Absolute Duo:Volume 2 Chapter 3

Chapter 3 『That Is a Good Idea』

Part 1

After exiting the school gate and crossing the small bridge, the only connection to the outer world to the students attending Kouryou academy ---------is a monorail for authorized personal only.

In a distance that doesn’t even take 5 minutes; the suspended type monorail is connected to a nearby JR station of Tokyo and Chiba from the front of the school.

When we boarded the railway car, there were only a small number of people riding inside.

Since school academy personnel were the only ones able to use it in the first place, it's only natural to say the number of users are few.

Thanks to that, we're grateful to find empty seats without fighting over them.

“This is somehow heart throbbing isn’t it?”

Sitting in the opposite side of the box seat, Yurie said while looking outside the window.

“I see. It’s the first time you visited a Japanese city.”

“Ya---. That is why I am looking forward to it.”

Yurie shifted her eyes from the window to me and nodded.

(It might be good to take a breather like this once in a while...)

I took a side look at Yurie, who had returned to looking at the sea outside the window, and *Fuu* leaked a smile.

Incidentally, Yurie and I were in uniform even though it was Sunday.

It’s not like there is a school rule saying we have to wear the school uniform when going out of the school.

It’s simply just because Yurie doesn't have any clothes to match the May weather, and I followed her.

(However, this placement relation sure feels nostalgic. Well, it’s probably because I've gotten too used to it.)

Normally, I would be with Yurie side by side with our shoulders close to each other when we usually watch television--------and depending on the situation, we would be sitting side by side within a certain distance, I could feel the warmth from us almost touching each other.

It's also the same case when we attend classes and at the cafeteria.

That is why I feel strange sitting in front of her and would accidentally fix my stare at her.

This foreign beauty directing her Ruby eyesred eyes outside the window.

Her Silver blondesilver hair, which no one would turn away from and would stare amazed, was beautifully swaying.

Because there's a lack of expression shown on her well-featured face, it makes one think of her as a delicate bisque doll.

But I know this normal girl has something aside from those truths.

---Inside that heart holds a dark emotion known as revenge.

The same darkness as me.

Maybe------That night was just a dream, I would think something like that.

However, I felt hesitant to put that matter in my mouth again.

That’s because I didn’t want to admit Yurie holds the same hatred as me and is someone that wishes for revenge.

“-----Tooru?”

*Chirin* the echoing bell brought me back.

She has probably called out to me many times already. Yurie was looking at me while tilting her head.

“We're going to arrive soon."

“Ah... I-I see.”

Before I knew it, almost as soon as we departed, the monorail was close to reaching its destination.

In the middle of slowly entering the platform, Yurie got up from her seat.

“Yurie, it’s better to stand up once we arrive.”

*Gakon*.

Almost at the same time of my warning, the monorail was close to stopping and was swaying.

“Ah...”

My warning was useless and Yurie’s balance collapsed, making her fall on her butt.

...on top of my lap.

Her hair swayed and a pleasant smell tickled my nose.

“Th-that’s why I told you.”

“Ya-Ya-----……..”

After I said that while feeling a little embarrassed, Yurie also hanged her head downwards in embarrassment.

“I will be careful from now on. Alright then, let’s get off.”

After I stood up, I extended my hand to Yurie.

Although I once extended out my hands to her in the clock tower last time, including this time, having her hands rested on mine felt very embarrassing.

After getting out the station we transferred to the JR route, following what Miyabi taught me, and got off after one station.

From there, after walking for around 5 minutes, we reached our destination the A La Mode but------

Once, the A La Mode was the biggest shopping mall in Japan (According to Miyabi’s information), although that status has been taken by another place, the number of customers didn't decrease and is filled with many people during holidays.

“…………….It’s like a festival.”

Although it can’t be said to be wide, Yurie opened her mouth in amazement and looked around.

“Tooru isn’t really that shocked.”

“That’s because there was a big mall in my hometown. Well, let’s see the floor guide and confirm the location of the shop for now.”

“Ya---…………..”

I urged Yurie, who was still a little blank and the moment, as I opened the guide map I took from a nearby help kiosk, I furrowed my eyebrows in bewilderment.

“What is this…………..”

The guide map is oddly thick, as it spans 8 pages even though it is just introducing the floors; with a total of more than 500 plus shop names written in it.

(I heard there are a lot of shops but, I didn’t think it would be this many……………)

“Tooru, Is something wrong?”

While I was dumbfounded, Yurie tip-toed while peeking into the guide map.

She then grabbed my sleeves to take balance and her peeking form makes me think of her as a small animal.

“Ah, sorry. Let’s look at this while sitting nearby.”

After saying that, I sat on a nearby stool with Yurie.

“This is... I have no idea what's going on in this at all.”

“A-aah... As expected, it’s normal to think that.”

She brought her body closer, defenselessly as usual, and stuck on my lap making me feel slightly excited (mentally) .

However, Yurie did not seem bothered by this at all and flipped the page but------

“It’s too many, so I don’t know where we should go...”

And like that, she made a troubled face.

The only information in the index are the shops name and position code. What’s more, it’s not like the places are positioned in the west, south, north hall respectively since it also expands to the first and second floor; thanks to that, just like what Yurie said, we have no idea where we should go.

“U---n... Let’s walk around randomly for now. Since there are this many shops, I think we would find something of interest sooner or later.”

I stood up and right before I was about to start walking, I recalled something and turned back.

“Yurie, please be careful not to get separated because of the crowd.”

“Ya---“

*Koku**koku* Yurie nodded and grabbed my sleeves tightly.

“I won’t get separated like this.”

Yurie said that with satisfaction while making a small smile.

“Th-that’s true...”

It’s not like the level of holding hands, but this is embarrassing in its own way.

However, that feeling immediately disappeared somewhere once we started walking.

Inside, amongst the hustle and bustle, the many people we passed by looked at us and I could hear topics about Yurie.

["Hey, isn’t that girl really beautiful?"] ["A celebrity?"] ["I’ll take a photo and upload it"] ["Oh, she has a guy…….."] ["The Blondie just now was good too but, this is good in its own way………."]

There were a lot of reactions but, most of it regarding Yurie.

But, while I meant most of it, it means all of it wasn’t that.

["They are wearing school uniforms though; I wonder which school they are from?"] ["Don’t know? I never seen that before…………."]

It’s only normal they don’t know.

Unless there is a good reason, Kouryou students are not allowed to go out other than weekends.

And even if they were to go out on a weekend, there probably isn’t any commendable students that would go out wearing a school uniform.

Only the school name could be heard at best.

Even for myself, if I hadn’t heard about the existence of the school beforehand then, not only would I have no idea about the internal conditions of the school, I wouldn't even know the school’s name in the first place.

(That’s because it’s a school with that kind of enrollment ceremony.)

Although it is a school lacking common sense when half of the number of students dropped out from the enrollment ceremony, it’s also weird that this school is not known to the public.

Mikuni-sensei said that information regulations were imposed, but it would probably be just a rumor at most.

And when I was thinking things like that, my sleeves was *gui**gui* being pulled.

“Tooru, how about that shop?”

“Ah, You’re right, that’s a cute shirt... I guess?”

I was often brought by my sister Otoha to buy things. However, I don't know anything about girl's clothing.

But, judging from the shop display, it’s true that I feel it would suit Yurie.

Like that, we tried entering this shop for now but-------

“I think this suits her. How about it, boyfriend-san?”

“Eh!? Ah... No, no, no. I am not her boyfriend!”

When we were looking around for clothes, a female shop attendant came over and said those lines; even though I hurried and denied it, she just giggled.

She probably thought I was trying to trick her.

A male and a female together, we even entered the shop together and started looking at clothes. Yurie was still grabbing my sleeves. It wasn't difficult for the shopkeeper to misunderstand.

Rather, even if I am a 3rd person here, we would definitely be thought of as a couple.

“I will go try on the clothes now.”

Yurie left with those words after taking several summer clothes, recommended by the shop attendant, before entering the changing room.

“Fufu, she’s a very cute girlfriend!”

“Y-yeah………”

I gave up on correcting the misunderstanding. I nodded while giving a wry smile.

Checking on Yurie's status, I sighed a bit while glancing at the shop attendant who came to stick her nose in our business, and began regretting coming here with the two of us only.

(It would have been better if everyone was together...)

Miyabi is probably out playing with Tachibana somewhere.

Tora headed out somewhere so I couldn’t find him.

Tatsu is working hard in his muscle training.

While I was recalling the status of my friends, the curtain opened slighly and Yurie's face popped out.

“Tooru, I have finished changing... can you see it?”

“I’ll say this just in case; don’t expect good fashion sense from me.”

“Ya---. It is okay.”

I don’t know what she meant by "it is okay" but Yurie nodded and opened the curtain wider.

[Uoo...][Oh my...]

The shop attendant and I let out a shocked voice while Yurie silently showed herself.

The clothe Yurie tried on was a cooling, basic, white, one piece.

The sleeves were opened wide and the arranged white lace emphasized the girlishness.

“What’s wrong, Tooru?”

“A-aah... errr, I think it suits you very well...”

“Thank you very much. I will buy this then.”

“You decide too fast!! Wait, isn’t it at least better to try some of the others first before deciding?”

*Un**un*The shop attendant beside me nodded.

Rather than doing it for her job, her expression was saying to try more clothes on.

“I understand... but I decided to buy this one.”

After saying that, she closed the curtain once more and we waited a few more minutes.

“Tooru. What do you think about this?”

It's black this time, the opposite color of the one piece earlier. Looking at her figure, the attendant and I made sounds of admiration.

The skirt was short and it had a lot of frills. Due to its color, it made Yurie’s silver hair attractive. It suited her very well.

“Err...I think it’s nice. Extremely.”

“Ya---. I think I will buy this too then.”

Maybe she liked my response, Yurie slightly narrowed her eyes and confined herself within the changing room a third time.

She then showed herself not long later. Again, the clothes suited her.

“How about this?”

“It looks refreshing so why not?”

“Ya---, it is very soothing. Well, this too...”

She bought all 3 clothes she tried in the end.

“E-erm. If it’s okay with you, will you try other clothes? For my eyes... not that, I think it will suit miss customer and we have a lot of cute clothes too”

“Errr... what will you do, Yurie? Will you try it on?”

“Ya--. If Tooru says so.”

It was a mistake to go with the flow.

“Yurie... Don’t you think you are buying too much?”

While staring at the 12 clothing items, stacked up like a mountain on the counter, I made a comeback just in case.

Looking at the pile of clothes at the cash register, Yurie bought too many clothes (as expected). If I hadn't told Yurie it was time to go to other shops, I have no idea how many clothes she would have bought.

“Nai. I am only buying the clothes Tooru said is nice.”

“N-no, it’s true I said them but, I think all of it is just a little...”

“But, this one looks very matching and this one is very nice, this one is cooling and-------“

Yurie lined up my comments one by one without making any mistakes.

After saying everything until the last 12th clothes-----

“As expected, I will buy all.”

In the end, Yurie called herself as a very good customer-san.

Although the shop attendant opened her eyes wide when we said to buy 12 clothes (+3 pair of shoes), she made an even more shocked expression when we told her we would pay with our student ID.

She probably would have never thought students like us would pay with a card.

But the instant we handed her the card, the attendant muttered, "Ah... it's that school."

I became curious on how she knew about our school, so I asked her. It seems several people like us come over here to buy stuff every year.

However, we were the first ones to purchase this large of an amount.

Incidentally, the moment I heard the total amount of money, my eyes almost popped out.

Luckily it was within our allowance, so there wasn’t any problem.

“Alright then, now that we finished buying clothes, what should we do now?”

“--------? Weren’t we going to other shops to see the clothes?”

“... no, I’ll give up on that for today.”

It was easy to imagine the result of going to another shop.

It would be faster if I say it doesn’t suit her but, the foundation material is good---------rather that, Yurie was so good looking, to the point that, any clothes she wears suits her naturally.

More importantly, it's impossible for me to tell her that.

In front of the small happy expression she shows when I say it suits her, there's no way I can lie.

“So, should we head back?”

“U-nn... well since we are outside, let’s wander around for a bit then.”

“Ya--. That’s true.”

Nonetheless, we had a lot of baggage so we decided to stop at the delivery counter first.

“Well, where should we go, Tooru?”

After we finished our lightening our load, we decided to look around the north hall from one corner to the other.

As if it was natural for her, Yurie grabbed my sleeves and walked beside me.

Although it was more or less embarrassing for me at the beginning, we talked with each other while looking at the shops until I forgot about it.

After that, Yurie looked at the ferret in the pet shop nearby with her eyes glittering and played a free to play virtual game in one corner of the game shop. We were having a time fun and peaceful enough to forget about our tough training.

“Now that I think back, Miyabi told me the gelato on the first floor is recommended.”

“… gelato huh. If Miyabi recommended it then, I want to try heading there but..."

As a late lunch, when Yurie was about to start her pumpkin cream pasta and fondant chocolate as dessert, I recalled the talk Miyabi gave me.

Even Yurie isn't an exception to girlishness. It seems Yurie also loves sweets and she often changes expressions with the desserts that come out from the cafeteria.

That is why it's only normal for her to think she wants to try something after hearing about it as a recommendation but------

Since Yurie eats little in the first place, it's clear that she won't be able to eat both the chocolate and gelato. She knows that, and dropped her shoulders.

It will probably be alright after some time, but the influence would probably come back during dinner time this time if we were to do that.

Her disappointed look was really pitiful, so I came up with an idea-------

“Why don’t we try buying as much gelato as you can eat for now? If you can't eat all of it then I will eat the leftovers.”

“That is a good idea.”

Yurie became happy again.

(This is good, this is good...)

Her expression was so nice, I accidentally smiled.

And like that, my thoughts quickly ended.

“Tooru. Just in case, can you eat this chocolate?”

“Aah, I don’t mind.”

Yurie asked me about her half eaten chocolate.

Since there was no reason to refuse, it was alright. But-------

“Please open your mouth.”

“Huh?”

“Like I said, please open your mouth.”

She lifted, one mouth-full sized scoop of fondant chocolate wrapped in cold ice with her fork, placing right it in front of me.

“... Are you perhaps going to feed me?”

“Ya—♪Ahnn”

“N-no, doing that in front of people is a little...”

“----? Miyabi often does this to me?”

But that is between girls.

And we are of the opposite sex.

I know Yurie has no other intentions, but it can’t be helped for me to feel resistant to her actions, rather I think it's only normal to do so.

“Errrr...”

Luckily, there weren't many people in the shop since it wasn't lunch time any more. Thanks to the many dividing panels, people can't really see us. It's unacceptable in that there was window. However, since there is an atrium in front of the window instead of a road, we aren't likely to be noticed from outside.

(Well, I guess this situation is alright...?)

“------?”

*Chirin* the bell rang as if to urge me. And of course, Yurie doesn’t any intentions of making me hurry.

“I-I get it. Then…………..”

*Ahhn* I opened my mouth wide as I was told and ate the chocolate.

(I’m glad everyone didn’t come...)

Just now, I was thinking something completely different from my thoughts earlier.

“Tooru, here you go.”

“Eh? Again?”

“Ya---. There is still too much left. So, Ahhnn”

“Hahaha... okay.”

In the end, Yurie fed me around 8 times. One time, a shop attendant there saw us and giggled, making it an awkward situation.

But------

The true problem came right after that.

“Tooru, Ahhn”

Between the south and north hall in a place called Harbor Street where many people pass by, Yurie brought the gelato to my mouth.

“...eh?”

“It's very delicious so I am sharing with you. That’s why Tooru, please. Ahnnn”

Inside, within the presence of a crowd of people, Yurie smiled as if she was not bothered about them at all.

Of course, it was only natural for me to be bothered by the gazes of passerby.

“----Tooru?”

She tilted her small head-----

“Ya-yaa...”

I answered powerlessly and let her feed me the gelato.

Part 2

Tooru and Yurie. Unless somebody knew about their situation, they could only be seen as an intimate couple. There were shadows watching those 2 from afar.

It was Tomoe and Miyabi.

Having asked Tooru and Yurie’s departure time indirectly during breakfast, Miyabi and Tomoe reached the closest station near the A La Mode shopping mall one hour before those 2 did.

From that point on, the both of them were sneakily, following Tooru and Yurie from behind. They acted as if they were buying things at a shop near the one Yurie had tried on her clothes in (Miyabi actually bought something). This time they were hiding and watching from a sports shop located some ways across from the atrium where Yurie and Tooru were eating at.

“Mi-Miyabi. Are those two really not going out?”

“U-u... Tooru-kun said that………..”

“I see... No, but...”

During eating and this time in a manner of not bothering the public eye----------(Miyabi and Tomoe saw it like this)-------Tooru was being fed gelato by Yurie.

Looking at those two, Miyabi and Tomoe panicked together.

“To-To-To-Tomoe-chan. That’s errrr... not an illicit relationship right?”

“N-no, i-it isn’t sexual conduct so...”

There are probably those in this society the might call Tooru and Yurie a stupid couple, but at the very least it wasn't any kind of an illicit relationship.

Thanks to that, Miyabi and Tomoe couldn't cut in. This agitated both of them even more because they couldn't do anything other than watch over Tooru and Yurie.

However, a voice suddenly called out to Miyabi and Tomoe.

“Both of you are alone?”

“Eh?”

When they looked over, there were 4 guys standing there.

They were obviously picking up girls.

["If it is okay you two, want to play with us?"]["Both of you are cute. High school student? From what school?"] ["Kouryouu?"]["I know where. It’s the place nearby popular with martial arts."]

The confirmation this guy made about Kouryou academy wasn't wrong.

A private school with a dormitory system, with a power structure placed within martial arts, graduation would link to an employment from the secret service.

Leaving no school services supplied by the public, because of the secret regulations from the Dawn organization, it is impossible for there to be any eye catching general information left inside people’s memories.

Even if the <<Luciful>> or <<Blaze>> has been turned into a rumor, it would probably be interpreted as absurd nonsense at most.

Unless they have definite proof it would not leave the realm of rumor, even if it was real.

Naturally, since this was also made to be fully aware to the students that go out, during the filling for permission to go out, they are not to cause any trouble outside, they are not to manifest their <<Blaze>> and etc; it was an outing with many restrictions.

By any chance that any of those rules were broken; a strict punishment will be given but------

“Heeh, by martial arts is it judo or karate? So you all are doing that too?”

“Ye-yeah...”

Miyabi and Tomoe were agitated by the sudden pick up and answered the persons question honestly.

“That’s nice. Then, teach us some pinning skills too.”

“No thanks. Let’s go, Miyabi.”

Finally at this moment, Tomoe recognized the guys’ intentions and even though she took Miyabi and left the spot-----

“That’s so cold. A little is fine. We won’t do anything strange.”

A guy then grabbed Miyabi’s arm and pulled hard.

“Ah...”

Scared--------the moment she felt that, her body moved by reflex.

“Le-let go……….!”

*Don* Miyabi thrust the guy away.

Normally, he would stagger a bit but-------

Since her arm strength is exceedingly stronger than a normal person because of the <<Luciful>>, the guy fell over pathetically.

["Haha, lame!"]["Shut up! My balance just collapsed!!"]

The fallen over guy shouted at his comrades who were laughing loudly.

Luckily, he was just grazed.

“Oi, oi. Give me a break from violence.”

“Your side was getting violent first. It’s true that, thrusting him away was too much though...”

Although Tomoe entered between Miyabi and the leader, her voice tone was weak as expected.

Naturally, the person did not let that slip by.

“If you think it was too much then, isn’t it okay for you two to go out with us to reconcile?”

“I-I refuse! I will apologize but, this and that are different!!”

“To-Tomoe-chan...”

Tomoe whispered It’s alright, to Miyabi who was seeming to become smaller behind Tomoe.

(I have no problems with this number of people!)

That awareness, made Tomoe’s feelings stronger even if it turns into a fight.

However, the guys didn't like Tomoe's response. After the guy Miyabi thrust away returned, the group of young men stood and surrounded both of them like a wall.

At that moment, someone Miyabi and Tomoe was familiar with, pushed through the crowd of people and appeared.

“Stop it you bastards!!”

["What is it!?"]["Who the hell are you!!"]

Tooru was the one who stood in front of the guys.

Luckily, since they were nearby, he heard Miyabi and Tomoe’s voice and ran over here.

“These two are with me. I’ll listen if you have any problems.”

["To-Tooru-kun………."]["Kokonoe………..!"]

Both of them called Tooru’s name and was a little relieved.

["He says they are with him."]["Looks real."]["What should we do?"]

On the other hand, the guys were looking at each other on what to do next from the appearance of the person who named himself as one of them-------

“Miyabi, Tomoe, are you two okay?”

At that moment, they made their decision when Yurie joined.

["Wow. She’s super cute………."]["This girl is also with him?"]["The so called Harem?"]["I feel a little pissed][What should we do?"]["Obviously---"]

At the same time with the leader saying that, the guys slightly lowered their hips.

“Let’s give him a light one!”

“-----!!”

The guys move at the same time.

It was somewhat surprising------- but nonetheless, it still looks like it was in slow motion to Tooru who has sublimated to <<Level 2II>>.

(I have no choice then; I’ll give them a light one then run away.)

I’ll push them down so they won’t get hurt I guess, it was that moment Tooru decided that.

*Taan*!! A dry sound from far away-----a gunshot echoed in the harbor street.

Almost at the same time, one guy that was going to punch Tooru, fell down as if he was flicked away.

“Eh…………?”

The man knocked down muttered in astonishment.

However, faster than everyone in the spot-------including Tooru and the group------faster than them understanding what happened, another gunshot echoed and another guy collapsed.

“Wha...?”

“Tooru, That’s...!!”

Around 100 meters away standing on top of the 3rd floors balcony, Tooru saw the owned of the gunshot.

A girl with long gorgeous shining Yellow Topazblonde hair.

Her hand was holding a-------black long barrel <<RifleGun>>.

(Lealith!? And that’s-------------<<Blaze>>!?)

During the time Tooru was opening his eyes in shock, Lealith then pulled the trigger making the 3rd shot then 4th shot in an instant and all of the guys collapsed.

In the middle of the sights looking at the guys suddenly collapsing at their surroundings, Tooru and Yurie was looking at the gold girl-------and was unable to take their eyes away from the <<RifleGun>> she was holding.

The thought that revived in his mind, was the talk that was taught in class last time.

“The <<Blaze>> cannot be manifested as a weapon with complex structure”

That talk wasn’t a lie and, a <<Gun>> type <<Blaze>> is impossible originally.

But the <<Blaze>> being shown in Tooru and the group’s sights was unmistakably a <<RifleGun>>.

Lealith made her <<RifleGun>> disappear and turned on her heels.

While looking at the Yellow Topazblonde hair walking into the balcony, Tooru muttered.

“<<Exception>>...”

Translation Notes and References

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