by Sato Tsutomu
“Kasumi.”
But when a flat voice called out her name from behind her, Kasumi’s body immediately tightened as if she jumped.
“Kitayama-senpai……”
Directly before her abashed self, Shizuku stared at Kasumi with a dark expression on her face.
After being brought back to the Public Moral Committee headquarters by Morisaki and Shizuku, Kasumi and Takuma felt like they were sitting on pins and needles. Members of the Public Moral Committee present included the chief, Kanon, as well as Morisaki and Shizuku, who had brought them here (Shizuku was not on duty today, but was coincidentally dragged into this). The Club Activities Group were represented by the head, Hattori, and the executive officer, Tomitsuka, as well as the representative from the Student Council, Tatsuya, here for some unknown reason.
“Kasumi, as a member of the Public Moral Committee, what the hell were you doing? And you were even on patrol……”
Kanon deeply sighed whereas Kasumi averted her gaze in shame.
“Shippou, you are aware that unauthorized use of magic is against school rules, correct? Using magic after getting into a fight is already a serious enough infraction, then you went ahead and attacked the Public Moral Committee member trying to defuse the situation……”
Tomitsuka’s sigh passed into the ears of Takuma as he sat there tightly with his eyes gazing straight ahead.
“At any rate, I feel that there is a need to get the whole story first.”
After hearing Hattori’s words, Kanon nodded unhappily.
“Seriously…… And here I thought we would be free of any hassle after club invitation week......”
Kanon rudely scratched her head while dipping it before raising her head to gaze sharply at Kasumi and Takuma.
“I will say this first. Kasumi’s case was attempted, so expulsion is off the table, there is still the possibility of suspension. Although also an attempted case, Shippou’s case belongs to the worst offenses for CAD related infractions and can result in expulsion.”
Takuma received Kanon’s declaration without moving a muscle. In order to prevent his body from trembling, he forced his body to stand.
“I want you both to keep that in mind as you speak. Now, what was the cause for all this?”
Kanon looked towards Kasumi’s side first.
“Shippou-kun insulted the Saegusa Family.”
Kanon turned her eyes towards Takuma.
“I received unforgivable slander from Saegusa.”
Both Kasumi and Takuma refused to look at one another.
“Huh…… Hattori, how do you want to handle this incident?”
Upon hearing Kanon’s words, Hattori opened his tightly closed eyes.
“Shippou belongs to the Club Activities Group. I do not have the confidence that I can make an unbiased decision.”
“If you say that, isn’t Kasumi a member of the Public Moral Committee?”
“Then let’s have a third party that is not the Club Activities Group or the Public Moral Committee, the Student Council, make the decision.”
With both Kanon and Hattori looking at him, Tatsuya inwardly sighed loudly. This was a sigh that everything was happening exactly how he had foreseen it. The fact of the matter was that he was only here as the representative of the Student Council because Azusa fled after getting a premonition that something troublesome was on the horizon. Isori also secured his own avenue of retreat by giving off a smile that said “the representative of the Student Council should be the Student Council Vice President”. While there was one other Student Council Vice President, Tatsuya was unwilling to push this task onto his sister, so he could come here with the determination to do his duty. In short, he had mentally composed himself to handle this irksome business the moment he had stepped into the room.
“I think it would be better if they were allowed to fight it out.”
Hattori’s brows moved slightly.
“Eh, then, we’re letting the two of them go?”
Kanon asked back in shock, but Hattori said nothing. Tatsuya had an inkling to what his thoughts on the matter were, but that was not something to be verbalized.
“Since there’s no way to discuss an appropriate solution, then strength will decide this. I heard from the previous Chief of the Public Moral Committee that this was the school’s recommendation.”
Tomitsuka displayed astonishment at Tatsuya’s declaration, but Kanon and Hattori both wore looks that said all this was natural. Speaking of which, Shizuku was looking off to the side with a sleepy expression, an expression that wished that all of this would end quickly.
“While unauthorized use of magic is a major infraction, there is no need to penalize students who only attempted it. Isn’t this a common occurrence among new students?”
This time, it was Morisaki’s turn to avert his eyes with a bitter expression on his face, but fortunately no one followed up with any barbs.
“I think that since both sides have put their honor on the line, using strength to determine the outcome would leave no cause for complaint.”
“I think that the Vice President’s idea is sound, Hattori?”
After listening to Tatsuya’s opinion, Kanon immediately asked Hattori without thinking about it.
“I have no objection. Shiba, we will rely on you for the procedural forms.”
“Understood.”
Tatsuya nodded at Hattori’s words and walked towards the direct staircase in order to obtain Azusa’s confirmation letter.
“Shiba-senpai.”
Behind him, Takuma spoke up.
“Shippou, anything you’re unsatisfied with?”
Tomitsuka was the one who issued the reprimand.
“No! But if I’m going to have a match with Saegusa, I have a request.”
Takuma was in no position to dictate terms, a fact he was well aware of himself.
“Go ahead.”
Thus Kanon urged him to speak on quickly.
“I wish for my opponent to not be Saegusa Kasumi, but Saegusa Kasumi and Saegusa Izumi both at the same time.”
“Shippou, are you looking down on me?”
Setting aside whether or not she was using the correct courtesy while surrounded by upperclassmen, Kasumi’s inquiry was a legitimate one.
“Reason being?”
Still, when she heard Tatsuya’s question for Takuma, Kasumi temporarily shut her mouth and listened carefully.
“This is a match that puts pride on the line for the Shippou and Saegusa Families. Furthermore, isn’t it public knowledge that 'the Saegusa twins can only reveal their true strength when both are gathered together'?”
“So a victory achieved without both of them being present is not a true victory?”
“Exactly.”
Tatsuya momentarily stopped speaking before turning towards Kasumi.
“That is Shippou-kun’s position. Do you have any objections if that is the case, Kasumi?”
“Nothing at all. I will make him regret this dearly.”
“Then, so shall it be.”
With that, Tatsuya walked towards the staircase leading to the Student Council Room.
After returning with the permission slip carrying the seal of the Student Council President, Tatsuya was followed by Izumi and, for some unknown reason, Miyuki and Honoka.
“Chief, please press your seal here.”
“Eh, the seal? ……Where did I put that?”
Behind the panicky Kanon, Shizuku pulled out a small box carrying important items from the book cabinet. Clearly hiding her abashment behind a mask of courtesy, Kanon received the small box and pressed the seal on the permission slip.
As if to dispel the awkward atmosphere, Hattori coughed loudly.
“Where should we select as the grounds?”
“Please conduct this in Practice Room #2.”
Honoka was the one who answered the question Hattori directed at Tatsuya. Everyone here knew that she had come here with the passkey for Practice R
oom #2 without any verbal confirmation.
“Is Shiba-san the referee?”
This question came from Tomitsuka. It seemed that from the very beginning, he was highly curious as to why Miyuki was here for all this.
“No, I’m just the witness.”
Miyuki smiled as she denied Tomitsuka’s hypothesis.
“Then, the judge will be Tatsuya-kun?”
Shizuku’s question was phrased towards Tatsuya himself, but Kanon interrupted before Tatsuya could reply.
“That’s fine.”
“I have no objection.”
Hattori followed on the heels of Kanon’s words. Neither of them appeared interested in Tatsuya’s opinion on the matter.
“—Let’s go. We don’t have much time until the school closes.”
The one who proposed this match was Tatsuya, so there was no way they would allow him to say “No”. Tatsuya could only resist the urge to sigh as he urged everyone to move.
The ones who relocated to Practice Room #2 included the participants of this duel that was framed as a match, Takuma, Kasumi, and Izumi. Also present was Tatsuya in the capacity as the referee, Miyuki as the witness, and Honoka as the holder of the keys (passkeys). Rounding out the 8 people were Tomitsuka from the Club Activities Group and Shizuku from the Public Moral Committee. –Morisaki should have been here as a witness considering the duty shift of the Public Moral Committee, but Shizuku volunteered to be his replacement.
Faced with these witnesses, Takuma felt somewhat confused. Based on his knowledge, Tatsuya and Miyuki were in the Saegusa camp. With both the referee and witness on the enemy’s side, forget a stacked battle, this was going to be an uphill battle the entire way.
On the other hand, both Honoka and Shizuku were talented individuals whom Takuma wished to call upon for assistance in order to regain the Shippou Family’s rightful place. Takuma’s simple line of logic told him that if he could impress the two of them with his might here, they would be easier to persuade later down the line. –Well, this was nothing to knock a 15 year old young man for, seeing as Takuma’s mental age matched his real age. Broadly speaking, it was Tatsuya’s group that didn't seem like youngsters befitting their age.
A completely unfavorable position, as well as the rewards involved if he could beat the odds and obtain victory.
Faced with both Saegusa sisters, Takuma’s confusion only sharpened his fighting spirit.
On the other hand, Kasumi and Izumi weren't as invested as Takuma. Kasumi was just here because of Takuma’s one-sided meddling, though that was probably a falsehood, whereas Izumi felt like she had been roped along for the ride. Neither of them bore any particular feelings for the Shippou Family. To them, it was just irritating to be viewed hostilely, and so long as he kept to himself, they cared not the slightest that he had higher grades or was selected as the student representative.
In essence, neither of them cared for worldly status or reputation. Though they liked to be praised and detested being looked down upon, they were not the type to plot for their gain. On some level, this could be described as those blessed by the heavens lack nothing, but this wasn't because they wished for it either.
The two of them were of one accord when it came to “drawing a period on this irritating business”. For this, they needed to utterly crush him to the point that he would never dare to give provocation again. With this determination in mind, the two of them squared off against Takuma.
Practice Room #2 was even longer than the Practice Room #3 where Tatsuya faced off against Hattori one year ago. This was a classroom designed to use medium-range magic. The area extending one meter from the walls was colored in red.
Takuma stood in the blue area while Kasumi and Izumi stood in the yellow area.
Takuma was dressed in his usual school uniform and carried a pristinely bound book under his left armpit.
Kasumi and Izumi had changed into practice uniforms that maximized ease of movement, work clothes with long sleeves and pants made from heavy fabric. Typically, a sleeveless jacket with absorption properties would be worn on top of these clothes that would be worn during Outside Technical Exercises at the artificial forest behind the mountain, but right now neither of them wore this jacket. The skintight work clothes they wore perfectly displayed their delicate curves, but Tomitsuka appeared to be the only one present who had no idea where to look.
“The rules for this match forbid physical contact.”
Tatsuya made this declaration as he stood at the dividing line between blue and yellow areas. Forbidding physical contact referred to the rule that bodily contact was forbidden during this match, a common occurrence for matches between those of different genders unless special circumstances were involved (typically, matches between women also adopted this rule).
“I believe both sides already know this, but I will go over the rules again right now. Both sides are not allowed to step outside their colored areas. Either stepping into your opponent’s area or the red area would constitute defeat. You are forbidden from physically touching your opponent’s body. This rule also extends to contact by weapons. However......”
As he said this, Tatsuya sneaked a peek at Takuma’s face.
“Using long-range magic to manipulate weapons does not constitute an infraction.”
However, Tatsuya swiftly turned his gaze to a more neutral position between the two sides.
“Finally, fatal strikes or attacks that cause irrecoverable damage to your opponent are strictly forbidden. If I judge the situation to be at risk, I will forcibly end the match.”
For an instant, Takuma wore a derisive expression, which must be because he thought “bring it on if you can”. Though Tatsuya, Miyuki, Honoka, and Shizuku all noticed this, no one scolded Takuma for his disrespectful attitude.
“Then, both sides, prepare yourselves.”
Kasumi and Izumi shifted to the center of their area.
Takuma never moved from his position near the dividing line and let the book he held beneath his armpit flutter to the ground by his feet.
Tatsuya alternately switched his eyes between the three of their faces. As one, all three of them nodded.
Retreating to the wall, Tatsuya raised his right fist over his head before swinging it down forcefully.
With a flash of psions, they released their magic.
The ones launching magic attacks were Takuma and Kasumi, while Izumi was focused completely on defense with Zone Interference.
Alone as he was, Takuma was forced to attack and defend whereas Kasumi could focus entirely on offense.
The conditions clearly favored Kasumi.
“What do you think?”
Shizuku whispered to Honoka.
“They appear to be even now, I think…...”
Honoka’s whispered response was not filled with confidence.
Kasumi primarily relied on Move-Type Magic, setting Takuma himself as the target for the blocks of air sent flying towards him. This strategy aimed at forcing her opponent out of bounds to win. For defense, Takuma relied on Data Fortification and physical obstacles.
On the other side, Takuma used Oscillation-Type Magic to directly counterattack, but once deterred by Izumi’s Zone Interference, he switched strategies to firing compressed air bullets gathered in his hands. This was a popular magic known as “Air Bullet” and, given its popularity, its effectiveness was guaranteed. However, Izumi’s Zone Interference was broader than he imagined and the Air Bullet immediately dissipated once entering her Zone Interference, making it very difficult to land an effective attack.
“I get the feeling that Kasumi-chan doesn’t want to hurt Shippou-kun. That’s why the scope of her attacks has been restricted.”
“Indeed.”
“Shippou-kun, on the other hand…… Doesn’t look like he’s completely grasped how to use Air Bullet.”
“Wouldn’t it be the same for Izumi?”
“Yeah. Without putting the entire room under her dominion like Miyuki doe
s, using Zone Interference alone is insufficient to completely block Air Bullet. The two of them are so inherently talented that they have neglected to put in the necessary hard work to perfect their skills.”
“They are new students after all.”
“That’s true. We were more or less just like them before the Nine Schools Competition.”
Although he was unable to hear Honoka and Shizuku’s conversation, Takuma was deeply conscious of the fact that “this can’t continue like this”. He frantically tried to settle his agitated heart and desperately searched for an opening while deploying his magic.
He didn’t feel that his Magic Power was inferior to theirs. He wouldn’t lose even 2-on-1 and he had the confidence that victory was his the moment he played his trump card. However, Takuma was aware that there was a high risk of injury to his opponents if he unleashed his trump card. Even though he was an upperclassman at First High, he didn’t believe that Tatsuya, who wasn’t a member of the 28 families, could stop his magic in time, but there was still the chance of him losing because he broke the rules. This was the source of Takuma’s hesitation.
However.
(Not good!)
He was trying to think while operating magic in a combat situation. As expected, this was not going to work.
He used “Dissipate” on the block of air aimed at his back. After exchanging blows thus far, Takuma had more or less grasped the differences between him and his opponents. Kasumi had the edge when it came to scale of magic, chaining spells, and versatility. Takuma was stronger than Kasumi when it came to interference strength, but he was at an impasse with Izumi in that regard.
Since his interference strength was stronger and the Magic Sequence itself was fairly simple, Takuma was able to activate “Dissipate” in a short period of time and nullify Kasumi’s “Wind Hammer” at the last second. Regardless, air released from its compressed state buffeted Takuma’s back like a strong wind. Wind Hammer’s air compression was far lower than Air Bullet. While the released air was not sufficient to deal any damage to Takuma’s flesh, it was still enough to cause his posture to buckle. Takuma’s body tilted forward, causing the accuracy of his magic to drop.