The first thing Pyrínas noticed when "activating" for the day was that his supply of trion had increased.
Due to the way the Pyrínas System had been created, it was possible for any model that had been created through that system to take trion from another source and add it to their own, expanding it indefinitely. That trion could also be circulated through the system and build up over time as a way of "extended use and trion expansion".
As a model built by that same system, he had been able to do that as well when he had been known as simply Rhinoceros Beetle 07. Now that he had his own ego and existed outside of the domain of the Pyrínas System, he could no longer cycle through that large amount of gather trion.
He twisted his arm a few times before confirming that his partial destruction the night before was now gone due to a self-recovery method of using his personal gathered trion to reform the lost parts.
...We were unsure when I had left the Pyrínas System, but this has confirmed it.
He did another check by rotating his neck.
...I retained the ability to cycle through the trion and increase my capacity. ...Although I seem to have a slower rate of doing so and required Futoyuki to assist me last night with started the cycle back up.
...Now then, let us try something else.
Lifting his arm, Pyrínas noticed something strange.
His arm began morphing starting from the fingertips. Each part of it began splitting and twisting alas if trying to reform. Once it began to twist and shift, it felt like much more was needed to morph it into something other than an arm.
Feeling what could only be described as "pain" for a Trion Soldier, Pyrínas ceased his action and formed the ends of his hand back to how they had been before.
...So that is how it is.
He could not use his Self Modification at the moment.
...Let us try it a different way.
Feeling around his body for his cycling trion supply, he forcibly shut off the cycling system. A feeling of "flatness" quickly replaced it while his body felt as if it became lighter.
Lifting his arm back up, he bagan the metamorphosis once more.
Unlike the time before, his entire arm, wrist and hand had started to twist and shift. It began with the fingertips once more, but this time they were quick to twist and reform with his palm quickly doing the same. His wrist followed as the third section and it ended with his arm up to his elbow.
He nodded at the achievement before beginning the modification once more. His entire arm starting from the elbow began twisting and shifting back into the shape of a human hand.
"...So by shutting off the cycle I am able to use my Self Modification quickly. ...It is not as fast as when I was Rhinoceros Beetle 07, but I will not be complaining about that. ...I much prefer lifting those children on my shoulder than between my wings."
"Well that sounds nice. Why don't you every treat me like that? I helped to create the Pyrínas System after all."
There had been no reason to be startled by the voice that came from behind. Even the arms that wrapped around his neck did not seem to bother the Autonomous Trion Soldier as he continued to sit there.
"...That would be because it would seem strange if a 'person' like me were to carry you on my shoulders."
Pyrínas chose not to turn his head so that he could not see Futoyuki start pouting.
He had quickly learned what was generally acceptable in this society after finding out about the Internet from the Yagura Branch director. It was reassuring to know that he would be able to get information quickly and efficiently.
"Fine, fine. But is there a reason you were speaking out loud like that? 'You' usually keep thoughts to 'yourself', so it's a bit weird to hear you think out loud."
Futoyuki had already started moving when the words came from his mouth.
Since coming to the building, Pyrínas had noticed that the boy had quickly found a spot in the building that he very much enjoyed. That had been the sofa that currently sat across from him.
"...I was thinking out loud because I knew you were there. ...I thought you would like to know my finding before I go out."
"Oh? And where are you going? Akasora-sensei didn't say we are free to go yet."
"...Actually, he has told me that I am fine to leave whenever I like. ...With that acknowledgment I thought I should be leaving soon so that I can get ready for what is to come."
"And what is that?"
"...I would like a rematch with Satellite. ...No... ...At this point it is beyond Satellite and is at Ultimate."
"You know, I was kinda sad when it skipped over Revolution after Blaze and went right to Satellite."
"...That just shows how it views the situation."
Futoyuki responded with a "that's right" while nodding toward Pyrínas.
"So? Is that the only reason? Has your ego decided that it wants this rematch because the last match didn't go so well?"
"..."
Could that have really been the reason?
Pyrínas knew that he was rather "young" by any standard, having only been "born" two days prior. That would not have given him enough time to determine what his actions meant to himself.
If he were to ask someone else, what would they say?
Would they say what Futoyuki had or would they say something else?
Would those children find a completely different answer like they had when they had saved him?
All of this was not something he was accustomed to as the newly made "Pyrínas".
Even so...
"...I do know something."
"And what would that be?"
"...I wish to help Border. ...I also wish to fight something that the original leader had made himself. ...And lastly, I wish..."
An image of three smiling faces flashed in his head. The drawing left on his core felt very much tangible to him.
"...I wish to impress this children so that I can continue to stay with them."
Futoyuki responded by chuckling.
He stood up and moved over to Pyrínas while still chuckling.
From what he and learned, this kind of chuckling was different from laughing at his wishes. This was a noise that was meant to say that he was hopeless, but that it was a good thing.
"Fine. If that's what you wish, I'll support you in that. After all, you're like my own child."
But he had been made by a system that had been created by three people.
"I can see it on your face. What I mean by that is that you gained an ego because of my choice to come here. You decided to stay here on Miden with me, even if it was for those children. And..."
Pyrínas knew what he was meant.
"You are the one I allowed to keep the name 'Pyrínas' without the 'System'. So I'll always support my own 'child' like that Mogami wanted to support her child..."
A smile that meant he was cherished.
Shobu faced someone.
They were five meters apart and the other person wore a dress over her arms and legs.
"...Chisato...-sama..."
"What is it, Border Representative?"
...Good... thought Shobu. ...She let me use her name... ..My 'willpower' can...get through... But...
"...Can you...still not side with...Border...?"
"Right. That's a good question. To be honest, I didn't expect for you to solve our impossible problem like that. ...Who would have thought you could paint a picture of our future without relying on your recent victory?"
"That's right," said Musashi while moving to the right end of the hall. "That had nothing to do with using Border's recent victory to accomplish something. You showed us an image of the future and had us decide what we would do and what we wanted to do. I'm jealous. That style of negotiation is only possible for an organization who can let in the externally wrong."
Musashi laughed quietly by the wall.
"Of course, if Border is going to be the victor, you'll have to show us something at least that nice if we're to negotiate. I think you did an excellent job. And your nudist was serious about that, which is what makes him so damned hard to deal with. Only an idiot could be so confident you'll win just because you have the ability to fight back."
"...Is that...a compliment...?"
...Don't let...your 'willpower' down...Shoku-... Shobu!
Shobu tilted his head and Musashi nodded.
"It is. I'm certain now that Border will attempt to take the path of a great defender. Instead of just following everyone else down the path they're taking, you intend to catch up to and overtake them."
"But you can't do that now," said Chisato. "You understand why, don't you?"
Shobu nodded.
He did understand why Border could not pursue outside at the moment.
...Now I use...'knowledge'...
"Ruri..-san...?"
Ruri's head hung down as she sat in the throne-like chair at the far end of the hall. She was limp, unmoving, and almost seemed to be sleeping, but she was not.
There was a line of electricity above and behind her.
It was the Falcon's exit.
With a pulsing tempo, the electricity and thickness of air flowed out. It gradually grew and Chisato opened her mouth as the moving air washed over her back.
"Let me be honest: looking at our own way of thinking, the Shiraishi family cannot survive without Border. ...No, to be more accurate, perhaps I should say we cannot achieve our greatest victory without Border."
"Then...!"
"Please understand. ...The closer the relationship, the more important the initial construction of that relationship becomes. We can't have Border looking down on us from the beginning. We must be on equal footing so we can walk together. So please understand. ...Shiraishi does not want sympathy, privilege, fame, or stability. As the people of this world, a world of resistance and the home of many historic warriors, the Shiraishi family wishes to stand side by side with Mikado City's protectors. That is all we need to be satisfied."
Chisato smiled bitterly and turned away from Shobu.
"But that doesn't look possible. You are sure to move out ahead of us and overtake everyone else."
The pressure grew behind her.
...Chisato-sama...is a pink color... ...A color of 'emotions'...
"The people who were with Shuryō came and went. Since he cared for this world's people yet had those other ones, the Falcon's bonds to them will be removed and it will arrive here. And it will likely be in a different form. As long as the Falcon is here, Shiraishi can't negotiate properly."
"...You really...can't...?"
"No, we can't," confirmed Chisato. "Unfortunately, Shiraishi currently lacks the definite fighting force needed to defeat the Falcon. At best, we can endure its attack and then fade away due to only having one form of defense. So let me be very clear: leave this place at once. And hurry back to the Border. Return so you can tell them that Shiraishi can't go with Border and so they can find these remains."
Once she said that, the air swelled out behind Chisato and something appeared as if rising up on its own.
"...Ort...lin...de..."
"Now go. ...I don't want you to see us fail. When you can accomplish this."
Chisato was saying they could not stop the Falcon and that Shiraishi could not go with Border.
And Shobu did not like the sound of that. So...
Shobu: "Yuki-san...!"
Life: "Eh? You need something?"
White Fox: "Yes, I do! Don't answer for someone else! Oh, you go ahead, Shobu!"
Shobu: "...R-right! ...U-um...right now...Sh-Shiraishi...not looking good...um...!"
Shobu gave a shout.
Shobu: "...We can't let it...end like this...!"
Life: "Okay, okay. Hey, Iko, you need to finish up the cute girl character's route, right? You have my permission, so go a little nuts there."
...Eh...? thought Shobu as he turned around. There was a wall there. A wall unshaken by the falcon's wind.
It was Ikoma.
He slowly walked forward while raising one of his forearms. He patted him on the back and then took another step forward, but...
"He may be an idiot, but I have our boss's permission. I wanted to avoid doin' this 'cuz a bodyguard isn't s'pposed to step out front and solve all the problems, but Shobu, whattda you say as the local commander? Explain the situation to me."
"...R-right... Of course," said Shobu. "...Can you...persuade them?"
"Hm. Unlike Kimira, I'm a pacifist, so I might just be able to do that."
Manager: "I didn't start a fight earlier, did I!? Weren't you watching!? And since when the hell were you a pacifist, Mr. Always-looking-for-a-solo-match!?"
Demon Child: "But wasn't it your suggestion that started the 'spar' with Hikigane and Murakami?"
Perhaps so, but Ikoma scratched his head. And...
"Now, then."
He faced Chisato and he spoke.
"You're very pathetic, Shiraishi Chisato. What happened to the willpower I saw the other day?"
.
Chisato stood in front of the Attacker and felt the falcon's wind spilling out behind her.
The Falcom had yet to come out, but there was effectively nothing she could do.
The Falcon had been worn down. It would not yet have recovered from the damage it took the night before. But...
...It's no use.
The Falcom would go all out in order to recover and to protect Ruri with its wounded body.
All of this information had come from someone who had a connection with Border and fought the day before yesterday.
"Incredible, isn't it?"
The trion light and electricity escaping the Gate were far greater than the night before. The gentle start was all the proof Chisato needed. The Falcon likely knew that it would harm Ruri if it appeared all at once.
But Chisato understood. After her few encounters with the Falcom, she understood all too well. Even with Ortlinde, stopping this version of the Falcon would be difficult.
The armor on its throat had been shattered. It had retreated like that last night, so there was only one way to fully stop the Falcon.
...Use that opening to stab deep into its throat and to its cores.
Even with a large weapon, accomplishing that in the midst of battle would be impossible.
The only upside was that it would come down to a single blow instead of a protracted exchange of blows. Shiraishi's plan was for her to pierce its throat with Ortlinde.
...But it won't work.
Its power was greater than the night before. Once it appeared, even approaching would be difficult. It was even possible the interference would cause Ortlinde and her body to break apart. So...
"Pathetic, hm? You don't hold back, do you?"
She wanted to tell him he did not understand her. But that would only be a complaint. She was the third daughter trained in combat and the last person they could afford to have break. So...
"I am not pathetic. I am merely being pessimistic. ...I will do what I can."
"The wind's blowin' up your skirt."
"I'm used to it."
"Are you sayin' you feel no embarrassment?"
"I'm used to putting up with it."
"There you go."
"Don't pray toward it."
"Heh. You've gotten a lot stronger in this short time..."
"Try to remember who it was who grabbed my breast."
Once she said that, a sudden smile came to Chisato's face. It surprised even her. After all...
...I won't have to deal with this stupid attacker anymore.
She did not hide it.
Their exchanges involved ridiculous things that would never happen normally. She could never predict what would happen, the concept of hierarchy seemed to vanish, and his silly responses contained no unneeded concern. Most important of all, he was about as powerful as her and would clash with her without hesitation. No one within the established order of the White Rock would do that, so the presence of someone like that...
...That's right.
It made her happy.
It seemed to tell her that she was not the only person like this.
As the third daughter who had little to do with the business and a desire for battle, she had never felt that anyone could be with her. She had figured that no one could keep up with her body. Even if they were kind to her, she always maintained her doubts.
What about him?
She did not know.
And she felt that knowing would not be enough.
So she tried to turn her back on him. Just like when he would say crucial things to her, she averted her gaze.
"Hurry up and leave. This is Shiraishi's battlefield before it becomes Border's."
"Don't go, Chisato."
She heard a voice.
"You cannot win on your own."
.
What he said shamed her as one of the daughters. He was essentially saying she was weak.
But even she thought he was right. So...
"I'll help you."
When he said that, Chisato replied half on reflex.
"D-..."
She turned back toward him.
"Don't be ridiculous."
Why was her initial reason that it would put him in danger?
Why did she only later remember that this was Shiraishi's problem?
"The Falcon issue has to do with Shiraishi's future division leader! If we allow Border to interfere during our meeting, it will create a debt we owe Border!"
"You idiot. What the hell do you think Border's here for? We beat down those kinds of things. ...Yeah, that'd be easily resolved if you let us work. But I doubt you'd accept that answer."
"Of course not. I'm not going to gamble on some convenient timing."
Before she had even finished speaking, he shifted his body into standby mode. The position of his body created a sense of relaxed pressure. Even so, he took another step toward her.
"I want a solo, single match, Shiraishi Idiot Daughter. ...This's comin' from Border's 3rd Ranked B-Rank Captain and #6 Attack, so you wouldn't wanna back down."
"Wha-...!? Do you realize the situation here!?"
"This's a problem between the two of us," replied the Attacker. "If I lose, I'll leave. If I win, you'll hear me out."
...This idiot.
She did not know what he was thinking, but she had her position as part of the family to think about. If he would leave if he lost, then that would be the best solution.
After all, she had Ortlinde, just like on the platform the day before. Unfortunately for him, he could not defeat Ortlinde. His acceleration and body may have been superior, but his normal human body could not handle the continual re-casting of defenses or the independent power of her legs and arms. But...
"Why?"
"You don't understand? This's to complete the cute girl character route."
...I see... Hmm, so that's it...
Her heart grew oddly cold.
Guys really do like those genre classifications, don't you? Hmm... I see...
"Fine then. It looks like I have a good enough reason myself. Namely, to protect Ruri."
She was perfectly willing to settle this with her full strength.
"Here I go."
"Come."
She equipped Ortlinde before he even got the word out. She had some trouble preventing her red dress from being caught, but...
...Yes.
Chisato set her entire body in motion.
And she knew this would be the last time she danced with him.
"Heh. Looks like that lil' girl's underestimatin' Iko-san."
Mizukami could not help the lazy grin that came to his face as he went over everything that was being sent to them
Around him were some of the others of the same age group as him. They had all gathered to confirm what was going on.
"Is she really going to be fighting him only using those armor panels? He's using a Trigger, so he's way more safe then she is. He also doesn't know how to hold back, does he?"
Someone who hardly stayed near them for her own reason worried about what she was being told by the others. Fuyushi Kaori had been a bit disturbed when viewing the chat long she had been allowed to see but not interact with.
I thought it was just my classmates, but it looks like they are all crazy! Even Kimura seems to be infected by them at this point.
Yuki and Kageura had always been troublesome classmates, starting pointless fights and competitions with each other. They would sometimes get Hokari to join them while dragging Murakami in when he tried to stop them.
She always felt bad for the poor #4 Attacker.
But this was different.
Mizukami spoke as if there was nothing wrong with their #6 Attacker fighting against a civilian who only had some armor panels to defend with.
"Kurauchi-san, please tell me that at least you understand what's wrong here!"
She looked over with a pleading look.
But the Shooter seemed busy with something else.
"Oh, Betsuyaki isn't around. Do you want me to go with you, Senshi? It would be easy in case your bad luck kicks in."
"Hm? You're going to get a snack? Can I make a request?"
"It depends if you want to run the risk of getting it all over yourself."
"That's true. Alright. Hey SenSen, do you mind being carried by Kurauchi so that it's less likely something will happen?"
"I am not sure my bad luck works like that. Sorry."
"In that case..."
TetsuG: "Mino, can you snag some snacks from Kobayashi to bring back?"
Pokari: "Yuki, Kō, bring me something back."
Artist: "Oh, oh, over here too! Kon, please! Relying on Kirikari-kun will just have us end up getting a porn game that can't decide if it wants to a furry game or a bar a game."
Life: "I make perfect life choices, thank you!"
Haru: "I don't really care who, but can someone please contact a local shrine so that Oshiro and I can get married now! I'm too busy loving this lovely castle!"
Almost Everyone: "That poor castle!"
What is wrong with everyone!?
Kaori could not keep up with what was going on in the chat or right in front of her.
Each time one of them spoke up it felt like someone else had the perfect tsukkomi ready to retort.
There was no hope for any of them if this continued on.
"Hey, Fuyushi. You doin' okay over there? You look pale."
With nothing left for her to say, she turned her head to the source of the voice.
It had been the first boy to speak up about what was happening in the meeting.
Even as everything was going on around me, even as everything was going on at the meeting, even as everything was going on inside if her Brock a nod shattered heart, he had the audacity to look at her with worry while still being laid back.
But she had not been brought up to be rude when someone showed worry for her, so she answered back.
"I... I am not too sure..."
"Yeah. These guys can get pretty rabid when they feel like it. Don't worry though, they all mean well enough. ...Except probably Kimura. She just wants to pick fights."
She found that she could not deny that after today.
Finally finding a way to calm herself down, Kaori looked to Mizukami. Everyone began moving around her, but she thought it was best to ignore them.
"Mizukami-san..."
"Hm? You don't need to call me out like that. Kage, Kō, Pokari and that fox like you a good amount, so you're good with calling me anything. Just don't go overboard."
"Oh. Right. Would Mizukami-kun be fine?"
"Now you sound like a schoolgirl. Don't worry, I won't tell those guys."
Questioning his statement, she looked around to see that an agreement had been made and it had not just been Senshi and Kurauchi who left. Hokari, Hitomi, Arafune, and Tōma had left to go get snacks for everyone.
Maybe I should have asked for something specific... Oh, but Hokari knows what I like, so that should be fine.
She now understood what the Shooter had meant by not telling them. With Murakami and Yuki at Kurosaki, Kageura with his team, and Hokari getting the snacks, there was no one in her class who could find out that she was being nice to Mizukami.
That felt like a bit of relief. She did not want to be teased by the boys who seemed to be the most sensible as well as the most cannibalistic of them all.
Kuni: "Hey 3-C boys, Fuyuyu-chan is acting like a schoolgirl with Mizukami-kun! She called him 'Sato-kyun' right in front of us! Right!? Right!?"
Ōji: "That's what I heard. She had her hands on her cheeks and everything."
Artist: "It gave me sim inspiration for my next piece!"
Kaori quickly turned from the three snickering people to a shrugging Mizukami.
"I didn't say anythin'. Those guys just like harassing people."
She found that she could not defend herself before new messages came up.
Kage: "What the hell, Class rep!?"
Pokari: "I leave for a minute..."
Black Wolf: "We're still at Kurosaki, so all I will say is, 'I am kind of sad.'"
White Fox: "Don't think you're getting away with this, CR! No! Screw it! We're gonna call you Kao-chan from now on!"
"Don't just decide that on your own!"
Kage: "Kao."
Black Wolf: "Kao-san."
Pokari: "Kaocchi."
"Kaocchi."
"Did you seriously run back here just to say that to my face!? Damn you!"
Feeling all energy suddenly leaving her body, Kaori tossed her upper body onto the table.
There was a feint geeking of a hand patting her back and she guessed whoever it was was smart enough to do with while the others were not looking since there were no messages about it.
.
Mizukami felt like everything had been his fault up until the boys from class 3-C started changing how they referred to Kaori.
Even so, he knew that she still had an important question that needed an answer. As the one who had brought about that question it was up to him to answer.
"There, there. You wanted to know why it's no problem that Iko-san's fightin' that Shiraishi daughter?"
That had gotten her attention from the way she stopped shaking.
So he continued.
"It's because Iko-san can't be stopped anyway. He already declared his want to fight, so he's gonna fight it out. Since she agreed, that means they're a good fit."
"And what about the fact that she does not have a Trigger?"
"I don't think there's anyone stupid enough to go against someone with a Trigger when they don't have something ready for it."
"I don't know... There are some idiots I know who would..."
Oh, that's true. I know a whole age group who'd so that.
Laughing at everyone else's expense was all he could think of doing right now.
Once he got done with that, he smiled down at the girl. Not the same lazy one that had came before. This one was an guaranteed one that assured her everything would be fine. After all...
Iko-san's taken a real likin' to this girl.