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Hidan no Aria - Volume 5 - Chapter 2

Published at 7th of February 2016 07:09:12 PM


Chapter 2

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Pierce 2: Overture's Fine

After that, becoming very straightforward, Aria said...

Sherlock said that he would leave her alone in the classroom, and he disappeared through one of the doors.

Going through that door, there was an iron wall...once Aria stood in front of it, it was like an automatic door. The pieces making up the wall, going up and down, left and right, slid open.

The floor of the tunnel became a stainless steel grating, looked similar to a drain. The electronic torches on the walls on the left and right flashed, giving off light...It gives off a very futuristic feeling.

Also, with the radioactive hazard sign--there was a notice, warning about radiation--plastered onto a very thick wall. However, the wall, not even giving us enough time to take note of the danger, swung open...

The scene that appeared before us rendered Aria and I speechless.

In this hall, the largest we had seen so far, there were several pillars, reminiscent of pictures of the Parthenon that were to be seen in our textbooks.

No, those aren't pillars.

ICBM.

Something that can be fired from any corner of the world, hitting anywhere you want--Intercontinental missiles, the top parts.

The bottom part was definitely inside the deep hole in the stainless steel grating.

They numbered 8.

I don't want to think about it...but looking at the characteristics of their warheads--no matter what large country it is, it will be annihilated within a day.

(Is this real...?)

I thought that I had gone through many battlefields, but this scene made an ill shiver go up my back.

"How..."

But, the voice of Aria, who had exclaimed something by my side--appeared to be shocked at something else.

"...?"

I turned my head, seeing Aria look around, bewildered.

Afterward, looking at my face once again, those camellia eyes widened.

"...I've seen this room before...!"

Aria's inexplicable words could not help but make me frown.

I suspected that she had entered a state of confusion after undergoing numerous shocks, but, that didn't seem to be the case.

Because Aria's gaze was not that of somebody that was confused. Just, just shocked.

"Calm down, Aria. That's impossible. That's called deja vu."

"No, I've definitely...seen this place before. And...in this place, I met you...!"

"...That's impossible. I've never come here before."

When I had just said that--

*Bu Bu* Noises...? They appeared.

As the sound grew louder, I realized that it was one of Mozart's operas..."Die Zauberflöte"

"In the world of sound, there exists, deliberate coordination and sweet intoxication."

In the wake of it came a deep voice, from the shadows of the pillar-like ICBMs...

The world's greatest, the world's strongest detective, Sherlock Holmes, made his appearance.

"That is something that illustrates our endless cycle of battle and chaos, a beautiful thing. Also, as this recording ends, the battle will also end."

Sherlock put the recorder with speakers attached by his feet, *Kch Kch*

His black leather shoes resounded off the stainless steel floor, coming a few steps closer to us.

"Haha. Seeing your expressions, you must believe that this is the chapter where we settle things. But that is just your haste. Because, I am nothing but a bookmark--just the 'Overture's Fine'"

"Overture...?"

"That's right. This battle is just part of Kinji-kun and Aria-kun's opera--the overture. The meaning of my words, you will soon understand. Alright, then."

Sherlock, as if changing the subject, took out an old-fashioned pipe, and he lit the tobacco inside.

"Falling out--the plan that Kana had in mind when joining I-U, how was it?"

Those words made Aria and I glance at each other.

Looks like the person who facilitated our gunfight from just now, was Sherlock.

Well, I had a feeling...but, what is his goal, exactly?

If his goal was the wastage of our bullets, then it certainly was effective.

Just now I checked how many of Aria's .45 ACP bullets were left, and there were scarcely any.

And my situation was even more serious, as for the normal bullets that I carried around with me...after the battle with Patra, the Infinite Bulletstorm, and Aru=Kata...Not one was left.

"Great-grandfather..."

Raising her foot, as if gathering her courage, Aria--took one step towards Sherlock.

"I-I...I respect you greatly, my great-grandfather. Therefore, I cannot raise my guns against you. As long as you don't order me to do so."

Choosing her words with care, Aria placed her guns guns by her feet. Both of them.

"I, just as you deduced...used these guns, trying to chase away my partner, who was your enemy. But, I couldn't stop him."

Both her hands at her chest, Aria, in a small voice--yet clearly, continued speaking,

"He is the person I've finally found, the one person in the world--that can be my partner. Great-grandfather, please forgive me. I...want to help him. And that...means I will take part in doing things against you. Please, please, I beg of you, forgive me."

Facing Aria, who was in this state...

"Don't worry, Aria-kun."

Sherlock, for some reason, returned a very satisfied smile.

"--Right now, you have overcome my existence in your soul. And for one very special man, you have chosen to fight me. This means, Kinji's existence in your heart is greater than mine. I guess, it still is a little distance away from love."

Talking about something that Aria and I weren't very good at, Sherlock...

"You may be children, but you two are still a man, and a woman. The hearts of women are something that I am not very good at--but because of that very reason, I can say this. Women, no matter how cruelly they are treated by men, they will never hate all men. Even if things become such that they have to point their guns at each other. 'After a storm comes a calm'--just like that saying, you two will come back together, with a stronger bond."

It looks like...

The reason he instigated our falling out was not for such a cunning aim as to waste our bullets.

But for something even harder to understand, an even more complicated goal.

I may not know what his real goal is, but...well, there's one point I'm very clear on.

"--You're trying to say, everything was deduced by you, right? Sherlock?"

Beside Aria, who was stiff and blushing for some reason, I glared angrily at Sherlock...

"Haha. That is but the first step of deductive reasoning, Kinji-kun."

Sherlock, flashing an expression that made me feel like he was just playing with us in his fist, said, in a mocking tone.

"Then, have you deduced this as well?"

I whipped out my Beretta in a heartbeat.

And I pointed the barrel at Aria's head.

--This was something Aria and I had agreed on doing earlier.

"..."

Sherlock...

Silent, he took another drag of his pipe.

"You, are you trying to take her hostage?"

Barrel still pointing at her, I moved behind Aria.

"Sherlock. Your goal is Aria, right? And I heard Nii-san say this before, if Aria isn't here--I-U will fall into disorder."

"But, you won't fire."

"I'll tell you this, I'm already extremely desperate."

Saying this, I sneaked a peek at Sherlock through the gap between Aria's twin tail and ear.

He, had turned this way.

That's right. I understand. This kind of plan, unable to even trick a child, would not ruffle Sherlock.

I will pretend to take Aria hostage...for the sake of keeping his attention here.

"That's right, Sherlock, I have a gift to give you."

I, for the sake of focusing the enemy's attention on me, I raised my voice.

"--this is from Nii-san!"

Shouting, *Sha!*

I threw a white bullet.

--Flash grenade.

This was one of the bullets that Nii-san had left me.

It was something that could be thrown, a flashbang--!


--*Ka*--


In between Sherlock and us, it expanded into a miniature sun.

The opponent is the world's strongest detective, Sherlock Holmes.

If we fight him directly, there is no way we can win.

Therefore, we have to weaken him.

I may have said it was miniature, but its effectiveness is the same as normal flashbangs--No, it's even greater.

As long as people see that flash, they will completely lose their sight for a couple minutes, without exception!

"Kinji...No-now!"

Hearing Aria's voice, I looked up, using my arm to shield my eyes...

I noticed that Aria had bent over.

"A-Aria...? You--didn't--shield your eyes!?"

"Even if you're hiding behind me...if I shielded my eyes, great-grandfather would definitely notice!"

Turning around, Aria's eyes looked up at empty air, not where I was.

--She, lost her sight. Temporarily.

"Kinji, arrest great-grandfather quickly! I saw it, great-grandfather was staring directly at the flash!" Hearing her shout, I--

-took the handcuffs for Choutei that Aria had lent me, and was about to charge...when, I stopped short.

I could only stop.

Because Sherlock was standing there--calmly.

"Yes. That move just now was extremely smart. Pretending to take her hostage, but in reality--using a flashbang, that kind of plan. However, your deductions did not cut it."

Saying that in a leisurely voice, Sherlock's words stunned me.

Could it be...it didn't affect him?

Why?

"--I am blind. Around 60 years ago, when I was poisoned, I became blind."

"...!"

"However, nobody knows. They think I move like I still have my sight, but in reality, I am far more clear on what is happening around me than you, who still retain your sight. In the beginning, this was possible because of my deductive ability, but now, just through the flow of air and sound, I can understand. For example, right now, your heartbeat is racing from surprise--it's as clear to me as my own."

We were completely taken in...

Everything was useless.

The plan that we made. The Butei bullets that Nii-san gave me. Aria's sacrifice...

"......!"

Within my body, there appeared to be the sound of an explosion.

Thunderclouds seemed to be moving through my body--

I was extremely clear, that was the berserker blood, which I had been suppressing all this time, flowing out.

My vision, narrowing greatly, focused on Sherlock's body like a homing radar.

--Ah, this is how it is.

You are a great person of history. A famous detective who transcends space and time. My small tricks could not possibly affect you.

"Kinji...run away! I'll persuade great-grandfather...!"

"--Do you think you can? Aria, back away."

I stood in front of Aria. Releasing--all the ferocity from Hysteria Berserk.

Release? No, that's wrong.

It burst out. It had nothing to do with my own thoughts.

"Sherlock."

"What is it?"

"Let's decide it now."

"Decide what?"

"Detectives and Butei--which one is stronger?"

My right hand whipping out my Beretta, I stood my ground.

In front of Aria, as if I was trying to hold Sherlock back.

Aria. The fact that you yourself have lost your sight--makes me a little relieved.

Because this means that you won't be able to see me rip apart your most respected person.

"...Kinji-kun. I've met with all manner of vicious and strong monsters from all over the world, I've been fighting for over 150 years. And you, you are but a child that has been living on a peaceful island for 17 years. That inexperienced you--wants to fight with me?"

My left hand flicking open the butterfly knife, I glared at Sherlock angrily.

"That's right. In the eyes of a great, famous detective like you, I'm probably just an inexperienced kid, right? Even as a Butei, I am but the lowest of the low, an E rank. But...I haven't fallen to the point where I'll let someone who hurts my partner go."

"Is Aria so important to you? Ah, that is certainly good to hear."

With a toying expression on his face, Sherlock removed his coat.

"As an elite, I have already warned you, but you didn't accept. Understand?"

The recorded opera, "Die Zauberflöte" as a BGM--

Sherlock raised the thick, metal cane hanging on his arm.

Not a...gun.

"Is it alright if you don't use a gun? I'm not the type who respects his elders."

Saying this, I put in the last of the 9mm Parabellum ammo--put it in the magazine of black Butei bullets that Nii-san had given me, and slotted it back into the Beretta.

"As for guns, I will use one later, just once. And I deduce that it will be the full stop of my "Study in Scarlet", an extremely important gun."

"A Study in Scarlet"? I don't understand what that is...but you dare underestimate me?

Do you think that if you battle with me like this, one cane will be enough?

"Come at me. As you said, there's no need to respect your elders in battle. Don't hold back."

You'll be the one to do that, right?

This is a good chance to put off the use of your gun.

More than that, this is an extremely rare, excellent opportunity.

"Don't worry, Sherlock. I am a Butei. A Butei's mission--is the arrest of outlaws."

Saying that, I--raised my Beretta, aiming it at Sherlock.

"--My mission, I will fulfill it!"

*Bang!*

That one bullet raced towards Sherlock--*Clank!*

Sherlock raised the cane as if it were obvious, blocking the bullet.

The sound of metal hitting metal rang out, and the bullet, deflected by the cane, raced towards the ceiling.

"SHERLOCK!"

Immediately after, I fired my 2nd bullet--shooting the black bullet that Nii-san had given me.

When Sherlock put his cane up once again--for a moment, he frowned--


--*BAAAANGG!!*


My arms shielding my face, I protected myself from the shockwave.

Aria, behind me, yelped with surprise.

...Ama...amazing...!

This is the first time I've used such a thing!

That bullet, holding the power of an RPG, something I had only seen in Assault, Sherlock...took it full to the face.

From the information source that is me, he was unable to deduce this firepower.

Because I myself--didn't know that the power of Butei bullets was this powerful.

So, he had no way of knowing. Not knowing about this attack, he defeated himself.

Sherlock, great detective.

The reason for your defeat was your ultimate reliance on your deductions.

(How could I...let everything go your way.)

From my mouth, whose lips were broken during the battle with Aria, *Phoo* I spit out blood.

Sherlock Holmes was a unique, famous detective. I don't think that he would die from just this...but maybe, I did it.

Maybe, I went back on Butei Law article 9.

As I was scanning for Sherlock's condition--

"--!?"

*Pa*--

A chilling feeling ran through my body, almost like electricity.

In the midst of that smoke, slowly dissipating...

-He was there.

He was there.

And...like the first time we met him, no, he was releasing a crushing aura of existence that dwarfed the one he had displayed at that time.

(Wh-what is this...!?)

That feeling...that breathing...

That is, Hysteria Mode...!?

"--Until now, I've been 'studying', Kinji-kun."

In the depths of the warehouse, the white smoke permeated the hall, in the wake of a hissing sound.

The black smoke from the explosion completely dissipated, as if being chased away by the white smoke.

Standing within the swirl of black smoke, Sherlock Holmes--was completely untouched.

He had gone into Hysteria Mode.

He--how did he do it.

No, it was exactly like what he said, "Practice"--It's not impossible that Sherlock managed to do it, just like Vlad Dracula's ability to assimilate a hereditary state like Hysteria Mode.

But, how did he do it! In this kind of situation!

Shouting this out in my heart, the image of Nii-san from just now appeared in my mind.

(--Hysteria Agonizante--)

The Hysteria Mode at the edge of death.

...So that's how it is...!

It may not look like it, but he is reaching--the end of his life.

From the very beginning, he was at the edge of death.

Taking the fatal blow of the Butei bullet directly, he was completely awakened. It awakened the derivative of the Hysteria Mode that is passed on through the generations of men of the Tohyama bloodline.

"From now on...I will start your 'tuition', after this I will exhibit the abilities of all those enemies you have fought before. After all, in this place, I am called the same name as my mortal enemy--'Professor'"

Sherlock ripped off the jacket and shirt that had been ripped to shreds by the Butei Bullet--

On that naked torso, there was a frightening amount of muscle.

And it wasn't the bulky, bulging muscle that Vlad had. It was the type of muscle that only the best of athletes attained, a perfect, tight body. And the surface of that muscle was filled with the scars of old battles.

....*Zzzzz*....*Zzzzzz*...

The ground beneath started to shake.

Staring at him, behind Sherlock's back--the bottom part of the gigantic, pillar-like ICBM--the nozzle of the jet engine started to release white smoke.

Isn't that preparation for immediate launch?

Something bad is going to happen.

Thinking this way, I--

--laughed...my hair was dancing about from the hot air rising up from below the grating.

It was as if I was becoming one of those berserkers in the world of Butei. A reckless Butei, a Butei that is not afraid of death.

The opponent is Sherlock Holmes. The person who beat back Nii-san, who was using his full power, the strongest enemy yet.

And added to that, he was in Hysteria Mode. There is no chance of victory.

If I was in the normal Hysteria Mode, which would calmly assess the situation and take appropriate action, I would have, for the sake of Aria's safety, chosen to temporarily retreat.

But, the blood that is flowing through my body now is the blood of Hysteria Berserk.

Doing things for the sake of testing the distance in ability. Those pieces of trash that would do anything just for that.

I just, I just--want to fight him. One on one.

I wanted to lay him low, I wanted him to taste my power.

I wanted him to understand, never to lay a hand on my partner ever again...

--*Clatter!*

His back facing the white smoke, he threw the broken metal cane onto the ground with a sound reminiscent of heavy machinery.

The cane shattered--and from inside it, he drew a hidden blade.

That blade, slightly turned over--radiated dazzling light, leaving no doubt that it was a sword of legend.

I had seen that in the appendix of Assault's textbooks. It was made to be slender because it is sheathed in a cane, but that blade, looking like that of a rapier...

Is probably a scramasax.

If we were to compare it to Japanese swords, it would be made in the same period as the ancient swords. It was made in Europe, a very durable single-handed blade.

"...That's a nice knife."

"--It would be better if you did not ask its name. This is an English national artifact that my Queen, her majesty lent me. And as for this blade, after this, your bloodline might feel its sting as well."

"I have no interest in its name. After all, if it isn't Excalibur, then it's probably Ragnarok or something."

As I casually named the names of legendary swords in games...

Sherlock, a little surprised, raised his eyebrows.

As if saying..."How did you know?"

"Haha. An impressive deductive ability. You have what it takes to be a detective. I guarantee it."

"You...are actually a very casual person."

Already out of bullets, *Click*--I flicked open my butterfly knife.

The ignition fire of the ICBM, illuminating the room below, slowly became clearer and clearer.

"It looks like we don't have much time left. Let's finish this in 1 minute."

Sherlock, his feet looking as if they were flowing through the white smoke, walked this way.

"How coincidental. I was thinking that as well."

And I approached Sherlock as well.

Afterward--when we were 5 meters away from each other, we--

*Da!* We charged simultaneously, clashing together.

The blade and knife, clashing together with a ringing sound, sent up showers of sparks--*KCCCHHHH*

The ball of lightning, suddenly appearing in front of my eyes, made me bend backwards.

Lightning...!?

Well, it was within my expectations. Ever since he said this would be the time for "Tuition."

If I didn't have the reflexes of Hysteria Berserk to dodge backwards, I would gave definitely been stunned by the electricity.

But, I can still fight--! Using my hands like a spring, I bounded back up from the floor, but at some point in time, by my side--not only was there smoke, but mist was there as well.

"--?"

*Shh!* Following the impact, something, easily piercing through my bulletproof vest and into my shoulder, which suddenly had a wound on it. Ignoring the pain and reaching out to my shoulder--there were no bullets.

My wound...was wet.

I'm afraid that...this is water. High pressure arrows of water, piercing through my shoulder.

Outside of electricity, he can use mist and water?

Sherlock. To be honest, you should quit being a detective and join a circus.

As I swore at him in my heart, something pierced my foot with a *Hss!*

The me in Hysteria Mode tried to dodge, but my right foot--was filled with a sharp pain.

I fell forwards, clutching at my calf. On it, there was a gaping wound which had been sliced open by a thin blade.

--The slicing just now had no feeling of impact. it was like being sliced open by a sickle. It was an attack--of wind.

Backing up from electricity, losing my vision from mist, my limbs injured from water and wind, my movements continually slowing down, I...

Shook...and when I tried to stand up--

--*Hyuu!*

Piercing through the mist, Sherlock raised the blade, gleaming like a gem!

That blade raced straight at my left chest--

--*KCCCCCCHHH!*

Sparks flying furiously, I just managed to catch that blow on the edge of my knife.

But, that single-handed sword seemed to be made out of some sort of special metal, it was far more heavy than it looked.

"--!"

The handle of my dagger, blown away by the force of his blow, rammed into my own chest, and I flew back as if I had been hit by a truck.

I went through the mist and smoke, smashing violently into the steel wall.

I forcibly held back the blood that threatened to rush up my throat--but still, with a coughing noise, I spat out blood, unable to stop myself. I-it hurts, this--it looks like I've fractured my ribs.

Within my line of sight, hazy from the enormous impact, Sherlock followed up with another attack.

That sword, held in one hand, was still aimed towards my left chest--!

"!"

In this short time--Dodge it!

--*KCCCCCCHHHHH!*

The western sword cleaved through my bullet-knife proof vest like it was paper.

"KINJI!"

Towards Aria, who was wailing--

With the last of my strength...I smiled a smile which conveyed "Don't worry."

Sherlock's sword, from my bullet proof vest--

-pierced through the side of my ribs, burying itself into the steel wall behind me.

Dodging an expert in fencing--who was also in Hysteria Mode--His sword piercing the side of my ribs...If I wasn't in Hysteria Berserk, there's no way I could have done it.

Well, I could clearly feel that the edge of the blade had pierced through the side of my vest.

Nailed to the wall, along with the bullet proof vest, I--

"Now that I think about it, this vest is of no use against you!"

-and I ripped the vest off.

Immediately slashing with my knife--

Sherlock, using my fist as a footrest, jumped backwards, doing a flip.

And...*Shh*

Flying as if he was weightless, he gracefully landed a few meters away from me.

His sword...was still buried in the wall. He left it.

Just now, deciding whether to take the sword or leave it- it can't have been easy in that short a time.

If I had hesitated even one moment in lashing out, he would have buried his sword in my throat.


--...O zitt're nicht, mein lieber Sohn...!--


At that time, Mozart's "Die Zauberflöte" pierced the air...

--an Aria--

Brazenly going into heavy vibrato, it entered into a graceful, beautiful female Aria.

"How...will you still come at me?"

Expression frozen, Sherlock.

"As this opera went into the Aria--I had thought to make you silent. You fought on longer than I had deduced- that, I fear, is because of those reflexes, faster than HSS. It is that which confused my deductions, also confusing 'Cognis'."

...Is that so?

It looks like while Sherlock knows about Hysteria Normale and Hysteria Agonizante, he doesn't know about Hysteria Berserk.

"Which means, for the first time in my life, I made a false deduction. You are a man worthy of praise."

"I...am not somebody that is worthy of your praise."

Saying that while shrugging and facing Sherlock--

"I am but a high school student. And I am very low-ranked, in a very rough school."

*Shh*...

*Kch*

The butterfly knife, spinning around in my hands, closed.

"...Why did you keep your weapon?"

"--You were waiting for me, just now."

Just now, when I had fell down from the wind sickle and water arrow--

You had the opportunity to send me to eternal rest. Many opportunities.

But...before I stood up, no attacks came.

You were waiting for me to stand up.

"This way, we're even."

If I thought about it normally, I had no strength to spare to disadvantage myself like this.

However, I may have the resolve of a berserker right now, but not owing something to the enemy is something that I am serious about.

Seeing me close my knife and pocket it, Sherlock's face reddened, as if he was a little embarrassed.

Ah?

This expression...where have I seen it before?

...Ah.

It's amazingly like Aria's.

It's like when I'm teasing- Aria.

Suddenly noticing this, I felt my mouth slowly ease into a smile.

"It may have been denied by you, but I still want to say it. You are an impressive boy. This is the first time I've had this feeling since Reichenbach."

"This song wasn't written by Bach, but Mozart.."

The Aria still resounding in my ears, I answered, and Sherlock chuckled.

What is it?

Was there something so interesting about what I said? I didn't say anything of note, did I?

But this...was exactly like Aria, sometimes randomly laughing at what I'm saying. It looks like I'm very amusing to them in some inexplicable way.

"Kinji-kun. Saying this might not be very fitting in a battle but- I like you. I was impressed by your will to keep this battle fair, and I want to fight with you bare-handed from now, but...I'm very sorry. This Aria is the last lesson--this is the bell for the start of the lecture on the 'Study in Scarlet.' Because, as a gentleman, I have to be punctual."

(...A Study in Scarlet...?)

Once again saying these words, which seemed like they were out of a riddle...I couldn't help but frown.

And opposite me, Sherlock, softly closing his eyes...Around him...slowly...

...Wh-what...is that...?

-light started radiating of him.

That wasn't a hallucination. His body, started to glow.

Sherlock seemed to be releasing some sort of power.

That light, as I looked upon it, became more and more vivid.

And--slowly...it turned scarlet...

"--The reason I could become the captain of I-U, was because of this power."

That light seemed to be some sort of gas, floating around Sherlock.

And I--had seen that light before.

It was the scarlet light that had appeared around Aria during the battle with Patra.

This and that--looked completely alike.

"But, I'm not ready to use this power. Because the 'Study in Scarlet'--the research on Hidan[1] has not been completed."

Speaking, the gun that Sherlock drew was--an Adams 1872 MKIII.

The former weapon of the English Imperial Army, it is a 45 caliber double-action pistol.

"...That 'Hidan'...you've shot it before too?"

"I'm afraid that what you're talking about is a different image entirely. The ball of light that Aria shot out of her finger before--isn't Hidan. If we were to use ancient Japanese words, it would be called 'Hiten Hiyoumon[2].' However, it is one of the manifestations of Hidan."

Saying this, Sherlock opened the magazine of the pistol--*Click*

And the single bullet that was inside it, he took out.

"This, is a 'Hidan'"

The tip of that bullet--almost like fresh blood, almost like a pure rose, almost like a blazing inferno--was a deep scarlet.

"This bullet is Hidan. No, the form is of no import. This is called Hihiirokane[3] in Japanese...which is this metal. You probably remember the cross that Mine Riko, Lupin the 4th uses. In that, there is a trace of the same kind of metal that is used in this bullet, Irokane [4]. Irokane...is something that makes all magic look like child's play, an enormous, colossal material that is filled with supernatural power. Also known as, 'The Core of the Supernatural World.'"

Hearing his words, I thought about Riko's blue cross.

Now that I think about it, only when Riko held that cross could she move her hair like a hand.

Thinking about it with the new information that Sherlock had just told me--that cross, as well as the scarlet bullet that Sherlock was holding now, is imbued with a very dangerous metal, able to make a normal person an ability user.

...But...Aria, standing behind me, has nothing like that.

So, why was she--able to emit that scarlet light?

"--Right now, the world is entering a new war. The existence of Irokane, as well as all the power and properties that it holds, are being studied as we speak...in completely confidentiality, it is being researched. The same as my 'Study in Scarlet'. The only groups that hold Irokane are I-U, and in Northern Asia, "URS", in the south of Hong Kong, there is "Ramban". In my country of origin, England, one of the most well-known groups in the world is acting as well. Italy is supporting the Vatican City, one of the non-governmental organizations, from the shadows. The number of instances of Irokane around the world that receive governmental-support are too numerous to mention. The White House, and Hotogi, also in your high school, in Japan's Imperial Household Agency--Ah, I've said too much. And, those people, like me, who possess large amounts of high-grade Irokane constantly observe each other's Irokane--but because of that abnormal power, so absurdly enormous, we are all caught in a deadlock."

Saying this, Sherlock put the scarlet bullet back inside the chamber.

"However, using the bullet needs a little bit of time--I'll let you see a little more."

With that, he pointed the forefinger of his right hand towards me.

"The phenomenon you've seen before, is this, right?

The scarlet light enveloping Sherlock's body...gathered at his fingertip.

(It...It's the same! As that time...!)

This scene was completely the same as the one where Aria used the bullet of light to attack Patra.

That technique, similar to an artillery shell--Sherlock can use it as well?

This is bad...!

This is horrible!

"...Kinji, what happened...?"

Aria, her eyes not yet fully recovered, were staring forward blankly.

I forced my quivering legs to move, finally reaching a point in front of Aria where I could protect her from Sherlock.

But...the light that Aria had emitted during the fight with Patra had enough firepower to eradicate the top of the pyramid, leaving not a trace. And my actions, using my body, which didn't even have a bulletproof vest, to act as her shield--is like using a biscuit to block a bullet, completely meaningless.

And even more unfortunate--I felt that the blood of Hysteria Berserk was slowly returning back to the normal Hysteria Mode. Like Nii-san said, the blood of berserkers was extremely unstable--like the tide, it would rise and fall.

Taking the opposite action as what I had done during the fight with Aria, I tried to awaken the blood with my own consciousness, but--I couldn't do it.

I can control it to a certain extent, but I cannot call the blood of the berserker.

*Swallow* Swallowing the saliva in my mouth, I, behind me--

"...?"

A scarlet light...

Another scarlet light had appeared.

I turned around, noticing that it was appearing from Aria's body.

"Aria...!"

In front of my eyes, light was continually building up in front of the forefinger of Aria's right hand--

It was smaller than Sherlock's, but another sun started to shine.

"What...what is...this..."

Apparently able to distinguish between darkness and light, Aria's head turned to face her right hand.

"Aria-kun. This is 'Consona'. When people who carry high-grade Irokane meet, and one of their Irokane is awakened--they will undergo something like resonance and tuning, also awakening the attributes of the other Irokane. At that time, the phenomenon will also resonate. Like now, as both your forefinger and my forefingers are emitting light."

Saying this, Sherlock--

-pointed his forefinger, which was continually collecting scarlet light, towards us.

"Aria-kun. I am going to fire this bullet of light, 'Hiten' at you. As far as I know, the only way to stop this is to use the same technique, 'Hiten' creating a collision. I haven't tested this before, but in ancient Japanese texts...it is written that this will calm Hiten, transforming it into "Koyomi Kagami[5]"

"Great...grandfather...?"

Sight slowly returning, Aria had no idea of what to do.

"Just now...you said 'as long as you don't order me to do so', you would not fire at me. Then--Now, I am ordering you. Fire that light at me."

"...At great-grandfather..."

She may be still confused, but she understands this dangerous atmosphere.

Sweat appeared out of Aria's forehead, and that expression slowly turned into one of hysteria.

"That's right. Make sure that the Hidan does not take your consciousness--calmly, deeply--concentrate the power in your fingertip, as if trying to keep it there. Kinji-kun...be Aria's eyes."

"Wh-who would trust what you're saying? You won't shoot. Aria is your--"

"'I'll tell you this, I'm already extremely desperate.'"

What I had said just now--probably with Riko's voice-changing--Sherlock repeated it, in the same voice.

And, seeing Sherlock blink at me like Aria...

I fell silent for a few seconds, thinking deeply.

If we get hit by that light, we would be blown into pieces, as if we had been hit by Shinkansen Line.

Judging from the speed from before, when Aria had used it, dodging this bullet of light at this speed--'Hiten', would be very difficult. No, aside from me, Aria, still unable to see, would never be able to dodge it.

I found it hard to accept that Sherlock would kill Aria, but from the situation...

He's at a dead-end?

"I...don't understand. I don't understand anything."

Helpless, tossing this sentence down, I...

"However, I understand one little thing. You are about to act. And we have but one thing we can do. This is how it is, right? Sherlock?"

"Well said, Kinji-kun. Please, from now till eternity, use that excellent deductive reasoning and situational judgement of HSS--to help Aria."

If you want that to happen, then don't say HSS so carelessly.

If you let Aria know about the existence of Hysteria Mode, I will be in deep trouble.

I pursed my lips...holding up Aria's hand.

"...Kin-Kinji...?"

"--I will explain all that I understand to you. Right now...Sherlock is aiming the main battery of his battleship at us. I may say this, but this is not just an analogy. His ability really has the firepower of a battleship battery. And, Aria. You too...I may not know why, but on your finger--there is a similar battery."

I held Aria's hand lightly, pointing it towards Sherlock.

"Aria...this should be it."

I touched that finger, glowing with light, stretching her forefinger outwards...but, it was not hot at all.

I, holding her hand from the back, reached both our hands out, supporting hers with mine--

Her eyes still slightly blurry, unable to aim, Aria...I grasped her right hand.

The target is, Sherlock's fingertip.

And on that fingertip, the scarlet light...!

"Kinji..."

Aria turned to me in fear.

"Don't worry. When you were fighting with Patra, you used it once, though you were unaware of it at the time."

Saying this, I clasped that trembling right hand with both of my hands.

"And, I may not be able to help...but I am at your side. No matter what happens, at the very last moment, I will still be by your side."

Hearing my words...Aria's trembling calmed down.

Focused on that small fingertip, the light became stronger, becoming like that of Sherlock's.

Seeing this scene, Sherlock, on the other side of the scarlet light--smiled.

"You've found a good partner. Aria-kun."

He looked exactly like a teacher looking on a student who had passed her exam.

"Just like how I had Watson, the people of the Holmes bloodline require a partner. At the end of my life...seeing you two as a symbol of co-operation, of mutual support, I..."

Sherlock stretched his forefinger out even further--

"--am very lucky."


--*Paa*......


-he emitted the light.

As if responding to that trigger, Aria's light left her fingertip with a *Paa*

"...!"

The two lights collided in between Sherlock and us...

In the air--it stilled.

A terrifying silence.

Afterward, it melded...

Becoming one.

"--I deduced the date of my death."

From the light, Sherlock's voice reached us.

"No matter how much I extend my life, in the year 2009--today, I can only last until now. So before that, I have to let one of my descendants 'succeed' the Hidan. Because originally, the Hidan was only given to us to pass down by her Majesty, who said, 'Let the Holmes family research it.'"

Within the dazzling scarlet light, I hugged Aria's head, not wanting her eyes to get any worse.

But...

Suddenly becoming strong, they suddenly shrank as if the energy within had been discharged.

"But, after I had done that, I researched that...there are 3 difficult conditions to succeeding the Hidan.

The first, there is only a certain type of personality that can awaken the Hidan. They have to be passionate and prideful. I don't believe myself to be that way...but, they have to have the personality of a child.

However, in the ranks of the Holmes family, no such person exists. Therefore, I could only continue to wait for a descendant that fit that criteria. And the one that appeared--was you, Aria-kun.

The second condition...I can't explain it, for the sake of what comes after for you two...but if she wishes to awaken the Hidan, Aria's heart, as a woman, needs to grow."

In the wake of Sherlock's words, the scarlet ball of light slowly became transparent.

"The third condition--before the successor's ability is awoken, they have to coexist with the Hidan for at least 3 years. Like an egg undergoing incubation, it cannot leave the successor's body--"

Slowly melding together, the light slowly changed its appearance...

...It slowly became a transparent lens roughly 2 meters in diameter.

"It may seem easy, but it is an extremely difficult task. After all, the other holders of Irokane are continually spying on each piece of Irokane, so if one isn't awakened, it is very hard to keep it from their hands.

Therefore, I, who was awakened, have been keeping the Hidan until this day--

--and from today onwards, the awakened Aria will keep the Hidan.

For the sake of this day, I had to keep the Hidan safe until this day, but I also had to give it to the you of 3 years ago. For me, this was the greatest challenge of my lifetime. But, the thing that solved that challenge--was also the Hidan."

The Sherlock within my line of sight slowly became hazy.

From inside the lens of light floating in the air, something appeared.

What is it...it's something like a portrait.

The thing that appeared in the lens--no, it was not a portrait.

Something, something with substance, appeared within the lens.

Something the shape of a human...

"Kinji...what's happening...who is...that...!?"

Her eyes more or less able to see, Aria stared at the lens in rapture, furrowing her brows.

But, I did not answer.

Because what started to exist within the lens...

Made me speechless.

"This is it...! This is what is written in ancient Japanese scrolls, 'Time Mirror'--a lens which transcends space and time. However, this is the first time I have seen this with my own eyes."

Filled with some sort of excitement, Sherlock's voice was not fully absorbed by our ears.

Stopping us in our tracks, appearing inside the lens--

Appearing inside the lens, that person is--

That is...!

(--Aria--?)

Aria, not the one in my embrace right now, but another Aria, appeared inside the lens!

Not strawberry blonde, but flax colored twin-tails that shone like golden thread.

Her eyes were different as well. They were not camellia, but an azure reminiscent of sapphire.

But, that is definitely Aria. Having been her partner for so long, I understood. That aura, that expression, it could not be anyone other than Aria...!

Wearing an evening dress with no back, Aria was happily talking to somebody, not shown inside the lens. That face was totally unaware of this angle.

"Aria-kun. When you were 13--you were shot at your mother's birthday party."

Hearing Sherlock's words, I suddenly realized it.

Because Aria had always been so small, I hadn't realized till just a moment ago that there was no particular difference with her appearance in the mirror, and her appearance as of now.

But, I vaguely understood.

The Aria in the lens seemed to be more childish than the Aria who was beside me.

It may be unbelievable...but that...is the Aria of the past...!

"I...I was shot by someone. But, that...what does that have to do with now..."

Aria, replying, turned towards the direction of Sherlock's voice.

"--I was the one who shot you."

"!"

I understood. Aria, in the midst of my arms, froze out of indelible shock.

"No, it's now that I will shoot you. However, both ways of saying it are completely correct."

Saying that, Sherlock *Click*--

Raising the pistol in his left hand, he pulled back the hammer of the Adams MKIII.

"As long as I use the power of the Hidan, I can even open the gates that lead back to the past. Right now, I will have the you of 3 years ago, succeed the Hidan."

Sherlock--"The Man Beyond Space and Time" pointed the gun in his hand towards the Aria in the lens.

This shocking scene reached into the deepest part of my heart, terrifying me...I had no idea what was happening in front of my eyes.

But, even though that is the case, instinctively--

"Sto...stop--!"

-I ran forward!

For the sake of stopping Sherlock.

For the sake of keeping the Aria in the lens from being hit.

I charged towards the Aria in the mirror.

"There's no need to worry. I am a famed marksman, after all."

The Aria in the lens was totally unaware of Sherlock, who was speaking. She was completely vulnerable.

"ARIA!"

I knew that it was of no use, but I could not control the scream that erupted from the depths of my being.

"--ARIA! --DODGE IT!"

This sound--

Did she hear it?

The Aria in the mirror, *Shh*, widened her beautiful, azure eyes.

And...turning this way, she looked directly into my eyes.

That back, completely exposed, was facing Sherlock.

"--And...in this place, I met you--"

The words that Aria had spoken just as we entered the warehouse flashed into my mind--


*Bang...!*


The sharp crack of a gunshot pierced the air.

Having been shot by the "Hidan" at close range and falling down in shock, Aria--

-Inside the mirror, she became blurry...

And like a movie fading out, she slowly disappeared.

"...!"

The hand that I had stretched out towards Aria grasped nothing but air, and stumbling--I sprawled onto the steel grating.

Aahh...

Is that how it is...because of this, Aria...

--can use the scarlet light.

Aria...she said that the bullet that she was hit with in 13 still remained, embedded deep inside her body.

And that bullet was shot by Sherlock, who, with the power of the Hidan, opened the gates of time to the past.

--That was the "Hidan"...!

"Aria-kun--there are two points I must warn you of in advance. This has to do with the side effects of the Hidan. The Hidan has the ability to extend your lifetime, but at the same time, it will heavily delay all growth in your body. From that point onward, your body hasn't grown much, correct? Also, from what is recorded in the scrolls, if Irokane is embedded into the body of someone in the midst of growth--the color of their bodily characteristics will also be changed. It may not be able to change the color of your skin, but your hair, your eyes will all slowly progress to an exquisite scarlet. Exactly like the you--of right now."

Unable to protect the Aria of the past, still lying down on the floor, I dazedly listen to Sherlock's voice, which sounded like a teacher explaining a lesson...

"With that, the lecture on my 'Study in Scarlet' is over. All that I have uncovered about the Hidan...I have told you."

Gazing upon Aria...probably because he had lost the Hidan, which extended his lifetime, Sherlock, seeming to gain several years in a heartbeat, finished speaking.

"Kin...Kinji...Kinji? Are you alright!?"

Aria, rubbing her eyes, swaying unsteadily, rushed to my side.

Thinking that I had been shot by Sherlock and worrying, Aria's eyes appeared to have fully regained her vision. However--it appeared that she was still very disoriented, and she hadn't seen the scene of herself getting shot.

Like that, it appears that she had no idea of what had just transpired.

"Aria-kun, Kinji-kun. The 'Study in Scarlet'...I leave it to you. The fight between the keepers of the Irokane, we are still in the stage of mutual containment. For now, things will be kept in the stalemate that we have now. However, the battle will soon be realized, and you will probably be sucked into the midst of it. Until that time, please protect the Hidan from the hands of evil--This, is for the world."

Sherlock, speaking like a teacher finishing his lesson, looked at us.

I...glared at him.

Did you say...the world?

Stop.

I won't let you--I won't let you say anything else.

I won't let you--play with Aria's fate again!

"Don't fuck with me...!"

Already looking 35--the same age as he was in the photographs in textbooks--Sherlock...In front of him, I stood up.

At that time, that unrivaled darkness, that unparalleled bloodlust--the blood of Hysteria Berserk welled up within me again.

"Sherlock...are you trying to make Aria enter that kind of dangerous war!? Your own blood relative...you want your own great-grandchild...!"

--Nii-san had said it. Hysteria Berserk, directly amplifies and aggravates the impulse of rage, hate and anger towards other men that I feel in Hysteria Mode.

I see. Right now, I have that kind of feeling.

I cannot forgive him. I will never forgive. Just this one man, this one man who treats Aria like a tool to be used, toying with her in the name of fate...This man, I WILL NEVER FORGIVE--!

"Kinji-kun. You still do not understand how important Aria is to this world. Just like the world before the 21st century needed me, she is an important character in the world of today."

"--YOU'RE WRONG!"

I bared my canines like Aria, interrupting him.

--Now, I will be the one to interrupt.

"She's just a high school student! I know that very well...!"

As if trying to get Aria to retreat, I pushed her back.

"She--no matter what is inside her body, she is just a normal high school student! Loving to play with dolls, loving to eat peach buns, loving to watch the TV and laugh stupidly...she's just a normal high school student! The one who doesn't know anything at all, is you, Sherlock!"

"...I can understand your unwillingness to accept this. Because, she is your partner. Kinji-kun. You assume that there are no demons in this world. However, people with the claws and fangs of demons are innumerable. In this vast world, malicious people that you cannot even imagine want to take Irokane--"

"I have no interest in that kind of bloody world! Malice and compassion have nothing to do with me!"

Hearing my shout, filled with the rage of provocation--

Sherlock fell silent, closing his eyes.

Afterward...

"--That is the world's choice, huh?"

Saying that, he turned around.

As if he had already withdrawn himself from everything.

"...Since that is the case, live out a peaceful life. You can choose to do that as well. For the sake of realizing your resolve, realizing your will, protect Aria for eternity--safely, let the Hidan pass down to the next generation. Everything is up to you. You can do whatever you like."

Because, you are already strong enough.

"Listen well, Kinji-kun. If you want to realize your will, you have to become strong. A powerless will will be quashed by a stronger one. So, for the sake of your "strength', I used the members of I-U. In stages, I sent opponents that you would survive to face you, and using that method, I accelerated your growth."

...Sherlock...

Everything...!

Was everything, was all this planned from the beginning...!

I gritted my teeth, glaring at him again.

And this time, the blood of Hysteria Berserk had fully permeated my body.

After this, no matter what happens--I do not care.

Right now, I felt like nothing mattered anymore.

"...Butei Charter article 3--'You must become stronger. But above all, you must support justice.'"

"...?"

"If you are not strong, you cannot realize your will. That is absolute. However, if you do not support justice, you cannot realize your will either. That is one of the rules of Butei. You, have turned your back on that. Carrying a genius-intellect and supreme power, you wanted to hurl Aria into the midst of your danger."

"--You may be right. But, I am able to do so."

"I said I will not let you intervene."

"Then, as I said before--it's fine if you do not do so."

Leaving these words, which were like answers out of Zen, Sherlock--*Chhhhh*--*Kch!* The sword, embedded into the wall, returned to his grasp.

*Tap Tap* He started walking.

And, he walked towards one of the ICBMs, constantly spewing out white smoke.

As if waiting for this moment, the ceiling of the hangar opened like a valve.

From outside that big iris--

I could see the sky.

"Wait. Do you think this is over? Face me."

In the ever-growing jetstream and the air that had swirled in from the outside, the furious winds--

I shouted at Sherlock.

"What."

Talking to me with his back turned, Sherlock answered with a voice that was deeper than just now.

"I've become angry."

--*Click*--

In my hands--I flicked open the butterfly knife.

"No matter what the reason may have been, you fired and hit Aria. From behind, you shot your own great-granddaughter."

"That's right. So what? There is no way you can win against me."

"I probably can't. However, I will return that blow. Butei do not leave things unsettled. If you shot my partner once, I will hit you once."

"Do you think you can?"

"I can. 'Ouka[6]'--that one, unavoidable attack.

"...There--are things that even I cannot deduce. And your extremely illogical actions, seems to be one of those things."

"What is it."

"That which is between men and women, love."

--...!

I could not bring myself to think of the reaction of Aria, behind me--

Once again, I charged.

I did not care.

I did not have one bullet left. I was wounded all over.

But, I have to hit him once. That is absolute.

Keeping that one thought in my mind...I brought my knife up!

(This distance--I can do it...!)

Using that self-sacrificing technique, which I had only come up with in theory, "Ouka". Just as a floating cherry blossom will never return to its branch, it is only a one-use--double-edged sword.

Sherlock is a God of deductive reasoning. If I want to hit him, I have to use a secret technique that even Nii-san, let alone Sherlock, doesn't know about.

First, I sprinted as fast as I could at the enemy, forcing 36 kilometers per hour out of my body.

"--These falling sakura--If you can disperse it--"

My reflexes in Hysteria Mode allow my toes to move at 100 KM/H, my knees at 200 KM/H, my waist and back at 300 KM/H, my shoulders at 500 KM/H, and my wrist at 100 KM/H.

All this--even if it's just for a moment, moved together at the same time--

Final, combined velocity, 1236 KM/H--

Creating a supersonic attack!

"Then do so now!"


--*Paaaaaaaaaaaan!!*


A sonic boom rang out from the tip of my butterfly knife.

Just like Nii-san's scythe did, the tip had surpassed the speed of sound--

On the back of the blade, small water droplets condensed, just like cherry blossoms.

At the same time, a wound on my right shoulder was ripped open by the supersonic speed, spurting out blood.

--Exactly like bloodstained cherry blossoms scattering through the air--

"UWWWOOOAAAAAHHHHH!!"

This is what I had sacrificed my right shoulder for, the ultimate, the strongest blow.

An attack that humans could not possibly dodge.

And Sherlock, turning around with the sword in his hand, appeared to have realized this. He made no attempt to evade the attack.

As opposed to that, he stretched out his left fist, empty.


---*KCCCCCHHHHHHHH!*


Yes. Sherlock did not dodge.

He caught it. He used what he was most proficient in--martial arts.

--Edge Catching--Single hand version.

Just like how I had used it against Jeanne, he caught my blade between his forefinger and middle finger.

"What a shame, Kinji-kun--"

Saying the same words as Aria from just now, Sherlock slashed up with his counterattack.

But that blade, racing towards my left chest, I too--*Pa!* stopped it with a ringing noise.

In the same way, between my forefinger and middle finger--single handed Edge Catching.

"It's not a shame at all."

I'm sorry, Sherlock.

This Edge Catching, was something that your great-granddaughter taught me. A few months ago, I underwent a hellish training in order to use it.

--Sherlock and I constrained each others blades.

This is the same as with Aria just now, Threefold Repetition.

Right now, we had been forced into a situation where neither of us could move.

"--I knew--"

I said, and afterward, threw my head back violently, looking up.

"That things would come to this!"

"--!"

At the last of the last, I saw the look of surprise on Sherlock's face.

I saw 'Oh fuck' written all over it.

That's right.

Although Aria and I had been in this situation earlier, I had no way of forcing myself to do it.

But through the ironheadedness passed down through the generations of the Tohyama family, the true secret weapon--is this!


--*GGCCCHHHHHHHHHH!*


My head thundered into Sherlock's--into the world's most intelligent head.

"...!!"

The strongest detective in the world, *Shh*, his head thrown back...

Releasing his hold on the blade in his right hand, the dagger, stuck between his fingers, slowly, slowly, fell down.

Sherlock. If there's something to hate, hate the fact that you are a man.

If you were a woman, I would not have smashed into you so hard.

*Shh* As Sherlock fell to the steel grating--"Die Zauberflöte", resounding in the room all this time, finally fell silent.

I--deeply, took a breath.

Sprint, attack, slice, and in the end, I even used a headbutt...I may have used my whole body, but in the end, I took him out.

I defeated the world's strongest man.

"...Aria."

Calming myself down, trying to control Hysteria Berserk, I took my gaze off Sherlock--I turned around to see Aria, who was idly staring at our battle.

Aria...ran to my side, tenderly grasping my wounded, fatigued right arm.

"Kinji...you arm...how did you wound it...?"

"As opposed to Aria's injuries, this is nothing."

When I first met her, I said something like this too, right?

And also, I was in Hysteria Mode as well.

Thinking back to that, I used my right hand to cover my right arm, which had wounds crisscrossing it like lightning bolts.

Aria softly whispered, "Idiot...!", and buried her head in my chest...

She took out the handcuffs meant for Choutei, and knelt by Sherlock's side--it looks like her eyesight has completely recovered--and hesitating for a moment...

"Great-grandfather...No, I must call you...Sherlock Holmes."

*Click*

She bound those wrists.

"--You are under arrest..."

With this...

It's all over, right?

"Thank you for the wonderful gifts. I will accept this as proof that my great-granddaughter has surpassed me."

--!?

In the air--A very hoarse voice made Aria and I look up in shock.

That was, on an ICBM--

Grabbing hold of the open door on the top--

His wounds were still oozing blood from being smashed into, but smiling, lightly waving--

His head full with white hair, Sherlock!

"Kinji-kun. Your attack from just now, I did not deduce it at all. If it was me when I was young, I would have definitely deduced it. Well, I can't fight with age."

--!

We looked towards the Sherlock on the ground in unison, seeing that his right arm--

*Shh*

-had become gold sand, crumbling.

And that left hand, holding Aria's handcuffs, rushed to the Sherlock above us.

--Crap--! At the last, I was careless...!

Sherlock, taking advantage of me turning towards Aria while she was worried about my injuries--

-used Patra's ability to create a gold sand substitute, leaving it behind while he rushed into the ICBM!

"Sherlock, where are you going...! Won't you only live for today...!?"

"I'm not going anywhere. Isn't there an old saying like this? 'Old soldiers never die; they just fade away.' It's the graduation ceremony right now. We should celebrate with fireworks, right--?"

Seeing Sherlock stride inside the ICBM, I finally realized it.

The people in I-U modified the supercavitation torpedoes into that mini-submarine called Orcus.

And just like that, this ICBM is, using missiles as a basis--also a transportation device...!

"Great-grandfather--wait!"

Rushing forward from my side, Aria broke through the screen of white smoke, going towards the ICBM.

"Don't go...! Don't...don't...! I still have many, many, things about you, things about mother, to talk about...!"

"Aria! Don't chase him! It's going to lift off! It's dangerous!"

Aria ignored me, who was chasing her from behind, but instead, she drew her wakizashi.

"--ARIA!"

"...Great-grandfather!"

*Clank!*...! *Clank!*

Alternatively inserting the blades into the pillar, Aria scaled the ICBM as if it was a mountain.

"--Aria-kun."

On that tall, tall tip, his legs dangling outside the half-closed door, Sherlock said.

"It wasn't a long time, but I'm very happy. About my legacy...I'm sorry. I...don't have anything that I can give you."

"...Great-grandfather..."

"--So, I'll leave you my name. After 'Hidan' was converted into English, I had this title. 'Sherlock the Scarlet Ammo'--From now onwards, this name belongs to you."

"Name..."


"Goodbye--'Aria the Scarlet Ammo'--"


With those final words, Sherlock closed the door.

Shaking, the ICBM, slowly, slowly--

-lifted up its gigantic body.

This--this isn't good.

Aria is still on the ICBM.

And, she has already ascended to an altitude where she can't just jump off.

(...Ahh!)

Gritting my teeth, ignoring the agony that ripped through my arm, I picked up the sword that was in the hands of the fake, sand Sherlock, and with my own knife--*Kch!* I inserted it into the surface of the ICBM.

What appeared to be just a tank containing liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen fuel, the ICBM, as opposed to the inferno below the grating, was cold, even having a layer of frost on it.

But, for the sake of carrying passengers, it appeared to have been modified so it would not be overly cold.

"Aria! Get down!"

"--No! Great-grandfather is leaving...!"

"There's no time! Get down!"

My head--water dripped down on it. Are these Aria's tears? Or is it the ice covering the surface of the ICBM melting?

Following Aria's example, I used the knife and sword to scale the ICBM.

Blood continued to fall from the wound in my right shoulder.

Tolerate...Tolerate it, Kinji...! Keep...conscious...!

*Zzz*....*Zzzzzz*...the gigantic ICBM began to lift off.

It flew towards the sky.

With this, there's no way we can get down!

As I was thinking this way--Aria and I, still stuck to the ICBM--

From I-U's back, we started moving outside without pause...!

"......!"

It I let go now, I can survive. The worst that could happen is that I smash into the grating, sustaining heavy injury.

But--Aria...realizing that Sherlock had already started on his final journey, had lost all sense of self.

I can't just let her go by herself.

(--Aria! You...Idiot!)

I will definitely bring you back.

Whether it be from the gates of Heaven or Hell...How could I--let you go there!

Blasting off from the deck, the ICBM visibly sped up.

Speeding directly, directly, towards the atmosphere.

Looking down, at that moment, we were only one hand length away from the deck of I-U--

-I, approaching a position where I could grab that slender leg...

(Uu...!)

At that moment, I could not move.

What...kind of speed is this!

This G-force is not normal.

A roller coaster can't even come close!

The wind pressure didn't allow me to breathe. Even keeping hold of the sword and dagger, stuck into the surface of the ICBM, took all the strength in my body.

And Aria was already, already in a state where she could only hold on to her blades, enduring it.

The scarlet twin tails looked as if they were about to be ripped off in the midst of the raging winds.

This is not only speed.

The altitude of the ICBM was continually increasing. I can't...see I-U anymore...!

"--!"

*Bang!*

With that noise, the ICBM rushed into the sea of clouds.

My line of vision flashed white. Small water droplets continually pounded into my face, rendering me unable to keep my eyes open.

Piercing through the cloud layer and into the sky, which was cold enough to freeze us, the air was abnormally dry.

Cracking open my eyelids, I could see the crescent moon, shining with white light through the clouds--we were racing through the air at a speed which made me think that we were going to fly onto it, going ever higher and higher.

The horizon was becoming more and more round. That is--the curvature of the Earth--

(Ho-how high is this going to go...! I'm at my limit!)

So high above the Earth that even the air had thinned out, I--used my eyes, whose eyelashes had frozen, to look at the traces of clouds, rising up high into the air like a white dragon. 1, 2, 3--there were 7.

(...That...that is...!)

Those are jet trails. The other ICBMs, launched out of I-U, at that moment, were all racing up towards the sky. They were scattering, going in all directions.

Those are, transportation devices--which means, there's somebody seated inside, right?


Yes, those are the remnants of I-U--!


As I noticed that, *Kch!*

Sherlock's blade, and afterward, my knife, left the ICBM.

(Ah-)

Without even refocusing, I had been tossed off.

Looking at Aria, whose blades had reached their limit as well, falling off the ICBM, I--

-fell towards the ground, face up.

After a few seconds, the ICBM, continually going upwards--shrank in my line of sight--only that jetstream could still be seen, looking like one of the stars in the sky.

From inside that star, I saw Aria fall.


--What would you think if a girl fell from the sky?--


Aria, in the midst of the sky, twisted around, her back facing the ICBM--

-reaching out towards me.

Falling down, the distance between us was roughly 30 meters.

I spread my arms wide, increasing the air friction, continually decelerating.

Aria, her head down, was continually accelerating.

The distance between us was continually decreasing.


--It would be a prologue to unimaginable, unique events--


Aria lowered her altitude, getting closer and closer to me.

That right hand stretched towards me with all it had.

I also stretched out my right arm, stained with blood, covered with wounds, giving all I had to maintaining this position while keeping my balance.

Flying through the sky, my hand and her hand, still had 1 meter to go--

Reach it...Reach it!

There's still 50 cm--

After, 30, just a little more...10 cm--I'm touching it--just a little more--!

"...Kin...ji..."

"...A...ria...!"

My hand and her hand, linked together firmly.

*Ku!* I pulled Aria while we hurtled through the air, and Aria came closer to me as if she were sliding.

In that inverse position, one facing up, one facing down, we tightly embraced each other.

And like the morning of our school's opening ceremony, we went into the same position as the bike-jacking incident.

The next moment, *Pa!*, we pierced through the cloud layer, as if we were trying to make a hole through it.


--In reality, that would most definitely be both dangerous, and troublesome--


*Shh*--My line of sight widened again.

Changing positions in the cloud layer, Aria and I gripped each other tightly, our heads rushing down towards the far-away sea. There's no need to say it, but dropping down from this kind of altitude...there's no way out.

When people are in free fall, they will reach a stable terminal velocity of around 200 KM/H.

If we smash into it at this kind of speed, the water will be as hard as concrete.


--But I, Tohyama Kinji--

If it's for her, I am willing to sacrifice myself.

Perhaps, like all the men in the world...Like all the heroes living in this world!


"Kinji...!"

Aria spoke, just by my ear.

"Having you accompany me like this--I'm sorry."

"Ha--You're saying this now?"

My voice had an air of abandonment.

"Thank you. Thank you, my partner. I am proud of you--"

Saying those words, full of solemnity, Aria's camellia eyes stared straight at me.

"Just like great-grandfather said...this is the 'Overture's Fine'. It's the end, yet the beginning. The age of detectives has been concluded--and now it's the start of our age, the age of Butei.

And--Butei Charter article 10--Do not give up. Butei must not give up for any reason.

Kinji, to tell the truth...Inside I-U, I...had given up several times. Before fighting with you, I had already given up on everything. But, you are the one who made me face it all again, you are the one who did not give up...therefore, we, now! Are still! Alive!!"

Saying that, Aria embraced me with all the strength in her small frame--

As we approached the sea below us, we only had 10 seconds before the distance became 0...!

"Great-grandfather definitely deduced that this would happen. Therefore, he had all the women in all the generations of the Holmes bloodline keep this hairstyle--"

She closed her eyes, seemingly concentrating on something.

"--If Riko can do it, I can do it as well...!"

Afterward...those twintails.

Not because of wind pressure--they widened, widened, opening like wings--

...*Pa*...!

"--!"

Our stance, *Shh*...! Under the changed wind pressure from Aria's twintails, it was reversed.

Our feet rushing downwards, the velocity of our fall had visibly decreased.

Aria's long twintails--like Riko's, were controlled by her own will, opening up like wings.

The Hidan that Sherlock shot into Aria's body is the same kind of metal as in Riko's cross.

Hearing that, Aria used her technique.

Learning from sight, she followed suit.

"...Aria...!"

You're amazing! But, what is amazing isn't this power of yours.

It is your intelligence and bravery, as well as--confidence.

In this situation, with no way out, your light illuminated the darkest depths of death.

Betting it all on a method you had never used before, bravery.

And being able to make it reality, confidence.

Haha--Aria.

It will be difficult if you weren't this way. After all--you are my partner!

"Do-don't stare at me like that. Like that...it's really embarrassing...!"

*Shh*--

Already becoming exactly like wings, Aria's hair flapped again, riding the wind.

Is it because she was too embarrassed? As usual, exhibiting that blushing face, Aria went "Nnn...!" making an obscure noise, *Pa*. Once more, she flapped those wings of hair--

Right now, wrapped together in an embrace, our speed had slowed to that of a normal jump.

Below us, Shirayuki, on a lifeboat, was looking up at us, in a daze.

And Patra, also on the lifeboat, and Nii-san, sitting up in the midst of her embrace--That's great, they're still alive--were staring up at us in wonder as well.

"Kin-Kinji. In the end, I need you after all. Butei Charter article 1!"

In the moment we hit the water--

Aria's anime-like voice suddenly quivered, almost as if she was afraid.

"First...'Believe in your comrades and help each other'...?"

"Th-that's right. So, Kinji."

*Thump*

"B-be my life ring!"

Aria and I dropped into the ocean, safely--

Being clasped by Aria, just like a Koala, I chuckled, looking up from slightly beneath the surface of the ocean.

There, the glaring sunlight, was shining in the water like a silver needle.

 

As Aria said while we were up in the air...This is not the end.

 

Using the encounters with I-U as an opportunity, Aria has met new, strong enemies and allies alike--plunging into a daily life more dangerous than now. And the sad thing is, I, as her partner, have been dragged into it as well.

That's right. We have come to understand this.

 

--Everything that has happened up till now is just the prologue for "Hidan no Aria".

 

THE END!!! OF JUST!!! A PROLOGUE!!!





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