Vol 13 Chapter 2 (2/2)
'Without any warning, vanished without trace like magic. Please take a look
because headlines like ”Sudden Collapse Incident!?” are being reported
through ma.s.s media.'
Last night, Amakasu had explained while showing the evening news
through the tablet PC.
'Although a terrorist demolition was suspected at first, no sounds of
collapse or explosion could be confirmed. Neither were any fragments
found near the Tokyo Tower. It's almost like it was ”disintegrated”
completely.'
'Through the investigations conducted by us at the Committee, the actual
cause was determined to be a particular incident.'
'A sniping attack.'
During the instant of occurrence, cameras were fortunately able to capture
something. Something had flown from the east and embedded itself into
the topmost part of the Tokyo Tower, then during the instant when the
antenna and the top of the tower disappeared —
G.o.dou recalled Amakasu's words as he stepped into Nanao Shrine.
Everyone else had arrived already — Yuri and Ena dressed in miko outfits,
as well as Erica and Liliana. Amakasu was absent because he was already
dispatched to the scene the night before.
”We have been waiting, G.o.dou-san. Please come this way.”
As the Hime-Miko protecting this shrine, Yuri did not need to perform that
role on this rare occasion.
The whole group made their way into the depths of the shrine to find a
mysterious ”arrow” laid on a blue tarpaulin. A two-meter long arrow made
of steel — a steel arrow.
”This thing... There really is some sort of divine quality residing in it.”
Liliana murmured as she looked at the long and ma.s.sive steel arrow.
Possessing both the power of spirit vision and the knowledge of witches,
her appraisal ability far surpa.s.sed typical magi in situations like the current
one.
”This is the arrow that struck the Tokyo Tower?”
”Yes. Investigators discovered it when they tracked down the immense
magical power lingering behind. Although I have no idea how much I can
see, I shall make an attempt to 'have a look.”'
Yuri answered G.o.dou's question solemnly.
Meanwhile, Erica and Ena commented as they looked at the steel arrow.
”It carries a divine quality just as expected. This is yet another fairly
troublesome incident.”
”Well, it is definitely impossible for a human to snipe from the location
Amakasu said, no matter what kind of spell was used. So this time, a
bow-wielding deity appeared?”
Ena's unintentional comment gave G.o.dou a shock for some reason. He
recalled an old unexpected enemy — the name of Perseus. Because that
man also used a bow and arrows, right? Unaware of G.o.dou's
reminiscences at this time, Yuri lifted up the iron arrow in her pale white
hand.
In possession of excellent spirit vision powers, she closed her eyes and
began to speak in broken sentences.
”Bow and arrows forged from steel. The brave warrior who carries this
bow. Peerless arm strength... Relentless, unyielding... The one shouldering
a fate of wandering.”
As expected of Yuri, her spirit vision was successful.
”Traversing the great sea and hundreds of islands, finally returning to his
homeland... Piercing his enemies with arrows, recovering his beautiful
wife... His name... His name is...”
Could it really be Perseus? G.o.dou could feel his emotions roused in
turmoil.
Did that flashy and conspicuous guy come to j.a.pan to seek revenge?
However, if it were really him, he would have made a more direct entrance
instead —
As G.o.dou pondered while he waited for the oracle, Yuri opened her eyes.
”This is apparently all there is to it. Spirit vision did not succeed in
revealing the G.o.d's sacred name hidden in the arrow.”
”You've done very well already. A lot can be imagined based on the many
things you saw through spirit vision.”
Ena comforted her fellow Hime-Miko who hung her head in
disappointment.
”That's right... Ena is reminded of 'Yuriwaka Daijin,' what about you,
Yuri?” [6]
”I cannot say. Although a lot can indeed be deduced, but if these eyes of
mine really cannot see it through spirit vision then...”
Apparently, Yuri insisted on capturing the deity through feeling rather than
knowledge and deductive logic.
Impressed with the answer of the miko who possessed excellent spirit
vision powers, G.o.dou spoke up:
”I'm sorry, but what kind of G.o.d is that whatever 'Daijin' guy?”
”It's not unusual for ordinary people to have never heard of him. He used to
be quite famous as the protagonist of a legend, which was even made into
a kabuki drama.”
Yuri immediately supplemented Ena's answer:
”Yuriwaka Daijin's legend is an amalgamation of all sorts of beliefs from all
over j.a.pan. Not only is the eagle serving him wors.h.i.+ped, but even his bow
and arrows are venerated in shrines as divine treasures.”
”Just think of him as a mythical hero. Yeah, similar to Sun Wukong from
before.”
And so, the two Hime-Miko briefly recounted the legend of Yuriwaka Daijin.
'Yuriwaka Daijin was the provincial overseer at Kyushu Tsukus.h.i.+,
renowned for his bravery and mastery of the bow.
After partic.i.p.ating in an overseas military expedition, he was betrayed by
his subordinate along the way home and abandoned on a desert island in
the middle of the ocean. Upon returning to Yuriwaka's territory, his
subordinate took over and did as he pleased unchecked.
And even married Yuriwaka's wife Kasugahime by force.
But Yuriwaka escaped from the desert island and endured years of long
travel, finally returning to his homeland. Using his bow to shoot and kill the
traitorous subordinate, he recovered his wife and territory...'
It was apparently an epic story of great tumult.
Furthermore, it matched the content of Yuri's spirit vision.
”There are many legends about the great Yuriwaka at Kyushu. Also at
Gunma Prefecture, there used to be stories pa.s.sed down about how
Yuriwaka opened up a huge cave in Mount Myougi by shooting an arrow
from a great distance. Quite similar to this incident, I'd say.”
Ena added, prompting G.o.dou, who was completely unaware of these
legends, to express his sincere admiration.
However, Erica and Liliana were contemplating the matter with a subtle
expression.
”Wait a minute, is it really correct to consider Yuri's spirit vision within the
context of j.a.panese deities? I've got the name of another candidate hero
who matches the current oracle.”
”You too, Erica? As I thought, it does resemble that hero greatly, does it
not?”
The European knights exchanged glances and Erica suddenly began to
recite:
”Tell me, O Muse, of the man of many devices, who wandered full many
ways after he had sacked the sacred citadel of Troy. '™
This was probably an excerpt from some story? As G.o.dou wondered,
Liliana swiftly followed up.
”His guile and brilliance recognized by the people on earth, his renown
even reached the heavens. His name is — ”
G.o.dou, Yuri and Ena, the three j.a.panese, stared with their eyes wide at
the sudden performance of harmony as the knights' voices sounded in
perfect unison:
” ”Odysseus.” ”
”The Greek leader who devised the Trojan Horse to capture the city of
Troy, the king of Ithaca, the indomitable hero. The main protagonist of the
Odyssey which stands together with the Iliad as the two major ancient epic
poems of Greek mythology.”
G.o.dou had heard of the t.i.tle that Liliana revealed. Perhaps the book was
buried somewhere in the library of the Kusanagi home. Then Erica
continued:
”It's virtually identical. Like the j.a.panese hero who returned home after
years of wandering to display his valor through the bow... Odysseus did the
same.”
”Eh?”
Having already heard numerous stories about how all sorts of myths and
legends spread throughout the continents, G.o.dou was convinced this
could not be mere coincidence.
Could the current perpetrator be a deity related to both Yuriwaka and the
Greek myths —
The two Hime-Miko looked at each other in surprise. In any case, since the
spirit vision obtained from the iron arrow did not elucidate the name of the
perpetrator, there was no choice but to head to the scene of the crime.
”First of all, let us converge with Amakasu-san...”
Last night, the History Compilation Committee member had revealed the
name of the location, Cape Inubou at Chous.h.i.+ City in the Chiba Prefecture.
On the tip of the Bousou Peninsula, it was the easternmost part of the
Kantou region. From this location, an arrow was shot magnificently to snipe
the top of the Tokyo Tower... That was what Amakasu reported.
Using wizardry to investigate, the Committee had narrowed down the
position from where the sniping attack was launched. Cape Inubou was a
hundred kilometers away from the Tokyo Tower. What kind of divine skill
could possibly accomplish such a feat — ?
So many troublesome facts, thought G.o.dou with a frown.
Part 4
The usual chauffeur, Amakasu, had already left for the destination first.
Although they could have asked for another driver, Ena had suggested
”Wouldn't it be nice to try out convenience store lunchboxes at the train
station once in a while?” Furthermore, Erica and Liliana both felt rather
interested in her explanation that this type of food on the go was part of the
”j.a.panese traveling experience.”
Finally, there was Yuri:
”To think this type of lunchbox existed, I have never heard of it before.”
She accepted the idea with an expression of resolve as she spoke. Thus,
the means of transport was decided.
Departing Nanao Shrine to reach the Tokyo train station, the group then
boarded the express train to Chous.h.i.+ City.
As expected of the homecoming season around New Year's, the trains
leaving the Tokyo station were completely packed.
Fortunately, they already had a train compartment reserved in advance.
”So, how should we sit?”
”What you mean is where G.o.dou should sit and who will take the seats
beside him... Right?”
”Ena and Erica-san, regardless which of you brought up this topic, do note
that you are causing trouble for others.”
”But since seats need to be taken anyway, why don't Ena and Yuri just sit
next to His Majesty?”
”Oh my, Ena-san. To say the least, I have no intention of relinquis.h.i.+ng the
position on G.o.dou's right hand side.”
”Kusanagi G.o.dou, pardon my intrusion, but would you allow me to arrange
the seating?”
Sighing, the silver-haired housekeeper directed the seating arrangements.
First of all, Erica, G.o.dou and Ena were seated together while Liliana and
Yuri sat opposite to them.
Then the journey began. Lunch consisted of the lunchboxes they had
bought earlier at Tokyo Station along the way.
As a side note, the one who suggested the whole idea, Ena, had bought a
tangerine gelatin dessert, quite a rare product in recent times. She was
now enjoying it with a satisfied smile. Confronted with station lunchboxes
for the first time, Yuri had compared them with great seriousness and
consideration finally deciding on kamames.h.i.+ rice with a.s.sorted
ingredients^ ^ She was now eating it blissfully.
G.o.dou had made a suitable choice among the Makunouchi style
lunchboxes at the station, with Liliana following suit and picking the
same.^
”As the one in charge of the king's personal affairs, personally verifying
what enters the lord's mouth is also part of the job... Also, I think sharing
'the same taste' would be nice.”
That was Liliana's explanation.
All serious and business-like to begin with, but subtly s.h.i.+fting in tone
halfway through...
Finally, never one to miss out as a food adventurer, Erica was savoring her
unusual lunchbox selection of the ”Okinawa Product: Seagrape and Bitter
Melon Sandwich” with a subtle expression.
After two hours or so, the journey concluded. The five had arrived at the
terminus station of Chous.h.i.+.
This train station was still a short distance from Cape Inubou. A local staff
member of the Committee was arranged beforehand to pick them up by
car.
G.o.dou and his group made their way from Chous.h.i.+ Station towards the
rendezvous point.
Here at this fisherman's harbor and fis.h.i.+ng village, distribution was about to
stop due to the upcoming New Year's holiday. Hence, those employed in
the fis.h.i.+ng industry were supposed to be in a leisurely state.
But as expected of the winter break and tourist season, the streets were
rather lively.
With many tourists all over, the local specialty stores, fishmongers and
places selling and serving seafood were quite busy. The lively atmosphere
was wonderful with all the nodding and greeting going on.
” — !?”
Liliana suddenly jumped with surprise as she pa.s.sed by a fishmonger's
store. Various winter catches were displayed at the storefront, such as
chunk-sliced marlin, winter mackerel, winter yellowtail, red bream, etc.
”Eh, I didn't know that Liliana-san had an aversion to fish?”
”Of course not, I eat the vast majority of seafood.”
Ena's suspicious question brought forth Liliana's swift answer.
As a country in Southern Europe, Italy was blessed with the
Mediterranean's abundant fis.h.i.+ng yield which formed a mainstay of Italian
cuisine. Being used to seafood was only natural.
But Liliana was timidly looking at the storefront as though she were
searching for something. On display was a ma.s.sive deepwater fish, an
anglerfish roughly one meter in length. An old man who seemed to be the
shopkeeper was standing beside it, yelling out to peddle his catch as he
sliced up the fish to sell in smaller pieces.
It was a dynamic demonstration of the selling style of fishmongers in
fis.h.i.+ng villages.
”Then what's wrong?”
Liliana was making a troubled expression as if frantically pondering.
”N-Nothing... But just now, the name the shopkeeper called out was
probably a certain name. It reminded me of the fish that Amakasu
mentioned yesterday that he was going to treat us to...”
”I think it's called the anglerfish hot pot.”
After talking to G.o.dou yesterday, Amakasu had extended the same
invitation to the knights. From beside Liliana, Erica proceeded to smile and
speak:
”You are not mistaken. Indeed, Amakasu-san did ask us yesterday to look
forward to that hot pot dish. Hoho, it looks like it will be quite an exciting
new experience, Lily.”
Erica smiled matter-of-factly like a witch full of malevolence.
”That slippery undulating gelatinous body... Sloppy, sticky, flaccid, an
organism with jaws like the entrance to a dungeon. That is the dish we
shall savor tonight. Let us prepare ourselves, everyone.”
Erica warned as she gazed at the deepwater fish's appearance with a
mysteriously solemn expression.
A description that evoked imagery akin to a b.a.s.t.a.r.d child born from evil
deities manifesting as cosmic horrors. Turning her back to her childhood
friend's gaze, Liliana sternly declared:
”W-What are you talking about? Even without prior preparation, this is
nowhere near my threshold of fear. No matter what kind of ingredient, you
cannot judge how it tastes without trying it once.”
Thus Liliana quickened her pace and leaped out in front of the group,
walking away rapidly. Chasing after her, G.o.dou and the three other girls
whispered among themselves.
”Liliana seems rather helpless against disgusting looking food.”
”But due to her serious personality, she will try anything at least once.”
”Erica-san, since you already know that, please refrain from pranks of this
sort.”
”Oh well, but anyway, this is commonplace whenever people try out
seafood they've never had before. The person who first discovered kuchiko
must be a strange one indeed.”
”That seems to be the ovary of the sea cuc.u.mber...”
After that, they met the Committee member at the crossroads which served
as the rendezvous point. Expecting Amakasu, they were surprised to find
instead a man they had never met before.
He reported that his acquaintance, the History Compilation Committee
member serving directly under the Sayanomiya family (Amakasu, in other
words), had spent a hectic night running around to handle various matters.
G.o.dou and the girls pitied Amakasu's laborous plight as they got on the car
to head towards the destination — Kimigahama.
This was a beautiful beach located quite close to the lighthouse on the
easternmost point of Cape Inubou. It was also a park enclosed by a
beautiful pine forest.
The place was currently sealed off by members of the History Compilation
Committee and the local police. G.o.dou and the four girls were led past the
yellow tape to enter the restricted area.
Watching from Kimigahama, the Pacific Ocean in winter seemed quite
desolate. The waves were quite tall here and swimming was prohibited
even in summer.
Then there was the object in question — a steel crafted bow embedded in a
corner of the beach. At five meters long, its dimensions were impossible for
human use.
The steel bow was stabbed into the beach like a sword. This Kimigahama
beach was the place the History Compilation Committee narrowed down
as the sniping spot.
The steel arrow was shot towards the Tokyo Tower from here. Then the
Committee members dispatched to this location on emergency
investigations had discovered this bow.
”Indeed I can feel a similar divine quality as that arrow...”
Liliana murmured with a pondering expression as if she was sensing
something through spirit vision.
”It does not have power on the level of a divine artifact. The divine aura is
far too weak to be something a war G.o.d used.”
”Maybe a bow and arrow wielding divine beast or demiG.o.d descended
here?”
□liana's longtime friend and rival, Erica, concurred and offered an
explanation. Meanwhile, the other spirit vision user stared at the long and
ma.s.sive bow, then looked in surprise towards the Pacific Ocean in the
distance.
”What's the matter, Yuri?”
”Ah yes, I saw it just now, the sacred image of a wandering hero — Wielding
something that feels similar to this bow. However, the feeling is not the
same.”
Yuri answered her fellow Hime-Miko's query in trepidation.
”Something s.h.i.+ning with brilliance — I should put it this way. It is just a little
bit, but I sensed a divine quality with the attribute of light.”
”Could it be light from the east... A deity who possesses a sun G.o.d's
divinity?”
Erica spoke with a keen gaze. Speaking of which, Yuri was looking out
towards the Pacific Ocean in the east.
”On further thought, this incident does have many elements connected to
the sun. The Tokyo Tower was sniped at noon with the sun at its peak,
whereas this beach is the easternmost location in the Kantou region...”
”Then there is the matter of Yuriwaka and Odysseus.”
The blonde knight nodded and agreed with Ena's observation.
A j.a.panese folk story that greatly resembled the tale of the Greek hero.
G.o.dou recalled Erica and Liliana's casual conversation from during the
train ride.
'Odysseus, the Achaean military leader who captured the city of Troy.
Suffering the wrath of the G.o.d of the oceans, he was stranded on an
isolated island. Meanwhile, his subjects back in his territory of Ithaca had
run amok, taking over his wealth and property, trying to force Odysseus'
wife Penelope to remarry after her husband's presumed death.
Thereafter, Odysseus received divine protection and finally managed to
leave the island. After a long and wandering journey, he returned home in
the end to slaughter the depraved and violent suitors, recovering his wife
and territory — '
Something similar to that. Staring at the five meter bow of steel, Erica
mumured:
”Come to think of it, there's Odysseus' bow — the rigid bow that no one
could draw apart from Odysseus with his mighty strength. The other
warriors tried as best as they could, but none of them could wield it.”
G.o.dou's cellphone rang in his pocket at this time. It was a call from
Amakasu.
I seem to be getting hungry. Staying at this beach probably won't yield any
further progress, so it's probably time to decide our next step with him...
Thinking that to himself, G.o.dou reached for his phone.
G.o.dou suddenly felt a sense of revulsion, as if someone was watching
him —
Surveying the surroundings, G.o.dou found the girls in his company simply
looking around in disbelief while the members of the Committee and the
police were positioned quite far away. No one was looking in his direction.
Was he imagining things?
Shaking his head, G.o.dou reached for his phone again.
Part 5
Amakasu was waiting at their accommodations while G.o.dou and his group
were being taken there.
As soon as they encountered him waiting at the hotel lobby, he began to
explain.
This was the seaside of Cape Inubou, the easternmost part of the Kantou
region. Nearby, large scale hot springs and entertainment facilities were
famous for their view of the ocean.
”Since it's New Year's, let's simply have a stay over. Truth be told, I'm
rather attracted by the prospects of the relaxation corner where Thai,
Korean, Tunisian and Guam style ma.s.sages can all be enjoyed.”
That was what Amakasu appended at the end.
During the night of the garden party, he was suddenly dispatched here to
Cape Inubou and had been busy with investigations and directing
information control ever since. Consequently, the special agent looked
even less energetic than usual.
G.o.dou immediately answered ”No problem” in response to Amakasu's
suggestion.
Thus, they decided to check in for now.
From a super large bath facility offering a view of the Pacific, one could see
the ocean, dyed red by the setting sun.
It was exactly sunset right now and Amakasu sighed with blissful
relaxation.
”It seems to be telling us the stage is already set and waiting for you all.”
”What did you say, Amakasu-san?”
G.o.dou was baffled by the mutterings of his fellow hot spring occupant.
Naturally, both of them were completely nude right now.
”I had this feeling that bad things would follow if I didn't get a good soak in
the hot springs to relax... But putting that aside. 'Is Yuriwaka Daijin
Odysseus?' Ahah, that's Tsubouchi Shouyou.”
After listening to G.o.dou recount the girls' daytime conversation, Amakasu
mentioned a certain person's name for some reason.
”Tsubouchi... The famous writer who lived during the Meiji period?”
”Yeah, that's him. He was the first person to point out the similarities
between the Yuriwaka legend and Odysseus' story. He proceeded to
propose 'Homer's epic poetry was spread in j.a.pan during its early modern
era and modified, thereby giving rise to the Yuriwaka legend' as a theory.”
Steeped in vast knowledge, Amakasu explained leisurely as he immersed
himself in the water of the hot spring.
Forced to take off his gla.s.ses on such an occasion, Amakasu proved to
have unexpectedly clear and slender eyes. Furthermore, readily apparent
from his state of nudity was Amakasu's well-trained and muscular body.
Virtually devoid of body fat, his physique reminded one of a boxer's.
Looking from this perspective, perhaps he really did have a ”master ninja”
side to him.
”The academic community back then apparently bought this idea and there
were many supporters.”
”...Back then?”
G.o.dou listened to Amakasu's subtle statement.
”Yeah, the theory was later rejected after being tested. After all, no one
could prove that the Odyssey had reached j.a.pan before the early modern
era. Well, someone like missionaries could have spread it by boat via
China or the Maritime Silk Road but that's just considered wild fancy.”
The knowledgeable special agent smiled wryly as he explained.
”Besides, there exist even more logic-defying routes of transmission.
Kusanagi-san, you'd probably agree with us, but if you consider the
example of Yuri-san, obtaining that sort of information is possible, right...”
Amakasu made a bitter face, prompting G.o.dou to feel unsettled.
”Doesn't that have terrible implications?”
”Bad or terrible regardless, it would not be unbelievable. Let's talk about it
in detail during dinner.”
”Okay. Then regarding tonight... Can I rely on your help?”
In actual fact, G.o.dou had prearranged to room with Amakasu.
This was his condition for a.s.sisting in the incident for G.o.dou had no wish
to repeat the same mistake from the London trip. In order to preemptively
rule out any chance of rooming with the girls for no apparent reason, so
that he could have a peaceful night during his travels.
Hence, the girls were divided with Erica and Liliana in one room while Ena
roomed with Yuri in another.
”Ah yes, well, Kusanagi-san.”
G.o.dou c.o.c.ked his head incredulously in response to Amakasu's vague
nodding.
”About this matter, you don't really have to be so uptight by this point,
right? Just hurry up, cross the finish line and you'll look all the more manly
for it, you know?”
”Oh come on, since you're the only adult here, Amakasu-san, could you
please worry a little about these issues!”
The two males took a relaxing break in the s.p.a.cious bath facility.
Meanwhile at another location —
The resort facility was equipped with an outdoor hot spring that provided
an expansive view of the Pacific Ocean, illuminated red by the setting sun.
Although the open air and wind were a little chilly, the hot spring's heat
prevented the body from feeling cold.
”Phew...”
Soaked in the hot water, Erica exhaled deeply. The four girls were
currently gathered here.
”An outdoor bath by the sea turns out to be rather nice.”
Erica crossed her beautiful, long and slender legs under the hot water.
She was currently relaxing her body and mind, leisurely enjoying a healing
moment.
The waves broke noisily against the walls of the cliff, filling the air with the
smell of salty spray. Whether the beautiful sunset or the sea view dyed
red — both were scenery one could not normally witness during a bath.
”It's quite warm even for winter and there's a great open feeling to this.”
”Last time, we all tried out the Nikkou hot springs at Lake Chuuzenji... But
since it was a lake by the mountains, the atmosphere was completely
different!”
Ena concurred with Erica's commentary.
Italy and j.a.pan, Southern Europe and the Far East. These two girls were
comrades born in countries separated by vast geographic distances.
Nevertheless, they were both equally outstanding in the physical maturity
of their figures. Well, perhaps Erica held a slight edge in all respects.
However, that was going strictly by the numbers, a question of what the
measurements suggested on first sight.
Based on visual impressions, they were essentially ”evenly matched.”
Whether in the bulging voluptuous bosoms, slender waists or the round full
curves of their hips, Erica Blandelli and Seishuuin Ena had met their match
in each other's prodigious natural gifts.
”The Nikkou hot springs... Really was quite disastrous.”
Immersed in the hot spring, Yuri's face went red. Rather than caused by
the water temperature, it seemed more likely the result of her recalled
memories.
”Th-That sort of behavior was really too inappropriate back then.
Completely beyond the bounds of decency. Whether Ena-san or Erica-san,
please do not engage in such bizarre compet.i.tiveness again...”
Yuri's sense of embarra.s.sment made her realize.
Compared to those two girls, her own figure gave off less of an impression
of volume.
Be that as it may, it was not an image of paucity. Rather, it was the
opposite. Whether in her bust or hip measurements, Yuri's physical
development was in full bloom. As a female, her body was flawless in its
curvaceous and supple figure.
Despite her voluptuous body, Yuri's figure gave others a delicate
impression at the same time.
From a female perspective, Erica and Ena's bodies were more seductive in
the sense of volume whereas the undulating curves of Yuri's slender figure
probably left others with a stronger impression.
”Well, rather than asking those two to practice self-restraint...”
Liliana lamented with great feeling. Her pale white skin, corresponding to
her Eastern European heritage, was flushed red by the hot spring's high
temperature.
”It would be far more constructive for us to keep our eyes wide open to
prevent the same mistakes from recurring, Mariya Yuri.”
Among the four girls present, Liliana was the slimmest of them all.
On the other hand, she possessed a fairy-like charm instead. Rather than
womanly, it would be better described as a delicate and slender figure of
”adolescence.” Crystal clear and flawless, her pale white skin was like a
doll's.
An unripened taste of dream-like attraction.
Nevertheless, she was completely unaware of her own charm. Moreover,
this seductive quality of hers was increasing without her conscious intent —
In any case, the four girls each had their respective advantages.
Enjoying the winter hot springs by the sea, this year they were rejuvenating
their exhausted bodies while accompanying the man who always insisted
on members.h.i.+p in the common sense faction despite being p.r.o.ne to
perpetrating terrible atrocities.
Suddenly, Ena spoke up.
”By the way, Yuri, if possible... Even if it's just tonight, let's sleep together
with His Majesty, the two of us — wanna try that?”
”That? What are you referring to?”
Yuri c.o.c.ked her head in puzzlement in response to the vagueness of the
key point.
”Yeah, that. Bring your ear closer and I'll tell you.”
”Oh okay— Eh!?”
Ena's discreet whispers caused Yuri's expression to freeze.
”A-An affair!?”
”Yes, that's right. Something like that. As I mentioned before, His Majesty
refused last time.”
”Oh you mean that, when Mariya Yuri and I were turned into stone, what
you forced Kusanagi G.o.dou to do...”
Liliana made a suffering expression while Erica frowned.
”...Ena-san.”
Erica spoke elegantly in her usual tone of voice but with a subtle
difference.
Standing in stark contrast against Erica, Liliana was, of course, the first
and foremost opponent as part of the red-blue pair. But recently, it felt as if
the approaches of the new formidable rival of Seishuuin Ena threatened
Erica's brilliance on occasion.
She was another formidable opponent as Erica's foil with different
characteristics from Liliana. Ena was the type of person whose words
managed to occasionally disrupt Erica's inner composure.
”But afterwards, I thought over it.”
On the other hand, Ena did not notice the subtle changes in her
compet.i.tor's inner thoughts and continued ruefully:
”Indeed Ena was refused back then... But I said I'd continue to wait.
Waiting for His Majesty.”
Erica understood the att.i.tudes towards love presented by Ena's heartfelt
words.
”If an opportunity comes along for even more heightened emotions, and
Ena and Yuri were to seize it deftly, perhaps success might oc
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