Campione 06

by Flying Phoenix of Divine Mountain

  Who did this girl resemble? And she even knew Seishuuin Ena?

  "Hikari! What are you planning on doing there!?"

  This time came a familiar voice as Mariya Yuri approached.

  Not very athletic, she was engaged in the rare act of running.

  "Onee-chan, your sixth sense sure works wonders, you immediately discovered my trick."

  "Onee-chan... And trick?"

  Hearing Godou's doubt, the young girl smiled shyly.

  "Yes, I am Mariya Hikari -- Yuri's younger sister. Actually, the one who called Onii-sama out today is me. I'm sorry, I tricked you!"

  The young girl bowed sincerely in apology.

  This was the first encounter between Kusanagi Godou and the Hime-Miko Mariya Hikari.

  Part 4

  There existed people who always kept their cellphone by their side, and those who don't.

  Mariya Yuri basically belonged to the latter category. She usually kept her cellphone in her bedroom, and never touched it unless it rang, often forgetting to take it with her when going out.

  For someone technologically illiterate like Yuri, she would never play around or use her cellphone for no reason.

  "Yesterday, while Onee-chan was out of the room, I went and sent that text message."

  Mariya Hikari confessed with honesty.

  They had now shifted their location to a park near the school, gathered around her bench while she explained. With a lineup comprising Godou, Erica, Liliana and the sisters Yuri and Hikari, it was truly quite a scene.

  "Ever since I heard about Onii-sama from Ena-neesama, I've always wanted to meet you. Yesterday I finally made my decision, but I'm sorry I used a deceptive method."

  "It's okay, but can you tell me something?"

  Godou posed a question to the friendly, outgoing and innocent Mariya Hikari.

  "Why do you keep calling me Onii-sama?"

  "If you are the [Husband] of Onee-chan and Ena-neesama, then you are 'Onii-sama' to me... Or is it better for me to call you 'Your Majesty'?"

  "No, just call me something normal, like 'Kusanagi-san' is fine!"

  It was that meaning after all.

  Hikari shook her head at Godou's suggestion.

  "That's no good, you are the husband of my older sisters, how could I address you so impersonally, that's rude, please let me call you 'Onii-sama.'"

  The reasons leading to such an outrageous conclusion, were delivered with a flawlessly pure smile.

  Hearing Ena's name and the way of addressing royalty, Kusanagi Godou knew that she was very informed about him.

  Sitting next to such a younger sister, Yuri timidly said:

  "My apologies, Godou-san... Last night I felt a kind of unstable atmosphere, but never expected Hikari to do something so senseless, it is the fault of my inadequate supervision."

  She bowed apologetically many times.

  Yuri was wearing a cherry-colored woolen sweater with a long dress, and looked as stylish as a daughter of an aristocratic family. Due to her outstanding spirit vision, she was able to notice her sister's plans.

  "It sounds quite embarrassing, but Hikari has a much greater gift with words than me, and a much bolder personality. Even when I questioned her, she would change the subject. That is why I followed from behind when she left the house, hoping to catch her at the scene of the crime."

  "Yes~ But when Onee-chan gets really mad, I have no way of resisting..."

  Beside the embarrassed older sister, the younger one protested.

  Watching the Mariya sisters, Erica spoke with feeling.

  "The corners of the eyes are very alike, which is why I wondered if she was Yuri's sister... But their personalities are quite different, and she reminds me of Seishuuin Ena."

  "Ah, I'm great friends with Ena-neesama! We get along very well!"

  "Could Hikari be a Hime-Miko too?"

  This was Liliana's question, and Hikari nodded her head vigorously.

  "Yes, that's correct... Well, I'm just an apprentice currently."

  Afterwards, having bought coffee and tea from the park vending machine, they all sat down on the bench to eat Liliana's homemade pound cake.

  "I am truly sorry, though she often acts out of line, Hikari is actually a very obedient child. She probably thought nothing major would happen... Which is why she did this..."

  Holding the bottle of tea, Yuri became more and more timid as she spoke.

  Beside her, Hikari was happily eating the cake filled with fruit. The second daughter of the Mariya family was currently twelve years old, studying sixth grade in elementary school, and was a fearless little lady.

  "No problem. Though I was quite shocked, I'm not mad at all. Don't worry about it, Mariya."

  Godou spoke as he ate the cake.

  "By the way, since she is also a Hime-Miko, does she have any interesting abilities?"

  "Actually, that is what I wanted to ask too. To be a Hime-Miko alongside Seishuuin Ena and Mariya Yuri, she must be very talented in some way?"

  Hearing Erica's question, Liliana also expressed her interest.

  Godou was reminded at this time, all the girls selected as Hime-Miko could make use of special spirit powers.

  "Ah, that's right, I can use a bit of my powers, but due to being in the middle of training--"

  As Hikari finished her cake and was about to explain, a melody with a quick rhythm was heard.

  Most likely a cellphone ring, Hikari opened her bag and took out her phone. After seeing the caller display, she showed a troubled expression.

  "Yes, I am Mariya... H-Hello, it's been a while. Eh, today? Umm, true, I don't have anything important..."

  She was answering frantically. Making eye contact with Godou at this time, she suddenly said "Sorry, I'll call you back!" and hung up the phone.

  "Umm, Onii-sama, may I ask you for a favor?"

  "A favor? What is it?"

  Godou looked at Hikari, who seemed very hesitant.

  "Onii-sama. Since you are Onee-chan and Ena-neesama's beloved husband, that is why I am asking you!"

  "Wait a minute, there's something quite wrong with this opening!"

  "In truth, something has been bothering me lately. When I discussed with Ena-neesama earlier, she suggested I should ask Onii-sama to help out...!"

  Though Godou had requested her to change her way of addressing him, Hikari completely ignored the devil king. She did look very troubled? Yuri also seemed to have realized something, and displayed an expression of disbelief.

  "Hikari! Are you really planning on discussing that matter with Godou-san!?"

  "Yes, that's right. The young master of the Kuhoudzuka family called me just now, asking 'Could we meet later'..."

  Looking like she was in a bit of distress, and it seemed like some kind of shady character had appeared, causing the cheerful girl to feel troubled.

  Driven by a sense of heroism, Godou immediately responded.

  "As long as it is within my power, I will definitely help you -- but what do you want me to do?"

  Afterwards, Hikari spent several minutes explaining the entire matter.

  'What! You want me to play that kind of role?' Godou expressed great shock, while Yuri apologized profusely.

  "S-Sorry, I am really very sorry. Before returning to her ancestral home, Ena had stayed over at my house and I heard her discussing this with Hikari, but I never would have thought--"

  "To make such a request from the invincible Campione... No, perhaps it would be a great chance to further his mighty reputation...?"

  "Yes, I also think this is an interesting idea, I like it very much."

  Liliana was murmuring to herself all serious, while Erica giggled with laughter.

  Thirty minutes later, a black luxury limousine stopped in front of the park.

  Getting off from the passenger side beside the driver was a youth roughly twenty-five years of age. Very manly in appearance, he wore a well-fitted suit and gave off a very gentle and stylish impression of an acco
mplished youth.

  "Good, the other party has arrived, is everyone ready?"

  Somehow, it ended up with Erica taking command.

  When Yuri's sister first appeared, she had been quiet for a while, but now she participated with great interest.

  On the other hand, Godou had a depressed feeling. Clearly there was no need for him to act out such a farce. However, it was for the sake of helping Hikari. Surrendering all hope, he sat on the bench despondent.

  "Godou, you're no good like this. You need to look a bit more awe-inspiring, cross your legs, raise your head high and stick out your chest."

  Due to his hunchback posture, Erica gave acting directions.

  There was no other choice but to do as she commanded, and then Yuri had to lean against Godou's right side.

  "Yuri's expression is too stiff, yes, if possible, could you act like the gorgeous lover leaning against the mafia boss, and make some seductive expressions like a femme fatale?"

  "H-How is that possible! I surely cannot!"

  Under Erica's direction again, Yuri frantically shook her head. Even so, she drew nearer to Godou beside her, and created a very intimate atmosphere.

  "Lily only has to maintain the usual feeling, after all I can't expect any acting skills from you. However, please show a cool feeling like a bodyguard who is also the lover."

  "My being Kusanagi Godou's bodyguard is fact, no acting required!"

  Answering Erica in harsh tones, Liliana stood to the right of the bench.

  Her arms crossed before her chest, her vicious eyes were definitely like a bodyguard, but let's not mention the lover part.

  "Hikari, go over to Godou's side as well. Yes, you have to lean against Godou's chest, acting like you are being spoilt... Also, show a little feeling of indulgence."

  "L-Like this? Thanks!"

  Hikari honestly did as Erica told, and even thanked her.

  Right now, with the beautiful young girl leaning tightly against him, Godou could feel her body warmth, and it made him feel like clutching his head in his arms. Really, why does this have to happen to me?

  And finally, Erica stood behind the bench, embracing Godou from behind.

  Her slender arms wrapped around Godou's shoulders, he could feel something extremely elastic and sizzling hot pressing down upon his head. Godou swore to himself he will not even try to think what kind of object it was.

  "By the way, Godou, hold Yuri's shoulder tightly to express that 'this is my woman' kind of feeling, how's that? And then stroke Hikari's head with the same tender care for a kitten, try it."

  "Who is going to do that kind of thing!"

  Godou angrily snarled in protest at Erica's outrageous acting directions.

  Just as they had readied their roles, the young man wearing a suit approached. The appointment was set up by a simple message of 'Then I shall meet you once, come to this park in one hour.'

  He seemed to be called Kuhoudzuka, while Godou couldn't recall the remainder of his name.

  Godou knew the families of Sayanomiya and Seishuuin, plus the other two of Kuhoudzuka and Renjou. All together they were known as the Four Families.

  In the Japanese wizardry world, they were the four prestigious families dating back to ancient times. This was the young master of the Kuhoudzuka family, who was said to become the family head someday.

  "You must be the young master forcing Mariya Hikari to be with you, is that correct?"

  Erica questioned the youth as she leaned against Godou. Though they didn't have a vote, the role of negotiation naturally fell to her. Whatever, it was most important to let the right person play the right part suited to their talents.

  "W-Who are you people? I only came to talk to Hikari-san..."

  The Kuhoudzuka gentleman became frantic.

  Faced with so many people, it was natural for him to be taken aback. So, since Erica was in charge of the main negotiations, what should he say? Godou began to wonder.

  "Particularly you, the one in the middle, yeah you there, no matter how shameless, there should be a limit. To enjoy having so many girls waiting on you like this... As a Japanese man... No, simply as a human being, don't you feel any shame! As a fellow man myself, I grieve for you!"

  What a mean thing to say.

  ...No wait, we should be the ones complaining instead.

  The Shinto shrine under his management had been lacking a Hime-Miko for quite a while, so he wanted Hikari to fill in the position. A simple situation like that would have been completely trivial from Godou's perspective.

  However, after hearing about the location of the shrine, one couldn't help but object.

  Which was why Godou had to take part in this farce. But the other guy's words were extremely reasonable, perhaps he was a good and serious person after all? Just as Godou began to worry...

  "Ah, this young master, your eyesight seems to be surprisingly poor, oh?"

  Erica deliberate jeered at him.

  It was right to let her handle negotiations, Godou tried his best to keep himself calm, and looked down at the guy in a condescending manner. The results were immediate.

  "To have conquered the Hime-Miko from the Mariya family, and served by blonde and silver-haired girls... Could you be --"

  The Kuhoudzuka gentleman's face instantly turned pale. This guy was really honest.

  He probably realized the identity of the [King] surrounded by girls.

  ...Seeing that kind of response from him, what kind of person does he actually think I am? Though a little angry, Godou endured it.

  "You've finally noticed who this VIP is, right? Aren't you a bit slow?"

  "M-My apologies, I am from the Kuhoudzuka family, in charge of watching over the Divine Monarch at the Saitenguu[21] in Nikkou[22], and my name is Mikihiko. To have the opportunity to witness the splendor of Kusanagi Godou, it is truly a great honor."

  Hearing Erica's mockery, the Kuhoudzuka gentleman immediately switched to a respectful attitude in response.

  It sounded like a line from a theatrical performance, Godou felt it was troublesome, but he had no choice but to speak.

  "I heard that your shrine wants to recruit this fellow here?"

  Godou placed his hand lightly on Hikari's head.

  He referred to her in a flippant way and acted as if he was intimate with the apprentice Hime-Miko.

  Ever since the Edo period, the Kuhoudzuka family had been guarding the shrine at Nikkou in Tochigi. The position of the Hime-Miko serving the shrine had been vacant for quite a long period of time, because the post supposedly had special requirements.

  As a matter of fact, there did exist miko with the right suitability.

  Mariya Hikari was the one right here.

  "Just as you see, this fellow here is just an elementary school student. To hand her the responsibilities of a miko, and make her leave her home to travel all the way to Nikkou... Don't you think that is too hasty?"

  Starting about a month ago, the youth from Kuhoudzuka had been frequently calling to recruit her.

  He not only sent text messages, but would personally come to persuade her. Even though Hikari felt troubled and refused, he always came back and resumed persuading after a while.

  However, she didn't have the option of cutting off communications with the Kuhoudzuka gentleman from one of the Four Families.

  Just as Hikari was feeling very troubled, the top Hime-Miko who happened to be staying at the Mariya household came up with an idea.

  'This kind of thing, you can solve it easily by requesting His Majesty! Just ask him to say, "I won't let you touch the little sister of my woman." All it takes is a sentence like that, and Mikihiko would have no choice but to give up on you~'

  This was the explanation that Godou heard at the time.

  Who is my woman? Though Godou felt like protesting against Seishuuin Ena, he couldn't ignore a friend's little sister in need, and so he agreed to putting up the this farce of a performance --

  "Yes. What you said is most
correct. However, that only applies to ordinary people. For those deeply involved with the Four Families, not just the Hime-Miko but also the apprentices of martial arts and wizardry, it is quite common to leave their homes early in childhood to undertake training --"

  "Even so, I believe that respecting the wishes of the person herself should be the highest priority."

  Faced with the very troubled Kuhoudzuka gentleman, Godou tried to refuse as civilly as possible.

  "Hikari also said she needed time to consider, why don't you just give her a little more time?"

  "...Understood. If the [King] says so, then I have no objections."

  The mighty name of the Devil King Campione had its effect, and the Kuhoudzuka gentleman agreed readily.

  --Perfect. Godou breathed a sigh of relief. It was fortunate that he was so polite, for Godou was expecting to be despised. Suddenly, Godou had a thought.

  Interacting with contacts in this peaceful manner, perhaps he would be able to wipe clean all those unfavorable rumors?

  From his initial reaction, the Kuhoudzuka gentleman was surely imprinted with the notion that 'Kusanagi Godou = the great terrifying devil king', this kind of reputation definitely needs to be corrected step by step.

  Yes, this should be the right way. Godou agreed with himself silently, but the Kuhoudzuka youth said to him:

  "...By the way, you are really amazing."

  He was offering his heart-felt admiration. What was so amazing?

  "Keeping so many beautiful concubines by your side, and doing all this so openly. As the saying goes, the lion in his prime is the king of the beasts, while the plum blossom is surely more fragrant than the twinleaf. I profess my utmost admiration. To think I was so ignorant to be unaware that the younger sister of the Mariya family was also under your rule. I, Mikihiko, am utterly embarrassed, and seek your forgiveness."

  Who was under whose rule?

  Hearing the Kuhoudzuka gentleman's apology that sounded like it came out of some ancient drama, Godou was speechless.

  Leaning closely against him due to relief, Hikari was like a sister sticking to an older brother, or a kitten being spoilt by a master.

  Hey, don't act in such a way that will cause misunderstandings... Though Godou wanted to say that, he couldn't make a sound. Beside him, Yuri was repeatedly apologizing with the words "sorry, I am really sorry." Liliana was standing on the side going "of course, that truly is my master..." with deep feeling to herself. Come on, "of course" is not a description that should be used in this situation!