Arifureta Shokugyou de Sekai Saikyou (WN) Chapter 484

Chapter 484

Common Holiday Brief Story s.h.i.+zuku’s Case

「Sorry Hajime. Even though today is our long-awaited date」

Sat.u.r.day morning. Today it was practically a holiday except for some programs that still had lecture. Hajime and s.h.i.+zuku were walking through the campus at this moment.

There weren’t Yue and the others with them. It was because they didn’t have any lecture they needed to attend at this time, like the majority of the students. Of course, Hajime and s.h.i.+zuku were also the same.

In the first place, today was the day for their long-awaited date. It was only natural that they were alone.

Then, why were they going out of their way coming to the university then?

「I told you to not worry about it right? We have time at the afternoon anyway.」

「You aren’t wrong but……」

「Our plan today is basically going to where s.h.i.+zuku want to go, so if s.h.i.+zuku is fine with this then I’m also fine. Friends are important after all.」

「Yes……thanks.」

s.h.i.+zuku’s troubled expression softened completely. But then it instantly tensed again.

「This is my first time meeting her directly since that time after all……I’m a bit nervous.」

s.h.i.+zuku held her hand in front of her chest with a meek face and looked at the distant. It still hadn’t come into view, but her gaze was directed toward the practice place of the kendo club.

「Fudou-san, I hope she’s doing well……」

To tell the truth, the person they were planning to meet after this was Fudou Akari──a kendo club high school girl who challenged s.h.i.+zuku to a duel before.

The girl harbored a severe complex toward her own appearance and physique. Kendo was the only thing that she was proud of herself, so she held a strong feeling of rivalry toward s.h.i.+zuku who was above her.

Then she got the impression that s.h.i.+zuku easily forsake kendo for the sake of man, as the result she lost her self-control and committed a violent deed.

……It was violent in various senses. After all she cosplayed as Dart Vade* in the middle of day and a.s.saulted Kaori.

「It was shocking in various senses huh. Both for s.h.i.+zuku and also for me.」

「My sanity, got sc.r.a.ped off that time.」

Hajime s.h.i.+vered from remembering that time.

It couldn’t be helped. He never even dreamed that Yue and others had secretly invited the clothing shop monster of a certain town in Tortus into earth. Because of that his b.u.t.t got in danger.

The manly woman’s ambush was so horrifying that Hajime even went as far as doing seiza face to face with Yue to admonish her with a strict expression. His admonishment was so earnest at that time that Yue could only mutter 「……Yes……yes, forgive me, yes……」 repeatedly. She was turned into a nodding robot like a new employee who made a big blunder and got scolded severely by the company boss.

Getting back on topic.

After that Fudou Akari reconciled with s.h.i.+zuku and she was also able to come to terms with her own clouded heart. In addition she received Christabel’s magical flesh modification (principle unknown) and became a tall beauty. She achieved excellent result even in kendo tournament and became famous……for those points, even Hajime knew about them.

But, he hadn’t really heard about the exchange happening between s.h.i.+zuku and Fudou in great detail.

「You were still in contact with her even after that weren’t you?」

「Only sometimes like before a tournament. I was hoping that could be of some help for her but……it looks like it was unnecessary.」

s.h.i.+zuku put on a slightly lonely smile, even so her footsteps were light.

It seemed Fudou had put all her effort into facing herself. But it seemed she couldn’t help but be conscious of s.h.i.+zuku if she was nearby so she refused even when s.h.i.+zuku wanted to come to cheer for her in tournament.

She didn’t do that because she was rejecting s.h.i.+zuku by any means but, she was hesitant in meeting s.h.i.+zuku directly, or to talk to her normally or going out together like a friend. But this time she was the one taking the initiative to say 「I want to meet you」 to s.h.i.+zuku. She said 「I want you to look at my current self」.

s.h.i.+zuku was obviously happy to hear that.

「──”I’ll work hard so I can like myself one day”. She said that at that time. Surely she has managed to make it a reality.」

「You look happy. Well, you’re going to meet again someone who you’re concerned with, so it’s no wonder that you’re even putting off a date with your hubby for that.」

「Oh, are you sulking?」

s.h.i.+zuku was responding to Hajime’s joking shrug with another joke from herself.

Also, Fudou was attending a different university. By coincidence there was an intercampus match and practice meeting in their university’s kendo club today, so most likely Fudou also wanted to show herself doing kendo to s.h.i.+zuku there. Both of them knew where the other enrolled into, so she contacted s.h.i.+zuku when she learned of this chance.

The kendo club’s practice place that was located at the edge of the campus came into view as they were having such talk. It was a building that looked like a three-storied gymnasium. The first floor was for judo club. Second floor was karate club, and the third floor was kendo club’s practice place.

They entered the entrance that had a distinctive reddish brown floor where they could hear the judo club’s spirited yells and impactful sounds of bodies. .h.i.tting the mat. That was because the metal door that led to the judo club’s practice place was opened fully.

The entrance that also doubled as a break room had vending machines and benches too. Some judo club and karate club members were there with juice can in one hand taking a break each in their own way.

「O-oi, that」

「Uwah, she’s smoking hot」

The atmosphere changed the moment s.h.i.+zuku entered. The gazes of the majority of the club members were drawn in.

And so, s.h.i.+zuku immediately entangled her arm around Hajime’s arm. She also didn’t forget to place the ring in her left hand’s finger ring at an angle that was visible to see.

The mood instantly got dampened. s.h.i.+zuku’s response was very practiced.

The appraising gazes toward Hajime got returned with Hajime’s eye glint. He didn’t really put much emotion into his return gaze because these people weren’t really doing anything bothersome. But, this was Hajime doing it. A mere expressionless stare back possessed a force that was equal or surpa.s.sing a certain blasphemous exorcist’s eye glint that seemed to say 「I’ll……kill youuu–」.

Of course, everyone of the judo club and karate club didn’t see anything. They decided that they didn’t see anything and resumed the conversations among themselves while wiping their strangely cold sweat.

「Co-, c-c-co-, come to think of it did you see the kendo club?」

「Y-yeah, I saw. There was this one seriously dangerous fellow!」

「That one who came for the intercampus match right? That one certainly was bad news! You couldn’t possibly miss that fellow at all!」

s.h.i.+zuku’s ears twitched in reaction while she was walking toward the stairs. Perhaps they were talking about Fudou-san? That must be it, they must be curious if a beauty like that turned out to be really strong. Somehow it made her happy thinking that──

「That ain’t a woman’s body ain’t it?」

「That intensity when looking at her. Just what the h.e.l.l is she eating to turn into a gorilla like that.」

「Her existence itself is already at gag level!」

The club members all laughed in amus.e.m.e.nt.

s.h.i.+zuku felt bewildered for a moment, thinking if there was another female club member with splendid physique. But well, in any case.

「「「HIH!?」」」

She understood one thing. These guys were laughing about a woman’s appearance, so she looked back across her shoulder and smiled sweetly.

The judo & karate club members all cringed with fear. They wondered why. They just completely hallucinated themselves getting slashed diagonally across their body. They hurriedly patted over their bodies to ascertain that their parts were still attached together.

「Let’s go, Hajime.」

「Ussu」

s.h.i.+zuku let go of Hajime’s arm and stomped up the stairs as though to say that she didn’t want to stay here any longer.

Hajime’s mouth grinned as he said 「Not bad」 while following behind her quietly.

And then.

「──Ah, Yaegas.h.i.+…………long time no see.」

「F-Fudou-san……」

s.h.i.+zuku was reunited.

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With Fudou Akari whose appearance had gone back to before for some reason.

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s.h.i.+zuku stood frozen at the entrance of the practice place with her eyes widened like saucer.

They must have arrived when it was break time. That was partly why everyone regardless of male and female naturally turned their attention toward the beautiful outsider who suddenly showed up. Some of the males got slightly noisy.

Fudou who was talking with another club member in a spot relatively close with the entrance finished her current conversation briefly before walking toward s.h.i.+zuku.

Her physique was clearly brawny even with the dougi covering her body. Her height was also still 180 cm like before……no, she had grown even further and now she might be over 190 cm.

「Thanks for coming today. You’re beautiful like always, Yaegas.h.i.+.」

「Eh? Ah, no, that’s……」

「Fufu, what’s wrong? You’re making a face like a pigeon that got shot by peashooter.」

「Err, because Fudou-san, you……」

Fudou shrugged seeing s.h.i.+zuku’s bewilderment as though to say that it couldn’t be helped. And then, she pa.s.sed beside s.h.i.+zuku and Hajime and came out to the hallway. She looked back over her shoulder and smiled suddenly.

「We can’t talk leisurely here, so how about getting out for now?」

「Y-yes, you’re right. Err, is it alright? I heard that there’s intercampus match going on.」

「You came right while it’s at a stopping point. Everyone is taking a break before going into the practice meeting so it’s fine.」

「That so……okay then.」

「Long time no see too Nagumo. I was really indebted to you for that time.」

「O-ou. Great to see you’re doing well.」

Fudou-san went down the stairs to lead the way.

Even Hajime was looking wide-eyed at her back while staying rooted on the spot. To agitate the man who even got called as the demon G.o.d, perhaps it ought to be called as a spectacular feat in a sense.

「What’s wrong? Let’s go.」

「「Ah, yes.」」

Fudou smiled brightly and urged the two to follow, so Hajime and s.h.i.+zuku reflexively nodded their heads up and down and followed.

The way she completely controlled the pace of the talk too, there was no doubt that the jaws of the world leaders who treated Hajime with prudence would fall off if they saw it.

The three went outside and went to a small place for relaxation outside that was nearby. It was a well sunlit place with six set of tables that were for four people each.

There was n.o.body else there. Hajime and s.h.i.+zuku sat side by side at one of the tables with Fudou sitting opposite of them. The metal chair screamed *Gii-*.

It seemed the magnificent body build before them wasn’t illusion at all.

Fudou had bought them canned coffee on their way there saying 「Once again, thanks for making time for me today」. The two took a sip of their coffee and exhaled fuuh.

「「Why’re you back to before!?」」

Hajime and s.h.i.+zuku finally couldn’t hold back anymore and raised their voices in harmony.

It must be an expected reaction. Fudou-san put her hand over her mouth and laughed in amus.e.m.e.nt. But right after that, she tilted her head with a gentle gaze and,

「Do I look the same like when I caused trouble for everyone?」

She said such thing.

Hajime and s.h.i.+zuku reflexively looked at each other. They then looked once more at Fudou.

Certainly, her appearance was back to normal in a glance. Her body built was like a hero in American comic, and her burly looking face and features, also her sharp eyes, and her deep voice were the same like before.

But, but if they were asked whether she was the same like before……

「……No, no you don’t look the same. Fudou-san, you……you look pretty somehow.」

「Yeah. Let me retract my words just now. I mistook you.」

「Fufu, thanks. I’m happy to hear the two of you say that.」

Her hair was glossy. The black of her hair was jet black, and she was also paying attention and arranging her hairstyle even though she had just come from practice.

Her thick eyebrows were also arranged prettily. Her skin was surprisingly smooth. She was also wearing cosmetic perfectly with the a.s.sumption that she would be sweaty.

Indeed. She was certainly different from before. She was returning to her original appearance but, they could see that she herself was the one paying attention to herself to the fullest.

「There’s still just a bit of the effect remaining though. I think that perhaps, it’s the parting gift from Christabel-sensei.」

Her single-edged eyelids became double-edged eyelid, her split chin became shapely, her standing out cheeks also had sank in slightly and the lines until her chin became neater. Her eyelashes were also abundant and curling prettily.

So to speak there was body changes in the level of minor cosmetic surgery still remaining.

But, surely those were just a trivial aspect to her current transformation.

What changed the most from her was her atmosphere.

Her atmosphere was peaceful and stable like a solid tree that had grown its roots deep into the ground. Residing inside her eyes were peaceful and gentle hue. The two could clearly see how she was seeing her surrounding fully and overflowing with confidence.

The physical beauty of trained body, and atmosphere that was filled to the brim with confidence and kindness, also combined with outstanding make up technique made her looked like an ancient sculpture of beautiful female warrior that was created by an eminent artist.

There was also her unique features that she had from the start, which left an impression of an exotic beauty that was somewhat removed from a j.a.panese person. It was a beauty in a different vector from s.h.i.+zuku.

「Feels like people are going to call you Anego or Nee-san like this.」

「Wait Hajime──」

「Oh, great guess. Even my seniors are calling me like that. It seems they’re calling me like that not because I look old but because they feel that I’m reliable so it’s also hard for me to correct them……it’s slightly troubling.」

So you’re really called like that! s.h.i.+zuku-san retorted like that inside her heart, even so she was also someone who got called “Onee-sama” by people idolizing her even if they were older so a feeling of kins.h.i.+p welled up strongly inside her.

By the way, Fudou-san was really being extremely relied on. She was strong and tough, understood woman’s heart more than anyone else, furthermore she was really kind. Let’s be clear. Sisters of the soul were starting to be born in her university!

「Looks like there’s no problem in the end but……perhaps, this is because I sent Christabel home? Then it’s my bad. No, but there wasn’t any other choice though.」

「No, it’s unrelated. I think that sensei understood that I would want to return to my original appearance.」

「What do you mean?」

「”Talk together with your muscle if by chance you want to return to before”──that person said that to me.」

「I see. I don’t get it.」

「It’s muscle-building. I was able to return to before when I and my muscles quietly faced each other.」

「I see, as expected I don’t get it.」

「The muscles, are muscles as expected. Well trained muscles can solve most problem.」

「That’s right isn’t it, it’s protein isn’t it.」

Hajime with his dead eyes abandoned comprehension toward the manly woman-style of flesh remodeling technique. s.h.i.+zuku took his place and asked in further detail. The “how” didn’t matter anymore, instead she asked the “why” part.

「I got a lot of good memories experiencing being a “beauty”. The world looked bright, and there were a lot of benefit being one. But──」

「But?」

Fudou-san’s face became slightly troubled and she took a sip of the sweet coffee. She wet her throat and recalled the past with a distant gaze.

「There were a lot of things that I could see from that experience which were a part of the reason but, as I thought my biggest reason was……Okaa-san. You see, she looked a bit sad at that time.」

「……I dealt with the surrounding’s perception toward Fudou-san’s change to some degree but……you said that you’re going to explain by yourself to your family didn’t you?」

「Yes. I was somewhat carried away at that time. At first I didn’t notice, and Otou-san was plainly happy for me but……of course, Okaa-san also gave me her blessing when she saw how pretty I became you know? But, I noticed after a while.」

Fudou Akari took after her father. That similarity was to an amazing degree. To a degree that anyone would want to tsukkomi, Genetic, you worked too hard! Even so, the mother must have loved her daughter’s everything, including her appearance even knowing that her daughter felt worried for her appearance and physique.

She listened to her daughter who had became beautiful talking about her enjoyable days, even so there was a tinge of sadness deep inside her eyes.

Fudou Akari noticed that for the first time when her heart managed to calm down and she could finally see her surrounding.

And then, after noticing that……

「Certainly there’re a lot of advantages in being beautiful, but. I’m thinking that I’ll stay as myself and polish that actual self of mine. Because, I think for me that might be “the way I can come to like myself from the heart” in the right way.」

「……I see, you’re right.」

Seeing Fudou smiling peacefully made s.h.i.+zuku felt like the inside of her chest constricted for some reason. Perhaps that was because she was moved. s.h.i.+zuku was moved by Fudou Akari’s will and way of life that also looked beautiful.

That was why,

「You look really lovely right now, Fudou-san.」

She only said that short sentence. But, it was a praise that came from her heart. She replied back with those words with feeling of grat.i.tude to Fudou for showing her new self to her.

Fudou closed her eyes to digest those words carefully. A second later, she wore a pretty smile where the gloominess and self-abas.e.m.e.nt that she harbored in the past were nonexistent.

「Fufu, thank you. This is thanks to you accepting my feeling head on.」

She replied like that.

The two looked at each other calmly. Hajime-san inevitably felt out of place to be here like he was a nuisance. He filled in the time by drinking his canned coffee while worrying 「Is this where I should say that line? As I thought, should I say “Let’s leave the rest to the two youngsters” and get outtahere?」inside his heart.

Perhaps Fudou-san noticed that. She turned her gaze toward him with a slightly apologetic look.

「You too Nagumo, I had troubled you a lot. Let me apologize for that time once more. Please allow me to go apologize to that girl s.h.i.+rasaki-san too in the near future.」

Hajime smiled wryly in respond to that consideration and nodded.

「In that case, how about you go out to play together next time?」

「Eh? Play?」

「If your original goal of being able to like yourself is already achieved, then your ban of being friend with s.h.i.+zuku is also lifted up right? I think this is a good chance.」

「W-wait Hajime? What’re you saying?」

「Because you’re lonely right? You couldn’t really talk or go out together with her even though you two had exchanged phone number.」

「T-that’s……」

Fudou looked amazed by Hajime’s sudden revelation. Her gaze reflexively turned toward s.h.i.+zuku, where she found s.h.i.+zuku blus.h.i.+ng while her gaze was darting around everywhere except toward her.

Cute……that was Fudou’s honest thought. At the same time she understood.

「I see now. Nagumo too got done in by this side of Yaegas.h.i.+ aren’t you?」

「You really got me there, I guess. To be more accurate」

「Just what’re you two talking about!」

Fudou and Hajime were getting into some kind of understanding with each other while leaving her out of it. s.h.i.+zuku reddened even more in respond to that. Fudou laughed lightheartedly seeing such s.h.i.+zuku.

「Just call me Akari. I’ll also call you s.h.i.+zuku in return. It’s fine right?」

「! Yes, of course!」

s.h.i.+zuku leaped toward the large hand that Fudou offered from across the table and their hands joined. Regardless of the different hand size, the firmness of the two’s palms were really similar. As expected the two became even happier noticing that and their smiles deepened.

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After that Hajime and s.h.i.+zuku could be found in the university’s cafeteria.

They had finished lunch a long time ago and now they were relaxing while drinking after meal tea.

「Even so, that was a fulfilling morning. I can’t believe that it’s still 2 PM.」

「It’s really as you said. I already antic.i.p.ated s.h.i.+zuku and Fudou handshaking but……to think something like that would happen……」

The two looked at each other and smiled wryly together.

It was just as Hajime said, after s.h.i.+zuku and Fudou formed friends.h.i.+p, they had a kendo match against each other.

At first s.h.i.+zuku and Hajime only observed the practice meeting because it was a rare chance, but by doing that naturally the other club members who didn’t know well about the circ.u.mstance became greatly curious about why the two were there.

Then Fudou explained her relations.h.i.+p with them but, s.h.i.+zuku’s expertise in kendo came to light from that. Some among them even remembered about s.h.i.+zuku from magazines where she appeared during her middle and high school period.

From there the events naturally flowed to everyone wanting to see s.h.i.+zuku’s kendo.

s.h.i.+zuku resigned from doing kendo because she was concerned about her influence toward other people, so naturally she refused even there. But it was none other than Fudou who admonished s.h.i.+zuku for that stance.

「Your concern for other people is a virtue but, isn’t it fine to do kendo just to enjoy yourself? You don’t hate kendo after all, right?」

She said. Furthermore, it seemed from the start she had intended to cross swords with s.h.i.+zuku, so she had intentionally brought dougi and protectors in s.h.i.+zuku’s size beforehand.

Even s.h.i.+zuku got motivated after seeing Fudou going that far for her. It was even more so after Hajime gave her a restrain in the form of artifact that he claimed to be able to allow her 「You can get serious even if you can’t go full power with this」.

The result of the bout was……it went without saying.

It seemed that bout had become legendary for the two universities despite it being unofficial. For a while s.h.i.+zuku got surrounded by the club members regardless of which university they belonged to. Needless to say she got dragged into a fierce compet.i.tion to recruit her.

Although, that memory wasn’t what actually in the minds of Hajime and s.h.i.+zuku right now.

「I wonder if those two will be alright?」

「Who knows……it looks like they will serve as each other’s consultation partner for a while, but in the end it will depend on them themselves.」

「Well, you’re right.」

Something that could be called an incident in a sense without exaggeration occurred in the middle of s.h.i.+zuku and Fudou’s bout.

Unexpected visitor approached Hajime who was in the middle of watching.

It was Nemoto-kun who was giving up his holiday and holed himself inside the library to finish the paper that he failed to finish in time because of the unexpected endurance streaming he did.

Both Hajime and s.h.i.+zuku stood out, so their unexpected visit to the campus quickly spread out. The rumor reached Nemoto’s ear and he came to see them while also taking a break.

Then, he got hit by lightning. Of course, it was a metaphor.

「So human can fall in love at first sight exactly like in the cliché like that.」

「I didn’t see that moment but……fufu, he was really red.」

Yes, very shockingly,

When the bout ended and Fudou-san took off her head guard, that Nemoto-kun saw her satisfied smile. In that moment, his heart got smashed through by a pile bunker.

According to him,

「T-that’s a real Maris*-sama……」

Apparently it was like that.

He talked about a character in the fighting game that Hajime and his friends played excitedly not long ago. There was a charming female character who possessed both daintiness and kindness, in addition of wonderful beauty of the physique and fighting spirit.

Actually Nemoto-kun used the old gentleman with psycho power when he wanted to take pleasure in beating someone he couldn’t stomach, but his favorite character was that M*risa.

There was one reason for that. Because for him, brawny woman really hit his strike zone. Perhaps it was because he had small stature and a body const.i.tution that was hard to gain muscle. When he realized it, his heart was helplessly attracted toward woman who was big and strong despite being female, and yet possessing kindness too in addition──that became his taste.

「That guy, he should be fundamentally really shy with someone who he isn’t close with but……to think he can show guts like that.」

「True. You suddenly called me alone, then there was Nemoto-kun who was acting strange at your side, I was wondering what’s the matter, but while listening to the story, my heart went *kyun* just like when I read Sumire-sensei’s work.」

Before that Nemoto grabbed Hajime’s collar and desperately asked 「That girl!? Who in the world is that girl!?」. It went without saying that Hajime became dumbfounded and speechless and could only do as he asked.

He was so taken aback that he unconsciously sent help request using “Telepathy” to s.h.i.+zuku who was dragged into a recruitment compet.i.tion. Hajime too was shaken by his friend’s drastic transformation.

At the end s.h.i.+zuku too showed a reaction 「Oh myy!」like a mom while introducing the two to each other under the pretense of introducing each other’s friends.

Of course, the kendo club members who wanted to recruit s.h.i.+zuku also gathered around in droves.

Nemoto-kun was so nervous that he was shaking and couldn’t see the many club members around them. Fudou-san was looking down at him in puzzlement because of that while Hajime was putting in effort on his own way to introduce his friend “in a good light”. And then, s.h.i.+zuku also explained the situation in a roundabout way into Fudou’s ear.

Fudou-san didn’t understand what s.h.i.+zuku was saying and became like a s.p.a.ce cat for a short while. Then Nemoto-kun stomped down his gloomy character archetype and displayed his manliness.

It was a straightforward confession.

Even Hajime was super shocked! The club members were also super duper shocked! Only s.h.i.+zuku got really excited saying 「Attaboy Nemoto-kun! Nice guts you have there!」.

「Fudou-san was really cute~~ when she understood the situation.」

「Yeah. Even when we got the two of them to eat lunch together here because we might as well, the two were completely red the whole time. Somehow even us who were just watching got restless.」

The words young and innocent were really perfect to describe the two of them.

Fudou-san looked disbelieving at first, but Hajime talked to her about his episode with Nemoto and Yonekura, told her that Nemoto was a man who could be trusted, and most of all she saw the seriousness in Nemoto’s eyes and gradually believed him.

After that, it was her turn to fall into a mini panic next. Most likely, if the two were left alone then they would stay conscious of each other, however, the silence would keep on stretching forever until the lunch ended.

After all, both were late bloomer among late bloomers.

Hajime and s.h.i.+zuku also got desperate in the middle. The two of them sought common topic to talk about, exchanged jokes to bait them into laughing, and if there was opening they would attempt to make the two talked directly with each other.

They fought a fierce battle with the resolve that they would never let go of this chance where spring had abruptly arrived for their respective important friend.

「Well, it’s great that in the end it looked like it went well.」

「Yes, really. Fufu, it’s good that we changed our dating plan seeing that we could be useful as love cupid even if for a bit isn’t it?」

「Yeah.」

For the time being, they had succeeded in making the two exchanging contact address under the guise of being friends. From here on, it was unknown how those two would end up.

Not only there were height difference of more than 30 cm between the two, the two were top cla.s.s in their respective field in the real and electronic world. Whether a new couple would be born between the two or not, n.o.body knew. That was something that only G.o.d would know.

But, Hajime and s.h.i.+zuku wanted to support the two of them wholeheartedly.

「Igotta tell Yonekura about this later.」

「I’ll consult Kaori about this later.」

The two took a sip of their tea. They sighed and smiled together. They couldn’t help but greatly looking forward to the future of their friends.

「Well, putting that aside.」

「Yes, you’re right.」

Fudou was already going back together with her fellow kendo club members. Nemoto was of course sprinting back to the library to continue finis.h.i.+ng his paper.

They had no more business in the campus. One hour had already pa.s.sed since the lunch. And then,

「If I remember right, the venue should be open until 5 PM. I think we can still make it if we go now but……」

「Well, even if it’s no good we can just go around shopping right? There’ll be another chance.」

Their original plan for their date today──going to watch cosplay event, looking around at fas.h.i.+on-type shops, s.h.i.+zuku having her fill of the “cute” things she loved──could still work.

And yet, the two were still relaxing in a place like the campus’s cafeteria. Just why in the world?

「That fellow, is she loitering somewhere on the way here?」

「Considering the time when Ai-chan contacted us, it won’t be strange even if she arrived already though……」

Yes, that was because they were waiting (reluctantly) for someone.

That person was of course──

「Ah」

s.h.i.+zuku’s eyes widened when she looked behind Hajime. A queer atmosphere was slithering in!

「──Aku」

A high school girl was standing with swaying posture at the cafeteria’s entrance. Her twintail fluttered even though there wasn’t any wind.

「──Soku」

There was a wooden sword in the girl’s hand. It was pointed down languidly just like the formless stance that was the innermost essence of sword. The girl took a step forward while keeping such stance.

What’s that girl!? It was incomparable to the weekdays, even so there were still a considerable number of students inside the cafeteria who muttered so in surprise. Then right after that.

「──Satsu-」(TN: It should be “zan” here which mean slash, but the author replace it with “satsu” which mean slay)

It was a wonderful step in. In a form of bad manner, the girl stepped on a table to use as a stepping stone for performing an astounding leap. Despite exposing her pure white panty to everyone around, she used even the force of gravity to be her ally and launched a one-hit-kill attack!!

「CHESTOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!」

A straight cleaving struck toward the crown of the loathsome Hajime’s head from behind!

Anything like stopping the strike before it hit was unthinkable. Anyone witnessing the strike from the outside could see the girl was seriously attacking to kill! The attack was overflowing with drive and rage that clearly conveyed murderous intent to anybody watching. There wasn’t even anytime for anyone to shout a warning.

Everyone had pictured it in their mind. In the next moment, there would be the sight of the man’s head smashed onto the ground and went *splat* like tomato!

Of course,

「Finally you’re here. You’re slow, kouhai.」

Though the wooden sword was very easily stopped by two fingers catching its edge.

「Kuh, my Ryuu Tsui Sen that I had trained hard to obtain in order to defeat senpai is-」

「Since when you became Hitokiri *attousai?」

「As I thought I should learn to imitate Waterfowl Dance instead!」

「Eh? You think you can!? That’s the technique of Elden world’s strongest character you know!?」

「I’ll make the impossible possible if it’s to defeat senpai and rescue Onee-sama! That’s me!」

The two were heating up for some reason. With an atmosphere like the final battle between the hero and the demon king.

Though the place wasn’t the demon king castle but the campus’s cafeteria.

And so,

「Cut it out already!」

「ABAH!?」

The knuckle fist of s.h.i.+zuku-oneesama who had circled behind without anyone noticing fell on the head of the attacker──Hino Rin aka Kouhai-chan.

There was a painful sounding dull thud, at the same time Kouhai-chan fell flat on the floor. She looked like a stag beetle from how her twintail got splayed forward and her limbs rustling on the ground.

The frozen time of the cafeteria finally started moving from that. Noises spread out to every corner immediately.

Though there were also some who got fired up and blathered out things like, 「Yosshaa. This time finally came!」「It’s worth it praying everyday so that harem b.a.s.t.a.r.d fell into bloodbath and got stabbed! Thank you G.o.d!」「Or rather, that guy even laid his hand on high school girl huh! Brutish b.a.s.t.a.r.d-」「s.h.i.+t, so close! JK-chan, nice guts!」. (TN: JK=Jos.h.i.+ Kousei=female high school student)

Hajime’s face was twitching slightly from those voices, even so he confiscated the a.s.sa.s.sin weapon for the time being.

Right after that, Kouhai-chan sprang up like a gra.s.shopper and then hopped up and down *pyonpyon* also like a gra.s.shopper while her hands reached out.

「Give it back-, my Touyako!」

「No wonder it’s a nice wooden sword, did you go until Hokkaido to secure it?」

「I got dragged into one trouble or another!」

As expected from Kouhai-chan. It seemed that even going to Hokkaido wasn’t a simple trip for her.

The famous wooden sword that had the kanji of Touyako (Lake Toya) engraved on its handle was something that even Hajime slightly desired, so he was appreciating it with jealousy even while holding back the head of Kouhai-chan with one hand while she was trying to leap at him.

s.h.i.+zuku interposed herself between them with an exasperated face.

「Ai-chan-sensei had contacted us. Good grief, just what’re you doing? Or rather, I thought that you would arrive faster though……」

When they received the call Please secure her if you meet her over there!, they could just ignore it but, thinking back they hadn’t met Kouhai-chan for a while, so in the end they decided to wait for her.

「I’m sorry Onee-sama. I’m late because I got questioned by police three times, beat down a purse s.n.a.t.c.her, and escorted a lost kid to police box.」

「Aa~, hm, I see.」

s.h.i.+zuku couldn’t make any retort anymore. Even if when Kouhai-chan said that she almost got questioned three times meant that she shook off the polices until three times, even if she didn’t use the wording “catch” and worded it as “beat down” instead in regard to the purse s.n.a.t.c.her, by absolutely no meant she didn’t pursue those things any further just because she was tired.

「More importantly!」

Kouhai-chan gave up taking back Touyako and hugged s.h.i.+zuku-oneesama with all her strength. She casually buried her face into the valley of s.h.i.+zuku’s b.r.e.a.s.t.s and grinded her face there.

While she was at it, Suu-haa-suu-haa! Kaaah, I’m revivedddd, it’s finally the Onee-sama particle after so long-! It’s spreading through my five viscera and six internal organs yeahhh, she also didn’t forget to have her fill of her Onee-sama’s beloved scent.

While the surrounding people were going Eeeh? Shouldn’t a female quarrel break out at this kind of time? or Shouldn’t both girls screaming 「Who’s this woman?」at the man with condemnation there? in bewilderment, Kouhai-chan tossed a bomb.

With a very loud voice, as though she was trampling down on the concept of TPO (time, place, and occasion).

「What’s the meaning of this Onee-sama! I heard about your children making plan for next year!!」

「Heyyyyy!!」

Making children~, making childrennn~, making childrennnn~!!

Those words echoed strangely loudly. The cafeteria fell deathly silent. But it didn’t stop there.

「I won’t allow Onee-sama to have Nagumo-senpai’s child! If you’re going to have child then have my child!」

「What is this girl saying!?」

「If that’s no good then I’ll have Onee-sama’s child!!」

「This idiot! Be quiet already!!」

Kouhai-chan’s eyes that were s.h.i.+ning fierily like a beast was quiet seriously scary that s.h.i.+zuku-oneesama reflexively threw her away.

Kouhai-chan let out an indecent voice 「Aahn」 and collapsed on the floor while glaring angrily at Hajime for some reason.

「Even though I thought it would never happen while everyone is still student, even though I thought I still have time extension to take back Onee-sama! To plan to impregnate Onee-sama while you two are still attending college, this savage senpai! You’re spoiling the “Plan: Onee-sama’s fall into yuri” I’m cooking up like this!」

「No, that ain’t my business. What’s with that plan. Look there, s.h.i.+zuku is shaking from the chills of hearing your plan.」

「Kuuh, for Onee-sama to have her stomach swelling roundly while still being student, just imagining such Onee-sama……uu」

Just what was she imagining? *Sprtt* Crimson love spurted out from Kouhai-chan’s nose. Scary. s.h.i.+zuku-oneesama unconsciously backed away.

It seemed that she had somehow powered up while they hadn’t seen her for a while. Perhaps she had been acc.u.mulating various things because of being unable to meet with s.h.i.+zuku-oneesama daily.

The falling silent cafeteria burst into commotion after seeing the exchange that happened between Hajime and Kouhai-chan! The noises couldn’t be compared to before! What’s going on!? Just what’s going on!? People here and there were getting bewildered like that in chaos!

Of course they would. After all just when they thought that the unforgivable harem b.a.s.t.a.r.d would finally get the bloodbath that should be a long time coming for him, it actually wasn’t a fight over the man but a fight over one of the girls.

Or rather, the talk of a girl wanting to make a child with another girl like it was only natural was expediting the chaos even more.

「In the first place no child can be made from between two girls!」

A pointing out of fact like a teacher trying to reason with an elementary school student burst out from s.h.i.+zuku.

That’s right isn’t it?That’s right isn’t it? It’s not that actually one of the girls is a femboy right? Even if by chance they’re talking about a medical possibility, it’s still impossible right now isn’t it? Everyone in the surrounding nodded in agreement like that with s.h.i.+zuku’s statement.

But however, Kouhai-chan stood up and strongly made a declaration. One that was announced boldly and with air of conviction filling it.

「What are you saying! You can just grow out something like pen*s later on!!」

Is that true!? Isn’t the modern medical science too awesome if it can do that!? Everyone at the surrounding got shocked & bewildered.

「Isn’t that right!? If it’s with Nagumo-senpai’s power then something like pen*s is easypeasy!」

Is that true!? Isn’t Nagumo-senpai too amazing!? Everyone at the surrounding got shocked & bewildered.

「Well, I guess it’s possible to make someone into trans for the current me, but」

You’re lying right!? You can really do it!? Everyone thought. Their commonsense already broke down and their eyes started swirling around.

「Ain’t no way I’ll apply that to a dangerous character like you. s.h.i.+zuku will be in danger.」

「Then give the pen*s to Onee-sama! I’ll welcome it anytime!!」

「Ain’t no way I’ll do that.」

「Kuh, you really are going to impregnate Onee-sama at all costs huh! Now that it has come to this I can only chesto Nagumo-senpai’s pen*s to make you into a girl-」

「What terrifying way of thinking. Oi stop. Don’t stare at my crotch with bloodshot eyes like that.」

Kouhai-chan in her hopelessly out of control mode yelled her desire and ambition loudly in the chaotic cafeteria, accelerating the chaos.

And so, the Onee-sama finally snapped.

「Cut it out alreaaaaady-!!」

「GUUEAAAA!!?」

Using the Lake Toya that she stole from Hajime using the barehanded sword disarming technique, s.h.i.+zuku-oneesama landed a finis.h.i.+ng thrust on Kouhai-chan’s stomach like in a kendo match. Her technique was masterfulll-, perhaps because of the high-level kendo bout she had not long ago!

A voice that a girl shouldn’t make from her mouth came out from Kouhai-chan. She then fell on her knees while holding her stomach.

s.h.i.+zuku straightened herself smoothly from her thrusting stance before sharply pointing Lake Toya toward Kouhai-chan.

「A girl must not yell “pen*s, pen*s” repeatedly!」

Eh? That!? That kind of mood drifted in the air. There were also some people here and there looking like they were thinking She’s like a mom scolding her child……, or making tsukkomiNo, you’re also saying that word loudly there……

But, even though s.h.i.+zuku would normally notice and tremble in shame, it seemed that Kouhai-chan’s out of control actions and statements had slightly touched a nerve.

「Also, I’ll say at least this much.」

As though she had forgotten her surrounding, s.h.i.+zuku yelled toward Kouhai-chan who was looking up at her 「O-Onee-sama?」while dripping in greasy sweat and kneeling on the floor. Furthermore her yelling was really loud.

「No matter what anyone say, I’ll give birth to Hajime’s child! That’s what I’ve decided! If you have any complain then I’ll accept your challenge! Come at me anytime!」

Everyone at the surrounding thought, You’re so cool there, oi!

And, their gazes naturally gathered toward the one other related party Hajime.

「……」

They witnessed his figure pressing both his hands on his face to endure his embarra.s.sment. Are you a maiden huh, everyone made such tsukkomi inside their hearts.

「Uu, uuu」

Kouhai-chan stood up while her legs were trembling like a newly born fawn.

She still glared fiercely at Hajime even with her tear-stained face. Next she looked toward her Onee-sama with a pained look, then a second pa.s.sed. Seeing the depth of that resolve and determination, tears blurred out her eyes even more……

「Uwaaaaaaaaaaahn, stupid Onee-sama! Stupid Onee-sama! Should just give birth to a healthy baby and live happilyyyyy-, dammit allllll-!!」

She yelled out such parting threat (?) while running back home with a reckless dash.

「Troublesome fellow. She got too much energy.」

「I wonder why……somehow or another, it feels like she’ll still be near us somewhere no matter how many years pa.s.sed.」

Hajime and s.h.i.+zuku looked a bit tired, even so they didn’t hate Kouhai-chan regardless of everything.

She didn’t reject them, and right now she was someone who knew about the hidden side of Nagumo family. Certainly, they got a premonition that their a.s.sociation with each other would last for long.

「Well, putting that aside」

Hajime had secretly attached a transmission device on Kouhai-chan, so he sent the transmission from it to Aiko’s smartphone while running his gaze at the surrounding. He smiled wryly.

「We’re slightly standing out, so let’s go to our date already.」

「Eh? Ah……」

s.h.i.+zuku finally noticed the gazes from the surrounding and felt aghast when she recalled her words and action just now.

It was as though she got boiling water splashed all over her. She went bright red all over her body. Awawa, awawawah, her lips trembled and she pleaded at Hajime with teary eyes.

「Hajime! T-the Neuralyz*r-, quick! Flash them all! Flas.h.!.+」

「Ee~, sooner or later they’ll learn anyway so it’s pointless right?」

「My mind won’t last until that “sooner or later” come!」

「s.h.i.+zuku」

「What!? Quickly──」

「Erasing someone’s memory so casually like that is improper I believe.」

「Why do you become sensible in tis timinggg!!」

s.h.i.+zuku hid behind Hajime and pressed her body on him even though it was meaningless to do that. Even now she looked like she was going to cry while grabbing Hajime’s collar and shaking him back and forth.

Yep, cute……Hajime-san was satisfied, but as expected he didn’t use the memory alteration artifact Neuralyz*r New.

It wasn’t like he was being s.a.d.i.s.tic. He had sensed several people das.h.i.+ng out of the cafeteria a short while ago, and it seemed there were also some people who were spreading the event just now whether through friend or social media, so it would take effort to complete seal the information. He simply judged that there wasn’t much point even if he dealt with the present audiences.

Rather than wasting time for something like that, their remaining time to use for their date that kept decreasing right now was more important.

「Come on, for now let’s get away from here. It looks like people are gathering.」

「Uu, what kind of face I should make when going to campus next week……」

Some of the people around, a female group who most likely weren’t really close with s.h.i.+zuku but still acquainted with her were recovering from their bewilderment and showing curiosity. They looked like they were going to break out into a run toward s.h.i.+zuku anytime soon.

And so Hajime decided to retreat for the time being and started to move but……*Tuturuuu♪* a ringtone sound rang out at that timing.

It was Hajime’s smartphone. He took it out and checked the screen. Hajime’s expression instantly twisted unpleasantly.

And then, even though he was showing a pondering look for a bit,

「Yosh, let’s go.」

He cut off the call and put away the phone.

「No no, how about stopping for a bit.」

Hajime tried to leave like nothing had happened, but s.h.i.+zuku pulled him back with a wry smile.

「It was Hattori-san just now right? It’s you we’re talking about, so you must have told him about the times when you don’t want to be contacted. And yet he still called, doesn’t that mean it’s an emergency?」

「That possibility might not be not completely not non-existent.」

「So the possibility is big isn’t it?」

Hajime averted his gaze.

s.h.i.+zuku looked at such Hajime as though she was seeing a troublesome person, and yet a smile that was radiating happiness because he was prioritizing his date with her formed on her lips.

「Come on, call him back.」

「Haa, got it. I’ll check just in case. It’s just checking okay?」

He took out his smartphone once more and called Hattori. Relief could be felt from the other side of the call.

The Hajime listened. But the more he listened, the clearer it became that a situation truly troublesome had occurred. It was a case where it would be better for Hajime to show up, not only as simple fighting force, but also for political reason.

Hajime’s expression was surly from start to end while listening to the story. Mood of not wanting to go was radiating from his whole body. He kept sending glances at s.h.i.+zuku beside him, so the state of his heart went without saying.

s.h.i.+zuku let out a chuckle seeing Hajime’s expression like that.

「Go help him out, Hajime.」

「But, you’re looking forward to our date today right?」

「If it’s the date then we can just do it again another time. No, as long as we’re together then it’s a date no matter where and what are we doing right?」

「You mean battlefield date? Something like that is a world of difference from “all sorts of cute things” date you know?」

「It’s fine. Because I’m the wife of you who’re relied on and feared by the country──」

The “Lake Toya” wooden sword that she still didn’t know what to do with was there at the right time so she casually rested it on her shoulder while tapping her shoulder *ton ton* with it.

「And a “fighting woman” who loves you who are like this.」

In the past inside the ice and snow cavern, s.h.i.+zuku affirmed that she was a “woman who fought for someone else’s sake” rather than an “ideal cute woman”. Hajime accepted s.h.i.+zuku’s feeling exactly because she was someone like that.

「The me in the battlefield is also enchanting right?」

「……Yeah, I got nothing to complain.」

s.h.i.+zuku smiled sweetly. In respond Hajime lightly raised his hands in surrender. They heard a sooty voice 『Oou, what a pa.s.sionate flirting that is played in front of me who is in a fight with my wife and got kicked out of the house……』 from the other side of the phone, but something like that was only ignored.

「Can’t be helped. Will you accompany me?」

「Yes, anywhere.」

The two stared at each other and kissed lightly while pressing their bodies close together. The female group that was approaching their way automatically stopped their feet seeing such sweet atmosphere.

Taking advantage of that opening, Hajime and s.h.i.+zuku escaped from the cafeteria that was still in chaos.

The bloodshed that came from the a.s.sault of a high school girl armed with a wooden sword, and the proclamation of bearing children while still in school yelled in the middle of the cafeteria, and then the two’s intimate atmosphere.

It went without saying that these topics would greatly shake the university for a while after this. Of course, the sparks would also catch Yue and others.

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Around the time it was late at night.

「In the end it was work for the whole day. Cursed those politicians, so troublesome」

「Don’t say that. Somehow the situation settled down to a level where all the countries could compromise on, so it’s fine isn’t it?」

Hajime and s.h.i.+zuku’s figures could be seen on the street that was still bright even late at night instead of at home.

「And, where are we going?」

s.h.i.+zuku asked while slightly blus.h.i.+ng and fidgeting.

From the start they planned to stay outside today. This day’s date had the objective of “enjoying all sorts of cute things” so, the plan for the end was frolicking with the fairies in the “Miniature Garden” before staying overnight in Hajime’s room that was created inside the Treasure Tree.

We aren’t going to your room? s.h.i.+zuku questioned with her eyes. Hajime’s face naturally loosened seeing her.

「It’s only a little past midnight. I’m thinking that I want you to at least enjoy one “cute” thing instead of just meeting the fairies. Actually, Moe-san──Mochizuki-san contacted me.」

「Mochizuki-san? ……If I’m not wrong, she was Okaa-san’s a.s.sistant wasn’t she?」

「Yeah. The diehard maid lover who won’t take off her maid uniform even in Kaa-san’s studio. Actually that person is running a maid café.」

She set up her own shop when she was still twenty and put it properly on the right track in several years. She was a capable maid. Of course, she was also excellent as an a.s.sistant of Great Sensei Sumire.

Hajime had known her ever since she joined Sumire Studio as part-time work while still in high school, so her acquaintance with Hajime too had already gone for longer than ten years.

By the way, a certain rabbit-eared maid senpai who was an American football skill user was working in one of the cafés that Moe-san was running.

「Maid, café?」

s.h.i.+zuku repeated Hajime’s words and became taken aback. Her eyes widened like saucer and she looked at Hajime.

「You said that you want to see cosplayers dressed in cute outfits live, but actually you’re also a bit interested in wearing one yourself right?」

Hajime said that with a grin.

He hit the bull’s eye. It was a fact that s.h.i.+zuku had a longing toward cutely dressed cosplayers, but for herself to be dressed cutely like that……she felt timid to do that which was also a fact. And most of all, it was embarra.s.sing and she couldn’t bring herself to show herself in front of others if she was dressed like that. That was why, she came to a compromise with herself that it would be enough just to watch the cute cosplayers. But,

「I got the permission to use the café after it’s closed. She told me that it’s fine to wear the spare maid uniforms as you please.」

「B-but……」

「The maid uniforms here, they’ve a lot of frills you know?」

「!」

「They’ve the orthodox type, and the mini skirt type too, and even optional extras too if you want. And you can try them out as you please.」

「!!?」

「In addition, there’s no other customer except me.」

「……」

They were standing in front of a certain building when she came to her senses. Shop names were lined out on a s.h.i.+ny billboard. One of the name was s.h.i.+nily showing the maid café that was their destination at the third floor.

「You want to try wearing cute maid uniform righttt~?」

「Uu……」

It sounded like a demonic temptation. s.h.i.+zuku was fidgeting while looking alternately at the billboard and Hajime. She was blus.h.i.+ng and restless. She was obviously attracted.

And so, the finis.h.i.+ng blow.

「By the way, I really want to see.」

「Uuh…………let’s go」

It was the moment interest and desire triumphed over embarra.s.sment.

They took the plunge, into the dark closed café.

After that.

She wore the orthodox maid uniform that she had wanted to try to wear at least once and twirled while making the frills fluttered. Hajime showered her with unending praises as she did that. She got embarra.s.sed while also putting on a very satisfied expression and fidgeting.

She also tried saying the standard line 「Welcome back, Goshujin-sama」 with bashfulness and a curtsy.

Perhaps her mood was elevated by the environment where there were only the two of them. She changed to a maid uniform that boldly exposed her shoulders, her chest, and even her thigh, then she tried making a slightly s.e.xy pose just as Hajime told her to.

At the end many of her restrains were loosened up, or rather perhaps because of Hajime being too excessive in his praising that s.h.i.+zuku tried wearing things like rabbit ears or cat ears while crying nyan nyan or shaking those accessories cutely.

It went without saying that tons of flashes could be seen from the window of the maid café that should have closed shop this late at night.

Like that,

「Actually, s.h.i.+zuku」

「Y-yees, what is it?」

「I also got the permission from Moe-san to stay at the resting room at the back.」

「!」

Because Moe-san was doing her a.s.sistant work and maid café management work side by side, in the past she created work desk and bed inside her café where she sometimes wouldn’t go home for days.

I’ve tidied it up properly yeah☆, Moe-san said as she went out of her way to offer her personal lodging. Hajime gave a heartfelt reply in respond, As expected from Moe-neesan, I got nothing but respect for ya. I owe you one. The exchange happened across phones, but it could easily be imagined how they winked & thumb up during that talk.

Because of that, the two whose date got ruined because of this and that,

That day, they enjoyed (deep meaning) acting out the master and the maid to their heart’s content inside the café at night.

The next day, the maids who didn’t know anything reported for work and saw the resting room had been tidied up cleanly. However, their maiden instinct sensed something and they got excited discussing who and who could have possibly done it there!?

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AN: Thank you very much for reading this every time.

Thank you very much too for the thoughts, opinions, and reports about misspelling and omitted words.

Fudou Akari-chan was a character that appeared in “After II’s s.h.i.+zuku arc”, while Mochizuki Moe-san was from “After III’s [Although Formerly, I’m a Princess You Know?]”.

※Material introduction

– Most things can be solved if there is the violence from thoroughly trained muscles

From [The Faraway Paladin]. A work with plenty of witty remarks I love. I especially like this line among them all.

– Marisa

A character that came out in [Street Fighter 6]. I like her the most among the female characters. When I started playing SF6 at first, her ease of use was a really great help.

– Aku Soku Zan

From Saitou Hajime of [Rurouni Kens.h.i.+n].

– Ryuu Tsui Sen

From [Rurouni Kens.h.i.+n].A technique of Hiten Mitsurugi-style.

– Waterfowl Dance

A technique of the strongest boss of [Elden Ring] “Malenia”. I can’t forgive it even now.

– Touyako

s.h.i.+rakome knew that the wooden sword actually existed in [Gintama].