ch401-ch420 · 410-ch410
Chapter 410: The Pointless Fight
"I don't mind doing it, but there are eyes on us right now. For Yukiya's sake, we'll leave it for tomorrow."
"You're just saying that so you can have Chiharu fight tomorrow, aren't you!"
If 'Sword Saint-chan' can win going full tilt, of course that's what he'd do.
"Then let's call it a day for today. Tomorrow, we'll be waiting....... Come to think of it—did you already send your equipment to Chiba?"
I do hope they come wearing full armor tomorrow.
"Hey, hey—you're not about to say "I can win because you have no equipment," right?"
He's the one saying he won't fight, so that's that, no?
"Hmm. Planning to do something to the equipment we send over, are you?"
"I see—so that's the play......"
Truly befitting a ninja. Dirty.
But with 【Charge・Armor・High】 draining 2 per second, I couldn't rig it even if I wanted to.
Even if I touched it in advance without being noticed, it wouldn't last ten minutes.
Getting from "I'll go change" to the start of a match within five minutes? Impossible.
"Then—you lot lost, so file the paperwork and send your equipment to Chiba, quick. And what you saw today goes no further."
Aikawa clamps down on Minami's group.
"Ah, right, that. Everyone—you saw for yourselves. We intend to scout Aikawa-san's daughter there into 'Blue Ocean.' It's not yet final, and tomorrow is set aside for that important discussion. There's nothing we need to hide, but we plan to make the announcement ourselves, formally, once it's officially settled. So please keep it confidential until then. I don't expect leaks, but if one occurs, we will respond appropriately—please bear that in mind. Dismissed!"
That said, we're all heading the same direction, and everyone sends Aikawa envious looks.
Aikawa wears a smug face.
And Bear Ossan looks, if anything, proud.
I'm not jealous, you know.
Depending on how tomorrow's talks go, I might get in too.
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"Who are you?"
The very next day, that's the first thing 'Sword Saint-chan' says to me.
No—we've met several times, haven't we?
Don't tell me—amnesia?
"Well, you'd think so, right? I thought the same. Memory's back, and you're a completely different person. That Haruki who practiced so earnestly is gone."
Yukiya-san answers.
No, no—I practiced earnestly this very morning, you know?
"Miko's here too. Where's that one?"
Hm? Mia-san is here, but Miko-san isn't, is she?
Huh? She's not, right? This is scary......
The person 'Sword Saint-chan' pointed at was Soushi, standing in the back.
The other side's members, escorted in by Kasumi-san, are exactly the promised three: Ao-san, Yukiya-san, and 'Sword Saint-chan.'
Our side: Kasumi-san, Soushi, Aikawa, plus Mia-san and Shiraishi-san.
The only people who know my situation—full assembly.
"Ah, it was Soushi, right? He's a scouting target too. Like I said yesterday—you have to beat him to make him one of us. I'm counting on you?"
"I was told to beat Yukiya-senpai first, though?"
"That's why I'm counting on you. If you lose to me, 'Blue Ocean' ceases to exist. Don't lose, got it?"
Yukiya-san declares he won't hold back.
This is a good person to have gained as an ally.
"I thought it over all night, but I still don't understand your goal. You don't seem opposed to recruiting Natsuki-san away, and it's not that you don't want to let go of Watanabe-san, either? For our part, we're interested in you too. If you'd join us, that would be reassuring—but what bothers me is that I still don't know your purpose. I don't understand why we're fighting today, either. Would you tell me before we begin?"
So she doesn't think I'm the fifth member after all.
If so, my existence is nothing but a nuisance to them, right?
And yet she accepted the match—because she saw, for the first time, the chance that Kasumi-san might nod.
And she doesn't think she'll lose for even an instant—no, rather: she doesn't think THEY can win either. That's what this is.
"There's no meaning to winning or losing, really. I just intend to show our strength before the talks, so that you'll grant more of our requests. So it's fine if you lose, you know?"
Actually, there really is no meaning to it.
It's something like a self-introduction.
No—yes, I could have just SAID it......
It's a rather sordid bit of thinking, honestly: once they become allies and my strength is exposed, I might never beat them again—so I wanted to take one win off them first.
There's also the fact that Kasumi-san was strangely eager about it and insisted, so I couldn't refuse.
"Requests, huh...... Less and less clear. Honestly, I'm scared of what outrageous demands you'll make. Also—the win or loss is up to Chiharu. How about it, Chiharu?"
"Whether you win or lose doesn't matter. Show me strength convincing enough that our side is satisfied, and I'll hear your requests."
Not "anything," I see......
"That's our line. This is a test for YOU, you know? It's entirely possible you'll be the only one held back a grade. I suggest you give it your very best."
Kasumi-san, slightly worked up, needles her.
Apparently saying she could beat 'Sword Saint-chan' was a mistake—she got so excited she couldn't sleep last night.
It was really only that first time, you know?
"Ao-senpai, next I'm fighting Watanabe Kasumi, so......"
"If, by some one-in-a-million chance, you were to beat Haruki-san—THAT is when I will be the one to defeat you."
"Ah-hah-hah. Shall we begin, then? First up—Yukiya and Chiharu, I suppose?"
"Alright! I'm not losing easily!"
I knew it—she plans to settle everything with 'Sword Saint-chan' herself.
Then......
"No—the first one is me, please."
"OI!"
Though it'd be a problem if Ao-san steps out instead.
If 'Sword Saint-chan' isn't my first opponent, I end up showing my hand.
"You're facing everyone anyway, so the order is up to you."
'Sword Saint-chan' takes her position at the starting line, wooden sword in hand.
"Could you put on some protective gear, please?"
"I brought some, but there's no need, is there? If you were using a real blade, I might consider it."
No good, huh......
I do have Armor Manipulation, but I can't exactly pull my strikes, you know?
"Understood. I'll probably injure you, so allow me to apologize in advance. But Shiraishi-san's skill is certain, so she'll have you fixed right up......"
"Nu?"
Was my phrasing off, or did I finally make her angry?
But not wearing protection is the greater fault here.
"What confidence. What about a referee? Shall I ask the smith?"
"No good. I probably won't be able to see it, not me."
"Ao-san, please watch, then. Oh—and 【Dimension Slash】 is off the table, if you please?"
This much had to be settled beforehand.
If she uses it, I'll have to burn another charm—and then the surprise planned for afterward would be off, and Kasumi-san would be crushed.
"As if I'd use it. Senpai—begin."
If she uses it, she loses, you know?
Obvious, but—we won't be unleashing MP attacks either, so we'll call it even.
"Now, now, calm down. Everyone ready?"
"One moment, please."
I take the spear and shield from Soushi and take my position at the starting line......
"......Two spears?"
Today: one round shield and two wooden spears.
A bit of promotion m(_ _)m
I'm posting a new work for Kakuyomu 10.
'The Unluckiest Man in the World Steps on the Level-Down Trap Twice in His First Dungeon'
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818093086054561683
I've posted the third chapter, so please take a look if you'd like......
Comments would be welcome too......
Ratings and bookmarks might still be a bit early, lol
I'll be updating irregularly until December, so the next one isn't up yet ^^;