Episode 66 — Time for Choice
～ Part 1 ～
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The battle had ended. The damage 2nd year class 4 had suffered could be said to be minimal. Against 5 Pawns, on top of that, even Akai’s person had been temporarily stolen, it was miraculous that there was no fatality.
If pushed to say, then there were many sympathetic points toward the islanders of Delf Island where they stayed.
That vampire called Tokihara had obtained strong trust of the islanders — starting with chieftain Bergel. Though it was unavoidable in order to rescue Inugami, and though Tokihara himself had tricked the islanders, making numerous victims in the shadows, a part of the islanders who were close to him had to bear considerably mixed feelings.
Naturally, people whose children and friends were murdered got angry first, many even showed gratitude to Kyousuke and the others who defeated that Tokihara and accomplished their revenge as a result. It was complicated in either cases.
Still holding those complicated feelings, the trade fair on Delf Island was held.
Lining up in the plaza was the merchandise the maritime caravan brought, next to them were the items 2nd year class 4 prepared. In some parts, there were also situations that showed aspects of a school festival. Chieftains of other islands were advancing their purchases from the catalog as agreed beforehand. But there was no appearance of chieftain Bergel therein. He seemed to be moping still.
Chieftain Bergel was said to be on good term with Tokihara, but as he originally said, he took the initiative to acquire blood donation from the islanders as an «apology» to the students of 2nd year class 4. He helped persuading the islanders who held disgust against vampires and gathered blood for Akai.
Because Tokihara who was one of us has caused troubles for the students of 2nd year class 4, said chieftain Bergel. That was unmistakably a rational statement.
But still, in his heart, he should have felt anger and hatred at the students of 2nd year class 4 for murdering his friend. He had to stifle that, and as the ‘person-in-charge of the island’, he had to take action that would benefit the enemies of his friend, how harsh a thing that would be?
“Asuka, first of all, blood has been collected.”
Ryuzaki brought a bottle containing blood to Akai as she rested exhaustedly in the shade of a tree.
In terms of volume, there was about 2 liters. Akai glanced at the bottle, she asked:
“…The blood type is?”
“No, I don’t know about that. Are you concerned about that kind of things?”
“Just try saying it. There’s no difference in flavor by blood type.”
Around Akai, there were Kaoruko, Harui and Hebitsuka. Summer sunshine blazed down on Delf Island. Even in the tree shade, the heat reflected from the beach thoroughly roasted their body. Harui fluttered her wings, sending wind to them.
“So it’s blood.”
So said Kaoruko after intently staring inside the bottle.
“This way of drinking…. It’s dull, I don’t like it too much though…”
“Don’t ask for luxury. As expected, you wanted to bite people’s neck or something?”
“Because the other party’s temperature and smell are also a part of the meal. But well, yeah, thank you.”
Akai received the bottle from Ryuzaki and finally put it to her mouth.
The thick liquid could be liken to tomato juice with lots of mediums, but still, the liquid that filled the bottle was none other than ‘blood’ itself. Blood that was extracted with syringes, was slowly being drunk up by Akai Asuka — a classmate, for some reason, everyone was watching that.
“…Don’t look so much.”
Murmured Akai.
“You don’t think anything in particular?”
“Eh, think what?”
“No, nothing.”
Unable to surmise the intention of her remark, Ryuzaki inclined his head, Akai bluntly said to him.
Kaoruko, Harui and Hebitsuka also seemed to not understand well what Akai was trying to say.
Instead, Akai asked this:
“…Is there any changes to Utsurogi and Himemizu?”
“Nothing in particular. They’re the same as usual.”
“Fun…. Then, Goubayashi?”
“Same as usual, but…”
Akai worrying about Kyousuke who turned into her kin was a normal thing, but an unexpected name was put out then, so Ryuzaki was quizzical.
“What’s wrong with Utsurogi and Goubayashi?”
“Maybe. Harao and Gofunkawahara?”
“No, there’s no changes. Gofunkawahara is working as a salesclerk at the trade fair, Harao is sleeping inside his coffin.”
“……”
Putting down the bottle that had become empty, Akai made a serious face.
Her skin’s complexion seemed to get somewhat better. Gloss and vitality was coming back. While Ryuzaki and the others were relieved, Harui, on behalf of everyone’s doubt, asked Akai.
“Asuka, are you worrying about something?”
“Yeah…”
Putting a hand on her chin, Akai nodded.
“Ryuzaki. Tomorrow, after we departed this island, I want you to gather everyone.”
“Understood. Is there something important again?”
“Yeah…. I’ll talk about the ‘Filter’.”
“Utsurogi-kun!”
“Nn–?”
Kyousuke who was standing alone in the trade fair venue was called.
Even if he looked at the trade fair that was starting now, there was not much Kyousuke could do. He couldn’t help making things for sale, and if he didn’t have any sociability, neither was his appearance was one that wouldn’t scare the islanders. In the end, he was bored out of his mind, so he was on the beach, gazing at the sea.
The one who called him just now was Sakuma Sachiko. In contrast to Kyousuke, she was suitable as a salesclerk so she should have been assigned to the trade over there, but it appeared that she was free.
Perhaps it was because this Albadanba was hot, Sakuma wasn’t wearing her one piece and jacket she bought at the bazaar of the Knight Kingdom. It was flashy bondage fashion like when they first got transferred. Indeed, he was used to seeing it, but it was awfully mismatched when combining with the white beach, and some passion he didn’t know well was spurred on.
Well, a skeleton doesn’t have passion or anything though. After all, with only the reason that looking at her bouncing chest was embarrassing, Kyousuke averted his eyes a little.
“Has the salesclerk side ended already?”
“Yup, because it’s selling well.”
Sakuma said so with a smile and sat down next to Kyousuke.
From around her tailbone grew a spade tail, it was at this time that Kyousuke knew it for the first time.
“Sakuma has made various achievements, huh.”
“Ah, yup. Thank you. I feel like it’s not just me though…”
“No, this time was Sakuma’s.”
Kyousuke also did various things like rescuing Inugami, defeated Tokihara, saved Sakuma, but as expected, the MVP this time would be Sakuma. If pushed to say, Kyousuke’s activity was plain.
“……”
“……”
Then, the conversation stopped.
The sound of waves surging toward the beach sounded awfully far away from the tumult of the trade fair that could be heard in the back.
It wasn’t strange or anything that the conversations broke off. Both Kyousuke and Sakuma weren’t good talkers, so it had always been like this since the time they talked in the library. Even so, they could just read books at that time, so it ended without feeling too awkward then.
“(…What’s this?)”
Thought Kyousuke.
It had nothing to do with the existence or nonexistences of books. This interruption in conversation had something else different from the time in the library.
“…There’s something I want to apologize to Utsurogi-kun.”
“Nn, what is it?”
“I have thought to use «Temptation» on Utsurogi-kun before.”
Being told so, Kyousuke reflexively looked at Sakuma.
It didn’t look like she was brooding hard over it. Only the profile of the succubus girl gazing at the sea was there.
«Temptation» is the racial ability of dream demons succubus and incubus. It interferes with the mind of the other party and exerts strong influence on it. It’s temporary, but it makes them feel strong attraction toward the user. Being told that she «tried to use it» on himself, as expected, even Kyousuke wasn’t calm.
Why such a thing? As Kyousuke tried to say this, he shut his mouth.
If thinking normally, there wouldn’t be so many situations that one expressly would expressly try to use «Temptation» on a classmate. Something like heartfelt reasons, he could interpret it as many as he liked. But in case that was correct, wouldn’t it be too cruel to make the person herself said it?
“Really.”
In the end, Kyousuke said so.
“(What’s «really»…)”
This is too much even for being simple, he immediately regretted his remark in his head.
“Sorry, Utsurogi-kun.”
“Ah, ahh, no, it’s not something, to worry about in particular, is it…?”
“But, Utsurogi-kun, you like Himemizu-san, don’t you?”
“Bu–.”
Despite having nothing to spout out, he unintentionally spouted out. He didn’t think Rin’s name would appear there.
I like Rin.
As expected, it is that kind of meanings?
Certainly, I’m attracted to her. So was his hunch. And Rin also doesn’t hate me, probably, he could sense that much. But he couldn’t plunge in further and get an answer. He had something akin to strong doubt to the fact that himself and someone else «mutually love each other».
No, wait, however, what’s this speech of Sakuma? No, not that I can’t guess. I want to graduate from «Doesn’t understand People’s heart Utsurogi Kyousuke» soon. But trying to understand Sakuma’s heart here was an exceedingly dangerous act. I don’t know if my heart can endure it.
“Uu, uuuuu … uuu…”
Kyousuke held his head.
Utsurogi Kyousuke hated two-timing. He felt it was correct to say this kind of thing clearly. But he didn’t know if he had enough courage to say it. How miserable.
“My training still has a long way to go…”
“Training, you did…?”
“I did. No, I like Rin.”
“…Yeah.”
When Kyousuke said that, there was a sound of a small gasp next to him.
“…But, Sakuma as well, it’s not like I dislike you so much, or rather…”
“…Yup.”
“I’m the lowest, aren’t I?”
“Maybe.”
∗Giggle∗, he knew that Sakuma laughed.
“Utsurogi, you’re not saying that to not hurt me, right?”
“That’s wrong…. I think. Probably.”
While he did say so, even Kyousuke himself didn’t know clearly. He didn’t dislike Sakuma, but did he dodged the question with ambiguous words only because he didn’t dislike her? Or else was he purely holding goodwill for her on the same rank as Rin?
In the first place, the conclusion is that I’m two-timing, aren’t I…? I didn’t clearly declare my intent, so it’s still barely acceptable…? No, suppose this was an out, can I clearly give an answer…?
“Utsurogi-kun is not empty anymore, aren’t you?”
“Being told that in this situation is really complicated…!”
“But I’m glad.”
Sakuma stood up, she brushed off the sand stuck on her bottom.
“I will work hard not to lose to Himemizu-san.”
It was a beaming smile. When looking at it directly, Kyousuke felt a little dizzy.
«Temptation» probably wasn’t used. But he felt his heart jumped. He had no heart though. There was this stinging pain in his heart, somehow, feelings of guilt for being dishonest to Rin welled up. In other words, that might have been Kyousuke’s true feelings, here, he purposely put a lid on his heart.
∗Ding∗, class changed from empty to lowest. It was still unknown which was better.
“D–don’t be too hard on me, please…”
For Kyousuke, he had nothing to say other than this.
To be continued…
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