Kikou Shoujo wa Kizutsukanai:Volume 8 Chapter 1

Chapter 1 - Maiden's Declaration of War

Part 1

In one of the rooms of the Griffin girls' dorm, Hinowa was covering her head under the blanket, cowering in bed like a tortoise.

Over on the side, two male students--Subaru and Mutsura--were watching her, at a loss what to do.

"I beg you, milady. Stop crying and weeping all day long."

"Sob! Sob! Don't mind me! Who cares about someone like me!"

This remark of resignation instantly drew popping veins on Subaru's forehead.

"Idiot! How much longer are you gonna cry for!?"

"Calm down, Subaru. This is a girls' dorm."

Mutsura reached out to restrain him, but Subaru forcefully shook him off and lifted up the blanket.

Sobbing and weeping, Hinowa's face was covered with tears, a rather sympathetic sight. Even Subaru could not help but falter--but merely for an instant. Immediately, he put on a stern face and scolded strictly:

"You are the one who will shoulder the Izanagi clan's destiny one day! If the family head is so useless, the people below are not going to follow!"

"But... I... What should I do...!?"

"Idiot! Be it position, fame or people, whatever you want, just get hold of it by all means necessary! That is what it means to follow the way of the Izanagi!"

These words seemed to strike a deep chord in Hinowa's heart. As a result, she wiped her tears and looked up:

"Fair... enough. I am an onmyouji of the Izanagi clan. As one with divinination and shikigami at my command, something on the level of romantic pursuit must be achieved by my own power!"

Hinowa clenched her fist forcefully and made a cute smile.

"Thank you, Subaru. Thanks to you, I've recovered my spirits."

"I-It's not like I need you to thank me, idiot. Also, since you've given your word, then do it properly!"

"Ahaha, Subaru, your face is as red as a cooked octopus."

"Shut up, Mutsura! Leave me alone!"

Subaru shoved away the teasing Mutsura and gruffly opened the door, only to find the dormitory warden standing outside with a frightening expression, gushing magma of wrath from her entire body.

"The girls' dormitory is off limits to male guests... Have I not mentioned that before...?"

The floor was rumbling and shaking intensely. Subaru and Mutsura frantically bowed ninety degrees to the dormitory warden:

"We are very sorry!"

The two of them fled the girls' dorm as quickly as they could and ran towards Rafael dorm.

Along the way, Mutsura suddenly laughed as though he recalled something:

"That's so stupid of you, to think you'd incite milady like that. Wouldn't it be better to let her give up?"

"...It's true that Raishin rubs me off the wrong way."

"That's right, Subaru, you're the firstborn son of the Kamo family under the Izanagi. Your abilities qualify you to participate in the world-famous Night Party. Whether family background or ability, you're first rate."

"What? If you're bringing up the Night Party, aren't you participating as well? Your family background isn't much worse than mine either?"

"I'm talking about Raishin. The Akabane clan is all but extinct, thus halving the benefits of having Raishin as a son-in-law. Furthermore, there are many in our clan that opposes the marriage. Everyone is saying how the filthy family of war, the Akabane, is simply an unfit match for the Domon that inherits imperial blood--"

"Stop talking in circles! What the heck are you trying to say!?"

"Provided milady gives up on Raishin, you'll be the Domon family's son-in-law, Subaru."

Subaru was instantly rendered speechless. Clenching his fists hard, he stared at his feet.

"...That might be true. But I don't like that. I don't wanna see milady heartbroken. Besides... Anyway, the sight of weeping chicks makes me mad, okay!?"

Mutsura could not help but burst out laughing:

"So stupid! But then again, that's who you are, Subaru. Your feelings remain devoted to milady as always."

"I-I-I-It's not like that! Watch out or Imma punch yo' lights out!"

Subaru roared to hide his embarrassment before striding off. Mutsura could not help but smile wryly:

"By the way, milady resolved herself so firmly, what exactly is she planning to do--Hey, Subaru!"

Mutsura looked back at the girls' Griffin dorm and made a stiff expression.

"What's up? You see somethin'?"

Subaru followed suit and looked back, instantly, his jaw dropped.

"...Our shikigami should be guarding this area... That things... When did it..."

On the white outer walls of the magnificent Griffin dorm, beneath the rays of the setting sun--

Red words, as though splashed with fresh blood, had appeared.

'The Dark Princess and her faction must resign immediately from the Night Party. Failure to forfeit means death.'

As though mocking the two of them, the words of blood slowly dissolved in the wind and disappeared soon after.

Part 2

That night, Komurasaki jumped lightly over the Academy's outer wall and sneaked into the school grounds.

Then jumping from branch to branch, she looked this way and that to check out her surroundings.

She soon discovered Raishin. He had apparently just finished his bath and was meditating with a cool expression on his face.

This was a type of training involving breathing techniques and focusing the mind. Raishin was evidently trying to improve his foundation of magic energy.

In order not to disturb Raishin, Komurasaki concealed her presence--

"What's up, Komurasaki?"

However, Raishin discovered her from the start and directed a question to her behind him without looking back.

Consequently, Komurasaki had no choice but to give up hiding, jumping down from the tree. Upon seeing Komurasaki, Raishin could not suppress a worried look:

"You've been looking quite down lately. Did something happen with Loki in the underground cavern last time?"

What sharp instincts. Despite feeling hesitant, Komurasaki also felt an impulse to come clean, so she spoke up:

"Listen to me, Raishin...... Never mind, nothing nothing!"

"From what I heard, that guy Loki defeated the doll known as the Phoenix, right?"

Raishin hitting the heart of the matter without warning caused Komurasaki to jump totally.

"I did hear that it's a legendary monster, an automaton that can't be dealt with using flames. Since Loki managed to defeat that kind of monster using Cherubim, he must have used a really amazing move, right?"

Indeed, this was what Komurasaki wanted to talk about. But...

"Since you're having trouble bringing it up, it's fine if you don't want to talk about it."

"...But if I tell you, Raishin, you could very well end up beating him effortlessly, right?"

"I want a fair fight against that guy. A duel with even odds between us, then I will defeat him."

Raishin's eyes looked as though he could read another person's mind while he spoke in a gentle tone of voice:

"That's what's been worrying you, right?"

Should she tell Raishin? Was it the proper thing to do? If Loki really were the "enemy", Komurasaki would not have felt so troubled. Nevertheless, Loki and Raishin had the kind of relationship where they could entrust their lives to each other. In the earlier battle, Komurasaki had also fought vigorously alongside Loki. Was favoring Raishin okay? This was the dilemma that Komurasaki was facing.

Chuckling once, Komurasaki said:

"Raishin, you've become so kind and sensitive~ Or perhaps, it's because you've fallen in love with me, Raishin?"

"Haha, what nonsense are you talking about?"

"...Jeez~ Act a little shocked, okay, that's no fun at all! Oh dear, but this can't be helped! After all, there are so many cute girls around you, Raishin~~"

"W-What nonsense are you talking about!?"

"Aha! Now there you go, that's shock!"

Komurasaki smiled mischievously and glanced at Raishin:

"If you go around skirt chasing, you could end up with nothing, you know?"

"...What are you talking about?"

"Or perhaps, Raishin, you'll claim everyone as yours?"

"Stop joking around! I'm surrounded by dangerous beasts here!"

Raishin hastily covered Komurasaki's mouth and glanced all around him in trepidation.

Just at this instant, a gust of strong and chilling wind blew.

"Raishin... May I ask why are you assaulting Komurasaki?"

"Indeed! Hugging such a young girl... You pervert!"

Just as predicted perhaps, Yaya and Charl happened to come running over.

Komurasaki smiled naively towards Charl and said in a innocent voice:

"I'm not young, you know? I'm actually older than you, miss."

"W-Where are you looking at!?"

"P-Please don't admit defeat, Miss Charlotte! That was merely a jab from Komurasaki!"

Merely a jab? No, it was essentially a violent body blow. Charl almost fainted on the spot.

The mood of reprimanding Raishin was over. Hence, Raishin released his nervousness and asked the two girls:

"By the way, why did you two come?"

"Ah... Miss Charlotte said that she had something to discuss with you, Raishin."

Raishin seemed to realize instantly what it was and averted his gaze in embarrassment, muttering softly:

"Hinowa... How is she?"

Charl made an even more pained look than from suffering Komurasaki's "jab":

"I don't know. Those two 'bodyguard' boys seemd to have said something to her... But no matter how much I knock, there's no response... It must be my fault, right? It's all because I brought her to see you..."

"Charl, you're worrying too much."

Sigmund comforted Charl, unable to suppress himself any longer.

"Even if you ended up hurting her due to your excessive enthusiasm, once she knows that you are ostracized in the Academy and desperately desires friendship, surely she'll show pity and forgive you."

"Thank you... But your consoling words are simply adding insult to injury!"

Charl was so depressed that she bent over and spoke in a feeble voice:

"It's not easy for me to have made friends with her... If she hates me, what should I do...?"

"Don't worry. Just as you can see, Hinowa is a girl who's inexperienced in worldly ways and frequently fails to read the surrounding situation. But she's definitely not one to respond to kindness with malice. I think she's probably calming down and starting to feel bad about wasting your kind intentions. So, you should return to the dorm..."

Raishin tried to make a gentle smile towards Charl but his face instantly went stiff.

This was because Charl's eyes were free of tears already, instead replaced by an icy cold gaze.

"...Why do you understand her so well?"

"Eh? Uh, that's, because..."

"You mentioned at the training field earlier that she's just a 'fiancee in name, decided by the elders on their own', isn't that right? But why do you understand so much about her?"

"...Sorry, I was speaking out of my ass just now, just guessing randomly."

"Liar."

Yaya interrupted, her eyes completely plunged into darkness as well.

"Just now, Raishin's eyes were very gentle."

"Try me with your detailed explanation, okay?"

"Isn't it faster to simply ask Raishin's body?"

"Stop it! What are you two colluding for!? Komurasaki, hurry and save me!"

"Ahaha! See you later, Raishin!"

Komurasaki jumped lightly, flying to a branch, then giggling, she gave Raishin a meaningful glance that said:

"See~? If you go around skirt chasing, you'll end up in this kind of predicament!"

Part 3

The next day, Raishin was also attending Griselda's course.

The timetable was equivalent to useless. These two were simply occupying an unused training field to engage repeatedly in wooden puppet combat as "private tutoring."

Training all the way until evening, Raishin took a bath then headed over to the Night Party venue.

Along the way to the colosseum, on a wooded path, he discovered the figures of Charl and Hinowa walking side by side. They looked like they had successfully made up. Charl was smiling radiantly.

"Wonderful. Miss Charlotte looks so happy."

Yaya smiled while Raishin agreed with her from the bottom of his heart.

In the colosseum, Frey had already entered the stage, bringing with her Rabby, one of the Garm dogs.

Just as Raishin raised his hand, intending to greet Frey, a sudden commotion occurred in the audience.

"Raishin! Look over there!"

Yaya pointed to the outer edge of the stage. A figure passed through the entrance passage and entered the venue.

Wearing the executive committee's white coat, a girl with a head of honey-colored hair—Olga.

"Is that Miss Alice in disguise...? Doesn't seem like it, right?"

"Yeah. Alice should have disappeared from the Academy long ago."

During the "tea party" last time, Alice had disappeared together with Shinn without saying goodbye or leaving a note. Although it was quite an abrupt departure, this made Raishin more relieved instead.

No farewell meant that there was no need for one--In other words, those two are probably going to make a reappearance soon, right?

Since this person before their eyes was not Alice, she must be the true Olga, of course.

Olga stood on stage and declared in a sonorous voice:

"Ladies and gentlemen of the audience, as well as all personnel of the executive committee whom I respectfully address. I, Olga Saladin, hereby give up my rank as the 3rd seat and voluntarily demote myself to the 35th seat."

After a moment's silence, an uproar erupted.

"Excuse me, student council president, what is the meaning of this?"

"This is not your place to speak. The 3rd seat's will takes precedence over the 100th seat's."

Frey tugged lightly at Raishin's sleeve and whispered to him:

"Ooh, I think... she probably intends... to stop our group of low rankers."

--So that was the situation. High level opponents capable of stopping Raishin, Loki and Frey singlehandedly were not going to appear on stage for now, so she intended to step up to the plate instead?

"...After all, the Night Party concerns the interests between nations as well as international competitions involved with the betting scene. I suppose more than likely, the executive committee has received complaints from various sources?"

While sympathising with Olga somewhat, Raishin gave her a warning:

"Although it's an interesting attempt, but if we defeat you here, then it's over?"

"Indeed you are correct. But that is assuming—Are you able to do it?"

Olga smiled seductively. Her smile was neither a bluff nor a threat, giving off an impression of calm confidence.

She turned her back to Raishin and faced the executive committee's judge again:

"Okay, if there are no objections, please authorise my demotion--"

"Please wait! That mission, I implore you to concede to me!"

Suddenly, a clear and dignified voice rang out in the venue.

The voice's owner, Hinowa, lifted the lower hem of her female hakama as she took to the stage.

She looked liked she had jumped down directly from the audience. Black things resembling wings extended from her boots, allowing Hinowa's body to hover through the air.

She flew as light as snowflakes fluttering in the air. The wings disappeared as soon as she landed. Hinowa proceeded to walk in front of Olga. After taking a courteous bow, she said resolutely:

"I am the 8th seat and therefore unable to object to the student council president's will. Nevertheless, if you refuse to concede this opportunity to me, I shall make my opinion come to pass even if it means resorting to force."

Facing the student council president, she fearlessly offered her proposal. Yaya, Frey and Raishin could not help but feel enchanted by the sight of her dignified demanor.

As though checking out an opponent, Olga stared intently at Hinowa and said:

"Do you intend to oppose me? Princess?"

"That is not my intention. I am willing to take part in the earlier agreement. However, I simply wish that you could concede to me the right to demote at this time."

"Are you confident you can survive in facing off against them by yourself?"

"Yes."

Hinowa answered rather directly. Her fully confident attitude was quite a charming sight to behold as well.

Next, she turned around and walked towards Raishin's group.

Yaya grabbed Raishin's body and exuded total wariness. Despite making a displeased look, Hinowa decided to ignore Yaya for now and stared directly at Raishin.

"Hinowa shall propose a challenge to Lord Raishin tonight!"

"S-Sure."

"I-I-If Hinowa wins, Lord Raishin, please cancel your engagement with the student council president!"

The audience instantly fell silent.

Since no one stepped forward to the task, Raishin had no choice but to speak himself:

"The engagement you're talking about is already cancelled, you know?"

"Eh......Eh!?"

Hinowa was utterly unnerved. She looked like a panicking rabbit.

"I-I can't believe myself, how could I possibly make this kind of mistake... S-So embarrassing...!"

Covering her completely reddened face with both hands, she became frozen.

This reaction was so cute that Raishin could not help but feel the intense pounding in his heart--

Immediately, an intense chill brought him back to his senses. Yaya was staring at him with eyes resembling a galaxy of dark matter:

"May I ask what are you staring so stupidly at, Raishin...?"

"I wasn't staring stupidly, okay!? Stop grabbing my arm! It's gonna break!"

Probably feeling that there was no end to this, Olga spoke up again:

"So, allow me to demote, after all?"

"N-No! S-S-S-Since it has come to this, if Hinowa wins--"

Hinowa's mind had turned blank already and she could not help but yell loudly:

"Lord Raishin, please take Hinowa as your lawful wedded wife!"

The colosseum fell silent once again.

Soon after, the floor under Yaya's foot cracked loudly.