Vol 4 Chapter 2 (1/2)

Chapter 2 - Dropout Alliance

Part 1

Speaking about hopeless

The 23rd platoon which had entered the 35th's test platoon's room had similar circumstances to the Small Fry Platoon, and their platoon consisted of three ave up on school because of injuries or circumstances in their homes They couldn't hold any satisfactory activities and were the third worst in the rankings

It wasn't just the 23rd platoon, the 8th platoon was there as well as the 42nd who had low performance for similar reasons It see effective use of the rules of Witch-Hunting festival

And they proposed that the Small Fry Platoon also joins them

”Thank you for co Welcome, our dark horse”

A honour student-like boy with glasses rested a hand on his chin and said so to the Small Fry Platoon members

It seeanized the alliance

In front of him, was a plate on which it ritten 『Dropout Alliance Interim Leader』

Dropout Alliance

The fact they wrote that about themselves, made Takeru feel some familiarity

The interim leader placed his hands on the desk and stood up slowly, his eyes shone as he faced all the dropouts who gathered

”Now then, as you ht already knoe are at the very bottom of this school”

”acting self-deprecating froo”

A female student from the 23rd test platoon said so loudly

”It's not acting self-deprecating It's a fact We need to accept reality”

The leader e his fist, the other members couldn't really deny it

Takeru also lost the fighting spirit froained composure As if he was dust in the corner of the room, he sat down on the chair that was prepared for him

”Therefore, don't you think this Witch-Hunting festival is a chance? We have the manpower we have wisdom and we have those beauties! There's no ill lose!”

swish, the interiirls)

Beauties Certainly, the Sh level Although the girls theood they were eye-catching just by walking in the city

However, what did that have to do with Witch-Hunting festival

”I see”

Ikaruga as sitting cross-legged on her chair shook her head

”So you want us to join alliance with that as your irls”

As she said that, interim leader was startled and his shoulders trembled

They tried to recruit the Small Fry Platoon so that they could use its female members The Small Fry Platoon wasn't invited out of charity, there was a reason for that

The member's faces immediately displayed annoyed expressions

Only Ikaruga responded to the interi relaxed

”There are those people who use popular voice actors and cosplayers as salesgirls That attitude of people wanting to do anything to sell I don't hate it”

Takeru and the others had no idea as she talking about

However both interi so with each other

”——However”

After sya loudly placed her leg on the desk, acting full of herself

”If you want to use our girls, I take it you are prepared accordingly? Even our rotten test platoon will not help you out if there's nothing in it for us, we're not suckers ill trust you out of desperation you know?”

While putting a a said that, her eyes looked like that of a salesman

As a tense atmosphere drifted in the air, the other Small Fry Platoon members whispered to each other in the back

”is it just et turned on?”

”She seee of idols she seee now”

”This is not good Suginami plays really dirty when she's like that”

”I don't know a Suginami who doesn't play dirty”

As Takeru naturally mixed into their conversation, Ouka made an unhappy face

”Kusanagi, you are the captain You should be the one negotiating with other platoons, what are you doing by sitting leisurely”

”Sitting like this all this tiht Takeru, you should be the one to take charge here as the captain”

”That is right If you leave it to Suginami, who knoe will be forced to do”

girori, everyone's stares were directed towards Takeru

And he averted his face immediately

”No I I'ood with this kind of atmosphere”

”Don't act like a coward While I don't agree with this Witch-Hunting festival's systeood opportunity to prove ourselves A chance to improve communication between us”

”Although it's not so the one who lacks communication skills the most should say I also think we shouldn't leave all cooperation inami and this aard atether to build a hari-chan thinks so too, right?”

Asked for support, Usagi was confused

”I-in the future?”

”? The one who tried the i-chan There's only a few months left so we need to earn points, don't we?”

Usagi went silent and looked down below

”II don't care about anyone other than platoon members above all I want memories——”

When Usagi was about to say it, the alliance ed

The interim leader raised his voice

”I festival is an iath to the fullest! Why do you think we made this alliance for?!”

Ikaruga plunged him into despair, the Small Fry Platoon members who didn't hear tall of it started to pay attention Ikaruga crossed her arly

”No ather——your ideas are still that of a small fry!”

The members of the other platoons had a bitter look on their faces, Takeru and the others also thought of the sa

(””””Even though your ideas are always the worst””””)

They knew just how ridiculous were Ikaruga's ideas, so they wanted to retort But Ikaruga forced it through anyway

”In that aspect, I have both ability and confidence that will allow us to succeed Leave this entire project to me In fact I am a death dealer, an ex Alc a a business woman”

She aled to cover it up

”That won't do We have too much pride to do that We cannot let you take initiative alone Suginami-kun even if you are the captain of the Small Fry Platoon the same as me”

The interia's proposal with a serious face

Takeru agreed with his opinion as well

Yeah yeah, that's right eh?

He caught on so into Ikaruga's eyes

The name plate that was placed in front of the participants

The plate that was placed in front of Ikaruga had written on it 'Small Fry Platoon Captain'

Takeru sneakily crouched and o to the toilet during a movie

”U-uinami-san when did you become our captain?”

”I don't know Since they placed it in front of me, I acted like so”

”If you noticed, then don't act like one”

”Can Kusanagi finalize this alliance?”

”If you say that I cannot refute, but why are you so motivated?”

”Motivated? Does it look like that? That's your iht?”

That's what Ikaruga said, but her eyes were sparkling like that of a young girl

”Ufu, ufufufu, I'll take over this alliance I'll be able to do things I couldn't, I'll do all of it there will be no mercy ufufuhiuhihehehe”

Correction Her eyes were shi+ning like those of a beast

After that, neither Takeru nor the other platoons could do anything, and it's needless to say that the alliance was hijacked by Ikaruga

Planning in progress, by Suginaa

With just that, it was clear that so will happen

”I apologize, it shouldn't have turned out like that”

Takeru received a note froized in the broad hallway

It was a a wrote as she planned, written on it were the necessary s listed on the memo Other members also went out separately

Mentioned on the s like cat ears, swimsuits, maid outfits

isn't it all her hobbies She's definitely intending to run a cosplay café

He could roughly tell what she was planning now

”There's no need for Kusanagi-kun to apologize I have to apologize instead I thought that girl in the white coat was the captainand told that to the interim leader, it's because of me sorry”

As she said there's no need to mind it, Takeru lamented his own lack of presence

He calmed his heart and returned to the conversation about the Witch-Hunting festival

”But all of the guys in the alliance want points although it is like that, it's not a good idea to leave it to Suginami”

”Yup, e don't know much about such mundane hobbies and festivalsSince we attended normal elementary and middle schools, we don't have any confidence at this type of event That's why having a person like that ill pull people in, is a good result for us”

”A-ahaha you ht”

He felt as if he was told he wasn't a type that could pull people in, and his wounds deepened

pon pon Ouka who stood behind hi him

”Speaking of which, it's the first time for me to speak with Ootori-san I've heard a lot of rumors about you I'm the captain of the 23rd platoon, i-kun, I wasn't the captain at first”

Nice to meet you, and with that she held out her hand to Ouka

Following her, were the two in the back ”I'aho extended their hands

Ouka was e for help, but he pretended not to notice it

After wiping her sweaty hand with hem of her skirt, she finally held Ishi+da's hand

”N-nice to meet hyu”

She bit her tongue She had a stiff facial expression and her movements were like that of a robot

”A-ahaha Ootori-san is really cute You have a bit cool ie”

”Right— She had an aura thatit's surprisingly different If possible, could you tell us stories about the time when you worked as a Witch HunterDullahan? I really want to hear it”

”Umm, eh! I've been curious about it for a while, you have a really beautiful hair, is that your natural colour? What treatment do you use?”

After being approached by the three students, Ouka was flustered Seeing that Takeru laughed in secret

Not yet, it seems like she still didn't kno to communicate with people other than the Small Fry Platoon members

He thought it was char like this with students other than her own platoon's ht

The school festival ood opportunity

Test platoons were originally rivals who co They worked together toand their co the platoon activities It felt like there was no wall between them

Even as he walked down the hallway, he felt an unusual atmosphere

Everyone was desperate for points like usual, they ran around and decorated the classrooe could be felt

Although they lived their school life while facing death daily, they were still teenagers

Rather a desperate joint struggle, it was more like a harmonious collaboration that came out nicely,

”shi+t! It's a sabotage from a different platoon! All of the equipment is broken!”

”the 53rd platoon's stall suffered! Hurry up and order fresh cream! Buy it all out! Don't let others do it before you!”

Intelligenceinforuard left to distribute leaflets in the city! Maintenancethe classrooms! They didn't turn off the switches of their intercoms and reported all the time!

”No way! Even though we ymnasium after all this trouble, the popular idol said its a NG?! When it co, we!”

Is what he thought, but after taking a closer look, it seems like a he was surrounded by enemies

”They're so desperate it's surreal”

”It's a natural result of AntiMagic Acade points for this is wrong”

Ouka ran away froe of questions, she crossed hands in front of her and said so that sounded like it came from a class-committee member

”Well, since we're already doing it, let's enjoy it We've been only doing dangerous things recently, so we need to take a breather as well”

Takeru said so soothingly, but Ouka had an unpleasant expression on her face

”I' convinced, but I'll do my best”

”you really hate ad defeat”

”We have no tiht? At this rate you won't be able to advance to second year, are you fine with the 35th platoon dis? I'm not”

”ooh”

Ouka realized what she said and looked away

Takeru looked forward happily with a big smile on his face

”You're right Yeah At this rate I won't be able to stay together with you guys That'd be troubling I don't want that either”

”What! Why do you have such a happy expression on your face! I'ain——”

”I know I didn't say anything about that right?”

As Takeru turned his s face towards his

He wondered if he teased her too much, and reflected on it But Takeru was very happy that Ouka thought of the platoon as so important

”A-anyway, let's do it seriously I need to go out to town quickly I need to s”

He covered it up lightly and took out the note from his pocket

That's when the ringtone of Ouka's phone rang out

Ouka took out her cellphone and opened what seemed to be an e-mail

”sorry, Kusanagi I've been called out Can I ask you to take care of ?”

”? I don't really -ter care of the Alchemist caseand you don't have any leftover contact with people from Witch HunterDullahan”

”No, it's a call from the student council”

She herself had a questioning look as she closed her phone

Student council? Why were they calling Ouka?

”well, it's not that strange I've been invited to the student council before”

”To the student council? You?”

”I'hter, they think I have potential”

”Isn't that awesome, it's a quick road to promotion”

Takeru raised a voice of admiration

AntiMagic Academy's student council

There are student council elections every year, only excellent people can be listed as candidates, but the student council was a bit different from the ones at normal schools

AntiMagic Acadeinally platoons are separated by years, but student council was a special case that underwent curriculurades at once

First year's needed 200 points, second years needed 300 points and third years needed 400 points The student council couldn't proe, only the student council could undertake missions of B-class risk

They organize school events, order the equipe whether a platoon can undertake chosen mission Since the Chairman is responsible for the entire Inquisition, it's the student council who organizes athe student council is the quickest way to become one of the upper echelons of Inquisition, it's said that it produced many excellent Inquisitors up to this date

”I'her-ups cannot take part in investigation You guys knohat iven up on it”

Ouka narrowed her eyes, there was darkness dwelling inside of her pupils

Her goal was to hunt down the witch who killed her family She won't be satisfied unless she kills that witch with her own hands If she becoations That's why she had no interest in promotion

Revenge Takeru too, was once at thecontrolled by his feelings That's because he are that there was so else he had to do

That's why, he had no intention of denying Ouka her revenge

'Nothing good co

But he agreed that there's no salvation for soe

That's why he decided to be by her side, and shoulder half of it

So that when everything is over, she doesn't become an empty shell

Takeru stood still, and Ouka pushed forward

Even though that was the difference between the two of theether

”Also if I entered the student council, I would quit our platoon”

”Nn? Did you say so?”

”I-its nothing! A-anyway, I' to you! Do your best in my stead!”

Ouka hit Takeru's shoulder and ran away from the spot

Takeru looked at her back with a wry siven

Part 2

It was 2 p festival preparation

Although it was voluntary, the majority of the students rushed the preparations for this Witch-Hunting Festival

It was evening, the students were running restlessly under the orange dyed sky Usagi as in charge of collecting infor on the stores prepared by other platoons

”I didn't intend on beco a CovertBanshee”

With a disgruntled expression she walked through the courtyard with a notepad in one hand

As she looked around, there were so with just their own platoon, and the places where several platoons were aier jointly

There were some classic festival stalls like crepes and fried noodles stalls

But there was also an exhibition of a self-uns built with authentic anti-ic ic rounds where you could experience real coe part of the festival

Rather than ignorance of the outside world, it gave an i from another world

”The only one ould be happy with such a thing would only be a inami”

Usagi shook her head and sighed

”haa”

She put the investigation on hold and sat down on a bench in the courtyard

While looking at the students dyed by colours of the sunset, she blanked out for a moment

Everyone was desperate, but this ti fun

It felt like an infinitely distant scene She's been desiring to see this scene of people having fun ever since she was in middle school When she was in h the cause of that was quite complex, but mainly it was because of her position in Saionji house that was like shackles to her

As not to stain the name of Saionji, she put a lot of effort but with no results and yet boasted of the Saionji nahed at her and distanced themselves if she was like that

Saying it wasn't hard, would be a lie

For her ordinary self, the name of Saionji was too heavy

””

After she entered the high school and joined the 35th platoon, the lonely feeling of it being a distant scenery was lost

”I can't return to those days again”

She looked up at the sky, and recalled it

The feeling as if she was being crushed by those days The pain that felt like she was dying

When she thought of that pain that slowly eroded her heart which awaited her again, she sank in despair

”hmph!”

In order to shake off the feeling she was sinking into, Usagi hit her cheeks with both of her hands

She cannot do that It was the Witch-Hunting festival after all Before she quits school, she could make some fun memories

Usagi got fired up and stand up from the bench

But when she tried to raise her body, there was so her face against that person

”Ah I-I apologize I spaced out”

Wanting to apologize, she raised her head in a hurry

The i froze

Although the other person's face couldn't be visible because it was in the shadow of the setting sun, fear still sprung up in Usagi

”Ohh, it's been a while Usagi”