CK 69

Chapter 69….

Run or Don’t Run
Too Late

While we were listening to Maa-kun explain about the Zodiac Concepts in front of the door leading to the rooftop, we suddenly heard something in the distance — among the distant chatter of students, there was a faint scream.

Maa-kun seemed to think the sound didn’t come from inside the school building.
He slipped past us and rushed out onto the rooftop.

The three of us hurriedly followed him and burst out into the rooftop under the scorching sunlight.

By the time we got there, Maa-kun was already leaning over the railing, looking down.
We lined up beside him and did the same — peeking over the edge of the rooftop.

Down below, we saw it — the same Scorpius Concept we’d fought yesterday, rampaging on the ground.
It was moving from the clubroom building toward the cafeteria, thrashing around like a wild beast.

Seeing that, I reflexively shouted, “That’s it! The one from yesterday!”

“Speak of the devil, huh?” murmured Shirou-kun.

Just then, something felt off at the edge of my vision.
When I turned to look right, Maa-kun had already jumped over the railing.

“What are you doing!?” I shouted instinctively.
At the same time, I heard surprised cries from Shirou-kun and Chiharu-chan.

But Maa-kun landed cleanly, completely unfazed by our panic.
And then, his body began to glow with light.

…What? What is that?
He landed as a normal human, right? He hadn’t even generated his Star Armor yet, had he?

While I was still confused, the light cleared, revealing Maa-kun now clad in Star Armor.
Without hesitation, he charged straight toward Scorpius.

Is it me who’s weird? Can everyone do that normally?

…No, I really don’t get it anymore.

As I was still dazed, I heard Shirou-kun shout, “C’mon, we’re going too!”

That snapped me out of it, and I turned to him on my left.
He was already getting ready to vault over the railing himself.

“W–wait, you’re gonna go that way!?”
“No way, that’s impossible. We’re taking the stairs,” said Chiharu-chan, who was already by the door leading back inside.

…Right. That’s the normal choice.

Feeling oddly relieved, I dashed back inside the building.

☆☆☆

We ran down to the first floor and exited through the doors near the cafeteria.
Chiharu-chan stayed inside since it was too dangerous.

Outside, Maa-kun was still fighting Scorpius — but no one else was around.

To help, Shirou-kun and I summoned our Gears and inserted our generated Plates.

At that moment, a surge of Miasma creatures appeared all around us again.

“This happened yesterday too, right!?”
“Then that means—!?”

The next instant, a strong gust of wind swept through the area.

Shirou-kun and I shielded our faces with our arms, but we still squinted through the wind to see what was happening.

Apparently, Maa-kun had caused it.
Then we heard his voice — “You again, huh? Come to get in my way?”

When the wind died down, we lowered our arms and looked where Maa-kun was facing.
Just then, Corvus had landed on the ground.

“Sorry, Capricorn-kun,” Corvus said with a smirk. “But I’m just here to do my job.
Which means, really… we’re just in each other’s way, aren’t we?”

The moment he finished speaking, Corvus lunged at Maa-kun.
Maa-kun dodged and countered by generating water and firing it back.

And just like that, their battle began.

I wanted to help Maa-kun — but Scorpius still needed to be dealt with.
And on top of that, we were surrounded by Miasma creatures.

“For now, we’ll clear the Miasma first!” shouted Shirou-kun.

“Right!” I replied, and we followed the usual sequence.

“Star Armor—Activate!”

We pressed the buttons on top of our Gears, and both of us were enveloped in light.

Inside the light, my body became clad in a navy-blue undersuit and armor in deep blue and red.

When the light faded, we immediately launched our attacks on the nearby Miasma.
Punching, kicking, dodging their strikes, destroying them one by one.

After taking down about three of them, another scream rang out.

Looking toward the sound, I saw Rina-chan — knocked down by Scorpius, sitting on the ground in fear.

Scorpius slowly advanced toward her.
She tried to crawl back, favoring her left leg as if injured.

Leaving Scorpius unattended really was a mistake.

…Wait, but no one was there just a minute ago! Why is Rina-chan here now!?

There wasn’t time to think — we had to save her.

But Maa-kun was still fighting Corvus, and half of the Miasma were still left.
…Still, we couldn’t just stand by.

I steeled myself and shouted, “Shirou-kun! Go!”

He hesitated for a moment, then replied, “…Got it!” and sprinted off, generating his weapon on the way.

Meanwhile, I struck the nearest Miasma.

Shirou-kun was faster than me, and he was better at close combat.
Besides, Aries’ power wasn’t really suited for solo fighting.

Even with enemies remaining, I could handle the rest on my own.

Saving Rina-chan came first.
While fighting, I glanced in their direction, worried.

Just then, another Miasma appeared in front of Shirou-kun.
He smashed through it mid-run with a single blow — but even then, he wouldn’t make it in time.

And that premonition, sadly, came true.

No one reached her in time — and Scorpius’s tail came crashing down toward Rina-chan.