Volume 4, The Sixth Question(2/2)
“They must be starting to regret declaring war on us, since winning this war won’t benefit them much, and losing will cause them to face the risk of having their classroom downgraded into the worst possible one. So if they are given an opportunity, they’ll surely agree to form a truce with us.”
“If they are given an opportunity....That means, we’ll still have to deal them a telling blow right?”
Even if we are done regulating our forces, there's no good opportunity, so it would be hard to propose a truce....I guessed that Yuuji thought this way.
It’s not wrong, if there’s no good opportunity, it’s highly impossible for both sides to want to form a truce.
“Right, the last blow will be by taking out their head.”
“Their head....you mean the Class D’s representative Hiraga-san? But, if we can deal with their head, what do we need a truce for?”
“We can’t do anything to Hiraga. Class D is already alerted to us, Hiraga surely won’t come personally. And in this battle, their head isn’t just Hiraga alone.”
After hearing Yuuji’s explanation, Himeji-san clapped her hands once suddenly.
“I know, you’re talking about Shimizu-san right?”
“Correct. If we finish off Shimizu, the main force of Class D won’t dare to take any action. If we want to form a truce with them, making an example out of Shimizu will create a good opportunity.”
Thinking back, the one who was actually calling the shots and commanding the army wasn’t Hiragi-san, but Shimizu-san. So if we could take Shimizu-san out, it’d be easier for us to form a truce with Class D.
“That’s just it, so Akihisa, it’s you who’ll be going to the empty classroom beside this one alone, and face Shimizu in a solo battle.”
“Eh? I need to go?”
If we want to beat Shimizu-san, there should be another candidate more powerful and suitable.
“I didn’t replenish my points because I needed to be ready to give orders at any time. Muttsurini also shared the same fate with me. Moreover, we can’t let others find out Himeji’s whereabouts, and if something unexpected happens, she’ll need to join the defensive army. So, this mission can only be completed by you.”
Minami and Hideyoshi are currently on the frontlines, the other students have their own duties respectively. And also, I’m more skilled in handling my summoned beast than anybody, so that makes me the best candidate.
“And don’t forget, you’ll be the best to provoke Shimizu. I heard the whole story from Hideyoshi, but after that, didn’t you successfully provoke her?”
“Oh....That, that's....How should I put it....I, I’m not clear about it myself....”
Let’s not talk about how the provocation went, but I’m the person that Shimizu-san wants to get rid of the most.
“Ah, so this is how the choice is made.”
Himeji-san who was listening to our conversation silently pointed to the stack of paper on Yuuji’s desk, as if she just understood something. She meant that only one person is deployed into the empty classroom, and that's the part that I play.
“As expected of you, Himeji; you are really sharp with your eyes.”
“....Sorry, and what does that mean?”
By the way, I’m the one who doesn’t understand anything they just said.
“To put it....For example, if I give Sugawa that position, and you’ll be his opponent. Seeing Sugawa stand here, what would you think?”
“Will I even be thinking anything....I will just feel that it’s rather meaningless.”
The empty classroom that Yuuji referred to doesn’t have a leader inside it that needed to be closely guarded, and taking the positions into account, it’s not a location that needs to be fought for. That way, even if we threw any random guy into that empty classroom, the enemy may be suspicious, but they wouldn’t be thinking too much about it.
“Right, most people would think this way. But, what if I put in another condition?”
“Condition?”
“Right. If at that time, you are fighting Sugawa for Himeji, like this, how would things look like?”
“That, that, for me....”
Oh....Me and Sugawa-san fighting over Himeji-san, and there’s a Summoner Test War? If so, to me, getting Himeji-san is something very important, even if there isn’t a Summoner Test War, I’ll try my best to finish Sugawa-san off, and to think that Sugawa-san thinks the same way....Under this condition, if Sugawa-san waited in an empty classroom alone -
“I’d think that he’s waiting for me there. For Himeji-san, we’ll have to settle things the hard way.”
“Right, things are like this.”
As if he’s saying ‘you answered nicely’, Yuuji nodded with approval.
“To put it another way, to another’s eye, Akihisa who is waiting in an empty classroom is just a small pawn, but to Shimizu, it’s different. She’ll think that you’re trying to battle with her, and you are waiting in an empty classroom for her. To let others think this way too, I let you join the frontline at the beginning, to let them know you’re here.”
So that's why Yuuji told me to go show myself at the frontline. Although I still have enough points to continue battling, I did not fully participate in the frontline fight just to make my attitude and actions clearer, as if I am telling Shimizu-san “I’m waiting for you”.
“Sakamoto-kun's telling him ‘you can retreat to the front of our classroom’ just now is to....”
“If I didn’t do it this way, they wouldn’t know that Akihisa is here waiting for her. Because of that, while waiting for them here to finish replenishing their points so that we can negotiate a truce with them, we need to break through their defense at the corridor and stairs, and let Shimizu know that Akihisa is waiting for her in an empty classroom, we also couldn’t let the enemy know that we are the one at a disadvantage. On how to solve this problem exactly, it’s really hard for me to anticipate.”
Yuuji is right, if we can lure out Shimizu-san, maybe we can propose a truce with them before we are defeated. But....
“Will things go that smoothly?”
I’m still worried. Especially under these conditions, I really can’t anticipate whether Shimizu-san will appear to challenge me one-on-one.
“All I can say is, just wait and see.”
Yuuji is still full of confidence.
“Oh....Since Yuuji dared to say that, then there shouldn’t be any problem.”
“Good! Now that everything’s clear, Akihisa should get into the empty classroom as soon as possible; I’ve no idea when both defensive lines will be broken through.
“Understood, I’ll go there now.”
I nearly grasped my mission. Now I’ll just follow Yuuji’s words, and then enter the empty classroom and wait for Shimizu-san.
☆
“Before Shimizu appears, we’ll just standby here.”
“I’m fine with that....hehe.”
“Himeji, what's up with you? It’s actually rude of you to smile at me that way.”
“Ah, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to.”
“Then what did you mean to do?”
“No, I just feel that no matter how you put it, Sakamoto-kun really understands Akihisa-kun.”
“Ah? Wh-why are you suddenly saying something so disgusting?!”
“It’s irrelevant, you don’t have to be shy about it.”
“I’m not shy, I just feel that it’s really disgusting....”
“Because, if you don’t really understand Akihisa-kun, you can’t carry out that plan you've mentioned just now, can you?”
“You mean the one about luring Shimizu out?”
“Yes.”
“....Oh, let’s not talk about understanding him, all I have to do is think about Akihisa’s personality, and then I can guess what Akihisa said to Shimizu when Hideyoshi left yesterday. To Shimizu, that must be something that's really infuriating.”
“Me too....I don’t know why, but I can guess what Akihisa-kun said.”
“That guy is stupid, so it’s easy to grasp the way he thinks.”
“It’s because he’s honest, it must be so.”
“I don’t agree.”
“Hehe, Sakamoto-kun is very untruthful.”
“Tut, whatever you say....But, you really don’t mind?”
“Uh? What do you mean?”
“No, this matter seems bad for you....”
“About this......I guess so....It does make me unhappy, but—“
“But what?”
“....But, this is why I find Akihisa-kun attractive.”
“Uh? Pardon, I didn’t hear you very well just now.”
“Ah, nothing, I didn’t say anything.”
“Really? But, still....Thanks for the info.”
“I, I hate you, I think you heard it very clearly!”
☆
While waiting in the empty classroom, I felt really bored as I had nothing else to do. I felt like playing my handheld gaming console or reading a book just to kill time, but if I do this, it won’t look like I’m getting ready to challenge others, and if a teacher find me here, my handheld gaming console will be confiscated. Since I have no choice, I’ll just daydream here.
Then, Minami’s figure suddenly appeared unexpectedly in my thoughts.
Was my attitude towards Minami unacceptable?
Is Minami really hurt because I was not considerate enough?
Am I hated down to the core by her?
Such questions came into my thoughts one by one. I thought about it a lot, but the more I think, the more chaotic my thoughts got. I knew that I’d face this problem beforehand; I should’ve trained myself to handle my thoughts.
I felt frustrated by my pathetic brain, but I was still trying hard to ponder the answer for these questions.
I couldn’t tidy up my messy thoughts, and I also could not find a trace to the answer. Because of that, I decided to continue thinking.
Just when I fell deep in thoughts, I heard something coming from the corridor, and it seemed to be getting closer and closer.
“....It’s about time she comes.”
I cleared my thoughts instantly, and changed what I was thinking. After all this was a crucial moment, the Summoner Test War was still going on. Was it going well for the bodyguards at the classroom? I closed my eye forcefully, and tried to swallow down the uneasiness, because I still had a mission to complete.
I could hear the ruckus caused by the defensive battle, and I felt that someone from the enemy that passed by noticed me.
I continued waiting.
“It’s great that you are waiting here alone, Miharu has something to say!”
historical
After waiting for a while, I suddenly heard the voice of the person that I’m waiting for.
Great, she’s finally here.
I let out a sigh of relief, and slowly opened my eyes to see the person who was standing in front of me.
“You have something to say to me? What is it about?”
I walked slowly to her as I said that.
Although I’d been waiting for her for a while, I had nothing worth telling her.
“It’s nothing much. In a nutshell - Miharu just wants to clear things up.”
While saying that, she stared at me with pure hatred. It seems like she really detests me.
“It’s fortunate that there’s a Summoner Test War going on, I can take this opportunity and settle things once and for all.”
Standing behind Shimizu-san was Fuse-sensei, it looked like she’s fully prepared for the occasion.
If I escaped from this battle, it would be counted as deserting the battle and is the same as being KO-ed. So, I’d have to accept her challenge.
Since Shimizu-san had already engaged me in battle, other than agreeing, there’s nothing else that I could do. Or.... did she think that I wouldn’t reject her challenge, believing that I wanted to settle things with her once and for all too?
-- All I can say is, the way she thinks is really scary.
“I understand, we’ll fight this out, Shimizu-san.”
When I said that, Shimizu-san turned to Fuse-sensei and said: “Teacher, permission for summoning.”
“I know.”
Once we received Fuse-sensei’s permission, Shimizu-san and I summoned our beast with Chemistry as the battle subject.
“ “Summon!” “
We shouted at the same time, and some kind of magical seal appear at our feet. Following that, appearing in the midst is our alter ego the summoned beasts.
Both of us let our summoned beasts take a ready stance, staring at each other.
Shimizu-san is pretty experienced with Summoner Test War, but we aren’t fighting with brute force this time. Therefore, she won’t be an easy target, I’ll have to fight with caution.
Both of us were trying to find openings on our body, this continued for a while.
“....Right, before fighting, I’ve something that I want to confirm with you.”
In such a tight atmosphere, Shimizu-san who was keeping a close eye on the summoned beasts suddenly said something to me.
“About what?”
I replied, undoubtedly without letting my eyes off the summoned beasts too.
“It’s about what you said yesterday.”
“Uh....”
“Did you say that just to instigate this battle? Miharu meant at the negotiation yesterday, the words you said before leaving."
She meant the report about “Class F wants to battle with Class D all along”. Shimizu-san must had seen through the real intention of the negotiation yesterday, I guess that's why she had such inquiries.
“That’s....”
I couldn’t answer her instantly, and stayed silent for a while.
Even if I told her the truth, would she believe me?
No matter how I answer, she treats all of my words as lies. From everyone’s point of view, it was us that used Minami....But we really did use Minami, it’s true that we wanted to provoke Class D at the negotiation yesterday.
“Then?”
Shimizu-san asked again, but I still didn’t have the answer.
“If so....”
She treated my silence as if I was admitting it, Shimizu-san didn’t continue her inquiries, and kept her mouth closed instead.
“....”
“....”
The summoned beasts didn’t move an inch, staying that way silently.
We didn’t stare at each other. It’s because Shimizu-san lowered her head, not focusing on the summoned beasts any more.
A few seconds passed, and she stayed that way.
Suddenly, Shimizu-san muttered with a trembling voice.
“....She cried.”
That tone might be soft but it was filled with fury.
“....When onee-sama ran away yesterday....She cried....”
Hearing these words, I recalled the scene.
Shimizu-san is right; Minami’s tears were flowing when she rushed out of the classroom.
“She cried because of Miharu’s words....But, the reason she cried....the real reason she cried was—“
Shimizu-san slowly raised her head, from the pair of eyes that was staring at me, I thought I saw a burning inferno of hatred.
“ - was you! Because of a guy like you! Hurt her and made her cry!”
That line was like a tip, Shimizu-san’s summoned beast rushed at mine.
She chose to attack directly, I hurried to dodge that attack.
“Oh!”
My body felt a burst of pain.
I wasn’t hit by her directly, what was the meaning of such strength? Was it because of our difference of points?
Class D Shimizu Miharu VS Class F Yoshii Akihisa
Chemistry 112 points VS 22 points
I squinted to confirm the difference between our points; the difference was approximately five-fold. Such a huge gap, putting me overwhelmingly at a disadvantage.
“Why is it that a pathetic guy like you can stay at onee-sama’s side! Why does a person like you who only knows how to play with other’s feelings dare to talk to onee-sama! “
The opponent slashed like a child throwing a tantrum. Getting attacked once again, the heavy strikes made my hands start to feel numb.
It’s true I made Minami cry.
It’s also true that we used Minami.
But—
“Just to use Minami, you guys lied to her inconsiderately, and purposefully became close to her as friends! Why is it so!”
--Ha!
I raised the wooden sword to block the opponent's slashing sword.
But, even so, I’m still....
“....I did not....lie!”
I pushed her blade away forcefully.
“What, what did you say!”
It’s true that I did many cruel things.
I hurt her, and made her cry.
That’s why my words are so despicable that others find it hard to believe.
But, even so—
“My words, are not lies!”
With the blunt sounds of battle around us, my summoned beast blocked the opponents blade again.
“What?”
That’s right, that's not a lie.
Even if that part about being in a relationship was just acting, even if the kiss was just a misunderstanding, but my words to Shimizu-san weren’t lies, they were spoken truthfully from the bottom of my heart.
After all....Under those conditions, I’m not smart to tell a lie with a straight face.
“Even if I’m an idiot, I still know how to differentiate on what kind of lies I’m allowed to say! And those words that I said to you yesterday are really from the bottom of my heart!”
After blocking her blade upfront, my wooden sword broke with a crack.
Fighting head-on with an enemy who is five times stronger than me, I’d lost a considerable amount of points.
Under this condition, I had got no chance of winning.
“But....I still won’t run away!”
Frankly speaking, this whole commotion was caused by me. I had to be responsible for those people that I had involved!
Looking at this from a different angle, this was a once in a lifetime opportunity. If the mission of challenging Shimizu-san alone was given to Himeji-san or Yuuji, then I’m just the one to blame for all this commotion, and also an irresponsible piece of trash who only knows how to run away. Since I was given the chance to shoulder the responsibility, I must thank Yuuji—
“ “ “Summon!” “ “
“ “Eh?” “
The unexpected shout of summon was heard. Squinting, Yuuji led group of Class F students that had finished replenishing their points here, and he stood not far from me. He must’ve used Himeji’s power to get past the chaos in front of Class F and here.
No, that's just a trivial matter. The problem was, why were they stepping into the battle between me and Shimizu-san?
“It’s an ambush....You actually did something so despicable!”
Shimizu-san stared at me with fury. What ambush, can it be—
“Yuuji! No matter how important it is to win this battle, you can’t do this!”
We agreed that this would be a one-on-one battle, but him bringing so many students, did he plan this to be an ambush? Of course I understand that this battle is very important to Class F, but doing it this way is just too despicable!
“I’m sorry, this is not just about winning, this is a war. My duty is to protect the whole class.”
Yuuji said these words coolly, then hinted at the students behind him with his eyes.
The summoned beasts that received their instructions—raised their weapons, then took a ready stance.
“Don’t, don’t do this—“
“Attack!”
I couldn’t stop them in time, the summoned beasts surrounding us stabbed with their swords and spears.
-- Aiming for my summoned beast.
“....Eh?”
At the turn that things have taken, my mind went blank for a moment.
When I started to realize what was happening around me, my body started to feel something.
“It hurts alottttttttttttttt! Eh, what is it now? I’ve never felt such pain before! And my whole body hurts at the same time! The pain is killing me from my toes to the top of my head!”
“Shimizu, I’ve already taken care of the person who is responsible for all these troubles, so, are you willing to let this go?”
“Wahhhhhhhhhh! Did somebody just throw a blunt weapon at me? The pain of being stabbed and hit mixed together brings the pain to a whole new level!”
Shimizu-san gaped at me who was rolling on the floor in pain.
Then, she sighed deeply.
“....that's so, although doing this can’t quench Miharu’s anger....”
Sha shoof--- A sound filled with strength resonated in the classroom.
“Shi, Shimizu-san! Hasn’t the winner of the battle decided? Why are you still attacking me with such fury! It hurts hurts hurts hurts hurts! The pain of being stabbed through from my leg to my stomach then to the top of my head!”
“Wait until Miharu cuts him into eight parts, and if you agree to force this swine to stay in the remedial classroom until school ends, Miharu will agree to form a truce.”
“I promise. Akihisa will be sent to the remedial classroom immediately when he is KO-ed. Before school ends, he’ll have to replenish all of his points in that classroom; while he’s doing that, he’ll be Ironman’s food.”
How, how did it become such an evil trade! My whole body was hurt, and I still had to go through Ironman’s hellish tuition until the end of school?
“Hmmph! What does that hateful expression of yours mean? You should blame yourself for lying to onee-sama! You swine should take this chance and reflect on your wrongdoings!”
Stab stab stab stab stab—While Shimizu-san was speaking, she stabbed my summoned beast a few times.
“I, I I I do reflect on my mistakes! About hurting Minami, I’m really sorry! It hurts hurts hurts hurts hurts hurts hurts!”
The pain that Minami felt when I hurt her is now repaid to me, on my body.
Stop fussing, if it’s someone who can’t take this much pain, he would’ve already died from fear.
“....Hmmph, if what you said yesterday were lies, Miharu wouldn’t have forgiven you this easily.”
This time she raised her foot and stomped at the wounds her sword made.
Damn! This is a heartless devil!
“This time, Miharu will stop here and let you live!”
She didn’t even want to let me live! It hurts a lot! It just hurts a lot! It hurts until I can’t think of anything!
After that, once Shimizu had done kicking me, I finally got a chance to rest for a few minutes, I’d been through hell for real.
“Good, since the negotiation is successful, we should return to our class. Guys! Let’s return!”
“ “ “Oh—“ “ “
All of them walked out of the empty classroom together, leaving me, who was covered with cuts and bruises until I couldn’t stand up, here alone.
“Too, too pathetic....”
I endured the excruciating pain and managed to sit on the floor, and suddenly I felt a hand clasped on my shoulder, this alone scared me so much that I nearly let out a scream.
It’s not easy to stop myself from screaming, I turned my head slowly—
“Welcome to my world.”
The person that appeared in front of me was Ironman, smiling sinisterly with obviously evil intentions.