Chapter 4 Hell Cat and Ice Demon II

"It's totally your fault." Said Kamito with a displeased look.

"I'm sorry, okay!? It's not like I'm not feeling bad at all…" Claire looked dejected as she spoke.

It's not like Kamito want to tease her, but he simply felt the urge to tease her since he possibly won't get the chance again in the future.

At the moment, they're walking together toward the appointed destination.

To avoid unnecessary attention, Kamito didn't let Est nor Restia to show themselves like usual. But it seems like he doesn't have to do that since there are not many people outside at this hour.

"Kamito, can we show ourselves now?" Restia asked within Kamito's mind.

"… Very well."

Not even one second after the granted permission, Est and Restia already materialized right behind him. Almost as if they already know the answer before Kamito need to tell them to.

"Is it really okay, Kamito? To let them show themselves like this?" Claire looks around restlessly.

"You don't have to worry about this, Claire. I was introduced as Kamito's girlfriend." Said Est emotionlessly.

"Eh—" Claire was speechless.

"Wha— Est!? I told you it was only to conceal my identity, right?!" Kamito almost fainted due to the sudden declaration.

"But that Rinslet girl already accepted that fact."

"Like I said…"

"…" Claire didn't say a word and calmly observe the exchange of words between Kamito and the demon slayer.

"… That sure surprised me…" Claire hold her hands close to her modest chest.

She's not feeling any negative feelings like jealously or anger, but it's a whole different feeling.

Even she can't comprehend what kind of feeling she's feeling at the moment.

"—Stop your useless chat Kamito, we're already running out of time."

"Ah… I'm sorry—?"

Kamito doesn't understand how Claire can react in that calm manner.

"My, does she interested you Kamito? Fufufu."

"—What are you saying, Restia? Stop that immediately."

"Fufu, as you wish."

Even though it's just a little, Kamito felt it.

That perhaps he's interested in Claire like what Restia told him just now.

"…" Est stares at Kamito's face calmly while silently clenching her fists.

After walking for a while, they finally reached their destination with Rinslet standing there.

"It looks like you're not going to run away, Claire Rouge."

"Who would run from an old hag like you? For your information, Kamito's only here to be a spectator."

"Old—!?"

Kamito face palmed.

He doesn't understand Claire's point to provoke Rinslet like that.

He already understood what's hidden behind Rinslet's provocative approach, but he wish to let Claire realize that Rinslet is actually a really good friend for her.

"… Grrr, like what I said before! We're going to fight in the Astral Zero, so get in without talking!"

Rinslet jumped in the Astral Gate without a second thought.

More importantly, she seemed to not notice Restia's presence at all.

"We're going in, Kamito. I'm going to settle things with her once and for all." Claire pulls his hand as she jump into the Astral Gate. Of course with Est and Restia following from behind.

(Is there no way to solve this matter in a peaceful manner?)

They arrived at Astral Zero safely.

What surround them are the ruins of destroyed civilization enveloped in the night sky.

It is a really sad view but the aurora in the sky made the view look strangely romantic.

"Here we can fight to our heart content, are you ready Claire Rouge?"

"Any moment."

Not intending to interfere with their duel, Kamito and the gang stood a little further so they won't get swallowed by the upcoming storm.

He can feel the hot and cold aura that's engulfing the battlefield.

(The duel— No, the Blade Dance will start soon.)

"I'm really looking forward for this." Restia sit on a nearby rock.

"You're really enjoying this aren't you, Restia?" Kamito can't help but sigh.

"… Claire will lose."

"Eh?"

Not understanding what Est mean by that declaration, the fight already started.

-Undying Ice that freezes the flames itself, come and obey my orders!

-Guardian of the Crimson Blaze, keeper of the undying hearth! Now is the time to abide by the blood contract, come forth and do my bidding!

Both of the girls summoned their Elemental Waffe, a bow and a whip.

Kamito can't avert his attention now, since his purpose here is to make sure that their fight won't get out of control.

Even though he is still curious in what Est meant.

—Clash! Clash!

Claire struck down Rinslet's arrows as she pushed her way toward the archer.

Normally, it would be a disadvantage for a whip user to fight an archer due to their range of attacks.

But that only applies if they don't possess spirit's elemental power.

Claire chants a spell without stopping her guard attempts.

And when she found an opening—

"Fireball!"

"—!?"

Rinslet was caught off guard and the fireball managed to land a hit at her abdomen.

That hit was all it takes to let Claire get close to Rinslet in a breath.

"You're mine!"

Claire swung her whip that could've cut down a tree cleanly.

Claire was sure that she will get Rinslet now, but—

Rinslet is smiling.

"It's over." Said Est.

Restia at the same time smiles like she just watched a good match.

"*Gasp*! (Oh no!)" It was too late for Claire to notice what Rinslet is after.

"Ice Prison!"

Rinslet's surrounding gives a warm glow and the temperature drops rapidly.

Claire managed to take a leap to avoid the dangerous attack, but her right leg got caught by the ice mountain that took form in less than two seconds.

"—Claire!" Kamito can't help but call out for her out of worry.

Claire tried to melt the ice that caught her leg but it was totally futile.

With a calm expression, Rinslet jumped to the top of the ice mountain where Claire got caught.

"It's my win, Claire Rouge."

"…"

Claire hung her head.

As if she has lost her meaning to live.

She already knew from the start that she couldn't possibly win from Rinslet due to their elemental affinity. But she just can't back off out of pride.

After confirming that Kamito is not around, her lips opened.

"… Just like what you say, I've lost."

"…" Rinslet didn't say a word.

"I will not be a chicken, you can have Kamito for yourself. But make sure to treat him well—"

"—? What are you talking about?" Rinslet tilted her head.

"—Eh?"

Claire can't comprehend what Rinslet meant by that sentence just now.

"Isn't that why you're challenging me to a duel?" Claire asked her.

"Huh? I never mentioned such a thing. My reason to challenge you in a duel is—"

Rinslet walks closer to Claire and place her right palm to the Hell Cat's cheek.

"—To open your eyes."

"What… What do you mean?"

Claire couldn't understand just what is Rinslet's point.

Facing Claire's passiveness, she can't help but grit her teeth.

"Like-I-Say!"

"Kyaa!?"

Claire's shoulders shook.

"I want us to return like how we used to be! Is it that hard to understand!?"

"… Eh?" Claire was dumbfounded.

Long time ago, Claire and Rinslet used to be pretty close. But due to a certain childish incident they grew competitive and always arguing over the smallest thing possible.

To make it worse, the betrayal of Calamity Queen made their relationship worse than ever.

That's why Rinslet wants to repair their relationship as she can no longer watch Claire get bullied by every single student in Areishia Spirit Academy.

Since Rinslet's the only one who understood Claire's feelings more than anyone. Because she's the closest person Claire ever know after her sister.

"Return like how we used to be…?"

"I can no longer watch you suffer! Why must you hold everything inside by yourself!? I know it's hard on you, then why—" Rinslet stopped her sentence.

She should've known the answer even without asking.

The answer is obviously because the awkwardness of their relationship.

But strangely, her words reached Claire.

"… Rinslet, why do you care for me so much?"

"Of course, it's because I like you!"

"…" Claire's expression grew darker.

"Wait, it's not that kind of 'like' okay!? I mean I like you as a friend! Since…"

You're the only person I can be open to.

Rinslet can't speak out those words due to embarrassment.

But Claire understood it completely.

"—Hu-Humph! who wants to be close to you? I simply pity you because you looked like you're seeking attention too much."

"Wha—!?"

"However… I'm a little happy… That it seems like I haven't lose everything…"

A drop of tear fell from Claire's beautiful eyes.

She lost her family, her name, and she thought that there's nothing left for her again in this world. That's why it really touched her heart that someone's still there for her.

"… Moron…" Without waiting, Rinslet hugged Claire and lets her cry as much as she wants in her bosom.

Kamito who watched the scene without saying a word finally smiled.

"… Let us return, Est, Restia."

"You don't want to bring them with you?" Restia asked.

"There's no need to interfere with their moment of life. I think this outcome has already been predicted, huh? Est."

"Certainly." Said Est with a calm composure.

"Eh? You've predicted it? Does that mean only I who don't know about this?"

"Yes, since you're always so insensitive, Restia."

"Let's leave the darkness spirit behind, Kamito."

"Hey, wait! Umu… Don't leave me!"

And so, the little fight between the Hell Cat and the Ice Demon ended well.

R&R