Encore 17 — The Prophecy (I)

After that event, Kisaki got expelled. I didn't understand half of what was happening when Zhing-Hua got involved but she solved it.

I thought I was going to die when Amakusa picked me up. She's too dense and a justice maniac. Hopefully, in the future, no one bends her sense of justice since twisted people can use it to their advantage.

"Oh!"

Ah, I was lost in thought again.

I blocked Kurokawa's punch and returned with a corkscrew to his side but he blocked it, knocking him back slightly.

It was MPT, short for Magi Practical Training. We were doing hand-to-hand combat and I was paired up with Kurokawa, who was fairly decent.

Of course, with my training, I got more clean hits on him.

I learnt some things about him. He was quite friendly, despite his loner-type face. He didn't talk more than he needed to and he had intense concentration.

Again, it's unfortunate for him that he got grouped up with me for hand-to-hand combat.

We continued to clash, trying to land decisive hits on each other. Then, suddenly, Kurokawa landed a blow on my face.

It surprised me.

This whole time, he wasn't able to land a hit on me but, all of a sudden, he was able to hit me. It didn't seem as though Kurokawa was holding back, meaning...

He's adapting.

His attacks became faster and more vicious. I had to pick up the pace.

As I did, I was able to block his moves more quickly.

I'll finish this before he adapts again. I'll lose in a battle of endurance.

I swept his legs and grabbed his arm and held his chest. Rotating, I slammed him into the ground and kept his neck in place with my knee.

"I win."

Kurokawa stayed silent and looked up at me with a piercing glare.

"End all of your 1-on-1's there!"

I let go of Kurokawa and he stood up. I silently observed him as girls pushed me out of the way and talked to him.

"Kurokawa-kun, are you okay?"

"I couldn't bare seeing you like that."

"If you want, I'll beat up Shiba for you."

"Be careful."

They all said to him. However, he ignored them and rubbed his wrist.

Kurokawa. He's a weird fighter. It seems like he has experience but he fights like a wild animal. He relied on his instinct.

But because of his instincts, he's able to adapt to fights quickly. In a battle of attrition, Kurokawa would win against me.

The boy looked at me with a blank yet vicious stare.

I'd best be sure to not anger him in the future.

"Grrrr..."

All the girls around him began snarling at me.

I guess even with that rumour gone, girls still hate me.

·———·

"Who were you fighting during our lesson, Kazuya?"

"I was fighting Kurokawa."

"Oh, that new cool boy."

I replied to Yuichi.

Isla had told us to meet her at the karaoke place near the school.

We got there in about 10 minutes and we asked for the room that Isla was in.

"Oh, that white-haired girl? She said she was waiting for friends."

"That should be us."

I said.

The worker looked slightly perplexed.

"But, others went into her room telling me they were her friends."

"Huh?"

Yuichi and I exchanged looks.

Was Isla planning on introducing us to new friends she had made?

"If you don't mind, what did their group look like?"

Yuichi asked him.

"Well,"

He thought back.

"The group consisted of three women and two men. They barely looked to be in their twenties and... they were in military uniform. Or something that resembled it."

"Military?"

Yuichi repeated, slightly surprised.

If I remember correctly, Yuichi told me that Isla's mother was in some sort of military unit.

"What room is she in?"

"Room 7, down the hall."

"Thanks."

We left.

"Ah, wait, the room capacity is seven pe—"

"I'll pay extra!"

I shouted at him.

Yuichi ran to the room first and I followed from behind. As Yuichi opened the door, I peeked in from behind.

"Yuichi, you're here."

A gentle voice said.

From this view, I could only see one sofa. Three females sat on the sofa.

The one sitting closest to the door was someone who looked similar to Isla. Her mother.

Her hair was a subtle blonde colour, unlike Isla's white hair. Her eyes were pink, just like her daughter's. Her face, excluding marks from ageing, looked exactly like Isla's. She also had a mole under her eye.

"Morisa-san..."

The one sitting, tight, next to her was Isla. She looked a little nervous. The girl sitting furthest from the door was holding a katana using her forearm and shoulder. She reminded me of a ronin to me.

Her hair was jet-black and her gaze was fierce. She wore a light grey military uniform, the same one Isla's mother, Morisa-san, wore.

"Oh,"

She furrowed her brow when she noticed me.

"Someone else is here."

The girl sitting beside Isla got up and unsheathed her katana—she passed Yuichi and the edge of her katana hovered by the side of my neck.

"..."

"You. Who are you?"

The woman asked me.

Isla got mad.

"Mother! That's my friend, you shouldn't—!"

"Isla. Shut up."

The girl shivered and sat down.

"I don't think I should answer someone who treats her daughter's friends so rudely."

"You're not in the position to be so stubborn."

"Is that right?"

"Master..."

The young woman muttered, looking at me, slightly troubled.

"What is it, Yusaka?"

"I'm outmatched."

From someone watching inside the karaoke box, it would look like this girl was holding the advantage. However, the moment she closed in on me, Dawn was pressing against her stomach.

Since we just had an MPT lesson, I had Dawn and Dusk in gun holsters on my waist.

"Who are you?"

"Maybe if you would be so kind to let us in, I'll tell you."

A male voice scoffed.

"Tough words for a kid."

I didn't even try to find the male voice.

"Well, Morisa-san."

"Hmph. I like your guts. You're so confident about your ugly looks. Come in, you two."