“Hey, return to your seats already. Long homeroom is starting.”
After their homeroom teacher clapped his hands, a group of students raised sounds of complaint.
“What, the chime hasn't rung yet. There’s still time.”
“Then, I will increase homework for people who haven’t sat by time it rings! Hey it’s going to ring, going to ring, three, two, one...”
In his hearing, the ringing echo of the sixth period chime, and sounds of students’ clatter as they hurried to sit, Haruyuki listened while his face was supported by a hand.
Outside the window, the usual drizzle painted the streets grey. It was predicted that the rainy season will clear up in two weeks, but since the end of term exams will soon arrive after that, he did not even feel like looking forward to it.
Of course, if he slip through the tests, then shining summer vacation will arrive, but he did not have the discipline to look forward to that long span of fun. The attacks that will come in the coming week’s class (especially physical education) and homework (especially essay), made him sigh just thinking about them.
Well, even if he dally and postpone homework, he has the strong-arm tactic of spending one Burst Point right before it is due to complete it. Haruyuki’s ability for homework processing capacity during the last 30 minutes of «Acceleration», even made the excellent grade Takumu amazed with ‘Why isn’t that concentration displayed normally?’.
However, the set every day from morning till evening classes, were something that he could not use acceleration to concentrate and process. On the other hand, when he was running out of breath on the track during physical ed time, he felt as if deceleration function was used. No, it might actually be that in fact. The base for the principle operation of Brain Burst, was to increase heartbeat to accelerate thinking clock, therefore extending perceived time. That meant if he could train his heart not to beat so fast even while running, would phys ed class feel shorter than it was now? Alright, next time get a Chinese martial arts application, and try training chakra power.
While he was staring out the window without seeing anything, and repeatedly thinking such absurd thoughts, the homeroom teacher’s sound passed through Haruyuki’s ears.
“...Two months have passed since the class became like this. This is about the time, that your mind start slacking. Look here, this graph, the tardiness and lost property...”
Usually, the ending of homeroom was important time for polishing after school «Duel» plans. Which area to go to, what tactic to try, who to fight, or whose battle gallery to become. For Haruyuki who love simulations, even though it was not at the level of actual duels, it could be said to be very fun still. Normally homeroom would have ended by the time he realized it, but today’s time was moving forward slowly.
The reason for that was clear.
Right now, Haruyuki was forced into a situation where he did not have the luxury to plan duels. In a certain sense, it could be said to be greater pressure than the time when his «Flight Ability» was stolen two months ago.
That was ——- the edge whether he could still be a Burst Linker or not.
Yesterday, Sunday, after the end of the «Seven Kings Conference», Haruyuki was driven home in Fuuko’s car to nearby his home.
He somehow managed to smile to Kuroyukihime and Fuuko’s encouragement, but as he stumbled on the Seven Ring road heading home, he still faced down and counted the pavement tiles.
He entered the elevator with head still lowered, and rose to the 23rd floor. He walked in the silent hallway, and when the door to his home appeared in his view, he went to touch the unlock button ——
Right before that, Haruyuki noticed a small human shadow crouched the door’s edge, and stopped still.
Flashy logo T-shirt, and tight cut jeans. Faded sneakers on feet. Even with that rough appearance, he could immediately tell that was not a guy. Red hair that was tied on either side and seem to burn, and freshly shone even under the dim lighting.
“...Ni, Niko?”
After Haruyuki called that name while dumbfounded, the small built girl slowly looked up, and showed a fearless, but somehow tired smile.
“...So late. We should have both left Chiyoda area, and you made me wait 10 minutes.”
“So, sorry.”
After he apologized involuntarily, the sharp shoulders lightly shrugged.
“Well, I was sent here by Pard’s bike, so of course that’s fast.”
“Th.. that is not possible to beat. Ah, anyway...”
While blinking fiercely, Haruyuki asked.
“Why... here?”
Hearing that, Niko momentarily looked around, then said with a small snort.
“That story will be long, are you going to listen to the end in this hallway?”
“O, oh, sorry.”
Haruyuki hurriedly touched the still displayed unlock button. He opened the usual empty home door, said welcome to her, then Niko breathed out a small long breath, and stood up with hands on knees.
After leading the sudden visitor to the living room, he returned after getting two glasses of orange juice from the kitchen, then Haruyuki belatedly titled his head.
Sitting on the sofa, the younger girl looking at cloudy weather outside the window, no matter how many times he looked, was Niko that is Kouduki Yuniko —— that is the Red King controlling legion «Prominence», «Scarlet Rain» herself.
However, why? Not only did they exchange anonymous email address, they also exchanged call numbers, so there were many ways to contact each other. And then more than anything, holding her knees and waiting beside the door of someone she wanted to meet with to come home, was an act opposite to Niko’s image. While he was putting juice on the glass table, Haruyuki stole another look at the small profile.
In the lightly freckled face, the normal shining vigor could not be seen. On the other hand, it even had a somewhat worried look. It was very hard to think that this was the same person as the Red King who released flaming words on the conference seat. Inside Haruyuki’s brain, the sharp sound awoke.
—— An unfit guy who spread the threat of mind power, slip in here.
The accusation similar to roaring flames, at the moment he remembered that fierce heat, as if reading Haruyuki’s mind, Niko in front of him whispered.
“...Sorry about that, the way it was said.”
“What... n, no, not really.”
He raised his waist that was sank into the sofa, and hurriedly shook his head.
“A, at first I was surprised, but later senpai and Raker-san told me why... Niko went after me there... no, brought out the topic of «Disaster Armor» that is parasitic on me, was so that other Kings, especially the Yellow King don’t take the lead on that topic, that.”
After he quickly said that, Niko blinked two or three times, then her large hazel eyes that looked green in the low light leaked out a wry smile.
“Damn, I was seen through huh. Geesh, what a bunch of un-cute guys...”
While she cursed, she sank her back hard into the sofa, crossed her surprisingly slender legs, and swung her slippered feet.
Relaxing a little after seeing that appearance, Haruyuki tilted his head slightly and asked.
“Huh, did Niko meet Raker-san before?”
“No, earlier was the first time we bumped heads against each other. I heard a lot of stories about her from Pard though.”
“St, stories... you said, what kind...?”
Hearing that, Niko made a for sure deep meaning smile, then asked in return.
“Do you know the origin of that guy’s «ICBM» nickname?”
“Err... simply, that person’s booster is compared to a missile right...?”
“That’s right, but it’s not all. Actually, it originated from a battle tactic that old Nega Nebulas once in awhile used in large scale territory battles. They let enemy team push the front line forward on purpose, and after their force is split, then either Raker by herself, or carry a support type (buffer) to boost jump to enemy rear base. Normally the rear only has paper thin armored long range attack types, then that would equal to a strategic missile in large damage.”
“...I, I see.”
Even though it was a story about his ally, it gave him a cold sweat as Haruyuki nodded. Niko’s expression soften, and continued speaking as if remembering her own things.
“...As you already know, Pard is a speed demon. She was usually the first to return to the rear after eating that missile tactic, so she fought hard against Raker many times. Geesh, even though we are in ceasefire, that’s still the enemy legion’s main attacker, with her being so happy that Raker returned to the front line... Crow, do you know, why Pard being a very senior Linker and is still level 6...”
Niko closed her mouth there, so Haruyuki moved forward at that. That question, was something that he had thought about many times before.
“Le, level 6 because...?”
“...Not telling after all. Ask her yourself later.”
She grin, then said ‘thanks for the drink’, and took the glass from the table.
She seemed to be very thirsty, and the girl that was drinking juice in big gulps, no longer appeared to have that strange tiredness. Was it his imagination, while thinking that, Haruyuki said in return.
“Even if I ask, I feel like she won’t tell me... Well, that, let’s set that aside... Then, Niko, you came here just to apologize for that thing at the conference?”
“Say what, that troubled way that you seem to put it.”
After being glared at over the glass’ edge, he hurried shook his head.
“N, no, I am not troubled at all! It was a bit unexpected of your character, ah, no, that’s not what I mean, on the other hand, I always thought that I should be the one who need to apologize...”
Unable to stop his mouth once started, and as he try to properly convey what he felt, his sound became more awkward.
“Si, since, that «Armor» that should have been destroyed after so much hard work in Ikebukuro, remained alive due to my careless mistake, furthermore, the previous owner «Cherry Rook» suffered Niko’s «Judgement», but I am still a Burst Linker like this...”
Niko listened with unexpected seriousness to Haruyuki’s mostly pointless speech.
However, eventually she lightly shook her head to interrupt his words. Putting down the glass, then again crossing her legs and sinking deep into the sofa, the young King quietly whispered.
“No... I am not really, holding a grudge on you for that matter. The reason that I used Judgement on Cherry, was not because he was the owner of that «Armor». That guy was swallowed by the Armor’s control, and attack many Burst Linkers, no, ate them, was the reason. On the other hand, if Cherry had conquered and controlled that Armor with his own power, then I would have protected him. No matter what the other Kings had said... see...”
Niko’s sound, unnaturally decelerated there. Haruyuki blinked, and looked at that the lowered white face.
Her large eyes that looked deep green right now, again had that dark shadow that she showed in the outside hallway. This time, Haruyuki realized what that expression contained.
It was fear. And then, anger at herself for the fear. Furthermore, just a little of giving up. For Haruyuki himself, this should be the expression he had when he was holding his knees while he could not do anything with his power.
“Ni..., Niko...”
After her name was called in a strangled sound, the little girl momentarily looked up, then soon showed a weak smile and lowered her head again.
“...Even if I had chosen to protect Cherry, I would have the power to make that happen. In the past half year, I always believed that. But...”
Her two hands that were outside T-shirt sleeves, suddenly held herself. In June heat and humidity, she seemed to be attacked by fierce cold.
“...Crow. In the earlier conference, didn’t you feel it?”
“Wh, what...?”
After Haruyuki fearfully asked in return, Niko —— second generation Red King, «Immobile Fortress», Scarlet Rain, moaned in a cracked sound.
“In that group of «Kings» at that place... there were real monsters mixed in. That information pressure... is not possible... —— I, truthfully, wanted to protect at least you. Since you... I owe you for helping me to save Cherry... In today conference, somehow we managed to reach a compromise. But... if, those guys were serious about enforcing punishment... then I...”
There she closed her mouth, and Niko pulled her knees close to her on the sofa, meanwhile Haruyuki could not say any words.
It was very hard to believe, or more like he could not understand. That Niko would call other Burst Linkers monsters, and would show fearful expression.
For Haruyuki, the Red King, Scarlet Rain had an absolutely higher rank existence. If they duel in same conditions, then he truly believe that he would lose 100 times in 100 fights. When her full armament was fully extended, her super dreadnaught like long range firepower, was without doubt one of the highest attack power in the accelerated world. Since, one blast of her main gun, blew away half of the Shinjuku government building.
No, even the small built avatar equipped with just one gun, Niko contained unfathomable hidden strength. Actually, on the Seven Kings conference seat, Haruyuki should have felt huge pressure from her that was no difference from other Kings.
After shaking his head lightly many times, Haruyuki finally retorted with raspy sound.
“No, no way... —— Sure, for me, everyone at that place was above the clouds, but I don’t think they were such opponents that can make Niko say it like that far. Si, since, Niko is same level 9er as those people right. «Same level same potential» is, one of accelerated world’s major principles, right...?”
Hearing that, the red haired little girl glanced at Haruyuki from above her small knees, then while showing a wry smile, slowly shook her head left and right.
“...There are exceptions to any principle. Listen, level 9 is actually, Brain Burst’s upper limit (cap). Since no matter how many points you earn from there, your level will not go up to the next one. The path to level 10, is to hunt 5 other level 9 Linkers... equaling 5 people losing all their points. Put it another way...”
Lowering her eyes again, Niko secretly whispered.
“...After becoming level 9, no matter how much time someone spent in the accelerated world to gain experience, other people won’t know about it. For me, I don’t think I lost that point to any other Kings. Thinking of obtaining enough power to prevent something lost in the real world, from being taken again in the accelerated world. But... I was too naive. Those guys... «Originators», had long ago overcame the scars I am clinging to. That... if they are not called monsters, what else can you call them...”
“...O, Origi...?”
Haruyuki was dumbfounded, and could only repeat the unfamiliar word in monologue. However Niko did not reply with anything to that, and had buried her face on the knees she was holding.
In the living room where quiet returned, only the air conditioning’s light whining sound echoed. Outside the window, the cloudy sky was slowly thickening to lead color, and on the ground, EV cars running on Seven Ring also slowly started to turn on and cross head lights.
For Niko who went to a boarding elementary school, it should be about time for her curfew, but the curved up body did not seem to want to move. Even the tied up hair on either side of her head, were hanging down tirely without their usual vigor.
‘—— Right now, I should be saying something.’ Haruyuki felt that, and desperately searched for words.
Thinking about that, it did not seem likely that Niko would come to Suginami physically just to apologize for what she said at the conference. Maybe right now, under that front hair, members in the Red legion... maybe the closest to her, Pard-san, had seen the face she was making.
“...”
He could not think of any appropriate words, but he should still say something, so Haruyuki took a deep breath.
However faster than that, Niko quickly lifted her head. There, was unbelievably shiny full face smile. The lips moved, and sound with sharply changed tone till then brightly flowed.
“Sorry for suddenly saying strange things, Onii-chan.”
“...U, n, no, that.”
At this point his eyes could only go black and white. Niko’s shady «Angel Mode» was, something that she used to make fun of him, or cover him in fog, but even knowing that trick, for Haruyuki who was an only child since birth, when he was called ‘Onii-chan’ with a smile, he became unavoidably flustered.
“Forget everything just now! Ah, I should be heading home! Thanks for the juice!”
While continually shooting with a cute voice various sentences ending with star effects, Niko lightly jumped off the sofa. Just like that, she stepped with a small jog in the living room to cross it.
At that point Haruyuki was also able to push away the distraction and stand up, then called to the small backside.
“Wa, wait a minute, Niko. Something... something else, isn’t there more you want to talk about...?”
Hearing that, the slender little girl stopped her feet right before the door. Hesitation momentarily leaked from her, then she suddenly spun around. The words that followed after another smile, were something that he did not expect.
“Hey, Haruyuki Onii-chan. If either of us... maybe both of us lost Brain Burst, for sure that we will forget everything about each other right.”
“Wha...”
—— «Related memory completely erased». Haruyuki found out just two months ago, that was the last rule used on people who lost Brain Burst. Even Kuroyukihime, at that time only had rumor level information, and Niko seemed to have learned this truth somehow.
After peaking from above at Haruyuki who swallowed a breath, Niko suddenly thrust out her right hand, with her surprisingly small little finger extended.
“That’s why, let’s make a promise. If we see an unknown name in the Neuro Linker address book, send out one email before erasing that data. Then, maybe, once more...”
“...rita. Arita! Hey, are you listening?”
The thick sound calling his family name, pulled Haruyuki back from memory from a day ago.
He desperately swallow the pain that was welling up his chest. After taking many breaths, he somehow managed to change thinking gears.
“Y, yes!”
While hurriedly answering, he stood up half on reaction, and his legs bumping into the strengthened plastic desk and chair which gave out clattering sounds. At that point, he finally realized that this was not his home living room, but the second year C group classroom.
As he fearfully looked around, he saw that his homeroom teacher Sugeno was making a wry face at the podium, and the surround students were leaking out snicker at Haruyuki’s over reaction.
The sounds of those laughter, compared to the echo of mockery in his first year —— even though not 0% —— were not that kind of laughter. This class’s Haruyuki, even though he was still at the bottom side of hierarchy, he had somehow manage to obtain a position of «Harmless round guy». Of course he was not unsatisfied with that position. On the other hand it could be said to be ideal.
That’s why, easy mistake like now that got him useless attention, was a situation that he tried to avoid with all his might. The class’ hidden delinquents might use this as an excuse to bully him for some light stress release, was something that he did not want to think about.
That’s why Haruyuki made a shy smile suitable for someone who was flattered and was going to sit down.
However, somehow from the surrounding, he felt something was expected of him, and that made him stop. All the expressions from students, seemed to be ‘Now, now?’ kind of waiting for Haruyuki to say something.
‘—— Wh, what is this atmosphere? What should I be doing here? Did I forget something? Did I start an ultra high difficulty mission like trying for laughter with a one shot comedy?’
As he was thinking at high speed in his brain, and was going to sweat buckets of cold sweat ——.
“Oo, Arita. You standing up, is it okay to take it to mean you are thinking of being a candidate?”
That, was an unthinkable sound echo from Sugeno.
‘—— Candidate? For what?’
Since he had missed all of the homeroom teacher’s speech till now, he had no understanding to connect the front and back parts. The unexpected development made him freeze, so he focused his view behind the teacher. However there was nothing written on the virtual blackboard.
‘—— Don’t panic, think about it. The role you are invited to during long homeroom should be... that’s right, the duty of reading school announcement text. It should be that 99% of the time.’
At the moment that Haruyuki thought of that, his view returned to his virtual desktop. Then he saw that there was a document file in the newly received area.
Reading with his real voice, was something he was not good at. However in Japanese and English classes it occasionally happened, and it was a lot better than saying what he thought up. In this situation, instead of saying ‘That’s not it’ and sit down to make the atmosphere get cold, it would be a more peaceful choice to accept it and do a goofy reading.
Haruyuki who had the above train of thought and finished deciding his action, raised his head to meet Sugeno in the eyes, and replied “Y, yes, I will do it!” in a clear voice.
Then —— suddenly ‘OOo!’ kind of exclamation sounds filled the class, and heavy thunder like hand clapping followed.
“...Yes?”
Wh, what was this response? Why was this kind of clapping just for a reading duty candidate?
In front of Haruyuki who froze up again, Sugeno nodded with hums, then said.
“Sensi, believed that Arita is someone who is willing to do something when he needs to! A group and B group will probably be drawing straws, but C group being decided with candidacy makes me truly happy!”
Being hit with a somehow very bad premonition, Haruyuki clicked the newly received file.
The document that opened up with a faint effect sound was ——.
[Announcement from the new caretaker committee: One person from each of second year classes, for a total of three members to be selected.]
That, was lined up in blunt fonts.
“...Ca, caretaker!?”
That moaning sound from Haruyuki, was easily covered and erased by hand clappings.
—— Caretaker. That is, meaning the duty to take care of animals?
As he looked around the classroom while thinking what he realized in low speed, he saw Chiyuri who was shaking her head in amazement, and Takumu who had a ‘Good grief’ wry smile.
“...Hey Haru, I know that you always space out....”
After school, during the short time before club activities.
His childhood friend, Kurashima Chiyuri who came to the front of the desk that Haruyuki continued to lay limply, said to him with a clammy look.
“If you didn’t know the situation, you should have at least opened the sent out file! Why did you charge ahead with just that prediction!”
“There, there, Chi-chan. It’s not the first time that Haru thought like Under Siege 2.”
That, was from Mayuzumi Takumu beside Chiyuri. He thought that was not helping, but could not even retort. With his body slowly sliding from the chair, he weakly said.
“It’s okay, already. I will do it, caretaker or anything.”
“...If it was forced on you, then I would also have said something. But with that impressive candidacy, there was nothing I could do.”
Chiyuri gave a sigh, then suddenly changed her expression. Serious light appeared on her cat like eyes, and the head with light shining on her large hairpin drew close.
“But, actually, do you have extra time for committee activity? Since, Haru has within one week...”
The continuation to that, was whispered in a low sound by Takumu who was also bent over.
“...That parasite must be «Purify», no matter what.”
—— That’s right.
This week, that was, June 17, Monday to 23rd, Sunday, was Haruyuki —— Silver Crow’s given «Probation Period».
In yesterday’s seven Kings conference, finally two resolutions were adopted.
First, for the mysterious organization - Acceleration Research Society, was «Continued gathering of information». That, was something that Haruyuki resented as being too lukewarm, but since that organization was completely unknown so they could not even attack, there was nothing they could do.
And then, to cancel out that lukewarm, was a strict decision set down for Silver Crow who became Chrome Disaster.
If in seven days including today, the Disaster Armor, Chrome Disaster parasite could not be completely removed, then Haruyuki’s head will have a very high reward put on by five Kings. Furthermore, the large amount of Burst Points that was going to be the reward, will be split according to number of wins against Silver Crow kind of system.
If that happened, the moment he took even one step out of Suginami area, mountains of Burst Linkers including high levels will attack him, and Haruyuki’s points would dry up in no time. Since, there would be «Destroying the Armor» kind of just cause. There would be no need for hesitation with a large group going after one person.
Of course, he could do the same thing as Kuroyukihime who has a similar rewarded head and stay hiding in Suginami, then even if he connect to the Global net, he could refuse duels, but doing that would mean he could no longer hunt for points. Stopping level up, is about same as a Burst Linker slowly dying.
In truth, the «Kill command from Kings», could be said to equal to an announcement of death sentence. The reason that Kuroyukihime was able to remain alive for two years, was of course due to her iron like willpower to disconnect from even the Global net, but the «Already reached level 9 thing» was important too. For Haruyuki, the latter was impossible, and the first might also be missing.
“...One week, huh...”
Muttering, Haruyuki looked down at his hands laying on the desk.
Even without concentrating, freshly shining white silver armor overlayed them. Silver Crow, was someone that he could change to at any time, another self. Not being able to become that shape —— meant not being a Burst Linker, did not seem real to him.
‘No, that feeling was, because this is the real world? Real for me, does it already exist only in that world...? If that is the case, when I lost Brain Burst, where else can I go...?’
At the moment he thought of those things, Haruyuki finally was hit with a small chill like thing that made his back shook. Inside his ears, crystal clear little girl’s sound awoke.
—— Let’s make a promise. If we see an unknown name in the Neuro Linker address book, send out one email before erasing that data...
How serious was Niko who said that in the Angel Mode that should be an act, Haruyuki did not know. After that, Niko forcefully crossed with Haruyuki’s right hand little finger, then ran in a clatter to return home.
There was no way he would forget. Even if his accelerated world memory was erased, he would absolutely not forget people in the real world whom he had fostered bonds. With that deep belief, a sharp uneasy appeared in his chest. If he lost sense of reality in the real world... memories that were tagged with «Reality», if they become empty while he did not notice...
The suddenly well up fear made him hold his hands tight, and he was going to hang his head even deeper, but a small hand came into his view before that, and covered Haruyuki’s left fist.
“It’s okay, Haru.”
When he raised his head at the gentle sound, Chiyuri’s usual smile was there.
“That’s right. For sure soon, everything will be resolved.”
Takumu who was standing beside said that decidedly, then extended the hand holding his shinai and knocked on Haruyuki’s right fist. His two childhood friends exchanged looks, then nodded after confirming something, and again looked at Haruyuki.
“Also, Haru. We conferred and decided. Even if one more week passed and Haru is chained by the reward, Ta-kun and I, will supply points to Haru so we can level up at the same pace, that. That’s why Haru, you don’t need to worry about anything.”
Haruyuki seriously stared at Chiyuri’s face as she said that. Then he immediately rose from his chair, and fiercely shook his head.
Lowering his voice volume to the limit, Haruyuki said in a half shout.
“N... no! If you do that, then you two will have rewarded heads! Those guys, are waiting for an excuse to put that on all of us!”
“Hey hey Haru, I am at least more senior than you. Secretive ways of moving points around, I know many of them.”
Takumu who snickered as he touched his eyeglass bridge, soon looked to lower right of his view, then raised up as if to seal Haruyuki’s retort.
“Oops, I should be heading to club activities. Haru, if the caretaker activity takes too long, give me a shout, and I will help with what I can. Anyway this week, we will put master’s formulated «Purification Plan» as top priority.”
“...Ah, sorry, Taku.”
After swallowing various words, Haruyuki nodded.
The Disaster Armor purification plan. That was, after the seven Kings conference decided how to deal with Silver Crow, Kuroyukihime made it up while she was resentful, the mission to erase the Chrome Disaster factor. It seemed to be made up of three steps, but it was not fully explained to Haruyuki and others. While he raising his head, he said with over half for himself.
“I don’t know the details, but... anyway right now we can only do our best...”
“Un, I will also give my full cooperation. Bye, see you later.”
Takumu once more gave the area around Haruyuki’s right elbow a light knock, then turned around and lightly jogged to the kendo arena. While seeing him off, Chiyuri also quickly whispered.
“I also have to go to club activities, but don’t be afraid to tell me if anything happens. We are... let’s see... friends, or is it... comrades, not that... let’s see...”
‘—— Family. Isn’t that right?’
That kind of sound from Haruyuki’s heart, made Chiyuri stop her mouth as if she heard it, then she had a large smile. Just like that, she made a fist with her right hand, then moved to the exit with a clatter.
Haruyuki who was left by himself, as he wore the satchel on his shoulders, whispered in his chest.
‘Real or virtual, it was not that intrinsic of a problem. Taku and I, Chiyuri and I, Senpai and Raker-san and I, and then Niko. Pard-san, and many other people, what we fostered is always «here» —— in my heart.’
‘I will protect that. I don’t want to lose it. For Arita Haruyuki —— and then for Silver Crow.’
When he glanced at the time, there was only five minutes left till the appointed gathering time. Even while he was running to the stairs to first floor, Haruyuki renewed his decision.
This one week’s probation, was important time that Kuroyukihime and Niko desperately won and took from the Yellow and Purple Kings who insisted on immediate Judgement. He would absolutely not waste it. It was an unexpected committee activity that he carelessly became a candidate for, but there should be some kind of hint even in that. Right now, all he should do was to do his best in everything.
“All right!”
With that small shout, when he went outside, the rain seem to have stopped.
“Hey, return to your seats already. Long homeroom is starting.”
After their homeroom teacher clapped his hands, a group of students raised sounds of complaint.
“What, the chime hasn't rung yet. There’s still time.”
“Then, I will increase homework for people who haven’t sat by time it rings! Hey it’s going to ring, going to ring, three, two, one...”
In his hearing, the ringing echo of the sixth period chime, and sounds of students’ clatter as they hurried to sit, Haruyuki listened while his face was supported by a hand.
Outside the window, the usual drizzle painted the streets grey. It was predicted that the rainy season will clear up in two weeks, but since the end of term exams will soon arrive after that, he did not even feel like looking forward to it.
Of course, if he slip through the tests, then shining summer vacation will arrive, but he did not have the discipline to look forward to that long span of fun. The attacks that will come in the coming week’s class (especially physical education) and homework (especially essay), made him sigh just thinking about them.
Well, even if he dally and postpone homework, he has the strong-arm tactic of spending one Burst Point right before it is due to complete it. Haruyuki’s ability for homework processing capacity during the last 30 minutes of «Acceleration», even made the excellent grade Takumu amazed with ‘Why isn’t that concentration displayed normally?’.
However, the set every day from morning till evening classes, were something that he could not use acceleration to concentrate and process. On the other hand, when he was running out of breath on the track during physical ed time, he felt as if deceleration function was used. No, it might actually be that in fact. The base for the principle operation of Brain Burst, was to increase heartbeat to accelerate thinking clock, therefore extending perceived time. That meant if he could train his heart not to beat so fast even while running, would phys ed class feel shorter than it was now? Alright, next time get a Chinese martial arts application, and try training chakra power.
While he was staring out the window without seeing anything, and repeatedly thinking such absurd thoughts, the homeroom teacher’s sound passed through Haruyuki’s ears.
“...Two months have passed since the class became like this. This is about the time, that your mind start slacking. Look here, this graph, the tardiness and lost property...”
Usually, the ending of homeroom was important time for polishing after school «Duel» plans. Which area to go to, what tactic to try, who to fight, or whose battle gallery to become. For Haruyuki who love simulations, even though it was not at the level of actual duels, it could be said to be very fun still. Normally homeroom would have ended by the time he realized it, but today’s time was moving forward slowly.
The reason for that was clear.
Right now, Haruyuki was forced into a situation where he did not have the luxury to plan duels. In a certain sense, it could be said to be greater pressure than the time when his «Flight Ability» was stolen two months ago.
That was ——- the edge whether he could still be a Burst Linker or not.
Yesterday, Sunday, after the end of the «Seven Kings Conference», Haruyuki was driven home in Fuuko’s car to nearby his home.
He somehow managed to smile to Kuroyukihime and Fuuko’s encouragement, but as he stumbled on the Seven Ring road heading home, he still faced down and counted the pavement tiles.
He entered the elevator with head still lowered, and rose to the 23rd floor. He walked in the silent hallway, and when the door to his home appeared in his view, he went to touch the unlock button ——
Right before that, Haruyuki noticed a small human shadow crouched the door’s edge, and stopped still.
Flashy logo T-shirt, and tight cut jeans. Faded sneakers on feet. Even with that rough appearance, he could immediately tell that was not a guy. Red hair that was tied on either side and seem to burn, and freshly shone even under the dim lighting.
“...Ni, Niko?”
After Haruyuki called that name while dumbfounded, the small built girl slowly looked up, and showed a fearless, but somehow tired smile.
“...So late. We should have both left Chiyoda area, and you made me wait 10 minutes.”
“So, sorry.”
After he apologized involuntarily, the sharp shoulders lightly shrugged.
“Well, I was sent here by Pard’s bike, so of course that’s fast.”
“Th.. that is not possible to beat. Ah, anyway...”
While blinking fiercely, Haruyuki asked.
“Why... here?”
Hearing that, Niko momentarily looked around, then said with a small snort.
“That story will be long, are you going to listen to the end in this hallway?”
“O, oh, sorry.”
Haruyuki hurriedly touched the still displayed unlock button. He opened the usual empty home door, said welcome to her, then Niko breathed out a small long breath, and stood up with hands on knees.
After leading the sudden visitor to the living room, he returned after getting two glasses of orange juice from the kitchen, then Haruyuki belatedly titled his head.
Sitting on the sofa, the younger girl looking at cloudy weather outside the window, no matter how many times he looked, was Niko that is Kouduki Yuniko —— that is the Red King controlling legion «Prominence», «Scarlet Rain» herself.
However, why? Not only did they exchange anonymous email address, they also exchanged call numbers, so there were many ways to contact each other. And then more than anything, holding her knees and waiting beside the door of someone she wanted to meet with to come home, was an act opposite to Niko’s image. While he was putting juice on the glass table, Haruyuki stole another look at the small profile.
In the lightly freckled face, the normal shining vigor could not be seen. On the other hand, it even had a somewhat worried look. It was very hard to think that this was the same person as the Red King who released flaming words on the conference seat. Inside Haruyuki’s brain, the sharp sound awoke.
—— An unfit guy who spread the threat of mind power, slip in here.
The accusation similar to roaring flames, at the moment he remembered that fierce heat, as if reading Haruyuki’s mind, Niko in front of him whispered.
“...Sorry about that, the way it was said.”
“What... n, no, not really.”
He raised his waist that was sank into the sofa, and hurriedly shook his head.
“A, at first I was surprised, but later senpai and Raker-san told me why... Niko went after me there... no, brought out the topic of «Disaster Armor» that is parasitic on me, was so that other Kings, especially the Yellow King don’t take the lead on that topic, that.”
After he quickly said that, Niko blinked two or three times, then her large hazel eyes that looked green in the low light leaked out a wry smile.
“Damn, I was seen through huh. Geesh, what a bunch of un-cute guys...”
While she cursed, she sank her back hard into the sofa, crossed her surprisingly slender legs, and swung her slippered feet.
Relaxing a little after seeing that appearance, Haruyuki tilted his head slightly and asked.
“Huh, did Niko meet Raker-san before?”
“No, earlier was the first time we bumped heads against each other. I heard a lot of stories about her from Pard though.”
“St, stories... you said, what kind...?”
Hearing that, Niko made a for sure deep meaning smile, then asked in return.
“Do you know the origin of that guy’s «ICBM» nickname?”
“Err... simply, that person’s booster is compared to a missile right...?”
“That’s right, but it’s not all. Actually, it originated from a battle tactic that old Nega Nebulas once in awhile used in large scale territory battles. They let enemy team push the front line forward on purpose, and after their force is split, then either Raker by herself, or carry a support type (buffer) to boost jump to enemy rear base. Normally the rear only has paper thin armored long range attack types, then that would equal to a strategic missile in large damage.”
“...I, I see.”
Even though it was a story about his ally, it gave him a cold sweat as Haruyuki nodded. Niko’s expression soften, and continued speaking as if remembering her own things.
“...As you already know, Pard is a speed demon. She was usually the first to return to the rear after eating that missile tactic, so she fought hard against Raker many times. Geesh, even though we are in ceasefire, that’s still the enemy legion’s main attacker, with her being so happy that Raker returned to the front line... Crow, do you know, why Pard being a very senior Linker and is still level 6...”
Niko closed her mouth there, so Haruyuki moved forward at that. That question, was something that he had thought about many times before.
“Le, level 6 because...?”
“...Not telling after all. Ask her yourself later.”
She grin, then said ‘thanks for the drink’, and took the glass from the table.
She seemed to be very thirsty, and the girl that was drinking juice in big gulps, no longer appeared to have that strange tiredness. Was it his imagination, while thinking that, Haruyuki said in return.
“Even if I ask, I feel like she won’t tell me... Well, that, let’s set that aside... Then, Niko, you came here just to apologize for that thing at the conference?”
“Say what, that troubled way that you seem to put it.”
After being glared at over the glass’ edge, he hurried shook his head.
“N, no, I am not troubled at all! It was a bit unexpected of your character, ah, no, that’s not what I mean, on the other hand, I always thought that I should be the one who need to apologize...”
Unable to stop his mouth once started, and as he try to properly convey what he felt, his sound became more awkward.
“Si, since, that «Armor» that should have been destroyed after so much hard work in Ikebukuro, remained alive due to my careless mistake, furthermore, the previous owner «Cherry Rook» suffered Niko’s «Judgement», but I am still a Burst Linker like this...”
Niko listened with unexpected seriousness to Haruyuki’s mostly pointless speech.
However, eventually she lightly shook her head to interrupt his words. Putting down the glass, then again crossing her legs and sinking deep into the sofa, the young King quietly whispered.
“No... I am not really, holding a grudge on you for that matter. The reason that I used Judgement on Cherry, was not because he was the owner of that «Armor». That guy was swallowed by the Armor’s control, and attack many Burst Linkers, no, ate them, was the reason. On the other hand, if Cherry had conquered and controlled that Armor with his own power, then I would have protected him. No matter what the other Kings had said... see...”
Niko’s sound, unnaturally decelerated there. Haruyuki blinked, and looked at that the lowered white face.
Her large eyes that looked deep green right now, again had that dark shadow that she showed in the outside hallway. This time, Haruyuki realized what that expression contained.
It was fear. And then, anger at herself for the fear. Furthermore, just a little of giving up. For Haruyuki himself, this should be the expression he had when he was holding his knees while he could not do anything with his power.
“Ni..., Niko...”
After her name was called in a strangled sound, the little girl momentarily looked up, then soon showed a weak smile and lowered her head again.
“...Even if I had chosen to protect Cherry, I would have the power to make that happen. In the past half year, I always believed that. But...”
Her two hands that were outside T-shirt sleeves, suddenly held herself. In June heat and humidity, she seemed to be attacked by fierce cold.
“...Crow. In the earlier conference, didn’t you feel it?”
“Wh, what...?”
After Haruyuki fearfully asked in return, Niko —— second generation Red King, «Immobile Fortress», Scarlet Rain, moaned in a cracked sound.
“In that group of «Kings» at that place... there were real monsters mixed in. That information pressure... is not possible... —— I, truthfully, wanted to protect at least you. Since you... I owe you for helping me to save Cherry... In today conference, somehow we managed to reach a compromise. But... if, those guys were serious about enforcing punishment... then I...”
There she closed her mouth, and Niko pulled her knees close to her on the sofa, meanwhile Haruyuki could not say any words.
It was very hard to believe, or more like he could not understand. That Niko would call other Burst Linkers monsters, and would show fearful expression.
For Haruyuki, the Red King, Scarlet Rain had an absolutely higher rank existence. If they duel in same conditions, then he truly believe that he would lose 100 times in 100 fights. When her full armament was fully extended, her super dreadnaught like long range firepower, was without doubt one of the highest attack power in the accelerated world. Since, one blast of her main gun, blew away half of the Shinjuku government building.
No, even the small built avatar equipped with just one gun, Niko contained unfathomable hidden strength. Actually, on the Seven Kings conference seat, Haruyuki should have felt huge pressure from her that was no difference from other Kings.
After shaking his head lightly many times, Haruyuki finally retorted with raspy sound.
“No, no way... —— Sure, for me, everyone at that place was above the clouds, but I don’t think they were such opponents that can make Niko say it like that far. Si, since, Niko is same level 9er as those people right. «Same level same potential» is, one of accelerated world’s major principles, right...?”
Hearing that, the red haired little girl glanced at Haruyuki from above her small knees, then while showing a wry smile, slowly shook her head left and right.
“...There are exceptions to any principle. Listen, level 9 is actually, Brain Burst’s upper limit (cap). Since no matter how many points you earn from there, your level will not go up to the next one. The path to level 10, is to hunt 5 other level 9 Linkers... equaling 5 people losing all their points. Put it another way...”
Lowering her eyes again, Niko secretly whispered.
“...After becoming level 9, no matter how much time someone spent in the accelerated world to gain experience, other people won’t know about it. For me, I don’t think I lost that point to any other Kings. Thinking of obtaining enough power to prevent something lost in the real world, from being taken again in the accelerated world. But... I was too naive. Those guys... «Originators», had long ago overcame the scars I am clinging to. That... if they are not called monsters, what else can you call them...”
“...O, Origi...?”
Haruyuki was dumbfounded, and could only repeat the unfamiliar word in monologue. However Niko did not reply with anything to that, and had buried her face on the knees she was holding.
In the living room where quiet returned, only the air conditioning’s light whining sound echoed. Outside the window, the cloudy sky was slowly thickening to lead color, and on the ground, EV cars running on Seven Ring also slowly started to turn on and cross head lights.
For Niko who went to a boarding elementary school, it should be about time for her curfew, but the curved up body did not seem to want to move. Even the tied up hair on either side of her head, were hanging down tirely without their usual vigor.
‘—— Right now, I should be saying something.’ Haruyuki felt that, and desperately searched for words.
Thinking about that, it did not seem likely that Niko would come to Suginami physically just to apologize for what she said at the conference. Maybe right now, under that front hair, members in the Red legion... maybe the closest to her, Pard-san, had seen the face she was making.
“...”
He could not think of any appropriate words, but he should still say something, so Haruyuki took a deep breath.
However faster than that, Niko quickly lifted her head. There, was unbelievably shiny full face smile. The lips moved, and sound with sharply changed tone till then brightly flowed.
“Sorry for suddenly saying strange things, Onii-chan.”
“...U, n, no, that.”
At this point his eyes could only go black and white. Niko’s shady «Angel Mode» was, something that she used to make fun of him, or cover him in fog, but even knowing that trick, for Haruyuki who was an only child since birth, when he was called ‘Onii-chan’ with a smile, he became unavoidably flustered.
“Forget everything just now! Ah, I should be heading home! Thanks for the juice!”
While continually shooting with a cute voice various sentences ending with star effects, Niko lightly jumped off the sofa. Just like that, she stepped with a small jog in the living room to cross it.
At that point Haruyuki was also able to push away the distraction and stand up, then called to the small backside.
“Wa, wait a minute, Niko. Something... something else, isn’t there more you want to talk about...?”
Hearing that, the slender little girl stopped her feet right before the door. Hesitation momentarily leaked from her, then she suddenly spun around. The words that followed after another smile, were something that he did not expect.
“Hey, Haruyuki Onii-chan. If either of us... maybe both of us lost Brain Burst, for sure that we will forget everything about each other right.”
“Wha...”
—— «Related memory completely erased». Haruyuki found out just two months ago, that was the last rule used on people who lost Brain Burst. Even Kuroyukihime, at that time only had rumor level information, and Niko seemed to have learned this truth somehow.
After peaking from above at Haruyuki who swallowed a breath, Niko suddenly thrust out her right hand, with her surprisingly small little finger extended.
“That’s why, let’s make a promise. If we see an unknown name in the Neuro Linker address book, send out one email before erasing that data. Then, maybe, once more...”
“...rita. Arita! Hey, are you listening?”
The thick sound calling his family name, pulled Haruyuki back from memory from a day ago.
He desperately swallow the pain that was welling up his chest. After taking many breaths, he somehow managed to change thinking gears.
“Y, yes!”
While hurriedly answering, he stood up half on reaction, and his legs bumping into the strengthened plastic desk and chair which gave out clattering sounds. At that point, he finally realized that this was not his home living room, but the second year C group classroom.
As he fearfully looked around, he saw that his homeroom teacher Sugeno was making a wry face at the podium, and the surround students were leaking out snicker at Haruyuki’s over reaction.
The sounds of those laughter, compared to the echo of mockery in his first year —— even though not 0% —— were not that kind of laughter. This class’s Haruyuki, even though he was still at the bottom side of hierarchy, he had somehow manage to obtain a position of «Harmless round guy». Of course he was not unsatisfied with that position. On the other hand it could be said to be ideal.
That’s why, easy mistake like now that got him useless attention, was a situation that he tried to avoid with all his might. The class’ hidden delinquents might use this as an excuse to bully him for some light stress release, was something that he did not want to think about.
That’s why Haruyuki made a shy smile suitable for someone who was flattered and was going to sit down.
However, somehow from the surrounding, he felt something was expected of him, and that made him stop. All the expressions from students, seemed to be ‘Now, now?’ kind of waiting for Haruyuki to say something.
‘—— Wh, what is this atmosphere? What should I be doing here? Did I forget something? Did I start an ultra high difficulty mission like trying for laughter with a one shot comedy?’
As he was thinking at high speed in his brain, and was going to sweat buckets of cold sweat ——.
“Oo, Arita. You standing up, is it okay to take it to mean you are thinking of being a candidate?”
That, was an unthinkable sound echo from Sugeno.
‘—— Candidate? For what?’
Since he had missed all of the homeroom teacher’s speech till now, he had no understanding to connect the front and back parts. The unexpected development made him freeze, so he focused his view behind the teacher. However there was nothing written on the virtual blackboard.
‘—— Don’t panic, think about it. The role you are invited to during long homeroom should be... that’s right, the duty of reading school announcement text. It should be that 99% of the time.’
At the moment that Haruyuki thought of that, his view returned to his virtual desktop. Then he saw that there was a document file in the newly received area.
Reading with his real voice, was something he was not good at. However in Japanese and English classes it occasionally happened, and it was a lot better than saying what he thought up. In this situation, instead of saying ‘That’s not it’ and sit down to make the atmosphere get cold, it would be a more peaceful choice to accept it and do a goofy reading.
Haruyuki who had the above train of thought and finished deciding his action, raised his head to meet Sugeno in the eyes, and replied “Y, yes, I will do it!” in a clear voice.
Then —— suddenly ‘OOo!’ kind of exclamation sounds filled the class, and heavy thunder like hand clapping followed.
“...Yes?”
Wh, what was this response? Why was this kind of clapping just for a reading duty candidate?
In front of Haruyuki who froze up again, Sugeno nodded with hums, then said.
“Sensi, believed that Arita is someone who is willing to do something when he needs to! A group and B group will probably be drawing straws, but C group being decided with candidacy makes me truly happy!”
Being hit with a somehow very bad premonition, Haruyuki clicked the newly received file.
The document that opened up with a faint effect sound was ——.
[Announcement from the new caretaker committee: One person from each of second year classes, for a total of three members to be selected.]
That, was lined up in blunt fonts.
“...Ca, caretaker!?”
That moaning sound from Haruyuki, was easily covered and erased by hand clappings.
—— Caretaker. That is, meaning the duty to take care of animals?
As he looked around the classroom while thinking what he realized in low speed, he saw Chiyuri who was shaking her head in amazement, and Takumu who had a ‘Good grief’ wry smile.
“...Hey Haru, I know that you always space out....”
After school, during the short time before club activities.
His childhood friend, Kurashima Chiyuri who came to the front of the desk that Haruyuki continued to lay limply, said to him with a clammy look.
“If you didn’t know the situation, you should have at least opened the sent out file! Why did you charge ahead with just that prediction!”
“There, there, Chi-chan. It’s not the first time that Haru thought like Under Siege 2.”
That, was from Mayuzumi Takumu beside Chiyuri. He thought that was not helping, but could not even retort. With his body slowly sliding from the chair, he weakly said.
“It’s okay, already. I will do it, caretaker or anything.”
“...If it was forced on you, then I would also have said something. But with that impressive candidacy, there was nothing I could do.”
Chiyuri gave a sigh, then suddenly changed her expression. Serious light appeared on her cat like eyes, and the head with light shining on her large hairpin drew close.
“But, actually, do you have extra time for committee activity? Since, Haru has within one week...”
The continuation to that, was whispered in a low sound by Takumu who was also bent over.
“...That parasite must be «Purify», no matter what.”
—— That’s right.
This week, that was, June 17, Monday to 23rd, Sunday, was Haruyuki —— Silver Crow’s given «Probation Period».
In yesterday’s seven Kings conference, finally two resolutions were adopted.
First, for the mysterious organization - Acceleration Research Society, was «Continued gathering of information». That, was something that Haruyuki resented as being too lukewarm, but since that organization was completely unknown so they could not even attack, there was nothing they could do.
And then, to cancel out that lukewarm, was a strict decision set down for Silver Crow who became Chrome Disaster.
If in seven days including today, the Disaster Armor, Chrome Disaster parasite could not be completely removed, then Haruyuki’s head will have a very high reward put on by five Kings. Furthermore, the large amount of Burst Points that was going to be the reward, will be split according to number of wins against Silver Crow kind of system.
If that happened, the moment he took even one step out of Suginami area, mountains of Burst Linkers including high levels will attack him, and Haruyuki’s points would dry up in no time. Since, there would be «Destroying the Armor» kind of just cause. There would be no need for hesitation with a large group going after one person.
Of course, he could do the same thing as Kuroyukihime who has a similar rewarded head and stay hiding in Suginami, then even if he connect to the Global net, he could refuse duels, but doing that would mean he could no longer hunt for points. Stopping level up, is about same as a Burst Linker slowly dying.
In truth, the «Kill command from Kings», could be said to equal to an announcement of death sentence. The reason that Kuroyukihime was able to remain alive for two years, was of course due to her iron like willpower to disconnect from even the Global net, but the «Already reached level 9 thing» was important too. For Haruyuki, the latter was impossible, and the first might also be missing.
“...One week, huh...”
Muttering, Haruyuki looked down at his hands laying on the desk.
Even without concentrating, freshly shining white silver armor overlayed them. Silver Crow, was someone that he could change to at any time, another self. Not being able to become that shape —— meant not being a Burst Linker, did not seem real to him.
‘No, that feeling was, because this is the real world? Real for me, does it already exist only in that world...? If that is the case, when I lost Brain Burst, where else can I go...?’
At the moment he thought of those things, Haruyuki finally was hit with a small chill like thing that made his back shook. Inside his ears, crystal clear little girl’s sound awoke.
—— Let’s make a promise. If we see an unknown name in the Neuro Linker address book, send out one email before erasing that data...
How serious was Niko who said that in the Angel Mode that should be an act, Haruyuki did not know. After that, Niko forcefully crossed with Haruyuki’s right hand little finger, then ran in a clatter to return home.
There was no way he would forget. Even if his accelerated world memory was erased, he would absolutely not forget people in the real world whom he had fostered bonds. With that deep belief, a sharp uneasy appeared in his chest. If he lost sense of reality in the real world... memories that were tagged with «Reality», if they become empty while he did not notice...
The suddenly well up fear made him hold his hands tight, and he was going to hang his head even deeper, but a small hand came into his view before that, and covered Haruyuki’s left fist.
“It’s okay, Haru.”
When he raised his head at the gentle sound, Chiyuri’s usual smile was there.
“That’s right. For sure soon, everything will be resolved.”
Takumu who was standing beside said that decidedly, then extended the hand holding his shinai and knocked on Haruyuki’s right fist. His two childhood friends exchanged looks, then nodded after confirming something, and again looked at Haruyuki.
“Also, Haru. We conferred and decided. Even if one more week passed and Haru is chained by the reward, Ta-kun and I, will supply points to Haru so we can level up at the same pace, that. That’s why Haru, you don’t need to worry about anything.”
Haruyuki seriously stared at Chiyuri’s face as she said that. Then he immediately rose from his chair, and fiercely shook his head.
Lowering his voice volume to the limit, Haruyuki said in a half shout.
“N... no! If you do that, then you two will have rewarded heads! Those guys, are waiting for an excuse to put that on all of us!”
“Hey hey Haru, I am at least more senior than you. Secretive ways of moving points around, I know many of them.”
Takumu who snickered as he touched his eyeglass bridge, soon looked to lower right of his view, then raised up as if to seal Haruyuki’s retort.
“Oops, I should be heading to club activities. Haru, if the caretaker activity takes too long, give me a shout, and I will help with what I can. Anyway this week, we will put master’s formulated «Purification Plan» as top priority.”
“...Ah, sorry, Taku.”
After swallowing various words, Haruyuki nodded.
The Disaster Armor purification plan. That was, after the seven Kings conference decided how to deal with Silver Crow, Kuroyukihime made it up while she was resentful, the mission to erase the Chrome Disaster factor. It seemed to be made up of three steps, but it was not fully explained to Haruyuki and others. While he raising his head, he said with over half for himself.
“I don’t know the details, but... anyway right now we can only do our best...”
“Un, I will also give my full cooperation. Bye, see you later.”
Takumu once more gave the area around Haruyuki’s right elbow a light knock, then turned around and lightly jogged to the kendo arena. While seeing him off, Chiyuri also quickly whispered.
“I also have to go to club activities, but don’t be afraid to tell me if anything happens. We are... let’s see... friends, or is it... comrades, not that... let’s see...”
‘—— Family. Isn’t that right?’
That kind of sound from Haruyuki’s heart, made Chiyuri stop her mouth as if she heard it, then she had a large smile. Just like that, she made a fist with her right hand, then moved to the exit with a clatter.
Haruyuki who was left by himself, as he wore the satchel on his shoulders, whispered in his chest.
‘Real or virtual, it was not that intrinsic of a problem. Taku and I, Chiyuri and I, Senpai and Raker-san and I, and then Niko. Pard-san, and many other people, what we fostered is always «here» —— in my heart.’
‘I will protect that. I don’t want to lose it. For Arita Haruyuki —— and then for Silver Crow.’
When he glanced at the time, there was only five minutes left till the appointed gathering time. Even while he was running to the stairs to first floor, Haruyuki renewed his decision.
This one week’s probation, was important time that Kuroyukihime and Niko desperately won and took from the Yellow and Purple Kings who insisted on immediate Judgement. He would absolutely not waste it. It was an unexpected committee activity that he carelessly became a candidate for, but there should be some kind of hint even in that. Right now, all he should do was to do his best in everything.
“All right!”
With that small shout, when he went outside, the rain seem to have stopped.
