Volume 20, Chapter 4

The next morning.

Two girls, standing looking away and with false expressions on his face, Tatsuya told the plans for today.

- Today, as planned, we will go to the island of Kume.

It was not a surprise, as yesterday, it was planned from the very beginning.

But there was no direct connection with the mission. If you have free time, you need to look at an artificial island, which must be protected, adhering to the position "if there is time after all the affairs." The main goal for today is tourism. Yesterday the main was Miyuki's gift, and today the main thing is to carelessly kill time.

Will the mission be completed if the party for the completion of the artificial island construction on the 28th is successfully defended? However, in order to prevent a diversion in advance, it is necessary to deprive the enemy of the ability to conduct military operations, and for this it is necessary to find out where the main forces of the enemy are hidden. And the search is the work of the army. The succession of Tatsuya will not come until these main enemy forces are found.

Arriving in Okinawa, and spending some days in the hotel, Tatsuya felt that this was a waste of time. He did not want to go out to look for foreign magicians, simply because it was not his job.

That's why Tatsuya decided to have a day off today.

- Departure at 8:30. CAD's can be taken on board the aircraft.

In this environment, this was not something that needs to be repeated. In most cases, public officials are allowed to carry CAD's on the permission of the police. Students of the University of Magic, and students of Schools of Magic automatically have such permission. So this is not the privilege of the Ten Master Clans. However, in return, there is a duty to save people in emergencies.

-Preparation is complete. Tatsuya-sama and Miyuki-sama had only to change.

-Good job.

"First we'll go and have breakfast."

Miyuki thanked Minami for her diligence, and Tatsuya took them to the hotel restaurant, where breakfast was waiting for them.

? ? ?

-Tatsuya-san! - Entering the departure hall of the airport, Tatsuya heard a voice from the side.

- Honoka. Together with Shizuku?

The voice that was called belonged to Honoka. Next to her stood Shizuku. Tatsuya was not surprised by the appearance of these two. He heard from Miyuki about the invitation to go on a trip from them. And also that the purpose of their trip and the purpose of the assignment overlap.

- Yeah. Good morning.

In addition to Honoka and Shizuku there were other familiar faces.

"Nakajou-senpai, good morning."

-Good morning. Miyuki-san and the guys, are you also on the island of Kume?

-Yes.

-We saw you at the recent ceremony of the Buddhist festival of Higan, and thought that it would be nice to meet somewhere, and by chance coincided.

"I also heard that the sempai would go to Kume Island, so we thought that we would probably meet."

Miyuki listened to Azusa's speech for a long time, nodding, and then in turn she greeted Hattori, Isori, Kanon, Kirihara, Sayaka and Sawaki.

It was not a pre-planned meeting. But even with randomness, it was not surprising. The time of arrival of their flight was 9:00. A good time to plan a trip from the main island of Okinawa to the island of Kume for sightseeing. The coincidence was a date, but the coincidence of time was inevitable.

"We have already agreed with Mitsui-san, but will the company of Miyuki- san join us?"

As Azusa said, Tatsuya company of three people, Honoka and Shizuku - two more, Azusa company of seven people, a total of 12 people were waiting for landing. Needless to say, she had in mind that she was inviting to spend time together on the island of Kume.

Miyuki looked at Tatsuya with the expression "What should I do?" on the face.

-Not a bad idea. Tatsuya nodded and answered so that Azusa could hear him too. Having answered "Yes" Tatsuya, Miyuki turned back to Azusa.

"Please take care of us." Miyuki bowed politely. Without asking the consent of Hattori, Isori and others, Tatsuya decided everything for them.

Arriving on the island of Kume, a group of students and graduates of First High first swept around the island on a boat organized by Shizuku with a transparent bottom. In the original plan, several places were rented for this boat, but with the increase in the number of people, Shizuku rented the whole boat for 1 round.

As expected from the family of Ushio, one of the leading wealthy families in Japan, the request sent before departure was already satisfied with the arrival.

From the airport to the port of Kanegusuku in a straight line about 5 km.

After reaching the port on the rented bicycles, the group, after a short wait, boarded the ship.

-Uwaa!

-It's amazing...

Kanon gave a gleeful cry, and Azusa uttered words of admiration. Their surprise was not an exaggeration.

The ship, rented by the Ushio family for Shizuku, was a semi-submersible type with windows allowing to watch the sea also on the sides.

But the word "window" to this ship was not suitable. With the exception of the nose and stern, each of the sides of the submerged part of the ship was completely transparent. The floor is also almost all transparent, except for a small part. The view from there was a full underwater panorama.

Not only the underwater view, but also the view from the deck was wonderful. It was a view of white beaches, a diverse rocky terrain, where the rocks were seen in various bizarre shapes. The pupils and graduates of First High were busy running up and down the ship.

Having skirted the southern extremity of Kume Island, the ship headed north-east and stopped at the shore of the famous beach on the uninhabited island of "Hateno".

-I wonder what's going on?

-This vessel has a large underwater part, so they prepare a rubber boat for landing.

As Isori replied to the question of Kanon, the sailors began to inflate a rubber boat on the deck and attached an outboard motor to it.

Since the boat was six-seater, behind them they prepared the second. Judging by the size and power of the engine, a person was required with the rights to manage small vessels, however,

"Tatsuya-san, do you have any?"

-Rights to small ships? There is.

-Ah, I also have.

Tatsuya nodded to Shizuku's question, then Isori raised his hand, so 12 people were able to go to the uninhabited island at the same time. Also among them, Minami had the same second-class license as Tatsuya's (watercraft management), and Hattori had the usual license for small boats.

Tatsuya, Miyuki, Minami, Honoka, Shizuku, Sawaki.

Isori, Kanon, Hattori, Azusa, Kirihara, Sayaka.

Separated in this way, 12 people landed on a white beach of coral sand. Upon arrival, Sawaki jumped first out of the boat and Tatsuya helped the girls to descend.

"Tatsuya-sama, I'll take care of the boat."

"Minami said to Tatsuya, who had completed the engine condition check.

"Very well, please."

"Please leave it to me."

Knowing that it was useless to say anything, Tatsuya instructed Minami to do it. Besides her, there were some high school students. Even if you force her to go by force, she will just worry, feeling uncomfortable. Tatsuya came to the conclusion that she could relax if left alone.

"Then, I'll take care of the other." - Sawaki said to Tatsuya after lowering Honoka. And he went to the boat, without waiting for Tatsuya's answer.

From there, he heard Azusa's nervous, hurried voice saying "We are not together with Hattori-kun!", But Tatsuya said nothing, deciding that it did not concern him. Because the events in the neighborhood did not distract us.

Honoka, who was waiting, suddenly took off her outer garment. Under the blouse with short sleeves was a separate swimsuit with a top in the form of a bikini and a bottom in the form of short tight shorts. Complementing this style, her usual hairstyle with two tails, laid on her shoulders, created a very mature and sexy image.

Although it is the subtropical island of Kume, it was still March. Wearing a swimsuit is a bit early. It is unlikely that now you will find at least one tourist who has come to swim or dive.

Honoka's courageous swimsuit caught the glances not only of her fellow travelers, but also of other tourists.

"Tatsuya-san, why do we not go over there?"

But Honoka, ignoring the evil glances directed at her (or not showing it), and pressed herself against Tatsuya's hand. Obviously, she pressed herself tightly to his arm. Seeing this bold action, Miyuki opened her eyes wide. Blissfully, clapping her eyes, she stood, stunned. Catching this moment, Honoka tried to drag Tatsuya.

Tatsuya was also surprised by Honoka's assertiveness. But he did not relieve the grip of Honoka, not because he did not fully understand the situation. And because it was dangerous. Honoka always desperately follows his goal, as if going to the last fight. And today this impression was especially strong.

On the face of Honoka Tatsuya, seized by his hand, saw the smile of a little devil. So ... when he saw her, he understood everything.

At the moment when Honoka looked forward, Tatsuya looked at

Miyuki. Honoka is important as a friend, but not enough to harm Miyuki's mood.

However, Miyuki returned him the same agitated and completely unbending look, saying "It seems that Honoka does not behave quite normally." Were yesterday's presents (not only things) to blame, but no accusations were sent to Tatsuya.

Of course, the aggressive behavior of Honoka had a prehistory.

Honoka and Shizuku arrived in Okinawa on March 25. It was yesterday. And the day before, rarely acting separately from Shizuku Honoka went along with Amy and Subaru for shopping in a fashionable place in the city center.

No, Honoka and Shizuku did not quarrel or something like that.

Shizuku is not only a young fledgling magician, but also a "young lady". In order to get a "cultural education" peculiar to the "mistress", she has many additional lessons, except for schooling.

Before a long trip, she was more busy to learn "lessons" for the entire missed period in advance. That's why before the trip Shizuku could not go anywhere.

Eimi suggested "go for a walk in some cheerful crowded place."

Honoka usually did not go to places where people go in droves. But it was because Shizuku does not like turmoil. The most Honoka were not disgusted with crowded places. It was rather preferable to the energy radiated by the lively youth of the same age.

Thus, it was a kind of attempt to enjoy a cheerful life in a city that could not be done for a long time, without hindering the convenience of Shizuku.

They just walked around, looking at the shop windows and sometimes buying food, because Amy and Subaru had no specific goals. But Honoka had something she wanted to buy.

"Actually, I'm going to Okinawa tomorrow." - Suddenly spoke Honoka, when they were sitting in one of the fast food establishments.

"Uh, really !?" - Eimi tried to hide the feeling of envy with a surprised look.

- I know. Are you going to a party on an artificial island in Kumejima?

[note. : Kumejima = Kume island + a group of islands around, considered one "city"]

Subaru demonstrated her awareness, then, asked Honoka: "And what?".

"I would like to buy clothes for Okinawa, but ..."

- A dress for a party? To Amy's question, Honoka waved her head.

"Clothes, in which you will appear before Shiba-kun?" - With the approval of Subaru Honoka did not agree and did not deny it. But shy silence was perceived here as consent.

"That's it, that's why you need our advice!"

Eimi said her conclusion with the expression "Riddle solved!".

She was not mistaken.

"... What do you think is good?" Honoka asked shyly of the two.

"How about a swimsuit?" In the case of Honoka, the top should be a bikini. - Subaru's answer was simple.

"Uh-er !?" Honoka screamed in an embarrassed voice. If she now drank her drink, it would be an eruption of a geyser.

-And, exactly, it will suit her. It's good. But is it not even now cool in Okinawa? - Eimi irresponsibly inserted her arguments into someone else's decision.

"Not to enter the water." If it's cold, then together with sunscreen, you can apply a protection cream from the cold.

- Subaru, umnichka ~

Subaru glanced back at Eimi's praise with a proud face.

- Wait! - Protested against this Honoka. - Only I'll be in a swimsuit, it's a bit ...

"It will be Kumejima, will not it?" Then you will definitely visit the beach, though not swimming.

-... Probably.

-Then to wear a swimsuit will not be strange. And if the swimsuit is only on Honoka, she can prove even stronger.

-It's a shame.

Subaru looked dispassionately at the ready to explode Honoka.

- Honoka. - Suabaru approached this look with the name of

Honoka. "Honoka, are you really ready to take Shiba-kun from Miyuki?"

From such a serious tone, not only Honoka, but also Eimi did not know what to say.

"Oh, what is this evil way of asking a question?" I know that Honoka loves Shiba-kun seriously. I think whether Honoka is serious about surpassing Miyuki? That's what was meant.

-Well ... - For some reason Honoka could not complete the phrase "Of course."

-I think Honoka understands better than me that Miyuki cannot win in direct competition.

-... I see.

Her words were a cruel reality. However, "reality" is not in all areas, because it was a real "battlefield" for Tatsuya's heart.

-Despite the fact that there are minor differences between Honoka and Miyuki, they are in general similar. Equally rectilinear. Devotees who tend to get out of control sometimes, but mostly modest.

Honoka did not answer at all. Said Subaru reached her one by one.

-Therefore, if you go on the offensive with an approach that is not different from the opponent, the difference will be invisible. - Answered Eimi, not Honoka. "Then." Subaru, what do you think you should do?

"It's not me, but Honoka." She needs to change the approach.

-How exactly?

-First of all, the image change. Honoka has a good style, you have to use it as a weapon to the maximum. But you need to strive to look sexy.

"Hmmm ..." Eimi agreed. Honoka only opened and closed her mouth, but there were no sounds.

"And then do what Miyuki cannot do." For example, she is the only one in the swimsuit pressing herself with her breast.

-It's impossible! Finally, Honoka gave a short scream. However, Eimi and Subaru only looked at her, and then continued the meeting to discuss the strategy.

"I wonder if she can charm Shiba-kun without something like that?"

-Impossible. This person is not affected by the usual childish charm. "Oh, well, it's true ..."

"In that case, it seems that Honoka's defeat has already been decided." Do not be afraid to risk it. So in fact, Honoka?

"Y-yes ..." Honoka nodded dejectedly at these sudden words.

-Good. Subaru said, standing up. At the same time pulling Honoka with him.

-Eh?

-If you think so, then we go to watch swimsuits now.

As if confirming her agreement, Eimi got up and took the cups on a tray.

"You have to choose brave enough."

- Uh-uh? Uh-uh?

Subaru dragged Honoka to the exit from the institution. Eimi, after handing the tray into the dishwasher, ran to catch up with the two of them.

With such a prehistory, Honoka, hiding the shame behind the mask of a small devil, was actively trying to get Tatsuya's attention.

Whether irresoluteness is finally overcome, or believing that Tatsuya's light- mindedness cannot be accepted before the graduates, Miyuki rushed to Tatsuya. Nevertheless, Honoka embraced Tatsuya's arm more tightly and did not let go of him.

Not only the tourists of this beach observed the attempts of Honoka's seduction. From the neighboring beach "Nakano", towards the beach "Hateno" looked a middle-aged man. At the same time, he deftly moved his hand, worked in a strange portable terminal, which was seemingly incompatible with his light clothes. Tatsuya felt this look, but, since there was no difference with the views of other curious people, he did not pay much attention to him.

? ? ?

After returning to the ship with a transparent bottom, the activity of Honoka continued. Although she threw back her blouse, the top 3 buttons were unbuttoned, revealing a swimsuit bra.

Fortunately, there was not anyone on the ship who blamed Honoka for such a shameless appearance. However, it was also inevitable that a group of graduates preferred to keep a distance.

Also inevitable was the fact that Kanon and Sayaka looked at Tatsuya with reproachful glances. They also understood that Tatsuya cannot bifurcate. Nevertheless, they saw the weight of the unrequited love of this girl - Honoka. Not knowing how to help the same girl, they could only sting Tatsuya's gaze strictly. Seducing Honoka, restraining this Miyuki, and showering them with reproachful glances of Kanon and Sayaka.

Tatsuya was the first to notice that something abnormal is happening.

"Honoka, wait a little."

"Tatsuya-san?"

Tatsuya's sudden change of voice confused Honoka. Without answering, Tatsuya disengaged from Honoka and went to the bridge of the ship. Hattori, who noticed unusual signs of Tatsuya's behavior, followed him. Hattori was followed by Sawaki and Kirihara. The three heard Tatsuya's speech informing him of the emergence of an emergency.

"Captain, five hundred meters ahead, in the vicinity of the seabed you can find the trace of a warship."

- What!?

Behind Tatsuya Hattori, Sawaki and Kirihara looked at the captain's taut face, who at that moment was already instructing the crew to send the sonar forward towards the seabed.

-Found! The estimated length is 80 meters, it looks like a standard submarine!

"Why did something like this appear here !?" - Kanon screamed, which a little later than the others came in an embrace with Isori.

"Maybe she's from our army?" - Sawaki expressed his assumption. However, he himself believed that the probability of this tends to zero.

"If it's an army, then there's no problem." But we must take into account other possibilities! "Hattori declared the discussion of the hypotheses meaningless.

-Change of course! Right steering! "Apparently, the captain came to the same conclusion as Hattori."

Following the order, the ship began to maneuver along the arc to the right. Noticing this movement, the submarine also started the engines and started to move. This fact immediately ruled out the possibility that the submarine belongs to the forces of self-defense.

-Sound of water injection confirmed! It seems that a suspicious vessel is preparing to launch a torpedo! Cried the sonar operator.

"Did you hear the injection of water into the starting shaft?" Apparently this ship is an old type.

"Why did you say that !?" - Hattori growled at the carefree (or fearless) muttering Tatsuya.

Instead of answering Hattori's condemnation,

- Minami.

He called Minami, who also recently came here and stood behind three graduates.

"Yes, Tatsuya-sama."

"Despite the situation, Minami's response was as calm as usual.

-Prepare an antiobject barrier. Place of installation - 30 meters from the ship. Size - ten-meter radius before each torpedo. Block the course of the ship is strictly prohibited. Can you?

"Leave it to me."

"At the task set by Tatsuya, Minami, without a hitch, confidently nodded.

- Torpedoes released!

Two white tracks on the surface, quickly picking up speed, rushed in their direction. Thus, they will not have time to evade them.

-Minami.

-Yes. - Minami already prepared her CAD in the form of a mobile terminal for activation. Tatsuya was not the only one who discovered antiobject barriers created under the water, with his magical perception.

Suddenly, water columns rose. However, there was no splash of water from the explosions. Minami's anti-object barrier had the ability to repel an explosion, but the torpedoes were not originally intended for destruction.

- Foam torpedoes. Their goal is to detain us?

Despite the fact that Tatsuya spoke to himself, his speech was an explanation for Hattori and others. After Minami canceled the barrier, the foam began to slowly creep along the surface of the water.

"Leave it to me." - Isori waved his right hand, manipulating his CAD. Foam from the surface of the sea was removed, as if the windshield was wiping the window.

-Further, there will probably be an attack by manned torpedoes with landing.

-The second wave is approaching! - As if following Tatsuya's prediction, the sonar operator's cry reached their ears.

-A gift in return! - The magic of Hattori caused an explosion where four tracks from the torpedoes were visible (or whatever it was). Formed in the sea air bubbles wrapped 4 torpedoes. The pull of the blades could no longer push them, and the inertia was extinguished by foam.

The back of the manned torpedoes opened wide. From the inside, people jumped out military wetsuits at the same time.

"I'll take care of them!" - Sawaki jumped from the deck to a man who jumped up from the sea. In a jump, being above this man, Sawaki abruptly changed the trajectory and crashed down. His kick sent the enemy back into the water.

It was not the magic of flight. Air maneuvering by means of vector control. Once again, pushing away from the air, Sawaki shot down another enemy.

The remaining two enemies landed on the ship.

"How about leaving them to me!" - Despite the situation, Kirihara's voice was joyful. - Explosive fishing!

Entering into a rage with a battle cry, Kirihara attacked the enemy with what was in his hand - a fishing rod. The enemy raised his hand and blocked Kirihara's attack. More precisely, he defended himself against the high- frequency blade of Kirihara created by an anti-objective barrier near his hand.

-Oria Oria Oria! Ha-ha-ha-ah! "However, Kirihara's attack did not end with one attack." Using a high-frequency blade in combination with the technique of preventing self-destruction on a fishing rod, the enemy was showered with blows. Loudly laughing, furiously attacking the enemy, Kirihara-berserk, from the side looked like a real villain.

Eventually, the violator, not having coped with a long pressure, splashing blood, fell. As expected from Kirihara, he did not forget himself enough to chop off anything to the enemy, none of his attacks even reached the bones. ... But from severe injuries it still did not differ.

The last of the enemies did not watch in silence, as his companions were shredding. In order to help the ally, who almost defended himself under the squall of attacks, he sent a pistol to Kirihara. But he could not shoot. Amazed from behind by a huge number of small stones, he was piled on the deck face down. These stones turned out to be ice, created from sea water. It was the magic of Hattori.

Hattori had a lot of techniques, similar to the magic used by Mayumi. This was not a coincidence, but precisely because Hattori closely watched Mayumi, and not only imitated her magic, but also modified it, fitting it to himself.

"Who are these guys?" - Back on board Sawaki, looking at the defeated Kirihara and Hattori opponents, asked a question in the void.

-Pirates ... I think they can be called sea pirates. Tatsuya answered him. He crouched down to photograph the defeated Hattori pirate, then, grabbing the wetsuit for his belt, picked it up using an impulse of strength when he got up and threw it over the side.

-Hey !?

Ignoring the nervous Hattori, Tatsuya took a photo of a second person bleeding from Kirihara's attacks, then grabbed him by the leg and dragged him to the edge of the deck.

"As long as these guys are in our hands, the pirates will persistently attack us."

"Are they coming to pick them up?"

"Or to prevent the disclosure of their personalities, they will try to sink this ship, right?" Tatsuya answered, not turning his head to Hattori, and threw overboard the pirate, which he dragged by the leg.

"So, while the pirates pick up friends, we'll get time." We will take advantage of this advantage to escape.

The last phrase was addressed to the captain, who came to see the situation.

"I understand you." - The captain with a pale face quickly went to the bridge to give orders to his subordinates.

"... You're a terribly terrible guy."

In response to the trembling Kirihara, Tatsuya only shrugged his shoulders.

? ? ?

As Tatsuya expected, the submarine no longer pursued a group of students and graduates of First High. Tatsuya was right not because he had an excellent deduction, it depended on whether or not to know the circumstances.

Tatsuya knew (Miyuki and Minami also) that these underwater pirates are a joint unit of deserters of the Great Asian Alliance and Australian military agents. Therefore, it was easy to predict the behavior of a submarine, especially knowing the fact that they should hide their identities (especially Australians) until they attack the artificial island, which is the real goal.

There was a depressing atmosphere inside this submarine.

"That's why I advised that you do not need to do this." - An agent of the Australian army, Captain James J. Johnson sarcastically reproached Major Daniel Liu, leader of the group of deserters from the Great Asian Alliance.

His partner, Captain Jasmine Williams, was not on board the submarine. She did not get on board not because women are not taken on submarines, but because her appearance is an important weapon in the current mission of the Australian army.

Forcing the enemy to tolerate negligence 12-13 years old look and experience with the rationality of an adult. And also advanced magical skills. This level of concealment of a true person becomes a big advantage over other agents.

Even in this joint operation, on the part of the deserters of the Great Asian Alliance about the appearance of Jasmine, only Daniel Liu knows. She could not avoid contact with other soldiers if she went with them on a submarine.

That's why Jasmine at this time acted separately from Captain Johnson.

-You cannot be disdainful, just because they are schoolchildren. That's what Major Lyu-dono said, guys!

This time the wounded were only among the deserters of the Great Asian Alliance. At first glance, Johnson was not upset, but in fact he was filled with annoyance that because of this useless problem, the Japanese side would increase its vigilance.

"So, what are you going to do from now on?" - oborov irritation and quickly calmed down, Johnson asked Liu about the plans for the future.

"We narrow the mission's goal to a party on the 28th." - The tone of the respondent Liu had a hint of anger.

This time, the attack on the ship with Tatsuya was a plan for Liu's closest assistants.

Capture the Yotsuba magicians, or at least cause injuries so that they could not prevent the operation on the 28th.

At the same time, kidnap the daughter of the Ushio family to distract the enemy forces in search, pretending to be kidnappers asking for ransom. And adding to the list of ransom accompanying the daughter of the family of Ushio students of the National University of Magic and the National Defense College, they will definitely descend for pirates and will be able to hide their identity.

To this plan, Liu himself, honestly, was not very enthusiastic. But he was not against it either. Johnson, obviously, was against it.

As a result of this operation, no results were achieved, one of the people was so seriously injured that he could not return to service, and the existence of a secret weapon in the form of a submarine also became known to the enemy. Realizing that the continuation of the mission was impossible, they could only admit that Johnson was right, and they were wrong.

In short, their honor was tainted. For people like Liu, this was unbearable in and of itself. It was a matter of honor for Liu, who from the outset opposed the peace with Japan. Although there are reasons such as the instability of the internal political system, the reduction of diplomatic presence, the lack of underwater mines, but the main thing is the feeling of intolerability of the fact that one has to kneel before such a small country as Japan.

-I think this is a reasonable decision. - Johnson's polite caring words, at the moment sounded like a mocker-->>

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