Chapter 74
Thursday, March 2, 2023
The beginning of the week marks the start of the second semester, which begins with sports competitions in many different sports across the campus. And today is the rugby final, another school in pink versus our home team in blue, headlined by Jojo and Dio.
"He intercepted it!" Exclaims the commentator.
Jojo catches the ball in mid-air and runs towards the goal, followed by everyone else.
"Jonathan Joestar, the valiant representative of our Kuoh school, has grabbed the ball!" The commentator is deep into the match, having risen from his chair.
Jojo lets out a mighty scream, dashing forward as fast as he can.
"This is in stark contrast to his legendary calm! This 1.90 meter man is charging towards the goal with a war cry! It's the match of the finale! Will he be able to treat himself and our school to this wonderful victory!?" The commentator jumps with excitement. "Ohh he's stuck! An opponent has pounced on him!" Indeed, an opponent has latched onto his waist, trying to slow him down. "Wait a minute! He's not falling! He's taking his opponent with him! Two other players grab him! There are three of them on him!" And yet Jojo keeps going, to the cheers of the audience. "It's incredible! Despite three opponents clawing at him, Jonathan Joestar keeps going! What power! What guts! This man is a real train!"
But a fourth player jumps on him, causing him to finally lose his balance. Just before falling, he throws the ball to Dio, who catches it gracefully.
"He's just completed a successful pass! And the receiver is none other than Dio! Yes, it's Dio Brando!" The commentator is out of breath.
Two players jumped on him, but he dodged nimbly, breaking free and running at full speed.
"What a magnificent race! Will he be able to break through? He passes! He passed! He has no rival! Splendid! His run is decidedly bluffing! and it's the try! Victory for the Kuoh team!"
All the students watching the match jump to their feet, exploding with joy. Satisfied with the match, I get up and head for the canteen. I turn my gaze one last time, seeing Jojo and Dio shake hands and celebrate their victory together. I find it astonishing, but leave it aside and walk away.
As a member of Maken-ki, my job is to make sure that everything runs smoothly and that there are no violent outbursts or anything else. Despite a few students from other schools showing off a bit too much, there haven't been any major problems, which means I can keep my feet on the ground, while remaining vigilant. I sit on a bench, can in hand, watching the big aisle fill up after the game.
"Hi Senji! Did you watch the game?" I turn to see Jojo sitting next to me.
"Of course I watched, it was incredible. It's a completely deserved victory."
"Ahah... thank you, it's nice to see all our efforts rewarded... By the way, I was wondering, you who are so sporty and athletic... why aren't you taking part in anything?" He asks me, curious.
"I'm still technically recovering until... tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, I don't really know anymore, so and I quote from Minori-sensei: You screw your ass to a chair and just watch, you can kick everyone's ass later, there'll be plenty of other opportunities for that." I say, imitating Minori badly.
"Ah yes that's right, excuse me, I shouldn't have asked... Pff ahah, you still need a bit of practice to imitate sensei!"
"I'm not very good at imitating others. But don't worry about it, I'm fine, it's just her exaggerating, as always."
"...How do you feel? Personally, when I heard the news, I... I was horrified, and the fact that they'd find you in such a state... those guys were real monsters!"
"It's something I'm prepared for, when you choose this path, it's bound to happen at some point. So when it does, you keep moving forward and above all you don't forget."
"You're really strong Senji... I could never... with all that's going on..."
"Let me ask you something. Did things work out with you and Dio? You seem to have become brothers at last."
"On the surface, yes... But I remain vigilant with him. I still haven't forgiven him for everything he's done... I'm sure he's the one who locked Danny up and burned him. And he's acting too, I can see it, he's up to something, I don't know what but I'm waiting for him, I'm ready for anything."
"It's as complicated as ever... I wish you good luck, that's all I can say... Ah yes, if you ever need any help, don't hesitate to ask me."
"Senji, thank you, you really are a good friend... Actually, there's something bothering me..." Jojo hesitates.
"Tell me."
"... Well, my father is extremely ill... It started with a simple cold, quite normal in winter, but in just a few days, it turned into something else, something more violent. My father is completely weakened and I..."
"You suspect Dio?" I ask.
"I... I don't know, I can't imagine him going that far with his ridiculous nonsense... I have no proof but yes I suspect it. He strongly advises him to stay at home, whereas the hospital would be more appropriate... I hope with all my heart that my suspicions are wrong..."
"I also hope your father recovers quickly, he's a good person. You know, I have a lot of preconceptions about rich people, having seen many during my travels, but your family is one of the few that still has its feet on the ground."
"I'm glad to hear it, and I'd do anything to keep it that way." He sighs, pulling out his phone. "One more thing. I've studied the mask and you're right, look."
I take his phone and play the video, showing Jojo cutting his finger, pouring the blood dripping from it onto the mask, which shakes and jumps up, protruding spikes from the back of the mask.
"So it's activated with blood... Jojo, this has to remain a secret and above all, no one should get their hands on this mask, because I don't know what kind of relic it could be. A torture device, or perhaps an object of death or something more mystical or mysterious, in any case, keep it safe, okay?"
"I would, that mask gives me the creeps every time I see it. It will remain locked in one of my drawers until further notice."
I nod, satisfied with our secret cooperation. I receive a message on my phone from Haruko, asking me to come and lend her a hand. I get up from the bench, finishing my can before throwing it straight into a garbage can a few meters away.
"Well, Jojo, duty calls." I tell him, putting my armband back on, "There's a fight breaking out further on, I must go. Enjoy your victory."
"Oh sure! And thanks again, try to enjoy the festivities as much as possible too!" He bows, watching me go.
"I'll try, see ya."
Sunday, March 5, 2023.
"We're back." Asia announces.
Asia and I finished handing out the brochures and returned to the clubs.
"Ara ara, good job, I'll make some green tea." Akeno welcomes us.
"Hey, how was the date night?" Kiba asks me with a smile.
"It was nice, it's good for the head after all that week of school." I turn to him, stretching.
"...I understand, it was very noisy this week..." It's been a long time since I've heard Koneko.
Asia and I walk towards Rias, who is sitting on the sofa. She seems to be staring into space, deep in thought.
"President, we're back." I report, but she doesn't even notice me, making a long sigh.
I see Asia next to me looking in the same direction as Rias, wondering what's wrong.
"President, we're back!" I raise my voice, which startles Rias, turning to us.
"I... I'm sorry, I was dazed for a moment. Good work, Senji, Asia."
It's not the first time this has happened. Lately, I've noticed that Rias is often lost in thought, and it doesn't look pleasant. When she orders us to do something, she does it elegantly as usual, but apart from that, her mind seems to wander.
She's probably got a serious problem, and it's probably the kind I wouldn't understand, after all she comes from a noble family, and a high-class devil at that.
"Now then, I will have Asia make her debut as a Devil starting tonight." Rias announces.
"Oh really?" I'm surprised.
"Eh?" Asia looks puzzled.
"Basically, you will be having your actual debut as a Devil tonight. You are going to a contractors place through the magic-circle." I explain to her.
"M...Me?" She points at herself, panicking.
"Yes, distributing the leaflets will end tonight." Rias continues. "If I let this go on indefinitely, it looks like your dates between the two of you are going to go further."
(What does she mean by that?)
Like the last time when I started out, Rias draws the Gremory clan's magic circle on Asia's palm.
"Akeno, check if Asia can ever use his energy to transport through the magic circle." Rias asks.
"Yes, president." Akeno places her hand on Asia's forehead, a faint glow appearing at her fingertips.
"We've had an incident with Senji before, so we have to check properly. Although I don't think we'll have the same problem, given the exception. By the way, anything to say?" Rias asks me.
"No, he seems to be asleep." I reply.
"So much the better, hoping he sleeps a long time." Rias smiles at me.
"President, everything's fine. There's nothing wrong. What's more, she has the most energy after Senji, President and me. Her potential energy capacity is very good." Rias smiled at Akeno's report.
"This is good news. She can use her [Bishop] power to its full potential." nods Rias.
That's good news indeed, Asia is off to a great start, I'm reassured to hear, but something is bothering me all the same.
"President, what kind of contract are you going to give her?" I ask.
"Don't worry Senji, as I explained to you, the Gremory clan only deals with quotidian contracts, we don't touch the contract carried on sexuality or crime or any other excessive demands. You don't need to worry." Rias explains.
"I know, but... ahh... I can't help worrying about her. I trust you president..." I sigh.
"I can see that it's bothering you, so I don't mind you accompanying her on her first few contracts, is that okay with you?" She suggests.
"Ah, yes that's perfect, thank you president. Asia, I'll accompany you for a little while longer." I stroke Asia's head.
"Yes." Asia herself looks worried that she is causing trouble for me, but that's okay.
Even if I feel like I'm being a bit overprotective of her, but I want to look after her until she's capable of looking after herself. It's my fault she's here today, her lifeless body still haunting me in my nights, the weight of my mistakes. That's why I'll protect her no matter what, even if she starts to hate me.
"So to conclude, if a request comes in, Asia, you'll be transported by the magic circle taking Senji with you." Rias finished.
"Yes, I understand, President." Asia nods.
A few minutes later, the large magic circle on the ground began to glow. Akeno, who is in charge of the magic circle, begins to read the letter that has appeared in a section of the magic circle.
"Ara ara, there's a customer who summons us, who wants to wish for something that even Asia can handle." She explains.
"That's very convenient. Asia can supply the energy needed for teleporting through the magic-circle, and she can also support Senji who can't use well his energy as well. Let's do it then." Rias smiles.
it seems that my situation hasn't changed with the magic circle. Too bad.
"Very well, then let's go Asia." I get up from the sofa.
"Yes, Senji-san!" Asia follows me.
Asia and I stand in the center of the circle and teleport to the customer.
Monday, March 6, 2023.
"Today we're going to decide what show our class will put on to celebrate the start of the second semester!" Announces Anzu. "Whoever has a suggestion, raise your hand!"
"Yes, me!"
"Me!"
With the start of the second half of the year, Minori took the opportunity to launch a different business. Last week it was sports events, this week we're asked to create activities by the classes.
"Let's build a ghost house!"
"No, it's too late... another class has already proposed it."
Like this, the A-1 class tries to come up with different themes and ideas, but never anything particularly serious.
"All right, everyone, listen up!" Jonouchi stands up suddenly. "This party is a great event! We have to make sure and organize something that will make the other classes green with envy! Here's our proposal! We're going to make the difference on the charm! The cabaret of real high school girls! The girls will dress in such a way as to make all the guys happy..."
"Yeah, now that's an idea!" Usui exclaims.
"It's our combined brains that have come up with this idea." Motohama pushes up his glasses, proud of himself.
"Genius, we tell you, genius!" Matsuda exclaims.
"To the toilet, you four!" The girls get angry.
"Well what?" Jonouchi asks.
"Go die!" The girls throw objects at them.
"Any other suggestions?" Anzu asks as if nothing had happened.
"A wrestling ring!"
"A costume contest!"
"Not all at once..." Anzu sighs.
"A Takoyaki stand!"
Anzu notes all the ideas on the board, taking the time to calm the class and asking them to give their ideas one by one.
"Well, we'll get to that." She notes down an idea, then turns back to us.
"Who hasn't spoken yet?" Anzu ignores him. "Ah yes Inaho-san?"
"An eating contest!" She exclaims.
"Fufu... that sounds just like her." Asia giggles.
I turn my gaze to Shiki, who remains impassive, staring straight ahead.
"What about you Yugi?" I return my attention to the current activity.
"Um... Um for example... I'm thinking of a game, the carnival game! Like in amusement parks..." suggests Yugi.
After several other proposals and debates to choose the final theme, Yugi's carnival game was chosen, and we spent the rest of the afternoon choosing the different games. At the end of the day, Minori accepted three proposals: the pirate's barrel, a mini bowling alley and a shooting game and finally, thanks to a draw, Anzu won a very good slot. Now there are only a few days left to get everything ready.
Thursday, March 9, 2023.
"We're running out of stuff!"
"Ouch! My hand!"
"Come on! One more effort!"
"Guys get to work!"
"Watch out!"
"Do you think there will be lots of chicks?"
"Boo the ghost!"
"Don't eat everything before you've started!"
"You don't seem to be inspired this year..."
"Wow, it's too heavy!"
With Demitra, we patrol as Maken-ki through the various stands made by the students. And with all event preparation comes stress and tension, so we're there to calm down any provocation between students, and then the other members are also around, so there's no risk of anything serious happening. But we're mainly asked to help lift, move or repair things.
"This way of using energy is impressive, I didn't know you could fix things with it." Demitra remarks, watching me put two pieces of wood back together.
"This is the most... "primitive?" form of energy use, magecraft." I explain, turning off my magic circuits. "That's because I use my magic circuits, which allows me to use energy more precisely."
"I understand, it's true that most people today use their whole body to channel and use energy. How did you know you could use your magic circuits? Almost the entire population has had their circuits turned off for generations." Demitra asks.
"Kiritsugu told me. Probably due to the presence of... you know who, or the fact that my family has circuits still sleeping." I reply.
"It's fascinating... Human's evolution towards energy, I still wonder why the use of the earth's energy has become so restrained..." Demitra wonders, greeting someone as she passes.
"Go figure, there's this theory that the earth is gorging itself faster and faster with energy, and ... Hmm?" I turn to a familiar voice.
"What is it?" Demitra asks.
"I just heard Anzu's voice, and she's raising her voice, I don't like it." I head for my class stand, alert.
I arrive in front of the stand, seeing a small group of six people carrying a huge iron table and a guy with his arms crossed, facing Anzu, shouting at her.
"Ahahahah! Listen up you morons! We've been running our okonomiyaki stand here for years! Get this carnival crap out of here! Got it?!" He yells, intimidating Anzu.
"Demitra." I signal her.
"Roger that." She goes her separate way.
"Okay, that's enough!" I raise my voice, making everyone turn to me. "You don't belong here, so get back to your booth and get the hell out of here."
"Senji!" Yugi and the others are relieved to see me.
"Tss, Maken-ki? Let me teach you something, gnats, this location is our exclusive territory! So they're the ones who are going to get the hell out!"
"It seems to me there was a draw, if you didn't know about it, go complain to the principal, but if not, you fuck off."
"I don't give a fuck! Let's go, boys! Destroy that stand!" He points to the carnival game.
The members of his class dash towards the stand, with the grill plate in front, ready to use it as a door breaker. But Demitra suddenly appears in front of them and stops them with one hand.
"Didn't you hear my colleague? He kindly asked you to leave." Her voice is calm, but her gaze clearly shows a stern tone.
"You're so fucking annoying! But you're not allowed to raise your hand at us classic students. What are you going to do? Hmm, you have no choice but to let go! Ahahaha!"
I turn on my magic circuits and create a dozen clones surrounding them.
"We had permission to use force if necessary, and that on all the students. So I'm going to repeat myself one last time, you leave now, or we'll kick your ass out." I threaten them.
Demitra does the same, taking out her trident. Seeing this, the third years hesitate, looking at their headman, who is extremely frustrated, but above all shaking on his knees.
"Let's get out of here, boys!" He turns and walks away without even looking at us, defeated.
I breathe a sigh of relief and make my clones disappear in small screens of smoke.
"Senji-san! Demitra-senpai! Thank you very much!" Asia approaches me, happy.
"Phew... glad I could help." I breathe a sigh of relief, turning to Demitra.
"I didn't remember that permission... can we really use violence on classic students?" She asks me, surprised.
"No, it was a bluff." I reply simply. Demitra's eyes widen. "They were third years, they were never going to take us seriously, so you've got to play it smarter than they do."
"...Well, you always manage to surprise me Senji, that was well thought out." She said with a smile.
"Well done Maken-ki!" Jonouchi gives a thumbs-up.
"Without you, the stand would have been destroyed, thank you very much!" Yugi bows.
"Thank you... I was so afraid that all our efforts would be shattered..." Anzu tears with relief.
"It's all right, it's over now, so finish your stand so it looks perfect tomorrow, I'll come and see you after all." Demitra reassures her, handing her a handkerchief.
"Don't hesitate to call me if anything happens, okay? We need to get on with our patrol." I tell them.
"No problem! Come on guys, let's get back to work!" Jonouchi exclaims.
At his words, everyone went back to work, leaving us alone in front of the stand, Demitra standing next to me, watching them work.
"Your class is very close-knit, I hope everything goes well for them tomorrow." She said.
"That's what we're here for, to make sure everything goes smoothly for everyone, including those jerks." I say, before resuming our patrol.
Friday, March 10, 2023.
The festival is in full swing, and our class stand seems to be a big hit. I come to see them on my break, seeing lots of people queuing up, with others having fun on the games.
They offered to let me take part, but I politely declined, claiming that I was about to resume my role as Maken-ki, so I watched from a corner of the stand, satisfied to see my comrades having fun and enjoying the atmosphere.
"Hello Emiya-kun." I turn to the familiar voice.
"Tohsaka, hello..." I look at her, to see her in an unusual outfit.
"Don't look at me like that. My class has decided to make a café on the theme of witches. So here I am dressed as a witch, making green and purple potions." She said in an exasperated tone.
"And now you're on break?" I ask.
"Yes, like you apparently. I saw you pass in the alley, you're taking this festival really seriously at Maken-ki, you should lift your foot off the gas and enjoy it."
"Tell that to Furan-senpai... But I don't mind."
"Of course you don't mind..." She murmurs.
We don't say anything more, watching the students come and go from the stand, us both leaning against the wall. I can't stop looking at her. She's wearing a black shirt, black pants, covered by a dark green dress and a pointed black hat. This outfit brings out her blue eyes, shining almost.
"Emiya-kun, I don't mind you looking at me, but at least pretend to look away once in a while..." She turns her gaze to me.
"Oh sorry... it's just... that outfit looks strangely good on you... It shows off your eyes." I say awkwardly.
"Huh?!" Tohsaka suddenly turns to me, her face completely red. "It's not okay to say something like that out of the blue without warning!"
"Ah, I shouldn't have...?" I'm confused.
"Huh? No, I accept the compliment! Thank you..." She crosses her arms and pouts at me.
We don't say anything more, I avoid looking at her, to avoid creating another awkward situation, I concentrate on my classmates, having fun with the students who keep arriving.
"...Well, here goes..." I hear Tohsaka murmur, then turn to me. "Emiya-kun, I don't know if anyone's ever told you this, but... you have truly beautiful eyes..." She says, her cheeks flushed, playing with the strands of her hair.
I don't know what to say, I'm mostly at a loss for words, Tohsaka Rin herself has just paid me a compliment.
"Hey, why don't you say something, this is super embarrassing for me!" She looks at me with murderous eyes.
"Ah! Um... why compliment me all of a sudden?" I ask, which seems to piss her off even more.
"What do you mean?! When you get a compliment, it's perfectly normal to return it, isn't it?!"
"Is that so?"
"Don't answer me with "Is that so"! Just accept the compliment and that's it!"
"Um... Thanks, I appreciate it."
"...I swear, you make everything complicated..." She crosses her arms again, her cheeks still flushed, and so am I for that matter.
"Ara ara, maybe we should have waited before coming to see you. I hope we're not intruding?" We turn toward the voice to see Akeno greeting us, with Rias right behind.
"Akeno... I told you to wait, you shouldn't have disturbed them..." Rias sighed.
"Gremory... And Himejima...-senpai..." Tohsaka trembles, blushing even more. "I... I have to go! My shift starts again!" She walks quickly and leaves.
"Fufu, I should have taken a picture of her, she looks adorable as a witch." Akeno watches her go.
"Sorry to have interrupted your moment, but you know Akeno, always sticking her nose in other people's business." Rias looks accusingly at Akeno.
"You two were pretty red, you still are Senji-kun, what were you talking about? Is there something going on between you?" Akeno gets closer and closer to me, with all her questions.
"It's nothing..." I cough a little. "So, you've come to take part in the carnival game?"
"We've mainly come to see what you've done and it's very original, just games, I really like the idea, it's a perfect way to take a break while having fun." Akeno looks around the stand.
"Speaking of fun, I can see that Asia is enjoying it to the max, it really makes me happy to see her having so much fun." Rias points to Asia, who is bowling and jumping with excitement at every throw.
"Indeed." I agree.
"Fufu, aren't you going to play?" Akeno asks.
"No, I'll be back soon too." I turn to Asia, who has noticed us and is walking towards us.
"President! Akeno-senpai! Welcome to the carnival game! Would you like to play?" She asks, her eyes full of stars.
"I'll play a game with you Asia-chan." Accept Akeno.
"Go ahead, I'll take Akeno's place." Follow Rias.
"Senji-san, still no?" Asia asks me, her gaze asking only one thing.
"I can't right now, but I promise we'll play at the end of the evening." I answer her request.
"Ok! That's a promise then! Let's go Akeno-senpai!" She takes Akeno's hand and leads her towards the bowling alley.
Rias and I watch them play, and I turn to her to see her lost in thought again.
"President, there's something on your mind isn't there?" I call out to her.
"Hm? Oh, it's nothing Senji, just family problems, nothing that's bothering you." She said with a smile.
"Yet it seems to me that we're part of your family now, so whatever's bothering you is bothering us too."
"...I understand what you mean, but do you also tell us about your worries?"
"...Hum..."
"No need to answer, I already had my answer some time ago."
"Touché."
"But it's nice of you to worry about me, I'll talk to you about it in due course, I promise." She reassures me.
"Okay, the sooner it's done the better." I look at my phone. "Right, it's nearly time for me to get back on duty, have a good afternoon." I straighten up and head for the exit.
'To you too and good luck, try to enjoy the festivities a bit, okay?"
"I'll see, see you later." I walk away, putting my armband back on.
Towards the end of the day, I returned as promised to the stand to play bowling with Asia, I also learned that the carnival game had surpassed the record number of visits from a few years ago, then after helping them dismantle and tidy up, we returned, with a tired Asia, but with just as many stars in her eyes.