Absolute Duo Vol 4 Chapter 4

(Nothing strange could be felt, from what I could see…………)

After finishing lunch, I looked at Miyabi who was walking further in front while using the road to the school from the dorm.

She was talking with Tachibana and was showing her usual smile that would sometimes appear. This wasn’t the first time.

A few days has pa.s.sed since the weekends but, Miyabi has not shown that face that gave me chills since that day.

That was why I was wondering.

Was that smile just a dream?

Because I had that thought, I did not talk to-----or even consult this with anyone.

Even though I thought that “will that uneasiness I felt at that time take shape if I talked about it”, the chances for it to happen was considerably high.

I had a bad premonition.

I swung my head to stop the uneasiness arising in me.

“Tooru? What’s wrong?”

“No, nothing at all”

I wish it would always be peaceful here.

I don’t want it to be a fake.

When I wished that-----

“-----!!”

The wish broke at this moment.

A loud rotor sound and strong wind suddenly pa.s.sed by our heads.

I gasped since it came from a giant helicopter.

That’s because I saw this helicopter before.

After I saw this giant wheel type helicopter-----the helicopter that I saw during > again, I felt gooseb.u.mps around my whole body.

“Tooru!!”

After Julie shouted, it was almost at the same time that we started running towards the direction the helicopter was heading to----the school building.

[Tooru, Julie!?] [Tooru-kun!!]

Even though I could hear Tachibana's and Miyabi’s voice from behind, we didn’t stop our legs and headed towards the school.

“Tooru, that’s…….!”

Julie, who was one step slower than me, did not stop her legs and asked for confirmation from me.

“Ahhh, it’s those b.a.s.t.a.r.ds------the >'s helicopters!!”

The bad premonition I had just now happened in a different form.

(Is it another attack!? Or another goal!? d.a.m.n it, I never would have imagined that they would infiltrate here when it’s on full-alert and what’s more right in the day……..!!)

Suspicion and impatience were pushing my back while we reached the helicopters landing spot----the hall in front of the school. There were already 5 security members at the hall, cautious about the helicopter.

But, the security team weren’t the only ones at the hall.

There were around 20 students heading back to the school from the dorm because it was lunch time but, they were looking at the helicopter from a distance.

They just don’t know.

They don’t know that this helicopter belongs to the > that caused fear and chaos to them.

(I have to tell everyone-----)

Whether they pick to run or fight, I have to change their mood before they are attacked unguarded.

However, those conscious (thoughts) disappeared the moment I saw one teenager with sharp eyes in the helicopter.

“>----------!!”

My voice which echoed in the sky got the attention from everyone in my surroundings.

“Long time no see------oh I guess it wasn’t that long since we last met. It is an honor to meet you this fast, Kokonoe Tooru”

“I didn’t want to see your face though…..!!”

I placed my hands on my chest------and while placing my hands on the

Julie standing beside me also surfaced her > anytime.

However, our surroundings were different. They might feel that a serious atmosphere was floating around us and > but, they were looking at us and were whispering speculations without understanding the situation.

It’s probably because they couldn’t feel any danger since > was not wearing his > and was in a neck tie and suit.

“Can you please not make such a scary face. Just like what you see now, I did not come here to fight you today”

Even though he made a docile appeal by spreading out his hands, we did not release our cautiousness. “……….It seems my welcoming party is here”

“Eh………..?”

> looked away from us and looked at the school’s entrance.

I moved my sights there and saw the Kouryou academy chairman—the girl in black clothing’s there.

Tsukimi and Mukini-sensei were with her and slowly walked out with gazes fixed at them.

“I apologize for not giving any service last time”

“No, I had enough fun…….okay”

Together with his last words, > looked towards me and smiled.

“Then I have no worries then. However, for the last event and also today, we originally would refuse your visit to the academy since you haven’t received any permission from us beforehand”

“Oh well well, it seems we caused you great trouble even though I had no clue what it is”

> exaggeratedly bowed down; maybe it was to make us think he was polite and at the same time rude.

(d.a.m.n it, what do you mean by trouble, don’t screw with me…….!!)

When I thought about the many blood-sheds that occurred at this entrance, I felt anger and couldn’t forgive him for using a simple word like trouble.

At that moment, someone tapped my shoulders.

“Kokonoe. Is that guy……..”

It was Tachibana.

It seems that she just reached the hall; she was still in crutches even though the cast was taken off already.

Behind her was Miyabi making a stiff face but, she was looking at me waiting for the answer.

“…………He is >, the guy leading the >”

Miyabi’s body twitched the moment the word > came out. Tachibana’s face looks gloomy when she saw Miyabi’s reaction before saying “Like I thought” and asking me another question.

“Do you know what kind of goal this man has for appearing?”

“I don’t know-----but, I think you two should take some distance at least. He might not be wearing his battle suit but, he is an unpredictable fellow”

I think it’s going to be okay since Tsukimi and Mikuni-sensei are here but, this is just for the worst scenario.

“That might be a good idea. Miyabi let’s get away from this place. If that person is planning on doing something then, we might drag others down when the time comes”

Miyabi swung her head to the side when Tachibana said that.

“………I will fight”

“--------!?”

“It’s okay. Because I got stronger……….so it’s okay. I will show you how much stronger I got, Tooru-kun”

After saying that, Miyabi smiled.

Miyabi was making the smile that gave me the chills from a few days ago.

“W-what’s wrong with you, Miyabi……?”

Tachibana looked troubled at Miyabi, who was clearly acting weird.

Once again-----I became perplexed on what I should do, now that she shown that weird side of her.

However, in an unrelated matter, the conversation between the chairman and > was still ongoing.

“I will ignore that for today………okay then, can I ask you what kind of business do you have with us today?”

“I came here today to deliver a message from >-dono.------though I said that, it’s the same contents he told you directly the last time”

“If it is about the alliance then, I refused on the spot already am I wrong?”

“It’s just as you said-----but, more than 2 months have already pa.s.sed. The >-dono asked for your confirmation again…………..this time, I will be explaining a little more compared to last time”

The >---he is the > boss and the other existence other than >, who is the captain of the executive team. It was someone that even the >---Lilith, who lives selfishly, was not permitted to talk about------

(An alliance with him you say…….?)

They attacked us twice-------and on top of that, there were deaths too; just what were they thinking to talk about the alliance in a situation like that.

Adding on with Miyabi’s weird state, my thoughts turned even more messed up when I heard the negotiation that’s out of my comprehension.

“A further explanation huh. I get to hear the continuation?”

“Just like the > we > shown last time, our bodies were enhanced by the battle suits called the >. We were powered up to the extent that were able to fight against your-the >’s prided >”

“…………..Kuhah. Even though you said fight against, you lot were barely hanging on against a bunch of > brats”

Tsukimi shook her rabbit ears and snorted. Her soft voice clearly reached everyone who was watching the conversation while they were holding their breaths, and nervousness was floating in the air.

Of course, it reached > too-----

“Yes, it’s just as you said……….in the current stage though”

He did not deny it and made a smile that does not look like he was putting up a front before adding one last word.

“But, try thinking about this. We might be trained solders but, we are still human. However----“

> looked around before looking back at the chairman.

“Just imagine how high we would reach if someone that transcends humans were to put on a >. How about it? That is what you and the >-dono aimed-----“

“…..not interested. I have my own beliefs. After you go back, please tell that to him too”

“Fufu. Your will is very strong……but, I just can’t leave yet”

After saying that, > put his hands into his pocket and Mikuni-sensei covered the chairman when he saw him did so.

“Relax. There is something I want to show you”

After taking something out from his pocket-----

“……luckily, all the actors are here”

No, > pointed his sharp eyes towards the person beside me.

“Eh………?”

Their eyes met, and Miyabi opened her eyes wide in surprise.

“Congratulations. You are the glorious proto-type combination of the > and >”

While making a cold smile, > showed the switch he took out from his pocket.

“---------!!”

I felt something connecting and electricity shook my spine.

The words > said was related to the smile Miyabi showed which gave me a slight chill.

I perceived that with my six-sense.

“S-stop…..!”

I don’t know what > done to Miyabi.

But, my heart was telling me to stop him so-----

“Stoooooooooooooooooooooop………..!!”

I shouted and extended my hands.

But----that was all I could do.

“Show them your---->”

*Click*. A mechanical sound could be heard and-----

“……….ah-aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh!!”

Suddenly, a shout strong enough to split my ears appeared.

When I turned over, I saw the accessory on Miyabi’s neck pouring out some kind of black cloth and wrapping it onto her body. Her chest, fingers, legs, and even toes were covered in a thick layer and its appearance made her look like a coc.o.o.n------right after the accessory stopped producing the cloth, the black cloth dispersed and turned to dust.

“Mi-Miya-bi….?”

After seeing Miyabi appearing out from the black cloth, either it was I or Tachibana that was the one that let out a husky voice.

I was so shocked that I lost my senses to distinguish the sound.

That’s because I couldn’t believe that the girl in front of me was Miyabi.

In this area occupied mostly by people in student uniforms, she was the only one in a weird outfit.

The battle suit mainly black in color, fit her body and emphasized her female body line but on the other hand, there were boorish armor guards covering her limbs.

Also-----she was wearing a headgear and the visor was covering her eyes.

The visor was half-transparent and I'm able see her face if I got closer to her.

But even so, I and most likely Tachibana just couldn’t bring ourselves to accept that the girl in battle suit in front of us was Miyabi.

No. We didn’t want to believe.

That’s because, the headgear worn by this girl looks exactly like the equipment worn by the opponent----the > commander >, that we fought with our lives at stake.

I wasn’t the only one who felt the impact when she turned like that. The surrounding students felt it too.

Even though they couldn’t understand anything at first, they noticed the familiar headgear and a ripple of shock and discomposure was spread out.

[Oi, isn’t that…………..] [This is a joke, don’t tell me that’s………….!?] [There's no mistake……..!]

Right when the students were frozen in place without any clue on what to do, > opened his mouth.

“Okay, the time to achieve your wish has now come. Show him as you like.------the > that can kill G.o.ds, that you obtained!!”

“--------!!”

Opposite the visor, Miyabi opened her void eyes.

“A………aaa-ahh-aaaa-aaaaaaaah……….”

“J-just what happened to you, Miyabi! Why are you wearing something that abominable-------“

“Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh-----------!!”

Right when Tachibana slightly shook her shoulders, Miyabi shouted loudly.

“Miya……..bi......!?”

“Move aside……..”

“Eh……?”

Tachibana became blank when Miyabi said that.

“I told you to move aside, Tomoe-chan……because, you’re in my way……….”

“Wha………..what are you saying, Miyabi……..?”

“…………>”

The > was said in front of Tachibana when she was being blank-----

After the > danced, a giant >, easily over 2 meters, appeared in Miyabi’s hands.

*Bikiiiii*!! Next, the > was swept and together with a dullish sound, Tachibana was blown away.

Tachibana was unable to block the attack and fell down on the stone pavement.

“Uu-gu….a-aag………..”

Everyone in the hall was silently looking at her groaning on the ground----

It immediately turned to a state of terror.

While there were people who ran away while shouting in panic, there were also people who grabbed onto their >.

The security guards and several students jumped at Miyabi.

However-------they got warded off easily.

There fangs did not reach her; after the > was swung for the 2nd and 3rd time, everyone was on the ground.

It was an overwhelming >--------

I just stood there blankly because I didn’t think that the scenery in front of me was reality.

“Sorry, Tooru-kun. Did I make you wait……..?”

Through the visor, Miyabi made a wry smile apologetically.

That voice definitely belongs to the girl I knew.

“What………..what are you doing…...Do you know what you did to Tachibana and everyone huh, Miyabi----!!”

“…………because, everyone was in my way”

In the hall filled with shout and screams, Miyabi answered me with a tone so soft that I might miss it if I didn’t pay attention.

“You, know. I want to show my > to you, Tooru-kun. I told you last time right, I will show you how much stronger I got………..but even so, Tomoe-chan and everyone were in my way……….so, I had no choice”

Is this girl in front of me really Miyabi.

The Miyabi I knew would never have such empty eyes.

She won’t say that her friends are in her way.

More importantly------

“Okay, now that there isn’t anyone else in my way-------“

Impossible; there is no way she would make a distorted smile after hurting someone else.

“Just like what I promised, let me show you my >, Tooru-kun!!”

Just like what she said, she carried the > which usually took both her hands to finally carry, with just one hand and-----swung it down.

“-----, c.r.a.p…….!!”

The attack got closer when I was late to respond-----

“Tooru!!”

*Gooouu*!! The stone pavement broke and the ground shook.

I was-----safe.

Julie immediately pushed me down and protected me from the >.

“Are you okay, Tooru”

“Y-yeah. Sorry”

“Nai. It’s okay since you aren’t hurt”

Even though we were talking to each other, we stood up without looking away from Miyabi.

“……..don’t get in my way, Julie-chan. Do you want to end up like Tomoe-chan?”

“Nai. Even if this is Miyabi’s words, I won’t forgive you for hurting Tooru”

Julie looked slightly mad to Miyabi who said it in an irritated voice.

“Hurt? There is no such thing. I only want to show him how strong I have become”

Even though 1 minute hasn’t pa.s.sed since she hit Tachibana away with her > and treated her like hindrance, the girl said it as if nothing happened at all.

“Just like this----look!!”

She repeated a straight line attack again----but, I blocked it with my > this time.

(Kuh, this is Miyabi’s power huh…….!?)

The force was so strong that my body might get blown away from the impact if I didn’t lower my legs and hips.

I couldn’t hide my shock from the attack’s weight even though it looks like she was just swinging recklessly.

“*Giggle* finally. I finally can show Tooru-kun this. If I get you to believe that I got stronger by showing much more of my >-----it will be my turn to protect Tooru-kun”

Attacking the person that should be protected-----

Isn’t she aware of her illogical comment?

Miyabi made a distorted smile again and said this.

“Well then, I will show you more of my power okay, Tooru-kun”

“Wha!?”

The > remained pushing the > and Miyabi started pouring more strength, just like what she proclaimed.

“Guh…….Kuah………..!!”

I pushed back to Miyabi who was pressing down onto me.

This was just a simple push-----basically, it’s a simple power comparison.

But, the > Miyabi was gradually pushing me, who’s a > back.

(Th-this is the > of the >……!! This is bad, if this keeps up then----“

I would get blasted away this time.

The moment I thought that, Julie swung her > up from under the >.

Together with the strong sound of metals clashing, she lost the balance of the > and was flung upwards.

“Mou……..I told you not to get in my way, Julie-chan…….!”

Miyabi looked angry when Julie interfered.

At that time-----

“Kokonoe Tooru”

The chairman’s voice cut into the area.

“It looks like Hotaka Miyabi is obsessed with you. Then I will leave this place----and her to you”

That would mean that Tsukimi, Mikuni-sensei and the security guards won’t interfere.

“I understand, I will take full responsibility and stop Miyabi….!!”

I did not look away from Miyabi and replied back to the chairman.

Julie then stood in front of me and covered me.

“Tooru, please stand back”

“I can’t do that. We have to stop Miyabi or-----“

“That’s exactly why. We need the > to stop Miyabi”

It’s true that my > can’t do anything without harming her.

---leaving only one method left.

However, it won’t be achieved unless someone gets close to her but, there was no way I could leave this to Julie alone because of that reason.

“Okay I get it. But at least let me support you, I am Julie’s > after all”

“I understand. I am counting on you……..let’s go!!”

“Alright!!”

We ran towards Miyabi at the same time.

I placed my > towards the > which was swung down-----

This time, after diverting it down to the ground, broken small rocks scattered about and hit my body.

Julie took this chance to jump into Miyabi chest area and swung her > but, she dodged it by twisting her body and at the same time, she lifted her > before performing a counter. But, Julie jumped up and slashed down the same time when she was falling down.

*Gikiii*!! But, it was guarded by the handle and Julie got pushed away just like that. However, since it was Julie’s merit of having a light body, she turned her body mid air and landed as if nothing happened. But, she was easily blown 5 meters away.

“Let’s continue, Tooru-kun. Please look when no one is in my way, look, hey I told you to look at me more!! More more more more!!”

Her goal was only fixed at me and she came attacking me by swinging her >.

Miyabi was using the power she showed just now as she pleased, and she continued swinging the weapon which doesn’t feel like a heavy-weight weapon.

She was swinging it around like a light weighted rod, but actually, since each of the attacks were deadly, cold sweat would flow down each time I block them-----

*Clap**clap**clap*…………an applause that doesn’t fit in place echoed throughout the hall.

“Fufu, how magnificent. She power up wonderfully”

“>, what did you do to Miyabi!?”

“We just gave her the > of the >----that’s all. In the first place, the person that gave her that wasn’t me but rather it was >-dono”

“………oh my, from what I could see, it looks like she is mind-controlled-----or maybe something close right?”

(Mind-controlled.…….!?)

I looked at > in reflex when I heard the words the chairman said.

Looking away from the opponent in a fight would obviously result in a big mistake.

I failed to dodge the groaning thrust and a splash of red splashed up to the blue sky when my shoulder was grazed.

“-----!?”

Miyabi did not miss me losing my composure and turned while pulling back her > before bashing the side of my head with the handle. I was blown away and I saw Miyabi charging towards me when I fell on a guy who was looking at us from a distance, thus dragging him into the mess.

(c.r.a.p…….!!)

It was natural to dodge, but not blocking it would result in danger to the guy.

Also, the worst possible outcome was also valid.

That’s because-----right now, Miyabi’s safety was released.

The > is the weapon manifested by one’s >----

Because of that, no one will be harmed unless killing intent is poured in.

However, the warm blood flowing down my head and shoulder, were telling me that her heart of not harming anyone was not working and was just a story.

“Get away!!”

I pushed away the guy that got dragged into this.

After I heard him call my name, the tip of the spear approached me.

I crossed my arms in reflex-----

*Gyariiiii*!! Just like a replay of the event that happened in the >, the > and > clashed.

But, the conclusion was in the complete opposite. Forget stopping in place, I lost the sensation of my foothold and got slammed towards the stone pillar at the school entrance. Leaving aside the base of the top of the stone pillar, everything else was destroyed by the strong impact.

“Gu-uu……………”

Inside the dust, after i got up while my whole body was trembling from the pain, my sights suddenly turned dark.

The girl in battle suit was standing in front of me, blocking the sunlight while looking down to me.

Miyabi leveled her sights with mine and touched my cheeks.

“*giggle*……….how about it, Tooru-un. I am completely different from before right? From now on I will------“

The continuation of her words was blocked by the 2 echoing gunshots.

Miyabi, who was in front of me, took a hit at the head and chest before getting blasted behind.

“Hey you! I don’t know who you are but what are you doing to my husband?”

Lilith appeared from the school while spinning the > in her hand.

“Good morning, Tooru. Or should, good timing be a better choice?”

Lilith said she was going to take a small rest after lunch and went to do her thing but-----

“Miyabi!!”

I did not respond to the gold girl and shouted to the girl who fell onto the stone pavement with her back first.

“Ah, Tooru!! At least thank me for helping you in a pinch……..wait, Miyabi!? Wha-what’s going on!?”

Surprise was revealed on Lilith’s face after I called out to and she looked at Miyabi who was getting up.

The headgear and visor broke by the impact of the bullet and her real face was exposed.

“No way………..!? It’s really Miyabi……..!!”

“That b.a.s.t.a.r.d----> is mind-controlling her!!”

“J-just what is going on here…….!?”

Even Lilith couldn’t hide her bewilderment at the situation.

“Oh look what we have here, well if it isn’t Miss Bristol. It looks like Kokonoe Tooru misunderstood something but, we only gave her a choice-----she was the one that wanted >……..though, the > given to her has the function of clouding the user’s decision-making by strengthening their wishes”

“Don’t screw with me!!”

I lost to anger and ran towards > but-----

“Fuu. She got offended because you wanted to fight me”

Miyabi stood between me and >.

“Kuh! Move aside, Miyabi! Why must we fight…..!?”

But my voice didn’t reach her.

“Why……..? Same thing goes to you too, Tooru-kun, why won’t you look at me? I became this strong but why? Why Why Why Why Why Whyyyyyy!!”

“I have no clue on what’s going on but, I’ll stop you from moving for now, Miyabi!!”

Even though she couldn’t grasp the situation, Lilith pulled the trigger to stop Miyabi, who was charging at me.

3 continuous gunshots echoed----but, Miyabi who now has body power worth fearing after wearing the >, saw through the bullets path and blocked it with her >. Of course, she did not stop charging but instead she accelerated even faster.

Julie’s Silver BlondeSilver hair fluttered when she ran towards Miyabi from the side.

“Miyabi, please stop it already……….!!”

Even though it was to stop her, Julie swung her sword with a sad expression because she had to attack her friend.

Miyabi stabbed the > into the ground and performed a pole vault to the air to dodge the straight slash. After taking away Julie’s mid-air specialty, Miyabi send a sharp and cold glare to her before----kicking her.

Julie was unable to dodge the kick and took a direct hit.

She might have a small body but, she tumbled on the stone pavement for 2 and 3 times----

The moment it was about to reach the 4th time, Tachibana caught her properly.

With one of her arms limping, Tachibana distorted her expression from the impact she got from catching Julie and shouted.

“Please stop this Miyabi!! Why! Why would you do this to your friend!! You aren’t someone that would do something like this!!”

“What do you mean by why……….You sure say some weird stuff huh, Tomoe-chan. I have been saying this from just now. I just wanted to show Tooru-kun my >, now that I became stronger”

“> isn’t your >!! That is just something you borrowed; please don’t call that your >, Miyabi!!”

There was someone making a sneer when Tachibana shouted in anger and sadness.

“Fufu, Hahaha! Borrowed, now that’s one interesting way to put it. Of course for you, didn’t everyone else in this place excluding the >-dono, transcend by borrowing the > called >? That’s basically plating the > with-----“

“Quiet, >!!”

“………Houu, are you saying that it’s different?”

*Suuu* >’s sharp eyes narrowed.

His light smile did not disappear and asked for the continuation.

“It’s true that at first, I thought the exact same thing. That, we obtained a borrowed > called >…….but-----“

I brushed off >’s sights by glaring back and shouted.

“But it’s different now! I found out that, the > won’t sublimate unless we improve ourselves more!! The > gained from effort, suffering and regret isn’t called borrowed >! It’s called real >!!”

I moved my sights to Miyabi and told her.

“And….the person that taught me that------was you Miyabi”

“Me……?”

Miyabi responded to me when I called her name and I nodded.

“You kept running every day. In order to become faster than yesterday as much as possible……….you're now able to run the distance that you couldn’t finish at first. That’s why you were able to become >…….however, you couldn’t reach >”

“………………”

Even though Miyabi’s face turned gloomy, I continued talking.

“To me, the > sublimation is just a prize for working hard but-------it’s something like the combination of all the efforts we paid daily. That’s why, I think that is real >………but, Miyabi. What is that > you gained? Did you want to show me that borrowed power; that fake power to me!?”

“Uu………..a-aah…………I…….I…………”

“Don’t rely on a fake! The reason why you're able to run fast now is because you worked hard every day right! Believe in the > you gained through effort!! Believe in the strength of your heart that was able to make you continue that effort!!”

“I-I want…..Po-wer……….i want………to become………..powerful and show…….”

“I believe it!! I believe the strength of your heart Miyabi!!”

The girl fell because she got charmed by the devil because of her weakness.

But I believe in the real strength that would overcome that weakness.

“Take back the strength of your unyielding heart, Miyabi-----!!”

I shouted my wish and the air shook-----

It shook Miyabi’s >.

“Tooru-kun………I…….”

Light returned back into her void eyes.

“Miyabi!!”

But-----

“U-uuu……..!! aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa--------------!!”

But it only lasted an instant.

The same time the object on her chest flickered, Miyabi shouted in pain.

“Ah………hnn, a-aah…….Too-ru-kun……….”

“Miyabi, are you alright!?”

“Look……at me……..”

“-------!!”

While making a painful expression, Miyabi held up the > at her hips.

The tip was fixed pointed right at me.

“Here..I come………To-oru…….kun….!”

Miyabi kicked the ground.

“Tooru!!”

I stopped Lilith and shouted.

“Don’t lose to that fake >, Miyabi----------!!”

I did not move at all when Miyabi was charging at me and stared right at her while believing her.

Our sights clashed instantly------

Right after Miyabi had a painful and confused expression; she closed her eyes and shouted.

“Uuaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa---------!!”

Even though the tip lost some of its momentum-----

*ZuGuun*!! The > pierced deep into me.

“Guh, Kahah……..!!”

She stopped right when half of the spear was buried inside my chest.

I collapsed while it was stabbed into my chest.

“Ah………”

Miyabi’s face looked confused at the action she has just done.

“Aa-ah…….To-Tooru-kun………..Noooooooooooooo!!”

Her scream echoed.

“Tooru-kun!! I………..I, what have I…….n-no, Tooru-kun please don’t die, Tooru-kuuuuuuuun!!”

Miyabi made a scream filled with regret and pain.

With the > pierced into me-----I lifted my face and smiled.

“You’ve done it, Miyabi………..”

“Eh………..? Too-ru-kun…..you’re alive……….?”

“Aah, I am alive……..that’s because, Miyabi……….you won against the fake………….”

Yes, Miyabi won.

There was not even one drop of blood at the tip of the >, which was thrusted into my chest.

Even though she didn’t stop her charge, Miyabi was able to seal the (her) killing intent when she regained consciousness.

“Uu-n…………..I couldn’t do it alone……..it’s because, Tooru-kun………..believed me, and that’s why, i----------“

Mid-way through her words, the object on her chest flickered again.

That egg-shaped object stuck on her chest-----

The device that poured out and equipped the > on Miyabi was flickering.

“----Ah…….!?”

Miyabi suddenly pulled out the >.

“Miyabi…….?”

“U-uu……..my body is moving on……its own………no……! Run away, Tooru-kun………..!!”

She aimed the > at me again after pulling it out.

(That device is the one controlling Miyabi…..!? If that’s the case----)

Miyabi would be freed from the > of the > if I destroyed that.

However, my > is a >.

It’s not a weapon to destroy the device without hurting Miyabi.

But, there’s a way.

Even though it’s an equipment meant for blocking, my > is still a >.

“I will save you now…….Miyabi!!”

To make that happen, I stood up and made a stance even though I was wobbly.

The > moved Miyabi’s body.

The moment she was about to stab me again with the >----

I stepped towards the tip.

The tip was deflected by my > and slightly went off course-----

At the same time, I twist my body and slipped into Miyabi’s chest area.

I pushed the > to Miyabi; more specifically I was pushing to the device on her chest.

I then pulled my arm back like pulling back an arrow.

“Miyabi, believe in me……..I will definitely---save you!!”

“U-uun……I believe you. I believe that Tooru-kun will save me……..!!”

Miyabi smiled.

That is the smile I knew.

So I nodded.

I released the power and performed > on the inner side of the >.

I used it with my palm and not with my fist; the impact was pa.s.sed through the >-----it’s a shield bash.

The transmitted impact destroyed the > of the >.

Without harming Miyabi at all.

“Thank you……..Tooru-kun…….”

I stopped Miyabi from falling.

Although she was unconscious, I confirmed her breathing; whether she was breathing normally before I exhaled in relief.

Looking at that, *Clap**clap**clap*…………an applause was given to me to celebrate this conclusion.

“Wonderful. I never would have thought that you could defeat her without harming at all………is that the “Protect” phrase you told me about?”

“Aah, that’s right.------but, I'm going over there to give you a good punch….!!”

After leaving the fainted Miyabi to Lilith, I got closer to the person that applauded----> while wobbling over to him.

“Fufu, sadly my goal has already been achieved. I will take my leave now”

“Don’t screw with me!! There’s no way I would go “Oh, is that so” and let you go back, after you caused something like this!!”

But unlike my energy, my feet were unstable and my view was hazy.

Although the > did not take my life, my was deeply injured.

Each time I closed my eyes, it was probably impossible to maintain my consciousness.

But even so, I took a step towards > and another one after that before----

I swung my fist.

However, forget using >, it was so weak that calling it a punch was wrong.

My powerless fist, tapped on >’s chest.

“d.a.m.n……….it……….”

Forget punching him away, > did not move even for a bit; and I spat my anger and regret at him.

“Fufu, this is exactly the phrase a mere shadow of one’s former self but-----one hit is still one hit right……..!!”

The moment > touched my fist, my whole world turned upside down.

Just when I thought that I saw the blue sky, a strong impact attacked my whole body-----and my body turned hazy.

I regained my consciousness during the evening------I was on top of the infirmary's bed.

Of course, it was after > left the academy------

I swung my fist down at the bed with anger and resentment.

“Ah………re……….where is…………?”

Miyabi woke up during the afternoon of the next day after > left the academy.

Her view was pure white, and faster than her realizing that it was the ceiling, a voice that she heard the most in these few months called out to her.

“You woke up huh, Miyabi”

“Tomoe-chan………? Errr………….”

Miyabi’s memories were in disarray; she could not understand the situation and Tomoe continued smiling at her.

Normally, Tomoe should be in cla.s.s but she managed to convince the academy that she had to be with Miyabi as her >, and was with her since yesterday.

Of course, Miyabi had no means of knowing that fact since she was sleeping the whole time; she raised her body while her thoughts were still hazy.

“Wait, you shouldn’t raise your body-----------“

“Where is this place……….?”

Tomoe’s stop did not reach Miyabi and her hazy thoughts, and after she raised her body, she looked around the room.

From what she could see, she knew that this wasn’t her room.

Although the room was white and clean, the room looked a little mechanical; Miyabi has a past of coming to this room but, she couldn't reach that far with her consciousness right now.

“……It’s the infirmary. There were no other wounds other than the one you got from the > but, you were sent here for a check up just in case”

“Check up…………..?”

Why was she in the check-up room, though she asked that question, she looked at her > and----- For the first time, she noticed Tomoe’s arm covered in bandages.

“-----!!”

Suddenly, all of her memories came back as if she got struck by lightning.

The memories of the smiling old man that gave her the >.

The memories of being possessed by the > she gained.

The memories of her swinging that > and hurting Tooru, Tomoe and other Kouryou academy students; everything came back.

“A……..a-aah…….! I………what have I………….!!”

Miyabi held her head and got horrified at the things she has done.

Tomoe brought her free arm and hugged Miyabi.

“It’s already over”

“But……….but………!”

“It’s okay…….though I said that, there’s no way you wouldn’t be concerned huh. But this is probably a punishment for the foolish me……….who wasn't looking properly at my precious friend called Hotaka Miyabi, my >-----no, even if you aren’t my >”

“Punishment, no way……it was my fault for listening to the old man, and believing that the fake > was my own strength…………..”

“Believing is putting it wrongly. It seems that the > has a function that can control thoughts to a certain extent”

Miyabi swung her head even though she heard the words > said.

“However……..! At first it was different………It was because I was weak………that I used that >……….and hurt Tomoe-chan, Tooru-kun and many people……….!!”

Miyabi properly has the memories of wearing the >.

“We only gave her a choice-----she was the one that wanted >”

The words > said were correct.

The thirst for power was born from her lack of strength and as a result, she pressed the switch.

“It’s because I am weak…….”

Teardrops moistened her cheeks. That’s because tears were falling off Miyabi’s eyes.

Tomoe hugged Miyabi harder and swung her head before talking gently.

“No one is strong from the start. Everyone is weak at the beginning. That goes for me, Kokonoe, and everyone too. And it’s not like I am strong now too. I'm just trying to be stronger”

Tomoe couldn’t make the judgment that her voice was reaching Miyabi, whose shoulders were trembling and wasn't lifting her face.

But even so, Tomoe continued talking about the things she thinks about regularly.

“Humans are weak. Because we are weak, there are times we make mistakes. But-----I think it’s important to make a choice during the time we notice the mistake…………just like what I said just now, this event was not only your fault, it’s mine too. So-----“

After taking a small distance, Tomoe intentionally use a stronger tone for her next words.

“I want to become stronger”

Miyabi’s body twitched without her lifting her face.

Tomoe did not refer to it and talked with a voice as gently as possible.

“I want-----the strength to step closer to a friend’s heart, the strength to help my friend in trouble, the strength to accept the faces of new friends that I don’t know about”

The strength she described was different from the strength that Miyabi got tempted by.

Tomoe wished for the strength of bonds and something even more than that.

“That’s why Miyabi. Will you stay as my > from now on? Will you hold the feeling of getting stronger in your heart with me? Will you help straighten my path if I was led astray? Will you----become my real friend?”

The person to choose Tomoe’s wish, which could be also called as desire, was Miyabi.

Take Tomoe’s hand and stay in Kouryou academy.

Swing her head to Tomoe and leave Kouryou academy.

Miyabi made a choice.

“I------“