Editing CubexCursedxCurious:Volume1 Chapter2
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Warning: You are not logged in. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you log in or create an account, your edits will be attributed to your username, along with other benefits.
The edit can be undone. Please check the comparison below to verify that this is what you want to do, and then save the changes below to finish undoing the edit.
Latest revision | Your text | ||
Line 5: | Line 5: | ||
"Look at your plate when you're eating! The food is falling off the plate!" |
"Look at your plate when you're eating! The food is falling off the plate!" |
||
− | Fear answered yes. Again. She'd answered the same word several times already but her eyes were |
+ | Fear answered yes. Again. She'd answered the same word several times already but her eyes were fixed upon the square box that was placed on the corner of the room. |
"Hmmmm. I'd thought that you'd say something clichéd like, 'What are those small people doing inside that box?!'." |
"Hmmmm. I'd thought that you'd say something clichéd like, 'What are those small people doing inside that box?!'." |
||
"D-Don't take me for a fool. I know how that thing works. This box just shows a place far from here. And the power of electricity makes it possible to record the past. |
"D-Don't take me for a fool. I know how that thing works. This box just shows a place far from here. And the power of electricity makes it possible to record the past. |
||
− | It's true that this is |
+ | It's true that this is the first time I actually saw it but, uh, just like what I imagined. There wasn't much surprise with it, ahaha-haha-haha..." |
She let out a false laugh while making a serious face. Her fork wandered around her plate, though it was empty. |
She let out a false laugh while making a serious face. Her fork wandered around her plate, though it was empty. |
||
− | The |
+ | The news caster on the television said, "Good morning, everyone! Let's do our best for this day!" and Fear answered, "Yes. I don't know you but I wish you luck," with unnecessary |
politeness. |
politeness. |
||
− | "Hey Fear, |
+ | "Hey, Fear, try this. I'll teach you how to work the television." |
− | "What is |
+ | "What is that thing?" |
− | "Try pushing |
+ | "Try pushing that big red button. Face it towards the television." |
− | + | Fear took the remote control. She looked a bit tense as she tried to push the red button just as she was told. |
|
+ | "Wha—! The image disappeared!" |
||
− | "I-It went blank!?" |
||
She looked astounded as she reported what happened to Haruaki. He told her to try pushing the button again. |
She looked astounded as she reported what happened to Haruaki. He told her to try pushing the button again. |
||
− | "I-It |
+ | "I-It, I mean, the image restored!" |
She reported again with exactly the same expression. |
She reported again with exactly the same expression. |
||
− | "That's the power button. Keep the television off when you're not using it. |
+ | "That's the power button. Keep the television off when you're not using it. There are lot of other buttons but you don't have to use them. The only buttons that you should |
+ | touch are the buttons with numbers written on it. " |
||
"Are you sure it's alright? I'm gonna push it? You hear me, I'm going to!" |
"Are you sure it's alright? I'm gonna push it? You hear me, I'm going to!" |
||
− | The channel changed to a different news program doing a |
+ | The channel changed to a different news program doing a report about sports. It was about the F1 Race so F1 cars passed in front of the camera. |
+ | Fear, being a bit ignorant about these things, shouted "It's coming towards us! Look out!" and crouched on the floor. It was just as how Haruaki expected her to react. |
||
− | "So, that's how it |
+ | "So, that's how it is. If you push the buttons, the channel would change. Whatever happens, the images won't come out from the television so you don't need to worry." |
"I-I knew that! It's just that... er... yes! It's just that you have to be prepared for the unexpected! No one knows what'll happen next, uh-huh." |
"I-I knew that! It's just that... er... yes! It's just that you have to be prepared for the unexpected! No one knows what'll happen next, uh-huh." |
||
− | Fear tried pushing other buttons. Haruaki noticed that a faint |
+ | Fear tried pushing other buttons. Haruaki noticed that a faint pink shaded her white cheeks. |
She only stopped pushing different buttons when the channel switched to a weather report. Her finger went still and her eyes stared at the television in awe. |
She only stopped pushing different buttons when the channel switched to a weather report. Her finger went still and her eyes stared at the television in awe. |
||
Line 55: | Line 57: | ||
"It looks a lot colder and darker than what I expected..." |
"It looks a lot colder and darker than what I expected..." |
||
− | "That's because there are rain clouds |
+ | "That's because there are some rain clouds over there. It's completely different in summer." |
+ | "Is that so." |
||
− | "Really?" |
||
− | "We also have |
+ | "We also have that here in our town. It's on the opposite side though. We can go someday if you want to." |
− | Fear shook her head |
+ | Fear shook her head in a vague manner. Haruaki wasn't able to decide whether it was a yes or a no. |
Line 95: | Line 97: | ||
"Yeah. Hey, I'm gonna teach you household chores later so be patient for today, okay?" |
"Yeah. Hey, I'm gonna teach you household chores later so be patient for today, okay?" |
||
− | Fear |
+ | Fear expanded her cheeks like a balloon. Haruaki was puzzled. He couldn't think of any reason why Fear would be dissatisfied with his order. |
Konoha peeked over the front door, smiling like a saint. |
Konoha peeked over the front door, smiling like a saint. |
||
Line 102: | Line 104: | ||
"W-Why you?! Who told you that I'm lonely?! I'd be glad that there won't be any more annoyance like you two! Oh, I'm so excited. The world on the television is waiting for me now!" |
"W-Why you?! Who told you that I'm lonely?! I'd be glad that there won't be any more annoyance like you two! Oh, I'm so excited. The world on the television is waiting for me now!" |
||
− | "You'll be fine alone then. Great. Splendid. Well, let's go now, Haruaki |
+ | "You'll be fine alone then. Great. Splendid. Well, let's go now, Haruaki. To the happy place called school. TOGETHER." |
"A happy place you say? Hmph! I'd bet that you'll just use those great tits of yours to flirt with him! How shameless! C'mon, go now, go! I can't wait to be alone, you know!" |
"A happy place you say? Hmph! I'd bet that you'll just use those great tits of yours to flirt with him! How shameless! C'mon, go now, go! I can't wait to be alone, you know!" |
||
Line 111: | Line 113: | ||
Fear was letting out a fierce snort as she watched their backs disappear from her vision. When she felt that they were gone, she let out a deep sigh. |
Fear was letting out a fierce snort as she watched their backs disappear from her vision. When she felt that they were gone, she let out a deep sigh. |
||
She sat down in front of the door. |
She sat down in front of the door. |
||
− | It was silent. Everything around her was |
+ | It was silent. Everything around her was unmoving. The wooden ornament above the shoe rack. The patterns on the wooden ceiling. The mirror on the wall. The calendar besides it. |
She felt that the cold silence of those inanimate objects welcomed her—As if they knew that she used to be an inanimate object just like them. |
She felt that the cold silence of those inanimate objects welcomed her—As if they knew that she used to be an inanimate object just like them. |
||
− | She hugged her knees and |
+ | She hugged her knees and slightly bowed her head. She looked at her silver hair as she observed it sliding between her knees, while she whispered with an empty voice. |
− | " |
+ | "Baka... Did you really have to leave me alone...?" |
===Part 2=== |
===Part 2=== |
||
Line 131: | Line 133: | ||
"I have this feeling that I am being watched." |
"I have this feeling that I am being watched." |
||
+ | The woman who mouthed a thin cigarette spoke in a fluent Japanese while she kept her view toward the window. He wondered if the woman was intentionally ignoring the "No Smoking" |
||
− | Through the rear-view mirror, the driver could see the woman with a cigarette in her mouth, (probably intentionally) ignoring the "No Smoking" sign, with both smoke and fluent Japanese escaping her lips—There was also ''a faint metallic sound'' when she shrugged. |
||
+ | sign on the glass. The woman shrugged, and the faint sound of creaking metal echoed. |
||
"Er, excuse me, miss...?" |
"Er, excuse me, miss...?" |
||
Line 137: | Line 140: | ||
"Oh. Not you too." |
"Oh. Not you too." |
||
− | Who else |
+ | Who else was she talking about? There wasn't anyone else in the taxi but them. The driver trembled lightly as he thought about his passenger looking more ominous as the |
+ | time passed by. |
||
+ | They were still some distance from the hotel that they were heading for. The driver thought that he had to make a lighter atmosphere for both of them. After all, she was still |
||
+ | a customer despite her eerie impression. |
||
− | "You speak Japanese very well. I've had many |
+ | "You speak Japanese very well. I've had many passengers from different countries but you're the most—" |
+ | "Strange?" |
||
− | "The most eccentric?" |
||
− | The driver felt as if an icicle |
+ | The driver felt as if an icicle passed through his body, from his mouth out to his anus. Somehow, he was able to regain his composure and replied. |
"Aside from the fact that you speak the best Japanese among the passengers that I've had, you're also the, um—most beautiful, ma'am." |
"Aside from the fact that you speak the best Japanese among the passengers that I've had, you're also the, um—most beautiful, ma'am." |
||
− | "Hmm. I wonder if all the taxi drivers in this country are |
+ | "Hmm. I wonder if all the taxi drivers in this country are all educated about etiquette. I say it is just what you may expect from Japan, a polite country. It is indeed a wonderful thing." |
− | It seemed that the driver |
+ | It seemed that the driver answered right. He calmed down a bit hearing the soft laughter coming from his passenger. |
− | "It |
+ | "It's not flattery, ma'am, not at all." |
− | "Haha, I don't really mind |
+ | "Haha, I don't really mind if it is flattery. My favorite author said in one of his books that 'You should bear in mind that a lie is the key to every happiness, |
benefit, reputation, and wealth.' —It is an anti-social statement though." |
benefit, reputation, and wealth.' —It is an anti-social statement though." |
||
"Er, never heard of it before, ma'am... I suppose he's a foreign author?" |
"Er, never heard of it before, ma'am... I suppose he's a foreign author?" |
||
− | "Indeed. Marquis Donatien Alphonse Francois de Sade is known for his anti- |
+ | "Indeed. Marquis Donatien Alphonse Francois de Sade is known for his anti-socialism." |
After the passenger explained that to the driver, she started to laugh again. The driver wondered what was so funny. |
After the passenger explained that to the driver, she started to laugh again. The driver wondered what was so funny. |
||
Line 174: | Line 180: | ||
the people around her... |
the people around her... |
||
+ | "Oh, my work? I came here for a little trash-cleaning." |
||
− | "Taking out the trash." |
||
===Part 3=== |
===Part 3=== |
||
Line 185: | Line 191: | ||
She wore the sandals that were left on the porch and walked around the garden. |
She wore the sandals that were left on the porch and walked around the garden. |
||
− | "... |
+ | "....boring." |
− | Fear walked around the outside of the house a few times, making a wry face. The |
+ | Fear walked around the outside of the house a few times, making a wry face. The outer building of the house where Konoha was staying came into her view. The ground floor was |
+ | covered with silver shutters. She thought that it was a garage or something. Her eyes went up to the second floor window, and she remembered what happened this morning. |
||
− | "Er what can I say...Isn't Haruaki |
+ | "Er what can I say...Isn't Haruaki being a little bit biased to that cowtits? That shameless brat...I also don't like the fact that cowtits gets her own proper room while I have |
+ | none. Talk about being unfair. Doesn't he even think that I also have things that I wanted to do? He always say 'Don't do this' and 'Don't do that'..." |
||
She mumbled complaints and started to walk back toward the main house—but stopped. |
She mumbled complaints and started to walk back toward the main house—but stopped. |
||
Line 207: | Line 215: | ||
− | + | Taizo came back from his trip to the nearest vending machine to buy their drinks since he lost in the rock-scissors-paper game. But, he came back empty handed, shadowed by his dark expression. Haruaki who was having his lunch with the usual members looked up to ask Taizo what happened. |
|
− | "Is there a problem, |
+ | "Is there a problem, Taizo?" |
"Hey, Haruaki... I know it's not good. But I can't help myself—I know that this line is too clichéd to use nowadays...But, I just have to say it! Tell me, Haruaki, can |
"Hey, Haruaki... I know it's not good. But I can't help myself—I know that this line is too clichéd to use nowadays...But, I just have to say it! Tell me, Haruaki, can |
||
Line 216: | Line 224: | ||
"W-What are you saying...?" |
"W-What are you saying...?" |
||
− | Haruaki sent |
+ | Haruaki sent Taizo a blank stare. Suddenly, Taizo grabbed Haruaki by his neck. |
"Why! Is it! Always you!" |
"Why! Is it! Always you!" |
||
Line 257: | Line 265: | ||
[[Image:C3 01-065.jpg|thumb]] |
[[Image:C3 01-065.jpg|thumb]] |
||
− | "What kind of relationship, you say... |
+ | "What kind of relationship, you say....I wonder too. Basically, I live in his house." |
"Are-you-two-living-together?!" |
"Are-you-two-living-together?!" |
||
Line 266: | Line 274: | ||
Kirika stood up with strange vigor. Soon, all the other people in the class started to gather around them. |
Kirika stood up with strange vigor. Soon, all the other people in the class started to gather around them. |
||
− | Haruaki |
+ | Haruaki dropped his shoulders in defeat. He just gave Fear a look that said she better not say anything unnecessary. Fear just nodded. |
It seemed that people around them thought that Fear was a girl who came from abroad visiting the school because she had nothing much to do. |
It seemed that people around them thought that Fear was a girl who came from abroad visiting the school because she had nothing much to do. |
||
Needless to say, news about Fear quickly spread outside Haruaki's class. |
Needless to say, news about Fear quickly spread outside Haruaki's class. |
||
− | "H- |
+ | "H-hey?!" |
Haruaki looked at the direction where that voice came from and saw pale-faced Konoha staring at Fear. |
Haruaki looked at the direction where that voice came from and saw pale-faced Konoha staring at Fear. |
||
− | She must have been on her way back to her |
+ | She must have been on her way back to her class from the school's shop since she was carrying a handful of sandwiches. |
"Why is she...?" |
"Why is she...?" |
||
Line 281: | Line 289: | ||
"What do you want me to do?!" |
"What do you want me to do?!" |
||
− | + | That moment when Konoha entered the room, a boy left the circle forming around Fear. It was Taizo who changed his attitude as he saw Konoha coming to their room. |
|
"K-Konoha-san! W-Welcome to our room! Our room's kind of sordid since half of us are guys but I hope you won't mind! So, what can I do for you?" |
"K-Konoha-san! W-Welcome to our room! Our room's kind of sordid since half of us are guys but I hope you won't mind! So, what can I do for you?" |
||
Line 290: | Line 298: | ||
"Um, I was planning to have my lunch with Haruaki-kun... and since there's also Fear-san, I would have liked to eat with her too but as you can see, there are too many people so..." |
"Um, I was planning to have my lunch with Haruaki-kun... and since there's also Fear-san, I would have liked to eat with her too but as you can see, there are too many people so..." |
||
− | + | Taizo moved to break the circle surrounding Fear just as Konoha expected him to. |
|
− | He ignored all the boo-ings coming from the crowd and proceeded to |
+ | He ignored all the boo-ings coming from the crowd and proceeded to sending them away. |
− | Konoha smiled her thanks and |
+ | Konoha smiled her thanks and Taizo turned back, making a guts pose. Haruaki thought that he's a type who'd be tricked by a woman in the future. |
"Hm—Oh, it's you. You needn't have come here." |
"Hm—Oh, it's you. You needn't have come here." |
||
Line 300: | Line 308: | ||
"Come on, get some more tables. Two more." |
"Come on, get some more tables. Two more." |
||
− | "Ah, hey |
+ | "Ah, hey Taizo, we're not..." |
− | "Huh? You guys aren't gonna eat with us? Is there going to be a problem if |
+ | "Huh? You guys aren't gonna eat with us? Is there going to be a problem if I and Kana are present?" |
− | "A lunch, is it |
+ | "A lunch, is it. Sounds good to me. I found a lunch box back at the house so I stuffed some food in it." |
− | Fear answered without any pretense. It would sound strange now to |
+ | Fear answered without any pretense. It would sound strange now to force that they're not going to have lunch with them. |
− | But, if that was the case, Haruaki needed to remind Fear of some important things before they proceed to |
+ | But, if that was the case, Haruaki needed to remind Fear of some important things before they proceed to having lunch together. |
− | "I'm gonna buy some drinks for us while we |
+ | "I'm gonna buy some drinks for us while we tour her around the school. C'mon Konoha, let's go." |
− | "Yes, I |
+ | "Yes, I'm coming now. Um, can you please hold these for me?" |
− | Konoha handed |
+ | Konoha handed Taizo the three pork cutlet sandwiches that she was holding, then started to follow Haruaki. |
Stares directed at Fear kept coming even when they were passing through the corridor—but, that can be ignored for now. |
Stares directed at Fear kept coming even when they were passing through the corridor—but, that can be ignored for now. |
||
"You there, what were you thinking coming here all of a sudden?" |
"You there, what were you thinking coming here all of a sudden?" |
||
− | "Huh? I |
+ | "Huh? I already told you that I came here because you didn't say that I can't come here, haven't I? Well, there's also the fact that I didn't have anything to do in the house. |
+ | Besides, it would be unfair if this woman can attend school while I'd just be staying at home." |
||
− | "It |
+ | "It's not like I started to attend school right after I became human..." |
− | "Really...I should have told you clearly that you can't go out yet, since you still lack |
+ | "Really...I should have told you clearly that you can't go out yet, since you still lack much common knowledge." |
"Why you! Didn't you hear earlier that I was having a normal conversation with the people in your class?" |
"Why you! Didn't you hear earlier that I was having a normal conversation with the people in your class?" |
||
− | "I'm sorry to inform you that I almost had a heart attack while you were talking to them since I was afraid that you'd say something that you shouldn't. Let's just leave |
+ | "I'm sorry to inform you that I almost had a heart attack while you were talking to them since I was afraid that you'd say something that you shouldn't. Let's just leave |
+ | that topic. What's important now is that you should keep your setting that you don't know much about Japan since you just came here. If there was a question that you don't |
||
+ | know how to answer, just shut up, smile, then shake your head. That's the Japanese way of solving problems." |
||
− | Haruaki bought some drinks at the vending machine in front of the shoe |
+ | Haruaki bought some drinks at the vending machine in front of the shoe racks. Fear observed Haruaki, seeing something unusual for her. |
Konoha spoke to Fear while she was busy checking the vending machine. |
Konoha spoke to Fear while she was busy checking the vending machine. |
||
− | "I was wondering since you came here... Where did you get |
+ | "I was wondering since you came here... Where did you get that uniform you're wearing?" |
− | "It's obvious |
+ | "It's obvious who's uniform this is. The waist and the chest parts are too big and wide for me. You should get some weight off you." |
− | "Y- |
+ | "Y-you dared to violate my room?! Don't you know the difference between things that you should and shouldn't do?!" |
− | Konoha drew her face near Fear's and glared. Fear |
+ | Konoha drew her face near Fear's and glared. Fear just bent her mouth into a cool smile. |
"Oh...So you think you can say that to me?" |
"Oh...So you think you can say that to me?" |
||
Line 343: | Line 354: | ||
"What do you mean?" |
"What do you mean?" |
||
− | "Listen |
+ | "Listen Haruaki, I found really gaudy underwear in her top drawer and—" |
− | "No! No! No! I |
+ | "No! No! No! I wasn't quite myself when I bought that!" |
"What are you two fussing about? We should go back now. I already bought the drinks." |
"What are you two fussing about? We should go back now. I already bought the drinks." |
||
Line 351: | Line 362: | ||
Haruaki started to walk, and looked down at Fear. |
Haruaki started to walk, and looked down at Fear. |
||
− | "I heard |
+ | "I heard some of your conversations...You should know that entering one's room without permission is very rude." |
− | "Hmph, it can't be helped. I at least know that one can't enter school without wearing a uniform. Besides, I was able to come here because I asked people |
+ | "Hmph, it can't be helped. I at least know that one can't enter school without wearing a uniform. Besides, I was able to come here because I asked people where is the school |
+ | using this uniform." |
||
− | " |
+ | "Weren't you supposed to give up coming here at the point that you didn't have any uniform...?" |
"By the way, how did you enter my room? I locked the door properly." |
"By the way, how did you enter my room? I locked the door properly." |
||
− | "...? What do you mean? I just entered by the window like anyone else would." |
+ | "....? What do you mean? I just entered by the window like anyone else would." |
− | " |
+ | "That's strange. I remember locking the window also...Wait. D-don't tell me you...?!" |
− | Fear made a "V" sign with her |
+ | Fear made a "V" sign with her hands against Konoha, who froze up in outrage. |
"That's right. I broke it." |
"That's right. I broke it." |
||
− | Konoha staggered as |
+ | Konoha staggered, as if she was standing on the balls of her feet. Haruaki let out a soul-escaping sigh. He didn't want to think who will pay for the glass' repair. |
"...Damn. I can't take any more of this. You wear me out. Hey Fear, go back to home when you're done eating. I don't know what the teachers would say if they happen to see you." |
"...Damn. I can't take any more of this. You wear me out. Hey Fear, go back to home when you're done eating. I don't know what the teachers would say if they happen to see you." |
||
Line 377: | Line 389: | ||
While they were having an argument, Kirika appeared from the opposite side of the corridor, walking towards them. |
While they were having an argument, Kirika appeared from the opposite side of the corridor, walking towards them. |
||
− | "Oh, it's you |
+ | "Oh, it's you class rep. Where have you been?" |
− | "I just went to the staff room. Be glad to hear this |
+ | "I just went to the staff room. Be glad to hear this Yachi, and you too Fear." |
Staff room. That word sent a bad feeling nagging at his gut. That bad feeling hit right at its mark. |
Staff room. That word sent a bad feeling nagging at his gut. That bad feeling hit right at its mark. |
||
− | "I negotiated with the teachers and |
+ | "I negotiated with the teachers and as a result, our foreign visitor here was granted a special permission to participate in the afternoon classes. No need for a thanks |
+ | gratitude, by the way. I just did what I can do as a class representative. Besides, we don't have many chances to have inter-cultural activities. It would be a |
||
+ | good experience for all of us." |
||
− | + | Haruaki wanted to say that it was an unwelcome effort but swallowed the words. Kirika continued to speak with a half-opened eye. |
|
− | "With that, I'll get more time to |
+ | "With that, I'll get more time to have conversations with Fear. There are still some things that need to be confirmed—Like the fact that although he's living together |
+ | with his cousin, they're still man and woman in their sensitive ages...Who knows what kind of unwanted accident might happen between them...!" |
||
+ | He gathered from the dangerous look in her eyes, this was obviously the main reason why she had asked the teachers about Fear. |
||
− | Judging from her sharp gaze, Haruaki could tell that she undoubtedly considered him to be the heart of the problem. |
||
(Ohh damn, from where should I start complaining?) |
(Ohh damn, from where should I start complaining?) |
||
− | In the end, Haruaki just |
+ | In the end, Haruaki just dropped his shoulders and gave up. |
+ | It was clear that any complaint coming from him wouldn't be heard after all. At least, he knew that much. |
||
− | |||
− | It was clear that none of his complaints were going to be heard after all. At least, he knew that much. |
||
"I didn't get much of your conversations, but does that mean that I could participate in the lecture? Kirika, was it? You're a nice person!" |
"I didn't get much of your conversations, but does that mean that I could participate in the lecture? Kirika, was it? You're a nice person!" |
||
Line 407: | Line 421: | ||
she enjoyed her cigarette. Those things she needed were all there. There was no apparent problem. |
she enjoyed her cigarette. Those things she needed were all there. There was no apparent problem. |
||
− | "...? I have a feeling that there is an excess among the baggage..." |
+ | "....? I have a feeling that there is an excess among the baggage..." |
The last trunk, which was shaped like a guitar case, was not familiar to her. She drove the almost finished cigarette into the ash tray, then opened the last trunk. |
The last trunk, which was shaped like a guitar case, was not familiar to her. She drove the almost finished cigarette into the ash tray, then opened the last trunk. |
||
Line 437: | Line 451: | ||
absolutely no chance of that happening though...Oh, and one more thing. Are you responsible for this unnecessary trunk that was included among my baggage?" |
absolutely no chance of that happening though...Oh, and one more thing. Are you responsible for this unnecessary trunk that was included among my baggage?" |
||
− | "...? I do not understand what you mean." |
+ | ".....? I do not understand what you mean." |
"I'm talking about this shit equipped with an indulgence disk. It seems like you're not responsible for it. If that was the case, there isn't any problem. I'm glad that a |
"I'm talking about this shit equipped with an indulgence disk. It seems like you're not responsible for it. If that was the case, there isn't any problem. I'm glad that a |
||
Line 468: | Line 482: | ||
classes were finished. |
classes were finished. |
||
Beside Haruaki was the tired-looking Konoha leaning against the fence. |
Beside Haruaki was the tired-looking Konoha leaning against the fence. |
||
− | Fear was also accompanied by |
+ | Fear was also accompanied by Taizo and others at first but they eventually parted because of their club activities and student council duties. In the end, Only Haruaki and |
Konoha were left. |
Konoha were left. |
||
Line 515: | Line 529: | ||
"Haruaki. Do you really want to know?" |
"Haruaki. Do you really want to know?" |
||
− | "... |
+ | ".....what?" |
"I'll be the one to ask now. Do you want to know about me? About where I was, what I did, or what I was in the past? Do you really want to know all of that?" |
"I'll be the one to ask now. Do you want to know about me? About where I was, what I did, or what I was in the past? Do you really want to know all of that?" |
||
Line 549: | Line 563: | ||
Her armor-covered arms grabbed the tip of her skirt and she made a graceful bow. She did it with an almost absurd politeness and exaggeration. |
Her armor-covered arms grabbed the tip of her skirt and she made a graceful bow. She did it with an almost absurd politeness and exaggeration. |
||
− | "Huh...? I don't get what you want to—" |
+ | "Huh....? I don't get what you want to—" |
"Strange, you don't seem to recognize my name—In that case, let me confirm one thing. Your family name is Yachi, no?" |
"Strange, you don't seem to recognize my name—In that case, let me confirm one thing. Your family name is Yachi, no?" |
||
Line 559: | Line 573: | ||
That. Thing. Where it was sent...and, his father's name. They meant only one thing. |
That. Thing. Where it was sent...and, his father's name. They meant only one thing. |
||
− | "Y-You're after Fear...? But why?" |
+ | "Y-You're after Fear....? But why?" |
"A silly question. The discovery of that thing is a matter of concern for all the organizations that go after a cursed item—which we call a Wathe. But, our purpose is different from that of other organizations, namely, Lab Chief Yamimagari Pakuaki's Nation, the Draconians, and the Bivorio family. We're different from Yachi Honatsu too. It's simple. The Frontline Gathering Knights Dominion does not approve of the existence of Wathes. It is something that should not exist within the human world. Therefore I—" |
"A silly question. The discovery of that thing is a matter of concern for all the organizations that go after a cursed item—which we call a Wathe. But, our purpose is different from that of other organizations, namely, Lab Chief Yamimagari Pakuaki's Nation, the Draconians, and the Bivorio family. We're different from Yachi Honatsu too. It's simple. The Frontline Gathering Knights Dominion does not approve of the existence of Wathes. It is something that should not exist within the human world. Therefore I—" |
||
Line 593: | Line 607: | ||
Impossible—that was what Haruaki thought. He couldn't think of a way for a woman to inflict that kind of damage. A possibility came to his mind. |
Impossible—that was what Haruaki thought. He couldn't think of a way for a woman to inflict that kind of damage. A possibility came to his mind. |
||
− | (That gauntlet... |
+ | (That gauntlet.....could it be a Wathe?) |
The hunter, donning a dress and heels, made a simple attack once again. Fear desperately evaded the assault. |
The hunter, donning a dress and heels, made a simple attack once again. Fear desperately evaded the assault. |
||
Line 603: | Line 617: | ||
Peavey made a decadent smile while she licked the drop of sweat that rolled off from her temple. |
Peavey made a decadent smile while she licked the drop of sweat that rolled off from her temple. |
||
− | "Strange. Why are you just running...? It isn't like you to hold back, |
+ | "Strange. Why are you just running...? It isn't like you to hold back, [Fear-in-Cube]. From what I've heard, you're not supposed to be that way." |
Fear looked-up in surprise and spoke with a forced voice. |
Fear looked-up in surprise and spoke with a forced voice. |
||
− | "S-Stop... |
+ | "S-Stop....Don't say it" |
Peavey raised a brow. After a moment, the dawn of understanding caused her shoulders to shake in laughter. |
Peavey raised a brow. After a moment, the dawn of understanding caused her shoulders to shake in laughter. |
||
Line 621: | Line 635: | ||
priests, mid-wives, and even the knights! |
priests, mid-wives, and even the knights! |
||
− | "No... |
+ | "No.....no...no...no...." |
"You killed them all equally like a God, without any discrimination, didn't you? Shamed a wife and driven her into insanity in front of her husband? Ripped the womb of a pregnant |
"You killed them all equally like a God, without any discrimination, didn't you? Shamed a wife and driven her into insanity in front of her husband? Ripped the womb of a pregnant |
||
Line 627: | Line 641: | ||
slowly killed him?" |
slowly killed him?" |
||
− | "Stop it... |
+ | "Stop it.....stopitstopitstopitstopit! I-I was, I, ahhhhhhhhhh!" |
Fear's whole body was shaking. She embraced herself with a pale face. |
Fear's whole body was shaking. She embraced herself with a pale face. |
||
− | "Y- |
+ | "Y-you're wrong....wrong. I, didn't, do it, with my will. I, was just used. I didn't do it because I wanted to...!" |
"How could you be so low! You're trying to reason your way out even though you're just a thing. But, it's a fact that you killed them, is it not? After all, that was the reason why |
"How could you be so low! You're trying to reason your way out even though you're just a thing. But, it's a fact that you killed them, is it not? After all, that was the reason why |
||
you were cursed. Oh, how you disgust me. To tell you the truth, just talking with you like this makes me want to vomit!" |
you were cursed. Oh, how you disgust me. To tell you the truth, just talking with you like this makes me want to vomit!" |
||
− | "Shut up, shut up... |
+ | "Shut up, shut up....just...shut...up!" |
"Like hell I will! Think about it once more. About what you really are. Wait, I was mistaken. I should be the one to tell you what you really are, shouldn't I? After all, there's |
"Like hell I will! Think about it once more. About what you really are. Wait, I was mistaken. I should be the one to tell you what you really are, shouldn't I? After all, there's |
||
Line 643: | Line 657: | ||
Don't say it. Whispered Fear. Haruaki thought the same. But, that didn't stop the word from coming out of her mouth. |
Don't say it. Whispered Fear. Haruaki thought the same. But, that didn't stop the word from coming out of her mouth. |
||
− | "Fear-in-Cube. It was developed during the period when the pagans were being hunted down. She—that thing—is just an multipurpose torture-execution instrument." |
+ | "[Fear-in-Cube]. It was developed during the period when the pagans were being hunted down. She—that thing—is just an multipurpose torture-execution instrument." |
"Stoooooooooooop!!" |
"Stoooooooooooop!!" |
||
Line 681: | Line 695: | ||
"If you don't want to get hurt, I advise you to leave now." |
"If you don't want to get hurt, I advise you to leave now." |
||
− | "...Hmph. I like you, girl. You look cool-headed and unyielding—but, that's what makes me want to put you to shame. What did they call this wonderful expression |
+ | "....Hmph. I like you, girl. You look cool-headed and unyielding—but, that's what makes me want to put you to shame. What did they call this wonderful expression |
+ | of oppositions? Was it tsundere?" |
||
"I wouldn't know!" |
"I wouldn't know!" |
||
− | Konoha raised her palm |
+ | Konoha raised her palm and formed a blade with her hands while covering the distance towards Peavey. The lady in a dress raised her heavily armored arms and deflected Konoha's |
attack with ease. Peavey countered with a hook that attacked the whole body. Konoha hastily raised her arms in defense, but the difference in their mass resulted in Konoha |
attack with ease. Peavey countered with a hook that attacked the whole body. Konoha hastily raised her arms in defense, but the difference in their mass resulted in Konoha |
||
being thrown away. |
being thrown away. |
||
Line 703: | Line 718: | ||
be cursed. This too is a fact. Your life's being threatened because of it. Another fact. What are you going to do to face those facts?" |
be cursed. This too is a fact. Your life's being threatened because of it. Another fact. What are you going to do to face those facts?" |
||
− | "...I wouldn't be troubled right now if I knew the answer to that..." |
+ | "....I wouldn't be troubled right now if I knew the answer to that..." |
"You're saying that you're giving up and you're going to let her destroy you?" |
"You're saying that you're giving up and you're going to let her destroy you?" |
||
Line 709: | Line 724: | ||
"...I wouldn't like that..." |
"...I wouldn't like that..." |
||
− | "Then, you have to fight. You have to fight in order to protect yourself. That's the natural way things go. But... |
+ | "Then, you have to fight. You have to fight in order to protect yourself. That's the natural way things go. But....I say, knowing how you feel sure is a pain." |
− | "What... |
+ | "What...and how do you know anything. About how I feel." |
Konoha whispered. her eyes were directed at her front. |
Konoha whispered. her eyes were directed at her front. |
||
Line 724: | Line 739: | ||
"Both of you, sorry. I was kind of confused and that took me some time." |
"Both of you, sorry. I was kind of confused and that took me some time." |
||
− | "Haruaki-kun..." |
+ | "Haruaki-kun...." |
"Have you gone mad...? Get away from here! Hurry and run!" |
"Have you gone mad...? Get away from here! Hurry and run!" |
||
Line 733: | Line 748: | ||
"Look here boy, what you're trying to do is a foolish act. Although I could not actively kill a person, I might not be able to help you if ever there was an unfortunate |
"Look here boy, what you're trying to do is a foolish act. Although I could not actively kill a person, I might not be able to help you if ever there was an unfortunate |
||
− | accident. And, if it comes to you trying to help out those bitchy tools... Well, won't you change your mind?" |
+ | accident. And, if it comes to you trying to help out those bitchy tools.... Well, won't you change your mind?" |
− | "Sorry, I can't do that. This girl came to our place, relying on me. I just can't say no and drive her away, can I? Besides, Japanese people are a merciful lot... Oh, and one |
+ | "Sorry, I can't do that. This girl came to our place, relying on me. I just can't say no and drive her away, can I? Besides, Japanese people are a merciful lot.... Oh, and one |
more thing. I got irritated by the same reason this girl wearing glasses got irritated with you. So, right now I want to make you take back all the things you've said. |
more thing. I got irritated by the same reason this girl wearing glasses got irritated with you. So, right now I want to make you take back all the things you've said. |
||
I'm not fond of fights, though." |
I'm not fond of fights, though." |
||
Line 781: | Line 796: | ||
"That was a good one. Now, I'm starting to have fun...! By the way, why don't you draw? I heard that the Japanese blades were awfully sharp. Am I wrong?!" |
"That was a good one. Now, I'm starting to have fun...! By the way, why don't you draw? I heard that the Japanese blades were awfully sharp. Am I wrong?!" |
||
− | " |
+ | "Like I've said earlier, I despise bloodshed.... Don't worry, even if its just the sheath, it'll be really painful!" |
− | The |
+ | The sheath-blade and the gauntlet crossed each other countless times. Hi-pitched sounds coming from the clashing steel was starting to hurt his ears. |
"It's too hard... Is it possible that something could be that hard?!" |
"It's too hard... Is it possible that something could be that hard?!" |
||
Line 792: | Line 807: | ||
"Are you alright, Haruaki-kun?" |
"Are you alright, Haruaki-kun?" |
||
− | "Yeah, I can still... |
+ | "Yeah, I can still....w-whoa!" |
One careless moment and a concrete-floor fragment was flying toward his head. The katana smashed the fragment down. |
One careless moment and a concrete-floor fragment was flying toward his head. The katana smashed the fragment down. |
||
Line 799: | Line 814: | ||
"However, we might lose if this keeps up." |
"However, we might lose if this keeps up." |
||
− | "I have an idea. If we're going to lose at this rate, why don't you try that one? The one you used once before... |
+ | "I have an idea. If we're going to lose at this rate, why don't you try that one? The one you used once before...the [交叉法 -Kousahou-]. Though, I suppose you'll |
+ | hate to do that more than you hate being back to this form." |
||
− | "Oh, okay... |
+ | "Oh, okay....I'll try. I think there won't be a problem, I'll just have to be careful." |
− | "It's not the time for you two to be having a cozy talk. You boy, helping out those |
+ | "It's not the time for you two to be having a cozy talk. You boy, helping out those garbages! You're an eyesore so I'll be really glad if you'll just die right now!" |
The awkward, but symmetrically aligned balancing-toy joyfully started her bloodlust. |
The awkward, but symmetrically aligned balancing-toy joyfully started her bloodlust. |
||
Line 810: | Line 826: | ||
wasn't a defense either. |
wasn't a defense either. |
||
− | She started |
+ | She started an analysis. |
− | What was needed was complete concentration. She had to direct all of her thought on trying to find a flaw in Peavey's movement, using all the non-existent |
+ | What was needed was complete concentration. She had to direct all of her thought on trying to find a flaw in Peavey's movement, using all the non-existent braincells |
to concentrate on every single action made by her opponent. Her breathing. The line of her sight. Her posture. Her movement. Which attack would come based from which |
to concentrate on every single action made by her opponent. Her breathing. The line of her sight. Her posture. Her movement. Which attack would come based from which |
||
precursor. She made a law out of them. At the same time, she made an analysis of the gauntlet's structure based from the resistance taken from the blade. Where was its |
precursor. She made a law out of them. At the same time, she made an analysis of the gauntlet's structure based from the resistance taken from the blade. Where was its |
||
− | weakest spot, structure-wise. Where was the |
+ | weakest spot, structure-wise. Where was the [core] which supported the whole structure of her gauntlet. Unbelievable amount of concentration was needed to figure all of |
that out. |
that out. |
||
Line 823: | Line 839: | ||
would come to agreement with it. |
would come to agreement with it. |
||
− | (Not yet. She's still...) |
+ | (Not yet. She's still....) |
She evaded the attack. Waited once again. Impatience was out of question. The law she made was constructed upon the territory within herself, between unconsciousness and |
She evaded the attack. Waited once again. Impatience was out of question. The law she made was constructed upon the territory within herself, between unconsciousness and |
||
Line 832: | Line 848: | ||
This was it. An attack which came from a certain direction and speed according to the conjecture she made from the countless precursors. |
This was it. An attack which came from a certain direction and speed according to the conjecture she made from the countless precursors. |
||
− | That moment was a future that she knew well, coming from her past. That was why she was able to make a pinpoint aim for the gauntlet's |
+ | That moment was a future that she knew well, coming from her past. That was why she was able to make a pinpoint aim for the gauntlet's [core]. There, Konoha threw away |
the law and conjectures she had formed and let out an attack coming from her body and soul— |
the law and conjectures she had formed and let out an attack coming from her body and soul— |
||
Konoha turned Haruaki's hand which held the katana, and moved the unused left hand to hold its sheath. She instantaneously shifted weight, and at the same time drew the |
Konoha turned Haruaki's hand which held the katana, and moved the unused left hand to hold its sheath. She instantaneously shifted weight, and at the same time drew the |
||
Line 849: | Line 865: | ||
− | "Just what.. |
+ | "Just what....did you do? Yes, I'm mildly surprised...you bitch, bitch, bitch. I never thought that you would insult me this way." |
Konoha's blade destroyed only the weapon of her opponent. The gauntlet that covered one of her arms broke, falling apart in a chain reaction. The damaged gauntlet was |
Konoha's blade destroyed only the weapon of her opponent. The gauntlet that covered one of her arms broke, falling apart in a chain reaction. The damaged gauntlet was |
||
Line 862: | Line 878: | ||
There was also traces of fresh blood here and there. |
There was also traces of fresh blood here and there. |
||
− | "What, the hell, is that...?" |
+ | "What, the hell, is that....?" |
"You're questioning me what happened to my arm, although you're the one who did this. I'd say its just natural that bare flesh covered with an ordinary gauntlet would be |
"You're questioning me what happened to my arm, although you're the one who did this. I'd say its just natural that bare flesh covered with an ordinary gauntlet would be |
||
Line 893: | Line 909: | ||
They succeeded in destroying their opponents weapon, but that only brought them this destitute situation. Haruaki shuddered and raised his head, only to see Peavey closing the |
They succeeded in destroying their opponents weapon, but that only brought them this destitute situation. Haruaki shuddered and raised his head, only to see Peavey closing the |
||
distance between them. It seemed that the gauntlet left on her other arm was enough to crush them. She struck with a rough blow. |
distance between them. It seemed that the gauntlet left on her other arm was enough to crush them. She struck with a rough blow. |
||
− | Haruaki raised the heavy blade by reflex, and miraculously blocked the punch... |
+ | Haruaki raised the heavy blade by reflex, and miraculously blocked the punch....but— |
For a moment, he wasn't sure what was wrong. Something caused him to look down. |
For a moment, he wasn't sure what was wrong. Something caused him to look down. |
||
Line 899: | Line 915: | ||
It was a hidden blade which was thin and long. It reflected light towards his face. |
It was a hidden blade which was thin and long. It reflected light towards his face. |
||
− | "Eye for an eye... |
+ | "Eye for an eye....as the wise men say. Pretty clichéd though." |
Haruaki wondered what was the red liquid passing through the blade. He also wondered where it came from. |
Haruaki wondered what was the red liquid passing through the blade. He also wondered where it came from. |
||
Line 906: | Line 922: | ||
The time that he realized the blood was coming from him, his brain finally registered the pain— |
The time that he realized the blood was coming from him, his brain finally registered the pain— |
||
− | The howl that came from Haruaki resounded through the rooftop. That cry caused two things to awake within Fear... |
+ | The howl that came from Haruaki resounded through the rooftop. That cry caused two things to awake within Fear....and it was fear and nostalgia. |
Line 917: | Line 933: | ||
There was a master of an ancient castle. In there was an underground chamber which was a realm of madness. There was herself, sleeping in that chamber. She was still inanimate |
There was a master of an ancient castle. In there was an underground chamber which was a realm of madness. There was herself, sleeping in that chamber. She was still inanimate |
||
− | back then, but her master was pleased with her. Therefore after her master was done with his |
+ | back then, but her master was pleased with her. Therefore after her master was done with his [enjoyment] every night, he made his footman clean her up. The footman was the |
only sane person left within that castle. Even though he vomited every time he cleaned her up, in the end she'd be shining like a brand-new appliance. And for that, she used |
only sane person left within that castle. Even though he vomited every time he cleaned her up, in the end she'd be shining like a brand-new appliance. And for that, she used |
||
to like the footman very much. |
to like the footman very much. |
||
Line 928: | Line 944: | ||
The scream was caused by her own hands. It was a scream coming from someone she knew, from someone she liked. |
The scream was caused by her own hands. It was a scream coming from someone she knew, from someone she liked. |
||
− | "Aaaaah. Aaaaaah. Aha......haha, ahahahahahahaha" |
+ | "Aaaaah. Aaaaaah. Aha.......haha, ahahahahahahaha" |
It pulsated. The her of THAT time pulsated. She remembered. |
It pulsated. The her of THAT time pulsated. She remembered. |
||
Line 942: | Line 958: | ||
When she raised her face, she saw that Haruaki had dropped to the floor. The blade he was holding lied heavily down, and she knew that it won't be moving for some time. |
When she raised her face, she saw that Haruaki had dropped to the floor. The blade he was holding lied heavily down, and she knew that it won't be moving for some time. |
||
Someone whispered in Fear's head that he would be killed. But, she refused to become what she used to be because she did not want Haruaki to see what she really was. |
Someone whispered in Fear's head that he would be killed. But, she refused to become what she used to be because she did not want Haruaki to see what she really was. |
||
− | It was too disgusting, and too soiled... |
+ | It was too disgusting, and too soiled....But, if she didn't do something, Haruaki will surely die. Fear asked herself what she should do— |
That moment, Fear noticed the Rubik's cube that fell out from her pocket. She stared at the katana held by Haruaki once again. And, she remembered that Konoha fought even though |
That moment, Fear noticed the Rubik's cube that fell out from her pocket. She stared at the katana held by Haruaki once again. And, she remembered that Konoha fought even though |
||
she was in human form. |
she was in human form. |
||
− | "A tool which was cursed enough to achieve the human form could still use some of the characteristics as a tool, even when it was in it's human form..." |
+ | "A tool which was cursed enough to achieve the human form could still use some of the characteristics as a tool, even when it was in it's human form...." |
It was the same for her. She had not tried it yet, but she knew she could. Therefore she needed to. |
It was the same for her. She had not tried it yet, but she knew she could. Therefore she needed to. |
||
− | "I... have to do it..." |
+ | "I... have to do it....." |
She tried to convince herself. It shouldn't be that bad. She still hated what she used to be. She was just going to use a little power, while maintaining her human form. It didn't |
She tried to convince herself. It shouldn't be that bad. She still hated what she used to be. She was just going to use a little power, while maintaining her human form. It didn't |
||
Line 960: | Line 976: | ||
That moment, a comfortable sense of freedom shrouded Fear. There was nothing left inside her but the urge to break everything apart. |
That moment, a comfortable sense of freedom shrouded Fear. There was nothing left inside her but the urge to break everything apart. |
||
− | "Ah yes, that's what I'm going to do..." |
+ | "Ah yes, that's what I'm going to do....." |
Peavey saw that Fear moved to stand up. She let out a scornful laugh at her. |
Peavey saw that Fear moved to stand up. She let out a scornful laugh at her. |