#########-Yuuki-#########
Yukitoshi [So? Why saving the demon race woman if you weren't going to do anything with her?]
Yeah, that part is hard to properly explain without talking about memories from the future...
Yuuki [If I had to explain it in a way... It was better if she didn't die there...]
Yukitoshi [Is that so?]
Yuuki [Yeah, said in another way, she could die before or after her encounter with the hero party and it would be fine... But if she dies fighting them it would get ugly]
If she die there, it will immediately trigger the demon invasion with an insider's support.
Yukitoshi [Then we could have gone and killed her ourselves]
Yuuki [...In theory, yes... It wouldn't feel right though]
If killing someone solves something, it will become the most effective way of problem solving from now on... Being honest, I don't like that.
Hajime already is a killing machine, I have nothing against that, but that doesn't mean I want to become the same.
Just letting her die and interfer with the aftermath didn't feel right either.
Allowing her to go alive may cause trouble later, if that's the case the I'll just face it.
Yukitoshi [So? Where are you going now?]
Yuuki [I have to meet someone no matter what]
Yukitoshi [I'll guess we'll be clearing the labyrinth after that]
Yuuki [Yes]
I looked back a him and tried as hard as I could to put on a serious face.
Yuuki [Shimizu-kun, are you planning to go after Nagumo Hajime?]
Yukitoshi [...That's a very retarded question... Although you are indeed a retard...]
Yuuki [Don't... Just follow me for now]
Yukitoshi [...Are you ordering me around?]
His voice was cold.
I reached for him with my hand and slowly pushed him.
There was no resistance, his body moved until I pressed him against a wall.
Yukitoshi [*Tch*]
He was cleary more angry than he let see.
If he could push me back, he would.
I he COULD, that is...
Yuuki [Do you have an Idea of what happened?]
Yukitoshi [...None, when I noticed, my nose was bleeding and my body felt heavy]
When I tried analysing his body tracing the flow of mana, I noticed it was not only his nose, his nervous system and magic circuit had traces of a strange reaction.
It was like it had been about to burn.
Yuuki [I see... If you try doing something dangerous right now, you'll die]
It won't leave life long negative consequences even without extensive care, at least not that I know of, after resting for a bit it will "cool down" and he'll be back to normal.
The problem is, why did this happen?
Did he do something that strained his body to the point of almost breaking him?
It didn't seem so.
Even if Shimizu-kun is good at magic, he has no way to go past his limit that I know of.
Shimizu-kun didn't say anything more and just followed behind me, he was still staggering a bit.
Yuuki ["
To avoid unnecessary exposure I immediately search for that specific person.
Yuuki [Please search for Amanogawa Kouki...]
For a moment, Tsuki-chan closed his eyes tightly before relaxing and opening them again.
A trail of mana appears for me to follow, multiple presences mixed after days of walking on the same streets, one in specific remarkably brighter than the others.
Yukitoshi [Amanogawa? Why the dumb half-assed hero and not the hot female demon woman?]
It's not like I'm choosing based on taste or looks though?
After a short walk we reached a place with little to no people around.
In a bridge that conected one block of the town with the other there was a figure leaning on the parapet.
After walking towards him, I stood a good few meters away, unless he's very distracted, he should already know someone was close by.
Yuuki [Hello]
I left it simple with a greeting.
There was no reaction for a few seconds before standing straight and looking at me.
Kouki [Hello]
Yuuki [It's me... I guess you remember, right? We had a bit of a fight in the labyrinth just now...]
Kouki [Yeah, I remember... Sorry for hitting you like that]
Yuuki [Eh? Ah... Yeah, don't worry, I think I'm good at getting hit]
Kouki's eyes moved from me to Yukitoshi.
Kouki [Do you also...?]
Yukitoshi [He doesn't... it's a bit complicated...]
I haven't explained the situation to Shimizu-kun so it was a bit hard to say out loud.
Kouki [I see... Can I ask you something first?]
Yuuki [Y-yeah, about what?]
Kouki [Shimizu Yukitoshi's body, what did you do with it?]
Ah... This is one I'll have to explain right away, luckily it won't be hard.
Yukitoshi [*Chuckle*]
Shimizu-kun tried to hold back his laugh but it ended up coming out, he probably noticed there was no need to not laugh.
After he calmed down, he turned to Kouki's confused face.
Yukitoshi [It's been a while Amanogawa, you look as pathetically good looking as I remember]
Kouki looket at him with even more confusion.
Kouki [...Shimizu Yukitoshi? Shimizu-kun? You're alive?]
Yukitoshi just walked following the bridge to the other side.
Yukitoshi [I'm not interested in your talk... I'll be sitting... In that bench over there]
He didn't even look back.
Kouki and I looked at each other again.
Yuuki [...First of all, Amanogawa Kouki-kun, I'll ask again... Do you remember what's going to happen?]
Kouki [...Yeah... I remember... I know what's going to happen to me, to the people close to me and to this world]
I couldn't help making a fist in a victory pose.
It was not a mistake nor a coincidence, Amanogawa Kouki had the same memories of the future I have.
Kouki [What about you, do you also know what's going to happen?]
Yuuki [Yes! From the moment you were all summoned to this world, I've seen it inside my head for years!]
I couldn't hold back my emotion, Kouki had an awkward smile on his face.
Kouki [I-I see, that's great... Right?]
Yuuki [How did you remember? Some kind of magic? Maybe someone gave you those memories? What do you remember? Is it everything or just a few things?]
Kouki [Wait, calm down, you're going too fast and too close]
Before I noticed I had shortened the distance past what some would refer to as personal space, Kouki was already a few steps back as he stopped me by the shoulders without putting really much strength.
Yuuki [Ah... S-sorry...]
I retreat two steps.
Kouki [You don't know the reason either, do you?]
There was a hint of disappointment in his voice.
Yuuki [Sorry... I don't, by the time I noticed, the memories were already there...]
Kouki [N-no, it's fine, knowing that there's someone else in the same place is more than enough]
Kouki immediately tried to confort me, still, I'm sure he expected more than finding someone like him, I know because I was thinking the same.
Kouki turns around and looks at Shimizu-kun.
Kouki [Did you... Save him because of those memories?]
I looked at Shimizu-kun too, he was walking around in circles, what is he doing? When he was done with whatever he was doing he sat on the bench like he said he would.
Yuuki [Yeah... I know it's a bit hard to understand knowing the context but... Well, it's also hard to explain]
Kouki [Is that so?]
Yuuki [Also, saying I "saved him" wouldn't be completely correct, I stopped him from dying, I don't think that will be enough to actually save him]
At this rate he'll just die the same way he was supposed to but at a later date...
Kouki [Not saved him yet... I think I understand... Or maybe not...]
I guess it is actually hard to put into words.
Yuuki [...Kouki-kun, can I ask you something?]
Kouki [Hm? What is it?]
Yuuki [The reason you wanted to kill Cattleya-san so bad was because of the memories?]
He stood surprised by the question for a second, then his eyes looked away as if embarrassed.
Kouki [...Yeah... I thought that if I did the right thing this time then everything would become better... I didn't go as I planned though...]
Yuuki [I see... Sorry for getting in the way...]
Kouki looket at me directly in the eyes.
Kouki [No, even without you there... Even if I had done it, it would probably gotten worse...]
That's not hard to imagine, the Kouki in the labyrinth was kinda scary.
Kouki [Thank you for stopping me... If you hadn't, I don't know what I would become]
...What a strange feeling...
Kouki felt like he had to do what he failed to do in the past, that's why he wanted to kill Cattleya-san...
But then we appeared and stopped him...
Still, he's not angry but thankful.
Yuuki [...Ehe... Ehehehehe~]
Kouki [A-are you okay?]
I can't stop laughing, I can clearly hear my own laugh and I'm sure I look very dumb right now.
I can't help it though...
I didn't think he would thank me like this.
Yuuki [It's fine~... I just wasn't prepared for that~]
Kouki [I-I see... Right, your name, I haven't heard it yet]
Right, I totally forgot.
Yuuki [My name is Yuuki, it's a pleasure to meet you]
Kouki [Yuuki-kun... You already know but my name Is Amanogawa Kouki, a pleasure to meet you too]
It was at this moment that I finally had the chance to ask what I almost blurted out without even thinking in the labyrinth.
Yuuki [Kouki-kun, can I ask you something?]
Kouki [Hm? Yeah, I don't mind]
Yuuki [...Do you want to come with us?]
#########-Shizuku-#########
I unsheathed my sword and pointed it at the man in the black cloak.
Black cloak [I wonder... If I make you cry... Maybe I'll be in a better mood...]
He was staggering, he didn't look like he was in condition to fight.
Still, my heart was beating uncontrollably...
My hands were trembling...
I retreated one step before I myself noticed...
My head was screaming...
'He's dangerous'
'You shouldn't fight him'
'Turn around'
'Run'
'Run away'
'Run away' 'Run away'
'Run away' 'Run away' 'Run away' 'Run away'
Again and again inside my head...
Black cloak [...What's wrong? Are you actually getting scared?]
When I looked again, I saw his eyes, shadowed by his hood, looking directly at me.
I knew immediately that his words weren't taunting or mocking.
His eyes were looking at me with pity, as if I was a disappointment.
Black cloak [...Seems I won't be able to have any fun with you...]
He closed his eyes and opened them again.
Empty.
Uninterested.
Completely apathetic black eyes.
He turned around and walked to where Kouki and the guy in the blue cloak were.
Shizuku [W-wait! What are you planning to do with Kouki!?]
I somehow was able to scream.
The man half turned back at me, still without interest.
Black cloak [...What do you care?]
Shizuku [He's my friend! There's no way I wouldn't care!]
My voice became more firm.
He finally turned around.
His eyes still empty, but at least, now he was actually looking at me.
Black cloak [...I wonder if your friendship is worth anything...]
He moved forward, I reaffirmed the grip in my sword.
When his foot finally touched the street, one single step closer to me-
-!!
I jumped back.
A blade made of the same rock of the street had appeared from under my feet.
Black cloak [...]
A second step came.
A second sword, this time from my side.
I was able to block it with my sword but a third and fourth sword came.
Every step was an attack.
How was he doing it?
I don't hear any casting and I can't see any magic circle.
My survival instinct was screaming again but I ignored it.
I wasn't going to run away.
I moved, not to gain distance but to shorten it.
Before he walked another step I reach him and swing my sword.
*Slide*
The sound of his foot scratching the ground in a back step.
A wall of rock appeared, standing between the man and my sword.
The move was not desperate but premeditated.
I moved, rolled on the ground.
From the wall, almost ten blades had sprouted as effortlessly and swiftly as if it was running water.
Black cloak [What's wrong?]
The wall fell apart like sand, the man was still standing there.
Black cloak [Is that the best your friendship can do?]
*Slice*
...Eh?
There was a burning sensation on my side.
My left arm was gone.
A blade of rock I hadn't seen coming had easily sliced it from the shoulder.
-!!
I jumped back... No... I almost ran away...
'It hurts'
My head screamed.
'It hurts' 'It hurts' 'It hurts' 'It hurts'
I was able to somehow hold back my voice.
Black cloak [...Did you know?]
He talked casually as I tried to stop the bleeding while still holding my sword.
Black cloak [Vitality is the stat that dictates how long can you stay conscious while losing blood... Of course, that also means the same for dying of blood loss]
He kept talking without a hint of interest.
Black cloak [You aren't a vit build, are you? I wonder how long can you last...]
*Slice*
Again, before I could react, my body was hit by a blade of rock.
My right leg was gone.
'It hurts' 'It hurts' 'It hurts' 'It hurts' 'It hurts' 'It hurts' 'It hurts' 'It hurts' 'It hurts' 'It hurts' 'It hurts' 'It hurts' 'It hurts' 'It hurts' 'It hurts'
My head screamed in pain and fear.
My body was feeling cold and empty.
I instinctively keep trying to get up or support myself but my body still can't understand that one arm and one leg are missing.
Why is it this cold?
My brain creams for help.
It understands that I can't protect myself in anyway anymore.
I look at the bridge.
I almost screamed.
'Kouki!'
...
...But Kouki wasn't there...
...Did he left?
That's weird, did he not heard the noise?
That can't be... If so, why didn't he help me?
Did he just left before I got wounded?
That still doesn't make sense...
...Did he just left me behind?
...
Shizuku [...What do you mean "love me"?]
My mouth moved almost on its own.
Shizuku [...If you wanted me to love you... Then why do you keep leaving me like this...?]
My sight was becoming blurry.
The hand I had left, the only way I had to try to stop the bleeding, relaxed and allowed gravity to guide it following it's natural position.
In my head, inside all the pain fear and sadness...
One simple question...
First, it was barely a whisper...
But it repeated itself, louder and louder...
...Why is the sky so dark?
It's weird, when I turned the corner, the sun was still up...
It wasn't exactly noon but there was at least a full hour of daylight left...
But... It's been at most ten minutes since I turned that corner...
... Something is not right...
The man in the Black cloak walked towards me but this time, every step added to a single sword made of rock, easily three, maybe four times bigger that the others he had made.
If that thing hits me, it won't cut me, it will pulverize my body completely.
With a last step, the floating sword came at me.
I closed my eyes...
...
...Nothing happened...
No impact, no pain, no cold...
First I fixed my breathing.
Don't drown on your own.
Next I fixed my posture.
I put BOTH my knees firmly on the ground to make sure I won't lose the image of where I was standing.
Lastly, I grabbed the scabbard with my LEFT hand and sheathed my sword with the right.
I didn't open my eyes... What I see will be a lie...
I waited...
I could feel it, not by sight or sound but something different.
I tightened the grip on my sword.
-!!
And unsheathed.
*Slice*
When I opened my eyes...
Shizuku [...Eh?]
I couldn't hold my surprise.
The single attack in which I had poured my everything had reached him.
The sky was bright again.
My left arm was back.
My right leg was back.
Still, the "Reality" I had in front of me was way more than I was expecting.
Shizuku [...Shimizu-kun...?]
The single attack had hit the hood and pushed it back, revealing the face of the man in the black cloak.
It was my classmate Shimizu Yukitoshi.
What is even going on?
I noticed that the grip on my sword felt strange.
When I looked, the blade was missing.
This wasn't an illusion, it was reality.
Less than one of my fingers in length was all the was left of the blade.
I could hear a metallic sound hitting the ground far behind me.
I didn't have to turn back to know what it was.
Yukitoshi [I wouldn't say you did better than the vampire... But at least you did better than I expected from you]
Yukitoshi sheathed his black sword.
Yukitoshi [Still... Looks like your friendship was not enough...]
I only got a glimpse of the blade... For some reason... It made me shiver...
Kouki [Shizuku!?]
When I looked past Shimizu-kun, I could see Kouki heading towards us.
Shimizu [Seems they're done, that means I'm also done with you]
Shimizu-kun flipped a pebble like a coin.
The pebble landed right on my forehead.
At that moment, my eyes became heavy.
#########-Kouki-#########
Shizuku slowly closed her eyes and her body lost its strength.
She fell to the side but I was able to grab her before she hit the ground.
Kouki [Shimizu-kun! What did you-!?]
Yukitoshi [She's just sleeping...]
I then noticed the soft breathing sound leaning against my chest.
Yukitoshi [Are you done with your talk?]
Yuuki [Yeah... Kouki-kun will be coming with us]
Yukitoshi [Great... Now let's get going to the labyrinth, I want to get that magic as soon as possible]
I lifted Shizuku's body in my arms.
Kouki [...I can't just leave her like this...]
Yuuki [...Do you want her to come with us?]
Kouki [No... That can't happen]
Yuuki [Then...?]
Kouki [I just don't want to leave her alone like this]
Yukitoshi pulled a pebble from his pocket and flipped it back.
The pebble burned and flew to the sky.
*Boom*
That was definitely a firework.
Yukitoshi [This is an Earth thing, the people of this world aren't randomly throwing fireworks around]
I see, that makes sense.
I put Shizuku on the bench.
Yukitoshi [If you're coming then we have to move, anyone from the class could be on their way]
Kouki [Yeah, let's hurry...]
I gave a last look at Shizuku peacefully sleeping.
Kouki [...I'm sorry...]
I turned to where Yuuki-kun and Shimizu-kun were walking and followed them.
#########-Shizuku-#########
Hajime [...I messed up...]
Nagumo-kun had a complicated expression in his face.
We were at the inn, they had found me sleeping and immediately brought me here.
There was no doubt even before I woke up.
'Something had happened'
To their surprise, there were no wounds or anything to worry with my body.
"Don't worry Shizuku-chan! I made sure to check everything was alright with your body!" said Kaori with a confident smile after I had woken up.
I wasn't wearing the same clothes that I had before losing consciousness.
I decided no to ask though... It was better like that.
Aiko [The same person that took Shimizu-kun away...]
To my surprise, Aiko-senei was there, it wasn't a happy reunion though.
The guy with the blue cloak had taken Kouki With him...
That's all I needed to say when Nagumo-kun, who had been the one that had found me, asked what happened.
Apparently, the whole area leading to the bridge had traces of an improvised magic circle.
Apparently, the moment I stood in fron of that bench I was right in the middle if that magic circle.
That explains why suddenly everything became weird.
...I also became weird...
Hajime [The demon race and the blue cloak... They were openly after the heroes... I didn't think they would get Amanogawa that easily...]
Nagumo-kun's words had a mix of regret and frustration.
He apparently had met the blue cloak before the time in the labyrinth, I guess he would feel like he was careless.
Kaori [What is Kouki thinking!?]
Kaori on the other side was angry.
Kaori [Leaving Shizuku-chan just like that, what if something happened to her!?]
I have the feeling Kaori is not really understanding the situation as a whole.
Hajime [...Shirasaki-san, at this rate, their next target is almost definitely you]
Nagumo-kun's words hit with the possibility I fear the most.
Shimizu-kun and Kouki...
For whatever reason, the guy in the blue cloak is recruiting heroes.
The method he's using is unknown.
If the people he's recruiting need to have anything special, then Kaori will definitely be a target too.
Kaori [Shizuku-chan, do you want to rest until tomorrow before we leave?]
When I heard her words I remembered what we were talking about just before everything happened.
...
...I looked at Kaori.
Shizuku [...I'm sorry Kaori, but I'll stay]
Kaori [...Eh?]
Shizuku [...Kouki is not here anymore, who knows when he'll return...]
I think about the situation carefully, not only me but everyone else.
Shizuku [...We don't have a leader anymore]
Kaori [...Ah...]
Seems that Kaori finally noticed.
Shizuku [As... Imperfect as Kouki is, he's the pillar that kept the class together...]
Even if the promise to help the kingdom is a promise that Kouki made, it's still a promise we egreed on...
Shizuku [Kaori, don't worry about me, I'll be fine-]
Kaori [Why!!?]
I got surprised by Kaori's scream.
Kaori [Why do Shizuku-chan has to take responsibility for Kouki-kun's mistakes!?]
...Her question, I can't really answer it...
After a moment, Kaori's face relaxed, changing from anger to sadness.
Kaori [...Sorry Shizuku-chan... I get it, Shizuku-chan wouldn't leave everyone elsewhen they're in trouble...]
She gently slapped her cheeks and her expression changed to a smile.
She was not faking it, it was a honest smile.
Kaori [I understand, Shizuku-chan will take care of the class and the kingdom, Nagumo-kun and I will find the way home]
And with that, it was decided, Kaori will go and I'll stay.
Shizuku [Nagumo-kun, can I leave Kouki to you?]
I already confirmed that I have not enough strength to bring Kouki back.
The best I can do right now is depend on Nagumo-kun.
Hajime [Yeah, don't worry, I'll bring him even if I have to beat him to a pulp]
Please don't... Maybe just a bit...
Hajime [Also...]
Nagumo-kun looked at the table on the room.
My sword, the handle and the cleanly cut blade, it was like a mirror of myself right now.
Hajime [I think I have something you can use]
Nagumo-kun turned around, there was a light and then turned back to me again.
In his hands there was a long, slender, slightly curved black object.
He passed it to me.
I grabbed one end with my right hand and instinctively pulled.
*Click*
*---__________________----*
A metallic, high-pitched sound that was strangely familiar.
Although dark, my eyes were reflected in the metallic surface.
This wasn't like the sword that the kingdom had given me, this was close enough to the real deal that there was simply no comparation.
Shizuku [Nagumo-kun... Did you make this?]
Hajime [Yeah... Admittedly, I made it for fun, still, I don't think it'll lose to the holy sword... Although I made it so I could use it, you may have a hard time getting the hang of it but... Well, do your best]
Kaori left the room waving her hand with a smile and Nagumo-kun was following when-
Hajime [...Right... Yaegashi, if you're going to be in charge... Be careful with Hiyama...]
After saying that he left the room closing the door.
Hiyama-kun... I see, so that's what happened...
I should be careful of what I'll do, after all, I don't know if it was an accident.
The possibility of not being one is high.
Aiko [Yaegashi-san, aren't you worried about Kouki-kun?]
Aiko-senei had a hard to read expression.
I tried to sound relaxed.
Shizuku [Not at all, that idiot went on his own, if he suffers a bit then that's better]
Aiko-senei's face was not surprised but what came next.
Aiko [B-but-! That boy in the blue cloak took Shimizu-kun's body! What if he doesn't need Kouki-kun alive? What if he needs him dead!?]
...Wait a moment, something is not right...
Shizuku [Aiko-senei, what are you talking about? Shimizu-kun is alive]
Aiko [Yaegashi-san, what are you talking about? Shimizu-kun... He's dead... Nagumo-kun had to do it... It was my fault...]
Shizuku [No, I mean, weren't you hearing our conversation? The guy in blue and the one in black, Shimizu-kun WAS the one in black, I know, I saw his face clearly, he was the one I fought]
Aiko-senei processed my words...
Aiko [...Eh...?]
Then her head stopped working.
Aiko [...Eeeeeeeeh!?]