No, not really invited.
"Godou, please come over to my house, we must finalize our plans for the summer today... Of course, you cannot refuse."
After the last lesson ended, Erica who sat next to him made such an announcement.
...That night after the battle with Voban, Godou and Yuri finally fled from the pursuit of the [Diavolo Rosso], but were caught the next day at school, and subject to serious interrogation.
There were none of Shizuka's angry snarls or scary threats.
However, Erica was a capable and experienced inquisitor, and kept raising circumstantial evidence to accuse them of suspicious activities, skillfully using all sorts of methods to make them come clean with the truth.
By the time they noticed, everything the two of them did that night was fully disclosed.
"Yes, so it was like that... Yuri is unexpectedly daring, and Godou turned out to be surprisingly unfaithful..."
"Come on, to describe that situation as infidelity, isn't that a bit inappropriate..."
"Th-That is correct, we only did that because we had no other choice."
"Aya, it's fine. I already mentioned before, that even with one more, an extra lover would be fine. If it's Yuri whom I can trust, it's not a bad choice at all."
Towards Godou and Yuri who desperately tried to explain, Erica responded with a smile.
The backlash when love was seriously betrayed... Words related to that theme kept floating into Godou's mind, in the face of that glamorous yet frightening smile.
A few days after that.
Godou and Yuri were passing each day with a feeling that they cannot oppose Erica.
Guilt and uneasiness. Both of them carried such feelings, or rather, the interrogation which was acted out like a deliberate performance, perhaps that was Erica's true conspiracy.
And then, today after school.
Godou and Arianna were sitting in the living room, and Erica spoke.
"Then let's decide immediately? Mountains or the sea, which is better? Somewhere to stay for about two weeks. Staying in Japan is fine too. Or to the place where our feelings first developed—the island of Sardinia would be nice for a vacation. Arianna, where should we go?"
The mistress was asking her assistant and maid who was about to serve coffee.
Arianna replied in a very good mood.
"If that's the case, I have never spent a summer in Japan. It must be very fun, with shaved ice, summer festivals, fireworks, bravery challenges and all that. I am sure Erica-sama will enjoy it."
"Is that so? Aya, but Hong Kong where I haven't been to for quite a while would also be nice."
The female faction seemed to be happily discussing summer vacation plans.
If that was the case, it was pointless to speak out. Godou simply listened without registering their words.
"Godou you need to express an opinion. Otherwise the two of us will be making the decision?"
"Sure, that's fine. You two wish to travel, so even if I didn't interrupt—"
However, the response was surprising.
"What are you talking about, this is the plan for the trip before our wedding, it has to have input from both of us... Through this trip, our love will deepen and become stronger."
"What?"
"Having a child during travels sounds nice too. As long as it is Godou and my child, whether a boy or girl, either will be very strong. Doesn't such a future sound wonderful?"
"...What?"
Godou sounded like a parrot, repeating the same word again.
Erica with her familiar devilish smile, faced Godou whose mind had been halted. It was an extraordinarily seductive and devilish smile that could melt a man.
"Like I said, have a baby, going together on a tour, aren't those kinds of things natural?"
"E-Erica-sama is truly bold, but it's true, since it is just two people together, and with such a close relationship, it could very well happen."
Arianna was nodding vigorously beside her mistress.
Godou felt dizzy and wracked his wits trying to retort. Following such a plan would be the death of him. His continued struggle up to now would have been for nothing!
"I-Impossible, that kind of vacation! My family won't agree anyway. If Shizuka knew she will oppose vehemently, that's right, children must have the blessing of the family, right?"
"No problem, we already have grandfather's approval."
Godou's bluff was swiftly called by Erica.
"Yesterday when I went to discuss, he agreed instantly saying 'perhaps it is time for that fellow to have such experiences, please have a good time as long as it doesn't cause trouble.' Isn't such an understanding grandfather a blessing?"
"Not at all! Damn, why would grandfather say such a thing!?"
In the three days after Voban departed.
The ones most busy were the members of the History Compilation Committee.
Organizing the whole operation to extinguish the Tokyo Tower fire, tabulating and cleaning up damage caused by the storm, and treating the residents near Shiba Park who had their life force taken and entered a state of unconsciousness.
Furthermore, they even used wizardry and other methods to manipulate information.
Thorough investigations on all eye witnesses of the incident, and restricting their subsequent communications. Many of those witnesses were shocked while others were extremely excited, or even had nervous breakdowns. These people were given warnings, letting them know that unnecessary speech would be inadvisable.
These people will continue to be monitored after returning to their normal lives, and no matter the number of dissident minorities, the controversial practice of hypnosis wizardry will be used to perform memory manipulation etc. —
It was for all these tasks that the members of the History Compilation Committee have been busy rushing about.
"Aya, this is why we are labeled as villains. Look at these operatives wearing all black and running about, hahaha."
Amakasu spoke proudly while wearing a black suit with the letters 'MIB' emblazoned on it.
Despite his workload, he had gone to Nanao Shrine to report to Yuri about the progress of things.
"...Have I not warned you so many times, not to be so frivolous?"
"Please give me a break, I'm already so overworked that I need to have a little fun... Ever since that day, I haven't even gone home yet, only taking short naps in the car."
"S-sorry. I am really sorry that we have brought you so much trouble."
Yuri bowed deeply in response to Amakasu's complaints.
"However, this is our work so please don't let it weigh on your mind. Anyway, it looks like Yuri-san and Kusanagi Godou's personal relationship has progressed very well. To selflessly devote assistance to each other, perhaps the red string of fate has already bound the two of you!"
"Red string!? What do you mean?"
"So, I think Kusanagi Godou also likes Yuri-san. Luckily it is almost summer vacation. To further your relationship, you definitely need to have four or five dates at least. I look forward to it."
"D-date!? Please do not say something stupid like that! That kind of behavior is too early for us!"
Just as Yuri tried to loudly protest against Amakasu's hinted suggestions.
The cellphone beside her rang. Looking at the screen, it turned out to be the topic of discussion—Kusanagi Godou who had called.
"Oh, that call came at just the right time. Then Yuri-san should take action as soon as possible. Who knows, this call may very well be asking you out with just the two of you."
"Nothing like that! Please do not eavesdrop... Yes, hello~"
Hiding away from the curious Amakasu, Yuri pressed the button to take the call.
'Ma-mariya, I am sorry for suddenly calling, I want to discuss something with you. Can you help me?'
"What is it? Has Marquis Voban resurfaced?"
'No, it's Erica. She wants to pull me along on a pre-wedding trip, and even got my grandfathe
r as an accomplice, so things are going smoothly her way. During the summer, if I don't find a place to hide I will be caught and taken away. Who knows how bad things will get! Do you have any place to suggest?'
"What? No way, Godou-san, you cannot be deceived by that kind of invitation!"
'Yes, but if she does it by force I can't do anything about it. Finding a place to hide is probably the only way.'
"Really, please show some determination. Preparations are necessary, but Godou-san's attitude is key. You are still so unreliable."
'S-sorry...'
"I will try to find some suitable location, but please try on your own first."
After such a conversation, Yuri hung up.
Really, whether the Italian girl who simply had no manners or Godou who cannot refuse resolutely, they are always bringing trouble. No way around it, just do your best!
"What is it, Yuri-san, is it another conflict? Let's discuss it."
Amakasu spoke softly to Yuri who was occupied with her internal ranting.
For example, his manner of speech would be like a con artist, who had found a good and honest person and would use all methods to snare his prey. It was that kind of deceptive speech, but Yuri did not notice.
"Ah, sure. Actually it is about Godou-san and Erica-san—"
"Hoho, it turns out to be something like that. But Yuri-san, this is an opportunity, a great chance... To hide away with Godou-san together this summer, let us arrange the location!"
"—!? Is this a joke? Godou-san and I, just the two of us?"
Beaming like a (fake) loving elder, Amakasu smiled slightly.
Shaken by that kind of smile, Yuri suppressed her words of protest.
"Then, let me explain in order, traveling as a pair on the run has an almost magical effect on accelerating male female relationships—"
The plum rain season was about to end in late June.
It was the early summer dusk heralding the opening of the gates of summer.
Featuring Yuri who had been hit by an intense culture shock and manipulated by skillful deception, and the scheming Erica who was not above using brute force, the season for their intense rivalry was about to begin.
Translator's Notes and References
Dalmatia: a historical region on the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea, in Croatia. [1]
Zadar: Capital of the old Dalmatia
Dame: the female title equivalent of 'Sir' when addressing or referring to a Knight
Balor of the Evil Eye: king of the Fomorions, a race of semi-divine giants in Irish mythology similar to the Titans, who had a mystical eye in the center of his forehead and one directly opposite on the back of his head; following a prophecy he was killed by his grandson, despite his best attempts to stop it.
Miko: Miko are usually Japanese shrine maidens. However, in this story the term also refers to a type of magic-user, and not all of those magical miko are shrine-maidens, or Japanese. That is why we left the term as miko whenever it shows up.
2LDK: 2LDK is a Japanese shorthand for an apartment with 2 bedrooms and a combined living room, dining room, and kitchen area.
Homo homini lupus est is a Latin phrase meaning "man is a wolf to [his fellow] man."
Shamusho: The building used as the administrative office of a shrine
L-size: Also known as 3R, or 9 x 13 cm.
Kami (神) is the Japanese word for the spirits, natural forces, or essence in the Shinto faith.
Tachi (太刀) is a type of traditional Japanese sword worn by the samurai class of feudal Japan.
Flamenco is a genre of music, song and dance from Andalusia in southern Spain, noted for its energetic, staccato style.
Excalibur refers to King Arthur's famous sword, and is denoted 'Spirit Sword' in the kanji
Yamaraja is the ruler of the underworld in Buddhist and Taoist legends. When people die and their souls are taken to the underworld, they are judged by Yamaraja.
Yasha is the name of a broad class of nature-spirits which appear in Hindu, Jain and Buddhist mythology. Possessing a dual personality. the yasha may be an inoffensive nature-fairy on one hand; but there is also a darker version which is a kind of ghost that haunts the wilderness and devours travellers.
↑ Phoebus: another name for Apollo, meaning light.
↑ nukti eoikôs: νυκτὶ ἐοικώς in Greek (from Homer's Illiad), meaning 'resembling the night.'
↑ Feng Bo (風伯): a Chinese mythical beast ruling over the domain of wind. Taken literally, the name means the Earl of Wind.
↑ Yu Shi (雨師): an ancient Chinese deity in charge of rain. The name means the Master of Rain.
↑ Lei Gong (雷公): the Chinese thunder god, the name means the Duke of Thunder.
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