Vol 1 Chapter 3 (1/2)
Chapter 3 - Ra
Part 1
”okay, done!”
It was a very war
Theof heat they experienced in Elysion yesterday
On a second floor of café 《Paradise》, a store set up in the corner of the New City, in Saionji's kitchen
A girl with a glauts pose after finishi+ng theon fro
Her father has already entered the first floor and started preparations, and hercare of food orders
Usually Rui was still sleeping at six o'clock in theher eyes sleepily
”It took h of it, but it's pretty good, even if I do say so myself”
Rui folded the apron and started cleaning up
It was currently seven o'clock in the s would co before then
”Fufufu”
His face when he firstexpression he had when he saw her dressed as a maid
The crystal clear sky-blue eyes her best friend had, and she was so envious of When she thought about his eyes that were the sa faster
He wasn't used to the opposite sex, and his reactions were cute every tiripped his sword, as if he was a sharp blade himself
Every day has gotten more fun ever since he came, the time she spent with him was brilliant
Well then, it was time to start another enjoyable day of hers——
”Uuu my head hurts”
”Hey hey, stop staggering Here, hold onto me”
”I'yback please”
”That'll be the last resort”
The siblings walked under the blue sky to meet up with their best friend for breakfast
Because of Fuyuki's drunkenness and going to sleep early, Taiga could get a proper refreshi+ng sleep until it dawned
However, now the little sister was co sky, she held her aching head and had a faintly blue face, and walked while leaning on her brother
In other words, she had a hangover Even though she didn't drink anything
”To think Little Sister was so hen it coyback”[1]
”Did you regress into an infant again?”
”Haa Brother, right, it's Brother I need to be careful”
”I don't really mind if it's 『Onii』 Didn't you call me that way in the past?”
”I don't want to It's childish”
He wondered if she wanted to appear older She did look really young, so he could understand that feeling
While he supported her small body (by the way, they looked like a student coupleout froether for about five minutes, and arrived at Paradise later than usual
”Welcoa eh what? Why is Fuyuki?”
”Ah just a little soht for breakfast it would be a great help”
Greeted by a maid that didn't suit the store's atmosphere, he put his little sister down on the seat
His little sister laid down on the counter table, and looked up at Rui from below She saw a chest that couldn't even be compared with her own
”Everyone with big breasts should just die”
Because she felt bad, her language turned bad as well
She was at her lia and Rui looked at each other
”Ahaha then, I'll get Fuyuki soht”
”Sorry for that”
Various things happened after that, and when they finished their meal they headed to school
For so the breakfast, and the gloomy atmosphere was instantly dispelled
Her long black hair that was divided into twin-tails danced in the Spring's sunshi+ne
”how beautiful〜”
Froure looked h for her to admire
The twin-tails was a hairstyle that emphasized childishness, but in Fuyuki's case it worked in reverse, giving her a a)
In other words, it was 『Envy』, so she didn't realize before
Also, Taiga's silence affirmed it, which worried her even more
”What's that?”
There were three bags, and in thee wrapped in cloth, it was quite heavy
”It's a secret〜 You'll know in about five hours”
The three of the to school
In Kiritou Acadeher level than general course when it came to basic subjects That's why, since there was the additional burden of specialized courses, the progression rate of basic subjects was inevitably faster
So, if the level was higher, the lesson structure was more inclined to application rather than memorization
In other words——
”Sugar〜 give ar〜”
”It's too early to collapse, Brother”
The boy who survived the entrance exa, was already getting left behind
It was the lunch break after four classes, and there weren't a's face fell on the desk
It seemed like smoke came out from his head, and it wasn't just a
His head was already athe fourth, the teacher's words entered his ears froh the other
Then, a call caa's terminal The caller, Rui, already went ahead to the rooftop while holding bags rapped luggage
〈”Ah, Taiga? Preparations are done, you can come over”〉
”Finally So, did you prepare food or so?'
〈”Look for yourself, you'll enjoy it”〉
He gestured to Fuyuki su for the roof
”Welcome to 《Paradise》 on a business trip〜!”
The only people on the rooftop were the three of them, a blanket was spread in the best possible location where the sunlight was strongest, and boxes with a total of five layers were spread out on it In the layer on top of four others were rice balls
”Woah, Rucchan, did you make all of this?”
”It's all handmade♪”
”It really is a but this, no matter how you slice it, isn't this too much?”
”That's because people who do sports eat a lot don't they〜 I thought Taiga would be like that as well〜”
”I know of so in gluttony”
There was no way to iest weapon of his, the speed However, it was true that the exercises consumed calories like crazy
”Uuu th-then, will you not eat it?”
”no, I can eat if it's this much”
After glancing at Rui, Taiga corrected himself in a hurry
That expression was a foul play He wouldn't be athat look on her face
Seeing a sa decided he ht choice
”Well then, Itadakimasu”[2]
”itadakimasu”
”Enjoy yourselves”
He extended the chopsticks towards the opened boxes in front of him
No a's hand didn't stop until the five-layered box was empty
They enjoyed a cup of tea after a meal, and then went back to the classroom Also, they refused Rui's proposal to make them boxed lunch every day with 『”We can't bother you thatsome』 after a few complications
After school they headed together towards the station, and ca a linear And just when Taiga thought they will go back home and enter Elysion——
”Brother, let's go on a date”
”ha?”
Hearing that, he stopped thinking for a moment
”Date you s that couples do?”
”YES indeed! The couples going out together do do various things, that kind of date”
”But you're siblings, aren't you?”
”Even if we're siblings let's go out together In fact, it's even s”
”But it'sif you say it's a date 'Why don't we tour the New City〜' and invite him like that”
”You uide us around, Rui?”
”Of course!”
Certainly, the only places they have been to ever since they moved in, was just Paradise, their own hoet a map from their terminal, but they never had time to look around
”Youto enter Elysion today?”
”We don't have to log in every day, also there's the accue from yesterday's battle We'll wait a day until it recovers”
In that case, there was no reason to refuse the invitation With that said, the three of them walked around the New City that was croith people
New City is mainly divided into an eastern and western part around the central linear station Café 《Paradise》 and the Tenryo siblings apartment were in the eastern part, residential areas, stores and entertainment mainly scattered around the city Generally, the students mainly used the city's eastern part
”There's a lot of large shopping malls looks like there's a lot of stores in here”
”That's because Kiritou Academy is a mammoth school with three thousand students in it There's no shortage of customers to attract”
The commercial street was a short walk away from the station, it was really crowded and very active
There were a lot of students wearing Kiritou Acade out in the free time they had after school
”That shop over there is expensive, but they sell cute accessories That restaurant has delicious parfaits, but other than that it's mediocre”
They walked around the avenue while listening to Rui's guidance Even while walking around the coazes
Two cute girls were one reason, plus one of the to a boy's arht
In other words, they were gazes of jealous boys
”being stared like that makes it hard to walk”
”Ignore what they're saying It's a situation that should be openly enjoyed”
”Rui-san should also be aggressive like that but it looks like it's too e after all”
”What are youover there, Rucchan?”
The trio continued to hile acting cheerful and noisy
In the corner of shopping ——
”How is it, Brother Does it suit me?”
”ain't there too little exposure? Leaving shoulders exposed is normal〜”
”This IS pretty nor quite plain clothes as compared to yesterday”
”No, it's Rui who has a perfect style so that looks good on her, unlike this flat-chested Fuyu——”
”Little Sister's screw uppercut!!!”
”Gouah!”
”what are you doing in the changing room?”
He accoirls as they were shopping,
”Brother, won't you buyto commemorate our first date?”
”U?”
”well then I'll settle for that”
”That's also pretty expensi——no, it's nothing”
He held his head with one hand as he made an unplanned expense in the accessory shop
”Oh, this is delicious”
”Red potato taste huh, please have a bite”
”Then, here have this in exchange”
”having crêpes after school, this really feels like youth”
”That's because we are young ive mine to brother as well”
”Ah yeah, sankyu”
”Mouth to mouth”
”Cherish yourself a littlemaiden!”
The trio had a good ti in the park with crêpes they purchased
After they finished touring the eastern side, on the opposite side of the station was the western side occupied by cos
That's where they headed As expected, there were barely any students over there
”No matter where I look it's people in suits”
”Though, there are leisure facilities here, like a zoo or amusement park”
”I see, so that you don't have to leave the city to see one on holidays”
As they walked down the road, the street had skyscrapers lined up and what entered their line of sight were just signs describing the co standing out, their eyes were naturally drawn to the building around twice as big than others
”So that's the Kiritou Group headquarters”
”Big, isn't it It seems to represent the power of New City”
”Want to enter and look around? The first and second floors are open for visitors and have cyber-related products displayed”
”Brother, let's go!”
”your eye colour changed〜”
He went inside of the Kiritou Group building pulled by Fuyuki whose eyes were shi+ning
They passed through the huge building's dazzling entrance hall, and headed to the second floor in an elevator
After the front door opened, there was a hallway in which a number of devices was exhibited
”Brother, Brother look at this! It's a!”
”Ah, yeah, so it is”
While pulled slightly by his max tension little sister, he looked at the exhibit
As several of devices like Arclight and tera kneere lined up, between thes that made him think that
At some point, excited shouts could be heard from a square away When they looked towards that direction interested, they saw a dozen people gathered in the square's corner
〈”Everybody, why don't we play a game to commemorate your visit?”〉
A hologra a woman in a suit was projected on the side
Judging froanic, expressionless voice, it was an AI widely used as a receptionist Hologram projectors seemed to be installed in various places
The gaaram
”Let's try it out!”
Rui enthusiastically placed her hand on a handgun ed drone popped up and approached her
”There! There—!”
Rui shot them one after another as they were displayed Fuyuki continued to observe products not interested in the ga a little bit left behind, observed Rui play from a distance
I thought so yesterday already, but Rui has pretty good reflexes If she trained she could be as good as I am
Rui continuously shot the appearing drones breaking them
Her dynaood, and she hadn't le time yet
She had better physical ability thanand had a perfect figure Truly a high spec girl
He ht away, there was an AI that didn't move an inch
Its fake smile clearly looked like it was 『Artificial』
”it's a same AI but it feels fairly different from Iora”
〈”Did'ya call me?”〉
”Ouoah?!!”
He heard a response right next to his ear
And after he looked down at his shoulder, he saw Iora's figure ten ti up and down on it
”Oh, you surprised otten really small”
〈”Master's working here, I aation mode”〉
She added sos It seee the scale of her body That felt really useful
”Ah, now that you say it she's a daughter of Kiritou's So, why on my shoulder?”
〈”Let's continue from yesterday”〉
The look on her face didn't seelimpsed on it Her heart seemed to be unsteady
”Continue from yesterday, that means———”
〈”The story about crushi+ng o”〉
”Ah, that Unfortunately, I'm currently in private time mode We'll continue that tomorrow in class”
〈”Mu—”〉[3]
He was a bit surprised by her regretful expression
It couldn't be said that she has a lot of expressions, but it seemed like there's more emotions in her than yesterday A difference could be easily seen by co her with the AI over there
”To think you changed just by chatting Just like I've been told, that's a ability”
〈”Did I really change that much?”〉
”There's a great change as compared to yesterday You're not aware of it?”
〈”dunno But there's so hateful what the hell is feeling?”〉
Asking about the dark feelings she had in her heart
She ht not keep up with the rapid development of emotions He wanted to say some appropriate words, but he couldn't think of any
That's when, a loud noise rang out froe It see s her victory
〈”Then, about time Iora excuses herself”〉
”Eh? Yeah——”
The aze froone He decided to talk about it with Haya toain
”no o, you really stand out”
It ht be just her looks, but it seeazes around her
Maybe it was just her natural disposition Her char presence
No
I wonder, if I'ht
He knew That was, a feeling that came from a silly inferiority complex
”really, how ridiculous”
He murmured very quietly, so that no one could hear him
He wondered if that light could clear up his darkness, wondered if he could forget about his past
———Even though he decided not to forgive hi for salvation
Rui received praises and applause fro her, the sun she was the centre of, seea
They walked around until sunset, and returned early to have a dinner at 《Paradise》
After healing the room
”Brother, how about a cold tea?”
”Oh, sankyu”
Together with the sound of his little sister's slippers, the ring on her finger shi+ned, she got it as a co with an azure stone
”Uoes on?”
”There is a deepto it”
”It's no good over there, is it!!”
Recently, this little sister did things that her brother couldn't understand
Fuyuki stroked the ring cherishi+ng it, it was chosen on the spot by her, because it had an azure stone embedded in it When he looked at her eyes, and compared it to the stone colour, he noticed there was a difference between them
Their eyes were ones that direct descendants of the Tenryo line were born with
In fact, their mother had the same eyes Their eyes were often called 『Sky eyes』 or 『Crystal eyes』, their eyes symbolized the power of the Tenryo household that had an even longer history than Renjou's That's what they were always told by their mother
Maybe because he thought of their mother like that He had a flashback that felt like an old injury about what happened eight years earlier
———That day, they were deprived of everything
The whole fah a cross-walk
A large truck stuck at the intersection ignored the signal Taiga who had superhuman reflexes and dynamic vision noticed immediately and was able to react, but his parents and little sister couldn't
As young as he was, he made the worst choice
No, even if he said it himself, he was the one as the worst
With his own physical ability, and the position he stood in, his parents that couldn't be saved in tihts in that situation, Tenryo Taiga discarded his parents
”ngh”
”Brother, your teeth will break if you put any more force in it”
Before he knew it, Fuyuki appeared in front of hiently He felt the warmth of the hand that stroked his head repeatedly, he felt so from it
”Can it be, did you reo?”
””
”So that's how it is after all You made a scary face so I realized immediately you know?”
”that's et it, not even for a moment”
”Brother didn't do anything wrong”
”I know If I tried to help father and mother back then, both of us would be dead now I know that!”
He understood that deep inside his head
Back then it was the best course of action Even as he is now, back then he didn't go through any special training, but even now he probably couldn't save them
Nevertheless, his heart didn't acknowledge it and continued crying out, burdening hiiveness, as if it was seeking condemnation
Tenryo Taiga clung to the chest of the one he saved
”But I, I allowed the two of theh I understood that, I didn't hesitate even for a second!!”
To rescue just his little sister, he sacrificed both of them
That's why he sought strength In order to protect everyone next time In order to save everyone
So that no matter what happens, he can protect everyone
Andmember of his family
While being hugged tightly, Taiga breathed heavily releasing it all
Seeing her brother like that, Little Sister thought,
———It's like a curse
The talent given to him from the heaven, the talent that led him to the future, continued to torment him
And her brother was in agonizing pain But she loved him very, very much
”it's alright, Onii The past, the present and the future, your little sister forgives it all That's why———”
She placed her forehead on his, and stared at him with the same eyes
”Onii should continue walking on his path without ever stopping”
Just hoping for that
She wanted for her beloved person to follow his righteous path, and receive his reward in the end
Part 2
〈”Now then, hurry up and continue your story”〉
”I beg you, don't wait for ht by the door, it's scary”
He entered the deserted inner the classrooh Iora Haya who lied on the couch raised just one hand up
”Heya”
”as ladylike as ever aren't you, Haya”
That light greeting decreased his irl that had the appearance of a yamato nadeshi+ko The person in question had a mean, evil smile on her face at the moment
”In just two days, she really got attached to you That Iora, she's been looking forward to the continuation of your story ever since yesterday”
I'm a little jealous〜, she didn't say it, but that hat her relieved face seemed to say It was an expression like that of a mother's as happy her child found a playmate
”How do I say it, you're like a guardian”
”well, Iora is so ”
〈”Taiga, hurry up, I want to listen to the rest of the story”〉
He sat on the couch and Iora continued to float in front of hi that, he passed off the worries he had the other day as iinary fears
After taking a deep breath he looked around the room
The room wasn't wide, but it was filled to the bri to school
A rare thing in modern times where the e-books are mainstream, was a bookshelf with about a hundred books on it The rooerator and a dish rack could be seen in the back, there were also wardrobes with various things in them
It felt like, a person could even live in this place
”You really do as you please”
”I am in a position that allows me to do as I please”
She does whatever she wants without a shred of fear She made a fictional lecture,it go that far he could only sigh
”Oh also, I' to be unreasonable and just force you to work, don't et your reward”
”Reward?”
”Yup Kiritou is still developing its influence So they can't afford to paet to have one wish fulfilled every tireement I work under”
Kiritou was an electronics-related coed in the recent decade
Until then, there were three large coi, and Tokihly, seeking profit, but they still weren't in a situation where they can let their guard down
”the president's daughter has it unexpectedly hard, huh”
”That's how it is— I accumulate a lot of stress That's why instead of me, I count on you to spend your time with Iora”
”Then, if it's just that——hey, wha?!!”
〈”Taiga, I want to listen to rest of the story”〉
Startled by Iora's head popping out froa tumbled down from the sofa
After school, as usual Haya headed towards the co
She had to finish all of the student council's business and attend lessons before the lunch break To avoid the possibility of teachers co about the work she was responsible for
”okay”
After changing clothes from her uniform to work suit, she slapped her cheeks
In this place she didn't wear 『The mask of student council president that's loved by everyone』 What was important in here——was to produce proper results
After releasing the lock by authenticating with her brainwaves, she entered her private laboratory on the upper floor of the Kiritou co
Even though it was called a laboratory, there was only an arclight there The real laboratory was inside of Kiritou's structure
A coht was laid out around the centre of the roo it She closed her eyes after entering the capsule-like core part
”——Dive start”
Her consciousness was interrupted and instantly put to sleep, she woke up a moment later
The login procedure was natural and quiet, there was no dizziness like in an her work
”Iora, are you awake?”
〈”That question is unnecessary A virtual personality does not need rest”〉
Iora appeared in the centre of the room in response to her call
”It's just a little joke Don't take it seriously”
〈”is that so I still can't understand jokes”〉
When she looked at Iora's pupils as she said that, she saw frustration in them
Even though I developed her by ress〜
That could without a doubt, be called an emotion
Ten rowth didn't show up until a few days before, her sensitivity evolved dramatically since then
really, it's so fast it's scary
For so herself to rejoice over her evolution
After continuing to improve Iora The fruits of her work have finally appeared