Chapter 53 (2/2)

“I needed to talk to you without Natsued drastically, and her face turned so serious that it was al She stared directly at Asuha and continued “About the elections… I need to make it known that you, one of the candidates for the next subhead, are with ht now…”

“Huh? What?” Asuha stared back blankly “U about?”

I had a blank stare as well What was she on about?

Asagao took a deep breath “Asuha, I’ to join the election for the next head,” she started to explain “That’s why I want your help But at this rate, Natsu to be the next head for sure If you are withme a better chance to win”

Asuha was a bit speechless, but shethat all of a sudden… Uhh…” She looked bewildered and uncertain, so even I didn’t see very often She started nervously playing with her own hair and was unable to speak any more

Asagao took one look at her and turned to …”

“Sorry, Asagao, but I can’t help you here She certainly won’t listen to ”

“Yup, yup,” nodded Asuha She looked at me, and I looked back at her We stared at each other for a few ether

But Asagao did not crack a sht

Finally, she spoke “Well, the other day, during the battle… Asuha… you took Kasuh Natsume’s orders were supposed to be absolute?”

Ah, so that’s what it was about During that battle, it really did look like Asuha was doing things based on what I said So, I could see why she would think that, but that was co

“Kasu Asuha’s hand passionately, her eyes filled with determination “Please, Asuha I need your help You could be the next head one day, but I’ht now…”

I see, so that’s what you wanted all along If it was leaked that Asuha, the military’s ace to-be and one of the candidates for future heads, was in secret talks with Asagao, then peopleNatsume Even if Asuha didn’t confirm such rumors, it would breed suspicion and doubt within the ree to help, there was no need for her to go that far

Asuha looked troubled, and she just sighed deeply “Sorry, Asagao,” she said as she freed her hand froao’s “It seems I really don’t have any interest in heads and elections and stuff like that”

“It seeao was at a loss for words, and the atmosphere quickly turned silent However, a very low noise could suddenly be heard frorew louder and louder

“Kasumi!!!! Drinks! DRINKS!!”

Renge was running full speed at us She looked very flustered as she tried to get our attention

“Also, do you have any tissues or anything? I spilled the juice!” she continued shouting Her head was dripping wet… How did you even e to do that? Did she spill the drink like last time?

“Renge… you really are so…” s at her But her face quickly tensed up as she looked further out a bit

“N-Natsurimly

Surprised, I turned to look as well In turn, Natsued her shoulders

“Asagao Sorry about that, I couldn’t help but listen in on your conversation”

Renge ju here??”

“Well, Renge you suddenly just disappeared, and Asuha didn’t look like she was cohtheartedly, but her sao Her voice deepened, and her eyes narrowed “… Asagao, what you just said… You serious about that?”

I knew this look well— it was the look she showed in front of the punks in the military It was the look she had in co intent

Asagao stared back, but her lips were tre to become the next head!”

“Don’t fuck withto listen to you,” said Natsume in a calm, almost whisper-like, voice Despite that, her powerful words rang deep within our hearts

She paused, but soon continued her rant “You still don’t get it? We are always fighting, you know This world has always been fighting That’s why the strong will always be on the top So, someone like you… who’s not even part of the nized as a leader Even if you ever soe to be the leader, you’ll be crushed by our brute strength alone I doubt you’ll last long”

“But… I-If… If I stop the supplies…”

“Even if they starve, they’ll just fight back stronger You think you can go against that? I know I can That’s why I can and will protect everyone The military branch isn’t just for show, you know”

Asagao couldn’t help but just stay silent She was trapped—she couldn’t even ed to do was to just bite her lip in frustration, a frustration certainly shared by many people not from the military branch Natsume’s words, even the ao tried to distance herself from her, Natsume would not stop

“The anization Everyone thinks that way, so they’ll only accept someone that can carry their spirit and lead theet no one to follow you”

In the ht about overwhel power and immeasurable results They were accustomed to the fact that all the previous heads had been froainst Natsuao was probably the only one in the entire city who didn’t think this way

“If you still are serious,” Natsuao, “then I have no choice but to go all out too Theto crush you”

Natsuao They looked like they were sworn eneao, still at a loss for words, sied as Natsume turned to Asuha at the same time

“I’, Asuha,” she said with a quick shout

Asuha glanced at ly

“It’s fine, Asuha,” I said reassuringly “I think you should go… I’m okay here”

“O-Okay…” whispered Asuha as she prepared to follow Natsume out She noisily put on her flip-flops in the sand

Hearing this, Asagao desperately looked atabout Asuha…”

“Sorry, I really can’t… I’ to hold her back I want her to do what she wants…”

I thought saying that was a little harsh, but that was one thing I strong believed in

Asuha kicked the sand a little and turned back to Asagao “You know… it’s not that I hate you… but seeing you do that kind of thing pisses me off a little bit”

“That kind of thing?”

“The way you use people like that We aren’t your pawns, so please don’t think of us that way,” said Asuha Her voice sounded bored as always, and she looked sleepy But as she left, she storily, more so than usual

“O-Oh…” Asagao looked down at the ground depressingly She wiped her forehead and took a deep breath “Sorry… I didn’t consider your feelings at all…”

“No, no I’m sorry I couldn’t back you up like you hoped That ly I tried to be as cheerful as ever, but Asagao wouldn’t look up at me

She looked like she wanted to say so, but she only took a deep breath Her shoulders tre in

“I’ao’s tre shoulders “I messed up, and it’s all my fault…”

“It’s okay This was bound to happen sooner or later Maybe if we had some more time… but what’s done is done Don’t worry too e”

Asagao grabbed Renge’s hand and slowly raised her head As she did, I could see her moist eyes and shaky lips as she forced out an aard smile

“I’o back first and think about how to handle this,” she continued “You two can leave today too, and just let Urushi+bara handle the rest of the night To’s cleaned up, come back, okay?”

She sloalked out of the tent, but stopped just as she passed me

I’m sorry… I’m really sorry, Kasumi