Chapter 2: Maybe ― Maybe
[START TEXT]
As an Auditor, I had some relationship with Team Constellation.
So, when I went to meet with Aria’s mother, Kanae Kanzaki… instead of asking Mutou, I had LOGI’s Shimaisago drive me to Chiba in a car.
I gave Aria an outline of what happened that night (except for the matter of Love and Cromatael)–then she immediately set up an emergency meeting with Kanae-san for the next evening–
「…I’m recognised as the eldest marriageable daughter of the Holmes Family, but since Mama divorced Father, she is single by choice.」
Aria disclosed such personal information as we entered the Shinjuku Police Station detention interview room.
「So if you start thinking something weird about Mama and change into that state, I’ll open a wind-hole in you, got it?」
After receiving the order to『not hysterise』, we waited a short time…
Then the cream coloured steel doors opened–
On the opposite side of the acrylic glass–
She appeared.
She was sentenced by the High Court to 536 years. Under what amounted to a life sentence, it was Kanae-san.
A barrette held back the slight wave of her long, glamourous hair.
Her onyx black eyes were kind. With long, dark lashes edging them.
She had the same porcelain white skin as Aria–
「It has been a while. Kinji Tohyama-san. Please help my Aria.」
Kanae-san.
Why are you here?
I know how you got here, but why?
Your trial was strange.
The prosecution made wildly incoherent claims. Even ignoring Aria risking her own life to clear her, the sentence was harsh.
I trust Aria unconditionally, so I believe that the charges are 100% false.
But as for the various charges themselves– there has to be some kind of motivation behind them–and that is why Kanae-san is here. Even if the charges were a bogus postscript addition, that would mean someone meddled in the legal process to put her here, wouldn’t it?
She is a part of something.
We don’t know what it is, though–
「Why are you staring at my Mama!? I just warned you about this!」
「–Ouch!」
Aria suddenly grabbed my ear and started pulling as I yelped.
「Now Aria. What violence. And against your friend.」
With a surprised expression, Kanae-san scolded Aria like a kindergarten teacher.
「Mama… this wallflower is Japan’s premier Lothario. I am merely training him to not have such strange thoughts about you.」
「Well then. Why would that upset an old lady like me? Ara. Ara ara. Even if that were the case, it would be alright. I wouldn’t want to upset the healthy development of a normal high school boy.」
In response to Aria’s absurd assertion, Kanae-san flushed slightly red and placed both hands on her cheeks as she shook her body from side to side. Happy to be treated as a woman after such a long time, the large breasts on her upper body, totally unlike Aria’s, shook slightly in the action.
Kanae-san is d-definitely a beautiful woman to look at, but… is she the classic classmate’s mother? She is about twice my age, but such a thing happening one of Riko’s games can definitely… definitely cannot be said to have no effect. It won’t have an effect on me. Will it?
No, this isn’t what we came here to talk about today.
Visiting hours are short, so let’s get straight to the point.
I have to steer us back from the distraction caused by Aria.
So then,
「Kanae-san. It might be hard for Aria to say,–so I will. She was recently restored, but yesterday, Aria briefly transformed into the Scarlet Goddess.」
I brought up the topic we had to talk about.
The very next instant–
「–!」
The airy manner that she had until now evaporated in an instant.
The look in her eyes transformed into that of a different person entirely, and it became entirely silent for a moment–
Then she looked at Aria, then me.
Then,
「–Children become independent. Although it makes me happy, it is a lonely feeling.」
She muttered, and committed the vaguely sexual act… of taking a deep sigh. At the same time, she reached a hand behind her head to unfasten her barrette, and her unbound, wavy hair came forward to surround her face. It was probably so that the observers seated on stools in the corner of the room wouldn’t be able to read her lips.
Through the small holes in the acrylic plate separating us–
She casually leaned forward and began speaking in a low, rapid voice.
「Kinji-san. I am sorry. I didn’t think you would cut to the chase so directly. I see you are very perceptive.」
As a general matter of law, according to Article 39 of the Revised Criminal Practice Code, you can talk about anything during an interview, and it cannot be recorded. This is the fundamental right of the accused. But if the contents of discussion are regarding planning their escape or destruction of evidence, they may be restricted on a case-by-case basis.
Putting it plainly, any kind of alarming conversation may be stopped.
Knowing that, Aria and I kept an eye on the observers as we listened to Kanae-san speak.
「I can only give you hints, like a mystery detective novel… Visiting hours are short, so I can only give you answers to questions. We may be interrupted in the middle, but I will tell you what I can. Still, I do not know how much you two know. So, in order to not waste any time, please ask your questions. What do you want to know?」
The Aria that was here– was actually disguised as Riko. Riko had taken her place and had been spreading disinformation to the authorities. If it reached the Tokyo Metro Police, the observers would be more lax. No orders for close supervision would have been issued.
We should have some time to get some answers.
「Mama–」
She leaned forward to say something, but I stopped her.
You can’t make a scene, Aria. Attracting attention would be bad. As she feigned calm while becoming emotional, I took her place–
「Kanae-san, are you really innocent?」
I asked. We should ask as much as possible.
「–Yes.」
「Then why are you still in custody? Why hasn’t your life sentence been rescinded?」
「I know about the true nature of irokane that Minuet has deduced. I know it, and the higher ups know that I know. They want to know it as well. I have remained silent. I was arrested because of that. The life sentence was recommended instead of the death penalty, hoping that I would talk. They framed me for I.U.’s crimes, hoping I’d tell the higher ups in the government about irokane.」
Kanae-san said, coding in the word『higher ups』–
The idiot Aria started looking up at the ceiling, but she actually meant someone capable of manipulating the justice system.
A powerful person who sneers at the blatant lie of the separation of powers we are told about in textbooks– that is what she means.
The fact that she doesn’t give their name tells me that Kanae-san doesn’t know who they are, so it would be a waste of time trying to take them down.
「Why are you keeping quiet?」
「For Aria. If I started talking, they would kill her. You know of the Armed Prosecutors and Division 0.」
Armed Prosecutors–Armed Public Prosecutor. Division 0 — Public Division 0.
The den of superhumans that neither Aria nor I had the power to touch.
Was Kanae-san being quiet to protect her from them?
But I think I understand a little. Their influence is restricted to Japan. They couldn’t torture Aria in front of her to make Kanae-san talk, because she is an English noble.
But if they knew the truth about irokane– they might just ignore political propriety and kill her. They’d probably be able to justify it to the British authorities, so Kane-san remained silent..
…It was dangerous. This conversation.
Aria’s safety was like the Sword of Damocles– hanging on naught but a thin thread.
Aria and I were both at a loss for words…
「Hurry and ask your questions. They are getting suspicious. If they are alarmed, this will probably be the last time we can meet.」
Kanae-san said, and I took notice of the observers.
They had been sitting, but now they were standing. They looked at the clock, then in our direction. They didn’t hear what had been said, but from our tense faces, they might infer that the conversation was illicit.
「–W-what should we do? Tell me… how to save Aria from becoming the Scarlet Goddess.」
After all the preamble, I asked for the scoop, the question I most wanted answered–
With a flash of teeth, Kanae smiled.
「In order to answer that, I have to ask you something, Aria. What is the most important thing to you?」
「Most important…?」
Aria was about to cry, hearing that this was likely the last visit, but Kanae-san continued–
「Do you like Kinji-san?」
–She asked, her former lightness of mood returning.
W-why are you asking that now…? It seems like it came out of nowhere, Kanae-san…
「W-w-w-e-e-l-l-l 」
Her whole body blushing and turning red in an instant, Aria began glitching.
「Say it. The Scarlet Goddess won’t be pleased by the mere words. It’s alright Now, say it.『I like him』.」
And Aria… *Sproing!*… her twin-tails bristling in embarrassment,
「I l-l-li-li-ke him.」
…!
「Say it again.」
「I like him!」
Eyes screwed shut, her anime voice squeaked as she exclaimed this, What the heck!
「Ufufu!」
Narrowing her eyes as she laughed, she looked at me as I remained silent and turned red–
「M-Mama, I only said it because you told me to say it!」
Aria growled, baring her canines as if to snap at me.
「Parents can see through their children’s lies. I know the truth. Aria, you really do like this person. So…」
Kanae-san gently shut her eyes…
「–You have to separate.」
She announced flatly.
「Love will invoke the Scarlet Goddess, so in order to seal her away… you must distance yourself from the one you like. There is no other choice. You should not meet with Kinji anymore. What’s more– you need to forget. About him.」
Kanae-san–
Last year in April, when Aria and I went to meet her… the very first thing she asked about was our relationship. She was surprised that she brought a boy with her.
That confirmed it. Aria had awakened to love in my arms, hadn’t she?
「You are an aria. To say it another way– you must return to being alone. If you do link up with anyone, only do so with someone of the same sex. Because you are an『aria』… I didn’t want to say it, but– you must not fall in love.」
「….」
Ever since April when we agreed to be partners, we had always fought together, but now Aria was ordered to separate from me…
And in response, she was at a loss for words.
Her expression wavered violently–but despair was clearly written upon her face.
「Kanae-san….」
Unable to hide my own trembling, I had to ask.
Checking my wristwatch, I saw we had less than 3 minutes remaining in our meeting.
Kanae-san might want it to end, but it couldn’t.
Aria and me.
I only knew that would be bad.
Even someone as thickheaded as me knew that…!
「–That isn’t good enough! Even if we do that…. Aria will still be cursed by the Scarlet Goddess, just like now!」
「…Kinji-san. Even if you are a young man, you must be reasonable.」
「No! Aria– Look at what you’ve done to Aria! That isn’t good enough! You’re a parent! What parent would do this to their child! I asked a question! I Want to hear your answer! I want to know how to fight the Scarlet Goddess; not how to run away! The Scarlet Goddess–」
「There is no way. The Scarlet Goddess cannot be reasoned with on human terms.」
As I pushed on, Kanae-san quickly cut me off.
Next to me, I noticed that Aria had begun to cry–
「But, but– If the Scarlet Goddess can’t be trusted… Maybe there’s another god that will listen. Then if we talked to that that god, asked them–!」
Pressing myself against the acrylic plate, I didn’t even know what I was saying.
Then as soon as I pressed closer–Kanae-san’s eyes widened–
「…Ask… a god…?」
Her expression told me that she had thought of something.
「Yes, Kinji-san! That is it! I can’t tell you how, but Minuet would certainly know! It would be『A Study in Sapphire』and 『A Study in Turquoise』–」
A new idea rapidly taking shape in her mind, her eyes were full of earnestness.
At that moment, the observers–
「Kanzaki. Meeting is over.」
–Were we out of time? No, it can’t be. They must have deemed the conversation was illicit and ordered an end to it.
Ignoring them, Kanae-san began speaking rapidly.
「There are 3 kinds of irokane: hihiirokane, ruruirokane, and ririirokane. If there is a Scarlet Goddess with control over hihiirokane, there might be a Sapphire Goddess and Turquoise Goddess! If those gods exist, then there might be a way to make requests of them. Kinji-san, you have given me a new idea.」
She drew closer.
「Kanzaki, stop talking.」
An observer grabbed her arm, but Kanae-san pulled away–
「Aria. Return to London and meet with Minuet. The child has not spoken to me, but she must have come to some conclusion. You must extract it from her. Kinji-san, you must split off from Aria and search for ruruirokane and ririirokane. With Minuet’s help– together, you might be able to find some thread of a clue about the gods of irokane.」
「Kanzaki!」
The observer twisted Kanae-san’s arm.
「–Mama!!」
「Aria…! Do as I said about Kinji! You might be apart for a while, but you will only be running for a short time! In the end, you’ll have to face it…! Do not do it for me; do it for yourself…!」
She was forced through the door and out into the corridor–
「Mama! Mama! Mama!!」
Aria shouted. Just like that day.
「–Fight it, Aria–!」
Then her voice finally followed her figure in disappearance.
Beyond the door, and beyond our reach.
*******************************************************
As we rode in the elevator down to the underground parking lot where Shima from LOGI waited, Aria had her eyes shut and was stand-offish. She was suppressing her roiling emotions and pondering what Kanae-san had said.
「…I’ve been thinking a bit about what Mama said.」
Reaching the second sub-level and exiting the elevator, she opened her eyes, and they were full of a strong determination. She was looking my way, but I doubt she saw me.
「Don’t hesitate, Aria. Right now, it’s what could be called your ‘soul’ that is in danger. You should do what Kanae-san said.」
As a man, I tried to vocalise what Aria had difficulty saying.
I still didn’t understand all this talk about awakening to love, but… if she’s in danger of the advent of the Scarlet Goddess, then we should split up.
–Aria and I should separate.
That means the dissolution of our partnership.
It’s a punch in the gut to lose a friend that you can count on 100%, but this is to save Aria.
「From here on, we should split up. You should go back to England and meet with Minuet. If there aren’t any other ideas, I don’t have any objections to doing as Kanae said.」
I said as my stomach clenched–
「Kinji. I’m not a puppet that does everything my mother says!」
Aria said, shooting me a harsh look. Her expression looked a bit more mature.
「All the same, I should go and hear what Minuet has to say. Your older brother brought her up, but it will be hard to get『anything』out of Menu.」
Aria crossed her arms, apparently calling Minuet, ‘Menu’, for short.
「So I will have to make her talk… I don’t want you to come with me. Like you said, we should split up. Mama said s-something about love, but– Menu is a dangerous girl. If you don’t get along you’ll be killed by talking with her.」
「Killed by talking…?」
「Minuet has an unusually developed mind. But that makes her eccentric. Her ability to『influence people』is the best in the world. Using Cognitive Psychology, she employs her own brand of mentalism, half the time for her own amusement–by simply talking to her, she can change the other person’s thought, behaviour, and sometimes personality. Just to pass the time.」
A dangerous eccentric, that was the gist of Aria’s description, but…
As far as sisters go, that sounds pretty accurate for a little sister.
「If she doesn’t like the person she’s talking to, she’ll weave the idea of wanting to kill themselves into the conversation. It won’t happen immediately, but in a few days’ time… they suddenly commit suicide. Minuet is able to do that kind of thing. However, there are certain personalities more or less affected by Menu’s instigation. I am entirely unaffected, but–9 times out of 10, she’d beat you, hands-down. You’d be carried away by the cajoling of a cute girl.」
–Rude. I thought, but I couldn’t argue when I thought back when my own little sister cajoled me to put her into my family register.
「Well.. I understand. I’ll leave Minuet to you. I’m… weak against ESP, and wouldn’t be able to learn anything… I’ll look for rururirokane and ririirokane.」
I said , and Aria nodded–
「In order to help Mama, I learned that the trial had no effect. If she was arrested because of irokane, we’ll have to get to the bottom of it in order to save her. We’ll have to make some kind of frontal assault. There’s no other way.」
She indicated her own chest with her small hand– in which a small part of irokane was buried as she furrowed her eyebrows.
****************************************************************
Shimaisago was in the driver’s seat of a Mini-Cooper, dozing under a pile of fluttering frills and ribbons, as we returned… I said「Hey!」and her head stirred and rose up under a huge bow as Aria slid into the backseat.
「–Mish Aria.」
We heard a slightly lisping anime-like voice, similar to Aria’s…*Squish!*
The little pipsqueak girl that must have been hiding somewhere in the parking lot waiting, entered the vehicle. She squeezed herself into the backseat of the car, definitely designed for only 2 people..
For some reason, the elementary school girl had thick eyebrows, and wore unfashionable glasses and a trench coat.
Including Shima, there were three tiny girls packed into the narrow space with me..
Any other man might cry tears of joy at such a situation, but it was a distressing problem for me.
「–Who are you?」
She knew Aria’s name, so I asked warily–
「Minishtry of Foreign Affairs, European Offish Shecretary Nori Zenigata. Oi, lolita girl! Take ush to Kasumigaseki!」1
The short girl with short braids bounced up and *Slap!* *Slap!*
Taking the extra material in the left sleeve of her coat due to her short stature, she slapped Shima over the head.
Furrowing my eyebrows, If I look at her lapel closely–there was a brand new diplomatic badge attached there.
N-no way! This person is an adult!? Really!
–*Clink!*–
From the folds of Zenigata’s right sleeve that hid about 70% of her hand, there was a small, metallic sound.
It… wasn’t a gun, but it was definitely some kind of weapon.
「–You’re a lolita yourself, Lolita-san!」
*Uuun!* Shima stuck out her tongue to express her displeasure–
「H-how do you know my nickname inshide the Ministry? Actually, it’s fine, but get the car moving quickly! Refushe, and I’ll tattle to the Butei Offishe secretary. I’ll shee you fired, and out on you ear.」
Not only her voice, but also her manner of speaking was forced into a childish pattern.
「Now then, Mish Aria. Pleashe come with me, for a bit. The British embashy and the MInishtry of Foreign Affairsh’ parliamentary delegate have requeshted to shee you. We’ve done all kindsh of work to hush it up until now, but now the two of you should come with me quietly.」
At that statement, I hoped that the disguised Aria would play dumb…
「Zenigata… you’ve found me! You’re the worst!」
Like a bug found in a low-class residence *Grip!* Aria struck instantly.
Suddenly, she had both hands wrapped around Zenigata’s neck. D….don’t do that!
That just proves that you are the person she’s looking for!
「I-I-I knew it wash Mish Aria! Y-you don’t have a shtrage shadow the changes shape, th-that’sh how I k-knew! 」
The million Yen spent to secure Riko’s cooperation had come to naught. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has found us out…!
「Actually, I meant to ashk if you would come to Kasumigaseki!? I’m in a really tough shpot! If eyesh linger too long on me, they’ll realishe I’m a traitor!」
From what I gathered from this conversation, this pipsqueak of an adult… was the person in a position of authority at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that Aria had been able to manipulate until now.
But now she wants to bring Aria back in and place her under house arrest.
「T-thish ish a a direct order from the parliamentary delegate, and if you don’t come with me, I’m in for a huge chewing out from the Minishter!」
「You’re always being chewed out, so you’ll be fine, you worthless piece of trash!」
*Whoosh!* Whooooooom!*
Aria struck a blow to Zenigata’s abdomen whose force carried through to her back.
Y-yeah… The tyrannical ways of Aria are terrifying to behold.
I’m usually the object of such acts, but seeing it objectively really drives the point home.
「What’s more, Zenigata! You’ve been slacking in getting Kinji back onto Baskerville!」
「Civil shervants are bushy! E-even the besht world-clash onesh like me! I’ve been buried under a ton of bushy work and haven’t had time to look at it yet!」
…busy work…
「On top of that, there have been a lot of others thingsh I’ve had to take care of! That’s why I washn’t in contact!」
It seems that Zenigata is the one who put out the fires concerning our dispute with the Kagataka Family…
But in the current situation, she is no longer an ally. That being the case–
「–I’ll help you, Aria!」
Reaching across Aria to grab Zenigata’s leg, we pushed her out of the Mini-Cooper, wheelbarrow style.
「I didn’t know that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs took elementary school interns, but you probably shouldn’t pick a fight with Butei.」
「Wh-wha…! I’m 24! I’m older than you!」
「Lies!」
「It’sh not a lie!」
After that… Zenigata shouted:
「Final confirmashon!」
Her small hands grabbed hold of Aria’s breasts.
「I knew it was Mish Aria! No matter how much Riko Mine tries, she can’t make them this small!」
The next instant!
「–RAARGH」
Raising an angry cry that a beautiful girl should never raise, Aria unleashed a shoulder tackle that had enough power to pulverise a small car.
Zenigata tumbled from the car, and seeing that Shima shouted:「We’re going!」and suddenly pulled the car away.
「Please hurry Shima! There are other professionals besides her.」
Aria shouted, her voice mingling with the squeal of tyres.
The fact that no one but Zenigata had approached probably meant that the news that Aria was in Shinjuku had only recently come to light.
The Tokyo Metro Police must have contacted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs during our interview with Kanae-san.
In that case, Aria was right to urge speed. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs hadn’t yet organised. Now was the time to run and hide. The Institute for Medical Science must have been tipped off that the one one they had was a phony. If we were surrounded now, we’d be caught like rats in a bag.
「Here we go–!」
With her thick-soled bright red enamel boots to compensate for her lack of height, Shima stomped down on the accelerator–
「Wait Wai~~t! Mish Aria~~!」
*Fwap!* *Fwap!* *Fwap!*
Still clinging to the open door, Zenigata’s clothes whipped in the air…! What a gutsy girl…!
「How stubborn.」
「Bye bye, Onee-san!」
Tag-teaming with Aria, we finally managed to kick her loose–
Shima drifted the Mini-Cooper, clearing the other parked cars by millimetres.
Glancing in the rear-view mirror, I saw Zenigata furrow her thick eyebrows, then stand up and begin chasing after us. Then, stepping on the hem of her own coat, she promptly fell flat on her face. It was because she was so small. Look and learn, Aria.
*******************************************************
Taking 2 hits from Aria that, individually, would knock out a grizzly bear, Zenigata still stood and must possess an inhuman amount of stamina. Now I see why she was chosen to keep watch over Aria.
「I think we’re done. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is now our enemy. They were a useful ally while it lasted.」
As we came above ground, the corners of Aria’s mouth turned down into a frown.
「Zenigata is in the wrong here. It is only natural for someone to resist arrest by someone without the powers of arrest.」
「She’s probably a career bureaucrat. She doesn’t seem like one to follow that logic.」
Government officials–
The further up the ladder one climbs, the more administrative leeway they gain. As part of the upper echelons of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, they could be a useful friend if the police ever intervened.
With such protection, you could do just about anything, like a sort of outlaw–with someone inside the government.
Having someone dangerous turn into an enemy is about par for the course for me though…
For now, it would be best to run away.
Getting stuck inside the car in a metropolitan traffic jam would be bad, especially in Shinjuku. Leaving the car to go on foot might let us cover more ground.
But despite my worry, Shima took the Mini-Cooper down a series of small streets and we made rapid progress. We were headed south at full speed, passing Shinjuku Gyo-en and Yoyogi Station–
Following a screech of tyres, we heard the high pitch whine of a single cylinder engine.
「–Mish Aria–!」
A Honda Monkey mini-bike with a seat height of only 66 cm rushed out from the intersection behind us.
Riding it was the 130 cm mini-adult, Nori Zenigata.
Performing a hook turn on the Monkey, I saw that it has a blue diplomatic plate with a『外―』prefix .
The tiny rider on a small motorbike reminded me of a circus bear on a bicycle–*Cla-link!* *Shing!* While chasing after the Mini-Cooper, she held a mass of chain in her left hand and twirled it, then threw something. Her baby-ish braids whipped up.
–*Whoom!* There was a sound of impact, and *Thump!* *Thump!* *Thump!* *Thump!*… There was a strange sound coming from the tyres. What’s that…?
「She threw a 5 Yen coin! It’s stuck in the tyre. It would have blown out if it weren’t bulletproof.」
Aria declared with her good visual acuity, drawing her silver Government from her skirt–
*Bang!* *Crash!*
Zenigata’s second coin shattered the Cooper’s rear window.
「–S-sorry!! Because of budget considerations, only the windshield is bulletproof!! So, so now!!」
Shouting that, Shima jerked the wheel hard to the right–With a *Screech!* she pulled off a 180 turn without changing lanes. With her left hand, she shifted into reverse gear, and now we were driving backwards. Twisting around, she was now looking out the back to see where we were going.
While headed backwards, Shima’s speed didn’t drop appreciably. As expected of LOGI. And Mutou’s rival.
Now aware of the strange handling of our vehicle, the normal drivers and taxis gave us room. Sorry everyone.
「Kinji, don’t let your guard down. Zenigata is a Combat Expert Secretary–got it?」
Placing her arms against the back seat in position for a gymnastic tumble–*Creak!* She planted a kangaroo kick up into the sky, directly overhead.
Running backwards, the targa top cover came off and blew into the roadway. Zenigata gave a shout of surprise and ducked *Bang!* Standing up in the backseat, Aria shot a .45ACP bullet and scored a direct hit on the front tyre of the Monkey.
However– the tyre didn’t go flat. It was bulletproof. But it entirely destroyed her balance, and Zenigata cried out and kicked off the ground to right the bike.
What are you? You should transfer to the foreign security police.
「…Shima~!」
Seeing where we were headed, I paled.
It was the Kita Sando Intersection– a place where 5 roads converged. The signal was red.
Driving backwards at about 100 KPH, it was impossible to tell what was coming from the left, right, or other side streets. There were also a lot of pedestrians. Even Shima couldn’t tell.
「Don’t worry! I’ve got this!」
The tires squealing again– she pulled the Cooper through an incredible right angle turn down a narrow street where cars are not allowed and leading to a row of bars.
During the turn, the 2 left tyres of the car rose into the air… and with the body of the car canted at an angle, we went down the street on two wheels. Right 2 wheels on the ground, and left 2 wheels on the wall, the Cooper went backwards down the street, fortunately there were no people there at the time.
「Kinji, I’ll block it!」
Stepping on to my head in a two-step jump as I sat in the slanted seat, Aria soared up into the air. Pulling a somersault off the wall where a signboard for a Jazz Bar hung– *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* She shot and destroyed the pole supporting a ‘Best Ramen’ shop sign hanging between the Cooper and Monkey with her .45ACP bullets.
The large sign fell… with a *Crash!* Hitting the ground–
Acting as a『No Entry』sign, it closed off pursuit down the narrow street.
「–Mish Aria! You can’t eshcape!」
The signboard suddenly falling in front and stopping her, Zenigata furrowed her eyebrows in anger… Aria stuck out her tongue.
Pulling off a mid-air akanbe, her own momentum returned her to the Cooper. I caught Aria, and she sat in the backseat–
*Thump!*
Emerging from the narrow street, the Cooper returned to rest on all 4 wheels.
Alright, now to complete the escape…!
I had that thought, but in that instant *Thumpa!* *Thumpa!* *Thumpa!*… from the sky… I heard an unpleasant sound.
It was a helicopter rotor. A searchlight appeared in the sky as it chased us out into Ura-Harajuku.2
It seems that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been monitoring our escape via helicopter–
–They anticipated us.
Then sporty, F-type Jaguars with British diplomatic plates appeared on our line of travel.
「Oh! Noo!」
Using her right and left hands to turn the wheel, while manipulating the clutch and accelerator, Shima drifted the Mini-Cooper around to face forward–she probably intended to leave the main road, but even then they’ll be able to follow us from the sky.
But because of the unreasonable handling… the Mini-Cooper’s top speed was reduced.
One of the back tyres was punctured. They were bulletproof, but the coins were unexpected–
Biting into the tyre, the weight of the vehicle itself pressed it in, causing further damage.
Christian Dior, Burberry, Louis Vuitton, and Armani… all these world-class brands gleamed ahead of us on Omotesandou as the Jaguars faced us, ready to pull out and head toward us.
Blonde men leaned out of the passenger windows holding black Walther PPK’s.
「–Those guys are from MI6…! I’ve seen them in London!」
MI6– British Secret Intelligence Services.
Although that agency is under the British Ministry of Foreign Affairs, they are actually a secret organisation under the direct control of the British Prime Minister.
The current crop of agents were trained to be tough and ruthless by former Cold War veterans and are reputed to be the best armed agents in the world. Even here in Japan, word of the exploits of their weakest agents carries a real threat of intimidation.
From what Watson has told me– there are some of them who don’t even consider anyone except the British to be human. With extraterritoriality as a shield, they can come and abduct an English noble and shoot the rest of us. Starting with the driver, Shima.
Turning to avoid the oncoming Jaguars, Shima–
「…!」
She stomped down with all her strength on the thick-soled boots underneath her frilly, flower patterned skirts. Aria and I pitched forward in our seats as we came to a sudden stop.
100 metres in front of us, the Monkey had laid down a spike strip. It’s a trap that uses an innumerable number of spikes to bite into a tyre and force a car to a halt. It’s a blockade line.
Behind us, 2 more Jaguars appeared and turned their sides toward us.
Using the car bodies themselves as a barricade, they sealed off the exits.
「…This looks like a checkmate.」
Our enemy this time is a governmental agency. That is to say, a country. In this case the two countries of Japan and England.
Caught in a pincer attack between two countries, the ordinary person has nowhere to go.
As Butei, we can make excuses for violating traffic laws or causing property damage, but even the police cannot overlook much bigger issues. As for the Police– Zenigata is a bureaucratic friend. We would be the scoundrels, and they would arrest and lock us up.
If that happens, it will all be over. At best, our Butei Licences would be suspended; at worst revoked.
「…Please run, Shima.」
Aria said as she reloaded her Governments–
「Stop, Aria. If you rely on your guns for strength–your enemy is a country, and you’ll reach your limits.」
I said, holding her back.
「–Well, if it’s a country, I guess we’ll have to go up against a country! Onii-chan!」
A bright voice came from the empty passenger’s seat.
Th-… that voice…
「K-Kaname?」
I spoke that name and with a *Poof!*–Taking off the Metamaterial Ghillie Coat, Kaname appeared in the passenger seat. Through the semi-transparent HMD, she smiled sweetly.
「At times like this, rely on a stronger country than Japan or England!」
Oh! At that moment, as Kaname’s tie on her sailor suit flipped up as she raised a fist into the air…
From the sky, there was the sound of a large rush of air.
The noise of the Ministry’s helicopter was swallowed up by the roar of a dual-motor, 4-bladed, UH-60 Black Hawk descending. Sounding like it was going to come to rest where the missing roof of the Mini-Cooper was.
Aria and I looked up, and from the winter sky–
An invisible hatch on a vehicle we couldn’t see opened, *Whoosh!* *Whoosh!* There was a sound of reverse thrust as something descended. Landing between the Mini-Cooper and looming Jaguars.
*Clank!*
With a heavy, metallic sound, they hit the street. wearing backpack-like jet-packs seemingly designed for such landings which then detached and scattered on the roadway…They were…
「…Ro-robots…?」
Aria blinked her eyes in surprise, while in front of her there were what could only be described as androids. I judged them to be 2 metres 40 centimetres tall.
Their blue-black metallic bodies were not very stylistic, but the fact that they were weapons meant for ground warfare was readily apparent. On their backs, they wore inactive black Metamaterial Ghillie mantles.
But these were not mere robots.
They had joints in the same place as the human body and from how they moved and directed the fluorescent green monoeye toward the group of Jaguars– there were humans inside.
Rather than robots, it was a Neue Ange armour enclosing soldiers.
–*Boooom!*
The Jaguars that MI6 had ridden in hit them–No, they were hit,
The Neue Ange armoured soldier pushed one back with his extended right hand.
「–Pile Bunker!」
From some kind of external speaker system, the suited man called out the name of the technique–it was an adult voice–and an explosion erupted from his right arm. From his forearm, a gunpowder powered explosive pushed what looked like a depleted uranium pile-like slug through the engine with ease, destroying it.
The MI6 agents kicked open the door of the immobile Jaguar and rolled away. Then immediately afterwards, with a *Baaaang!*, the armoured man detonated a grenade-like Butei bullet at close range.
The dust cloud from the explosion obscured the two of them, but when the wind cleared it… The MI6 drivers had retreated, and the armoured man was fixing a pizza-shaped shield onto his left forearm to defend from exploding bullets.
「Electric Joint Drive– at 80% output. Enemy Vehicle–heavily damaged. No damage received. Over.」
The man within the powered armour spoke English as he carried the 2 tonne Jaguar out of the way and down the street in one arm. It looks like they don’t want to cause a traffic jam.
Kaname deployed her P-Fibre that she has stored within her skirt, rolled up like a scroll with a *Rustle!* Whistling with her fingers happily…
Pointing at the man in the robotic suit, Aria turned toward me and asked:『Are these friends of yours?』, tilting her head to the side. But I could do nothing but shake my head from side to side.
「W…Who ish thish?」
It seems that Nori Zenigata has the same question that we do, as she shouted this from behind the Mini-Cooper.
Hearing the question the armoured man turned.
「–I’m American.」
Came the incredible answer.
「Japanese. British. But there’s another one here too.」
The MI6 agent said, pointing his Walther PPK back toward Mister America–
「…Illogical.」
Almost coincident with that remark from Kaname, *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* Accompanying that sound, several iron needles penetrated the agent’s longcoat.
Balance taken by the needle in one knee–*Zzzt!* *Zzzt!*–with an electric sound, he appeared next to the agent… A black man with a red necktie, wine red shirt, and purple suit.
Curly hair hanging from his head, half his face was obscured by bandages–in the gaps between the bandages, large diamonds sparkled in his nose and ear.
「…」
His bandages opening for his mouth as he turned toward me, the MI6 agent’s gun drooped without firing. There was a needle-firing weapon in the black man’s mouth.
He’s…
I finally remembered.
The bandaged man was one of the people that came to help Kaname in November last year at the Shinagawa thermal power station.
–One of G-3’s underlings.
「W-w-w-ell…. If shomething happensh with the Americansh, the Foreign Minishter will pick me up by the scruff of my neck and tosh me into a reflection cell…! He’ll put me in the Government Records office to write a tower of apologies until I retire…! G-g-get back to your embashiesh, quickly!」
Zenigata said, her glasses off-kilter as she trembled and straddled her Monkey. Then she took off as fast as she could toward the Yoyogi District… Leaving MI6 behind.
「The G-3 League? Challenging those bastards would not be the most clever thing to do.」
The agent grumbled, shrugging off the coat that had been pinned to the ground.
Then he drew his spare magazine, exposing the combat knife he wore on his vest, retreating to the furthest Jaguar.
…
This had all happened because G-3’s followers came to Japan for some reason, and made the Ministry of Foreign Affairs nervous…
They’ll come again when they are ready.
They are a political power. Just like when Aria was broken out of the Butei Hospital, they were embarrassed by the underhanded tactics employed.
Somehow, the responsibility for this uproar will be put on us. The fact that it has occurred at all, is going to benefit the Foreign Ministry. Dammit, Kasumigaseki is a tough enemy to fight.
「–Kinji-kun. Aria-kun. You’re not hurt, are you?」
One of G-3’s underlings pointed the monoeye of his advanced armour toward us–
Then I noticed Shima… she had nonchalantly strolled over to the Laforet storefront and disappeared into the crowd of curious onlookers dressed in a similar manner. Despite her taste in fashion, she was a Butei. Left to herself, she should be able to get back to Butei High.
「Onii-chan! How was that!? Will you pat my head?」
Kneeling on the passenger seat of the Mini-Cooper, she turned to look at me, peeking over the pack of the seat…
She had definitely saved me from a dilemma, so I patted her head. Then–
「Ehehe! Time to make a logical retreat, alright? We were requested to bring you along with us. By Kinzou.」
Kaname said with a happy expression, her P-Fibre spreading out to form a ladder up to the helicopter.
********************************************************************
After Aria, myself, Kaname, the armoured man, the man with the bandages boarded, the Black Hawk rose to an altitude of about 100 metres and deactivated the Metamaterial Ghillie–then took a NNE course.
「It’s been a while, Tohyama-sama. Japanese roads are crowded, so let’s go by air to Sugamo. Third-sama is waiting there.」
Twisting his leathery body around to look back at us, it was the past middle-aged Caucasian, Angus… as his smile passed over Aria, her eyebrows raised slightly.
It’s hidden by the 3-piece suit he is wearing, but his spine is clearly kinked. His arms and legs aren’t straight. But this is G-3’s follower-cum-butler, and he is flying well. I’ll leave it to him… It will be alright.
「–Yo! Kinji Tooyama, it’s been a while!」
The armoured man said, removing his helmet, flashing a bright smile, and giving me a thumbs-up.
There wasn’t any ill will, but it was a bit overly familiar. We haven’t seen each other since Shinagawa, and we had never spoken.
He seemed to be about 20 years old, very good looking, and with a solid build.
He looks like an athletic WASP.
He took off his his shoulder armour pads:
「Ooh now, Atlas, dear! Are the spare Personal Assault Armour hydride batteries charged yet? You really should swap them out pretty often, you know.」
Is that some kind of effeminate English…? The black bandaged man asked this.
「Oh! Thanks, Collins-kun! That would be a risky thing! Many thanks to you!」
The armoured man, Atlas, flashed a smile toward the black man, Collins.
Tossing up a caramel sweet and snapping it out of the air in a slight transgression of manners, Kaname joined us…
The G-3 League are all unique specimens. For better or worse.
Thinking back on Baskerville and Constellation, I don’t really have any room to say anything, though.
But this doesn’t feel like a mere coincidence…
It was awfully convenient for them to be here in Japan. My younger brother, G-3.
This is G-3.
If there’s a Sino-Anglo problem, I should probably rely on the man who’s been all around the world. Definitely so.
I don’t know why he arrived in Japan and wanted to meet–but I could guess. This was about Aria,
*****************************************************
While piloting the helicopter and descending below the minimum flight ceiling stipulated by Civil Aviation Law: Article 81, Angus activated the Metamaterial Ghillie, concealing us–then he deposited us in the middle of the garden of my parent’s home that seemed to play the role of G-3’s personal heliport.
「…Kinji. It’s from Azumura Chinami.」
Immediately after descending the rope ladder, Aria–
She received a call on her mobile, and whispered while shielding the microphone with a hand. Then she returned to the call with a serious tone
「…Understood. Yes, ma’am. I’ll accept your conditions if you vacate Kinji’s arrest warrant.」
From the ways she talked, it seems that she was dealing with someone in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but… I took moment to look up the name Aria had said on my own mobile–
The person on the other side of the call was Azumura Chinami. A parliamentary official of the current Minister of Foreign Affairs. A politician.
Goddammit, Zenigata! You told your boss, didn’t you? This is the Parliamentary Secretary. She’s number 3 in the Ministry. Only the Vice-Minister and Minister are above her.
「And I want an apology as well. You must apologise.」
Even when dealing with such a powerful person, Aria is just as domineering–
But… if she doesn’t do what the adults want, we’re in a really bad spot.
Apparently coming to the same conclusion, Aria ended her call…
「It’s been decided, Kinji. In actuality, I’m being deported–the official story is that I will be returning home to England of my own free will. The flight leaves tomorrow.」
She said with a nonchalant expression.
In that phone call, all she had been worried about was protecting me… at least that is what it sounded like.
Because of that I scowled.
「It’s alright. I wanted to meet with Menu anyway. I only pretended it was a difficult condition to accept in order to keep you safe. Think of it like a freebie. Or rather a shrewd bargain.」
Aria gave a bright smile.
I-is that so?
You did it, Aria. You just led a government official around by the nose. You must be the type that excels at negotiations.
Because of this, Aria’s and my partnership is interrupted for the time being–it was an unpleasant necessity, but it was what we had planned from the beginning. It’s all said and done, and we struck a deal with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the British embassy.
****************************************************************
One after another, we all entered the Tohyama Family home…
「–Kinji, Aria. Third-sama is this way.」
On the veranda and holding a FN P90–the non-human kitsune, Tsukumo, appeared, carrying the sub-machine gun with an ergonomically-based design. She seemed to be playing a defensive role.
Her tail sticking out through a hole in her hip armour, Tsuko led us into my room–
「…G-3…!?」
Kneeling on the tatami at the head of the room, G-3 was completely surrounded by tomatoes that he was currently munching on…
He was gravely hurt.
But it seems that he was injured a while ago, and from the plasters and surgical tape, he is under medical treatment.
For that reason, much of his armour was removed. His artificial left hand was also removed, and in its place was an old, heavy-looking mechanical one. His cloak was also missing.
「–Yo, Aniki! Still not dead?」
「Just like you. Actually, I’ve died twice.」
G-3 exchanged this very Tohyama-esque greeting with me, but–
Although he wasn’t wearing it, there was a mobile oxygen therapy device by his side. He must have been hurt badly enough that breathing on his own was difficult.
「Who killed you?」
I said, sitting cross-legged directly in front of him–
On his kabuki-like face-painted face, G-3’s eyebrows rose.
「I’m not dead. This is only a scratch.」
「To tear off an arm and put you on oxygen therapy, it must have been pretty severe.」
I did much the same to him when we fought–this is why one of his subordinates came in the vanguard instead of G-3 himself.
He didn’t come out onto the front lines because he was injured.
G-3 must be embarrassed about losing, that must be why he is not saying much. That’s my younger brother for you. That made me angry–
「If you look closely, he really does look like Kinji.」
Completely ignoring the extent of his injuries, Aria-san exclaimed upon seeing G-3.
「Hey now! Not only Kinzou, but Kinji was fighting too?」
「Fire and fights are the flowers of Edo, after all.3」
Carrying home-made inarizushi my grandmother, and my grandfather carrying tomatoes, gave the typical Tohyama response to the scene. What a family.
「…Was it Iron Man? Maybe the Terminator?」
I asked, somewhat concerned after my grandparents went back into the living room, and for some reason, G-3 returned a smile–
「Well, something like that.」
Was he really fighting American comic book heroes?
「Tell me their names. I’ll get revenge. If you don’t, I’ll hit you.」
I said, grabbing G-3 by the hair and threatening him as his cheeks were stuffed with my grandmother’s inarizushi–
「Mash Roosevelt from the NSA. He’s a Transzendieren Ange monster that is newer than me and my Neue Ange. 」4
Finally, my brother told me.
I don’t know the NSA from the NEC, but as soon as I find him, I’ll beat him until he’s unrecognisable.
–If he almost killed my brother, then he must be an enemy with the same level of power as Son.
But as a war-like nation, it isn’t strange for America to have something like that. He must be something like the Incredible Hulk. But no matter what kind of monster he is, I decided that he’s on my list, right after Demon Sword, Seiji.
「Why did you fight someone like that? Back at New Year’s didn’t you say you were going to some kind of base in Nevada.」
Hearing my insistent question, Kaname and Aria said:
「That’s Onii-chan for you.」
and
「Overprotective, isn’t he?」
Seeming to harmonise–
「Plan was to head to Area 51 in Nevada, then over to Edwards Air Force Base in California. They found me in Area 51 and attacked.」
「Why? What was it?」
「Irokane. I went to Area 51 to steal it.」
–G-3 let the keyword『irokane』slip.
G-3 already knows about the effects of irokane on anyone nearby. He had planned to use it’s incredible powers to resurrect Dr. Sara who had died in an accident.
But… America has irokane as well? I didn’t know that.
「I don’t know what you intended to do… but I’ll make it clear right now, if I see you turn against Aria, I’ll stop you. If you become Aria’s enemy, you’ll become mine as well.」
「I’ve given up on that hihiirokane. It would be a pain to extract it when there’s other irokane out there for the taking. But I was intercepted on my way to do that. All this stuff about irokane is really a pain, isn’t it? Don’t tell any of this to my subordinates, alright?」
G-3 said, to which–
「…How do you know about it?」
Glancing involuntarily in my direction, Aria asked, her gaze sharp.
「–As a former member of I.U., Patra called me from Kana’s house, she told me『It can become very powerful』and all other interesting things. So I came to Japan.」
…I see.
Now Patra is a member of the Tohyama Family. It seems that knowing G-3 wanted something, she leveraged her connections as a former member of I.U. to lend a hand to her family and tell him what she knows.
Given that he understood the situation–
「What colour is America’s irokane?」
Aria hurriedly broke in and asked.
「Blue. It’s ruruirokane.」
「What is it? Tell me everything you know!」
I picked up the line of questioning, I snapped at the mention of irokane–
Expanding his chest, G-3 regained his usual pompous attitude.
「You don’t have to beg. I got a chance to take a look at the ruruirokane that the air force has. It’s a ridiculously huge piece. I know the manifestation of irokane’s supernatural power is directly proportional to its mass. But when it comes to irokane itself… I don’t know how it works, but I might be able to use it somehow. Nevada doesn’t just have ruruirokane; there’s also a hidan.」
G-3 said while crunching a tomato between his teeth–
…He was trying to tempt us. Lure us to America.
「–Now, then it’s settled: we’ll go together, Aniki. Right now. To America.」
「Wh-what’s settled?」
I interjected as G-3 settled his right hand on my shoulder…
「You’re just as dense as ever, Aniki. Don’t our interests coincide? We both want irokane. I didn’t mess with Aria because she’s important to you. So let’s go take Nevada’s rurrirokane. You said it yourself–Aria’s hidan has to be dealt with. And in order to do that–there’s no other way except to take some to study.」
「That…」
「Area 51 is the only place with a piece of irokane larger than Aria’s hidan. Where else are you going to find a bigger piece? You’re an idiot, so I’ll tell you. They don’t sell irokane in supermarkets!」
「…」
Aria’s mother, Kanae-san, said that I should look for irokane–and it’s in America.
If we can get our hands on it, we might be able to figure out a way to save Aria from the possession of the Scarlet Goddess. And Aria’s younger sister, Minuet, might just know how to do it.
Maybe, maybe, our path forward lacked any concrete evidence and instead was merely full of『maybe’s』–
But we have no other options going forward. Nothing but a『maybe』.
And just by chance, it all relied on my younger brother and Aria’s younger sister–
Each of them hold a key. A key to the mysterious door of irokane’s secrets.
「…Oi, all of you! Get out.」
G-3 said to his subordinates scattered about the room.
Then the Caucasian Atlas, the black Collins, Tsukumo, and even Kaname, who had been watching things unfold silently… they all left my room and headed out onto the veranda.
Then G-3 squinted his eyes and turned away from me–
「What actually happened with Patra was the opposite. I really had to beg her to tell me, and I… need you to come, Aniki. Breaking into Area 51 is gonna to be hard.」
He said, somewhat embarrassed.
「–Aniki. Lend me your strength.」
G-3 said, turning back to look me straight in the eye– and I said:
「…Well, I said it earlier. This will be『revenge』.」
I grumbled as I stood.
Then I used my hand to settle G-3, whose eyes had lit up in delight.
「But I will warn you. Habi belongs to GRENEDA for the purposes of FEW–we will be fighting the oni clan. You became a member of DEEN because of a deal struck with Kana. You also challenged Son when she was a member of GRENEDA. If you join me, you’ll be part of the group that bears the stigma of defying the FEW cease-fire.」
「Heh, I knew that. Should be fun.」
He voiced his thoughts. It followed his life philosophy of ‘In all Heaven and Earth, I alone am worthy of honour’. 5
Then sighing
「–Yo, Aria! If ya become the Scarlet Goddess again, the world would be in for a whole lot of trouble, It’ll be something like WWIII.」
After teaming up with me, G3 seemed intent on ratcheting tensions even higher with careless talk.
「Saving the world from a crisis is a hobby of mine. If I had to kill you, it’d make a great story. Especially in front of Aniki. I’ll stop ya.」
「Oh. Thanks.」
The vein on her forehead throbbing in anger, she still responded to the jest with a forced smile and reasonable amount of calm due to the magical barrier at my parent’s home.
Aria is going to England after all–
But hanging around Japan by myself would be highly unproductive. Now that they have Aria pinned down, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs could just pick me up on a separate charge.
That being the case it might be a good idea to go to America. Staying out of the country until at least until the situation cools down.
–I’m going to America. And Aria is headed to England.
Well, the『parting』that Kanae-san suggested has unexpectedly come to pass.
But it will be fine like this for a short while.
This is true in the context of the story of irokane, our feelings, and several other things. But–
「Well, then this is it… It’s goodby for a while. Aria.」
「It looks like it.」
We had partnered through a lot of hard battles since April last year, and there was nothing else to say–
And with a brief exchange of glances that conveyed a torrent of emotions we parted without another word.
[END TEXT]
******************************************************
1. Administrative district area of Japan’s national government
2. Shopping district in Tokyo.
3. Historical reference to widespread fires following earthquakes in Edo. Means that it’s a typical thing to be expected.
4. ‘Transcendent Ange’ It’s supposed to be German, and I think someone said ‘Ange’ was something in German too. Basically, it’s ‘better than New Ange’–Neue Ange 2.0
5. Saying of Buddha. Meant to indicate humility, but literally an arrogant statement.
Chapter 2: Maybe ― Maybe
[START TEXT]
As an Auditor, I had some relationship with Team Constellation.
So, when I went to meet with Aria’s mother, Kanae Kanzaki… instead of asking Mutou, I had LOGI’s Shimaisago drive me to Chiba in a car.
I gave Aria an outline of what happened that night (except for the matter of Love and Cromatael)–then she immediately set up an emergency meeting with Kanae-san for the next evening–
「…I’m recognised as the eldest marriageable daughter of the Holmes Family, but since Mama divorced Father, she is single by choice.」
Aria disclosed such personal information as we entered the Shinjuku Police Station detention interview room.
「So if you start thinking something weird about Mama and change into that state, I’ll open a wind-hole in you, got it?」
After receiving the order to『not hysterise』, we waited a short time…
Then the cream coloured steel doors opened–
On the opposite side of the acrylic glass–
She appeared.
She was sentenced by the High Court to 536 years. Under what amounted to a life sentence, it was Kanae-san.
A barrette held back the slight wave of her long, glamourous hair.
Her onyx black eyes were kind. With long, dark lashes edging them.
She had the same porcelain white skin as Aria–
「It has been a while. Kinji Tohyama-san. Please help my Aria.」
Kanae-san.
Why are you here?
I know how you got here, but why?
Your trial was strange.
The prosecution made wildly incoherent claims. Even ignoring Aria risking her own life to clear her, the sentence was harsh.
I trust Aria unconditionally, so I believe that the charges are 100% false.
But as for the various charges themselves– there has to be some kind of motivation behind them–and that is why Kanae-san is here. Even if the charges were a bogus postscript addition, that would mean someone meddled in the legal process to put her here, wouldn’t it?
She is a part of something.
We don’t know what it is, though–
「Why are you staring at my Mama!? I just warned you about this!」
「–Ouch!」
Aria suddenly grabbed my ear and started pulling as I yelped.
「Now Aria. What violence. And against your friend.」
With a surprised expression, Kanae-san scolded Aria like a kindergarten teacher.
「Mama… this wallflower is Japan’s premier Lothario. I am merely training him to not have such strange thoughts about you.」
「Well then. Why would that upset an old lady like me? Ara. Ara ara. Even if that were the case, it would be alright. I wouldn’t want to upset the healthy development of a normal high school boy.」
In response to Aria’s absurd assertion, Kanae-san flushed slightly red and placed both hands on her cheeks as she shook her body from side to side. Happy to be treated as a woman after such a long time, the large breasts on her upper body, totally unlike Aria’s, shook slightly in the action.
Kanae-san is d-definitely a beautiful woman to look at, but… is she the classic classmate’s mother? She is about twice my age, but such a thing happening one of Riko’s games can definitely… definitely cannot be said to have no effect. It won’t have an effect on me. Will it?
No, this isn’t what we came here to talk about today.
Visiting hours are short, so let’s get straight to the point.
I have to steer us back from the distraction caused by Aria.
So then,
「Kanae-san. It might be hard for Aria to say,–so I will. She was recently restored, but yesterday, Aria briefly transformed into the Scarlet Goddess.」
I brought up the topic we had to talk about.
The very next instant–
「–!」
The airy manner that she had until now evaporated in an instant.
The look in her eyes transformed into that of a different person entirely, and it became entirely silent for a moment–
Then she looked at Aria, then me.
Then,
「–Children become independent. Although it makes me happy, it is a lonely feeling.」
She muttered, and committed the vaguely sexual act… of taking a deep sigh. At the same time, she reached a hand behind her head to unfasten her barrette, and her unbound, wavy hair came forward to surround her face. It was probably so that the observers seated on stools in the corner of the room wouldn’t be able to read her lips.
Through the small holes in the acrylic plate separating us–
She casually leaned forward and began speaking in a low, rapid voice.
「Kinji-san. I am sorry. I didn’t think you would cut to the chase so directly. I see you are very perceptive.」
As a general matter of law, according to Article 39 of the Revised Criminal Practice Code, you can talk about anything during an interview, and it cannot be recorded. This is the fundamental right of the accused. But if the contents of discussion are regarding planning their escape or destruction of evidence, they may be restricted on a case-by-case basis.
Putting it plainly, any kind of alarming conversation may be stopped.
Knowing that, Aria and I kept an eye on the observers as we listened to Kanae-san speak.
「I can only give you hints, like a mystery detective novel… Visiting hours are short, so I can only give you answers to questions. We may be interrupted in the middle, but I will tell you what I can. Still, I do not know how much you two know. So, in order to not waste any time, please ask your questions. What do you want to know?」
The Aria that was here– was actually disguised as Riko. Riko had taken her place and had been spreading disinformation to the authorities. If it reached the Tokyo Metro Police, the observers would be more lax. No orders for close supervision would have been issued.
We should have some time to get some answers.
「Mama–」
She leaned forward to say something, but I stopped her.
You can’t make a scene, Aria. Attracting attention would be bad. As she feigned calm while becoming emotional, I took her place–
「Kanae-san, are you really innocent?」
I asked. We should ask as much as possible.
「–Yes.」
「Then why are you still in custody? Why hasn’t your life sentence been rescinded?」
「I know about the true nature of irokane that Minuet has deduced. I know it, and the higher ups know that I know. They want to know it as well. I have remained silent. I was arrested because of that. The life sentence was recommended instead of the death penalty, hoping that I would talk. They framed me for I.U.’s crimes, hoping I’d tell the higher ups in the government about irokane.」
Kanae-san said, coding in the word『higher ups』–
The idiot Aria started looking up at the ceiling, but she actually meant someone capable of manipulating the justice system.
A powerful person who sneers at the blatant lie of the separation of powers we are told about in textbooks– that is what she means.
The fact that she doesn’t give their name tells me that Kanae-san doesn’t know who they are, so it would be a waste of time trying to take them down.
「Why are you keeping quiet?」
「For Aria. If I started talking, they would kill her. You know of the Armed Prosecutors and Division 0.」
Armed Prosecutors–Armed Public Prosecutor. Division 0 — Public Division 0.
The den of superhumans that neither Aria nor I had the power to touch.
Was Kanae-san being quiet to protect her from them?
But I think I understand a little. Their influence is restricted to Japan. They couldn’t torture Aria in front of her to make Kanae-san talk, because she is an English noble.
But if they knew the truth about irokane– they might just ignore political propriety and kill her. They’d probably be able to justify it to the British authorities, so Kane-san remained silent..
…It was dangerous. This conversation.
Aria’s safety was like the Sword of Damocles– hanging on naught but a thin thread.
Aria and I were both at a loss for words…
「Hurry and ask your questions. They are getting suspicious. If they are alarmed, this will probably be the last time we can meet.」
Kanae-san said, and I took notice of the observers.
They had been sitting, but now they were standing. They looked at the clock, then in our direction. They didn’t hear what had been said, but from our tense faces, they might infer that the conversation was illicit.
「–W-what should we do? Tell me… how to save Aria from becoming the Scarlet Goddess.」
After all the preamble, I asked for the scoop, the question I most wanted answered–
With a flash of teeth, Kanae smiled.
「In order to answer that, I have to ask you something, Aria. What is the most important thing to you?」
「Most important…?」
Aria was about to cry, hearing that this was likely the last visit, but Kanae-san continued–
「Do you like Kinji-san?」
–She asked, her former lightness of mood returning.
W-why are you asking that now…? It seems like it came out of nowhere, Kanae-san…
「W-w-w-e-e-l-l-l 」
Her whole body blushing and turning red in an instant, Aria began glitching.
「Say it. The Scarlet Goddess won’t be pleased by the mere words. It’s alright Now, say it.『I like him』.」
And Aria… *Sproing!*… her twin-tails bristling in embarrassment,
「I l-l-li-li-ke him.」
…!
「Say it again.」
「I like him!」
Eyes screwed shut, her anime voice squeaked as she exclaimed this, What the heck!
「Ufufu!」
Narrowing her eyes as she laughed, she looked at me as I remained silent and turned red–
「M-Mama, I only said it because you told me to say it!」
Aria growled, baring her canines as if to snap at me.
「Parents can see through their children’s lies. I know the truth. Aria, you really do like this person. So…」
Kanae-san gently shut her eyes…
「–You have to separate.」
She announced flatly.
「Love will invoke the Scarlet Goddess, so in order to seal her away… you must distance yourself from the one you like. There is no other choice. You should not meet with Kinji anymore. What’s more– you need to forget. About him.」
Kanae-san–
Last year in April, when Aria and I went to meet her… the very first thing she asked about was our relationship. She was surprised that she brought a boy with her.
That confirmed it. Aria had awakened to love in my arms, hadn’t she?
「You are an aria. To say it another way– you must return to being alone. If you do link up with anyone, only do so with someone of the same sex. Because you are an『aria』… I didn’t want to say it, but– you must not fall in love.」
「….」
Ever since April when we agreed to be partners, we had always fought together, but now Aria was ordered to separate from me…
And in response, she was at a loss for words.
Her expression wavered violently–but despair was clearly written upon her face.
「Kanae-san….」
Unable to hide my own trembling, I had to ask.
Checking my wristwatch, I saw we had less than 3 minutes remaining in our meeting.
Kanae-san might want it to end, but it couldn’t.
Aria and me.
I only knew that would be bad.
Even someone as thickheaded as me knew that…!
「–That isn’t good enough! Even if we do that…. Aria will still be cursed by the Scarlet Goddess, just like now!」
「…Kinji-san. Even if you are a young man, you must be reasonable.」
「No! Aria– Look at what you’ve done to Aria! That isn’t good enough! You’re a parent! What parent would do this to their child! I asked a question! I Want to hear your answer! I want to know how to fight the Scarlet Goddess; not how to run away! The Scarlet Goddess–」
「There is no way. The Scarlet Goddess cannot be reasoned with on human terms.」
As I pushed on, Kanae-san quickly cut me off.
Next to me, I noticed that Aria had begun to cry–
「But, but– If the Scarlet Goddess can’t be trusted… Maybe there’s another god that will listen. Then if we talked to that that god, asked them–!」
Pressing myself against the acrylic plate, I didn’t even know what I was saying.
Then as soon as I pressed closer–Kanae-san’s eyes widened–
「…Ask… a god…?」
Her expression told me that she had thought of something.
「Yes, Kinji-san! That is it! I can’t tell you how, but Minuet would certainly know! It would be『A Study in Sapphire』and 『A Study in Turquoise』–」
A new idea rapidly taking shape in her mind, her eyes were full of earnestness.
At that moment, the observers–
「Kanzaki. Meeting is over.」
–Were we out of time? No, it can’t be. They must have deemed the conversation was illicit and ordered an end to it.
Ignoring them, Kanae-san began speaking rapidly.
「There are 3 kinds of irokane: hihiirokane, ruruirokane, and ririirokane. If there is a Scarlet Goddess with control over hihiirokane, there might be a Sapphire Goddess and Turquoise Goddess! If those gods exist, then there might be a way to make requests of them. Kinji-san, you have given me a new idea.」
She drew closer.
「Kanzaki, stop talking.」
An observer grabbed her arm, but Kanae-san pulled away–
「Aria. Return to London and meet with Minuet. The child has not spoken to me, but she must have come to some conclusion. You must extract it from her. Kinji-san, you must split off from Aria and search for ruruirokane and ririirokane. With Minuet’s help– together, you might be able to find some thread of a clue about the gods of irokane.」
「Kanzaki!」
The observer twisted Kanae-san’s arm.
「–Mama!!」
「Aria…! Do as I said about Kinji! You might be apart for a while, but you will only be running for a short time! In the end, you’ll have to face it…! Do not do it for me; do it for yourself…!」
She was forced through the door and out into the corridor–
「Mama! Mama! Mama!!」
Aria shouted. Just like that day.
「–Fight it, Aria–!」
Then her voice finally followed her figure in disappearance.
Beyond the door, and beyond our reach.
*******************************************************
As we rode in the elevator down to the underground parking lot where Shima from LOGI waited, Aria had her eyes shut and was stand-offish. She was suppressing her roiling emotions and pondering what Kanae-san had said.
「…I’ve been thinking a bit about what Mama said.」
Reaching the second sub-level and exiting the elevator, she opened her eyes, and they were full of a strong determination. She was looking my way, but I doubt she saw me.
「Don’t hesitate, Aria. Right now, it’s what could be called your ‘soul’ that is in danger. You should do what Kanae-san said.」
As a man, I tried to vocalise what Aria had difficulty saying.
I still didn’t understand all this talk about awakening to love, but… if she’s in danger of the advent of the Scarlet Goddess, then we should split up.
–Aria and I should separate.
That means the dissolution of our partnership.
It’s a punch in the gut to lose a friend that you can count on 100%, but this is to save Aria.
「From here on, we should split up. You should go back to England and meet with Minuet. If there aren’t any other ideas, I don’t have any objections to doing as Kanae said.」
I said as my stomach clenched–
「Kinji. I’m not a puppet that does everything my mother says!」
Aria said, shooting me a harsh look. Her expression looked a bit more mature.
「All the same, I should go and hear what Minuet has to say. Your older brother brought her up, but it will be hard to get『anything』out of Menu.」
Aria crossed her arms, apparently calling Minuet, ‘Menu’, for short.
「So I will have to make her talk… I don’t want you to come with me. Like you said, we should split up. Mama said s-something about love, but– Menu is a dangerous girl. If you don’t get along you’ll be killed by talking with her.」
「Killed by talking…?」
「Minuet has an unusually developed mind. But that makes her eccentric. Her ability to『influence people』is the best in the world. Using Cognitive Psychology, she employs her own brand of mentalism, half the time for her own amusement–by simply talking to her, she can change the other person’s thought, behaviour, and sometimes personality. Just to pass the time.」
A dangerous eccentric, that was the gist of Aria’s description, but…
As far as sisters go, that sounds pretty accurate for a little sister.
「If she doesn’t like the person she’s talking to, she’ll weave the idea of wanting to kill themselves into the conversation. It won’t happen immediately, but in a few days’ time… they suddenly commit suicide. Minuet is able to do that kind of thing. However, there are certain personalities more or less affected by Menu’s instigation. I am entirely unaffected, but–9 times out of 10, she’d beat you, hands-down. You’d be carried away by the cajoling of a cute girl.」
–Rude. I thought, but I couldn’t argue when I thought back when my own little sister cajoled me to put her into my family register.
「Well.. I understand. I’ll leave Minuet to you. I’m… weak against ESP, and wouldn’t be able to learn anything… I’ll look for rururirokane and ririirokane.」
I said , and Aria nodded–
「In order to help Mama, I learned that the trial had no effect. If she was arrested because of irokane, we’ll have to get to the bottom of it in order to save her. We’ll have to make some kind of frontal assault. There’s no other way.」
She indicated her own chest with her small hand– in which a small part of irokane was buried as she furrowed her eyebrows.
****************************************************************
Shimaisago was in the driver’s seat of a Mini-Cooper, dozing under a pile of fluttering frills and ribbons, as we returned… I said「Hey!」and her head stirred and rose up under a huge bow as Aria slid into the backseat.
「–Mish Aria.」
We heard a slightly lisping anime-like voice, similar to Aria’s…*Squish!*
The little pipsqueak girl that must have been hiding somewhere in the parking lot waiting, entered the vehicle. She squeezed herself into the backseat of the car, definitely designed for only 2 people..
For some reason, the elementary school girl had thick eyebrows, and wore unfashionable glasses and a trench coat.
Including Shima, there were three tiny girls packed into the narrow space with me..
Any other man might cry tears of joy at such a situation, but it was a distressing problem for me.
「–Who are you?」
She knew Aria’s name, so I asked warily–
「Minishtry of Foreign Affairs, European Offish Shecretary Nori Zenigata. Oi, lolita girl! Take ush to Kasumigaseki!」1
The short girl with short braids bounced up and *Slap!* *Slap!*
Taking the extra material in the left sleeve of her coat due to her short stature, she slapped Shima over the head.
Furrowing my eyebrows, If I look at her lapel closely–there was a brand new diplomatic badge attached there.
N-no way! This person is an adult!? Really!
–*Clink!*–
From the folds of Zenigata’s right sleeve that hid about 70% of her hand, there was a small, metallic sound.
It… wasn’t a gun, but it was definitely some kind of weapon.
「–You’re a lolita yourself, Lolita-san!」
*Uuun!* Shima stuck out her tongue to express her displeasure–
「H-how do you know my nickname inshide the Ministry? Actually, it’s fine, but get the car moving quickly! Refushe, and I’ll tattle to the Butei Offishe secretary. I’ll shee you fired, and out on you ear.」
Not only her voice, but also her manner of speaking was forced into a childish pattern.
「Now then, Mish Aria. Pleashe come with me, for a bit. The British embashy and the MInishtry of Foreign Affairsh’ parliamentary delegate have requeshted to shee you. We’ve done all kindsh of work to hush it up until now, but now the two of you should come with me quietly.」
At that statement, I hoped that the disguised Aria would play dumb…
「Zenigata… you’ve found me! You’re the worst!」
Like a bug found in a low-class residence *Grip!* Aria struck instantly.
Suddenly, she had both hands wrapped around Zenigata’s neck. D….don’t do that!
That just proves that you are the person she’s looking for!
「I-I-I knew it wash Mish Aria! Y-you don’t have a shtrage shadow the changes shape, th-that’sh how I k-knew! 」
The million Yen spent to secure Riko’s cooperation had come to naught. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has found us out…!
「Actually, I meant to ashk if you would come to Kasumigaseki!? I’m in a really tough shpot! If eyesh linger too long on me, they’ll realishe I’m a traitor!」
From what I gathered from this conversation, this pipsqueak of an adult… was the person in a position of authority at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that Aria had been able to manipulate until now.
But now she wants to bring Aria back in and place her under house arrest.
「T-thish ish a a direct order from the parliamentary delegate, and if you don’t come with me, I’m in for a huge chewing out from the Minishter!」
「You’re always being chewed out, so you’ll be fine, you worthless piece of trash!」
*Whoosh!* Whooooooom!*
Aria struck a blow to Zenigata’s abdomen whose force carried through to her back.
Y-yeah… The tyrannical ways of Aria are terrifying to behold.
I’m usually the object of such acts, but seeing it objectively really drives the point home.
「What’s more, Zenigata! You’ve been slacking in getting Kinji back onto Baskerville!」
「Civil shervants are bushy! E-even the besht world-clash onesh like me! I’ve been buried under a ton of bushy work and haven’t had time to look at it yet!」
…busy work…
「On top of that, there have been a lot of others thingsh I’ve had to take care of! That’s why I washn’t in contact!」
It seems that Zenigata is the one who put out the fires concerning our dispute with the Kagataka Family…
But in the current situation, she is no longer an ally. That being the case–
「–I’ll help you, Aria!」
Reaching across Aria to grab Zenigata’s leg, we pushed her out of the Mini-Cooper, wheelbarrow style.
「I didn’t know that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs took elementary school interns, but you probably shouldn’t pick a fight with Butei.」
「Wh-wha…! I’m 24! I’m older than you!」
「Lies!」
「It’sh not a lie!」
After that… Zenigata shouted:
「Final confirmashon!」
Her small hands grabbed hold of Aria’s breasts.
「I knew it was Mish Aria! No matter how much Riko Mine tries, she can’t make them this small!」
The next instant!
「–RAARGH」
Raising an angry cry that a beautiful girl should never raise, Aria unleashed a shoulder tackle that had enough power to pulverise a small car.
Zenigata tumbled from the car, and seeing that Shima shouted:「We’re going!」and suddenly pulled the car away.
「Please hurry Shima! There are other professionals besides her.」
Aria shouted, her voice mingling with the squeal of tyres.
The fact that no one but Zenigata had approached probably meant that the news that Aria was in Shinjuku had only recently come to light.
The Tokyo Metro Police must have contacted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs during our interview with Kanae-san.
In that case, Aria was right to urge speed. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs hadn’t yet organised. Now was the time to run and hide. The Institute for Medical Science must have been tipped off that the one one they had was a phony. If we were surrounded now, we’d be caught like rats in a bag.
「Here we go–!」
With her thick-soled bright red enamel boots to compensate for her lack of height, Shima stomped down on the accelerator–
「Wait Wai~~t! Mish Aria~~!」
*Fwap!* *Fwap!* *Fwap!*
Still clinging to the open door, Zenigata’s clothes whipped in the air…! What a gutsy girl…!
「How stubborn.」
「Bye bye, Onee-san!」
Tag-teaming with Aria, we finally managed to kick her loose–
Shima drifted the Mini-Cooper, clearing the other parked cars by millimetres.
Glancing in the rear-view mirror, I saw Zenigata furrow her thick eyebrows, then stand up and begin chasing after us. Then, stepping on the hem of her own coat, she promptly fell flat on her face. It was because she was so small. Look and learn, Aria.
*******************************************************
Taking 2 hits from Aria that, individually, would knock out a grizzly bear, Zenigata still stood and must possess an inhuman amount of stamina. Now I see why she was chosen to keep watch over Aria.
「I think we’re done. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is now our enemy. They were a useful ally while it lasted.」
As we came above ground, the corners of Aria’s mouth turned down into a frown.
「Zenigata is in the wrong here. It is only natural for someone to resist arrest by someone without the powers of arrest.」
「She’s probably a career bureaucrat. She doesn’t seem like one to follow that logic.」
Government officials–
The further up the ladder one climbs, the more administrative leeway they gain. As part of the upper echelons of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, they could be a useful friend if the police ever intervened.
With such protection, you could do just about anything, like a sort of outlaw–with someone inside the government.
Having someone dangerous turn into an enemy is about par for the course for me though…
For now, it would be best to run away.
Getting stuck inside the car in a metropolitan traffic jam would be bad, especially in Shinjuku. Leaving the car to go on foot might let us cover more ground.
But despite my worry, Shima took the Mini-Cooper down a series of small streets and we made rapid progress. We were headed south at full speed, passing Shinjuku Gyo-en and Yoyogi Station–
Following a screech of tyres, we heard the high pitch whine of a single cylinder engine.
「–Mish Aria–!」
A Honda Monkey mini-bike with a seat height of only 66 cm rushed out from the intersection behind us.
Riding it was the 130 cm mini-adult, Nori Zenigata.
Performing a hook turn on the Monkey, I saw that it has a blue diplomatic plate with a『外―』prefix .
The tiny rider on a small motorbike reminded me of a circus bear on a bicycle–*Cla-link!* *Shing!* While chasing after the Mini-Cooper, she held a mass of chain in her left hand and twirled it, then threw something. Her baby-ish braids whipped up.
–*Whoom!* There was a sound of impact, and *Thump!* *Thump!* *Thump!* *Thump!*… There was a strange sound coming from the tyres. What’s that…?
「She threw a 5 Yen coin! It’s stuck in the tyre. It would have blown out if it weren’t bulletproof.」
Aria declared with her good visual acuity, drawing her silver Government from her skirt–
*Bang!* *Crash!*
Zenigata’s second coin shattered the Cooper’s rear window.
「–S-sorry!! Because of budget considerations, only the windshield is bulletproof!! So, so now!!」
Shouting that, Shima jerked the wheel hard to the right–With a *Screech!* she pulled off a 180 turn without changing lanes. With her left hand, she shifted into reverse gear, and now we were driving backwards. Twisting around, she was now looking out the back to see where we were going.
While headed backwards, Shima’s speed didn’t drop appreciably. As expected of LOGI. And Mutou’s rival.
Now aware of the strange handling of our vehicle, the normal drivers and taxis gave us room. Sorry everyone.
「Kinji, don’t let your guard down. Zenigata is a Combat Expert Secretary–got it?」
Placing her arms against the back seat in position for a gymnastic tumble–*Creak!* She planted a kangaroo kick up into the sky, directly overhead.
Running backwards, the targa top cover came off and blew into the roadway. Zenigata gave a shout of surprise and ducked *Bang!* Standing up in the backseat, Aria shot a .45ACP bullet and scored a direct hit on the front tyre of the Monkey.
However– the tyre didn’t go flat. It was bulletproof. But it entirely destroyed her balance, and Zenigata cried out and kicked off the ground to right the bike.
What are you? You should transfer to the foreign security police.
「…Shima~!」
Seeing where we were headed, I paled.
It was the Kita Sando Intersection– a place where 5 roads converged. The signal was red.
Driving backwards at about 100 KPH, it was impossible to tell what was coming from the left, right, or other side streets. There were also a lot of pedestrians. Even Shima couldn’t tell.
「Don’t worry! I’ve got this!」
The tires squealing again– she pulled the Cooper through an incredible right angle turn down a narrow street where cars are not allowed and leading to a row of bars.
During the turn, the 2 left tyres of the car rose into the air… and with the body of the car canted at an angle, we went down the street on two wheels. Right 2 wheels on the ground, and left 2 wheels on the wall, the Cooper went backwards down the street, fortunately there were no people there at the time.
「Kinji, I’ll block it!」
Stepping on to my head in a two-step jump as I sat in the slanted seat, Aria soared up into the air. Pulling a somersault off the wall where a signboard for a Jazz Bar hung– *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* She shot and destroyed the pole supporting a ‘Best Ramen’ shop sign hanging between the Cooper and Monkey with her .45ACP bullets.
The large sign fell… with a *Crash!* Hitting the ground–
Acting as a『No Entry』sign, it closed off pursuit down the narrow street.
「–Mish Aria! You can’t eshcape!」
The signboard suddenly falling in front and stopping her, Zenigata furrowed her eyebrows in anger… Aria stuck out her tongue.
Pulling off a mid-air akanbe, her own momentum returned her to the Cooper. I caught Aria, and she sat in the backseat–
*Thump!*
Emerging from the narrow street, the Cooper returned to rest on all 4 wheels.
Alright, now to complete the escape…!
I had that thought, but in that instant *Thumpa!* *Thumpa!* *Thumpa!*… from the sky… I heard an unpleasant sound.
It was a helicopter rotor. A searchlight appeared in the sky as it chased us out into Ura-Harajuku.2
It seems that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been monitoring our escape via helicopter–
–They anticipated us.
Then sporty, F-type Jaguars with British diplomatic plates appeared on our line of travel.
「Oh! Noo!」
Using her right and left hands to turn the wheel, while manipulating the clutch and accelerator, Shima drifted the Mini-Cooper around to face forward–she probably intended to leave the main road, but even then they’ll be able to follow us from the sky.
But because of the unreasonable handling… the Mini-Cooper’s top speed was reduced.
One of the back tyres was punctured. They were bulletproof, but the coins were unexpected–
Biting into the tyre, the weight of the vehicle itself pressed it in, causing further damage.
Christian Dior, Burberry, Louis Vuitton, and Armani… all these world-class brands gleamed ahead of us on Omotesandou as the Jaguars faced us, ready to pull out and head toward us.
Blonde men leaned out of the passenger windows holding black Walther PPK’s.
「–Those guys are from MI6…! I’ve seen them in London!」
MI6– British Secret Intelligence Services.
Although that agency is under the British Ministry of Foreign Affairs, they are actually a secret organisation under the direct control of the British Prime Minister.
The current crop of agents were trained to be tough and ruthless by former Cold War veterans and are reputed to be the best armed agents in the world. Even here in Japan, word of the exploits of their weakest agents carries a real threat of intimidation.
From what Watson has told me– there are some of them who don’t even consider anyone except the British to be human. With extraterritoriality as a shield, they can come and abduct an English noble and shoot the rest of us. Starting with the driver, Shima.
Turning to avoid the oncoming Jaguars, Shima–
「…!」
She stomped down with all her strength on the thick-soled boots underneath her frilly, flower patterned skirts. Aria and I pitched forward in our seats as we came to a sudden stop.
100 metres in front of us, the Monkey had laid down a spike strip. It’s a trap that uses an innumerable number of spikes to bite into a tyre and force a car to a halt. It’s a blockade line.
Behind us, 2 more Jaguars appeared and turned their sides toward us.
Using the car bodies themselves as a barricade, they sealed off the exits.
「…This looks like a checkmate.」
Our enemy this time is a governmental agency. That is to say, a country. In this case the two countries of Japan and England.
Caught in a pincer attack between two countries, the ordinary person has nowhere to go.
As Butei, we can make excuses for violating traffic laws or causing property damage, but even the police cannot overlook much bigger issues. As for the Police– Zenigata is a bureaucratic friend. We would be the scoundrels, and they would arrest and lock us up.
If that happens, it will all be over. At best, our Butei Licences would be suspended; at worst revoked.
「…Please run, Shima.」
Aria said as she reloaded her Governments–
「Stop, Aria. If you rely on your guns for strength–your enemy is a country, and you’ll reach your limits.」
I said, holding her back.
「–Well, if it’s a country, I guess we’ll have to go up against a country! Onii-chan!」
A bright voice came from the empty passenger’s seat.
Th-… that voice…
「K-Kaname?」
I spoke that name and with a *Poof!*–Taking off the Metamaterial Ghillie Coat, Kaname appeared in the passenger seat. Through the semi-transparent HMD, she smiled sweetly.
「At times like this, rely on a stronger country than Japan or England!」
Oh! At that moment, as Kaname’s tie on her sailor suit flipped up as she raised a fist into the air…
From the sky, there was the sound of a large rush of air.
The noise of the Ministry’s helicopter was swallowed up by the roar of a dual-motor, 4-bladed, UH-60 Black Hawk descending. Sounding like it was going to come to rest where the missing roof of the Mini-Cooper was.
Aria and I looked up, and from the winter sky–
An invisible hatch on a vehicle we couldn’t see opened, *Whoosh!* *Whoosh!* There was a sound of reverse thrust as something descended. Landing between the Mini-Cooper and looming Jaguars.
*Clank!*
With a heavy, metallic sound, they hit the street. wearing backpack-like jet-packs seemingly designed for such landings which then detached and scattered on the roadway…They were…
「…Ro-robots…?」
Aria blinked her eyes in surprise, while in front of her there were what could only be described as androids. I judged them to be 2 metres 40 centimetres tall.
Their blue-black metallic bodies were not very stylistic, but the fact that they were weapons meant for ground warfare was readily apparent. On their backs, they wore inactive black Metamaterial Ghillie mantles.
But these were not mere robots.
They had joints in the same place as the human body and from how they moved and directed the fluorescent green monoeye toward the group of Jaguars– there were humans inside.
Rather than robots, it was a Neue Ange armour enclosing soldiers.
–*Boooom!*
The Jaguars that MI6 had ridden in hit them–No, they were hit,
The Neue Ange armoured soldier pushed one back with his extended right hand.
「–Pile Bunker!」
From some kind of external speaker system, the suited man called out the name of the technique–it was an adult voice–and an explosion erupted from his right arm. From his forearm, a gunpowder powered explosive pushed what looked like a depleted uranium pile-like slug through the engine with ease, destroying it.
The MI6 agents kicked open the door of the immobile Jaguar and rolled away. Then immediately afterwards, with a *Baaaang!*, the armoured man detonated a grenade-like Butei bullet at close range.
The dust cloud from the explosion obscured the two of them, but when the wind cleared it… The MI6 drivers had retreated, and the armoured man was fixing a pizza-shaped shield onto his left forearm to defend from exploding bullets.
「Electric Joint Drive– at 80% output. Enemy Vehicle–heavily damaged. No damage received. Over.」
The man within the powered armour spoke English as he carried the 2 tonne Jaguar out of the way and down the street in one arm. It looks like they don’t want to cause a traffic jam.
Kaname deployed her P-Fibre that she has stored within her skirt, rolled up like a scroll with a *Rustle!* Whistling with her fingers happily…
Pointing at the man in the robotic suit, Aria turned toward me and asked:『Are these friends of yours?』, tilting her head to the side. But I could do nothing but shake my head from side to side.
「W…Who ish thish?」
It seems that Nori Zenigata has the same question that we do, as she shouted this from behind the Mini-Cooper.
Hearing the question the armoured man turned.
「–I’m American.」
Came the incredible answer.
「Japanese. British. But there’s another one here too.」
The MI6 agent said, pointing his Walther PPK back toward Mister America–
「…Illogical.」
Almost coincident with that remark from Kaname, *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* Accompanying that sound, several iron needles penetrated the agent’s longcoat.
Balance taken by the needle in one knee–*Zzzt!* *Zzzt!*–with an electric sound, he appeared next to the agent… A black man with a red necktie, wine red shirt, and purple suit.
Curly hair hanging from his head, half his face was obscured by bandages–in the gaps between the bandages, large diamonds sparkled in his nose and ear.
「…」
His bandages opening for his mouth as he turned toward me, the MI6 agent’s gun drooped without firing. There was a needle-firing weapon in the black man’s mouth.
He’s…
I finally remembered.
The bandaged man was one of the people that came to help Kaname in November last year at the Shinagawa thermal power station.
–One of G-3’s underlings.
「W-w-w-ell…. If shomething happensh with the Americansh, the Foreign Minishter will pick me up by the scruff of my neck and tosh me into a reflection cell…! He’ll put me in the Government Records office to write a tower of apologies until I retire…! G-g-get back to your embashiesh, quickly!」
Zenigata said, her glasses off-kilter as she trembled and straddled her Monkey. Then she took off as fast as she could toward the Yoyogi District… Leaving MI6 behind.
「The G-3 League? Challenging those bastards would not be the most clever thing to do.」
The agent grumbled, shrugging off the coat that had been pinned to the ground.
Then he drew his spare magazine, exposing the combat knife he wore on his vest, retreating to the furthest Jaguar.
…
This had all happened because G-3’s followers came to Japan for some reason, and made the Ministry of Foreign Affairs nervous…
They’ll come again when they are ready.
They are a political power. Just like when Aria was broken out of the Butei Hospital, they were embarrassed by the underhanded tactics employed.
Somehow, the responsibility for this uproar will be put on us. The fact that it has occurred at all, is going to benefit the Foreign Ministry. Dammit, Kasumigaseki is a tough enemy to fight.
「–Kinji-kun. Aria-kun. You’re not hurt, are you?」
One of G-3’s underlings pointed the monoeye of his advanced armour toward us–
Then I noticed Shima… she had nonchalantly strolled over to the Laforet storefront and disappeared into the crowd of curious onlookers dressed in a similar manner. Despite her taste in fashion, she was a Butei. Left to herself, she should be able to get back to Butei High.
「Onii-chan! How was that!? Will you pat my head?」
Kneeling on the passenger seat of the Mini-Cooper, she turned to look at me, peeking over the pack of the seat…
She had definitely saved me from a dilemma, so I patted her head. Then–
「Ehehe! Time to make a logical retreat, alright? We were requested to bring you along with us. By Kinzou.」
Kaname said with a happy expression, her P-Fibre spreading out to form a ladder up to the helicopter.
********************************************************************
After Aria, myself, Kaname, the armoured man, the man with the bandages boarded, the Black Hawk rose to an altitude of about 100 metres and deactivated the Metamaterial Ghillie–then took a NNE course.
「It’s been a while, Tohyama-sama. Japanese roads are crowded, so let’s go by air to Sugamo. Third-sama is waiting there.」
Twisting his leathery body around to look back at us, it was the past middle-aged Caucasian, Angus… as his smile passed over Aria, her eyebrows raised slightly.
It’s hidden by the 3-piece suit he is wearing, but his spine is clearly kinked. His arms and legs aren’t straight. But this is G-3’s follower-cum-butler, and he is flying well. I’ll leave it to him… It will be alright.
「–Yo! Kinji Tooyama, it’s been a while!」
The armoured man said, removing his helmet, flashing a bright smile, and giving me a thumbs-up.
There wasn’t any ill will, but it was a bit overly familiar. We haven’t seen each other since Shinagawa, and we had never spoken.
He seemed to be about 20 years old, very good looking, and with a solid build.
He looks like an athletic WASP.
He took off his his shoulder armour pads:
「Ooh now, Atlas, dear! Are the spare Personal Assault Armour hydride batteries charged yet? You really should swap them out pretty often, you know.」
Is that some kind of effeminate English…? The black bandaged man asked this.
「Oh! Thanks, Collins-kun! That would be a risky thing! Many thanks to you!」
The armoured man, Atlas, flashed a smile toward the black man, Collins.
Tossing up a caramel sweet and snapping it out of the air in a slight transgression of manners, Kaname joined us…
The G-3 League are all unique specimens. For better or worse.
Thinking back on Baskerville and Constellation, I don’t really have any room to say anything, though.
But this doesn’t feel like a mere coincidence…
It was awfully convenient for them to be here in Japan. My younger brother, G-3.
This is G-3.
If there’s a Sino-Anglo problem, I should probably rely on the man who’s been all around the world. Definitely so.
I don’t know why he arrived in Japan and wanted to meet–but I could guess. This was about Aria,
*****************************************************
While piloting the helicopter and descending below the minimum flight ceiling stipulated by Civil Aviation Law: Article 81, Angus activated the Metamaterial Ghillie, concealing us–then he deposited us in the middle of the garden of my parent’s home that seemed to play the role of G-3’s personal heliport.
「…Kinji. It’s from Azumura Chinami.」
Immediately after descending the rope ladder, Aria–
She received a call on her mobile, and whispered while shielding the microphone with a hand. Then she returned to the call with a serious tone
「…Understood. Yes, ma’am. I’ll accept your conditions if you vacate Kinji’s arrest warrant.」
From the ways she talked, it seems that she was dealing with someone in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but… I took moment to look up the name Aria had said on my own mobile–
The person on the other side of the call was Azumura Chinami. A parliamentary official of the current Minister of Foreign Affairs. A politician.
Goddammit, Zenigata! You told your boss, didn’t you? This is the Parliamentary Secretary. She’s number 3 in the Ministry. Only the Vice-Minister and Minister are above her.
「And I want an apology as well. You must apologise.」
Even when dealing with such a powerful person, Aria is just as domineering–
But… if she doesn’t do what the adults want, we’re in a really bad spot.
Apparently coming to the same conclusion, Aria ended her call…
「It’s been decided, Kinji. In actuality, I’m being deported–the official story is that I will be returning home to England of my own free will. The flight leaves tomorrow.」
She said with a nonchalant expression.
In that phone call, all she had been worried about was protecting me… at least that is what it sounded like.
Because of that I scowled.
「It’s alright. I wanted to meet with Menu anyway. I only pretended it was a difficult condition to accept in order to keep you safe. Think of it like a freebie. Or rather a shrewd bargain.」
Aria gave a bright smile.
I-is that so?
You did it, Aria. You just led a government official around by the nose. You must be the type that excels at negotiations.
Because of this, Aria’s and my partnership is interrupted for the time being–it was an unpleasant necessity, but it was what we had planned from the beginning. It’s all said and done, and we struck a deal with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the British embassy.
****************************************************************
One after another, we all entered the Tohyama Family home…
「–Kinji, Aria. Third-sama is this way.」
On the veranda and holding a FN P90–the non-human kitsune, Tsukumo, appeared, carrying the sub-machine gun with an ergonomically-based design. She seemed to be playing a defensive role.
Her tail sticking out through a hole in her hip armour, Tsuko led us into my room–
「…G-3…!?」
Kneeling on the tatami at the head of the room, G-3 was completely surrounded by tomatoes that he was currently munching on…
He was gravely hurt.
But it seems that he was injured a while ago, and from the plasters and surgical tape, he is under medical treatment.
For that reason, much of his armour was removed. His artificial left hand was also removed, and in its place was an old, heavy-looking mechanical one. His cloak was also missing.
「–Yo, Aniki! Still not dead?」
「Just like you. Actually, I’ve died twice.」
G-3 exchanged this very Tohyama-esque greeting with me, but–
Although he wasn’t wearing it, there was a mobile oxygen therapy device by his side. He must have been hurt badly enough that breathing on his own was difficult.
「Who killed you?」
I said, sitting cross-legged directly in front of him–
On his kabuki-like face-painted face, G-3’s eyebrows rose.
「I’m not dead. This is only a scratch.」
「To tear off an arm and put you on oxygen therapy, it must have been pretty severe.」
I did much the same to him when we fought–this is why one of his subordinates came in the vanguard instead of G-3 himself.
He didn’t come out onto the front lines because he was injured.
G-3 must be embarrassed about losing, that must be why he is not saying much. That’s my younger brother for you. That made me angry–
「If you look closely, he really does look like Kinji.」
Completely ignoring the extent of his injuries, Aria-san exclaimed upon seeing G-3.
「Hey now! Not only Kinzou, but Kinji was fighting too?」
「Fire and fights are the flowers of Edo, after all.3」
Carrying home-made inarizushi my grandmother, and my grandfather carrying tomatoes, gave the typical Tohyama response to the scene. What a family.
「…Was it Iron Man? Maybe the Terminator?」
I asked, somewhat concerned after my grandparents went back into the living room, and for some reason, G-3 returned a smile–
「Well, something like that.」
Was he really fighting American comic book heroes?
「Tell me their names. I’ll get revenge. If you don’t, I’ll hit you.」
I said, grabbing G-3 by the hair and threatening him as his cheeks were stuffed with my grandmother’s inarizushi–
「Mash Roosevelt from the NSA. He’s a Transzendieren Ange monster that is newer than me and my Neue Ange. 」4
Finally, my brother told me.
I don’t know the NSA from the NEC, but as soon as I find him, I’ll beat him until he’s unrecognisable.
–If he almost killed my brother, then he must be an enemy with the same level of power as Son.
But as a war-like nation, it isn’t strange for America to have something like that. He must be something like the Incredible Hulk. But no matter what kind of monster he is, I decided that he’s on my list, right after Demon Sword, Seiji.
「Why did you fight someone like that? Back at New Year’s didn’t you say you were going to some kind of base in Nevada.」
Hearing my insistent question, Kaname and Aria said:
「That’s Onii-chan for you.」
and
「Overprotective, isn’t he?」
Seeming to harmonise–
「Plan was to head to Area 51 in Nevada, then over to Edwards Air Force Base in California. They found me in Area 51 and attacked.」
「Why? What was it?」
「Irokane. I went to Area 51 to steal it.」
–G-3 let the keyword『irokane』slip.
G-3 already knows about the effects of irokane on anyone nearby. He had planned to use it’s incredible powers to resurrect Dr. Sara who had died in an accident.
But… America has irokane as well? I didn’t know that.
「I don’t know what you intended to do… but I’ll make it clear right now, if I see you turn against Aria, I’ll stop you. If you become Aria’s enemy, you’ll become mine as well.」
「I’ve given up on that hihiirokane. It would be a pain to extract it when there’s other irokane out there for the taking. But I was intercepted on my way to do that. All this stuff about irokane is really a pain, isn’t it? Don’t tell any of this to my subordinates, alright?」
G-3 said, to which–
「…How do you know about it?」
Glancing involuntarily in my direction, Aria asked, her gaze sharp.
「–As a former member of I.U., Patra called me from Kana’s house, she told me『It can become very powerful』and all other interesting things. So I came to Japan.」
…I see.
Now Patra is a member of the Tohyama Family. It seems that knowing G-3 wanted something, she leveraged her connections as a former member of I.U. to lend a hand to her family and tell him what she knows.
Given that he understood the situation–
「What colour is America’s irokane?」
Aria hurriedly broke in and asked.
「Blue. It’s ruruirokane.」
「What is it? Tell me everything you know!」
I picked up the line of questioning, I snapped at the mention of irokane–
Expanding his chest, G-3 regained his usual pompous attitude.
「You don’t have to beg. I got a chance to take a look at the ruruirokane that the air force has. It’s a ridiculously huge piece. I know the manifestation of irokane’s supernatural power is directly proportional to its mass. But when it comes to irokane itself… I don’t know how it works, but I might be able to use it somehow. Nevada doesn’t just have ruruirokane; there’s also a hidan.」
G-3 said while crunching a tomato between his teeth–
…He was trying to tempt us. Lure us to America.
「–Now, then it’s settled: we’ll go together, Aniki. Right now. To America.」
「Wh-what’s settled?」
I interjected as G-3 settled his right hand on my shoulder…
「You’re just as dense as ever, Aniki. Don’t our interests coincide? We both want irokane. I didn’t mess with Aria because she’s important to you. So let’s go take Nevada’s rurrirokane. You said it yourself–Aria’s hidan has to be dealt with. And in order to do that–there’s no other way except to take some to study.」
「That…」
「Area 51 is the only place with a piece of irokane larger than Aria’s hidan. Where else are you going to find a bigger piece? You’re an idiot, so I’ll tell you. They don’t sell irokane in supermarkets!」
「…」
Aria’s mother, Kanae-san, said that I should look for irokane–and it’s in America.
If we can get our hands on it, we might be able to figure out a way to save Aria from the possession of the Scarlet Goddess. And Aria’s younger sister, Minuet, might just know how to do it.
Maybe, maybe, our path forward lacked any concrete evidence and instead was merely full of『maybe’s』–
But we have no other options going forward. Nothing but a『maybe』.
And just by chance, it all relied on my younger brother and Aria’s younger sister–
Each of them hold a key. A key to the mysterious door of irokane’s secrets.
「…Oi, all of you! Get out.」
G-3 said to his subordinates scattered about the room.
Then the Caucasian Atlas, the black Collins, Tsukumo, and even Kaname, who had been watching things unfold silently… they all left my room and headed out onto the veranda.
Then G-3 squinted his eyes and turned away from me–
「What actually happened with Patra was the opposite. I really had to beg her to tell me, and I… need you to come, Aniki. Breaking into Area 51 is gonna to be hard.」
He said, somewhat embarrassed.
「–Aniki. Lend me your strength.」
G-3 said, turning back to look me straight in the eye– and I said:
「…Well, I said it earlier. This will be『revenge』.」
I grumbled as I stood.
Then I used my hand to settle G-3, whose eyes had lit up in delight.
「But I will warn you. Habi belongs to GRENEDA for the purposes of FEW–we will be fighting the oni clan. You became a member of DEEN because of a deal struck with Kana. You also challenged Son when she was a member of GRENEDA. If you join me, you’ll be part of the group that bears the stigma of defying the FEW cease-fire.」
「Heh, I knew that. Should be fun.」
He voiced his thoughts. It followed his life philosophy of ‘In all Heaven and Earth, I alone am worthy of honour’. 5
Then sighing
「–Yo, Aria! If ya become the Scarlet Goddess again, the world would be in for a whole lot of trouble, It’ll be something like WWIII.」
After teaming up with me, G3 seemed intent on ratcheting tensions even higher with careless talk.
「Saving the world from a crisis is a hobby of mine. If I had to kill you, it’d make a great story. Especially in front of Aniki. I’ll stop ya.」
「Oh. Thanks.」
The vein on her forehead throbbing in anger, she still responded to the jest with a forced smile and reasonable amount of calm due to the magical barrier at my parent’s home.
Aria is going to England after all–
But hanging around Japan by myself would be highly unproductive. Now that they have Aria pinned down, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs could just pick me up on a separate charge.
That being the case it might be a good idea to go to America. Staying out of the country until at least until the situation cools down.
–I’m going to America. And Aria is headed to England.
Well, the『parting』that Kanae-san suggested has unexpectedly come to pass.
But it will be fine like this for a short while.
This is true in the context of the story of irokane, our feelings, and several other things. But–
「Well, then this is it… It’s goodby for a while. Aria.」
「It looks like it.」
We had partnered through a lot of hard battles since April last year, and there was nothing else to say–
And with a brief exchange of glances that conveyed a torrent of emotions we parted without another word.
[END TEXT]
******************************************************
1. Administrative district area of Japan’s national government
2. Shopping district in Tokyo.
3. Historical reference to widespread fires following earthquakes in Edo. Means that it’s a typical thing to be expected.
4. ‘Transcendent Ange’ It’s supposed to be German, and I think someone said ‘Ange’ was something in German too. Basically, it’s ‘better than New Ange’–Neue Ange 2.0
5. Saying of Buddha. Meant to indicate humility, but literally an arrogant statement.
