CK 42

Chapter 42…

For Someone Who Can’t Fight
Senior Disciple

We took a break, so I leaned against the wall, sat down, and took a breather.

Maybe because I’m doing everything my own way, I still don’t use my body correctly. My body aches a little.

Just then, Yui returned with two cups.

“Here! Sports drink!”
“Lifesaver.”

I took one cup and Yui sat down beside me. Almost at the same time, Hirahara Shirō showed up.

He stopped in front of me and said, “Hey.”

“Masato. Can I ask you something?”
“What is it?”
“When you’re in that armored form and when you’re like now, doesn’t the power behind your punches feel different?”
“In the armor form, the armor’s power boosts me from underneath.”

That’s the simple explanation. Nothing more needed.

I drank the beverage Yui handed me. I felt the cold, slightly sweet liquid slide down my throat and into my body.

When I finished and looked at Shirō, he was still tilting his head.

…Fine, I’ll show him a little.

I set the empty cup down and stood up. I walked toward the center of the training ground and called back to Hirahara, “I’ll show you — get ready.”

Hirahara answered with a hesitant “O-okay,” and followed. He stood in front of me and raised both hands to about shoulder height.

I aimed at Hirahara’s left hand and threw a plain right-hand punch.

My fist landed with a dry sound and was stopped in the palm of Hirahara’s hand.

“This is with nothing.”
“Same as earlier. But you’re better than at the start!”
“Don’t compliment me. Next.”
“Right.”

I pulled my arm back again.

This time I put star-energy into my right hand and activated a spell.

I didn’t increase the power too much — that could be dangerous. I didn’t utter incantations; I just pictured my fist wrapped slightly in wind.

Then I threw my punch at Hirahara Shirō.

With a slicing sound of wind, my fist slammed into Hirahara’s left hand.

It must have hurt, because Hirahara cried out, “Ow!!” and flinched my hand away.

“Whoa — I felt a big gust of wind!?”
“That’s what a power boost does. You can boost your body even without armor, so it’s not impossible to fight without putting armor on. That said, wearing the armor makes fighting overwhelmingly easier.”
“So… does that mean I could do something like that too someday?”

That question came from Yui. She’d been sitting but had somehow moved closer without me noticing. When I looked at her, her eyes were sparkling a little.

…I’ll answer honestly.

“I don’t know for sure. But if you train a lot, I think you could use your innate ability without generating armor.”
“Aww… that’s a bummer.”

After saying that, Yui mumbled, “Gimme a little more,” and walked over toward the drink tank.

“So, Masato — you’re trying to combine body strengthening with correct body usage using that power, huh?”
“Exactly.”
“You’re such a hard worker…”

Hirahara Shirō said that while patting my shoulder with both hands.

…I don’t think it’s anything worthy of praise.

I left him and went back to the wall to sit down again. Yui also returned to the same spot with a refilled cup.

Yui, following me back, called out to Shirō, who had come back right behind her. “Oh, by the way, Shirō-kun—”

“I want to ask you something…”
“Hm? What is it?”
“What kind of person was Fukaya Shōji…?”

…She actually asked that.

But Hirahara hadn’t told us anything.

Maybe there’s some clue to be found. I said, “I was wondering about that too.”

Hirahara made a sound like “Ah…” that couldn’t be pinned down.

“Oh, no — if it’s hard to talk about, it’s fine! Sorry.”
“Ah, no. It’s just… I still can’t feel it.”
“Yeah… I know.”

…I understand that feeling.

Maybe I should drop it.

But to avoid putting more mental burden on Hirahara, we need to find and take down whoever it is as soon as possible.

Just as I was about to say no, Hirahara spoke up.

“Shōji-nii was my senior disciple. He taught before I started karate, and he’d been kind to me since back then. Even after I started, he kept being nice. When my old man got mad at me, or when I couldn’t do something right, he’d comfort me. He stayed and practiced with me until I could do it.”
“He was a kind… person.”
“Yeah. That’s why I can’t believe Shōji could be that monster, and I can’t believe he’d hate me and attack me…”

After saying that, Hirahara fell silent, his expression like he was suppressing pain.

Yui didn’t speak either, maybe unsure what to say.

Hirahara’s old self overlapped with my own past in my mind. Before I knew it, my mouth moved.

“…That’s precisely why we have to fight. To confirm whether it’s really him.”
“Masato…”

No one said anything.

…Maybe I said something unnecessary.

I thought that, then Yui spoke up.

“…You call him ‘nii’ — how much older is he?”
“He’s three years older. He started university this spring.”
“Is that so… Ah, my phone — sorry, I have to take this.”

With that she headed to the shoe rack. I heard, “Ah, Chiharu? What’s up?” from her phone.

It sounded like it was Hanayama Chiharu on the line. If he was calling, then…

The next moment, of course, his voice burst through: “Maa-kun! A fallen star appeared!”

“Where?”
“He’ll send the location in a message!”
“Got it. Let’s go.”

I stood up, grabbed the two bags, and headed to the shoe rack where Yui was waiting. As we hurried out, Hirahara Shirō’s father, who had just come in from outside, called out, “Wait.”

“Leave the bags with me. Go.”
“Is that okay?”
“They’d be a nuisance to carry.”
“…Thanks.”

They would be a nuisance. They’d be awkward in a fight.

I accepted his kindness and left the bags at the shoe rack. I put my shoes on and dashed outside.

Yui had already gone out and was checking the place. She pointed the way and shouted, “This way!” so the two of us ran in that direction.

While running I called out to Yui, “I’ll cast recognition disruption. You won’t be noticed by others, so be careful not to bump into anyone.”
“Got it!”