IndexVSDRRR Crossover Academy City Chapter
Status: Incomplete
7/20 parts completed
Academy City Chapter
Translation: botman/Dracoslayer123
Edit/Proofread: Dracoslayer123/Pablusky
Part 1
Heiwajima Shizuo – half his body was submerged in the middle of the river, motionless.
Part 2
…What on earth was he talking about? The fierce blond man wearing a bartender’s suit and sunglasses was thinking along such lines. What, why, and how did it become like this? No matter how much he thought about it, he couldn’t give a reasonable answer. Heiwajima Shizuo knew that he wasn’t good at thinking about things, and besides, his surroundings did not look like Ikebukuro in any way, and to say that this was a regular developed city would be underselling its neatness.
There was an airship with a large screen on it slowly moving over his head, broadcasting some strange news.
“…Flying overhead at 10,000 to 25,000 kilometers in the sky, the high altitude flying SSTO platform “Sky by Fire” has beaten the world record of 152 consecutive days in the air. Before this, it had already claimed the record of being the world’s largest aircraft, having the world’s largest loading capacity, as well as being the mobile platform with the world’s largest launch capacity. This time…”
Even Shizuo, who doesn’t regularly watch the news, could tell that there was something off with this content. Not to mention the obvious flying machine which wasn’t making any noise. This was no longer in the realm of common sense.
“…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Anyway.”
Still half submerged in the river, Heiwajima Shizuo said this in a frighteningly low voice.
Sometimes, he talked to himself like this.
“This sort of weird and troublesome situation is most likely related to that bastard. Speaking of which, “yesterday” was the same – annoying as fuck. I should first find that damn flea and kill him. Ah fuck, my smokes are all wet! I’m definitely killing Izaya, that bastard!!”
Although that might sound insane, he has somehow always managed to find out the truth through such methods. He was a man whose very existence ran opposite of the saying “let sleeping dogs lie.”
An incomprehensible situation, thinking of Orihara Izaya, and his supply of nicotine running out – Shizuo had ticked off three of those checkboxes…
“Though, to be fair, no matter how much that flea looks like a flea, since he came from his mother’s belly, in the end, he’s still a human. Deciding to kill him on a whim isn’t that good…Argh, why did that bastard have to be born from someone!? If he were a toy or a doll, I would have killed him without saying anything – that guy pisses me off!”
Let’s take a step back.
Calm down.
That’s right, giving way to anger would be the easy way out. Movie heroes always turn that anger into strength and try to beautify such behavior. But that’s something that can be done by any dog you can find on the curb…. Well, he had never had the patience to endure through something so slow paced as a movie. Anyway, one must suppress that anger – the ability to do so was unique to humans. Hadn’t he caused so much trouble for his brother before because of this very issue of patience?
“Haaah….”
Slowly, like steam escaping from a highly pressurized steam engine, Shizuo suppressed his rage.
Essentially, thanks to that, situations such as the Earth being karate chopped in half or half of the Moon being vaporized by a beam of Shizuo’s rage were avoided.
“Hi~, Shizu-chan…. How are you not dead yet?”
He heard something, an auditory hallucination.
This auditory hallucination was accompanied by a visual one.
More than 50 meters away, a grand steel bridge stood, and the illusion of a slender, elegant man with a large smile on his face was leaning against the railing of the bridge, waving his hand.
“…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………”
In addition, there came a loud popping noise from inside Heiwajima Shizuo’s head.
It was the sound of the angry steam engine, one that had been releasing steam slowly, blowing it all away at once.
“Iii!!”
He could not even wait for his shout to fully form.
“Zaa!!”
Shizuo brought the upper half of his body down into the river.
“Yaa!!”
There was a vending machine in the bottom of the river, possibly a nasty joke from a certain someone, and Shizuo silently pulled it up with both hands.
“KUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUN!!!!!!”
There was an explosive sound.
The extra large artillery shell flew through the sky, just like it would have in the streets of Ikebukuro.
Part 3
“Ah, I don’t like this, don’t like this at all.”
The young man named Orihara Izaya was talking in a perfunctory manner while running from alley to alley. However, this wasn’t the commonly seen “distancing oneself from the other” method of running away. Attempting to escape Heiwajima Shizuo, who was so packed with muscle that he could take bullets straight on, by foot, was undoubtedly suicidal. Therefore, Izaya constantly turned from alley to alley to execute maneuvers such as “disappearing from view” or “eliminating clues.”
The fact that he was facing the Shizuo, who could maybe even outrun a cheetah or a leopard, and was still alive today was undeniable proof for the effectiveness of such countermeasures.
“I at least thought “getting caught up in the distortion of space” would have caused you to die; I mean, with this, I don’t even know why I made this deal with “them.”
But.
This method should have only worked in the streets of Ikebukuro. The reason was very simple: if you were not familiar with the area, you couldn’t make use of the intricate system of alleys. He had originally wanted to shake his opponent off, but if he ran into a dead end, or if that sort of thing happened, it would be a real problem. Facing an opponent like Shizuo, there was no doubt he would be made into mincemeat – live.
In spite of this, Orihara Izaya managed to navigate the alleyways easily.
You could maybe say that this was going even smoother than it would have back in the streets of Ikebukuro.
(Well, this city also seems to have some sort of thing going on for itself, but anyway, it’s a lot more convenient since there aren’t any “adults” lurking in the darkness of this city. It’s like arriving on an island that uses shells as currency and has no concept of forgery… Well in any case, I just wish Shizu-chan would die already.)
His strides were like that of this city’s… Academy City’s citizens.
Or would it be better to say it was as if he had already obtained a detailed map of this place beforehand, thus being able to understand every nook and cranny of this city.
Part 4
He casually leaped over the parked SUV on the roadside, slid beneath a hot dog cart, and finally ran straight up a building in just a few seconds. Overall, such actions were similar to a tiger or a lion crossing obstacles to chase its prey.
Despite all this, Heiwajima Shizuo had lost Orihara Izaya.
This place was like an intricate maze of concrete in all directions.
The bartender with sunglasses put his hand on a wall with red letters scrawled everywhere, which were not in English at all, and slowly breathed out.
He was trying to keep himself from “accidentally” destroying the building.
(…No matter how flea-like that flea is, this is too much of a coincidence. No, since a flea is always just a flea, it’s impossible for it to win without any preparation.)
If you stepped on the opponent’s layed-out track without the certainty of being able to destroy it completely, it would be meaningless to chase it heedlessly. He had already learned his lesson about this kind of “smell” countless times in high school. It was the smell of imminent failure.
However, it was at that very moment.
Suddenly, there was an ear-splitting sound. It was like the sound made from scraping a rough piece of rock against metal.
“…That goddamn flea.”
Shizuo didn’t think it was Izaya himself.
Actually, in the case of that Orihara Izaya, it was usually more troublesome if he himself did not appear. In other words, this was the situation he was best in. If he used himself as a decoy and baited his opponent into following him, that opponent, chasing after him without thinking, would be led into a deserted alley in no time. And then an assassin would appear. Wasn’t this “exactly” what that guy did best? It felt like getting in 10 consecutive combos in a trapping game – a trap so obvious, it was oddly satisfying.
But Shizuo wasn’t one to be cowed by something on this level.
Rather, his emotion meter was maxed out by rage right now.
“In other words, I can find out where that flea is just by beating that guy up, right…?”
The monster who could be considered the apex of the human race walked towards the source of the sound without any hint of hesitation.
The only question left was whether Shizuo would be able to beat “that guy” up while making sure his tongue and cheeks were left intact.
Part 5
Then, in a dirty alleyway with red graffiti everywhere, stood a girl who clearly did not belong there.
She had short, black hair and large glasses. She seemed timid, and that shone through not only from her looks but also from all of her small actions, ranging from slightly twitching and shrinking her body to hugging her body as if she were trying to protect herself. The girl, who had a blazer that looked like it was from some school uniform, would’ve seemed attractive to people who were into that sort of thing, yet annoying to people who found such things distasteful. From the air around her, one could tell she did not actively look for a long and eventful life, but however, the needle in her meter spasmed from left to right, always straining further from the “average.”
Sonohara Anri
Although she seemed the type to be reading obscure poetry anthologies in the school library, she was holding the very thing that would completely shatter such an image. Though from her posture, which looked like she was hugging herself, it could have been said that she was in fact embracing “that thing.”
So, what could be “that thing”?
The answer was a katana.
“Hey, you over there, you know that it’s actually the truth!?”
In front of Anri, who was retreating two, three steps backwards, was a pointy-haired high school boy who furrowed his brows as if he were in a conundrum.
His expression was desperate, and his voice carried a sense of unease.
“I have no idea where you came from, but it’s obvious that you’re not familiar with this place, and that you don’t belong here!”
His words weren’t making much sense in the first place, but even without that, Sonohara Anri felt an acute dizziness in her head. She realized that she was losing the ability to recognize the sounds coming from in front of her as words.
This was not simply a matter of speaking to a boy she had never met before.
The real reason lay within the katana she was holding.
Correctly speaking, it should be called a demonic blade.
Saika.
It was shouting loudly in the sweet voice of a woman directly into the mind of Anri, the owner of the blade.
The tone was completely different from her usual whisperings proclaiming her love of humanity.
“What is that; what is that; what is that; what is that; what is that? Wuhuhuhu! Ahh, ahhhh! That’s not good; that can’t be good; no matter how much I think about it, that’s definitely not good! I have no problems with being shattered, dulled, melted, or changed, and I would still be myself, but I have no doubt something terrible will happen if I were to glance off even so much as a fingertip!”
Kirikirikiri!! Anri’s vision was forcibly drawn to a certain place.
It was drawn to the pointy-haired boy, and especially to the part below his right wrist.
(What is… this person?)
Anri was, in a word, terrified.
This was not because of the unusual reaction of Saika nor the “something” hidden within the pointy-haired boy.
She didn’t know what, but something was definitely off.
She sensed danger that raced along her spine, mercilessly fanning the fear in her heart.
It was as if an invisible fishing hook was pulling her soul out to the other side of the “frame” Anri had predefined.
(I know Saika always whispers her love for humanity. Sure, there will be some exceptions whom she hates, but she’s never simply given up to fear like this…)
“It’s not too late yet.”
The pointy-haired boy spoke.
Another step.
Even if a knife was pressed into her neck, even if a gun was pointed straight at her forehead, as long as she was still within her “frame,” Anri would have never been shaken. But even she stepped back from a totally normal step, like a totally normal girl.
This was not good.
The only reason she had been able to stay sane against the whisperings, or the “curse,” of Saika was the existence of her “frame.” Anri could not imagine what would become of herself if she were to forget its existence.
“Anyway, I’m running out of time. Please tell me how many people are with you. And then all of you involved need to go back. There’s no other choice anymore!”
Uu!
And so.
In an instant.
Sonohara Anri drew her katana with a large motion. As if she couldn’t even feel its weight, she swung it around with one hand, creating orange sparks as the blade screeched against the wall, until its end was pointed directly at her opponent.
The action was in no way like one that would have been made by someone who has knowledge of kendo or swordsmanship.
It would be more accurate to say that Anri had merely acted out of self defense, much akin to a person instinctively protecting their face with both of their hands.
However, the pointy-haired boy merely clicked his tongue.
As if in response, he clenched his fist again and took a posture of his own.
“Damn it! Why did it have to come to this!?”
The moment the fist was clenched.
Kirikirikirikirikirikirikirikirikirikirikirikiri!!
Through Saika, an absurd amount of tension and sense of danger ravaged Anri’s consciousness..
Numerous fishing hooks from the other side of her “frame” grabbed onto her exposed soul and tried to forcibly pull her out. An unknown reality was threatening her very personality.
Starting from the edges, her vision began to lose focus.
She reflexively covered her lips with her hands as she could feel her stomach heaving uncomfortably.
(This is… bad)
Saika’s blade started glowing an ominous red.
No, that wasn’t it.
That was just the light reflecting off the blade. It was Anri’s own eyes that were really glowing.
(No…!!)
Her vision became nauseous.
Her consciousness began to fade.
Saika’s “whisperings”, which used to merely be continuous soft mutterings, began to pressure her heart little by little while accompanied by an unfamiliar, sweet smell.
But.
In fact, Anri never turned into a “slasher demon.”
The reason was simple yet difficult to explain.
Bagigokushyaaaaaahhh!!!???
It was because out of nowhere, a flying vending machine launched the pointy-haired boy into the wall.
Well.
It wasn’t as if the vending machine was made of sponge, nor was the wall an old and crumbling, earth wall. It was beyond any doubt that the vending machine was made of metal and the wall was a solid concrete wall.
Even so.
Nevertheless, what in the world just happened?
There wasn’t even a one millimeter gap between the wall and the vending machine, and no matter how you put it, it would have been most accurate to say that the pointy-haired boy was “buried.”
A dry sound followed.
Nobody knew what had happened to the boy.
“Fu fu fu! Ha ha ha!! Ah, that was amazing that was so good that’s what all human beings should be like if there’s a human with the highest specs right in front of me then I shouldn’t be afraid but instead love them love them love them love them!!”
When she came to, Saika was back to normal.
Accordingly, Anri also came up with an appropriate response. She pulled her “self” that was halfway out of her “frame” and began lightening the effects of the “cursed” whisperings.”
The red in her eyes slowly faded.
By the way.
The person who caused such damage spoke aloud.
“Yo, do you know anything about fleas?”
The girl who secretly hid the demonic blade behind her back shook her head gently.
I don’t know.
Part 6
“Hurts….”
Accompanied by a cracking sound.
Kamijou Touma kicked the mangled vending machine out of the crumbling concrete wall. Then he wobbled outside.
Patter patter, the blood spilled from his forehead and dripped onto the ground.
“…That hurts, dammit! Are you from Ikebukuro as well, you bastard!?”
“Huh? What a surprise. I would get it if you had just dodged or blocked my attack, but you’re somehow still standing after taking a direct hit. You must be as solid as Simon, right?”
“…Another name I don’t recognize. Exactly how many people came here..?.”
“Well, anyway, I have just one question for you… Do you know about the flea?”
“Ahhhhhhhh, seriously!! How many people are from Ikebukuro!?”
Shouting, Kamijou suddenly charged towards Heiwajima Shizuo and tried to grab his shirt.
Sadly for him, even though it had been plunged into a river and had gotten wet, that did not change the fact that the shirt was a gift filled with memories from Shizuo’s brother.
And the most deadly thing was that when Kamijou grabbed the shirt, one of the buttons flew off.
Riiiiip.
The pointy-haired boy heard a strange sound.
It sounded like a bundle of steel wires being forcibly stretched on both ends like a rubber band.
However, he would never be able to guess what the sound actually had been.
Indeed.
No one could have thought that the sounds made by the straining of a mere human’s muscles could ring out like that.
“Ah.”
Just.
Blankly, he realized he had messed up.
I guess I’m on the highway to hell now. (TL Note: Or literally, I’ve stepped on the death line – could be translated as “stepped on a landmine,” but that’s technically a different expression)
At that moment.
–––!!!!
All sound disappeared with a flick of his wrist.
“Ah.”
At the same time, strangely enough, Heiwajima Shizuo made a similar sound.
With just one hand, he had grabbed his collar and then threw.
He himself was probably the only one who could grasp what had happened.
The person who had been right in front of him, whose name he did not know, had been blasted away from the alley and made a spectacular sound of something splattering everywhere.
He couldn’t even imagine what happened to the boy – not even where he landed.
The man in a bartender’s suit, who was left all alone, muttered to himself with a face like he had accidentally ripped the paper while scooping goldfish because he had put too much strength into it.
“Shoot, I should’ve asked about the flea before smashing the fly…”
Part 7
Satin dress: [Huhh!? I’ve never heard the name Tanaka Tarou. Are you someone who hasn't used this social media? Well, anyway, nice to meet you.]
Tanaka Tarou: [Nice to meet you too. Anyway, I was really taken aback. It looks basically the same as any other social media, but it turns out to be something completely different on the inside, and it’s filled with technology I’ve never seen before.]
Satin dress: [Ahaha! Everything about the technology is adjusted by the server management side, so it has nothing to do with us!]
Tanaka Tarou: [I see. I was just thinking it would be hard when you host it yourself. So, I’ve heard this is a forum that collects rumors.]
Satin dress: [Yes indeed. If it has anything to do with urban legends, leave it to me! Ask me about anything from the best location for a bravery test to the most nerve-racking workplaces!
Tanaka Tarou: [Um, are there rumors about the demonic blade or the headless rider?]
Satin dress: [Hmm. You’re looking for some really retro stuff, huh.]
Tanaka Tarou: [I’m sorry.”]
Satin dress: [No need to be sorry. But, uhh, oh yes… There was one derived from some other rumor. Have you heard of the subway tunnels story?]
Tanaka Tarou: [I’m sorry.”]
Satin dress: [If you apologize to me one more time, I’ll force you to play FPS games with me for free until tomorrow morning both as punishment and to bring us closer as friends, alright? Anyway, some experiment on neutrinos or the Higgs boson or whatever led to rumors that a strange door opened in an unused subway station. And if you go through that door, you would be teleported to a fantasy world where swords and magic are intertwined. It’s recently become somewhat viral.]
Tanaka Tarou: [So how is that connected to the headless rider?]
Satin dress: [Ahh, yes. Well, if we can go to the other side, it’s logical to think that someone could come to us from the other side. There have also been numerous rumors of strange sightings around the station’s entrances and exits. Should I send you the video URLs?]
Tanaka Tarou: [That would be great. …Wait, numerous rumors?]
Satin dress: [Yeah. You’ll see it in the video, but it seems that there’s more than one of them who came through. Vampiric aristocrats, retro gangs from the Prohibition era, and all sorts of other things. I mean, compared to UFOs and Little Greys, it seemed there were more types of them.]
Tanaka Tarou: [Then, you’re saying one of them was–]
Satin dress: [Exactly. There was a headless rider in a jet black riding suit. Well, I suppose it could just be something a college film student is doing to ease their boredom.]
