EIGHT MAN THE DARK RIDER
-1st Week-
[5th April - Friday]
[ARC Cafeteria]
Meeting new people was never really a good experience for a lot of people including me of course; you'll either end up having to tolerate that new person or not wanting to be in any form of contact with that new person or be that said new person, this usually happens to both parties and would probably never stay that way. My experience was otherwise that.
So when I heard Mary-Sensei ordering each Division to have a Divisions Members Meeting today, I felt nothing at all, not anxiousness nor excitement. Meeting new people was never an exciting or frightful moment for me ever since the end of my second year of middle school.
Despite thinking that I was the first one to arrive at the table for my Division, I wore a simple black hoodie, jeans and sneakers. My teammates must be really heavy sleepers if I arrived first…I looked around to see other Divisions already meeting with each other.
"Fwaah…mhmhm…Is this the 4th Division?" A tanned messy long haired brunette asked groggily while rubbing her eyes to which I turn the small sign around "Oh…W-Whoa! I thought you were a talking rotten fish there for a sec"
How original.
"So who're you? I'm Yaseko Yajuno, I'm 20 years old and will be the Locater for the team" She grinned as she sat next to me.
Yajuno had a very unpredictable, friendly and intimidating 'aura' around her. She wore a white t-shirt, a white and blue track jacket tied around her waist and a matching pair of track pants ending it with another matching pair of running shoes.
"Hachiman Hikigaya. 17. Rider" I started calmly as I tried to inch away from her a bit "Since the tablet already covered the general things about me you can refer to that" I ended.
"Oh! You're our Dancho?!" She exclaimed loudly in surprise "Hmmmm you really look almost like a guy I beat up once" She grumbled to herself "He had worse rotten eyes compared to yours"
I don't know if I should be glad to hear that…
"And was pretty much a mean guy but he changed after yours truly beat the shit outta him!" She poked her tongue out as she patted her forearm.
"…According to the tablet, you just got out of juvie right?" I asked to which she nodded nervously "…Hmm I guess a strong Locater would help a lot" I mumbled to myself in thought.
"…Hehehe leave the helping to me!" She giggled making a peace sign "You're a lot more serious than I thought though Dancho, I-" She was cut off by another voice.
"Err don't you think you also should be serious?" We turned towards the voice to see a girl with shoulder length blue hair, a red eye and the other covered by a black leathered eye patch. The girls outfit consisted of a long sleeved purple sweater complimented with a pair of black jeans ending with dark blue shoes "We're about to go to a real battle not to a delinquent scuffle" She said with a frown making Yajuno twitch.
"You think I don't know that?!" She yelled, standing up and slammed the table "And who are you coming to the table like some hot shot?!" Murmurs started going around as the two glared at each other.
"Enough you two" I spoke out, loud enough only for the two to hear.
Ugh two hotheads butting against each other…Never a good situation to be in.
"Tch!" Yajuno clicked her tongue and calmed down meanwhile the other girl decided to sit across us "So? Are you gonna introduce yourself to Dancho or not?" I raised a brow at how she included me in that sentence but decided not to speak of it.
"I was getting to that Sukeban" She got a glare from her for that "Alice Tomatsu, I'm 19 and your Creator" I responded with an introduction as well to which she nodded "Sorry about coming into the conversation like that" She said rubbing the back of her neck awkwardly and then turned to Yajuno "Sukeban, apologize for embarrassing Hikigaya for your outburst too" She narrowed her eye at Yajuno who flinched.
"U-Ugh…Sorry Dancho" Yajuno said regret evident in her voice.
"Wow~ fighting on the first meeting? How unladylike of you two~" Another voice sang, we turned to see a guy with spiky dark purple hair and pink eyes grinning at us. He wore a dark purple short sleeved light hoodie over a light blue v-neck shirt; he sported a pair of beige baggy shorts and a pair of black boots.
"Never thought this was gonna be a girl dominated team but I guess that's better for both of us right Dancho-Kun~?" He wiggled his brows with a grin directed at me "Oops sorry Tsui-Chan~! You probably feel embarrassed now that I said that" He directed the attention to a petite girl with long orange twin braids and light green intimidated eyes at a short yet far distance from all of us.
"H-Hello…" She said fidgeting a little. This girl sported a simple orange long dress over a long sleeved beige shirt and slip-on white shoes "T-Tsui N-Nigate…16! Ah…I-Informant" She stuttered.
"Ah right right introductions" The guy laughed as he sat at the table followed by Nigate "Kosui Sune a 19 year old Fusionist nice to meet you" He said eyeing everyone with a sly expression "I'm looking forward working together with you" He said with a smirk ending his sight on me.
"Hachiman Hikigaya. 17. Rider" I simply nodded.
After the introductions were over, we all had breakfast- a semi-awkward breakfast. Sune kept eating with a smile as if unaffected by the awkwardness, Nigate kept her sight only on her food but it looked like she was also conscious of the discomforting atmosphere judging from her fidgeting. Tomatsu and I kept quite meanwhile Yajuno's failed attempts of permeating the silence added the fire.
In the end after saying our goodbyes we went to do our own business.
[6th April - Saturday]
[ARC Dormitory – Hachiman Hikigaya's room doorway]
"Dancho! Let's run together!" Yajuno beamed at me as I opened the door "I thought it would be nice to have someone's company hehehe" She laughed.
"…It's four in the morning Yajuno…" I groggily said while holding back a yawn "Why don't you go ask someone else?" I asked, rubbing my eyes. Looks like someone's a really morning kind of person…Wait why was she so sleepy yesterday then?
"Come on Dancho! Suit up!" She shoved a track suit set in my hands and started stretching "The sun's coming up anyway so let's go!" She grinned. It doesn't look like she'll take no for an answer "I won't take no for an answer~!" She wiggled her finger in front of my face.
"Haaah alright since you already woke me up with your loudness I guess I might as well…" She grinned at my begrudging consent before I closed the door and changed clothes. Since I always biked to school I at least had the confidence of jogging 10 laps around the institute however… "You have a lot more stamina than I thought Dancho!" Yajuno cheered as she gave me a bottle of water as I sat down on the stairs in front of the entrance.
"Hah…Hah…Hah…Do you always jog 20 laps?" I asked.
"Well depends on the size" She shrugged with confidence "My girls and I would always do our morning jog at the park and in case there were some thugs that needed a butt whooping we would halve the laps!" She grinned "Those were fun times" She smiled nostalgically "After getting caught by the po-po they sure made me feel terrible but I don't blame them, they had other things to worry about so they shouldn't be caught because of me" She said to herself more than to me it seems.
"…How come you end up in Juvie by the way? If you don't mind me asking" I asked out of curiosity. I know how the mentality of a delinquent works but it doesn't look like she has any of that "…You don't need to answer that if you don't want to" I said after receiving silence and was about to stand up until she answered.
"Let's just say I saw a lot of horrible things kids can do and decided to prevent it myself" She answered seriously sitting down next to me with crossed arms "Since I was young I always witnessed other kids around me being bullied and some even got out of control, the adults were never there and if they were it would always be at the last second when a kid is either really injured or dead but the later was a rare incident. I grew up alone and I never understood why parents were always like that, blaming other people as if it weren't they're fault too" She frowned "I always hated that"
"What about you?" She raised a brow at the question "Did you ever get bullied?"
"Hah!" She scoffed at the notion "I never got bullied my whole life and it's probably because- um never mind about that" She interrupted herself and continued with a different sentence "Anyway after getting stronger I decided to deal with the whole delinquency/bullying problem myself!" She smirked "Along the way I made a lot of friends and enemies even though all of them have abandoned me now but hey at least I can count on you guys to be by at my side right Dancho?" She asked with a forlorn smile.
"…As Division Members we are all at each other's side no matter what" I answered though I may not be that confident of it as there is a possible mole, a Nil Apostle that is.
"Aw~ Dancho~ come on~ don't be shy!" She bumped me on the shoulder "You can be pretty cute if it weren't for those rotten eyes of yours" She rustled my already messy hair; I was about to struggle away until a voice started behind us.
"You two are up early" Yajuno let go of me and we turned around to see Officer Sakaki in his police uniform with the same stern expression.
"Yep! We just finished our morning jog!" Yajuno exclaimed.
"Jog huh? Hmmm well…Since Higurashi-Sensei's training won't start today I guess it will be fine however from now on save your energy as much as you can, he will plan a rigorous training for all of you"
"Oh yeah I forgot about that! Yay~ training by the JSDF?! COOL! Right Dancho?" She asked.
If Yajuno's jogging made me want to puke then I don't know what will happen if I was trained by a member of the JSDF…
-2nd Week-
[8th April – Monday]
[ARC Training Grounds]
"Hmmm Hikigaya right?" Higurashi the principal/trainer questioned "I've heard you managed to make a monster flee, you have potential. Class dismissed!" He exclaimed the last part.
After warming up and going through Higurashi-Sensei's training we all were already tired and unsurprisingly some of us puked already. However he decided to see and test out the capabilities of the Alternis Suit and the four Riders including me agreed since wearing it somehow invigorates us. With the other students being spectators we discovered a couple of things.
With a boulder infused with Alternis' aura by a Fusionist we discovered superhuman strength as it was reduced to dust.
As high as we could we jumped, phased touched the ceiling and landed safely uninjured.
The phasing part was hard as we could still stand on the floor but not able to touch anything else as we phased through everything except the floor, we don't know how to control it either so we left it for next time.
Our speed didn't enhanced despite having superhuman strength, I guess we could dash forward using said strength but we still don't know if there's a time limit of sorts for using the Suit and I don't want the transformation to end when I dash and get several broken bones…
And now after Higurashi-Sensei dismissed us, we all were free to do our own things. It's the second day of training and studying and we're all already tired, cramming all of that information in one day is going to be hard and the 'basic' physical exercise was even worse. We had to do 100 pus-
"Dancho-Kun~" I felt someone flick my forehead, snapping me out of my thoughts "The muscle head trained you too much?" I looked up to see Sune smirking at me "You look deader than normal"
"You look like you're up to something…Even when you look dead too" I countered.
"Touché" He laughed and then sat next to me, leaning against the wall with arms behind his head "So how does it feel to be the Top Rider?"
"Top Rider?" I repeated raising a brow.
"Yep! You're the only Rider that has fought a monster before any Rider, too bad you didn't defeat it though but gaining experience as much as you can is also good I guess" He shrugged.
"How could you possibly know I was the only one who fought?" I asked but got an answer from someone else.
"He simply asked us other Riders of course" A boy who looks younger than Nigate approached us, he has brown hair and innocent blue eyes "Hello Hikigaya-Sama, I am Anak Sen Yoom Rider of the 1st Division" In contrast to his age and appearance he spoke with a confident and orderly fashion.
"Oi did you skip a year or something? How old are you, Chibi?" Sune asked with a forced yet curious smile.
"I'm 10 years old" He answered with annoyance "Anyway Hikigaya-Sama, no Rider has fought before so having field experience is quite an achievement considering the closing of portals. Our Informant Yukinoshita has told us through Alternis that you fought a creature called Namuh"
"Yukinoshita?" He nodded "So the information gained is not limited to the monsters…I wonder if all the Alternis we have are linked together or something else…Why are you telling me this?"
"…I have a very stubborn pride of coming on top" He smirked dangerously "And you just confirmed my opinion of you with the bit of information I gave" He added as he walked away.
"…Looks like someone's got a fan~" Sune teased.
"And what do you want anyway?" I asked annoyingly.
"Oh? Is it that obvious?" He asked.
"Considering how long we know each other, no one comes to me unless they need something" Maybe not Yajuno though…Probably… "So? What is it?"
"Hmmm…I guess you could call it an advertisement" He started "If you want information about anything that Tsui-Chan can't give you then you can come to me" He smirked and gave me a card "The fee is pretty cheap. 1000 Yen per question, 2000 Yen for private information, 3000 Yen for materialistic evidence and 20,000 Yen for risky investigations, my services don't go above 20,000 Yen"
The card says 'Kosui Sune's Information Hub'
"A lot of people has already been booking for information lately so I have to go now, a community of teenagers who just loves to poke around, drama and what not is surely a certain young informants heaven" He commented as he stood up and walked away "Since you're our Dancho you'll get a discount of 5%~" He waved.
-3rd Week-
[16th April – Tuesday]
[ARC Training Grounds]
I'm weak without the suit and that's quite evident but Higurashi-Sensei made it even more clearly to me how weak I am.
"Rose and Yoom proved to be the better fighter today, Hikigaya! Kuronawa! You better up your training!" He yelled "Class dismissed!"
This time, after training, he decided to test us with a battle simulation. We had a time limit of 30 minutes to attack and defend against a humanoid bull and every hit we took would cost us 10 points of off our 100 points in defense. Unfortunately I got 60 points while Kuronawa got 45, that Yoom kid 75 and Rose having 90.
In the case of offense though every hit we put on it gives us 10 points, I managed to get a high score of 3000, Kuronawa landed about 1500, Yoom got 2500 and Rose getting an equal high score of 3000.
That was with the Alternis Suit…He also decided to test our fighting skills without it using the same system but with a different and easier foe. I did not do well unfortunately…
"Ah before you all go" He stopped us from leaving "Let me tell you the common sense of fighting; fight with a clear and calm mind, use all of your senses and analyze your opponent as quickly and accurately as you can"
Ever since Higurashi-Sensei's little lesson I've been trying to clear my mind and that proved to be difficult but I think the calmness is achievable, anything unrelated to the spirituality of my being/mind were easier to overcome…Well not that easy actually. Higurashi-Sensei trained us really hard every day including those who do not have any combat abilities, I'm surprised we managed to get used to it and due to that most of us are well built now.
[20th April – Saturday]
[ARC – Cafeteria]
"Oi wanna go watch a movie?"
"I want to train some more…"
"It's fine, it's fine~ not like a portal is gonna open tomorrow"
"Well…I guess I could use a break once in a while"
Usually hearing the conversation that took part behind me as I ate wouldn't trouble me in the slightest but if one were to look at the circumstances of the situation I am a bit troubled. The other students have been lackluster lately resulting to some getting sloppy in their training, influencing others into their apathy and in the worst case scenario skipping every training and even classes.
Call me paranoid or whatever but I would consider us long dead if a portal opens now, if not, half of us.
"I notice you and Nigate have been uploading information like no tomorrow" Of course there were some exceptions to this, the most noticeable ones other than the Riders were Zaimokuza the Creator from the 3rd Division and Yukinoshita the Informant from the 1st Division.
There's always a constant upload of information regarding monsters on the ARC site and most of it came from the 1st Division according to the tablet.
"I'm just doing my part" Yukinoshita replied as she ate her food albeit with shaking hands "How is Nigate-San? I notice she also uploaded an abundance of information" She commented.
"She looks tired just like you" I answered.
"I'm not surprise" She sighed but then narrowed her eyes and whispered "Have you heard anything about the Nil Apostles?"
"No" I shook my head "I was going to consider whether to ask Sune about it but I thought that would be a bad idea"
"Ah yes your Fusionist who is also a real Informant. Hmm I agree, if words goes around of a potential betrayer in the premises it will be hard to keep tabs on everyone" I nodded at the speculation "We should contain the information as long as possible"
"Yeah…I'll see you later then" I said as there was nothing else to talk about.
"Yes you shall" She responded curtly, after finishing my food I left the cafeteria.
[ARC – Training Grounds]
"Hello Hachiman-Dono! Shall we start training early?!"
Meanwhile Zaimokuza has been wrecking up the training grounds, noticeable through the cracks and sliced up walls, floors and even the ceilings. It could've been any Creator if one was to think about it but when Higurashi-Sensei and Raeyana-Sensei were constantly reprimanding him it wasn't that hard to connect the dots.
"They're going to be mad at you again you know?" I reminded sitting down and leaning against the wall nearby him.
"It was never my intention to deteriorate the Training Grounds or the school fund for that matter; I was simply testing my might and the variety of weapons that I have concocted with the help of Professor Haans"
"I see…" Those two are definitely getting along…And Professor Haans must be getting reprimanded too.
"I believe you also notice how our comrades are becoming more and more accommodated to the illusion of the school-like atmosphere yes?" He continued as he slashed and hacked the air "I notice the 1st Division is having a hard time with three of its members"
"Yeah me too" I nodded.
"But it is quite fortunate that some of us know at heart that this place will one day be a place for us to discuss strategies and what not for life-threatening battles. Now shall we bask in the glorious aura of Alternis and train until we break?"
Excluding the last question, everything he said were of good value…With how things are going I was a bit worried that my Divisions Members were also going to be less focused but to my relief they're training harder every day, Eguchi too judging from the lack of playful remarks and being around Officer Sakaki most of the time.
-4th Week-
[24th April – Wednesday]
[ARC Dormitory – James Ale Rose Doorway]
Other than us, the ARC, there are other people that got in contact with Alternis's aura though not as dense, we call these hostiles 'LAU' (Lesser Alternis User). They would usually cause trouble like robbery to hostage situations that the police can't handle; Creators with light armor provided by the Fusionists were enough to handle the situation, that's why I don't know how they use Alternis. However…
"Rose?" I called out as I knocked on the door.
There was this one incident where James Ale Rose was heavily injured, the LAUs managed to kill 10 civilians; 2 children, 4 adults, 4 elders before attacking Rose and then escaped. It was this incident that shook many of us to the core including me but less heavily than the others and it looked like some were even coping with this better than me…well from my eyes anyway.
"What does the 4th Divisions Rider Hachiman Hikigaya-Dono want with my brother?" I turned around to see a stern looking girl with pink-rose colored hair, a tuft of it clipped to the side by a small red rose clip and another tuft tucked behind her left ear, she also had a short low ponytail. Her outfit simply consisted of a white blouse, a pair of black slacks and complemented with a pair of matching high heels.
"Ah hello Rose-San" I bowed, I don't know why but she is making me nervous "I just wanted to ask your brother something but it doesn't look like he will exit his room anytime soon"
I suspect the Nil Apostles are involved in his mission so I wanted to ask Rose what they looked like but he's been shut in his own room ever since he failed his mission.
"I see…I apologize on behalf of my brother" She bowed her head and then moved closer "My name is Janne Ale Rose 3rd Divisions Rider" She raised her hand and I shook it "Glad to officially meet you, I noticed you have been training quite intensely lately, not to soon you'll be able to surpass every Rider" She smiled.
I also noticed several people who were usually all bright and smiles were becoming more and more reclusive including Orimoto.
"Yeah nice to meet you too Rose-San…" Rose-San seems to be an exception though…
"Please call me Janne" She smiled, I was about to decline until she gave me a glare "Or are you too much of a coward like everyone else to accept my intimacy?" I shook my head with haste which made her smile again "Good…Now if you'll excuse me I would like some privacy with my brother" Without wasting a second I walked away but not without catching a glimpse of Rose-San staring forlornly at her brothers door.
-4th Week-
[30th April – Tuesday]
[ARC Training Grounds]
Most of the students have already recovered from Roses' LAU incident; some needing a push from some teachers or their friends and some recovering by themselves but James Ale Rose was still reclusive as he was still shutting himself in his own room.
Things picked up and many of us are developing our skills. Tomatsu, Nigate and I kept training after Higurashi dismissed today's training.
"Hikigaya, wanna know why you're called a Rider?" Tomatsu asked me as she was shooting C. (Compressed Alternis Ammo) at flying wyverns precisely in their eyes using dual black guns "Don't tell me you already know that too?"
"Because we'll be having motorcycles soon" I got a 'tch' as a response.
"H-Hikigaya-Senpai 10 targets, T-Tomatsu-Senpai 50 targets" Nigate said nervously as she approached us with water bottles "I-Is it okay for us to know that Hikigaya-Senpai?"
"Mary-Sensei didn't say it was classified so I think so" I answered "Hey, you two doing okay these days?" I asked.
"Heh you're asking that as if we haven't seen each other for a while" Tomatsu scoffed sulkily, ignoring the question.
"We're okay Hikigaya-Senpai thank you for your concern" Nigate smiled "I just hope Rose- the brother- will be okay"
"I'm sure he'll be okay with a sister like that" Tomatsu dismissed "Anyway I'm gonna hit the hay now see you guys later" She waved as she walked away.
"Ah goodnight, Tomatsu-Senpai!" Nigate yelled and waved "…Shall I help you with your training Hikigaya-Senpai?" She turned to me with a bit of nervousness.
"No that's alright why don't you go to sleep too, my training can be done alone" I declined.
"A-Are you sure? I felt like I was quite distant with everyone lately so I wanted to-"
"Everyone's been distant with everyone and you don't need to worry about it"
"I…I see" She uttered looking down in disappointment.
"…Alright" Sighing through my nose I continued "How about this? You keep an eye on Sune or ask Alternis about anything else other than monsters and tell me if there's any peculiar information" Her expression was dubious for a second but then she brightened up.
"Mhm! Okay Hikigaya-Senpai I'll make sure I'll help a lot"
"I'm glad to hear that but don't exert yourself too much or else I'll have to order Yajuno to feed you…Again" She shuddered at the reminder of being too tired to eat and being semi-force fed by Yajuno.
"A-Alright…Well then goodnight Hikigaya-Senpai, try not to exert yourself too" With that she left.
"…I don't think I can avoid doing that" I said to no one in particular. I pulled out my tablet and pushed a couple of buttons, in an instant the flying wyverns were back "Alternis…If you can hear me…I need more power" I don't know where exactly Alternis is after it deemed me worthy, whether it's in the brain, the heart or the whole human being…Nobody knows and no one seems to care either "Beginning" The familiar starry skin hugged me from out of nowhere as I uttered the word.
My plan is to get to talk with Alternis again by any means necessary. I can't go out to fight the LAUs so I hope an intense training simulation could trigger a response. It's been four weeks already and I haven't been able to use a skill that Alternis could give me other than the suit, if Roses' LAU incident shook us up that bad I can't imagine what would real Wyverns or any monster would do to us.
Unfortunately I failed to connect with Alternis that night too.
-5th Week-
[9th May – Friday]
[ARC Research Facility]
"Tada~!" Professor Haans cheered as he gave us Riders our licenses.
After doing everything we needed to do it was night time and we sat at a round table in the research facility.
"After intense lessons and drive tests for a whole week you all are now worthy of your driver's licenses and without further ado I present you" He turned around and pulled off the blanket that's been hiding our vehicles "Your motorcycles!"
"…It looks awful" I straightforwardly said with a frown.
"Very inelegant" Rose-San agreed, nodding.
"It looks like one of those low-budget childish Kamen Rider motorcycles" Yoom added.
"Oh come on guys!" Professor Haans exclaimed before Kuronawa could add his two cents "This is just a prototype! You guys can request adjustments to modify it to your liking" He sulked and took out a paper and pen "Each bike will receive the same modification by the way. No personal modifications please"
"Less heavy armor but enough to protect what's vital" I recommended.
"Also holsters for our weapons, I request for 10 of them. Five for swords and five for guns" Rose-San said with a finger on her chin.
"Ah can we add an ammunition compartment? Large enough for 10000 C. " Yoom raised his hand.
"I would like it if we could also have a built in homing firearm to complement the ammunition" Kuronawa added.
"The homing dynamic depends on your Creators but I guess we could build a targeting or rotating system where the firearm and C. could be put into" Professor Haans explained "We'll need the Fusionists to somehow make it so the aforementioned items won't phase through"
"Is that all you needed me for?" I asked to which Professor Haans nodded "I'll be at the training grounds then" I turned to leave until a grip of my wrist stopped me.
"Hikigaya-Dono shall we train together?" Rose-San asked "Or better yet how about we hold a bout to once again see who the top Rider really is?" She smiled with a fire in her eyes.
"I guess…We could do that" Maybe this will make Alternis speak to me…Now that I think about it I was only called top Rider because of my experience being known not because of out ranking the other Riders.
"I've seen you training a lot Hikigaya-Sama I hope you won't squirm pathetically" Yoom said standing up from his chair, we all looked towards Kuronawa who reluctantly nodded and followed.
"…YEAH SURE I LOVE YOU GUYS TOO BYE!" Professor Haans yelled out.
[ARC Training Grounds]
"Are we going with an all out fight or in pairs?" Yoom asked excitedly as we all started stretching "I think it'll be better if we all fight at the same time, it'll be quicker that way"
"Well then let's make this an all out fight then, last one standing wins" Rose-San smirked. I didn't say anything as I stretched but I notice Kuronawa looking at me.
"You want to say something to me?" I asked bluntly.
"…It seems Kaori is overestimating you" Orimoto? "Though I am not the best Rider I certainly won't be defeated so easily" He claimed with a glaring determination, I said nothing in return and began transformation as well as the others.
"BEGINNING!" Rose-Sans battle cry startled us as she transformed and dashed towards Kuronawa with a flying punch, he jumped out of the way making her punch the floor instead, resulting for white tile blocks to fly all over.
Wait her Alternis Suit looks different…
As the debris cleared Rose-San phased through the rubble "What's wrong you three?" Her Alternis Suit shone as she dusted some debris off of it even though it just floated down through her "Don't tell me all your training was to simply gawk at nothing?"
"What the-?! How come your suit's like a suit of armor?!" Kuronawa pointed at her dense looking black Alternis plate armor set with a starry cape behind her.
"Oh? You mean this? I-" She couldn't answer as she guarded herself from Yooms' kick.
"Does it matter? We're in the middle of a 'bout' remember?" He reminded and continued with a different target which is me. He dashed forward and stopped instantly in front of me. I thrust my fist forward but only to be met with air "Hehehe this will be my first experimentation on a Rider" I didn't like to hear that so I made a roundhouse kick behind me. No contact again "The girl of royalty isn't the only one with tricks up their sleeves" My sight was gone by the end of that sentence.
"…Tch!" I only clicked my tongue and stood still, focusing on my other senses. I felt a tap on my shoulder and swung the back of my hand towards it only to miss him yet again.
"Oh phooey you still-" A low kick made him fall to the ground- well it sounded like he fell "Ugh! Still retained your sense of touch AND hearing huh?!" He sounded angry… "Fine! Let's see how you'll fare with-" The voice came up above; I did an uppercut and felt a chin connected.
"…Phew" My eyesight returned "You sure are tricky…" I dragged him at a safer distance and then approached the two other Riders.
"AGH!" Rose-San with black aura surrounding her, body checked Kuronawa who fell unconscious.
Make that one Rider.
"The way you fought wasn't as elegant as I expected" I commented as we started circling around.
"I'm very sorry for my inelegance but Kuronawa forced my hand and I suspect you also have an ability that we don't know" Kuronawa has a trick too?!
"I guess you could say that" I have no fucking ability other than the Suit! "Hmph!" Deciding to take action I turn back and ran from her.
"Wha-?! Is this your way of fighting?! If it is, stop! You look pathetic!" She yelled as she gave chase.
"I've been called worse!" I replied and only continued to ran; this went on for a long time until I felt her aura.
"ENOUGH!" Here comes the body check! I turned around, raised a fist and aimed it as precisely at her face as possible, in an instant it came into contact with the right side of her armored face and she fell backwards "Eh?" I fell down a second later with my elbow aimed at the stomach of her armor, a shattering sound occurred as we made contact with the floor "…You win" Rose-San sighed as her suit of armor kept shattering and vaporized into nothing "Heh…You even ended my transformation for me…"
"So…Do you guys mind telling me how come you all have an ability other than the Alternis Suit?" I asked as we all sat in a circle, not wearing the suit with slight bruises and injuries after our quick fight.
"Wait, you don't have an ability other than the suit?" Kuronawa asked wide eyed.
"Che! Why should Hikigaya-Sama even receive another ability? He already proved he can fight without an extra ability" Yoom grumbled sulkily as his back was turned to us.
"That's remarkable Hikigaya-Dono! That means you have fought us as if you were naked!" Ignoring Rose-San's strange comment I asked her something else.
"When did you receive it, Rose-San?" I asked the female Rider.
"Call me Janne…" She grumbled with a slight glare and then put a finger on her chin "Hmmm I can't remember when exactly but maybe two days after my brother failed his mission" I turned to the other two and received a similar answer- 'X days after Rose failed his mission'- "However I didn't felt 'receiving an ability' instead I felt as if my 'Alternis Suit was upgraded"
"Upgraded?" I repeated.
"…R- Janne-San, before getting the upgrade did you thought heavily about something?" Kuronawa asked after a short moment of thinking.
"Ah I might have" She answered and then scratched her cheek a bit timidly "Or rather there was a rather heavy incident involving a flurry of emotions"
"What was it?" Yoom turned around curiously.
"I-I rather not tell…" She dismissed but then glanced at me "However due to Hikigaya-Dono's lack of an upgrade I shall share my thoughts"
"Thank you" I genuinely said and bowed my head.
"R-Raise your head you fool" I did so and waited "…Ahem! I don't know what made the Alternis Suit to be upgraded so I'll start with…After a brief chat with Hikigaya-Dono…"
"Please call me Janne" I smiled at the strange fish eyed looking Hachiman Hikigaya-Dono and then glared at him "Or are you too much of a coward like everyone else to accept my intimacy?" He shook his head energetically making me smile "Good…Now if you'll excuse me I would like some privacy with my brother" He walked away quickly after that- He must be busy- I turned towards my brothers room and felt my smile turn into a gloomy frown before knocking.
"Sister…Please go away" His voice was hoarse and it lacked the timid tone he would usually have "I want to be alone" Despite his plead, I can hear him positioning himself on the door.
"…Brother this is no way to live, if you keep this up the abyss you're in will only become deeper" I called out and then thought carefully of my words "We are representatives of the Rose Royalty, though we are small, we are mighty and-"
"Enough" He cut me off and despite the weak tone I felt my words disappear from my tongue "This is Japan sister and our insignificant royalty is not known…And even if it is known…Strip us off of our riches and famed royal titles and tell me…What do we have and who are we?"
"That is besides the point Brother, I-!"
"10 Civilians were killed Sister! How can I live after seeing the LAUs torturing four children, keeping the two parents barely alive to let them witness it and the four elders who became playthings for LAUs?"
He would've shouted those words if not for his hoarseness.
"And what did I do…? I just laid down on the pavement filled with injuries, pathetically worried over myself…Myself, Sister! I just wanted to run away from the scene to safety…Tell me how could I live after committing such a pathetic cowardice…?" I could hear him sobbing by the end of the descriptive play by play.
"…Please" I squatted down and touched the door where his head could be leaned on "Do not kill yourself…Both you and I know that you are not that hopeless as to throw your life away" After waiting for a response that never came I stood up and walked away.
-2 Days Later-
After another failed attempt of talking to my brother, I returned to my quarters to sleep. He ceased talking after the only conversation we had and when I felt so worried I assumed he really might have committed suicide and threatened to destroy his door but a soft thump on it made me not do so.
"Brother…" I couldn't sleep as the conversation with my brother kept repeating over and over in my head "How could you-?!" I felt tears streaming down my cheeks and I gritted my teeth "I…I thought so highly of you…And yet…You displayed such pathetic actions…" I pushed the incident he described from my mind and tried focusing on another part of the conversation.
"Tell me how could I live after committing such a pathetic cowardice…?"
I felt myself cringed at the reminder of my brothers instinctive display but felt the need to mull over this…If I have done what Brother had done…What would I do? I would…Keep their deaths forever ingrained in my memory and-…But Brother is not as mentally strong as me so…I shall remember the civilians and think of how they could've enjoyed their life if I were stronger …Yes that's what Brother should do…Maybe this will help him…
"Strip us off of our riches, our famed royal titles and tell me…What do we have and who are we?"
The question popped itself into my head…We would have nothing if that were the case…No property…No food…No weapons…No Ale…The only thing I would have is…Ah…A sibling…That's what I have- That's who I have- That's who we are! And I just stood there like a fool and claimed how it didn't matter!
"Brother!" I called out as I knocked on the door "Give me two thumps if you are awake" I received just that "Brother…This must not continue any further…You have not consumed any food for two days and I am worried that you have fallen too deep" I started determinedly "If you do not speak I shall destroy this door and drag you out of there" I threatened and received no answer "Fine then…" I uttered and proceeded to kick the door open.
"Wait…So that's what woke me up in the middle of the night…But…" I stopped Rose-San's retelling "Couldn't you just use Alternis to enter and then open it from the inside or something?" I asked and could see her cheek rising in temperature.
"I-I apologize for interrupting your slumber" She answered after collecting herself "But it was necessary to show my brother that I was serious"
"Sure…" Yoom commented "I find that very believable"
"S-Silence child!" She exclaimed "Ahem after that…"
"Sister…" The long bangs of his rose blonde hair covered his face "Please leave me be…" He was a mess…He was almost out off all his bandages though still in casts but…He and the room smelt awful and dirty.
"Enough Brother!" Despite that I found myself hugging my sibling "This is no way to live" I withheld the tears as I saw the Alternis Knife Gun on his night table.
"You were right Sister I am hopeless…I couldn't even pull the trigger nor drag the knife…And I'm too scared of a painful death so I didn't made a knot" He covered his face with the palms of his hands and started bawling "So so pathetic…"
"…Listen Brother" I said as I couldn't withheld my fury anymore "Is this how you want it to be?!" I grabbed his shoulder and turned him towards me "What do you think the civilians AND Clara would do if they saw you like this?!" The question evidently made him flinch "You must be strong James Ale Rose! Think of how they would have enjoyed their life if you were stronger! Think of how other families could have enjoyed their lives if we all were stronger!"
"What does it matter? They are dead…And Clara soon will possibly be wedded with another man" He uttered avoiding my gaze; I grabbed his collar and chin, making him look at me.
"Yes they are and no she won't!" I shook him, a vain attempt to snap him out of it "However it is your duty to protect everyone who are like them and it is my duty to protect you for Clara!" As I shook him the bangs fell from his face and revealed teary cool orange eyes, the perfect contrast of mine.
"…H-How? T-This isn't the small peaceful kingdom of Ale" He cried rubbing his eyes "We were supposed to be just transfer students Sister! I was looking forward to learning their culture so much, the food, the technology, the train station system and the anime- so much things!" He looked up and then smiled forlornly at me "The only danger I expected were a couple of delinquents taking my lunch money or the yakuza keeping me hostage and you would always be there along with our potential friends to defeat everyone and save me"
"Yes I would do that" I smiled sadly at the things we could have had "We could've had everything" I started crying as well "Riches, knowledge and…Friends"
"…Tell me…How can I protect everyone?"
"Together with me" I stood up and reached out for him "And our 'potential friends'" I added realizing he- we are not alone "There are 20 students here, certainly more than one could become our friends" I smiled "And I have found one already" I said remembering the fish eyed Hikigaya-Dono.
"Sister…" His gaze lingered at my open hand for a second until he claimed it "Yes…We must protect everyone…Me" He began as life came back into his cool orange eyes "You" I noticed floating stars flicker for a fraction of a second in his eyes "And our friends!" He cheered as we hug, I felt my eyes twitch a little but I dismissed it as the overwhelming feelings that took place this night.
"I'm glad you're fine now" I uttered as we separated.
"So after making sure that he will be fine, cleaning him and his room I left him to recover but occasionally checking up on him too" She ended and then looked towards us.
"…Wow…Heavy…" Yoom commented after several seconds of silence.
"Yoom-Kun!" Kuronawa chided angrily.
"Hahahaha it's fine, Yoom-Dono made an appropriate comment" She dismissed with a wave of her hand, making Yoom poke his tongue out at Kuronawa who was obviously annoyed by him.
"What were his injuries by the way?" I asked trying to ignore how she considered me as a friend.
"Several severe burns on the back, multitudes of fractures and massive blood lost due to an abundant of cuts" I flinched at the report, it's a lot worse than past injuries experienced by the others in their own missions "Though I have an inkling that he was tortured"
"What makes you say so?" Kuronawa asked.
"Brother's mind may not be as strong as mine but he is still mentally stronger than anyone I know" She explained "On top off the tortuous injuries, the inevitable fate of the civilians must've shook him and made him blame himself" She ended bitterly "Once I find out who exactly those LAUs are I will pay them back in kind" She glared dangerously.
"…So you saw floating stars in your brothers eyes?" I asked after thinking for a while.
"Yes though I can't say that it wasn't my imagination" She answered and then we all went into our respective thinking poses.
"…Haaah I can't think of anything" I sighed in defeat "What about you guys? How you got your upgrades?"
"Hmph! Why should I tell you, Hikigaya-Sama? You already won damn it!" Yoom yelled making me flinch a bit "…I'm going to sleep!" He exclaimed and then exited the training grounds…What's that kid's problem?
"I believe I shall also take my leave" Kuronawa said standing up "As for your question, I rather not tell specifically how but it was a similar event I believe" With that he walked away, sighing through my nose I turned towards Rose-San.
"Sorry Rose-San despite telling me something personal I couldn't think of anything but thank you very much for telling" I bowed my head again.
"…Tell me Hikigaya-Dono why do you keep calling me with such name?" I looked up to see a confused expression "Are we not friends?" She asked.
"…No we are not…We are merely acquaintances if not comrades-in-arms" I explained "In Japan close friends call each other with their first names, this is called first name basis meanwhile we call each other with our last names" I pointed out.
"Then why don't we call each other by first names?" She asked with a raised brow.
"Because we're not that closely intimate" I answered.
"How does one become closer then?" Her face visibly became more quizzical.
"I don't know? Spending time together? Get to know each other? Don't you have friends back at this Ale Kingdom?" I questioned, scratching the back of my head.
"Well it's quite difficult to explain actually" I nodded and tried to say something to get out of this "What do you think when you hear the word Ale?" She suddenly asked.
"Hm?" That's a strange question… "I think of alcohol" She laughed.
"Hahahaha I see…Have you read the general things about me Hikigaya-Dono?" I nodded "Then you know that I came from the Kingdom Of Ale ruled by the Rose Royalty in Britain" I nodded again "Here's what you don't know…A story of how the Rose Royalty and Kingdom of Ale came to be…A traveling Dutchman who hailed from an unknown land and sold alcoholic beverages everywhere he went had yondered over Britain, he had setup business at a not so profitable empty location but he waited so very patiently and poof! Fertile soil, an abundance of water supply, perfect route placement and so many more profitable advantages"
That's some luck his got or…Wonder if he was magic…If Alternis exits then who says magic doesn't?
"The man branded his beverages 'Rose' on behalf of his red rose hair that he's proud of and the man himself was a noble named 'Ale' which in Dutch literacy translated into Noble!" She exclaimed with an innocent smile "His business continued to thrive and little by little he expanded. From a small shack nearby a trade route to a small kingdom with high walls and armored mercenaries! By the time I was to rule the kingdom with my brother I had already gained everything I needed except…"
"…Friends?" I asked remembering her story.
"And many more" She nodded "I never had the time nor the interest. I was too busy preparing myself for the responsibility of a ruler; though Brother was preparing at the same rate I did, a girl managed to make him a tiny bit sloppy" She smiled nostalgically "Clara was her name and though she was a commoner, she was genuinely welcomed by everyone, both royalty and commoners, even I who was much more solitary back then welcomed her with open arms"
"Years later she became the lover and fiancé of James Ale Rose, however" She frowned and crossed her arms weakly "Father and Mother had decided to transfer me to Japan where I will bring back its knowledge, culture and technology. Brother wanted to come with me but he, Father and Mother considered Clara's feelings and so after a long discussion in the end Clara became a lover who waited" She rubbed the incoming tears away "The potential of her lovers death not even being in the back of her mind…"
I didn't know what to say but I felt the need to stop her "It's getting late-"
"Hahaha please do not console me" She laughed off after a quick breathe in and out "Mhm…Anyways though I felt remorseful for letting Clara have that fate I prioritized my kingdoms future plus, unlike Brother, nothing and no one has me in chains back there"
"You don't?" I asked with wide eyes and it seemed like she knew what I meant.
"T-Though many have courted me for my hand in marriage I couldn't find myself to love strangers' haha…" She laughed timidly covering her cheeks "Plus I was more reclusive remember?" She smiled with closed eyes.
"Oh right" I said, well at least she knows how to love someone.
"After a year in Japan we have grown accustomed to it, though I wished the students at Reikaku High would leave my Brother and I alone. Haaah it really is annoying to be courted everywhere we go" She sighed "We couldn't make friends because of that"
…If it weren't for how…she is I would've slap her right now…
"Not too soon though we received an envelope pertaining details of CYTI but after a short conversation with the officials we accepted ARC and here we are!" She exclaimed with open arms and then pointed at me "Now tell me how you got here Hikigaya-Dono!"
"Err first of all what are you doing?" I asked after realizing something "What's the point of telling me all of this?" Plus I feel really bothered by how much personal stuff she has already told me.
"Hm? Are we not spending time together and getting to know each other like you said?" She asked with a confused expression "In order to come to first name basis we need to gain an intimacy deserving of such basis am I wrong?!" She exclaimed with a victorious smirk.
"Now hold on a sec!" I calmed her down "How are you so…ugh" I grumbled lowly "Haven't you learnt anything related to socializing in your preparation?" I asked now that I think about it. No way can an heiress to a throne be this…socially dumb?
"The only purpose of socializing with other people is to have beneficial business partners in my kingdom" She answered "I do occasionally talk to Clara but she did not had anything beneficial and her family were farmers"
Well she's more secluded than I thought…
"Hikigaya-Dono?" I looked up to see her hopefully staring at me and then lowered her stare "Am I prying too much?"
On the contrary I was the one who pried…Unintentionally maybe but…Still pried…
"Haaaah, no you're not" I can't believe I was lead to a trap like this "Well when I was going to school…" She listened closely…Too close for comfort…
-Retelling Of Half of Chapter 1, 2 And Half Of 3 Later-
"And that's how I got recruited" I ended.
"So you are also fighting for the future" She smiled proudly "I commend you for that"
"Not like I'm special or anything everyone here is generally fighting for that" I dismissed as I stood up "I think we passed curfew so I'll go to sleep now" I reached out for her to which she grabbed but not without a question.
"Does this mean we can go on first name basis?" She smiled as she walked besides me.
"No" I answered and before she could retort I continued "But I guess I could call you Rose and your brother Rose-San" I felt my eyes twitch at the end of that sentence.
"Hikigaya! Your eyes just had floating stars!" Rose suddenly exclaimed "You're Alternis must have been upgraded!"
"What…? But what triggered it…?" I started to mull over it until I felt Rose hugging me and spinning me around.
"Hahahahah who cares?! You have grown stronger!" She cheered happily "Also I will call you Hikigaya now that we have bonded successfully!"
"Let me go!" My voice fell on deaf ears as she continued to spun me around laughing all the while- How the heck did I defeat this woman?!
[10th May – Saturday]
[ARC Cafeteria]
"Hey~ Dancho-Kun~" It's breakfast time and Sune had slid over to my personal space "I heard that you've been hitting it up a notch with the Royalty Lady"
"You're talking about Hikigaya right?" Tomatsu questioned as she also put her tray on the table "The guy who doesn't spend much time with us suddenly getting intimate with this Janne Ale Rose girl?" She narrowed her eyes at me almost angrily even…I think.
"What the heck did you guys heard?" I really need to find out who the rumor spreader is "We just talked a bit and that's it"
"What~?" Yajuno crashed in this time as she plopped her tray onto the table "That wasn't what Yoom-Kun said" That little brat… "He even saw you spinning around in each other's arms-" She stopped talking as Nigate came to the table quietly with her tray of food.
"Good morning Senpais" She smiled shyly then looked at me with a slight nervousness "H-How are you Hikigaya-Senpai?"
"Morning Nigate, I'm fine" I replied.
"Anyway Dancho! Dancho! How does it feel being in a relationship with royalty?" Yajuno asked excitedly.
"For the last time we're-"
"Being friends with Hikigaya is certainly a delightful achievement considering his rather neutrally evasive nature at first" Rose's voiced started, we turned to her as she approached us "Good morning members of the 4th Division" She greeted with a smile.
"Morning" I greeted back while the rest returned the greeting, some albeit evasively.
"What do you need?" Tomatsu asked with a neutral tone and expression.
"I thought it would be nice to say hello to Hikigaya and his Division here" She nodded towards me "Oh also, Brother will be able to see you later"
"Got it" I responded.
"Now then do you mind if we have a joint breakfast between Divisions?" She asked nudging her head towards her Division who was subtly glancing over "I thought we could loosen the group/pack like nature that has integrated in our way of 'school life'" She smiled as she ended the suggestion.
"I don't think we need to do that" Tomatsu answered quickly "I mean it's not like-"
"Hey~ that's a pretty good idea!" Sune cheered "I might as well grow my influence a bit"
"I thought you informants were supposed to do things secretly" Yajuno said, raising a brow "But yeah! We definitely should eat breakfast together!"
"I-I think so too" Nigate added nervously "W-We could- should be a lot more comfortable with each other" She said more to herself than us it sounds like.
"Wha- But guys!" I cut Tomatsu off.
"We can if everyone wants to" I voiced out after some thinking "The pack-like nature needs to be dealt with and having breakfast together is the first step we need to take. If we don't take it, I doubt the 2nd and 1st Division will" Plus I need to get over my past with Orimoto, my avoiding of her will definitely become a drawback for me sooner or later "And we need everyones agreement on this" I said to Tomatsu.
"…Haaah alright but only because you think it'll make things better" She replied.
"Great! I shall tell the others to join the tables" She smiled "Good thing the round tables can be folded in half and joined!" She cheered as she walked away.
"…I can't believe you're agreeing to this Hikigaya" Tomatsu commented.
"Royalty Lady and Dancho-Kun is right, Tom-San" Sune called, making Tomatsu a bit irate "I feel like being in a school right now with how there are 'social groupings/boundaries' and how easy it is getting information. If a LAU wanted to extract information from us through methods we don't want to go through, we'll be dead already…Right, Dancho-Kun?" He ended, smiling at me.
"Hey there Hikigaya-Kun!" Someone called my name as I felt my back being slapped "Long time no see!" Orimoto said "You've been training a lot so I thought you didn't want to see anyone" She said with a nervous tone and smile as she sat next to me.
"I guess you could say that" Looks like she knows I've been avoiding her.
"Hikigaya" Zaimokuza greeted me with a nod after he joined the tables, I nodded back in return.
"This is the guy you've been talking so highly about Kaori?" A girl who I think is Chika Nakamachi asked the brunette who's cheek was reddening and I felt myself getting a bit flustered.
Kuronawa also said she's overestimating me…I don't know what she talked about with her friends regarding me…But it's pretty obvious to see that she talked positively, if not neutrally, about me.
"He looks pretty weird" Another girl with a black middle-parted short hairstyle, an expressionless face with white eyes, a scar over the left one said and I don't know if she was being polite or not "Rose-San is it really okay to eat breakfast with these people?" She wore a simple white shirt that says 'Shirt'; a pair of black slacks that says 'Slacks' on each pant and a pair of red crocs which I suspect has 'Crocs' on the bottom.
"What do you mean these people huh?!" Yajuno exclaimed slamming the table.
"Yajuno"
"But Dancho-"
"I apologize, Inami-Dono doesn't think heavily before voicing her words" Rose apologized while bowing with Inami who's head had been leaned down a bit by Rose.
"Well alright…" Yajuno uttered after receiving a nod from me indicating that it was okay "Let's get eating then…" So we did just that and although it was a bit awkward we managed to get used to it after a couple of minutes.
"So let me get this straight, you have never talked to anyone your age before?" Sune asked Inami.
"Yes. Is that strange?" She questioned, sipping her drink.
"Well with the right known circumstances it might not" He answered.
"Ah then I have the right known circumstances" She commented, not realizing how she avoided Sune's line of questioning.
"Tch you're pretty good" Sune remarked as if he knows she is avoiding giving information to him.
"…Are you seriously collecting information in front of us?" Nakamachi asked incredulously "What kind of Informant are you?"
"The kind who has easy customers" He grinned.
"Minus one" Yajuno grinned back, nudging Inami who was rather confused at the gesture.
"Why are you nudging me?" She asked apprehensively.
"Uh that's just a friendly gesture Inami" Nakamachi smiled crookedly, Inami who took the information literally began to nudge Yajuno back.
"Hey don't nudge me! I nudge you!" The two began to nudge each other after that.
"So Hikigaya" While the others were distracted with Yajuno's and Inami's antics, Orimoto decided to start a conversation with me "Um how have you been doing lately?" She asked awkwardly.
"Fine" I answered curtly "How about you?" I asked back.
"Oh I'm fine I'm fine…" She answered "I see you accustomed yourself to this whole Alternis Situation" She commented with a grin after a while.
"I don't know, when a portal opens I'm pretty sure I won't be as accustomed as I am now" I brushed off; knowing things won't be as relaxing in the future.
"Hey come on, you need to be more confident of yourself" She reprimanded "You trained a lot harder than anyone else, keep an eye on your Division members and not to mention you have some experience fighting a real monster!" She smiled.
"It's not my self-confidence I'm worried about" I responded, feeling a bit strange of how she listed the things I did "My worry lies in the other Division" Other than the Nil Apostle problem that is. I glanced at Inami "Do you guys have a hard time with her?" I asked quietly.
"Not always" She answered thoughtfully "The only problem we had with her was with simple things like socializing and stuff, she's very good in fighting than any of us almost as good as Janne" She explained "Her fashion sense is unique I give her that" She added giving a thumbs up to Inami who responded kindly with an expressionless face.
"Then that leaves my worry to the 1st and 2nd Division" I said looking at the other Divisions. In the 1st Division, Yoom and Yukinoshita were having breakfast without the other three members while the 2nd Division, Sagami, Shiromeguri and Kuronawa were having a silent breakfast, Kuronawa glancing over here occasionally.
"You're not gonna go and settle the other Divisions problems are you?" She asked wide eyed.
"No that would be stupid" I answered "I'm sure Yukinoshita can handle it herself and I don't know what's up with the 2nd Division other than Kuronawa who, I think, hates me" I don't know the reason though.
"Hmmm Kuronawa hating someone…Can't imagine that, you must be really special Hikigaya-Kun, I've never seen or heard of him hating someone"
"…Should I be glad or something?" I asked in disbelief and not a second later after that, the bell rang.
"See you later Hikigaya-Kun?" She asked to which I nodded, everyone began to disperse and saying their goodbyes to each other excluding Tomatsu who was silent throughout breakfast…
Despite Tomatsu's behavior I would say the joint breakfast was a successful first step towards teamwork. I had a normal conversation with Orimoto but can't say we became friends with just that, of course my intention was not to befriend her but to establish or reform, maybe, our relationship as neutral acquaintances and In that regard we successfully did so.
[ARC Dormitory – James Ale Rose's Room]
"I've heard from Sister that you wanted to ask me about my mission a few weeks ago, is that right Hikigaya-Kun?" James Ale Rose asked as he propped himself on the beds headboard.
"If you don't mind that is" I asked for courtesy's sake "I know it's a sensitive subject" I added.
"Hahaha I don't mind" He laughed, brushing off a strand of his long blonde rose hair from his face, revealing his cool orange eyes and soft smile "What would you like to know?" He asked with an inviting smile.
"Have you finished any other mission before the recent one?" I began.
"Yes and by comparison the one I failed was the hardest mission and difficult moment in my whole life" He answered with closed eyes and a frown "Fortunately I survived"
"Yeah, many of us were glad you came back alive" I commented truthfully "Were there any peculiar things regarding the LAUs you encountered?"
"Now that you ask…Hm…They were wearing matching uniforms and kept murmuring…Or more like chanting something" Registering my inquisitive look he continued "I can't exactly remember but…They wore orange robes, a circle with many strange runes on the chest area in white and they kept chanting along the words; hope and despair as well as many synonyms"
"I see…I think that will be all I need. Thank you Rose-San" I thanked and bowed "I hope you have a smooth recovery"
"You're welcome and don't worry I'm already half-recovered" He smiled and before I stood up he asked me something "Um Hikigaya-Kun has my sister been any trouble to you?"
"No she hasn't, considering we just became more acquainted with each other just a few days ago" I said carefully.
"Ah I see" He responded "Heh she told me about your rather evasive nature but you are friendlier than I thought…Why do you keep to yourself, Hikigaya-Kun?"
"…It's just how I am" I answered semi-truthfully.
"Alright then" He nodded with a smile and doubt in his tone "Have a nice day Hikigaya-Kun, sorry if the information I gave was least than satisfying"
"It's something to start with at least" I nodded and then walked away "See you soon" I bid my goodbye as I closed the door.
Alright…Orange robes with circle runes and chanting hope as well as despair…These LAUs might be the Orange Robe Leader that I saw in the video Raeyana-Sensei showed me…So there might be rankings in this Nil Apostles group or possibly another third party…Tch there's not enough information…
[11th May – Sunday]
[ARC First Floor Lobby]
"Onii-Chan!" Komachi waved at me as I exited the elevator.
Throughout the 5 weeks I have spent in ARC, I felt a bit nauseous once I thought of how many things I dealt with and if it weren't for Komachi's graceful presence on every weekend, I don't know what I would have done…
"Yo Komachi" I nodded with a small smile as I reached her "Missed me?"
"We just met a week ago Onii-Chan" She deadpanned with a smile "…Who are them?" She pointed behind me.
"Huh? Who-" I turned around to see my Division Members, Rose and her Division Members "What are you all doing here?"
"It's Tom-San's idea" Inami answered which made Tomatsu glare at Sune "She said to find out who that little girl is" She pointed at Komachi who was eyeing the situation in amusement.
"Could she be your fiancée?" Rose asked albeit nervously.
"Pfffft definitely not!" Komachi scoffed, holding back her laughter "I'm his cute little sister, Komachi Hikigaya! Nice to meet cha!" She introduced herself cutely "Who're they Onii-Chan? You're friends?" She asked with a proud smile.
I looked towards them and contemplated the answer…Shortly.
"Yeah I guess you could say that" I answered simply.
"…Are you adopted?" Sune asked me.
"Don't be rude!" Tomatsu reprimanded, hitting him on the head.
[ARC Dormitory – Hachiman Hikigaya's Room]
(Welcome back human)
…Alternis?
(The time has come for you to receive the ability I have reserved for you)
How come you didn't sooner?
(You have acknowledged the object that you have been denying, thereforeunblocking your spirit and enabling for me to reach you)
This is the second time we've met and you're being vague?
(Simply put, you have acknowledged that you are not alone human)
…I just said 'Yeah I guess you could say that' and that was enough to make me acknowledge I have…friends?
(Words are mere words in the face of your feelings)
Haaaah…What are you anyway?
(I am many things, you know me as a portal but in truth I am more than that)
And that is?
(I am the Barrier Of The Universe, the very being that is preventing the co-existence of several worlds and universes…And with the permission of Time I shall bestow upon you the ability to see the absolute future)
Such an overpowered ability exists…Can't say I'm surprised after everything I went through and heard though…
(This ability, in actuality, is the weakest)
Why?
(Rarely do you receive a vision of a future and with lack of attention this ability will become a waste; however I believe you will be a competent user)
I see…I have so many questions to ask like-
(Unfortunately we will cease our discussion)
Huh?
(It seems Faith is interfering with our-)
[12th May – Monday]
[ARC Dormitory – Hachiman Hikigaya's Room]
"Ngh…Alternis?" I called out as I woke up groggily "Faith …? Damn it…" How many…Things are there? Alternis, Time, Faith, Nil, the Orange Robes…I swear if another one- whatever pops up I'll resort to using Sune's services. At least I'll get a discount so- "AGH!" My head started throbbing and my vision darkened until…
"Stop!"Tomatsu yelled as she, as well as several of my other comrades, tried standing back up to fight back but failed.
"Because of Time I exist" A black humanoid shaped body said as it approached me, I automatically raised my hand in the air and grabbed a weapon hybrid of a lance and sword "I must not exist therefore I shall make Time become Nil" The being said unwaveringly and dashed forward, I did so too and we clashed weapons. Mine disappeared without a trace and before whatever happened to me happened; I heard several people calling out my name, high pitched screams and lastly cries of regrets.
I disappeared into nothingness.
"Haaaaaah!" I gasped for air as I regained consciousness "Hah…Hah…Hah…I…I…Disappeared…?"
CHAPTER 3
ABSOLUTE OUTCOME
END