Rakudai Kishi no Eiyuutan - Volume 2 Page 6

  "Is that so? In mangas for girls they do naughty stuff all the time without all that marriage registering and stuff, so I thought…"

  "Yeah, that's right!? Speaking generally, isn't negotiating marriage before doing that obvious!?"

  Stella was right to the point of being sad.

  "But from the way you're saying it, you really want to do this and that with Kurogane-kun, right?"

  S-She's really a person who just pushes right in. But, now after she's already gone through all that, there was no point of hiding it. Her unease might also lessen through talking about it. That's why, even while being deeply submerged in water, Stella expressed her inner desires.

  "T-That's, I wouldn't go that far as to say that much but… I'd like us to be little more like real lovers, and do the things real lovers do…"

  "Then why don't you just go with that feeling?"

  "…If I could do that, then I wouldn't be suffering so much."

  "Why?"

  "I mean…, for a girl to suggest that, it's indecent."

  "Is that so? But I thought wanting to flirt or do naughty things with your lover was natural. On the contrary, wouldn't it be unnatural if you didn't?"

  …Huh?

  Now that she thought about it that was exactly right. It was only natural for one to have desires about tying a deeper bond with one's lover. And it was the same thing for both men and women.

  "But still, I think we should maintain the pace… and if I become too pushy, he might think that I'm a lewd girl, or hate me…."

  "Well let's just say that there is such a pace, and Vermillion-san tries to break it by being pushy, but would Kurogane-kun be so cold-hearted as to hate you just because of that?"

  "H-He won't!"

  "Then what's the problem?"

  "T-That's… huh?"

  It was just as she said. There was no reason to object. Why didn't she realize this sooner? Stella tilted her head while looking at Ayase. Could this be? That ‘blindness of love' thingy?

  "I think it's more appropriate not to waste the time you get to spend with the person you love. We humans are beings with ‘life', so no matter what, there will be a time when we have to part ways."

  Ayase, with a drifting, adult-like gaze, spoke.

  "…Just now… Sempai acted like an actual senior for the first time."

  "By the way, and this is just my guess, but I think Kurogane-kun also wants to do naughty stuff with Vermillion-san."

  "Why's that?"

  "Vermillion-san was observing the pool when she entered so she might not have noticed it, but when you came in wearing that bikini, Kurogane-kun was staring at Vermillion-san with those super perverted eyes. His gaze felt so indecent, it was funny to watch."

  "―!?"

  God…. That was a mistake Stella would regret for her entire life. She should have noticed it. She grieved over the fact that she didn't notice it.

  As Stella was being eaten by that lumpy disappointed feeling―

  "Huh? Ayase-san already reached her limit?"

  Ikki, who had gone to put away the beach ball, returned.

  "No. I was just talking to Vermillion-san a bit."

  "Is that so. Oh, how was it? That feeling of pressing your consciousness against yourself?"

  "Yeah, I've understood the meaning of this training. So I'll try a bit more. Is it okay if I go try over there? I need some space by myself."

  "I don't mind."

  "Also, it seems like Vermillion-san has something important to discuss with Kurogane-kun."

  "Wha―!?"

  Stella raised a squeak that seemed like a scream at that sudden announcement. But as for Ayase, winking as if to say ‘It's my apology for monopolizing Vermillion-san's boyfriend the last few days♪', she quickly and discreetly distanced herself from the pair.

  "I don't need that kind of apology!!!"

  Part 5

  After Ayase left, Ikki and Stella sat down on a bench near the poolside.

  "So, what's this important thing you need to talk about?"

  "…Erm…."

  Stella wasn't able to reply so readily. Well, it couldn't be helped. Even though she was coaxed by Ayase's theory a while ago, when it came to it these kind of problems weren't a theoretical matter.

  Why did she think that if she said ‘I want to do more lover-like things with you', Ikki would hate her? Why didn't she realize that Ikki wouldn't hate her over something like that? Stella immediately understood the reason for her lack of action after seeing Ikki's face.

  Basically, she was embarrassed.

  That was why she pretended not to realize it, making up an excuse and putting the matter on hold. Or maybe, she was thinking, maybe Ikki will be the first one to make a move? Something egocentric like that. But even so, for her to go and say ‘Kiss me' to Ikki just like that…

  There's no way I can do something so embarrassing!

  "…Stella?"

  "Ah, S-Sorry! Important talk right? Erm…."

  But as long as her escape route was blocked by Ayase, she had to say something….

  "A-Ah, M-My swimsuit! The bikini I'm wearing today, how is it…!?"

  "Of course, it looks good on you. You have a great fashion sense, and that kind of bikini really suits you."

  Ikki smoothly replied to the question Stella made up on the spot with his usual kind expression.

  But for some reason, that bothered Stella. Ayase had said that when he saw her bikini before, he had a really indecent expression. So why could he reply so calmly now? For some reason, it all looked like a façade.

  "…Actually, I also have something important to talk about."

  "Ikki too?"

  This is unexpected. What could it be?

  Maybe he wanted an impression on his swimwear too. Then how would she answer? For Stella, Ikki was always the coolest no matter what he wore, but putting that into words wasn't something she could easily do-

  "Us… erm…. Our relationship, is it really alright like this?"

  "Eh…."

  "I've been thinking about this for a while, but we haven't done anything couple-like this whole month, it's been bothering me…."

  Stella felt that the body temperature around her chest area dropped five times upon the words that came out of Ikki's mouth.

  「We haven't done anything couple-like this whole month.」

  Those were the words Stella feared. The line she was afraid to even think about. But right now, her boyfriend had said it. At the same time, the coldness that came with understanding enlightened her.

  As I thought… Ikki isn't satisfied with our current relationship.

  But he still endured. For a whole month.

  He lost interest… in me.

  Thinking back now, that was obvious. Ikki had Shizuku. He also had a beautiful disciple, who was older than him. There were also other girls like Kusakabe and the cute girls in their class. Around Ikki, there were many girls who cherished him. There shouldn't be a reason for him to care about a selfish girl like her, who wouldn't let him touch her for so long.

  "…So, I wanted to talk about us."

  No!

  She understood what he wanted to say―that it would be better to return to their previous relationship.

  She didn't want to hear that. She no longer had the will to talk with Ikki. She wouldn't be able to bear it if he continued.

  So Stella―

  "I-I know right! Actually I wanted to talk about that and not my swimsuit!"

  Turning her back towards Ikki, her voice continued to leak.

  "I-It was obvious right, this was impossible to begin with! For royalty and a commoner to be lovers! The status is too different! Even Ikki, you like girls like Sempai who let you touch their thighs and bottoms, right! Rather than a girl like me, who doesn't let you do that!"

  "H-Huh? W-Wait a minute Stella! What in the world are you saying!?"

  "W-What do you mean what! Break up, it's about breaking up right!? You don't need a girl who doesn'
t let you do that as a lover right!?"

  "Wha―!?"

  Ikki opened his eyes wide in surprise at her sudden outburst. For him, he had absolutely no idea what nonsense Stella was spouting.

  "T-That's not it Stella! Just calm down and let's talk it through!"

  Ikki said with a deathly pale face, and touched Stella's shoulders. He did that to try and calm Stella down but―

  "Don't touch me!"

  Stella shoved away his hand with a real meaning of refusal. At that moment, he saw something glitter between the surging red hairs.

  Is Stella crying?

  For now, Ikki had to know why she wanted to break up. If he flared up now, then it would all be over―that was what forced him to listen. But―

  "If I did something to make Stella hate me then please tell me and I'll apologize. I beg you."

  "…Ikki's the one who hates me."

  "That's not true! Why'd you think that! I've never said anything like that!"

  "I know even if you don't say it!"

  "No, you don't understand at all! Please calm down!"

  "I'm calm! *Hic*"

  "No you're not! Why are you saying I hate you! For you to say that, aren't you the one who hates me!"

  Ikki was just as confused because of the strange situation. His beloved Stella was trying to break up with him, so it couldn't have been helped. He loved Stella, and that was why he failed to stay calm. And his voice became rough, so it seemed as if he was shouting.

  "T-That's not true! I love Ikki!"

  "No, I'm the one who loves you!"

  "Lies! I absolutely absolutely super love Ikki! When I asked you about my swimsuit, you were just talking about my outward appearance! You don't care about me at all do you!? Since I haven't let you touch me! That indecent gaze Sempai saw, it's obvious that it was you looking at Sempai's swimsuit!"

  "What! That's rude! If you don't cut it out, even I'll get mad!?"

  "Aren't you already mad, you idiot!"

  "Because Stella keeps making false accusations! When the girl I love looks so fascinating and alluring, how the hell can I be charmed by another woman!?"

  "Then why were you so calm and reserved when I asked you about my bikini!"

  "Certainly, I was reserved when you asked that. But… but… there's no way I can just go ahead and tell the truth! That I was so aroused and my heart was thumping so bad, that I couldn't take my eyes off you! What if you think of me as a pervert, what if you come to hate me! And you too, even though you said you loved me, you didn't even hold my hand this past month!"

  "I was the same as Ikki! There's no way a girl can say lewd stuff so straightforwardly! What if you thought I was a depraved woman and became disappointed!"

  "Then why the hell are we fighting like this―!!!"

  "I don't know, I don't understand anything―!!!"

  Both of them kept shouting without realizing that there were people around them.

  ""……Huh?""

  At the same time, they realized that their tiff had turned into something stupid.

  "A-Ah, excuse me, dear guests. There are also other guests here so if you don't mind, could you please take your lover's quarrel… or flirting, I'm not quite sure which, somewhere else where there aren't as many people?"

  ""――!!!""

  They were being watched by all the bystanders, and they blushed red till the tip of their ears in an instant. As they looked around, they could see all the gazes on them, as if they were being watched by some inquisitive and curious animals.

  "S-Sorry!"

  "Please excuse us-!"

  They both dashed for the children's pool beside the 50 meter one, as if running from the paparazzi.

  There wasn't anyone there besides Ikki and Stella. Even the children weren't there, since it was not the pool season. They entered an umbrella shaped fountain in the heart of the pool. The flowing water there acted like a curtain so the interior couldn't be seen from the outside, and the sound of water drowned out their voices.

  Only they knew what would happen there. It was an isolated place, and that's why…

  "Ikki, please don't look this way now…."

  "Okay. I don't want my face to be seen now either, so it's alright…."

  For some reason, they felt excessively uneasy. It was good that they ran away together and all, but now that they realized their exchange earlier was just plain stupid, it was hard to look at each other.

  …However―

  "Hey… Stella."

  "…What?"

  "…Both of us together, shall we say what we want to do most right now?"

  "…'Kay."

  Certainly, it had been an idiotic quarrel, but it was not meaningless.

  ""I want to kiss.""

  Because they realized that the person they loved also desired them so much. For a moment, they were both surprised a little, but they looked at each other. It wasn't embarrassing anymore, and they didn't avert their eyes.

  Ikki's eyes reflected the upward glancing Stella, who slowly closed her eyes. There was still a tear drop at the end of her eyelashes. Ikki gently brushed it off, and with that hand he touched Stella's soft cheeks.

  *Pikun*

  And Stella's body firmed. Her soft cheeks and her long eye lashes dyed with a bit of unease. But she didn't turn away. She entrusted herself to Ikki. And that made him so happy, and he felt so loved….

  Within the curtain and splashing sounds of water, Ikki's lips pressed against Stella's. Pressed… that wasn't quite correct, it was only at the level where they brushed against each other.

  But it felt like their lips were on fire.

  Of course. Since little pecks and kisses on the cheeks were done by friends and family, but they definitely didn't do mouth to mouth kisses. In other words, their relationship was more solid and more vivid than ever. They proved that the words that they said weren't simply words. Their first actual bond and proof as true lovers.

  "…Hey, Ikki."

  "What?"

  "…Ikki, do you dislike indecent girls who wish to be kissed?"

  "There aren't any men who dislike naughty girls. Rather, does Stella hate guys who look at her with perverted gazes?"

  "I hate them. I'll only allow Ikki to do that…."

  Once they had stepped forward, hesitation no longer existed. The second was far deeper, and more forceful then the first.

  "Nn…."

  It wasn't at the level where it could be called an adult kiss, but they both lusted for the other that was their beloved.

  …And so, despite the confusions, that day became an unforgettable day for the both of them.

  Part 6

  By the time they left the pool, it was already sunset. The three were already feeling hungry, so they decided to have dinner in the city before returning to the dorms. Ikki asked the two girls if they wanted to eat anything special, but they didn't really have any preferences so he guided them to an appropriate family restaurant.

  There, the three ordered what they wanted. Ikki ordered a large serving of wheat flour noodles, Ayase had a meal set, and as for Stella, she ordered four pieces of mix grill and three steaks.

  "V-Vermillion-san has a very amazing appetite."

  "…I've got no choice. If I don't eat at least this much, then my body won't move."

  "Even though you eat so much… why do you have such a nice figure? For some reason, I'm not convinced."

  Stella, who was aware that she ate unnaturally much, blushed a bit, embarrassed. But her hands didn't stop.

  *Munch*Munch*

  She chomped and crunched down her extra high calorie meal. Well, for someone with that much power, it would follow that she'd need a sufficient amount of fuel.

  Seeing that, Ayase smiled.

  "For some reason, Vermillion-san really doesn't look that much like a princess."

  "*Munch*Munch* Huh? What do you mean by that?"

  "I don't mean anything bad you know? Just that, you're easy to talk to, and the way you
have meals isn't much different than ours."

  "Well I've received lessons in table manners, but this isn't the place for such things now, is it?"

  Stella surveyed the crowded interior of the restaurant. The clanking sound of tableware, the sound of customers and employees coming in and out, the sound of a child crying, the crude voices and laughs of high school students, everything mixed in together. In a place like that, if she was the only one with elegant table manners, she'd be regarded as the strange one instead.

  "You have to know how to behave depending on the time and place, that in itself is an art. Both manners, and swordsmanship."

  "Ahaha, that hurts."

  Ayase smiled cheerfully even though her inexperience was pointed out.

  "Today was… no, today too was very productive. Ever since I've started training with Kurogane-kun, it's been one new discovery after another…. I'm still not experienced enough to learn my father's secret techniques, but I feel a lot closer to him now. I can't express how grateful I am to you."

  "It's all because of Ayatsuji-san's hard work. Besides, I think you would've resolved the problem soon enough, and arrive at the secret. All I did was give you a little push, so you don't have to be so humble."

  "No… what I've learned, for me, it's very helpful."

  "Is that because you're appearing in the representative selection matches?"

  "Yeah. I'm already a third year. This is my last chance at the Sword-Art Festival. That's why I want to win, no matter what. I have to enter the Festival, and I have to take back what's important to me. That why right now I need power."

  …Hmm?

  In the depths of Ayase's eyes, Ikki felt a deep feeling. It was anger… and not just normal anger, close to a killing intent, a strong hatred.

  ―What pushed her so much that she….

  "Hahaha, lookie here! I thought you look'd familiar so I was wonderin', but if that ain't Ayase!"

  Suddenly, from behind Ikki a crude voice called out Ayase's name.

  "―!?"

  For a moment, Ayase's eyes dyed with the color of surprise. Where she was looking, there stood a man about 180cm tall with smudged, dyed hair and sanpaku eyes1 hidden behind shades. Even though it was a non-smoking area, he was smoking a cigarette and wearing an unnecessarily flashy coat. From his bare chest, a tattoo of a laughing skull could be seen, and it was affecting on the surrounding customers too.