Campione 05

by Miko of the Sword

  Especially if a girl like Yuri was involved, he wanted to be considerate.

  "Godou-san..."

  "I'm sorry, Mariya. You also understand that Liliana meant no harm, right? I'll make sure she's careful from now on, so don't take it to heart", Godou said to Yuri, who looked at him rather happily.

  "Y-yes. I don't particularly mind."

  "Okay, great. Lately I've always seemed to make you angry... sorry. I've been waiting for the right time to apologize, but there were no chances and..." he gently smiled at her. He felt this was a chance to try and fix his relationship with Yuri.

  This miko had a really nagging streak, but it was all out of consideration for him. If he was not thankful for that, he would incur divine punishment.

  If he could, he would like to stay on good terms with her for a long time to come.

  "I should be the one to apologize deeply. After seeing how well Godou-san and Liliana-san got along lately, my chest grew strangely nauseous, and gave me dark thoughts... I also thought I should improve my attitude."

  "Ahh, so you felt the same. True, you've been cold to me lately, huh, Mariya?"

  "Please! Don't tease me like that!"

  Yuri suddenly turned her face away. It was unusual for her, but she was pouting.

  After seeing that, a relieved Godou turned around towards Liliana next. If he managed to gently finish the matter now... Even so, she frowned at him, her expression full of amazement.

  "I am impressed, Kusanagi Godou... How you handled the upset Mariya Yuri just now revealed quite the skill. I should have expected no less from someone who became renowned for his dirty interests at such a young age."

  'Seriously, you are only smooth at times like this...' Liliana grumbled.

  "Hey, what do you mean with 'handle?' Don't make me sound like a weirdo!"

  "There is no need to justify yourself. No matter how much you lust after women, even if the worst happens and you invite destruction upon yourself, at least I will be your ally... Indeed, I had already taken that amount of trouble into account when I precipitously joined you."

  That line invited way too many misunderstandings. Sensing danger, Godou was about to chide her, but it was already too late.

  "Liliana-san. What was it you just said? About Onii-chan and dirty interests?"

  "I meant it as I said it. You seem to be aware already, but your big brother has pledged love with quite a number of women, and he is very accomplished when it comes to enjoying that love."

  "Wait, Liliana, don't make up fishy stories!"

  "Onii-chan, you stay quiet. Liliana-san, please continue," Shizuka interrupted Godou's protest and urged Liliana to go on.

  Liliana answered her question somewhat dejectedly.

  "Yes. The truth is, I also fear that your brother will suffer one day due to this bad habit. When I think of wicked women like Erica being so close to him..."

  "Aren't you right~ Many people fell to ruin due to womanizing, right~"

  Shizuka, who agreed in her responses like this, also threw harsh looks at Liliana. Her countenance seemed to say "you're also one of his playmates, aren't you?"

  "But Shizuka-san, please stop blaming your brother's present sense of virtue. Since times immemorial, great men have always had great fondness for sexual pleasures. The fact that nothing but beautiful maidens gather around Kusanagi Godou is, in a sense, proof of his qualities. You should not scold him so much over such a minor matter."

  "Hmmm? So that's how you think about it?"

  "Yes. In short, we simply need to avoid situations where he loses his way due to women. And seeing to that is my duty, the duty of the one who is in waiting by his side. I shall protect your brother without fail. So, Shizuka-san, if you could please be more tolerant?"

  "Onii-chan, aren't you lucky? Liliana-san understands even your womanizing." Shizuka ignored Liliana's admonishment disinterestedly. Trying to follow their conversation left Godou quite perplexed.

  "So, you're saying Onii-chan doesn't need to reflect on his behavior?"

  "No, I cannot state that with certainty. Even as a playmate, he should probably avoid Erica. In Mariya Yuri's case... it depends on her behavior from now on. From my point of view, he should aim for women that cause less trouble in the future," Liliana said and directed her judging gaze at the Hime-Miko, who was blessed with beauty in both expression and physique.

  Yuri reacted with bewilderment.

  "Hey, isn't this going in a strange direction!?"

  "No. I believe the direction is correct. If you do not correct your womanizing attitude, there will be people who seek to make use of it later."

  "Li-Liliana-san, aren't you saying a tiny little bit too much..."

  A sour-looking Godou was faced with a composed Liliana and Yuri, who had taken a complete turn from her earlier attitude to the defensive.

  These three were cynically watched by Shizuka.

  "Mariya-san is all over you just because you were a little nice to her. Liliana-san is open to your affairs and ready to recognize them. If one of them becomes your wife, you won't even need to go through all the trouble grandpa did. Isn't that great for you, Onii-chan."

  He wasn't in control anymore. It was just then when Godou looked up at the sky in resignation.

  "A pleasant day to you, everybody. It seems to be very lively and fun here. Hello, Godou, I couldn't tell you this morning, but instead I'll tell you right now with lots of affection included. I am really happy to be able to see you."

  Someone greeted them in a self-serving tone.

  While radiating elegance and grace, Erica showed herself on the rooftop. Even the school's summer uniform looked like it was custom-tailored for her.

  More than her superficial beauty, it was her inner values that let this girl shine.

  "Oh, I thought something has happened, and looking at your faces I can pretty much guess."

  While looking at everybody around her, Erica radiantly asked her old friend and rival: "Lily, please give me a sandwich, too. I've only had a cappuccino today so I'm starved."

  "Th-there is a lot of other food. Even if it is not mine..."

  "But it's made by you, isn't it? And it looks to be the most delicious. When you have room to choose, choosing the most delicious or interesting one is my principle. You know that, right?"

  "You are as selfish a girl as always!"

  Liliana sounded abusive, but when she heard the praise "delicious," she held out the package of sandwiches, seeming not as annoyed as she would have others believe.

  Erica accepted one with the beautiful smile of a lady and turned her eyes to Yuri.

  "I'm glad for you, Yuri. You managed to make up with Godou, didn't you? Ever since the summer break, you've been completely awkward; it was painful to look at. Please allow me to congratulate you."

  "Ah, yes. Thanks to you I somehow..."

  Erica had done nothing at all, but the overwhelmed Yuri thanked her.

  Then she turned to Shizuka and continued courteously and sociably: "Shizuka-san, I know that you are irritated but please let it slide already. At the beginning of the 2nd school term, it had been so long since I had gotten to meet Godou that we ended up overdoing it. Look, he was with you for all of August..."

  "U-using that as a reason..."

  "Godou told me, you know, that he'd spend the rest of the holidays with his little sister, so he couldn't meet me as much. It was sad, but being with one's family was also important, so I bore it. I wouldn't call this return for that, but could you let this pass? Please...?"

  Certainly, he had not met Erica very much during August. She had excused herself for being busy with work for the magic society [Copper Black Cross] and had apparently been bustling about all over the place. At that time, he had also been distant with Yuri, and Liliana had only arrived in Japan at the very end of the holidays.

  So they had not met not because Godou had asked them, but...

  "I-is that so, Onii-chan? Is that why you accompanied me?"
/>   "Uhhm, what should I say..."

  "Don't be shy, Godou. Weren't you worried that you weren't looking after your little sister enough?"

  "I see... Ohh Onii-chan, it's embarrassing how you can't bear being away from me," Shizuka said somewhat happily, sharply turning her head away. It was unknown if the excuse just now had worked, but it looked like the danger had passed.

  Thereupon Erica made a declaration to everyone present with a radiant smile on her face.

  "Then, now that the arguments are settled, let us go back to lunch. Meals should be held cheerful and fun. We must choose an appropriate topic."

  Following her lead, everyone sat down on the rooftop floor.

  Erica slid into Godou's right armpit quite naturally and sat down right next to him.

  Yuri, who had been in that position so far, had handed it over without any thought... That single act showed their power relationship and made Godou secretly groan.

  Erica really was dreadful.

  Her actions just now were the skills of a [Queen] controlling her royal court.

  (...Godou. You probably got it already, but with this, the number of favors you owe me has grown by one. Remember that.)

  Erica, sitting by his side, quietly whispered to him. Of course Godou could not object.

  Part 3

  After school, Erica Blandelli and Liliana Kranjcar walked through the shopping district in Nezu, where the Kusanagi's house was located.

  Godou had said that he had somewhere to drop by and had gone home right after classes were finished.

  Apparently, Yuri also had her duties as a miko and had gone home alone.

  Erica made her way home while elegantly driving away the boys approaching her as if they were biting lice. But on the way, she spotted Liliana in the shopping district.

  "A pleasant day to you, Lily. Are you going to Godou's after this? Well met. I was also thinking about visiting, so let's go together," Erica forcibly turned them into traveling companions.

  Liliana frowned unhappily but started walking close to her anyway.

  "Erica... I do not think there is any reason for you to go to the Kusanagi house."

  She bluntly treated the knight who was her childhood friend and rival as a bother.

  "I intend to cook dinner at his house. Since you cannot cook, you will be of no use even if you come along. I would like you to not interfere with my duties..."

  So that was it after all. Erica nodded to herself.

  Ever since long ago, this girl had the bad habit of not thinking much about how to spend her time and effort. So then, should she chide her, or make fun of her for it?

  After a moment of thought, Erica decided that in this situation, she should just do both.

  "Oh my, I wouldn't interfere, Lily."

  Erica showed off what Godou often called her devil's smile, while masking a quiet laugh.

  "While you strive with your cooking, I will happily make conversation with Godou; grandfather and Shizuka-san, as well. I should deepen my ties with my future family, after all."

  "Wh-what did you say?"

  "Hehee, it might not be necessary for you, Lily, considering that you serve as his knight. But for me it's different. Eventually I will become his wife, and as his wife, I will be in charge of his army and castle. I must be on good terms with his relatives."

  "W-w-wiiife!? Kusanagi Godou has no intention of taking you as his wife! Can you stop deciding my lord's future by yourself?!"

  "He just hasn't said it yet. Among ourselves, matters are already settled," Erica declared while following Liliana into the supermarket.

  The girl reminiscent of an Eastern European fairy took a shopping basket like it was her second nature.

  Contrary to her appearance, this girl had had an affinity for housekeeping since her childhood. Cooking, sewing, cleaning, if it was housework, she could do it. Erica, on the other hand, had almost no experience with shopping in places like this.

  "Hey, Lily. Sometimes I feel pity for you. You became a knight for Godou merely a few months after me, but during that time my relationship with Godou had deepened greatly. So much that you can't force your way in between us anymore."

  "Tha-that is not true! The relation between me and him will develop much more from now on!"

  "Oh my, really? But, doesn't Godou seem restless every so often? A little bit troubled, like he is squirming?"

  Liliana's complexion changed in an instant. It looked like she had a clue. Well, it was only natural since she had suddenly barged into the Kusanagi house and started cooking, among other things.

  Even Godou, who was usually accepting of people's goodwill, was quite bewildered and bothered by her fervor.

  "You see, whenever my eyes meet Godou's, I can generally tell what he's thinking. Because our bonds are just that deep..."

  "DANG IT! S-stop trying to throw my feelings out of order, Erica!"

  Liliana harshly objected. She was right, of course.

  While there were times when Erica and Godou could confirm each other's aims by eye contact, there were also many times where they could not. In the end, the environment he was raised in was just too different.

  The difference in perception that stemmed from the culture gap was not overcome that easily.

  But, Erica did not feel like saying that straight-out.

  At times like this, it was better to enforce her will with a bang. She had the courage and persuasive power to make lies seem true, so she smiled elegantly and pityingly at Liliana.

  "Feel free to think that. While you cling to that blind belief, Godou and I will deepen our relationship even further."

  "Ug, talking so frivolously..."

  "So, could you please not make supper for Godou today?"

  Erica continued nonchalantly just as Liliana had begun testing a cabbage in the produce corner. So far it had been for amusement, but her next advice was based on calculation.

  "He isn't living alone, so outside of excursions, there's no need to cook for him."

  "No, but, that's my important work as a knight and—"

  "Cooking for him at his house is the work of a housewife or a maid. You're neither, right? I understand that you're excited to be by Godou's side, but it's time to calm down. If you keep pressing your kindness on them so forcefully, even his grandfather will be bothered. Understood?"

  Erica clearly called out her troublesome old friend.

  Apparently Godou had also mumbled to her that she did not have to go that far, but at that level it would not get through to the over-enthusiastic Liliana. She was in love with the ideal of being in love, a maiden predisposed for delusions.

  "If you want to put your cooking skills to practice nonetheless, how about making something at your home and sharing it later?"

  "Ahh!"

  Liliana's eyes flashed open upon Erica's suggestion.

  Obviously she had never even thought of that. What a troublesome person.

  Still, she had outstanding abilities at her disposal. If this girl was to serve Godou, Erica wanted her to do so without causing needless disturbance. She had to hold her reins tightly.

  "Which reminds me; five, six years ago there was that time when you held a party at your home and put your all into the food..."

  "Urg! E-Erica, that was in the past!"

  "Oh Lily, although there were only five guests, you diligently made food that seemed enough for thirty... you have always been like that. You pointlessly invest time and effort when you don't need to, right? Whenever that's happened, I've looked after you with perfection, do you remember?"

  Incidentally, Erica had also backed her up at Liliana's party.

  She had called twenty people together in haste and organized a bigger meeting place. It was a dear memory. One that Liliana probably still had but would surely want to forget.

  "Che! Well, yes. It is there, in the corners of my memory..."

  "I see, great. Let's get along from now on as well, while treasuring the strong ties between th
e two of us, shall we, Lily?" Erica brightly told the bitterly admitting Lily.

  They were equal in sword and magic, but in their private life Erica generally seized the initiative.

  To make Liliana easier to handle, she would use this chance to stir those memories awake.

  Erica decided that while enjoying her worthy rival's agony.

  The two girls left the supermarket without buying anything and headed for the Kusanagi house.

  But before they had walked for even three minutes, Liliana asked in a whisper.

  "Erica, do you know that girl who has been staring at us for a while?"

  "I wonder? I don't remember her face."

  They really stood out.

  Since beautiful girls, one blond, one silver-haired, and both from abroad, were walking right next to each other, it was a given that they would attract attention.

  But the girl's stare, which had focused on them since their time in the supermarket and was now ten meters behind them, had one obvious characteristic.

  It was a look one wore when evaluating an opponent. A gaze that differed from a normal human's, with eyes that were accustomed to fighting.

  She obviously was not an ordinary person.

  And her eyes revealed the fact that she did not even want to hide it.

  "I have only just come to Japan. So I thought she would be your acquaintance."

  "By process of elimination. But unfortunately, she shouldn't have any connection with me whatsoever, either. Well, I can't deny the possibility that she knows about me though."

  The other girl presented herself without hiding, so responding to her should not be bad.

  Erica stopped and turned around. Liliana did the same.

  It was evening. Among the crowds in the shopping district.

  Moving through the flow of people, the girl in the high school uniform moved closer.

  Her long, black hair was silky and beautiful, and her features did not lose to that either. Her build was slender, but she looked like the type that seemed slimmer in clothes.

  But the thing about her that caught the most attention was the long and thin cloth bag over her shoulder.

  Something cylindrical and longer than one meter seemed to be wrapped inside. It might be some kind of sword. Erica remembered the swastika sword that had attacked her the night before.