Accel World Vol 3 Chapter 3 (2/2)
After hearing that, Haruyuki also felt unease.
He did not think that Chiyuri would easily accept other legion's invitation, however what's said and done, «Nega Nebulas»'s leader is Kuroyukihime who is in no way on friendly terms with Chiyuri. If those two had a big fight, and Chiyuri being impulsive. She might leave the legion on momentum, and the situation where she might be fished up by the enemy group could happen— no, the probability is pretty high—
”...It could happen, that...”
After murmuring, a tremor shook his back, and Kuroyukihime said after a big sigh.
”Here, I really need to open up and have a discussion with her.”
”...Th-That's right.”
When they have that discussion, he definitely would not want to be there, and also he felt uneasy about something that exists but couldn't be seen. At least before that he need Tak.u.mu to find ways to deal with all kinds of development, and put effort into them having a good resolution.
—Let's work hard. Maximum work hard.
With that decision, he held his right fist that was below the table tightly, and at that moment, however Kuroyukihime said something unexpected.
”Well, anyway, it's a topic that's ten days too early to approach.”
”Huh? Te-Ten days? Why wait that long?”
”Why, you say...?”
With a slightly dumbfounded expression, the black clothed uppercla.s.sman readily answered.
”School field trip.”
”What!?”
”It should be written in the yearly schedule file distributed during today's homeroom. From the Sunday four days later, the new 3rd year students will be going on a one week school field trip. The destination is Okinawa, so think about what you want for a gift.”
—Okinawa!?
In his brain, Rafute — Mimiga — Sokisoba[1], those and other words scrolled one after another, but you can't bring those things all the way to Tokyo, so it must be that, that donut like, that is, Sata...
”Andagi[2]? But if that is not freshly fried, it's not tasty.”
Somehow he had said it out loud, and after Kuroyukihime replied, he snapped back to normal, and hurriedly shook his head.
”Wa-Wait a minute please. One week!? Then Chiyu's matter can wait... no, before that, what about the next weekend's territory battle!?”
«Official Territory Battle», or normally called Territory Battle, occurs every Sat.u.r.day evening, it is a team battle to fight over a legion's area of control.
The Black legion, «Nega Nebulas» that Haruyuki belonged to, currently controls Suginami 1st to 3rd battle fields, that is all of Suginami, but to maintain that control, they have to keep 50% wins of opponent challenges that come during territory battle.
Team battle's win or loss is determined by either side's total destruction, or if time up then the remaining number of people, and furthermore if same number then by the amount of remaining HP gauge. Recently, Haruyuki was no longer completely shot down like before even if the opponent was a sniper, but that was because he had his leader Kuroyukihime with overwhelming attack power for an attacker there, so he felt at ease.
No, even before that, the reason they could match the challenger's team in numbers was only when they have three or more people for defense. One person, or two people could go out for defense, so this would mean that—
”Wha? You mean, just Taku and I have to handle three enemy opponents?”
”Fumu, well, that is what it means.”
After a nonchalant nod, Kuroyukihime swelled the milk tea in her cup.
”The ideal way is, if Kuras.h.i.+ma-kun joined our legion in time for next week, we might overcome that... but one week after becoming a Burst Linker, going into a territory battle might be asking too much. Anyway, with you and Tak.u.mu-kun for tag team, you can outdo those three person team.”
”Ye...Yeah...”
He definitely did not dislike being told that, so Haruyuki showed a subtle smile.
”I will put in the effort, but... th-then, if that could not happen it could not be helped right. We can take it back the week after right.”
”No, that's no good.”
She turned her head to the side.
”This Suginami, I cannot stand having another legion's flag on it. Since it's like this, Haruyuki-kun. Defend it till death.”
”Defend it till death!?”
Looking at Haruyuki who was going to be in tears, Kuroyukihime gave an 'Oh dear!' kind of smile.
And then, suddenly said an incredible line.
”Let's see... Then, let's do this. If next week's defense is successful, as a reward I will grant you one wish. It can be anything. How about that?”
”Reward!?”
Suddenly, Kuroyukihime's words that could only be like a physical attack hit him directly between his eyes, and Haruyuki leaned back on his chair. He dangerously recovered his balance, and returned to the front with a *Clank*, with both of his hands shaking.
Anything...? What is anything!? All I can eat of school meals? No, that is possible for shops outside school too?
Nono, it's not limited to eating. Like just the two of them going out somewhere... No, asking her to come play at his home... Then getting direct connection... Furthermore with cable length of one meter, no, 50cm, no, 30cm is also possible? Is it possible!?
”Ah, let me warn you, a wish beyond my ability is impossible. Like eating spaghetti through the nose.”
”Wh...Who could do that!!”
With his pink fantasy fully wiped, Haruyuki slid down on his chair.
After shaking his head lightly many times, his thoughts returned to normal.
”An...Anyway, I will put out my full effort... Also, while senpai is away, I will give Chiyu the basic lectures...”
”Good. After that, I will give her joining request for the legion.”
At that point, Kuroyukihime took a quick glance at the clock display on the edge of her view.
”...So, I should return to the student council room soon. That's right, didn't you have something you want to talk about?”
”Ah, I had.”
After nodding, Haruyuki quickly continued.
”No, it's not something important though. The new first year students, there doesn't seem to be a Burst Linker in it, just that.”
”You also checked huh. I also looked at the matching list through the school's Local Net earlier, indeed the addition was Kuras.h.i.+ma-kun... «Lime Bell» only...”
As she said that, there seemed to be a bit of unclear feeling mixed in her tone, and Haruyuki suddenly remembered Kuroyukihime's one instance of stare from above the stage during school entrance ceremony. So he timidly asked about that.
”Ah... Senpai, after you finished your speech, did you notice someone in the first years?”
Then Kuroyukihime made a ”Fu” wry smile, and shook her head.
”You managed to see that. No, it's not to the degree of noticing. To say it strongly... I felt a presence, something like that.”
”P-Presence?”
”You should also have experienced it. In the «Duel Field», somewhere a sniper is hidden while aiming the scope at you, like that...”
That was the highest rank unpleasant feeling for Haruyuki in the accelerated world, so his face involuntarily stiffened, but soon after Kuroyukihime shook her finger with 'Nono' gesture.
”In the end, there were no new Burst Linkers in the first year students, so it's my hallucination. ...Well then, I will excuse myself here.”
”Ah... I am going home as well.”
Haruyuki had already become a brand new 2nd year student, so he now had the privilege to use the lounge, but he did not have the guts to remain in this fancy s.p.a.ce by himself. He stood up after Kuroyukihime, and put his cup in the recycling bin, then an incoherent thought crossed his mind.
—That earlier «Anything reward», could that also apply to Taku?
No, no way, he wanted to deny it like that, but to Kuroyukihime for Brain Burst related matters, she treated Haruyuki and Tak.u.mu exactly the same way. If it was a reward for working hard during territory battle, then it would not be strange to be for both of them.
—But, even so, for Taku who is single minded about Chiyu, he should not request something far out of senpai.
—But that guy also hardcore wors.h.i.+ps senpai. He used «Master» to call her too. For a knight, Taku is way more appropriate... Senpai would also not be dissatisfied with it...
Following to the left behind of Kuroyukihime who was walking towards the cafeteria entrance, with his brain giving out steam due to over thinking, Haruyuki involuntarily said.
”Ah... That is, senpai.”
”Nn?”
Looking at the profile of the white face that turned around with glossy hair swaying, after he opened and closed his mouth a few times, Haruyuki fearfully inquired.
”Earlier, the talk about two princes and one princess. That, how would senpai decide...?”
Then, Kuroyukihime put up a fearless smile and instantly replied.
”I don't even have to think about it. Fight with me, I will pick the winner.”
And then, while walking, she extended her left hand index and middle fingers lined straight, and aimed right at Haruyuki's heart.
Hiii'
His back cowered, and after stubbing his toes on the leg of the cafeteria long table, Haruyuki again realized.
Having strange suspicions of this person is absolutely meaningless.
References
↑ all three are pork related Okinawa dishes
↑ Sata andagi— sweet deep fried buns of dough similar to doughnuts
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