Chapter 4: Reckless, Reckless and Reckless
The next day, Friday morning.
Since today’s duel was scheduled for after school, I was heading straight to school when I spotted a crowd gathered in front of the gates—just like yesterday—and stopped dead in my tracks.
The faces were all familiar. A group of high-ranking girls from Sakura Academy, dressed in their school uniforms, surrounded a single “exceptional” figure—Saionji Sarasa.
“Heh, what a coincidence, Shinohara.”
Spotting me, she approached with her arms crossed. I could hear the surrounding students buzzing with excitement, but by now, I was getting used to this level of reaction.
Meeting her ruby eyes, I replied with a sigh-laced tone.
“Coincidence, my foot, Saionji. This is the second day in a row. It’s obviously intentional.”
“Oh, not at all. Sakura Academy’s high school division is just behind here. A little detour, and I end up on this path. …Hehe, don’t get too full of yourself, okay?”
“…Right, I’ll keep that in mind. Anyway, I’m heading in.”
“Wait—just wait a second! Yes, you should wait. I don’t have the slightest business with you, but still, there’s no need to rush off like that.”
As I tried to leave early, Saionji instinctively grabbed my arm and pulled with surprising force. Caught off guard, both of us lost our balance, our faces coming dangerously close to bumping foreheads.
“!!?! …U… Uh…”
Judging by the flush creeping up to her ears, she clearly hadn’t expected to end up in such a position either. But both of us (at least in public) were supposed to be a kind of “perfect superhuman” archetype. Stumbling like this or blushing over something so minor would ruin the image.
“…Tch.”
So, pushing aside the dizzying sweetness of her fragrance, I glared at her from point-blank range. Sensing my intent, Saionji quickly suppressed her embarrassment and plastered on a confident smile.
And then—both of us, in full taunting mode, kicked off the conversation.
“Heh… Hehe, I heard, Shinohara. You’re having another duel today, right? (So close… You’re too close, back off a bit.)”
“Yeah, that’s right. So what? Are you suddenly anxious because your last year’s winning streak might be broken? (N-No… This is bad. She’s holding my arm, dammit.)”
“No, not at all? I couldn’t care less about records. But I’m very, very interested in seeing you lose pathetically—so I’ll be watching today’s duel. Feel honored, okay? (Ugh… Fine, I get it. Don’t touch anything weird, or I’ll snap!)”
“Honored? Ha, sure. It’s such an honor to have a genius Six-Star ojou-sama watching me, I might just cry tears of joy. (…In this situation, is she seriously this invincible?)”
“Y-You really are awful, you know that. …Fine. Then I’ll bring my best camera today. I’ll make sure to capture the moment your smug grin cracks. (Well, yeah, you’re right. …Still, it’s your fault I’m so tired, Shinohara. Take responsibility.)”
“Huh, that’s nice. Like having a personal photographer. If LNN wants an interview, I’ll recommend you for the photos. (Responsibility? What am I supposed to do about that?)”
“Hmph, go ahead. Bark all you want now. Your articles will stop updating entirely next week anyway. (Hmm… Right. Then how about you rile me up thoroughly to wake me up?)”
“What? That’s your fate, not mine. (Huh, what’s this… Uh…)”
We bickered loudly for appearances, all while exchanging a completely different conversation under our breath. We were pulling it off without much trouble, but…
(Rile you up thoroughly…? That’s a tall order, you know.)
Glancing at Saionji’s expression, she seemed to be waiting eagerly for my response, a faintly amused smile playing on her lips. One corner of her cherry-colored mouth was slightly upturned, and with her arms crossed in front of her, a certain part was unavoidably emphasized…Hm?
“? What’s wrong, Shinohara?”
Maybe it wasn’t that bad…?
No, it wasn’t exactly flat, but compared to Himeji, who inevitably came to mind as a reference, it seemed smaller. If she was self-conscious about it, that might be a bit awkward, but she did ask me to rile her up.
—So, then.
“Well, leaving aside the current Seven-Star me… If you want to get featured in an article, you should drink milk every morning to look good in photos, flat-chest.”
“———”
The moment those words left my mouth, Saionji’s entire body stiffened. …No, wait. On closer inspection, her arms were trembling slightly. Her lips maintained a smile for the sake of the onlookers, but her eyes burned with resentful fury.
“…I-I drink it every day, you know… And even then, this is with a little padding…!”
“Uh, um… Saionji-san?”
“Y-… It’s nothing. Really, nothing at all. Thanks for the lovely greeting, Shinohara. Thanks to you, I’ll have a very pleasant day today, okay?”
“R-Right. Glad to hear it…?”
“Yes!”
With a huff, she turned away and snapped, shaking off my arm in frustration. She cast a brief glance toward the edge of the crowd, her brows furrowing with a mix of irritation and unease, before walking off.
…So, I riled her up as requested, and now she’s genuinely pissed.
(Wait, then what was I supposed to do instead…!?)
It didn’t sit right with me, but… well, I did what she asked, so I shouldn’t be blamed. Shaking it off, I shifted my gaze in the direction she’d seemed concerned about.
(…That guy, maybe?)
What caught my eye was a single male student standing slightly apart from the crowd. He wore an ostentatious black cloak over his uniform, an eccentric figure. For some reason, his sharp, appraising stare was unmistakably directed at me.
He soon blended back into the crowd, but his overwhelming presence—and Saionji’s cryptic behavior—left a clear imprint on my mind.
#
“—You mean you don’t know the guy in the cloak?”
Eimei Academy High School, Class 2-A. During the break between classes.
Amid the growing chatter, I posed that question to Tatara, sitting next to me.
“Yeah, the one in the black cloak. I caught a glimpse of him earlier. His outfit was pretty unusual, so I was curious.”
“Oh, I see! Yeah, yeah, Kugasaki-kun really stands out.”
“Kugasaki…? So that’s who he is. By the way, is he someone you know, Tatara?”
“No, no, not like that. It’s just that Kugasaki-kun is famous. Kugasaki-kun—Kugasaki Seiran-kun. He’s a third-year at Otowa High in District Eight, and his notoriety is top-tier on the island.”
“Huh… And why is he famous?”
“Well—”
“It’s because he’s a Five-Star,” Tsuji interjected, having approached unnoticed. Tatara pouted slightly, but Tsuji continued without a hint of apology.
“Kugasaki-senpai is renowned across the island as Otowa High’s ace. Compared to you, Shinohara-kun, he might seem overshadowed, but a Five-Star is still a super elite—one in a thousand. Ever since he got the Blue Colored Star two months ago, some even consider him nearly on par with a Six-Star. Plus, he has all sorts of legends surrounding him.”
“Exactly! Like, he’s never scored less than perfect on any regular test since enrolling at Otowa! And not just that—he’s also the leader of an unofficial security organization!”
“The Myriad Holy Knights, right? It’s a group Kugasaki-senpai founded back when he was a first-year. It started small, but now it has over three hundred members—a major organization. Probably the largest unofficial group on the island. The epitome of charisma.”
“He might look eccentric, but Kugasaki-kun actually has a lot of support. Oh, and… right! Speaking of Kugasaki-kun, he has this interesting nickname—‘Phoenix.’”
“…Phoenix?”
I tilted my head at the unfamiliar term. Tsuji answered with a wry smile.
“Yeah, Phoenix. As I said, Kugasaki-senpai is incredibly brilliant, so he already had a solid following. But what really skyrocketed his fame was an incident. …You see, last year around this time, he was the first to challenge Saionji Sarasa, who’d just enrolled, and lost. And get this—he ended up completely infatuated with the Empress.”
“Huh…? Even though he lost?”
“Because he lost. Seems he got totally hooked on that first taste of defeat.”
“….”
“Well, let’s set aside the weird quirks of geniuses. The point is, he’s absurdly devoted to the Empress. So much so that there’s a rumor his school’s evaluation of him is lower than it should be, given his excellence, because he’s too Empress-focused.”
“It’s not just a rumor—it’s definitely true. I mean, since last April, Kugasaki-kun has only challenged the Empress in duels. Even though he knows he’ll lose stars if he keeps losing.”
“True. If he picked his opponents carefully, he could easily secure Six-Star status. He’s either single-minded or just stubborn… But that’s where the ‘Phoenix’ name comes from. At first glance, it sounds like just another eccentric story, but here’s the thing: Kugasaki-senpai hasn’t dropped a single rank. Every time he loses to the Empress and falls to Four-Star, he instantly wins another duel and bounces back to Five-Star. …Haha, being obsessed over by someone like that must be tough for the Empress too.”
Tsuji shrugged dramatically with a resigned chuckle. I mirrored his smile, saying, “Yeah, that sounds like a real hassle,” but inwardly, I was grappling with entirely different emotions.
(So Kugasaki Seiran is that strong… This could be trouble.)
That post. The obsession. The Empress. Kugasaki Seiran kept challenging Saionji because he was drawn to her “strength.” That behavior wasn’t inherently wrong, but given my relationship with Saionji, I couldn’t ignore it—because if he beat her, I’d be dragged down too.
(Plus, since she lost the Red Star, Saionji’s definitely weaker now. That’s partly my fault, and I want to help somehow… but what can I do?)
Lost in thought, I mulled it over. …For now, my current position wasn’t entirely powerless. It was a risky move, but as I deliberated, the uneasy expression Saionji had worn this morning kept flashing through my mind.
(…Well, we’re accomplices for now. It’s a pain, but I guess I’ll have to step up a bit.)
Pulling out my device from my pocket, I started setting up a small plan.
#
The call from Himeji came a little while after lunch break began.
Following her instructions through my earpiece, I slipped away from prying eyes and headed to the rooftop—which was supposed to be off-limits but had its electronic lock hacked and disabled for this purpose—to start our strategy meeting.
“Let’s start with a quick recap. The duel Master is scheduled for today is called—Storm and Fury.”
“Yeah. …If I recall, it’s a 100-meter dash, right?”
“Exactly. Two players start simultaneously, and the first to cross the finish line wins. It’s a very straightforward rule. However, there’s one special condition—the method of movement isn’t specified at all.”
“No specified method of movement… So, in other words, ‘you can use any vehicle or means you want,’ right? …Though, I’m guessing it’s not that simple.”
“Perceptive as always, Master. Apparently, this duel’s opponent holds a fastest record of under a second.”
“…Huh!? U-Under a second—that’s impossi—”
“It’s understandable to be shocked. Master hasn’t been on this island long, after all. But you should already know this in theory—that duels on Academy Island involve a special element called abilities.”
“Y-Yeah… I mean, I know that much.”
Abilities. A general term for “special apps” used to gain an advantage in duels. Yesterday’s 50/50 was won with just hacking, so there was no talk of abilities, but—
“…So, with those, I can counter an opponent who runs 100 meters in under a second?”
“Yes. In simple terms, that’s correct.”
After briefly affirming my question, Himeji took a deep breath.
“Abilities are broadly classified into three types: attack, defense, and support. ‘Attack’ abilities form the core of your strategy or interfere with your opponent. ‘Defense’ abilities block interference from the opponent. And ‘Support’ abilities directly affect records or enhance attack abilities. Participants in a duel decide their ability lineup by freely combining these.”
“I see… So, in a single duel, you can use up to three abilities, right?”
“Yes. For example, today’s opponent might be using an ‘attack, attack, support’ setup for maximum speed. Of course, we can’t be certain they’ll use the same this time, but there are no records of them using any other combination. It’s fairly reliable.”
“Right, so you analyze it like that. And based on that, we plan our own setup.”
“Exactly, Master. Whether to prioritize countering the opponent or boosting your own performance… Choosing the optimal combination for the situation is the core of any duel. Misjudge it, and you could lose outright.”
“…True.”
I nodded, murmuring seriously. …In other words, even though it was nominally a “100-meter dash,” the real essence of this duel was a battle of reading each other’s abilities. I had to outthink my opponent and secure an absolute victory.
(I could come up with a few ideas, but… I probably won’t need to.)
Judging from Himeji’s tone, the Company had likely already prepared a foolproof strategy. In that case, I could wait until I heard it before racking my brain.
Clearing her throat with a cute little cough, Himeji began to speak calmly.
“Now, about today’s ‘strategy’—”
#
Academy Island District Four, Comprehensive Track and Field Stadium.
This vast ground, also used for events spanning districts, was currently buzzing with the intense excitement of about two thousand spectators.
The venue could hold up to five thousand, so it wasn’t “sold out,” but the fact that this many people showed up for a single duel spoke volumes about the attention it garnered. Judging by the uniforms, there were quite a few from other districts too.
And in the center of it all, I faced off against one student—but…
“Three, two, one… Zero! And that’s time, nyaahhh!!”
“‘Wooooooohhhhhh!!’”
Following the declaration that echoed into the clear sky, a wave of enthusiastic cheers erupted without a moment’s delay. It wasn’t from my opponent, nor was it me who said it.
With a slight sigh, I turned my gaze toward the voice and saw a lively girl holding a microphone to her headset.
“Sorry for the wait, everyone, nya! Before diving into today’s main event, I just need a teensy bit more of your time, nya! Is that okay, nya~!?”
“‘Sureeeeee!!’”
“Thanks for the energetic response, nya! Then, with your permission, it’s self-introduction time! I’m Kazami Suzuran, a second-year affiliated with the Academy Island official organization Librarian, nya~!!”
“‘Wooooooohhh!!’”
With her introduction, she struck a side peace sign and started waving her hands in all directions—a mysterious girl.
The Librarian she mentioned was the major organization running the net news app LNN, which Tatara had introduced me to. They reportedly covered various events on the island and disseminated information daily.
Their main activity was that, but they had another role: acting as “assistants” in cases like this.
Generally, large-scale duels often required referees or staff depending on the content. Normally, participants would have to request someone themselves, but Librarian saw an opportunity there. By offering “staff substitution,” they could infiltrate events without hassle and gather intel efficiently without being shunned.
Plus, since such duels naturally drew massive attention, Librarian members who frequently hosted these events gained a sort of idol-like popularity.
“Thanks, nya! Nya-ha-ha, getting this much love is ticklish, nya~!”
—And the girl bouncing around in front of me now was a prime example of that.
Kazami Suzuran. A Three-Star. From the same District Three as Saionji, and naturally wearing a Sakura Academy uniform… or so it should be, but it was so heavily customized that it was hard to tell at a glance. Her skirt was shortened to the extreme, exposing her thighs without reservation, and a badge on her right shoulder pinned with a safety pin read “Ace Reporter!” in bold letters.
Her chestnut hair, cut just below her shoulders and flipped outward, was likely due to the boyish cap she was wearing. Her tone and gestures were ridiculously cutesy, but these active, gadget-like accessories miraculously harmonized with her image.
After a brief MC spiel, Kazami flashed a toothy grin at us, showing her fangs.
“And now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for! Let me introduce today’s duel participants, nya!”
As she spoke, Kazami stepped toward my opponent. Following her cue, several cameramen swiveled to face that direction.
…Yes, considering the venue’s size, a film crew had been mobilized. Our duel would be displayed on screens scattered throughout the stands, and apparently, Librarian’s official app, “Island-Tube,” was streaming it live.
Because of that, I’d temporarily removed the earpiece from my right ear for now.
(Can’t contact Himeji, which is a bit of a problem, but… I need to stay focused.)
With a slight nod, I steeled myself internally.
Meanwhile, Kazami had already started introducing the duel challenger.
“First—our challenger! Third-year from District Eleven, Urasaka Haru-senpai! Three-Star rank, hobbies include visual kei bands and motorcycling! A punk rock, cool senpai, nya!”
“…Yo.”
Perhaps overwhelmed by Kazami’s energy, the girl across from me responded with just that after a brief delay.
Her style… “dark” might be the best way to describe it. Reflecting her love for visual kei bands, her short black hair was streaked with red highlights. Instead of a uniform, she wore a stylish black outfit that screamed band house vibes.
Kazami kept tossing questions her way, stoking the crowd’s interest and applause.
Then, with a dramatic spin, she charged toward me with momentum.
“And next—our acceptor! The fastest and strongest Seven-Star in history, Shinohara Hiroto-kun, nya! Second-year at Eimei Academy High School, a fresh face who just arrived on Academy Island three days ago! After winning duels two days in a row and electrifying the island, will this king show his power again today, nya~!? So, Shinohara-kun, care to share your resolve, nya!”
“Resolve? …No.”
Facing Kazami, who thrust the microphone close with eager anticipation, I shook my head calmly and replied with a straight face.
“No need for that—I’m going to win anyway.”
“Ooooohhh! What confidence! What composure! The arrogance and self-assurance of a true Seven-Star! That’s our Shinohara-kun, nya!!”
Kazami squealed, her cheeks flushed with excitement. I averted my gaze, feigning indifference, but inwardly, I was cringing in embarrassment. …That line was definitely going to be a black mark on my record, wasn’t it? Come to think of it, my lie was basically a “cringe-inducing black history factory”…
(…Well, at least no one’s laughing at me right now, which is a relief—)
“And now! Let me introduce today’s special guest, nya!”
As I distracted myself with these thoughts, Kazami raised her hand and announced this. One of the entrances opened, and a single female student emerged.
She glanced at me, her lips curling slightly, before offering an elegant bow near the microphone.
“Hello, I’m Saionji Sarasa, honored to be introduced. It seems Shinohara-kun is certain to win this duel, but as far as I know, no duel is absolute. It’s probably just a bit of lip service, but I plan to enjoy watching with everyone else. …Hehe, please take care, okay?”
“‘Wooooaaahhh!!??!’”
The reaction was unprecedented.
True, her poised and captivating presence explained her popularity. …But her eyes were still mocking me, clearly poking fun at what I’d just said. Her expression looked like she was about to burst out laughing.
(That girl…!)
“Yes! And so, from here on, I, Kazami Suzuran, and my classmate, Sakura Academy’s absolute ace, Saionji Sarasa-chan, will be hosting together, nya~!”
Unaware of the undercurrents between me and Saionji, Kazami signaled something to the Librarian film crew. Then, she approached my opponent, the senpai, and said,
“Now, Urasaka-senpai, if you would, please call out the duel’s name, nya!”
“Got it. The duel I challenged Shinohara to is this one… Storm and Fury.”
The moment the senpai uttered those words, a loud boom sounded, and the duel title appeared on all the screens around the arena.
Glancing at it briefly, Kazami continued in her bouncy tone.
“Storm and Fury! So cool, nya! By the way, what kind of game is this, nya?”
“Hmm… Simply put, it’s a ‘sprint.’ We use this track for a 100-meter dash—just me and Shinohara. That’s it.”
“Simple! Simplicity is best, nya! But, Urasaka-senpai, wouldn’t that put you at a physical disadvantage?”
“Nah, not really. Because… this isn’t your average 100-meter dash. Anything goes.”
With a slight smirk tugging at the right corner of her mouth, the senpai spoke. As if in response, the rules of Storm and Fury appeared on both my device and the screens:
– The two players must move from the starting point to the finish line, a distance of 100 meters.
– The start will be signaled by the referee—in this case, Librarian’s Kazami Suzuran—and the first player to reach the finish line wins.
– However, this is no ordinary 100-meter dash. Anything goes—meaning, the method of travel from start to finish is entirely unrestricted.
“….”
Confirming the rules, I nodded slightly. …Well, it was exactly as Himeji and I had discussed earlier. Nothing to be surprised about now.
In contrast, Kazami was gripping her right hand excitedly, practically trembling.
“Anything-goes 100-meter dash—! Oh, hot! Too hot, nya! Senpai, senpai, if you don’t mind, could you share why you chose this duel, nya!?”
“Well… honestly, I just thought I could win this one. …Heh, you probably already know, but I’ll tell you anyway, Shinohara. My fastest record in this duel is under a second.”
“Under a second! That’s nonsensical, nya! How will the Seven-Star respond to this provocation…!?”
The senpai declared her personal best with a smug look. At the same time, Kazami, echoing the crowd’s rising murmur, thrust the microphone closer—but I responded in a nonchalant tone.
“What’s there to say? …So what?”
“W-What, are you saying you’re faster than me?”
“Who knows. Anyway, why ask? We’ll find out when we try.”
“…Hmph. Fine. Keep acting all high and mighty. I might not look it, but I have absolute confidence I won’t lose in terms of speed.”
With a lazy drawl but clear fighting spirit in her eyes, the senpai issued her challenge.
Ah… Indeed, that made sense. She wouldn’t have challenged a Seven-Star head-on without confidence.
But.
Unfortunately, that didn’t matter in the slightest.
“What a coincidence. —I have confidence I won’t lose at anything, not just speed.”
In the center of the roaring arena, I flashed a defiant smirk with my usual strongest declaration.
Mentally, I was ready to dive into the duel right then, but a preparation period was scheduled first. Lapel mics were attached to me and the senpai for in-duel commentary, and the Librarian team set up a makeshift “commentary booth.”
And right now, the senpai—having swapped her band gal look for a jacket—was finishing preparations for her ride. But seeing it, I was already starting to regret my earlier bravado.
“My hobbies are visual kei bands and motorcycling. You heard that earlier, but there’s one more thing. …I also love tinkering with them.”
Ahead of me, the band gal senpai spoke cheerfully.
Next to her was—a motorcycle. Not some moped or scooter, but a massive machine that could probably fit three of her inside by volume. The black body, likely painted by her, was accented with flashy red lines.
“T-T-This is insane, nyaahhh!!”
Even though I stayed silent, I could understand Kazami’s wild excitement this time. …Because during our earlier strategy meeting, there was no record of this monster machine ever appearing in the senpai’s duel history. Her style was supposed to involve modifying her favorite electric bike and maxing out its speed with abilities.
“—Right? Isn’t it amazing?”
Contrasting my silence and Kazami’s fervor, the senpai spoke with her usual carefree tone.
“Actually, this is its first unveiling. I wanted to show it off on a big stage.”
“First unveiling! Nya, so you’ve never used it before, nya?”
“Well, yeah. See, I’m a third-year born in April, so I just turned eighteen last week. In other words, I only recently got my license for big bikes.”
“…Nyu? Wait, can you get a license that fast, nya?”
“Ugh… W-Well, the details don’t matter. I have a proper license, okay!”
Flustered, she pulled out her license and pointed emphatically at the photo. It looked genuine, but noticing the birth year listed as nineteen years ago, I secretly nodded. …I see. She must have repeated a year somewhere and hid it by not using the bike last year. That explains why it wasn’t in her records.
(She probably didn’t plan this, but… hmm, this is tricky. Can I handle it?)
Logically, my strategy should account for a change in her “ride” without much issue. But whether this machine was an exception, I wasn’t so sure.
“Anyway… With this baby, I can go even faster—way faster. No one’s catching up, not Shinohara, not anyone. Today, I’m becoming the wind.”
With that declaration, the senpai swung herself onto the bike. She slotted her device into a groove between the handlebars, pulled on a helmet hanging from the side, and said, “Gonna warm it up a bit,” before circling the outer edge of the field.
Perhaps to fill the gap while waiting for her, Kazami raised her voice to the mic again.
“Alright, we’re about to dive into the much-awaited duel… Nya-ha-ha, by the way, what’s your take, Sarasa-chan? What’s the highlight of this duel?”
“Hm… Well, you can probably tell just by looking at that bike, but if it comes down to pure speed, Urasaka-senpai has the clear advantage. So, it all hinges on what kind of abilities Shinohara’s chosen…”
“But, nya?”
“…I wonder. For example, if I were challenged to this same duel, the first ability I’d pick would be one that disrupts the opponent. It’s the most straightforward choice and the easiest way to win. But… I have a bad feeling about this. The fact that it’s explicitly ‘anything goes’ feels oddly suspicious, like it’s baiting us into a trap. Though, I haven’t thought it through fully, so it might just be my imagination.”
“Hmm, nya-rly… The old double bluff, huh? This is getting interesting, nya!”
Kazami responded to Saionji’s calm analysis with her usual high-energy chatter.
Interesting or not, Saionji’s point was valid. The “anything goes” rule naturally leads you to think about disrupting or interfering with your opponent. If the senpai was deliberately steering us toward that mindset, it wouldn’t be surprising if she’d set up some kind of “counter” to exploit it.
But—knowing all that, I casually strolled toward the starting line.
“…On foot?”
“S-Shinohara-kun, is he seriously planning to race a bike on foot, nya!?”
My decision to face the duel alone, without a vehicle, drew confused murmurs not just from the commentary booth but from the crowd as well. …I didn’t react at all, instead glancing at the senpai, who was still looping the field on her bike.
Then, I quietly recalled—according to the Company’s analysis, the senpai’s main ability was Speed Limit Release. As the name suggests, it removes restrictions, allowing her bike or car to ignore its “maximum speed” and accelerate indefinitely.
It was a “non-approved ability” that could be flagged as illegal if misused, but its performance was undeniable.
There wasn’t solid proof for her other two ability slots, but her history suggested Acceleration and Safety Device as her standard combo. A relentless pursuit of speed capped with a defensive Safety Device. As Himeji had said, an “attack, attack, support” setup.
(If she’s using those three this time, then without any defense abilities, my interference should go through unblocked. But…)
As my thoughts reached that point, the senpai finished her warm-up lap and pulled up beside me. She parked the bike, removed her helmet, and flashed a knowing smile.
“Sorry for the wait. …Sounds like you were having an interesting chat just now? Something about a bad feeling?”
“That was Saionji, not me, but yeah, I agree.”
“Huh… Sharp, aren’t you? You’re exactly right.”
Looking down at me from her bike, the band gal senpai’s grin widened as she continued.
“No point hiding it now since abilities can’t be changed, but this time, I went with Interference Nullification as a counter to you, Shinohara. It’s a ‘defense’ ability that nullifies any interference from my duel opponent. I’ve never used it before, and it’s not well-known or highly rated—so I figured you wouldn’t see it coming.”
“….”
“You probably checked my data, so you know I usually go all-in on speed. With the rules set to ‘anything goes,’ most people would think, ‘How do I stop her?’ That’s why, if my plan worked, your abilities should be packed with ways to interfere with me. …But all of that’s useless now.”
“‘Ooooohhh…!’”
Her declaration sparked loud cheers from parts of the crowd, likely those hoping for an upset.
…Yeah, she was right. With only three ability slots, abilities that rely on predicting the opponent’s moves are risky picks. That’s probably why Saionji didn’t mention it earlier, but because of that very assumption, Interference Nullification could function as the ultimate counter.
Of course, choosing it meant sacrificing another ability, making it a gamble of sorts—but that level of risk was negligible compared to the potential reward of “defeating a Seven-Star.”
“Shinohara…”
Faced with this situation, Saionji’s expression faltered slightly in the commentary booth. Her ruby eyes darted toward me with a hint of unease. …I could understand her concern.
(But—just watch from there, Saionji.)
Turning back to the senpai, I raised the corner of my mouth and taunted, “Is that all you’ve got to say? Then let’s get started, senpai. I’m getting sleepy from all this waiting.”
“Wha… Tch.”
The senpai fell silent for a moment, caught off guard by my response, then clicked her tongue and roughly put her helmet back on. Seeing this, Kazami, who’d been standing by, grabbed the mic again.
“Looks like both players are ready, nya, so let’s begin the duel! …All good, nya?”
“Yeah.”
“Sure, go ahead.”
“Got it, nya! Alright—everyone, thanks for waiting, nya! Today’s main event, Storm and Fury! Who will be the first to reach the goal 100 meters away!? This match will be over in a flash, so no blinking, please, nya!”
Ramping up her energy even more, Kazami hyped the crowd with exaggerated flair and gestures. —And then,
“Three, two, one… Go!!”
Almost simultaneously with her signal, a deafening vrrrroooom erupted as the senpai’s bike surged forward. Likely using Acceleration and Speed Limit Release together. Boosted by both abilities, the black machine hit top speed in an impossibly short time. No joke—it felt like the wind pressure could’ve knocked me over from where I stood.
“Heh… Too easy!”
Her breathy confidence was caught by the mic inside her helmet. The senpai, tearing ahead at full throttle, left me in the dust, closing in on the 100-meter mark—and then, just when everyone was certain of her victory…
“…Huh?”
Whether it was Kazami’s voice, Saionji’s, or a murmur from the crowd, I couldn’t tell. But one thing was certain: many shared that same sentiment.
Because the senpai’s bike stopped—right before the finish line, the handlebars swerved sharply, throwing her forward. It looked like a catastrophic crash was imminent, but her jacket suddenly inflated, forming an airbag in an instant. At the same time, the ground’s surface shifted, turning into a shock-absorbing material that gently caught both her and the bike.
“—Hey, you guys.”
Confirming the scene unfolded as planned, I began speaking slowly as I walked far behind. Not to the senpai, who likely couldn’t respond, but to no one in particular.
“Did you really think a Seven-Star wouldn’t see through that?”
“W-What’s that mean, nya?”
As expected—or rather, predictably—the first to reply was Kazami Suzuran.
“I don’t get it at all, nya! Explain! I demand an explanation, nya!”
“I was going to anyway—listen up. Like Saionji said earlier, the rules are suggestive. ‘Anything goes’ makes you think of interference, but it’s not hard to see it as a setup. …And if you’ve figured that out, that’s enough info, right?”
“Enough…? Enough for what, Shinohara-kun, nya?”
“All that ‘maybe’ or ‘probably’ stuff—those hypotheticals don’t matter. Not well-rated? Never used before? So what? If there’s a possibility, you crush it. Sorry, but I’m a Seven-Star—I’m not about to lose here.”
Strolling leisurely toward the goal, I recalled my strategy meeting with Himeji from a few hours ago:
“Master, let’s use Nullify Penetration for all three abilities today.”
“…Huh?”
“I mean Nullify Penetration. It’s a support ability that temporarily disables the opponent’s defense abilities.”
“Oh, uh, that sounds good, but… all three?”
“Exactly. It means filling every slot with the same ability. After all, our opponent today, Urasaka-sama, is a Three-Star. If she’s using a defense ability, its strength is Level 3. Master’s Level 1 abilities wouldn’t stand a chance against that.”
“But… isn’t the key to a duel reading the opponent and building the optimal lineup? Going that extreme—wait… Oh, I get it.”
“You’ve caught on, Master. —Yes, with the Company backing us, there’s no need to worry about balancing abilities. As long as external interference is possible, my or Kagaya-san’s hacking can handle everything. In other words, in this duel, the only way Master could lose is if Interference Nullification is used. Therefore, there’s no point considering other possibilities.”
And so.
In short—we’d anticipated Interference Nullification from the start and tailored our strategy to counter it specifically. Whether it was likely or not didn’t matter. Because once it was neutralized, the Company’s cheating could flow freely.
That’s why I filled all my ability slots with Nullify Penetration Lv1.
At this point, the duel’s victory was already guaranteed, but… that wasn’t quite enough. Like last time, to sustain my “lie,” I needed flawless cheating paired with acting that left no room for doubt. With everything set up so perfectly, it was my turn to shine. Time for the (fake) reveal.
Calculating the best angle for the cameras, I flashed a sly grin.
“So, my first ability was Nullify Penetration Lv7. Its effect ensured my second ability, Forced Stop, would hit without fail.”
“You burned two slots on a single read to guarantee interference…? T-That’s lowkey insane, nya. But, Shinohara-kun, what about the last slot, nya?”
“The last one? You should already be able to see it, right?”
“…Nya?”
By then, I’d finally reached the senpai’s side.
Yes, exactly—Saionji might’ve noticed, but our strategy had one potential flaw. Even if we stopped the bike, there was a chance the senpai could sprint to the goal on foot. If that happened, catching up would be nearly impossible, so we had to eliminate that risk.
But, as I’d said, the “answer” to that was already clear.
“Don’t get it? I’ll spell it out—my third ability was Safety Device, used on the senpai. Gotta make sure my opponent doesn’t get hurt, right? Wouldn’t sleep well otherwise.”
“‘Wha—!?’”
…Of course, that was just a pretext—a fake excuse. The real goal was to “deploy an unnecessarily heavy airbag we’d rigged in advance to immobilize the senpai.”
In the end, without ever running, I crossed the finish line with a smug smile.
“—That was seriously amazing, Shinohara-kun, nya!”
A little while after the duel with the band gal senpai ended.
As the crowd began to disperse, Kazami, eyes sparkling, grabbed my hands and swung them up and down enthusiastically.
“It was absolutely awesome, nya! We got tons of great footage, viewership skyrocketed… It’s such a haul I might get a nosebleed, nya! I love you, Shinohara-kun, nya~!”
“Thanks. But, well, a duel like this is one I’m supposed to win.”
“C-Cool, nya… Can I use that line in an article, nya!? Like, ‘It’s only natural I’d win,’ he said, flashing a ferocious grin, truly befitting the lone peak. Rather than a pristine hero, he evokes a demon king bathed in crimson—’ or something, nya!”
“…So you’re the one writing those articles.”
Come to think of it, Librarian was behind LNN… Well, whatever.
Next to the ecstatic Kazami, Saionji stood with her arms loosely crossed under her chest, clearly feigning displeasure (though a faint trace of relief was visible).
“Hmph… Congrats on the three-peat, Shinohara.”
“Doesn’t look like you’re happy about it.”
“Because I’m not. If anything, I was hoping Urasaka-senpai’s bike would run you over and end the game quick.”
“….”
“…Hey, Shinohara, why aren’t you calling me out? It… It was a joke, okay? Sort of?”
“Your jokes don’t sound like jokes…”
I grimaced, managing to fire back a retort.
By the way, the band gal senpai had left the venue long ago. She’d lost the duel, but she seemed oddly satisfied, probably because she got to show off her beloved bike.
With all the formalities done, I figured it was time to head back to the dorm—
“Hahahahahahahaha!!”
…Just as I thought that, a booming laugh cut through the relaxed atmosphere of the stadium.
At the same time, white smoke billowed from part of the arena with a whoosh, and a silhouette leapt down from the stands, landing gracefully. As the smoke cleared, the figure swept their cloak aside and approached us slowly.
It was a familiar face—someone I’d seen just this morning.
The man in the black cloak—Kugasaki Seiran. Tall and slender, his features could reasonably be called handsome. His slightly theatrical air suited his long bangs.
But more than anything, his outfit defined him. A black cloak with an upturned collar, a bandage on his right wrist, and a crest on the back of his left hand as he adjusted his silver-framed glasses. He was the embodiment of a “chuuni” archetype from a bygone era.
He strode right up to me and stopped.
“Well, well—our first meeting, Seven-Star. I’m Kugasaki Seiran. I have no intention of telling you to remember it, but you’ll end up doing so whether you like it or not. After all, it’s the name of the man who’ll bring you to your knees for the first time.”
His theatrical gestures and distinctive phrasing, paired with a billowing cloak, came with a greeting dripping with hostility as he flashed a thin smirk.
“…Oh? Is that so? And what does this guy want with me?”
“Glad you asked! Truth be told, I have a little matter to discuss with you.”
“A matter…?”
“Yes. A few hours ago, I saw a peculiar post on STOC. According to it, you’re supposedly more suited than I am to be the goddess’s rival—hah, it was hilarious. So hilarious I nearly smashed my device’s screen. But I’m a calm man, so I didn’t. Instead, I came here to observe your duel. And I must say, it was impressive—aside from the goddess, it’s been a while since a duel moved me this much. Yet—no, because of that, I want to duel you. If your power to topple my goddess isn’t a sham, prove it again!!”
His eyes flicked briefly toward Saionji, then locked onto me with fierce intensity. Saionji, probably used to this by now, didn’t seem fazed, just sighing with annoyance.
As for me, I kept up a nonchalant facade on the surface.
(Didn’t expect him to show up this fast.)
—Yes. Kugasaki’s sudden duel challenge wasn’t unexpected at all. Before my duel with the band gal senpai, I’d posted anonymous messages on STOC to provoke him. I hadn’t anticipated he’d act so quickly, but I’d planted the “spark” to make him challenge me.
All to redirect his obsession away from Saionji.
It was a move I could only pull off because I was currently the “Seven-Star who defeated the Empress.”
“Ha… Got it. So, you’re here to challenge me to a duel, huh?”
“Exactly. Or rather, to prove I’m above you.”
“If that’s a joke, make it clearer with your face. …Hmm, alright. I’ll accept your duel—but with one condition.”
“!? H-Hey, Shinohara, what are you—”
“A condition?”
Cutting off Saionji, who looked startled, Kugasaki frowned suspiciously and asked. I continued calmly.
“Yeah. Look, I don’t have any reason to accept your duel. I know duel challenges can’t be outright rejected, but I can choose the order, right? And I’ve got over fifty pending challenges right now. I could easily push yours to the back of the line forever.”
“That’s true, but… Tch, sneaky. Fine—what’s the condition?”
“Simple. From what you said, this is about deciding who’s more worthy as the Empress’s rival, right? Then it’s easy—‘Whoever loses this duel can never challenge Saionji again.’ If you agree to that, I’ll take you on.”
“‘Wha—!?’”
My abrupt and outrageous demand stunned not only Kugasaki but Saionji too. Her reaction was especially pronounced, staring at me with her mouth agape.
Naturally, Kugasaki recovered first.
“Y-You… Are you mocking me!? My ‘goddess’ is a sacred, noble being! To make her the subject of a bet is—”
“Oh, fine then. Find someone else to duel. …Weird, though. If you’re so sure you’ll win, it’s not even a ‘bet,’ right? Oh well. Running away just shows how little resolve you’ve got.”
“…!”
The more I taunted, the more Kugasaki’s cheeks twitched with anger and frustration. Then—after a moment of closing his eyes tightly—he thrust his right hand toward me dramatically.
“Run away? Me? …No way. As a Five-Star ranker and leader of the Myriad Holy Knights, I’d never flee from you. Let me say it again, Shinohara Hiroto—I’ll accept any condition you throw at me, so take my duel!!”
His words, brimming with resolve, sounded like they belonged to the protagonist’s side.
In response, I—
“Ha… Bring it on. I’ll show you the difference in our caliber, small fry.”
With a deepening smirk, I curled the corner of my mouth upward.
—
“—I’m so sorry!!”
“….”
That evening, just past 6 PM.
After delivering my grand “acceptance declaration” with maximum flair and leaving the stadium, I’d headed home in style—only to drop into a full-on dogeza the moment I opened the door, facing Himeji standing in the entrance hall.
No one forced me, of course. …But “not apologizing” wasn’t an option. My plan had only ever been to “bait Kugasaki,” and as a One-Star in reality, I had zero chance of beating him. In short, I’d provoked him and dragged us into a duel without consulting Himeji at all.
And it was set for the day after tomorrow, Sunday. …At this point, it wouldn’t be surprising if she gave up on me.
“….”
Himeji hadn’t said a word since we locked eyes. I couldn’t see her face while groveling, but it was probably disappointment, maybe anger. Either way, making her feel like that was already unforgivable.
Then—a faint sound of footsteps. Drawn to it, I glanced up slightly to find Himeji standing closer, gazing down at me.
“…I have one question, Master.”
“Huh? Oh, yeah. One or two, ask as many as you want.”
“Thank you. Then—why are you apologizing right now? I’d like to know the reason.”
“The reason? …Come on, that’s obvious, isn’t it?”
“It’s not. It’s very—very important.”
Himeji’s expression was more serious than ever.
Not why I picked a fight with Kugasaki, nor why I tied Saionji to the duel terms—just why I was apologizing now. I didn’t fully grasp what she was getting at, but that only made me answer more earnestly.
“It’s simple. We just finished one duel, and now I’m causing you trouble again. And this time, the opponent’s a real pain, with barely any prep time… I’m really sorry! I swear I’m reflecting, so please lend me your strength!!”
Halfway through, I started grinding my forehead against the floor again. Sure, I was using the Company for my own goals, but that didn’t mean I held any ill will toward Himeji or the others. I never wanted things to turn out like this.
But… I was the one who decided to do this. I chose to keep Kugasaki away from Saionji to protect my lie, and I acted on it. No backing out now. I’d do everything I could.
Everything—like, say…
“T-Tonight’s dinner! I’ll cook!”
“It’s already prepared, Master. Today’s menu is high on feminine charm—Japanese cuisine.”
“Thank you! Then… cleaning! Leave it to me!”
“That’s already done too. I made sure it’s spotless, even if Master dogezas everywhere.”
“Too perfect! Alright, then… How about a shoulder massage? You must be tired!”
“No, I’m used to this level of work. …Besides, a maid can’t let her master do such things. Your sentiment is enough.”
“Ugh… Out of moves. Guess I’ll have to lick your shoes—oh, wait, we take shoes off here. Then… your socks! I’ll lick your socks!!”
“T-That’s a bit too perverse, so please don’t, Master!!”
Blushing slightly, Himeji took a step back, pressing her thighs together. …Yeah, a high school boy licking a maid’s knee-high socks would be, to put it mildly, pretty bad. Maybe worse than licking shoes.
Pressing her hands against her skirt, Himeji pouted and gave me a sidelong glare.
“…Pardon me, but is Master unfamiliar with the concept of pride?”
“Huh!? N-No, it’s just… Pride won’t protect my lie, so… yeah.”
Still half in dogeza, I answered with partial sincerity. Pride? I had some, but right now, there were far more important things.
“…Sigh.”
As I mulled over that, a faint breath from Himeji reached my ears.
“Let’s set aside Master’s perverseness for now. …I’m a little relieved.”
“Relieved? About what?”
“About the ‘reason’ you gave. If you were apologizing because you’d given up on winning the next duel—as in, ‘Sorry, I’m gonna lose after all your help’—I’d probably have been disappointed. Maybe angry. I might’ve regretted not being able to do more.”
“….”
“But if your reason is what you just said… If that dogeza meant ‘Sorry for the trouble, but let’s do this,’ in a terribly brazen and selfish way, then my answer was decided from the start.”
Speaking softly, Himeji turned her clear blue eyes toward me. Placing her right hand on her chest, she bowed with a refined grace that took my breath away. …And then,
“—There’s no need to apologize. I’m here to make sure Master wins.”
“…So, you mean…”
“Yes. You don’t need to cook or lick my socks. I’ll stay by Master’s side forever. …But understand this, Master. This duel is exponentially harder than anything before. No matter how much we prepare, I can’t guarantee ‘certain victory.’
Even so—will you trust me?”
“…”
Tilting her head slightly, her silver hair swaying, Himeji looked into my eyes and asked. But, like she’d just said, my answer didn’t even need saying—it was set from the beginning.
“—Yeah. Of course.”
#
The next morning, I was waiting near the rotary of the station in front of the academy.
It was an awkward time—early Saturday morning—but this was the district’s largest station. There were plenty of people heading out for the weekend or just killing time, so the crowd was decent.
Yet none of them paid me any attention.
“So a disguise like this actually works…”
—Truth is, Himeji had lightly disguised me. Nothing elaborate, but my hair was styled wilder, and I was wearing trendy sunglasses. My clothes were a plain jacket I’d brought from the mainland, but since I’d only worn my uniform on the island, it changed my vibe considerably.
“…Personally, I thought disguises meant glasses and a mask.”
That might work in central Tokyo, but on Academy Island, it’d stand out too much, so the idea was quickly shot down. …Fair enough, now that I thought about it.
Take the guy passing by now—hoodie pulled low over his face, zipper up so high his mouth was barely visible. Anyone would think—
“Shinohara?”
In that instant, the suspicious figure approached and whispered softly in my ear.
The voice was unmistakable—Saionji. Like me, she was “disguised,” her signature red hair and ruby eyes hidden beneath a gray hoodie. The hem of her hoodie extended past her shorts, creating the illusion she might not be wearing anything underneath.
“Good. It really is you, Shinohara.”
Lifting the hood briefly to reveal her face, she said this with a slight smile.
“I was worried I’d gotten the wrong person.”
“Hm…? Why? I told you the spot, didn’t I?”
“Sure, but your hair’s totally different, and you didn’t look like Shinohara.”
“That’s the point of the disguise. …Speaking of which, that’s my line. You look way more different than I do.”
“Huh, really? Hehe… What’s that? So I look cute in a hoodie, is that it?”
“No, it’s more like you’re leaning hard into ‘suspicious’ territory…”
“Hmph! Ugh, this is exactly why you’re hopeless with girls, Shinohara.”
Apparently displeased with my response, Saionji huffed and strode off. …Isn’t that unfair? With her eyes and mouth hidden, there’s no way to call her cute. I’ll admit her face peeking out from the hood is gorgeous—she’s always been beautiful—but still.
Anyway, I followed a few steps behind her. Her bare legs, more exposed than when she wore a skirt, were practically searing my eyes, but I shook off the distraction and caught up to walk beside her.
“…Hey.”
Suddenly, Saionji, walking next to me, let out a faint murmur.
“So, Shinohara… Yesterday, did you do that for me?”
“…What are you talking about?”
“Provoking Kugasaki into challenging you to a duel. And with that condition.”
“No. …It wasn’t like that. I did provoke Kugasaki, sure, but that was to protect my lie. It had nothing to do with you.”
“Uh-huh, fine, whatever you say. …Ugh, you’re so reckless.”
Saionji muttered this with clear disbelief, her sigh tinged more with exasperation than anger.
“You get it, right? Kugasaki’s strong. I know you probably thought I was in danger and wanted to help, but if you lose, it’s all for nothing. Honestly, Shinohara, you idiot. Such an idiot. I was so shocked yesterday I couldn’t even say anything.”
“I-I have no defense…”
“Exactly. You better reflect on it. …Hehe, but…”
As I hung my head in apology, her tone softened noticeably. Curious, I looked up to find her facing me, her hands clasped behind her back, a mischievous smile peeking from under the hood.
And then—
“I was shocked, thought you were an idiot, and I’m exasperated… but I was also a tiny, tiny bit happy. So—um, thanks, okay?”
With surprising sincerity, she pressed the tip of her right finger gently against my chest. The spot where we touched grew warm, and I wondered if she could feel my racing heartbeat. Too flustered to meet her eyes, I stammered.
“I-I’m saying you don’t need to thank me! Like I said, I didn’t do it for you. It’s just that your crisis is basically my crisis now, so—”
“…Hey. Isn’t that so twisted it sounds like a weird marriage proposal?”
“Huh!? N-No, that’s just how you’re interpreting it, isn’t it!?”
“W-What’s that supposed to mean? Are you saying I want to be in—that kind of relationship with you?”
“!?”
Her unexpected retort nearly stopped my breath. Her cheeks were slightly flushed, her ruby eyes—half-hidden—locked onto mine, and—
“Anyway!!”
—Unable to bear the prickly awkwardness any longer, I raised my voice to steer the conversation back on track.
It felt a bit like I’d “lost,” which stung, but Saionji seemed to catch up to her own embarrassment, fanning her face with both hands. So, it was pretty much a draw. …I don’t know what we were competing over, though.
Back to the point.
Why was I meeting Saionji—disguised, no less—on the morning before such a critical duel with Kugasaki? Simple: to get her help with strategizing.
Our lies were so intertwined that we shared an unbreakable accomplice bond.
That’s why she’d agreed to meet, but…
“But—Shinohara, you’re not planning this alone, right? I heard you’ve got a cheating team helping you.”
“It’s not a cheating team, it’s a support team. More specifically, the Company.”
“Same thing. …The issue is them. No offense to your friends, but I can’t reveal my lie that easily.”
She asked this with a hint of hesitation, and… well, her concern was valid. Since the Company was scripting my duels, Saionji helping me would mean revealing her identity to them.
But—I shook my head slightly.
“Honestly, I don’t know the full details either. But their leader told me something.”
“What?”
“Uh, I think it was—‘Master, can you contact Saionji Sarasa-sama? If possible, bring her to the house tomorrow. I’ll have the other members step back.’”
“…The fact that you’re making your servant call you ‘Master’ is so intense I barely registered the rest…”
“I’m not making her! It’s voluntary, voluntary!”
It still tickles me, and I doubt I’ll ever get used to it. …Anyway.
“Point is, I didn’t bring you up—they asked if I could reach the Empress. They said we’d need a Six-Star or higher device to pull Kugasaki’s info, and you’re the one with the most experience facing him in duels.”
“Sure, I get the logic, but… how did they know you and I are connected? …Shinohara, you didn’t—”
“I didn’t say anything. Swear. But somehow, they knew. Like I said, I don’t have the details—just that bringing you would clear things up.”
“Clear things up, huh. …Fine, whatever.”
Muttering with a sigh, Saionji struck a dramatic “whatever” pose. Then she pointed her right index finger at me sharply.
“Alright, I’ll go to your place. …But I’m keeping the disguise on, and I won’t talk. If I sense anything shady, I’m bolting as the ‘mysterious girl.’”
“Yeah, that’s fine.”
“Hm. Oh, and… don’t you dare call me ‘Akabane,’ got it?”
“I know, Saionji Sarasa-ojousama.”
Her insistence drew a wry smile from me, and I exaggeratedly shrugged.
“—Welcome back, Master. And welcome, Ojousama.”
As soon as we reached the dorm, Himeji greeted us.
The silver-haired, blue-eyed maid stood gracefully in the spacious hall—a picture-perfect scene that nearly mesmerized me. For now, I just said, “I’m back,” and glanced at Saionji beside me. …Uh, what now? They’d said bringing her would clarify things, but I was still clueless. Himeji wore her usual cool expression, while Saionji, still hooded, was trembling slightly—wait, trembling?
“…Saionji? Hey, what’s wrong—whoa!?”
“!”
When I leaned down to check on her, Saionji suddenly grabbed my hand with force. Dragging me along, she turned away from Himeji and leaned in close, whispering urgently.
“Why!? Why is she here!? What’s going on, Shinohara!?”
“W-Well, uh, close—too close—nice smell—uh, I mean…”
Mumbling incoherently, I managed to string together a response.
“I told you, didn’t I? She’s the Company’s leader.”
“Wha—”
Saionji froze, eyes wide. Glancing back, I saw Himeji standing calmly, as if she’d anticipated this reaction.
“Could it be… Himeji, you knew her ‘true identity’?”
“…Yes. I’ve served the Saionji family for some time. I spent the longest period as the attendant to the real Ojousama—Sarasa-sama—so I’m acquainted with Rina-sama as well.”
“Huh? So that means…”
“Correct. I’m one of the few who know Rina-sama’s ‘lie.’ That’s why I asked Master to contact the Empress. Given the situation, I assumed you weren’t enemies.”
“…I see.”
It finally clicked.
Saionji’s “lie”—her swap with the real ojousama—was top secret, but by necessity, the Saionji family’s closest servants knew the truth. If Himeji was one of them, it made sense she could guess my connection to Saionji to some extent.
“…Hm.”
As my thoughts reached that point, Saionji nodded, seemingly resolute. She turned slowly, slipped off her hood with both hands, letting her long hair cascade free, and walked up to Himeji. Probingly, she said:
“Uh… Long time no see, Yuki?”
“Yes, indeed. It’s been almost a year since we’ve met face-to-face.”
“A year… Yeah, maybe. …You been okay?”
“Physically, yes. …Mentally, I had some rough patches.”
Their exchange carried an oddly delicate distance. I didn’t fully grasp it, but the mention of “a year” gave me a rough idea.
(Come to think of it, the real ojousama was kidnapped a year ago… I wasn’t sure how much to believe, but could it all be true?)
If so, their conversation made sense. The only thing I couldn’t place was this “strange tension,” but that wasn’t something an outsider should pry into lightly.
Anyway—breaking the mood, Himeji cleared her throat with a small “ahem.”
“Thank you for coming, Rina-sama. I’d love to offer proper hospitality, but time is short, so let’s get to the point—please, this way.”
“Oh… Y-Yeah.”
Himeji turned briskly, and Saionji nodded with a slightly uneasy expression, starting to follow. Tilting my head at their dynamic, I trailed a few steps behind.
“—The duel proposed by Five-Star Colored Star holder Kugasaki Seiran-sama is as follows.”
In a dimly lit theater room.
Sitting side by side on a sofa, Saionji and I watched Himeji, who stood beside a large screen, her clear voice resonating as always.
“The duel’s name is Myriad Twenty-Seven Games. …It sounds grandiose, but in simple terms, it’s a game of ‘collecting cards and comparing numbers.’”
“Collecting cards… and comparing numbers?”
“Yes. First, Myriad Twenty-Seven Games is divided into two phases. The first is the ‘Collection Phase.’ Players search District Four for ‘card data’ numbered 0 to 19, forming a hand of up to five cards.”
“District Four, huh… So we physically walk around to find cards?”
“Correct. In this duel, players use their device’s map app, which displays card locations once the duel begins. Reaching those spots ‘acquires’ the cards.”
As Himeji spoke, a simple animation played on the screen: coordinates appeared on a device, and reaching them granted the card. Alright, straightforward so far.
“And the second phase?”
“Yes. The second phase of Myriad Twenty-Seven Games is the ‘Reveal Phase,’ where players use their collected cards for a ‘direct confrontation.’ Each player chooses one card from their hand to play, and the numbers are compared. The higher number wins a point, and this repeats until both players’ hands are empty. With a five-card limit, you need at least three wins to claim victory.”
I quietly processed Himeji’s explanation. …So, the ‘Collection Phase’ gathers cards scattered in the area, and the ‘Reveal Phase’ pits their numbers against each other. Got it—not too complicated.
“By the way, if we both go for the same card, is it first-come, first-served?”
“That’s correct. Once a player claims a card, it vanishes from the area. …Now, for some finer details.
I mentioned there are twenty cards, numbered 0 to 19, but not all their numbers and locations are revealed at the duel’s start. Initially, only five are shown randomly, with one more revealed every five minutes. So, it takes over an hour for all card info to be fully disclosed.”
“Hmm… That’s how it works. Then it might turn into quite a speed race.”
Before I could say anything, Saionji, arms crossed beside me, murmured this. …Yeah, she’s right. With only a few cards displayed at a time and first-come, first-served rules, collisions were bound to happen.
As my understanding reached that point, Himeji spoke again.
“I’ve covered the rules, but before we dive into strategy, one thing: Five-Star versus One-Star matchups have occurred in the past, but there’s no record of a One-Star ever winning. Not a single one.”
“What… Not even once? In over twenty years of Academy Island’s history?”
“Yes. …Fundamentally, ‘rank’ on this island is meant to be absolute. The system gives stronger tools to the more talented, so miracles where a lower-ranked student wins a four-star gap are virtually nonexistent.”
“N-No, I get the logic, but even so—”
“—No, Yuki’s right.”
Cutting off my shaken question, Saionji sighed and spoke. Her ruby eyes met mine as she continued calmly.
“For example… Shinohara, remember Number Manipulation? The ability I used in our first duel?”
“? Yeah, I remember. It cut my turn time to a tenth, right?”
“Exactly. But it’s not just about ‘shortening time’—it’s a broader ability to ‘alter numbers in a duel.’ So naturally, it can change card numbers too. With Kugasaki’s rank, he could probably boost his numbers by about thirty total. He could spread it evenly to strengthen his whole hand or focus it on one card to exceed 20.”
“Over 20… Yeah, that’d make winning straight-up tough.”
Her explanation reluctantly convinced me. Since Number Manipulation was a universal ability, I could use it too, but the rank gap meant I’d lose in a direct contest. No wonder upsets were rare.
Waiting for our exchange to settle, Himeji nodded quietly with a “Yes.”
“Given that, lower-ranked students are at an overwhelming disadvantage. Normally, they’d get to choose the duel’s content, but Master gave that up too… Frankly, Master’s odds of winning Myriad Twenty-Seven Games are less than one percent.”
Himeji said this hesitantly, as if she couldn’t hide the truth.
…Well, she was right. A de facto One-Star like me against Kugasaki, a top-tier Five-Star. To outsiders, it’d look like an epic showdown, but in reality, it was a reckless losing battle. No matter how clever our tactics, a single ability could flip everything. A creeping anxiety gnawed at me—but,
“—It’s not a hundred percent loss, though.”
“Yes. The chance is infinitesimally slim, but… it’s not zero.”
Himeji took a breath.
“If this were a normal rank-gap duel, the smartest move would be to start preparing an apology press conference the moment it was set. But Master’s situation is unique—a false Seven-Star, the apparent pinnacle. Regardless of reality, to Kugasaki-sama, Master is ‘above’ him. So he’s likely thinking what we are: ‘My Number Manipulation level is lower than my opponent’s. Competing there is pointless.’”
“Oh, right. So… he’ll try something in the Collection Phase?”
“That’s highly likely. …Or rather, the Collection Phase is the heart of this duel. The direct confrontation makes the Reveal Phase seem central, but if both players use Number Manipulation, it’s just a mechanical card comparison. Not even a mind game—the ability’s power gap decides it. I doubt Kugasaki-sama would accept that.”
“Yeah. For him, that’d be like handing over the win, and that’s not happening.”
“Correct. So we turn that against him—we disrupt Kugasaki-sama’s actions, which he’ll definitely push aggressively, and slow his card collection. Meanwhile, Master gathers high-numbered cards to build an ‘ideal hand’ that can win even against Number Manipulation. …It’s our only shot. Interfering with a Five-Star device externally is nearly impossible, so if Kugasaki-sama reaches the Reveal Phase fully prepared, it’s checkmate.”
Himeji delivered the harsh truth calmly. I fell silent… but I’d known this from the start. A duel with a 99% loss rate. Accepting that, we were still aiming to beat Kugasaki.
“—Then, next is figuring out what tricks Kugasaki might pull.”
Saionji, who’d been deep in thought, suddenly looked up and said this.
“If we’re ‘disrupting,’ we should pin down some specific strategies.”
“Yeah. …Oh, right, Saionji, you can see Kugasaki’s ability list. Can’t we narrow down what he might use in this duel?”
“Hmm, normally you’d deduce from there, but… Here’s the thing: Kugasaki always uses Emergency Mobilization.”
“…Emergency Mobilization?”
I parroted back. Twirling her finger, Saionji explained.
“Emergency Mobilization—a signature ability symbolizing Five-Star Kugasaki Seiran’s strength. It’s restricted to Four-Stars and above, and the effect is as it sounds: it lets him summon one ally to his duel.”
“An ally…? So, like a teammate?”
“Yes. Normally, third-party interference or assistance in a duel is a violation, right? But someone called by Emergency Mobilization isn’t a ‘third party’—they’re a ‘participant.’ So they can intervene openly and bring one ability of their own.”
“One ability… Got it.”
It clicked a bit late. If Kugasaki uses Emergency Mobilization to summon an ally who brings an ability, the total number of abilities doesn’t change. But it massively boosts flexibility, letting him “indirectly use abilities he doesn’t have.” That’d make his strategy much harder to predict.
“So, it’s like camouflage.”
“Pretty much. Of course, he can’t just call anyone—there’s a tedious application process. But you know Kugasaki’s got that weird charisma.”
Saionji sighed. …The Myriad Holy Knights, an unofficial group with over three hundred members, founded and led by Kugasaki. That meant he had roughly three hundred potential strategies to bring into a duel.
As I bit my lip at this absurd cheat, Saionji chuckled and continued.
“But it’s not all doom and gloom. Sure, Emergency Mobilization is a pain, but it means we can mostly ignore his third ability slot.”
“Huh… Really?”
“Yup. …You heard he has the Blue Colored Star, right? Its special effect unlocks an exclusive ability called †Jet-Black Wings†. I don’t know if he loves it or can’t unequip it, but ever since he got the Colored Star, he’s never skipped †Jet-Black Wings†.”
“…? Even so, saying we can ‘ignore it’ is a stretch. It’s a Colored Star effect, so isn’t it super strong?”
“Who knows? Actually, you’ve seen it, haven’t you? That white smoke and sound effects he uses—that’s †Jet-Black Wings† in action.”
“….”
“…I get wanting to say ‘How’s such a ridiculous guy so strong,’ but he just is. Don’t think about it—it’s a loss if you do.”
Saionji’s complex expression carried the weight of her past struggles with him. …Well, anyway.
“So, basically, his ability lineup is practically set: Number Manipulation, †Jet-Black Wings†, and ‘something’ via Emergency Mobilization. Like Yuki said earlier, to win this duel, we need to dominate the Collection Phase—so that ‘something’ is likely an attack ability for that. I think that’s a safe bet.”
“Yeah… By the way, what would you do? If you were in Kugasaki’s shoes?”
“Hm, I thought about that too. …Maybe GPS spoofing.”
“GPS?”
“Right. In this duel, you get a card by reaching its coordinates on your device, yeah? I’d use Coordinate Manipulation, an ability to freely rewrite those coordinates. That way, I could claim any number without moving.”
“!? There’s an ability like that!?”
“Restricted to Five-Stars and up, though. And you can probably only use it about five times per duel… but with a five-card limit, that’s enough. Kugasaki tends to go for straightforward wins, so I bet he’ll do something like this. …As a backup, I considered ‘using Search to scout all card locations upfront,’ but that’s less realistic. Knowing locations is one thing, but Search only gives coordinates, not numbers.”
“…? Is that bad? Knowing locations alone sounds pretty strong.”
“The duel’s scope is too big. All of District Four? You’d be walking till sunset. Without knowing which cards have high numbers, blindly chasing coordinates is super inefficient. With numbers up to 20, cards 0 to 9 are basically worthless in the extreme… So, we both have to wait for numbers to be revealed. In that case, an ability to snag cards quickly at that moment is best, right?”
“…W-Wow…”
I couldn’t help but let out a breath of awe at Saionji’s fluid reasoning. Normally, her taunts drive me up the wall, but in Empress mode, she’s so cool it’s mesmerizing. It’s almost unfair.
Anyway—Kugasaki’s likely attack ability is Coordinate Manipulation or similar. Since it’d take his third slot, he can’t use a defense ability, leaving him open to interference. We should definitely push that advantage.
“Hey, Himeji, are there any attack abilities a One-Star can install that’d be effective in this duel?”
“…Let’s see.”
At my question, Himeji lowered her gaze briefly. Slowly looking up, she let her silver hair sway and spoke calmly.
“For those conditions, Display Bug would be the most suitable.”
“Display Bug… So, an ability to mess with Kugasaki’s device display? Like altering card numbers or sending him to fake coordinates?”
“That’s the idea, but at One-Star strength, it’s not that powerful. It’d likely only shift coordinates by one digit at most. …Still, that should be enough to throw off his plans.”
“Hm… Got it.”
Messing with Kugasaki’s displayed coordinates via the ability would make Coordinate Manipulation miss entirely, or at least buy time otherwise. Sounds promising.
Meeting my nod with her clear blue eyes, Himeji continued slowly.
“For the other abilities… A standard choice would be Luck, a probability-manipulating support ability. It increases the chance of high-numbered cards appearing near Master. At Lv1, it’s subtle, but it fits our strategy perfectly.”
“Right. Then the last one’s gotta be Number Manipulation, no? Even with the power gap, it still boosts your hand’s numbers. …The downside is, unlike Luck, the exact boost might reveal your low ability level.”
“Eh… I’ll figure out how to bluff that.”
True, it could raise suspicion, but that’s manageable with acting. Without better options, we should include support abilities.
“—Let’s pause to summarize the plan.”
As my thoughts settled, Himeji raised a single finger.
“For the Myriad Twenty-Seven Games Collection Phase, the Company will go all out to support tomorrow. Master, use Display Bug to disrupt Kugasaki-sama’s movements while leveraging Luck to collect high numbers. Given the Number Manipulation gap… honestly, we’d ideally want Master to grab every card 15 or higher.”
“All of them…? I get the idea, but isn’t that—”
“—Impossible?”
“Huh… It’s not impossible?”
“Who knows. …I said we’d go ‘all out.’ That means no mercy or restraint. For example—tonight, I’ll have Kagaya-san, our electronics expert, tamper with the map app, swapping it for a fake one we prepared. It’s subtly off, so following it won’t let you collect cards. A Five-Star device is untouchable, but the map app is island-managed. Saionji family authority can get us in.”
“….”
“That forces Kugasaki-sama to search for cards on foot instead of relying on Coordinate Manipulation. A slight coordinate shift means he can still claim cards by reaching the spot, but the duel’s range is vast. Without a driver’s license, he’ll rely on public transport… which, tomorrow, will all be down for ‘inspections.’ Every single one, inexplicably.”
Her expression barely changed, but Himeji spun her cheating schemes with fluid ease. Her blue eyes sparkled 1.5 times brighter, her enthusiasm palpable.
But—suddenly pausing, she dipped her head slightly.
“…S-Sorry, Master. Was that, um, bothersome…?”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“Well… my preferences aside, cheating isn’t exactly admired, is it? It just hit me… I never asked for Master’s opinion.”
“Oh… That’s what you meant.”
My silence must’ve made her think I disapproved of cheating. I was just impressed, but I felt bad for worrying her.
Meeting her cautious gaze, I answered her question.
“Look, Himeji, I don’t know about others, but to me, cheating or not makes no difference. As long as my lie holds and my goals are met, I’m good. There’s no way I’d feel negatively toward you—you always save me, and that plan was insanely cool. So, uh… that’s how it is.”
“…Oh. …Good, then.”
Himeji’s lips curved slightly in relief. Saionji muttered, “Calling a girl ‘cool’ to praise her, really?” but it was my honest feeling, so whatever.
—Ahem. With a small cough, Himeji reset the conversation.
“Anyway, that’s tomorrow’s flow. Even if everything goes perfectly, our win rate won’t hit fifty percent… but the chance to win is still there.”
“Right. Number Manipulation, Luck, Display Bug—solid. Probably the best plan Shinohara could pull off right now.”
“Your approval makes me a bit more confident. …Oh, Himeji, one thing?”
I’d been relieved by Saionji’s endorsement but suddenly looked up.
“Display Bug is an official island-distributed ‘universal ability,’ right? If I asked the Company to make one with the same effect, could you? It might come in handy during the Reveal Phase too.”
“? Yes, it’s possible, but… I don’t think it’d matter much. As I said, the Collection Phase is the main battlefield here.”
“Yeah, I know. It’s just, like, a precaution. Think of it as insurance.”
“…Understood. If Master says so.”
Though slightly puzzled, Himeji nodded solemnly.
She closed her eyes briefly, as if mulling over my words—then approached me, stopping in front of the sofa. Brushing her hair behind her ear with her right hand, she leaned in close. The distance was heart-pounding.
Right by my face, Himeji whispered softly.
“By the way—Master, you haven’t installed a universal ability yet, right?”
“! …Y-Yes, total newbie…”
“Then, please open your device. Tap the icon in the bottom left of the home screen to access the official island store—”
Her transparent voice guided me as she leaned closer, her fingers hovering over my device to show me the steps. Bent forward to peer at my screen, her forehead nearly touched mine, her falling bangs brushed my arm, and a slight glance up revealed her maid outfit’s generous chest—naturally, I couldn’t lift my eyes.
“…Master? Um, are you listening?”
“Y-Yes! I totally wasn’t listening!”
“Please listen… Let me explain again from the start.”
With a slight pout, Himeji patiently walked me through installing universal abilities once more. This time, I managed to banish my distractions and successfully followed her instructions.
“Yes, perfect, Master. I’ll start preparing Display Bug now, and it should be ready within a few hours at the latest. …With that, our strategy is set.”
Flashing a brief, gentle smile within her calm expression, she stepped back from me. With a graceful bow, she said,
“I’ll report the outline to Kagaya-san and the others. To avoid any chance of Rina-sama’s voice being recorded, I’ll step out for a bit.”
Device in hand, she left the room with soft, measured steps.
Watching her go, I stood to stretch—when suddenly, Saionji, cheeks flushed, grabbed my arm forcefully.
“W-Wait a second, Shinohara! That just now! What was that!?”
“Whoa!? Y-You startled me… What are you talking about?”
“That was that! You and Yuki’s exchange… I sensed some, like, steamy vibes. Are you two maybe that kind of relationship!?”
“N-No way! She was just showing me how to use my device, that’s all!”
“B-But… It was close, super close. Yuki used to avoid even getting near guys, didn’t she? For her to be that close now… I-It’s practically like she’s kissing you!”
“There’s no ‘practically’ about it!!”
Aware my face was reddening, I answered firmly.
“Probably… she’s just making an effort not to let her discomfort show because I’m ‘the one she serves.’ So, it’s not like there’s anything shady going on like you’re imagining. …Though, compared to the first day, she has been getting closer.”
“S-See, I knew it! Ugh… Honestly, Shinohara, you’re so—!”
“…Why are you mad?”
“I’m not mad!”
Saionji declared, her voice dripping with obvious irritation.
By the way… if I may say, Saionji—who’d been grabbing my arm and clothes without hesitation—was way closer than Himeji. The sofa was plenty big, yet she sat right beside me, our bodies touching. Her bare legs, peeking out from her shorts, were too distracting to look at. …She really needs to be more aware of her looks (I’m acting calm, but my heart’s been racing for a while).
—And then,
“Hey… Shinohara.”
Saionji, who’d been pouting moments ago, suddenly spoke in a different tone.
“You seemed really serious about all this… Um, you’re not mad at me, are you?”
“Mad? At you? …Why would I be?”
“W-Well, if I weren’t around, you wouldn’t have to duel Kugasaki, right? Sure, it’s mostly your own fault, but I thought maybe, just a tiny bit, I’m to blame too… So I figured I’d ask.”
She glanced at me, her ruby eyes shimmering with unease. It wasn’t the main reason, but I shook my head slowly.
“Nah, I’m not mad. We’re accomplices, and Kugasaki’s a shared enemy. Getting rid of him makes sense, doesn’t it?”
“Yeah, but… I mean, it’s like…”
Her reply was halting, her expression uncertain. I’d seen that look before—three days ago, during our secret meeting, right before she talked about the “ojousama.” A small conflict. A faint hesitation. …And then,
“…Sorry, never mind.”
After agonizing for dozens of seconds, Saionji chose “silence.” I wasn’t uninterested in what she’d swallowed, but it wasn’t something to pry into. Muttering, “Alright,” I let it drop.
Himeji returned to the room with a soft click of the door a little later.
“—The progress report to the Company is complete. We’ll discuss movement within the area and communication during the duel with Kagaya-san later, but the strategy’s framework is set. So, Rina-sama’s assistance is needed only up to this point, but…”
“But?”
“It’s 5:30 PM—a bit early, but since you’re here… Would you like to stay for dinner, Rina-sama?”
—When it came to cooking, Himeji’s skill was impeccable.
Not just in quality but in speed… or so it should’ve been.
“Kuu… Suu…”
“…Rina-sama fell asleep, didn’t she?”
About thirty minutes after cooking began, Saionji, who’d moved to the dining room with me, was slumped over the table, breathing softly.
“Yeah. Maybe she’s tired from all the thinking. …Is dinner ready? I can wake her.”
“No, it’s fine. It’ll take a bit longer.”
Himeji shook her head quietly, her gaze on Saionji tinged with complexity.
So—after a moment’s hesitation, I decided to ask her directly.
“Himeji, why are you avoiding her? You two knew each other, right? But not meeting for a year… Uh, sorry. You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to.”
“….”
Himeji didn’t respond at first. After a few seconds, she began walking away from me, circling the table toward Saionji.
As she moved, she started speaking, her words falling like droplets.
“No, it’s not me avoiding her. If anything, it’s Rina-sama… Rina.”
“…First-name basis?”
“Yes. Rina and I are the same age, and we used to see each other daily. Aside from Sarasa, we were probably each other’s closest friend.”
“And yet she started keeping her distance?”
“Yes. A year ago… after Sarasa disappeared, Rina suddenly became cold. She stopped looking me in the eye when we talked.”
There was no trace of anger or sadness in Himeji’s voice. Whether she was suppressing it or had grown numb, it struck me as a sad thing either way.
Continuing her slow steps, Himeji reached Saionji’s side.
“…Probably just a hunch, but I think Rina’s hiding something. Not just the stand-in thing—something she’s keeping from me and the Saionji family. But she’s so clever, I can’t read her thoughts. I can’t help her. …That’s a bit frustrating.”
That’s why I can’t smile properly around her—she said, gazing at Saionji with affection. Gently extending her right hand, she ran her fingers softly through the red hair.
Then, lifting her blue eyes, she continued.
“—This has nothing to do with the duel or the Company. It’s just my selfish wish.”
“….”
“If—if Master can stand by Rina’s side. Not Saionji Sarasa, but Akabane Rina. …Please protect her. She’s always so stubborn, but deep down, she’s a fragile girl.”
With a faint, bittersweet smile, she said this.
Before I could respond, Himeji turned and walked back to the kitchen.
