《Coupe - The Art of Rebellion》 Chapter 1 - After the War
POINT OF VIEW : HIROAKI KUZNETSOV
¡°Mr. Kutsetnov! My car already had breakdown three times after replacing battery at your place! What are you going to do about it?!¡± complained a customer. ¡°Even if you yell, I can¡¯t do anything.¡± ¡°What?! That¡¯s how you treat your customer?!¡± ¡°I told you, your alternator is faulty. You¡¯re the one refused to replace it, don¡¯t blame me.¡± ¡°Your alternator is way more expensive than the battery, how are you going to explain it?! Manager, where¡¯s the manager? Let me talk to him!¡± ¡°What¡­? This is my workshop and I¡¯m the manager¡­¡± Ah¡­ you know that. A problematic customer that no one wants to deal with. ¡°Let''s say are going to buy another battery without the alternator but that will cost another 5000 yen and eventually surpass the alternator¡¯s price. I know few people that is not smart but I never meet someone this stupid¡­ hah.¡± ¡°Did you call me stupid?! You got guts saying stuff like that to your customer!¡± ¡°Well, you called it.¡± ¡°Urghhh¡­. I don¡¯t want to buy anymore battery! I¡¯m claiming the warranty!¡± ¡°Warranty doesn¡¯t cover what is deemed the customer¡¯s own fault.¡± ¡°How is that my fault? It¡¯s the machine¡¯s fault!¡± ¡°It¡¯s YOUR machine fault, YOUR alternator.¡± ¡°Then, I¡¯m claiming the alternator¡¯s warranty too!¡± ¡°Your alternator is out of warranty period, Mr. Customer.¡± Worrying the situation, the customer slammed the ground with his foot. 5:06 p.m. Looking at my watch, I asked. ¡°So? What¡¯s going to be? There¡¯s less than an hour left before the end of our operating hour. If you want, I can finish replacing both battery and alternator before time runs out, this is the thing I can promise.¡± Suppressed by his sense of defeat, he asked. ¡°..Er¡­ how much is the cost again¡­?¡± ¡°17 000 yen for alternator and 5000 yen for battery, that totals 22 000 yen. Well, you can buy just another battery over and over again, that ingenious way will profit me more though.¡± Clicking his tongue, he gave in. ¡°Tch, I have no choice¡­ I¡¯ll take both. You¡¯d better finish by today!¡± Once heard, I breathed in and put a big smile. ¡°Yes, yes, thank you! Please relax at out caf¨¦ and self-serve your drink!¡± He went to the caf¨¦. Sigh¡­ ¡°What was that, Aki?¡± a voice echoed from inside the workshop. ¡°Ah¡­ that, the specific customer who comes every time and complains restlessly.¡± ¡°Oh¡­ that uncle?¡± ¡°Umm.¡± I nodded. ¡°Forgive him, even though he is being a pain, he always comes here and buys our stuff.¡± ¡°That¡¯s not I am mad, it¡¯s just ¡­ pain¡­ In addition to that, our price is very reasonable and we have place to relax. I don¡¯t think he should refuse our service.¡± ¡°Right.¡± Oh, sorry for late introduction. My name is Hiroaki Kutsetnov, aged 19 years. My first name is Hiroaki and last is Kutsetnov. Yes, a half-Russian and half-Japanese born in Moscow, from Moscow and currently living in Nagoya. I¡¯m owning an automotive workshop, a cafe, and a bar, all in one, here at my residence! We live in a triple storey house and has a vast backyard with a garage. The ground floor was turned into a caf¨¦ and our resident is at 2nd and 3rd floor. This is why it is possible to do our business. The girl who just talked to me is my cutely cool little sister, Kano. In the same situation as me and aged a year younger than me. We¡¯ve been living together since from the Mother Russia. Anyone wonders why I called her a cutely cool little sister? Have you wondered how half-Russian and half-Japanese looks like? UuuuuUUUuu Watch this. ¡°What were you doing?¡± ¡°Replacing the HRV¡¯s rear axle.¡± ¡°Eh, wait? I thought the vertical jack we ordered has not arrived yet?¡± ¡°It has not yet, I thought of working out a little this afternoon, so you know¡­¡± ¡°You lifted and assembled it by yourself¡­?¡± ¡°Something like that.¡± For your information, that thing is heavy especially for Human! Think about it. She has a sensual body and quite the looking for 18-years-old girl. ¡°Nothing to surprise me eh? By the way, I¡¯m going to replace this City¡¯s alternator and battery. Can you fetch me the parts, 130 ampere output alternator and 36B battery.¡± ¡°Sure.¡± While waiting for Kano to get the parts, I disassembled the battery, the belting and temporarily removed hindrance like wires and tubes then proceeded to remove the alternator. ¡°Here.¡± Uttered Kano as she put down two boxes of brand new alternator and battery. She then lightly massaged her shoulders and cracked her neck left and right. ¡°Got some sores?¡± I asked while unboxing those spare parts. ¡°Kind of¡­ I should get ready to open the cafe.¡± For the information about our local services, we opened workshop from 12 p.m. until 6 p.m. Depending on our situation, we might open it earlier or later after I finish class in University. Kano will always be done with school at 3 p.m. After 6 p.m., we will rest until 8 p.m. and officially begins to open our caf¨¦ until 11 p.m. Everything after that will be adult-only coherence until 2 a.m. During workshop operation hours, the caf¨¦ becomes a waiting area for customers as we prepared self-served drinks. That¡¯s all to it. Well, we are like super packed with our life while being able to learn how to live in it. ¡°Why don¡¯t you rest today? Not to mention you still have the University entrance examination to undergo.¡± ¡°I refuse.-¡± She blatantly denied. ¡°¡ªI don¡¯t want to slack off while you do all the work. Furthermore, we promised to our parents to do it together, right?¡± ¡°Ha, just don¡¯t overdo yourself.¡± ¡°Thank you so much for the advice, I¡¯ll be very careful brother Aki.¡± She left the scene. ¡°What a hardworking little sister¡­¡± I whispered to myself. After that, I continued my previous intent to replace the alternator and battery, tested it and ultimately released the car to the rightful customer. ¡­ Time skipped until the opening time of our caf¨¦. We have already worn our caf¨¦ working attire, me in my butler outfit and my little sister in maid outfit. 7:58 p.m. As we are ready to open our caf¨¦. Right now, I¡¯m staring at my little sister as she flipped the notice board at the entrance from ¡®close¡¯ to ¡®open¡¯. She walked deeper inside the caf¨¦ and stopped before entering the kitchen. She intended to ignore me but eventually my stare caught her very attention. ¡°¡­From the moment I went down after getting changed, I feel like some perverted eyes are observing me. Just¡­ it¡¯s just a ¡®just¡¯, I¡¯ve been wondering¡­ why is that?¡± she asked while ferociously staring at me. ¡°I noticed¡­ Ummm¡­. The maid outfit is getting little too tight, isn¡¯t it?¡± She looked at her own body and tried to pull the fabric near the chest area. ¡°You¡¯re right, lately I feel hard to move in this attire.¡± ¡°Ha ha ha! I¡¯m sure you¡¯re getting fatter¡­---!¡± Zap! A punch flew directly toward my face. I blocked it with my palm. ¡°¡­.¡± Gulp. I was speechless. ¡°And I¡¯m sure that I¡¯m just adding muscle.¡± ¡°¡­.S-sure¡­ You¡¯re just adding muscle.¡± If that punch hits me, I would take emergency leave for days! She pulled back her fist and tenderly stretched it. ¡°The fact that my punch never hits you frustrates me to death.¡± ¡°..Ha¡­ha¡­¡± I laughed wryly. ¡°¡ªViolence doesn¡¯t solve a thing.¡± ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure it can fix the unfit gears inside your mouth.¡± ¡°¡­ What gears? You mean jaw?¡± ¡°Those are basically the same thing.¡± ¡°No it¡¯s not! And you will break the jaw, not fixing it!¡± ¡°I mistook the word ¡®break¡¯ with ¡®fix¡¯¡­ my bad, tehee.¡± she said as she winked. What?! Did you mistake your intent too?! 8:11 p.m. Ding-a-ling Customers entered the cafe. This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. Kano rushed to the entrance and greeted them. ¡°Welcome to Eternal Caf¨¦. A table of two?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Let me lead you there.¡± An uncle with an auntie. It¡¯s the regular couple who come almost every night. ¡°Are we the first again?¡± the auntie started conversation once seated. ¡°Yes!¡± ¡°Ha ha¡­¡± the auntie laughed softly. ¡°¡ªI see you full of energy every time.¡± ¡°Thank you so much! May I take your order?¡± ¡°Well then¡­. give us the usual stuff.¡± ¡°Usual stuff, okay! Please wait a while!¡± Kano then came to me and ordered. ¡°Two ryokucha and¡­--¡° She took notepad and wrote something down. ¡°¡ªmiso - ramen.¡± ¡°¡ªI¡¯ll be off to kitchen now, I¡¯ll leave the incoming customers to you!¡± ¡°Got it.¡± She took off to the kitchen. We separate our task. I handle the drinks while Kano handles the food. Since I¡¯ll be here until 2 a.m. to mainly serve alcoholic drinks as bar is open starting 11 p.m. It¡¯s balanced. I brewed the green tea and served it to the couple. ¡°Two ryochuka.¡± ¡°Thanks.¡± Said the auntie. ¡°You¡¯re welcome.¡± ¡°It must be hard for both of you to operate this caf¨¦ alone. Do you ever consider to get new employee to ease things up?¡± ¡°No, no. It¡¯s fine. Besides, the caf¨¦ is not that hectic for additional manpower.¡± And¡­ hiring new worker will reduce our basic net income. Hell naw. ¡°I see.¡± ¡°Enjoy your stay.¡± As I walked back toward the bar, the phone ringed. I answered the call. ¡°Hello.¡± ¡°Hello Hiroaki.¡± That voice¡­! ¡°..Ohhh~ Hikushiro! Long time no see!¡± Hikushiro, an old friend of mine, aged the same and an Animalia. ¡°Yes, same here.¡± ¡°Did you miss me? Is that why you called me?¡± I put on sarcastic tone. ¡°Parts of it maybe.¡± ¡°How¡¯s your travel around the world? Got any beauty that interested? He he¡­!¡± ¡°I did.¡± ¡°Oohhh! How¡¯s she? An Animalia too?¡± ¡°A Human¡­¡± ¡°Wow, you advanced further than I expected!¡± ¡°¡­ But¡­ she died¡­ though.¡± ¡°¡­.Oh¡­ I¡¯m sorry to hear that¡­¡± ¡°HAH! GOT YOU! I WAS KIDDING.¡± Pffft¡­! ¡°You fucking jerk.¡± ¡°Hahaha¡­! Relax, I didn¡¯t find anyone yet. I still have my little sister to take care of.¡± ¡°I really recommend to consult doctor about your sister complex.¡± ¡°¡­ Yes, screw you too. I don¡¯t want to hear that from you.¡± ¡°HA HA HA HA HA¡­.!¡± We both laughed together. ¡°¡ªBy the way, I heard you opened a caf¨¦?¡± ¡°Yes, it¡¯s true.¡± ¡°Will you hire my little sister? She needs a job.¡± ¡°Huh? What about you guys¡¯ travel?¡± ¡°We are kind of short on money you see.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t mind to do it for old friends¡­ but ummm¡­.¡± Like I say it will reduce my net worth¡­. ¡°Please, imagine a caf¨¦ with cat ears girl, wearing maid outfit. Not a bad deal right?¡± Damn you Hiku, you¡¯re abusing your race¡¯s special traits! Sounds very interesting, instead of forcing Kano to wear fake cat ears which she will absolutely refuse, I may get a girl with real cat ears and attracts more customer! But¡­! That¡­! What equation should I choose in this circumstances? Cuteness > Money Or Cuteness < Money ¡°¡­Umm¡­¡­.mmmmmmmmmm¡­.¡± ¡°Please.¡± His voice turns serious. ¡°¡­¡­¡± ¡°¡ªAlright. However, don¡¯t do something problematic.¡± ¡°Thanks¡­. I remember that. She will arrive at your residence around early midnight.¡± ¡°Noted.¡± ¡°Thank you so much, Aki.¡± ¡°Okay, goodbye and take care.¡± ¡°Goodbye.¡± And he hung up the call. I rested my arms on the bar, observing the caf¨¦. No one¡¯s here yet except the earlier couple. ¡°Who was it?¡± Kano came asking me after delivering the ramen to customers. ¡°Apparently, Yuki will come Japan tomorrow and work at our places.¡± ¡°Eh? That kind of story development is so sudden, don¡¯t you think?¡± ¡°Who doesn¡¯t?¡± ¡°Yuki eh¡­¡± She paused a moment. ¡°--Getting to see our old friends are exciting, isn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°I might agree¡­. But! I warn you, don¡¯t do something weird to Yuki!¡± ¡°I will definitely not. I¡¯m just an employer hiring an employee.¡± ¡°There¡¯s a thing called, getting worked out while on the job¡­?¡± ¡°You mean¡­ having sex with co-worker?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not an expert yet to say such phrase to someone¡­. Out loud.¡± It¡¯s a trap! ¡°Me neither.¡± I ignorantly stated. Triumphantly she smiled. ¡°Such a wonderful siblings.¡± Greeted the auntie once she finished eating. ¡°Auntie and uncle had already done?¡± responded Kano. They both nodded. ¡°Your tea and ramen is delicious as always.¡± ¡°Ahaha, thank you. Your words are most appreciated.¡± ¡°2000 yen is fine?¡± ¡°Yes, it¡¯s the price.¡± The auntie paid us the exact amount of note. ¡°Thanks for the food.¡± ¡°You¡¯re welcome and thank you for coming! Come again!¡± They left, waiving their hands while we politely bowed until their presence disappeared completely. ¡­. Soon after that, portions of handful customers walked in and ate dinner here or even strolled around to relax. After 11 at night, only two adults stayed and were still having conversation. Those shady guys, they might be talking about nasty and dangerous stuff. We don¡¯t shelter those guys but they are our precious customers. Rumors say that it is safe to talk things here rather than back alley. Everyone knows we won¡¯t bother anyone with their business. Time to time, those people send job request to us to deal with firearms, drugs or even kidnapping. Of course we accept the request as long as the pay is legit. 11: 07 p.m. Ding-a-ling A Japanese girl with long hair, and mild appearance in casual attire came in. ¡°Go home, it¡¯s past curfew time. We don¡¯t serve minors here.¡± I tried to cast her away as soon as she reached the bar. ¡°Oh my, I thought my body is matured enough¡­ I¡¯m very confident, especially my boobs.¡± She took a seat erotically. I playfully stared at her breast and mocked. ¡°My little sister has bigger boobs and she¡¯s only a high school girl.¡± ¡°Too bad, I came here for a request.¡± ¡°Yes it¡¯s too bad that you are a minor to come 7 minutes late past curfew. Come back again tomorrow before 11.¡± ¡°How come you know that I¡¯m a minor?¡± ¡°Heh, nothing can trick my eyes. Based on your body and your ¡®prideful¡¯ breast, you are without doubt 16 years old.¡± She got stoned briefly. ¡°¡­Though, hear me. This is emergency¡­ I need you to accept this job.¡± ¡°Yes it is emergency.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± ¡°It will become emergency when I dialed 110.¡± ¡°¡­But¡­!¡± ¡°AND¡­ those guys over there will not be pleased if I did so.¡± She stopped urging and turned her sight towards those shady guys. Once did, she quietly clicked her tongue. ¡°¡­I understand. I will come back tomorrow.¡± She then left frustratingly. Later, Kano came from the kitchen which she just finished washing the dishes. Moving towards me, she started a conversation. ¡°Eleven people were missing since last month. I just talked with them.¡± ¡°The Elves?¡± ¡°Yes, heard they are all living in the city, even the newcomers.¡± ¡°That¡¯s intriguing, Elves are very few in the city and highly intelligent. On top of all that, they managed to kidnap them. Those guys, they are really up to something.¡± ¡°That¡¯s not quite right, they are actually having headaches too. Three out of eleven are their guys.¡± ¡°Basically¡­. Erm¡­ they are not the one who do the kidnapping?¡± ¡°Seems like it.¡± She nodded. Doing drug, firearms deal and kidnapping is not something new to the society. The government is doing their best to come out with countermeasure against these activities. However, if the bad things happen only to ¡®one¡¯ race, it will be another whole level of deadly situation. Which possibly lead to. War. ¡°Wait, when did you talk to those guys?¡± ¡°When you were busy kicking out the little lady.¡± ¡°Oh right.¡± I did not notice that. ¡°By the way, isn¡¯t that girl is¡­?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry, she will come back tomorrow.¡± ¡­ Ding-a-ling The day after, as promised the girl came back at 10:50 p.m. which is before 11. Curse her. ¡°As appointed, I¡¯m here now.¡± She proudly declared her arrival. ¡°Yes, yes, welcome.¡± I lazily greeted her while Kano was beside me. ¡°I came nearly 11, did that trigger you?¡± ¡°Yeah, it totally triggered me¡­ But well, I keep my word. You are quite daring to wear school uniform, aren¡¯t you?.... Uh..huh?....I think you had longer hair and.... didn''t your breast shrink....?¡± ¡°Don''t call it shrink....! it was padded and I was wearing wig. I just thought going in casual adult-form is useless based on the treatment I received yesterday.¡± You did not even show effort. ¡°¡­That unifrom!¡± Something caught Kano''s attention. ¡°¡ªIsn¡¯t that Tomida High School?!¡± ¡°Ah yes, first year Tomida High School girl. Pleased to meet you.¡± ¡°Me too, third year Tomida High School girl.¡± ¡°Then that makes you my senpai then?¡± ¡°Ah senpai¡­. I don¡¯t know how to feel that. By the way, my name is Kano Kuznetsov and this is Hiroaki Kuznetsov.¡± ¡°K-K-Ku¡ªwhat?¡± ¡°It¡¯s a Russian name, just call me Kano.¡± ¡°Then, Kano-senpai.¡± ¡°¡ªAnd...This big, incompetent, and tactless brother? What should I call you?¡± ¡°¡­Hey you¡­. Aren¡¯t your attitude a bit different from yesterday?¡± ¡°Yesterday stuff was an act, I deemed it useless here so I dropped it.¡± Wow, this sharp-edged mouth, self-proud and overconfident girl really challenges my patience. ¡°Just call me whatever you want.¡± ¡°Big brother then.¡± She blatantly declared my calling name. Huh? ¡°Anyway, I have a request.¡± ¡°What would that be? Just so you know, we are not finding missing cats.¡± ¡°It is, a search request but not cats. I want you to find my little sister.¡± ¡°Haa¡­ I see. So what¡¯s her name? Before that..... what is your name?¡± She put up a thinking gesture. ¡°Epi-cc-center Kreshtein?¡± ¡°You are bad at on-the-spot lying.¡± Of course it is fake when you had to slip your tongue to say your own name. She even pronounced Kristine as Kreshtein and she''s full-fledged Japanese. ¡°¡­Uh¡­ well¡­. Rei Ruiki?¡± Pffftt! ¡°That¡¯s our Author¡¯s name!¡± ¡°Both things didn¡¯t go my way ay?¡± ¡°We won¡¯t proceed if we don¡¯t have any piece of information.¡± ¡°Just call me Hime. My little sister¡¯s name is also Hime¡­ but¡­¡± She rustled her jacket¡¯s pocket. ¡°¡ªI have her picture.¡± Shown, a middle school girl with short hair and a fine face. ¡°This is going smoothly. How much are you going to pay?¡± ¡°I already paid it.¡± ¡°Hah?¡± Wait¡­ I know very well who¡¯s doing this¡­ Sigh¡­ ¡°¡ªWe are not in the same page.¡± ¡°I see, then.¡± She unwrapped her katana and immediately unsheathed it, pointing the sharp edge towards my face. ¡°¡ªLet¡¯s have a duel? If I win you will accept the job and if I lose, I will walk away quietly.¡± ¡°I refuse.¡± I quickly denied her offer. ¡°You leave me no choice.¡± She swung her katana horizontally and I swiftly dodged it. Smashed. A..ah¡­.AHHHHHH! AhhhhhHHHHH!!!!!!! Five bottles of Riesling wine fell to the ground!!! She tried to swing vertically and I quickly made a halt gesture. ¡°STOP.¡± She halted. ¡°--I got it, I will have a duel with you but with conditions. If you refuse and continue this violence, I will not hesitate to call the police and sue you for vandalism.¡± Once heard the word ¡®police¡¯ she obediently backed off. ¡°¡­I-I understand, let¡¯s hear them.¡± ¡°First condition, pay back all the damages you¡¯ve caused. Five bottles of Reisling, 15 000 yen each, totaled at 75 000 yen. Second condition, the first condition is applied whether I win or lose.¡± She calmly sheathed the katana. ¡°I must admit that actually cost a lot. Will I have to sell my body to compensate the damage?¡± ¡°Depends.¡± ¡°I recommend to not make him do so.¡± Suddenly Kano intervened. ¡°You¡­ I can¡¯t believe you just watched all of that.¡± I reprimanded in exhaustion. ¡°It was interesting.¡± ¡°Yeah was¡­ but when you realized this month income will get reduced by 75 000 yen.¡± ¡°Oh¡­...! Well, you just have to tweak it a bit so we can survive next month.¡± ¡°So easy for you to say! Anyhow, Kano, you heard the circumstances, get my thing.¡± ¡°Yes, yes~¡± ¡°And you!¡± I pointed toward Hime. ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°Wait outside at the field.¡± ¡°Oh my, did you lose your cool nerve?¡± Anyone will lose it!! Especially when you know you lost a sum of your belongings! ¡°Just go.¡± ¡°Okay~¡± Observing my messed up bar, headaches stroke me. I felt like a hundred edges of the katana had stabbed my skull. Thank god there¡¯s no customer tonight. I worriedly left the bar and went upstairs toward the living room. There, I met Kano. She was holding a wrapped huge blade. ¡°How was she?¡± ¡°She¡¯s good to go.¡± ¡°I never thought of wielding this thing again for such reason.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not your fault, you are just too stupid.¡± ¡°What?¡± My brain couldn''t process that. ¡°Nothing.¡± She gave the sword to me. ¡°¡ªAre you sure you¡¯re going to do this? Hime will definitely lo¡ª¡° ¡°THAT¡¯s how things work.¡± ¡°¡ªThings sometimes get interesting when you are oblivious." As I put on evil smile. Chapter 2 - Duel Trade GLOSSARY HUMAN A native humanoid race. Human has the moderate rate of capability in everything. However, if ones are willing to improve, they will be an expert at that particular field and be the best.
Physical Strength : Moderate
Magical Strength : Moderate
Intelligence : Moderate
Lifespan : ~60 years
ANIMALIA A hybrid humanoid of humans and animals. Animalia has extraordinary physical strength but very weak magical strength. Their senses are enhanced as if they are animals themselves.
Physical Strength : Very High
Magical Strength : Very Weak
Intelligence : Moderate
Lifespan : ~60 years
ELF A long-eared humanoid who prefers to live in the woods. Elf is very intelligent and excels at crafting and casting magic. However, the major drawback is they are very weak in physical strength resulting the situation which they will always avoid close-combat.
Physical Strength : Very Weak
Magical Strength : Very High
Intelligence : Very High
Lifespan : ~60 years
DARK ELF A rare breed from Elf. Dark elf has outstanding magical strength and extremely intelligent. However, they live only half their Race¡¯s lifespan.
Physical Strength : Moderate
Magical Strength : Outstanding
Intelligence : Outstanding
Lifespan : ~30 years
UNDEAD A rare lifeform that has unsettled and severe regrets which they could not attend before they died. All Human, Animalia and Elf are bound to reincarnate as Undead if they fulfill the conditions. The limit of Undead is their body¡¯s own limit as they may use unbounded power of physical and magical strength until their body scatters. They lose their senses except seeing, hearing, talking and thinking and they are dead body themselves. If they are exposed to sunlight, it will exhibit their body¡¯s rotting rate and eventually die. Lastly, they may consume anything to stay alive as long as it contains nutrients.
Physical Strength : Unlimited, until the body scatters
Magical Strength : Unlimited, until the body scatters
Intelligence : Same as the Race before they reincarnated
Lifespan : Unlimited or will die if regrets are settled
VAMPIRE A rare form in Undead. Vampire has unique capabilities and can only feed on blood to stay alive. Unlike Undead, they have living organs as if they are really revived from death but they will rot if exposed to sunlight. They also have unknown lifespan and may die if killed like a normal human.
Physical Strength : Unique
Magical Strength : Unique
Intelligence : Unique
Lifespan : Unknown
INNATE ABILITY A rare special ability that any race may obtain the moment they were born.
POINT OF VIEW : HIROAKI KUZNETSOV
The thought of ¡®I will never wield this tremendous blade ever again¡¯ always lingers in my mind. Both Kano and I understand this. However, it is also understandable that something big is happening. Sooner or later, our aids will be needed. Once I had done preparing my gear, Kano and I went to the field. We saw Hime was messaging using her smartphone, while her katana was leaning on her waist. She was so focused that she did not realize our approach.The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there. ¡°Boyfriend?¡± I whispered. She mildly snapped from her engrossed activity. ¡°¡­ No¡­ way.¡± ¡°¡ªIt¡¯s my father, he seems worried that I haven¡¯t gone home yet at this hour.¡± 11:44 p.m. ¡°¡ªA piece of information¡­ if I were you, I¡¯d avoid from making such joke because no one dares to ask me out for some reasons.¡± ¡°Hoo? The reasons are?¡± ¡°Perhaps I am too beautiful for them? Unsuitable couple always break up very soon.¡± ¡°You¡¯re just saying other guys are ugly, aren¡¯t you?¡± Avoiding the statement, she looked away. This girl¡­. ¡°¡ªYou are just rotten to the very root¡­. No wonders no one likes you.¡± ¡°No sweat.¡± She held her chin up. ¡°¡ªI think I will get a boyfriend tonight.¡± I¡­. think, she means by me. ¡°Ah really? Just an advance notice, that guy probably will reject before you be able to finish your confession.¡± ¡°I¡ª¡° She unsheathed her katana, standing by for the duel. ¡°¡ªWill make him fall for me!¡± A declaration which created a blow of pseudo-night breeze, gently swiped our arena. ¡°Try me.¡± As the situation flown along, the clothes covering a huge sword I was holding unwrapped by itself. Alerted by our preparation, Kano took foots away from us to avoid any concomitant of the duel. ¡°¡­Wow, isn¡¯t that Great Sword of Excalibur? Huh¡­? It looks a bit different though¡­. but with that emblem, it is definitely Excalibur!¡± asked Hime in surprise as she was inspecting the sword. ¡°It is.¡± A Great Sword, hardly worn by anyone as it is big and heavy. Even though, a handful of people have adapted to such weapon and it¡¯s pretty popular amongst ¡®big¡¯ men with its great destruction power especially when enchanted by magic. ¡°How¡¯d you get it? It¡¯s the legendary weapon can only be worn by King Arthur! .... Are you¡­ possibly, King Arthur himself?! Then¡­! That¡­would make me want to date you even more!¡± ¡°King Arthur is English and I am half-Russian, there¡¯s no reason for you to desire me even more.¡± ¡°Tsk, tsk, no worries, I would pretend that you are King Arthur.¡± ¡°No, no, there¡¯s no need to waste your energy to keep up with your pretending.¡± ¡°No, no, no, it costs me nothing to pretend it for 24 hours a day.¡± ¡°No, no, no, I¡¯m sure you will get tired eventually.¡± ¡°No, no, no, no, nothing tires me from my true love.¡± Hell with your true love! ¡°You are very persistent¡­¡± ¡°I am a persistent girl indeed.¡± She claimed proudly. ¡°Ermmmm¡­.¡± ¡°Heheh¡­mm¡± I kept staring at her with annoyed expression her while she responded it with a triumphant and extremely annoying face. ¡°¡­Ah¡­¡­Hello¡­.¡± Suddenly Kano wryly intervened our cold stare competition. ¡°Huh?¡± ¡°If you two are not going to start it, let¡¯s call it off. We will anger the neighbourhood if we cross swords so late at night.¡± Understanding the situation, we reverted to our standby stance. ¡°Don¡¯t you think fighting with sword is irrelevant in this time and era? I mean we already have firearms technology which can be conveniently used at distances.¡± I asked. ¡°I agree but all those ranged weapons can be easily overwhelmed by good agility-combat warrior. Additional to that, Japan doesn¡¯t allow free possession of firearms but¡­. not sharp objects.¡± ¡°It¡¯s kind of messed up rules, isn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°Probably, so what is our rules? The authority to create it is yours since I was the one who challenged you. I hope you won¡¯t use guns because we don¡¯t want to make noise in the ¡®neighbourhood¡¯. Also, bullet hurts.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not convinced to agree to that, blade also hurts.¡± ¡°When it actually stabs you, that is.¡± That just means she is confident with her swordfight technique. Oh well, once a while getting to test a girl her skill is not bad at all. ¡°The rules are, we don¡¯t leave this field and you win when the opponent gives up.¡± ¡°Fine by me.¡± Zap! She charged her katana right away with her two hands targeting my vital point but I dodged it slightly to the right. Noticing my dodge in the midflight, she flipped the katana¡¯s edge towards me and sliced it directly onto my neck. I docked before it happened, anchoring Excalibur to the ground as stabilizer, looping around in a center and gave a back kick in the stomach, blowing her away from me. Poff...! Poff!...! Hime wholly kissed the dirts. ¡°¡ªU¡ªugh¡­ ugh¡­ugh¡­.¡± She coughed due to sudden pressure on her breathing system. ¡°Really? Did you try to kill me?¡± I asked as I had my Excalibur¡¯s hilt back in my hand. She aimed at my heart and neck! If that would hit, I would have a very slim chance of surviving! ¡°¡­A..ah¡­. I think if I wouldn¡¯t do that¡­. you won¡¯t get¡­-serious. My little sister is at stake here¡­.That kick was splendid though.¡± While still lightly injured, she got up. ¡°My god, you are really an extraordinary girl.¡± ¡°But, you didn¡¯t counterattack with your sword. That opens a winning opportunity as you only lose when you give up¡­. And¡­. So far as I concern, I won¡¯t die now.¡± Tch. She is not wrong. I refuse to kill what is not profitable to me. Damn it, I regret stating such simple yet abusable rules¡­. But¡­.! ¡°If that¡¯s how are you going to play, then I will get serious.¡± I threw Excalibur directly at her and was modestly deflected, shifting its direction to the backyard wall. KA-Boom. KKKKKKK.... The backyard wall had got partially shattered. I know she isn¡¯t ready to die yet. ¡°¡ªHow was that? The feeling of the very last second you could die.¡± ¡°..A¡­¡± She briefly lost all the words. ¡°--¡­.Quite excited..? *Gulp* Anyway, what¡¯s with that Excalibur? It¡¯s damn heavy! I could feel the weight the moment I deflected it! I know a great sword is heavy, but that¡­.! That thing is at totally different level!¡± ¡°It is ¡­Excalibur. Of course. That is why rumors say only King Arthur could wield it because he was chosen by the sword itself. It was set up that way and only few know the conditions.¡± ¡°..Ah...ha¡­ ha. Your explanation leaves me no choice but to believe that you are King Arthur¡­¡± ¡°Too bad, I really am not.¡± Without ado, I advanced forward and punched Hime in the face but it was guarded with her arms and she nimbly sliced diagonally, forcing me to leap skyward to avoid it. According to what I have initially planned, I reached the area where Excalibur fell, thus I picked it up. Leaving no resting time, I charged ahead and swung Excalibur vertically and was statically guarded. Pofffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff! The ground crumbled as Hime was trembling to endure the impact from Excalibur. Knowing the dire condition she was in, she quickly retreated after her meager counteroffensive move managed to release her from the deadlock. ¡°--If Excalibur was able to land that hits, I guess your body will scatter into pieces.¡± Sweating heavily, she gulped and merely listened to me. ¡°¡­¡­¡± Worrying about her katana, she took a quick peek on it without leaving her stance. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it, legendary weapon cannot be easily broken.¡± ¡°Oh..? You know about this katana?¡± Hime seemed curiuos about the topic I opened. All legendary weapons are the finest among the best in terms of materials and creating process. It was made by a single Human swordsmith exclusively to a batch of handful persons. ¡°That¡¯s right, the katana is called Maihime. The thrust it makes is not ordinary, it slices so smooth that enemies will never see it coming. It really is a deadly weapon if adapted and used properly.¡± However, Hime has not be able to use the ability at its fullest. That simply shows our difference in speed and effectiveness. ¡°¡­Yaaaa¡­..you know¡­. I¡¯m really cornered here, I never expect you to move that fast while carrying that huge sword. It¡¯s either you have very well trained muscles or simply because it is light to you.¡± ¡°You think so? It actually weights a ton, I might have Kano massage me later before bed.¡± I said as I knocked few times on the shoulder. ¡°¡ªSo¡­.Just give up so that my little sister can touch me since I finally have reason she could agree!¡± ¡°¡­Hey¡­ the way you say that is gross.¡± ¡°I have no choice since no other girls want to massage me at night.¡± ¡°Then¡­.!¡± She placed in Ko Gasumi stance, holding Maihime firmly. ¡°¡ªI will end it now so that your girlfriend can massage you instead!¡± Oh¡­! Here comes¡­! I steadily turned Excalibur into a shield right before her advancement, the moment after she charged, a cut of katana which I couldn¡¯t see was once hit the Excalibur, soon after that, she proceeded to strike me in the rear. ¡°I GAVE UP.¡± I quickly declared before the assault happened. She halted, and of course in confusion. ¡°Eh?¡± she voiced a simple question. ¡°Didn¡¯t you hear me? I said I gave up.¡± ¡°Ah¡­ yes, I didn¡¯t predict to win this easy.¡± Oh, you actually predicted to win?! ¡°I just want to see whether you could correctly use Maihime and you did.¡± Though, it was so weak. ¡°I know¡­. but you managed to deflect it even I used Maihime¡¯s special ability.... Like you did just now. It¡¯s not strange if you could deflect my next strike.¡± ¡°That¡¯s the motive I accept this duel. Besides, you will still pay even though I lost.¡± ¡°.....¡­ I have nothing to say¡­¡± she replied as she lowered her weapon. Noticing our duel had ended, Kano approached us. ¡°This is news to me, Aki, you are really kind to purposely lose the duel. Your ¡®kingly¡¯ pride must be trampled really hard.¡± ¡°Beats me. Unfortunately, there¡¯s a person with ¡®godly¡¯ pride.¡± ¡°Heh.¡± She laughed sarcastically. ¡°As per promised, you will accept my request.¡± Hime claimed. ¡°Yes, yes, as you wish little princess.¡± ¡°¡ªLi-little what?¡± ¡°You decided to call me big brother, then I decided to call you little princess¡­ Little comes from little sister since you are younger than me, and princess is direct translate to Hime, right?¡± ¡°¡­You are¡­ really gross¡­.¡± ¡°You said whatever you want and I responded it with whatever I want, a fair trade isn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°¡­Well¡­ leaving your disgusting, awful and nasty taste aside¡­--¡° Oi! ¡°¡ªBe my boyfriend, big brother.¡± ¡°Can you ask me a little¡­ you know? Like a real ¡®normal¡¯ girl would ask a guy out¡­.?¡± ¡°..Oh, my bad, then¡­. I love you, let¡¯s go out big brother.¡± Gek! ¡°Do something about your ¡®big brother¡¯ kind of calling, it sounds weird.¡± ¡°As soon as you drop the calling ¡®little princess¡¯.¡± ¡°THAT¡¯S RIGHT, HIME¡ª¡° Kano suddenly raised in raspy voice. ¡°Ugh?!¡± She looks ferocious as hell! ¡°¡ªYOU SHOULDN¡¯T CALL OTHER¡¯S BIG BROTHER, A ¡®BIG BROTHER¡¯. Unless you want to have a duel with ¡®LITTLE SISTER¡¯, and that particular ¡®LITTLE SISTER¡¯ won¡¯t let you have ¡®FREE WIN¡¯ and beat you until you can never talk.¡ªAlso ,--No rules.¡± You mean having a bloodbath not duel! ¡°¡ªAND AKI, stop calling Hime little princess.¡± Gulp! Hime and I looked at each other, hastily made a nod of agreement together. ¡°We got it.¡± ¡°Hummm, very well.¡± Kano finally calmed down. ¡°Before I accept your confession, Hime. Let me confirm a thing with you.¡± I asked. I am a man who live by logic and accept reality, I would want a partner who could bear it together¡­. Never mind, it is a lie. Pairing with emotionally unstable girlfriend who doesn¡¯t understand reality is simply a pain. ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°How¡­ how far, are you willing to do to find your little sister?¡± Listening to my question, Hime paused a while. ¡°¡­.¡± ¡°I will¡­ DO anything, she¡¯s my only siblings and part of my family. A¡­ very¡­. precious family¡­.¡± ¡°Even murdering?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± she answered without hesitation. A very bright and determined expression, this is fair enough. ¡°Alright, you pass. Let¡¯s date.¡± Though it seemed not like it, Hime showed a tiny piece of happines in her face. ¡°I see, I see, so we are couple now¡­. What should we do now? Hug?¡± ¡°I wouldn¡¯t want that, you stink from over sweating. Go take a bath first.¡± ¡°Wow, that¡¯s the worst reply a girl could receive after offering a hug.¡± ¡°Shut up, I don¡¯t want to hear that from you. Just don¡¯t come near me before you¡¯re done cleaning your sweat.¡± ¡°¡­Uwuuu¡­ Cruel¡­¡± ¡°Glad we got a new couple here¡­ By the way Hime.¡± Kano called. ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°Are you going home?¡± ¡°Supposedly¡­. I am finished with my business here.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s stay at our place for the night¡­. It¡¯s getting very late.¡± ¡°¡­But¡­¡± ¡°We also need more information about your request. This could speed up our business, the faster the better, isn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°¡­Seems that I can¡¯t agree more, things might happen to my little sister for each time we tarry. But¡­--But¡­ What should I say to my parents?¡± ¡°Just tell them you are staying at our house.¡± I gave an opinion. ¡°Huh?¡± ¡°They will know¡­ for sure.¡± Bzzzz Bzzzz Bzzzz Hime took out her smartphone. ¡°It¡¯s father.¡± She uttered. Speak of the devil. ¡°¡ªMay I answer the call inside?¡± ¡°Go ahead.¡± Hime then left Kano and I for the purpose she had intended. ¡°¡­.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡­.¡± ¡°Must be glad, you got to see her again.¡± Kano whispered gently. ¡°It¡¯s not just me¡­ right? WE¡­ are glad.¡± ¡°Agreed, three years wasn¡¯t long before you realized it¡­¡± ¡°Yes¡­¡± We both, unconsciously smiled gladly under the starry night sky, looking at the path Hime took. ¡­.. Curtain clo--- ----¡°AAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!¡± Abruptly, a loud scream echoed from inside the caf¨¦. What? We are trying to end the chapter here! ¡°What was that?¡± Kano asked worriedly. ¡°I don¡¯t know, let¡¯s check it out.¡± We rushed to the caf¨¦¡­ Din¡ªgg¡ªaa-lingg-ling-ling ¡°W-w---w-wwha¡ªwwhaaaatttt¡¯s hu-hu-----hugging me?!¡± Hime was stuttering in panic while she was being hugged by a fox-eared woman from the back. ¡°¡ªA¡ªaa¡­.¡ªAaki¡­.I-is¡­that y-you? C-c-come help meeee¡­.!¡± Screamed Hime without even bothering to take a look behind her. Well¡­. That is¡­--- ¡°Yuki?!¡± shouted Kano in surprise. ---- Chapter 3 - Fox Woman
POINT OF VIEW : HIROAKI KUZNETSOV
¡°Unyu¡­ nuyuu¡­ yyuuu ¡­¡° mumbled Yuki as she was hugging Hime. ¡°¡ªI really miss you~ Kano~~¡± ¡°¡­Yu¡­.ki¡­?¡± asked Kano again. ¡°Nyu¡­? Yes?¡± Yuki looked at us. ¡°¡­. That¡¯s¡­ not me¡­.¡± ¡°Eh..?¡­Kano? Is that you?¡± ¡°Ha¡­ yes, it is me¡­.¡± ¡°Uuwhat? Then who is this?¡± she then confusingly looked at Hime. While enduring the urge to laugh, Kano and I watched Hime as she was being a little scaredy cat, stoned solidly. Thereafter, Kano told, ¡°That¡¯s Hime¡­ our client¡­¡± ¡°Oopss¡­!¡± Yuki quickly released Hime. ¡°¡ªI thought it was you.¡± Hop! Yuki immediately hugged Kano. ¡°¡ªKkaaaaanoooooo~~¡± ¡°¡ªI really miss you~~¡± Supporting the sudden hug, Kano responded it with a gentle stroke on the back. ¡°Me too.¡± ¡°Wow! You look taller!¡± ¡°Just a little.¡± ¡°A little?! I see you grew a lot!¡± Releasing Kano, Yuki took a peek to the side, towards me. ¡°Is that you Aki?¡± ¡°Yo, Yuki. Long time no see.¡± I replied. ¡°You look taller than Kano!¡± ¡°Well, it¡¯s in our blood.¡± Leaving the lovely reunion between old friends, I approached Hime who was still unaware of the situation. ¡°Scaredy cat, aren¡¯t you?¡± I whispered. ¡°¡­S-sh-shut up!¡± She then subsequently recovered the flex on her body. ¡°¡ªAnyone would be on cautious if they suddenly got hugged from behind!¡± ¡°Too bad, as you can see, it¡¯s not a ghost.¡± ¡°¡­..Umm¡­ no, that¡¯s not it. I¡¯m not afraid of ghost, I was shocked when something furry was rubbing against my hair.¡± ¡°Oh, do you mean by Yuki¡¯s ears?¡± ¡°Seems like it.¡± Sighing, she mumbled, ¡°I feel so embarrassed for screaming out loud like that¡­¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be, it was fun.¡± Zap! She lightly elbowed in the stomach. Ouch. ¡°Tch, you remember this.¡± After Kano and Yuki were done greeting, Yuki bowed an apologize to Hime. ¡°I¡¯m very sorry¡­ to suddenly hug you¡­¡± ¡°No worries¡­. it¡¯s fine.¡± ¡°Really? Well then¡­.. I will formally introduce myself, my name is Yuki¡­. Alepou Yuki.¡± ¡°My name is¡­ for now, call me Hime.¡± ¡°Okay Hime. However, it was fun watching your reaction though.¡± Clicking her tongue, Zap! Hime tried to elbow me again but I slapped it away. Don¡¯t get cocky lil girl! ¡°I really am not satisfied with this.¡± Hime pouted unhappily, lying her sight on me. ¡°¡­Ha¡­ But I apologized¡­¡± Yuki worriedly replied. ¡°Oh, no I don¡¯t mean by you Yuki. I¡¯m talking to Aki!¡± ¡°¡ªI won¡¯t get satisfied if I didn¡¯t get to stab you!¡± Why?! Don¡¯t release your overloaded anger on me! ¡°Stop it, go take a little rest so we can settle your non-profitable job request as soon as possible.¡± I asserted. ¡°¡ªAsk Kano if you don¡¯t know the way around¡­. Also Kano, don¡¯t forget to close our caf¨¦. Then, see you guys at the living room.¡± I went upstairs without even showing interest to continue the conversation. ¡°What¡¯s with him?¡± Hime asked, sensing my peculiar attitude. Kano put on a tiny smile and answered. ¡°He¡¯s merely tired¡­. Let¡¯s show you both around the house.¡± ____________________________Living Room________________________________ Our house is three-storey built residence. The first floor has been stated that it becomes the cafe and the rest stays as our private roof. The total of private rooms available in the house are five, two are placed on 2nd floor and the other three are on 3rd floor. Each floor has 2500 square feet and we have a large bathroom on 2nd floor that eats up almost half of the floor¡¯s area. The main living room is at 2nd floor, furnished with basic furniture such as sofa, eating table, chairs, air-conditioner, and entertainer like television. It will be our zone for discussion once everyone finishes their business. Thus while waiting, I took off my vest and laid down on the long sofa. 1.10 a.m. ¡°I guess¡­ we closed the bar too early¡­?¡± I mumbled. Doesn¡¯t matter, no one¡¯s coming anyway. I rested my arm on the head and closed my eyes as I tried to take quick nap. I wish I could have a goodnight sleep instead¡­. *Blank* ¡­.. ¡°¡­¡­¡± ¡°Where¡­am¡­ i?¡± I see wreckage of buildings all over the place. Boom!!! Peww-----! BOOOMM!!!!! The sound of bombing and exploding, as well as the vivid light of magic, resonance in my presence. I also see dead bodies everywhere and ¡®another¡¯ Kano that looks younger¡­ she is pointing a gun towards a person who is critically injured. BANG! She pulls the trigger resulting the person to drop dead. ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Aki¡­? We haven¡¯t accomplished our mission yet. Don¡¯t just stand there, let¡¯s move on.¡± She says. I remain silent, looking around carefully, then I close my eyes. ¡°¡­.¡± ¡­.. I woke up. ¡­.All of other things, that particular dream decides to show up? Sigh¡­ ¡°Ahh..! I feel so refreshed!¡± I heard Hime¡¯s voice coming from bathroom. ¡°¡ªOhh¡­! Aki, are you awake?¡± I took my breath a few times in, then let it out consequently, trying to grasp the feeling of being awake. ¡°Haaa¡­.¡± I lazily answered while looking at the ceiling. She¡¯s definitely naked right now¡­ ¡°--Wear a proper clothes before coming here.¡± ¡°¡­.Ah wow, you know even though you haven¡¯t laid eyes on me yet?¡± ¡°It¡¯s called, man¡¯s instinct.¡± ¡°That¡¯s really awesome, that thing you called man¡¯s instinct.¡± She then literally took a step closer. ¡°I DON¡¯T MIND throwing you outside naked.¡± ¡°¡­Ewhh? You really don¡¯t want to see this ¡®purrfect¡¯ bodeh?¡± ¡°I will make our first playful night where you can feel more embarrassed than you just did moments ago¡­--Outside.¡± Remembered the embarrassment she was bearing, ¡°For that, I deeply apologize. I will wear clothes now.¡±This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there. She obediently left the living room. ¡°You rejected her offer Aki, that¡¯s staggering of you.¡± Yuki began another conversation. She was sitting on the single sofa, leaning leisurely while watching the muted TV. ¡°¡­Oh¡­. I didn¡¯t notice you there, since when?¡± ¡°Since you fell asleep¡­.¡± There was a brief pause as Yuki was changing channels hence and forth. ¡°--¡­I heard she¡¯s become your girlfriend recently.¡± ¡°That is true¡­--¡° I woke up and sat properly on the sofa, with my hands resting on the respective knees. ¡°¡ªShe just sent a job request and confessed at the same time not long ago the second of your arrival.¡± ¡°And you just accepted it?¡± ¡°With conditions, certainly.¡± ¡°As expected, there¡¯s no way someone can be your partner that easy.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t expect too much, I might ditch her sooner or later¡­. Though, that¡¯s decision is up to Hime herself.¡± ¡°Hooo¡­. Anyway, who is she? Based on treatment you and Kano gave her, it¡¯s very doubtful that Hime is just an ordinary client.¡± ¡°She is Shogun¡¯s daughter.¡± Hearing that, Yuki¡¯s eyes were widened. However, she decided to stay reticent. ¡°¡ªWell, she tried to avoid telling us her last name but she herself, didn¡¯t notice that we already knew about it.¡± ¡°I see¡­.. so, what is the job request?¡± ¡°Finding her little sister.¡± ¡°Uh, what? I thought Shogun has only one child?¡± ¡°That¡¯s the main thing I want to find out, the reason I accept her free-of-charge request.¡± Yuki then was brooding, as her eyes glanced up to the ceiling. Hm? ¡°¡ªWhat¡¯s up?¡± I asked, but unconsciously ignored. ¡°¡ªYuki¡­?¡± ¡°Ah¡­ Nothing¡­¡± ¡°By the way, where¡¯s Hiku? He merely sent you alone here¡­ I must say that is quite an irresponsible action right there.¡± ¡°Bro is around¡­. He said he got some business to attend to¡­ You¡¯ll get to meet him once he¡¯s done.¡± ¡°I see.¡± ¡­. We gathered at the living room with teas and light supper prepared on the table. Once everyone got comfortable, Kano tried to begin the discussion. ¡°Alright, first of all---¡° ¡°FIRST of all---¡± I interrupted Kano¡¯s gimmick as I laid down on my stomach on the floor. ¡°¡ªHey, Ms. Girlfriend, massage my back and shoulders.¡± ¡°Huh? Do you mean by me?¡± asked Hime. ¡°Is there anyone else here has the status ¡®girlfriend¡¯?¡± ¡°What are you talking about, Aki?¡± ranted Kano. ¡°Well, my little sister¡­.You see¡­ my back and shoulders hurts a lot due to aftereffect of the duel. Also, I can¡¯t somehow continue the discussion when the pain¡¯s still bothering me.¡± ¡°I will massage you later, just endu---¡° ¡°It¡¯s fine.¡± Interrupted Hime. ¡°¡ªI was the one who said that his girlfriend will massage him tonight.¡± Letting out a heavy sigh, Kano lost interest. ¡°Be done quickly then¡­¡± ¡°Alright, alright, we got a greenlight. Go on Hime, do your best.¡± ¡°Count on me!¡± Hime then stood up, lifting her right leg as high as possible, and BAM! She smacked right onto my spine. ¡°Ou-ou-ou-ouuuu-ouchh!¡± ¡°¡ªWha-what the hell are you doing?!¡± ¡°Shut up, Mr. Tactless Boyfriend, this kind of treatment suits you very well!¡± She kept trampling my back. ¡°Take this!¡± Continued, harder. ¡°Oucchhh!!!!¡± It hurts--- it must be the way she tried to get revenge on---! But no wait, this might be kind of pleasurable, oddly way of massage¡­! ¡°Here I come~¡± She pressured her heel from my lower spine, ¡°¡ªGoo¡­~¡± Up to higher spine without breaking contact. DAMN! ¡°¡ªCombo wombo~¡± She then repeated the same process to slightly each side of the spine, as the flow of the massage progressed outbound. ¡°¡­Ah... crap¡­ you¡¯re actually good¡­.¡± ¡°Well, thank you! However, I¡¯m not done yet~¡± Next, my rear right shoulder was pressured at a point, curving around and repeated on the other shoulder. ¡°¡ªFinally¡­.~¡± ¡°Cracked* as she was finalizing her strange massage. ¡°O¡­oy¡­ I heard a weird crack¡­¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry, don¡¯t worry, it¡¯s the sign that the massage is being successful!¡± Definitely not¡­ I stood up, taking a proper seat and flexibly moved my muscle around. ¡°¡ªHow was it?¡± ¡°¡­It¡¯s descent¡­?¡± ¡°See? A massage from your girlfriend is what you need!¡± To be honest, I can¡¯t really tell. Somehow my body feels light, somehow heavy and hard to move. I¡¯m really confused. Considering how she sadistically used her feet, I might as well expect such bizarre outcomes. ¡°I can¡¯t believe you make me and Yuki watch your lovey-dovey comedy¡­¡± complained Kano in disgust. Uwaaahh¡­ I wanna kill myself¡­ ¡°It reminds me of old times¡­ Hehe¡­¡± Added Yuki with a gentle chuckle. ¡°Whatever¡­ So, Yuki, do you still want to hop in the discussion?¡± ¡°I will be working here soon¡­. Kinda obligated to join. If you guys prefer me not to, I may also walk away.¡± ¡°Nah, you can stay. You are our friend after all.¡± ¡°By the way, this girl¡ª¡° I pointed my thumb towards Hime. ¡°¡ªI¡¯ve decided that she will work with us without pay for a month.¡± ¡°Ehhh?! At least proceed me with minimum wages!¡± Hime frowned. ¡°Denied, 75 000 yen isn¡¯t easy to obtain ya know.¡± ¡°B-but, I am your client¡­! You can¡¯t have your client work in your stead!¡± ¡°Client who doesn¡¯t pay and still has debt to us. I really think this isn¡¯t a bad deal.¡± ¡°I understand, I¡¯ll kneel down and beg then!¡± ¡°Stop it, don¡¯t waste any more time.¡± Just how much you want to avoid working, you damn wit!? ¡°HIME!¡± Kano intrusively reproved. ¡°Y-y-yy-yes?¡± ¡°¡ªIt¡¯s almost THREE IN THE MORNING. HUMANs need to sleep to detoxify their body and be ready for the next day¡­. UNLESS, you are not human so I can P-E-R-S-O-N-A-L-L-Y deny your sleep cycle for days since we are taking day off tomorrow¡­. I¡¯m sure to CAREFULLY, PRECISELY and ATTENTIVELY take care of you.¡± ¡°I am very sorry and humbly apologize!¡± Approaching me cautiously, Hime whispered, ¡°My future sister-in-law sure is scary. Is she always like this? It seems like a different person from the girl I first met.¡± ¡°No, not really. She¡¯s being unusually aggressive only to you.¡± ¡°Ewhh¡­¡± ¡°Hime.¡± Called Kano again. ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°Do you mind lending me Maihime for a moment?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t mind¡­ but what are you going to do with it?¡± Hime took the katana and handed it over to Kano. ¡°Running some checking.¡± ¡°Checking?¡± ¡°Excalibur holds colossal amount of destructive power, crossing path with it won¡¯t leave Maihime unscratched even if it is a genuine legendary weapon. Therefore, I¡¯m going to do some repairs if found.¡± ¡°Ohhh¡­! How is that possible?¡± asked Hime, enthralled by Kano¡¯s words. Touching softly on the blade, Kano closed her eyes. ¡°My Innate Ability: Tuning, allows me to understand the structural particles arrangement of the object I touch, such as materials used along with its working mechanisms, and rearrange the elements to its original position or the way I desire.¡± ¡°¡­.Tuning¡­..¡± whispered Kano. A moment of respectful silence rejoiced¡­. ¡°¡­.¡± ¡°Hm.¡± Kano nodded. ¡°¡ªThere was a tiny cleft.¡± ¡°Your ability is impressive! Does this mean, you can fix anything?!¡± complimented Hime, intriguingly. ¡°Yes¡­. Well¡­ it¡¯s not so useful in battlefield though.¡± ¡°But you can use it for something else for example¡­ Umm¡­. That¡¯s right, a workshop¡­? Oh! That¡¯s why you both open a workshop nearby! So, you can exploit people¡¯s money with the ability?!¡± ¡°Idiot.¡± I said. ¡°¡ªWe are not such scum. We do merely because we like it. Also, balance is important, an equity to the economy.¡± ¡°Umm¡­ I don¡¯t understand¡­ What¡¯s wrong with using your ability in your business? The world fills with supernatural power, it doesn¡¯t seem fit.¡± ¡°¡­..We¡­..We¡­. just¡­. Feel¡­ like¡­.doing¡­ it¡­.¡± My voice lowered for each word spoken. We are trying our best to live a normal life, at the same time, we can go rampage to fulfil our client¡¯s request. In other words, we keep forward in present, without forgetting the past. ¡°¡ªDon¡¯t mind it, you thick head may not be able to comprehend this.¡± ¡°What¡­?! You called m--- Arr¡­ ¡° Hime paused, as if something else took priority in her head. ¡°¡ªI¡¯ve been wanting to ask this¡­ Seeing you casually wielding the Excalibur, are you King Arthur?¡± ¡°Huh?¡± ¡°I am extremely curious right now¡­ I mean come on, we are lovers right? There¡¯s nothing to hide from each other.¡± ¡°I told you I am not King Arthur, by any means.¡± ¡°But how? ¡­.Were you able to use Excalibur?¡± ¡°That Excalibur is fa¡ªNever mind.¡± ¡°Fa¡­¡­?¡± ¡°Anyway, talking about hiding¡­ aren¡¯t you talking to yourself too¡­ Hime?¡± She instantly froze, gulping tight-lipped. Seeing her in trouble, my weird urge to tease arisen. ¡°Let me rephrase that¡­ uhum¡­¡± I cleared my throat. ¡°¡ªCome on, we are lovers right? There¡¯s nothing to hide from each other. If you spit out the truth, I will tell you about the Excalibur¡­. You want to know right?¡± Hime¡¯s cheek turned scarlet, as she stuttered to speak, ¡°¡­We-well¡­. That¡¯s¡­.¡± ¡°¡ªHmph! I¡­I really do-don¡¯t have anything to say¡­.!¡± ¡°You are really bad at lying or even hiding things¡­ Hehe¡­¡± added Yuki. ¡°¡ªWe already knew that you are¡ª¡° Before Yuki managed to continue, Kano quickly grabbed her mouth. ¡°¡ªOmffmfff¡­omffhh..! Kano glared intensely at Yuki as if she was wordlessly telling her to stay put. ¡°Hmm?¡± asked Hime. ¡°It was nothing.¡± I said. ¡°¡ªSo, what¡¯s your answer? Are you going tell the truth or keep being ignorant regarding the subject?¡± Being reverted to the main subject, Hime been doleful. ¡°¡­.I don¡¯t know what you are talking about.¡± ¡°I see, I believe you have your own reasons.¡± ¡°Um.¡± She simply nodded. ¡°Okay then, let¡¯s go back to the main topic. Finding Hime¡¯s little sister! To be called, finding Hime #2!¡± ¡°Puff!¡± Hime burst out a gentle laugh. ¡°¡ªWhat¡¯s with that senseless name.¡± ¡°You told us her name is also Hime. I don¡¯t want to bring confusion of which Hime we are searching in the discussion.¡± ¡°Koihime.¡± She stated. ¡°¡ªThat¡¯s my name. And my little sister¡¯s name is Ichihime.¡± ¡°I understand, let¡¯s start with everything you know. For example, when did Ichihime go missing, where and how? For better analysis, you should tell it as detailed as possible.¡± ¡°Umm¡­ She hadn¡¯t coming home starting March 16, which is last Thursday¡­ And also¡­. Probably around wee hour on March 17¡­¡± Hmm? Why would you tell the time she was missing if she merely hadn¡¯t returned home¡­. ¡°¡ªAlso¡­ My best guess is she got kidnapped by a group of Mafia¡­.¡± She added. ¡°Why did you think so?¡± ¡°There¡¯s a report saying people in black lurking around for weeks around our area.¡± ¡°Anything else?¡± ¡°And I suspect the guys who were in the caf¨¦ last night involved in kidnapping Ichihime!¡± ¡°That¡¯s not true.¡± ¡°Why? Are you covering those bad guys?¡± ¡°No, your accusation is completely baseless. They don¡¯t have time to do kidnapping since few of their people were also missing¡­ In other words, they are busy finding instead.¡± ¡°¡ªIs Ichihime a Human like you too?¡± ¡°Yes, she is.¡± ¡°Is she good with magic?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not sure since I¡¯ve never seen her casting any.¡± ¡°I guess she¡¯s also a close-combat type like you¡­.? If she hardly uses magic.¡± ¡°That is right but¡­. how do you confirm that?¡± ¡°Maihime is created as twin-katana for dual-wield user. I see you¡¯re holding only one and the other Maihime must be in the hand you trust¡­. The one I can come out with is only your sister.¡± Just a speculation though. ¡°¡­Wow¡­. You sure know a lot about Maihime¡­.¡± ¡°Just instincts, I felt odd when I told you that your katana is the legendary weapon, Maihime and you didn¡¯t even deny it. It must be true.¡± ¡°¡ªBut It¡¯s strange.¡± Really strange¡­. ¡°What is?¡± Hime asked. ¡°The kidnapping¡­¡± ¡°Hm?¡± ¡°Like Aki said.¡± Kano continued. ¡°¡ªThere¡¯s kidnapping been going on lately. However, it all refers to Elves and Ichihime isn¡¯t an Elf¡­ That just doesn¡¯t follow up whether your case is connected or not.¡± ¡°Unless!¡± Yuki added. ¡°¡ªWe found ourselves a very rare case in which Ichihime is secretly an Elf that even her family doesn¡¯t know.¡± ¡°Nop, Ichihime is really a Human, I guarantee that particular fact.¡± said Hime. ¡°The eccentricity will be added once I ask you this again,¡± I said ¡°¡­ Huh.. what is it?¡± ¡°Was Ichihime really got kidnapped?¡± ¡°Wh-why the serious face! I-I to-told you she was kidnapped!¡± There goes your blatant lie again. ¡°Is that so.¡± I stood up, stretching my back left and right. ¡°¡ªI will go to my bedroom and sleep.¡± ¡°Ehh? We¡¯re already done?¡± asked Hime in surprise. ¡°At this rate, we are going nowhere since there¡¯s no more clue for us to seek. Let me teach you so you can be my ideal girlfriend. Don¡¯t ever waste your time when you reach dead-end, --find another path.¡± Not to mention, thanks to you too for being sly, heavy-lipped little girl. ¡°¡ªAnd also, I want to teach you about work. Kano, we are opening the bar tomorrow. We have to keep contact with the underground for more info. ¡°Roger that.¡± ¡°Well then, goodnight girls¡­.yyyaaaawnn¡­¡± Being allured by my desire to sleep, I straightaway went into my bedroom and fell on my bed. Ah¡­ nothing beats the comfy of your own bed. Hmm¡­. Soon, darkness overrode my vision. ¡°¡­.¡± ¡­.. Chirp* Chirp* Chirp* I felt the morning sun was torching my skin, hearing the bird¡¯s lullaby. I blinked, shut my eyes, and blinked again. The first thing I saw, as usual¡­ the ceiling. But¡­ Ugh¡­ I feel unusually heavy on the stomach. ¡°Nom¡­ nom¡­ nom¡­¡± I heard a girl¡¯s voice rabling. I looked downward, just to find out that Hime was comfortably sleeping on me, enveloped under a blanket. ¡°Why¡­?¡± I whispered. Hearing my morning hoarse voice, Hime woke up, clearing her eye boogers with her tiny finger, and she said, ¡°Ah¡­ Good morning Aki¡­Aaahhhh¡­¡± as she yawned. ¡°You¡¯re heavy, get off me.¡± ¡°..A¡­ the first words of the day you have to say was that¡­? Not being some bashfully excited boy?¡± ¡°Sorry to disappoint your expectation but I¡¯m not that kind of guy. You could have slept anywhere in the house, but¡­ you decided to land your pounds on me?¡± ¡°I..*yaawnnn*¡­¡± while still half-asleep, she tried to answer. ¡°¡ªI had no choice¡­ Kano senpai¡¯s room was full with Yuki and uppermost floor¡¯s room are empty. The only bed available was here¡­ You were eating up the spaces¡­Forcing me to sleep on you¡­ --It looked cozy too.¡± How does sleeping on someone, look cozy?! ¡°There¡¯s always a sofa.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t want that! It¡¯ll hurt my back if I were to sleep there.¡± ¡°Ah really?¡± I cloaked her with the blanket, gently pushing her aside and got away from the bed. ¡°Omff¡­ mff¡­! ¡° ¡°¡ªAhh¡­!¡± her head popped out from a hole of the wrapped blanket. ¡°--..Aww¡­I really have an extraordinary boyfriend. He doesn¡¯t appreciate having a nice girlfriend, doesn¡¯t get excited sleeping together with his girl¡­ I hope Uhhh?!¡­ but you can¡¯t be¡­?! G¡­? I opened the closet, picking up my workshop uniform, ¡°If you continue talking, I will cut your tongue and slice your throat.¡± And wore it. ¡°Ceehhh¡­¡± she pouted. ¡°If anyone¡¯s finding me, I¡¯ll be at the workshop.¡± Leaving Hime still lingering on my private bed, I went to the workshop from inside. Then, I opened the rolling shutters in half, indicating that I was not opening it for service. There was a 2018 Ford Mustang lying asleep in the garage. The Mustang had problems with the engine harness, suspected a failed quality control on internal wiring connections. The spare part, was arrived two weeks ago but I didn¡¯t have the chance to assemble it. I finally have the free time, it¡¯s time to fix the ride! As I assembled all the components, two Corolla came. One of them parked along the street while the other was casually reversing towards the workshop. Noticing it, I shouted. ¡°I¡¯m sorry! We are closed today!¡± My announcement was ignored until the car was parked really close to me. Then, a person in mid-30 exited the car. Open-handed behind his back, he awkwardly said, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, my car is having major problems. I have to drive it by tomorrow¡­¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Blending in the situation intentionally, he approached me and whispered from the side without changing his proportion. ¡°It¡¯s a job request from boss.¡± ¡°Wolf¡­ huh?¡± I replied in same manner. ¡°The goods are in the trunk and we are leaving it in your care.¡± ¡°How much.¡± ¡°3 million.¡± ¡°Not enough.¡± ¡°3 million and info¡­--Elves.¡± ¡°I''m not sure I understand that.¡± ¡°4 million and the info.¡± ¡°Now you¡¯re talking my language.¡± Chapter 4 - Wolf
POINT OF VIEW : HIROAKI KUZNETSOV
¡°We have a deal then.¡± said the guy. ¡°It¡¯s a bit daring to deliver the goods so early in the morning, don¡¯t you think?¡± ¡°It¡¯s an emergency countermeasure. We¡¯ve been attacked since yesterday by an unknown group, and they seemed to be targeting this particular thing.¡± ¡°May I know¡­¡­? Never mind¡­I guess¡­ it¡¯s confidential.¡± The guy glared into space, indicating a silent gesture of approval towards the statement. ¡°Boss will visit at midnight, expect an unlikely event to happen.¡± he said. ¡°A personal visit from a mafia leader huh¡­? It really is crunch.¡± Ignoring my spoken hunch, he said, ¡°Well then, meet us at midnight.¡± As he turned around and walked away together with the other car which was waiting at the street. Once the neighborhood was clear from eyes, I parked the Corolla inside the garage and shut off the roller shutters. ¡°A job?¡± asked Kano from the inside entrance. ¡°Yeah¡­. Goods protection from Wolf.¡± ¡°I see¡­ By the way, breakfast is ready.¡± ¡°Sure¡­ Oh yeah, Kano.¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± ¡°Can you do me a favor and teach both of them how we run our business?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t mind but do you really want to drag Hime into this?¡± ¡°Just think of it as revenge.¡± ¡°Revenge¡­.?¡± ¡°Some old grudges I haven¡¯t settled, and¡­ I believe in her¡­ nothing more.¡± Sighing confusingly, Kano shook her head, giving up to understand the words I said ¡°Roger that¡­ Nothing you do make sense¡­.¡± ¡°Nothing WE do make sense¡­ Anyway, think you can train them effectively before midnight?¡± ¡°Why the rush?¡± ¡°Wolf¡¯s Boss will visit us at midnight. I expect he will tell us further about our job and it has high possibility of leading to Hime¡¯s case.¡± ¡°Just a reminder¡­Hm, Hime is our client you know? I don¡¯t recommend pressuring her, she¡¯s only 16.¡± ¡°She¡¯s also my employee and I won¡¯t let her get away with 75 000 yen debt unpaid. If she refuses to do so, tell her I will sell her as sex slave at black market.¡± ¡°¡­You¡­. Really have no mercy¡­¡± ¡°He he¡­. I¡¯m just showing her the reality and reminding her the appropriate manners to keep when she¡¯s at someone¡¯s places.¡± ¡°That is really hell of an unreasonable favor¡­. But¡­Hmh.¡± Kano leaned on the side, putting her hand on the waist and chuckled. ¡°¡ªI will try regardless.¡± ¡°I count on you.¡±
POINT OF VIEW : KOIHIME
It¡¯s already the new day and breakfast has been served¡­ But, why¡­?! Why on earth no one is moving a muscle to solve my case! I see Yuki¡¯s conveniently eating snacks while watching TV¡­.! And Aki said he wanted to teach me about work but he¡¯s cramping himself in the workshop¡­..! And Kano¡¯s busy doing chores¡­.! What?!?!?!?------ I know I should be the one to talk about this since I¡¯m also taking my times resting on the sofa¡­ But¡­! Arghhh..! Even dad suddenly won¡¯t let me go home for time being¡­¡­¡­.. Sigh¡­. What worse than it is, I don¡¯t even have a change of clothes! -------------------------------------------------Flashback------------------------------------------------------ -After the duel with Aki Bzzz Bzzz Me : Hello? Dad. Dad : Where are you now?! It¡¯s already past midnight!! Waaah¡­ he¡¯s mad¡­. Me : I¡­ I¡¯m at friend¡¯s house¡­. Dad : Are you going back or not? Me : I think not¡­ Dad : Where are you staying? Me : Umm¡­ someplace called¡­. I searched some clues around the caf¨¦ and saw a big sign saying ¡®Eternal Caf¨¦¡± Me : --Yeah, Eternal Caf¨¦. Dad : Oh. Stay there and don¡¯t come back before I say you can. Me : What again? Dad : Well then, stay safe. Goodbye Tick. He hung up. This was where Yuki abruptly hugged me from behind and after that¡­ everyone knows¡­. ------------------------------------------------------Present---------------------------------------------------- What the hell is actually happening¡­.? Ha¡­. Talking about weird things that made me scream yesterday¡­. I took a peek on Yuki who was engrossed watching a TV shows. I wonder if those ears are real¡­? Noticing my shy stare, Yuki asked, ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Is something funny on my face?¡± ¡°Ah¡­ Ummm¡­.¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± ¡°A-are those ears real things or just cosplay¡­?¡± ¡°Cosplay? No, it¡¯s the real things. Besides, they are functioning well and healthy.¡± ¡°Woah! Do you mean you have four ears?!¡± ¡°Ha.. ha¡­¡± she laughed wryly. ¡°¡ªI just have two, the ones on top my head. Unlike Human, we don¡¯t have ears on each side of our head.¡± Wow¡­ really?! Seeing my obvious curiosity, she asked, ¡°Is this your first time meeting an Animalia?¡± ¡°Yeah! I don¡¯t have any Animalia friends so far. I think you¡¯re the first Animalia I met face to face¡­ Say, say, can I take a closer look at the side of your face and your ears?¡± ¡°Sure.¡± I flipped Yuki¡¯s hair and saw her smooth cheeks were extended up until the skin of the head, it was bizarre and unique. ¡­¡­..Just imagine an earless human. Next, I fiddled her ears and, ¡°Kyuu¡± she moaned, ¡°Kyuu¡­?¡± ¡°¡­N-¡­.no¡­ it tickles quite a bit. I prefer if you don¡¯t touch it so casually.¡± ¡°I see, I see! Ears are one of the sensitive parts in Animalia, impressive!¡± I continued fiddling Yuki¡¯s ears, overshooting my actions, Yuki¡¯s stuttered ¡°S-stop it¡­!¡± to revoke me. Opps! ¡°What are you two doing?¡± reprimanded Kano while she was going upstairs as she was bringing a lengthy bag. ¡°¡­ Ahh¡­ Kano senpai¡­ Nothing, I¡¯m just playing around with Yuki¡¯s ears¡­ hehehe¡­¡± ¡°Good thing you are not busy. Both of you, let¡¯s go third floor¡­ It¡¯s a lesson time.¡± ¡°Ehhh¡­?! Where¡¯s Aki? I thought he¡¯s the one teaching me?¡± ¡°Unfortunately, your boyfriend seems busy with his toy and he passed the responsibility to me.¡±Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on. ¡°¡­Ceeeh¡­ I dun wanna¡­¡± ¡°AND HE SAID to sell you as sex slave at black market to repay your debt.¡± ¡­..!!! ¡°He actually said that?!¡± ¡°He did say that.¡± No choice¡­. ¡°I-I got it, I don¡¯t want to waste my life over this debt¡­.¡± Damn it! I really regret listening to dad¡¯s instruction to make ruckus at the bar¡­! Well¡­ all is well and he accepted my request¡­. Nothing comes without price yeah..? Thus, we went to the third floor and found ourselves a literally empty floor. I had been here before, there was three rooms and a vast ground at the centre which can be turned into a tennis court and still have rooms to sleep without getting disturbed by the game. ¡°Hime, have you two ever worked at a restaurant or a caf¨¦?¡± asked Kano. ¡°I did partook in various job while I was travelling, a thing or two about caf¨¦ isn¡¯t a problem to me,¡± answered Yuki. ¡°Ummm¡­. For me, I had one time, worked part-time waitress at a family restaurant¡­ just for fun though.¡± ¡°Okay then, you two will be maid waitress to take orders from customer. The process of taking orders is the exact same thing as you worked at family restaurant. The only difference is you¡¯re wearing maid outfit.¡± ¡°Maid outfit?! Is it cute? Can I see it?!¡± ¡°Well¡­ It¡¯s so-so, Hime. I will show you later.¡± ¡°--We are open at 8.00 p.m. until 2.00 a.m. Your mandatory working hour will be until 11.00 p.m. After that it becomes bar and it¡¯s your choice to stay working or go home.¡± Yuki and I nodded, understanding the explanation from the speaker, then Kano continued. ¡°¡ªI hope that is clear¡­. Umm¡­---¡° as she briefly looked at Yuki. ¡°¡ªThere¡¯s nothing to teach you¡­. And¡­That leaves¡­.---¡° and she changed her sight towards me. ¡°---Hime.¡± ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°Can you demonstrate your fighting style?¡± ¡°Eh? What my fighting style has to do with being a waitress?¡± ¡°It¡¯s the employer¡¯s orders¡­ you have nothing to disobey.¡± ¡°Aki¡­? But I don¡¯t think I will ever fight¡­.¡± ¡°Do you think working 3 hours a day will be able to clear up your debt?¡± What..?! Saying that I can go home after 11 was a lie?! That guy really got me! ¡°Ah¡­¡± I heaved a sigh. ¡°I recently try to adapt myself with one-hand katana style since I¡¯ve given another Maihime to Ichihime.¡± ¡°Ow... I see¡­. No wonder your movement looked sluggish back then.¡± Kano unzipped the long bag and took out two pieces of kendo stick, chucking the empty bag away and one stick to me. The kendo stick landed on my hand as I grasped it. Understanding the situation, Yuki took a sit aside, resting her chin on hands and gleamed a smile. ¡°¡ªAnyhow, let¡¯s see.¡± Kano said as she was standing by. ¡°Kano senpai, do you know how to use a sword?¡± ¡°A little, but not as good as Aki.¡± Oh, I will give her a little handicap then. ¡°¡ªDon¡¯t be, come at me at full-force.¡± ¡°Urr¡­ Did you just read my mind?¡± ¡°It¡¯s written all over your face. Being able to read what your enemy¡¯s thinking is also essential.¡± ¡°Alright, say no more. Get ready!¡± I thrust ahead, targeting her chest and she parried it to the right as she tried to smack in the stomach. I can block it with the hilt! PAP! I was knocked back 3 foots away before I realized it. Uhhh¡­¡­? What was that? I thought I blocked it. I charged ahead again, hitting countlessly from left and right. It was all calmly deflected and my chest was jarred by a simple thrust. I fell. It¡¯s hard to breathe! ¡°Ughhh---¡° Coughing several time, I finally recovered. ¡°You are a terrible person to tell such lie to me¡­ You are way better than Aki!¡± ¡°You think so? This is not even Aki¡¯s half capability.¡± ¡°Really?¡­. Just how strong my boyfriend is¡­¡­.?¡± Not to tell, he wasn¡¯t even breaking a single sweat during our duel albeit carrying the heavy sword¡­ ¡°I can¡¯t tell how strong he is, but I assure you, he¡¯s not overpowered.¡± And I can assure myself, he¡¯s strong enough to steal my heart. But why is this¡­. I observed and exercised my dominant palm. My ability doesn¡¯t work¡­. ¡°¡ªYou want to try taking me on with two sticks instead?¡± offered Kano. ¡°Uh? But then, you won¡¯t have any weapon for sparing.¡± ¡°..Oh, you¡¯re right. I don¡¯t want to get bruise just because I had sparing barehanded¡­Hmm¡­¡± she put up a thinking gesture and looked around. ¡°¡ªYuki, can you take my place?¡± Without asking questions, Yuki stood up and replied ¡°Okay.¡± Yet being able to comprehend Kano¡¯s intent, I asked, ¡°Does Yuki have weapon?¡± ¡°No, Yuki is specialized in fighting without weapons. She¡¯s an Animalia and will not get hurt easily.¡± Kano said. Kano threw another kendo stick to me, as I caught the stick with my free hand, she backed off while Yuki advanced. ¡°I¡¯m ready anytime.¡± said Yuki in relaxed posture. What¡¯s with these two¡­? Well, if Kano is already this skillful, I bet her best friend is a real deal too. ¡°I think this time, I¡¯ll have my opponent started first.¡± I asserted. ¡°I understand.¡± I blinked, and she¡¯s suddenly in the mid-air, in front of me. Uh?! Her nails sharpened, cutting partial of my hair as I was parrying the claw. Forced to retreat a step, I countered the blow, beginning with the first stick, deflected. Subsequently, I hit with the second stick, also deflected. My body feels really light! I parried, I sliced, she deflected, she clawed me again without even getting her foots on the ground. I spun around, my legs supervene my body¡¯s flex and by second goes by, Yuki had increment in her speed and eventually she fell back, landing on the ground once she noticed that the fight would reach no end. Her sharp oval irides thinned as she locked her sight, mainly on me. Uh..? What is this feeling¡­? ¡°Rrrrr----¡° I heard Yuki¡¯s violent purr, humming inside her throat. Her muscle stiffened, hard¡­. readily to assault me. ¡­What¡­¡­¡­¡­.? ¡°ALRIGHT, IT¡¯S ENOUGH.¡± Kano shouted, an attempt to end the fight. Yuki did not hear the first warning as she continued to get enraged, sharpening her tooth. I¡¯m scared¡­ ¡°YUKI!¡± Kano once again, warned. ¡°Rrr¡­. Uh¡­..¡± Yuki¡¯s eyes blinked once. Upon clearly heard Kano, Yuki¡¯s whole body began to relax It may seemed not like it, but Kano looked a little worried as she was slightly on guard when looking at Yuki, who was disarming herself. After Yuki had fully reverted her hostility, Kano continued, ¡°I think you¡¯re good enough¡­ ¡° What was that¡­. A terrible, and grim killing lust¡­? I could virtually smell blood scenting the area¡­. ¡°¡ªHime?¡± Kano called, Unnoticed. Gulp ¡°¡­.¡± ¡°¡ªHime?¡± ¡°¡­..¡± After a few calls, I finally noticed them. ¡°..Uh¡­ what¡­?¡± ¡°You¡¯re okay?¡± ¡°Ah¡­¡± both kendo sticks fell from my grip. Before I knew it, my legs were stoned. ¡°¡ªSomehow¡­¡± I got my feet together and cautiously looked at Yuki. She was casually stretching out and yawned, pretending that nothing was wrong. ¡°¡ªWhat was that¡­?¡± I asked Kano in curiosity. However, Kano¡¯s eyes were dimmed, as if she was restrained to explain the situation. Then again, she smiled and said, ¡°Nothing.¡± ¡°¡ªWe end the lesson here. By the way, the way you performed dual-wield style really depicts Aki.¡± ¡°Really?¡± So, that¡¯s why my body felt unnaturally light¡­ Aki¡¯s been using dual-wield arts¡­ ¡°Yep, where did you learn that? Did Aki teach you or anything?¡± ¡°N-no¡­ not really¡­ It¡¯s my ability¡­¡± ¡°I see¡­¡± Without the need of further explanation, Kano nodded and continued, ¡°--I guess Aki was right.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± ¡°Your ability is what he called, ¡°Trust¡±, allows the user to borrow strength from persons who are in relationship with you¡­ or should I say, ¡®share¡¯ with someone.¡± ¡°Did he really call it ¡®Trust¡¯?¡± ¡°Certainly.¡± Hm¡­ I always wonder what my ability should be called, but he gave it a name for me¡­ ¡®Trust¡¯ huh¡­? Not a bad name. ¡°He also pointed out that, the strength of ¡®sharing¡¯ depends on the rank of the bonds, from the lowest, friends, family and lovers.¡± ¡°T-that¡¯s¡­ very true¡­. How is he seemed very knowledgeable about me? What and who is he?¡± ¡°Someone mystery who runs shady business.¡± ¡°I really can¡¯t understand him..!¡± ¡°Me neither¡­ Although, I¡¯m sure he cares deeply about you.¡± I doubt my boyfriend¡¯s sister doesn¡¯t understand him¡­ ¡°¡­Why would you say so¡­?¡± Kano once again, put the ¡®older sister¡¯ gentle smile, ¡°If not, how else would you be able to depict Aki¡¯s move?¡± Right¡­! I may only share someone¡¯s strength if both parties have the mutual interest and affection towards each other. ¡°But¡­ doesn¡¯t it look like¡­ Aki¡¯s been leading me all this time¡­?¡± ¡°Good girl you noticed that¡­ You¡¯re on the page, Aki decided to be your girlfriend so you can be strong while being able to use your ability on him¡­ Not to mention, he knew that you try to get in the relationship for his strength. He reads it all and just plays along.¡± ¡°¡­Waah¡­ that¡¯s so considerate of him¡­ But why, if he knows I¡¯m just taking advantages of him¡­ why would he still do that¡­?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know?¡± Kano shook her head in sarcasm. ¡°¡ªYou know it and you still ask?¡± He¡¯s interested in me¡­? ¡°I know¡­ But he doesn¡¯t look like that he loves me¡­Not to say¡­ I know it¡¯s all sudden, I love him too¡­!¡± ¡°Sure, you tell him that later. For now let¡¯s get some rest and I¡¯ll inform you head-ups for what you should be doing.¡± Kano waived her backhand as she went downstairs with Yuki. Arhhh¡­ what?! ¡°¡­..¡± ¡­.. 10:30 at night. Kano had invited Yuki and me to try out the newly designed uniform. The outfit is based on maid design, black and white, short sleeves, a little revealing epaulette on each shoulder, a large bow tie, comes with a cute headdress, black gloves, a frilly thigh socks and knee high boots. It looked neat and adorable. Kano told me that she sewed all three uniforms by herself in few hours just after we came in which I think¡­. Really surprising. I combed through the fabric, touching the fine quality of the uniform and most of all, my excitement to wear one overwhelmed me. ¡°This is the revision of our old uniform. What do you think?¡± asked Kano. Yuki seemed to ignore Kano¡¯s question and just wore the outfit, leaving the conversation to me. ¡°It actually looks better¡­ but it¡¯s not that different. Why do you redesign it?¡± ¡°My old uniform seems more¡­ you know, tight¡­?¡± I might not want to say anything here, but my future sister-in-law has typically muscular body type and I think that¡¯s the reason. ¡°¡ªAnd Aki asked me to consider a revamp on design while I sew a new one. He said he wanted a fresh look on me since his fetish is not something a regular guy has. Fortunately enough, I have two other bodies to accompany me on the journey, so why not?¡± ¡°Wait, Aki has maid fetish¡­?¡± ¡°Why don¡¯t you show up to him and figure it out? I bet you¡¯ll get your first compliment from your boyfriend.¡± ¡°Are you serious?!¡± ¡°I¡¯m not saying it¡¯s hundred percent sure, but there¡¯s high chance of him doing so.¡± ¡°Say no more, I will!¡± I unbuttoned my shirt one by one, taking it off from my body, followed by unzipping my skirt, appealed me in mere light pink lingerie. What bothers me that I don¡¯t have a change of underwear since I came here empty-handed, out of blue forbidden to go home and I really doubt Kano has any spare in my size, ultimately this sucks. Maybe I should ask dad for advanced allowance tomorrow to buy new one¡­ Or should I go commando¡­ Uh no no! That would be inappropriate! First, I put on the main clothes and had it zipped at the rear, continued with wearing the socks, the boots, the gloves, the bow tie and finally the headdress. As I rolled around slowly, I took a look at the mirror. ¡°It suits you.¡± Said Kano. The size was just right, not too tight nor loose and somehow, it¡¯s magically convenient to move with. ¡°Looks like we are matched.¡± Added Yuki while wearing the outfit in similar demeanor. ¡°I feel great.¡± ¡°Right, right, Hime, take this.¡± Kano passed me a leather belt buckle with katana compartment and a thigh buckle with a gun along with its magazine in it. Surprised by the fact, I asked again. ¡°Is this real?¡± ¡°It is real gun.¡± Kano then pulled out the gun and had me tried holding it. ¡°¡ªHave you tried fire one before?¡± she asked. It¡¯s seemingly heavy and loaded with steel compared with toy guns I¡¯ve ever held. ¡°Absolutely no¡­ isn¡¯t it illegal to own one?¡± ¡°We¡¯re doing business here and it might come in handy¡­ very handy.¡± I don¡¯t know about this¡­ I think I have been hired to be not just ¡®maid waitress¡¯ but ¡®outrageous maid¡¯¡­ ¡°Don¡¯t worry¡­--¡° said Yuki as she took the belt buckle. ¡°¡ªYou can stay clean like you always do.¡± She helped me putting on the buckle as well as the thigh buckle, inserting Maihime on its place. ¡°What do you mean¡­?¡± ¡°You don¡¯t reek blood, I¡¯d say you never have killed anyone before. Just use it in the act of self-defense.¡± Self-defense¡­ I guess I can do that. But I¡¯ve promised Aki I could commit murders as long as I get to find my Ichihime. ¡­.. I have to find her no matter what! She then tidied up my bow and smiled, ¡°¡ªHere, you¡¯re good to go. Go and say hello to leader!¡± I was pleasantly pushed forward and continued walking downstairs to meet up with Aki. Aki was rearranging the glasses and wines at the bar. As he put it in order, I could see his satisfying smile beaming the glasses. Thereafter, he noticed us, allowing me to initiate the conversation. ¡°Hey~ How do I look?¡± as I tried to flip my skirt. Aki put his hand on the chin as he carefully observed my body. ¡°I have no regrets in making you my girlfriend. You look terrifically cute!¡± ¡°Thanks~¡± ¡°I think I don¡¯t have to say this but,..¡ª¡° He smirked as he paused, ¡°¡ªDo you wear the same underwear?¡± Wh¡­??! ¡°Wh-wh¡ªwhaaat ?! H-how do you know that?!¡± ¡°Well, eliminating the possibility you could have done and by judging the past few days¡¯ circumstances, I thought you might be already in such predicament¡­ no?¡± This guy! What a way to ruin the moment¡­! 12:00 at midnight. While we were arguing, a small company of three men in black entered the caf¨¦. One of the guys was carrying a sealed bag and the tall man in front that seemed the foremost greeted, ¡°Hello Mr. Kuznetsov, there¡¯s a partial for you delivered here when we arrived.¡± ¡°Oy oy, don¡¯t just take unknown stuff into my caf¨¦¡­ It might be a bomb.¡± replied Aki in worries. ¡°No, there¡¯s nothing like that. I don¡¯t smell TNT.¡± ¡°Then what does it smell?¡± ¡°Smell like a woman¡¯s perfume.¡± Glaring at me, Aki¡¯s eyes drooped in sarcasm. ¡°What?¡± ¡°You don¡¯t want to take it?¡± Why would I take it¡­? If I were to order something, it would reach my real house instead. Furthermore, no one knows where I am except dad¡­ wait¡­ My clothes and underwear¡­? ¡°Are you serious¡­?¡± ¡°Probably.¡± ¡°Aah¡­..Aaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh¡­.!¡± I rushed and confiscated the bag, quickly I returned to my post behind the bar. While everyone was still puzzled by my reaction, Aki welcomed those men, ¡°Welcome, Iykos Meister." Chapter 5 : First Job
POINT OF VIEW : KOIHIME
The yellow dim light envisioned the caf¨¦, with the arrival of the three men in black, it became even grimmer. Iykos Meister¡­? You can¡¯t be serious! That¡¯s the leader of Wolf, mafia who has been running behind the scene in Nagoya¡­.! Even the police department can¡¯t put a leash on their collars¡­ Why would they come here¡­.? Whatever I am in, it¡¯s messed up! Being very cautiously reserved, I stood still behind Aki accompanied by Yuki. Meanwhile, Kano walked on quietly to guard the entrance. Meister removed his hat and bowed imperceptibly, showing his Animalia ears and putting his hat on the table. Aki offered a glass and poured wines into it. ¡°Our best was smashed by some maniac, I hope this is good enough.¡± Said Aki. Ups¡­. that maniac was probably meant by me. Staring into the shiny glass, Meister replied with his raspy voice, ¡°I don¡¯t mind.¡± Then he took a sip and briefly glared at me and Yuki. ¡°¡ªNew girls?¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± Answered Aki. Aside from me, Meister seemed to take a long glare at Yuki before shifting his sight towards Aki afterwards presenting a black suitcase ¡°A full payment as usual.¡± Said Meister. Contradicted to what a normal guy would do, Aki made an eye contact with Kano at the entrance across the caf¨¦ instead. Shortly after that, Meister assured, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, they don¡¯t know I am here.¡± ¡°How are we going to be convinced with that? I¡¯ve heard you were being attacked restlessly yesterday and you¡¯re without doubt, their main concern at the moment.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve created dummies before we departed, those were the diversion. As peace as it sounds right now, we can proceed accordingly.¡± Satisfied by the explanation, Aki opened the suitcase and peeked inside it. At the same time, Meister took another sip. ¡°So, what¡¯s up?¡± asked Aki as he closed the suitcase. ¡°There¡¯s a family fiddling around our business lately.¡± ¡°And¡­ that family is currently pushing Wolf at the corner?¡± ¡°Precisely. Have you heard a group called, Fortune Five Hundred? In short they were called F500.¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t it the name of International rebellion group during the Great War? Weren¡¯t they eliminated shortly after the peace congress was signed?¡± ¡°That was the rumors but, the remnants of the group returned out of nowhere. My first guess is that they weren¡¯t completely annihilated.¡± F500 is a rebellious group that opposed the peace conference planned by Japan, they gathered people around the world with the same mind and were plotting to assasinate the roots, Japan Imperial Family to stop the peace congress. History says that plot was prevented and peace was finally achieved. ¨CThat¡¯s what I learnt from school. What a disaster such lunatics still exist¡­.. Chi¡­. Meister took another sip as he eccentrically played with the glass before continuing, ¡°¡ªNow they are messing with us.¡± ¡°Are you sure it¡¯s just the ¡®remnants¡¯? It looks like an army trying to pursue you, seeing Wolf getting cornered this effortlessly, nonetheless.¡± ¡°That¡¯s the problem.¡± ¡°¡ªThey are too powerful for simply being ghost returnees. To add something to the worst, we recently found out that their boss is¡­ an Undead¡­¡± ¡°You can¡¯t be?!¡± ¡°Ha¡­¡± Meister nodded. ¡°¡ªInaros.¡± BAM! My hands, without my living conscious, smashed the table. Chi¡¯s in danger¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­.! My vision blurred and blackened, and my hands throbbed, as my heart pounded excruciatingly. What should I do¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­..?! If I don¡¯t do something¡­.! Chi might die¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­! No¡­..! No¡­¡­¡­¡­..! No¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­!!! I gulped my saliva countless times, and my head was about to go blank. But then, ¡°It¡¯s alright, I¡¯m sure Ichihime is sound and alive.¡± I heard Aki¡¯s gentle voice as he gave me a benign pet on the head, which brought me back to my sense. My eyes gained its proper vision, seeing Aki¡¯s smile, I somehow felt calmed. ¡°¡ªGood.¡± He then attended Meister back. ¡°¡ªThat bastard, he¡¯s still alive huh¡­?¡± whispered Aki.Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there. ¡°We are not sure yet, but report says he looks like Inaros. Other gangs also have met and claimed that is indeed, the real Inaros.¡± Knowing what a red alert this threat was, everyone couldn¡¯t help but to sweat. Aki looked furious and worried, as he was biting his lips subconsciously, but at the same time he seemed thrilled, proven by the corner of his mouth getting quirked up. ¡°Any idea why you are being targeted in the first place?¡± ¡°An obvious thing comes into my mind, and you know it.¡± ¡°Whatever things you have in the Corolla?¡± ¡°True. During past few months, we discovered a book of ancient recipe at the excavation point where the Pyramid of Cleopatra collapsed. There are two things we managed to decipher from the ancient tongue.¡± ¡°¡ªFirst, a method to embed one¡¯s magic into a weapon. With this method, we created firearms that have equal or more tenacity than ordinary magic. This means, anyone may have magic-like firepower at his/her disposable without the needs to chant.¡± ¡°You do realize your creation can lead to another war?¡± ¡°Certainly we are aware of that. Rest assured, we aren¡¯t fools to repeat the worthless repercussion, we merely want to use that to expand our domain.¡± ¡°Can¡¯t you use that to push them away?¡± ¡°It¡¯s just an untested prototype and we were attacked before we had the chance to test it out. Nevertheless, each of the assault led by Inaros¡­¡± ¡°I see¡­ dealing with an Undead is tough. So, what¡¯s the second one?¡± Meister took a break for seconds and drank the whole wines. Responding to that, Aki poured another portions. Once his throat cleared, he continued. ¡°Say, what happens if everyone has his or her specifically strong regret?¡± ¡°Ummm¡­.. Well, for starter, if we all die, we don¡¯t, and will reincarnated as Undead. One way to achieve immortality I guess? Considering craving a strong regret is not an easy thing to get, it¡¯s not something humanity should strive for.¡± ¡°Additionally, you will have no limitation in physical and magical strength.¡± ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s one advantage of it ¨CUse it until the end as if you want to end your life.¡± ¡°What if I told you there¡¯s a technology that can instill regret in ones¡¯ body that had been long forgotten?¡± ¡°Then everybody would¡­.. --Wait, are you serious¡­.?¡± Meister nodded. ¡°It¡¯s called ¡°Regret Inducing Potion¡±, liquid made out of coded magic chanted in ancient tongue. If you drink it, followed by the other procedures, you can kill yourself and get reincarnated as Undead along with your ¡®regrets¡¯.¡± ¡°Heh¡­. Ohhhh¡­.! I see, I see¡­¡­¡­!¡± Aki clapped between his hands. ¡°¡ªThat scum plans to create an Undead army. With those devastating manpower, starting a war is mere a child play! ¡­.Though¡­. this is no laughing matter¡­..¡± An army of Undead¡­.? I¡¯ve never seen or fought one before but people say they are dangerous and strong kind. Who knows what an army of lunatics in Undead-form is capable of¡­. ¡°Our deduction came to the same exit. This is why I am here, I need you to be my bodyguard. This morning at 2, Inaros agreed to trade hostages with the prototype and the potion.¡± ¡°Hostages?¡± ¡°The missing Elves, they¡¯re the one who had been kidnapping them. Our Elves are all prodigy in magical research involved in creating the ancient technology ¨CProbably the very reason they were kidnapped in the first place.¡± ¡°¡ªThough, they can¡¯t proceed since they don¡¯t have the ancient recipe book.¡± ¡°Not a favorable situation for us¡­.And where¡¯s the book?¡± ¡°I burnt it¡­. We can¡¯t afford to expose anymore vulnerability.¡± ¡°Hmmm¡­¡­I¡¯m not really into this trade, do you really think Inaros will play this clean?¡± ¡°Me neither, he definitely plays thing dirty neglecting his second thought. The same reason why I asked you to safeguard the prototype, they can¡¯t move around so casually during the day since their leader is an Undead.¡± ¡°So, I expect you have plan to confront this, aren¡¯t you?¡± Suspiciously avoiding the subject, Meister looked at his watch. 1.04 a.m. ¡°It¡¯s almost time, I¡¯ll tell you while we¡¯re on the way there.¡± ¡°Alright. Let me drive the Corolla with you and follow your subordinates to the meeting place.¡± Meister made a nod of agreement, putting on his hat and stood up. ¡°¡ªYuki, I guess you can leap around the convoy for watches?¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Replied Yuki as she was progressively leaving the caf¨¦. ¡°And for my beloved girlfriend¡­¡± Aki took something out of his pocket and threw at me. I caught it. It looked some sort of remote with a horse emblem, like a wireless key. ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± I asked. ¡°Key to my babe in the garage, give it to Kano.¡± Your babe¡­.? Isn¡¯t it just a car¡­.? ¡°Ha¡­ Sure¡­.¡± ¡°Good, let¡¯s go.¡± We all left the caf¨¦ and I specifically, met up with Kano and handed over the key to her. Thereafter, we went to the garage to catch Aki¡¯s ¡®babe¡¯ and rendezvous with him, and Meister¡¯s subordinates on the road to start a convoy. Meister¡¯s men led the convoy, followed up with Aki in the middle and we were in charge to guard the rear. In the car, Kano was driving despite being the minimum age to do so. I wonder if she has real driving license? ¡°What¡¯s with this lavish-looking ride?¡± I asked, sitting properly on the passenger side. ¡°One of Aki¡¯s favourite, he picked up last year.¡± The car looked very sophisticated, the dashboard was modernized in black, sleek and comfortable leather seat, a large screen LCD in the middle and other cool stuffs I hadn¡¯t discovered. ¡°Heahh¡­. Aki has this kind of hobby¡­. Is this the reason he¡¯s opened a workshop?¡± ¡°Sort of, he said ridiculous thing like ¡®This is the very definition of beauty!¡¯ and bought it on the spot ¨CCash.¡± ¡°Oh wow, isn¡¯t it expensive? If not, to me it looks expensive.¡± ¡°Well¡­ I think it was around 4 million¡­?¡± ¡­.! Yes, I¡¯m dating a rich man! ¡°¡ªBy the way, can you open the dashboard near your feet and take a wireless earpiece.¡± I did what Kano asked and found a thing I wasn¡¯t familiar with. ¡°An earphone?¡± ¡°A way for us to communicate. I¡¯ve already set it up for you, you only need to push the big button to open the channel, and talk. It¡¯ll connect to me, Aki, and Yuki simultaneously.¡± ¡°I understand. So, where are we going?¡± I asked as I put on the earpiece. ¡°Received the info from Aki and we¡¯ll be going to an old abandoned factory in Alchi Perfecture.¡± And so, we arrived at the destination. Kano unlocked the trunk and took out a sniper rifle and other guns. At least everything I saw, she held no melee weapon. ¡°Ow¡­ you guys really have so much unusual things on your hand¡­¡± I spoke, the same time I felt a little bit clunky. Kano chuckled, then said, ¡°You¡¯ll have to situate yourself around us, this what we will do most of the time to make more money.¡± ¡°¡ªI¡¯m going to watch out around the area, you go with Aki during the meeting. Remember, your job is to protect Iykos Meister no matter what.¡± ¡°Eww¡­. I¡¯m protecting that mafia? I hope you¡¯re joking.¡± ¡°Sadly I¡¯m not. You¡¯ll get used to it. Well, if you can¡¯t avoid to feel mainly disgusted doing this job, just consider it you¡¯re helping Aki to survive.¡± ¡°¡­Ah¡­. That¡¯ll do¡­.¡± ¡°Thanks, good luck.¡± We both went our separate path, whilst Kano took a long road around the factory, I straightaway joint Aki who was walking with Meister into the entrance. Meister was bringing a suitcase and Aki was holding his wrapped Excalibur. My eyes caught the interest to see the huge building and while on it, I saw Yuki was scouting on the rooftop, relishing under the moonlight. Looks like the wolf of the moon¡­. It was pitch dark, but once our step surpassed the entrance, the whole factory lighted up. ¡°Welcome, Iykos Meister.¡± A very screeching voice echoed the factory. A flash of light banged prior showing a group of eerie people. There was a preeminent person in the most front, attended by a person in mask next to him, and a countable amount of escorts at the rear. So¡­ that¡¯s Inaros¡­.? He had skinny body, a crippled skin and dark eyes indicating his Undead form, wearing a black jacket paired with black jeans. Apart from the gruesome leader, the escorts at the back didn¡¯t fail to stimulate the ominous situation¡­. Especially the guy in the mask. ¡°Inaros¡­. Finally I get to see you. Isn¡¯t it a handful of reinforcement back there?¡± Smirked, Meister tried to tense things up. ¡°You too¡­. What a surprising idea to hire a dangerous hitman¡­. Isn¡¯t it right?---¡° Inaros glared ferociously at Aki. ¡°¡ªHiroaki Kuznetsoz.¡± ¡°Heh, no worries. I¡¯m not some shithead lunatic murderer like you.¡± Smiled mischievously evil, they both traded a cold stare. They looked like they had known each other quite a while¡­. Wait, what does that mean? Does have Aki has anything to do with that freak¡­.? I know he is some sort of dangerous guy, but¡­. Is he crazy too, unbeknownst to me? History states that Inaros and his gang had slaughtered hundred to thousand innocent people during their operation¡­. I hope he is not one of them¡­. After some time, Inaros suddenly had her eyes on me. Noticing his odd behavior, Aki asserted, ¡°If you¡¯d plan anything on her, you better think twice. She¡¯s not someone to take on easily.¡± ¡°¡­Oh¡­.. I see¡­. She¡¯s an important person to you¡­.¡± Huh¡­? ¡°Back to the subject, I expect you brought our Elves just as promised.¡± Said Meister. ¡°Of course! We¡¯ll release them as soon as you hand over the prototype.¡± ¡°We trade at the same time, period.¡± ¡°Didn¡¯t I tell you? You¡¯ll get them as soon as I get the prototype.¡± ¡°I¡¯m seeing no benefits here to hand over the prototype to you.¡± The guy in mask approached Inaros and whispered something. Maintaining his posture, Inaros continued. ¡°Alright, we¡¯ll do this together. I¡¯ll bring the hostages.¡± ¡°¡­.¡± ¡°He¡¯s lying.¡± Whispered Aki to Meister. ¡°I know.¡± Replied Meister. Fizz* Incoming radio wave. ¡°Aki, something is on this way.¡± -Kano Chapter 6 - Altercation
POINT OF VIEW: KOIHIME
Fizz ¡°What is it?¡± ¨CAki. Fizz ¡°I got the reading of magic activation from about 1 kilometer from west.¡± ¨CKano. Fizz ¡°How about its power?¡± ¨CAki. Fizz ¡°Not vast¡­ but it¡¯s very tiny¡­ And it¡¯s PIERCING!¡± ¨CKano. ¡°Get down!¡± Aki warned, pushing Meister away. I heard a loud screeching noise passing through where Meister was standing. Seen, a tiny scorch landed on the floor right behind us. From the look of it, it was probably aimed at Meister¡¯s heart. That¡¯s so dangerous¡­! What was that¡­? It looked like a microscopic sniping magic, professionally used to kill people at a distance without leaving any physical trace. It is how it sounds, being able to penetrate any matter of obstacle to reach out for its target. However, in order to cast it at perfect accuracy, the user needs the target¡¯s coordinate. That means¡­. One of them is the broker. ¡°Inaros, you bastard! You¡¯ve never intended to do a trade in the first place eh?¡± said Aki. Clueless, Inaros replied, ¡°What are you talking about? I know nothing of sort.¡± Being a little bit pissed, he glared at the masked guy. ¡°¡­.¡± The guy refused to make any motion regardless of being the singular suspect here. ¡°I think the trade is over.¡± Said Aki, and Meister had confirmed it with a nod. From a ¡®little¡¯ to ¡®totally¡¯, Inaros¡¯s eyes widened in anger. ¡°WE ARE DOING THE TRADE RIGHT NOW!¡± ¡°We refuse.¡± Fizz. ¡°Aki, short notice, another one coming in few seconds!¡± ¨CKano BOOOOOOOOOM! A rampant explosion burst the rooftop. KKkkrrcckkkk ¨CThe dribbles were falling apart. As reluctant as Inaros was, such dangerous and unexpected situation did not bother him the slightest. His indignant eyes, remained locked onto us. Looking around calmly, Aki affirmed, ¡°Just how it is, we aren¡¯t going to do anything tonight.¡± Finally snapped, Inaros yelled, resonating a bizarre pitch, ¡°KILL ALL OF THEM! ¡®¡¯¡¯¡¯¡¯¡¯¡¯¡¯¡¯¡¯¡¯¡¯¡¯¡¯¡¯¡¯¡¯¡¯¡¯¡¯¡¯¡¯¡¯¡¯¡¯¡¯¡¯¡± Tensed by Inaros¡¯s command to his subordinates, Aki immediately swayed his hand freely in the air and a physical barricade of about 1 meter tall materialized, protecting the whole group. How did he do that¡­? FRRRKKKKK. Gunfire started, hitting the barricade but not us. ¡°Let¡¯s retreat while we have the chance.¡± said Aki. We nodded and headed towards the exit but we were stalled by two men with rifle from the outside. Despite the blockage, Aki cued to rush through without worries. Seeing him and Meister without the fervor to counterattack had me some real doubt. Yet, I still put the trust on him and proceeded. Splattered one and two, the stallers got sniped consecutively and it was bloody shattered to pieces right from their very skull. Huh¡­.? What¡­? My legs kept running but my mind was devastated watching the gruesome outcome. I ran¡­. Ran, until at a point I felt that I couldn¡¯t continue running, but current conflict asserted me not to stop. ¡°¡­..¡± I gulped deep and halted momentarily, as I saw the ride I supposed to get in, but didn¡¯t see Kano anywhere. Fizz. ¡°I know this sounds crazy, Hime. You should take the Mustang and drive it on your own.¡± ¨CKano. What?! Fizz. ¡°WHAT?! Where are you?!¡± ¨CAki. Fizz. ¡°I¡¯m supporting from distance. Where do you think I am? There¡¯s no other choice, I have to keep delaying them.¡± ¨CKano. I pushed the communication button for the first time. Fizz. ¡°But I don¡¯t have a license¡­.! I don¡¯t even know how to drive!¡± ¨CMe Fizz. ¡°HUH?! That¡¯s even worse, you get back here Kano!¡± ¨CAki. Fizz. ¡°Don¡¯t ask the impossible, you stupid brother. Or there¡¯s other option, leave your ¡®baby¡¯ behind.¡± ¨CKano. Fizz. ¡°HELL FUCKING NO! HIME, I trust you with this! You¡¯d better not scratch it!¡± ¨CAki. Fizz. ¡°That is impossible, you silly!¡± ¨CMe. ¡°THEY¡¯RE HERE! GET THEM!¡± Those pursuers were already on us. Fizz. ¡°There¡¯s not much time, I¡¯ll brief you on how to operate it.¡± ¨CKano. I¡¯m doomed¡­! It¡¯s so chaotic and I had no choice, Aki¡¯s ignorance to choose between leaving his treasure behind or leave it in my care¡­ which is not better, urged me nothing but to follow their plan. So I got into Mustang, on the driver seat. By this time, Aki and Meister were already in the Corolla, drifting semi-circularly to leave the factory in haste. Fizz. ¡°I¡¯ll cover you.¡± ¨CYuki. Yuki descended from the sky, violently slaughtering every person exiting the factory using her bare hands. There was also occasional fire support from afar which forced Inaros¡¯ men to take cover from both of them. Fizz. ¡°Hime, right pedal is for throttling and the middle pedal is for braking, press either of it to control the vehicle. Start the engine by pushing the red button near the steering while pressing the brake pedal.¡± ¡°Ahh¡­. Red button¡­. Red button¡­.!¡± I struggled to search this particularly important button yet when found, the engine hadn¡¯t cranked at all. Fizz. ¡°Kano senpai¡­.! It isn¡¯t running¡­!¡± ¨CMe. Fizz. ¡°Calm down, press the brake pedal at the same time.¡± ¨CKano. B-brake p-pe-pedal..? Right, it¡¯s the middle one! I did as she said and the engine eventually managed to run. Fizz. ¡°Good, now shift the gearstick to D and pushed the P button behind it, the P light in odometer panel turns off. The car will start moving and control its direction using the steering.¡± ¨CKano.Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation. ¡°Aaah¡­. Ermmm¡­.. ummmmmm¡­..! The gearstick¡­¡± Shifted, the car jerked, and ¡°Uwaahh..!¡± it startled me. The car still wasn¡¯t moving. Oh right¡­! The P! As I pushed it, the car accelerated at slow pace. ¡°Ouh... ah¡­! It¡¯s moving¡­!¡± Frightened but thrilled, I gripped the steering wheel firmly and tried to get used to its control. While I was busy learning the driving process, I couldn¡¯t help but to watch Yuki slaughtering the enemies. The throat she sliced, the guts she crushed, and the blood she splashed were very¡­. brutal¡­ dancing, like a wild animal on hunts¡­. Is that really Yuki¡­? BOOOOOOOOM! The facility¡¯s entrance was blasted out of nowhere by physical means. ¡°Ahh¡­!¡± The shock got me to accidently press the throttle pedal and caused the car to accelerate rapidly. Instead of worrying about Yuki, I steered the wheel under my control. Fizz. ¡°You¡¯re doing great. For now, follow Aki.¡± ¨CKano. Fizz. ¡°Roger that!¡± ¨CMe. TANG! During a certain sharp corner, the Mustang was slightly astray from the lane and it hit a pole. Oh¡­ no¡­. I¡¯m definitely getting scolded¡­ As of now, I was carefully following Aki from meters behind. Left side he turned, the left I steered, and acceleration he performed, the throttle pedal I stepped on. The small convoy continued smoothly as there were hardly any other traffics. Until¡­ four vehicles showed up in the rear-view mirror. We¡¯re not escaping in peace¡­. Fizz. ¡°Aki¡­! What do we do?! We got company!¡± ¨CMe. Fizz. ¡°I see that. Make sure your hands are on the wheel, we¡¯ll shake them off!¡± ¨CAki Fizz. ¡°Wha¡­.?! Don¡¯t joke around with me¡­.! I¡¯m still amateur at driving!¡± ¨CMe. Fizz. ¡°Do it or die!¡± ¨CAki. Fizz. ¡°No¡­! I just can¡¯t¡­.! I even hit something back then!¡± ¨CMe. Fizz. ¡°WHAT?!!!!! WHAT DID YOU HIT?!!!¡± His anger added an explosion in the earpiece. BOM! Another mediocre explosion burst nearby and briefly distorted the car¡¯s balance. Fizz. ¡°Ahhhhhh¡­! I don¡¯t think this is time for that!!!¡± ¨CMe. Fizz. ¡°No choice, I will personally kill you later. Just follow me!¡± ¨CAki. What now?! It¡¯s a simple case whether to die now or to die later! What did I do to deserve such predicament?! Argghhhhhhh¡­..! Aki and I began driving aggressively. Every possible intersection we encountered, we took turns at the very last moment. However, we still failed to lose them as they persisted on assaulting us. Time had come, we entered a highway and we found ourselves some traffics here especially truckers. During all these masses, I had somehow adapted to driving very neatly. We owned the road condescendingly, overtaking and slipping between trucks. Those pursuers were undoubtedly having hard time doing their job, as I could see them in the mirror. They had no chance on having a clear shot at us due to these truckers being reliable obstacles. We¡¯re doing it¡­.! I never know driving is so much fun! Shrieeeeekkkkkkks Aki abruptly went to the opposite road and drove through a ramp heading away from me. ¡°¡­.¡± ¡°Ah¡­.¡± Yep, I missed that. Observing the rear, one car was still chasing me while the other three vanished. And I started panicking, pressing the pedal even harder. Fizz. ¡°A-A-Aki! I missed the turn¡­!¡± ¨CMe Fizz. ¡°You have only one pursuer on you, do something out of it! I¡¯m going to be busy for a while!¡± ¨CAki After that, I could never talk with him. Fizz. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Hime. Just drive straight.¡± ¨CKano Assured by Kano¡¯s supportive order, I held my two hands steadily on the steering and continued driving at high speed. VRRROOOOOOMMMM! I could only hear the engine roaring as well as my heart beating. And every mile I took, I gradually lost sight of them. Yosh, I might shake them off at this rate¡­. Not long after that, I saw a pole was wiggling from as far as my eyes could recognize. Getting closer, and closer¡­. ¡°Yuki?!¡± I passed her. Looking at the mirror, she swung the pole like a baseball bat and knocked them away, literally¡­. Then, she jumped skywards after throwing the pole away. PAP! Something landed on the roof. What¡¯s that¡­? Her head suddenly popped out from the windshield with minor bleeding. ¡°Uwaaaaaaaaaahh¡­¡­¡­!!!!¡± It scared the hell out of me. Her lips silently cued something ended with ¡®dow¡¯ Huh¡­? ¡°Oh¡­! Window.¡± I rolled down the passenger window as per requested and Yuki nimbly hopped in through it. Exhaling a breath, she said, ¡°Thank you.¡± Few seconds after she had taken a seat, I smelt something unpleasant¡­. Thus, I took a careful look at Yuki and my eyes were immediately enlarged. ¡°¡­.!¡± ¡°¡ªYuki, you¡¯re bleeding!¡± There was a substantial wound in her right ribs yet she answered me very calmly, ¡°It¡¯s nothing serious, it¡¯ll heal over time.¡± Not only the concerned wound, her whole body was covered in blood. There might be another fatal wound but I just couldn¡¯t properly perceive them. It really made me worried. ¡°¡­¡± Nevertheless, she insisted on carving a faint smile as to say, ¡®it¡¯s really not a big deal¡¯. Afterwards, she took a more relaxing posture and concentrated on her breath. The cabin became quieter, leaving only the engine vrooming. For me, Yuki is a weirdly wonderful woman. She acts nicely to me, and complete opposite to enemies. Her capability to switch between hostility and kindness is staggering. I can¡¯t help but to be reconciled around her. Almost like a loyal pet¡­ ¡°¡­¡­¡± I released some pressure from the pedal and the car decelerated to moderate speed. I¡¯ve settled the job here¡­. And¡­ Right¡­. I have no idea where am I¡­. After looking at the signboard leading to ¡®Kasugai¡¯, I believed I had strayed too far. ¡°Haa¡­.¡± A simple sigh of mixed feelings. Before I knew it, Yuki was already asleep and her wound was progressively healing at noticeable rate. And I realized something even though I should have done it sooner¡­. These guys are nuts! Forcing me to drive like a maniac¡­.?! Slaying people like it was nothing¡­¡­.?!! And how the hell is Yuki being so calm with this blood splashed all over her body?!?! ¡°¡­.¡± But something is off¡­. Albeit all these commotions, I have not seen a single police comes chasing us¡­. ¡°¡­¡­¡± After taking minutes of leisure cruising on the empty highway, Aki finally opened a channel. Fizz. ¡°Hime, are you okay?¡± ¨CAki Fizz. ¡°Y-Yeah¡­. I¡¯m totally fine¡­ Somehow Yuki is also with me.¡± ¨CMe Fizz. ¡°I see¡­--¡°
POINT OF VIEW: HIROAKI KUZNETSOV After Hime and Aki went separate road.
I looked at the rear-view mirror and my lovely Mustang wasn¡¯t there. Damn it¡­! Where the hell did she go? To make things less feasible, three of the pursuers were still chasing us. Fizz. ¡°¡°A-A-Aki!! I missed the turn¡­!¡± ¨CHime Our surrounding was bombed back and forth without rest. I dodged every explosion by steering the car as fast as I could. Fizz. ¡°You have only one pursuer on you, do something out of it! I¡¯m going to be busy for a while!¡± ¨CMe Looks like they¡¯ve begun making aggressive move. Fizz. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Hime. Just drive straight.¡± ¨CKano ¡°We can¡¯t lose them at this rate, I¡¯ll cover you.¡± Said Meister, taking a shotgun from the back seat and rolled down the window. Popping his half body out of the window, he fired a few loud shots. While Meister was busy counterattacking, I took every sharp corner, slipped through valleys and even sped up at full throttle. Regardless of these difficulties, one peculiar pursuer still persisted on taking us down. ¡°Oy¡­Oy¡­ Iykos¡­ Is that¡­?¡± Staring properly with his enhanced vision, he replied, ¡°Yeah¡­. It¡¯s Inaros.¡± ¡°He really wants the prototype so badly¡­¡± ¡°Guess so.¡± Inaros chasing us means that Yuki has been defeated¡­ I hope she¡¯s okay¡­ ¡°Hang on tight! I¡¯m going to-----¡° -Time stopped- SSSSSSssssssssssssssSsssssSSSSSSSSss I heard a strange noise in my head and my vision was grayed as I observed myself driving to the right after an intersection then into certain paths, leading to a coastal area. A... Precognition¡­? -Time resumed- Nearing the said intersection, I turned right by mistake. What was that¡­? I did that without thinking¡­ This might be a trap. There¡¯s no way I can see future out of the blue, unless¡­. Someone is forcing a spell on me. Is that so¡­ I should contradict to what have been told, Wait¡­. If he knew I would not follow him, I¡¯m just falling deeper into his trap¡­. There¡¯s no way I can solve this, let¡¯s just see what the precognition has to offer¡­ ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± asked Meister when seeing me in deep thought. ¡°¡­Nah¡­. Nothing, we¡¯ll make a run!¡± I increased the velocity, heading towards the foretold future. ¡°¡­.¡± Eventually, we arrived the coastal area and it was nothing there, no one, only a serene scenery. ¡°I don¡¯t see Inaros.¡± Said Meister. Did he stop chasing? Impossible¡­ Definitely¡­. ¡­.?! ¡°EVADE KUZNETSOZ!¡± yelled Meister. It was too late. By the time I tried to react, airbag had been deployed as well as a raucous crash had beaten my right eardrum. I blinked once, then I saw the sky was rolling upside down so quickly and my whole body, rotated along with the car. Smashed the ground, the car continued to roll over, denting and crashing the frames. Until it finally stopped once the momentum was no longer in effect. ¡°Ughh¡­..¡± ¡°Uhhh¡­¡­¡­¡­..¡± ¡°¡­.¡± ¡°Are you okay¡­.?¡± I asked, as my head still hurting. ¡°Ha¡­¡± We both slammed our respective door and crawled out. After I got to see the full view of the crash, I noticed the damages came not only from the collision but also from Excalibur which I put at the backseat. Thank god that gigantic piece of metal didn¡¯t hit any of us¡­ I pulled out Excalibur by the hilt, the result had further torn the car apart. ¡°Hmph.¡± I heard a dire hum from the upper ground. At the same time, I sensed a powerful existence near a dock. On the upper ground, Inaros was scowling while holding the prototype suitcase and at the dock, an Elf was carefully observing us. ¡°How did he get the suitcase¡­?¡± asked Meister in worries. ¡°Perhaps it fell out during the crash¡­¡± Meister was having heavy injury in his ankle and by the look of it, he wouldn¡¯t be able to initiate a fight. I had to choose, either to steal the suitcase or confront the Elf. Both were an important matter to me. I stroke the Excalibur and drove a shockwave to Inaros. However, the shockwave dissipated almost instantly once it touched him. I guess his ability is still troublesome¡­. Annoyed by the feeble threat, Inaros raised his voice, ¡°ARE you MAKING fun of ME?¡± ¡°Nah¡­ not really, I was just testing the water since I don¡¯t quite remember how I killed you¡­ To be honest, it was too easy to be remembered.¡± Inaros¡¯s blood started to boil and a violent twister emerged around him. As he was ready to return fire, the Elf spoke, ¡°We¡¯d better stop it right here, Inaros. Further agitation is unnecessary.¡± The swirling wind had calmed down. Clicking his dead tongue, he retreated and vanished from our sight along with the suitcase. My eyes were immediately altered towards the Elf who was about to take his own leave. ¡°Wait!¡± He stopped half-way and glared at me, without the intention to speak. ¡°¡ªWhat are you doing here in Japan?¡± I asked, knowing he would not open his lips for me. His reticent expression remained unanswered. Soon, he disappeared. The reason I didn¡¯t put up a fight was because, I kind of knew the Elf. Insane undead aside, he would be a formidable opponent if he decided to join force with Inaros. Not to mention, Meister wasn¡¯t in the state to do so. All in all, two versus one wasn¡¯t my cup of tea. What even not my cup of tea is¡­ it¡¯s so quiet¡­ No police no authorities? I should better check on that stupid girl¡­ I pushed the communication button. Fizz. ¡°Hime, are you okay?¡± ¨CMe. Fizz. ¡°Y-Yeah¡­. I¡¯m totally fine¡­ Somehow Yuki is also with me.¡± ¨CHime Fizz. ¡°I see¡­ How about you Kano, any news during the scout?¡± ¨CMe Fizz. ¡°Not something pleasant to tell here though.¡± ¨CKano Fizz. ¡°Okay. By the way guys, mission failed. Let¡¯s go back for now.¡± ¨CMe Fizz. ¡°Roger that.¡± ¨CKano ¡°Eh¡­huh¡­? Ha¡­. But I¡¯m lost!¡± ¨CHime That girl¡­. I exhaled a breath. Fizz. ¡°Kano send the coordinate of our home.¡± ¨CMe Fizz. ¡°Got that. Hime, a map will show up in the screen at the middle. Just follow the navigation until you reach the destination.¡± ¨CKano Fizz. ¡°Understood¡­. I got the image and I¡¯m on the way¡­.¡± ¨CHime Fizz. ¡°One more thing, just make sure you¡¯re not encountering any police.¡± ¨CKano Fizz. ¡°P-po-police¡­?! Why?!¡± ¨CHime Fizz. ¡°Obviously because you don¡¯t have license, and Yuki is drenched in blood, right?¡± ¨CKano Fizz. ¡°Ah¡­.! Aahhh¡­.! I forgot about that!¡± ¨CHime Fizz. ¡°Oy! Don¡¯t you crash anything out there!¡± ¨CMe Fizz. ¡°Sorry!¡± ¨CHime O..oy¡­! After the sudden apologize, I tried to scold Hime through the channel but her voice could not be heard anymore. I¡¯m really worried about my car¡­. She should be able to use her skill to imitate my driving skill. It should be okay¡­ Well, if not¡­ I¡¯ll just have to punish her later¡­ Chapter 7 - Negotiation POINT OF VIEW: KANO KUZNETSOV
Given name, Kano Kuznetsov, blood-related younger sister of Hiroaki. We are the true remnants of the previous war, hardly anyone knows about our past as we stay low in public but being prominent in underground industry. I am the one and forever Aki¡¯s companion. ¨CThat¡¯s what I thought. Recently, a girl named Koihime interrupted our usual lifestyle, being Aki¡¯s out-of-nowhere girlfriend. I was experiencing hesitancy at that time, but seeing Aki with his profound determination to take her in, put me at ease. Added that Hime is a valuable person to us, I decided to give her a shot. She didn¡¯t fail, impressive. However, her clumsiness in executing a job for the first time may be troubling us but once I realized how handy is her ability, I really doubt she will mess up for the second time. The next day after the altercation, Aki and I had a private discussion. Even though we have taken in Hime and Yuki, there¡¯s a limitation of where information should be told. Especially Yuki, Aki¡¯s been doubting her but he¡¯s never told me. Years of being together, he could never hide anything from me, although it was professionally kept a secret. Things go in his favor once I¡¯d witnessed Yuki¡¯s brother, Hikushiro, together with a suspicious Elf. When I told Aki about it, he said ¡®our¡¯ Elf, matched. A theory came out. But then, let¡¯s leave that thing aside as I was watching Hime getting scolded by Aki. Hime, the one victim, remained seated on the ground, with her head hung low. Having cold sweat all over her face, she spurred. ¡°¡­Uurrr¡­ Urrrr¡­..rrrr¡­¡­ Uu¡­.¡± Aki, a really pissed off guy, took a look around his treasure, with his feet stomping on the ground every time he spotted an imperfection. ¡°...A dent on the left quarter panel¡­ Three weirdly unpattern kinks on the rear bumper that definitely not bullets¡­ And¡­.¨C¡° Before continuing, he took a deep breath. ¡°¨CAn obvious crash on the right headlamp!¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry!¡± ¡°What did you hit?!¡± ¡°¡­Ermm¡­. A¡­ pole¡­?¡± ¡°A POLE?!¡± ¨CA thunderous shout echoed the garage. Reacted, Hime immediately closed her eyes. Furthering, she mumbled, ¡°¡­Urr¡­ I told you I¡¯m sorry¡­¡± Hasting on me, Hime begged, ¡°¨CHelp me, Kano-senpai! Aki¡¯s being cruel to me! This, absolutely innocent me!¡± Ha¡­ what a narcissistic girl¡­. I shrugged my shoulders, giving her a no-can-do expression, ¡°It¡¯s your fault for causing unnecessary damages.¡± ¡°I¡¯m just following your orders! Besides, it¡¯s my first time! It¡¯s your fault for giving me such impossible task!¡± You¡¯re begging me and now you¡¯re blaming me¡­.? I sighed, saying, ¡°Aki, why don¡¯t you give her a break?¡± Realizing how desperate Hime was, Aki also heaved a sigh. ¡°Oh yeah Kano, how¡¯s the investigation? Did you find anything?¡± ¡°About the streets were empty from authorities? Yes. I¡¯ve run a check on their database, seems like they received reports from neighbourhoods but all of them were ignored for whatsoever the reasons.¡± Hand on his chin, he think. ¡°That leads to only one person¡­¡± With a simple ¡°Um,¡± I nodded. ¡°¨CThe Chief Deputy.¡± ¡°I see.¡± He then opened the closet under the working table, took out a remote and passed it to me from afar. ¡°¨CI¡¯ve embedded custom algorithm code for unlocking a car. Use it.¡± ¡°Sure.¡± ¡°What¡¯re you going to do?¡± asked Hime. ¡°I¡¯ll do some tuning.¡± ¡°C-can I go with you?!¡± ¡°NO.¡± said Aki. ¡°I¡¯m not done with you yet.¡± Hime¡¯s offer was just to flee from Aki. Although it looked sad, it was fun. I did give Hime a smile before leaving. After confirming my everyday chores were done, I cramped myself in the room. First thing that came into my mind was hacking. I¡¯d sent reasonable yet plenty of dummy reports to chief deputy¡¯s main system. All of them were forced a deadline today, before 12 at midnight. Next, I checked the employee¡¯s time-in and time-out and ruled out everyone that go home early. A random candidate came out. I adjusted the assignment incomes so that he would work overtime but not more than chief deputy would have. ¡°Kano.¡± Yuki, called me from the door. ¡°¡­Ah¡­ Yuki, do you need anything?¡± Alepou Yuki, currently dressed in elegant combat Kimono, is my best friend. During the war, we were a pair of soldiers, known with her aggressive close-combat type, and me with the long-range supportive type. Backing each other up is a part of our natural instinct. She is a very kind and less talkative girl despite her brutal killing habits. ¡°What~ Are~ You~ Doing~?¡± she asked, hugging me from behind. ¡°I did some hacking into the Security Department for tonight¡¯s operation.¡± ¡°Hmmmmm¡­¡­¡± Losing the interest, Yuki continued, ¡°By the way Kano, I¡¯m bored.¡± ¡°Oh¡­? Um¡­ Let¡¯s take a walk at the city then.¡± ¡°Really? Mmmuah.¡± She kissed me in the cheek. ¡°Kano, I love you.¡± ¡°Yes, yes, let me finish this first. Give me a minute.¡± I tracked down the candidate¡¯s private vehicle and hacked into the building¡¯s security camera to see where it was parked. Then, I overrode all the cameras with a fake recording and deactivated the alarm in the building. ¡°¨CDone. Let¡¯s go.¡± Putting on my casual clothes, we headed out to the town by public transports. Nagoya City, one of the major metropolitans in Japan blessed with various attractions. Affordable living expense and a wonderful place to live in, if compared with other big cities. ¡°First time going here, Yuki?¡± ¡°Yep, I¡¯ve never got the chance to stroll around because of the hectic work we¡¯ve been through¡­ Really, your brother is such a slave driver¡­¡± ¡°Haha¡­ We already knew how he does work.¡±Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions. ¡°Yeah¡­ That¡¯s the part he doesn¡¯t change too¡­¡± Looking at her kimono, I asked. ¡°Where did you get that outfit?¡± ¡°This?¡± she played with the fabric near the arm. ¡°I got it from a group of mafia back in Chine when we were travelling the world. It was just a gift from them.¡± ¡°It¡¯s beautiful¡­ Added that it looked stretchable and flexible.¡± ¡°Materials unknown, made in unknown, but they said it was their finest treasure. Anyway Kano, do you have recommendations around here?¡± ¡°Let¡¯s see¡­.¡± I think as I put my hand on the chin, ¡°¨CLet¡¯s go to Tokugawa Garden. There¡¯s a nice lake.¡± ¡°Sure!¡± ¡­. Entering the garden through the main entrance, we found ourselves on a bridge. Beneath us, a large lake with variety of aquatic animals and dazzling water. Koi fish were living in large-scale in the lake, accompanied by few turtles. Throwing pieces of bread we bought earlier, they hastily competed for the foods, rumbling the surface of the water. Once the foods were eaten, the water stopped splashing. We chucked more of the pieces and the process repeated itself. ¡°It¡¯s so serene here¡­¡± said Yuki, feeling the breeze. ¡°Agreed¡­. So Yuki, do you go to school after the war?¡± ¡°School huh? I did, I¡¯ve been transferring between foreign schools until now. I think, I¡¯ll be going to your school when I¡¯m finished with the paperwork.¡± ¡°¡­Tomida?¡± ¡°Definitely! Then we¡¯ll be together again!¡± ¡°That¡¯s nice. But, it¡¯s going to be only two terms before the graduation¡­ I hope you¡¯re not falling behind¡­¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry! I¡¯ve been studying all the science stream subjects¡­ Like¡­¨C¡° While counting it with her fingers, she continued, ¡°¨CMathematics¡­ Physic¡­ Biology¡­ Etc¡­¡± ¡°I see. If that so, you¡¯ll have no problem then.¡± My eyes caught interest at Yuki¡¯s body, the wound she had when stalling Inaros yesterday. Even though it shouldn¡¯t be a big deal because of her extraordinary physical capability, I¡¯m still concerned, because I love her¡­ she¡¯s my dear friend. ¡°¨CYuki, is the wound healed yet?¡± Weirded, Yuki still smiled. ¡°Of course it has healed! What are you worrying about? Those scratches did nothing to me¡­ You should know the best.¡± ¡°Ahaha¡­ I¡¯m just checking out. Those so-called scratches will cause death to normal humans. They¡¯ll die because the loss of blood¡­¡± ¡°Aww¡­!¡± Yuki came closer and hugged me, ¡°Kano, you¡¯re such a kind friend¡­ Umm¡­ umm¡­!¡± rubbing her cheek against mine. ¡°¡­Hey, stop it. We¡¯ll fall¡­¡± ¡°Hehe¡­¡± she grinned, responded with my smile. ¡°¡­.¡± ¡°¡­.How¡¯s Inaros¡­?¡± I asked, low. ¡°Hmm¡­ I can¡¯t really describe him¡­ He¡¯s becoming way stronger than he was¡­¡± ¡°Maybe because he is an Undead now¡­¡± She nodded, ¡°How the hell did Aki kill that monster anyway?¡± ¡°I have no idea too¡­¡± 5.00 p.m. ¡°¨CLet¡¯s go the Security Department building before going home.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± ¡­. At the parking lot, to avoid suspicion, we walked together and talked casually until we reached the target¡¯s private car. Keeping up with the fake talk, we stood leisurely and I touched the car as well as the remote Aki gave. Initiating¡­. Entry into the Electronic Control Module¡­. ¨CAlarm deactivated. ¨CMatching the Central Lock algorithm¡­. ¨CImmobilizer deactivated. ¨CReprogramming¡­. ¡°¡­.¡± ¨CAlgorithm matched. ¨CSystem reactivated. Confirmed with a silent gesture, we left the area and headed straight home. ¡­. 7.00 p.m. Everyone was all-go except Hime, she looked exhausted. ¡°Uuwwweeekk¡­..¡± her shoulders hung low, with her eyes dropped tired. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Yuki asked. ¡°A-Aki¡­ Had no mercy on me¡­. I felt like a slave, doing all the labor work¡­¡± Yuki leaned her head to the side, and hummed, ¡°Huh¡­?¡± ¡°We¡¯re just replacing the parts on the Mustang.¡± Said Aki. Unsatisfied, Hime yelled, ¡°It¡¯s so tiring! I am a girl, you know?! A weak, innocent, and pretty, GIRL! I was having an ordinary life not days ago and look at me now?!¡± She violently stroked her hair, rubbing it in depression. ¡°¨CHow did it come to this¡­? Arrrhhhh¡­.!¡± ¡°Oy, oy, you¡¯re the one who decided to be my girlfriend and promised to do anything.¡± ¡°Oh yeah?! Except I don¡¯t see anything that fixes your car can do any help to my case!¡± ¡°Well, well, cool down. I¡¯ve prepared a job just for you to release your anger¡­. And I bet, you¡¯ll be more than loving it.¡± Still looked unconvinced, Hime asked. ¡°What¡¯s that¡­.? I hope I¡¯m not driving anymore! That thing sucks!¡± With a confident smile, he replied. ¡°You¡¯ll know later.¡± Taking an once-over at anyone, he continued, ¡°¨CSo everyone¡¯s here, let¡¯s proceed.¡± ¡°Aki.¡± I called, ¡°Here.¡± As I chucked the remote key like he did to me. ¡°¨CEverything is good to go.¡± ¡°¡­.¡± The briefing ended with a nod by every member after the plan was affirmed. Aki partnered up with Hime and Yuki with me. We took an everyday car from the garage and Aki took his. We drove to where the Chief Deputy¡¯s residence was. He has a daughter and a wife, settling in a big and heavily guarded mansion. His daughter is a high school girl and his wife is a public servant retiree. ¨CThey¡¯re currently in their home. Once their status was confirmed, Yuki spoke. ¡°Let me intrude the mansion.¡± ¡°Sounds like a good idea¡­ I¡¯ll back you up.¡± ¡°No need.¡± She said. There¡¯s no follow-up words after that. She didn¡¯t explain why, but her confidence convinced me. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll stay on scout if anything happens.¡± She nodded, getting out from the car and went straight to target¡¯s location. I, in the other hand, reached a higher building to get ready for sniping. Through the scope, I¡¯d seen Yuki approaching the main entrance that was guarded with two securities. When arrived, the securities were on a defensive stance, forcing me to standby behind the trigger. But then, Yuki said something to cause the securities to lower their weapon and let her in. I heaved a sigh. I didn¡¯t know what Yuki was saying, but it was splendidly done. This made our job easier. So far, Yuki had entered the mansion in peace, and eventually she was treated nicely by the mother. Everything was shown through the scope, behind the window. Our mission here is to make the Chief Deputy¡¯s family as hostages. We¡¯ll kill them as soon as we received orders from Aki. Dirty work? Yes, that¡¯s how we do things. Aki is a cold-blooded killer, everyone doesn¡¯t notice that except for those who¡¯ve spent times with him. When I say ¡®time¡¯, I mean a long ¡®time¡¯. Orders he gives contains no hesitation, and I¡¯ll execute it cleanly without fails. ¡°I will do anything for you¡­¡±
POINT OF VIEW: HIROAKI KUZNETSOV With Hime.
After unlocking the target¡¯s car, we smoothly got in the backseat. The alarm didn¡¯t go off, and that¡¯s why it¡¯s proceeding accordingly. ¡°Say, why are we trespassing an officer¡¯s car?¡± asked Hime. ¡°An ambush, we need an authorization card to get into the building. We¡¯ll take this guy¡¯s card.¡± ¡°W-why?! I don¡¯t want to enter that building!¡± ¡°I know you¡¯re being anxious when it comes to police¡­ But here, we¡¯re going to squeeze information from the Chief Deputy.¡± ¡°S-s-squeeze?! Chief Deputy?! Don¡¯t kid with me, that¡¯s dangerous!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry, we¡¯ll sneak in and out before they even knew it¡­ Furthermore¡­.¡± I paused, seeing her sweating face. ¡°¨CYOU are the one who will do it.¡± Her eyes suddenly sharpened as the curve of her mouth, quirked up. ¡°You sure?¡± ¡°Ummh.¡± I gave her a supportive nod as a reply. Heard, she turned from anxious little girl into an excited female persecutor. ¡­. Hehe¡­. ¡°¨CHere, put on this mask. You don¡¯t want your identity being discovered.¡± ¡°Okay¡­¡± ¡°¡­¡± Ducking, we waited for the target to enter the car. Once he did, I nimbly stabbed him in the neck while had his mouth covered, spattering blood onto the windshield. The assassination wasn¡¯t visible from outside because the car was heavily tinted. Afterwards, we proceeded by sneaking in all the way to Chief¡¯s room, using the personnel card to bypass every security door. BAM! We slammed the door. Shocked, the Chief stood up behind his table and rapidly pressed the emergency button. ¡°Don¡¯t waste your energy, the alarm isn¡¯t functioning.¡± I said, blatantly walking toward him. ¡°You BASTRARD!¡± he shouted, pointing a gun on us. A shot was fired but Hime drew her katana and deflected the bullet. Quickly, she charged ahead and kicked the Chief further aback, causing the surrounding furniture to fall. Bashed on the ground, he was threatened in the neck by Hime¡¯s blade. ¡°Don¡¯t kill yet, we need him to talk.¡± I warned. ¡°Heh, you dirty bastards won¡¯t get anything from me!¡± he said. ¡°I see, here.¡± I passed a baton to Hime, She grabbed it. ¡°¨CUse it as you think wise.¡± Even though she was masked, her ecstasy was overflown that she gladly accepted it starting with a smack on the Chief¡¯s head. ¡°Ughh¡­ Uhh¡­ Yo¨C¡° Smacked again, the Chief didn¡¯t have time to talk. Hime proceeded with a kick in the ribs that blasted the Chief away. He coughed seemingly, but that didn¡¯t concern Hime as she continuously beat the hell out of him. Until at a point where he started bleeding, Hime paused. ¡°Ughh¡­¡­ uuhhhhhh¡­.¡± ¡°Ready to talk?¡± I asked. ¡°I¡­ Ughh¡­ will not¡­ say¡­. Uhh¡­ anything!¡± As soon as he opened his mouth to say that, Hime gave a good swing on the head. Then, she picked him up and thrust the baton directly in the mouth, dragging him all the way to the wall. Hammered on it, she lifted the Chief¡¯s whole body by merely puncturing the baton through his throat. ¡°Say¡­ Your daughter is beautiful, isn¡¯t she? Can I marry her?¡± I spoke, looking at a tiny picture on the table. ¡°ARGHHHH¡­..! RRRRRR¡­! ¡­¡­¡­¡­?!¡± Hime retreated the baton and gave a push kick in the stomach, causing blood to spurt from his mouth, and eventually drenching Hime¡¯s skirt. Landed on the ground, he coughed devastatingly. ¡°Ughh¡­. I-I¡­. g-got it! Ughh¡­ uh..!¡± ¡°¨CI¡¯ll talk!¡± ¡­. Taking time to breathe in and out, the Chief finally opened his mouth. ¡°What do you want to know?¡± ¡°You really want to ask that? After being so reluctant¡­?¡± ¡°¡­Alright, alright¡­! It¡¯s about the piece of shit, Inaros, right?¡± ¡°You know it¡­ And the abducted Elves too.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know much about that, but the Government issues an order to stay away from dispute between the mafias¡­ The Elves, they were apparently being transported to England. ¨CAlso we are not supposed to touch that.¡± ¡°Why England?¡± ¡°Beats me¡­ I¡¯ve heard they are departing in three days from now.¡± ¡°So¡­ the Government is behind all this?¡± ¡°Not exactly, it¡¯s the third party¡¯s business¡­ Really¡­ I don¡¯t know anything except this, spare my family!¡± Hmm¡­. A brief silence. ¡°¡­.¡± Out of nowhere, a tiny screeching noise cracked through the window and hit the Chief¡¯s heart. Shit! I couldn¡¯t make in time, and he was already dead. ¡°That guy!¡± Hime yelled, staring outside, with her clenched fist and gritted teeth. It was the Elf, the one from the dock. As Hime was about to pursue him, I shouted. ¡°Hime, enough!¡± He then disappeared in the thin air. Fizz. ¡°Kano, Yuki, do it. Eliminate everything that comes contacts with us.¡± ¨CMe Fizz. ¡°Roger, that.¡± ¨CKano Fizz. ¡°Too bad¡­¡± ¨CYuki Heard our conversation, Hime¡¯s eyes enlarged in despair. ¡°W-Why?! I thought we had all the information?! You don¡¯t need to kill the family!¡± ¡°We can¡¯t afford to let any evidence left, since the Chief is dead. They might be used in the court against us¡­ Anyway, let¡¯s get out.¡±