Vol 1 Chapter 2 (1/2)

Nogi Wakaba wa Yuusha de Aru: Chapter 2

The days of peace continue.

I used to think training everyday was pretty hard, and being at school with just the ■■ of us was kinda boring, but once you get used to it you realize it's not actually that bad.

Still, we don't know how much longer we can enjoy this period of peace.

With things as they are, I'm kinda worried about ■■

She's the most fragile out of the s.h.i.+koku heroes.

But Wakaba doesn't seem to notice it.

Wakaba is strong.

Because she's strong, she might not understand people's weaknesses.

It can't be helped.

I suppose I'll have to look after her.

Just leave it to Tama.

Hero record Sep 2018 AD

Doi Tamako record.

Chapter 2: Flower bud

August 31st 2018 AD, at the Marugame castle.

Across the window, the summer's blue sky could be seen.

s.h.i.+koku's sky looked exactly the same even after the attack. Rather, the city, pa.s.sing vehicles and people, the whistling of cicadas and the beauty of the Edo sea. None of it seemed different.

After the invasion, a special tree by the name ”s.h.i.+nju” appeared in s.h.i.+koku, and a giant wall made of plant tissue surrounded the island. It is said that s.h.i.+nju was the incarnation of the local G.o.ds, and the wall was a barrier it put up to stop the Vertex.

People are safe as long as they're inside this barrier. Peace was granted inside the confines of this tiny s.p.a.ce...Some people started calling s.h.i.+koku ”The Ark”. After this disaster, comparable to great flood from the myth would pa.s.s, the world would once again be returned to the people; or so Wakaba thought was their reasoning.

(However...Things were clearly different from before...)

At the moment, the number of people pa.s.sing by in town grew fewer; among them those wearing a hat or holding an umbrella stood out.

It was no countermeasure against the summer sun.

”Sky fear syndrome”

Some of the people who were present during the attack three years ago were still in a state of shock, and started feared looking up at the sky. The phenomenon was referred to as the ”Sky fear syndrome”. Severe cases were unable to even step outside a building.

Even now, the scars left by the Vertex's attack on the people's hearts still had not healed.

[Wa~kaba-chan]

At that moment, Hinata occupied Wakaba's entire field of vision. She looked down on her with reproachful eyes.

Wakaba was using her lap as pillow while Hinata cleaned her ears.

[There you go making that stern face again. Excess stress and strain are bad for your body. If you're gonna be like that...EI!]

Hinata moved the cotton swab in a circular motion inside Wakaba's ear. Overwhelmed by the pleasant feeling, Wakaba felt the strength draining out of her body.

The serious look from before completely disappeared from her face; her expression changed to that of a baby being lulled to sleep by his mother.

She's had Hinata clean her ears for her for a long time and by now, she could even be called a pro at Wakaba ear-cleaning.

[There we go, all done]

As she said that, she pulled the swab out. Wakaba, feeling a tiny bit of regret that it's over, got up as well.

[Now then, it's about time to get in contact with ”Nagano”. Please go on ahead]

[Right]

Wakaba picked up the sword next to her, and headed for the broadcasting room.

The Marugame castle was remodeled and used as a school for Wakaba and the others. The exterior design was mostly left intact while the inside sections were slightly modified.

Only 6 students attended that school, 5 ”heroes” and a single ”Miko”.

Heroes are endowed with the power of the local G.o.ds in order to fight off the Vertex. Wakaba was one such Hero, who awakened to her power during the invasion three years ago.

There are currently 5 heroes in s.h.i.+koku, all of which are attending this school.

A Miko is an oracle who can hear the voice of the G.o.ds. Thanks to that ability, Hinata was able to save numerous people during the attack.

Although it says ”hearing the voice of the G.o.ds”, it is not through common speech, but rather in the form of symbols and suggestive hints that instructions are transmitted to her.

Both the Heroes and the Miko are young girls.

Only the purest of girls are able to come in contact with the G.o.ds who detest impurity.

Wakaba was also chosen as a temporary leader for the s.h.i.+koku heroes.

She made her way into the broadcasting room, pressed the radio switch and started it up.

After a bit of static noise cleared, the calm voice of a young girl could be heard from the radio.

[...s.h.i.+ratori here, speaking from Nagano. Now starting up the hero communication]

[Nogi from Kagawa here. I'll be in your care]

An area in the east southern part of the Suwa Lake in Nagano prefecture was similar to s.h.i.+koku, a place protected by a barrier where people could live. s.h.i.+ratori was the only hero in charge of protecting it.

[s.h.i.+ratori-san, how's the situation there?]

[Not fantastic; not that it has ever been since that day three years ago]

[...No kidding]

Wakaba strived not to sound too gloomy.

Originally, a larger area with the Suwa lake at the center was a safe zone, but due to the repeated attacks that followed during the three years, land was lost and only a portion in the east southern area of the lake could be maintained.

[For now, Maintaining the status-quo wou-...bzzzzzt......ity]

s.h.i.+ratori's voice was cut.

[Sorry, It appears there was some noise]

[Right; As I was saying, maintaining the status-quo should be our priority for now. This line of communication has been getting more and more unstable lately]

[Yeah...]

[I wonder how much longer we'll be able to use it...]

As she thought about it, Wakaba felt slightly depressed. In order not to show it, she quickly changed the subject.

[Speaking of which, s.h.i.+ratori-san. Isn't it about time we settled our score...]

[Yes, I myself was thinking the exact same thing. Today is the day we put an end to it...]

s.h.i.+ratori gave a bold response.

[[Which of the two is superior, Udon or Soba!!]]

Both voices spoke at the same time.

[Udon is obviously superior, there is no room for comparison]

[Exactly, no comparison is needed. Soba is clearly better]

[...What foolishness. Have you even tasted Kagawa's Udon before? That mysterious feel to it, that glittering whiteness, that excquisite deliciousness that you can never get enough of...Something like Soba could never compare]

[fufufu, and have YOU ever eaten Nagano's Soba, Nogi-san? That elegant fragrance, that rich feeling of it going down your throat, that perfect combination of soup and noodles...It is superior to Udon in every way]

As the two listened to eachother's words, they replied back.

[...Well, Not only does Soba win in the taste departement, it is also good for your health. Soba contains Rutin which helps prevent atherosclerosis and various lifestyle diseases. In other words, a perfectly healthy meal]

[Hah, and here I was wondering what you were gonna say next. If we're talking about non-taste related things, then Udon is the easiest to digest out of all types of noodles. Even in the case of those suffering from exhaustion or some type of disease reducing their bodily functionalities, it can provide them with the necessary energy quickly. This here is extremely vital for a warrior. Udon could even be described as the supreme nutrient for battle.]

The two go deep in thought, planning their next reb.u.t.tal.

At that moment, the sound of the chime echoed throughout the building. Although it was summer break, the chime always rang at the exact time.

[Out of time, huh. Looks like Soba was spared]

[That is my line, Udon is the one that managed to escape with its life...The new semester starts tomorrow, so it would be best if we left communication until after cla.s.ses were over]

[A fair point. Well then, until tomorrow. I pray for your safety and good luck at Nagano]

[May you be safe at s.h.i.+koku as well]

Wakaba hung up.

Her light exchanges with s.h.i.+ratori were very dear to her. Since she could not leave s.h.i.+koku, this was the closest thing to the ”outside” she had left. It let her feel safe knowing there was a friend out there fighting as well.

The next day.

August has ended, and the new semester started.

Even during summer break, Wakaba and the others kept coming to school for their training, so it didn't exactly feel like a ”new semester” to them. The heroes and the Miko were the final hope of mankind against the Vertex, there was absolutely no way they would miss their daily training.

As usual, the earliest to arrive is Wakaba, she lightly cleaned up the cla.s.sroom and prepared the chalk for the blackboard and such.

[Morning'!! Ah, You're here first again Wakaba. Just when Tama finally thought she'd be the first to make it!]

The next to arrive was Doi Tamako. She was also a Hero just like Wakaba. Tamako with her short figure entered the cla.s.sroom.

And, as if hiding behind her, Iyojima Anzu followed in her steps. well, technically speaking, since she was taller than Tamako she wasn't hiding in the slightest.

It simply looked that way, because of her calm demanor compared to Tamako's lively personality. Anzu was also one of the heroes.

[Good morning, Doi, Iyojima]

[Wakaba!! Tomorrow Tama will definitely get here first!]

Tamako pointed at Wakaba, as she made her declaration. For some reason, she burned with compet.i.tive spirit towards Wakaba. Wakaba thought pleasently of her tiny posture.

[Tamacchi, you shouldn't pick up a fight first thing in the morning~]

Anzu called out to her in an attempt to appease her. Tamako then turned around and looked at her with scornful eyes.

[A~N~ZU~. What the h.e.l.l is ”Tamacchi”?! Tama is older than you. Call me Tamacchi-senpai!]

[I like Tamacchi better...]

Anzu let out a bitter smile.

Tamako and Wakaba were both in their second year of middle school, while Anzu was a year below. School years were all mixed up since all the heroes from s.h.i.+koku gathered in here. Tamako and Anzu were like siblings...however people's opinions often split on which was the older and which was the younger sister.

Next to arrive was Hinata.

[Good morning, everyone]

Her calm voice and graceful expression, her elegant demeanor made you doubt she was the same age as the others.

As Tamako turned around to face Hinata, she glanced at her posture -her upper half in particular- and back to her child-like body, then said in her frustration.

[Kuh...Look at you exposing those devilish lumps once again! Prepare to receive your punishment!!]

[Wait...Tamacchi-san, please stop fondling my b.r.e.a.s.t.s!]

[I'm not fondling them! I'm trying to tear them off!]

Tamako started ma.s.saging Hinata's bountiful chest.

Wakaba and Anzu quickly pulled the rabid Tamako away from Hinata.

[LET ME GO! Tama needs to punish those demonic things]

[Calm yourself, Doi!]

[That's right. You're still growing Tamacchi-senpai!]

[Uwaa~n! Now even Anzu is looking down on me!]

In the midst of the commotion, Koori Chikage entered the cla.s.sroom. She was also a hero and 3rd year middle schooler.

Chikage looked toward the group, then averted her eyes out of disinterest as she made her way to her seat. She wasn't very talkative and seemed to avoid interacting with other people.

Finally, right before the final chime rang, Takas.h.i.+ma Yuuna made it to the cla.s.sroom. She also was a 2nd year and a hero.

[Good morning~! Takas.h.i.+ma Yuuna has arrived. Thank G.o.d, I'm not late!]

Yuuna exchanged greetings with everyone in the cla.s.sroom, and headed for her seat beside Chikage.

[Good morning...Takas.h.i.+ma-san]

[Morning, Gun-chan!]*

[You were...late today]

[Yeah, I was watching this martial arts program on TV yesterday, and tried mimicing and practicing the moves as I watched. I got too excited and couldn't sleep. HA! CHOP! ROUNDHOUSE KICK!]

Yuuna swinged her arm down and did a 360° kick.

[Takas.h.i.+ma-san...You shouldn't raise your leg so high...Your underwear would be visible]

[Ah! ehehe...]

Yuuna held her skirt down while blus.h.i.+ng.

The silent Chikage, could often be seen talking only to Yuuna. Chikage was older, but just like Tamako and Anzu they heeded no attention to the age difference and treated each other as equals.

Yuuna had a very likable personality, and got along with everyone in the cla.s.s. Even Chikage who tended to build walls around herself could not turn her down.

The morning cla.s.ses had started.

Although the only students at this school were heroes and a Miko, subjects were no different than a normal one. In addition, they received special training to fight off the Vertex.

As a first order of their training on this new semester, they were shown visual recordings of the battle the JDF fought against the Vertex three years ago.

In the footage, rifles and tank canons were fired at the Vertex that appeared in the city, but not only did it not hurt them, it didn't even seem to have any effect. The Vertex swarmed the tanks like ants, ate through the steel sh.e.l.ls and devoured the people inside as if they were a meal for them.

Normal weapons were useless against the Vertex, only those that the Heroes wielded could inflict damage upon them.

Wakaba's weapon was a sword she obtained from the shrine in Izumo, three years ago. From a scientific a.n.a.lysis of the material, it looked no more than a sword made after the Heian period. However, the moment Wakaba shows the will to fight and takes it in her hand, the sword gets filled with divine energy.

A certain Miko called the power flowing through Wakaba's sword ”Ikutachi”.

The other heroes also each had a special weapon.