Vol 14 Chapter 2 (1/2)

Chapter 2 - News from Italy

Part 1

Kusanagi G.o.dou had spent the year end and New Year's in the South

Seas, practically on the equator.

When it finally came time to return to his home and country, he really felt

quite removed from the New Year's spirit.

Furthermore, his grandfather was traveling in Bhutan and his little sister

s.h.i.+zuka was vacationing in the Caribbean. Although his mother was in

j.a.pan, this was the time of the year when she occupied her days with New

Year parties, so G.o.dou hardly ever saw her.

Anyway, G.o.dou finally returned home to j.a.pan.

”Since it happens to be January, I believe we should pay a New Year's

homage before the winter vacation ends. As a New Year's event, let's all

go to Mariya's place.”

At the Kusanagi residence, Erica and Liliana gazed subtly at G.o.dou when

he invited them.

As a side note, Ena had already returned to her ancestral home at

Chichibu a while ago.

”A New Year's homage? I recall it being a j.a.panese custom. To make a

wish at a shrine at the beginning of each year.”

”A G.o.dslayer making wishes to G.o.ds? What would that be like, I really

wonder...”

”l-lt doesn't matter, okay? I can do New Year things just like ordinary

people. Besides, I'm not even sure what G.o.ds exactly are wors.h.i.+ped in

j.a.panese shrines!”

Liliana murmured with heartfelt emotion while Erica expressed her doubts

sardonically.

In response to the two knights' reactions, G.o.dou blurted out sacrilegious

words.

In spite of it all, the trio departed for s.h.i.+ba Park anyway, to pay a visit to

Nanao Shrine whose origins and deity wors.h.i.+ped were unknown to them

despite their frequent visits.

”Welcome back, Onii-sama. You've been working hard this January!”

”Thank you, everyone, for visiting despite the cold weather. Please step

this way.”

Entering the confines of Nanao Shrine, they were greeted and received by

the Mariya sisters.

Hikari and Yuri. s.h.i.+nto shrines always had their ”busy period” before and

after the year end. As Hime-Miko, the two girls had been working for the

past few days consecutively. G.o.dou greeted the sisters who were dressed

as miko.

”Have you been coming here every day since the year end, Hikari?”

”Yes. Despite how I may look, I was actually acting as Onee-chan's

subst.i.tute!”

”From what I have heard, Hikari has been very diligent. She worked

incessantly over New Year's Eve and the first three days of January.”

The older sister's gentle gaze rested on the younger sister who had

answered in a joking tone of voice.

As one of Musas.h.i.+no's important sanctuaries, Nanao Shrine was where

Yuri was stationed as the proper miko responsible for the ”Hime” role. For

the time being, Hikari was still an apprentice.

But because her older sister had followed G.o.dou on his trip to Malaysia,

Hikari became her subst.i.tute.

”By the way, this shrine really does not have many visitors.”

”This place was never popular in the first place.”

Liliana and Erica looked around inside the shrine inquisitively.

Information about Nanao Shrine was restricted by the History Compilation

Committee. Consequently, very few knew its location here, apart from

nearby residents.

Hence, visitors were usually quite rare. But today was different.

There were roughly ten people enjoying the New Year spirit as they

casually strolled about. This number of ordinary people was usually not

seen in this shrine. They were all members of the elderly. Apart from

G.o.dou's group, there were no other young people.

”Sure enough, because of the time of the year, pious individuals from a

long time ago and nearby people would make a special New Year's visit to

pay homage here.”

After explaining the situation, Yuri took everyone to a corner inside the

shrine.

Displayed on what resembled a folding table for sale were strips of fortune

telling paper and decorative arrows for warding off evil. For Nanao Shrine,

this was a rare sight similar to an ordinary shrine for once.

Young miko were selling these things, working part-time for the short term.

There was even sweet mild sake offered to visitors. G.o.dou, Erica and

Liliana all drank the warm, sweet, alcoholic drink, warming up their bodies

which were cold from the chilly air.

Then the group entered the wors.h.i.+p hall to insert coins into the offering

box, ring the bell and clap twice.

Although it was just a casual shrine visit, it did count as finis.h.i.+ng the New

Year's homage. G.o.dou felt rather satisfied with having completed part of

the New Year's festivities.

Then on the next day after the shrine visit, his little sister s.h.i.+zuka returned

to the Kusanagi residence. Coincidentally, grandfather Kusanagi Ichirou

also came home on the same day.

”This is a souvenir... But just to let you know, I bought it in Hawaii.”

”Uh, are Macadamia nuts really in season?”

The grandfather mischievously took out a gift-box of snacks, causing

G.o.dou to smile wryly.

In a situation like this, it was probably something of a Kusanagi family

tradition to refrain from snide comments like ”Weren't you traveling in

Bhutan?” On the other hand, s.h.i.+zuka inclined her head in puzzlement.

”Grandpa aside, who had been overseas during this entire time...”

Staring repeatedly at the face of the brother she had not seen for some

time, she questioned:

”Why are you tanned, Onii-chan? It also feels like you've gone swimming.”

The speaker, s.h.i.+zuka, had also picked up quite a tan herself.

She probably sunbathed quite a bit in the summer-like Caribbean. G.o.dou

really could not bring himself to say ”I actually went to Southeast Asia.”

G.o.dou tried to skirt the issue while under his sister's subtle gaze.

”Oh... It's New Year, you see. A friend who lives in the south invited me

over.”

”What is this!? So, Onii-chan, this trip wouldn't happen to include one of

the girls from Erica-san's group, would it!?”

”Of course I'm right. Who was it!? Erica-san, Mariya-senpai, or Liliana-san?

Or heaven forbid — All of them together!?”

In the end, s.h.i.+zuka discerned the truth through her mysteriously observant

powers.

Meanwhile, the grandfather had no intention of probing the issue. Winking

to G.o.dou, he entered the kitchen to prepare dinner. This was also part of

the Kusanagi family tradition, indeed.

After surviving various incidents, the third term of school began.

Compared to the hustle and bustle in January, G.o.dou's days were

temporarily peaceful for now.

Oh well, there were a few troubles too. Such as working as part-timers with

s.h.i.+zuka and going to Okutama to slay a divine beast. Although the latter

turned into a predicament involving a duel with a giant centipede-like

creature, at least the incident was resolved before it could turn into a

serious affair.

Just like that, the first month of the new year pa.s.sed peacefully for the

most part.

G.o.dou was also studying diligently for exams. During the third term,

Jounan Academy eschewed midterms and held final examinations directly

in early February.

Thus, the first February school day came to an end.

G.o.dou and three cla.s.smates were putting in serious effort, sweeping the

area around the school gates.

This was because they were on duty. During this time of the year, fallen

leaves were even more abundant than rubbish. The others on duty were

Nanami, Sorimachi and Takagi — commonly known as the Three Idiots.

Recalling a certain incident, G.o.dou struck up conversation with his friends.

”So, do you guys have any plans for Valentine's Day this year?”

He merely posed a casual question. However, G.o.dou suddenly jumped.

Two seconds later, the former location of G.o.dou's head was sliced through

by a sweeping broom handle. This would be a full-powered sword strike

unleashed against the upper region. An all-out attack from Takagi who

belonged to the kendo club.

”What the heck are you doing, idiot!?”

”Sorry, Kusanagi, my body could not help but move on its own.”

Takagi declared boldly with an expression like a wandering swordsman

from historical novels.

The slicing attack was performed quite proficiently. Were G.o.dou not

accustomed to battle already, he could not have dodged it.

”But forgive me, it definitely was your fault just now...”

”Yeah, Takagi is right...”

”You just committed taboo, so don't complain if you get killed...”

”What's the matter, guys?”

Not only Takagi but also Sorimachi and Nanami were all bearing grim

expressions.

G.o.dou was troubled by the trio's eyes that glimmered with subtle,

murderous intent. Why would they be this angry? Incomprehensible.

”You just committed what a socially fulfilled person should never do.

February 14 — Together with December 24, these two dates should be

listed as taboo judgment days in modern j.a.pan which has been corrupted

by love-capitalism. Even if the G.o.ds are willing to forgive such atrocities,

we shall not.”

”Yeah, absolutely unforgivable.”

Sorimachi's gaze expressed agreement with Nanami's performance while

Takagi questioned G.o.dou as if performing a forceful counterattack.

”By the way, how many guaranteed offers of chocolate do you have!?”

”I get one from my sister every year at least. There are no other

guaranteed offers.”

Troubled by the Three Idiots' reactions, G.o.dou replied.

”s.h.i.+zuka — my sister — would suddenly make a very displeased face after

counting the courtesy chocolate I receive. So there's nothing to be jealous

about.”

”Gah, not only do you receive ma.s.sive amounts of chocolate, you even

have a tsundere little sister!”

”Furthermore, you deliberately omitted Erica-sama and the others!”

”No, it's true that I'm good friends with them, but that doesn't mean they'll

give me chocolate for sure. That girl Erica doesn't care for these things in

particular, so she'll simply overlook them inattentively.”

Although G.o.dou did not hate sweet things, he did not especially like them

either.

Not really caring much about chocolate, G.o.dou continued to the main

topic.

”So, for this year's Valentine's Day, I know someone who is holding a

chocolate-eating gathering for those who are ditching girls. You guys

wanna go?”

”WHAT!?”

For some unknown reason, Nanami reacted to the invitation with shock. So

did the other two.

Puzzled by the trio's responses, G.o.dou continued to sell the idea.

”My acquaintance is quite the popular person and wishes to hold an event

for all the guys to take care of the mountain of courtesy chocolate.”

This was the plan concocted by Sayanomiya Kaoru, the young member of

the History Compilation Committee's core leaders.h.i.+p. Kaoru had already

extended her invitation to ten-odd acquaintances, ”eligible bachelors” from

among subordinates who were single, Amakasu, and others.

The venue was going to be Lu Yinghua's shop, a place which the Three

Idiots already knew about. The ”Peerless Statesman” maid cafe in

Akihabara.

Compared to the expected amount of chocolate, the numbers set to attend

were currently not quite enough.

”A-Are you going too, Kusanagi, no way...?”

”I don't have anything scheduled that day, so that's the plan for now. You

guys can come too, how about it? It'll be like Christmas, wouldn't that be

nice?”

”Oh yeah, however, the event organizer did mention that it'd be better if I

don't attend. That said, I have no idea why I'm being excluded.”

While G.o.dou muttered to himself, the Three Idiots suddenly became

despondent, having suffered a serious blow.

”b.a.s.t.a.r.d, to think you'd join this kind of planned event on February 14...”

”Th-This must be the difference between the desperate and the

complacent...”

”Anyway! How popular is the guy who planned this ridiculous event in the

first place!?”

”Eh? Well, that person's popularity level is a little exaggerated, but you

guys probably won't believe it...”

G.o.dou faltered as he found himself confronted with a fundamental

problem.

Briefly considering the person named Sayanomiya Kaoru, she was still

quite a presence even if one were to ignore her members.h.i.+p in the History

Compilation Committee. After all, she was as handsome as a character

taken out from shoujo manga.

How should he explain to the Three Idiots? G.o.dou began to agitate over

the issue.

Part 2

”Something relatively easy to make... You could do a chocolate and

espresso style tiramisu.”

After thinking briefly, that was Liliana Kranjcar's suggestions.

The location was after school in a cla.s.sroom. But rather than the Year 1

Cla.s.s 5 cla.s.sroom where Liliana belonged, this was Cla.s.s 6 next door.

This was the cla.s.s of Mariya Yuri and the two others who had called them

here.

Currently, Liliana was teaching how to make western confectionery.

”In addition to whipping egg yolk and mascarpone cheese to produce the

cheese cream, you need chocolate that is not excessively sweet and

espresso with the addition of white wine.”

”Hmm, it does seem quite tasty. However.”

”Instead of chocolate, doesn't this feel more like a cake?”

The ones commenting were Cla.s.s 6's Miyama-san and Sawa-san.

”I have no choice but to close my eyes and think carefully at this time...

Despite their pleasant appearances, chocolates sold commercially have

lost much of the cocoa's flavor. I think handmade truffles and raw

chocolate will taste much better than store-bought ones.”

”The way shop-bought chocolate is tempered would be no good...”^

Liliana murmured as if coming to a conclusion. From the side, Yuri also

remarked with a troubled expression.

This lesson was the result of Miyama-san's search for advice.

'Valentine's Day is drawing near, so I'd like to make some chocolate... But

what's the best way to do it?'

Known for her cooking skills and being in the same cla.s.s, Yuri was the first

person they consulted.

However, Yuri was not as familiar with the preparation of western

confectionary as she was with general cooking. Hence, she brought her

friend — Liliana Kranjcar — who made cakes during holidays from time to

time.

”Because it's a rare chance to present something handmade, I can

understand your feelings in taking a serious approach.”

Liliana nodded at Miyama-san.

”In order to support your love, we also should craft a well thought-out plan

while we are here discussing.”

”E-Ehhhhh!? N-No, that's not right. This isn't for confessing!”

”Miyama only wants to make cakes because of club activities. She's

actually part of the cooking research club. Then because Valentine's Day

is approaching, their next club activity is apparently chocolate making.”

”What? Oh I see now.”

Pet.i.te Miyama-san was so fl.u.s.tered her face had become bright red. The

gla.s.ses-wearing Sawa-san explained cheerfully.

Liliana was quite disappointed. In order to prepare for the approaching

”real battle” on February 14, she had been dedicating her efforts towards

preparing her recipes. To think she had mistaken Miyama-san for a fellow

comrade.

”Liliana-san and Mariya-san... Neither of you asked in the first place. In any

case, you're both going to give chocolate to Kusanagi, right?”

”I-I am going to give G.o.dou-san chocolate!?”

Sawa-san shrugged as she remarked, prompting Yuri's sudden panic.

”Umm, although I have never given anything like that to a male apart from

my father and grandfather... I must try my best at this, I suppose!?”

”What you do in this regard depends on how you feel, Mariya-san. We're

not going to judge you.”

”l-lndeed you are right. Then I really must hurry with preparations...”

Yuri whispered softly. Meanwhile, Sawa-san and Miyama-san's gazes met.

”Kusanagi-san huh. Although he's a 'good fellow,' at the same time, he's

also quite a 'good-for-nothing'...”

”Strangely enough, there's something pimp or gangster-like about him.

Maybe I really should try stabbing Kusanagi once or twice with a knife for

real...?”

This time, it was Liliana and Yuri's turn to exchange glances. Moreover, the

one making the radical proposal was Sawa-san who belonged to the

drama club. Despite being just a first year student, she was a talented girl

who personally took care of starring and production roles.

Sawa-san apologized frantically.

”Sorry, did I say anything to displease you two?”

”No, no. We have prepared ourselves long ago, in the event that

something like that might eventually happen to G.o.dou-san... He really is

incorrigible.”

”But it is quite surprising to find fellow students who are aware of that

aspect of his.”

Yuri sighed as Liliana nodded in agreement.

”I believe his problematic aspects as a person are difficult to understand in

the eyes of others.”

”G.o.dou-san has always been a strong and nice person.”

”Kind and responsible without prejudice. A person with a stable

temperament.”

”Although he does not like meddling in other people's business, he is very

good at taking care of others.”

”Also, he has the kind of personality that makes it impossible for others to

stop him once he gets worked up...”

”But without all these qualities, he would not be G.o.dou-san...”

Liliana and Yuri spoke alternately, nodding to each other.

Whenever the contradictory qualities of Kusanagi G.o.dou were brought up,

this was the inevitable outcome. Clearly a benevolent person who is

conscientious about the greater good, but why did situations always turn

out like that?

But upon hearing Liliana and Yuri's worries, Miyama-san remarked softly.

”Are you actually praising or complaining about Kusanagi-kun, I really don't

get it...”

”By the way, I've wanted to ask this for some time. During the winter break,

did you all visit the beach together, somewhere south?”

”Sawa-san, why would you ask that!?”

”Very simple. It's clearly midwinter, but you all came back tanned.”

II II II II

With the critical fact pointed out to them, Liliana and Yuri were speechless.

They had not expected to be found out in this manner.

”Kusanagi-san's family went along as well, right? I've heard that his little

sister, who studies in the middle school division, also came back with quite

a tan.”

”Taking family and an army of girlfriends to the beach, that's really acting

like a king.”

Although it was not entirely true, false achievements were being publicized

and spreading around.

In any case, that was how the gathering finally concluded. Exiting the

cla.s.sroom together, Sawa, Miyama and Mariya Yuri parted ways to head

off to the activity rooms of their respective clubs. On the other hand, Liliana

made her way to the school gates.

It was currently dusk and both the school yard and the building itself were

illuminated orange by the setting sun.

”What a coincidence...”

Seeing the boys at the front gates, Liliana murmured to herself.

It was her lord, Kusanagi G.o.dou. However, she also witnessed a strange

scene. The trio of Nanami, Sorimachi and Takagi in his company suddenly

raced towards the setting sun.

With tears streaming down their faces, the trio resembled abandoned

dogs.

Meanwhile, G.o.dou was left behind, scratching his head and going ”What a

pain.”

Not long after the Three Idiots had sprinted off into the sunset...

The silver-haired student came over to the side of G.o.dou who had been

left behind alone, dumbfounded.

”Did anything happen, Kusanagi G.o.dou?”

”No, I'm not even sure myself.”

Naturally, the one asking incredulously was Liliana. She looked like she

was just about to leave school to go home.

The school gates was not a great place for talking, so G.o.dou and Liliana

walked over to the street and began to converse behind the gingko trees.

”We were talking about plans for February 14. Right after I mentioned I had

a very popular acquaintance, these guys looked like they had suffered a

ma.s.sive blow for some reason...”

”Very popular — surely Sayanomiya Kaoru, right?”

”Yeah. I think what I said about Kaoru-san was the decisive factor in their

change.”

G.o.dou had omitted her gender for now and tried to tone down his

description of her as much as possible.

Quite handsome in appearance, well-versed in both martial and cultural

arts, popular with the ladies, etc. This resulted in the Three Idiots crying out

simultaneously and cursing the world as they made a mad dash towards

the setting sun.

After listening from start to finish, Liliana murmured slowly.

”Indeed it is quite a mystery. Why did they have to run?”

”I didn't say anything bad, right? Anyway, I'll try talking to them again

tomorrow.”

”I think that is appropriate. Indeed, confirming the way one another thinks

is fundamental to interpersonal relations.h.i.+ps.”

Liliana answered G.o.dou's question with a serious, knightly expression.

This was the kind of statement the Diavolo Rosso would never make. As

expected of Liliana. G.o.dou was impressed.

However, the ponytailed female knight suddenly changed the subject.

”By the way, there was something in that conversation that I cannot

ignore.”

”Eh, which part?”

”Naturally, the fact that your baffling plans are infringing on the sanct.i.ty of

Valentine's Day.”

Liliana was scolding angrily.

”This day is a venerable celebration of lovers. To be honest, I was quite

surprised that it has even permeated j.a.pan deeply...”

”Is deeply permeated really a good thing? I think it's just troublesome.”

Reportedly, the custom of only girls giving away chocolate was entirely a

j.a.panese creation.

For example, in places like Italy, the men would send cards to express

messages of love. While G.o.dou was recalling this fact, Liliana was talking

with a know-it-all expression:

”The difference in details is just a trivial problem. What is important is the

att.i.tude of expressing your love to those who are important to you.”

”But putting love aside, the custom of courtesy chocolate is really a pain in

the a.s.s...”

”Having fun like this would be nice once in a while, would it not?”

G.o.dou was reminded of White Day^ every year when s.h.i.+zuka would

always start a noisy argument by going ”Take me out somewhere.”

Recalling this annual affair, G.o.dou had expressed his opinion but Liliana's

att.i.tude was not swayed at all.

”Sorry, let me make a correction. Confirming one another's thoughts is not

only fundamental to interpersonal relations.h.i.+ps, it is of ultimate importance.

Trampling this principle will lead to people getting hurt — ”

Liliana glared at G.o.dou with reprimanding eyes.

”In order to prevent a problematic Valentine's Day, I will make proper

preparations as your knight.”

”A-As a knight?”

”Yes, confectionery recipes for making chocolate are fully prepared. I have

already cleared my schedule for that day and made myself completely

available.”

□liana's slender face, reminiscent of a fairy's, swiftly drew close.

G.o.dou could feel his heart racing in response to the girl whose face was

not limited to stern beauty.

”I believe you are obliged as a king to respond appropriately. For example,

take me to a place where we can admire a beautiful night view together.

You can also prepare a card filled with pa.s.sionate feelings as a gift.”

”T-Together with you, Liliana?”

G.o.dou felt intimidated by this proposal which seemed more suited to close

couples rather than between a king and his knight.

Liliana was leaning so close that they seemed like they were about to

embrace. However, G.o.dou was reminded of all the behavior they had

engaged repeatedly at this kind of distance.

Perhaps because of that, G.o.dou could not help himself from nodding

involuntarily.

”l-lndeed you have a point, I guess I have no choice but to consider these

types of activities... Right?”

”Y-Yes, we are king and knight. I believe that these events are very

important for affirming each other's contract of lord and subordinate.”

Liliana spoke with a shyness that had replaced her serious expression.

Her stern gaze, which had been focused on G.o.dou, weakened slightly and

felt more womanly. To go even further, there was also a sense of

connection between accomplices privy to each other's lies.

Perhaps due to embarra.s.sment, Liliana s.h.i.+fted her gaze away slightly.

”Besides, apart from me, there should be others whom you need to show

your care towards, right?”

”Uh...”

”Before indulging Sayanomiya Kaoru in her games, please handle things

properly on this side.”

”G-Got it.”

It really seemed like the advice a capable adjutant and grand chamberlain

would provide. However, G.o.dou could feel subtle sarcasm in her words.

Feeling stung, G.o.dou nodded.

”I think it'd be quite fun to do silly things with guys only on occasion,

okay...”

”Although I can understand the importance of spending time in the

company of male friends, your timing is wrong. Consider doing things with

them next time, please.”

G.o.dou and Liliana's conversation deliberately ignored the gender of the

person who had planned the gathering. But suddenly, Liliana displayed a

pondering expression on her face. She was muttering to herself, something

like ”Wait a minute, if that is the case...”

”What's up, Liliana?”

”Oh, nothing, I was just contemplating something for a bit. Alternatively,

Kusanagi G.o.dou, you could come to my home late at night after attending

the gathering — ”

”Late at night!?”

”Y-Yes. If my home is no good then how about somewhere else outside...”

The muttering female knight, whose personality was p.r.o.ne to delusions,

suddenly became startled.

She probably realized her ideas were going too far. As the notion of

spending late night on February 14 with Liliana alone flashed across his

mind, G.o.dou yelled loudly:

”There are so many things wrong with that, in all sorts of ways, look at it,

come on!”

”l-lndeed you are right. Please pretend you did not hear what was said just

now.”

Because both of them were serious people, it was very easy to reach an

agreement during times like these.

Discarding the memory of the proposal from just now, the pair began the

”aftermath.”

Since G.o.dou was the only one remaining to sweep, there were still a few

places to clean up. Then he had to return various things such as the

brooms to the equipment room. Filled with fallen leaves, the garbage bags

needed to be thrown in the dumpster of course.

Once everything was handled, the sun had already set completely.

”By the way, Mariya Yuri said she would visit the tea ceremony club before

going home.”

”Is that so? Then let's wait for her and leave together.”

G.o.dou took out his cellphone in response to Liliana's information.

He tried calling Yuri and found out she was just about to leave school and

head home. Hence, G.o.dou and Liliana stood at the front gates to wait for

her — Roughly fifteen minutes later, the Yamato Nades.h.i.+ko came out with a