PD:I try to translate this fic into English. Please bear with me


New Start

— Let's have a little demonstration to keep them entertained. Three students and a newcomer whom I will name, please come up on stage!

Principal Rokujou Minori seemed very excited about the idea of demonstrating whatever it was. With her hair as fiery as fire, she still maintained her seriousness because of her regulation costume.

Having your eyes fixed on her was not only because she was the highest authority, but she had a well-endowed body. It seemed that her suit was stretched to the max. The buttons on her shirt were pulled tight to the max. But that didn't save her from her awkwardness in speaking, like mentioning paragraphs seen in some manga.

No. I'm not an otaku. I was in an all-male boarding school so sooner or later I encountered that culture. For that very reason, it's strange for me to see someone act that way. Weren't they reserved with others? Weren't they just young? Thinking about that hell has serenaded me. I wasted three years of my youth living without female beauty!

Now, I'm a little confused. Not only because of that first contradictory impression, but because of what followed afterwards. His presentation before the podium, his speech especially, had spouted a lot of nonsense. Combat? elements? maken?

Worst of all, no one seemed as surprised as I. Was Haru-nee right and did I get into a strange course? More importantly, has she changed that much? After all, she's been here for a year already.

No, let's not think about that. The important thing is that this school admitted me. Without an entrance exam and with a campus, I don't understand how this option was not so talked about among my former classmates. A real mystery. Anyway, after being a paradise for women only, God blessed me with this opportunity and I entered its first year as a coeducational school. I swear by the hearts of my past friends not to waste my life full of youth and beautiful flowers.

—Class 2-B, number 7, Shinatsu Azuki, and also from the same class; number 6, Kinua Garetto. You two will be using the stage to my right...

Reaffirming my thought, two girls stepped out of the formation towards the stage, both possessing splendid figures.

A beautiful turquoise-haired young woman emerged from the other students. She walked gracefully and divinely, with a very sophisticated rhythm. For her part, the other summoned girl was not far behind. Her steps showed no hesitation and overflowed with confidence. While the blue-haired one carried a staff, although it looked like a sword sheath, the reddish-haired one stretched her body without any visible weapon. She did, however, wear black gloves with her fingers exposed.

Multiple messages of support came from the student body. Cheers and whistles ended the seriousness of the beginning. I guess they'll be very familiar.

So, by fighting, you meant martial combat, right? I mean, I don't see another signature where two girls get on a stage and the word demonstration is together. Are they both from different martial arts styles? Wait, since they're sophomores... they're acquaintances of Haru-nee's. Has she also participated in things like this?

Wait a minute, they haven't changed for the occasion, but they're in their uniforms. I should worry about it... I should... hehehehehe

—Next, 2-A, number 18, Hikigaya Hachiman.

I snapped out of my stupor and focused on the other one mentioned. For some reason, my strangeness was also reflected in the rest of the people.

A stooped young man stepped out of the crowd. His black hair was short and even except for an unruly hair on his forehead. Although he was tall, his eyes focused on nothing but the ground. With his neat uniform, one would not think he was someone troublesome, but numerous sighs were heard on his step up. Were they his or someone else's?

Unlike the initial shouting, his walk was solemn and silent, followed by murmurs he didn't understand. His footsteps were never interrupted as the others seemed to let him have a clear path. Although, halfway through, some applause was heard. His stretch down the stairs showed his face more sharply. His eyes were so sharp and menacing that, when we made contact, I recoiled on impulse, the bags beneath them not helping. I don't think he was the only one.

Isn't he a student at that institution as well? If so, why does he feel like a yakuza from Yoshiwara? Wait... The most important thing is that I already understood my initial strangeness. It's very clear now: why is there a male student if only this year the school became coeducational? It's not new, otherwise I would have mentioned it when I called him...

What is going on here?

First, the strange opening speech, then a student who looks like a delinquent, and now, that same student seems to be an exception. Hey, you enjoyed some time with all the beauties in your classroom... Damn, why the long face? Didn't you have enough last year?

Damn, I'm getting upset and that's not good. It's too many questions in such a short time and there are so many answers that I don't know which one can be true. Calm down, Ohyama Takeru, there will be time to think about it. You can ask Haru-nee for any doubts, she must not be so busy at the beginning of her second year. Let's just forget all our doubts.

—And finally, the newly joined Ohyama Takeru. You two come to stage left of me.

Or maybe not.

To tell you the truth, I don't find myself excited at all after experiencing so much uncertainty just at the beginning of my school life. Plus the other guy gives me a bad vibe.
While it would be nice if he was my opponent, because I don't want to beat up just any girl, I don't trust my physical condition like I would have years ago. A boys' school instills in you not-so-healthy routines quite the opposite of what you'd think.

I sighed with resignation, but then remembered that Haru-nee is watching me, plus a lot of pretty chia, but mainly her. So, with much determination, I headed off with self-confidence, and on the way, a mountain of applause erupted behind my back.

This made me more uneasy. I am new, but the previous senpai was not revered. How can you have more sympathy for a newcomer than for your partner from last year? Worse, how can I ask so many questions if I don't want to disturb my concentration anymore?

—Well, I, Himegami Kodama, will be your narrator on this occasion. Nice to meet you.

A blonde, pigtailed senpai(?) winked at me while announcing her participation. That is, she made a playful gesture to the entire audience. Despite her non-existent chest, her energy radiates a strange charm. It is similar to the desire to follow someone because she seems like an authority.

On second thought, she looks familiar, a figure very close to me? Where have I seen her before?

— Begin!

The start of the first fight brought me out of my thoughts. The director's face kept watching the two contenders on the stage. Does she enjoy watching a fight that much?

And, in their case, despite the start of the match, their distance was not shortening. Rather, they were chatting about a... stuffed animal? The conversation they were having seemed to be more friendly than threatening. How could they be so calm in a fight, how could they be talking without shouting because of the distance they were separated?

Now that I get a good look at it, the scenery is gigantic. Is there a special reason for it?

—Here I go!

The first to show movement was Garetto-san. A quick movement of her hand drew her sword. Her bluish hair moved with her whole body in a dazzling arc. She didn't touch anyone or anything, so I sensed she was being cautious. My common sense was shattered as I watched a stream of air follow the slash until it ended up on the walls in the background.

—Magic sword, "sickle", which follows its master's orders. It can project a swift sickle-like blast of wind that emanates constantly. A splendid use of the element by Garetto-san. A sample of the performance of our second year classmates.

Wait, the attack was directed at Azuki-san Where is she? My eyes searched the surroundings to no avail.

An idea popped into my mind. It shouldn't be possible. With trepidation, I raised my eyes and sighed to avoid contorting my face further.

There she is, floating in the air as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Of all her confident appearance, the most striking thing is her new sneakers. Shiny, different from ordinary footwear, they are similar to the design of those futuristic robots.

— But, facing an opponent like the "violent eagle", that speed seems useless. And Asuki-san proves it in one leap! What will Garetto-san's next move be?

—Impossible...

My brain can't process what's going on. I don't want to believe, but it's annoying at this point. There's something supernatural here.

Azuki-san, before his opponent reacted, fell down in a dive. The metal foot collided with the sword and sparks erupted. Then, she used the sword as a foothold and, with a leap landed behind Garetto-san. When he desperately wanted to turn around, Azuki crushed all his hopes with her foot aimed at his neck. In an instant, she cut off all distance and ended the encounter.

—Blinking and chattering only lead to defeat.

He didn't seem to address me, but my opponent's words echoed in my head. That only reiterated my view of him: He sounded like a yakuza!

—Em, yes you're right, senpai.

He shot a quick glance and refocused on the stage, maybe I shouldn't answer him? Wait a minute, if he didn't insult/bully me for addressing him...that means he's not a criminal as such, right?

—It's finished! Stop it! The winner is Shinatsu Azuki-san.

After Himegami-san's proclamation, a cheer filled the place. Yes, as I thought, most people are enjoying watching this Jump shonen match.

I turned to my opponent. His face didn't stop scowling. Is it a habit to bully everyone like that or is it his natural face? I remember some guys with that kind of problem. After getting to know them well, they weren't so bad. could this be the case?

As the crowd continued in their uproar, the two girls conversed as if they hadn't experienced an out-of-the-ordinary scenario.

Hell, by youth I didn't mean fights that put my life on the line.

— Emmm, thanks for the clarification.

— Hm, it was nothing.

Thank goodness my opponent is not a woman. But that doesn't reassure me. I can't say magic exists, I've never believed in fantasy as such, however, I've seen how those girls have moved with too fast a speed and trajectory. Now let's add to it that it looks in a grim way. He doesn't look very trained, but the clothes don't help much.

Is he that strong?

My steps to the stage were heavy and I felt the nervousness. After a peaceful life, fighting wasn't even close to being in my plans!

— Hey, hey, hey, hey

— Yes?

— The director told me not to be so hard on you. No, it's better to say that everything I've told you she forced me to say.

— Do I understand?

She just blurted out a few words. Is that all the director's charity?

The time to get into position was getting short. If I had any doubts or questions, I should ask them now.

— Uh, senpai?

No, I can't even call you Hikigaya-san. My legs are shaking.

— I'm not your sempai… not exactly.

He let out a sigh and looked at me. I was getting more and more uneasy, I didn't like those eyes.

— What are you going to ask?

— I don't know how we're going to fight.

— Pfft, I'm no big deal. At best, the strongest of the weak. Just do what you know how to do. I don't mind losing. Use karate or some move to take me down.

I don't know if it was akin to bragging or if I sensed some sarcasm in his words, but my blood boiled with annoyance. Though then I calmed down, apparently, it didn't seem to contain any bad intentions. So, was he telling me that some martial art was effective against him? Was it a trap or not?

The distance that separated us only gave the impression of being gigantic. With my physique lacking continuous practice, I had no confidence in reacting in time in case some impressive move occurred, as it was already decided would happen. So, better to go down in a surprise attack! Although it wouldn't be that much of a surprise. Anyway, he could dodge at the last minute, at least he was confident of that.

Apparently, I only had to aim at one vital point, it was impossible to win in the first place, so, before I look like someone weak, I'll make a good impression at least.

— Well, let's begin!

I lunged towards my opponent without hesitation.

I know I will lose, but no one likes to go with that idea. I'll try to push him off as soon as I can grab him. The lines that served as boundaries shouldn't be for decoration. If I can get it out, it should mean something: My victory.

However, an uneasy feeling came over me on my run. He hadn't moved from the start. He was getting closer and closer and his relaxed posture remained unchanged. His hands never left his pockets.

Only a few feet away, I slowed my steps a bit, but still had the same momentum.

In an instant, his smile appeared out of nowhere. I stepped back with a small jump. It's possible that... it's a trap.

My conclusion seemed appropriate as my senpai was astonished. Although, then his face showed a passing annoyance.

Suddenly, there was an almost instantaneous movement of his right hand. At first glance, it seemed without any change, but I noticed it; with great difficulty, to tell the truth: it was not my specialty. Is it iaijutsu (iaijutsu: art of unsheathing a sword)?

Thinking too much about how such a technique was achieved cost me dearly.

With a wave of his hand, the light around me suddenly disappeared. Like a tidal wave, a dark shadow shot towards me.

I managed to dodge whatever its attack was with great difficulty by stepping to the side. It was not a perfect escape, my right leg along with my left hand suffered the impact of something. Looking at my previous position, I realized that they are marbles, well, they look like marbles. Although some are a different color, most of them are gray. Their quantity was considerable. They are small, but they have flooded most of the stage. How could he have kept so many without me noticing?

— For a person who doesn't mind losing, you put in a lot of effort.

My words annoyed him, or so I want to think, but his face barely even rereads it; perhaps he's used to being underestimated, that may explain his earlier words.

He looks at me for a while, then, he turns away.

Turning your back on your opponent is very unwise, especially if no bell has rung. I prepare a lunge, but suffer an unexpected attack. A numbness runs through my affected hand; to make matters worse, my right foot experiences an unbearable heat. How did this happen?

His face met mine. At some point, his footsteps were heading towards me. He didn't seem to attempt another move, only to move closer.

Why is the place so quiet? Wait. They're not silent... I don't hear them. has he deprived me of sound?

Panicking, I move away and step on some marbles on the floor. Fortunately, my previous discomfort fades, but a heaviness restricts all my movement.

Helplessly, I watch as a large sphere, the size of a fist, materializes.

That projectile would hit my face. I am sure of it. A gray as pale as my chances of winning.

— Magic Fist, KAMUDO!

— Huh?

A scream brings me back to reality, a young brunette girl stops the projectile. Where her right hand is located, a demonic-looking glove holds the large gray sphere.

Sparks fly out and dazzle the stage. The gray mass disintegrates into a luminous beam.

The sand cracks beneath it and all the marbles vanish as if they were fog.

— Hey... Who are you?

— We finally meet, Takeru...sama.

Without answering me, she collapses.

— What? Are you okay?

The girl fainted and I held her to keep her from hitting the ground.

— That's it! The winner is Hachiman Hikigaya. A round of applause for his classmates.

The principal's voice reminded me of my defeat. No. It didn't matter, not at this moment. Someone had saved me and, technically because of that, I didn't lose. But, again, that wasn't what was important now.

— A medic unit, please.

Himegami-san's comment gave me some relief.

Before I left with the paramedics, I took one last look at the scene. He had disappeared.