Absolute Duo Vol 4 Chapter 3

I saw a dream.

It was a dream about that day.

It’s that summer day when my precious existence stole my other precious existence.

Heat was fading away within my arms.

Life was flowing away.

She said this.

“Onii-cha………..are you hurt…….?”

I nodded in my dreams.

I did so while telling her it was thanks to her.

“I’m gla…..d………….”

After saying that, she------my sister closed her eyes.

“-----,Haa……….!! Haa……….haa……haa……”

I opened my eyes and breathed wildly, making my chest pump up and down.

After I raised my body, cold sweat was flowing down my back.

Luckily I did not make any loud noises and, did not wake Julie up.

I made a big sigh and covered my face with my hands.

(Today too huh……)

Yes, today too.

I have been seeing this dream every day for the past few days.

I know the reason.

Tomorrow-----in terms of time, it’s today.

Today is Otoha’s-----death anniversary.

*Zutaaan*!!

“-----!!”

A bullet grazed my ear and I lifted my face after regaining my composure.

In front of my sights-----more than 15 meters away from me, Lilith was pointing her gun at me.

“Hey Tooru, It started already. What are you daydreaming for?”

“Eh? Ah………….”

The last training for today was a 1 vs 1 format >.

Lilith was my opponent but, it seems I missed the start signal because I was daydreaming.

The reason why I was daydreaming was because I was thinking about Otoha.

With today, 2 years has pa.s.sed since then and maybe since it was a turning point for me, I would only think about Otoha whenever there was free time.

However, that was my personal problem and that wasn’t a reason to cause problems to Lilith, who has no means of knowing that.

“Tooru. I don’t know what you're thinking about but, think only about me now. If not----“

*Zutaan*!! A bullet grazed my ear again.

“The next one will hit”

“Sorry for daydreaming. I will now-----“

After taking a deep breath, I changed my feelings.

“Like you wished, I will think only about Lilith!!”

I focused my consciousness on Lilith and took a step forward to the mock battle field.

(It feels smaller than it looks)

The stage for today’s > was a bridge placed on the pool almost 2 meters in length.

Unlike a suspension bridge, our ground was fixed but, there were no ropes or handrails on the left and right side.

Basically, we were made to fight on a long thin board and of course, it will be counted as a lost if either one of us falls off.

It seems that this mock battle was made with the expectations that we might fight in this environment too.

Of course, we can’t move like usual but, Lilith was more handicapped than me in this situation.

It can be said that the strongest merit of this gold girl’s > is that it can shoot from a distance.

But, since she cannot use any foot work to the left or right because it’s a small bridge, her shooting directions were only limited to the front direction. As long as her shooting line was limited, it’s quite easy to deal with her.

I lowered my body and blocked the bullets with my > while closing in the gaps.

Lilith dropped shooting accurately and started shooting violently to deal with me closing in-----but, even if I might take some damage from that, my legs won’t stop unless I receive a critical hit.

“Not bad!!”

In a distance where our foot could reach-----the gold girl praised me when I bring it to close combat.

As a reward, she performed a flexible kick like a whip.

*PaPann*!! From low to high, she continued kicking without pulling back.

But, although I received the low kicks, I guarded against the high kick and took a step forward before punching.

Even though I aimed for her face, I did not hesitate swinging my fist because I was wearing a glove.

Lilith blocked the punch with the > and counter-attacked by swinging the stock at my chin. Even though it only grazed my cheek since I slightly moved my head to the side, the girl continued attacking. She re-gripped the stock from the motion of swinging the stock upwards and pulled the trigger at the same time while performing a back step.

While taking on 2 shots with the >, I instantly closed in the gaps and-----

“Eat this, >!!”

I performed my high speed punch. Even though Lilith tried guarding with the rifle, several hits connected.

I added one more kick to Lilith, who groaned-----but, she dodged it by immediately jumping to the pillar which was supporting the bridge before kicking it to jump over my head.

“Seriously, Tooru you’re just so rough”

We reached the midpoint of the bridge and Lilith’s shoulders were going up and down while she was smiling.

“There’s no way I can lose, if you are handicapped like that. Okay, let’s do this!!”

“Ahnn, you are too close, mouuu!!”

I jumped forward to stop Lilith from resting.

A see-saw situation of defense and offense consisting of punches, kicks and sometimes bullets continued.

(You’re really an annoying opponent, for not having any bad distance!!)

Thanks to the > known as the >, Lilith has no bad distance.

That’s why; I have to get very close to her.

However-----my heart jumped.

That’s because, Lilith was strong.

It was pure fun fighting a strong opponent.

“Haaa…….Hn, haaaa, huuu, haaaa…..! Good, very good…...Tooru!!”

Lilith’s cheeks were flushing and she was leaking wild breathing.

Sweat was flowing down her forehead and it would flick off each time we move.

“This is the best. The time Tooru is looking only at me and only thinking of me, really is the best…..!!”

“That’s because I don’t have the leisure to think about anything else!!”

I shouted while blocking Lilith’s kick.

“……….You got shot several times already; Tooru you’re tough!!”

“I'm confident with my stamina. That’s means I won’t go down that easily”

“Mouuu, Tooru you pervert……..”

“Why is it!?”

“I don’t know, I wonder---why!!”

Lilith mowed her >. While blocking it, I stepped in and performed a hook but, Lilith kicked the pillar and tried to take distance again.

But, that movement was within predictions.

The moment she kicked the pillar, I jumped behind----towards the point where she would land.

I guessed her intentions and even if Lilith shot the > mid-air, I blocked it with my >----

I performed > the moment a chance was made when she landed.

Several punches connected and one of it caused the > to fall off her slender fingers.

It *Gara**Gara* dropped onto the bridge and I immediately kicked it away, making it fall into the 10 meter deep pool.

“This is my win”

Lilith’s battle style is made up of moves with the > as the center.

Since her battle style and gun was for her defense, it’s also plausible to say that it’s my win now that she lost her >-----that’s supposed to be it.

“Ah-ra, do you think that I am an opponent that would accept my loss that easily, Tooru?”

It seems the gold girl did not give up and lifted the side of her mouth while breathing heavily.

“It’s not, like I lost the match”

“Heeh, what are you going to show me in this situation?”

“Of course, my trump card”

After saying that, Lilith pinched the edge of her skirt.

*Sususu*…………and she slowly lift her skirt up.

“Whaa----“

“I win, Tooru!”

Her trump card----

Basically, I lost my composure from her seduction and the moment a deadly chance was made----

*Supaaaaa*!! My leg was swept together with one loud sound.

I fell on my back and fell off the bridge with the remaining momentum.

“Dowaaa………!?”

I extended my hands to grab onto the side of the bridge.

Conclusion; luckily, I did not get hit off into the pool but, since I was hanging on to the bridge, the situation has completely reversed.

“Ahyahyahyahya! Are you kidding me, did you fall for the seduction!! How lame-----!!”

After seeing me, my rabbit-ear homeroom teacher was hugging her stomach laughing while rolling around the pool side.

When I was grinding my teeth at my laughing homeroom teacher, my opponent talked to me from above.

“This is my win then”

“Uu……..Th-that just now----wait, uwaahhh……….!?”

The inside of her skirt entered my view when I lifted my face-----I saw a white upside down triangle with frills attached.

I covered my face in reflex-----and noticed that I let my hand go from the bridge.

“Uwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!”

A big water pillar was made immediately when I fell into the pool.

After a while I got up from the pool side, Lilith got off the bridge to look at me and laugh.

“Ahahaha. You’re dripping wet, Tooru”

“Just whose fault is it, who?”

“Oh my, it’s your fault for giving me the chance. Here’s a towel”

“It’s stranger if a person didn’t lose their composure when you did that………”

The gold girl took the towel from the butler and gave it to me.

It’s something I prepared for Ojou-sama!! I ignored Sara who was glaring and me and gladly accepted the towel.

After drying off my head, a faint and soft scent tickled my nose.

“It’s embarra.s.sing for someone who fell for that to say this but, I think that trump card is a little too much”

“It’s okay; I made it so that it can barely be seen”

“What are you going to do if you're seen………”

“It’s okay, I don’t mind if Tooru is the one looking”

I see then it’s okay.

(No no no, there’s no way that’s okay)

“A-anyway, stop with that trump card”

“I’ll think about it. More importantly----“

Her cheerful expression disappeared and it changed into an expression that was seemingly blaming me.

“Why were you daydreaming when it started?”

“Ah……….I-I was sleepy since I did not sleep enough yesterday”

“………Fuun. Then it can’t be helped but, you will get hurt if you don’t focus”

“That’s right. I will be careful”

But-----even after this, I thought of that day for several times and I would cause trouble to the surroundings each time I get distracted.

“Haaa………..”

Even though there’s 1 hour left from my usual bed time, I leaked a big sigh from the tiredness.

Maybe it’s because I got tired from the training but, there was no mistake that it came from my mental state.

(Today was tiring……)

My body-----more importantly, my heart was very heavy.

Being depressed was probably what I was going through.

The silver girl had a gloomy expression when she saw me like this.

“Are you okay, Tooru?”

“……..Sorry, to make you worry. Looks like I’m not my usual self today”

“It’s early today but, let’s sleep for today”

After I apologized while making a wry smile, Julie gave a proposal.

“That’s true. I’ll do that”

I’ll feel sorry if I get dizzier than this and honestly nodded before going to sleep.

Tiredness attacked me when I closed my eyes and I fell asleep in no time but----

But tonight again, I saw the dream about that day.

Heat was scorching my skin and the flicking flames were reflected on the white blade.

(Stop……..stop it……..!!)

Even though I should be shouting, my voice won’t come out.

As if to laugh at me, he lifted the blade up.

He mumbled something and made a smile-----

The blade was swung down.

Even though it was supposed to be instantaneous, I could clearly see the path slowly made by the blade in zero motion.

It’s as if he was trying to torture me as much as possible.

I extended my hands.

But, I know it would never reach and will not make it in time.

“Otoha-------!!”

I jumped awake.

My shoulders were swaying from my rough breathing and sweat was flowing down.

Sweat was also in my hands.

Even if I clenched my fist, the opponent I should be pointing my fist at was not here.

(d.a.m.n it…..d.a.m.n it……..! Why am I………!!)

I hit my head with my fist and my heart felt like it was going to get ripped apart within my cloudy view.

“……..are you alright, Tooru?”

Inside the darkness, I could hear a clear voice like a bell from the bed above.

“Sorry, did I wake you up……….”

“Nai. Please don’t mind it”

After the bed creaked, Julie jumped down to the floor from the bed at the above level.

“……..did something happen?”

“What do you mean?”

“You have been groaning these past few nights………”

“………if you knew that then, it means I have been waking you up every time. Sorry about that, Julie”

Although Julie said don't mind it again, I felt very sorry to her.

Julie swung her head from the left to right while bending down beside my bed and waited for my words.

“I saw that dream again……”

“………the time when Tooru’s precious person’s life was taken away huh”

“Yeah……….”

I dropped my sights after nodding.

After a while of silence, I looked upwards and did my best to smile.

“Let’s go back to bed. I am really sorry to wake you up at mid-nig-----“

I could not finish my words.

That’s because Julie hugged me.

What’s more, she was hugging me by pushing my head to her chest.

“Ju-Julie!?”

I panicked when my face was pulled onto her modest and yet soft bulges.

“Don’t move, please stay still”

“N-no, because-----“

“Just for a while”

She told me that, and I could not continue my words.

--- My heart was one-sidedly in chaos in the first place.

“……….can you hear my heart?”

“Eh? Ah…………”

I lost my composure from her sudden action and did not become attentive but-----

*Tokun**tokun**tokun*-----

When I allowed my consciousness to her, Julie’s rhythmic heartbeat echoed.

“A-aah. I can hear it……..”

“Then, close your eyes and listen carefully”

After a while of listening, my heartbeat gradually went far away.

*Tokun**tokun**tokun*------

Time pa.s.sed like that.

That one sound inside the quiet world was comfortable.

My heart which got discomposed when I saw that dream turned calm from that comfort.

Not long later, Julie talked----while hugging me.

“I loved it…….”

“Eh……..? Loved what………?”

“I loved it when mama hugged me like this”

“I see…………”

Just when I wondered about what she was talking about after she said she loved something, she was referring to the action huh.

“…………mama would often hug me like this when I cry whenever I think about papa. It was warm, comfortable and it would make me calm……….”

“So you did this to me too?”

“Ja---……Tooru. I am your > but, I can’t share the pain in your heart. But even so, tell me if you are in pain. Please rely on me. I can hug Tooru like this. So-----“

The silver girl quietly told me that.

“You don’t have to smile when you are in pain…..”

“Julie………..”

The feelings of the girl hugging me were warm, gentle and it made me happy.

My heart was touched by Julie-----and I thought of telling about myself to her.

“For a while----can you listen to me?”

“Ja----“

The silver girl gently nodded at my wish.

After Julie let go of my head, she then sat on the bed.

I stared at the silver girl and made a sigh---

I started talking.

“……….It’s her death anniversary. Today-----it’s already yesterday huh. Yesterday was the day my sister, Otoha died 2 years ago………..no----“

I looked away from Julie and stared at my clenching fist while continuing my next words.

“It’s the day she was killed……….”

Julie twitched at the edge of my view and she clenched her fists.

“…………..Tooru’s precious person was your sister huh”

“Yeah………..”

She asked me to confirm and I nodded to her words.

Silence got in between for a while before I started to talk about my past.

Until 2 years ago, I learned Juukenjitsu at a certain dojo.

My deceased father being a disciple of that dojo was one of the reasons why.

My first memories of it were when my mother brought me to the dojo to pick up my father when he was still alive.

Over there-----I met him.

He was the successor of the dojo and the same age as me so, we talked during that occasion and found out that we were going to the same school.

We became friends in no time.

That’s why I decided to stand beside him, shoulder by shoulder, and swing my sword without any hesitation.

Otoha was always with us.

Since Otoha would always follow me from behind, it was probably a natural thing to happen.

I, Otoha and he pa.s.sed the days together and our relation got stronger.

We laughed and talked.

Warm and fun happy days continued for several years.

Tora would sometimes join in and things would get even nosier than usual, thus making it fun.

I believed that these days would continue forever and never doubted that fact.

However-----I found out that those days were not eternal.

It was because that summer day came.

My talk ended and the room was wrapped in silence----

“They are dead, because they were weak, huh……….”

After a while, Julie mumbled with a voice covered with sadness.

From the way she was squeezing her hands, she probably remembered her father who died in battle.

“Why did that person say that……….to the extent of making his precious person sad, just why……..”

“I don’t know………that’s why I want to be stronger. I will become stronger and know the true meaning of those words. And-----“

“………Get revenge for Otoha-san”

Even though I silently nodded---------I knew.

Otoha won’t come back even if I knew his real intentions and take my revenge.

Those precious days will never return.

But even so, I chose to continue on the path of an

“…….Okay, that’s the end of my story. Thanks for listening to me so deep at night, Julie. I feel better after talking”

“Nai. I will listen to your talk if you’re okay with me”

I relaxed my cheeks and thanked the girl again, when she was silently smiling.

“Okay, let’s go back to sleep. I’m completely awake now but, we can’t stay awake for the whole night”

“……………..feeling sleepy, Tooru?”

“I won’t for a while. Well, I’ll sleep sooner or later after I close my eyes-----“

“If that’s the case then, I’ll make you sleepy”

“Eh……?”

I could somewhat see, since my eyes were used to the dark.

That’s why I could clearly see Julie kneeling on the bed.

Julie extended her arms to me----

*Funyon*.

“uuuuuuh!?”

She brought my head to her chest and hugged me again.

*Funyon**funyon**funyon*.

There’s no way that I wouldn’t feel her softness if my face was pulled onto her chest, even though it was modest in size.

(She smells good too…..-----wait, No no no no, what’s going on!?)

“Ju-Juli-Julie!?”

“Just like just now, please close your eyes and listen carefully”

“A-aah……….wait, weren’t we going to sleep!?”

“Ja---. I will immediately sleep when my mama hugged me”

“O-oh is that so…………B-but, I don’t think I will be sleeping any time soon. Hahaha……………”

So let go of me, was what I wanted to say but----

“Well then, I will lie down like this. You should be able to fall asleep soon”

A crazy proposal came from Julie.

“-----!? Eh, wait, Julie!? Don’t tell me, when you said like this……..”

“I think you will have a comfortable sleep. I always have them too”

*Kokun*

We fell on the bed while she was hugging onto me.

Of course, her modest b.r.e.a.s.t.s were pressed onto my face.

“Good night, Tooru”

“Go-good night, wait, Jul---“

“*Snore*---“

“Fast!?”

Maybe it was the effect of the gel mat; Julie couldn’t avoid sleeping comfortably and travelled to the land of dreams instantly.

(Uuu, it feels like I am completely in Julie’s pace……….)

In a sense, it’s like a usual thing to happen.

But even so, I was very happy that she hugged me for my sake.

“Thanks, Julie………”

After I thanked Julie’s kindness, I closed my ears and focused onto her heartbeat.

---But.

*Funi**funi**funi**funi**funi**funi**funi**funi**funi**funi**funi**funi**funi**funi**funi**funi**funi**funi**funi*

(How the h.e.l.l am I going to sleep in this situation---------!!)

In the end, thanks to the soft sensation touching my face and the satisfactory smell, I could not sleep and stayed awake until morning.

When Julie woke up in the morning, she tilted her head in wonder when she saw me in a wobbly state.

It was the weekend; cla.s.ses and training ended in the afternoon.

However, I was up all night so I had no memories of the cla.s.s. ＊Basically, I was asleep.

Since we aren’t allowed to go outside during the afternoon, I would usually pa.s.s the time training myself but, I decided to change my plans for today and take an afternoon nap.

After 3 hours of sleep, Julie and I went to the training room together-----

Half-way, we coincidentally met up with 3 girls talking at the entrance at the 1st floor.

It’s Tachibana, Lilith, and Sara.

“Hey there, Kokonoe, Julie. Going to the training room now?”

“Planning to. What are you girls talking about?”

“We were going out to shop so we were talking about it now”

The gold girl replied.

The outside used in this circ.u.mstances was referring to outside the premise.

Lilith was wearing summer clothes consisting of a hat with wide visors, a no slip blouse with frills and short pants; its fact that all eyes will be on her who matches her appearance, when she heads out.

On the other hand, Tachibana----was wearing a jersey. What’s more, she was wearing sleeves and that makes others feel hot.

“I think a jersey is a little………”

Jerseys aren’t exactly bad but, she would definitely attract people's attention, in a way different from Lilith though.

“N-no! I have something to do in the area!!”

“Oh, so that’s why……….well, yeah, now I’m relieved”

“Haaa……..looks like I need to make you sit down and have a good slow talk with you………”

I could only make a dry smile when I saw Tachibana make an exaggerated sigh.

“Okay then, I’ll be heading out now. Tomoe, I am counting on you with that matter”

“Umu, leave it to me”

After something was pa.s.sed between them, Lilith urged Sara and headed outside.

Lilith turned around when she got out the dorm before [See you later, Tooru] sending a kiss towards me.

“----Kuh, why does Ojou-sama have to do this for someone like you…..!”

“Huh?”

Not following her master, Sara stood still and just glared at me.

“………..Sara, stop saying unnecessary things and let’s go”

“I apologize, Ojou-sama. I am on my way”

Sara walked faster to chase after Lilith after she was called.

---She glared at me for the one last time.

“Haa, I am hated like usual”

“It can’t be helped. Lilith is an ojou-sama from a famous family and Sara thinks of you as a suspicious person-----opps, sorry”

“Haha, you’re not wrong”

Sara thanked me after the problem that occurred during the seaside school but, her att.i.tude did not change from last time after she thanked me. I won’t ask her to like me but, I would feel happier if her att.i.tude towards me would soften down.

“By the way, where are you going to go to Tomoe?”

Julie pointed towards the basket filled with----water filled bottles and gloves, which was placed at Tachibana’s foot.

“Fufu, I’ll be keeping this a secret”

On a rare occasion, she made a prankster smile and played it off.

“Oh yeah, Julie. I have something to tell you but, can I take a little of your time?”

“Ja---“

I was curious but, I did not pry any further since Tachibana changed the topic.

“…….Kokonoe, we will be having a girl’s talk now so, go ahead to the training room first”

“-----------? Aah, I get it. I’ll go on ahead first then, Julie”

Since standing there to listen to their conversation was impolite, I followed her words and continued going down the stairs to the bas.e.m.e.nt.

It was evening and on a rare occasion, Lilith was not at the cafeteria.

I was a little curious about her since she would eat with us during meal times even though she has a lot of personal matters ----and what’s more, my left side was her reserved seat.

Why hasn’t she come back ever since she went outside during the afternoon?

“What happened to Lilith, I wonder?”

Even though I brought out the gold girl’s name when we got out from the cafeteria-----

“Thanks to that, I was able to have a decent and quiet meal”

“Fuun, whether that woman being here or not, nothing will change”

“Hahaha…………”

I regret bringing this talk to Julie & Tora, since they have issues with Lilith.

“W-well, I think she has something important to do”

“Fufu, I somewhat think so too”

The girls that talked with me were Tachibana and Miyabi.

Judging by the cheerful smile she showed me a few days ago, she has completely turned back to normal.

(…..no, she feels more cheerful than last time. But-----)

“Hnn?”

I stopped thinking and moving.

“What’s wrong, Tooru”

I looked towards Miyabi and Tachibana when Tora asked me a question.

“No, I'm just wondering why, Tachibana and Miyabi are following us”

I, Julie, Tora and Tatsu were on the 2nd floor but, Miyabi and Tachibana’s room was on the 3rd floor which belongs to the girls.

And they had already pa.s.sed it since the stairs leading upstairs was at the lounge.

“I have something to talk with Julie. It has contents which I don’t want others to hear so, I thought of coming over to your room. Right, Julie?”

“------! Ja-ja----!”

Having the talk brought to her, Julie *koku**koku* nodded violently.

“I see……Aah, then should I leave?”

“N-no, you come along too”

“------? Aah, I get it”

Although I felt Tachibana’s tone were slightly anxious, I agreed with her.

But, just when I placed my hand on the door, I felt curious about something again.

“Hnn? Does that involve Tora and the others too?”

For some reason, Tora and Tatsu also pa.s.sed by their own room and followed us from behind.

“We were told that she had something to tell us”

Tora looked at Tachibana.

“…………I see”

Even though I made a short reply, many “?” appeared in my mind.

(What are they going to talk about?)

I was unnecessarily curious since there was something she wanted to tell Julie, and the other resident of this room was not going to be told anything.

What’s more-----

“Kuhah, you’re in front so hurry up and open the door. Or what, are you going to make a s.e.xual appeal that you aren’t fast, Hnnn?”

Why is Tsukimi here too?

(What kind of combination is this……….)

While twisting my head, I opened the door and entered the room-----

*Pann*!! The same time with the explosions that came from the party crackers, several colorful objects appeared in front of my eyes.

“Buhooo!?”

I let out my voice in reflex when it was going to touch my face.

“Wah, Puhah……! Wha-what’s this….!?”

After I took off the object sticking on top of my face and upper body, I found out that it was paper tapes with 5 different colors.

Ahead of my view when I lost my composure-----a girl with Yellow Topazblonde hair was with a bazooka and a butler was behind her.

“Eh? Li-Lilith and Sara? What’s-----“

Even though I tried to ask what was going on, I could not finish my sentence.

That’s because------

*Pan**pan**pan*!! I was surprised by the continuous explosion behind me.

“Wha-whawha…..!?”

When I turned around, 4 (Including Julie) of the people that were going to have a conversation in my room, were holding crackers in their hands. Lilith jumped and hugged me when I was dumbfounded from the turn of events which I could not understand.

“Happy birthday, Tooru----♪“

“Wa-wah!? Lilith, hey, eh, birthday!?”

“That’s right. It’s your birthday today. So, congratulations♪”

While clinging onto me with her arms around my neck, Lilith *giggled* and smiled before looking up at me.

At that moment, everyone behind me started congratulating me.

[Happy birthday, Kokonoe] [Congratulations, Tooru-kun] [ Kuhah, you got closer to being an adult huh. Tell me if you want to climb one more floor of adulthood okay?] [Fuun. I’ll congratulate you so be grateful]

---also, I ignored Tatsu since he was laughing loudly like usual.

Finally, Julie stood in front of me.

“Congratulations, Tooru. And----“

Julie stopped her words and slipped her hands between me and Lilith before pulling us apart.

“No one told me that you will be clinging onto him”

“This much is okay right. This a privilege for the planner”

“Nai. There is no need”

Lilith puffed her cheeks and looked at me who was still dumbfounded before changing her expression into surprise.

“What’s wrong? This might be unlikely but, don’t tell me you forgotten your own birthday?”

“W-well it’s true that today’s my birthday…..”

“Then there aren’t any problems. Everything is perfectly prepared so, enjoy the party♪”

After I heard Lilith’s words while she spread out her hands, I looked around the room and it’s true that the room was decorated------for some reason, it had Christmas style illumination---and a big table which was taken from who knows where, was placed in the middle.

What’s more a huge heart shaped cake was prepared.

“Why is it a heart……..”

“……This is a rehearsal for me and Tooru’s wedding cake”

“……….Is it okay if I slice it into half?”

“Why!?----wait, manifesting your > without permission is against the rules!!”

Lilith retorted to Julie, who swung her > aloft.

“It’s safe within 3 seconds”

“That isn’t right!!”

“Kuhahahahahah! I give you permission, silver hair♪ Do it!!”

“Wah, wait wait! Let’s calm down, Julie! Lilith too! Tsukimi stop pouring oil in the fire!!”

Silver and gold-----I went between the 2 girls with opposite traits.

After that, Tachibana [Today is Kokonoe’s birthday so, let’s overlook this okay] told Julie that, and the room finally became quiet.

“How about it, Tooru. Were you surprised?”

“Haha, that’s right. I was surprised----but I’m happy. Lilith, everyone, thanks”

I looked around and thanked the usual faces + α, who sat around the cake.

“Fufu. It was sudden so, I could not prepare any presents”

“No no, this is enough”

“Oh my, I properly prepared mine”

Lilith joined right in just when Tachibana replied back with a wry smile.

“The Present---I.s m.e♥”

“………..Is it okay if I slice it into half?”

“There’s no way it’s okay!!”

Lilith retorted again to Julie, who swung her > aloft.

“By the way, how do you know about my birthday?”

Julie and Tora were the only people that know my birthday.

It’s impossible to think that they would tell Lilith that since they have issues with her.

The only possibility was probably through Tachibana but-----

“Did you forget that I’m the >? I can look at the student database anytime I want”

The gold girl just said something crazy just like that.

This is possible to Lilith, who has the t.i.tle of the > but, it makes me wonder about the protection of personal information.

“I heard about your birthday from her. She told us to gather after dinner, since she would prepare everything”

“Ah! Perhaps, the reason why you were talking at the afternoon was----“

“Right on the money”

It seems, it was that time when she told me to go on ahead because she wanted to have a girls talk with Julie.

“…….So, why is she here?”

I pointed at the rabbit ears hair-band.

“Kuhah, I pa.s.sed by the cla.s.s rep and silver hair when they were talking. It looked kind of interesting so, I had them to allow me in”

“She said she would expose this to Tooru unless she joins in so……….”

Julie shoulders fell in disappointment and gave a brief explanation.

“And while we are having dinner, Lilith and Sara was decorating the room”

“I see----wait, ah-re? My room was locked right?”

“Sara opened it”

“This level of lock, isn’t any problem”

Sara snorted and looked at me.

(She might be good at it but, this is trespa.s.sing……………)

Well, I guess I’ll forget about this since it’s to celebrate my birthday.

“However, why did you see my data again?”

“………Did you forget the reason why I transferred here?”

“I see, it’s amazing that you can remember……now that I think about it, what date is everyone’s birthday?”

“Fufu, you want to know the profile of your future wife right?”

“……..No, I asked everyone”

“Mine was at May so it’s quite back. It’s around the time when I transferred in”

Lilith ignored my retort and continued talking.

“I’ll be looking forward to my future birthday, Tooru. I recommend the present to be a ring worth 3 months of salary in j.a.panese style”

“……….When is everyone’s birthday?”

I ignored her this time and talked to everyone else.

“Mine is at March”

“That’s close. Mine is in April, Miyabi”

Luckily, everyone else replied back and my ignore beautifully succeeded-----

“Wait, Julie’s birthday is in April!?”

“Ja--. It’s on April 1st. Is there something wrong about it?”

“N-no….it’s kind of surprising…….”

“------?”

Julie felt wonder when she saw me surprised.

However, it was only natural for me to be surprised. She’s the tiniest----not that; she’s the smallest in cla.s.s and who would have expected that she was born the earliest.

“Just thinking about the thought that I might not have meet Tooru if I was born 1 day later, it was a very close call”

“What do you mean?”

“Children born after April 1st will be enrolled to elementary school at the age of 6-----and that’s the education method of the school. Which means, having her birthday on April 1st would make her the oldest of our year”

“Heeh, is that so……”

Even though I was surprised at Tachibana’s explanation----

(But, I could understand thanks to that)

I thought of that while looking at Julie’s modest bulges. ＊I was well aware that it's impolite.

“When is Tomoe’s?”

“Mine is in July so it’s next month”

“It’s close to Tooru’s”

“Umu, its exactly one week in difference”

“Eh? In one week; that’s very close. Why didn’t you say anything?”

I joined in the conversation by reflex since the date was very close.

“Even if you ask me why………..saying something like “Today is my birthday” is basically telling you to celebrate it”

It’s kind of embarra.s.sing now that I tried imagining it myself.

“…………if that’s the case then how about we celebrate your birthday together?”

“Eh……..?”

Unexpectedly, the one who proposed that was Sara.

“Problem?”

“N-no, it’s a good idea. Let’s do that”

I quickly swung my head and asked for everyone’s approval when Sara looked at me with a dubious face.

“Don’t mind me. Miyabi already congratulated me”

It seems that they told each other about their birthdays on the first day they were enrolled here.

However, for some reason, the Bristol family’s butler did not give up.

“But, it seems everyone else here did not know about it and I think it’s good to celebrate it together”

“Th-that’s right, Tomoe-chan. Let’s do it……..”

“I think so too, Tomoe”

Miyabi followed after and Julie provided sniping a.s.sistance.

“Ojou-sama, you think so too right?”

“Yes, I think we should celebrate. If it’s that close then, it’s decided that Tomoe is also one of today’s leading actor”

“B-but…….”

“I won’t say it twice, Tomoe. Give up and celebrate♪”

“…………..I get it. It’s a little embarra.s.sing but, let’s celebrate together”

Lilith winked and Tachibana made a wry smile before agreeing.

“Okay then, everyone, let’s sing happy birthday for these 2”

Sara became the facilitator before we knew it and she urged everyone.

The candle was lit, the room turned dark and 7 people without me and Tachibana sang a song----

We were going to blow the fire when they stop.

“Tachibana. We’ll blow it on 3”

“Umu, leave it to me”

“1, 2……”

We stood by each other and inhaled-----

We then blew at the same time and the candle fire was extinguished.

Immediately after we did that, the room turned bright again and we looked at each other.

“Okay, it feels great to extinguish it in one blow”

“Fufu, that’s right”

We then noticed.

Our faces were close.

We were in a distance as if we were pledging our love in front of a heart-shaped cake------

“”---------!?””

We quickly looked away and sat straight.

(Th-that gave a shock……..)

My heart was still bouncing.

Incidentally, the facilitator, Sara-----said this with a smile.

“We will now have Kokonoe-sama and Tachibana-sama cut the cake”

[Huh?] [Eh?] [What did you say!?]

I and Tachibana were surprised and Lilith shouted.

“Hey Sara, what are you saying!?”

“I apologize for saying this twice but-----I said; Kokonoe-sama and Tachibana-sama will now cut the cake, Ojou-sama”

“Stop with the jokes! Did you forget that I told you that I bought the cake so that I could cut it with Tooru!?”

“Yes. That’s true. However Ojou-sama, you said this when you were preparing for the party. [The person to cut the cake has to be the party’s leading actor]. And just now, Ojou-sama said that Tachibana was the leading actor”

Sara smiled again.

Lilith became speechless.

You are to be feared, butler from the UK. In order to prevent me from cutting the cake with Lilith, she went searching for a chance and she immediately made up a plan the moment she knew Tachibana’s birthday was close.

“I have taken the approval from Ojou-sama so cut it with this”

Having cornered down her master with an argument, the servant took out a cake knife with red and white ribbons attached------- (it’s definitely used for weddings no matter what angle I look at it from) and handed it over to me.

There was only one result thinkable if we cut the heart-shaped cake with this knife.

“Errrr…………”

“Fuhyaa!? Wh-wh-why are you looking at me, Kokonoe!!”

“Why are you asking, looks like we have to cut the cake together……….”

“------!! No, that’s shameless!! Do you know what you're saying in the first place!? It means, we will be m-ma-ma-marri----“

It seems even Tachibana was thinking the same thing.

Her loss of composure can’t be compared with mine though.

Of course, even I don’t want to do something that embarra.s.sing in front of everyone.

With the confession problem still not settled, Miyabi was here too and I want to avoid making any actions that might make her feel conscious about the problem.

But-----

“Hurry up”

Sara's glare was scary; very scary.

Who knows what will happen if I say no.

Because of that, I tried acting as natural as possible and tried convincing Tachibana.

“Don’t take it the wrong way. We are just celebrating our birthday. Just what is so shameless about that?”

“Uu………but, errr…………it might be true but………”

Tachibana looked a little calmer when she heard my indifferent tone.

Okay, one more push.

“It’s a thankful thing. Everyone is congratulating us like this. We should show our appreciation by cutting the cake and have them eat it to show thanks to their efforts”

“……………Y-you’re right. This is to the end, just a celebration for our birthday, umu”

Convincing complete.

We held the knife together and used it to touch the cake but----------

*Tremble**tremble**tremble**tremble**tremble**tremble**tremble**tremble**tremble**tremble**tremble*

Now that we have to do it, it seems Tachibana became conscious again and her hands were trembling.

(Oh man, she really isn’t used to these kind of things……..)

I would swing my head too if I was asked if I was used to the opposite s.e.x but, I was calm thanks to Tachibana’s chaotic state.

(I got no choice. I feel bad to Tachibana but, she might cause a ruckus again if I leave her like this----)

“-----Hufuu!?”

“Hey, Tooru!?”

I wrapped my hands around Tachibana’s hands and brought the knife to the cake.

I then ignored Lilith’s retort and separate the cake into portions equal to the numbers.

“Everyone, thanks for celebrating my birthday today. Let’s eat the cake……….hey, Tachibana, you too”

“Eh?........ah……..eberywaun, tw.a.n.k yweu[4d 1]!!”

I held back my laughter when Tachibana’s voice turned inside out but---

Leaving that aside, I could finally relax and enjoy the surprise birthday party.

---but, it was sweet.

The soft sponge cake was moist and the mildly sweet fresh cream melted in my mouth; the cake was so high-quality that even I could know the difference by taste. This occurred when I was eating the cake----

“Sara, will you prepare that”

“I understand, Ojou-sama”

The butler prepared a wine bottle when she was ordered by the gold girl.

When I wondered to myself, “That isn’t alcohol right”-----

“It’s champagne”

“Alcohol, are you kidding me!! We are underage so that’s bad!!”

“You’re so strict……..I think letting loose for today is okay”

“Kuhah, you said it! Bring on the alcohol!! I give permission!!”

“You’re underage too!!”

I was close to forgetting because of her status as a teacher but, Tsukimi was last year’s graduate---which means, she’s 18.

“Relax. I became 19 in May”

“You’re still underage!!”

“I’m 20 if you round up the numbers”

“The const.i.tution will be meaningless if you say that!!”

*Pon* a wonderful sound echoed, when I was retorting to Tsukimi.

Sara opened the champagne.

“Don’t open it-----!!”

“Tooru, you’re noisy from just now”

“………….Lilith. I think drinking alcohol is bad too you know?”

Tachibana finally sent a life-saving boat.

“Judging by the numbers here, I guess everyone will have half a gla.s.s? Even children drink sweet sake in j.a.pan right? Then a little bit of champagne is okay♪”

“Sweet sake huh…….Fumu, I guess that much is okay………”

Since my life-saving boat was made of mud, it sank.

After that, I didn’t stay quiet for a while until I raised the white flag.

*Pouring*………..yellowish orange liquid was poured into the gla.s.s.

“………….”

“What’s wrong, Julie?”

I happened to see the eyebrows of the silver girl frown a little so, I asked her----

“I was wondering if it’s okay for me to drink that”

“You haven’t tried it before? ……….well, that goes for me too though”

“There was a time I secretly tried to take a sip when I got curious about what it tastes like since my papa drank it so happily”

“What happened?”

“I pa.s.sed out when I smelled it and it was morning when I came to”

She downed before even drinking; it seems that she’s quite weak to it.

“…………..aah, you did say that you tried to but didn’t drink it. Well, judging by what you said, you seem to be weak to alcohol so, I don’t think you should force yourself?”

“Nai. I should, since it’s a party for Tooru and Tomoe”

Even though I tried saying its okay so don’t worry, I took it back since it has been 1 year so it should be okay if it’s one sip.

“Go on, Tooru. You are the leading actor so you should be the one giving the toast”

Lilith urged me and handed me a gla.s.s.

“Err…..everyone, thank you. Okay then, cheers!”

“””Cheers!”””

Me, everyone, and of course Julie, drank from the gla.s.s.

The first taste of the wine was-----

“……….oh it’s just juice”

“Well, it’s non-alcohol champagne so, it’s close”

“This isn’t alcohol!?”

Tsukimi snapped.

Since Lilith’s prank was a grand success, she placed her hands on her mouth and giggled.

“Seriously why would you lie……..”

“It’s just a small prank. But, I get to see something interesting because of it”

The gold girl pointed at someone.

And that someone was----

*Wobble**wobble**wob*………Julie swaying from left and right.

Her Snow whitewhite skin was blushing, her eyes were drooping as if it was melting and her eyes don’t look focused.

“Looks like it’s easy to put her to sleep, Fufu”

“Julie----------!?”

“Ja---…….”

*Pofuun*. Julie collapsed like a doll with its strings detached.

Luckily, she fell onto my lap and did not hit her head on the floor but-----

Just like that, Julie fell asleep on my lap and started *Suu**suu* making sleeping sounds.

“Hey you! What are you doing to my husband in this confusion!?”

“Lilith you too, what are you saying in this confusion!?”

Some time has pa.s.sed since the party started and we were playing the DeluxeDX life game that we borrowed from the lounge------though I say this, Julie was sleeping on the bed and Sara was only looking at us play from behind.

“It’s my turn. Okay-----oh 3, appear, appear, appear!!.......”

Tachibana prayed hard and spun the roulette but----

“Kuh, 7 huh. ----fumu, a shopping block. Well, I guess I’ll stay with this”

“Fufu. Good for you, Tomoe-chan. Okay it’s my turn----Eii”

After a clatter, the roulette picked Miyabi’s fate.

“I did it! I hit the lottery and gained extraordinary income♪”

Miyabi clapped her hands and jumped in joy.

But, I was having a complex thought when I saw her like that.

There was a reason why I honestly wasn’t happy about Miyabi’s cheerful expression.

I heard from Tachibana that Miyabi was unlike herself and became hysteric in the dressing room after training, a few days ago.

She looks happy from what I see but, she might be forcing herself.

Even though I was worried, Tachibana made a complex statement that we shouldn’t force Miyabi whose heart has yet to recover.

Because of that, I could not talk to her about the confession.

“Tooru-kun?”

Miyabi suddenly called me.

“Ah………er,wh-what?”

“It’s your turn?”

“Eh? Aah, is that so. Sorry”

I apologized and quickly spun the roulette.

After some clatters, the numbers spun rapidly.

From what I got, I reached a block which would influence every other player and as a result, there were happy and unhappy people making noises.

Not long later-----

“Okay, goal!! Done it!”

I reached the goal by leaving it to my luck in the 2nd move.

Maybe it’s because I laughed too hard, my throat feels dry.

I took my empty cup and headed over the corner of the room to refill the cup with juice.

“Ah, d.a.m.n it. Why is it with this kiddy champagne. Come on, let me drink sake,”

Tsukimi, who was the first to score a goal, was at the side of the wall complaining while holding the cup with her mouth.

“For an underage girl, just what are you saying…………also, stop sitting down with one knee up”

I looked away from the homeroom rabbit ear teacher and warned her.

“Hn? Getting h.o.r.n.y?”

“h.e.l.l no!! Why are you here celebrating my birthday in the first place anyway”

“I told you it’s because it’s interesting. Also just like what I told you before, I took an interest to you”

Since she tried to kill me once before, there was no way I would believe her now even though she says that she has taken an interest to me.

(…………but, she did protect everyone in cla.s.s from the > during the seaside school)

Judging by her battle maniac state she showed when she fought us, there was the possibility that she just wanted to fight.

(Now that I think about it)

The question that appeared in my mind appeared back from the depths of my memories when I was recalling back the events that occurred in the seaside school.

“Hey Tsukimi. I have one question for you”

“Arh, what is it?”

“Was the > you used when you fought with those > the >’s real >?”

“Well yeah. What about it?”

“……….one more question. Why didn’t you use that > in our fight-----“

“Yay, I got a goal♪”

“What the h.e.l.l!!”

Miyabi’s happy and Tora’s shocked voice erased my words.

“Kuh, to think that I would taste the humiliation of being in the lowest place……….”

Looks like Tora was at the lowest place.

“I won’t accept this! One more time! Tooru, Tsukimi! We are going to fight again so get back here!!”

“………..You heard them. We will leave this talk for next time”

After saying that, Tsukimi tapped on my shoulders and made a sound like a kiss near my ears before turning her shoulders while walking towards everyone.

“Okay, time to kick your a.s.s. Be prepared you little runt!!”

“Who the h.e.l.l is a runt!!”

Tsukimi and Tora glared at each other when she sat down.

I thought this when I was looking at her back.

Why didn’t Tsukimi use her real > when she attacked us during the >.

If she really did it then, the match would easily be her win.

(Then why would she………..)

“What’s wrong, Tooru. Nothing will start if you don’t come over here♪”

“Oh, sorry. I am going now”

Lilith called me, maybe because she saw me daydreaming about something.

“Here, Tooru”

The gold girl pulled me up when I grabbed the hand she extended to me-----

Lilith joined our arms when I stood up.

Incidentally, my elbow was touching her breast.

“Li-Lilith”

“Time to start the second round, Tooru. I will make this my victory this time♪”

She winked and announced her victory.

“Uwah!? I-I get it so let go of my arm………!”

I pulled her for a few meters and returned back to the circle.

“See you again tomorrow morning”

“Go-good night, Tooru-kun…………”

It was close to lights off when the 2nd life game ended.

The party ended and Tora, who shouted for 3 matches because he continuously gotten last place got dragged back to his room by Tatsu.

After cleaning up the room decorations without waking Julie up, Miyabi and Tachibana returned back to their room and I went out the room to send both of them off.

“Thanks, the both of you”

“Fufu. I was supposed to celebrate your birthday but it turned to celebrating our party”

“Haha, in a certain way, this was too much of a surprise for me”

“Seriously……..”

“*Giggle* Tomoe-chan, your face was so red”

“Ple-please don’t say that……..”

Miyabi laughed happily at Tachibana, who was making a bitter face.

“Okay then, we’ll be heading back now. Good night, Tooru-kun”

“Good night, Miyabi. Tachibana, you too”

“Umu. See you tomorrow”

Both of them walked back to their room through the corridor which has almost no one populating it.

While looking at their backs slowly getting further away, I recalled back the talk I heard from Tachibana about Miyabi’s state during the party.

(Unlike herself, huh……….)

It has been 2 weeks since the > attack-----

It was long and short at the same time.

Julie’s and mine wounds are almost at full recovery and Tachibana’s legs got better.

However, no one can see how serious the wounds are in the heart.

That fact goes for the victim too.

“Tooru, what’s wrong? Did you fall asleep while standing up?”

Lilith came out from the room and tapped my shoulders when I was daydreaming alone in the corridor.

“There’s no way I'd have such a skill”

“I can sleep with you if you need it you know?”

“Ri-----“

“Ri?”

“Really, please give me a break from those jokes”

That was close; I was close to saying “Right on time”….

“So it’s okay if I am serious?”

“Give me more of a break……..”

I found this out with my body a while back but, it seems Lilith can only sleep when she’s naked.

Since I couldn’t sleep because I get nervous whenever I sleep with Julie, there was no way I could sleep if she sleeps beside me naked.

---in the first place, there was enough possibility that butler could make him sleep for eternity.

“How disappointing. But if you want it then, you can call me anytime you want…………of course, I am all for you coming to me too”

She winked + threw a kiss to me. I made a sigh and told her “I won’t call you nor will I go to you” as a reply to her seduction that I had no idea if it was a joke or if she was serious about it.

“Leaving that aside. Despite being surprised today, I was happy, embarra.s.sed, and more but, it was very fun”

I told her my thanks for hosting a birthday party for me.

“Actually………….my tension was a little low recently. That’s why, I got to laugh a lot today, because you opened a party like this………it made me feel better. So----Thank you, Lilith”

“……….I see, then that’s good.