Vol 2 Chapter 4 (1/2)

Chapter 4:Spirit King Game

Being slowly roasted in a largethat he was having right now

Under gazes so sharp that it felt that they ht pierce his skin, shi+dou unconsciously made that comparison

“Uu”

Groaning lightly, he surveyed his surroundings with only the movements of his eyes

A huge table was placed in a space not uya, Yuzuru, Reine as well as Origami were all in the roomAside froe to sit down on their chairs, h they were about to lunge towards shi+dou

With glea at shi+dou

shi+dou’s back was already drenched with sweat

Even though that was the caseif he were to describe this situation properly, everyone’s passionate gaze were not directed on shi+dou

They were looking at his hands The bunch of disposable chopsticks that shi+dou was currently holding, were all being scrutinized extremely closely

“”

Due to the endless sense of tension surrounding the space, he couldn’t help but gulp However, it is not a solution to rehlips

“Who is the—king?”

——In that instant

[Haa!]

Everyone rose up froh they were all hungry crocodiles fighting for a piece ofthe disposable chopsticks at a frightening pace

“U-uwah!”

Five disposable chopsticks, instantly vanished from shi+dou’s hands in just a short moment

This is not a contest of speedBut it’s probably useless if he said it to theht now

“U-umpardon me”

“Hm, I’ll take this one”

After the storm passed, Yoshi+no see disposable chopsticks

“Alright!”

Tohka yelled out, she raised her chopstick high

On the stick was a single word, [King]

“It’s aret for your evil ways!”

Saying that she forcefully pointed her disposable chopstick at Origaami remained expressionless as she returned a calm look

Looking at the scene, shi+dou muttered to himself in despair

“Is the King Game, really played like this?”

It all happened a few days after the summer vacation

The bell which signaled the end of the fourth lesson period and the start of lunch break sounded out, just as shi+dou was keeping his books and notes, the two tables on both sides connected with his with a clack

“shi+dou! It’s time for lunch!”

“Lunchtime”

On his right was the girl with crystal pupils and night-black hair——Tohka, on the left was the girl who looked like a doll——Origairls spoke at the same time

The eyebrows of the titched, sharply glaring at each other, before breaking eye-contact by turning away

How should he put this, even though the two of them are incompatible their actions are rehtly scratch his cheek upon looking at their actions

Not too long ago after Tohka had transferred over, the relationshi+p between the tould be so bad that they would alued After shi+dou paid closer attention to this, the two girls had at least taken so that, theyin secret or cold wars, shi+dou was still unable to relax

Sweat dripped down shi+dou’s cheek as he withdrew his bento froes to Tohka’s bento), the door to the classrooirls flamboyantly entered with their arms interlinked

They were the tere studying in the class next door, Yauya

“KukuOya? I ondering as it so rowdy over here, well if it isn’t shi+dou, Tohka and Origa to have lunch? Then how about we have it at the cafeteria? We had just chased away the writhing fallen in Purgatory, obtaining our rations not too long ago”

“Victory As expected, Yuzuru and Kaguya are the strongest today as well No one can stand before us Yamai”

“Fufu Does this need to be said! So mikos of the typhoon, does not exist in the present nor in the underworld!”

“I agree It was precisely so Kaguya’stoday That swift and beautiful uya can achieve alone”

“No no, that was also thanks to Yuzuru’s support”

“Agreeuya’s actions are prettier”

“But Yuzuru is still better than me”

“Disagreeuya is better than me”

After the identical twins had conversed for quite so, they puffed their chests out with satisfaction at shi+dou and the group

The relationshi+p between the two is still close enough to warirls

Speaking of identicalthat was only limited to their facial features

The coure and coiled her long hair up, Yuzuru who braided her hair, had a lethargic expression and a voluptuous body, due to the two girls puffing up their chests they unknowingly coainst each other For souya seeuya also had her own charm, there was no way to determine as the better one

However, Kaguya and Yuzuru see, they raised the bag containing bread upwards

Kaguya had bought melon bread and a red bean bun with strawberry Yuzuru, on the other hand, bought tuna sandwich, coffee bread and coffee milk

“Aaah, you tent to the store today as well”

At shi+dou’s words, Kaguya and Yuzuru both affir their heads

Not too long ago, he had brought the two of them who did not prepare bentos to the store Since then the two had been very taken in with the act of buying, their lunches were always bread

“That’s really fast, didn’t lunch break just start not too long ago?”

“Kuku We moved with extreme speed In order to obtain the best, speed is of the utmost essence”

“Affirmative But the enemy today was really a handful”

Yuzuru sighed

This was really rare shi+dou’s eyes widened at this

“Who was that? Was it someone neho had joined the store’s Elite Four?”

However in response to shi+dou’s words, the two of them could only shake their heads

“No It was the store owner Because we didn’t have enough money so we asked her to put it on our tab, but for so after us”

“Agreed Speed not befitting of that age, we spent quite a lot of effort in order to escape”

“Pu!?”

Because of the words of those two, rice spewed out of shi+dou’s mouth

“Y-you two…ran aithout paying!?”

“That’s why I said to put it on our tab”

“Agreement We would pay the money tomorrow”

shi+dou used his fist to hit the heads of the two

“Ouch!”

“Surprise It hurts”

Kaguya and Yuzuru held their heads, giving off short whines

“W-what’s wrong —”

“Dissatisfaction Requesting an explanation”

“Putting a bill on a tab is useless if the other party is not agreeable to it! Hurry, I’ll pay for you two so coise!”

“Ugu—”

“Unhappy Uh—”

The Yamai sisters pouted with discontentment, but they still followed after shi+dou

shi+dou gave a huge sigh, turning towards Tohka and Origami

“So that’s how it is Sorry but I’ll have to go to the store for a while, so you two can start”

“Nu?”

“”

Looking at Tohka and Origami both turn their heads at the same time, shi+dou went into silence

Letting Tohka and Origami ere in the middle of a cold war alone with each other, caused him to feel extremely uneasy

shi+dou looked around the classrooroup of people at the tables near the wall

“Yamabuki-san, Hazakura-san, Fujibakama-san!”

shi+dou called out, the three fehter———Yamabuki Ai, Hazakura Mai, Fujibakama Mii looked over at the same time

“Yeah, what is it?”

“What—is it?”

“It’s rare for Itsuka-san to talk to us first”

“I’ for a while, can I ask you to keep Tohka company for me? Please!”

shi+dou left behind such a line, leaving with the Yamai sisters in tow

In order to let Kaguya and Yuzuru understand that they have to first obtain the agreement of the other party, he had lectured them for some time but that can’t be helped If the store lady were to tell the teachers about this, the worst case scenario could be suspensionWell, if that was really the case, <ratatoskr> would probably settle it for them

“Ah, shi+dou!”

“”

“Hey, why the rush —!”

“Explain it clearly—!”

“Our fee is expensive damn you!”

Leaving the voices of Tohka and the three girls behind him, shi+dou left the classroom

“What's with hi why”

“Really now There’s no probleh”

“It’s frustrating to let Itsuka-kun order us around like this—”

After shi+dou led the Yamai sisters out of the classroom Ai, Mai and Mii voiced out their complaints as they walked towards Tohka, however they soon understood the situation when they saw Tohka as well as Origami who sat two seats next to her

“Aahso that’s why”

“You really can’t let these two be together unattended huh”

“It will trigger the Ya-Tobi war —”

Saying that they pulled out vacant chairs, sitting down around Tohka

“Well, that’s how it is Tohka-chan, do you want to talk with us until Itsuka-kun comes back?”

“But Itsuka-kun is really too lect Tohka-chan”

“Unforgivable, let’s proceed with excruciating torture when he gets back”

The trio separately voiced out However Tohka shook her head in response

“NoI’ht I already understand Because shi+dou has a lot of things he has to do himself, he can’t just take care of myself”

At Tohka’s words, the three girls see Tohka at the same time

“M-mu!?”

In response to being suddenly eame where one squishes a mochi, Tohka unconsciously made a pitiful whine But Ai, Mai and Mii did not relent in their assault, instead they passionately rubbed Tohka’s cheeks

“Aaah,Tohka-chan, what a good girl you are”

“But that’s all right, you don’t have to force yourself!”

“That’s right! Girls are supposed to be stubborn!”

“B-but, I don’t want shi+dou to feel troubled”

When Tohka voiced out her concern, the three nodded in agree away from her

“But, do you want Itsuka-kun to love you more?”

“T-that is”

Tohka beca her head Ai, Mai and Mii saw that, screa to each other, they showed a smile

“Right then, let’s teach Tohka-chan our secret method”

“If it is this, then you can ask Itsuka-kun to do whatever you want”

“Anything you want!”

“Whatd-does such a method exist!?”

Tohka widened her eyes in surprise, the three, in contrast, nodded their heads in agreeami who showed no response whatsoever, her ears suddenly pricked up But for Tohka as being enticed upon hearing about this secret method, she did not notice

“Listen closely, That is——”

Ai, Mai and Mii displayed a confident s that method to Tohka

“Huureally now, you two have to pay more attention next time”

Fifteenrepeatedly to the store lady, they finally irls would not receive punishhed as he climbed the stairs

“Kuku It’s been hard on you, shi+dou I’ll commend you”

“Affirmative You did a wonderful job”

Hearing Kaguya and Yuzuru say such things behind hi behind him

“Apologise”

“Ugu, sorry”

“Reflection, on’t do it again”

The Yaly obediently bowed their heads in apology shi+dou patted the two of the the classroom door

Near shi+dou’s desk were Tohka and Origami as well as Ai, Mai and Mii It looks like the situation did not escalate into a fight shi+dou patted his chest in relief, walking towards them

“shi+dou!”

“Oh Sorry Tohka, I’ve kept you waiting”

Saying that he looked at Ai, Mai and Mii, raising his hand to express his gratitude The trio did not show any sign of discontent, revealing weird smiles of happiness instead

“Hm?”

Inclining his head to one side due to suspecting that sohts were quickly cut off

“Hey, shi+dou Do you knohat is the King Game!?”

“Eh? A-aaahI do know that but”

shi+dou despite feeling suspicious, he answered her

He has not played it before to be honest, but he did know the rules If he was correct then ast the tip of disposable chopsticks allocated to the nu] written on it while the rest would have nu lots, the one who drew the chopstick with [King] written on it would be the king, he would then be able to give orders to the players via the nuame

The king’s orders are absolute, there’s no way to decline Because of this rule, it seeame oftenit doesn’t seem to be rather healthy to be honest

“I want to play this sort of game! Let’s play!”

“EhEhhh?”

shi+dou widened his eyes——subsequently turning towards Ai, Mai and Mii The trio purposely averted their gazes and started to whistle

“T-those people, saying excessive stuff again”

“Hey, can’t we play? shi+dou”

“N-nothat’s”

shi+dou looked around feeling troubled

Seeuya and Yuzuru who stood behind shi+dou suddenly

“Oooh, are you guys discussing about so?”

“Self-reply If it is a ga participation”

“Nu?”

The Yamai sisters voiced out,Tohka widened her eyes in surprise

“I’ve heard that the King Game is to be played with two peopleCan everyone play as well?”

“Heh? YeahYou can’t really play if it was just with two people”

In regards to shi+dou’s explanation, Tohka nodded her head while saying: ”Is that so?”

Ai, Mai and Mii seeestion behind her, but Tohka did not notice them

“Is that so Then let’s ask everyone to play! Hey, can’t we? shi+dou!”

“Eh, let me think about this”

shi+dou scratched his cheek, he was unable to think of a plausible reason to dissuade her

“W-well, if Kotori is fine with it”

“Yeah!”

Tohka nodded in content

“——Aaah, there’s nothing to say about this”

After school Once shi+dou raised the issue to his little sister Kotori, he received such a laid-back response in return

“Is that really okay!”

shi+dou couldn’t help but raise his volu that if it was Kotori, she may be able to coive up

Moving her hair that was tied into two bunches with black ribbons, Kotori arrogantly lay down on the sofa She half-closed her eyes as she looked at shi+dou

“What’s wrong with that? Since Tohka says that she wants to then you should play along with her With <ratatoskr>’s point of viee hope that we do not restrict the Spirits’ feelings too much”

She raised the stick of her Chupa Chups as she spoke

That’s right Aside fro a middle school student in the city, shi+dou’s sister was also the coe of protecting and allowing Spirits like Tohka to live happy, normal lives

“B-but, isn’t the King Game a little too early for Tohka”

shi+dou said while sweat rolled down his face, Kotori, however, raised her head and shrugged

“Ara If we just look at the rules, isn’t it just a nor out, when shi+dou beco?”

“Ugu”

shi+dou unconsciously fell silent He never did think of giving any orders thatfound out that he had harboured indecent thoughts

That was right, even though it was a game that would cause one to involuntarily think of it as unhealthy, it probably would not be a problem if only close friends join in

“If I were to pick a side, it’s because I don’t wish toher over this Well, if you really are so concerned about this, then Reine and I will assist you”

“NnI-I understand”

Once shi+dou nodded, Kotori raised her legs, using the et up from the sofa

“Well then, time is precious Let’s hurry up andlocationwell, it’s alright at hoe of ambience?”

Kotori took out her handphone, rapidlya call to somewhere

Roughly an hour later shi+dou and the group of girls had changed and went to a Karaoke lounge near the station

In the interior of the roo chairs placed inside In the deep end of the roo commercials as well as karaoke equipment were placed The walls had ht of different colours rained down fro

It’s probably their first ti to a place like this, Tohka and the Ya around, the moment they had stepped into this room

“Oo, ooohwhat is this place! It’s awesolittery!”

“Kuku So that’s hoas, a location fit for a king was prepared huh”

“Understood Agreed We cannot fall in this battle”

Nodding as they commented, they entered the room

The next one to enter the rooe brim as well as a unique rabbit puppet on her left hand With sapphire blue hair as well as eyes with the colour of the ocean The Spirit who that it was a rare chance ——Yoshi+no

“Wowit’s a, Yoshi+non”

[Yeah yeah, it looks extremely romantic —]

Yoshi+no was the sa eyes, [Yoshi+non], the puppet on her left, opened and closed itsto the karaoke lounge

But if this keeps up, it would be unsuitable to play the game Kotori and Reine ere behind Yoshi+no adjusted the illu Tohka and the rest exclaimed once more in surprise

shi+dou, as the last one to enter, s the door and seated down

After that he made use of the phone placed in the room to order sufficient drinks and snacks When the food arrived, Kotori took out disposable chopsticks fro equal to the number of people present

“Co Game that Tohka so very much wanted to play”

“Oooh!”

Tohka clenched her fists and cried out loud

“——Well, we’ve just explained the rules earlier so there shouldn’t be a problem there, but”

Kotori raised up one of the disposable chopsticks, on the tip there was the word [King] written on it

“The King Gaame where everyone draw lots, whoever draws the chopstick with the word [King], is allowed to freely order the other players once”

“An order?”

Yoshi+no questioned Kotori on the other hand nodded her head in affirmation

“The rest of the disposable chopsticks already had nuive orders to the players by the nuame first”

Kotori covered the written parts with her hand, holding the disposable chopsticks in a bunch, holding it out to everyone

“Here, take one Don’t let anyone see it”

Everyone obeyed Kotori as they took turns to draw lots Finally, when Kotori was holding only the last disposable chopstick, she raised her voice

“Who is the—king!”

At that, everyone looked at their own disposable chopsticks Following that ——

“! Me, it’s me!”

After a while, Tohka’s eyes widened as she raised her hand up high Her cheeks took on a cri into her voice

“What’s thatare you saying that I’!?”

“Objection Unable to accept”

The Yamai sisters voiced out their displeasure shi+dou’s face had a forced smile as he comforted the two people

“No, this is just a matter of luck We’ll start the next round very soon”

“H, would definitely be the true king．We the Yamai sisters”

“Acknowleged The sword of the chosen belongs to the one who seeks it”

The Ya their unhappinessalthough it soreat that nothing has happened

In short, the first King was Tohka Kotori looked at Tohka, as though proive an order

“Co Say out the order that you want”

“Yeah, alright!”

Tohka nodded her head After that, Kotori turned to look at the rest

“——Everyone has to obey her order Understand? The king’s orders are absolute”

Following her re their attention to the king who holds the absolute authority．Tohka

However, Tohka seeety as though it was hard for her to say it out

“Kotorithis is just an affirht?”

“Eh? Yeahthat is the case”

“I-is it really true? The person that I order, will have to follow my order no matter what?”

Blushi+ng hard for soain

shi+dou frowned If it was so that was so hard to say, what kind of order did Tohka want to give out

Unconsciously, the unease that he had previously felt started to coain

Although he need not worry if it was Kotori But if he were to think it through logically, the one who gave Tohka this odd idea was those three girls They could have said a lot of incredible words without even explaining to her what they meant

Just as shi+dou was about to re made her decision

“S-shi+dou! I want you to [Ah~——]!”

“Eh?”

Due to an unforeseen phrase co out from Tohka’s mouth, shi+dou’s eyes widened

“U to the sound when people feed you?”

“Yeah, yeahAi, Mai and Mii toldthen I can say such selfish words You can’t say no! That’s the order of the King!”

Stating that,Tohka nodded her head with a serious expression

shi+dou felt his shoulders relax, it see

“W-what theso it was just that huh ——”

However shi+dou stopped speaking Tohka was currently the King, her orders are absoluteHowever the content of her order had a small loophole

“Tohka The King must order the players by their numbers”

“W-what? Is that true?”

Tohka blinked in surprise, looking back at the other six players sitting on their chairs After that she frohilst feeling extremely troubled

“Then thatthat for me?”

“Well, that’s because it’s the rules”

“U-unu”

Tohka’s voice became softer and softer, her shoulders weakly drooped

At this point of ti to look, he saw Kotori, as sitting next to hiry expression on her face

Sheon the lines of ”How can you let Tohka feel depressed You dung beetle!”On hindsight, he pitied hi able to understand her in times like this

Kotorito Tohka

“Tohka, it is regrettable But the rules are rules Designate a number”

Tohka raised her huh she saw so

Following her line of sight, shi+dou exclaimed in a low voice

Kotori was currently raising three fingers for Tohka to see, using her chin to point at shi+dou

That’s right, that was the number that shi+dou had drawn It seeed him in the side

“Kotori, you rascal”

Sweat flowed down shi+dou’s face, he groused to Kotori with his eyes half-closed Kotori replied with a similar volume

“Do we have a choice Since this ga to do if Tohka isn’t satisfied?”

“Well, that may be the case”

“Hmph, if it was me I too would want shi+dou to”

“Eh?”

shi+dou’s eyebroitched in confusion, Kotori turned her head away in anger

At the same time, Tohka who finally discovered Kotori intentions widened her eyes and exclaimed

“It’s 3! The person with Number 3 has to [Ah~——]!”

Tohka loudly proclaimed

Even though it was breaking the rulesWell, since it was just an exception shi+dou bitterly smiled as he raised the chopstick with [Number 3] written on

“Everything is as you command”

After he htened

“Uht?”

shi+dou pointed at the large plate of fries, Tohka confirmed his query with an jubilant nod

shi+dou picked up a French fry, holding it out to Tohka

“Here, ah~——”

“U-uh, mmah~——”

As though replying to him,Tohka opened hermouth

Instantly, the room was filled with excla and whistling sounds

How can he put this, it was ht shi+dou could only scratch his head while blushi+ng

“H-hoas that? Was it delicious, Tohka?”

“Yeah! shi+dou,Thank you!”

Being questioned by the bashful shi+dou, Tohka replied with a face full of smiles

“Uh”

His heart thuaze But his actions were naturally seen through by Kotori This time his side was struck with her elbow

“What’s with that—That sort of behaviour Rather than feeling shy, shouldn’t you be a little more happy —”

“S-shut it!”

shi+dou snapped back, Kotori grinned as she collected the disposable chopsticks After shuffling theain, she held it out to everyone like before

“Co”

Everyone nodded and started to draw lots

[Who is the —king!]

When everyone said that line, Kotori’s eyebrows raised up as she voiced out in mild surprise

“The next one is me huh HohoWhat sort of order should I make hm?”

Kotori’s rin Faced with her dangerous countenance, shi+dou started to perspire once more

It was unknown as to whether shi+dou’s thoughts were being read, Kotori glanced at hih she understood what he was thinking “Then, yeah Since this is our first tie, let’s let Number 1 and Number 4 have a faceoff”

Kotori played with the chopstick with the word [King] as she declared her order, Kaguya and Yuzuru stood up

“Kuku I’m Number 1”

“Replying Yuzuru is Number 4”

After that, both of the pose together

“Hehe You really are careless to be placing us in a group You’re saying a faceoff right? Which means you want to enjoy our beautiful voices correct?” “Understood Our singing ability has already been tested on our thirty-sixthof Yuzuru and Kaguya”

Kaguya and Yuzuru threw thethem with synchronized splendor

Not waiting for the acco