HAPPY NEW YEARS EVE!

I am SO glad to finish this volume before 2023 begins!

Before we began, however, I need to let you something VERY important: I have changed Elliot Gudenburg's name to "Elias Gudenburg", because it sounds more like a royalty name.

Enjoy


Volume 4
Gardens Crisis

Prologue

The hometown of Kisaragi Haname is situated in the west of the Empire of Yamato, which is in the huge continent of Eurasia that comprises the European continent and the Assyrian region.

Qin Empire is located almost in the center of it. A large-scale Savage annihilation operation involving 12 countries and 3 organizations in a mountainous region of more than 6,000 meters height along the border with the Republic of Ural, the Empire of Mongolia and the Federation of Rasiya titled 《Operation: Bird in Cage》took place half a month ago.

Unfortunately, not all the Savages that were aimed at the operation could be exterminated.

Because the operation was interrupted due to the attack of the three hunters who are artificial Variants and the dragon type Savage, they fell into a continuous state of battle, and the Slayers who were participating were seriously injured.

As a result, and despite dropping sharply, there are still some existences of them in that place as several Savages could be confirmed with satellite photographs.

Therefore, it was decided that a joint operation was to be carried out again, combining both the extermination of the remaining Savages and the search of unknown Savages like the dragon type.

However, in that operation—in the second 《Operation: Bird in Cage》 not a single member of Little Garden is participating in it.

The vital and energy of the members of Selections, including Haname and co. who participated in the previous operation, had been considerable exhausted and returned to Little Garden because they had captured the trio of hunters.

The ones participating in the operation this time are the Slayers of countries and organization that remained in Qin Empire and had relatively suffered small damage in the previous battle.

Among them are Al Harlech who belongs to Al-Salaam and Wendell Velvet who belongs to the army of Liberia, they followed operation actions with Laetitia and the others.

Though they were attacked by the hunters, they were hurt enough to the extent that their armaments cancelled but got minor injuries.

Two weeks later, their vital and sense energies were completely recovered and decided to participate in the operation.

80% of the participants are in the second operation.

With that much, the second 《Operation: Bird in Cage》 was progressing favorably.

From noon to night when the operation started, the number of Savages exterminated was 12.

The Savages remaining in the area have already been reduced to 10.

Wendell and Al who are also in the same team this time, were exploring apart from the tent stretched around the top of the mountain late at night.

Since they are in the midst of the operation, they are, of course, wearing their Variable Suits.

– Wait a moment, Wendell. Something moved ahead just now.

Al, who was walking ahead, suddenly stopped his feet.

Wendell also stops his feet and strains his eyes.

– Certainly, that's the case.

The distant grass is swaying.

Moreover, it's gradually approaching to where they are.

– Hide.

– Okay.

Wendell hides himself in the shadow of the big tree, following Al who moved first.

– I'll check to see if it's a Savage or not.

Al peeked at the moving grass while hiding half of his body at the tree trunk.

What he saw was the figure of a grotesque life form with a darkened steel shell.

– Look, it's quite small!

From behind Al, Wendell also confirms the figure of the Savage.

– Certainly, it's around 2 times smaller than a normal type, isn't it?

One could say that it's over-all length is 3 meters and its height around 2 meters.

– If it's only one, then it can be dealt with a single person, don't ya think?

– Please wait!

Trying to jump out towards the direction of the Savage, and without a moment's delay, Wendell took the arm of Al.

– If we are going to fight, we have to contact everyone. That's the rule.

It was decided by the operation that to head towards a perfect situation, they have to keep in touch in case they enter a battle act other than in an emergency situation.

But, Al showed a confident smile like saying "don't worry"

– The enemy is smaller than a normal type. That's not necessary. There's no Savage that I haven't finished off so far, I must show that guy my true strength here as a proud Slayer of Al-Salaam. Otherwise, Al-Salaam will be treated with contempt.

– But, there may be other Savages…. Besides, that Savage, the color of the pattern of its body is red. Despite the other Savages being yellow…

– The grass on the other places isn't moving and what's with the color again? You are going to watch my fight from here.

– Wait, Al!

Shaking off the arm of Wendell, Al jumps out from the other side of the tree and deploys the Hundred that was already grasped tightly in his hand.

HUNDRED ON!

The body of the boy is covered with a golden light.

What appeared in both hands is a weapon similar to a willow leaf dagger. The width of the blade is very wide.

It's the Phalanx type Hundred of Al, 《Blazing Fighting Spirit》 Braveheart.

– Here I go!

Kicking the earth, Al swoops down on the Savage.

However, at the same time he catches hold of the whole body with his eyes, he had an uncomfortable feeling and stopped moving.

– What is, this thing…?

There's no core in the head.

On the contrary, no core was found anywhere in its body.

When looking properly, there are two eyes in the center of the head but there's only one, and it doesn't have long tactile.

– What the hell is this thing? Hey…!

– Al, be careful!

Something protruded from the back of the Savage in a forward-bent posture.

Al stares at it.

It's a wire with something like a kunai on the tip.

By a hair's breadth, Al dodged it with a jump and starts slashing at the Savage with the blades of both hands.

However, he was able to slightly scratch the steel shell.

He wasn't able to tear it.

Still, Al never gave up.

– Damn!

He spits out and jumps, trying to cut at the steel shell of the Savage once again.

(What the hell is that one-eyed thing? A few seconds ago, a Savage of this size left me unable to load energy into my weapons. If it doesn't have a core, if I strike it loading my weapons with all my energy, then I should be able to slaughter it, cutting its flesh—)

Thinking so, Al tried to strike the two daggers against the steel shell,

– Al, avoid it!

The voice of Wendell that resounded like a shriek, informs about the danger.

Becoming disconcerted and turning his neck, what slips through the many trees is a long straight beam that came into view.

(What, the…?)

The beam is approaching before his eyes, it seems unlikely that he can dodge it in his current condition.

– —guah!

Al received a direct hit of the beam that he didn't predict and is knocked down on the ground.

– Tsk, there was another Savage!?

While enduring the pain, he picks up the two daggers that fell to the ground and tried to stand up.

But just there, when he tried to attack a little while ago, the pincers of a Savage approached.

Feeling the sense of danger that Al had not noticed there yet,

– Al, it's dangerous! …aah!

A sorrowful voice leaks out from the mouth of Wendell as he tried to push down Al.

As they entangle themselves together, they flopped onto the ground.

– … kh, I'm glad, I managed to save you somehow…

As he says so, Al knitted his brows, looking at the cold sweat that started to suspend on the forehead of Wendell who repeats short sighs over and over again.

– Somehow? You—

Immediately afterwards, Al felt the sensation of a thick liquid in his hand which was shaped to surround the back of Wendell.

– This is…

Checking his hand, Al was shocked.

– Isn't this blood…? Hey, Wendell! You, the shriek of earlier was—

– Ahaha, looks like I just messed up a little. My back got hurt…

Wendell laughs at himself.

– I messed up, you say…? Hey, you okay!? Respond!

– Please, Al. Run away… to our comrades…

– What are you spouting, Wendell!? Don't die! Hey!

But, there's no reply.

Strength comes out from the body of the stumbling Wendell.

– Wendell!

No way, he thought.

But, his heart is still moving.

(—he's alive!)

It's weak, but he's breathing.

– This was my fault…. Because I fought as I wanted—

This isn't the situation to be saying that it's for the pride of Al-Salaam or whatever.

He definitely needs to help Wendell who was wounded to save him…

Al tried to transmit an emergency call to their comrades who are resting in a tent, using the wireless ring of her arm. However, the wireless doesn't get communicate.

(You are joking, right…? It's broken due to the impact just now?)

He thinks that it was to that degree, since it's a fact that he can't connect.

Then, he immediately takes Wendell away from that place and calls for help.

– Shit!

Al stands up carrying Wendell in both arms and tried to run towards the tent, but a sudden cracking-like pain attacks his head and ends up falling down.

– What's this sound…!?

A high-pitched sound that continues intermittently stimulates the brain.

*Twitch* *Twitch*, the body of Wendell twitches and repeatedly suffered from convulsions when he was thrown down to the ground and separated his hand when he fell down.

– Damn, what's happening… my body, doesn't move…

On the contrary, his consciousness becomes thinner.

– … Wen-dell… every-one…


– The motion test is a success.

A man was standing to the side of Ay who lost consciousness.

He's a very tall man.

His figure is nice, his body that is covered with a black bodysuit draws an arc appropriate for a man and is charming but his long, unruly and mingled hair is ruffled and the white coat he put on is tattered.

The expression of his eyes is fairly sharp and fascinating and yet, those eyes are wearing an ominous aura.

– With this, I can execute that strategy…

He holds the cigarette that he was holding in his mouth between his fingers and *Fuu*, emitted smoke while looking up at the sky.

Slightly above his shoulders, something like a hornet with a length of about 30 centimeters, which has a steel shell like the Savages, and has a reddish pattern on the whole body, and despite all that, is floating while turning on a light like a firefly.

It's an artificial life-form created by Viktor Tynyanov from the cores of the Savages and the Variable Stones that he accumulated.

He's a traitor who, in order to stop the movement of the Slayers and attack Little Garden, has prepared a trump card—a decisive battle weapon.

End of Prologue


Chapter 1
Summer Vacation/Returning Home/The Mysterious Savage and the Hunters

The participation in the joint operation was over and the calendar reached August.

The general education curriculum of elementary school, middle school and senior high school of Little Garden has already entered the summer vacation from the latter half of July, but the Martial Arts Department was the exception.

Although they are in the summer vacation period, they stand as preparatory-department students of Warslan Company and as such, aside of guarding Little Garden, there's the possibility that they have to be dispatched for special missions; in case the Savages have appeared in a neighboring area, etcetera.

Therefore, they have 1 week of vacation.

It doesn't mean that this goes simultaneously to everyone of Martial Arts Department. They will be divided into three teams by 《LaZER》, the main computer of Little Garden and will take turns. The members of Selections are the same.

Fiona and Laetitia, members of Selections and who are first-year students of the Martial Arts Department like Haname and co., were given vacations in the beginning of August.

They said that they are going to enjoy summer vacation in their hometown of Liberia.

The reason why Haname and Ellie were given vacations is because Fiona returned to Little Garden.

In Yamato, it's exactly the time of the Bon Festival.

Then Haname, along with her little brother Kaoru, went and visited the grave of their parents who had died during the Second Attack that occurred during their stay in the Kingdom of Gudenburg in the Federation of Britannia and went to make an appearance to the companions who lived together with them in the orphanage where they spent many years.

However, and as a result of that, a total of 5 people was heading to Yamato from Little Garden.

It was around the evening of the day when the date of summer vacation was settled.

– I don't want to go back to Gudenburg and there are no other places where I want to travel, so I wonder if it's impossible to accompany Hayato and the rest?

Ellie began to talk after visiting the room of Haname.

– Does that mean that you are going to spend your summer vacation in Yamato with us or something like that?

– Previously, you told me that if we had the chance, you'll show me around Yamato, don't you? So, I thought that this was such opportunity… or it's no good?

– It's not that, I can't, but…

Saying that he's coming to her birthplace is expected to be somewhat embarrassing as he's going to see the places where she hid her everyday clothes and underwear.

However, there's a memory such as showing him around Yamato.

That is, if she's not mistaken, when they entered the large public bath of the dorm.

– But, what are we going to do about the place to stay at? Because it's the countryside, there are no hotels, you know.

– What are Haname and the others going to do?

– Regarding us, the institution has prepared some rooms… but I don't think that there are any rooms available…

– In that case, is it no good if I stay with you?

– Kaoru's with me too. It's very probable that "you being a man" will be completely exposed, don't you think?

– Ah, true…

They haven't told Kaoru that Ellie's true identity is the one of a man—moreover, that he's not Elias Hermit, but Elias Gudenburg, the hidden prince of Gudenburg.

– Err, what shall I do…

– For the time being, and after talking to Kaoru, I'll ask Ryōko-ojiisan.

– Ryōko-ojiisan?

– He's the institution head of the orphanage where I was raised. As long as they have futons, we can cope with it and sleep in the lobby.

As a result of the consultation, both Kaoru and Ryōko-ojiisan, the institution head, gave their OK.

However, the problems increased by one.

Kirishima Satoru, who was visiting the hospital room of Kaoru, came up with 「I want to go too if Ellie-san goes」.

– Is that true, Satoru-san!?

Kaoru asks gladly.

– This is also a good opportunity, thinking that it's also nice to return to my hometown in a long time .

– In a long time, you say… you do live concerts frequently in Yamato, don't you…?

The other person is the Idol who travels all over the world, he's Kirishima Satoru.

The current Haname, unlike the one of the past, knew that he's performing once or twice per month, especially around the world.

The popularity of Kirishima Satoru in Yamato which is his country of origin is high and the number of times of live concerts is large.

He should be performing live concerts there at least twice a year.

– But this and that are different stories!

Satoru objected.

– When I returned because of work I didn't have much free time and I couldn't look around Yamato, and also I want to see the place where Haname-chan and Kaoru-kun spent their time. Besides, there is a fan of mine in the hospital near the institution, isn't that right?

– A fan? Are you sure about it…?

– Well, I told Satoru-san some time ago about him, however—

Saying so, Kaoru starts talking.

The name of the girl seems to be Kay, and like Kaoru, she seems to be suffering from the same disease of cause unknown that prevailed after the First Attack.

He and Kaoru got acquainted by going to the same hospital and became close friends as they are "fans" of the same Kirishima Satoru and seems they are keeping in touch even now.

– Although Kay-chan's condition wasn't as bad as Kaoru's, I heard a conversation that he was kind of getting hospitalized as his recent physical condition was becoming considerably worse these days. Because of that, I was feeling sad…

– For this reason, I think that I plan to go and visit her to cheer up that child. Fan service must be properly done In addition, by seeing provincial cities of Yamato, inspiration will be surging which will also be the source of future musical activities, it'll be like killing two birds with one stone. So, it's fine, right?

Soffiane Clearrail, his manager and who's also the company president of the production where he belongs to, was forcibly persuaded by the almost fervent speech of Satoru—in the end, it was decided that he's accompanying them to Yamato.

With this, the total is of four people.

The remaining person is Minato, the nurse in charge of Kaoru.

Although he'll go back to his parent's house for the first few days, he scheduled the last night of her vacation to spend it with Haname and Kaoru.

And thus, the night before the summer vacation came along. Haname and the others boarded the transport aircraft of Little Garden and arrived in the imperial capital of Yamato the next morning.

After half a day of sightseeing temples, tempura shops, the imperial capital sky tree and so forth, they parted with Minato who returned to his parent's house and boarded the Shinkansen for two hours.

From the station of the provincial town in the mountainous region where they arrived at, they headed further north for an hour or so by electric train and they finally arrive at the nearest unmanned station.

When they left the station building, an eight-seater minivan comes into view. In front of that, an elderly man who was about to meet his sixties was standing up.

He's Kazuya Ryōko, the institution chief of the children's home where Haname and Kaoru were raised.

– Welcome back, you came back nicely.

He welcomed Haname and co. with a tender smile that remains the same from half a year ago.

– Ryōko-ojiisan, it's been a long time.

To begin with, the wheelchaired Kaoru bows his head.

Subsequently, Haname also lowered her head.

– Thank you very much for receiving us.

– Are these people your school friends?

It was Satoru who bowed his head first and turned his eyes to Ryōko

– Ah, yes. My name is Kirishima Satoru.

– Oh, that Idol!

*Clap*, Ryōko strikes the palm of both hands in front of his chest.

– You knew me? I've been indebted to Haname-chan for a long time, she saved my life during my work.

His voice is slightly higher than usual.

It's the response of Kirishima Satoru as an Idol.

Subsequently, Ellie also saluted him.

– I'm Ellie Crossford. I'm a classmate of Haname and her childhood friend.

– … childhood friend?

Ryōko inclines his head to the side, looking curious.

– Uhh, we were seeing each other when I was staying in Gudenburg. I've been recovering my memories recently…

– Is that so? That makes me glad. I heard that Kaoru-kun's body is getting better, but how better is he?

– Kaoru-kun is already able to stand by himself from the wheelchair!

It was Satoru and not Kaoru who answered with confidence.

Ryōko smiled, turning his eyes to Kaoru once again,

– Kaoru-kun, can you get in the car by yourself?

– Yes, don't worry.

Kaoru nodded firmly.

– Then, let's move promptly.

Ryōko opens the door of the minivan.

Showing that he was fine, Kaoru comes down from the wheelchair with the receiving help of Satoru and got in the minivan by himself.

Next, Haname and the rest also get in the minivan, one after another.

– When we get to the institution, I think that Haname will surely be surprised.

Then he got into the driver's seat and turned on the engine.

– Eh, this is—

She was shaken enough by the minivan.

Haname who arrived at the institution where she spent her childhood reacts as Ryōko was saying.

Speaking of the institution of half a year ago, it was a wooden building that was worn out for more than 50 years.

In the last few months, however, its appearance was of a concrete building, similar to the dorm of Little Garden, it has been transformed into a beautiful building.

– No way, it became something like this…

She heard that the subsidy from Warslan was going towards the institution, but she didn't know about it until it was rebuilt.

– Kaoru knew about this?

– Of course.

Kaoru wasn't surprised, as she was thinking that he possibly heard it from the kids living in the institution with whom he was in contact almost every day, so it was that in the end.

Ryōko says, being apologetic.

– I told him to keep it a secret from Haname-chan, thinking that this would surprise you.

– I was really surprised.

Haname looks up at the institution again.

It was already pitch dark and she couldn't see it entirety, but it turned out that only a light was leaking out from the institution, she grasped its very beautiful outward appearance.

– Ah, it's Haname!

– Kaoru too, welcome back!

The door of the institution opens and the children rushed out.

It seems they were hearing the sound of the vehicle.

– Hey! I told you to not go outside at this hour, didn't I?

Ryōko is saying so as they called out Haname who's looking up at the building, stupefied.

– But Haname and Kaoru have returned! Haname, it's been a while!

An elementary school student girl coiled around the leg of Haname.

– Yeah, it's been a while.

Haname pats her head.

– Say, Haname. What kind of place is Little Garden? Is it great?

– I want to hear that story too!

– Umm, that's…

Ryōko calls out to Haname who tried to start talking.

– If the story is long, then let's get inside first. Everyone will come out if we stay here forever.

The inside of the institution that they set foot into was as beautiful as the outward appearance.

There's a living room in the large lobby, as well as rooms for the children that can live in groups of four people and there are classrooms that look similar to the ones in the schools. A shelter prepared for raids of the Savages is said to have been established underground.

There seems to be 3 rooms for visitors.

Therefore, Kaoru and Satoru used one room, and Haname and the others used each of the rooms, one by one.

Ellie said that it was fine for him to be in the same as Haname, but Satoru strongly opposed to that and that he should be the one to do it.

– Those two are somewhat suspicious.

That's the speech of Satoru.

Speaking of why he's suspicious, is that when going back in time, when Haname defeated the dragon type Savage that they encountered during the 《Operation: Bird in Cage》, Haname used up her sense energy and lost consciousness.

Haname woke up after a day and a half had passed since returning to Little Garden in a personal airplane.

She was in a standard hospital.

Ellie, who was on the side there, kissed her, trying to speed up the recovery of the sense energy of Haname.

Unluckily for him, Kaoru and Satoru turned up there.

Denying franticly that Ellie was kissing Haname, he made every possible excuse and although deceived him on the spot, it looks like Satoru doesn't fully believe her (him).

Not everything was terrible, since Elias was posing as a woman,

Even though it's harsh to suspect of love between women, like 「Haname accepts my love, but she's not going to marry me because she likes women?」 and so forth, then it would have been even more troublesome if he was appearing as a man. The fact that Ellie is a man is a secret to Satoru and Kaoru.

Putting the luggage in the room and going to the lobby, there were lots of deep-fried food, fried prawns, fried potatoes, etc. on the table, the food that children seemed to like were lined up.

– It's a welcome party that served as dinner.

Ryōko-ojiisan said, and continued his words.

– However, this is cooking that it's only intended for kids, so I'm sorry.

– Does Ryōko-ojiisan know that I also like cooking like this?

– But I'm not talking to Haname-chan. I'm talking to Satoru-san and Ellie-san.

– Ah, is that so…?

*hahaha,*, laughter comes up from the children. The ones remaining in the institution now are children who are 5 years old away from Haname.

4 males and 3 females, a total of 7 people.

They were a little nervous regarding Satoru and Ellie, but the atmosphere has calmed a little now.

She wonders if Ryōko has noticed it.

He tries to shorten the distance between Ellie, Satoru and the children.

– Well, enough about Haname-chan and the others, would Ellie-san and Satoru-san please introduce yourselves?

– Okay then, me first.

It was Satoru who stood up, striving to be the first.

– I am Kirishima Satoru. Do you all know about me?

– I know!

– The Idol, right!?

And, voices from the young boys are raised.

– Give me an autograph, please!

And voices like that were raised too.

– If it's an autograph, then I'll write as much as you like afterwards. By the way, I got acquainted with Haname-chan since she accepted to be my bodyguard and—

– Yes, this is taking too long, can we finish it? Next is my introduction.

Ellie stands up, clapping with *clap* *clap*.

– Hey, why are you stopping me midway!?

– Everyone is hungry, and I'm also hungry. I already told you, it's my introduction. I'm Ellie Crossford. I'm a classmate of Haname in Little Garden.

– A classmate? That means you are a Slayer, huh?

– Have you fought the Savages!?

– Yup, I fought them. Together with Haname!

– Wow, amazing!

– The Savages are ztrong too, righte?

– Yup, they're strong. But, Haname and I are stronger though!

Turning towards the looks of envy from the boys, Ellie isn't as annoyed as he would have others believe.

Looking at it, Ryōko noticed the uninterested expression of Satoru.

As Ellie did some time ago, he claps with *clap* *clap*.

– Alright then, as their self-introductions have ended, let's eat.

They start eating, expressing their gratitude before meals at the same time.

Welcoming songs from the children were transmitted to Haname and the others; the party was at its peak.

Trying to return the favor, Satoru sings children's songs with Kaoru.

Along with them, the children also began to sing.

– Come on Haname, you sing too.

– You sure know children's songs of Yamato, huh.

– This is also a song that it's in my country. Rather, wasn't it originated from here?

– Oh, you are right.

– Come on, sing.

Prompted by Ellie, Haname also begins to sing.

However, she's not able to get the rhythm very well.

Then, one of the boys knitted his brows and said.

– Haname is, as usual, poor at singing, huh.

Subsequently, Satoru said.

– Haname hasn't changed from the older days…

– Sh-shut up!

The lobby was full of laughter.

– Satoru, Kaoru, let's play!

In the morning of the next day, Satoru loosened up the tension with the children of the institution and played games in the lobby together with Kaoru and the children. That's the same for Ellie. He plays with little girls of 4 and 5 years old with building blocks and go out to the nearby lake together.

– Haname, this is really a nice place, isn't it?

It was their third day in Yamato when Ellie expressed so. Satoru and Kaoru went out to shop in the city together with the children and while they are doing that they will be visiting the place of the girl named Kay who's hospitalized in the hospital; she's the aforementioned fan of Satoru.

– … you think?

– Ryōko-ojiisan is also a nice person. When I was a child, I spent most of the time alone, so I'm really envious of such a life. I feel that I understood the meaning of Haname who was saying "I would do my best for everyone in the institution".

Saying so, Ellie smiled.

Thus 5 days passed and the last event in Yamato, the festival of the Shinto shrine of the neighborhood, came along.

– Muu, I also wanted to wear a yukata.

Before going to the festival, Ellie who visited the room of Haname leaked so.

– If there were for women you'll still be wearing them, huh.

– I'd be wearing that instead of a uniform like this.

– You want to wear men's clothes? But, as expected, it's way too conspicuous to have the appearance of a man.

– Yup, I know.

Regarding the rural towns of Yamato, most of the people come from Yamato.

Although they stand out even if they are ordinary, if he's appearing as a man, he will stand out even more.

It would be extremely easy to identify Ellie as Elias as they are the same person.

– Well, a festival is a festival no matter what appearance you have. It's your first time going to a Shinto shrine. I hope you enjoy it.

– Yup.

By the way, Satoru and Kaoru decided to wear yukata.

The ones who aren't wearing one are Haname and Ellie.

However, when they went to the Shinto shrine in the center of the festival venue, there were a lot of people dressed in casual clothes.

To begin with, they visit the shrine first.

– Is it fine if I pray here?

Standing before the front shrine, Ellie called on Haname.

– Yes, that's right. And when throwing a money offering, ring that bell.

– What are you going to wish, Haname?

– Well, I wonder what I should wish… For the time being, I hope to spend time with everyone safely.

– *Annoyed*, that's somewhat usual, typical of Haname.

It's Satoru who said so.

– If so, shall I wish for world peace?

– What about Ellie?

– Nope, it's a secret.

– What's with that?

– It's a secret.

In the end, Ellie didn't tell her what he prayed for.

After that, they enjoyed the festival by eating yakisoba that they bought at a stall, playing "scoop the fish", playing target practice and then they participated in the Bon Festival dance.

In the last event, the Bon Festival dance, Satotu climbed the watchtower and started singing folk songs, so it became a serious thing.

Many people recognized him, and they got quite excited.

– Although it was my first time participating in the Bon Festival dance, it was really fun!

– You really like singing, don't you…?

Satoru, who was coming back, was pretty satisfied.

And in the last night in Yamato, along with Minato who came from his parent's house, Haname and co. decided to do toy fireworks in the backyard of the institution.

– Ah, mine has already fallen.

It's been 10 seconds since the beginning and the sphere fall from the firework of Haname.

– Nee-san, Kaoru is still there.

– Mine too… fell down.

– Mine also fell….

– Mine has fallen as well.

The sphere of Kaoru is the one that lasted the most.

Next is Satoru.

Minato, then Ellie and Haname, that was the order.

Nonetheless, even if a minute was just a little longer—they feel like the pleasant days in Yamato passed approximately the same.

In this way, the last night in Yamato went on.

And, the early morning of the day when they return to Little Garden came in the blink of an eye.


– Haname, Haname, wake up…

– Hmm…?

In response to the voice he heard close to his ear, Kisaragi Haname raised her body while rubbing her eyes and identifies the figure of Ellie.

—wha, why did you come into my room!?

– Shh! Be quiet. It would be bad if we are heard by someone.

– Certainly that's correct, but…

Kaoru and Satoru are in the next room—

And Minato who joined last night is also sleeping.

– So, what the heck are you doing?

Haname asks with a small voice.

– Why don't we go to the hot spring now?

– Huh? And why at this hour?

Haname stares in wonder.

– We'll leave Yamato today at noon, this'll be the last memory that we'll be making, you know.

Saying that, Ellie continued.

– Because I couldn't get in with Kaoru-kun, Satoru-san and co. and when Haname and the others went to the hot spring, I couldn't go. But, if it's now, we can go, walking stealthily. Besides, the hot spring of this time seems to be a little special(ish).

– … special? What does that mean…?

– It means than it's going to be fun. So, let's go.


Tagging with Ellie, Haname moved to the hot spring.

It's 20 minutes on foot.

There's a hot spring on the mountainside behind the institution.

– Two people walking in this way is enjoyable.

– Hey, don't link arms with me!

Shaking and untangling her arm, Haname takes a distance of 50 centimeters.

– Then let's link our hands.

– No, that's the same… What if we are caught by someone?

– This isn't Little Garden, it's Yamato, you know. Furthermore, at this time, it's safe.

While saying that, Ellie took the hand of Haname.

Feeling the thinness of his fingertips and the warmth of his hand, the face of Haname turns red.

– Ehehe, I'm happy.

– … is that so?

– Yup. I'm happy—ah, look, Haname. The sun has started to rise.

When Ellie turns his eyes to the direction indicated by his finger, the light of the sun is beginning to overflow from the ridgeline of the mountain that is visible in the distance.

– It's a beautiful sight. So, this is the dawn of Yamato.

Being 5 minutes away from the hot spring, Haname and Elias kept watching the scene of the morning glow side-by-side for a short while.

– —ah, let's go to the hot spring soon. It's very convenient before a lot of people arrive.

– What's with that, huh? How's that convenient?

– You'll know it once we get there.

And, she was told that by Ellie but, Haname didn't understand anything, even when standing before the hot spring.

– Well then, I'll go this way.

Saying that, Ellie tightened his hair.

– O-okay…

Ellie was transforming into Elias.

Although he looks like a woman in blouse and skirt, it looks like he won't be stopped at the changing room for men.

– Okay then, see you later.

Parting with Elias who enters the changing room for men, Haname entered the changing room for women.

– Huh…?

As she got naked and stepped into the hot spring, Haname felt something out of place.

(This hot spring, was this big?)

But I came here last night, right?

Although the steam is rising and the visibility is bad, and because of the illumination being nonexistent, the whole can be surveyed, so maybe that's what she felt.

While thinking so, Haname picked up a wooden chair and washed her head lightly with a shower and decided to soak herself in the white muddied hot water.

– Aah, it feels good…

If the temperature isn't that high yet, then the sunlight of the sun isn't strong and the wind isn't sticky either.

When thinking about the comfortable feeling of entering in a hot spring in the morning being really good—, footsteps were heard from afar.

(There are people who come to the hot springs at this hour, huh)

Turning her eyes and wondering who's the person who will come in, the figure of Elias meets her eyes, his waist was covered with a towel.

– Wha…! What are you doing here!

Without thinking, Haname ended up shouting.

There's no doubt that Elias should have entered the changing room for men.

Despite this, why is he in the women's bath?

– The fact that you are having such reaction means that you haven't realized it yet.

– Haven't realized? What do you…

– As a matter of fact, this time is when there are no partition intervals, so it becomes a mixed bath.

– Wha—

Come again?

– In this way, I can enter in the hot spring with Haname, that's why we came to the hot spring at this hour.

*Ehehe*, and sticking out his tongue, Ellie soaked his body in the hot water and brought his shoulders closer.

– H-hey… don't get too close.

Even when saying so, Elias doesn't go away.

He gets closer until the distance was enough to make the warmth touch each other and smiled happily.

– Ehehe, my dearest wish has finally come true.

– Why are you saying that…?

– "To enter in a real hot spring with Haname like this". I told you when we took a bath in the dorm together, isn't it? That I wanted to get in a mixed bath.

– Now that you mention it, I remember that you were saying that kind of thing…

– There are still some things that I left undone in Yamato, but I'm satisfied to some extent with this.

– There are still some things, you say? You ate tempura, you saw Mt. Fuji and the imperial capital sky tree, you even participated in the festival, you did a lot of things, don't you? Did you have anything else you wanted to do?

– The most disappointing thing is that we couldn't see the fireworks.

– The fireworks? If that's the case didn't we do that yesterday in the garden of the institution?

– Not those, but the "*BOOM*" of huge skyrocket fireworks, you know. I wanted to see them once.

– Is it possible that you haven't seen skyrocket fireworks?

– Although there are a lot of fireworks going up in the beginning of the year ceremony in Gudenburg as well, I heard that the ones in Yamato are more amazing than those. Besides, I was spending most of my time in Gudenburg. I remember seeing the skyrocket fireworks only on the screen of a PDA or TV… hmm, we had this conversation before, do you remember?

– Is that so? When was it?

– I knew it, you don't remember.

Pouting his lips as he became sulky, Elias continued.

– It was ten years ago, in Gudenburg. We were talking about the same skyrocket fireworks and that if I come to Yamato, you promised me that you'll show me the real fireworks, don't you remember?

– It's inevitable. I still have memory problems remaining. And you, I mean, you remembered it now, don't you?

– That's not it. I always remember.

– If that's the case, then you should have said it early. You could have stretched your legs to the place where the fireworks were being done, you know.

– Nope, I was waiting for Haname to remember it. But, since you aren't remembering it… How about now?

– I'm sorry, but I can't remember that time…

– Eh—

– But, I have remembered something.

– What what?

– Alphonse said it before, but the port city of Sangria where the founding festival is held seems to be a sister city of Yokohama, the port city of Yamato, and at the finale of the festival, fireworks are likely to be launched grandly in the same way as Yamato.

– What, such a thing…

Ellie sighed with a dejected look.

– But, if that's the case, we can see the fireworks of Yamato together, what do you think?

– You are saying, that you are going to see them together with me!?

– Y-yeah.

– Yay

Elias clings to her back tightly.

– H-hey… Stop, now both of us are naked.

– Don't be so conscious of each other, because I'm embracing you from behind, okay?

– You may not be conscious about this, but I am!

– Eh, what am I doing? Will you tell me?

Loosening his mouth as if he's enjoying it, Elias asked with a mischievous tone.

– About what you are doing, you say? That's…

Of course, it's the many on her back.

In fact, they are pressing even more tighter.

– Hey, stop…

– Come on Haname, tell me.

– I'm telling you to stop!

As things are, it's a rigid and hard sensation.

And thus, it's positive to consider that he wants her to feel the warmth of his skin.

A sweet aroma is hanging in the air that makes her heart accelerate, she ends up swallowing saliva.

– You don't really want me to stop, do you?

– Well, it's just that such a thing…

Nonetheless, what Elias was saying might be correct since she doesn't feel like separating too much.

Of course, she can't say that aloud.

(I guess we look like we were flirting if we were seen by other people…)

While thinking such a thing, sounds resounded abruptly.

– Hey, it seems that someone comes!

While impatient, Haname points out with a loud voice.

– But I want to be next to Haname.

– Hey, what's wrong with you!?

Getting a portion of herself away from Elias who had narrowed the distance even more, Haname shouted.

Thereupon, Elias is pouting his lips,

– Still, if it was a woman who came in, it's probable that she'll be staring at us with ecchi eyes, isn't it? If we appeal to her that "I'm a proper woman", then she's not going to look at us with those eyes, don't you think?

– But, what if it's someone that we know? That'd be dangerous!

– I don't think that we'll be unlucky so as to have an acquaintance to come to the hot spring at this hour…. This place isn't Little Garden, but Yamato, you know.

Elias said so, but it wasn't such a thing.

– Shit, the steam is rising up immensely. Kaoru-kun, can you stand by yourself?

– Yes, I'm fine, somehow.

The voices of two people reached their ears.

Those are voices they have heard somewhere…

– Eh…

In a flash, the expression of Elias hardened.

Haname's the same.

– It's a joke, right…?

With the rising up steam, they can't confirm their appearances properly, but there's no doubt that that was the voice of Satoru just now.

From inside the steam, it can be inferred that he's Satoru, even from the silhouette of his body that came and they were seeing vaguely.

There's another person next to him.

There's a silhouette of a boy who has short hair and is shorter than Satoru.

A slim body and a slow walk.

Even from the previous conversation, he's definitely Kaoru.

– Those boys, why do they come to the hot spring at a time like this?

– Awawa…. Haname, what should we do…?

– Even if you say what should we do…

They look around inside the hot spring.

There's a lot of steam rising up, the visibility is unclear.

If they take distance from the two of them at once and get out from the hot spring stealthily without making a sound, then it's possible that they won't be found by those two boys.

Haname thought so, and addressed Elias with a small voice, pointing out with her finger the shade of a rock.

– Escape stealthily, getting out from that place.

– Only me? What about Haname?

– We'll stand out of we are together, isn't it?

– But then, Haname will be soaked in the hot spring together with Satoru-san and Kaoru-kun…

Saying that as if he didn't like it, he swells his cheeks, being sullen.

However, this shouldn't be the moment to quarrel here.

– This is not the moment to say such things. Go fast!

– Uu, fine…

When Haname continues her words without hesitation, Elias goes away showing a vexing look.

After a while, she heard slight noises coming from the hot water.

Confirming the direction she pointed out with this finger a while ago, the appearance of a person can only be seen vaguely.

(That feeling, I wonder if it's fine already…)

Immediately after Haname felt relieved.

What she heard consecutively the sounds of the water of the bathtub springing up.

– Oh my, we thought there was nobody here, but it seems there's a previous guest.

– You are right, hmm…?

Closing his eyes partly and staring at the direction of Haname, it was Kaoru who raised his voice.

– Eh? Nee-san?

– Eh, is that Haname-chan!?

Getting closer to Haname, they kept hidding their crotches with a towel.

– It really is Haname-chan. Why are you here?

– Well, that…. I'll return to Little Garden today and I was thinking that I wanted to soak in an authentic hot spring in the end.

– I see, that's the same for us.

– But, why is Haname-chan here? This is the men's bath…

– I also noticed that a while ago, however—

On that premise, Haname continues.

– This time, it's like a mixed bath.

– Eh…!?

– Really?

Kaoru and Satoru gathered their voices.

Like Haname, it seems that they didn't know that it was a mixed bath.

– That means that it's fine to soak in the hot spring together with Nee-san!

– That means that it's fine to soak in the hot spring together with Haname-chan!

The two gather their voices again.

They enter full of motivation.

– No, I was already thinking of leaving this place so…

She's been soaking in the hot spring for more than what's enough already. She's feeling dizzy.

– Say, Haname-chan. Be patient for only a little more. Let's make some summer memories, the three of us.

– I think so too, Nee-san. Because this is something valuable, let's make some memories!

– He-hey…

*Splash*, *Splash*, Satoru and Kaoru who entered in the hot water from their legs shorten the distance as they wrapped the towel on their waists.
– Hey, you…. You are getting too close.

– It's fine, isn't it? This is a rare chance.

– That's right. A rare chance it is.

Satoru from the right.

Kaoru from the left.

They approach until the distance of skin and skin touch each other.

Even if she tries to escape, she's in a shape where she's being hold between them, therefore she can't do so.

A sweet aroma hangs in the air.

That ends up reminding her of Elias until some time ago.

– Stop, go away!

Haname shouts.

As things are, a part of her body will end up becoming serious.

Moreover, one of the partners is her little brother.

Although everything was Elias' fault, it's not good that she's not sensing that as her older sister.

And yet, they didn't try to go away.

– That reminds me, that girl's not here?

Saying that, Satoru glared at Haname.

– That girl…?

– Ellie Crossford. Before coming to the hot spring, more or less, I called out that girl and Haname-chan, of course. But, since we didn't get a reply, we just came by ourselves… Weren't you together?

– Well, err… I tried to invite her, but there was no answer from her. Maybe she was sleeping soundly?

– If so, Haname came alone to the hot spring?

– That's the truth.

– Actually, until a while ago, weren't you flirting with that girl?

– I-I wasn't!

– Is that true, I wonder?

The reason why Satoru has been persistent so far is because of the uncertainty of the kiss after they returned from the 《Operation: Bird in Cage》.

– … ah, wait a moment.

– Wh-what is it?

– It's the smell of a man from Haname-chan.

– Huh…? Ah, hey!

Satoru brings his nose to the shoulder of Haname and begins to sniff.

– A man? Is that true? What's the meaning of this, Nee-san!?

– Even if you say what does this mean…

– Ah, wait a minute. This, I recognize this smell…

Satoru brings his nose even more closer.

The hard rigids of his chest were touching her arm.

– Hey, stop! You are really too close!

– Hm? that's right. Satoru-san, you are getting too close to Nee-san!

– Hey, Kaory-kun, what are you doing!?

Panicking, Kaoru pushed the body of Satoru with both hands and kept him away from Haname.

– I- I'm sorry…. But, even if it's Satoru-san, it's too premature to touch Nee-san naked…. Th-that's why Kaoru, her little brother, will check the smell instead….

– H-hey… s-stop!

Haname dodges the approaching Kaoru and tries to get out from the hot spring as she is and turned her back on Kaoru and Satoru.

– I'm leaving this moment!

– Haname-chan!

– Nee-san!

The hands of Kaoru and Satoru that were stretched out to keep her in the hot spring cut off the air.

Haname started to walk towards the changing room as she was, however,

– Ara, Haname-chan.

In front of him, Kashiwagi Minato was wrapping a towel around his lower body.

Speaking of Haname, who's naked…

– Ufufu, you are quite vigorous, don't you agree?

Looking at the body of Haname, Minato slips out a smile.

– Uh, uwaaaaaa—!

The face of Haname was instantaneously dyed red and left the place with a dash, hiding his body with a towel while panicking.

(He saw it, and moreover, he laughed!)

It was truly the worst.

(This is also all due to him!)

What floated on the head of Haname was, of course, the face of Elias.


– I know that you guys are reluctant to part, but if you don't move soon you won't be on time for the electric train. Because this is the countryside, electric trains are scarce, you know. If you miss getting on it, you won't be able to get on the airplane. Come on, get on the car.

– Bye-bye, Haname!

– Satoru and Ellie too, come again!

After having breakfast together, Haname and the others decided to leave behind the institution after being sent off by 7 children.

– Well then, good-bye.

– Goodbye, Satoru!

– Kaoru, when you return from Little Garden, let's play some games together again, okay?

– Yes, of course.

Haname and co. get in the car, exchanging goodbyes with each of the children.

– Haname, do your best to protect the Earth!

– I will.

– Okay then, let's go.

When Ryōko says so, the engine starts, and the minivan starts to move.

They arrived at the station building immediately.

– Thank you for playing with the children, really. I'd be happy if everyone comes again during winter vacation as well.

– We'll try to do so as much as we can.

As soon as the electric train came, everyone gave their goodbyes to Ryōko and boarded the electric train which is going to the imperial capital, the capital city of the Empire of Yamato.

When they arrived at the imperial capital a little after lunch time, where they had udon for lunch at the facility of Warslan, Haname and co. boarded a transport plane.

– When we arrive to Little Garden, the Founding Festival will…

Haname, who stopped her feet in the middle of the ramp, was looking at the scenery of Yamato, she didn't want to leave from there. Ellie, who was right behind her, calls out Haname.

– Haname, you remember the promise, right?

– Do you mean the fireworks?

– Yeah, if you remember, then it's all good.

– Haname-chan! Ellie-san too, what are you dribbling about!? The pilot old man is saying that he's ready to leave!

Satoru calls out them from inside the transport aircraft.

– Let's go, Haname.

– Yeah.

Haname looks back just before getting on the transport plane and looks at the scenery of Yamato one more time, thinking from the bottom of her heart.

It would be nice if I could return home with everyone once again—.


– How about you? Did you recharge your batteries at ease in your hometown?

Charlie Dimandius, the main technologist of Little Garden, met the returning Haname and co. at the airport after their week of summer vacation came to an end.

– Yes, how about the side of Little Garden?

– There was no sortie in the past week, it's all tranquility and peace.

– Are the "three you-know-who" the same as usual?

– It was Ellie who asked so all of a sudden.

The "three you-know-who" are probably those hunters who fought with them in the Zwei Islands and Mt. Kongur.

They were captured by Warslan mercenaries and now they are confined in a room in the basement of Little Garden.

It's Judy Harvey, the older sister of the Student Council President of Little Garden, Clark Harvey, who ordered that.

– Absolutely no changes, just like before you headed to Yamato.

– In short, they aren't talking, correct?

– Exactly. But, as a result of the strategy department of Warslan led by Judy who were diligent in their intelligence activities, it was possible to identify the location where Viktor Tynyanov is hiding. That's also thanks to Haname-chan.

– … eh, me?

Shaking abruptly, Haname was astonished.

– The matter of 《sympathy》.

– Ah…

She remembered that, in the aforementioned Mt. Kongur, she was striking and locking her sword against the sword of Krovahn, one of the three hunters.

At that moment, the energy that overflowed from each Hundred wrapped up their bodies, and a vision came up.

The figures of the very young Krovahn and Nesat, her older brother, are in front of her eyes.

The two were trying to escape from the orphanage that resembled a slave camp managed by the Middle East Private Military Company, Al-Salaam Company.

In the middle of that, Nesat ended up injuring his eye.

Eventually, they arrived at a village and met Viktor Viktor Tynyanov, a doctor who was introduced to treat his eye, and accepted to become artificial Variants.

That scene that she saw seemed to flow into her head for a moment.

Charlie refers to that as 《Sympathy》.

– There are research results where sense energy released from the human body is created by the strength of the human thought.

So to speak, that the Hundred will respond to your feelings.

– In other words, the source of her energy is the incident of her own past that I saw?

– Pretty much.

For this reason, then it's probable that what flowed into Haname was the passing energy.

Satoru was thinking that Viktor should atone for his sins in a proper way if they catch Viktor.

– No, unfortunately, we didn't find her.

Charlie shook his head to the left and right and replied.

– When we sensed and noticed something in particular, and the moment we headed there, the place was completely empty. We are after his whereabouts, but his whereabouts are still unclear.

– Is that so…?

Looking like he's regretting it, Satoru hides the part of the eyebrow closest to the nose.

– But, it was a very huge facility. Even if those weren't originally scattered, or if he's searching for the next place, I think it'll be difficult to rebuild them.

– That is to say, that it's unlikely that he'll come to save those three, right?

– I'd be fine if that's the case.

Charlie showed an ambiguous smile because he didn't know something like that.

– Lastly, about the dragon type Savage that Charlie said he was going to investigate.

– As usual, there are a couple of things that I don't know. Speaking of what I've found, perhaps that Savage might have been on this Earth from the days of the ancient times.

– Which means that it's not a lie to say that the Savages came to the Earth before the First Attack?

Ellie narrows his eyes and gives voice to his doubt.

– But, since it's called the First Attack, that was the time when we, the human race, encountered the Savages, isn't it?

– Haname-chan, I'm talking about the prehistory—before the creation of mankind.

It means that it's probable that the Savages came to the Earth before mankind was created on this planet.

– But, if that's the case, then what has been found before now is…

– That Savage appeared from the bottom of the lake in the mountain, yes? That might had been sleeping for thousands of years—no, for tens of thousands of years, that's why it wasn't spotted even by satellite photographs.

In other words, it's a place that is unknown to mankind, like the universe—it's the bottom of the deep sea, it looks like it's not weird to say that Savages are sleeping from ancient times in that place.

– From the geological formation of millions of years ago, we have also found fragments of meteorites whose composition closely resembles that of the Variable Stones. That seems to be of no surprise, assuming that the Savages came along with the meteorites to the Earth.

– Such a thing, I have never thought about it. Is that also the same for Kaoru-kun?

– … yes.

Kaoru nodded with a serious expression.

– Well, it must be remembered that it's no more than a possibility, okay? Even though science has developed so much, there are still many things that are unknown to mankind. That's why, this is no more than fun for me.

Charlie smiled with a grin,

– There are still things that I'd like to talk about, but you might be tired from the long trip, so let's have this much for today, don't you think? I'll get in touch with you again.

As he was leaving those words with them.

– Alright then, we are going back to the dorm, yes?

– I'm going to take Minato-san and Kaoru-kun to the hospital room.

En masse, Haname and co. step inside of Little Garden for the first time in a week.

The summer vacation was almost about to spell the end.

End of Chapter 1


Chapter 2
The Secret Plan of Satoru and Kaoru/The Envoy from Gudenburg/Divine Card

A couple of weeks after Haname and co. returned from Yamato, the school district of Little Garden which fell completely silent during the summer vacation, was regaining its original hustle and bustle.

No, it might be even more than usual.

It's because everyone is more than nervous in some respects.

It's probably because of the preparations for the founding festival that is going to take place at the end of the month.

The founding festival—also called Gardens Festa, it's a festival held at the end of September that commemorates the start of Little Garden, and when speaking of an ordinary school, it's an event, the school festival.

Normally Little Garden sails the seven seas, but during the founding festival there is a HQ of Warslan in the harbor somewhere in the United States of Liberia—and only on the first day when the founding festival is held, ordinary citizens who usually can't watch it can step in Little Garden.

Since it's simply a school festival, in Little Garden the students become the center and perform events using stalls, stages and classrooms.

As a matter of course, there are many performances that are done with Variable Stones and Hundreds.

Nonetheless, Haname, Ellie and the rest of the members of Selections have guarding as their main duty.

There's also the thing about the three artificial Variants, and it's also necessary to think about the possibility that Viktor will start a rescue operation.

For that reason, The Student Council of Little Garden is appealing to the dispatch of Slayers not only from Warslan Main Office, but also from the Liberian Army and the allied countries with the United States of Liberia.

Haname and Ellie were excused to leave from the security duty during the morning of the day of the founding festival, the mini live of Kirishima Satoru in the middle of it and at the even held on the night after the last day of the festival.

And so, the founding festival also known as the 2nd Gardens Festa arrived a week later on the after school day.

Haname parted with Laetitia and Fiona who are going to patrol Little Garden as members of Selections and when she was heading towards the dorm with Ellie.

– Hey hey, what is Haname going to do during the three hours in the morning?

Ellie walks while asking Haname as he takes a look at the pamphlet of the 2nd Gardens Festa that was just completed.

– That's up to Kaoru.

– Oh, Haname is going to see Kaoru-kun

– We haven't talked about that yet. Since I got a break in the morning, I thought of doing so.

– Then, is it fine for me to join or it's no good?

– I don't mind.

– If so, I'll ask Kaoru. If he says it's impossible, then it can't be helped. But, only one promise—

Ellie approached his mouth close to the ear of Haname and whispered to emphasize.

– Because the fireworks are just for the two of us.


Since she's going to ask Kaoru immediately, Haname parted with Ellie on their way back to the dorm and visited the hospital room of her little sister.

*Knock* *Knock*, she knocks the door.

(… hmm?)

There's no reply.

– Hey, Kaoru.

She continued calling him out, but the usual reply wasn't there.

(Maybe he's sleeping?)

With that thought while opening the door, the figure of Kaoru who was sitting and had a part of the top of the bed raised and the figure of Kaoru who was sitting on the chair placed on the side of the bed met her eyes.

They are a pair of lovers—no, going into a huddle like brothers, they put one side of the earphones connected to the laptop that was placed on the long and narrow table equipped on the bed in one of their ears.

– Oh, Nee-san.

Kaoru shows a sort of surprised look and turns his eyes to Haname.

– Eh, Haname-chan's here?

Satoru also is showing a surprised-like expression on his face and turned his line of sight to Haname.

– What are you two listening to?

– Eh, err… that's, well… ah, kyaah!?

It's probably because of trying to operate the laptop.

The arms of Kaoru ended entwining with the cord and the earphone disconnects from the jack.

As a result, there was a rhythmical melody that echoed in the hospital room.

Then, a familiar voice flows out.

– This is Kaoru's voice, isn't it…?

– Uwaaaaaaaaaaaa!

His face turning bright red, Kaoru hurries to close the lid of the laptop vigorously.

– Rising a loud voice like that so suddenly, what's the matter? What is going on here…?

– We were thinking of trying to keep this a secret to Haname, but now that it has become to this, it's no use, huh.

Satoru sighs deeply looking like he gave up.

– Please wait a moment Satoru-san. By any chance, are you going to tell Nee-san?

– At any rate, we planned to tell him next week, so it's fine already, isn't it?

– But, I have to prepare myself…

– You boys, what are you really up to…?

Haname points a suspicious line of sight towards the dubious two.

– Of course you know that my mini live is going to take place at the Gardens Festa, don't you?

– The one I was entrusted with by the President and the vice presidents, right?

– That's right, that one.

Although he's kind of a "special student", he's a member of Little Garden.

It seems that there was a suggestion from the side of the students that they wanted to do a "live".

Nonetheless, that's not the intention of Clark and the Student Council.

It was the request from the residents of Little Garden who couldn't see the previous live in the side of Sangria.

– There are things like returning the favor for always going in and out and of course the fees paid to the performing artists that aren't earned. But they decided to entrust all the matters to me. That's when I thought. As a surprise, let's get Kaoru to do an entry on the stage!

– … huh? What are you talking about?

– I'm saying that Kaoru-kun will sing a song during my mini live.

– Is that true?

– Of course it's true. There are amateur bands and concerts at the Gardens Festa, so there's nothing wrong with that.

– But, I'm sure that your mini live will be streamed all over the world on the cybernet, right?

– Eh, is that so?

Kaoru shows a surprised look.

Apparently, Satoru didn't inform him about that.

– To be honest, yeah, it is. But, if it's the skill that Kaoru-kun has a singer, it'll be fine. Haname also understands that when she listened to it.

Saying so, Satoru reaches for the laptop.

Kaoru then hurriedly takes the laptop that is before his eyes in his hands, holds it with his arms and shouted as his face turns bright red.

– Satoru-san please stop! This, being listened by Nee-san is embarrassing!

There's nothing to feel embarrassed now. A lot of people have already listened to it, and from here, it will be listened even more.

– Uu…. but…

Kaoru pouts his lips.

– You were saying that this was listened by a lot of people so, what do you mean with that?

Haname asked while cocking her head in puzzlement.

That's because those words were worrying him.

– Actually, I uploaded and published a song of Kaoru-kun to the music sharing service on the cybernet. Kaoru-kun. Prepare yourself and return the laptop.

Satoru extends his hand, but Kaoru only shakes his head to the left and right.

– Even if you aren't going to hand it over, the song of Kaoru-kun is in my PDA anyway.

Smiling with mischief, Satoru takes the PDA out of the pocket.

– Uu, Satoru is unkind…. I understand, I will return it.

Kaoru reluctantly handed over the laptop to Satoru.

– Well then, shall we listen the continuation of moments ago?

Satoru opens the laptop on the table installed on the bed again and starts to use it.

Then, the music began to sound.

It's a jaunty overture, like the songs of Satoru.

– I created the song. It's wonderful, right?

Saying that, Satoru brings his body close to her back.

– Well, I get that you are amazing.

It seems his chest is touching her.

Because she can't concentrate, she separates from the body of Satoru and listens to the music again.

It was just when the prelude ended, and the singing began to be heard.

One minute and thirty seconds.

Haname kept listening carefully to Kaoru's song.

– It's good…

That's her impression.

– REALLY!?

The expression of Kaoru who raised his face turns bright in no time.

– Frankly, I was surprised. I thought it was good, but I wasn't expecting it to be this good.

– Ehehe… is, that so…? Thank you very much, Nee-san.

When Haname told her upfront impressions, Kaoru smiled looking embarrassed.

Next to him, Satoru has a satisfying expression on his face.

– Hey, that's exactly what I was saying, isn't it? Also, this song is very popular on the cybernet.

– Are you serious…?

– Yeah, the number of views is around 100k and its valuation is superb. I already have made it public that the singer is a resident of Little Garden and there are rumors that I created the song. If Kaoru-kun appears during the live and sings, that will definitely be very exciting. At the same time when I registered it on the music download distribution site, it ranked very high in the charts as expected!

– This is selling!?

Kaoru raised a hysteric voice.

It looks like he didn't hear about the selling.

– After all, if we are creating the song of Kaoru-kun like this, then you are going to want to produce Idol activities. When I said that to Soffiane, he said that he didn't see the problem and I also wanted to create songs that will be sung by us, not only be me. So I was wondering if it's fine if that other person is Kaoru-kun. Or it's no good?

– Errrrr…

Kaoru seems quite puzzled by the sudden invitation of Satoru.

– Kaoru-kun doesn't want to debut or sing with me?

– Rather than disliking it, I haven't thought about it to that extent.

– Then, I wonder if you can think about it. If Kaoru-kun debuts and plays an active role, I think we can give dreams and hopes to Kei-chan and those who suffer from the same disease as Kaoru-kun. Don't you think that thing is very wonderful?

– I do think so but…

The end of the sentence of Kaoru gets smaller.

– In that case, let's do it together.

While saying so, he takes the arm of Kaoru.

– Ah, yes…

– Hooray!

He forced his way, somehow.

If you want to know the truth, it's very against his will.

Satoru continues his words.

– That's right, once Lunaltia Base is completed, what if we do a concert on the surface of the moon? The first humans. Our names will last forever!

– Well, that's…. as expected, going that far is… besides, the moon… is it?

– Hey, stop now. Kaoru is dragged into that too, you know!? Besides, even though she's doing it pretty well, don't make Kaoru do the unreasonable.

– But, dreams are important. If that feeling is strong, his body will surely be able to adapt to unknown viruses. The Hundred responds to our feelings.

– Yes, but…

Being corrected, she sees Kaoru on the bed.

Although he was walking within his limitations in the middle of their return to Yamato, his body didn't become completely free.

As usual, he's most of his daily life in a bed or wheelchair.

– Anyhow, singing a song, can you do a live in that state?

– There's a secret plan for that.

– … a secret plan?

– Yeah, that's still a secret plan. Isn't that right, Kaoru-kun?

– Oh, yes. A secret plan.

「「Right!?」」

And the two of them look at each other's face.

Ultimately, Haname couldn't get to know the secret plan of Satoru that day.


Going back 2 days in time, when Little Garden came alongside Sangria harbor.

Three days till the founding festival, the 2nd Gardens Festa arrives.

Not only the students but also the citizens and everyone are in the middle of the preparations with a cheerful-ish mood.

– I'm using Silver Blitz to do acrobatics here.

Immediately after they finished lunch at the courtyard, something barked with a 「Bark」at the feet of Alphonse Brewstadt, a young man with a good physique and a classmate.

It has the figure similar to a dog, but its color is silver, it does indeed look like a robot, so it's not a real dog.

It's the terminal that Alphonse Brewstadt created with his Hundred in his hand, the handling ability of the Tamer type which is, in other words, his weapon.

Sliver Blitz is its name, he gave it to it.

– Because we'll rehearse the performance for the very day of the Gardens Festa from now on, Haname and everyone, look at us.

Alphonse said to Haname who's sitting in front of the table.

– I'd like to do that if possible, however.

Haname answers, looking apologetic.

– Do you have something to do after this?

– Together with Ellie, we'll have to go and greet the Slayers of Gudenburg who will help with the security of the founding festival.

– Ah, I see. But, why Haname and Ellie?

– There's an acquaintance of Ellie among the Slayers of Gudenburg.

It was Laetitia who butted into the conversation.

– Yup, an old friend of mine.

Replies Ellie.

– Is that perhaps a boy? And the one who's in a love relationship with Ellie?

Alphonse asks with a mix of excitement.

– Well, something like that.

And, it was Fiona who was butting into the conversation to banter with them. Then Ellie stood up in anger and beat the desk with both hands.

– Don't say such a foolish thing, Fiona! It'll be misunderstood.

– But, that boy seemed to be yearning for you. Maybe he's jealous of Haname who's always at your side.

– Does that mean that Kisaragi-san and Crossford-san were making out during the operation!?

It's their classmate, Noah Sheldon, who asks excitedly.

Next, Shuemei lands an additional blow to the unfortunate situation.

– Come to think of it, even at the rally meeting on the day before the operation, Ellie-san and Haname-san disappeared stealthily, didn't they…?

– What's, with that…? It smells very fishy!

The eyes of both Noah and Shuemei shine, but of course, they don't know that the real identity of Ellie is the one of a man and also the prince of Gudenburg.

That also applies to Fiona and Laetitia, as well as to Alphonse.

The only ones who know in Little Garden are the members of the Student Council and Charlie Dimandius, the main technologist.

Even so, it seems that this reaction is because they are dubious about the relation between men—the so called "girls love".

Such a thing has happened many times so far.

– I'm telling you, we don't have that kind of weird relationship, we are just childhood friends… isn't it?

– That's right, we were apart for quite a long time and also because we felt like this 10 years ago!

– But Satoru-san said that you two are suspicious. And it may be even more than that. And also that everyone should monitor you—

– How can he say such a thing?

They thought that they could solve this misunderstanding already, but apparently, they didn't.

*BIP*, *BIP*…

– Ah, this is bad.

The PDA of Haname in her uniform pocket began to make a sudden sound.

After retrieving it and checking it, the name of the president is displayed on the display.

『It's time desuwayo. What on earth are you doing masuno!?』

At the same time she answers the call, an angry voice can be heard close to the ear.

– I'm sorry, president…. Now, I have finished eating with Ellie at the cafeteria…

『Come to the front of the school gate of the Martial Arts Department right away desu. Are we clear desuwane?』


– You finally came shitawane.

It was almost at the very same time when Haname and Ellie got into a car and arrived at the airport section and joined in front of the school gate with Eric Candle and Lloyd Steinberg, the vice presidents of the Student Council of Little Garden and Clark Harvey, the president of the Student Council who said so looking amazed.

A transport aircraft that carried Slayers of the Kingdom of Gudenburg of the Federation of Britannia lands on the runway.

When Haname and the others walked to the side of the transport aircraft along with the staff, the Slayers of the army of the Kingdom of Gudenburg came down the stairs of the ramp connected to the hatch.

Among them, they can see many faces that remember them of the 《Operation: Bird in Cage》.

– Ah, he came out.

Immediately after Ellie murmured so.

– It's been a long time, Elias-sama!

It was one of the Slayers of the army of Gudenburg, Claude Lowetti, the childhood friend and relative of Ellie Crossford alias Elias Hermit who came running down the ramp while shouting

It looks like he cannot help but be happy for reuniting for first time in a month and a little.

He rushes over to Elias with a full smile on his face and hugged him tightly.

Speaking of Ellie aka Elias who faces him, he raised his eyebrows with anger and pulled Claude away from his body with both hands on his face.

– What ade you thoing, Elias-sama?

– I'm not doing nothing, jeez. In Little Garden, most people don't know my true identity. So why don't you stop calling me Elias?

Elias said looking amazed.

Fut, that's not a problem rith now, isn't it? It looks like here are only the ones of Little Garden side who know your real identity, coddect?

– That's true, however.

Aside from Haname and Ellie, Little Garden side consists of Clark Harvey, the president and two other people—the vice presidents Lloyd Steinberg and Eric Candle.

The Gudenburg side also knew a lot of faces.

And at that time.

Ellie's line of sight was taken away by the man descending from the ramp.

Her surprised eyes are rounded.

– Gertrude Kilfelthar…

– It's been a long time, Elias-sama.

The woman whose name was called, approached the side of Ellie and kneeled.

It's a sharp-eyed woman with short light-brown hair.

(Who's this girl…?)

Haname turned her line of sight to the woman as she became concerned.

Maybe she's in her mid-thirties?

Therefore, she's not a Slayer, probably.

Her clothes seem to be of those of the army of Gudenburg, but unlike Claude, there are a lot of decorations.

Even considering her attitude towards Ellie, the woman's eyes are directed to Haname who whether she was a high official of Gudenburg or something.

– You are the kid of that time—Kisaragi Haname, huh?

The woman said, casting a sharp glance at her face.

– That time…?

She didn't understand what she said so suddenly.

– At the time of the Second Attack.

– Hmm, did we meet somewhere? Around that time, I got an injury on my head, so some memories are missing…

– Haname, Kilfelthar is my watcher and also the person who rescued us.

– Eh…? Then, that means—

Even though she rescued imr, the tone of Ellie indicates she's not his benefactor. Rather than that, it's more like a sense of caution against Kilfelthar.

Haname also understands the reason.

It reminds her of that time.

The pincer of the Savage tore the shirt to pieces, grazed his chest and after that she sucked out the poison to save the injured Elias.

Haname felt a dull pain in the back of the head when the poison rose to her body and when her consciousness was vague, she fainted.

– Maybe the memory of Haname-chan is vague because of that time. Then, let me apologize as I did something inexcusable. It was confusing due to the state of emergency.

– After all, I was hit?

– Yeah, she misunderstood that Haname was trying to attack me, so Kilfelthar, the body guard, hit you with the grip of her small gun. After explaining the circumstances, I forced her to leave Haname with me.

Saying that, Ellie glares at Kilfelthar.

– So, what is Kilfelthar doing here? It was father's order? Because I'm not going to go back to the country.

– I know. We just came to see the leadership and management of the Slayers who came to Little Garden and also the face of Elias-sama. And, the greetings aren't over yet.

Kilfelthar stretched out her hand with her body facing towards Clark.

– You are the captain of this ship—Clark Harvey-sama, correct? I am Gertrude Kilfelthar, a high official of the Kingdom of Gudenburg, Federation of Britannia.

– Nice to meet you, Gertrude. And yes, it is as you say, I am the captain of Little Garden, Clark Harvey desuwa. Thank you very much for dispatching valuable Slayers to we, Little Garden, from a long distance in this occasion masu.

– Not at all, that goes for us to, as we were thinking that we would learn all sort of things, so we are indebted to Little Garden. Besides, it seems that you were taking care of Prince Elias…

– Wait a minute. Stop with that sort of conversation. I already have nothing to do with the Kingdom of Gudenburg!

Ellie, who exposed his indignation towards Kilferthar, pointed his eyes to Clark next.

– Prez, the reception has ended, so it's fine if we return already, right? Haname, let's go.

– H-hey…

Ellie grabs the arm of Haname and tries to leave from this place.

There, the voice of Claude arrived.

– Please wait, Elias-sama!

– What?

Ellie looks towards Claude who called him to halt.

– It's only a little, but there's something that I have to talk with you.

The expression of such Claude is really serious.

– To talk? And about what?

– That's, well…

– It's not a bad conversation regarding Elias-sama.

It was Kilfelthar who tossed a lifeboat to Claude who hesitated to speak.

However, Elias doesn't seem to take those words obediently.

– I don't believe you…

He's becoming very suspicious since he noticed something suspicious.

It was Clark who pushed the back of Ellie.

– It's a rare reunion, so isn't it alright to listen to them for a while, I wonder?

– I think so too. Listen to him for a while.

– … Haname is saying that it's fine if they bring me back to Gudenburg?

– I'm not saying anything like that. Besides, the founding festival will be up after this. It's not like they are going to bring you back to Gudenburg just like this.

– You are right, but…

– If so, then eat together and listen to their story.

– Then, Haname is coming along too.

– It's just that if I go, I'll be a hindrance to her.

– That's true, but…

Claude stares fixedly at Haname.

It was Clark who cut into the conversation there.

– Ellie Crossford, you are an important existence to Little Garden desu. If this turns inconvenient to you, then please discuss it with us. We will absolutely not let it be something bad to you masenwa.

– *Annoyed*, fine… then, I'll go.

Haname, who decided to part with Clark and the Student Council group as they had to communicate security arrangements and so forth and sent off Ellie and the Slayers to the quarters, returned to the school building of the Martial Arts Department.

This afternoon everyone is free, so she was assigned to fundamental training time.

It's time to build up her physical strength and so she's going to work hard at the training room in the underground of the school.

– —ah what?

When Haname descended from the car in front of the school gate and walked towards the training room, four people who she knew approached him.

Kaoru is in the wheelchair, and Kashiwagi Minato, the nurse in charge of Kaoru is pushing that wheelchair—the one walking to their side is Satoru who's talking to Kaoru and Charlie Dimandius who's leading those three.

– Why are you guys here?

Haname asks while having her eyes wide open.

It's certain that there are four people in this place, but the most surprising thing is that Kaoru is wearing a black Variable Suit.

– Why is Nee-san here…?

In the wheelchair, Kaoru was staring in wonder.

– To think that you were walking in the corridor at this time, huh.

– Haname-chan, what about your classes?

– I was invited by the President and the Student Council members and went to the airport district to welcome the people from Gudenburg.

Following Charlie, Haname answers Satoru who questioned with a strong tone.

– I see, so that's how it is.

Apparently, Minato seemed to be convinced.

– Err, can I ask a question this time?

Why is Kaoru wearing a Variable Suit, correct?

Before she speaks of her doubt, Charlie answers.

– Yes…

– What are guys going to do? If it has become to this, why not showing that to Haname-chan?

– Eh, well…

The troubled Kaoru looks up at Satoru.

He can't make a decision on his own.

He was turning his eyes like saying "I'll leave this to Satoru".

– … oh well, we were planning to surprise her for real on very day, but it can't be helped if it has become to this.

As he gave up, Satoru takes a breath and continues his words.

– Kaoru-kun, let's show it to Haname-chan. Our secret plan—


– Why in this place…?

It was the practice ground in the basement of Little Garden where they arrived doing as they were told by Satoru. It's a place to do training of Hundred and the like.

– Nee-san. Actually, Kaoru also had operation ability of the Hundred.

– Eh?

While sitting in the wheelchair, Kaoru took out a dim red shining Hundred that was shaped like a diamond and showed it to Haname.

– Wait a moment. When you took the test with me, it was said that the Hundred wasn't suitable for you…

For this reason, Kaoru suffered from the disease as a harmful effect.

– That's true, however…

Troubled, Kaoru turns his line of sight to Charlie.

Then, Charlie began to explain.

– It's because Little Garden is a special environment. The air in this enclosed space also contains special particles that help restore energy. There are people who awaken their operation ability of the Hundred while passing time in it, and some people get reaction values and the diseases of the people are cured. Besides, Kaoru is taking medicine for his treatment as well. It's no wonder that he can awaken his operation ability due to those effects.

– Please wait a moment, Charlie-san. By medicine, you mean the one that turns you into an artificial Variant, isn't that…

– What we are doing is something similar. However, that's also part of the treatment. Besides, the medicine isn't strong, so be relieved, okay? And actually, the symptoms of Kaoru-kun are getting better and there are no side effects.

– But…

– Are you worried?

– Yes.

– If so, Kaoru-kun, why don't you make her be relieved by showing your deployed Hundred—《Sacred Miracle》 Divine Card?

– U-understood.

– Are you sure, Kaoru-kun?

– … yes.

Kaoru got down from the wheelchair by himself although with an unsteady walk until he took a distance of 5 meters from Haname and the others.

– Then, here I go—HUNDRED ON!

When Kaoru grasped tightly the Hundred in the hand, it changed to a single card. Its size is pretty much the same of a playing card.

Looking at it, Haname murmurs.

– Is that, tarot…I wonder?

It looks exactly like the ones Kaoru uses for fortune telling habitually.

– Yes. That's how we decided the shape of the armament of Kaoru-kun.

It's Charlie who nodded.

– Shape of the armament? In other words, it hasn't taken that form yet?

– That's right. Like the Hundred of Ellie Crossford and Kirishima Satoru, that's also a Hundred of special shape. Take a look at it, it's very interesting.

When she noticed, Kaoru was holding the card towards the sky.

– Card-san, please help me with the essential armament for the live!

When Kaoru said so, the card that showed an intense radiance turned into particles and changed into six huge cards that began to rotate with the body of Kaoru as the center of them.

The cards draw near the body of Kaoru.

Simultaneously with the binding, they extinguished while releasing an intense light.

He wore a pretty suit that was colored with black and pink, frills were piled up over and over again and the suit without gaps looked like a jumpsuit based on white.

His short black hair is grown and tied with a big ribbon that turned it to a ponytail and there's also a decoration of wings of a bat around his waist.

– How is it? With this one the live seems doable, right? He does indeed feel like an Idol.

It's Satoru who said so.

Dyeing his face red, Kaoru opens his mouth while squirming.

– Nee-san, how do I look?

– Well, that's…. I think it suits you but…

– ?

– Isn't the exposure a little too much?

– Hyaa!

Suddenly blushing, the look of Kaoru dyes red.

Probably because she was getting aware of that.

Although there are decorations around the head and waist, since the crotch is too exposed, the shoulders also come out.

– But, he's pretty Idol-like, right?

– I guess so…

It's a bit complicated as his older sister.

– Hmm, if you are in an armed state, you can stand straight, right?

Haname asks a question, noticing that Kaoru is standing firmly with his two feet unlike some time ago.

– Yes, thanks to the armaments of the feet.

Looking closely, certainly there was something like gears on his feet.

– Those are supposed to support his movement.

It's Charlie who added that explanation.

– Kaoru-kun, show to Haname-chan that you can move.

– Understood.

Kaoru gushes out energy from the gear at his feet and started to move lightly and smoothly like gliding on the ground.

It looked as if he was doing ice skating.

– Awesome, right…?

– He had a hard time until he was able to move this well.

It was Minato who said so.

– —however, when compared with other Slayers, his growth was quite fast. Like Haname-san, Kaoru seems to have a lot of talent as well. Maybe it's because he had a clear dream of becoming an Idol thanks to Satoru-san.

The Hundred responds to the feelings.

Those words passed by the mind of Haname.

– Kaoru-kun. It's enough. Next is Mode Change. The costume that it seems to be the favorite of Haname-chan.

– Ah, right… Understood.

– Mode Change? You mean full armament, perhaps?

– Nope. It means Kaoru-kun can do something like I can do, which is to change costumes. However, it's slightly different from me. Well, you'll notice when you see it.

Being told so by Satoru, Haname turns her eyes to Kaoru again.

Thereupon, Kaoru shouted, sticking out his right hand.

– Card Shuffle! Mode Change!

Then, a tarot card appeared before Kaoru's eyes.

Grabbing that, Kaoru puts it overhead.

– Tarot-san, properly armed this time!

Then the card, by showing a violent brilliance once again, turns into six huge cards that were covering the body of Kaoru.

The difference this time is that the mark on the back of the cards is a long spear.

The cards bind with the body of Kaoru and disappear as light.

Then the body of Kaoru was covered with a thick armor unlike a while ago.

A long spear as well as the mark that appeared on the cards is also held in his hand.

– Wh-whoaaaaaaaa!

– Hey, Kaoru. You ok?

The panicking Haname caught in her arms the body of Kaoru whose feet became unstable because he withstood the weight of the spear.

– I'm sorry, Nee-san. As expected, it's no good to be armed like this…

– As expected, you say? Don't tell me that you chose this?

– … yes.

Kaoru nodded.

Haname understood while looking that it's possible for him to change it to various forms using Divine Card like Ellie's Arms Shroud, but apparently it isn't so.

– Actually, I don't exactly know to what the armament will change.

– In short, you can't control the armament yet?

– It looks like it can be operated to some extent depending on the mental attitude and the situation of the moment, or perhaps I should say to control it, but something that I'm not even expecting from time to time will be deployed…

– It's the same as Tarot. And its name, Divine Card, it's just as the phrase says: God only knows.

It was Charlie who said so.

– Kaoru-kun's Hundred is also special—I dare to say is a Fortune type. That's because of its characteristics.

According to Charlie, the armament based on the Hundred of Kaoru is said to be automatically chosen depending on the situation.

– Well, you can operate it with preprogramming to a certain extent, but there are moments that you can't do anything, like now. When that happens, it's the best if you deploy it again. The thing is that your energy will be exhausted though.

– Besides, as he continued training in this way, his precision ended up increasing considerably and I'm sure hos live performance will go smoothly. Even if he fails, it's better to laugh than think and being caught by it. In short, think positive, it's important to be positive. So Haname-chan, don't worry!

Satoru said, looking as he has nothing to do with what is going on at all.

– Hey, even if you are saying so…

The anxiety won't change.

– It's not going to be dealt with by ordinary means if he operates the Hundred while singing like Satoru, so it's better if he only moves, don't you think?

In fact, even her classmates are struggling to use the Hundred.

– If he falls into a dangerous situation, I'll support him properly, so it's fine.

Satoru raises his thumb while saying that, but nevertheless, he's worried as well.

It looks like Minato noticed such feeling of Haname.

– If I judge that it's dangerous, then I will interrupt and cancel the armament immediately even when he's in the middle of the live. So, please be relieved.

– Understood, if Minato-san says so…

– Hey, Haname-chan. Why didn't you trust what I said, but you trust what Minato-san said!?

– That's because Minato-san is a nurse. So it's natural to trust him.

– Fuun…. Well, whatever.

Saying that, Satoru didn't appear to be convinced.

Continuing, he declares to Haname with a harsh tone of voice.

– Because I'm going to be practicing with Kaoru-kun after this, Haname-chan will have to go.

– Eh, I'm not allowed to watch the practice?

– Watching the singing itself is the enjoyment of the performance. And because I'm absolutely not going to lose. So, look forward to it, okay?

End of Chapter 2


Chapter 3
Gardens Festa/Maid Café/Mini-Live

And so, the day of the founding festival aka Gardens Festa came at last.

In the stadium of Little Garden, a ceremony before the opening was being held.

While being watched attentively by many spectators, and following the salutations of Judy Harvey, the company president of Warslan Company, the King of Little Garden, Clark Harvey, stands on the stage and declares.

– From here on, we will be hosting the 2nd Little Garden Founding Festival also known as the 2nd Gardens Festa masu.

*Boom* *Boom*, together with the guns loaded with blanks that resound informing the opening of the festival, the whole Little Garden began to bustle right away.

– Good job, Haname.

It's Fiona Grantz, one of the members of Selections and also their classmate who called out to Haname and Ellie who were guarding near the entrance of the stadium. Behind her is Lloyd Steinberg, one of the vice presidents.

Both of them, like Haname and Ellie, were wearing their Variable Suits.

Lloyd said to them.

– Your work for now is done. Enjoy yourselves till noon.

– We are supposed to do the guidance of the exit of the opening ceremony.

– If so, shall we go around the venue after this?

– …

– Hey, Ellie.

– Eh, what?

– Haven't you heard our conversation right now?

– Looks like she was somewhat absent-minded, maybe she doesn't feel good?

– No, I'm not ill or anything like that… why, is something wrong?

– Because our work is done for now.

– Eh, is that so? If so, shall we look around the venue?

– I just said that, you know.

Spontaneously, Haname makes a wry smile.

But, she was relieved that Ellie was regaining his usual smile.

As she said earlier, she was noticing that Ellie has been frequently absentminded these days.

– Ellie Crossford. The immoderate is forbidden. Are we clear?

Ellie responded firmly to Lloyd who said to call his attention.

– Yeah, I know.

Thus, smiling cheerfully to show that he's the same as always,

– Let's go then, Haname.

The founding festival mainly consists of elementary, middle and high school students in the center of Little Garden—the training grounds in the stadium, a part of the senior high school martial arts department school—and finally, the many shops lined up, turn Central district in the main stage.

Most of the students do their performances there.

The popular events that are involved with Slayers are many as expected

Among them, being particularly popular are the Hundred's aptitude test conducted in the auditorium and the coaching of Slayers for talented young people to handle Hundred that is held at the training grounds—that is, sham battles at the stadium and a play that used Hundred which also took place at the stadium.

Nonetheless, those are mainly done by second and third-year students of the martial arts department, the first-year students, aside from security, they are in the Central district and are administrating restaurants and the like with people of other departments.

Haname and Ellie decided to head towards Central district after they saw the success of the Hundred related event venues.

Originally, she tried to look around with her little brother Kaoru as planned, but she was told that he had to decline because it was complicated as he has to prepare for the live concert, so two people are doing this.

Without including the traveling time, their free time was no more than two hours and a little, so they decided to have lunch a little early.

– Hmm, what should we eat, I wonder?

While walking through the shopping street, Ellie looks at the board that was placed in front of the shop while turning his head to the left and right with a restless look.

Today, every store has students that prepare food.

Therefore, their menus are specials, so it seems he can hardly decide.

– Oh, they're Haname and Ellie, aren't they?

– Hmm?

Haname stopped her feet due to the sudden voice that reached them. They were amazed, looking at the figures of Lartitia Saint-Émillion, a classmate of them and who's also a member of the same Selections and Eric Candle, one of the vice presidents, who stand in front of them.

– Umm, why are both of you dressed like that?

He asked so was because they were wearing butler uniforms.

– Kisaragi Haname, please listen. This is different!

Turning his bright red face, Eric starts to excuse all of a sudden.

That'd be natural.

They should be in the middle of guarding now.

– Why are both of you dressed like that?

– Let us explain that.

It wasn't Eric who answered the doubt of Haname.

It's their classmate, Noah Sheldon, who appeared from inside the store.

Behind him is Ryu Shuemei, also their classmate.

– Noah-san…. And Shuemei-san too…

Both of them are wearing maid clothes like Laetitia and Eric.

Apparently, this store seems to be working with the concept of a "butler café".

– Do both of you work here?

– Yes, as you can see.

Shuemei who was inquired by Ellie and answered with a bashful look, began to talk about the reasons why Laetitia and Eric are wearing butler uniforms like themselves.

According to him, and before the opening, a considerable line was made in the butler café, the clerks aren't enough, it was a chaos.

Laetitia and Eric who were in the middle of their guarding happened to pass by and although they decided to help, it was said that they were going to wear butler clothes if that was the case as well.

– We didn't expect that it was going to get so crowded from the morning, they really saved us.

– Weeell, thanks to that, we were able to see such a figure of the vice prez. Because it's rare, let's take a picture.

Ellie activates the camera function of the PDA taken out from the pocket and readied it, turning it towards Eric.

– Hey, Ellie Crossford, stop!

Eric stretched out his hands and tried to hide his face, but Ellie took a photo just before that.

– Ah, taking photos, taking photos.

Looking at the PDA screen, he smiled happily.

Haname looks into it.

Although his hands reach out to Ellie with his face turning deep red, the uniform of Eric was being photographed properly.

– Let's show these to the prez next time.

– Wha! Delete them, Ellie Crossford!

– I don't want to!

When Eric reaches out to him with his hands again and tries to snatch the PDA, Ellie evaded him nimbly, raising his hand high.

– In the first place, the vice prez always pours black tea to the prez, so isn't he like a butler? I think it suits you perfectly.

– That's only because Clark-sama is delighted with the delicious black tea that I make… wait!

– Umm…

The puzzled Shuemei and co. are looking the two who started to chase one another.

At any rate, both are the elite of the elite in Little Garden.

Well, now they are behaving like children, as a matter of course.

Laetitia laughs happily, looking at that situation.

– Right, that… why are Kisaragi-san and Ellie-san here? Are you patrolling?

Shuemei asks as he completely rethought about it.

– No, we are on our break now.

– Is that so?

It's Noah who bowed his head in assent.

– Since it's absolutely necessary to return to guarding again from noon, we came to Central while thinking of where to eat at once.

– Ah, if you haven't lunch yet, then by all means have lunch at our shop. You still have time, right?

– We still have an hour but…

Answering Noah, Haname tried to look inside the shop.

However, she can't see well with the frosted glass.

– It's not crowded inside, is it?

– Right now it's dead time until noon when the customers who came after the opening of the shop will return. If it's now, you can enter without standing in a line. However, it may take a while before we deliver food.

– Haname, what kind of conversation are you having with Noah-san and Shuemei-san?

Ellie was approaching her side while saying so.

It looks like the chasing with the vice president has ended.

Ellie got away, seeing that Eric is breathing repeatedly with difficulty and with both knees and hands on the ground.

– I thought of having our meal here. What do you think?

– If Haname is okay with it then why not?

– In that case, we are lunching here, I guess?

Because they were talking in front of the store for quite a while like this, it seems they've been disturbing the business.

They ought to return it by eating there.

– Yay!

– Thank you very much.

Noah bows his head and Shuemei says his words of delightful gratitude.

– Well then, two customers are coming in.

Laetitia said, loosening his mouth and grinning as he opened the door of the shop.

– … ah, are you still an employee?

– Oh, now that you mention it, you're right. It's almost time to return to our original outfits, isn't it?

There were around 10 butlers inside the shop arranged in an interior of antique style.

Most of them are classmates of the martial arts department.

– Everyone looks splendid, don't you agree?

– Does that mean, me as well? I will feel embarrassed if Kisaragi-san says such a thing to me.

*Kyaa*, holding both hands on his cheeks, Noah makes his cheeks go red.

Thereupon, forcing his way through from the side, Shuemei

– Noah, it doesn't mean that she said it to you only! This also suits me, isn't it, Kisaragi-san?

– Y-yeah…

– But, it looks better on me, right?

– Well, that…

Two boys in butler uniform are before her.

Moreover, because they are looking into her face, leaning forward, her heart beats fast.

He probably noticed the state of Haname.

– … Haname, do you like maids?

Ellie asks with a cold tone of voice.

– Well, that… I like it, or perhaps I should say that if you are woman, then you like everyone?

– Fuun.

– Even you who's a woman should understand that somehow.

– – Wha…. Certainly, I understand that they are cute in those clothes, but…

– If so, how about wearing it?

Eric finished changing clothes from butler to his uniform and said so.

When they noticed, he's coming to the side of the table with Laetitia who also finished changing clothes.

– How can you say something like trying to wear that!?

– Ellie Crossford, you have a pretty-ish face and long hair, so I'm sure it will suit you.

– That means, you are going to cross dress!

Shouting with excitement, Noah continued.

– As the vice president says, Ellie-san has a beautiful face and I think it will definitely look good on you. Why don't you certainly try it and do it? Isn't fine to have such an enjoyable event like this in the long-awaited founding festival?

– Wait, Eric-san… This flow is really bad…

Haname whispers into Eric's ear.

– … it's revenge.

– Eh…?

– I'm taking revenge of moments ago. And the revenge is doubled. It's natural, don't you agree?

Apparently, Eric seems to be angry about the photos.

– But, if the secret of Ellie is leaked out…

– There's a changing room for women in this shop, so there won't be a problem, right? Besides, Kisaragi Haname. Don't you want to see Ellie Crossford in butler clothes?

– Huh…?

That question is unfair.

Imagining him to the best of her ability in her mind, then it will definitely suit him, he'll look good in it.

– Kisaragi Haname, what are you chatting so secretly with the vice president?

– No, it's nothing, nada.

Haname evades it while laughing, throwing doubts at Laetitia.

When she noticed, Ellie was being pushed on his back by Noah and Shuemei.

– Now, Ellie-san. Quickly until it's time for the cooking to be ready!

– That's right, let's go!

– Uwaa, wait a minute! Besides, I haven't ordered yet, you know!?

– If so, omurice is the recommendation, will that do, I wonder?

Says Noah.

– No, even if you say such a thing.

– It's fine, isn't it? It's really delicious.

Continued Shuemei.

– Wait, save me, Haname!

– Err…

In the end, Ellie was taken to the changing room by the two people as he was.


– What kind of appearance should I be looking forward to, I wonder?

– I know right? I'm very looking forward to it.

Haname's sitting at a round table that has four chairs, and in two of them, for some reason, Laetitia and Eric were sitting on them.

Laetitia has mixed juice.

Eric drinks orange juice.

– Err, Laetitia and Eric-san…

– Hmm?

– Do you need something?

Stopping their hands that hold the glasses, the two of them turn their eyes to Haname.

– Both of you are working, right?

Of course, it's security.

– We are taking a little brake so it's fine, you know. Because revenge is about to come.

– Since the vice president says so, there won't be any problem.

– Well, I think there's that, but…

Besides, "revenge"…

The image of Haname about Eric was that she thought he was a decent and composed person, although he likes the president too much.

But he looks very scary when he gets angry.

(Or else, am I going to get involved with the president this time?)

Ellie was dragged away five minutes ago.

Ellie isn't coming back from the changing room yet.

Haname also ordered an omurice.

According to the other clerks, it appears to be really recommended.

(… at any rate, is he really okay, I wonder…?)

As time goes by, her anxiety increases.

That anxiety is, of course, that Ellie being a boy is leaked.

– Thank you for waiting.

In response to the voice of Noah who rushes over, Haname points her eyes to the passage that leads to the changing room.

In the same way, both Eric and Laetitia were also pointing their eyes there.

– Please come out, Ellie-san.

– Let's go, Ellie-san.

– Ah, yeah…

Being urged by Shuemei, Ellie appeared from inside the shop.

– Wow, it suits you more than I imagined!

As he looked at Ellie in butler clothes with shining and joyful eyes, Laetitia stood up completely.

– Awesome, you really look like a man, isn't it!? Don't you think so, Haname!?

– … ah, yeah. Th-that's right…

It's as Laetitia says.

Ellie who tied his hair up and wore butler clothes, no matter how you look at him, he's a real boyshe looks no other than Elias Hermit. Moreover, he's very hot—.

Being fascinated by him, she ended up spacing out for several seconds.

– Or rather, that chest…

The line of sight of Haname ended getting fixated on the chest of Ellie.

Because there were big bulges there.

– Fufufu, Kisaragi-san is lewd, isn't she? Did you notice that?

It's not Ellie who said so.

It's Noah who's standing next to Ellie.

His eyes are sparkling like a and then he grabbed the right arm of Haname.

– Kisaragi-san, please be sure to touch them.

– What?

Noah invites the right hand of Haname to touch Ellie's chest.

– Come on, come on, rub them, rub them!

– Err, rub you say…

– Yeah, squeeze them, squezee them!

– That's right, go ahead and press them!

It's not Noah. It's Shuemei who began to hurry her.

(What on earth is this situation…?)

Honestly, she doesn't know the reason.

When she looks at Ellie, he was looking down, he felt a little shy.

He really looks like a boy…

He is a boy though.

(No matter how you look at it, this reaction isn't…)

Or more precisely, what the hell is this development?

– Kisaragi Haname, why are you bewildered? Both of you are women, so do as you were told and squeeze them.

– Exactly. Aren't you a woman? It's time to do it.

She was hurried by Eric and Laetitia.

– Fine, I get it! Ellie is really fine with it, yes?

– Ye-yeah…

Ellie mutters as he looked down.

Like forgetting that he's lying about his gender and because there's a certain sensuality in the answer, her heart accelerates.

But—.

(Yeah, there's nothing else to do in this situation!)

Surely there must be some kind of trick.

Resolving himself, Haname moved the five fingers of her right hand.

(… hmm, what's this?)

Although it's hard, the shape is kind of rigid…

…hmm?

She felt that something slipped.

Moreover, slipping as it is, her hand slips further.

– Uwaah!?

– Kyaah!?

With the momentum, Haname pushed down the body of Ellie.

– …!

Ellie is blinking in surprise, his face is turning deep red.

– Haname, your face, is too close… And, you touched my chest as you like.

– Huh?

Certainly, the distance between their faces is no more than 5 centimeters.

Moreover, her hand was touching the chest of Ellie.

*Rub*, *Rub*…. She moves the hand in the same way as before.

– Hyaaaa! What are you doing, Haname!?

– Oh, I thought that there was a swelling until a few seconds ago…

She probably thought that he wrapped bleached cotton around his chest since it was perfectly flat.

Still, the softness peculiar to men was transmitted to her fingertips a little.

Turning his face bright red, Ellie screams.

– What are you doing, baka! Hurry up and get away from me now!

– Ah, s-sorry! Err…

*Click* *Click*, Haname and Ellie were taken aback with those sounds.

When they noticed, Eric holds the PDA in his hand, pointing the lens of the camera towards Haname and Ellie.

– Don't tell me that you took some photos just now?

Haname rapidly stands up and takes distance from the body of Ellie.

– Eh, please show them to me!

– Me too!

Both Noah and Shuemei are looking into the PDA of Eric.

– Th-these are problematic photos, don't you agree…?

-Yes, definitely.

Shuemei and Noah nodded to one another.

– What kind of pictures did you take?

Haname also looks into Eric's PDA.

– … uwa…

The moment she was rubbing the chest with all her strength and the figure of Haname who is pushing down the butler clothed Ellie were photographed perfectly.

This is something that can only be called as cruel.

– I beg you, please don't upload them to the cybernet!

Haname, who ended up to that point, spontaneously said so.

– Then, please delete my pictures too.

Without a moment's delay, Eric said.

Looks like this was his objective from the start.

– I'm waiting, Ellie.

– Eh…

– Do you want the pictures to be scattered?

– Well, I don't really mind though.

– No, it's bad! Please pardon us of these weird rumors that are multiplying!

Ultimately, Eric and Ellie deleted each other's pictures.

As a pleasure only for this place, Shuemei and Noah also decided to delete the photos.

– So, how's that you had that sort of chest just now?

– Oh, these? They were these things.

Ellie took out towels from the chest.

– At any rate, you could have told me to get the mood. Those two took pictures too, you know?

*Ahaha*, Haname breathed a sigh, looking at the laughing Elias.

(I was really surprised, geez…)

When Ellie returned to his Variable Suit again, the omurice came right away, and by the time they finished eating, it was already 12 o'clock, the time when they start to work.

– We should get back to work soon.

Haname guards the Terminal section and Ellie guards the school building of the martial arts department.

They boarded the same bus from Central district all together.

– Well then, in front of the school building of the stadium at 15:30.

– Got it.

Haname saw off Ellie getting off from the bus first.

And then she went to the Terminal section where she's going to do the security.


Haname put on her uniform on top of her Variable Suit and arrived in front of the stadium where the live concert venue is, she was a little late of the appointed time of 15:30.

As expected of the one who is called a world-class Idol.

The surroundings of the stadium are more crowded than in the morning when the opening ceremony of the founding festival was held.

The tickets, including the ones you watch while standing, seem to be sold out.

Haname surveyed around the entrance, spotted Ellie and started talking to him.

– Sorry, I kept you waiting. Almost no buses weren't coming.

– Haname was far away, so it can't be helped. More importantly, let's enter quickly. We won't have time to see Kaoru-kun and the others.

– You're right.

Haname and Ellie head to the entrance gate.

The tickets were transferred to their PDAs.

When they tried to enter showing the PDAs to the senpais of Selections who were guarding the entrance gate, Soffiane Clearrail, the manager of Kirishima Satoru, came to them.

– Satoru-san and Kaoru-kun have requested me to guide and bring you two to the dressing room.

Saying that, Soffiane started to walk, leading Haname and Ellie.

What they reached was the standby room that Haname used the next day she came to Little Garden before fighting with the president.

When Soffiane opens the door, the wheelchaired Kaoru and Satoru have ended changing to their Variable Suits. And there was also Minato dressed in nursing clothes.

– Nee-san, the play that was done before was really amazing!

Kaoru was undoubtedly nervous and Haname thought that it was getting smaller but, unexpectedly, his tension was excessively high.

It appears that armed Slayers were using their Hundred until a while ago, doing something like a play in the field of the stadium, it looks like they were watching that on the monitor.

He spreads the arms on the wheelchair and talked about the contents mixed with excitement.

– Since the video of the play seems to be seen on the cyberspace at any time, Nee-san should also watch it without fail.

– I know.

Responding, Haname continued.

– So, are you okay? Like the play, not only videos of the stage are saved on the cyberspace, the live concert is also streamed to the whole world in real time, isn't it? Are you completely ready for it?

– Nee-san, please don't make me feel nervous like that. But, I'm frantically containing my racing heart!

Kaoru looks at Haname with an upward glance while putting his right fist on the part of the heart of his chest.

On such neck of Kaoru, Satoru surrounded it with both hands from behind.

– Be calm, Kaoru-kun.

– Satoru-san…

– Haname-chan doesn't have to worry either, okay? The rehearsal of yesterday and the rehearsal of today were flawless and his preparation is perfect as well.

Turning his eyes to Haname, Satoru declared so.

– If you say so, then I'll be relieved.

– To Ryōko-ojiisan, to everyone in the facility… and also to Kei-chan who's watching me at the hospital, I absolutely cannot fail them.

Satoru clenches one of his fists.

– Now that I remember, how many songs will Kaoru-kun sing?

It was Satoru and not Kaoru who answered Ellie's doubts.

– One solo song. And a song with me for a total of two. Depending on the time and the enthusiasm of the spectators, there might be another song to encore.

– Please wait a moment, Satoru-san! I haven't heard anything of an encore!

– But Kaoru-kun can sing any of my songs, right? And you even know my choreographies, don't you? That's why we'll be able to manage somehow or other. I was thinking of deciding what to sing after this.

– Eeehh….. That's, my heart isn't ready…

– It's fine, it's fine, that sort of thing can be done while the live concert progresses, whatever will work.

Ahaha, Satoru laughs.

– Hey come on, unlike you, Kaoru is an amateur…. Don't say that it's not too much…

Haname sighed greatly.

– … and, Satoru, the live starts in 15 minutes. Because you have a last meeting from now on, oh and Kaoru-kun, I wonder if we can end the conversation with your older sister around here?

Soffiane comes in between the four people and made a stop.

– Well then, shall we go back soon?

– 'kay, see you after the live.

– Do your best, Kaoru-kun.

Saying so, Haname and Ellie started to walk towards the door to leave the room.

– Err, Nee-san…

Haname was called to halt by Kaoru and turns around in front of the door.

What was visible to her is the figure of Kaoru who's staring fixedly at her with upturned eyes.

She immediately understood what he was looking for.

– … it can't be helped, huh.

Haname approaches Kaoru and kisses his forehead.

– If it's you, then you absolutely can do it well. Believe in yourself. Okay?

– Yes!

– Hey, Haname-chan. What about me?

Satoru combed his hair upwards and showed his forehead, tapping it twice with his fingers.

Is he perhaps insisting on a kiss?

– Well…

– Haname, why are you puzzled by the joke of Satoru? Let's go.

Taking the arm of Haname, Ellie tries to leave from the room.

Haname didn't oppose to it.

– Satoru, do your best too!

Leaving those words with him, Haname disappears from the dressing room and Satoru muttered, pouting his lips.

– Tsk, even though I wasn't joking…


– It says number 22 M and number 23 M, so are these our seats?

Haname and Ellie found the number of the chairs written in the ticket that was sent to their PDAs and sat down.

They heard those are staff seats.

Which means that it's a place where the stage is quite easy to see.

– Come to think of it, isn't it nice that we are carrying these today?

Haname also turns her line of sight beyond the line of sight of Ellie.

These are heart-shaped penlights which are fan goods. The color changes depending on the signal transmitted by the organizer of the live concert.

– What do I do, are they selling them somewhere?

Haname said to Ellie, investigating the surroundings.

– It's not that it's mandatory to have them, you know?

– Is that so?

– These are the staff seats, right? There's almost no people around here, huh—ah…

At the staff seats, he noticed the figure of Judy Harvey, the company president of Warslan.

It doesn't mean that she's sitting.

While being accompanied by Neveah Grauss, a male Slayer with bobcat hair who's her bodyguard, she stood as she is and greets the person who is a high official of the United States of Liberia.

Haname was watching her figure and met her eyes with the ones of Judas.

Then, separating from the other party with whom she was having a talk, Judy got close to Haname's side together with the male Slayer.

– Hi, it's been a long time, Kisaragi Haname-chan. Today it seems that your little brother will also sing during this live concert, isn't he?

Judy started talking to Haname while showing a radiant smile on her face.

– Umm, after he came to Little Garden, his body has become considerably better…. For this too, I give my thanks to Warslan and everyone in Little Garden.

– I am glad you are saying so. Even though I am saying that as gratitude, I will leave Warslan and Little Garden under your care from now on.

– Ah, yes…

– Next is, Ellie Crossford-chan.

Subsequently, Judy points her eyes to Ellie.

– I have heard stories about family issues. It seems you have a lot of hardships, but like Kisaragi Haname-chan, you are an important person for both Little Garden and Warslan. I would appreciate if you stay here from now on. I will be relying on you.

– Ah, yeah… understood.

Wondering about why he came to talk about his family so suddenly, Ellie answered with discomfort.

Still, regarding Judy, she was satisfied.

– Well then, I still have greetings to do, so I will take my leave from here.

While showing a smile on her whole face, and turning her back on Haname and Ellie, she went away with her bodyguard.

– I got somewhat tired even before the live.

Haname sat down on the seat while taking a big breath.

– Other than that, what are those "family issues"?

– Well, those are…. The reason why I came to Little Garden. But why are you saying such a thing now?

*Ahahaha*, laughing, Ellie took out the PDA from his pocket.

– It's almost time to start the concert, so why don't we put them in silent mode?

– Ah, you're right.

Ellie puts the PDA in silent mode.

Similarly, Haname turned the PDA into silent mode and turned her line of sight to the stage again.

After all, this place is a stadium.

Unlike the live they watched before, the stage isn't elaborate, it's simple.

Since it's still evening, they can hardly produce it with illumination.

They can't imagine what kind of live it will be.

– Oh, looks like it's starting.

A cheerful melody began to sound.

Excited cheering reverberates.

Naturally, they were starting to clap following the rhythm.

While everyone is waiting impatiently for the appearance of the Oriental Wizard, Kirishima Satoru appears from the wing of the stage.

Satoru doesn't get affected with the cheers that become even bigger.

Waving with a dignified attitude in response to the cheering of the audience, he stood at the center of the stage.

The flowing music fades out.

– Hello!

Satoru shouts and 「Hello!」 the voices return in unison from the audience seating.

– Hi, I'm Kirishima Satoru! I decided to do a mini-live today as a student of Little Garden and not as Kirishima "Oriental Wizard" Satoru. Even though it's a mini, I am not going to let down everyone who came to see this, so treat us well!

Should it be said as expected of someone who is experienced?

With the influence of Satoru, the voltage of the venue goes up in one go.

– To everyone who came to Little Garden and everyone living in Little Garden, please enjoy and remember this day. Well then, without delay, the first song is—

Satoru aimed at the sky that is dyed in madder red and shouted, putting up the ore he held in his hand.

– Divo, descend! HUNDRED ON!

The light emitted from the ore wraps up the body of Satoru.

What appeared from that light is Satoru who wore shrine priest clothes and what flowed out is an intro of his representative song with Yamato as its motive.

Thereupon, something happened.

The atmosphere of the stadium changes instantaneously, the world has changed.

This is the ability of Kirishima "Oriental Wizard" Satoru, it dominates the atmosphere of this place like this.

That is influenced by his Hundred—Fairy Fairy Tale, the production of the live and that he's also a Variant.

However, Haname of course understood that it's not only that.

No, it seems that it was understood by everyone already.

The music he created. The voice overflowing from inside his body.

The way of doing that intonation, the gestures that reach till the fingertips and the tips of the toes from the top of the head.

A stage production using Hundred.

What is creating a sense of unity is the ability he possessed when he was born, and which is based on the results that he honed with effort—

And so, the audience is fascinated and captured by him.

They were invited not here but somewhere else, there they can spend a happy time.

(It's truly amazing…)

She didn't recognize it because he stayed too close lately, but he's a pro among pros.

She wonders if Kaoru-kun can sing properly when bursting into the stage of such Satoru.

Is he going to be able to sing by himself and of course with Satoru?

Her anxiety is unendurable.

That might be the same for Kaoru.

But, to Haname who's in the audience seating, she can only pray so that it turns out well.

Satoru finished singing two songs, then the turn for Kaoru to sing came at last.

– Next is the entry of a special guest. I think that everyone knows him, he's a very popular person on the music pages of the cyberspace now.

When Satoru incited them on the stage, excited cheering arose from the audience seating.

– Everyone please welcomes him with applause. Well then, Kisaragi Kaoru-san, please come!

The venue is packed with applause.

Of course, both Haname and Ellie welcomed Kaoru with applause similarly to the other spectators.

While being showered with a lot of applause, Kaoru appears sitting in a wheelchair from the wing of the stage and held a mic in his hands.

As expected, he looks troubled with this situation.

Kaoru dyed his face red as he felt embarrassed, then stopped at the center of the stage and turned his eyes to the audience seating.

– Uh, umm…

The words of Kaoru were stopping completely with that much.

(Is he okay?)

While Haname was worried, when Kaoru tried to speak again, a high-pitched sound stood up.

– Wawaaa!?

Kaoru shows confusion once again.

– Kaoru-kun. It's okay, so calm down. Take a deep breath, a deep breath!

– Ah, yes. I understand!

Kaoru answers with a loud voice in contrast with Satoru who called out to him with a small voice from the side.

The venue is packed with laughter.

– Do your best!

The voice of support came flying too.

Kaoru responds to that.

– Ye-yes, I will do my b… auh!

Reflexively lowering his head, he hit his head with the mic.

*Thud*, a dull sound resounds in the stadium.

– I- is he… really okay, I wonder?

While Haname smiles wryly, Kaoru took deep breaths once again.

It seems he was finally able to regain his composure.

– Nice to meet you, everyone. Kaoru is, no, that's not it, I am… Kisaragi Kaoru.

First is, his greeting.

The venue falls completely silent and listens carefully the words of Kaoru.

During that time, he started talking about his own circumstances.

He contracted an unknown disease that started to prevail on and after the First Attack, his body was weak from a very young age and became confined.

The Second Attack occurred during his stay in Gudenburg, where he lost his parents.

Thereupon, he met Satoru for a moment.

After that he returned to Yamato and lived with his older sister in an orphanage.

Then he got to know that his older sister had the ability of the Slayers and was able to receive cutting edge medical treatment in Little Garden.

Moreover, he was able to see his admired Satoru there, and that's how he became able to stand in this place like this.

There were a lot of difficulties, but thanks to the support of the people around him, to everyone who passed time with him at the orphanage, to his friend with whom he was together at the hospital of Yamato and who's also watching this relay broadcasting, he can sing with happiness in this way.

And of course, all those who took care of him in Little Garden and expected to watch him standing here.

– That's why Kaoru… no, I intend to return the favor to a lot of people who have supported me so far—and like Satoru-san, I would like to be a person who can give courage to those with the same circumstances as me. I will sing, putting into it such feelings—

Kaoru gets up from the wheelchair and shouted, putting up the Hundred in the sky.

– This is the first step towards my dreams—Sacred Amulet HUNDRED ON!


In the security HQ aka briefing room of Little Garden that operates the security of the founding festival, Clark was watching attentively the state of the live concert of Kaoru, watching the live video displayed on the floating monitor placed before his eyes.

– I am glad that Kaoru-san got this better by coming to Little Garden.

– I think so too desuwane.

There's a girl who's the escort of Clark and that is managing the security in this place with him—she's Chrisya Steinbelt, a middle school second-year student who belongs to the intelligence department. Clark smiled happily.

– Even though Kisaragi Haname is still a first-year student, she has been constantly dealing with hardships desumono. If this became one of the repayments of kindness, then that is the best desuwa.

Both Clark and Christa kept listening to the song of Kaoru.

That song that Haname listened in the hospital room.

Kirishima Satoru wrote music notes for Kisaragi Kaoru, it's an up-tempo number.

– Ah, Clark-sama.

– What is it, Christa? If it's a conversation, then leave it after this song is over…

Making a tantrum like a child, Clark pouts his lips.

He just wants to listen to Kaoru's song now.

He said so with that attitude.

– I am sorry…. But since 《LaZER》 showed a reaction, I thought that it would be better if I reported it to you—

– … I will confirm it now masuwa.

Clark taps the keyboard in front of him and changed the live video from full screen to window mode and connected to 《LaZER》.

—It's a wonderful song.

In the opened window, the message of that line was written.

– Apparently the song of the little brother of Kisaragi Haname is also the favorite of 《LaZER》 desuwane.

When Clark slips out a smile, the sound of an alarm sounded all of a sudden in the room and the red lamp installed on the ceiling of the room began to rotate.

– Shit! What is happening this time desuno!?

Clark shouts as the room turns red.

Next, one of the students of the intelligence department raised his voice.

– An unidentified ship is rapidly approaching Little Garden! At this rate, it will collide with us!

– What did you say!?

End of Chapter 3


Chapter 4
Unidentified Ship/Replicant/Intruder

– *Sniff*, why am I not guarding the same place as Elias-sama…? Furthermore, unlike the Slayers of Little Garden, we don't have free time…

On the deck covering three quarters of the outer circumference of Little Garden, the boy belonging to the army of Gudenburg, Claude Lowetti, complained.

He's on the side of the connection of the military district side.

As it can be understood from the fact that he's wearing his Variable Suit, he's, of course, in this place to protect it.

However, his attitude became warped like a child.

Crouching down at a corner of the deck, he's timidly pressing his fingers on the deck.

It was a young girl who wore a Variable Suit of the same design as Claude who raised her voice on his back.

She's Rita Kiring.

– But Claude-sama, once this festival is over, won't Elias-sama come back to Gudenburg with Kisaragi Haname?

– That's not decided yet, and it depends on the answer of Elias-sama.

– But, considering the condition of King-sama, shouldn't he return to the country at once?

– I think the same too. That's why I accepted Kilfelthar's proposal to be with Kisaragi Haname.

Saying so, and when Claude stood up, something was visible to him.

– What's that?

While staring at the sea, Claude muttered.

He spotted ahead of his line of sight a black mass approaching Little Garden at a considerable speed.

Rita also turns her line of sight to it.

– Is that an unloading boat?

Saying that, Rita inclines her head to the side.

– I haven't heard that such a thing would come closer or anything like that. Besides, it's not going to stop at that speed, isn't it…?

At the same time Claude felt danger, *Beep* *Beep*, the two wireless rings began to sound.

It's an 《emergency call》 from the briefing room.

Next, the voice of a girl was heard.

『This is Christa Steinbelt, member of the Student Council of Little Garden. We have confirmed an unidentified ship with the radar. It's approximately 200 meters away from Little Garden at the moment. Can you confirm it with the naked eye?』

– This is Claude Lowetti of the Army of Gudenburg. That ship is going to collide already! So, we will es—

It was already late when Claude tried to escape.

– Uwaah!?

The unloading ship collides with Little Garden while violently raising splashes of water and runs up onto the deck.

– Are you alright, Claude-sama?

Rita, who escaped earlier, comes to the side of Claude who fell on the flooded deck.

– As you can see, I don't have injuries, so… Rita, run away!

Claude, despite doubting his eyes, raised his voice.

Coming down to the ground from the stranded unloading ship that has its bow opened, the Savages appeared on the deck in a forward-bent posture—the so-called defense posture.

Looking back, Rita also notices them.

– Uwaaa, what's the meaning of, this…? Why are, the Savages…?

Those are smaller than normal types.

However, their number is over ten and give a somewhat uncomfortable feeling.

(What the hell are these Savages?)

For that motive, Claude soon noticed.

The head of all the Savages has no core.

Besides, the color of the pattern of the body is different too.

It's not a yellow fluorescent color, but an orange almost red one.

Moreover, they don't have two eyes but only one in the center, and there is no tactile where it should be.

– Briefing room, do you see this? What the hell are these Savages?

While confused, Claude got up and took out the Hundred.

– It's the first time that we'll have to deal with Savages without core, shit…. Let's, go, Rita. —HUNDRED ON!


– One-eyed Savages without cores you say…? Christa, project on the main monitor the footage of the camera in the vicinity immediately!

Clark, who was listening to the communication from Claude in the briefing room, ordered Christa.

– Roger.

Christa nods and starts operating the keyboard.

It was Charlie that was licking a candy on a tick there.

– It looks that it has become a serious thing, huh.

– Charlie!

Clark raises a bright voice.

If he comes, he thinks that technical questions can be solved quickly.

– I've grasped the situation. There's no need to explain it.

Saying, Charie stood next to Clark.

– We were able to prepare a video of the core-less Savages. I'll project the live video on the monitor.

Then, the state of the deck is projected on the monitor set on the back wall.

Looking at it, Clark muttered.

– … certainly, no core is found in the Savages and they have only one eye desuwane. And the pattern of the body isn't yellow, it shines red masuwa.

– This may be the same as the discovery report at Mt. Kongur.

Charlie muttered.

– What discovery report desuno?

– There are two boys who were attacked and received fatal injuries during the search in 《The Second Operation of Bird in the Basket》. Only that, it's presumed that they had some kind of memory loss, but that doesn't mean that it's true.

– But, why from an unloading ship….?

– Although these are no more than conjectures, there are three possibilities.

Taking out the candy from the mouth and swinging it like a pointer when doing a teaching, Charlie continues.

– The first one is that someone caught them. The second one is that they are terminals of Tamer type Hundreds. And the last one is that those are machines manufactured by a person.

– What are you saying is that you don't know which one it is desuwane?

– Exactly. Well, I think that the possibility of the last one is high.

– Is there a way to destroy them masuno?

– As you can see, it seems they stop attacks with normal weapons up to certain degree. Therefore, we should assume that the steel shell is equivalent to the steel shell of the Savages. In that case, there's a possibility that they can be destroyed with the attack of the Hundreds accompanied by powerful energy. If you don't try it, we'll never know.

– In short, you are saying that the Slayers must do something desuwane. We can't let them invade into Little Garden no matter what masenwa.

Of course, that goes to Sangria side as well.

– This is not the case to say something like capturing them. We are going to exterminate the ones who are at the whole deck masuwa. The connection between Little Garden side and Sangria side will be temporarily restricted. Both entrances will be blocked. Christa, how many Slayers are on the deck now?

– There are 15 Slayers between the ones of Liberia, Little Garden and Gudenburg.

– Gather everyone forward and inform them to engage the mentioned Savages. Until they get to the current state, let keep them at bay with conventional weapons. Just to be sure, also call other Slayers—

– Err, Clark-sama…

– … what is it, Christa mashitano?

The expression of Clark who turned his eyes towards Christa who raised her voice became grim.

Her hands, that were tapping the keyboard stopped, her body was trembling.

– There is an information that suspicious floating things that resembled hornets began to appear one after another in Little Garden.

– What did you say!?


At that time, at a corner of the exhibition space set in the courtyard of the school building of Little Garden, her terminal, that looked like a dog made by his Hundred—named Silver Blitz, was being used to do acrobatics.

– What do you think, amazing, right!?

Every time Silver Blitz pulls a skill, like jumping and catching a ball or passing through a circle, cheers and applause come from children and their parents that gather around them.

Laetitia, who was watching the situation at a distance while patrolling, was impressed with the popularity of Silver Blitz.

– As one would expect, don't you think? It's quite exciting.

– The Tamer type Hundred is unusual, isn't it? The popularity with the children is convincing too.

The one who said so is Eric, one of the Student Council Vice Presidents who was patrolling with Laetitia.

– What do we do? It looks we entered break now, should we go and greet him?

– Oh yeah, let's do that.

Laetitia and Eric approach Alphonse who lowers his head while receiving applause.

– You have become a great success, Alphonse Brewstadt. It looks like you have a considerable manipulation ability of the Hundred.

– Ah, Vice President and Laetitia. Both of you were also watching the performance of Silver.

– It was very popular with the children, huh.

– We practiced a lot, so we are truly please〜d!

Alphonse looks very happy.

– I am not well informed with the Tamer type Hundred, but the instructions you give, like how to move in detail, are like the Dragnar type terminal?

– Nope, it's not different from a real dog. First, you do it like this, then umm, insisting on it, you train it to move like that.

To the doubt of Eric, Alphonse answers.

– In short, you can say that it's an automatic control?

– I couldn't control it properly at the beginning, I failed a lot. But, problematic behaviors haven't occurred anymore.

– If so, it may be time to move onto the next phase.

– … next phase?

Alphonse cocks his head in puzzlement towards the words of Eric.

– What I mean is to create a type of terminal that seems to be more useful for battle.

– In other words, you mean making a fierce animal?

It was Laetitia who butted into the conversation.

– Well, something like that.

Eric nods.

However, the Alphonse in question doesn't look convinced.

– Hmm, I prefer the way Silver Blitz is, like this. It's cute.

– Certainly it's cute, but—

When Eric turns his line of sight, Silbli aka Silver Blitz was swinging its tail intensively.

When Laetitia pats its head, it barks happily with a 「Bark 」.

– With this, it won't stand up as a fighting role…

– Not that I'm worried about it now… ah, I have an hour recess until the next performance, so I was thinking of having a meal in the meantime. Instead of talking while standing, why don't we eat?

– Eat you say? It's already 15:30. Didn't you eat lunch?

– That's not it, it's time for the 3'clock meal—.

– If you say that that's the between-meal snack then…

Amazed, Eric has a cramp in his cheeks.

– It's because they looked alike, you know. Oh, there's a takoyaki stall over there, they look deliciou〜s. Since I'll buy for a moment, please take the unoccupied seats over there!

– Wait a moment, Alphonse Brewstadt!

Alphonse runs towards the stall.

Looking at the tables set up in the courtyard, most of them are already occupied with many visitors.

If they don't do something, it's probable that all of them will be crowded soon.

– Good grief, it can't be helped. We've been patrolling for almost two hours and we are going to take our rest soon, so…

– If that's the case, then I'll buy something to drink. Is the vice president going to drink something? I'll buy it.

– There's no need. I will go buy it myself later.

– Okay. Then, I'll just buy for myself!

Just like with Alphonse earlier, Eric sat down on an vacant chair while sighing dear me!, looking at Laetitia who cheerfully started running towards the stalls.

After a while, Alphonse returned, he carried a number of packages.

– Vice preside〜nt, thank you for taking the sea〜ts!

– You bought a lot, didn't you…?

Eric blinked the eyes beyond the glasses in surprise, looking the big sized drink, the yakisoba pack, the okonomiyaki pack and 3 packs of 12 pieces of takoyaki arranged in a line on the table.

– Well, I get tired when I move. Anyway, that's how I have this body—.

– if that's the case, how about dieting a little? Although you have a Tamer type Hundred, your body is inadequate as a Slayer.

– I want to do so, bu〜t. The delicious things are so delicious that food is like life for me〜.

*Munch*, Alphonse carries to his mouth the takoyaki with a toothpick.

In an instant, she emptied a box.

– … when looking at you with that appetite, it seems like you would be better handling a knife and a fork type of Hundred rather than a Tamer one…

– Animals, I like animals. I also like to eat, bu〜t.

Eric was amazed looking at the appearance of Alphonse who washed down the yakisoba into his stomach as he stood up, saying 「I will buy a drink」.

Laetitia comes back, changing places with Eric.

– Wow, there's a lot of food. Can I have one takoyaki, please?

– There are toothpicks, so go ahead.

– Wow, it's hot! But it's tasty. Can I have another one?

– Yeah, don't worry〜. Eat all what you wa〜nt.

Eric came back when Laetitia was pinching a takoyaki.

– You are also eating with him, good grief.

– Ah, vice president, please join u〜s.

– This is delichious. If I remember correctly, this is food originated in Yamato, right?

When he was looking at the katsuobushi dancing on top of the takoyaki and Laetitia eating that deliciousness, his stomach began to sound.

– Well then, thanks for the food.

Laetitia and Eric eat takoyaki while drinking orange juice and black tea that they bought respectively while Alphonse was starting to put his hands on the okonomiyaki.

– … hmm, it began to get somewhat noisy.

Laetitia turns his eyes to the monitor installed in the courtyard as everyone are paying attention to it.

It was the image of the special stage of the stadium that is projected there.

– Oh, isn't that Kirishima Satoru?

– Now that you mention it, the live concert starts right now.

Eric also turns his line of sight to the monitor.

– The little brother of Haname also appears, I wanted to go and see them if wasn't because of this security job.

Most of the people in the courtyard are paying attention to the monitor and listening carefully to the song of Satoru.

Alphonse, who continued eating as usual finished eating okonomiyaki then raised his face and noticed the presence of something.

– Hmm? What's, that…?

Something like a hornet of approximately 30 centimeters is floating in the courtyard.

Its black skin looks quite hard.

The pattern of the body is the same fluorescent color as the Savages and it's clad in a considerable ominous aura.

– Hey, Laetitia. Do you know what's that?

– What are you saying? I'm watching the live concert of Kirishima Satoru.

Laetitia looks ahead of the line of sight of Alphonse in a state that was saying do not disturb.

But, when he saw it, he doubted his eyes.

– What's that? Vice president, take a look.

– Eh…?

Eric also turned his eyes to the floating body that was like a hornet and showed a surprised look.

– Maybe that thing is like my Silver Blitz?

It's Alphonse who said so.

Could it be that there's a Tamer type Slayer like her in the vicinity?

– Certainly, it looks like that, but…

Laetitia showed a positive reply and turned his gaze to Silver Blitz who's sitting at the feet of Alphonse.

Nonetheless, Silver Blitz is silver and the color of the floating body is a dull light brown, close to the Savages.

Its pattern and fluorescent color are eerie too.

It looks like the other residents, students and visitors began to notice the existence of the floating body with a strange shape.

Huh? What's that?, a commotion started.

As things are, disturbance and chaos will spread if they leave this unattended.

Eric gets up from the chair and shouted, turning his line of sight to the floating body.

– I am Eric Candle, vice president of the Student Council of Little Garden! Who is the person that is operating that?

However, there's no reply.

– If we don't find the person who is operating it, there is a possibility of running wild and we will have to capture it. Are you okay with that?

Even when he asks again, there's no answer.

– If so, let's capture it.

– In that case, I'll try it.

Alphonse stood up from the chair and gave an order to Silver Blitz with his terminal, pointing his objective with the five fingers of his spread hand.

– Go, Silver Blitz! Catch that thing!

– Bark!

Raising a high-spirited cry, Silver Blitz throws itself upon the hornet.

The handling of Alphonse is perfect, as expected of being able to train its acrobatics.

Sliver Blitz jumped high using its two back legs as springs and captured tightly with its two front legs the hornet-like body.

– Attaboy, Silver Blitz! Well done!

Alphonse rushes over to his terminal.

And when the distance was less than three meters.

– Uwaah!?

*Boom*, an explosion occurred with Silver Blitz who captured the floating body at its center, rising a fierce sound out of nowhere.

– Alphonse, are you okay!?

Laetitia and Eric rush to the position of Alphonse together.

Due to the soaring blast, they can't see the figure of Alphonse, nor they can confirm the figure of Silver Blitz with is the terminal.

However, from inside that, they hear *cough* *cough*, his coughing sounds, and both of them felt relieved.

– I, I managed to survive, somehow…. But, Silver Blitz is…

The cloud of smoke clears up.

Beyond the line of sight of Alphonse who fell on his backside is an all-purpose Hundred in the form of a regular octahedron rolling on the ground.

Silver Blitz received damage due to the power of the explosion just now and couldn't retain its shape.

The previously-mentioned floating body looks like it ended up becoming in pieces as it is possible to see the fragments that composed its body on the ground.

– There is no need to lament. Well done, Alphonse Brewstadt. If that exploded in the vicinity or within that crowd of people, it would have become something very terrible.

Eric's line of sight is pointing at something similar to a square box set on a nearby wall.

– … what kind of box is that?

Alphonse cocks his head in puzzlement, looking at the box.

– It's a switchboard. If that exploded over there, all of the electricity in this area would have fallen, which may have been a serious thing.

Eric replied.

It's Laetitia who's displaying confusion next to him.

– Other than that, what was that strange thing? Why did it explode so suddenly?

– I don't know that. But…

Realizing that there's a fragment of a red shining ore among the fragments of the floating body, Eric picked it up.

– I knew it, this is definitely a Variable Stone, isn't it?

Closing her eyes partly, Eric continued his words.

– To be here in a processed form, it means that the possibility of someone who built this object is high.

– Does that mean that this is a robot, perhaps?

– That seems to be the case.

Eric replies towards Alphonse who displayed his doubt and continued his words.

– Someone created it and sent it to Little Garden—in other words, there is a possibility of this being an incident or terrorism. Let's contact the briefing room at once.

Eric said so and tries to get in touch using the wireless ring of his arm when a sound of an explosion echoed far away.

With a delay of a second, screams also arrive.

– No way, that thing appeared in other places too!?

Laetitia shouted.

Eric, though impatient, keeps contacting the briefing room.

– Christa, can you hear me!? This has become a serious thing!


– Eric-san, can you hear me? This is Christa Steinbelt of the briefing room. Did something happen?

『As a matter of fact, a floating body that had an appearance similar to a hornet exploded—』

– We are getting reports aside from that one now, so we are putting together that information. Several other strange events are still occurring, so can Eric-san come here as well?

『Understood, I will head there immediately. I will send information from here as well, so I would appreciate if you could send it to me at any time』

– Roger.

Eric rushes to the briefing room while he understood that he's able to grasp the information with the monitor installed in the lens of his glasses and Christa starts to summarize the information sent from the students.

Among those, there was some worrisome information.

– Clark-sama, please look at this.

– What is it desuno, Christa? Now I am monitoring the battle situation—wha…

Clark who opened the video data transferred from Christa doubted his eyes.

It was because in that video, one of the 《automatic cleaning robots》 that are in the school building of Little Garden took a moment to transform into a floating shape similar to a hornet and has the same pattern and color as the Savages.

– What is the meaning of this desuno…? What is the reason for such a thing…?

The voice of the muttering Clark is trembling.

– Christa Steinbelt, the current state of the 《automatic cleaning robots》 is that they're all working?

The one who asked was Charlie who as he looked into the video next to Clark.

– I will confirm it immediately.

Christa starts to tap the keyboard of the laptop with her fingers.

– Everything is working. There are no abnormalities.

– If so, this 《automatic cleaning robot》 may be one that someone brought to school, hmm. When magnifying it, the logo of Warslan Company isn't there.

Charlie enlarges the image, touching the monitor.

Likewise, Christa also zooms in the image.

– Certainly, it is as Charlie-sama says. There is no logo.

– There might be some of those still somewhere else. It's better to stop the movement of all the 《automatic cleaning robots》 and capture the ones that are moving—or it would be better to destroy them. According to Eric's information, there seems to be a manufactured Variable Stone inside their bodies, so there's no doubt that someone made them.

– Christa, is it possible to do as Charlie says?

– Of course. First of all, we stop the movement of the 《automatic cleaning robots》 inside the ship—then, we notify to all the Slayers who are patrolling about the terrorist attack, the 《automatic cleaning robots》 without a logo and their relationship with the artificial Savages that look like a hornet—the hornets.


– … what was that sound?

Fiona and Lloyd, who were patrolling the underground of the martial arts school building, were surprised when they heard an explosion all of a sudden.

– That was the sound of an explosion, right?

Fiona responds to Lloyd.

– I feel that I heard it coming from the courtyard, but what happened? Are we going to see?

– No, wait a moment. Fiona Grantz, what is that?

– That?

Ahead of the point of view of Lloyd, a creature resembling a hornet of 30 centimeters length is flying.

– A bug, maybe…?

Fiona answers.

I have never seen such a big insect in Little Garden.

– Now that we are connected to Sangria Port, maybe it intruded from somewhere?

– Even so, it's too big. Moreover, the color of the body is exactly like to the Savages.

– It's somewhat giving me the creeps, so just to be sure, should I bring it down?

Fiona takes out the Hundred and grasped tightly with her right hand.

HUNDRED ON!

The right arm of Fiona is wrapped in light and a short rifle of gun barrel appears.

Originally, her Long Shooter type Hundred 《Impregnable Fortress》 Stronghold is an armor for defense, but this time she only created a sniper rifle on purpose.

Judging that there are no attacks of the opponent, she gave priority to mobility.

– 'kay then, do I aim and shoot at it?

– Wait a moment.

Lloyd stopped her by putting a hand in front of Fiona who began to aim with decision, closing one eye and pointing the muzzle to the hornet.

– The walls in this area should have a lot of electric cables lay out and connected to the distributing board over there. If you shoot out the board, then this will be a big deal.

There's a rectangular box installed on the wall indicated by the finger of Lloyd.

That seems to be the switchboard.

– But, there should be a barrier to neutralize energy on the wall, right? It should protect it against light shots, or do you think that I'm going to miss?

– Just because—

And when Lloyd tried to stop Fiona again.

The vital ring of Fiona and Laetitia starts to sound intensely.

It's an emergency call from the briefing room.

Next, they hear the voice of Christa.

『To all the Slayers who are guarding, this is Christa Steinbelt of the briefing room. This is an emergency call. Please calm down and listen to the contents of the speech after this』

– An emergency call, she said…?

Murmurs Lloyd.

Then, Christa began to convey two important matters.

The first is that a ship of unknown affiliation crashed into the deck near the connection between Little Garden and Sangria Port and mysterious Savages without core appeared from inside.

The second is that floating bodies—hornets appear in great numbers inside Little Garden. Of course, she also tells them that their skin is similar to the color of the Savages, that they emit a red light and that they may be mimicking cleaning robots.

– In other words, that is that, huh…

『That is all that I have to report. If you have any information or if you spot any dubious cleaning robot without logo or discover a hornet, please immediately inform to the briefing room』

– Vice president Lloyd, can I contact them?

When Fiona asked, Lloyd nods.

– This is Fiona Grantz of Little Garden. This is a report to the briefing room. Currently, I am in pursuit of a hornet type with vice president Lloyd Steinberg. Our location is the first floor of the basement of martial arts department school building. Depending on what you determine, is it fine to shoot it down?

『Do you hear me, Lloyd Steinberg, Fiona Grantz masuka? This is Clark Harvey of the briefing room desuwa. I give permission to fire in my name masu. According to Charlie's conjecture, the hornet type may be aiming at the infrastructure of Little Garden arimasu. If it's the first floor of the basement of the martial arts department, there might be a distribution panel masen. Even if the walls of the school building are destroyed a little to protect the infrastructure, I won't complain masenwa』

– Fiona, this is bad! Look over there.

It's Lloyd who shouted.

Looking at the place he indicated, the hornet already stuck to the switchboard.

The pattern of the stripes on the round bottom started to turn on red.

– Tsk, if I don't shoot it, it'll destroy the switchboard anyway!

Fiona shouts, annoyed.

Then, from afar, *Boom*, an explosion sounded and the ceiling, the wall and the floor shook violently.

They turn their eyes to the hornet again.

The pattern of the body is flashing repeatedly.

Besides, it started to expand like a big balloon.

– Get down! That's going to explode!

While shouting, Lloyd crouches down.

– Damn!

If it has become to this, then it will be the same if she shoots.

Cancelling the armament, Fiona also crouched down.

Along with the explosion, a strong wind hit the two of them.

『Are you okay, Fiona, Lloyd!?』

*Cough* *Cough*, standing up while coughing, Fiona verifies the corridor covered with dust.

Although the electricity was gone and it was pitch dark, she found there was a big hole in the place where there was a switchboard moments ago.

The wiring is snapped apart and sparks are scattering.

– I am fine, Clark-sama.

– I'm not hurt either. But the electricity in the corridor has gone out…

『It's fine, the good thing is that you don't have injuries desuwa』

– Clark-sama, what should we do from now on—

『We will contact you again as soon as we confirm the whole situation masu. If you two find something again, or if you have noticed anything, please contact us. Of course, safety comes first deswuwayo』


– Oh my, this is really a trouble, don't you think?

Charlie declared so in the briefing room.

Staying like that, he continues his words.

– To be precise, I think the terrorists are trying to destroy the infrastructure of Little Garden. The person who understands the design of this place goes beyond limits, and his knowledge surpasses the process technology of the Variable Stones and so forth, although they are criminal acts.

– Then, that means—

The eyes of Clark are casted down with sadness.

– Yeah. It's as you have thought right now. It's very likely that the person who plotted this plan—or the mastermind of this terrorism was a former Warslan engineer who was involved in the design of Little Garden.

– That person is no other than Viktor Tynyanov, correct masuno?

– In other words, the hornets and the one-eyed Savages without core are things he did, imitating the Savages who are the natural enemy of mankind, which can be called duplications?

– Those duplications—known as replicants desuwane.

– Exactly.

Charlie threw a candy into his mouth again.

– Err, Clark-sama…

One of the boys of the intelligence department calls out to Clark while trembling.

– … what is it mashitano?

The facial expression of Clark became even more grim with the abnormal look of the boy.

The boy swallows saliva and continues his words.

– Well… an alert from the air traffic control of Liberia has arrived, an unidentified aircraft is approaching Little Garden…

– Wha—this time it's an aircraft desuno!?

– Looks like it will be above us in the skies in less than a minute!

A different student of the intelligence department shouted.

– My my, how many arrows does he want to fire, hmm?

Amazed, Charlie murmurs.

– Christa, examine at once whether the passenger plane is hijacked or not desu!

– Clark-sama I have already examined it. It is not registered in any traveler company and, it seems the fuselage it's not registered, even if it is for private use.

– What about the signs of infrared reactions desu?

– There seems to be one heat source. Probably it is the pilot.

– That is to say, there is a possibility that a person is on board desuwa…

Clark hesitates, touching the lips with his hand.

The strength of the glass covering Little Garden is considerable.

Assuming that an aerial bombardment occurred, or if the aircraft crashed with it, it will be able to withstand it.

However, as the supply of electricity is weakening, the strength of the barrier is also weakening.

And the opponent is a terrorist that they don't know what is going to do.

Moreover, there is a high possibility that it is familiar with Little Garden.

– Can't we increase the strength of the outer wall barrier masenno?

Clark asks Charlie.

– That is immediately impossible. It'll take three minutes including all kinds of things.

Clark decided after listening to the reply of Charlie.

There's no time to be losing his way.

Of course, even the time relying on 《LiZA》—

– Christa, we will shoot down the aircraft masuwayo!

Although the person is a menace.

He doesn't want to kill if possible.

But, in this situation, he can't say a thing like depending on others.

– Can you send instructions to a missile installed on the deck through wire masuka?

– Yes, absolutely. That part is not destroyed yet.

– If so—prepare to launch a missile immediately!

Together with the order of Clark, a part of the deck opened on the main monitor of the briefing room and the state that a missile was ready for launch was projected.

– Clark-sama, we are ready.

– Understood mashitawa.

Nodding, Clark touches with his fingers the monitor before his eyes and releases the protection.

And then—

– Firing missile!

– Enemy target confirmed. Firing missile!

It was a soldier in his thirties and that was dispatched from Warslan Company who was working at the briefing room who locked the target and pressed the button.

Of course, he has no hesitation.

He has done training and practice a lot of times.

The missile is fired from the deck.

– Any news desuno?

Clark gazes steadily at the monitor.

The missile headed straight to the aircraft plunging forward to Little Garden and hit it.

– It hit it mashitawa!

Clark shouted spontaneously.

– Par for the course.

A military man raises his thumb to Clark.

Cheers raised from the briefing room.

However, Christa didn't fail to notice that something was falling before the aircraft that was heading towards the sea got destroyed.

– Clark-sama, this is…

– Wha—

Christa projects that on the main monitor.

Since it's a video from a distant place, the image quality is coarse and small, but they can see that there is a one-eyed Savage without core with a shining red pattern on its body—they understood it's a replicant.

Nonetheless, it doesn't seem to be entirely the same as the others.

Its body is one size larger than normal types. Moreover, it looks that it can fire things like wires from the back.

– What was that just now desuno…!

The tip of the fired wire changed to something like a sucker and adhered to the transparent outer wall of Little Garden.

Winding those wires, the enormous replicant lands like sliding on top of the outer wall glass.

And then it began to strike with the pincers alternating left and right on the top glass of the weakened barrier.

Each time the barrier of particles scatters spark-like things, it develops a crack on the top glass.

Moreover, hornets are flying around the enemy.

– The durability of the top glass is 95%, 92%—at this rate, it will be destroyed soon!

A young girl of the intelligence department working at the briefing room shouted.

Subsequently, another man of the intelligence department exclaimed.

– Clark-sama! An unidentified ship approached and crashed into the rear part of Little Garden!

– Kuh… from one thing to another…!

– Switching live video to the rear part.

Christa switches the video.

It seems that the ship that has collided with the deck has the same appearance as the one that crashed at the front.

One-eyed Savages without core crawl creepily from inside—identical replicants come out.

– Attracting Slayers to the frontward and then attacking the rear when they were gathered there, huh…. Although it's an enemy, it's a fantastic strategy.

Rebuking, Charlie chew and crushed the candy inside his mouth.

– What do we do, Clark-sama?

It was Christa who asked.

– … kh, announce the emergency call to all the students of the martial arts department as well as the members of Selections who are on their breaks. Disperse them and make them exterminate the replicants masu. After that, prepare a civilian evacuation plan with 《LÁZER》 and start the guidance of the evacuation. We will absolutely have no victims coming out from this masenwayo!

Clark bites his thumbnail and,

(Where is Onee-sama at a time lke this masuno?)

He muttered so in his mind.


Just a few minutes before the first explosion occurred, the song of Kaoru ends while the music fades out and the stadium, which is the live concert venue, was wrapped up in excited cheering and applause.

Of course, they are all directed to Kisaragi Kaoru, a boy standing at the center of the stage.

– He's amazing….

Haname murmured unconsciously, looking at Kaoru who's waving his hand over and over again, while bowing his head and taking a look around the venue.

Ellie aligns with her.

– Yup, he's truly amazing. Kaoru-kun sure is cool.

Then, his voice reverberated through the speakers to the stadium. It's Satoru who's watching attentively the state of Kaoru-kun at the wing of the stage.

He approached Kaoru who couldn't hide his excitement at the center of the stage and touching his shoulder from the back like showing appreciation for his efforts, he asked the audience seating.

– Everyone, how was the song of Kaoru?

Loud shouts rise again and voices such as 「Good」, 「Cute」 among others were released one after another from the audience seating.

Hearing those, Kaoru was letting tears to well up in his eyes.

– Well, to tell you the truth, it is me who created the song. What do you think? It's amazing, right?

When Satoru said so, the stadium was packed with laughter.

The great thing that Kirishima Satoru has is that everyone knew that he seemed to want to say so mixed with snicker.

It's identical to the reaction that Haname had when she was told the same thing before.

– The next song was also created by me, however, it's my first duet song. Kaoru-kun and I are singing it together!

Satoru adds 「By the way」 while the excited cheering that spilled expectations are resounding.

– After this live concert is over, the songs will be on sale on the cybernet, so please buy them all! And for the people watching the broadcasting, I'm sure there's going to be a button after the end of the broadcast, so thank you for your patronage!

Naturally, the venue was packed with laughter.

Although it's mixed with snicker like a while ago, there are still voices that say 「Of course」, 「We'll buy, we'll buy!」 and so on.

It's probably because of the natural virtue and popularity of Satoru.

– Well then, shall we sing at once? Are you ready, Kaoru-kun?

– Y-yes!

– 'kay, together with us—

Satoru and Kaoru joined their backs and raised the microphones towards the sky.

It seems they intend to change their costumes at the same time.

HUNDRED ON

HUNDRED ON

Matching their breathing, they were just about to raise their voices.

*Boom*, *Boom*, two sounds of distant explosions are heard, and the entire stadium trembles violently as if an earthquake had occurred. Together with that, the illumination of the stage flickers repeatedly and then they went out, making a loud noise.

– —kyaah!?

Screaming, it was Kaoru who fell down.

– Are you alright, Kaoru-kun?

Satorura rushed to Kaoru in a hurry and said to hair, squatting.

And then again, an explosion reverberated.

– What on earth is this…

Chaos is inside the venue.

Naturally, Satoru was showing confusion.

That goes for Haname too who's in the audience seating.

– … kh, Kaoru…! What is this situation…!?

– Perhaps a Savage appeared or something like that—

Ellie mutters with a grim expression.

And then, an emergency call resounded from the PDA of Haname and Ellie.

What they heard next is the voice of Christa.

『This is a notification to Selection members. Because there is a possibility of chaos of residents and visitors, it will help us if you listen to this in a place that won't leak to others except Slayers as much as possible. I will wait 30 seconds, so please move』

– Let's go, Haname.

Ellie instantly stands up from the chair.

– Y-yeah…

Although she answered so, Haname seems to be worried about the two people in the stage, but still, she stands up and immediately starts moving to a passage with few pedestrians together with Ellie.

30 seconds passed in the blink of an eye.

When they came out to the aisle from the audience seating, the voice of Christa is heard again.

『Well then, I will start with the notification. Little Garden is currently under attack by someone. The Student Council concluded that this is a terrorist attack. Members of Selections, deploy your armaments in a safe place and standby. We will be continuously sending instructions to each one of you in turns』

– That "someone" means that aren't Savages?

Haname says her doubt.

– Perhaps is that man, Viktor, who was mentioned before…

– …!

Haname started running all of a sudden.

She's heading towards the direction of the dressing room.

– Wait, Haname!

Grabbing the arm of Haname, Ellie continued.

– Where on earth are you planning to go?

– To where Kaoru is. If something happened there, Kaoru…

– Satoru is on the stage. He'll protect Kaoru-kun. Because he has that ability.

– But, the ability of Satoru doesn't specialize in battle…

– If the artificial Variants like the trio we fought before were to attack, even Haname knows that it'll become difficult if we don't stop them, right? Unless we take out the cause, the danger will just continue!

– That's…. well, you are right…. Sorry, I lost my composure. Certainly, it's as you say.

– Then, let's go outside. As the prez told us, we'll deploy our Hundred and standby.


On the stage, Satoru was aware that Haname and Ellie left from the venue.

– Soffiane, what on earth happened?

Satoru uses the wireless ring and asks Soffiane with a small voice.

『… I don't know the details. However, the briefing room reported that the explosions just now were caused by acts of terrorism. Also, this is a safe place, so don't move—』

– Terrorist? No way…

Inside the head of Satoru, the thing that was coming to his mind is the figure of Viktor Tynyanov who made him an artificial Variant, that's what Soffiane understands.

Even he thinks that such possibility is high.

『Calm down, Satoru. Because you are the only one who can calm this place』

– … I know. Haname and the others are managing somehow or other outside. That's why I'm going to do properly what must be done here.

Saying so to himself, Satoru stops the communication with Soffiane, turns on the microphone and shouted.

– Everyone, calm down!


Exactly when Haname and Ellie came out from the stadium, the emergency call resounded from the two wireless rings.

It's from the Student Council.

『Kisaragi Haname, Elllie Crossford, do you hear me!? This is Clark Harvey of the briefing room desuwa』

It's the voice of the president.

– We hear you, president.

Replying immediately, Haname shows her suspicions.

– This, as expected, is because of Viktor Tynyanov, no?

『We assume that such possibility is high masu』

– What's the current situation?

Next, it's Ellie who presented a question.

『At the front and rear of Little Garden, battles with the Savages named replicants are taking place masu. Your childhood friend, Claude Lowetti, is also battling desuwa』

– Wait a moment. The other party is Viktor in one way or another, right? Why is that there are Savages called repuri-whatever?

『This is merely my guess, but it's very probable that Viktor not only researched artificial Variants, but even artificial Savages and put them into practical use. Moreover, the huge ones have a size that doesn't differ from normal Savages and there are also small ones that resemble hornets』

It's Charlie who answered.

Subsequently, Haname presents a question.

– In other words, it means that those called replicants are artificial Savages? How's that possible….

『… it's not impossible, you know. Even the robots cleaning the corridors inside the school building of Little Garden are powered by Variable Stones. However, it should be very difficult to control them to that extent. It's impossible for me』

– But, you said that Viktor made them, correct?

『We don't know to what extent he can control them. It may become quite challenging to control like a Tamer type Hundred』

– In other words, we are supposed to destroy those replicants, yes?

『Correct. We want you to destroy a massive replicant that is on top of the top glass of Little Garden desu. We are sending images from the surveillance cameras now desu. Can you confirm them with the PDA masuka?』

– Yes.

Haname takes out the PDA from her pocket and replied to the instructions sent by the president again and confirms the data that arrived.

– This is…

There was a figure of a huge replicant of about 8 meters long that was on top of the top glass of Little Garden and was striking it with its pincers.

Cracks were developing in the top glass and she sees that small fragments are falling to the interior of Little Garden.

– No need to guess that it's a pretty bad situation…

– Also, Haname, look carefully. This Savage has no core and has no more than one eye…

– Ah…

Looking as she was told, that certainly it's the case.

The pattern of its body isn't yellow but red.

Compared to the other replicants, this looks exceptionally large.

– Hey, Charl. How should we defeat this guy?

『I don't know. Therefore, the only thing we can do now is to stop it. But, since its steel shell seems to be similar to the Savages', if you hold a strong energy, you'll be able to penetrate the steel shell and destroy it, I guess. It should be hiding an improved Savage's core or a Variable Stone inside its body』

『In that case, I shall go. Kisaragi Haname, Ellie Crossford, you guys will act with me, I will immediately leave from—』

『That is impossible, Clark-sama』

The voice of Christa stopped the words of Clark.

『Clark-sama, please continue the instructions from here』

『Christa, what are you saying masuno? All of this is our fault—no, this is my fault because I made the security plan assuming attacks done by Slayers only desu. If I take responsibility by going to the battlefield—』

『For that reason, Clark-sama should take command here. As our Student Council President and as the Captain of Little Garden, only Clark-sama is allowed to have all the authority』

– In that case, now that authority will be yo—

『I don't have the capacity. Eric-san thinks so too. Clark-sama is the only person who can relieve with words the anxiety of the residents and encourage the Slayers of Little Garden. So please, Clark-sama, do your work as the commander』

『It's as Christa says, Clark. 《LaZER》 also supports the words of Christa…「EXACTLY」he says』

『Wha—』

It seems that Clark was at a loss for words because he checked the message log from 《LaZER》 who is Lazer Harvey, his little brother.

As Charlie says, Haname understood what was written as 「EXACTLY」 and let out some words.

– President, please leave the guy on the top glass to us.

『But—』

– The president said it at that time, right? Don't try to carry everything by yourself, trust us more. So, we'll definitely stop that replicant. Isn't that right, Ellie?

– Yeah, that's right, but…

– Hmm, did something happen?

She saw Ellie pouting his lips and showing a discontented expression on his face.

– I was thinking, what do you mean with "at that time"?

– Ah…

– What's that reaction? Are you hiding something from me?

– No, it's nothing like that…. There was a moment when I was alone with the president during the previous operation. At that time, we were having a talk—

『Ki-Kisaragi Haname…! This is not the case to be talking about something like that masenwayo!』

Clearing his throat with an *Ahem*, Clark continued.

『Umm… That's right desuwane. Understood. We will entrust that matter to you. However, there are conditions—』

During those emptied seconds.

Haname gulped.

『You will absolutely not die. And, nobody will die, including residents, visitors and Slayers of Little Garden—that's all desuwa』

– Understood.

– Of course.

Haname and Ellie reply together.

『Good reply desuwa』

A satisfied voice came back.

Next, Haname said.

– Solving this quickly, will let the founding festival continue. I haven't heard the songs of Kaoru and Satoru yet.

Maybe that's not something that should be said in this situation.

But, those were the true feelings of Haname.

『You are right desuwane』

Listening the voice that slipped out a giggle, Haname felt relieved.

For a moment, the tension relaxed.

However, it tightens with the voice of Christa that was heard next.

『Clark-sama, the durability of the top glass has decreased to 40%. A part of it's damaged! Fragments are falling to the ground!』

『What did you say!?』

– Haname, let's deploy our Hundred quickly!

– Yeah, got it.

They must exterminate the replicant before it invades Little Garden by destroying completely the top glass.

Haname and Ellie takes out the Variable Stone and shouted all together.

「「HUNDRED ON」」


– Thank you for waiting, Clark-sama.

While being out of breath, Eric rushed in the briefing room.

– Christa, do you have any new information?

– Currently, at the front deck, the Slayers of the Army of Gudenburg and the Slayers of Warslan are fighting the replicant type Savages. As Charlie-sama was saying, if it's a weapon with strong energy, they can destroy their arms and body, and if they destroy the Variable Stone hidden inside the body, it's probable that their activities will cease.

– And at the back of the deck?

– We dispatched 3 talented Slayers of Little Garden over there, their names are Latetiia Saint-Émillion, Fiona Grantz and Lloyd Steinberg. It's based on the selection of 《LazER》. Other Slayers are guiding residents and visitors to evacuate to safe underground shelters.

– What left is the most problematic thing, the replicant on the top glass, huh…

– Kisaragi Haname and Ellie Crossford are heading there masuwa. So please be relieved.

– Is that so…

If it's those two, then they will do it somehow or other.

When Eric was convinced about it, Christa cut into the conversation from the side.

– Err, Clark-sama…

– What is it desuno?

– It's about the top glass, but there are traces that someone has appeared from inside the gigantic replicant and trespassed inside Little Garden right after it was destroyed.

– … there is no doubt about it desuno?

– I will play a video now.

Clark and all the present of the briefing room were focused on the monitor.

Although the camera is from a distant place and the image quality is bad, they see that it's as Christa says.

– It looks he has become quite a strong man, huh.

Suddenly surprised by the voice emitted from the back, Clark turns around.

– Onee-sama!?

The ones standing there were Judy, his older sister and Neveah Grauss, a bobcat male Slayer and also her bodyguard.

– What do you mean with strong, Onee-sama?

– I guess, he's Viktor, right?

– Eh…?

Clark zooms in the video before his eyes.

Brown skin, long hair.

And a white robe that lies over his.

– Certainly, it feels like he's Viktor, but…

The man in the video overlaps with the appearance of Viktor in the memory of Clark.

He's tall and has a good figure.

However, the man in the video gives the feeling of being approximately a size bigger.

(Does that really mean that he became strong desuno?)

In other words, he has been training his body.

– But, he's not a Slayer masenwayone—don't tell me that he turned into an artificial Variant?

He thought so, as this is a reason other than training his body.

Even though the interior of Little Garden is filled with soil, there are places where hills were made, but the distance from the top glass to the ground should be 80 meters.

Even if it's the roof of the school building, the distance is 40 meters.

It won't be possible for him to land without sense energy.

– No, that's not it. Although the video is from a further distance, I can see that he's using a parachute in the middle of it.

– If so, then he's just a human? But, why is she alone…?

Clark puts his hand on his mouth, pondering.

– Christa, aside from Viktor, is there any trace that a human-like existence trespassed from the top glass?

– Negative. Besides, it seems that a lot of hornets have invaded and have been found inside Little Garden.

Christa replies.

Hearing the door opening there, Clark turned his eyes.

What met his eyes was the figure of Judy who is about to leave the room alone.

– Onee-sama? Where are you going?

– I'm just going out because there is a little something that I have to take care of.

– Are you going alone masuno? Viktor is coming too masunoyo. The risk is…

– There's no problem at all. Even I'm carrying a gun.

Judy shows a gun that she took out from her chest to Clark.

– However…

– It's fine to let her do as she likes.

The one who said so is Charlie.

– Saying that she's going alone, then that has a meaning in its own way, right?

– No way, Onee-sama…

She intends to go to Lazer

Thinking so, there's no place where he can put it into words.

The one who knows about the existence of the little brother in this place, excluding Judy and Clark, is Charlie.

– Clark, please believe in me.

Smiling eerily, Judy left behind the briefing room.

End of Chapter 4


Chapter 5
Separation/Each of their Battles/Viktor and Judy

– What, is this…? What the hell is going on outside?

Krovahn, who was confined with Nakri and Nesat in the drawing room for guests in the basement of Little Garden, muttered while looking up at the ceiling.

The walls were shaking a lot of times from a while ago and the ceiling was making creaking sounds, to the point that it could fall at any time.

– …. somehow, I have a bad feeling.

Nakri was about to open the door locked from outside and asked Nesat who muttered so as he remained sat on the sofa.

– You felt something?

Nesat nods.

– But it's nothing more than a hunch.

– You mean that Viktor isn't coming to help us, huh? Now, if I'm not mistaken, this ship came alongside to a port somewhere in Liberia.

– That should be correct. But, I have an unpleasant feeling.

– What do we do, Krovahn?

– Even if you tell me what to do…

Sitting on a chair, Krovahn surveyed the room.

The lobby boasts its space in its own way, it's a guest room with three beds placed in it.

Honestly, the treatment was too good for prisoners of war.

They aren't subject to tortures or interrogations, and even the meals are served properly.

If they get in touch with the communication device installed in the room, they will receive almost all what they want.

The three of them aren't in their Variable Suits, they are wearing casual clothes.

Krovahn wears a white T-shirt and black shorts.

Nakri wears a camisole and short pants.

Nesat wears a white dress that contrasts nicely with his brown skin.

The three of them selected those from several clothes that were prepared and so they were provided with them.

The underwear is washed and carried every day.

However, when they tried to get in touch with the communication device, there was no reply.

Maybe an accident or something is happening, and they are in distress?

Or…

(I understand that the guys of Little Garden aren't bad guys. But, I don't trust them completely)

Krovahn looks the back of her right hand.

It used to have a Variable Stone implanted in it, but not anymore.

The scientists of Little Garden pulled it out.

That's the same for Nakri.

But, that's not the same for Nesat.

Nesat who lost one of his eyes because of an injury he took in the past, secured his eyesight with the artificial eye in which the Variable Stone is implanted.

Because it was difficult and pitiable to snatch it away from his, there was no need to take it away.

– —Uwaah!?

The walls and ceiling shake furiously once again, and it's Nakri who fell to the ground because he was kicking the door.

Making a sound, the electricity went off.

– Alright!

Resolving himself, Krovahn stood up.

Nesat, can you tear down the door with your Hundred?

– … that's, impossible…

– Why? Nobody's going to say you're deploying it without permission, right? After all, this is an emergency.

– But, there's nothing to copy here.

– Ah, you're right…

The ability of the Hundred of Nesat is copy—it can't be deployed without any target.

– In that case, there's no choice but to break the door without a Hundred, huh…. To start with, it's impossible if its' in normal conditions, but now that there's a power outage, then we may do it. There's a possibility that the barrier against physical attacks is gone.

– Then I'll help with that too.

*Bump* *Bump*, Krovahn and Nakri do ramming attacks to the door by turns without stopping.

There's no response from outside.

The surveillance camera installed in the room probably isn't functioning due to the power outage.

– Seems like we're doing it.

Even though this was nothing else but a room of Little Garden, it was a substitute of a prison. There's no barrier either. The shape of the door changes while they incessantly collide with it.

Thereupon, Nakri proposes.

– How about kicking it at the same time?

– Yeah, let's try it.

Krovahn continued, showing her consent.

– Then, let's go with one, two, go!

– Yup!

「「One, two, go!」」

When Krovahn and Nakri kick up gathering their voices, the door bends and flew off into the corridor.

– Alright!

– Now we can go out.

Krovahn and Nakri look at each other and smile with a grin.

– I'll take a look outside.

Saying that, Krovahn went to the corridor.

– There's not a single window, so this looks like a basement, huh. Besides, it seems safe to say that something is going on.

Krovahn said, looking around the corridor where emergency lamps are turned on in red.

– We don't know the situation, so why don't we go towards the surface first? Nakri, Nii-chan, let's go!

When the three of them started running, an announcement done by the voice of a boy starts to echo in the corridor.

『This is a state of emergency. This is a state of emergency. Currently, Little Garden is receiving an attack by someone. The general public as well as the visitors of Little Garden, please evacuate to the shelter immediately』

The next thing they heard were the sounds of explosions and gunshots.

– Krovahn, someone's attacking after all!

– Yeah…. And now, I heard gunshots….

Krovahn, Nesat and Nakri were able to listen carefully by stopping their legs and heard from the direction they are moving a gunshot again.

Then, a scream.

And then, they hear footsteps.

They are quite fast.

– H-help me! …. Ah, you guys!

A guard belonging to Little Garden appeared before their eyes, he seems to be surprised, looking at Krovahn and the boys.

Being unable to stand up due to the surprise, he sat down on the ground.

– The hell happened?

– Hii!

When Krovahn asks him, the man twitches his face with fear.

– We're not going to hurt you. So, tell us. What's happening?

– …. Te, terrorists. Savages created by terrorists came out from the ships that crashed into, the outside is in chaos….

– What!?

– Also, a man with a machine gun attacked me and my companions….

– What kind of man?

– It's a man who wore a ragged white robe and has the same skin like you.

– It's Viktor! He came to rescue us!

– Hey, wait!

Krovahn grabs strongly the shoulder of Nakri who started running.

– Think carefully. Viktor said that he doesn't harm normal people, right? Besides, the Savages—

– But, look, Krovahn! It's Viktor!

– Eh…

Turning back, she saw Vikttor who held a machine gun in his hands turning around the corner of the corridor.

– See? As I thought, he came to rescue us!

– Still, wait!

Saying so, Krovahn sprung out in front of Nesat and Nakri.

– Why are you guys here?

Viktor showed a surprised look for a moment and advances with his feet where Krovahn and the others are, while turning the long slits of his gaze.

His height is high, his body is large too.

As a result, the sense of intimidation and impressiveness that he has are considerable.

– … saying "why are you guys here" means that you didn't come to rescue us, right?

– Well, I knew you were in Little Garden. I never thought that you would be sneaking away like this.

– You see, Krovahn? Viktor came to save us after all.

– Even if that's the case, would you mind explaining what's this chaos!? Moreover, even if they are soldiers, you seem to be hurting ordinary people who aren't Slayers, isn't it!?

– This is Little Garden, the lair of the Slayers. Surely civilians and soldiers aren't Slayers, but they are cooperators. It's inevitable to have a few victims. However, I haven't dirtied my hands yet.

– Still? How do you say that!? You were saying that our revenge was against the Slayers. For what kind of purpose did you come here? Moreover, it's said that Savages are appearing outside. No way, you did that too!?

– So you know that much, huh? Those are the weapons that I made using the cores and the bodies of the Savages.

– Those are the, ones we gathered…

– Exactly. I'm sure outside is going crazy.

– Wha—

Shaking her shoulders, Krovahn makes her cheeks become stiff and grabs the collar of Viktor.

– Viktor, what the hell are you planning to do!? Your purpose is to destroy Little Garden!?

– Sorry, but I don't have much time to stick with you playing house.

Viktor pushed away the body of Krovahn and touched the terminal that was put on his arm.

Thereupon, Krovahn suddenly falls to the floor.

– Wha…! What is, this…?

Krovahn said, while showing an anguished look and holding down her head.

Similarly, Nakri and Nesat also hold their heads, falling to their knees on the ground with a painful expression.

– Kuh… what did you do to us! Viktor!

– I'm emitting noise that gives stimulus to the Variant Virus that flows in your blood. How is it, you are unable to move, right?

– … shit!

– Stay right there. If you still try to rebel, then I won't go easy on you.

Viktor turned the muzzle of the machine gun in his hands towards Krovahn.

– … Krovahn!

Despite suffering from the noise that resonates in his head, Nesat keeps turning a hostile look to Viktor.

However, he can't stand up.

While clenching his teeth, the best that he can do is to stand the nails on the floor.

Next to him, Nakri was sobbing with his hands on the ground.

– Why, why are you doing something like this!? Does this mean that you just helped us in order to be used by you!?

– That's right—

Viktor answers coldly and put his finger on the trigger of the machine gun.

– I won't let you!

It's the voice of a man that resounded in the corridor.

It's the voice of a man in maid clothes with cat ears on his head.

Viktor stared in wonder, looking at that figure.

– You bitch are the automaton that Linis made for childcare!

– I'm not an automaton. Man Man's name is Man Man!

Viktor turns the muzzle towards Man Man.

However, Man Man approached Viktor instantly by sliding on the floor and launched a kick.

– —kuh!

The machine gun flies off from Viktor's hand.

However, Man Man doesn't loosen the way of the attack.

Rotating his body, he launched turning kicks one after another.

With that, the body of Viktor strikes the wall.

In an instant, it seemed that the victory was decided.

But, by taking a handgun that Viktor had tied to his leg, the situation was reversed.

(He got, me…)

Man Man didn't assume that he still had weapons.

He tries to shorten the distance, but he doesn't make it in time.

Viktor will try to pull the trigger of the gun at any time.

*BAAAAAAAAANNNGG…*!

– Kuhh!

Man Man immediately calculated the trajectory and tried to dodge it by averting his body, but it wasn't enough and received the bullet on the right shoulder.

– It looks like I started to… move a little late…

While saying that, Man Man crouches, pressing down the air hole of the opened right shoulder.

The wiring of the mechanism that was shot became uncovered, sparks were scattering.

– … but, I can fight again.

Man Man tries to stand up.

There, Viktor mercilessly fired bullets again.

– … ah.

Man Man received the bullets on his legs, he lost the balance of his body and fell down from his face.

(I can't move if my legs are destroyed…)

At this rate, the core inside his body—the Variable Stone might be destroyed.

That will result in the suspension of his activities, but if that's the case it's possible to repair him.

The problem is if he destroys the memory chip in the device of the ears.

In that case, he's going to lose his memory.

(I would rather avoid getting to that extent, but…)

What should I do from now on? Man Man tries to ask 《LÁZER》 and Charlie using the communication device implanted in herself.

The state of the radio is strange from a while ago.

That much makes him worry if it's going to connect or not.

(Oh, it connected! Eh—)

When he noticed, the figure of Viktor had disappeared.

What he was able to catch with his hearing system are the footsteps that went away.

Viktor seems to have left this place behind with the nice gap that was made.

(Somehow or other, it looks like I was saved)

Raising his body, Man Man called out the three people.

– Is everyone okay?

– Yeah, somehow…. You saved us…. Or rather, what on earth are you?

While saying so, Krovahn tries to get up.

– Apart from having to talk about that this time, please don't push yourself now. I don't think that the health of everyone, from what Man Man can see, is getting back to form.

– But, if we don't go after Viktor…

– About that, please wait a moment. Even if you go after him, I think it will result in the same thing as before. That is why Man Man will contact his master who will think of how to deal with the problem.

Saying that, Man Man started talking with Charlie with whom he was able to establish a line.

– Charlie-sama, do you hear me, Charlie-sama?

『Yeah, I hear you from a while ago』

– If so, then I guess you know…

With that as a preamble, Man Man tried to capture Viktor Tynyanov who had been battling with the gang of three.

Then he informs him that he was shot and that Viktor escaped.

『So, are they safe?』

– They have no injuries, but it seems that they took a mental attack with some kind of radio waves. I presume that it's effective only against the Slayers, because Man Man and the guards in this place weren't affected. Do you think so too?

– Y-yeah…

While he kept his back on the wall, the guard who was flopping down and sitting on the floor nodded with the call given by Man Man.

– And finally, it seems that the communication devices have been affected too.

『But now it seems that they were restored. I can also confirm the images of you guys properly from me. You were shot in the shoulder and legs by Viktor, right?』

– Affirmative, Viktor seems to have a powerful gun that can pierce barriers with energy. Can Charlie-sama repair me afterwards?

『Of course. Although I don't know if I can do it skillfully like Linis, your creator』

– So, about the problem with Viktor, he is probably heading further underground. What should we do?

『In that state, even if you catch up with him, there's nothing that you can do. So wait there. I'll go over there right away. Judy already headed to Lazer』

– Eh, the company president-sama?

『If he's after Lazer, then she'll do something. If he couldn't do it at that time, then he won't be able to do it. Well then, I'll be heading there after this. Wait for about three minutes please』

– Wait a minute!

It was Krovahn who shouted when Charlie tried to cut the line.

– The doctor with whom you are talking now is the one who took our Hundred, right? We have some questions.

– Yes, he is, but.

– If so, let me talk with him. Do you hear me?

『Yes, I hear you』

The voice of Charlie echoed from the speaker of the corridor.

Their voice seems to have been caught by the microphone equipped in Man Man.

– We have a request. Please return the Hundred to me and Nakri.

『Why?』

– There are Savages outside, right? Viktor was saying that they were made with the cores and Variable Stones of the Savages that we gathered. Therefore, we want to avoid damage to ordinary persons and to this sphere of life. That's our responsibility. So, we want to stop them. That's the same for Nii-chan and Nakri, right?

When Krovahn wished for their consent, Nesat and Nakri nodded.

– Even though we can't fight with Viktor, we can fight with the Savages. So, please!

– Yeah, we want to fight for Little Garden. You've treated us well so far. Nesat thinks the same, don't you?

*Nod*, Nesat nods.

– What do we do, Charlie-sama? I don't think they are telling lies, but…

『That's what I've understood from the interrogation so far. What are you going to do, Clark? Are you going to let them go to the battlefield?』

『Christa, what is the judgment of 《LAZER》?』

『The answer that came back is 《They are trustworthy people》』

『Is that so…? Besides, it is certain that we want fighting power even if it's one person desuwane…』

『In other words, you will send them to the battlefield?』

『Krovahn, Nakri, Nesat deshitawane. In view of the present moment, we will release you as an emergency countermeasure. Therefore, Little Garden temporarily hires you as mercenaries masu. Do you accept desuka?』

– Yes, of course. Nii-chan and Nakri are also okay with it?

– … yes.

– Say no more!

Nesat nods, Nakri answers.

– In that case, it's decided. President-san and Dr.-san, we'll be under your care.

『Got it. Then, come to the laboratory with Man Man. I'll try to make you go out to the battle ASAP』


– Now that the deployment has finished, let's go to the battle.

Ellie said, looking up to the sky that began to dye in a madder red color.

– Go? How are we going to move to the top of the top glass?

『If you come outside from that place, and if you come from the direction of the coast just after—』

– That's not necessary.

Ellie stopped the words of Christa that were heard through the wireless ring.

– Haname, there's a shortcut.

– A shortcut…?

– Like this.

Using half of his Arms Shroud that was deployed like wrapping up his body, Ellie created armaments, he created two turrets at the waist.

– Don't tell me that you're going to fly in the air using those as rockets…?

– Bingo! As expected of Haname. By injecting these with accumulated energy in one go, it will make them have propulsive power. And so, we'll be on the top glass in a blink of an eye.

– You serious…? Are you really sure about this?

– Of course I am. Do you know what's the place where a hole was done?

Ellie asks Christa of the briefing room.

『It's in the space between the school building and the female dorm where Haname-san and Ellie-san live』

– Roger. I got more or less its location. I can't see it from here, so let's move to the top of the school building first. Let's go, Haname!

– Hey, wai… uwaah!?

Ellie holds Haname with both arms and sprayed energy from the two turrets towards the ground.

Their bodies with propulsive power are launched into the sky in an instant.

It took them 10 seconds to pass by the side of the stadium and landed at the roof of the school building of the high school martial arts department.

– That's the hole, hmm?

Looking up at the sky, Ellie mutters.

To the eyes of Haname who also looked up at the sky, a hole in the top glass and a huge replicant are reflected.

The size of the hole is around two meters in diameter.

– It seems we can come out from there. Here we go again.

– O-okay…

Ellie jumps from the rooftop and injects energy from the turrets.

Haname, along with Ellie, tried to go through the opened hole in the top glass without stopping and so they were able to go outside Little Garden.

There are no replicants there, but there are hornets suspending in the air.

Several of them seem to be passing through the opened hole, invading inside Little Garden.

– We have to deal with the huge one quickly as well as with the small ones.

Ellie landed on the top glass and returned the two turrets to particles, then he created something like an ax with Arms Shroud.

– The first will be the big one!

The moment Ellie readied the ax turning it towards the replicant, it was a hornet type around it that launched an attack.

It bombards from its mouth, pointing at Ellie.

– … that's one of the small ones that Charlie was talking about. They also look troublesome!

Ellie dodges the fired beam and slashes at it with the ax.

However, it dodged it nimbly.

– Damn!

He reduces the ax to particles for a moment.

And then, he creates floating batteries.

– If my opponent is small, then these look better. I'll handle these guys with the floating batteries while Haname takes care of the huge one!

– Got it!

Haname responded and readied Hien, turning it towards the gigantic replicant.


At that time, on the rear deck of the ship, members of Selections including Fiona, Laetitia and Lloyd were having a fierce battle with over 10 replicants.

– Going throuu—gh!

It's Laetitia who shouted, he struck hard his fist on the abdomen of an enemy.

The armor of the arm began to shine intensely, breaking through the thick steel shell, leaving a big hole in the body.

– What do you think of my Strike Beast!?

As planned by Laetitia, he was able to destroy the Variable Stone hidden inside its body, the core of the replicant.

That giant stops moving.

– With this, we've defeated 8体—and there are 4体 more, huh…. Ah, but since these are artificial, then this counting system is bad, it'd be better to use 機, right…? Or not?

It was Fiona who showed a faint smile as she unconsciously cracks a joke while confirming the number of the remaining targets, then she noticed that a replicant was trying to bombard Lloyd in the middle of the battle.

There are no obstacles from the position where she is standing now.

– Vice president, it's dangerous—.

Saying that, she bombards with the rifle of her right hand.

Splendid, the energy beam hit the head of the target as planned.

Lloyd didn't receive the bombardment from the replicant.

– You saved me, Fiona Grantz.

– No, not at all, this is my job.

The weapon of her Long Shooter type Hundred, Stronghold, is a sniper rifle with a long gun turret which is like its name symbolizes—a Shooting Star.

However, as its model name says, it specializes in combat style where long range shooting is the main constituent.

Therefore, it's frequent in battles to act as support.

In other words, she's like a moving battery.

(However, not being able to bombard freely makes the stress pile up, isn't it…)

A melee battle in a narrow range.

There's a possibility of friendly fire, as there's the town of Sangria over 200 meters across the sea and there's Little Garden on the other side.

The replicants have 3 meters in length approximately, they are bigger than humans, but their movement isn't so quick, so if she aims and shots with certainty then she's not going to miss, but if she pierces them then it will become a great disaster for the surroundings, so it's difficult to have the control.

『Can you hear me, Lloyd!?』

A sudden communication from Eric Candle in the briefing room was heard from the wireless ring.

『The remaining amount of energy of you and Laetitia Saint-Émillion is less than a quarter. We can't confirm it from here, but how many replicants are left?』

– Four!

Lloyd replies.

『If it's that quantity, then I think you will manage somehow, so please be careful of the remaining amount of energy. We are counting on you』

– If so, shall we also give a hand to Fiona?

Smiling with a grin, Laetitia continued.

– Vice president, I need a favor. Can the vice president send flying the Savages over here with the spear please?

– Sure, I don't mind, but what do you intend to do?

– I'll launch them in the sky. If it's towards the sky, there's no problem for Fiona even if she does a strong bombardment, don't you agree?

– —I get it! Certainly, there's no problem if that's the case. That's a good idea for someone like you.

– Shut up! Let's start quickly!

– Then, without delay—

Lloyd accelerates using energy from the booster of his waist and pierced strongly the body of a replicant with the giant huge drill of his weapon Midgard Schrange.

Laetitia relaxed his mouth and grinned before the imminent enemy, loading with energy his feet that were covered in armament that resembled boots and pulls one of his legs with all his might.

– It's perfect, vice president! You better be ready, Fiona!

– Yeah!

Fiona had already readied Shooting Star towards the sky.

Of course, the energy is already filled.

– Here I gooooo—!

– Shoot, Fiona!

– Yeah!

Aiming at the replicant that was launched high in the sky by Laetitia, a thick beam that whirls energy released from the right hand of Fiona opens a big hole in its body, destroying the Variable Stone, the core that was hidden inside.

Immediately after the explosion, that big body falls into the sea.

– Good job, now there's three to go, huh?

Following Lloyd, Laetitia said.

– Let's do the same with the others! Nice one, Fiona!

– Thanks!


Second basement floor of Little Garden.

Viktor is standing on the side of the wall of the NO TRESPASSING section in front of the Student Council Room and then sets a small explosive device on the shutter in front of him then returns the way he came.

He turns to the corridor where his safety was guaranteed and touched with his fingers the screen of the wristwatch type terminal.

Thereupon, a violent explosion sounds, a blast rolls up.

Returning to his original location to confirm it, there was a big hole in the shutter installed in the NO TRESPASSING section.

(Looks like the barrier is considerably weakened, since I was able to destroy it at once…)

That means that his plan is going smoothly.

As he advances and goes through the hole he made before, an elevator was there.

It has something like a sensor control.

Nonetheless, when he thrusts both hands into the opening of the door of the elevator, he could open the door slightly.

The inside of it looks like a box where people can get in it.

There are four remaining explosive devices.

It is certain that there must be another door beyond this point.

There's no problem about using only two explosive devices here.

He thought so and threw a explosive device into the elevator, then touches the screen of the terminal of the arm again.

An explosion sounds again, and the blast caressed his hair.

He returns to the front of the door of the destroyed elevator, there was a hole in the box, that was particularly lucky.

Then he throws another explosive device, touches the terminal and turns on the switch.

This should have destroyed the lower door.

(This will make the pursuers to not come along right away, but I shouldn't ignore my last arrow)

He must be extremely cautious.

Touching the screen of the wristwatch terminal, Viktor sends instructions to the hornets that are outside.

(With this, my Savages and the Variants should begin to act violently. The Slayers will have to go after them to deal with them)

For this reason, he can push on towards his own goal.

Viktor twines around the handrail of the elevator the tip of one of the wires he took out from the pocket as a substitute of a safety device and begins descending along the wall of the elevator.

When he gets to the deepest part, he found that the lower door was destroyed as expected.

There's one door remaining.

He mounts the explosive device, hides in the shade of the elevator and turns on the switch of the terminal.

Viktor, with a hole in the last door, he finally reached the deepest part of Little Garden—the part where Lazer Harvey, the boy who became its power motive and brain is.

There's a person who greeted him.

– To think there's someone rude to interfere with the time of my little brother and I, and it had to be you, isn't it…? It's been a long time, Viktor.

– Are you saying that you were waiting here for me to come?

– Yes, that's right.

Judy nods towards Viktor who asked the question, staring in wonder as if he was surprised, then continued her words.

– You also thought that I was going to be here, don't you?

– I thought that you could save me the trouble if that was the case.

Taking out a gun from his chest, Viktor turned it towards Viktor.

– What are you doing with such a dangerous thing? What do you plan to do?

Judy raises both hands, but she's not showing a expression like being frightened in fear.

She was keeping a composed look.

– The reason is one you know very well.

– The revenge on me that you threw away—but that's not it, no?

Judy loosens her mouth. Her composed attitude doesn't change.

– You didn't understand that well, isn't it?

– But, that's your misunderstanding.

– … misunderstanding? What are you saying? You used to pretend that you loved me and then you casted me away.

– This is the conversation we had at that time, yes? Lunaltia Project, which is an important matter for Warslan from now on—the one most competent during the first stage of Little Garden project was Charlie and not you. That's why I put him on the top and I left you as the head of the laboratory of Rasiya, your hometown.

– Lies! I was degraded in Rasiya for using the vast energy of Lazer as the power motive—the core of Little Garden, and for things like telling the whereabouts of my colleagues to the Savages. As a result, it seems that it was identified that there was a possibility of putting the world in a critical situation!

– You are wrong. I should have said at that time that it was regrettable to use an excellent engineer like you as the right arm of Charlie. Besides, you weren't able to control Lazer properly, and that didn't turn out well with your surroundings, as opposed to Lunaltia project. That's the reason why I told you to come outside of the HQ temporarily and to come back giving results. From there, it was you yourself who got involved with illegal human experiments with the research of artificial Variants that was entrusted to you, isn't that correct? The possibility was closed by yourself. With unsightly emotions, like envy.

– Envy? Are you saying that I was being envy of someone?

– Of my mother Linis, the person who was your teacher, and of Lazer over there, right?

– …!

– My mother Linis gave me a dream to me who was a defective article and Lazer who made my dream come true. It doesn't change the fact that the two people connected by blood are special and important people who must have priority over anyone else.

– That's why I joined the terrorist group that freed me from prison, created perfect artificial Variants and completed the artificial Savages with artificial Variable Stones as cores. In order to steal those important ones from you. In order to give you despair.

– Completed? What are you talking about?

Judy relaxes her mouth and laughs like making fun of him.

– Completion is a perfect success. That you came to Little Garden by yourself means that the research of artificial Variants isn't perfect yet, correct?

– …!

– I suppose the artificial Savages aren't perfect either. Rather, if you were able to handle them like a Tamer type Hundred, then their current state would be just violent. If only you could just create them with the technological strength of Warslan.

– Who gives a damn about what you are saying!? The fact that you are being cornered like this won't change. Besides, it's about time for the last arrow to be released outside.

– … last arrow?

– That's right. I set up a device to emit specific radio waves to some of the Savages I made, like the hornets. If that radio wave flows out, the Slayers won't be able to move normally and the artificial Savages and artificial Variants should rampage.

Smiling with a grin, Viktor continued provoking Judy.

– It really helped that security was sloppy, Judy. It's because you are using children so you can pull the strings and do as you like. In that case, I'm not going to be like you.

– … hou. I didn't expect you to say such a thing. Perhaps if I say that I want you again, you'll become my ally and do wonderful terrorist countermeasures?

Judy walks up to the position of Viktor and touches his cheek with her hand.

Viktor shakes off her hand.

– You're going to use me as a man again! Don't fuck with me!

– Moments ago, I said such a thing but, it doesn't mean that I didn't recognize your skill. That's true. I also wanted your research results and experiment results. At any rate, I located the hideout you were hidden, and I ordered to investigate it, but it looks like you don't have data remaining.

– If so, then this is the compensation.

Viktor turned the muzzle towards Lazer.

– What are you doing?

– It's about choosing between me and Lazer.

– There's no choice like both?

– If I release myself from the binding spell of Linis by destroying Lazer, then you—Judy, you haven't changed anything. In that case, I will give you your final words. That is also for the sake of this world.

– If so, then I must deal with you.

Judy takes a gun from her breast pocket and turned its muzzle towards Viktor.

– If you shoot, I'll also shoot. With this enhanced 《E Tranquilizer》, not only the barrier deployed to cover the capsule, but also the tempered glass and the barrier of energy covering the body of Lazer can be destroyed.

– You sure?

– … what?

– Please take a look at Lazer.

– —!?

Viktor stares in wonder, looking at Lazer.

The reason is that Lazer is opening his eyes.

– No way, Lazer is waking up—

– Do you know Kirishima Satoru, the artificial Variant you created?

– Kirishima Satoru…? The experiment at that time, the only one who survived…

– Lazer seems to be delighted with his songs. Every time he sang, there was a sign of awakening. Now, thanks to the live concert being done just now, he woke up with my pinch in this way. He's truly the little brother of his dear older sister. Or is it because we made too much noise here?

The monitor on the side of Lazer shows a reaction.

Looking at the letters displayed there, Viktor makes his spine shiver.

—If you try to kill Onee-sama.

Then I won't allow it—

– Hi… ah, aaaaaaaa—!

Viktor pulled the trigger towards Lazer, screaming like mad while his face becomes stiff in fear.

Many, many times over.

The gunshots echo in the confined space.

As Viktor was saying, the fired bullets destroyed the defense membrane affixed to the capsule and perforated the capsule too.

But, all of them were stopped with a light blue defense barrier that appeared before Lazer.

– … hii!

Viktor who saw the bullets falling to the floor, scattering, turns his gun towards Judy in panic.

– I-if you are going to hurt me, then Judy—

Viktor couldn't say much more than that.

When he noticed, his surrounding was being encircled by 5 Lazers.

– Wh-what are you…! You monster!

Viktor shots bullets towards the Lazer standing diagonally, but they pass through the body.

– Wha…

Viktor noticed that the Lazers standing around himself weren't substances but masses of energy that shaped Lazer.

– It was a cruel thing to say that my little brother is a monster.

– —ah…

Viktor realized that Judy before his eyes was having a gun at the ready, but he couldn't do anything.

There are no more bullets in the gun of his hand.

—*Bang*!

Along with the gunshot, the body of Viktor flew backwards.

– Ju, dy…

Saying so, the chest of Viktor is stained red.

Blood was flowing out from his mouth.

– … I didn't want this kind of end, but it was inevitable. It's a pity that I won't be able to show you the future that I'll create from now on, Viktor.

Judy lowered the gun and approached the position of Viktor, looking down on his appearance.

– What on earth are you saying—

– Come to think of it, I forgot to say this. Concerning the results, and thanks to you, my plan has made a considerable progress. I'm really grateful.

– … kh, being told that, it makes me get sick of myself for being a little happy.

– Was that your resolution?

– Who knows?

– …

Judy gently smiled and crouched down.

– I'll take care of you until your last moment.

– Judy, you really are a heartless woman…

– I know. That's why I don't love men anymore.

Saying that, Judy kisses Viktor.

– Love can be a chance to demonstrate tremendous power, but it can also be a shackle.

– You really… are… a fool…

Viktor closed his eyes and passed away in the arms of Judy.

– … Fool, huh… That may be. However, this is the path I chose.

Putting the body of Viktoor gently on the floor, Judy stood up and turned her eyes towards Lazer herself and not the five Lazers, which are masses of energy.

– Lazer, thanks to you I barely escaped from death.

Then, characters were displayed on the monitor.

—As your little brother, of course.

– Then, an advice as your older sister. Take a rest again. We will restore the power once again when the moment comes.

—Negation.

The five bodies of Lazer that are mass of energy disappeared.

However, Lazer in the capsule didn't close his eyes.

– … negation? What do you mean?

—I can't sleep yet.

– You can't sleep?

—Because I have something to do.

– Are you going to be the helper of Clark and the others?

—Exactly.

The body of Lazer who smiled gently in the capsule emitted a blue brilliance.

End of Chapter 5


Chapter 6
Noise/Running Wildly/The Ability of Lazer

– Uoooooーーー!

Haname slashes at the gigantic replicant over the top glass with the brandished Hien.

However, the hardiness of the steel shell wasn't different to a regular Savage, it didn't even get scratched.

– It seems that I'll have to do it with all my strength after all.

She's not going to let it do more damage to the top glass.

Taking distance from the replicant, Haname took a big deep breath.

Ellie, who was looking at their appearances with a sidelong glance, seems to have noticed what Haname is about to do now.

While destroying the hornets floating in the sky with the beams he fired from the floating batteries, he asks Hayato by communication.

『Haname, are you going full armament?』

– It's bad if I do so?

『No, there's no problem』

Shaking his head, Ellie continued.

『If anything happens, I'll definitely stop it. Of course, it would be the best if such a thing doesn't occur, and if it's Haname, then I think you'll be alright』

– I appreciate that you say so.

Haname smiled, loosening her mouth and then, in a complete change, glared at the giant replicant with a sharp gaze.

(By defeating this guy, I'll return to the live venue!)

And then she'll praise Kaoru who finished singing with Satoru with Good job, you did it well.

Stroking his head, like always.

And if he wants, she'll kiss his forehead.

(For that, I—!)

A red aura starts to rise up from the body of Haname.

– Here I go!

While raising a loud voice, the aura swells up in one go, making a thick and large transformation of the sword and armor of the arms of Haname.

『That's perfect, Haname!』

Ellie's bright voice reaches her ears.

– Looks like I did it somehow or other.

There's no problem with the armament. She's also retaining her self.

The full armament is—a success.

Haname checked that there wasn't anything wrong and looked up at the enormous replicant that is aiming at herself with a sharp look and rather than stopping the pincers that were swung downward, she cut them off as she was with Hien.

*Thud*, the right pincer fell over the top board.

Nevertheless, the replicant raised overhead both arms again without minding about it, the mechanisms built inside the steel shell were just disconnected.

Things like crackling and sparks are scattering in the severed part.

Even if it were to swing down that arm, it won't be a decent attack.

– Awesome, Haname. Finish it right away.

– Roger!

Answering shortly to Ellie, Haname kicked the top glass and jumped high.

She tried to release an attack on the head of the giant replicant by swinging Hien.

And then, something like Japanese wires were ejected from its back.

(What are these!?)

It's an attack it didn't exist till now.

Naturally, she didn't predict it.

Moreover, it attacks Haname, changing the pointed end of the wire to a sharpened rhombus thing similar to a kunai.

– … kuh!

Brushing away those with Hien, Haname lands on the top glass for a moment.

The wires attack her once again.

– Enough, these are a bothersome!

The wires approach, altering their movement as if they had their own will.

This time, Haname used energy and evades them with a jump, then sliced off the enormous replicant from above.

– Take thi—s!

The thick blade comes in contact with the head of the giant replicant that is taking action.

But even with the full armed blade, she can't swing completely the arm in this state.

Still, Haname doesn't give up and pumped energy into Hien.

The pattern drawn on the blade by the poured energy emits a red brightness and the light expands greatly in a shape that wraps up the sword.

*Crack*, the top glass made a noise.

With the arms moving, Haname realizes that the large build of the replicant sinks.

– —eh, oh no!?

It was already too late when she noticed—as things are, the top glass would end up destroyed.

*Breaking sound*!

– Uwaah!?

The top glass broke at the same time as the large build of the replicant was cut right in half.

The opponent and of course the body of Haname fall to the interior of Little Garden.

– Haname!

Ellie screamed, stopping the battle with the hornets, reducing the floating batteries to particles—then creates two gun turrets at his waist with Arms Shroud and chased Haname at full speed using energy.

However, he can't catch up with her.

(Dammit…!)

Fortunately, there was no building at the falling point.

The giant replicant strikes hard the ground first, creating a crater-like hollow in it.

Reacting with that, the body of Hayato who was above was thrown into the air.

Ellie accelerates, injecting energy from the gun turrets and caught her body in his arms.

– Haname, are you alright?

– Yeah, somehow…

Responds Haname in full armed state.

When Hien separated from her hand and was thrown into the air, it fell to the side of the replicant, it didn't hurt Haname.

– Although the damage was big, it seems that I was able to defeat it.

– Yeah.

Saying so, Ellie lands on the side of the replicant whose movement has already stopped.

Haname got down and stood on the ground from the arms of Ellie, then lifted the visor and approached the replicant, and picks up Hien that had fallen on the ground.

Coincident with that, when looking at the replicant, she could also confirm the huge Variable Stone hidden inside its body, it was broken in two.

– This is the moment when I want to take a rest, but the battle hasn't ended yet.

Ellie turns his gaze to the top glass that has a big hole.

The hornets were invading the interior of Little Garden from there.

– I must do something about that, will Haname give me a hand?

– Of course.

– Okay then, let's do it.

Ellie disintegrates the two turrets at his waist into particles—and created floating batteries with Arms Shroud.

– I'll disturb them with the floating batteries as much as I can and gather them in a low position, so Haname can chop them with Hien.

– Got it.

Immediately after Haname nodded.

– We'll give a hand too.

– Eh…?

Right after they were called out all of a sudden.

Two rings passed by the side of Haname and Ellie and cut two hornets that were floating in the air right in half.

The rings that returned like boomerangs are familiar to them.

– You are…

Before Haname and Ellie who turned their eyes were standing the dark-skinned Krovahn who wore her black Variable Suit and Nesat and Nakri who had similar skin color and wore similar Variable Suits.

– Why are you guys here…?

– As you can see, we came to help you.

Nakri replied, catching Duo Varga.

Krovahn has already deployed her Crusher type Hundred Orthros Liberio.

Nesat also has a twin sword similar to the Hundred of Krovahn in his hand.

– What do you mean to help us!? The Savages and even those flying things were done by your companion who attacked Little Garden, you know!?

– … you are correct. No, you were correct.

– I was correct?

Ellie who blamed Krovahn inclines his head to the side.

– We are no longer partners with Viktor who acted violently in such a place where civilians are.

Saying that and having Orthros Liberio at the ready, Krovahn jumped.

Thereupon, she chops a hornet.

– That was the same for us. We wanted to believe in Viktor. But, Viktor tried to kill us. He betrayed us! So, we asked the President and the Dr. to give us back the Variable Stones.

Nakri throws Duo Varga again and destroyed a hornet in four equal parts.

– That's why, we will, fight with you—…

Nesat tried to follow Nakri, but he abruptly crumbled down from his knees while pressing his head in a painful-like manner.

At the same time the twin sword fell from the hand and dropped on the ground, it disappeared turning particles.

– Hey, Nii-chan, what happened so sudd—eh…

Landing, Krovahn tried to head to where her older brother Nesat is, but she crouched, holding her head like him.

Similarly, Nakri also crouches, holding his head.

The weapons of the two also fell and disappeared, becoming particles at the same time.

– … this is the sound of that time?

As if being in pain, Krovahn murmurs while doing small and repeated breaths.

– That's true, Krovahn…. This, is the same that Viktor used with us…

It's Nakri who said so after her.

Just like Krovahn, he's doing short and repeated breathings.

– In short, you mean that this is something that Viktor set up? And from is this sounding…?

Ellie also asked, putting one of his knees on the ground, pressing his forehead.

Haname is in the same state.

Still, Haname looked at the sky, and noticed something.

– Ellie, look at that.

– … eh?

Ahead of the line of sight of Haname, there's a hornet that stops moving in the air.

However, the red light of its whole body is blinking like a firefly.

– In other words, that means that the sound is coming from them? Unbelievable! If so, why you guys don't know nothing!?

Ellie inquires, turning his eyes to Krovahn, Nakri and Nesat.

– … sorry… We didn't know… When she heard this sound from Viktor moments ago, it was coming from a device similar to a wristwatch—

– But, Krovahn… this is a bit different from that moment…. The Hundred of my arm is getting hot, it's kind of strange…!

– Me too, my eye is strange…. What is, this…?

– Damn, me too… the Hundred that is implanted in my hand…. It's aching…

Haname and Ellie also noticed their change.

The three of them are starting to release a strong black energy from their bodies.

– Shit, the hell is this, thing…!

Krovahn murmured in pain, dropping her knees and putting her arms on the ground.

Right there, something flowed into Haname.

It's an image when they were oppressed by Slayers of Al-Salaam in the Khmer Kingdom, their home town, when they were children.

– I'll kill you… by obtaining strength, someday to these guys I… We'll definitely give them hell, more than what they did to us…!

Murmuring so, Krovahn stands on the ground.

– Yeah, we… it's impossible to fight together with the Slayers or anyone… we mustn't fight… with the… Slayers… Viktor is, no, Viktor's also an enemy… we live by ourselves. We don't believe in anyone anymore…

– Yeah, the Slayers are our enemies… everyone, all of them, are our enemies… The human race mustn't be annihilated…!

– Hey… get a hold of yourselves! This is Little Garden. Besides, you guys were saying that you were helping is, isn't that right!?

– … yeah, we know.

– Gritting her teeth in a painful way, Krovahn replies.

– … We know th… dammit, what's this, it feels like I'm not being myself…

– What do we do, Haname…?

– Even if you say what do we do…

– Resist, Nii-chan, Nakri…

Krovahn stands up with a desperate look.

– Otherwise, we… shit, the hell is this… kh, ah… AAAAAA—!

Krovahn roared with a loud voice.

But, that's it.

After she fiercely released a black aura from her body, she collapsed to the ground from the front with a thud.

The aura can't be seen anymore.

That's the same for the other two.

– What just happened? The three of them aren't moving…

– Y-yeah…

Nesat and Nakri are like Krovahn, it seems they have fainted.

After 10 seconds when Haname and Ellie were watching the trio that fell lying face down on the lawn which was cut and cleaned.

*Twitch*, the hand of Nesat moves.

– …

Remaining silent, the first one who got up was Nesat.

– …

Next is Nakri.

– …

Next is Krovahn who stands up and stares at Haname and Ellie.

The eyes of the three of them changed to a golden color.

Their pupils were in an opened-like state, and the brilliance of their eyes wasn't felt at all.

– Guys, are you alright?

– …

Krovahn doesn't answer the doubt of Haname.

– —you're enemies.

And merely whispering so,

HUNDRED ON!

While Haname is puzzled, Krovahn deploys Orthros Liberio in her right hand.

Similarly, Nakri also,

HUNDRED ON!

Saying so, he deployed Duo Varga.

They, unlike Haname and Ellie, don't seem to be reacting to the noise anymore.

And don't show a painful look.

Then, glancing at the weapon of Krovahn, Nesat murmurs.

– … Hundred On.

A pillar of light stands towering over the surrounding heading towards the sky from the eyes of Nesat who looked up at the sky, and from the inside, a twin sword appeared, it's identical to the one that Krovahn is holding.

A copy of her Hundred.

They already know that his ability is a Trace type Hundred.

– … target, confirmed.

Nesat picks up the twin sword and attacks Haname.

Krovahn does the same.

Nakri attacks Ellie.

– Damn, what the hell is this!? Even though you were saying that you were going to fight with us!

Dodging the assault of Nakri while enduring the noise, Ellie shouts.

However, he doesn't reply.

– Ellie, it's useless to speak to them! These guys, are in a rampaging condition like before—no, they are worse than at that time.

That time is of course, at the 《Operation: Bird in Cage》.

At that time, they still were able to understand each other, but now that seems to be impossible.

– You're saying that they are completely dominated by the power of the Variant!? But, why so suddenly…

– Maybe it's because of the noise resounding in their heads…

– But, we're also Variants, aren't we…? Yeah, the energy is getting hard to control, but rampaging is—

Even when he said so, Ellie was taken aback.

– Perhaps Viktor adjusted it to have some kind of effect only on the artificial Savages and artificial Variants, including these guys.

– Even if that's the case, it's really troubling, huh…

Additionally, due to the effect of the noise, the communication function of the wireless ring is unusable. It doesn't look like they can receive guidance to cut their way through this situation by contacting the president and the others.

Besides, if the replicants in other places are running wildly, then this can become a serious thing. Because of this noise, the performance of the Slayers is falling as well.

– Since we are in this situation, I guess we have no choice but to defeat them. The thing itself may not be difficult even for us now…

– I guess, so…

At any rate, the attacks of the trio cladded in black aura are somewhat large.

Though they have a headache due to the noise, it's not to the point where they can't dodge or stop them.

– For now, we'll have to stun them to disarm them.

– Pretty much.

– In that case—

Resolving himself, Haname,

– UooooOoOooooOooooo—!

While raising a strange voice, she crawls under the bosom of Krovahn who raised overhead Orthros Liberio in a big way and struck her with Hien with all her strength.

– Ku, ha…

Bending like the く character, the body of Krovahn who whirled in the air fell on the ground.

Simultaneously with that, her armament was cancelled.

– As expected of Haname! I'm not going to stay behind though!

With the already deployed floating batteries surrounding his body, he starts an attack towards Nakri who's attacking with two rings in his hands, the beams hit Nakri.

Still, that doesn't stop him.

He defended with a film of energy that covered the surroundings of his body and like Krovahn, slashes at him with a voice that wasn't words.

Ellie fired beams from the floating batteries again while dodging him, but the result is the same.

(I'm not making any progress…. As Haname was doing it, to make him lose consciousness, I must do it like this)

He was thinking that he could defeat the hornets while fighting Nakri, his opponent, but as the proverb says, if you run after two hares you will catch neither.

Ellie thought that it would be better to focus on Nakri and reduced to particles the floating batteries—and with Arms Shroud, he created a giant hammer with a total length of 3 meters.

There's no comparison with the chakrams of Nakri that have a diameter of 1 meter.

He was thinking of selecting a weapon that the length of the reach would work to his favor.

– This is the end!

Against Nakri who attacked with the two rings, Ellie holds aloft the hammer using all his body.

It magnificently clashed with the body of Nakri.

His body was sent flying to approximately 20 meters in the air.

– It's over.

As Ellie says, the armament of Nakri was cancelled when he fell to the ground.

– Haname, he's the only one remaining!

– Yeah, I know!

Nesat in front of her is swinging the blade continuously, but like with Krovahn, he doesn't hit Haname.

Haname was seeking a gap to cancel his armament so as to not injure his at all if possible while warding off his attacks with precision.

– Now!

With the gap she found, Haname raises Hien and knocks down the twin blade and the body of Nesat.

– … kuh!

The body of Nesat fell to the ground.

The twin blade separated from his hand, springing up on the ground then disappeared, becoming particles.

– Seems like we managed somehow. Are you okay, Haname?

– I wonder the same, are you alright?

She asked back so, because Ellie was kind of struggling too.

He supports his body with the big hammer he held in his hands, looking like he's continuously doing short and repeated breathings.

– Ahaha, maybe I'm a little tired…

– … me too…

Haname also supported her body using Hien like a cane.

The noise continues to ring in their heads as usual, and the pain is kind of pressing hard.

– Nevertheless, what was that just now? Why did these guys suddenly attack us…?

– Haname, not yet! That one is still conscious!

– Eh…?

Pointed out by Ellie, she turns her eyes to Nesat, and she realized that he was trying to get up, putting both hands on the ground.

– I'm not done… I have to protect Krovahn and Nakri…

The shutter of the eyepatch of Nesat opens.

What appeared is the dazzling and shining Truth Eye.

He captures the replicant that became a dead body—

– … HUNDRED ON…!

A pillar of light extends from the Truth Eye as he looks up at the sky.

And unlike so far, the weapon doesn't appear inside of it.

Eventually, the light drops like a waterfall towards the body of Nesat, covering his body.

(… what on earth has happened?)

Looking at Nesat who appeared from the light, Haname doubted her eyes.

– You're lying, right…

Nesat was wearing a thick armor of the same color as the steel shell of the Savages. In both hands, and like the pincers of the Savages where the two cut as their foundation, he's holding crescent moon-like swords.

Moreover, not only the pattern of the armament covering his whole body, but also his hair were shining brightly with a fluorescent color, like the original Savages.

(… full armament? Or when copying the replicant, he incorporated it himself?)

She doesn't know. She can't understand it.

He kicks the ground with his whole body cladded fiercely in a shining aura and swoops down on Haname, making light to gush out from one eye.

—*Slash* !

The attack of the sword that was diagonally swung downward is very heavy.

It will be difficult to stop it even in a healthy state.

Even more when the liberty of her body isn't effective like now and can't adjust the energy.

Even when she tries to ward it off with Hien, she isn't able to do it, her body ends becoming unstable.

The posture of Haname broke down completely with the sharp sword of the left hand that was swung in a flash and her body struck the ground.

– … kuh, Haname!

Ellie throws the hammer he had in his hands, reducing it into particles and created a rapier with Arms Shroud, and when he notices, Nesat crawled under his bosom.

– Kuh!

Ellie, in a hurry, tries to stop the attack of Nesat.

The crescent moon sword opens suddenly, the rapier held by Ellie is put between the two blades, then it's destroyed.

– —wha!

An amazed Ellie.

The rapier becomes particles.

There, with the other sword, Nesat launched an attack.

– Guaah!

The body of Ellie who was hit was blown off and rolled on the ground.

The armament cancels, Arms Shroud disappears.

– Damn it…

Ellie spat out, annoyed.

Still, that's the best he can do.

The restriction of his body is more than ever.

Ellie isn't able to move as he likes, he lay face down

He wasn't even able to put a finger on the ground.

Nesat tries to go after him.

(This is bad, at this rate Ellie is!)

Haname tries to get up, but her situation isn't different from Ellie's.

She's not able to stand up, and because her head hurts even more because of the noise that gets more and more stronger, her consciousness is vague.

Because of that, the full armament state has also been cancelled.

(As things are, something really awful will…)

Her consciousness gradually becomes distant.

She can't hear the loud heartbeats as usual.

What's in front of her is just darkness.

(Dam, mit…)

She tried to resist, but she couldn't do so.

The consciousness of Haname gradually gets distant.


– Everyone, listen calmly!

Satoru grasped the situation by contacting the briefing room at the center of the stadium where chaos was developing as ever and began to inform the spectators.

– Now, Little Garden is in a grave situation as it is sustaining an attack of the terrorists. But, be at ease. This stadium is protected by the power of the Variable Stones, so it should be safer than outside. And from now on, the Slayers will guide you to the shelters in the basement—…kuh!

– Did something happen, Satoru-san… ah… uh!

Then, without warning, Satoru crumbled down from his knees, disfiguring his facial expression, then began to groan in a distressing manner while grabbing his head.

Kaoru tried to rush to where Satoru is, but he also collapses from his knees in the same way and begins to groan in a distressful manner.

『Satoru, what happened, Satoru!』

Soffiane noticed the change of the state of the two and rapidly called out to them with the radio.

– I don't know, I heard a strange sound, then all of a sudden, I'm having a pain similar to a needle stuck into my head…. Why at a moment like this…? I mean, what on earth is this!?

Saying that, Satoru asks a question with the communication device.

– Soffiane, do you know what is this!?

『I don't know. Speaking of things that I know, the Slayers who are in the venue and the Slayers who are in the places where I can confirm in the images are suffering more or less like you and Kaoru-kun』

– What did you say!?

『On the other hand the people who are in the control room and I can't hear anything and the effect is none—so that means that it may be a mental attack that uses something like ultrasound that can only be heard by the Slayers』

– Then, that is to say that Haname-chan and the others who are fighting the terrorists and the replicants are also in a similar state to us!?

『That possibility is high』

– That's…. That's, it can't be ignored, not even for a second. And their situation is many times more dangerous than us!

While saying so, Satoru put a hand on the ground.

– Prepare the first program of the orchestra that we were going to sing at the encore.

『… what on earth are you going to do?』

– I decided it, isn't it? With my song—

Satoru stood up and made a loud declaration.

– I will blow away the noise that is ringing in our heads!

And so, Satoru recovers.

『Satoru, you…』

– I don't have a fighting ability, but I can fight with songs. So, lend me your strength—

When Satoru shouts, the stage shone dimly. The Variable Stone embedded in the stage seems to respond to his call.

『Although the radio is dead and I can't get in touch with the Student Council, but if it's a wired one, and if the electricity is getting through, then I think that both the orchestra and you will be broadcasted』

– Well then, I'll leave it to you. Broadcast the orchestra!

– Please wat!

It was Kaoru who thrusted himself into Soffiane and Satoru with his voice.

– Satoru-san. Please allow me to sing. That song is the one that you were going to sing with Kaoru, isn't it? Kaoru also wants to become the strength of Nee-san and the others—

Kaoru tries to get up while saying so, but with his feet staggered, he ends falling down. It's because the armament was cancelled and went back to a Variable Suit state.

– Are you alright, Kaoru-kun!?

– Ah, yes… I'm fine…

Kaoru replied so, however, his voice seems to be struggling as he raised his face, placing both hands on the stage.

– Eh…?

At that time, it met his eyes. Just mere moments ago, a naked boy with blonde hair that shouldn't have been on the stage.

Things like stem of roses are twining around his head and body, and his whole body shines in a faint bluish-white.

– You are…

The boy doesn't respond the question of Kaoru.

—Your song was good.

– Eh…?

—I want to listen to your songs more.

It's not in his ears.

The voice is echoing in his head.

—So, I will grant you my power.

When he notices, a naked boy is on his side.

He was putting his hands on both cheeks of Kaoru.

– U-umm…

As a matter of course, Kaoru is confused.

Then the boy smiled sweetly and,

—Now, stand up.

And, sing—

Like Haname did, the boy kissed the forehead of Kaoru, then vanished turning into particles.

– … what's wrong, Kaoru-kun?

Satoru asks Kaoru who was spacing out, looking hard at the empty space.

– Right now, there is a naked boy…

– Eh?

Satoru turned his eyes to the point Kaoru indicated with his finger.

– But there's no one…

– Huh…?

Certainly, it's as Satoru says.

The appearance of the boy has already disappeared.

But—

(My body feels light… and my legs move too!)

It seems that he can get up as the little boy said just now.

(And not only that, I'm able to deploy the Hundred again as well—)

Kaoru picks up the ore that had fallen on the ground and stood up firmly.

– HUNDRED ON!

Kaoru transforms the ore into a card and attempts to arm again.

Divine Card-san, please grant me the encore costume!

Stretching his hand from the card that was put up towards the sky, the card that was put up high above his head flips, turning into particles, 6 big cards took form from that.

Before long, and when all the cards disappeared, Kaoru had finished changing clothes to a costume with exposed shoulders for the live concert.

It's cute shorts with black and pink frills piled up a number of times on top of a tight suit that was like a swimsuit that had white as its basic tone.

The hair is pinned with a ribbon, making a ponytail, and around the waist there are decorations similar to wings.

– Satoru-san, I'm fine with this. Please let me sing!

– Kaoru-kun…

Satoru smiled when he saw Kaoru standing properly on the stage.

– If you look as such, then it seems you are really okay.

– Yes, no problem at all!

A communication from Soffiane enters there.

『If so, let's do it. But because of the noise, it may be impossible to send a long distance radio, but we'll be broadcasting your songs with all the existing wired speakers for now』

– Thank you, Soffiane!

Saying that, Satoru points his eyes to Kaoru.

– Let's do it, Kaoru! Let's make our songs reach Haname—and everyone!

– Yes!


(What is, this…?)

It was a powerful melody that kind of shook her body and reached the ears of Haname who was about to lose consciousness.

The singing voices of Satoru and Kaoru are coloring the melody.

—Go for it, Haname!

—Nee-san and everyone, please stay safe!

It doesn't mean they are talking to her directly.

Still, she felt as if they were at her side.

She feels that she can see their figures before her eyes.

The feelings of the two boys reach her thanks to their singing voices.

—Kisaragi Haname, please raise your face.

Next, she heard a voice that was neither Kaoru's nor Satoru's.

She did as she was told and raised her face, a familiar nude boy stood there.

He's the boy she met in the basement with Judy Harvey, the company president of Warslan Company and the older sister of Clark Harvey, the Student Council President of Little Garden a month and a little ago—he's the supreme decision-making body of Little Garden, the 《Little Garden Zenith Agency》 aka 《LaZER》 and his true identity is Lazer Harvey, the second son of the Harvey family who manages Warslan Company, a big military company that has its head office in the United States of Liberia.

– The little brother of the president, why are you…

Haname confirms the figure.

At that moment, she noticed something.

The nature of the atmosphere that touched her body had changed.

Moreover, the time of her surrounding has stopped.

Nesat and Ellie don't move.

Lazer replied with a sweet smile.

『All the things that exist in Little Garden—the grass, the trees, the electricity of course, and even the atmosphere, are using my sense energy; you know that because you heard it from my older sister, don't you?』

– Eh, yes…

While puzzled, Haname nods.

It's the first time she hears the voice of Lazer like this.

It's a childish and immature voice that goes along with how he looks, but his tone is strangely mature.

『That's why it's possible for me to create an avatar of myself in this place. It's like I am a God in this place』

Saying that, Lazer stretched his right hand to Haname.

『Now, get up—』

Haname puts her knees on the ground and tries to get up.

Grabbing the hands of Lazer, she heard his voice in her head again.

『Kisaragi Haname, I will grant you my strength』

– … strength…?

『That's right, strength』

– Umm, what do you…

『The Slayers in other locations will be able to recover from the mental attack which was the last arrow that Viktor Tynyanov launched with this wonderful song and defeat the replicants. However, the boy who copied the Savage here possesses a considerable strength and used it as armament. It would be easy if I could do it by myself directly, but now I am not able to do so』

– Then, you are saying that I have to do it?

『You are the protagonist who will end the climax of the defensive battle of Little Garden—I have chosen you as the God that rules over all things of Little Garden』

– But, I…

『What is it?』

– I thought that I don't want to defeat him, I want to save him. If I get a strong power, and if I kill him, then I'm sure that those guys… that Krovahn and Nakri will resent me and they'll surely think of revenge on me. In that case, nothing will change. Even them won't be saved, I want to save him and the others. Like Kaoru was saved in Little Garden. Like myself who became a Slayer and could have a dream in Little Garden. I want them to live here and have a dream too.

『Kisaragi Haname, you are a very kind person. That is wonderful. As I thought, you are appropriate as a hero. In that case, You will have to take away his fighting spirit to make him disarm. I forgot, why don't you kiss him as the protagonist you are, putting your thoughts on your own Variant Virus and deliver them with that?』

Giggling, Lazer smiles.

– Kiss you say? That's…

Haname turns a fleeting glance to Ellie.

『If you feel restrained or something with Ellie Crossford, then persuade him. If it's with my power, then persuasion may be possible by sympathy even while receiving that boy's attacks. They are my responsibility, my judgement caused them to sortie. I didn't think that Viktor was so meticulously prepared. That's why, if you say that you accept, then this small paradise of Little Garden—the one that my older brother Clark made and I, as the God of 《Utopia》, will allow so』

– Eh…?

『Well then, Kisaragi Haname—』

Placing her knees on the ground, Lazer touched the cheeks of Haname with both hands like wrapping up her face in a semi-bent forward state.

『I'm not being seen by Ellie Crossford. So, it's okay』

– Wha—

Laughing in mischief, Lazer kisses the lips of Haname.

And then, he became particles and disappeared.

What just happened?

The interrupted time moves, and the strength returns to the body of Haname.

– Hana, me…?

Ellie stabs Hien on the ground, looking at Haname who got up by using it like a cane and showed surprised.

It was kind of expected because the wounds of the whole body of Haname had healed.

(What is, this…? This is, the power of Lazer…?)

There's a sensation that strength is springing out from the bottom of her body.

Her headache is gone thanks to the songs of Satoru and Kaoru.

– … certainly, I'm able to fight now.

—are you listening to our songs?

With the singing voices, the feelings of Satoru resound in her mind.

– Yeah, I'm listening to them.

Her words won't reach Satoru.

But, she couldn't help but to respond.

—Nee-san! If it's Nee-san, I'm sure you'll be able to do it somehow!

– Of course, I'll show it in one way or another!

While responding to the voice of Kaoru like she did before, the body of Haname shone.

It's a blue brilliance, it's different from usual.

The armament covers the whole body of Haname.

It's the second time—

She's completely armed with the help of Lazer.

Haname turns her eyes to Nesat.

He was gasping in pain while keeping the balance of his body by stabbing the two swords of both hands on the ground.

– This song… my head… hurts! What is, this… aah, aAH, aAaaaaaAaaaaah!

While screaming, Nesat aims at Ellie who remained fallen on the ground and raises overhead the sharp sword of his right hand.

(—this is bad!)

Haname rapidly kicked the ground, lowering the visor.

(My body is absurdly light…)

Even she was surprised to that degree.

Haname arrived at the position of Nesat in an instant and blocked the sword of Nesat with Hien.

Thereupon, something happens.

The emotions of Nesat flow into Haname together with energy.

『Why are you getting in the way …!』

– Well, if a friend tries to hurt a friend, then you'll get in the way, right?

『Friend? For us, you are enemies! In order to protect Krovahn and Nakri, it is absolutely necessary to fight…!』

Nesat draws the crescent moon sharp sword, and attacks Haname with the sharp sword of the other hand.

– You're wrong!

Haname exclaimed while blocking so.

– Remember! When we fought before, our president said so, didn't he? That we weren't going to capture you, but that we were going to protect you!

– … ah… protect…?

It seems that was able to flow into his head.

That's the word that escaped from the mouth of Nesat.

– Yeah, protection!

– But, the Slayers are our enemies… we were detained in a place similar to a prison and you treated us like slaves—

– Little Garden didn't put you in prison, didn't it? Even though it was house arrest, it wasn't confinement. They didn't even separate the three of you and they never took away the Hundred from your eye!

– Ah…

The arms of Nesat wavered with the sword's pressure of Hien.

– Besides, it was Krovahn….? She said it a while ago. "We'll fight with you". So, we're companions. There's no need to fight. That's why, I'll help you!

– … you'll help, me…?

– That's right, we'll help you!

– Help? But Viktor said so too! And yet!

The sharp sword of one of his hands is raised overhead again.

His golden eyes shine violently, black energy covers his whole body and grows restively like a flame that whirls up.

– We're different! Little Garden will never use you for its own self-interest or something like that!

– You're lying…! I don't believe that! We only have ourselves, the rest is already…!

The sharp sword was struck hard by Hien that was readied in front of his forehead.

The pressure of the two swords brought with energy is considerable.

Still, the blue shining Hien was superior.

– Make this the last one if you want, but please believe me. I'm sure you'll be accepted by the president, us, Satoru and Kaoru who are singing this song and everyone in Little Garden as well. Race and nationality are irrelevant here. Because this is a place where everyone can live with equality!

Because of Hien, the two sharp swords revolved in the air.

The tip of the sword that attacked Nesat with its momentum pulverizes the armor of the face, the eyepatch-like thing that was covering one of his eyes is in sight.

– Ah…

The hands of Nesat languidly drooped to the ground.

A trickle of tears spills over and falls from one of the eyes whose glow has returned.

– … you are really, going to, accept us?

– Absolutely. Because we are companions.

– … compa, nions…

At the same time the bursting tears walk over his cheeks and fall to the ground, his armament cancels.

– …

Haname caught Nesat who was about to fall to the ground from his knees with her arms.

Beyond that, Ellie who got up approaches them although his walk was unsteady.

– … Haname, what on earth happened? Your wounds are healed, and a blue aura has appeared from your body…

– Well, you see—

And, when Haname tried to answer, an emergency call reverberated from the two wireless rings.


At that time, Clark who's in the briefing room, was grasping the situation to the best of his ability while dripping sweat on his forehead.

Despite standing in this place as the representative of Little Garden, and since the terrorism began, he couldn't do anything properly. On the contrary, now that the noise resonates in his head, he can't even think straight.

(Is this noise a trap set by Viktor too desuno?)

In the briefing room, only the Slayers receive the effects of the noise.

In other words, it seems that some kind of sound wave that is effective against the Slayers comes from somewhere.

(Because this is the underground, it seems that the effect is minor compared to other Slayers, however…)

On the camera, the figures of Slayers suffering due to the noise were reflected.

It looks they weren't able to engage with the replicants.

(We have to investigate the cause quickly, because if we don't do something…)

However, he doesn't know where this sound wave is being emitted from.

It looks that some abnormal electromagnetic waves are generated since the video is distorted from some time ago, and the audio is also intermittent, and depending on the location, it doesn't connect.

(Although it's not possible to do anything here, and if I'm in this state, then it will be useless to rush to the battlefield desuwane…)

Clark covers his forehead with his right hand while feeling his own powerlessness.

It's there when he began to hear the songs of Kaoru and Satoru.

– … what is this?

– It seems that the sound is distributing in places where Soffiane is connected with a wired line…. What are they planning to do with this?

– No way, they're planning to drown out the noise with songs…

That's what Christa said.

At that moment, Clark became surprised.

– It's true desuwa, certainly the noise can't be heard, and the headache is also…

– This means we were saved by their idea.

– Yes…

Clark nodded towards Eric and continued his words.

– Christa, what about the communication? Check the situation of the other Slayers….

– We were able to confirm the situation of the Slayers on the deck. Apparently, everyone seems to be fine. Moreover, thanks to the singing voices of Kaoru-san and Satoru-san, all the hornets that were generating noise fell to the ground and the sea, I presume their actions stopped or they exploded. The replicants on the deck seem to have been completely exterminated by the Slayers who were encouraged by the songs. The communication has been restored too and a communication request has come from Claude-san. I will connect Clark-sama now.

– Everyone, can you hear me? Thanks for your hard work exterminating the replicants. However, we have yet to grasp the whole thing masen. It will save us the trouble if those who are not injured can finish them on the spot masu.

『Then, in other words, you're saying that you don't know the state of Ellie-sama and the others? In that case, I'll head right away so please tell me where they are!』

The communication between Clark and Claude was open to all the Slayers. With that much, Laetitia who was listening to it forced his way through from the side.

『If this isn't finished yet, then Fiona and I will head to where Haname and Ellie are. Tell us the location, please!』

『Claude Lowetti, Laetitia Saint-Émillion. I understand your feelings, but your energy has already been exhausted masu. Therefore, instead of you, I—』

Although they don't know the whereabouts of Viktor Tynyanov yet, the progress of the battle is reaching a stopping place.

If it's in this situation, then the rest of the instructions will be entrusted to Christa or Eric, and if he himself goes to where Kisaragi Haname and Ellie Hermit are, then there will be no problem.

At any rate, he doesn't know the state of the three artificial Variants—the three former hunters who sortied under his judgment.

He must take responsibility for them.

So, by sorting himself—

And when he tried to declare so, an incoming alert reached his ears.

(Maybe it's Kisaragi Haname desuno!?)

He turns her eyes towards the monitor in front of him in expectation.

However, what is displayed there is the name of Judy Harvey.

While closing his eyes partly, Clark opens the line.

『Hey, Clark. It seems we had a splendid hard fight this time』

He was hearing a cheerful voice.

Why under these circumstances? Clark frowns.

Naturally, his tone becomes stinging.

– What are you saying, Onee-sama? It's true that the progress of the battle is settling down, but this is not the situation to have a frivolous talk yet masenwa.

『I don't have the intention to crack jokes』

– Then what are you up to masuno?

『The mastermind of this incident is Viktor Tynyanov who committed suicide』

– What did you say!?

『The war situation won't get worse than this. This matter was dealt by Charlie Dimandius and me. I'll leave the rest of the job to you and your excellent soldiers』

– Wait, Judy! Onee-sama!

He tried to ask the details, but the communication came to an end.

Even if call requests are made, they're rejected.

– What on earth does that mean desuno…

Immediately after Clark muttered.

Christa conveys the good news with a lively voice.

– Clark-sama, the radio has been completely restored, and we were able to identify Haname-san and the others. Both replicants and hornets were all exterminated!

– Really desuno!?

– Opening a line with Haname-san and the others now.

The figure of Haname and co. were reflected on the monitor in front of him, the expression of Clark got brighter.

– Can you hear me, Kisaragi Haname and Ellie Crossford!? This is the Student Council President of Little Garden, Clark Harvey desuwa!

『We hear you, president』

Haname accepted the communication and starts talking about the replicant and the three artificial Variants with Ellie.

– … so such a thing happened. I told Charlie Dimandius to hand over the Hundred and I approved the deployment of the three desuwa. I have to recognize it was a miscalculation masenwane. I am truly sorry.

『Other than that prez, how is the whole war situation going? What are we going to do now?』

– Come to think of it, I haven't told you yet deshitawane. The Savages in all places were destroyed desu. I got a communication from my older sister that Viktor Tynyanov, the mastermind of this terrorism, was secured too. With this, the battle has ended desuwa.

『I see, what a relief…』

Ellie who asked that, shows a smile, feeling relieved.

『Yeah, definitely』

Haname also nodded, she felt relieved.

– Well then, I will cut the line for the moment masuwa. We must inform the residents of Little Garden and the visitors about the cancellation of the declaration of the state of emergency with an entire broadcasting. Christa, switch to a complete broadcasting please.

– Yes, the switch is done.

Christa answers.

Thereupon, Clark started talking with a serious tone.

『Informing to all the visitors and residents of Little Garden in the name of Clark Harvey, the Student Council President of Little Garden. In view of the present moment, we will cancel the declaration of the state of emergency masu. Little Garden was protected from the threat of the terrorist attacks. Informing once again—』

While repeating the cancellation of the declaration of the state of emergency, they can confirm it on the monitors of the briefing room and cheers break out from every single place.

– It's really settled down with this desuwane.

At the same time a he finishes the broadcast, Clark deeply leans his body on the back of the chair then took a big breath.

A communication from the stadium comes there.

『President, can we resume the live? The spectators are coming back』

– Eh,,,

『President, I request the same』

The next communication was from Haname.

『You promised me, didn't you? Let's solve the incident to continue with the founding festival』

– You're right, but…

A communication enters again.

This time it's from Charlie Dimandius.

『Although some of the buildings and facilities are damaged, there are no casualties. If we have already captured the perpetrator of the terrorism and safety is completely guaranteed, then I don't see the problem to continue』

– … even you, Charlie…

『Doesn't everyone want to see the live concert as the first step for the reconstruction of Little Garden? Who's with me!?』

An excited cheering resounded in the stadium, matching the encouraging shout of Satoru.

For Clark who has received the image of the stadium.

The spectators of the live

And how they desire to continue the Gardens Festa.

『Please, President』

Haname and Ellie say so.

『I also ask the same』

Besides Laetitia who followed so.

Fiona and the others seem to have the same feeling.

– —eh, could it be this line is…

Christa answers the question of Clark.

– It looks like it's opened to all Little Garden and not just at the stadium, isn't it?

– W-what did you say!?

– The voices wishing for the continuation of the live—as well as the Gardens Festa from all the visitors, the residents taking refuge in the shelter and the Slayers on the deck are coming. What are you going to do, Clark-sama?

Following the words of Christa, the images of the shelter and the figures of the Slayers on the deck are projected one after another on the monitor.

They can also hear the voices which are broadcasted in the sound and video of the live.

– This doesn't look like a situation where you can call a cancelation.

Eric muttered.

– … you are correct desuwane.

Clark answered, then took a breath again and smiled.

– Do you hear me, Kirishima Satoru? I approve the continuation of the live concert masuwa.

『Yay! Everyone, they gave their thumbs up to the live!』

The shouts of joy come not only from the audience, but from all Little Garden.

– Thank you, president.

And thinks like that can be heard.

– … I didn't do anything to be appreciated masenwayo. On the contrary, I was useless.

Clark murmurs, closing the line.

Thereupon, Eric followed without a moment's delay.

– That's not true. Clark-sama did as much as he could under this situation. He should be proud of saving Little Garden that fell into a critical situation.

– That's right, Clark-sama.

Next, Christa follows.

– All is well that ends well. 《LazER》 also says so.

Clark confirms the log of 《LazER》.

—Nii-sama.

—Thank you for protecting Little Garden.

– Ah…

Clark involuntarily covered his mouth with his hand.

Then, he looks up at the emptiness.

It's to suppress the tears that seemed to overflow out of nowhere.

『Well then, let's resume the live! Let's give our thanks to the Slayers who protected Little Garden and let's have a wonderful time to bright the mood in order to restore our energies towards the reconstruction! Kaoru-kun, you ready?』

『Y-yes!』

The singing voices of Satoru and Kaoru echo in all Little Garden.

– It's a good and lively song, isn't it?

Christa speaks to Clark during its resounding.

But Clark didn't respond.

He sits deeply on his chair and doesn't move while looking up at the ceiling.

– Err, Clark-sama…?

– … what?

Calling out to him once again, Clark showed a reaction.

– Are you possibly tired? In that case, why don't Clark-sama go back to the president's office to take a rest?

– Umm, yes… I will do so desuwane.

Clark stood up while rubbing his eyes with the cuff of the uniform and murmured in his mind.

(Even though I'm happy, I'm shedding tears desuwane…)

End of Chapter 6


Chapter 7
Late-Night Festival/Confession/Identity

– We made it to be in time for the end, somehow…

When Haname and Ellie who changed to their uniforms from their Variable Suits returned to the stadium, the last song of the encore was about to spell the end.

Because she wanted to see all of the big moments of her little brother properly with her eyes, not everything went bad for her, even though she was just in time for that like this.

The song ends, Kaoru receives the cheers and applause on his whole body at the center of the stage, that reflection was shining many times.

It seems that tears are flowing, it might be because she's too emotional.

– Kaoru…

Recalling the days when he was continuously doing rehabilitation in desperation, tears were spilt from the eyes of Haname.

– Haname looks like a mother.

Ellie slipped out a smile.

– It's inevitable…. It was unexpected to see the condition of Kaoru could look like this so quickly.

– It's a relief, Haname.

Saying so, Ellie held out a handkerchief then Haname nodded and said 「Yeah」 with a nasal voice, wiping the tears.

While the satisfied spectators were leaving from the stadium one after another, Haname and Ellie were heading to the dressing room of the basement.

– Good job, you two.

– Nee-san!

When Haname opens the door of the dressing room and speaks to them, Kaoru who was still in his Variable Suit, jumps towards her chest.

– Hey hey, what are you doing all of a sudden? Today's hero.

– Ne-san, what is today's hero…?

– You are the hero.

Haname stroked the hair of Kaoru.

– I saw you properly. You were singing at your best.

– … is that so?

– Yeah, you were cute and cool.

– Ehehe, I'm very happy if Nee-san says so.

In Haname's arms, Kaoru shows an extraordinary smile.

– Come to think of it, Nee-san, are you alright? It seems you don't have injuries, which is great, but…

– Yeah, it's as you can see. I have no injuries.

– It's true, what a relief.

Looking at Haname's body, Kaoru let out a relieved breath.

– It's thanks to your songs. I don't know what could have happened without your songs.

Saying that, Haname points her eyes to Satoru.

– It's thanks to Satoru too. Hmm, it was your idea too? As one would expect. You really saved us.

– Ehehe, I feel embarrassed when you tell me so… But, I'm glad. Our songs reached Haname-chan and everyone satisfactorily.

– Your songs and your feelings.

When Haname says so, Satoru and Kaoru smile happily then show a V sign to each other.

Their appearances, as if they were real brothers, were reflected in the eyes of Haname.


– I have to go and meet with the president for a bit, so what are you going to do?

Haname and Ellie left the dressing room as soon as Satoru and Kaoru started changing clothes, they were walking in the corridor.

– Charl called me, so I'll go to the lab.

Ellie answers the question of Haname.

– The laboratory? Something happened?

– It just that I used the ability of the Variant too much in this fight. My injuries aren't fully healed yet, and because I'm in a sort of unstable state, I'll have to enter for 10 minutes or so the device to stabilize the Variant Virus. Haname always ends like this, don't you?

*Ahaha*, Ellie laughs.

– Which reminds me, I still haven't heard of what happened the moment the singing voices of Kaoru and Satoru were ongoing. What happened there? What was that power? Why the wounds of Haname healed?

Ellie throws questions one after another.

– Well, I'll talk about that with the president now. I don't know how much I can tell Ellie, so I'll ask him if it's fine to say something.

Both Haname and Ellie left the stadium and moved to the school building of the Martial Arts Department.

The basement corridor is in a miserable condition.

Big holes are in some places, and a number of small holes were made by bullets.

Although repairs have already begun, it seems that there are places where electricity isn't restored. AT the intersection of the basement floor, Ellie stops his feet.

– I'll go this way, so I'll depart here. Well then, let's meet again in a moment. You haven't forgotten about the late night festival, right?

– Of course not. It begins in 30 minutes, yes? So, there's an hour till the fireworks, so there's no problem. Once I have finished with the errand, I'll mail you to meet somewhere, okay?

– Yeah, got it.

Haname who parted from Ellie on his way to the lab, stood alone in front of the Student Council Room.

*Knock* *Knock*, knocking the door, she raises her voice.

– It's Kisaragi Haname.

– The door is unlocked masuwa. You can enter desuwayo.

Listening to the reply of Clark, Haname stepped inside the Student Council Room.

Eric isn't there. Lloyd isn't there either.

Clark is alone in the spacious Student Council Room.

It's as they promised.

The conversation from now on is one that can only be done by those two.

That's why she told him that she wanted to talk with him alone.

– Good work, Kisaragi Haname.

It's Clark who opened his mouth first.

And at the same time, a sound resonates with a clink on her back.

It seems that Clark has locked the door using a remote control.

– Likewise. And thank you for taking the time specially in a hectic time like this.

– It's not a problem masenwa. You have something important to talk about, correct? So, what is it about desu?

– Well, there's that and…

Haname began to talk about after defeating the replicant on the top glass.

The former hunters.

And, the noise generated immediately after she joined with Krovahn, Nesat and Nakri, the three artificial Variants.

As a result, the three artificial Variants ran wildly.

About how they were caught in a dilemma because the control of the energy became unstable due to the headache.

However, due to the songs of Satoru and Kaoru, the effect of the noise ceased.

The problem comes after that.

– The little brother of President—Lazer, appeared before my eyes.

– What did you say…!?

– I know that it doesn't mean he was the real Lazer, but…

Anyhow, his body was transparent.

It was like a mass of energy.

– And then, Lazer lent me his power. Thanks to that, my wounds healed and I was able to stop the attacks of Nesat who armed copying the corpse of the replicant then attempted to persuade him, I made him disarm himself.

– Such a thing happened…. At that time, did Lazer say something?

– That I'm the one ought to ornament this last fight, or something like that…

When Haname answers, Clark slipped out a smile.

– You are truly liked by Lazer desuwane.

– … ah…

At that time, she remembered when had kissed her.

– DId something else happen mashitano?

– N-no, not at all…

It would be better to not say that he gave his power with a kiss.

… probably.

– Anyway, it is my responsibility for letting the three artificial Variants to sortie arimasu. I caused trouble to you again mashitawane, Kisaragi Haname.

– No, that's…. Besides, I promised to be the strength of the president. Umm, come to think of it, what about those three?

– Eh, yes…. Charlie seems to be protecting them desuwa. It looks there's nothing wrong regarding their lives, for now desu. We will think about measures to prevent rampages from now on desu.

– Is that so…?

Haname feels relieved.

– You are really kind desuwane.

– Eh…?

– Well, it's just… thank you very much for conveying the information that Lazer has appeared masu. This might be a sign of a real awakening masenwa.

– It was for only a moment, but Lazer was completely awakened.

– —Onee-sama!?

Opening the door all of a sudden, the person who set foot into the president's office was Judy Harvey, the older sister of Clark.

– And then, he protected my life. Oh, speaking of which, I still haven't told Clark. The terrorist Viktor Tynyanov was after the core of Little Garden to have the key to control Warslan from now on. And so, our little brother—Lazer Harvey.

– …

Clark responds nothing.

Because he was pondering that such wasn't the truth from the behavior of Judy.

– After I came out from the briefing room, I headed to Lazer and it was there where I met with Viktor. Thereupon, Lazer opened his eyes. And he stopped the bullets that Viktor had fired with a barrier. Then, using energy, he created clones of herself and surrounded Viktor. Looking at that gap, I did this to Viktor.

Judy makes a gun with her fingers and says 「BANG!」

While glaring at Judy with half-opened eyes, Clark asks in a low voice.

– … Onee-sama…

– Why are you making such a scary face? It spoils your handsomeness.

– But it was said that Viktor Tynyanov suicided deshitawayone.

– Yeah, which reminds me, I was about to mention so. In the official report document, my life was being targeted by Viktor to whom I conversely drove to a corner, and because he was cornered, he suicided. So, there's nothing wrong with it. And the matter of Lazer won't be public.

– …

Clark kept looking down, holding his temper.

However, those are unavoidable measures to not make Lazer public.

– In any case, the damages of Little Garden were minimal. We were able to get rid of Viktor as planned, it's such a great thing for us that the obstacles to Project Lunaltia were reduced by one, don't you agree?

– … as planned, you say? You're saying that you guessed that Viktor was going to come by himself and was after Lazer desuno?

– To put it correctly, Lazer and me, isn't it?

– Judy! You—!?

Clark flared up at the collar of Judy.

– Depending on the situation, it was even possible that casualties would have appeared among the visitors and residents of Little Garden desuwayo. But even so, Onee-sama is saying that you used us as decoys!?

– If that's the case, then what about it? If you feel satisfied by hitting me, then it's fine to hit me.

There's no agitation.

Coldly saying that, Judy glares back at Clark.

– … kuh….!

He thought that it was useless to keep complaining more than this.

Clark took off his hands from Judy.

*Phew….*, Judy sighs and opens her mouth while straightening herself.

– Clark, I'll just let you know this. Now that Lazer is trying to wake up, I thought that I could deal with Viktor. That was the best option with less victims, and its probability of success was high. I also thought that it would be for the sake of the future of mankind. However, I didn't consider using you as decoys. Besides, if it's you, then it's a trusting plan where we can minimize sacrifices.

There, the door of the presidents' office makes a *knock* *knock*.

– … who is it desuno?

It's Clark who asked.

– It's Ellie Crossford. It seems that Haname is still here but, is it still going to take time?

– No, the conversation is over, Ellie-chan.

It's Judy who said so.

When she unlocks the door and opens it, she was able to see the figure of the surprised Ellie.

– Onee-sama, doing what you please is…

– It's fine, you know? The conversation is truly over. After all, the late-night festival starts soon. And the discussion of the restoration plan will be informed afterwards as well, isn't that correct?

– That's, correct, but…

– Well then, I will take my leave first.

Judy leaves the Student Council Room.

– Haname, what where you talking about with the prez and the company president? Is it okay to explain to me what happened to Haname during the battle?

– That's, well…

– Kisaragi Haname.

– Ah, yes.

Clark approached the side of Haname and said at her ear in a tiny voice so that he wasn't heard by Ellie, calling her attention.

– Your awakening comes from the songs of Kisaragi Kaoru and Kirishima Satoru. That's our common point of view. Are we clear desuwane?

Looks like he grasped that Ellie was getting aware of something.

Saying so, Clark casted down his eyes.

– The talk is over with this desuwa.

– Alright. Then can we go and see the fireworks already?

Saying that, Ellie takes the arm of Haname.

Clark narrowed his eyes.

– … fireworks desuno?

– We promised to see the fireworks at the late-night festival together. With that said, let's go, Haname.

– Wa-wait a moment!

Clark says on the back of Haname who's about to leave the Student Council Room while being pulled by Ellie.

– Why? Is there still something?

– Ah, no, err…

Clark rolls unintelligibly words in his mouth.

The words that finally came out are,

– … nothing in particular masenwayo.


– Where are we going?

Haname who left the Student Council Room was walking along the side of the completely silent stadium, leaving behind the school building of the Martial Arts Department that is about to get excited with the late-night festival in a shape as if she let herself be persuaded by Ellie.

– IT's a private beach for Slayers. The students of Martial Arts Department, residents and visitors are all around the school where the late-night festival is being held now, so I imagined that that place was empty.

– I see.

– The fireworks seem to come from nearby uninhabited beaches. We should be able to see them from that beach.

They immediately arrived at that beach.

And certainly was Ellie was saying, there's no one.

Unlike the school building which is rising with great noise, here it's completely silent.

– Let's seat.

– Yeah.

They sit down side-by-side on the completely silent beach.

*Wave* *wave*… the roar of the waves is heard.

There are countless starts spread almost all over the sky.

– Ah, you… what are you doing?

When she noticed, Ellie started tying the ribbon with what he did a ponytail.

– Now I'm not Ellie Crossford, I'm Elias Hermit… no, I want to be close with Haname as Elias Gudenburg.

– But, this is Little Garden, isn't it? Isn't dangerous here as well?

– It's fine. There's no one around us.

– That may be true, but.

– Ehehe…

Elias who laced the ribbon brings his body even more closer.

– It's been half a year since you came here already.

– … that's right.

– And really, a lot of things happened.

– Yeah…

The enrolment in Little Garden.

The intensive training with Ellie aka Elias to fight with the president.

She joined Selections and fought against the Savages for the first time.

She also did an escort mission and participated in a joint operation.

And of course, it's not only her.

Fiona and Laetitia.

Shuemei, Alphonse and Noah.

Satoru, the president and the vice presidents.

She made a lot of friends and Kaoru got quite healthy as well.

– There's no doubt that these have been the most dense six months in my life.

Haname muttered while thinking back upon this half year.

– Me too. It was very dense. I was able to see Haname again in this way.

While saying that, Elias piles up his hands.

– …

– …

Silence visited again.

Haname looks at the face of Ellie from the side.

He was showing an expression that he was thinking hard over something, that he was pondering about something.

Recently, she was frequently looking a look of Ellie like this….

– Why are you fixedly looking at my face?

– Well, I thought that you were putting that face recently. Is there something you are thinking about?

– After all, you noticed, huh.

Laughing with a *ahaha*, Ellie continued.

– Sorry. I was lying to Haname.

– Lying? What are you saying?

– In fact, I caused trouble all the time. The day when Kilfelthar came to Little Garden. That day, she told me that my father's health was quite bad. For that reason, she wants me to come back to my country. She said the king… that my father wanted to see me.

– Then you were wavering because of that?

– The people of government of Gudenburg hates me, but my father gave me my freedom. There are no bad feelings towards my father. If he says he wants to see me, then I'd like to see him, but there's also the matter of the engagement, so if he remained as he was, then I'll definitely wouldn't have thought about going back. But, Kilfelthar was saying that I can go with Haname.

– You're saying that you want to go home with me? If so, then I don't mind. You went with me to Yamato before. So, of course we should talk about this matter to the president and get some holidays. You'll never know when you'll have to part with your father or mother, so he must do it if it's a serious matter.

– That's not what I meant.

– …eh?

– I wasn't talking about holidays. Kilfelthar told me to leave Little Garden and return to Gudenburg right now.

– Eh…

– Kilfelthar told me that Little Garden is in even more danger. That's also the consensus of the government of Gudenburg. If it's now Haname, then you know what it means?

– Well, I guess…

Of course she grasps that it means the joint operation and the elapsed attack of this time.

Although some people regard them as heroes, it doesn't mean they are loved around the world. There are many people who bear a grudge against them.

– So, I was worrying about it. If I can spend safe days in happiness with Haname when I'll return to Gudenburg.

– …

– Even the health of Kaoru-kun became quite better and the institution of Yamato had finished rebuilding as well, so it seemed that everyone is happy. Haname doesn't need to be here anymore, isn't that right?

– But it's precisely because I'm studying in Little Garden and became a mercenary of Warslan that I covered the costs of the reconstruction of the institution and the surgery costs of Kaoru, so as one would expect I…

– I think that the part of the repayment is more than enough, so Haname doesn't have to work anymore. Besides, in case Warslan says that they want the total amount of the money they have invested so far, then I'm sure Gudenburg will pay it.

For an ordinary person that might be a large amount of money, but if it's a whole country, then that amount of money it's not a big deal, perhaps.

In order to bring back Elias to Gudenburg, it's what she can understand from the conversation so far in a sort of way.

(But…)

The first that floated in the head of Haname was the face of the Student Council President of Little Garden, Clark Harvey. And his older sister, Judy Harvey, the company president of Warslan Company, to whom she doesn't know what to think about and she doesn't know if it's fine to believe in her.

But, the president is—

Haname thinks that the King of Little Garden, Clark Harvey, is a person she trusts.

(Besides, there's the promise after all…)

Of course that is, to be of help to the president.

There are many friends she made at this place as well.

Moreover, there's Lazer…

– I'm sorry, Elias.

– Eh…?

– I can't accept that invitation now.

– I see…

Elias smiled sweetly and,

– It's because of a promise with the president?

– Eh…?

– Bull's-eye? You're picking the president over me?

He raises his eyebrows.

– No, it's nothing like that.

– Then what does it mean?

– Well, that's…. I came to Little Garden for various reasons, such as for the sake of Kaoru and for the companions of the institution with whom I lived together in Yamato, but now I feel like I want to fight as a member of Selections. It's my first time feeling like this. I feel that I have found something that I want to do, as a goal for me.

– The thing that Haname want to do?

– Don't you have something like that too?

– What I want to do…?

– Yeah, do you have something?

– If I can stay with Haname, that's fine by me. Really, that's all there is to it.

– … I see.

– Yup.

– If so, then…

– What?

– Then don't you want to stay here in Little Garden—and hangout with me for a while? Of course, I'll go with you temporarily to Gudenburg.

– Got it. If Haname says so.

– Really?

– But, promise me something.

– A promise?

– Don't die. Never. Don't be unreasonable.

That was the heaviest thing as of now, a supplication from the bottom of his heart.

– … got it. I promise.

– If so, then I'll stay with you.

– Sorry.

– Don't apologize. It's like it's my loss when I fell in love with Haname at that point in time.

*Boom*!

When they looked up at the night sky in response to a sound of a gunpowder that exploded, red blooming where drawn there.

Apparently, it seems that the launch of fireworks began.

– Wow, it's beautiful…

Elias murmured whole watching at the yellow, green and other blooming drawn in the night sky one after another.

– Say, is are these the same as the rumored ones of Yamato?

Haname nodded, recalling the fireworks of Yamato in her memory.

– So, are you satisfied?

– Yup. Because I was able to see them with Haname, the two of us, in this way.

Blooming are being drawn in the night sky without stopping.

– Hey, Haname.

*Grabs*

Elias pulled the sleeve of her uniform.

– What is it, even though the fireworks are fine at this place…

– It's fine, look at me for a minute.

– Got it… eh—

Replying, the instant when Haname looked at the direction of Elias.

Elias blocked her lips with his lips.

– *Kiss*…. Fuaah… chu… *smooch*…

Tongues and saliva get tangled together, it's a long kiss.

– … *kiss*, chu…. *smack*, nfuu…

They've been kissing for almost a minute now.

Even when their lips separated, a saliva thread was tying the two of them.

– W-what are you doing so suddenly!? Neither of us are under the influence of the Variant Virus, and our vital and energy are not having issues either—

– It has nothing to do with that.

– It has nothing to do with that….?

– It's totally unrelated to that. I wanted to kiss Haname. So I just did it.

There's no reason.

He wanted to kiss her.

And so, he did.

That's a kiss.

It's a kiss between a girlfriend and a boyfriend.

– You haven't kissed anyone like this till now, right?

– That's, right but…

Elias' the only one she did it like this.

If it's about the president, it was merely to deliver her power.

Of course, there's Lazer as well.

– Haname, one more time…

Then again, Elias closed the lips of Haname.

Without stopping, the explosive sounds continue echoing.

In the sky, huge red, blue, yellow, green and orange blooming were drawn.

– Sorry….

Saying so almost at the same time their long kiss finished, Elias continues.

– But, please forgive my selfishness. Because I will control myself from now on. And as Haname said earlier, I'll search for my goal. But, now, one more time…

Elias kisses Haname, pushing her down.

It's not only once.

Short kisses. Long kisses.

They move their necks and lips many, many times over.

Haname hugged Elias with both arms.

What sounded there was the voice of Satoru.

– AAAAA, you guys! W-what are you doing, kissing and being entangled like that!?

– Shit…

Elias hardens.

– No way…?

Haname doubted her eyes.

When the two of them raised up their bodies all together, not only Satoru was pointing with his index finger of his right hand towards Haname and Elias who are on the sandy beach but also the wheelchaired Kaoru, Fiona, Laetitia—even Clauder was there.

– I knew that he was with Kisaragi Haname and I had to get in the way, but I never imagined that he was going to be in his male figure and kissing over and over again! I misjudged you, Elias-sama!

Like Satoru, Claude shouts, pointing his index finger towards Elias.

Looking at that figure, Laetitia cocks his head in puzzlement.

– … what exactly do you mean with Elias-sama? Moreover, she's hugging Haname. Is Ellie in reality a man? Ugh, this is incomprehensible! I see, this is a dream!

– In order to ascertain that this is a dream, should I pinch your cheek?

Fiona pulled the cheek of the confused Laetitia.

Gey, thaz hurtz!

Laetitia quickly shakes off the hand of Fiona.

– But I understand well that this isn't a dream or anything. However, there's something that I don't understand yet. Don't tell me that Ellie has some kind of male clothing hobby? And so, a homosexual?

– No, it's not like that.

Fiona makes a wry smile.

– But naturally, this is confusing…

Fiona smiles wryly again, turning her eyes towards Kaoru who is shaking on the wheelchair.

– Eh, eh…? Then Ellie-san, is Elias-san, a boy? Then Nee-san was kissing with a—? I was worried that she was batting for the same team, but between a man and a woman? Eh? Au…

Kaoru can't understand the reality and his thought isn't catching up with it, it seems that his brain overheated.

– Now that it has become to this, it can't be helped. I was caught red handed so.

– You were caught? No way, you are…

– I was thinking that it was reaching its limit, so it can't be helped. I was already found by the guys of Gudenburg so there's no need to hide it.

As Elias scratches the back of his head with a hand looking troubled, he faced everyone except Haname with an embarrassed-like look on his face.

– To tell the truth, I was lying to everyone. As you can see, I'm actually a man… And also, I'm the second prince of Gudenburg.

*Boom*, during the biggest 4 shaku sphere fireworks of today that bursts open in the night sky making the sound of an explosion, what were greater than that were the loud surprised voices that resounded at the sandy beach.

End of Chapter 7


Epilogue

Once the festival night event was over, all the first through third year students belonging to the martial arts department were gathered in the great hall, where they were informed about the recovery plan by the Student Council.

But Ellie Crossfode was not in this great room … Elias Hermit, rather, Elias Gudenburg. The high command would share the information that has been confirmed. There, the true identity of the young man would be revealed to the comrades of the martial arts department.

The excitement of the evening event still did not appease, but the interior astonishingly entered in silence with the opening of the front doors of the great hall. Those who entered were Clark, Lloyd and Eric, members of the Student Council.

– Thanks to everyone for waiting.

Standing in front of the podium, Clark started talking.

– To begin, following the greeting of the festival night event, I want to thank each and every one of you, for protecting Little Garden from the hands of the terrorist Viktor Tynyanov.

** Applause ** ** Applause ** Sounds of hands clashing, as if they were fighting against each other, dominated the great hall.

Once it returned to silence, Clark continued his speech.

– Thanks to the daily training that everyone performs, there are no human losses to regret. However, part of the institution was destroyed and many people were injured, including the Student Council. As a representative of Warslan, I feel responsible for all this. I do not know if an apology is enough, but from today I will work day and night on a restoration plan for Little Garden. As a preliminary step, and based on the current conditions, Eric will inform you of what has been decided so far.

– Therefore, I will speak to you from now on.

Eric, who positioned himself in front of the podium to replace Clark, reported that restorations are expected to take at least a month in Little Garden, and during that time, thanks to being able to be in port in the city of Sangria, it will be possible to partly to normalize.

Students of the upper division of the martial arts department were instructed to spend their time in classes related to the restoration of ships.

– I finished the report.

When saying that, Eric was replaced again by Clark.

Apparently, the moment has finally arrived.

– Finally, there is one last news for all of you.

Clark, saying that, turned his eyes to the door in front of the room.

– Enter, Elias Hermit.

The door opened in response to that word, and a boy entered the room.

Contrary to the usual, his long silver hair was not let down. What he wears is the uniform for boys in high school. In response to this, murmurs began to spread.

– Hmm, is not that Ellie Crossfode?
– Now that I think about it, he is not here.
– Maybe it's some kind of punishment in the form of a game?
– A boyfriend?
– No, it's not her brother?

For Haname, so many questions and deductions are formed as an avalanche that approaches her ears.

– In fact, our Student Council could not recognize him immediately after registering, but for reasons of her own she admitted her intention–I mean, he admitted his intention. However, based on his own request, I have decided to make it public. In any case, the details will be said by himself. Elias, please.

– Yes.

Elias stood in front of the podium, in place of Clark.

– Well, I think I can understand the fact that you see that this beautiful… figure that was me, turned out to be a man.

Immediately, "AH?" "What!?" surprised voices began to appear throughout the room.

Elias will continue his blood relationship with the Gudenburg, that is, him lineage and, therefore, in being the second prince. Then he began to talk about the circumstances of his family.
At first, he left the country without authorization, but had already been accepted in Little Garden, and was allowed to remain here. As long as possible, he will tell everything.

Anyway, Elias has already informed Kilferthar and Claude that he will not leave Little Garden and will not return to Gudenburg. However, it states that he must return to Gudenburg from time to time.

– It is impossible that Elias was the prince of Gudenburg…

Noah said, who was surprised, since he did not know anything.
Other students in the martial arts department had the same reaction.

– That is why my real name is Elias Gudenberg, but during this time I have been known as Elias Hermit and I feel linked to this name, so I would like to be called in this way. Regarding being the second prince, that was a secret and I want to keep it that way. Oh, I forgot. It does not bother me if you call me Ellie from now on.

"Hahaha" When Elias laughed, the great hall was filled with laughter.

– Anyway, I am eager to study with you from now on.

Elias, who between welcoming applause, bowed his head forward in reverence.

In replacement of Elias, Clark again stood in front of the podium.

– This closes the extraordinary meeting. From tomorrow things will be very hectic, therefore everyone is asked to rest today. Have a good night.

Together with the closing of the speech, Elias and Haname, joined the freshmen, and bowed their heads before them.

– We're sorry for deceiving everyone during this time.

I think you have your reasons and your circumstances, it could not be otherwise. Is not that so, Laetitia?

– Yup.

When Fiona asked Laetitia, he nodded his head.

– But what are you going to do now? Will you live in the same dormitory of men with us?

– Yes, it seems that way it will be.

Elias responded to Laetitia's concern.

The one that follows is Shuemei.

– Well, Elias-san … or rather, Elias-san*. It's okay like that?

– What's wrong, Shuemei?

– If I remember correctly … Elias-san was living in the same room as Kisaragi-san until he joined the "Selections".

– "Oh …"

He has been able to recognize us, Impossible!

– In other words, are you saying with certainty that they are already in that kind of relationship?

Noah, who was standing next to Shuemei, approached Haname and Elias, who had their mouths open like a circle.

– You have something to say, Kisaragi-san?

Without stopping, Shuemei, approached more and more.

-Emm, that's …

He wonders what her answer would be.

Laetitia and Fiona look at Haname with a big smile on their faces. It was because they saw how they were hugging that time on the beach.

(Now I wonder, what do I do now? I think I'm cornered).

And, just when Haname was about to give up.

– Regarding this matter, I would like to hear what kind of relationship you have.

– Pre, president …?

When she noticed, Clark joined the others.

– The information that comes from Kirishima Satoru says that you were flirting with Elias Hermit on the coast.

– Flirting!?

– Is that true?!

Shuemei and Noa got closer. Fiona and Laetitia, saying "A-há" with their heads, nodded to each other.

– Certainly, she was flirting.

– Then from there the secret leaked.

Now I regret not having nailed a nail to Laetitia and Fiona for saying again and again so many unnecessary things, but that was already too late.

-Really? I'd like to continue listening more about this.

It could be seen Clark's face becoming distorted and tense. To be honest, that really scared me.

(Well, what should I do? …)

Without prior notice, and due to these circumstances, Elias takes Haname's wrist and shouts at her.

– Haname, let's escape!

– We must escape, but there is no where!.

– First, we have to run, then we'll think where to go!

– Shitttt!

Elias started to run, catching the attention of Haname, who also started up.

– Haname has escaped.

– Let's go after her!

Clark responded with a shout to the warning given by Laetitia.

Going down the hall, Elias and Haname left the school building.

Behind them marched Clark, Laetitia, Fiona, Shuemei and Noa. Unlike them, Alphonse participated until before the persecution.

– Hahaha, this is very funny.

– You think?

– Yes it's very funny.

Elias continued with an amazing smile on his face.

– It would be really amazing if these days were always that great.

-That would be very good.

Actually, that is something that I believe from the bottom of my heart.

-Emm, Haname.

– What happen?

– From now on, stay with me.

End of Volume 4


Cast:

Sofiane Clearrail (Rikiya Koyama (Japanese); J. Michael Tatum (English))


Alright, thanks for reading!

When 2023 begins, I can finally start working on Freezing on a regular basis.

Later