster that occurred in the dojo was not a fire but rather, it was a tragedy that occurred because he swung his deadly blade.

The only ones that knew of this was me, him and another person-----

That person was the one that saved me from that burning dojo.

But, that’s good.

Tora might be foul mouthed but he’s a good person, and if he finds out about that day's truth-------

If he found out that Otoha didn’t die from that fire and was killed, he would fly into a rage and become a captive to vengeance, just like me so……..

That’s why, Tora don’t have to know.

I am the only one who needs to take revenge against him.

“Are you going to run now? It’s evening already”

“U-un. But I have been skipping these past few days so, I want to regain the lost time as much as possible so………”

“…………… I see, work hard then. However, gradually take it back without rus.h.i.+ng yourself. It’s bad to suddenly force yourself. Also, you have to eat dinner once you finish running. To avoid getting heat stroke-----“

“Fufu, it’s okay so don’t worry so much, Tomoe-chan”

Miyabi giggled to her partner who warned her in details just like a mother.

Tomoe got relieved since Miyabi has been smiling apolitically ever since the seaside school.

After changing into clothes to move easier for running, Miyabi told Tomoe that she will be leaving and left the room.

But------

With the sun set and the surroundings dark, Miyabi left the dorm and looked around restlessly. Of course, there were no students walking around in the night and she exhaled when she confirmed that there was no one around.

(Eeeeeerrr………..I think I should take more distance)

Since there might be students coming back to the dorm, the girl ran towards the south side of the academy dorm which has no one around.

The conversation she had with the old man today resurfaced in her mind.

““Then, let me bestow upon you this-----The > of > to you”

“>………….?”

“Fuhahaha, just like how the word is read, it’s a power strong enough to destroy G.o.d”

“Errrrr……….?”

Even Miyabi who was having a pleasant chat with him, became perplexed

Just what is this old man talking about.

But, the old man did not understand the girl’s perplexity and continued his words.

“You’re a Kouryou student right?”

“------!! Ho-how did you know that……!?”

Miyabi was not wearing her uniform and was in her casual clothes so; just how did the old man know that she was a Kouryou student.

Unluckily for the girl, she could not become alert since she told him her complaints just now.

What’s more-----

“Oh it’s simple. I am acquaintance with Tsuk.u.mo-Jou-chan”

“Eh………? Errr----Tsuk.u.mo? Is it the director? Then Ojii-chan is part of the research team?”

The old man----the > showed a smile and didn’t agree nor did he disagree.

However, Miyabi believed her words were correct judging by his smile.

That’s only normal. That’s because there was no common ground between the students and the researchers coming in and out the > research facility under the academy. They would only coincidentally pa.s.s by and greet them when they encounter them at the dorm or at school.

But to the researchers, it’s not strange that all the students’ personal data has been seen by them.

Because of that, she did not doubt him and came to a conclusion.

“I am researching something else than the >. That’s this---->”

Tooru and also Tomoe misunderstood the reason why Miyabi was sad even though they were not far off.

It’s true that the confession was one of the reasons for it.

However, the main reason why she was depressed was because, she made the life of the person she loved-----Tooru, get exposed to danger.

The cause that made her fall into despair was that she became a hindrance to him because of her weakness.

That’s why Miyabi yearns for it.

The one thing she wished and yearned for----was >.

And right now, Miyabi accepted the > extended out to her by the old man.

When she entered the forest at the south part of the ground, Miyabi lowered her sights to the device accessory she was holding.

(Is it really true………?)

Even though she placed her finger on the device’s switch, the girl raised her eyebrows at the question floating in her mind.

Maybe that old man said it as a joke to cheer her up.

More importantly, no one would suffer if anyone can gain strength with just a push of a switch.

(But, even so……….)

It might be nonsense but, she antic.i.p.ated something.

She wanted to say goodbye to her weak self.

As if to reveal her heart, she held the device with both her hands like she was praying and not long later-----

Miyabi pressed the b.u.t.ton.

“Please, give me--->!!”