Chapter 2: The Point of a Sword Part 2
"Kanami! Don't run in the bath!"
"But there's no one else here!"
"You can still hurt yourself!"
Despite Mai's warning, Kanami runs full speed towards the bath. They are currently in the Origami mansions guest wing bath. This part of the mansion has been given over to the tournament participants and a few officials. The visitors have been given large rooms and meals that would make any five-star hotel proud. But right now, the girls are visiting the sizeable open-air bath of the guest wing.
Kanami lets out a cry of joy as she runs towards the warm water ignoring the mist created by the bath. Mai sighs, seeing Kanami act like this. She hasn't changed since the first time they took a bath together. She smiled, remembering how cute Kanami looked smiling as she ran with her tail wagging and little wings flapping. But then she saw something as the mist faded slightly. A figure outlined through the mist that looks like….
"Kanami, wait, there's someone in the bath!" Mai calls out, but it is too late.
"Huh," Kanami looks but notices it too late. Slipping on the wet floor, she slides into the bath. "Ah!"
Kanami lands with a splash, soaking Mai as she moves to stop her and nearly lands on the person already in the bath. She winces and lets out a little whine as her bottom hits the bath floor before she notices the bather. Long black hair, pale skin now dripping with water and burgundy eyes that glare at her.
"I'm sorry, are you okay? I didn't hurt you, did I?" Kanami jumps up, bowing her head, but she only manages to soak the girl more with another splash of water. "I'm so sorry I didn't mean to."
"I'm sorry about her," Mai also lowers her head. "I hope she didn't hurt you. Kanami. How many times do I have to tell you to be more careful."
"Whatever, it's not a big deal," The girl replies, turning her back.
"Hey, aren't you the girl from earlier?" Kanami blurts out, remembering their first meeting. "We meet again. This must be fate that we keep bumping into each other."
"It isn't,"
"Anyway, were the representatives from Minoseki," Kanami continues as the girl slie=des further away. "Are you here to represent Heijou?"
"…"
The girl remains silent, ignoring her as she settles her back against the side of the bath. Kanami stares, waiting for a response as the girl closes her eyes. She watches droplets of water travel down from her soft-looking hair across her pale skin and joins the bath water at the girl's chest. Kanami can't help but stare at the girl's pale chest. It's nothing compared to Mai and even smaller than Mihono's. But for some reason, Kanami can't help but stare while the temptation to touch and….
"Kanami," Mai's voice sounding firm but quiet enough that no one can overhear her, suddenly snaps Kanami out of her trance. "Your tails showing."
"Oh," Kanami gasps, noticing her tail before making it vanish again.
"Try to be more careful,"
"Hiyori,"
Kanami just barely managed to hide her tail before a new girl arrived, and the bathing girl opened her eyes. This new girl has a soft, friendly voice and steps closer. With silver hair styled in a bob cut and pale brown eyes, she steps closer holding up a towel to protect her modestly.
"It'd be good if you tell me when you'll enter the bath," The new girl says. "What's this? Acquaintances?"
"Hello,"
"Hi,"
"This is just a misunderstanding," Hiyori replies closing her eyes again and turning away.
"I'm sorry about her," The new girl smiles, stepping into the water. "I'm Sanae, and the girl over there is Hiyori. We're here representing Heijou."
"I knew it," Kanami smiles. "Are you two free after this? We could spare together and mmmphh…."
"I'm sorry, Kanami here only has swords on her mind," Mai says, covering Kanami's mouth.
"Well, I'm sure we will face off against each other tomorrow," Sanae says as Hiyori climbs out of the bath. "Are you done already, Hiyori?"
"I have been in here long enough," Hiyori replies standing up straight.
"Sorry about her. She's quite unsociable," Sanae smiles.
"It's fine," Mai responds.
Kanami, meanwhile, is too preoccupied to chime in. The sight of Hiyori standing and her damp hair sparkling in the moonlight takes her breath away. Watching the droplets of water travel down her back and onto her cute rear end causes heat to grow deep within Kanami. She was about to stand up, But Mai pulled her back down.
"Kanami, your tail,"
"Sorry," Kanami looks down, seeing her tail. She managed to hide it in time, but when she looked up, Hiyori was already gone.
"Kanami, you have to stay in your human form," Mia says, shaking her head as she shuts the door. "This isn't like your dorm room. The door doesn't have a lock, and some other guest might accidentally walk into our room."
"But I need to," Kanami complains from where she is spread out on the blanket. "It's hard to keep it up when I am sleeping."
"You have to try," Mai tells her. "At least just while we are here. It's only for two nights, and I know you can do it. I'll let you do your favourite when we return as a reward if you can keep to your human form."
"Okay," Kanami sighs. "I'll change back in a minute."
"Oh, and could you also put on some clothes," Mai adds. "I might enjoy seeing you naked, but other guests might get the wrong idea."
"Do I have to?"
"Yes, it's part of your human form,"
"Okay. I think the president gave me something to wear,"
Kanami sits up from her spot on the futon. Mai really hopes no one walks in right now, as Kanami has completely shredded her human form. A pair of black horns poke out through her brown hair, a small pair of black wings have sprouted from her hips and that long dark tail Mai loves so much is on full display. Mai thinks she could convince most people this was just for cosplay, but she doubts many people will accept Kanami being naked.
Mai hopes Kanami can keep up her human form through the night. There is a reason she had to be kept away from the other girls during school trips. Mai knows it is just her friend being forgetful, but it worries her. Back at Minoseki, Kanami always slept naked without her human form. She said it is more comfortable, and president Ema mentioned a few times that Kanami's mother used to do the exact same thing. Mai prays they will make it through this trip without anyone finding out Kanami isn't human.
"We also need to talk about what happened in the bath Kanami," Mai says. "We can't have you transforming tomorrow."
"I... I'm sorry," Kanami blushes, thinking back to the back. "I don't know what came over me. I just couldn't stop staring at it appeared before I knew it."
"Try to control yourself tomorrow," Mai sighs, shaking her head. "She will be wearing clothes, so that should help. Do you like her?"
"L… like her!" Kanami blushes harder. "I… I don't know… I never felt like that before… is that love?"
"I don't know," Mai replies. "Just be careful, so she doesn't find out about you. I think you should wear the charm tonight. I don't want you to repeat what happened to Mihono."
"That's probably for the best,"
The charm in question was something president Ema made for Kanami. It is a headband with charms that help suppress Kanami's power. At first, Kanami hated it. It made her skin feel like it was burning, but with some modifications, the charm became more comfortable to wear. It helped her out a lot. Stopping her from entering people's dreams or making others feel aroused. She used to have to wear it all the time when her powers first awakened.
"But first,"
"Ahh! Mai… not my tail…."
Kanami can't help but collapse when Mai grabs hold of her tail. Just like all the other times her friend touches her tail, she becomes so weak and helpless. It is as if Mai puts her under a spell. Whenever her tail is grabbed, Kanami becomes putty in Mai's hands.
"But your tail is so cute I just can't help myself," Mai smiles, rubbing her cheek against the smooth twitch tail. "Now keep quiet, or others will hear. I think I should top up your power before tomorrow."
"Wow! It's so big, and there are so many people watching," Kanami beams as she drags Mai into the arena for today's matches. "Everyone is really pumped up."
"Let's go, Heijou!"
"Kick their butts, Ellen!"
"Try to stay awake, Kaoru!"
"Teach them why Renpu is the top school, Sayaka!"
Cheers erupt from all around as the crowd cheers and waves banners supporting their schools. There are even camera crews filming and members of the press interviewing people.
"It's like we are famous athletes, Mai!" Kanami exclaims, snapping her head from side to side, trying to take everything in.
"Yeah," Mai shivers slightly. "I'm starting to feel a little nervous."
"Look, look. Those girls over there are from Ayanokouji," Kanami says, pointing. "And they're from Renpu. Next to them, those girls are from Osafune, and over there are… look, Mai, it's Hiyori and Sanae."
"It looks like we were the last to arrive," Mai comments.
She and Kanami wave at Sanae and Hiyori but only Sanae waves back. Hiyori, meanwhile, just sits there with her arms folded, looking disinterested in everything going on around her. Even when Sanae talks to her, Hiyori merely only glances their way.
"Fighters from all over the country have gathered here. It's making my hearts pounding," Kanami says, watching her opponents take some warm-up swings of their Okatanas. "The excitement won't stop. Do you think there is time for me to go for a quick run before the first round?"
"Kanami, calm down," Mai says, keeping her eye out in case Kanami's tail appears.
"Kanami!"
But before Kanami can run off or anything appears, a familiar voice calls out to her. Amidst the girls from Minoseki, Kanami can make out Mihono waving at her. It's a miracle the railing keeping the girls back is still holding up with the number of people pressing against it.
"Yoohoo! We all came to cheer you both on!"
"Girls!" Kanami smiles. "I'll do my best out there!"
"Thank you for your support," Mai waves back at the crowd.
"You nervous?"
"Of course I am!" Kanami cheers to the question stretching her arms out wide, causing the girls to giggle.
"Idiot," One of the girls comments.
"She doesn't know what the word means," Another girl laughs.
"At least we don't need to worry about her," Mihono chuckles before something else catches her eyes. "Hey, isn't that…"
"Oh, it's her!"
"That's last year's winner. She won the last two tournaments!"
Kanami and Mai turn their heads to where everyone is pointing. They spot a girl with short orange hair and matching eyes. She has two long locks of hair, one of which she usually styles into a braid and wears the uniform of the Elite Guard. But Kanami can't help but notice how short her skirt is. If it wasn't for the shorts underneath, she would be flashing the crowd right now.
"She looks strong," Kanami says, getting even more excited. "Do you think I will get to fight her?"
"Calm down, Kanami. She is not in the tournament this year and probably too busy to spare with you," Mai tells her, patting her friend's head. "But there's plenty of strong people you will get to fight today."
"You're right, Mai," Kanami takes a deep breath to calm herself down. "Let's have lots of fun today."
"Kanami, wait. It isn't your turn yet," Mai says, stopping Kanami from running into the combat zone.
"The first round will now begin!" An announcer calls out. "Hiyori Juujou of the Heijou Institute and Ayano Kouji of the Ayanokouji Martial Arts School, please step forward."
"It's that girl," Kanami jumps up, and Mai has to hold her back. "I wonder how strong she is."
Hiyori and Kouji step into the ring and bow before drawing their girls activate their Utsushi. Their bodies start to glow as they are covered from head to toe in divine protection. In less than a second, their transformation is complete putting their bodies into an energy-like state.
"Begin!"
The fight only lasted a second, and Kanami's eyes could barely track Hiyori's movements. Most of the crowd just saw Hiyori's teleport position, and her opponent hit the ground. Still, Kanami and Mai were able to see everything. They saw Hiyori activate her Jin'I and take off at an almost unimaginable speed. Hiyori cut her opponent in half before she could react.
"That's enough!" The referee steps forward. "The winner is Hiyori Juujou of the Heijou Institute."
The crowd cheers as the girls walk back to their seats while Kanami grips the end of her skirt.
"Hiyori, I want to fight her," Kanami says with an overflowing spirit. "I'm going to go talk to her for a bit. I never got a chance to talk to her about kenjutsu yesterday."
"Wait," Mai grabs her hand before she can take a step.
"What's wrong, Mai?"
"They're calling your name,"
"Kanami Etou of Minoseki Academy, please come forward," The announcer calls out.
"Good luck in your match," Mai smiles, letting go of Kanami's hand.
"Her opponent will be Sayaka Itomi of Renpu Girls' School,"
Kanami steps forward, smiling. "The time has finally come," She thinks as her opponent approaches. A girl with chin-length white hair and ruby eyes. She has a blank expression as both she and Kanami bow their heads. "So she's my first opponent. I wonder what style she is going to use. I can't wait!" Kanami can barely contain her excitement as she draws Chidori. Both girls activate their Utsushi and take their positions.
"Begin,"
"Wow,"
Kanami lets out a gasp as Sayaka closes the distance between them, but at the last minute, Kanami raises her weapon to deflect the attack. "So fast! Is this second layer Jin'I … no, it has to be third," Kanami struggles to keep up. Unlike her opponent, Kanami can't instantly jump into the higher layers of Jin'I. she has to start at the first layer and then move up from there. It takes a few moments, but eventually, Kanami can match her opponents speed.
"Finish her Sayaka!"
"You can win, Kanami!"
The crowd cheers as sparks fly when their blades meet. "She's strong," Kanami smiles, dodging and deflecting her opponent's attack. So far, she has been forced onto the defensive as Sayaka launches a barrage of rapid-fire attacks. "I want to see her style. I want to know more," Kanami sidesteps out of the way of the next attack, noticing her opponent starting to tire.
"Look closely," Kanami knocks Sayaka's sword to the side, deflecting her latest attack. Sweat starts to appear on both girls' foreheads as the fighting intensifies. "Listen closely," Kanami spins, dodging Sayaka's swing before countering. Chidori's blade slices through Sayaka's arm, severing it off and breaking her opponents Utsushi. Sayaka's Okatana flies from her hand and stabs into the floor a few feet away as the girl pants under the mental strain of having her Utsushi broken.
"That's enough!" The referee steps forward again. "The winner is Kanami Etou of Minoseki Academy."
"That was really fun," Kanami smiles, stretching her hand out to Sayaka. "Thank you." But instead of responding, her opponent walks away. "That was the first time I have seen such an amazing Jin'I. How long did it take you to master it."
"…" The girl continues to walk back to her seat.
"That was Onoha style, wasn't it?" Kanami continues. "Are you self-taught? How did you combine it with Jin'I? And that stance… hey Mai, why are you dragging me away?"
"Because you are bothering Sayaka," Mai tells her before turning to the girl. "I'm sorry about her. She can only think about kenjutsu." Mai drags Kanami all the way back to their seats."Kanami, you can't be a nuisance to your opponents."
"Ah, I'm sorry," Kanami replies. "But I just can't hide my excitement. I get to face so many strong opponents today."
"We will now begin the last match of the morning," The announcer calls out. "From Minoseki Academy, Kanami Etou will face off against Mai Yanase."
Kanami steps into the ring with Mai and takes her position. After bowing and activating their Utsushi, the ref takes a step back.
"Begin,"
But instead of fighting, Mai kneels without drawing her Okatana. Their eyes meet as Kanami, right before Kanami makes her move. "I'm sorry, Mai," Kanami thinks as she rushes behind her friend. "But I want to fight her," Mai draws her Okatana and attempts to strike Kanami down, but she is too slow. Kanami catches her hand, stopping the swing. "I want to fight Hiyori." Kanami brings Chidori cutting through Mai's shoulder and breaking her Utsushi.
"That's enough!" The referee steps forward again. "The winner is Kanami Etou of Minoseki Academy."
"You did," Mai says as Kanami helps her up. "Good luck in the finals."
"We will now take a short break before the final match," The announcer declares. "The match will be held in the shrines sandbank in one hour."
"Kanami, I made us both lunch," Mai says as they exit together. "How about we go eat it with Mihono and the others?"
"I can't wait to eat," Kanami beams. "Your homemade lunches are almost as good as your cookies."
"Only almost,"
"But every you make is still delicious, Mai,"
"Today is the best!" Kanami happily says as she stuffs her cheeks with Mai's tasty lunch. "I get to fight strong opponents and eat Mai's cooking."
Sat beneath the shade of a tree in the courtyard of the Origami mansions, Kanami and her friends eat lunch while enjoying the nice sunny weather. Other groups of Toji have had the same idea, but the mansion grounds are so spacious it doesn't feel crowded at all.
"You're going to choke if you don't slow down, Kanami," Mai warns, but Kanami keeps eating.
"I can't help it. Everything you make tastes so good," Kanami replies before shovelling more food into her mouth. "I get so hungry after a match that I just have to eat."
"Just try to stay clean," Mai says, wiping some food off Kanami's chin. "You still have to fight in the finals after this."
"I'm a little jealous of how close you two are," Mihono mutters, watching Mai clean Kanami up.
"Yeah, it's not fair that Mai keeps you all to herself,"
"You never have a sleepover with us like you do with Mai and Mihono,"
"Anyway, Kanami," Mai says, trying to change the topic of conversation. "Are you looking forward to the finals?"
"You bet I am," Kanami replies, nearly dropping her lunch in her excitement. "I wonder what kind of match I'll have with Hiyori."
"She's fast. Will you be able to keep up with her?"
"Of course, I can!" Kanami jumps up. "We are going to have so much fun during our match."
"The final match is about to begin. Competitors come forward,"
Kanami can't stop smiling as she moves to meet Hiyori. The crowd is just as energetic as they were in the morning, calling their names and cheering on their favourite Toji. Kanami can see Mai and Mihono waving from the stands and waves back, creating many misunderstandings as countless girls believe she is waving at them. She turns back to face her opponent only to find Hiyori giving her the same blank look she had worn all day.
"Hey," Kanami says as they meet in the middle of the stage. "Let's have a fun fight."
"…"
"Hey over there,"
The crowd's attention suddenly shifts. When she turns her head, she sees a strict-looking, well-endowed woman with long black hair with forelocks swept over a part of her face that covers her right eye. Fierce red eyes scan the area, and for some reason, Kanami gets a bad feeling in her gut as she watches the woman take her seat.
"It's the head of the Origami family,"
"Yukari never changes. She always looks so refined,"
"So that's Yukari Origami, the strongest Toji," Kanami thinks as the crowd continues to talk about the Origami family head. "I want to fight her," Kanami still gets a bad feeling whenever she looks Yukari's way. "But I want to fight Hiyori first," Kanami smiles, looking back at her opponent. "I finally get to fight her!"
"Bow,"
The girls lower their heads at the referee's words. "I'm so excited I can't stop shaking," Raising her head, she can see Hiyori's eyes aren't on her. She's still staring at Yukari out of the corner of her eyes.
"Taake your stances," Both girls draw their Okatanas and get ready to fight. "Utsushi." They activate their Utsushi's within seconds, causing their bodies to glow. "Begin!"
Kanami braces herself for Hiyori's blinding speed taking a defensive stance, but the attack never comes. Instead, Kanami watches with her body frozen in shock as Hiyori takes off faster than a bullet toward Yukari Origami. She can barely believe what she is seeing. If it wasn't for the cry of surprise from the crowd, she might have believed she had just imagined things.
Yukari doesn't even flinch. When Hiyori reaches her, she effortlessly parries the attack before one of her elite guards stabs Hiyori in the back, breaking her Utsushi. Kanami can only watch as that same elite guard raises her Okatana to end Hiyori's life. She can't just watch. Before she knows it, she rushes forward and manages to block the elite guard's blade. "Is that an eye?" Kanami blinks, seeing an orange eye in Yukari's hair for only a moment. But before she can look more closely, the elite guard recovers, forcing Kanami to take Hiyori and flee.
She runs across the fighting area as the stunned crowd looks on. Kanami believes she can hear Mai calling out to her, but she doesn't stop or look back. Behind her, three members of the elite guard give chase, and in front of them, more security tries to cut them off.
"Close the gate!" One of the guards yells. "Don't let them escape."
"Hey, I want to play too!"
Before they can get any further, the missing member of the elite guard appears in front of them. Waist-length pink hair tied in a large ponytail on the left side that flutters lightly in the wind. Light grey eyes filled with mischief and amusement. The girl lightly laughs as she thrusts her Okatana straight towards them.
Kanami and Hiyori nod before separating, letting the girl pass between them. She slashes at them when she spins back around, but Kanami blocks it before Hiyori tries to stab her, only for the girl to dodge her blade. Taking the opportunity to flee, Kanami grabs Hiyori's hand and jumps, sending them flying high over the wall.
"Boo, no fun," The girl moans as they make their escape.
Landing outside the walls of the Origami mansions, Kanami and Hiyori take a moment to catch their breath. But both girls know they don't have long. They can already hear sirens in the distance.
"W… why…." Hiyori pants. "Why would you… interfere? It… was none of your… business…."
"Mmm, because we never finished our match, I guess," Kanami cheerfully replies, sheathing her Okatana. Behind her, she can hear the guards approach the gate. "Let's get out of here."
Mai's Notes:
Kanami Etou:
Kanami is my best friend, and we have been together since we started studying at Minoseki Academy. She is a kind, friendly girl but is a bit of an airhead and is only interested in kenjutsu. But Kanami isn't an ordinary girl. She is a Succubus. I was surprised when I first found out about it, but I have come to accept Kanami no matter what she is.
Powers:
Kanami has many powers of a succubus. She is faster and stronger than the average person. She can fly and has more than average stamina. But her most dangerous powers are the ones that can manipulate people's feelings, and Kanami herself hates these abilities. She can make people feel aroused and fall in love with her with a single glance. The last two powers Kanami has is to enter people's dreams and control them, and she can transform into a human form that hides her succubus traits.
True Form:
Kanami's true form consists of a pair of black horns that are smooth to the touch and surprisingly warm. She has a pair of soft and flexible wings on her hips. It is shocking to think Kanami can fly with such tiny wings. But her tail is her best part. It's so cute and feels amazing to be touched. Kanami's tail is also her weak spot. Whenever I touch it, she becomes so weak and helpless. Still, Kanami's ability to grow some male genitalia is not something to forget. It is not as good as using her tail, but it still never fails to satisfy me.
Special Items:
Our school's president has researched and developed several items to help Kanami. But there are two that stand out. She has made a headband containing charms to suppress Kanami's powers after she accidentally appeared in several students' dreams. The second item is a drug the president put into the school's water supply that makes the students more resistant to Kanami's powers.