Volume 8
Chapter 25
Whether Velli's class had moved on to practical skills in earnest, Tima and Velli were both lecturing while demonstrating magic. Nozomu, finding himself with time on his hands, for the time being, called out to Mars, who was standing next to him.
"Hey, Mars, how
long have you been coming here?"
"Since a little
before the opening festival. Around the time you started training with that old
geezer."
"I see..."
It seemed the two of
them had started coming to Ecross after Nozomu had begun studying under Zonne.
Nozomu, too, had been busy with his training with Zonne recently, and he had
not noticed at all that Mars and Tima were doing various things without his
knowledge. However, for Nozomu, seeing this, he felt as if he had seen an
unexpected side of the two of them.
"It's a little
surprising."
"Hmm? What
is?"
"The fact that
you're here, Mars, and I've never seen Tima-san act so proactively at the
academy."
It was surprising that
Mars, who was seeking strength and aiming to master the Magic-Ki Combination
Technique, was spending his time on things other than training like this, and
that Tima was teaching the children like this, like a teacher. Especially Tima,
whose usual quiet and reserved appearance was completely gone, and she was
actively lecturing the children. She was giving detailed instructions on the
formulas to use and the adjustment of the amount of magic power, and she was
admonishing the children who had shown a little adventurous spirit and were
about to do something dangerous with a firm tone.
"Well, she has a
younger brother, you know. He's close in age, so it's probably easy for her to
talk to them."
"You know a
lot..."
At Nozomu's words,
Mars let out a "Hmph..." and fell silent. Was he embarrassed? His
cheeks were slightly tinged with red, and his eyes were a little relaxed.
Mars's gaze was fixed on Tima, who was guiding the children, and his lips were
tinged with a somewhat happy color.
"You've
changed..."
"Ah, you mean
her? Perhaps because too many things have happened recently, she seems to have
come to terms with her own power. She was the one who offered to help with this
class."
Nozomu had thought
that Mars himself had changed, but it seemed that Mars had thought that his
words were directed at Tima. However, just as Mars was changing, Nozomu also
felt that Tima was also changing by being with Mars.
"Come to
terms?"
"According to
her, she used to hate her own magic power, which was too strong. But now she
says, 'I'm glad I have this power'..."
"I see..."
Tima, since she had
started to get involved with Nozomu, had overcome many difficulties in the past
six months or so. That experience seemed to have been enough for her to change
her way of thinking about her own, too strong magic power. Nozomu peeked at
Mars, who was happily watching Tima and the others next to him. The one who had
influenced Tima's change the most was probably Mars's presence. The two of
them, whose personalities were almost unbelievable to match. However, at the
distance between the two, which had at some point become closer, Nozomu, while
feeling a little astonished, smiled at the joy that was welling up from his
chest. While he was lost in thought, Nozomu was suddenly called out to from the
side.
"Hey, hey,
mister. Do you have a moment?"
When Nozomu turned his
eyes in the direction of the voice, three young girls were standing in a row.
Among them, the girl in the middle was approaching Nozomu.
"Hmm? You
are..."
Nozomu felt a strange
sense of familiarity at the girl who had approached him. While Nozomu was
trying to remember where in the world he had met her, the girl in question was
talking to Nozomu with a smile.
"It's been a
while. Thank you for your help that time."
"That
time...?"
"It was when I
was coming back from the library with Somia and we were attacked by a
ruffian."
"Ah, at the time
of the incident that Ken caused. Were you injured?"
The girl was Somia's
friend who had been involved in the assault incident that Ken had caused. Her
name was Lansa. Somia's classmate, and a good friend with whom she would study
together at the library until late at night.
"Yes! Thanks to
you and the others, Nozomu-oniisan, I was fine."
With a carefree,
bright smile, the girl called Lansa bowed her head to Nozomu.
"Nozomu-oniisan.
Since I have a chance to talk to you like this, there's something I'd like to
ask you, is that okay?"
"Something you
want to ask? Me? It's fine, but... hey, Mars, why are you making such an
unpleasant face?"
"..."
When Nozomu suddenly
felt a heavy atmosphere from his side and turned his face, Mars was making the
most unpleasant face he could.
"Mars-oniisan,
what's wrong? If you make such a grumpy face, Tima-oneesan will hate you, you
know?"
"Shut up, don't
talk to me."
"Hey,
Mars..."
Although Nozomu tried
to admonish Mars, who was speaking to a younger girl with such a dismissive
behavior, his words were interrupted by the voice of Lansa, who was waving her
hand in a light tone.
"Ah, it's fine, Nozomu-oniisan.
I know that Mars-oniisan is just embarrassed."
At the girl's courage,
who was not fazed at all in the face of Mars's angry aura, Nozomu was
surprised. Although he had become quite rounded recently, Mars was, as he
looked, quite a problem child. Fights outside the academy were a daily
occurrence, and as a result, he had been dropped to the lowest class, the tenth
rank. Such a former problem child's glare had a power that could make a young
child cry.
"So,
Nozomu-oniisan. Can I ask you a question again?"
"Nozomu, you'd
better not."
At Mars's words,
Nozomu was seized by a strange anxiety, but thinking that it would be rude to
the younger child who had gone out of her way to talk to him, he decided to
answer her questions.
"...Well, it's
fine."
"Yay! Everyone,
he said it's fine!"
Lansa, with a broad
smile, beckoned, and the other two girls who had been waiting behind her
approached Nozomu.
"This is Mery.
The one over there is Kinea. You're the 'onii-san' that Somia was talking
about, right?"
"Umm, are you all
Somia-chan's friends?"
"Yes! That's
right! We all study and play together."
These two also seemed
to be quite close to Somia. All three were directing a gaze at Nozomu as if
they were very interested. However, that gaze was different from the one that
had been directed at him when he had been demonstrating his Mikagura-ryu
swordsmanship earlier, and for some reason, it was a somewhat flighty, lukewarm
one. As Nozomu was tilting his head at the strange curiosity directed at him,
he was hit with a question from Lansa that could not be more direct.
"So, what I want
to ask Nozomu-oniisan is, how far have you gone with Somia?"
"...Huh?"
Not understanding the
meaning of Lansa's words, Nozomu couldn't help but ask back with a listless
voice.
"That girl,
although she talks about you a lot, she won't tell us how far you've progressed
at all. Since it's a rare opportunity, I thought I'd ask you here."
"Um, you, what in
the world are you..."
"So, how far have
you gone? Dates are a given, but you've kissed, right? What else? Have you
taken a bath together? Oh, of course, a story with Somia's older sister is fine
too!"
"I haven't! What
in the world are you talking about all of a sudden!"
The content of the
questions, which were being fired one after another without a break, was, no
matter how he thought about it, something that would directly hit Somia's
private life. And on top of that, it was extremely delicate content, and a
dangerous substance that could be dyed in a pink color if one were to stray
from the path even a little. Furthermore, she was also trying to get
information about Irisdina. In the face of the unexpected questions that had
been thrown at him like a storm, Nozomu couldn't help but raise his voice and
deny it. On the other hand, Lansa, who had had her question denied, had her
eyes wide open and was making an expression as if it were unbelievable.
"You really
haven't? A kiss? Don't tell me you haven't even gone on a date?"
Changing her cute,
wheedling voice into a heavy, deep voice, Lansa continued to ask. That state
was more like an interrogation or a questioning than a question, and at her
strangely fitting appearance, Nozomu couldn't help but answer honestly.
"...No, we've
gone on a date."
"I see, so you've
gone on a date. Well then, what about a kiss? Of course, you were the one who
initiated it, right?"
"..."
It seemed that if he
answered one question, he would be returned with two or three more questions.
Thinking that he couldn't have any more strange questions, Nozomu answered
Lansa's question with silence. However, perhaps this girl was also a child
prodigy to be able to be so quick-witted, as from Nozomu's silent state, she
had firmly sensed the truth.
"I see, so Somia
was the one who initiated it... So, what was the situation!? On a bench where
you were sitting together? In front of the mansion where you had walked her
home? Or on a bed or something!?"
"Uwaah..."
Whether he answered or
remained silent, at the storm of pink questions that was being repeated, Nozomu
let out a weary voice. And on top of that, the situation where Nozomu had been
kissed was properly mixed in with Lansa's words. Perhaps it was due to the
excessive interest in love, which was peculiar to a girl before adolescence,
but even so, it was too sharp. Although it might be limited to love, at the
Somia who had been continuing to dodge the answers to this friend, Nozomu once
again understood that she was also a child prodigy. And at the same time,
Nozomu thought. This girl was undoubtedly the same type of person as Feo and
Mimuru. A troublemaker who, if she were to be lit, would become heated, and as
a result of her rampage, would continue to involve those around her.
"It's starting.
That's why I told you not to..."
Mars let out an
exasperated voice. It seemed that he had also been a victim of Lansa's question
attack. Rather, it was precisely because he had been a victim that he had shown
such a rejection towards Lansa. Nozomu, at the fact that the bad premonition he
had felt before he had been asked the question had hit the mark, held his head
in his hands.
"U-Umm... Well,
if Somia-chan hasn't said anything, then I guess there's nothing for me to say."
"Eeh~. And here I
thought you would tell me all about your relationship with Somia~~. Could it be
that you're a wimp, Nozomu-oniisan, just like Mars-oniisan?"
Although the abuse
"Who are you calling a wimp, you
bastard!" was on the verge of coming out of his mouth, Nozomu, with
all his might, swallowed the words that had welled up to his throat. It was
true that it had taken him years to repair his relationship with his childhood
friend, and that he still couldn't see his own future, and that he was
depressed from his rampage in the Azel attack incident, but for Nozomu, his
opponent was the same as Somia, a younger girl. To get serious here was far too
childish, Nozomu, mustering all his slight pride, sewed his own mouth shut.
"Who are you
calling a wimp, you bastard!"
On the other hand,
Mars, who had been targeted as a wimp along with Nozomu, as expected, could not
hold back.
"Eeh~. Even
though it's so obvious that you like Tima-oneesan, Mars-oniisan, you won't
admit it at all. You won't answer me no matter what... so you're a wimp, after
all?"
"Y-You
brat..."
Although he looked as
if he had grown up and had become somewhat calmer, perhaps his resistance to
being provoked was still low, as Mars was trembling with anger. On the other
hand, Nozomu was relieved that Lansa's eyes had shifted from him to Mars. He
was trying to erase his presence and fade out. Even while saying that he was
his best friend, the fact that he would unhesitatingly use him as a decoy when
the spearhead was diverted showed that Nozomu was also beginning to be
considerably influenced by Feo and Mimuru. However, there was no way that he
wouldn't stand out if he were to make such a fuss during class.
"Mars-kun,
Lansa-chan. What are you two doing?"
As expected, Tima, who
had been helping Velli, admonished Lansa and the others with a scolding tone.
As Mars had said, perhaps it was because Tima was dealing with someone about
the same age as her own younger brother, as her nervous appearance from when
she was at the academy was completely gone, and she was exuding an atmosphere
of a reliable older sister.
"T-Tima-oneesan.
No, it's just..."
"Why am I the one
getting scolded..."
Of course, for the
current Lansa, Tima might have looked like a scary older sister. Perhaps she
was aware that she had been doing unnecessary things during class, as the
scolded Lansa shrunk, her shoulders slumping. On the other hand, Mars, who had
just been teased, looked dissatisfied.
"I don't know
what you were told by Lansa-chan, but you shouldn't raise your voice at a
younger child like that, Mars-kun."
However, Mars's
dissatisfaction was also shot down by Tima's single word. To raise one's voice
at a young girl about Somia's age was certainly childish. Mars also seemed to
be aware of that, as he readily bowed his head.
"S-Sorry..."
"Lansa-chan,
we're in the middle of class right now. Please return to Velli-sensei."
"Y-Yes~!"
"And Nozomu-kun
is participating in this class out of goodwill. I don't know what you talked
about, but to do something that would trouble that person is not something I
can admire."
Although Lansa was
replying with a very cheerful voice to cover her embarrassment, she was
properly given an additional lecture. Truly, the current Tima was a reliable
older sister.
"Y-Yes...
Nozomu-oniisan, I'm sorry for asking such a strange thing."
"It's fine. Although
it's true that I was surprised."
While showing a look
of apology, Lansa readily bowed her head to Nozomu. If she would properly
apologize, then it was fine with Nozomu. As expected of Somia's friend, Lansa
was also a good, honest child at heart. Tima, taking Lansa and the others, who
had bowed their heads to Nozomu and Mars, was about to return to Velli. Nozomu
and Mars also, thinking that they shouldn't get in the way, were about to move
to the edge of the training ground to observe from a little further away.
"Ah, um,
Nozomu-oniisan, please wait."
But Lansa stopped
Nozomu, who was about to move. Leaving her friends who were returning to class,
she rushed over to Nozomu's side again.
"What is
it?"
"Umm, just one
last thing, is that okay?"
Lansa's words, as if
she were hesitating. Her playful appearance from before was completely gone,
and for some reason, a shadow of anxiety was clearly reflected on her
expression. When Nozomu glanced at Tima's state, she met Nozomu's gaze and gave
a small nod. It seemed that this time, she wanted him to answer Lansa's
question. When Nozomu faced Lansa again, she, while showing a slightly
frightened look, opened her mouth.
"Somia will be
able to come tomorrow, won't she? That girl, she's been working too hard recently,
so she just made herself sick, right?"
What she was anxious
about was her best friend, Somia. She probably also knew about the meeting
between the Francilt family and the Wajiart family. And from the situation that
the Francilt family was in, and her best friend's absence, she had been seized
by the same kind of anxiety as Nozomu.
"...Yeah, she'll
be fine. She'll be here tomorrow."
What Nozomu could
convey was only a groundless word, which could be called a wish for Nozomu.
Still, thinking that he could at least distract her from her anxiety, Nozomu
smiled as if to encourage Lansa.
"...I'm
glad."
Although Lansa smiled
upon hearing Nozomu's answer, her expression still held a shadow of anxiety.
From that expression, it was clear that Lansa also understood that there was no
basis for Nozomu's answer. She also, precisely because she knew the situation
that Somia's family was in, had probably sensed that it would not be a simple
matter. Still, the fact that she could suppress her anxiety and make a smile
showed that this girl was a good friend, and at the same time, a still young
and fleeting existence.
"Nozomu-oniisan.
Please take care of Somia and Somia's older sister."
"...Yeah, if
there's anything I can do, I'll do my best."
If he couldn't say anything
about Somia and the others' current situation, then at the very least, he would
show the will that he himself could show, Nozomu returned the words "I'll do my best" to Lansa. The
unfading anxiety and regret that was aching in the depths of Nozomu's chest.
Even if he was holding that, the feelings that Nozomu could not yield would not
change. Lansa, who had heard Nozomu's will, said nothing and began to run to
return to class. Nozomu could not see the expression of Lansa, who was leaving
with her back to him, but Tima and Velli, who had greeted her, had a clear
smile on their lips. But contrary to their wishes, Somia would not be coming to
Ecross from the next day on.
***
When Velli's class was
over, Nozomu, along with Anri, Mars, and Tima, left Ecross. They passed through
the main gate of Ecross and came out onto the street that faced the central
park.
"Anri-sensei,
about the furnace..."
"It's okay, I'll
talk to them, so~"
Anri promised Nozomu
that she would talk to them, and then, perhaps she still had some business as a
teacher, as she returned to the Ecross school building. Nozomu, who had seen
off Anri, who had returned to Ecross, was for the time being relieved that he
had a plan to make the bell. Just as Nozomu was relieved and was about to
return to the dormitory, Mars, who had been walking next to him, called out to
him.
"Well then,
Nozomu, see you here."
"Huh? Where are
you two going?"
"I still have
business at the academy. About the Magic-Ki Combination Technique with Tom-kun
and the others..."
It seemed that Mars
and the others also had business to attend to at the academy.
"Got it. See you
tomorrow, at the academy."
"Yeah, see you
tomorrow."
Nozomu parted with
Mars, and Nozomu then walked towards the city.
"Now then, let's
go."
Mars, who had seen off
the departing Nozomu's back, advanced in the opposite direction of Nozomu,
towards the academy. Next to him, Tima was quietly snuggling up. Mars was full
of energy and was quite fired up. On the other hand, the expression of Tima,
who was looking at him, was not good.
"Hey, Mars-kun,
are you really going to do it?"
"Yeah. It's about
time I also took another step forward."
"But..."
Tima's confirming
tone. The two of them, who had been training the Magic-Ki Combination Technique
together until now, but Tima's concern for Mars was clearly different from
before. An expression that could not wipe away her anxiety. However, in the
eyes of Mars, who was looking at Tima's expression, a light of a strong will,
which he would absolutely not back down from, was dwelling.
"I can't stop. I
can't afford to stop. To catch up with him, I have to keep running."
For Mars, Nozomu was
his best friend, and an existence that could be called his rival. For a time,
he, too, due to his own immaturity, had failed to control his Magic-Ki
Combination Technique and had gone on a rampage. From that experience, he had
understood his own immaturity, and had come to have a certain amount of leeway
with techniques and powers that he could not control, and had come to take
steps in his mastery. However, it was also true that he could not move forward
just by having leeway. Although Mars had been able to use the Magic-Ki Combination
Technique, albeit in a limited way, with the cooperation of Tom, Tima, and Feo,
its range was limited, and for Mars, it was not enough. He couldn't move
forward just by walking slowly, and he couldn't overcome the wall. He had to
make a move somewhere. The rage at his father, who had abandoned him, and the
craving for power, which he had harbored in his chest since he was young, were
still smoldering within Mars. But more than that, Mars did not want to lose to
his best friend. While picturing the figure of Nozomu, who was resisting, even
while being at the mercy of a power greater than the Magic-Ki Combination
Technique, Mars clenched his own fist.
"I'm almost
there... And besides, I want to do all I can right now. You understand, right?"
"Yeah..."
Both Mars and Tima had
witnessed the whole of what had happened around Nozomu and Irisdina at the
opening festival. Although Mars and Tima had also crossed blades with Rugato
before, the two of them, who were outsiders even more than Nozomu, had not been
able to do anything at the time of the opening festival. The approach of the
Francilt family and the Wajiart family, the vampire princess who had taken an
abnormal interest in Nozomu. Mars's intuition, which had recently become
sensitive to commotions, was telling him that his own surroundings were
becoming dangerous again.
"If I fail, I'll
be counting on you again."
"Gosh, you're
always saying such convenient things..."
The path was already
visible. What was necessary was the last step. The final leap to jump over the
cliff in front of him. And the courage to jump, even if he knew that he might
fall into the abyss if he failed. On the other hand, at Mars, who was leaving
what would happen after he failed to her, Tima let out a sigh with an exasperated
look. Still, the fact that she had become able to speak in a light tone to a
member of the opposite sex, whom she had been bad with, even in the midst of
her anxiety, showed that this girl had also grown.
"Let's go."
"...Yeah."
Mars and Tima, who
were nodding as if to confirm with each other. On the crimson ground of the
twilight, the two shadows, which were lined up as if to snuggle up, flowed
towards the academy.
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