Chapter 3: The Separation and Dismantling of the Worlds - World Purge
âIchikaâŠ?â
The sound of the baseball club activities could be heard from afar in this classroom as the sunset shone in, and Ichika and I were the only ones in here.
âWhat is it, Rin?â
âEh, what is it I want to say?
âWellâŠâ
I get the feeling Iâm forgetting something here.
But I just canât recall for some reason.
âAnyway, itâs rare for the two of us to be together.â
âAh, yesâŠâ
The location is the classroom at sunset, Rin dressed in a sailor uniform, and Ichika in school uniform.
(Even with tw-two of us alone like this, as expectedâŠitâs really nerve-wreckingâŠ)
Just like they were in a relationship.
âIn a relationship?
Right.
âWith who?
My most beloved Ichika!
(Ye-yeah, thatâs right. Why did I forget such an obvious thingâŠ?)
I laugh awkwardly and sit at my place.
My heartâs beating wildlyâŠ
My heartâs beatingâŠ
(I-I thinkâŠmy heartâs starting to hurt after all.)
âRin.â
âWh-what is it?â
Even my voiceâs a little off-pitchedâŠuu, I really embarrassed myself.
âCan I sit beside you?â
âAh, yes.â
I subconsciously nod twice.
Ichika smiles as he sits beside me.
ââŠâ
ââŠâ
Thereâs silence.
But my heart doesnât feel that way inside.
(U, uwa, uwaa, what do I doâŠou-our bodies are sticking together.)
I could feel Ichikaâs body warmth reach me as our bodies stick to each other.
Right now, Iâm so tense that I can hear my own heartbeat if I listen carefully.
âRin.â
âWh-what?â
Ichika whispers at my ears.
He let out a gentle breath that grazed my ear, causing my heart to beat wildly again.
âDo you want me to go to your house today?â
âEhâŠâ
I recall the conversation we had 3 days ago.
âMy parents are going overseas tomorrow, so I have to cook for myself. Itâs really troublesome.â
âOh~â
It wasnât really a meaningful conversation, but as I think of it nowâ
(Am-am I not inviting him nowâŠ)
Thatâs definitely the case.
Ichika must have certainly thought this way.
(~~~~~~~~~)
My face was fully red to my ears, and I couldnât look at Ichika in the face.
âIs it alright, RinâŠ?â
ââŠY-yesâŠâ
I nod my head.
âWorld Purge, complete.â
I feel thereâs such a sound ringing in my head.
But nowâs not the time for this.
(Ho-how do I change my underwear once I get homeâŠ)
My mind was full of such thoughts.
â
In the research room, Ichika, who had his IS in open mode, was sitting at the chair as the data collection was roughly completed.
âItâs almost over. Hereâs the coffee.â
âAh, thanks.â
Ichika drank the coffee she got from Hikaruno, and took a gulp at it.
It was bitter, and his tongue tasted the bitterness of adults.
âIchika.
âAhâŠâ
He clearly heard it.
Once he firmly believed so, Ichika put down the coffee and boarded âByakushikiâ.
âO-oi oi, Orimura-kun!?â
âSorry, Iâm heading back to school now!â
âHu-huh? Wait, your sister will be troubled if you do thatââ
âIâm breaking through from the front!â
âNUWAH!â
Just as Ichika had declared so, he activated the particle cannon and blew up the wall in front of him.
âIâm off then.â
He flew through the hole, and immediately used the Ignition Boost to accelerate away.
Soon after, his silhouette shrank, and he could not be seen.
âHow recklessâŠâ
Ack, ack, Hikaruno muttered in the midst of the research room as dust scattered.
âBut heâs still young after all.â
She sighed as she shook her head.
But she then showed a bewitching smile.
âI got the information I needed anyway, so itâs all fine, Orimura Ichika-kun.â
She grinned and casted a side glance to the sky.
âNow I can begin the next generation mass-production planâŠâ
â
It took me less than 30 minutes to reach IS Academy through the use of consecutive Ignition Boosts.
(Someoneâs calling, calling for meâŠ!)
Me.
In that case, I have no choice but to go,
âBecause Iâm Orimura Ichika.â
â!?â
The âByakushikiâ sensor seem to pick up something.
âThatâsâŠ!â
The men dressed in black assault suits are carrying Tatenashi-san down the school corridors.
âThose guysââ
I carry out Ignition Boost, and focus on a single spot.
âLET GOOOOOO!!!â
While attacking them, I send the men flying and protect Tatenashi-san. And then, I fire the particle cannon at the floor to obstruct their sight.
âAAAHHHH!!!â
A kick.
This kick alone sent the 6 men flying to the wall.
âTatenashi-san, Tatenashi-san!?â
I desperately call her name. Her body response indicates that sheâs not dead, but Tatenashi-san still hasnât opened her eyes.
âTATENASHI!â
I call her name with her vigor, and she finally opens her eyes.
âNnâŠIchi-kaâŠkunâŠ?â
Sheâs probably injected with some drug as she still looks a little sleepy, just like a sleeping beauty.
âAre you alright? Iâll send you to the infirmary.â
I receive the coordinates and accelerate to the destination.
âTatenashi-san, youâre bleedingâŠwere you hit!?â
âIâm fineâŠâ
Sheâs still laughing away, but her face isnât showing her usual foolishness.
(Damm! What exactly happened here!?)
I use the particle cannons to shoot down all the shutters getting in my way, and head off to where Chifuyu-nee is.
âOver here!?â
I operate the panel and open the door. Chifuyu-nee and Yamada-sensei are inside with an unfamiliar female whoâs tied up.
âHuhâŠeh? What exactlyââ
âIâll explain later! Orimura, go save Shinonono and the rest!â
âEh!?â
âIâll send you the coordinates now. Hurry!â
âYe-yes!â
I hand Tatenashi-san to Yamada-sensei, and head down with the maximum output, just as I did before.
(Seriously, what is going on!?)
I remove my IS at the target room, and enter.
Houki and the rest are sleeping in this pure white room, and a flustered Kanzashi is there.
âAhâŠIchika-kun.â
âKanzashi? Tell me the details.â
âermâŠâ
It might be a little difficult for Kanzashi, whoâs not adept at talking, to explain everything in such a short time.
Just when I was thinking about this, I receive a mail.
âTo Orimura-kun,
Right now, this IS Academy is attacked and neutralized by an anonymous person.
Shinonono-san and the rest entered the computer world, hoping to regain control, but were attacked by someone, and we lost contact with them. If this keeps up, they may never wake up again.
Thus, we need you to enter the computer world through the IS core network just like them and save everyone.
Please.
From Sarashiki Kanzashi.â
âŠAlright, I understand.
These are really hard to understandâI understand!
âIn other words, I have to dive into the computer world!?â
ââŠâ
Kanzashiâs holding onto a taser. What is she planning to do?
âOi, Kanzaââ
BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZTâ[1]
âSHIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!?â
I suddenly felt a powerful electric jolt run through my body.
It hurts.
It feels hot.
Iâm numb.
My consciousness faded away.
âWh-what are you doing!?â
I supported myself up.
âEh?
When was I lying down? Whatâs with the grassland I see in front of me?
âPlease head to the forest, everyone should be in a door inside.â
Kanzashiâs voice rang in my head.
âRoger that!â
I nod my head hard and start running.
â
âWah!â
In the midst of the turbulent rain, Ichika and I use our bags as we keep running.
âAnyway, letâs get to the bus stop first.â
We do walk to school instead of riding the bus, but we still went to the station to hide from the rain.
Our pretense eases off the tension in the atmosphere.
I just canât remain calm no matter what, but I still hold onto the bra.
(I-I better not look at her body here as much as I canâŠ)
And finally, I barely manage to help Rin put on her bra. After I button up her sailor uniform, the problematic skirt was next.
ââŠRi-RinâŠsan? I think you better do the bottom yourââ
ââŠâ
A teary-eyed Rin looks at me .
Ahh seriously, I donât care now!
âIâm putting on your panties now.â
Brrr. Rin shudders slightly.
ââŠâ
I kneel down on one leg, trying my best not to look at her panties as I reach my hand into the skirt.
(Erm, as long as I hold the sidesâŠ)
Fuu.
âWahh!? Wh-wha-what-what are you doing!?â
âShut up! I canât look when Iâm doing this, and thereâs no other way here!â
âFu, Hm! Then you just need to look a little, right? Just a little!â
Rin said this as she lifted her skirt a littleâand suddenly stopped.
âI-Iâm letting you see because itâs you, Ichika.â
âO, ohâŠâ
THUMP THUMP THUMPâŠ
ââŠâ
Rin tentatively roll her skirt up with trembling hands.
Her half-removed panties are dangling diagonally, but this really feels surreal.
âYe-yes.â
ââŠâ
âHo-hold it, donât be so quietâŠâ
âHow can I talk while doing this!?â
I force myself to say this, and Rinâs face immediately turns red.
ââŠâ
Both of us are silent.
Iâm already used to washing Chifuyu-neeâs underwear, but this is the first time Iâm touching a girlâsâI mean Rinâs underwear, and helping her put it on.
I can clearly feel my heart beating intensely.
(Itâs just Rin, Itâs just Rin, itâs just Rin.)
RinâsâŠmy IS Academy friend, and my second childhood friendâ
âBut is that all?â
I heard a certain voiceâI think.
It was the voice of a girl I had never heard before.
It came clearly from the rear left side of my head.
âRin.â
âHya, yes?â
âI-Iâm done.â
âO-okayâŠâ
Rin and I inadvertently look away, and our backs are facing each other.
ââŠâ
ââŠâ
Whatâs with this silence?
âErmâŠâ
ââ!?ââ
Kanzashiâs standing in a corner of the lush forest, and we have no idea how long she has been there.
âKa-KanzashiâŠâ
âA-at-at least speak up if youâre there!â
âButâŠthe atmosphere wasnât right for me to appear, soâŠâ
ââUuâŠââ
Kanzashi walked out from the forest.
âAnywayâŠIâll take Rin-sanâŠaway from here. Continuing the missionâŠwill be difficultâŠâ
âI-I can still continue!â
âNoâŠthereâs a high chanceâŠweâll be attacked by some IS. So itâs best for us to head back firstâŠâ
Rin hears Kanzashiâs calm explanation, and nods begrudgingly.
âI understandâŠâ
âThenâŠIchika will look for the restâŠâ
âOh. Ah, Kanzashi, hold on for a moment.â
ââŠ?â
âYou have a leaf on your hair. You see?â
I take down the leaf I just noticed.
âIsnât it a pity to have such beautiful hair ruined by that leaf?â
âAhâŠâ
Kanzashi lowers her head and fidgets about. Whatâs with her?
âAhh! I really feel like using my shock cannons here!!â
Rin suddenly exclaimed loudly.
âWhatâs with you, Rin.â
âNothing, at, all!?â
I donât understand why, but she seems infuriated. I think sheâs angry from deep within her heart here.
âTh-then, Iâll make my move!â
âAh, hey, wait up, Ichika!â
I can only run away now.
âYouâll get it from me when you come back, Ichika!!â
I didnât head for the door, but run into the forest for the time being to escape from Rin.
â
âFuuâŠâ
My nameâs Cecilia Alcott, the young CEO of the largest company in England, the Alcott Company.
I finish my work today in an office room filled with first-class furniture, and I press a special platinum bell.
DING DANGâŠ
A delightful yet piercing sound echo throughout the room. Three seconds after that, the door opens.
âDid you call for me, CEO?â
The one entering the room is a black haired man dressed in a butler suit well suited to him.
Heâs my personal butler who had been with me for a long timeâOrimura Ichika-san.
I really want to show my inner excitement on my face, but I still try to show an enraged look.
ââŠMy work today has ended.â
âPlease pardon me, My Lady.â
Ichika-san bows to me politely.
But this isnât what I want.
âReally, when both of us are aloneâŠdo you understand?â
âHaha, sorry, Cecilia.â
My childhood friend Ichika-san will pull such pranks from time to time.
But his mischievous charm is something⊠I like.
(Thatâs right, the Orimura family has been servants to the Alcott family for generations, and ever since the past, weâve been togetherâ)
âTogether?
Together, as inâŠermâŠ
âWorld Purge, Initiate.â
(âRight! Iâm talking about Ichika-san!)
We have a master-servant relationship, but heâll soon be my marriage partner. So when both of us are together, thereâs always a moment when we feel like being intimate with each other.
(âŠThough there are moments when I end up feel embarrassed.)
But it feels good.
It feels like both of us are separated from this world, and it feels comforting.
If this is a dream, I hope never to wake up.
I will continue to remain in slumber.
Forever, foreverâ
âWorld Purge, complete.â
â?â
âWhat is it, Cecilia?â
âIchika, did you say anything just now?â
âNo, nothing.â
âOh, never mind then.â
Itâs a special Thursday Night today.
Weâll have a secret affair later, and I canât control the exhilaration inside me.
(I forced myself not to eat cake yesterday, so itâs fine.)
While thinking about this, I suppress the anxiety inside me and head to the bathroom together with Ichika.
I walk down the stairs lit by the glamorous chandelier leading to the bathroom.
My heartâs throbbing like crazy.
âIâll come back 5 minutes later.â
âOkay then. What aroma do we use today?â
âFufu, just use whatever you want.â
I wink elegantly and close the door.
Inside this changing room thatâs filled with first-class suits, I take off my coat in a relaxed manner.
Of course, Ichika-sanâs the one in charge of keeping it.
(Then.)
I remove my earrings and hairband, reverting to how I was when I was born.
Then, I walk into the bathroom; the tub was completely full, ostensibly about to overflow, and welcomed me with hot steam.
(Todayâs the special day every weekâŠright?)
Thump thump thump.
I turn the knob of the shower, let the hot water rain on me, and the throbbing in my chest rises.
âCecilia, Iâm coming in.â
THUMP!
âIchikaâs voice came through the door.
However, I switch off the shower without haste, and answer calmly.
âYe-yes, you can come in, you know?â
The sound of the door being opened rang.
I can hear Ichika walking in barefooted, and my face is completely red.
(Th-thatâs right. Todayâs the day Ichika baths meâŠ)
Of course, I made him cover his eyes.
Ichika-san pours the aroma oil into the bathtub, and finally arrives behind me.
âI kept you waiting, Cecilia.â
âEh, yesâŠâ
Iâm so shy that Iâm unable to look behind.
(If-if Ichika-sanâs not covering his eyesâŠ)
This thought will probably cause my head to boil, and I secretly glance behind.
(H-his eyesâŠare covered.)
Iâm relaxed, but a little disappointed too.
Like usual, Ichika-sanâs dressed in shirt and trousers as he stands behind me.
âIâll wash you then, Cecilia.â
âPl-please go ahead.â
My somewhat excited answer cause me to be embarrassed, and the body washer covered with bubbles touch my back.
(AhhâŠ)
His gentle hands start wiping at my back, and I feel my mood improve.
Ichika-san will often wash from the back; then, his hands will move past my neck, and head down.
(Heâs washing the back nowâŠit feels good.)
I take pride in the refined curves of my hips.
I kept enduring the urge to eat cakes so that I can maintain this figure.
(And now for the decisive momentâŠ)
And then, Ichika-sanâs hands touch my butt.
Heâs not washing me with the washer, but using his hands to scrub me with soap.
My face was all red as I enjoyed this blissful moment.
(Iâm so embarrassedâŠbut it feels so goodâŠ)
I inadvertently let out a little sigh, and Ichika-sanâs muttering came at my ears.
âCecilia, has your buttocks grown bigger?â
âEH!? Th-that canât possibly be true, right?â
THUMP THUMP.
âBut you see, the growth here is really lewd.â
TsutsuâŠhis fingertips are stroking my buttocks.
âHyuun!?â
âYour underwear sizes need to change.â
âWe-well, I didnât grow fat, at allâŠâ
âI knowâŠyou lewd Cecilia.â
He licked my ear gently.
This unexpected action cause me to fall limp on the chair.
âI-Ichika-sanâŠâ
âCecilia, Iâm going to wash the front now.â
ââŠâ
Hold on for a moment, I nodded as I said this.
â
âKanzashi, I canât seem to open the doors.â
Iâm wrestling against the remaining 4 doors standing in the midst of the forests.
For some reason, no matter how I try to push them, kick them, punch them, they wonât open.
âI think the doors are locked after what happened to Rin-san just now.â
Kanzashiâs voice sounds clearer than before, âHehâ, and I continue to think as I listen to her.
âIf there are two Ichikas in those worlds, it will most likely be very dangerous.â
âThen, how do I get in?â
âChange clothesâŠâ
âEh?â
âYou can enter if you change your outfit.â
ââŠâ
I was stunned, and Kanzashi sent her message over with a disgruntled look.
âIâm being serious here.â
âO-oh. Understood. I believe you then.â
âUn.â
âThen, what do I do now?â
âIâll send you a data of your change of clothes, Ichika. Please hold on for a moment.â
The sound of the keyboard being tapped at can be heard over the communicator.
And then, my bodyâs suddenly surrounded by light particles.
âUooh!?â
âData installâŠcomplete.â
âWait, whatâs this?â
Iâm dressed in complete black, and I have a gas mask over my face.
I have an automatic pistol slinging off the shoulder.
âThis is the mission dress for the English Special Forces SAS.â
EnglandâŠah, Cecilia, huh?
âWhy does it seem like a movie here?â
ââŠSo coolâŠâ
âWhat did you say?â
âAck, ackâŠnothing.â
Anyway, I cheer myself up and place my hand on the blue door.
Kachk, the door opened.
âIâm going.â
âBe careful. Thereâs a chance of a fake Ichika attacking.â
âItâs fine. I have a weapon now.â
The sound of the pistol being cocked rings, and I pat on the magazine pouch.
âHave you fired a real gun before?â
ââŠA man only needs to shoot once in a showdown.â
âSo that means no.â
ââŠâ
Fuu, I heard Kanzashi sigh, and proceed in through the door.
â
âYouâve grown here too.â
âNnâŠ!â
My cleavageâs raised from behind, and this causes me to let out a moan.
At first, heâs fondling from below.
And after then, Ichika-san moves his hands around to touch them, seemingly wanting to feel all of it.
He finally starts using his fingertips to play with my nipplesâ
GASHANNK!
âWhat are meyou doing!?â
A man dressed in Special Ops clothing breaks in through the glass window, and shoots Ichika-san.
âIchika-san!!â
âEradicating anomaly in World PurgeâŠforeign objectâŠeliminate...â
Ichika-san was shot through the head, and his head was dangling as his mouth mutter such ambiguous words.
Golong. His eyes turned to golden and black.
âIchikaâŠsan?â
Something doesnât seem right, but whatâŠ?
âGet away from Cecilia!â
Ichika-sanâs slammed hard by the butt of the pistol, and is shot again.
(I-I-Ichika-san!?)
Black sticky liquid flows out from his wounds, and his body melts into a pile of gooey stuff.
He then finally disappeared completely into light.
âAh, ah, ahâŠâ
âAre you alright, Cecilia? Iâll go save youâwah!?â
I open my âBlue Tearsâ and swing the close-ranged blade âInterceptorâ at the intruder.
âMy Ichika-san! My! My!â
âO-Oi, wait! Stop, you idiot!â
âIdiot!? You dare say this to this Englandâs National Cadet Representative, Cecilia Alcottââ
My head hurts, and it feels like itâs going to be cut up.
âI-I-IâŠIâmâŠIâmâŠ!â
âCecilia!â
The intruder removes his gas mask.
That faceâs Ichika-sanâs.
The awesome expression, the firm voice.
Thatâs right, heâs the man who prevented me from falling into my dreamsâŠ
âShoot down this fake world!â
âRight, this is my Ichika-san!
âTaking care of it!â
I fire a shot off my âStarlight Mk IIIâ at the ceiling.
The fake world disappears into smoke just like that.
â
âThat was really too much!â
Cecilia, now dressed in uniform, has her arms folded as she looks angry.
She has been playing with her hair curls since just now, shook them away angrily, and folds her arms again.
âWhat is it? Itâs not like anything happened.â
âNothing happened? You say nothing happened!? I, that fake did to my bodyââ
Cecilia, who looks ready to attack anyone now, suddenly stops.
âI-Ichika, san? Erm, did youâŠenter the bathroomâŠ?â
âŠWahey!
I had been trying my best to avoid this question since just now, and she finally noticed it.
âD-di-did youâŠsee me naked?â
âNot at all! Absolutely not!â
âWhoâre you foolingâŠâBlue Tearsâ!â
Cecilia suddenly opens her IS; her face is completely red to the ears as she points at me and exclaims,
âCome out, bits!â
âYou kidding me!? Oi!â
But this canât be some sort of joke. The 4 bits start attacking me as they let out beam shots.
âUWAAAHHHH!! IâLL DIE! IâLL DIED! IâLL REALLY DIE HERE!â
âIt-itâs your fault for humiliating me!â
âIT WASNâT ME! IT WASNâT ME!â
âThat goes for both Ichikas!â
âWHAT ARE YOU SAYING!?â
The beam burned my butt off.
âCe-CeciliaâŠ!â
âI donât want to listen to you!â
âPretty!â
âEhâŠ!â
Cecilia stops what she was doing, and the bits too stop.
âWell, to put itâŠyour bodyâs pretty, CeciliaâŠâ
Itâs really embarrassing to say this.
But this definitely isnât something Iâm saying against my will, and besides, if I donât say something now, Iâll really be killed.
ââŠâ
Cecilia removes her IS and fumbles around.
âIf itâs you alone, Ichika-sanâŠyou can lookâŠâ
âTh-thatâs quite the honor.â
âBut you say Iâm the most beautiful in the worldâŠâ
No, I didnât say it to that extentâŠ
âSeriously, Ichika-san!â
DON! Cecilia pushes me away with both hands, tatata, and runs out of the forest.
âHa, hahaâŠâ
But she really is pretty.
Just like a model. Cecilia has always been like that, but now thatâs no doubt about it.
(I donât think ordinary models are that prettyâŠ)
Upon thinking about it, my face turns red.
âDo you have any slight change in how you view her?â
I thought I heard someone mutter something, but it then disappeared with a breeze.
ââŠIchika.â
Kanzashiâs message reaches me,
âŠBut for some reason, she doesnât seem happy at all.
âWhat next, Kanzashi?â
âIâll send you your clothing, choose whatever you want.â
Puu. The lineâs cute off.
âWha-whatâs going on?â
Iâm a little dizzy as I donât know whatâs going on at all.
And then, a large case full of clothing appears above my head and drops down on me.
âWHAA!?â
I dodge it at the last moment, and canât help but gulp.
âD-did, did I do anythingâŠ?â
I have no idea of it though.
Either way, there are still 3 of them left, Charl, Laura and Houki.
âRight.
âLetâs do it!â
I open the clothing case.
â
Iâm Charlotte Dunois.
Studying in IS Academyâ
âWorld Purge, complete.â
And Iâm a maid of the wealthy Orimura Family.
But this situation will end a week later, and the reason isâŠ
âCharlotte.â
âHyah!â
My butt was touched, causing me to squeal.
I nearly let drop the cleaning tool in my hands, and hurriedly embrace it in both hands.
âM-master!? Youâre teasing me againââ
âWhatâs bad about a little teasing? Besides, itâs about time you stop calling me master.â
âBu-but.â
The previous family owner who hired me over from the Church I grew up in died last year, and this year, my master Ichika inherited the role of family head.
Once Ichika took over as head, he immediately declared that heâll âtake the maid Charlotte as his wifeâ.
Ichika and I will have our wedding a week later, and weâll tie the knot there.
âI-Iâm still a maidâŠanyway.â
âHm? Then your masterâs orders are to be followed at all costs.â
âYe-yes, of course.â
âI see.â
Upon saying this, my master Ichika suddenly flips my skirt.
âIt-itâs because you ordered me to, MasterâŠâ
Iâm wearing a sexy translucent lingerie that has laces on the side.
The reason why Iâm wearing this is not only to obey Masterâs ordersâŠbut to show Ichika that Iâm ready to be invited to spend the night with him.
âCharlotte, your face is red.â
âS-seriously, Master! I still have my job to do, please excuse me!â
I say and hope to get away from here, but Ichika embraces me from behind.
âI wonât let you run away.â
âN-noâŠI still have, workâŠâ
My buttâs being patted at.
âItâs your job to accompany me too, you know?â
âNnâŠI-I got itâŠâ
My face is completely red, and I nod gently.
And then, Ichika suddenly carries me up in a bridal carry.
âI caught a cute maidâȘâ
âItâll be bad if people see us hereâŠâ
âItâs fine. Everyone has agreed to our relationship, Charlotte.â
âThis isnât what Iâm talking about.â
Though I say this, this fact he said cause my heart to delight, and her tense face to relax.
âAlright, letâs go to my room.â
Chuu, a kiss on the face. This is the first time Iâm being obedient like a kitty ever since I was born.
(How do I resist thisâŠ)
Because I never thought about going against him.
I want to offer my body and heart to him.
To my most beloved Ichika.
To my most beloved master.
âWeâre here, Charlotte.â
âY-yesâŠâ
Iâm brought to Ichikaâs bedroom, and Iâm placed gently on a large bed with a canopy over it.
(T-this means, weâreâŠfinally going to that pointâŠ!?)
THUMP THUMP THUMP.
My heartâs fluttering, and it started to hurt.
âCharlotteâŠâ
Ichika stares at me closely, and looks like heâs going to bury me under, and I close my eyes.
âKuu. I have a present to give to you today.â
A finger prods at my biting lips, and I realize itâs not a kiss.
(AhâŠth-thatâs not itâŠ)
I feel a little relieved, but also disappointed.
Just when I feel bounded down by these complicated emotions, a white dress gently falls onto me.
âAh, this is!â
âYes, for the wedding.
This is the pure white wedding dress every girl look forward to.
And now, itâs on me.
âCan you try wearing it, Charlotte?â
âYe-yes.â
I nod energetically and get off the bed with Ichika.
ââŠâ
ââŠâ
âWellâŠmaster.â
âWhat is it, Charlotte?â
âYouâre standing there, so itâsâŠâ
âYou canât change?â
âYe-yes.â
I nod my head in response while holding onto the dressâŠahh, Iâm so embarrassed.
âCan I see it?â
âEh?â
âCan I see you changing clothes, Charlotte?â
âHehâŠâ
âI want to see.â
âB-but, thatâsâŠâ
âPlease.â
Ichika then gives me a teasing wink.
(Ah, really, how can I refuse when you show such an expressionâŠ)
But I just say âokayâ, and I give a silent response.
âCan I? Charlotte?â
âS-sure.â
âThanks.â
And then, Ichika kisses me on the head as a reward.
This alone causes me to feel blissful.
(Iâm so weakâŠ)
I show a shy smile and put the wedding dress onto the bed for the time being.
And then, I stand upright while facing Ichika.
âTh-then, Iâm takâchanging my clothes.â
I nearly say out âtaking my clothes offâ, and hurriedly change my words.
To put it, this is too direct.
ââŠâ
I gulp and start to undo my apron.
I feel my heart breaking apart just from this simple action, just from feeling Ichikaâs stare.
(I-itâs alright, itâs alrightâŠhe has seen me in my underwear several times alreadyâŠ) But this is the first time Iâm stripping for him.
Upon thinking this, my hands become hesitant.
âI-Iâll do my bestâŠ! I have to do this every night when we become husband and wife!â
âŠEh?
âCharlotte, every nightâŠI can?â
âI-I said it out?â
âYeah.â
âUuu!!â
BoofâŠthere seems to be some sound, and my faceâs immediately beet red.
(Th-thatâs right! What am I saying! At least I can rest for Sunday and rechargeâno!)
I shake my head like a dog drying itself, but these pink thoughts still linger in my mind.
âCharlotte, your hands are stopping.â
âU-unâŠâ
In this case, I might as well clear my mind and let it be free from all random thoughts. I calm myself down and undo the buttons easily.
âDonât be so hasty.â
âI-Iâll be embarrassed if I do it slowlyâŠâ
Ichika continues to smile as he looks at my face.
Ahh, seriously, seriously there!
I harden my heart and remove the one piece-type maid uniform before dropping it onto the floor.
I canât withstand the embarrassment from having Ichika stare at me nonchalantly, and instinctively use my hands to cover my bra and panties.
âI-Ichika, your eyeballs are falling out there.â
âIt canât be helped. Youâre so alluring after all.â
âAh, seriouslyâŠâ
I canât say I hate it when he says that.
Or rather, I feel a sense of pride, instead of embarrassment, rise in me after hearing my most beloved say such things.
âD-do you want to keep watching, IchikaâŠâ
âI do.â
An immediate answer.
But my face is all flustered looking now.
âI-I guess thereâs no other choice thenâŠIchika no ecchi.â
I slowly move my hand away, and show myself in my lingerie of lace and see-through material.
What I have on are just the maid logo, my headdress, garter belts, white knee socks, bra and panties.
(Itâs so embarrassingâŠbut I can show it to IchikaâŠ)
Just when I was thinking about this, a suspicious person kicked the door down.
âWhat in the world are you doing!?â
The personâs voice vanish, and he start hitting Ichika.
As for this personâs getup, to put itâhe dressed with a weird mask, a mantle, boots, a watch, just like a âGentlemen Thiefâ.
âWhat are you doing!?â
âI-I should be asking you this!â
âI-Ichika!â
I grab the sword on the wall to help Ichika break me.
âStay away from Master!â
âWah!â
BINK! The gentleman thief manages to dodge my unrestrained slash right at the last moment.
âC-calm down, Charl!â
âDonât call me so casually!â
âEh?
âThanks for saving me, Charlotte.â
âHuh?
(I, Iâm called CharlotteâŠbutâŠonly a certain person will call me Charl.)
âWorld Purge, forcefully interfered.â
âZUKING!
âUu!â
A tremenouds pain attacks.
I-I likeâ
âThe one who calls me Charl!â
And the Ichika whoâs willing to call me this points the sword at the fake Ichika.
Then, the fake Ichikaâs eyes undergo a biological change in color.
âEradicating anomaly in World Purge⊠eradicating anomaly in World Purge ⊠eradicating anomaly in World Purge...â
Byun!
The fake Ichikaâs head lands on the floor.
And Iâm the one who cut it down.
âItâs a fake, but seeing my head get cut off like that is a littleâŠâ
The real Ichika mutters.
I look at the fake again, and thereâs no sign of blood oozing out as it slowly dissolves into light and vanishes.
âLetâs get out of here, Charl!â
âEh!â
Ichika suddenly carries me.
Iâm covered in the mantle, and I can hear the sound of glass being broken from afar.
(I can feelâŠIchikaâs heartbeatâŠ)
Iâm surrounded by a warm presence of love as I leave this fake world.
â
âFuuâŠâ
Having returned back to the forest, I first put Charl down.
âKyaahhh!!â
âWhatâGUAH!â
âD-Donât look! Ichika no ecchi!â
Charl covers my eyes with her hands; for some reason, sheâs not wearing the IS Academy uniform, but the sexy lingerie she was wearing in that world just now.
âWh-wh-why?â
âCecilia changed into her uniform just now.â
âDidnât I tell you not to look!â
Iâm poked in my eyes.
âGYAAAHHH!!â
âAhh!? So-sorry! But, that, you told me to wear this, Ichika, and you told me to take it offâŠâ
âTh-thatâs whyâŠitâs the fakeâŠâ
âAre you trying to escape with this excuse?"
What do you mean by escapeâŠthatâs the truth.
âNo, thatâs why, well, Charl.â
Anyway, I let her put on the mantle, and then check her expression as I think of a way to appease her.
âY-your cute face will be wasted if you get so angry.â
ââŠâ
Argh, I failed.
Charl puffs her cheeks and turns her back at me.
ââŠA date.â
âY-yes?â
I respond to this teeny-weeny voice, and Charl then turns around while covering herself with the mantle.
âI want a date! Iâll forgive you if you promise me that weâll have a date at a theme park!â
âO-okay. If itâs a theme park, letâs go with everyoneââ
âI want to go alone!â
She stares at me without looking away, tears still in her eyes.
(UuâŠhow can I refuse when youâre giving me such an expressionâŠ)
I reluctantly give up on resisting, and nod.
âIâll promise youâŠbut Iâll need to get a deposit first.â
âEh, you really agree? Really?â
âDidnât you ask for it, Charl?â
âEh? Ah, yes, thatâs how it isâŠâ
Charlâs expressionâs glowing as she puts her hands on her reddened cheeks.
ââŠI succeeded. Right, I asked for it, ehehe.â
She seems to be in a better mood, so I can relax for now.
âLetâs leave this world first then. Iâll send you out.â
âThereâs noâŠneedâ
Kanzashi appears from the forest just like before.
âIâllâŠsend her outâŠâ
âO-okay.â
Her voice seems to have some fury in it, and I find it a little difficult to argue back.
Charlâs immediately surrounded by light, and she changes back to her usual IS Academy Uniform outfit.
âIâll be going out then, Ichika. Donât forget the promise.â
Charlâs being abnormally energetic, and she walks to the outside of the forest with light steps.
Kanzashi whispers to me something before she heads off after Charl,
âBiased...â
âWh-what!? No, thatâs not it. Iâm notââ
But Kanzashi has already looked away.
ââŠâ
Iâm left alone, and scratch my head while not knowing whatâs going on.
âItâs great that you can see her smiling face again.â
âŠAm I hallucinating? I think I hear something, and yet it doesnât feel that way.
Anyway,
âTwo more doors. Laura and Houki, huh?â
A thought pops up in my mind, telling me there are two more troublesomeâno, two people in huge trouble.
âAnyway, I can only go on!â
I motivate myself and rummage through the clothes case.
â
My nameâs Laura Bodewig.
The commander of the German Special Forces âBlack Haresâ, and currentlyâ
âWorld Purge, complete.â
âAnd now, Iâm a groom loving my âwifeâ who I married two months ago.
I used the salary given by the army to buy a house as our love nest. It does feel a little too large for 2 people, but considering the future, this isnât inappropriate
âHmâŠâ
I lay the newspaper out on the living room table, waiting for breakfast.
âThe situation in the Middle East is changing. Will it affect my Germanyââ
âLaura, didnât I tell you not to read the newspaper when youâre eating?â
âY-yes. Sorry.â
My wife said this as he serves the hot cocoa with lots of milk in it.
(Such a capable âbrideâ)
Iâm nodding away in my heart.
On a side note, the wifeâs called Orimura Ichika.
âLaura, the omelet riceâs done.â
I receive the omelet rice thatâs soft on the inside, filled with love, and look at Ichika again.
Heâs dressed in an apron, and is the âbrideâ Iâm proud of.
âOh yes, Ichika, actually, IâŠâ
Ahem. I cough, and change the topic.
âI have a special vacation today, so, wellâŠâ
âWe can spend the entire day alone?â
âU-um.â
Iâm a little embarrassed, while Ichikaâs face immediately lit up.
âIn that case, letâs hurry and use these.â
âTh-those are!â
Those are the 5 âsatisfy any wish couponsâ we obtained from each other on our wedding anniversary.
I look at my familiar handwriting, and a stronger sense of embarrassment rises in him.
(He must be thinking of whatever âwishâ he wants, that damned IchikaâŠ)
I cosplayed as a Gothic Lolita the last time.
What does he want me to do this time? A nurse?
âLaura, be my healing angelâŠâ
A-a maid, maybe?
âCall me MasterâŠâ
Or maybe a bunny girl?
âYouâre a cute bunny-chan, my LauraâŠâ
âŠ
âLaura? Laura?â
âEh? What is it?â
âYouâre nosebleeding.â
Ichika mentions this and wipes my face with his handkerchief.
âI can do it myself! Yes!â
âYes yes.â
âJust say âyesâ once.â
âLetâs not talk about that, Laura. Say ahh.â
âŠGulp.
(Waah, Ichikaâs omelet rice melts in my mouth~ âȘ)
âEh, nowâs not the time to indulge in such happiness!
âIchika!â
âYes.â
âWh-what kind of wish did you make?â
I stand up without further thought, and Ichika smiles as he points out my fault.
âOkay okay, just calm down. Being anxious is a flaw a commander mustnât have, right?â
âU-umâŠthatâs right.â
I sit down again, take a bite of toast, filled my mouth with salad, and take a gulp of cocoa.
âA naked apron then.â
âBfftt!!
âAck, ack ack!...Wh-what!?â
âMy wish is for you to try being in a naked apron, Laura.â
âY-yo-you idiot! Whoâll do such a thing!?â
I poke my head over the table and close in on Ichika.
Only to be attacked by with a kiss on the forehead.
Chuu.
âAhhâŠâ
âPlease, LauraâȘâ
âUâŠumâŠâ
âŠ
âŠâŠ
âŠâŠ..
âI-Is this alright?â
My voice is devoid of force, and I hesitantly walk out of the living room.
I have only an eyepatch and an apron on me, and Iâm so embarrassed here.
I pull the cloth in front of me, hoping to cover even a little bit of cloth, but Ichika gives an uncompromising stare at my body lovingly.
âUuâŠâ
âYouâre very cute, Laura.â
âWhat, shut up shut up!â
Ichika says with a very gentle voice, seemingly wanting to raise my embarrassment.
âThen, since itâs rare to see you wear an apron, how about you cook?â
âWh-what!?â
âYour cuteness will increase this way, Laura.â
âUghâŠ!â
I canât resist when Ichika describes me as âcuteâ.
I hate myself for my stupidity and small statureâŠbut I love it.
(IâmâŠa weak woman.)
Once I recognize this dissatisfaction in my mind, it becomes delight again.
âIf you dare do anything funnyâŠI wonât forgive you.â
âWhat weird thing?â
âAnyway! Those, wellâŠpervertedâŠhump! Donât make me say it!â
Bump! I hit Ichika in the abdomen, and walk to the kitchen.
âIt hurtsâŠLaura.â
âWhat is it?â
âYour buttâs cuteâȘâ
My bare area was being fondled at.
My mindâs boiling, and I swing a punch back hard at Ichika..
But Ichika gently stops my fist, and then hugs me from behind nonchalantly.
âYouâre so cute, Lura.â
âT-this! Stop it, you idiotâŠahh!â
He touch the apron covering my breasts.
Once I show a response from the sensitive part, Ichika whispers an intoxicatingly sweet and lewd line at my ears.
ââŠLetâs play on like this today.â
âWh-what?â
âLetâs play kissy kissy.â
Chuu! A kiss is engraved on my shoulder.
(I-I-I-Iâ)
My mindâs all dizzy now.
Ahh, but, but,
(Maybe itâs not so badâŠto go with the flow like thisâŠ)
Just when I was lost in my thoughts of paradise, a growl suddenly rang.
âGoodness me, why in the world is everyone having such dreams!?â
Thereâs a suspicious person dressed in full silver armor opening the door and entering.
âWho are you!?â
I grab the chopper from where I am and throw it at the armored man.
DANG! The chopper lands right at the chest with a loud soundâŠbut itâs shallow.
âA-ar-are you trying to kill me!?â
âOf course. Those who get in the way of Ichika and my relationship shall all die!â
I rush out from Ichikaâs embrace and charge in low at the armored man.
âHah!â
â!â
I land a sharp fatal kick at the gap of the armor.
And I felt the opponentâs bones let out a creak.
âGurk!â
The armored man kneel down on his knees. I forcefully pull out the chopper from his chest, and quickly placed it at his neck.
âItâs over. Die.â
âDo your best, Laura.â
I suddenly hear Ichika cheering me from behind, and my heart flutters.
âO-of course. Itâs decidedââ
âYou bastardâŠmaking Laura fight in your stead.â
The armored man stands up with quite the momentum.
I hurriedly draw back the chopper and slash at the armored man, but the slash feels shallow.
âMove aside, Laura.â
âDo your best, Laura.â
There are two Ichika voices, coming from both front and back.
(I-I-IâŠ)
The armored man pushes aside me as Iâm feeling lost, and draws the sword at his waist.
âGOOOO!â
âDo your best, Laura.â
ZAK! Ichikaâs stabbed through the chest by the chest.
His heart should be pierced through completely, but heâs not letting out a single drop of blood.
And also, heâs repeating the same line over and over again like a broken recorder.
âDo your best, Laura.â
He just continues, and continues.
âDo your best, Laura. Do your best, Laura.â
He just keeps on repeating this line over and over again.
âDo your best, Laura. Do your best, Laura. Do your best, Laura. Do your best, Laura. Do your best, Laura. Do your best, Laura. Do your best, Laura. Do your best, Laura. Do your best, Laura. Do your best, Laura. Do your best, Laura. Do your best, Laura. Do your best, Laura. Do your best, Laura. Do your best, Laura. Do your best, Laura. Do your best, Laura. Do your best, Laura. Do your best, Laura. Do your best, Laura. Do your best, Laura. Do your best, Laura. Do your best, Laura.â
The âdo your bestâ soon becomes âfightâ.
(I-I-Iâm born, to fightâŠ)
âWh-what kind of joke is THIIIISSSS!!â
The armored man slams Ichika into the wall, and raised the sword used to stab him.
Even as his brain was split in two, he continues on,
âUwahh! N-noâŠ. NoâŠno! Iâm not a fighting maâŠâ
âLaura!â
The armored man takes off his armor.
He removes his helmet, and a familiar face appears in front of meâ
âItâs alright, Laura. Youâre yourself, and irreplaceable. You donât have to fight against your will.â
âAhhâŠIchikaâŠâ
Iâm surrounded by that warm embrace, and lose my consciousness.
â
âAlrightâŠâ
Once we return to the forest, I let the sleeping Laura in my clutches land on the field so that she can continue sleeping.
I suppose the fact that sheâs sleeping soundly is proof that sheâs having a good nap, and I canât find anything wrong with her.
âJust like a sleeping beauty.â
I touch her nose.
âShe really looks cute like this.â
I too sit beside Laura at her waist, and look at the sky without minding her at all.
âBut why is it that all their dreams includes me?â
âLet me answer this.â
A head popped out from the lush forest, and I didnât need to think to know itâs Kanzashi.
âDo-donât scare me like thatâŠâ
âYesâŠâ
She nods and reverts back to her usual passive mode as she walks out from the forest.
âYou have a lot of leaves on youâŠguess thereâs no choice.â
I pick the leaves one by one off Kanzashi, and her face is red for some reason.
âDo you know how the enemyâs attacking us?â
âYes, I guess the enemyâs...connects directly to its attack targets in a neural wayâŠthis method turns the attackedâs inner wishes and desires to become reality, blocks off stimulation from the outside way, and cause some sort of psychological effectâŠthe intention is toââ
Upon hearing Kanzashi say this, Laura immediately sat up to cut her off.
âWh-what are you saying, you?Y-yo-youâre saying this is my wish!? K-kn-kno-know your place!â
Lauraâs embarrassed in an interesting manner, and I start to tidy up her silky hair thatâs messed by the wind.
Lauraâs about to leap and snare my neck, but Kanzashi puts her hands on Lauraâs head to stop her.
âYour faceâŠis really red.â
âWHA!?â
âIn other wordsâŠâ
âWe were rightâŠâ
âTh-thatâs not it! Definitely not! Ab-about getting married happiy! About however a nice family! About having 3 children! I-I have to fulfill my responsibilities as a soldier since Iâm often on the battlefieldââ
âLaura.â
Stop. I pat her on the head gently.
âHow about you go back to rest?â
âY-yesâŠâ
I stroke Lauraâs silky hair, and the feeling on my fingers really soothes me.
Just when I was enjoying myself here, Kanzashi suddenly coughed dryly.
ââŠAckâŠack!â
I feel that itâs a little pitiful, but I draw my hand away from Lauraâs head.
ââŠThen, IâllâŠbe going back.â
âOh, be careful.â
âI-Ichika, I have something to say to you once you return.â
âHm?â
âAn-anyway, forget about everything today! This is an order!â
Yes! I give Laura a salute, and bid farewell to her.
Then, I look at the last door.
I wonder what kind of dream does that swordsman nadeshiko[2]Â have?
ââŠRight, better not go then.â
I can feel a strong killing intent.
âIâm joking, just joking. Ahahaha.â
I rummaged through the clothes case, and found a nice set of clothing I can use.
ââLetâs go then.â
I open the last door.
â
My nameâs Shinonono Houki.
Iâm Ichikaâs childhood friend, and also his senior at the dojo.
Right now, Iâm living together with Ichika at the Shinonono shrine.
Iâm the miko of this shrine, and also teach the kids kendo in the dojo here.
â998âŠ999âŠ1000!â
I finished my strokes, and wipe away the sweat on my forehead.
âYouâve worked hard for morning training, Houki.â
Ichika said this as he appears, and hands me a towel.
Heâs dressed in hakama, and this black piece of clothing really suits him.
âAre you starting now?
âNo, I finished my strokes one hour ago. Iâm going for a run now.â
âIs that soâŠthen, the two of us can go togetherââ
âNn?â
âNo, itâs nothing! Nothing at all!â
âIs that so? Letâs have breakfast then. Itâs your favorite carrot miso soup today.â
âU, um.â
I was led into the main house by Ichika, whoâs showing a smiling look on his face.
â
(Itâs weirdâŠ)
In this computer world thatâs filled with both light and darkness, the âenemyâ attacking IS Academy is silently thinking about something.
(The âworld purgeâ effects on Shinonono Houki is a little weakâŠwhy is itâŠ?)
But itâs not completely ineffective.
She has finished âisolating her from the real worldâ.
(âŠ)
But it just seems rather out of place.
The girl thought of the uneasy feeling, and reached her destination.
In this world, the dimensions were vague, void of any roads; after walking for a while, she finally saw the core of this worldâan ice sculpture of a world.
(This isâŠwhat Tabane-sama saidâŠ)
She whispered as she looks at that huge ice book.
(The core of Orimura Chifuyuâs personal unit, the âKurazakuraââŠâ
â
âThen, letâs have a battle. Come.â
âCome.â
IâShinonono Houkiâand Ichika are dressed in kendo gear, and we stand up nimbly.
Our bamboo swords are pointed at each other, and we wait for each other to take action.
ââŠâ
ââŠâ
A quiet yet tense atmosphere occupies this place.
Basically, in kendo, the one who strikes first is at the disadvantage.
Itâs a basic in kendo to wait for the opponent to move.
However, there is a unique trait in kendo, in that the side that takes action first can continue the flow of the battle.
In this silent stareoff, we grasp each otherâs breathing, footwork, and rhythm.
These can allow us to determine when the opponent will take action, and retaliating is easier.
Howeverâ
(The breathing isnât erratic at allâŠyouâve gotten strong, Ichikaâin this case!)
I put the bamboo sword at my hands, and bring my body to charge forward.
I then suppress the Ichikaâs momentum backwards, take a step back, and dodge the counter.
âHah!â
In an instant moment, we strike. Ichika and I pass by each other.
ââŠI lost.â
I declared.
I was hit by Ichika right in the front the moment I was about to beat him.
His reaction was fast and without doubt.
ââThank you very much!ââ
After greeting each other, we keep the bamboo swords.
Then, we head outside the dojo, sit down in seize positions, and face outside.
âFuu.â
I lost, but I do feel relieved.
Just when I was looking at Ichika in a satisfied manner, our stares met.
ââŠâ
It has been 3 months since the day when Ichika came to live in the Shinonono Shrine so that he can attend High School.
He quickly got back his sense of kendo that had dulled, and now heâs able to challenge me in a duel.
âHouki, Iâll change my clothes now, and then Iâll sweep the shrine grounds.â
âAhh, I get it. Iâll take a quick bath to wash off the sweat on my body then.â
For an instant, I had a thought âwhat if heâs going to peep at meâ, but as far as I know, Ichikaâs not that kind of guy.
He has the outstanding traits of a Japanese man.
(Hm, if-if possible, I can have Ichika enter the Shinonono Shrine as a son-in-law, and then weâll spend our free lives raising children, and then we can have a steady retirement.)
âHuh?
âAhem, ahem. I can talk about such things later.â
I just need to have Ichika with me. As long as I can continue to look at Ichika from as close as possibleâŠ
âDetecting anomaly in World Purge, foreign object intruded. Beginning elimination.nâ
ââŠHm?â
After clearing up the kendo gear, I stood up, and saw a man dressed in white hakama at the entrance of the dojo.
I canât see his face as itâs hidden. However, why is an unrelated person standing there dressed in complete gear?
âThe dojoâs closed for today.â
âAhâermâŠIâm here to challenge the dojo!â
âWhat?â
âI heard that IâŠno, Orimura Ichikaâs here. Please allow me to challenge him!â
âOh?â
He certainly have the guts to challenge my Ichika, butâŠ
âThereâs no need to compete to see who the winner is.â
âYouâll know about it once the contestâs over, Houki.â
Hm? Why does he know my name�
âAn-anyway, I hope to have a match against Orimura Ichika!â
âOh, since youâre so insistent, Iâll call him then.â
I say this with a proud look, and then head into the shrine to call Ichika.
â
âIchikaâŠthat just now, was dangerousâŠâ
âUâŠm-my mistake. I didnât think through it. Sorry.â
Kanzashi reminds me through the communicator.
I nearly revealed my identity due to carelessness, so I apologized earnestly.
âBe careful. I guess, Houkiâs IchikaâŠis the strongestâŠâ
â? Why is that?â
ââŠYou blockhead.â
Gak. She cut the line.
At the same time, the fake Ichika appeared in the dojo.
âLet me say this here. Ichika here is like me as a senior, and has equal ability as I do. Heâs not someone whoâs going to lose to a person like you planning to take the dojo down.â
(Seriously, youâre really praising me to high heavensâŠ)
âIsnât it, Ichika?â
Houki gives the fake a smile, and I do feel a little enraged by the expression that fake meâs showing.
âIsnât that right, Houki?â
(This bastardâs skinâs thicker than a castle wallâŠ)
The fake gives a smiling face in response, and Houkiâs stare is fixtated on that smiling face.
(Whatâs with Houkiâs guy? She never showed me such a smile before.)
I just feel annoyed for some reason, and suppress the rage that rises in me as I ready the bamboo sword.
The fake too gets into position as he faces me, and looks rather happy because of Houkiâs support.
(I better get rid of this guy soonâ)
SPAAAKKK!
âEhâŠ?â
My mind takes a hit thatâs about to break me as the sound of a bamboo sword hit echoed.
âMatch!â
Houkiâs voice clearly indicates my defeat more than anything else.
(Wh-what kind of joke is this, oiâŠthis guyâŠheâs super strong here!?)
Thatâs notâŠat Houkiâs level.
Heâs clearly stronger than her.
To be honest, that might even be at Chifuyu-neeâs level .
Heâs fast, and thereâs no unnecessary movement. His muscles are flowing as smoothly as flowing water, and he has the insight to read into his opponentâs actions. All of these aspects are clearly top class.
âNice going, Ichika!â
Houki says this with a smile on her face.
âOf course, Houki.â
The fake answers sleazily.
ââŠâ
I feel a sense of unhappy filling my heart for some reason, to a point where I have difficulty breathing.
âAnother round!â
I instinctively call out.
âHumph, the outcome will be the same regardless.â
She gives me a cold look with these words.
I resist the urge to argue back and raise my bamboo sword again.
âIâll be your opponent then.â
âYouâre kind, Ichika.â
â*Pops veins*
âThatâs expected of a man.â
âFufu.â
â*Pops veins* *Pops veins*
âHURRY UP AND START!â
I roar out, unable to look at this incompatible pair anymore.
As for why Iâm this unhappy, even I donât know.
But I really hate having such a situation continue on.
âBegin!â
Houkiâs voice acts as a declaration, and I quickly swing a strike at the opponentâs wrist. The opponent didnât back off, but pushes me back.
Because of the opposing pressure, I lose my balance, and he hits my face in a fluid action.
âMatch!â
Houki clearly declares the outcome with a proud voice.
But Iâ
âNot, not yet!â
I again stood up and faced the fake.
â
(Whatâs with this guyâŠ?)
The challenger has already taken 27 straight losses from Ichika, but has shown no signs of giving up.
However, his breathing is completely erratic, and his concentration has clearly weakened.
(Trying to beat Ichika in this state isâŠ)
Clearly impossble.
âŠBut there seems to be something Iâm concerned with.
Right, what?
(That unwillingness to lose, that look of him continued to challenge even after defeatâ)
Who exactly is it?
It seems similar to someone else.
WhoâŠwhoâŠ
âOh, waah!?â
ââ!?â
Lost in deep thought, I didnât notice the proceedings of the match.
The man swatted away by Ichika tumbles and charges at me.
âMnnn.
âAhâŠâŠâ
I got into defensive position, but that guyâs hands were groping my breasts.
âAh, no, this, that!â
âY-yo-youâŠâ
sâ
âHe has always been like this.
âThatâs unforgivable, Ichika!â
âEh?
âWait, youâreâŠIchikaâŠ? Then, the one there isâŠâ
âEh!? Ah, thatâŠâ
This manâs stammering at this pointâno, this guyâs Ichika! Heâs undoubtedly Ichika!
âRemove the helm!â
âWahh, donât do it! I said stop, Houki!â
He called out my name! Of course, this guyâs!
âYouâre Ichika, right!? Youâre always doing such indecent thingsââ
âHouki, Iâm Ichika.â
âShut up! Disappear!â
The fake Ichika disappears with a forceful call, and the surrounding scenery changes from the dojo to the forest in the computer world.
âE-erm, HoukiâŠare you, hurt anywhere?â
Ichikaâs standing there while dressed in a butler outfit.
âWh-what do you mean by Iâm alright!? Ichika, youâŠgr-gro-groped my, breastsâŠâ
I immediately recovered, and was trembling all over in anger.
âTake your punishment!â
I open part of my IS, and summon âKarawareâ.
âWA-WAIT WAIT WAIT! THATâS MORE DANGEROUS THAN A KATANAâOWAHH!?â
âDONâT YOU RUN AWAY, YOU LECHER!?â
I chase after Ichika, whoâs running away for some reason.
âWhy is it that I feel happy in times like this?
More than those sweet dreamsâŠ
â
ââŠThen, weâre fooled by the ability of that âWorld Purgeâ? And it was just a delaying tacticâit really infuriates me.â
Houki, who returned to the real world, finally accepted what was going on after hearing Kanzashiâs explanation.
âButâŠwhy is it that Houkiâs about to break free so easilyâŠitâs a mystery.â
Upon hearing Kanzashi say this, Cecilia, Rin, Charlotte and Laura shuddered.
âBecause, everyone elseâuhm!â
The quartetâs hands quickly cover Kanzashiâs mouth.
âRe-really, Kanzashi-san!â
âYe-yeah, because weâreâŠright?â
âY-yes! Thatâs right!â
âG-goodness!â
Kanzashi looks at the quartet that were anxious out of a sudden in a perplexed manner.
And then, she looks at Ichika, who hasnât returned from the computer world.
(Letâs just hope nothing bad happensâŠ)
â
âFinally made it.â
I pass through the forest, and find a pure white beach and an endless azure blue sea.
(Is this the system core?)
I feel that Iâve seen this somewhere before, but also the feeling that this is the first time Iâm here.
Itâs a sense of nostalgia here, but also a sense of unfamiliarity, something really inexplicable.
âThatâsâŠ?â
A girl is standing on the beach alone there.
It was a girl with long silver hair.
(Huh? I feel like I met her somewhere beforeâŠand yet notâŠ)
Anyway, I approached her first, and felt that I did have an impression on that silver hair.
âLauraâŠis it?â
I call out to her, and she slowly turns around.
Her eyes are shut.
âNice to meet you for the first time. My nameâs Chloe Chronicle, and Iâll make my departure here.â
After saying that, the the girlâs profile slowly disappears in the shadow.
âO-oi, wait!â
But my call is met only with an empty echo, and the girl leaves just like this.
âWhat do I do now, thisâŠâ
I canât connect my communicator.â
Unable to do anything, I walk along the beach, and I find a woman standing at the coast.
âAhâŠâ
That beautiful lady with black hair is myâ
â
âSpeaking of which, that Ichika hasnât woken up yet.â
Rin sighs as she looks down at Ichika, whoâs lying on the bed.
âMaybe he got caught in the same trap as us?â
Cecilia said, but Kanzashi stammered,
âI guess notâŠthe system, has already been restoredâŠâ
âThen why hasnât he woken up yet?â
Charlotte says with doubt, and Laura then lets slip a line with a serious look.
ââA kiss then.â
It was a very determined voice.
âHAAAAHHH!?â
Everyone other than Laura exclaimed in shockâŠand even Kanzashi cried out in a slightly loud manner.
âA kiss!? What exactly are you thinking?â
âHm? You donât know, foolish people? Hasnât it always been a kiss that makes a sleeping beauty wake up since olden daysâŠthatâs what my First Officer says.â
âHurry up and fire that First Officer of yoursâŠâ
In contrast to Rinâs lethargic retort, Cecilia poked her body forward, wanting to try,
âPlease hold on! I do think that itâs not right to deny this possibility when we havenât tested it!â
âHuh!? Cecilia, what nonsense are youââ
âIn that case, I, Cecilia Alcott of the famous nobility with a long history, will be the perfect choice to wake up the prince Ichika-kun.â
Cecilia insisted as she panted.
âEh!? Th-thatâs too sneaky!! In that case, even I have the right to be chosen, right?â
Charlotte reaches her hand, not wanting to lose.
âAh-ahem! Well, thatâs, just like CPR anyway, just like CPRâŠâ
Houki raises her hand quietly, her stare turning to Ichika from time to time.
âIn that case, me too! Hai hai hai!â
Rin too raises her hand angrily.
âOi, you people! Donât steal the idea I raised! Itâs my idea!â
Laura protests unhappily, and Kanzashi uses this opening to sneak her way towards Ichika.
ââŠâ
ââHold it.ââ
Kanzashi was grabbed before she could react, on the right arm by Houki, and her left arm by Laura.
âWhat are you doing?â
âAre you trying to get a headstart?â
âNo, I-I definitely donât have that thought itâs just that based on the current situation I wonder if I should take a forceful method to break this current deadlock but my views shouldnât be added in and this is something I considered out of morality and responsibility in other wordsââ
âSTOPPPP!!! Thatâs too long! Itâs long and is a one huge line of arguments! Donât beat around the bush and go around like Ceciliaâs locks hair. Itâs annoying!â
âRight right! âŠEh, Rin-san? What did you just say?â
Just when the yapping was going on, Charlotte, who was left aside, suddenly had an idea.
âHuh? Isnât this a good chance now!?â
Pikon! The light bulb on her head lit up.
âDO YOU THINK IâLL LET YOU!!?â
Donât you dare! Just when Rin exclaimed this and let out a flying kick,
Charlotte duck aside to evade.
And so, the door opened at where the flying kick was directed.
âOi, brats, what are you fussing overâhoo?â
Pak, Rinâs flying kick landed right at Chifuyuâs abdomenâof course, thereâs no damage.
âRin, I knew youâll do this one of these daysâŠyes.â
âAh-ah-ahâŠâ
Everyone look at Rin, whoâs trembling in fear, and see her off with pale smiling faces.
After that, the girls say,
â» To protect their privacies, all visuals and voices have been edited.
âAt that moment, we really knew that we wonât be seeing Rin-sanâs smiling face again.â
âI thought I saw the devilâs version of the Hyakuretsuki[3]â
âMaybe this is the fate for her. â
âThis is deserved punishment for defying the instructorâŠbut itâs certainly pitiful.â
âSheâs, a very reliable friendâŠa warm-hearted motherâŠan outstanding teacherâŠand, what else should I carveâŠon the tombstone?â
âHuang Lingyinâs death confirmed.
Translator's Notes and References
Jump upâ Just a gentle reminder: A perfectly safe taser was used for this scene. Do not, I repeat, do not try this at home, even if youâre a celebrity. Saving something is highly recommended, even if itâs a game.Jump upâ Traditionally, well-mannered and refined women are called Yamato Nadeshiko, 〧㿫ć. However, Japan does call its national women football (or soccer) team Nadeshiko Japan, so I guess thatâs a nickname.Jump upâ Hokuto no Ken. Sheâs already dead.