Tsukaima no Chrono

Chapter 9: YOU LIAR!

Having finished his breakfast far earlier than his master, not surprising considering it consisted of one small stale piece of extremely tough bread, Chrono follows Louise as she stands up and walks out the grand doors of the meal room.

"Normally, during a meal, familiars are supposed to be on standby outside. It's a special request for you to be next to me." Louise explains in an arrogant voice, implying that Chrono should be grateful as she descends the stairs leading to the meal room.

Feeling spiteful due to the relatively puny breakfast he received Chrono replies. "I'd rather have been off somewhere else!"

This causes a vein to throb out of the flash of anger Louise experienced. As they turn left at the bottom of the stairs, we see that the pair are headed to what seems to be an outdoor tea or socialisation area consisting of white tables and chairs with various maids bearing drinks to the students sitting there. Considering that they just came out from breakfast, Chrono points towards the scene and asks. "What is everyone doing there?"

Having calmed down from the brief anger she had felt due to Chrono's jibe before, Louise answers. "Oh, there's a break from lessons for the second years today. It's to promote communication with the familiars they just summoned."

After hearing that, Chrono thinks. I think I would've been better off if I couldn't communicate, at least then I wouldn't have to wash her clothing.

As Chrono and Louise pass by the buxom redheaded figure of Kirche Zerbst, she addresses them.

"Oh?" Kirche says in recognition causing the pair to look down at her kneeling next to a big red salamander.

"Oh, that's a nice salamander." Chrono says, studying it. Don't get to see those things as familiars often on Mid-childa, they're notoriously bad tempered and tend to set things on fire accidentally.

"You're pretty well informed for a commoner, good job recognising her." Kirche praises Chrono.

In response Chrono says. "You should put it on a leash. They tend to be dangerous!"

Chuckling, Kirche replies. "Don't worry! A contracted familiar is absolutely obedient to its master."

The salamander responds as if in agreement, making a nasally chirp. Sweat dropping and smiling uncertainly, Chrono thinks. I'm a familiar and I certainly ain't.

Rubbing her salamander's back, Kirche coos. "You won't run away will you, Flame?" Causing the salamander, Flame to shrill in contentment, a wide smile as close to a human's as Chrono ever seen on it's face.

Recognising the hidden insult, Louise defends herself verbally. "Mind your own business!"

Having fun agitating Louise, Kirche stands up close to Louise, giving her a height advantage and taunts with a placid expression and an amused tone. "Hey, you probably just grabbed a commoner that was just walking by, didn't you? You deceived us quite well with that explosion."

Louise responds desperately. "You're wrong! I properly summoned and he just came out!"

Chrono then thinks, his sadistic side kicking in. I'd tell this redhead the truth about me actually being summoned, but Louise defending herself like this is just too funny.

"Well he's just fitting for you isn't he? Louise the Zero." Kirche replies to Louise then walks away, laughing artificially with a stereo typical "Ohohohoho!"

Louise then clenches her teeth and narrows her eyes in anger and causing veins to throb visibly on her forehead and her shaking fist. Grinding out a "What's with that woman?"

Louise turns her anger onto Chrono and screams at him, the sudden loud voice startling him. "Don't just stand there! At least go get me some tea!"

Since Louise was now sitting at a table and sipping a cup of tea with eyes in silent anger which Chrono fetched off one of the maids. Chrono decided that he didn't want to be too close to the fuming pink haired girl. Walking off feeling rather depressed as most people do after being yelled at for seemingly no reason, he is intercepted by somebody else's familiar. Stopping due to the presence impeding his way, Chrono looks up. Oh, a bug-bear, that's quite a rare creature.

Not getting a visible response out of Chrono, the bug-bear suddenly zooms in towards Chrono's face and blinks, giving him a close up view of the huge head-sized eye. Moving backwards due to the surprise invasion of his private space, Chrono bumps roughly into someone behind him, his eyes glimpsing the shadow of something falling. Quickly turning and darting low to catch the falling object, he manages to catch it, revealing an intact but slightly disfigured cake on top of a plate.

Hearing soft clapping behind him, Chrono turns to apologise to the person he bumped into. Not raising his head as a measure of humility, Chrono says. "Please excuse me, I'm sorry for bumping into you, but I managed to save the plate and the cake."

Offering up said items, the plate of cake was taken from him. Chrono then feels a hand rubbing the top of his head. Why does everyone do that to me?

"That was amazing Chrono, you moved so fast." Recognizing the voice, Chrono looks up to see the face of Siesta.

"Oh it's you Siesta, thank you for helping me this morning." Chrono says gratefully.

Cheerfully Siesta replies. "It's alright, everyone was so excited when I told them that I had met the rumoured commoner that Miss Vallière summoned as her familiar."

Letting out a thoughtful hum, Chrono thinks. Even Siesta, a maid, is referring to me as a commoner. I wonder what the requirements are to become nobility here if even she is one.

So as not to cause suspicion, Chrono tilts his head in a thoughtful manner and poses the subject without directly asking. "Well, I don't really understand this noble and commoner thing…"

This prompts Siesta to reply in a stunned tone. "Huh? The people who can cast magic are nobles and everyone else is a commoner, didn't you know?"

Eh, if that's the case I'd be a noble too if I can show the people that I can use magic, but unlike Louise, I don't sense any magic from Siesta, maybe they identify magic in a different way?

Out loud Chrono says as if understanding. "Ah, I see. So that's what it was. Are you a magic user too?"

Siesta quickly replies as if in shock. "Absolutely not! I have been blessed to serve here! I'm just a mere commoner like you."

At this point Chrono's informative conversation with Siesta was interrupted by an intrusive. "Hey!" Much to Chrono's displeasure.

Turning to the source of the rude interruption, Chrono and Siesta set their eyes on the blond playboy Guiché who is sitting next to a blond girl with a red ribbon, her back turned to the pair of them. Guiché while rubbing what seems to be a giant mole puts his other hand up and asks. "Is the cake still not ready?"

Siesta quickly replies. "Yes, right away!"

As Siesta begins to head off to deliver the cake, Chrono stops her, his eyes narrowing at Guiché in anger.

Putting on a helpful expression Chrono takes the plate of cake off Siesta and says. "Here, as thanks for your help, I'll take this to him."

Siesta, uncomfortable with the fact that the cake was slightly disfigured says to Chrono. "But that's been…"

Chrono reassures her. "It's ok…" and gives her a good guy pose(1).

Remembering Guiché's snob like behaviour and arrogance from his first night on this world, Chrono thinks. I was right! He is a playboy, already chatting up a different girl to Katie already. This is just perfect for that irritating moron!

As Chrono approaches the table with the plate of cake in hand, he picks up bits and pieces of Guiché's conversation with the other girl.

"I've chatted with her, Belldandy, all night long." Guiché says proudly.

Chrono, not knowing that Guiché is referring to his familiar, is internally aghast. Isn't he ashamed, talking about his conquests with a girl!

The other girl who Chrono doesn't know but we do, Montmorency, is rubbing what seems to be a small gecko replies in what seems to be accepting disbelief. "Ah, I see…All…night…long, right?" A look of disappointment appears on the girls face.

Guiché replies with what seems to be baseless pride while looking at the giant mole he is rubbing with googly eyes."Yes…These intellectual eyes, this deeply sensational touch!"

Rubbing his nose with the giant mole's, Guiché continues. "She was absolutely intended to become my familiar."

At this point, Chrono has become thoroughly disgusted with Guiché. He was referring to his familiar! Any normal person from Mid-childa who could've heard his speech right now would think that he's a pervert into bestiality!

Montmorency sighs, and looks away, her eyes closing in disappointment and says in a neutral tone referring to Guiché's nose rubbing. "For now, at the very least, never do that in front of me again."

By this time, Chrono has reached the table. Plonking down the plate onto the table like he has seen waiters at restaurants do, he reports to the blond duo. "Here you go."

Not looking at Chrono and therefore not recognising him, Guiché places another order. "Ah, also please bring me another tea."

Looking at Montmorency, Guiché praises. "Your familiar is also cute, just like you!"

Chrono is now laughing internally at that line. Ahaha…you're saying that she looks like a lizard! Can't wait to see you get slapped for that!

To Chrono's surprise, Montmorency replies happily. "You're as flattering as ever!"

Chrono then hears a familiar sounding reply from Guiché. "Well, I cannot tell lies in front of your eyes!"

Chrono snorts I've heard that before… This guy really needs to get a job in recycling…

In response to Guiché's line, Montmorency puts on a serious expression and states accusingly. "But recently, I've been hearing a rumour that you're also dating a first year!"

I can almost bet you he's not only dating one first year! Chrono thinks.

As if startled, a standard guilty reflex, Guiché tries to reassure Montmorency with another familiar sounding line. "Nonsense! There cannot be…"

Chrono interrupts, unable to hold back any longer and completing Guiché's speech in a sing song tone. "…any deceit in my feelings towards you!~~ right?" causing both of the blond duo to look at him, Guiché in shock.

Snickering, Chrono begins to walk off. Guiché manages to utter. "Wha…what are you talking about?"

Stopping suddenly in response and making a motion as if realising something Chrono states with an ecstatic expression. "Oh, I got it now. The colours of the capes represent different grade levels! Black is for second years. The kind girl last night, wearing brown, is a first year. I see… I see…"

This causes Guiché's expression to be even more incredulous as Montmorency asks Guiché. "What is he talking about?"

Unable to defend himself, Guiché seeks to divert the attention. Standing up, Guiché orders Chrono, somehow not recognising him. "Hurry back to your duties, waiter!"

Turning around and stick out his tongue while pulling down his eyelid, Chrono replies. "Eh… I'm not a waiter."

Having recognised who he was speaking to now, Guiché says. "You are… Louise the Zero's…"

Cutting Guiché off and putting on an innocent act Chrono replies in false humility, giving a slight bow then attempts to escape. "Thank you very much for last night. Well then…"

After hearing this, Montmorency demands from Guiché in a more urgent tone. "Hey, Guiché. What is he talking about?"

Panicking, Guiché tries to explain. "You see… I told you that last night I ran into that familiar and stuff happened… That's all!"

As Chrono tries to move out of range of any retribution while staying close enough to witness the spectacle that he placed Guiché into, he passes by the girl from last night who had introduced herself to him as Katie. Seeing that Guiché had also noticed Katie approaching trying to run away with Montmorency to save himself, Chrono's little known, but large, sadistic streak kicked in. An evil grin forming on his face, he helpfully suggests to Katie who mutters Guiché's name as she looks around. "You're looking for Guiché right? You can find him over there!" Chrono then points in the direction Guiché had moved off to with Montmorency.

Katie responds gratefully, rubbing the top of Chrono's head. I'm going to end up with perpetually messy hair if I stay in this place. "Thank you young mister familiar."

Katie's expression brightens as she spots Guiché, she waves at Guiché excitedly and while running towards him, shouts "Guiché!" attracting his attention.

Chrono chuckles as he watches the events unfold. Let the circus begin!

Seeing that Katie had found him, Guiché quickly pulls his arm out of Montmonrency's grasp as if distancing his relationship with her. Surprised at Guiché's sudden action, Montmonrency spots the approaching Katie, then looks closely at Guiché, studying him. "I've been searching all over for you, Guiché!" Katies exclaims excitedly causing Montmorency's eyes to narrow.

Katie continues in excitement, oblivious to Montmorency's ire. "This is the homemade soufflé I was talking about last night. I thought it would be perfect for today's tea party!"

Replying as if humbled, Guiché stutters out. "What… why… thank you."

Montmonrency then asks "Last night?" causing Guiché to look at her guiltily, responding without his usual confidence. "You see… well…"

Chrono interrupts again at this point, having ignored his own safety to get a better view, in his mind, it was worth the danger. "Isn't that great? You were saying how much you wanted to try it…" Chrono says in false comaraderie.

Guiché stutters at him in inarticulate panic. "You…you!"

Continuing with his act, Chrono says. "What? It's the truth isn't it?"

Montmorency questions Guiché. "Guiché, what's the meaning of this?"

Trying to feign ignorance, Guiché attempts to change the focus to Chrono again. "Hey, what are you talking about? You're creating a superfluous misunderstanding between these girls!"

Having noticed the commotion between the 4 people due to the shouting, the rest of the occupants in the outdoor tea setting begin to close in.

A blond haired round fellow, with an owl sitting on his shoulder asks. "What, what's this. It seems Guiché is starting something with that commoner familiar."

Ignoring the curious crowd that has gathered around them, Chrono continues to taunt Guiché. "What's this misunderstanding? You brought it on yourself by two timing!"

This statement causing Guiché to panic further as Katie asks as if about to cry.

"Two timing?" Montmonrency firmly accuses, anger in her eyes.

"So you were putting your hands on this first year!" She then scrunches up her face and grinds her teeth, her hands underneath her chin as if ready to throw a tantrum.

Trying to pacify her, Guiché says. "You're mistaken, Montmorency the Perfume! Please do not warp your rose like face with anger. This is some type of mistake!"

Katie then speaks up in a sad pleading voice. "How mean, you said we were together!"

Unable to deal with both the girls together, he begs. "In any case, both of you please calm down…"

The two girls then both angrily shout, betrayal in their expressions. "YOU LIAR!" Montmorency taking it a step further sending Guiché off his feet with a loud slap causing the now large gather crowd to laugh.

The round fellow from before, who seems to be well aquainted with Guiché says while laughing. "You got dumped Guiché! Well it was your own doing!"

His reputation tarnished and suffering humiliation from the hand mark still imprinted onto his cheek, Guiche then stands and speaks in barely restrained rage at Chrono. "It seems that you do not know the proper etiquette towards a noble."

Chrono smugly responds. "Unfortunately for you, you wouldn't be a noble where I came from, not that any special etiquette exists for them."

Bearing a grin as if in satisfaction, Guiché growls out. "Very well. I challenge you to a duel!"

-Author's Notes-

Hello all, that was chapter 9 of TnC. Truthfully I'm not that happy with it, as it was much longer than planned. However, there was no good place in the action to break up the chapter, hence I'll leave you guys on a cliff hanger.

There was only one point I wished to make in this chapter.

(1) This is the thumbs up pose that Maito Gai and Rock Lee made famous in the Naruto anime.

Look forward to Chapter 10, it will contain the first fight scene in the anime, with Chrono, replacing Saito in dueling Guiché. Thanks for reading.