Episode 34 — Long Goodbye
～ Part 1 ～
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Suou the Knight. As well as Akeno the Bishop. The two in front of them introduced themselves as such.
The «Red Winged Devil» whom they met before was a «Pawn», and then, from their manner of speaking, these guys here seemed to know about the circumstances to some extent, a connection was easily made. These two were colleagues of that guy. And if their strength was in accordance with the chess pieces, then they had to be several times stronger than that Pawn.
“(Himemizu, how’s our water storage?)”
“(There’s none…. Because we kept it light when we explore…)”
Since they had to be in the combined state for a long time in the search, it wasn’t wise to combine with Rin in her compressed state. Although it was a reasonable judgement, now it had completely backfired on them. Nekomiya was also openly wary of the two before her, all her fur stood on end and her tail straightened.
The boy wearing a school uniform boy named Suou stopped smiling and tilted his head curiously.
“What, are you nervous?”
No hostility could be felt from that attitude. Even though the woman in sister clothing Bishop Akeno folded her arms and sent a look full of suspicion, Knight Suou could even be said to be very friendly.
“Well, there are various things I want to ask, but let’s me say this first. We are not your enemies. Because the bunch of Pawns’ communication was lacking, an unfortunate accident has occurred.”
“We cannot trust you.”
Nekomiya said so with a tense voice.
“I don’t care what your intention is, but you have attacked our base, kidnapped one of our classmates. Even if you say you want to make peace now, we won’t accept it.”
“Like I said, that was just an unfortunate accident. And well, I wonder if you will believe me, but you guys came here in those appearances by chance.”
Suou thrust his hands into his pants’ pockets. Kyousuke took a glance at his armband. It wasn’t as if he could read everything, but he could barely discern the part written as 『Kougyou High-school』. It’s Japanese after all. Also, that is a high-school armband.
Suou and Akeno also sounded like Japanese names somehow.
In that case, could it be that Akeno’s sister clothing also wasn’t something from this world. There was plenty of possibility that those two were trippers, but at least, the atmosphere they were giving out weren’t that of human’s.
“It’s no coincidence, isn’t there that possibility?”
Nekomiya was speaking accompanied by dramatic gestures as ever, and her words were as calm as usual.
They were earning time. If Kyousuke group didn’t come back soon, Washio and Kinogasa should definitely become suspicious. At such time, it was decided beforehand that they would signal the heavy cruiser branch school and inform Ryuzaki about the abnormal situation.
“I want to ask one more thing. How the heck did you guys know about our situation? And where are you guys from?”
“That’s not one question but two that you want to know, isn’t it?”
“Isn’t it fine if you allow that much? It’s not fair for you to one-sidedly say to become your friends while only you guys understand the situation.”
Not only her words were smooth, her ad lib was put to effective use as well. Even though Nekomiya combat ability wasn’t very high, that quick wittedness made her very dependable. It wasn’t just for show that she was made a team leader.
Putting a hand on his chin, Knight Suou let out a voice 『Fumu』. Although he was boy with a rough attitude and appearance, because of his natural handsome features, he came to be considerably good-looking.
“The possibility that it’s no coincidence? As for me, I would like to quickly tell you as much as possible, but…”
“It’s pointless, Suou.”
Akeno in sister clothing, who had been crossing her arms until then, snorted.
“Even if you tell them the circumstances, they won’t be satisfied. They’re just buying time. Reinforcements will come soon.”
“What, is that so?”
Since Akeno had seen through her action, Nekomiya clicked her tongue. They noticed.
“Either way, her betrayal is definite. We need to report to the King.”
“Looks like it. It’s unfortunate though.”
Her? Betrayal? The heck are they talking about? Kyousuke was desperately trying to understand it, but the two before him didn’t seem like they would give him the time to. Suou the Knight made his move first. He thrust his hand in his pocket and starting approaching in long strides. His pace was obviously different from before.
Determinedly walking on the red carpet of the church, that appearance was the very definition of yankee itself. Then he stopped just a few steps away from Kyousuke group, leant forward, glared at them and said.
“Let me introduce myself once again. I, am Suou. Suou the Knight. I’m going to capture you now.”
His words suddenly changed to be belligerent. It was completely a declaration of war.
“I will incapacitate you if you don’t comply. While I have no intent to kill you, that doesn’t apply if you resist.”
“Run! Utsurogi, Himemizu!”
At the same timing as Nekomiya shouted, Kyousuke group ran toward the exit of the church. Their only thought was to run away. Since it had come to this, they had no choice but to escape. What would happen if they were caught? More than just having no answers, they would have no choice but to be obedient.
Putting their hands on the closed heavy doors of the church, they opened it.
However, the moment they tried to rush out, they heard voice coming from ahead of them.
“I was late in saying this,”
Nekomiya with her four feet on the floor, swallowed her breath.
“By «resist», I mean that escape is also part of it. It’s my bad to say it so late.”
Unnoticed, Knight Suou stood before them, and then with his hands still in his pockets, he unleashed a violent kick. It was a so-called yakuza kick. The kick landed on Kyousuke’s chest, and with an exploding impact, his body was easily blown away.
“Guo…!”
“Kyaa…!”
The scream of Kyousuke and Rin echoed, the body of those two drew a parabola and flew back inside the church.
“Utsurogi! Himemizu!”
Nekomiya cried out. Kyousuke raised his body.
“Nekomiya, go now!”
“But…!”
“It’s possible with your 《Shadow Passage》! Hurry!”
“……!”
Nekomiya nodded, then she slipped through Suou’s arm trying to catch her and jumped into the shadow.
It was one of the racial abilities of cait sith that Selena spoke of. To cross over from shadow to shadow. The clearer the shadow, the farther she could move. So in this bad weather, it took all of her efforts just to escape from this predicament. Still, I should escape. I have to join up with Washio group and inform Ryuzaki about this.
“From what I can see, the cait sith has yet to reach Phase 2.”
While putting his hands in his pockets, Suou muttered.
“I see. Is it better if we just take those two and go back?”
“Yea. Having 《Characteristics Amplification》 in Phase 2 is pretty rare. It seems that the Pawn didn’t know about it.”
Knight in front, Bishop in back. They had been completely sandwiched from two side inside the church.
Kyousuke didn’t have any intention to give up yet. It wasn’t just him alone here. At least, he wanted Rin to escape to safety. It could be seen that Rin strongly stuck to Kyousuke’s entire body. But rather than her feeling nervous, it seemed more likely to be an expression of protest against Kyousuke’s idea.
“I’m staying, there’s no such thing as me escaping alone.”
“Right, even I have no intention of wasting myself after all…”
“Geez…”
While exchanging a few words, they ascertained Suou and Akeno’s movements.
Suou was walking like a yankee as usual, Akeno walked briskly with her back straightened, and they shortened the distance between them. Looking at Akeno, it seemed that black lightning energy was running through both of her arms. It was the same technique that the Pawn used. Its power was unlikely to be on the same level though. Even in the unlikely case that it was weaker, Rin not in the high-pressured state wouldn’t be able to endure that attack.
Kyousuke clenched his fist. And then Rin further hardened the tip of the clenched fist.
“UOORYAAAAA!”
Turning around, they threw their fist at Suou with all their might. However, Knight Suou didn’t show any sign of avoiding it and instead took that punch with his face.
“Huh…!”
Not only did he not avoid it, Suou didn’t even defend, Kyousuke inadvertently raised his voice.
“Ouou.”
Under the struck fist, Suou laughed, exposing his fangs.
“It’s light. After all, even if it’s also called Phase 2, this is how slime and skeleton are.”
“Shi–shit…!”
Kyousuke clenched his fist again and repeatedly hit Suou, Suou remained as he was with his hands in his pockets and didn’t move even a bit. It had much less effect compared to the Pawns who wore the robust armors. Even if they weren’t in the compressed state, the opponent was defenseless. And yet, it was like this.
“Oraaa!”
“Guaa…!”
Still had his hands in his pocket, Suou gave a yakuza kick again. Kyousuke’s body was lightly blown away.
Suou squatted in front of Kyousuke’s collapsed body and looked at him.
“You’re the Skeleton, Utsurogi? I heard from Kogane.”
“Kogane…!?”
Trying to control his body, Kyousuke stood up.
“Kogane-kun is still safe!?”
Rin also raised her voice. Immediately after that, Akeno, who had accumulated energy in both arms, released the lightning to immobilize Kyousuke and Rin’s body. Burning pain ran through his body and Kyousuke once again dropped to his knees.
“Guaaa!”
“Kyaaa!”
“Ahh, oi Akeno. Don’t disturb me when I’m talking here.”
“Mu…”
A little displeased, Bishop Akeno withdrew her hands.
“Kogane is safe. Since he has become my buddy now.”
“Bud–buddy…? Friend…?”
“Ahh. He wants to apologize to you.”
He didn’t quite understand what Suou was saying, but only the last part was clear. Kogane said he wanted to apologize. In that case, all the more so, they couldn’t afford to stop here. Forcing strength into his body, Kyousuke stood up again. His body was a little more heavy than before. It directly showed just how tired and damaged Rin was.
“(Himemizu, are you okay…?)”
“(A, a little … painful…)”
Rin’s consciousness was faint. At this rate, it wouldn’t be strange if she fainted soon.
“You guys are also Kogane’s friends right? So well, such actions would make him sad. Yeah?”
I wonder how serious Suou’s words really is.
Suou and Kogane are friends? Is that even true in the first place? Kyousuke glared at Suou while trying to control Rin’s body that felt like it would melt any time now.
“Th–that proposal, I cannot comply…”
“Hou, why?”
“Because it’s unbelievable…. In addition, I must not leave the branch school now. There is also Himemizu, and I am needed by everyone. Since we have to go home with all of us, I’m going to take back Kogane.”
“Houhou indeed.”
Suou crossed his arms and nodded ∗un un∗.
“It’s light as expected.”
“What…”
“Your words are light. I guess you just put together suitable words that comes to mind. Well, you have reincarnated as a skeleton after all, so I thought it may be like that. Rather than what you yourself want to do, you just speak of such superficial things.”
Even so, Kyousuke couldn’t understand what the man before him had said. At that time, Rin, while doing her best just to maintain a mushy shape, barely raised her voice.
“U–Utsurogi-kun is … to Kogane-kun…”
“Himemizu, don’t push yourself!”
“Kogane-kun … he wants to bring back. Since that is, the truth…”
It seemed that Rin had become desperate somehow. He wondered what she was trying to cover for so much like that. It was as if she was trying to protect a dandelion found on the roadside from being trampled on. However, Suou snorted at her words.
“You think so? Isn’t he just under that impression because someone else told him so? Does he really want to take Kogane home? If he just want to stay together with his friends, then isn’t it also fine to come over here?”
“That, that is…”
To be continued…
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