Vol 5 Chapter 1 (1/2)

Chapter 1 - Omen of a Storm

Part 1

When people spoke of shrines in Yus.h.i.+ma in the Bunkyou ward, it was

usually about Yus.h.i.+ma Tenjin.^

There was also the famous Kanda Myoujin^ nearby. But right now, she

was not at such a major place. There was a quiet shrine in the backstreets

of Yus.h.i.+ma. Usually without a priest or a full-time miko, this little shrine was

cared for by the neighborhood paris.h.i.+oners.

She opened the door to the cozy front shrine and stepped inside.

People from the vicinity who caught a glimpse of her might have thought it

strange.

Because after throwing open the usually closed door, the female

high-school student wearing a short-sleeved uniform began to roam

around shamelessly. But since she was not breaking any laws, there was

no reason to reprimand her.

Besides, it was five in the morning. There were almost no pedestrians

pa.s.sing by.

”I said I got it, grampsy. Yeah I'm fine, probably... ohh shut it. Well, I've

never gone out with a boy before, but... And whose fault do you think that

is?”

While sitting courtly in seiza^ posture, she was talking fiercely on her cell

phone.

Outside, strong winds were blowing violently.

The howling wind continued to rock the shrine as if it was one step short of

blowing it away. The sky was covered by dark clouds and looked about to

rain any time.

”Eh, how to seduce a man? ... If you're the one to teach me, it's not going

to be of any use anyway, grampsy. You're behind the times at best, you

know? I'll study by myself.”

With one hand, the girl skillfully unfastened the package on the floor.

A long sword in a black lacquered scabbard appeared. It was her reliable

partner, three shaku, three sun, five bu^ long.

Right next to it, ten-odd sheets of paper were strewn about. It was an

investigation report on two girls about her age.

”Leaving that aside, I've found an interesting girl... Yep, right, one of the

king's lovers... Yeah, because I don't feel like losing. I'll chase her out of

j.a.pan for sure... Yes... Yes yes. Of course I'm ready to use force if it gets

down to it. That way's more interesting. Okay, I'll contact you again.”

After ending the conversation, the girl picked up one of the paper sheets.

Erica Blandelli. Native of Milan, Italy. Member of the Magic a.s.sociation

[Copper Black Cross], Age 16.

Height 165cm. BWH 87/58/88.

There was even a photo attached. It showed an incredibly beautiful girl.

She, Seishuuin Ena, was complacently smiling while looking at the

[Diavolo Rosso]'s personal information.

”As an opponent she lacks nothing. This girl will surely allow you and Ena

to have some fun.”

While calling out to her partner lying on the floor, Ena was looking outside.

It had become completely silent.

The violent wind had weakened and the sun rays were piercing the clouds.

”So that wind was grampsy's fault after all... he's such a troublesome

grandpa.”

After shrugging her shoulders and murmuring, Ena was about to stuff her

cell phone into her pocket when she remembered that it was completely

discharged. Pausing midway, she started looking for the battery charger

which should be in her bag.

The cell phone Seishuuin Ena had been talking over had had no power

source.

Part 2

In Erica Blandelli's dictionary, there was no idiom like ”Early to bed, early to

rise.”

Instead the opposite existed. She would stay up late at night and, unless

there were other businesses, she would sleep until around noon.

That was the life-style Erica Blandelli loved.

But, this morning, she abruptly got up from her bed at 5am.

It was not like she wanted to enjoy an invigorating morning on a whim.

While rubbing her tired eyes, she picked up the cell phone near her pillow

and dialed a number registered in her address book. The other party did

not pick up, but she persistently continued.

”What ishh it, Eri — cca, ishh early in the moring. ... is there. ..aaaa. .an

emergency... or ssshhhing?”

At last, her lover, Kusanagi G.o.dou, had picked up.

Probably he was not awake either. He was slurring his words.

Usually this was when she would present him with a graceful morning

greeting and a kiss over the telephone. But right now Erica did not have

the composure for that, so she cut straight to the point.

”Hey, G.o.dou... today you don't need to come pick me up. I'll go to school

at noon. It's regrettable that I won't be able to see your face when waking

up, but that's how it is...” Erica said with a whisper that lacked the richness

her voice usually had.

It was a faint voice, one that gave a very immature impression.

She was not a morning person; hence the only one who had the privilege

to contact her under such dire circ.u.mstances was Kusanagi G.o.dou.

”I don't remember our school having flextime.”

”Flextime or not isn't the problem. The problem is that I'm unbearably tired

this morning. I won't be able to welcome you like this even if you come. I'll

probably be in bed the whole time... Ahh, if you like, you can spend the

whole morning in bed with me...?”

Because she was weak in the morning, it was G.o.dou's daily routine to

come and pick her up for school.

But even though she called him out of concern over that, she still received

a sharp reply in return.

”You know, even if we put the problem with flextime on hold, I don't

understand this sudden call early in the morning with neither restraint nor

prior arrangement... it wouldn't have happened if you had just used some

common sense”

”Because... the two of us need neither restraint nor common sense

between us. We have love.”

”There are so many things I should say about that, but my head isn't

working well yet... I'll tell you later at school. Don't skip.”

”Then I'll tell you what I want to say right now. I love you, and, good night,”

Erica whispered gently and threw the cell phone away.

She stretched out on the bed again, closed her eyes, and returned to her

country of sweet dreams right away.

Kusanagi G.o.dou earnestly felt miserable. Waking up early in the morning

had been the worst.

He had been struck awake by Erica's call at five 'o clock in the morning.

As a consequence of waking up half-way, he had lost the will to go to sleep

again.

With the creed ”early to bed, early to rise,” G.o.dou always got up right after

6am. So even if he got up at five, it was not that hard. But a normal human

would not have called him that early in the morning.

He had hoped for Erica to treat people with more common sense.

He melancholically muttered to himself.

He was in Jounan Academy's year 1 cla.s.s 5 before morning homeroom.

However, in the seat next to him, Erica was nowhere to be seen. It seemed

she would be late just like her advance notice said.

”Seriously, that girl...” As G.o.dou sighed, the female student next to him

started talking to him.

”I do not see Erica. Were you not together this morning?”

”She contacted me saying she'd be late because she's sleepy.”

”That girl was saying such things again? She really has not changed since

she was a little child! She is always so selfish and not even trying to stick

to the rules...”

The angrily muttering girl had her silver hair collected in a ponytail.

Liliana Kranjcar. After leaving her hometown of Milan, the great knight

came all the way to Tokyo for him. It was the result of him thoughtlessly

consenting when she told him ”she'd stay by his side as his knight.”

Before he knew it, Liliana, who had arrived in j.a.pan at the end of August,

had decided to study abroad.

She got into year 1 cla.s.s 5 of the private Jounan Academy, which was his

cla.s.s. During homeroom on the first day, she had suddenly made an

announcement.

Even though she was an Italian exchange student, she introduced herself

in flawless j.a.panese.

When told that her seat was along the windows, Liliana had frowned with a

twitch.

And then she declared right after stalwartly walking up to G.o.dou's seat:

”To begin, I should first explain: I, Liliana Kranjcar, have someone I have

sworn to share my destiny with, to be close with at all times. It is this

gentleman, Kusanagi G.o.dou.”

She had a magnificent tone of voice; her words spoken like performances

from a cla.s.sical Greek drama.

”What is she saying all of a sudden?”

When their cla.s.smates all made expressions that seemed to say that,

Liliana had continued her address. That she, who could be called his

knight, would constantly be waiting by his side.

”The place I should sit at cannot be anywhere other than by his side. I

would like you to think about helping me with my mission and pardon my

selfishness.”

That appeal had surprised G.o.dou.

No, she was being impossible. He had wanted to remonstrate her, but he

was now at a loss for words.

Suddenly the surrounding students had gotten up from their seats and

started changing seats to grant Liliana's firm request.

At that time Liliana must have used hypnotism or some kind of magic.

Just like that, she had secured the seat next to him, and the cla.s.s had

immediately recognized: On Kusanagi G.o.dou's right sat Erica Blandelli,

and on his left sat Liliana Kranjcar; the two beautiful girls who came from

Europe surrounded G.o.dou and competed for his attention.

Liliana was burning with helpfulness towards G.o.dou. Erica nonchalantly

interfered with that.

After that day, such spectacles would repeat themselves many times. But

today, one of the two in question was absent. It seemed like he would

finally be able to spend time calming his heart, so G.o.dou was relieved.

”Kusanagi G.o.dou. Your complexion is not what it should be. Do you lack

sleep?”

”I did sleep well, but I woke up at an odd time. That may be why...”

When Liliana suddenly asked him, G.o.dou opted to answer safely. He did

not mention Erica's name out of a knight's compa.s.sion.

”Adequate sleep is the basis for a healthy life. Please also take care to

maintaining your health,” she told him with an overly serious expression.

Since she certainly was right, he had nothing to refute.

When G.o.dou nodded with a bitter smile, the silver-haired knight sighed.

”This is no laughing matter. Your lack of self-awareness as a king is an

evident weakness of yours... however, there is nothing we can do about it

today. I thought this might happen, so please have some of the coffee I

prepared this morning.”

With that said, Liliana pulled a thermos flask out of her bag.

'What preparedness!' G.o.dou was a little surprised at the unexpected

development.

”How much sugar and milk should I add?”

”Ah, please don't put any. Black is fine.”

”That is bad for your stomach, I cannot recommend that way of drinking.

Well, no helping it now, let us take it one step at a time.”

”Ah, okay.”

When he accepted the presented coffee, Liliana said without a moments

delay:

”It is hot, so please take care. If you don't mind, should I cool it for you?”

”Y-you don't need to go that far...,” he perplexedly replied to her, who was

leaning forward to blow on the coffee. Ever since this new knight had

precipitously joined him, she has always taken on a very polite demeanor.

Coming from a family built on the principle of laissez-faire,^ G.o.dou had

never experienced being care for to this degree, not even during infancy.

Liliana scowled at his reserved reply with a stern face.

”This is also my duty as a knight. Feel free to order me as you like. You

should become more used to making use of people... What is that! Take

your s.h.i.+rt off right away! Quickly!”

”Eh? Why?”

Liliana, her face changing color, drew closer to the wincing G.o.dou.

”Your s.h.i.+rt has become frayed. I need to sew it right away.”

”Y-you can leave that much alone.”

”It would be my shame if I allowed you to look like that.”

In the end, G.o.dou, overpowered by the girl's forcefulness, took his s.h.i.+rt off

and handed it to her.

When he was in his t-s.h.i.+rt, he noticed the stares concentrating on him from

the surroundings.

Everyone was observing them — while quietly whispering to each other,

while giggling, or while smacking their lips in annoyance. They gave

impressions like 'Get a room!' or 'Eeeek, filthy!' or 'Tsk. That d.a.m.n

Kusanagi... he should just die.'

It was as though they were looking at a pimp that did nothing but leech off

women.

At that moment, when his dignity as a man was being doubted... G.o.dou

finally realized what was going on around him.

Then lunch break arrived.

While heading for the rooftop, G.o.dou was a.s.sailed by anxiety.

If he continued onward like that, he could not help but feel that he would

rush head-on into an even scarier minefield. But since he still had no

excuse to escape...

The first to welcome him on the rooftop was Liliana.

”I have been waiting for you... However, since our destinations were the

same, could you not have come here together with me?” she inquired in ill

humor.

Under her dissatisfied expression G.o.dou's body slightly cramped.

”So-sorry. I went to buy some bread.”

”Is that so? That is unfortunate... finally a chance to be alone and progress

our relations.h.i.+p...”

When G.o.dou made a suitable excuse, Liliana mumbled away to herself.

”Eh?”

”Ah, nothing. As a knight. Right, because as a knight I must act as your

guard. Anyways, let us quickly have lunch!”

While her mouth ran non-stop, Liliana produced a bundle from her bag that

looked like a lunchbox.

With handmade sandwiches and fresh juice among other things, no one

could object about either its taste or nutrition.

In contrast to the lunchboxes Erica brought, which were carefully prepared

by Arianna, Liliana also began bringing handmade cooking every day.

Usually they would share the gathered food with everyone, but...

This day Erica was absent. But everyone else still gathered.

Mariya Yuri was from the cla.s.s next door and his little sister s.h.i.+zuka

especially came from the middle school section.

Would lunch really end safely with this lineup? As anxiety a.s.sailed G.o.dou,

Yuri timidly asked him a question.

”E-Erica-san is not present today?”

”Yeah, she said she'd come to school today but I guess she's not here

yet.”

”I... see...,” Yuri murmured and fell silent, looking depressed. Then even

G.o.dou became restless.

Ever since the events in Naples, his relations.h.i.+p with her had become

delicately awkward.

He felt that before the summer holidays, while being reserved around each

other, they had become wonderfully close. However, lately it had always

been like this, somewhat formal.

If at least Erica were here, she would liven up the place with her ingenious

conversation skills.

It was time to do something. While looking at Yuri, who had been plunged

into silence, G.o.dou made up his mind. He might be over-thinking matters,

but he would feel bad if the situation went on without him doing anything.

”You need not care about such a selfish woman. Leaving that aside,

Kusanagi G.o.dou, I warned you the other day, and yet you still obtained

something like that again?” Liliana interjected in ill humor.

”Eh? What are you talking about?”

”I am talking about that. About that obviously nutrient-deficient bread!”

She was staring at the yakisoba bread^ that G.o.dou bought.

Even among the bread in the store, it was particularly a popular article. The

sweetness and saltiness of the sauce surrounding the noodles was

exquisite, and it was always sold out a few minutes after the beginning of

lunch break.

That day he had managed to buy two of those popular items. He also

purchased an egg sandwich and a croquette sandwich along with them,

but in terms of rarity they were no match for the yakisoba bread.

But apparently the knight from Milan disliked this specialty bread that was

unique to j.a.pan.

”Combining carbohydrates with carbohydrates is reckless at best. So long

as my heart beats, I shall not permit that kind of crude meal.”

And just like that, Liliana confiscated the yakisoba bread. In return, she

forced a self-made sandwich onto him.

Roast beef and lettuce, tomatoes, cuc.u.mber, avocados, and other

ingredients held between toasted rye bread, seasoned with what appeared

to be a handmade sauce.

”A meal like this is appropriate for a warrior. Now, please eat up.”

”A-ahh. Then, thanks...”

Actually, that day he had wanted to be satisfied by the taste of junk food

sauce.

But refusing Liliana's consideration with such a reason would feel

awkward.

G.o.dou bit into the sandwich. Of course, it was delicious. It tasted better

than the food offered by the cafes in the area. The pickled vegetables that

were offered along with the sandwich were outstanding as well.

It was not just garnished with the customary cuc.u.mber, but carrots and

broccoli as well. When he asked, he learned that they were also self-made.

It was a lunch prepared with a lot of time and effort that left nothing to be

desired in both taste and nutrition.

However, G.o.dou unintentionally stared at the yakisoba bread, which had

been regretfully confiscated.

”Hey, could you return that to me? I still have room for more...” he asked

tentatively. Junk food with an excess of salt and sauce had a charm that

was hard to resist, after all. As a former athlete, he normally showed

self-restraint; but from time to time gluttony would overcome him.

”1-1 cannot. This was hard, but I confiscated it under consideration of your

own good, you know?”

Liliana somehow became fl.u.s.tered when G.o.dou asked.

”E-even if you ask me with such a face, this is out of the question, simply

out of the question... But, umm, it is not that I cannot consent to giving you

half of it. S-split half of it with me. That would be fine.”

”Liliana-san. Please don't change your position so abruptly-” s.h.i.+zuka said

to Liliana as she suddenly came around to agreeing.

Until now, she had been sarcastically watching the exchange between her

brother and the silver-haired knight.

”It's shameful to be like a mother going all soft on her child just because

he's throwing a tantrum.”

She was not outright rude, but s.h.i.+zuka's tone contained an obvious thorn.

Minding that, Yuri, who sat across her, softly chided her.

”s.h.i.+zuka-san, you must not speak like that. Well, I also think that Liliana's

behavior is inconsistent, but...”

”C-could you stop with the strange accusations?”

Liliana cleared her throat with a somewhat sheepish expression.

”s.h.i.+zuka-san, I only acted with appropriate concern towards your older

brother. In addition, I presented a compromise to meet his wishes as much

as possible. Therefore, Mariya Yuri, all my actions were taken thinking of

Kusanagi G.o.dou's well-being. In that sense, all of my actions are

consistent, I believe.”

She was stiffer towards the younger s.h.i.+zuka than towards Yuri, who was

her age.

Liliana made her arguments with that slight difference in att.i.tude.

”In short, that means you've totally caved in against my brother, right?”

”I caved in against Kusanagi G.o.dou? Ridiculous. I am always strict and

push high standards onto him. What you said just now was clearly a

mistake of the facts,” Liliana said as she took out a napkin.

When she suddenly handed it to him, G.o.dou was startled.

”Ahh, this is no good. You have gotten sauce on you. Your dignity and

authority will be for naught like this. Okay, it is all right now. You are an

unexpectedly troublesome person, hmm?” she said while wiping G.o.dou's

mouth.

Although she called him troublesome, Liliana still looked very content for

some reason. It was a strange feeling of enrichment, and, from the looks of

it, Yuri and s.h.i.+zuka had awfully cold stares.

”G.o.dou-san.”

”Onii-chan, I can't believe it. You look like an idiot. You're totally being

babied!”

Were these possibly the same reactions that had occurred earlier in the

cla.s.sroom? Exposed to stares that doubted his character and dignity,

G.o.dou was horrified.

By the way, Liliana and s.h.i.+zuka had met for the first time on the last day of

the summer holidays.

Saying that her personal arrangements in Italy had finished at last, Liliana

had appeared in Nezu^ in the Bunkyou ward and went straight to G.o.dou's

house to introduce herself.

At that time, both G.o.dou and s.h.i.+zuka had been at home, and so was their

grandfather Ichirou.

He had instructed her not to reveal information on magicians, knights, or

Campione to his family, so Liliana had not used those words.

Still. Still.

”I came to take care of Kusanagi G.o.dou” or ”we shall be together forever.”

”Our relations.h.i.+p binds us with the same fate; we are one in body and soul”

or ”I intend to protect him for all our lives” were also unnecessary, G.o.dou

believed.

At that time, his grandfather had laughed ”Hoho, well well” and gave

Liliana a warm reception.

But after she had gone home, he had whispered: ”You see, girls like that

brood over too many things, so you need to be careful with them. How

should I say it; whether they let you live or die is up to you...”

That piece of advice somehow seemed weighed down with meaning. And

speaking of s.h.i.+zuka...

”When you vanished off somewhere at the start of the summer holidays, I

can't believe you were out catching such a beautiful person! You weren't

satisfied with just Erica-san and Mariya-san; no, you had to get a third

one!?! Onii-chan, you're totally like grandpa!”

Just like that, she had become exceedingly hotheaded. 'Little sister of

mine, don't have weird misunderstandings about your brother.' But when

he tried to relay that to her, Liliana had objected first.

”s.h.i.+zuka-san, your words just now are mistaken. Unlike Erica or Mariya

Yuri, I do not intend to become your brother's lover. Liliana Kranjcar is a

knight that will protect Kusanagi G.o.dou until the end, living my life

alongside him... that is the purpose of my existence.”

”L-lover!?”

”Liliana-san, please stop using such strange words!”

As Yuri interjected, s.h.i.+zuka also winced at the term, one not usually used

by modern middle and high school students.

But Liliana's face remained calm.

”Am I wrong, Mariya Yuri? I have already recognized that as what you are

waiting for.”

”That is not true! That very idea is a misunderstanding!”

”I see... Well then, if you say you have no ambition to become his lover,

please refrain from excessive meddling. As it is my duty, I shall earnestly

remain in waiting by Kusanagi G.o.dou's side. I would like you to not

interfere.”

Faced with Liliana's decisive words, Yuri became fl.u.s.tered.

While G.o.dou grew worried as he listened next to her.

If the usually reserved j.a.panese miko and the dutiful Milanese knight

continued to diverge like that, it would definitely leave a bad aftertaste. He

should settle matters before it came to that.

”Hey, Liliana, don't be so stiff. Mariya only says that because she's worried

about us. It's nothing to be so hard on her for.”

Matters like these should be resolved before they take deep roots.

Maybe it was because he had been the captain when he was still playing

baseball, but G.o.dou had gotten used to this sort of problem. It was not

necessary to be excessively friendly among teammates, but discord hidden

in the shadows was not good.

Especially if a girl like Yuri was involved, he wanted to be considerate.

”G.o.dou-san...”

”I'm sorry, Mariya. You also understand that Liliana meant no harm, right?

I'll make sure she's careful from now on, so don't take it to heart”, G.o.dou

said to Yuri, who looked at him rather happily.

”Y-yes. I don't particularly mind.”

”Okay, great. Lately I've always seemed to make you angry... sorry. I've

been waiting for the right time to apologize, but there were no chances

and...” he gently smiled at her. He felt this was a chance to try and fix his

relations.h.i.+p with Yuri.

This miko had a really nagging streak, but it was all out of consideration for

him. If he was not thankful for that, he would incur divine punishment.

If he could, he would like to stay on good terms with her for a long time to

come.

”I should be the one to apologize deeply. After seeing how well G.o.dou-san

and Liliana-san got along lately, my chest grew strangely nauseous, and

gave me dark thoughts... I also thought I should improve my att.i.tude.”

”Ahh, so you felt the same. True, you've been cold to me lately, huh,

Mariya?”

”Please! Don't tease me like that!”

Yuri suddenly turned her face away. It was unusual for her, but she was

pouting.

After seeing that, a relieved G.o.dou turned around towards Liliana next. If

he managed to gently finish the matter now... Even so, she frowned at him,

her expression full of amazement.

”I am impressed, Kusanagi G.o.dou... How you handled the upset Mariya

Yuri just now revealed quite the skill. I should have expected no less from

someone who became renowned for his dirty interests at such a young

age.”

'Seriously, you are only smooth at times like this...' Liliana grumbled.

”Hey, what do you mean with 'handle?' Don't make me sound like a

weirdo!”

”There is no need to justify yourself. No matter how much you l.u.s.t after

women, even if the worst happens and you invite destruction upon

yourself, at least I will be your ally... Indeed, I had already taken that

amount of trouble into account when I precipitously joined you.”

That line invited way too many misunderstandings. Sensing danger,

G.o.dou was about to chide her, but it was already too late.

”Liliana-san. What was it you just said? About Onii-chan and dirty

interests?”

”I meant it as I said it. You seem to be aware already, but your big brother

has pledged love with quite a number of women, and he is very

accomplished when it comes to enjoying that love.”

”Wait, Liliana, don't make up fishy stories!”

”Onii-chan, you stay quiet. Liliana-san, please continue,” s.h.i.+zuka

interrupted G.o.dou's protest and urged Liliana to go on.

Liliana answered her question somewhat dejectedly.

”Yes. The truth is, I also fear that your brother will suffer one day due to

this bad habit. When I think of wicked women like Erica being so close to

him...”

”Aren't you right- Many people fell to ruin due to womanizing, right-”