Ichiban Ushiro no Daimaou

Akuto was waiting for the flying bus headed to Junko’s home, but he was still bothered by what Bouichirou had said. He showed little concern over where he was headed. His mind was so disturbed even he could tell. The headmaster had continued to play dumb, so the student council president had further resolved herself to oppose Bouichirou with her influence. She had even called the three officers back from their homes. However, Akuto felt Bouichirou’s visit was more than a mysterious influential official stopping by.

—It felt like he knew a lot about me and had been observing me.

Akuto was certain this was not just him imagining things. It had felt as if the man had known how he would act at all times.

—Is my way of thinking being tested?

Whatever Bouichirou’s intentions were, Akuto could not help but think upcoming events would be heavily related to his inner thoughts.

“The bus is here.”

“Aniki, you’re staring into s.p.a.ce. Are you tired?”

Korone and Hiroshi urged Akuto to board the bus. The flying bus that had pulled up in front of the dorm already had its door sitting open waiting for pa.s.sengers. Akuto, Hiroshi, and Korone were the only ones waiting to board. Junko was of course riding with them, but she was the one who had prepared the bus. She was already on board, so she called out from within.

“Come on. Hurry up and get on.”

With his luggage for a single night in hand, Akuto boarded the flying bus. Hiroshi carried a small travel bag, but Korone only had her usual bag.

Once all three boarded, the bus’s doors closed almost impatiently before flying up into the sky. Akuto took a seat and casually looked out the window. He spotted Keena seeing the bus off from outside the dorm. She looked like she wanted to say something and Akuto felt there was a slight tightness in her chest, but she soon smiled and began waving. Feeling relieved, he waved back.

—Come to think of it, I didn’t get a chance to speak with her yesterday.

After the incident with Bouichirou, he had eaten with Keena, so he could have spoken with her then. However, he had been so lost in thought that he had never actually done so.

“Come to think of it, we’re leaving Keena-chan all alone,” said Hiroshi.

“Don’t be so sentimental. We won’t be gone for long. And she has Peterhausen. He seems busy researching something with senpai, but he gets along with Keena really well for some reason,” replied Akuto as he turned to Hiroshi. It looked like the other boy was in an oddly good mood. “You look happy. And why are you getting so sentimental all of a sudden?”

“Oh, I’m just in that kind of mood.”

Hiroshi stared out the window, but it looked more like he was simply staring blankly into the distance. Even so, he looked a bit flushed. Akuto could make no sense out of it.

—Well, at least he’s in a good mood.

All conversation suddenly died out on the bus. The silence between the four of them was not all that awkward, but for some reason Junko was continually looking toward Akuto and then looking away with a horribly nervous look on her face.

“What’s the matter?” asked Akuto when he noticed.

Junko shook her head almost in a panic, mumbled “nothing”, and frantically stuck her hands in her bag.

“I-I was just thinking we could eat something…”

Junko rummaged through her bag. It seemed she could not find what she was looking for because she dug through its contents again and again.

“You are getting too excited,” pointed out Korone who had been sitting silently up to that point.

Junko grew fl.u.s.tered and denied it.

“No, no, no, no, no. I am fine. I am not excited. I am calm. I am perfectly calm.”

“You don’t look calm to me. Are you okay?” asked Akuto as he held a worried hand out toward her.

Junko drew back while letting out a short cry that was halfway in between “Hyah!” and “Pyah!”

“I wasn’t trying to do anything…”

“I-I-I-I know that.”

“Then are you not feeling well?”

“That is not it. Th-this is…”

Junko looked like she wanted to say something, but she soon began mumbling. Korone then cut in.

“If you are having trouble saying it, I can-…”

“No, no, no, no. Th-this is a political matter. A high level one.”

Junko covered Korone’s mouth with her hand.

“A high level political matter?”

Akuto’s expression grew serious. He recalled what Bouichirou had said. It seemed the time had come when he would need to change his way of thinking. Obeying the law and doing the right thing were perfectly natural for him, but he was beginning to understand that might be too narrow a way of thinking.

“I want you to tell me this properly. The time may have come for me to take on a large responsibility,” said Akuto.

Junko blushed and her hand dropped away from Korone’s mouth.

“You…realized it?”

“More or less. I believe I must take responsibility for the sake of the future.”

“A-are you serious?”

Junko’s mouth fell open in surprise, but when Akuto nodded, she could not help but have that mouth loosen carelessly.

“W-well, if you have finally come around, that is fine. If you understand what this is about, there is no need for me to tell you.”

Junko tried to hide her face that would not stop smiling. She brought a hand to her face and pretended to look out the window.

“But I cannot know for sure unless you actually tell me,” pointed out Akuto.

Junko blushed and said, “D-do not make me say it. All that matters is that you understand. And my father will explain everything later.”

—I’m not quite sure what to make of Hattori-san’s expression, but it sounds like an important discussion is coming up.

Akuto kept his mind focused on what Junko had said.

The flying bus slid to a stop in a forest. Hiroshi a.s.sumed this was the Iga Village, but a look out the window showed nothing but an area about half the size of a soccer field that had been cleared of all trees.

“Is this the village?” asked Hiroshi.

“No, this is the landing area. The village is about a 20 minute walk from here,” explained Junko.

Junko stepped from the bus and the others followed. A path could be seen leading into the forest from the edge of the clearing. They had not seen it from above because the trees covered it. It did not look like the trees were naturally covering it, so it had likely been intentionally hidden.

“Is the village itself hidden?” asked Akuto and Junko nodded.

The flying bus they had arrived on moved toward one edge of the clearing. The ground that had appeared to simply be covered by trees suddenly opened to either side, creating an entrance to an underground area.

“That is the parking lot,” said Junko.

After swallowing up the bus, the entrance closed once more, leaving only the forest behind. It seemed the village wished to hide everything.

“Amazing,” said Akuto in admiration.

Junko looked embarra.s.sed as she began walking ahead of the others.

“Well, just remember what kind of family this is. The house itself is nothing special.”

The other three followed Junko down the narrow pathway. But then Junko suddenly stopped. Hiroshi was confused, but the others tensed up.

—Eh? Eh?

Hiroshi glanced around and heard a high-pitched noise.

—Eh?

In his surprise, Hiroshi felt a dull vibration through the bottom of his foot. He looked down to find a cross-shaped shuriken sticking into the ground.

“Waaah!”

Hiroshi belatedly jumped back, but the other three had of course already noticed the attack. Junko had a short sword in hand and Akuto was glaring to the upper right. Even Korone had her hand in her bag from where she stood next to Akuto.

“Eh? What is going on?” asked Hiroshi.

Instead of answering him, Junko shouted, “Yuuko! This is going too far for a prank!”

A voice replied from the forest.

“Ah ha ha ha! Onee-chan, you’re just as skilled as ever.”

Hiroshi tried to look toward the voice, but he could only tell it was coming from the forest. He could not pinpoint the exact location.

“You idiot. What if you hit someone?”

“Don’t worry. I aimed for the chain mail you always wear.”

“That is not what I meant. What if it was deflected into someone?”

“That’s just an issue of your skill.”

Junko spoke with the voice as if it was a normal conversation. It seemed Junko’s younger sister had come to meet them and had suddenly thrown a shuriken at Junko.

“Come on out now.”

“Fiiine.”

After that reluctant response, a tree to the upper right rustled a bit. A girl nimbly jumped up from it and rotated through the air. She landed lightly in front of the four on the path.

The short girl gave a joking bow.

“Nice to meet you. I’m her little sister, Yuuko!”

“Ah!” cried Hiroshi without thinking.

This was unmistakably Hoshino Yuri, the idol he had seen up close the day before.

Noticing his reaction, Yuuko waved toward him.

“That’s right. I’m an idol.”

Hiroshi gave a sigh of relief at her light tone. She did not seem to realize he was Brave.

“Honestly, what a ridiculous little sister. This is what happens when you become a performer. And that is also why you were attacked by demonic beasts,” scolded Junko so the other three could hear.

“That had nothing to do with being a performer. But it was thanks to that that I was rescued by that famous Brave!”

“No matter how much you hate demonic beasts, it is shameful for a member of the Hattori family to be rescued by someone else. What do you think all your training is for?”

“What does it matter? I’m not the head of the family or anything. Dad said I didn’t have to take my non-idol training all that seriously. And Brave was really cool, so what else matters?”

Yuuko stuck her tongue out at Junko. A grin naturally formed on Hiroshi’s face as he listened to that exchange. Being called cool was not a bad feeling. It did not matter if she was talking about when he had a mask on.

“Hey, is this guy your boyfriend?”

Yuuko suddenly moved in front of Hiroshi.

“Eh? Wait…”

Hiroshi panicked, but Junko sharply denied it at the same moment.

“No!”

“Ehh? You don’t have to deny it that strongly. Then it must be this one.”

Yuuko turned toward Akuto.

“Y-you are…still wrong.”

This time, Junko mumbled as she denied it.

“Ehh? But from how you’re acting, it must be him. You’re too easy to understand. But you should stay away from him.”

Yuuko gave Akuto a look of disgust.

“Hey! Do not be so rude!” shouted Junko angrily, but Yuuko was not listening.

“But he’s scary. Both his face and presence. He’s the only person other than those in the village who was able to pinpoint my location.”

Yuuko pointed at Akuto. He had a troubled look on his face.

—Come to think of it, aniki never looked away from the upper right.

Hiroshi was shocked when he recalled Akuto’s actions. Akuto would likely have been just as confused as Hiroshi not long ago, but it was growing more and more obvious that he was gradually becoming a true monster.

“Onee-chan, look at him. Why would you marr-…”

Yuuko pouted her lips and started speaking, but Junko suddenly attacked her. She circled around her with ninja speed and held two fingers against Yuuko’s throat to keep her from speaking any further.

“Why would I merrily enjoy being around him? That is what you were trying to ask, right?”

Junko’s words were filled with killer intent. Yuuko nodded like some kind of machine.

“Th-that’s right. Exactly. But onee-chan, this is a killing technique…”

“It is your fault for not avoiding it. Now, let us get to the house,” urged Junko.

They began walking, but Yuuko kept some distance between herself and Junko and Akuto. This led to Hiroshi walking alongside her.

“Hey, what kind of person is he?” boldly asked Yuuko while blatantly gesturing toward Akuto with her chin.

“Asking like that is rude,” said Hiroshi cautiously.

With a standoffish att.i.tude, Yuuko waved her hand as if to say she did not care.

“But he’s scary. He isn’t normal.”

“Well… He is an amazing person.”

“Amazing?”

“He’s powerful. He’s probably the strongest.”

“Ah ha ha. Why do boys always start calling things the strongest?”

“No, it’s true.”

“It is not true. Have you never seen Brave? Now he’s strong. The way he waves his arm real quick like this is so wonderful. And he was so cool when he saved me. He chopped the demonic beast to pieces without holding back!” said Yuuko absentmindedly.

“Wait, weren’t you supposed to keep it a secret that you saw Brave up close?”

“Ehh? But everyone already knows Brave saved me.”

“No, I mean how he fights and things like that.”

“Eh? What does it matter? I don’t even know who he is. The knights asked me a whole bunch of questions, but I can’t tell them something I don’t know. Wait. Why do you know about Brave and me?”

Yuuko began peering closely at Hiroshi.

—Whoops…

Hiroshi panicked, but he quickly thought up an excuse.

“They were talking about it on TV. ‘Does Hoshino Yuri know Brave’s secret?’ Stuff like that.”

“Eh? Really? But Brave and I…”

Yuuko suppressed a laugh.

“Eh? What? Do you know something after all?” asked Hiroshi.

Yuuko spread her arms and ran around the area.

“That’s a secret,” she said with a finger on her lips.

—Sh-she’s so cute…

Hiroshi was deeply moved. It had likely shown on his face, but Yuuko did not seem to mind. She may have been used to guys looking at her that way. But then she stuck her head right in front of Hiroshi’s face as if she had remembered something. She then stood on her tiptoes.

“Eh?”

Hiroshi’s heart skipped a beat, but Yuuko smiled innocently and spoke.

“You’re about the same height as Brave!”

“Oh…A-am I?”

Hiroshi grew fl.u.s.tered, but it did not seem Yuuko had meant anything by her comment. She moved her face away and began cheerfully walking once more.

“Come on. Enough nonsense,” chided Junko as she pointed down the path. “We are almost to the house. You let everyone in. I will call for father.”

The house was cleverly hidden within the forest. That prevented them from grasping its full structure, but the portion they could see looked like a rather large j.a.panese-style house. It had no actual gate, but the entrance was surrounded by a wonderful front garden. The entrance was large enough for an entire cla.s.s to take a commemorative photograph in front of. The roof was covered in black tiles and the house was covered in wood, but the angle the sun would hit with had been calculated out enough for it to glitter beautifully in the sunlight.

Junko headed around to the back of the house. Yuuko casually opened the front door and announced they had visitors. A middle-aged woman in j.a.panese clothing immediately appeared and bowed.

“Welcome. I am sure you are exhausted. Please come in.”

The servant led the three visitors to the parlor.

Hiroshi attended a prestigious academy, so he was not surprised to see a servant working in a house. However, he could not help but be surprised at how the woman carried herself. Akuto seemed to have noticed it as well, so he exchanged a glance with the other boy.

“Everyone in Hattori-san’s house seems amazingly agile.”

“I know…”

They whispered to each other. Yuuko could not have heard them, but she called out to the servant.

“Hey, is it true the Teruya family is up to something again?”

“Milady, not in front of company,” scolded the servant, but Yuuko was not backing down.

“What does it matter? They’re practically family. Also, onee-chan told me this one has met Teruya Eiko once before.”

Yuuko pointed at Akuto. Akuto looked unsure what to say, but it was true he and Hiroshi had both met Teruya Eiko. Hiroshi had heard the Hattori and Teruya families did not get along then, but he had a.s.sumed it was a friendly sort of rivalry.

“Are your two families really on such bad terms?” asked Hiroshi.

Yuuko nodded and said, “It’s always been that way, but it’s been especially bad recently. They’ve been wandering around this area.”

“Are they planning something?”

“Who knows. It could be anything. Hey, come this way.”

Yuuko grabbed Hiroshi’s arm and pulled.

“Eh? Why?”

Hiroshi was confused. He had only just been led to the parlor.

“Leave your luggage here. Oh, you wait here.”

That last comment was directed at Akuto and accompanied with a shake of the head.

Akuto looked troubled, but he had no choice but to continue into the parlor. Korone followed him.

Only Hiroshi was pulled down the hallway by Yuuko.

“Wait, where are we going?”

“It doesn’t really matter, but how about the courtyard? I don’t want to be near him.”

“Don’t say things like that.”

“But…”

Yuuko started to say something, but she changed the subject after opening the sliding gla.s.s door to the courtyard, slipping on some sandals, and stepping out onto the gra.s.s.

“That guy is marrying my sister, right?”

“Eh?”

That was the first Hiroshi had heard of that.

“I haven’t heard anything about that.”

While in shock, Hiroshi followed her into the courtyard.

“Really? I suppose my sister can be shy about that kind of thing.”

Yuuko sat on a roofed bench in the courtyard. Hiroshi stood in front of her.

“What do you mean marrying?”

“I mean exactly that. I don’t really understand it, but it seems that guy is called the demon king and this marriage will make him more behaved.”

“Can they really decide that so easily…?”

“Hm. It may be hard to understand from a different religion, but our family follows Suhara. Orders from above are absolute. Political marriages are completely possible. The Teruya family’s actions may be because they’re afraid of us gaining more influence.”

“I see.”

Hearing it explained that way made Hiroshi feel it may not be that bad a thing. At the very least, it would resolve a good number of Akuto’s worries.

“I supported this at first, but I don’t like it if it’s with him.”

“Why do you keep saying things like that? He’s a really good person,” protested Hiroshi.

However, the response he got was unexpected.

“He has the scent of a demonic beast.”

—Eh?

Hiroshi knew better than anyone that she was not lying. And that was why he was so shocked.

“Y-you can tell?”

“Yes. By scent. I think I’m sensitive to that kind of scent. There’s something about the area around a demonic beast that I really hate. I haven’t told this to many people, but I was almost killed by a demonic beast once.”

Yuuko’s voice was calm, but she must have had some mental resistance. Hiroshi noticed her hands were trembling slightly.

“It happened when I was a kid, but I remember it clearly. The beast was made from some type of bug and it bit me. That was enough to give me a standard phobia, but it was more than that. It seems some of the demonic beast’s mana entered my body. I didn’t actually affect my body, so I’m fine for the most part. But when a demonic beast is nearby…it’s less like I’m afraid of the demonic beast and more like I’m filled with such fear it feels like I’m going to lose my mind.”

Yuuko smiled as she spoke, but her words were a great shock to Hiroshi.

—Come to think of it, I’ve heard that demonic beast mana is normal mana that some sort of error has occurred in. Who knows what would happen if you got that in your body.

Yuuko noticed the serious look on Hiroshi’s face, so she began laughing and waving her hand.

“Ah ha ha ha. Don’t worry. I have a unit inside me from when I was baptized into Suhara, right? That is constantly casting magic on the mana. The demonic beast mana is held in check as it tries to increase. I’ll be fine unless Suhara disappears. But how could that ever happen?”

“I see,” said Hiroshi in relief.

Yuuko then gave him a teasing smile.

“Why are you so worried about me? Do you have some kind of ulterior motive?”

“No, of course not!”

Hiroshi frantically shook his head, but Yuuko’s mischievous expression did not change.

“Is that so? My fans always seem to view me with an image they decided on by themselves. And those that deny it mostly want to see the true me, but in an indecent way. And yet the real me is just a boring person no different from anyone else.”

“N-no, that isn’t true. You’re amazing, Yuuko-san,” said Hiroshi.

Yuuko narrowed her eyes as if he was mocking her.

“A lot of people say that, but that’s what I call having an ulterior motive.”

“No, that’s not it! Despite being born into such a great family, you challenged yourself by trying out all those different things. That’s what I mean when I say you’re amazing.”

Yuuko finally opened her eyes wide in surprise.

“I’ve been called selfish for being from such a rich family, but no one’s ever told me that before. For acting, singing, writing songs, and doing variety shows, I’ve always been called selfish and indecisive.” Yuuko grinned. “But saying I’ve done all that despite my family is not quite accurate. It’s the opposite. It’s not that I don’t want to rely on my family or even that I do. I feel that I have to do something for my family. I don’t know if what I’m doing is helping all that much, but that’s what I’m trying to do.”

“You want to do something for your family?”

“If I had not been born in this family, I would have died. This special protection from Suhara is not something just anyone can get. I am thankful for my family. And I don’t mean my parents by that. I mean my good fortune to be a part of this family. This is kind of embarra.s.sing. I’ve never said any of this before.”

Yuuko scratched her head and blushed a little.

“No, I think it’s amazing.”

For some reason, Hiroshi felt embarra.s.sed too, so he scratched at his head as well.

Whether to hide her embarra.s.sment or not, Yuuko’s expression suddenly grew very serious.

“Hey. Do you believe in G.o.d?”

“Eh?”

“And when I say G.o.d, I mean a real G.o.d.”

“That’s kind of a hard question to answer,” said Hiroshi in confusion.

“I know. But believing in Suhara is actually believing in the bonds of everyone supporting Suhara. In other words, it is no different from believing in the bonds of family and the like. However, things like family and the meetings between people are not here due to Suhara’s doing. I think where you are born and the people you meet by coincidence are decided by the real G.o.d. That is why I believe in a real G.o.d and that is why I work as a performer. I work to create bonds between all sorts of people through my broadcasts. What I find most important is my family, so I intend to truly serve Suhara and obey my family.”

“I have no thoughts as wonderful as that. I am impressed.”

Hiroshi sighed and Yuuko smiled in embarra.s.sment.

“Saying that isn’t going to get you anything.”

“I wasn’t expecting anything.”

Hiroshi smiled, too.

After Yuuko had smiled for a while, she suddenly looked up at Hiroshi with a serious expression.

“But it would’ve been fun if you had a bit of an ulterior motive of wanting to get to know me better.”

—Eh?

For an instant, Hiroshi thought on what she meant.

—Does that mean…?

Certain hopes swelled up within him and his expression grew serious, but Yuuko’s face quickly grew mischievous.

“After all, anyone who tries to get to know me better has to be tested by everyone living here.”

“What? Everyone living here?”

As soon as Hiroshi spoke that question, he realized he was surrounded by hostile gazes.

He looked around and found people dressed in the ninja outfit of black clothes with a black hood that left only the eyes exposed. They were just about to begin attacking Hiroshi. He wanted to ask where they had come from, but he found his answer shortly thereafter. There had been hidden doors across the courtyard lawn, by the side of the bench, and elsewhere. A few ninja had their heads and feet sticking out of those doors.

“Waaah!”

Hiroshi panicked, but Yuuko smiled.

“People trying to be my friends, my fans, or anyone else who tries to approach me are all taken out by them.”

“Wh-wh-what is going on?”

Hiroshi’s legs were about to collapse underneath him.

“Getting to know me better is the same as becoming a part of the family, so they have to test anyone who wants to be my friend.”

“T-t-test?”

“You attack them with your special technique as they attack you with theirs. If they recognize your power, you’ll be best friends.”

“W-wait! I don’t have a special technique! And these people are clearly not trying to make friends! They’re just hunting down any guy who approaches you!” exclaimed Hiroshi.

The ninja all shook their heads. As they slowly approached Hiroshi, they spoke.

“You want to be our friend, right?”

“We want to be your friend. Let’s test out our techniques on each other.”

“You have some guts approaching the young lady like this.”

“See!? That last comment was clearly a threat! They’re just threatening me!”

When Hiroshi pointed it out, Yuuko gave a bitter smile and rested her head on her hand while sitting on the bench.

“Do you really think so?”

“Yes!”

“I see… All the guys I bring home end up running away. I guess I need someone as strong as Brave.”

Yuuko sighed regretfully.

“I-I-I get it! I won’t do anything!”

As the ninja group slowly approached Hiroshi while filled with killer intent and wielding swords and bra.s.s knuckles, he quickly moved back away from Yuuko.

“Sigh… But my dad is the worst when it comes to this. That guy is probably in trouble right about now,” muttered Yuuko.

“Aniki is?”

“Yes. He’s supposed to marry my sister. That really is becoming part of the family.”

“Then is your father attacking him with a weapon right now?”

“Don’t be so rude. He isn’t attacking him; he’s testing his skill and his courage.”

“Isn’t that just a different way of saying the same thing?” complained Hiroshi.

However, he fell silent when he heard swords being drawn around him.

Akuto and Korone were left in the parlor, but as guests, they had no choice but to sit quietly. The woman in j.a.panese clothes who had led them there left them with some tea, but it had started to grow cold after they had only drunk half of it.

“Am I being tested?” Akuto asked Korone.

“Are you? It is hard to tell.”

—Either way, I need to be careful what I say. I need to keep my guard up.

While resolving himself, the sliding door opened.

“Welcome. I hear you have been a help to Junko on several occasions.”

Standing beyond the door was a short man who gave off an aura of vitality.

Akuto had not noticed him approach until the door had slid open. Normally, he would have at least heard the footsteps and Akuto was also the person who had seen through Yuuko’s hidden position. It was clear this man was no ordinary person.

He wore j.a.panese clothing and appeared to be between the ages of 40 and 50. His white teeth stood out on his darkly tanned face. His properly combed down hair was a deep black and very healthy looking. However, he lacked the “lightness” common in men like that. It felt as if he was always wrapped in a dignified yet not uncomfortable atmosphere.

“I am Youzou, her father,” he greeted Akuto who had stood up. He then urged Akuto to sit back down. “I have heard many rumors about you.”

As Youzou sat before Akuto, he gave a carefree smile.

“That is embarra.s.sing to hear. Junko-san has also been a help to me both as the cla.s.s representative and as someone knowledgeable about the school,” replied Akuto with a bow.

“To get right to the point, do you love Junko?”

Youzou’s statement was akin to a surprise attack.

A normal teenage boy would have had trouble answering that question, but Akuto viewed the word “love” as including every meaning of the word including those outside of romantic love. And on top of that, Akuto was the type of person who would not hesitate to speak his feelings honestly.

“Absolutely,” he replied immediately.

Youzou gave a hearty laugh.

“Ha ha ha ha ! What a pleasant young man. But you know Junko’s position, do you not? Do you know what it means to the Hattori family for you to live with her?”

Akuto was well aware what troubles Junko had gone through in living in the same student dormitory as him and consider him her ally. Also, he had been told this was a political matter.

“I understand that it holds political meaning. It is not merely an issue of feelings. No matter how difficult it may be, I wish to make the decision that is best for Junko-san’s surroundings and family environment.”

Akuto meant every word of it.

However, to someone who heard those words with the a.s.sumption of him planning to marry Junko, they could only mean one thing. Youzou smiled. He looked delighted down to the bottom of his heart, but the smile also appeared intimidating to any who saw it.

“As her father, I am pleased to hear those words. But do you mind if I test you to see if you are truly prepared?”

His tone was quiet, but his voice contained enough intensity to cause even some of the most powerful people in history to shrink back.

Even so, Akuto answered calmly.

“I am prepared to be tested.”

“How wonderful are you? I have taken a liking to you as a fellow man.”

As soon as Youzou said that, a dreadful scene appeared before Akuto’s eyes.

While still sitting seiza-style, Youzou jumped up. The power of his leap was frightening. With only the strength of pushing his knees down, he jumped a meter into the air.

—!

Akuto was utterly shocked and he reflexively stood up.

When he did, Youzou drew his sword while still in the seiza-style position in midair. He made a perfectly horizontal strike. Akuto caught the sword with his hand, but this placed nothing but his bare hand in front of the blade. His fingers were severed and flew through the air and the sword travelled directly for his neck.

—I’m dead!

Akuto felt his own death.

—Is this the end…? Wait, why can I still think?

As soon as he realized that, Akuto felt his eyes suddenly open.

He was standing in the middle of the parlor and Youzou was still seated where he had been before. He looked over and saw Korone sitting with the same expression as before. (Not that it would have changed had something happened.)

“Why did you suddenly stand up?” asked Korone.

—That must mean that didn’t actually happen.

Akuto brought a hand to his neck. Nothing was out of the ordinary there.

“An excellent reaction. As to be expected of the one said to become the demon king.”

Youzou slapped his own leg.

Akuto realized Youzou did not even have a sword on him. That made sense. No man would appear before clearly unarmed guests in his house wearing a sword.

“That was…an illusion?” muttered Akuto.

He did not understand how it worked, but he had clearly been shown some kind of illusion. The one thing he did know was that the illusion had felt very real.

—If Youzou-san really did have a sword, he would have been able to do the exact same thing.

Akuto was sure of that.

“That is just a little technique of mine. How did you like it?” asked Youzou.

Akuto detected the implied meaning behind the question.

“That may have been an illusion, but you could produce the same result in reality if you wished, couldn’t you?” asked Akuto.

Youzou grinned and said, “Yes. It is a technique pa.s.sed down by our family. More sensitive people can die from the mental shock of the illusion alone, but I thought you would be fine. It may seem a bit cruel, but that is just who I am. I cannot help but test people. At my age, you begin to wonder what would happen if you actually tried to attack certain people.”

—So this allows him to detect what would happen without having to actually attack. If the difference in ability is too great, a conflict can be avoided because the result will be obvious. And if the two powers are almost the same, it may not avoid a battle, but he can gain an advantage by subtly adjusting his method of attack during the real thing.

Akuto a.n.a.lyzed the idea behind it. He then continued his thoughts.

—He said it is just who he is, but I doubt he would do something this cruel for no reason. If this is a political issue, it is the same as coming under his supervision. By showing me his superiority, he can prevent me from opposing him.

Akuto sat back down and bowed.

“Well done. I hope we can remain on good terms for many years to come.”

“No, raise your head. I simply grew a bit too enthusiastic after hearing you were to become the demon king. Now that I know what a wonderful young man you are, I am the one that hopes we can remain on good terms. It is a pleasure to meet you.” Youzou spoke with a pleasant smile, but his eyes suddenly narrowed before he continued. “By the way, what do you think would happen if I truly attacked you? Tell me what you honestly think.”

Akuto was taken off guard by that sudden question, but he soon gave an embarra.s.sed smile.

“I doubt you were completely serious in that attack just now, so I cannot say for sure. However, I picked up on at least some of your mannerisms from that. After seeing it once more, I think the result might change.”

Akuto spoke so unconcernedly that Youzou’s eyes opened wide for an instant. However, he appeared more surprised than angry. Akuto had not realized it, but he had calmly stated that he would willingly let Youzou once more use a technique that might kill him.

Youzou’s expression quickly changed to one of delight.

“That settles it. You are a member of the family now. I will have a feast with plenty of sake prepared right away. No, wait. I suppose at your age, you will need tea instead. At any rate, you can eat the very best food this area has to offer. Feel free to relax and enjoy yourself.”

—It looks like he’s taken a liking to me. Does this mean the Hattori family will act as my guardian from now on? Now I really need to keep up with my studies and become a wonderful politician.

With that carefree thought, Akuto bowed as Youzou left the parlor.

The feast turned out to be a grand event. The dining tables lined up within the tatami-covered hall were piled high with delicacies of both the mountains and seas. At first glance, it appeared to be the simple rural food of a mountain bandit, but a closer inspection showed the food had to have taken a great amount of effort to prepare. The entire family was present as were all of the ninja living in the house, so a great number of people had gathered in the hall. Someone with as poor an upbringing as Akuto could only liken it to a large company’s hot spring trip.

Akuto sat beside Youzou. That was a seat of honor. He had never sat there before, so he did not know how to act.

On Youzou’s other side was Junko. She seemed nervous. In fact, she was so nervous that everything she said came out wrong. She trembled so much as she sat that it was amazing her joints were not clattering. Whenever Youzou spoke to her, she did not seem to have been paying attention. Yuuko sat next to Junko. Those were the only four sitting in seats of honor. Hiroshi was sitting at the very back of the room.

From the look of the feast, Akuto decided it too was a test for him. Youzou gave a short speech that was very frank and open, but he then turned to Akuto to make a speech of his own. Akuto was now certain he was being tested.

“Sai Akuto-kun here who is being invited in as a member of the family, so let us hear him introduce himself.”

Akuto stood up, but he received no applause from the seated ninja who had removed their masks for the feast. Looks of clear hostility could be seen in their eyes.

—I see. So I have to win them over, too.

“From now on, I will be receiving some help from the Hattori family. This may put a burden on all of you. However, I am well aware of how unique I am and what political influence my actions have from that.”

As Akuto spoke, all eyes in the room focused on him. Some had been whispering to each other before, but they fell silent as he continued to speak.

“I call this a political influence, but it is a negative power. My actions will undoubtedly anger someone. However, power itself has no intrinsic good or evil to it. The same can be said for influence. So why has this become a negative power? That is because people are being led astray by the public opinions they themselves have created.”

An atmosphere of confusion spread as Akuto’s speech grew more abstract.

“I say public opinion is the true ident.i.ty of political power. And so I wish to become one of those who creates public opinion of his own volition. I hope to work to help the Hattori family and to give more honor to its name. I view that as a means of repaying Junko-san.”

A stir spread throughout the listeners. Those words meant the boy known as the demon king had obediently surrendered to the Hattori family. However, his aggressive declaration about creating public opinion had been an announcement that he would take part in the political conflict. Anywhere else, that might have been interpreted as the demon king revealing his desire for world domination, but this was the Hattori family. In this warrior faction of Suhara followers, those words were viewed as “promising”.

“Now this is a surprise.”

“I was afraid when I first heard the master was inviting this boy.”

“He seems quite promising. To think Junko-sama has dominated someone on his level.”

Akuto was not sure what to make of that reaction, but he continued his speech regardless.

“I hope to learn the ways of the world here. I will make use of the power the Hattori family provides. However, I will not use the Hattori family for my own self-interest. I am sure some of you will find it difficult to trust me. After all, I belong to a different religion. Nevertheless, I promise to never betray Junko-san.”

Akuto looked over toward Junko.

She was shocked at his look and her spine twitched a bit. A short while later, she finally seemed to grasp what Akuto had said. Her stiff expression grew distorted and she brought a hand to her cheek to hide it. Even so, she could not stop the tears flowing out.

—W-was she that moved by my speech?

Akuto had only been trying to make himself look good, so he was surprised she would react that strongly to it. However, the ninja forces gathered for the feast were deeply moved by those tears.

“Oooohhhhh!”

“I wish you happiness!”

“I’ll allow it! I never thought I would say this, but I’ll allow it!”

The stir among the many ninja seated on the tatami mats grew into full-blown shouting. Akuto did not quite understand the effects of his words or the situation as a whole, but he was not given a chance to say anything more as excitement grew at the feast.

Urged on by the sake and appetizers, people began speaking loudly to each other and the feast began with an informal atmosphere.

Ninja after ninja walked up to Akuto while crying, pouring him a drink, and telling him to “make the young lady happy”. As these vague greetings continued on and on, he stopped paying much attention.

Junko’s tears had stopped and she was eating with a happy expression. She cheerfully greeted every ninja who came to greet her. However, she refused to look Akuto in the eye and never looked in his direction.

For some reason, Hiroshi seemed to have hit it off well with the ninja. They were having a lively discussion on idols.

“Again: we’re asking what Lady Yuuko needs to do to get even better sales.”

“That Chisato girl who is doing well lately is getting in her way.

“No, Chisato-chan is the old type of idol,” explained Hiroshi. “She’s the type who will go down in flames with a single scandal about having a boyfriend. The type of idol that loses fans from a boyfriend is the old type that uses her virginity to give her fans illusions of being her lover. Yuuko-chan is different. She has a wild personality and has so many talents, so it would be hard to imagine being her lover.”

The ninja nodded at Hiroshi’s discourse on idols.

“Ohh, that’s an academy student for you.”

“He’s such an intellectual.”

Yuuko had been looking displeased before, but she suddenly proclaimed she would sing and had a karaoke set prepared.

When Yuuko began singing one of her songs, the feast reached its high point.

Akuto was happier than he had ever been before in his life. However, he was oblivious as to why the Hattori family was providing him with such happiness.

Night came. Junko was alone in her room when she was suddenly overcome with anxiety. After the feast, she had quickly felt empty. People often regretted saying something on a whim. This feeling was similar. She began to grow suspicious of how Akuto was acting.

—Am I just imagining this? No, he is definitely acting oddly calm. He often has a bit of a displeased look, but today of all days, it seems he should act a bit embarra.s.sed when teased.

With that weighing on her mind, Junko found it difficult to stay put in her room.

—Is it possible he really is mistaken about this? No, worrying about it will not change anything. I know. I need to check with him. That is what I need to do.

With that thought, Junko stood up.

However…

—But how am I supposed to check? Do I simply ask him if he is prepared to marry me? If he really is, then it will mean I was doubting him. That is worthy of seppuku.

Junko tilted her head in puzzlement. But then an idea came to her. However, she felt oddly flushed as soon as she thought of it.

—He has yet to convert from his religion. That means his doctrines forbid him from d-doing that kind of thing before marriage. If I urge him to do what is only natural for husband and wife, I can tell if he understands the situation or not.

Junko began to leave her room, but her hand stopped on the sliding door.

—But if he goes along with this, we will actually go through it. B-but maybe…that’s okay? W-wait, in that case, I need to bathe first…

Junko pulled a change of clothes from her dresser and headed for the bath.

—I seriously doubt it, but am I hoping something will happen…?

As she washed her body in the bath, she looked at herself in the mirror. Her face had an untidy grin on it.

“W-wah… If I do not stay focused, he will start to dislike me,” she said out loud.

—N-no, I am not focusing to prevent him from disliking me. B-but…If he really does not know and we end up d-doing it anyway, wouldn’t he be forced to marry me then?

That thought caused Junko to blush so much even she thought it was pathetic.

“Th-that is from staying in the bath too long. I need to finish bathing and get out.”

Junko began frantically scrubbing her body.

Meanwhile, Akuto lay in the room prepared for him. After taking a bath, he had changed into the T-shirt and shorts he had brought to sleep in, and climbed into the futon.

Akuto was enjoying the silence of the night after the craziness of the feast.

—This is such a happy feeling…but I just can’t seem to relax. I get the feeling I’m not cut out for this kind of thing. Maybe I just need more experience with it…

As he thought on that, Akuto suddenly sensed a presence outside the room. He sat up in the futon.

“Who is it?” he asked.

The door slid open and Junko was kneeling on the ground.

—Eh?

Junko was acting differently from normal. Thanks to the moonlight, her bodyline was visible through the thin white kimono she wore to sleep in. However, it was her expression that had surprised Akuto. She was still just as nervous as before, but her slightly flushed cheeks gave off a mature atmosphere.

“Wh-what do you need at this hour?” asked Akuto.

Junko closed the sliding door behind her and spoke with downward cast eyes.

“Don’t you know? Or do you really not?”

Her tone of voice was so surprised that Akuto was left confused.

Junko silently walked in. She was wearing just the thin kimono and it had slipped from its proper position a bit. Two white bulges were partially visible where it opened at the chest, so Akuto could tell she was not wearing a bra. As she walked, the hem of the kimono opened wide, revealing her white thigh. Akuto frantically looked away when he realized she might not be wearing any underwear down there either.

“H-hey. It’s already late. If you want to talk about something, it could probably wait until tomorrow…”

“O-other people would interrupt tomorrow, right?”

Junko’s nervous voice came from right next to Akuto. Due to averting his gaze, he had not noticed that she had sat right in front of him.

He looked back and gasped.

Junko’s eyes were wet with tears as if she were afraid. She was opening the chest of her kimono with her own trembling hands.

—H-huh? Hattori-san is acting different from normal…

Her behavior confused Akuto.

He could feel a meekness that he had never felt in Junko before.

“You should not force yourself.”

Akuto reached out a hand and closed the front of Junko’s kimono.

“F-force myself?”

Junko looked up in surprise.

“This isn’t like you.”

“Wait…”

Junko was at a loss for words.

“Are you perhaps forcing yourself to do something for your family?” asked Akuto.

Junko grew fl.u.s.tered.

“W-wait, what are you-…?”

“This is not how the Junko-san I like acts.”

This left Junko dumbfounded. She had no idea what to say, so her mouth simply flapped open and closed.

“Am I wrong? If I enter under the observation of this family, I will have to convert to your religion. However, I have not converted yet. That means doing that kind of thing is forbidden for me. You are not the type of person who would try to get me to break my doctrines like that.” As Akuto spoke, Junko’s expression visibly clouded over. “S-sorry. That was rude of me. But I want to go about receiving help from this family in the proper way.”

Akuto was confused, but Junko suddenly cut in.

“You idiot… I should have known. This is the type of person you are… You have not been told about marrying me, have you?”

—M-marrying her!?

Akuto was utterly shocked.

“I apologize. I should have known you would not have come like this if you understood it all… It was my fault for not explaining it to you.”

Junko hung her head down.

Akuto frantically placed a hand on her shoulder.

“No, I apologize. It was my fault for not catching on. And you weren’t able to tell me because you were opposed to the marriage, weren’t you?”

“Eh? Hey… Wait a second…”

“I’m sorry. I suppose you can’t just refuse an order from your family. If I had truly been thinking about what was best for you, I should have refused it from the very-…”

Akuto trailed off.

This was because Junko began laughing while still hanging her head down.

“Ha ha… I really am an idiot… And you really are this kind of person through and through…”

“What do you mean by ‘this kind of person’?”

Akuto reached out and raised Junko’s face.

She was crying.

He let go in surprise and she seemed unable to withstand it anymore. She began speaking while sobbing.

“I mean… I mean this kind of person… I got so worked up over this on my own…”

Junko blushed and brought together the front of her disheveled kimono. She then curled up and broke down crying.

“Please forget everything about today,” she said.

“I-I’m sorry, too. B-but…”

Akuto was unable to finish speaking. This was because a spear suddenly fell down from the ceiling.

Akuto’s reflexes were enough for him to avoid it, but the spear would have pierced straight through his heart had he not. It had obviously been meant to kill him.

—Wah!

Akuto jumped back. And it did not end there. Spear after spear shot toward Akuto from the ceiling, from below the tatami mats, and from behind the sliding door.

As he avoided the uninterrupted flow of spears stabbing toward him, Akuto managed to make his way out of the room. He turned around in the courtyard and a.s.sessed the situation.

It turned out there was not much to figure out. Every possible place to hide around the room Akuto had been given contained several mask-wearing ninja.

“You made the young lady cry!”

“You b.a.s.t.a.r.d! You were planning to deceive the Hattori family this entire time!”

The ninja started yelling at him.

“You’re mistaken! And why were you spying on us!?” shouted back Akuto.

However, he did actually feel responsible this time. He had no choice but to leave.

“Hattori-san, I’m sorry!”

Akuto grabbed his change of clothes from next to the pillow, climbed the wall surrounding the house, and ran into the forest.

“On the dignity of the Iga ninja forces, we will not let him escape!”

“Ohhhh!”

He could hear shouts pursuing him.

—I reflexively ran away, but I need to get captured and make a proper apology.

There was no way he could lose so many pursuers in unknown territory like this. Akuto began thinking about how to get captured by them without either side suffering any injuries.

But he was not given time to think. One of the faster pursuers approached while leaping from tree branch to tree branch. He leaped toward Akuto to cut him down from behind.

—Kh!

Akuto turned around and tried to resist with magic. But before he could, the ninja suddenly disappeared into the darkness.

“Eh?”

Akuto was confused for an instant, but he quickly spotted the ninja again and realized what had happened. The ninja attacking him was hanging upside down with a rope wrapped around his foot. He had fallen into a trap.

—A trap? Here?

This was on the Hattori family’s land. No one living in the house would have set that trap. That meant someone else was located nearby.

While looking around for some mysterious figure to appear, Akuto sensed traps activating all over the place. He could hear countless ninja crying out. They had let their guard down as they were so close to the Hattori house, so they were angry that they had fallen for traps they normally would not have.

But they finally put their guards up and the presences of those ninja quieted down. As if waiting for that moment, a shadow slid smoothly out in front of Akuto.

“Who’s there?”

Akuto took a defensive stance and received a familiar voice in response.

“Is that any way to greet me? I let you get away, didn’t I?”

The individual who took a step out of the darkness grinned and thrust a finger toward Akuto.

It was a girl with long hair in a ponytail. Her name was Teruya Eiko.

“So it’s you.”

Akuto maintained his defensive stance.

Eiko smiled cruelly.

“You don’t have to be so cautious. If it wasn’t for me, you would be slaughtering those ninja right about now. You should thank me. My traps are non-lethal after all.”

“Thank you? The timing here was a little too good. It doesn’t add up even if you were trying to get me indebted to you. Have you been observing me all this time?”

“That’s right. I can’t speak about this too loudly, but the Hattori family has some Teruya spies in it.”

“Then you know everything that happened?”

“Of course! Oh, that was hilarious. She took it so seriously!”

Akuto did not like how Eiko was smiling.

“Then what do you want with me? If you don’t need anything, I would like for you to leave after I thank you. Once the ninja calm down, I can likely manage to speak with them.”

Once Akuto said that, Eiko gave a servile yet unpleasant smile.

“No, no. There’s nothing to be angry about. I will tell you exactly what I want, so will you come by my house?”

“Your house?”

“The Teruya house. Our status is higher than the Hattori family, so it should suit you even better.”

“I don’t think so,” replied Akuto without hesitation.

But Eiko refused to back down.

“Even if you were a bit mistaken, you still tried to get on the Hattori family’s good side. But the Teruya family would be more convenient for your purposes.”

“I was not trying to get on their good side. I was trying to grow.”

“That’s just saying the same thing in different ways. Hey, how about you stick with me for a bit? I’m about to make a gamble that should have a nice payoff.”

“What kind of way is that to put it? It makes you sound like a delinquent. I don’t like it.”

Akuto revealed his discomfort, but Eiko’s statement was a shocking one.

“Did you know my father is the high priest? And did you know that high priest carries out a.s.sa.s.sinations?”

—What?

Akuto doubted his ears.

“He kills people the G.o.d Suhara views as dangerous. Even if the person has yet to do anything, they will be killed if they are putting together a plan to rebel.”

“That’s all the more reason for me to dislike the Teruya family.”

Akuto’s expression and voice grew stiff.

But Eiko raised a finger and waved it right and left with a calm expression.

“Don’t jump to conclusions. The Teruya family will change if you join it.”

No matter what she said, Akuto had no reason to go along with Eiko’s invitation.

“I already refused your offer. I have my own ideas of what I want to do. I have gained friends and a lifestyle I want to protect while at the academy. That is what I want,” declared Akuto.

Eiko’s expression grew stern.

“Are you defying me?”

“Defying you? This is just you approaching me and going on about nonsense.”

“Dammit. You really are stubborn! Ahh, and I only came to make this invitation because I thought I really could fall in love with you! Hmph. Do what you wish. Those friends and that lifestyle will be gone before long anyway!” stated Eiko emotionally.

“What did you say?”

Akuto’s shoulders twitched at the danger he felt in those words.

A brutal smile appeared on Eiko’s face.

“One of those friends you mentioned is that stupid redhead, right?”

“What do you mean by that?”

Akuto’s expression grew twisted.

Eiko burst out laughing.

“Ah ha ha ha! I told you my family carries out a.s.sa.s.sinations, right? For some reason, the target this time is that redhead! Hilarious, right? I don’t see how that stupid girl could be anything but harmless!”

“d.a.m.n you!” shouted Akuto, cutting off Eiko’s laughter.

“Hyah!”

Eiko let out a short scream and stopped moving.

Hot air swirled around. Akuto’s body was emitting heat. He was pouring energy into the mana around him and the heat that could not be completely eliminated began boiling the mana inside his body.

“W-wait! I’m not the one doing it! If I was, I would hardly come tell you,” argued Eiko as a cold sweat appeared on her brow.

“Then why did you tell me this?”

Akuto’s question was a very forceful one. Eiko must have instinctually known she was faced with someone overwhelmingly more powerful than herself because she obediently answered.

“B-because I thought it would work out well if you helped me out! I think what the Teruya family is doing is wrong,” said Eiko in the tone of someone begging for her life.

“Say whatever you want. Now, move. I’m headed back to the school.”

Akuto waved his hand and a hot wind blew through. That wind forced Eiko to clear a path for him.

But a different voice called out from behind Akuto as he began to move past her.

“W-wait a second! Why did you even come to our house!?” shouted Yuuko.

It seemed she had finally caught up to him. She must have begun pursuing him when she heard the commotion.

Akuto turned around.

“There is something I must apologize for, but that must come later.”

“D-don’t be so selfish… You’re horrible! My sister was crying. What did you do?”

Yuuko had plenty of force behind her words, but her expression was that of someone desperately fighting fear. It seemed her body was reacting to the waves emitted from his body.

“That was my fault. I will speak with all of you later. It seems I was wrong at a fundamental level,” said Akuto, but Yuuko did not back down despite trembling in fear.

“You don’t need to speak with us! Don’t ever come back!”

When he heard that, Akuto could not help but turn to face Yuuko.

“I admit I was wrong. But if what I heard here is true, I do not think I can forgive Suhara. I will decide whether I can ever come back here or not after I check on this.”

Akuto turned toward Eiko with a harsh look in his eyes.

“O-of course it’s true!” Eiko frantically jumped up into the trees. “Well, I will be leaving now. You can handle everything else!”

Eiko ran off, but she had a smile on her face as she did so. It was as if everything had gone according to plan.

Yuuko’s expression twisted in both fear and confusion. Yuuko had apparently heard the end of Akuto’s conversation with Eiko, so she shook her head.

“I don’t know anything about any a.s.sa.s.sinations! And this is the Teruya family’s doing, right?”

“And so you say it has nothing to do with you? Or are you saying Teruya Eiko made this up?” asked Akuto.

He received a response from another voice approaching behind him.

“It appears to be true. I heard the conversation and it is possible an a.s.sa.s.sination order has been issued for Keena-san.”

Akuto and Yuuko turned around toward the voice.

Korone was standing there and Hiroshi was with her.

“It is possible?” asked Akuto to dou