Vol 3 Chapter 1 (1/2)

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

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◆Part 1◆

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『Cradle to the Glaive』

Better known as 『CtG』, it was an ultra-realistic virtual adventure RPG that utilized a headset device known as Ramiel

Iency to develop this game In a mere one year after its release, it secured over one hundred million (technically, one hundred and fifty million people) active users It an, “An entirely new form of entertainment”

The engine used to create its elaborate virtual world caught reat addition to scientific study, environ, and even military research

However, the technology used to create 『CtG』 had not been revealed to public at all and served solely for entertainment Even now, they continue to decline requests fron official institutes to share their technology

Many theories were , however the real reason was still hidden within the shadows

And the origin of the strange events that befell Kasugai Yuu were none other than that game

Shortly after his mother, a for 『CtG』 as if to chase after her remnants One day he met a player nae》 It was a rare event with unknown unlock conditions, however it was supposed to be nothing but a single experience in that unreal world

However

The next day, a baby was born between Yuu’s Avatar, Clae》 partner Mifa

Born frohter They later named her Haruha

Haruha possessed very extensive range of es one wouldn’t expect frorow fond of her as she continued to absorb their teachings like a sponge

Both Yuu and Mifa had issue with their relationshi+ps with their own parents, therefore by raising Haruha, they figured it ht help them find out the way to fix their problems

However, in a ht-year-old and everything started to change

Haruha, ere supposed to be nothing but an existence within a gaai Yuu in the real world

Those who brought Haruha to his side were Niiro Mansei and Hajianization researching the ive birth to a new type of human They called themselves the “Human Equilibrium Institute”

Their researchers secretly conducted their experiment in 『CtG』 ‘s virtual world There, they created the prototype of new humanity, Hadzar And the first successful incarnation of their experiai Haruha

Alongside her caimiya Miharu She served the role as Haruha’s ether in the Kasugai household

To Yuu, who had once separated fro Haruha was not an option he could take

Thus, it started, a strange daily life alongside Miharu, as a little afraid of men

The gaze of suspicion from Yuu’s childhood friend, Kodzuchi Fuyufu

The threat froue Hadzar, Memento Coppelia

The challenge from the self-proclaimed delinquent middle schooler, Kanna Sakura

And lastly the battle with a Hadzar who attempted to unite the world of 『CtG』 under one united consciousness, Ikui Librium Gepetto,

Their new life was filled with s and troubles, all the while illumi

nated by Haruha’s pure innocent smile

And finally, …

That girl showed herself in Kasugai household

『Haruha, the first successful unit of New Humanity

In other words, hter I have come here to pick her up!』

A bold declaration h the entrance intercom

It all happened shortly after the conclusion of the “Ghost” incident caused by Ikui, in the early days of summer vacation―――

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◆Part 2◆

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The sound of cicadas filled the living room

The Kasugai household is located on the far corner of the suburbs and is surrounded by forest During summer and autumn, the sound of insects could be constantly heard Before Haruha and Miharu cas lively in this once quiet house

Right now, the sound of summer that filled the room felt different from the normal sound of nature The tremendous tension distorts the atmosphere and instills pressure in the ear

“Hmmmn……”

Feeling curious, but looking disinterested That hat her sigh conveyed as she looked around the Kasugai household

“Well, at least it’s not that dirty”

She doesn’t appear to be that far of an age from Yuu

Her long glossy blonde hair swayed fro However, despite her provocative expression, she does not give off a strict impression, partly because of her somewhat youthful rounded face Her sleeveless blouse looked si the superb skill of its tailor

Yuu seemed to not be able to take his eyes off her for some reason

In short, she’s a beautiful girl But, besides her blonde hair, nothing about her particularly stood out Though, for those who knows, her clothes and accessory are actually that of top-class works froner But Miharu aside, Yuu has absolutely no clue about such a thing

Therefore, the reason why Yuu was so attracted to her looks lies somewhere else

They look alike

It is as if the kid he used to know appeared in front of hi 8 or 9 years older Lastly, the words she spoke through the intercom echos inside his mind and pulled him into the abyss of confusion

On the other hand, the girl in question suddenly sat down on thesofa in the roos uncovered by her short skirt was so white as if she had never been in contact with the sunlight, and it moves restlessly as she sits

“So, where is my Haruha?”

“D-Did you just said ‘My Haruha’…?”

Miharu weakly protested, but the glare fro on the sofa iether with her for so long, Yuu had forgotten how timid Miharu actually is ith those who she was not familiar with, even if that person is off the same sex She’s the complete opposite of her Avatar-self, Mifa in 『CtG』

Meanwhile, Haruha was on the second floor with Sakura Apparently, this conversation is so that shouldn’t be heard by her

Yuu placed his hand on Miharu’s shoulder to tell her to stop then looked at Hajiaze, while delivering criticis the way

The girl who suddenly visits theh the intercom Yuu was taken aback by it, but Hajied to her serious face and welcoirl inside

If she’s related to their laboratory, it won’t be weird for her to know about Haruha’s existence Therefore, Hajiation to explain

Hajilasses were slightly off but she forgot to fix it She understands the situation but was unable to fully adapt to this unforeseen occurrence Her face shows that much

“E, eerm… this lady over there is Kusaka Airi-san She is fro in our laboratory Not only that, despite being just 17 years old she cooperated in the creation of Ray…… she’s truly a talented woman”

A lady and a genius girl at the saht, but he’s oddly convinced Her unique eccentric personality and her “atof such a special individual

And before Hajiot cut off by the girl―― Airi

“I know you You’re the son of 『CtG』 gaai Yuu and…”

Airi then switched her stare over to Miharu

“Haruha’s babysitter, Kugiht?”

“Ugh…”

Miharu wanted to say so back, but had her words stuck in her mouth Taken aback by her unexpected re to her emotion

That’s why in Miharu’s place…… or not, Yuu opened his mouth

“……I still don’t knoho you are I also don’t know your relationshi+p with Iine Ekphrasis, the laboratory, or Haruha

But, you’re wrong Kugimiya-san is Haruha’s mother Please correct yourself”

Paying no heed to his strong deaze, Airi did not flinch at all Instead, she listened, full of interest

“What if I say I can’t?”

“I’ll have you kicked out of this house This is my house, and I will not accept any visitors who insulted Haruha’s mother”

Just before, Airi said “I know you”, but if she had indeed “known” Yuu she should know that Yuu’s behavior was a weird one Outside Haruha related-cases, it’s unlikely for Yuu to get this angry That’s why, Miharu, Hajime and even Yuu himself was surprised

Just how much Miharu thinks about Haruha

Just how much Haruha yearns for Miharu

Yuu knew all about it He knows because of how retted the fact that he never once realized howsoered hiination

However, Airi did not notice that, or maybe she’s just too rational to realize that She’s that kind of girl

“Really? But I can’t deny a 『fact』 After all, Haruha is a child born fro care of hter up to this point

You too will surely understand after knowing about the truth that I’m about to tell you today”

Airi raised one finger and closed her eyes It was as if she was about to show the proof that she’s indeed the one worthy of the possession of this Hadzar

“Listen well To begin with, Haruha is――

……Eh-? Wha-, what!?”

Airi’s lecture suddenly turned into scream midway

It’s because she was suddenly carried by Yuu

To put it in a word, it was a princess-carry, but it was too crude and had no trace of grace at all, just like how one would carry luggage

Dumbfounded by Yuu’s unusually violent behavior, Miharu and Hajime were so surprised that they couldn’t even react All they could do was to watch over Yuu who nonchalantly carried Airi to the entrance

Yuu swiftly unlocked the entrance while carrying Airi and tossed her out butt-first In other words, he threw her out (ED: That’s right! Show her who’s boss!)

“Ugh……! You-……!?”

Airi having gone red frolared at Yuu, but just like how Miharu behaved in front of her before, all she could do was move her mouth fruitlessly

In front of the house parked the black foreign car that drove Airi here The young man who served as the driver looked at them from the rear seat with a surprised look on his face

He gave both of thenore Airi who’s showing her intention to protest and watched over Yuu walking back into the house After the door closed, he heard the sound of the autoain

『……! ……Nnng……!』

Shortly after Airi finally unleash her frustrated voice, but none of her words could be recognized through the thick door

Appearing to be slightly refreshed, Yuu returned to the living room He faced Hajime as still dumbfounded and tiredly asked her

“Just as that person?”

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Meanwhile

Sakura got her hand pulled by Haruha and was taken into Yuu’s room

Although Sakura had arbitrarily explored the Kasugai household storerooaone to the second floor

Yuu’s rooly clean, with no furniture other than the bed, a desk, and a bookcase

“Fuu… hot hot”

Haruha crawled up onto the bed and operated the air conditioner remote placed at the bedside with familiarity After that, she moved on top of the bed and stretched her body around the middle of it It appears to be the spot where the wind blows onto directly

Sakura then took off her ju onto her head feels comfortable

(……That guest just now, just as she?)

Sakura hadn’t seen her, but judging from the atmosphere and the fact that they didn’t want Haruha to listen to their conversation, itto do with 『CtG』 It’s the overly realistic and ave birth to Haruha and turned Sakura into a “Ghost”

Could another trouble like 《Crystal World》 be happening again? As she thinks about such things, she closes her eyes――― and suddenly felt a presence around her back and she turned around In front of her eyes was Haruha’s s others

“Sakura-chan, Sakura-chan What should we play?”

Now that she otten tired of the fighting game and had Haruha to take her to somewhere else as an excuse to leave the room

“Wanna play Sue” (TL note: It’s a Sulish name for it)

“Girls don’t play Sueez”

Sakura replied as Haruha shook her body as she clung to her back

“Is that the law?”

“It’s no-… nn? A law huh I’m not really sure”

“Law is a hindrance…?”

“You sure say some scary stuff sometimes…”

As she says that, she pushed Haruha’s body off siravity For Sakura who had once earned the title of prodigy in Judo, rolling a cluirl is a simple matter Like that, she then lies her head on top of Haruha’s belly like a pillow

“Uwaaa, Haruha have been had!”

Haruha looks like she’s having fun For a while, she restlessly swung her ars like an overturned turtle, but Sakura’s head that was placed perfectly on top of her prevents her fro interest, Haruha started playing with Sakura’s hair

“You see, Haruha always sleeps here”

“Nn? Not with Miharu-san, but with Senpai?”

Haruha sharesBut once she thinks about it, it’s not weird for girls with e such as Haruha to sleep with her father Even Sakura herself sleeps together with both her parents up till elementary school

However, this family’s circumstances is far different from normal ones Yuu and Miharu are both Haruha’s father and mother, but the both of them aren’t exactly husband and wife, not even a couple (apparently)

“Daddy and Moether here too”

“Eeeh?”

More confusion follows as Haruha’s explanation continues

……Yuu and Miharu? Together? In this bed?

Reflexively she started to get conscious about the se of Miharu’s overwhel hand of Yuu pops into her mind

The ie of a “Romantic Relationshi+p” Sakura had was mainly based on the ladies’ comic that a senior from her dojo had lent her Therefore, once she pictures a wo on the same bed, the rest will be quite a mess

And then, once she started to think about such a thing happening on this bed that she’s lying on, the i(?) reddens her face

But once she thinksfrom Yuu and Miharu’s personality, such a uy and girl whoether had turned Sakura’s heat switch on as her brain continue to produce inappropriate i inside her head

Sakura then got up, and lifted Haruha up Both then face each other while sitting And after clearing her throat, she asked

“F-……Fill me in on the detail, please!”

She wasn’t conscious about it, but she started speaking in a similar tone as her mother

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『Agh, I got it……! I got it already…… For now I’ll adimiya Miharu is Haruha’s mother, so hurry up and let me in!』

After several ti the interphone, Airi finally coot kicked out of the house

As she entered the Kasugai household for the second tinored her as expected While being soothed by Hajiain rested on the sofa while folding her arms

Being locked outdoors on a midsummer day, Airi was drenched wet in her oeat and her expression turned stern, leaving no trace of the elegance and co a towel frolare at Yuu expressing her protest Miharu herself started to forget the feeling of antipathy she had towards her

It’s all because of how surprising it was for Yuu to becoed

Usually, though not asa coward, Yuu is a very prudent person Although it was concerning Haruha, he just literally threw out a girl he h it’s certainly not just for Miharu, that act shows just how much Yuu cherished the relationshi+p the three of them have

That’s right This family will not break away like Miharu’s family did……

But, the sudden appearance of this girl who looked very alike to Haruha, and the identity she spoke of, bleay all the composure Miharu had

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―――Although the air conditioner orking perfectly to chill one’s skin, sweat still began to flow Yuu wiped his forehead and opened his mouth

“In other words, Kusaka-san is… the DNA provider for Haruha’s body?”

Yuu was sitting on the carpet facing Airi as sitting on top of the sofa while hugging one of her legs In response to his question, Airi replied

“That’s right The female DNA came from mine”

It was the second time Airi declared that The first ti multiple esoteric terms plus commentary from Hajime, which made it pretty hard to understand

But, after Yuu confirmed it, the atmosphere instantly turned heavier

The proof is right there in front of them It’s Kusaka Airi’s face

Both of them looked alike

She had the face that would most likely be how Haruha would look like after 7 or 8 years The only difference that stood out were her eyebrows, but other than that, they’re like a carbon copy of each other

And now, the reason behind that has been explained by Airi herself To even the smallest detail

According to Hajiave birth to Haruha and the other Hadzar are based froical DNA that was then hand-selected for the most appropriate ones and later modified into what it was now The subject of the modification, in addition of Kaman Modd (TL Note: Kale didn’t help th, enhancement of metabolism system, and other physical characteristics, apparently

“In Haruha’s case, Yuu’s mainly unmodified DNA was taken as part of her paternal reproductive DNA”

Haji that, Yuu got mildly confused

“Why mine? Shouldn’t there be many others that would work better than mine?”

Objectively speaking, Kasugai Yuu’s e, in other words he’s a nor at students from his school, there were so many others who are much better than him

“Well…… you see, Yuu’sback her bloodline we ht? We believe that there’s a possibility within the genes, the latent ability that the person theht later flourish in their offspring

Also, needless to say, you’re the one in charge of Haruha-chan’s upbringing after all The priority to adopt DNA froh”

Hajime’s ansas undoubtedly a plausible one, but it sounds like she’s trying to move the conversation elsewhere

Miharu who couldn’t catch up with the conversation muttered

“So, I was not that excellent at all……”

“No, it’s not that simple It’s simply theto do with your ability as an individual”

Hajime tried to cheer Miharu up, but the cloud on her face still hasn’t cleared up After all―――

“In other word, Haruha was born froht?’

Miharu couldn’t say it in any other way She couldn’t, but…

Although Haruha has been hter

Hearing Miharu’s words, Airi nodded in response

“Well, to put it sih it’s unpleasant to have my dna used without my permission, I’ll let it slide

I’ve also gotinto the Nephilim Computer, so that makes up for it”

“So, that’s how you learnt about Haruha’s successful incarnation and that she’s now staying in this house…… Although you’re indeed involved in the Ramiel development, I didn’t expect you to be able to crack into Nephilim…”

Haji Froe of Haruha was unexpected

If she’s not e computer that runs 『CtG』 Miharu recalled

With aid of its exclusive terminal, Ramiel, it’s able to reproduce and h their brain and cells, creating the most realistic virtual world possible Due to its nature, the a behind such a systeht be full of holes and mistakes, but if you synchronize the perception of 100,000 people together into one, then it’s possible to erase those errors and contradiction

In this era where the developeneous technology allows theence like Haruha by utilizing human resources

Hacking into the hu machine Because of its nature that contradicts with ethics, its existence was kept secret, and they decided to secure resources through 『CtG』(Online Gaame for the computer itself

Their purpose for doing so was to create personality for the Artificial New Humanity Hadzar and have them reside in the real world with a human body

And now, the current result of their Hadzar research was Haruha who’s the first to succeeded in her incarnation ――― from inside 『CtG』 to the outside, a child who’s raised by Yuu(Clamp) and Miharu(Mifa)

And Kusaka Airi’s goal is to take back Haruha

“Now you understand, right? I have the right to have Haruha byof her nature and how to properly raise her

That’s why I’ to raise a new founder(Adam) who looks just like me”

“Kusaka-san, that……”

The reason why Haruha was given to Yuu and Miharu was to keep Haruha, as still mentally unstable, under a minimum stress environment

Haruha is the first and only Hadzar to ever succeed in her incarnation, therefore it’s desirable for her to live in an environrowth

Hajime preached, but Airi simply sneer in respond

“No matter how you look at it, it’s clear who her real parent is Right?”

“B-But you just merely resemble her!”

Miharu finally opened her uh, Airi sed

“That’s what is iht? 『Form ever follows function』 someone once said, in other word, the format itself is the function (TL Note: It’s quoted fro law of all things organic and inorganic, of all things physical and s super-human, of all true manifestations of the head, of the heart, of the soul, that the life is recognizable in its expression, that form ever follows function This is the law”)

God created humans in the forenes Meaning, precisely because I look siht to have the function as Haruha’s mother It’s a very simple matter, don’t you think?”

“That’s a sophism!”

Yuu couldn’t help but argue back Airi narrowed her eyes aggressively

“What nonsense are you speaking? Inheriting a forht?”

“In this world, there are plenty of parents who do ith their kids even though they’re not related, right? To begin with, Kusaka-san, in a normal sense, you’re not blood related to Haruha either”

“That’s what I would call sophism! If not, a hypocrisy In the end, to inherit a fore”

Both Yuu and Airi wouldn’t back off froument On the contrary, it heated up more and more

Meanwhile, Miharu missed the opportunity to enter the discussion, but thankfully because of that she’s able to calht discomfort

(Kusaka-san…… it sounded like she’s insisting on the fact that they look alike)

As a matter of fact, aside from their size, they really do look alike so it’s not that weird for her to insist on saying that But, if she’s indeed a great woman like Haji her political power to take Haruha away from Miharu and Yuu

Could it be that Airi’s co too hard trying to not anger her

――― , Could it be that she don’t really want to take Haruha with her, or is there another reason why she’s insisting on the point that they share a resemblance?

That’s what she thinks In 『CtG』, it’s Yuu(Clamp)’s role to think up tactics, but now that he’s all heated up together with Airi, Miharu must be the one to protect Haruha and Yuu……

(That’s right I must tell him that it’s not Kodzuchi-san, but I’m the one who can save him……!)

With such an earnest thought, she enters in And as if to ruin that determination,

“Mommy, Mommy, Haruha is thirsty Can Haruha drink cola?”

“You just had cola not long ago, so have some tea oka-… Eh, eeh? Haruha!?”

All of a sudden Haruha pops out, and pulled at Miharu’s clothes She was so absorbed into her talk with Airi she didn’t notice her

“W-What happen to Kanna-san?”

“Sakura-chan, said so』 and got mad”

Just what the heck is that girl doing? She thought, but thinking back again, Sakura is si to blame her

“Hmmmn―――”

And so, it was already too late

“So, you’re Haruha, huh”

“? Indeed Haruha is?”

Perfectly alike, even so, their height gap is too big

Kusaka Airi stood up and sai Haruha who blinked her eyes innocently It’s clear that the two of them have the same face

Taking a closer look, their similarity is uncanny No matter how close a parent and child can be, it’s rare for them to look so alike It’s as if they were two halves of the sa

Miharu had her head cooled down and she turned pale Airi’s fixation doesn’t feel that weird now For both a child and a parent to hold so ht be not so weird for the child to follow their parent――― such worries occupy Miharu’s mind

And so, Airi started talking to Haruha

“You understand right, Haruha? I’m your real mother”

“Eh……?

Haruha widened her eyes and aardly approached Airi

Then, while being watched over by Miharu and Yuu, she opened her mouth

“Are you the real Cacao seller? Haruha always eats your chocolate dus!” (TL Note: The ‘pun’ here is that Airi said “Hontou no Okaa-san” and Haruha misheard it as “Hontou no Kokoa” which means “The real Cacao”)

The chocolate duai household’s staple afternoon snack