I dove into classroom 2-4, but I was still late. First class had already started and everyone but me had taken their seats. The infamous Classic Literature teacher glared at me, pointed to the blackboard and said "use yomikudashibun". That's transcription of Chinese classics into Japanese, and I somehow managed to do the assignment after five attempts.
I had returned to the appearance of a man. While I was running to school my bracelet glowed and my sailor uniform changed into a blazer and pants. Harakiri-tora didn't lie when he said I'd change back automatically, although the change made me feel sick.
I had no idea how Sakura-san was doing, probably answering for her tardiness in a similar way, but her class subject would be mathematics.
Our school was segregated boys and girls didn't share classes, or even the same buildings. I attended Iron Star Academy High School and it was open to boys and girls but wasn't co-ed. Originally it was a girls' school founded before the war. The term 'iron' was not in reference to miners, but to developing strong women. The school catered to teaching girls of privileged families domestic arts.
Ten years ago it began to accept male students. The announced reason doors were opened to male candidates was to 'keep with the times' but most people assumed it was to maintain the level of student fees collected.
Although common to historic schools, opinions of graduates were influential in affecting management. Iron Star Academy did not deviate from that practice.
The OG's (Original Graduates)[1] complained that 'men are cunning, who knows what effect they will have on female students.' Their recommendation was to 'separate the school by sexes at least.' After debate the Board of Directors passed it by a narrow margin. The extensive grounds were divided in two with a fence to separate the girls and boys sections. Passage from one side to the other was closely monitored and rarely allowed. It seemed like 'one hand doesn't know what the other is doing' since information between the sides was severely limited. To further please the OG's and avoid waste they printed the entrance exam in a magazine.
That's the dark history of Iron Star Academy. The legend continues that the initial separation was just a white line on the ground, but the boys crossed the line in droves to visit the girls. Honestly!
Until yesterday there was no confusion that I was male, so I'm enrolled in the boys' academy at Iron Star. Now it seems the future isn't as certain.
The previous class ended at 1:00 and it was time for lunch break. I quickly ate the convenience store onigiri I bought on the way in. With the remaining time I planned to take a quiet nap. Whenever I'm bored a nap is appreciated, and if it helped me pay attention in afternoon classes it was even more advantageous.
I went to the waste basket to discard the wrapper but a classmate was beckoning me. It was the strangely stylish yet immoral Higashida. He was the self-appointed chairman of the Iron Star Beauty Research Club. It was a covert club, not that a club like that could ever be considered official. I had heard that he could 'know a beauty by the sound of her breath,' and that he could actually name the girls walking on the opposite side of a wall. Sounds impressive, but who could confirm his answers?
"Senou, you're being called."
"If it's the teacher, tell him I'm dead."
"No dude," Higashida's voice was hushed. "A girl, a female student."
That woke me up.
The boys' and girls' sections are in separate buildings. The school strongly limits who is allowed to cross between the sides. 'As much as possible, restrict travel between sections.' The academy even has separate main entrances for each section. The only students allowed to freely cross the boundary were student council members and class representatives. Ordinary student needed a permit. The procedure to obtain a permit was complicated and amazingly convoluted. That's not to say there weren't ways for the determined students to find passage. The loopholes were closely guarded secrets that were only given verbally. Large illicit activities based on these exchanges were also rumored to occur.
"A girl?"
"Asking for you."
"Is it Sakura-san?"
"Idiot, it would be big news for Sakura Kaede to visit the boys' side. If she came asking for you, there would be death squads formed to hunt you down."
Sakura-san is one of the two most beautiful girls at Iron Star Academy. Her reputation was stellar, but she had never visited the boys' side. That made her a 'hell of a mystery' to the boys. In addition to Sakura-san the other leading beauty was Student Council President Shizuku Sangou.
"Well, this morning I met Sakura-san."
"Ah, it's true that Sakura-san was late for her first class just like you. Just a miracle of a coincidence."
"Just telling you."
"If you had met an Iron Star Beauty, I would have heard." Higashida oddly puffed his chest out with pride.
"The girl who asked for me?"
"Oh yeah, in the hallway."
Thanks to Higashida I left the class room and discarded my plan for a nap. In the hallway was a girl, standing there she seemed to have no presence about her; very somber, wearing an out of trend hair-band. I wasn't sure but it appeared she wore glasses; I couldn't be sure because she was looking down. The girl and I stood in silence for a while. Although I was called on, she wouldn't talk first.
"Well, you asked for me?"
"... yes..."
The conversation made it that far, then stopped again.
"How did you manage to get here... I wonder."
"Yes..."
"So, what's your name?"
"Oh... oh... I'm a member of the library committee."
"Huh?"
She ignored my confusion and kept talking.
"Since... I'm in the library committee... I'm allowed in the boys' side. The library... deals with both sides of the school."
She noticed that she hadn't answered me and bowed quickly to apologize.
"Oh... Please, I'm sorry... I've been saying strange things... I rarely talk to boys."
This was a pure-hearted and innocent girl. Nervous in front of boys.
"I'm sorry... accept my apology... so sorry..."
She bowed many times.
"Don't go that far," I waved my hand.
I'm not experienced talking to girls, but this was extreme.
"Please don't worry about it, just let me know your name."
"It is..."
"Yes?"
"...Mishima Akane."
"Huh...?"
My mouth hung open so far my jaw almost came loose. Akane's face turned bright red and she looked back at the floor.
Akane and I went to the library. The library is a separate building built on the border between the two halves the school. Since books are shared, the library was unisex. It had guards stationed at both doorways leading to each half of campus. We came here because Akane had said 'the boys' side... makes me anxious.' Since she was used to the library she wouldn't be as nervous there. We sat face-to-face across a wide library table.
Akane was as squirmy as ever. She was probably still getting used to the location, but she began to speak. The conversation turned to the main topic.
"I'm... also a Kämpfer," She said while showing me the bracelet attached to her right arm. "This is a... Bracelet of Oath."
"Yeah, I've heard..."
Page 59
"It's proof... of being Kämpfer."
"I also have one... but..." my mouth dropped and my eyes opened wide, "you're really the girl from this morning?"
"Yes..." Akane's face turned purplish-red, "...that was me."
"You said I had an 'amazingly fat ass' ..."
"Yes..."
"You'd 'kill me.' "
"Yes..."
"Called me a 'bitch.' "
"Yes..."
"You always become that girl when you're a Kämpfer?"
"Yes..."
"...with that personality?"
"Please... do not tease me anymore...!"
Behind her glasses, she was on the verge of tears... ugh, she started crying.
"Please forgive me Senou-san... When I become Kämpfer... I say all sorts of vulgar things without thinking. I'm truly sorry!"
Thanks to Akane kowtowing and choking up crying, we were the center of attention from the surrounding students. I was honestly embarrassed.
"I'm good, I'm good. Don't worry about it, I was just surprised," I reassured her while smiling.
"I become a girl when I change, but I didn't know a Kämpfer could also change personality."
"It's true..." Akane said as she raised her head slightly, still crying. "Even I can't believe it. It's scary to think about... I'm always surprised at what she does..."
I took a harder look at her. If I looked past the timidness and fragile voice, I could just make out the very same vicious dog girl I dealt with that morning.
"Why did you fight me?"
"On my way to school... I suddenly transformed. I looked around... all I saw was Senou-kun and that other girl..."
I also transformed suddenly, but in my case it was after meeting Akane.
"The opponent of a Kämpfer... is a Kämpfer. I did think it was strange that Senou-san was a boy."
"But you suddenly stopped fighting."
"I found out you were a partner."
"Huh, a partner!?"
"Your bracelet, blue means you're my partner."
She held out her arm and her bracelet was the same pale-blue as mine.
"...I shouldn't attack my partner."
"So, what about the enemy?"
"They have bracelets too, only red."
I was impressed, "you know a lot about it."
"Seppuku-kuro-usagi, my Entrails Animal stuffed toy told me."
Apparently I'm not the only one with a moderator's messenger. Her's is also an Entrails Animal. I thought about asking if she liked that type of grotesque series, but I decided to pass. There was a big difference in the amount of information each of our messengers divulged. Harakiri-tora was considerably more tight-lipped.
"How do you transform?"
"If I want to I can transform myself. If there is another Kämpfer in the area I may also transform. In the morning I must have sensed Senou-san."
"How do you get back to normal?"
"When you haven't been fighting," she was shy, but smiled.
Her smile was rather lovely, she was good looking behind her timidness.
I remembered it took a while to return that morning, "how much time does it take to return to normal?"
"Until you learn to change yourself it varies. At first it's very random. It may be five minutes, but one time it took me two days."
Aw crap, that sounds like trouble. I wouldn't be able to go to school, since my tuition only paid for the boys' section.
"Come to think of it, you had a pistol. Do we get weapons?"
"I fight with a 'gun,' Senou-san fights with 'magic.' "
"I don't follow," this was all new to me.
"Item... I fight with a handgun, I can't fight empty-handed. When I transform the item I use is provided. Since Senou-san uses magic no item is needed."
"Oh..." it didn't make me feel any better. It came naturally to me that morning the first time I needed it.
"Seppuku-kuro-usagi told me there are three types of weapons for Kämpfer; 'gun,' 'magic' and 'sword.' "
"Those only." I'd never seen the sword. The only Kämpfer I knew were Akane and myself anyway.
"They're called 'Gewehr' , 'Zauber' and 'Schwert.' They are hard to pronounce since they're German."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. Also 'kämpfer' is German, except the female noun would be 'kämpferin,' but all I hear used is 'kämpfer.' I wonder why though."
Sorry, but I have no knowledge of foreign languages.
"Why do we fight?"
"I don't know either...," Akane is apologetic. "I've asked Seppuku-kuro-usagi, but she wouldn't tell me, no matter how many times I asked."
So, she doesn't know either, same as me. Nobody seems to know, the reason still isn't clear. How many Kämpfer were there? Where were they? There weren't any answers for me. All I could tell was what was put in front of me. If anything comes up it comes up.
Akane looked anxious, "did I say too much...?"
"Huh?"
"I'm sorry, I can be obtrusive, I just say things without thinking..." her face looked tearful again.
I panicked, "oh, I'm really sorry, I just got lost in my own thoughts. Please forgive me."
"That's good..." her face looked relieved. Very different from the expression I saw at gunpoint on the way to school.
"It's just that... that..." she was fidgeting nervously. Probably not because she had to use a bathroom though.
"Se... Senou-san, can you tell me..."
"Yes?"
"Ah, ah... it's the first time I... a Kämpfer and... talking with a boy... well... I want to hear Senou-san's story. I'm sorry!" Akane's face turned bright crimson and she bowed low enough for her hear to rest on the table.
"It's impolite, right? Impolite, right? The first time to meet someone, to ask such a thing. I should be more polite, right? I've been blushing so much because I am not accustomed to talking to boys. It's useless, but I want to talk more, I would like to hear all about you. Please forgive me, I'm so sorry!"
She had talked without even a break to take a breath, there was no way for me to interrupt. Aw crap... she began to cry loudly and buried her face in the desk. I'd watch scenes like this on television, but never in person. I was at a loss at what to do. I was not used to dealing with girls. Students all around were intently watching us. I decided I had to do 'something' to comfort her.
"It's not bad for you to ask. Mishima-san please raise your head."
I'd rather say 'I'm not bad.' I know saying something like that can lead to the opposite effect, like a souvenir from Hokkaido of a carved bear with a salmon in it's mouth[2]
"I'll talk... I'll talk... I'll tell you all about me." I began to talk without waiting for her reply.
I told her about my class: (second year classroom 4), my parents: (transferred to Kumamoto[3]), favorite TV genre: (variety show), grades: (average), future dreams: (none).
While I was telling her this I was thinking that I seemed so average. I made a perfect image of a 'typical high school student' featured in a newspaper. I started explaining the less usual part about my parents moving away for their jobs and letting me stay behind. My insipid story seemed to be interesting to Akane, she was eager to hear more. She stopped crying before long, I was saved.
I also told her about my morning waking up in a woman's body. How Harakiri-tora aggravated me and spoke in the voice of Shizuka-chan[4].
She chuckled when I said 'Shizuka-chan,' "that's funny."
"That I like anime?"
"Not just that. I like anime too."
And she's part of the library committee? I started to loosen up. I tried to think, but I'd never talked so openly to a girl before. It's not as if I had a girlfriend.
"Well, Mishima-san, it's your turn."
"Eh, eh..." Her face turned red again, no more crying, but a bit different then before. "Oh, I... I'm just a somber girl..."
"I doubt that. Start with your class."
"The fourth classroom... in the second year. My favorite subjects are... and I... I... I..." her voice got quieter and quieter.
That didn't seem like a good topic. I'd have to find something easier to answer.
"When did you become Kämpfer?"
"Six months ago, I woke up and opened my eyes. My body was hot and I was holding a big gun that I strangely wanted to shoot. I had a feeling someone would knock at the door and would try to shoot me..."
This is Japan, except for policemen and yakuza, nobody has a gun. It's more likely she'd be shooting at a pedestrian walking by.
"Then Seppuku-kuro-usagi started to speak. 'You are Kämpfer.' " Akane looked embarrassed for some reason.
"Suddenly my gun was in my hand and I wanted to riddle Seppuku-kuro-usagi's belly with bullets."
"I can understand that..." I chimed in, but there was a short pause after.
"I listened to her, and knew somehow it was true, I was Kämpfer. Although that was after I threw Seppuku-kuro-usagi out the window about six times."
That reminded me of tossing Harakiri-tora in the trashcan repeatedly, amazingly similar. Then I asked the most important thing.
"In the last six months have you had to fight other Kämpfer?"
"I..." she looked down slightly again, "I fought with a sword wielding Kämpfer. I thought I won, but it was only a draw. I shouted a lot of vulgar words..."
Sounds like it ended in trash talk. I got a taste of it that morning, so I didn't need to ask for details.
"I always try to find a way to control my language when I become Kämpfer, but it never does any good."
"Maybe that's just the way it works," at my words she paused to listen. "Mishima-san changes personality, I change gender. Maybe it's like a fighting ritual for Kämpfer."
"...like a fighting ritual. Huh..."
Although it seems a bit much for a Kämpfer ritual to turn me into a girl.
"Well, that's what I'm thinking. It's what's needed to turn someone ordinary into extraordinary."
"Transformed to a hero with the desire to defeat villains."
"Are we heroes or villains, and how can we tell?"
That stuffed animal didn't explain anything of importance after all, probably just turned me into a women with no reason. Akane started to look worried for some reason.
"Oh, forget what I just said, I was just thinking out loud."
"It's just that I have similar thoughts."
"Like what, Mishima-san?"
"That..." she hesitated. " 'Akane[5]' is fine, that's what all my classmates call me. Even though I've never been called that... by a man..."
She looked down and started to blush deeply. I thought I should reply quickly.
"Well, 'Natsuru' is good for me also."
"Okay..., Natsuru-san."
I glanced at the clock on the wall. Lunch-break would be over soon.
I stood up, "I'll be heading back."
"I... I'm... usually in the library. If you ever want to talk."
"Sounds great, thanks."
I remembered something Harakiri-tora told me that morning[6].
"Can I ask you for a favor?"
"What's... that...?"
"I want to go out with you."
Akane batted her eyes and turned bright red, "but... Natsuru-san and I... we just met today for the first time..."
"I need to do some shopping and I'd appreciate your help."
Her expression suddenly looked very odd and she slumped her shoulders. What kind of reaction was that!?
"I don't have any girls' clothes, if I can't change back. I need help knowing what to buy."
"I see... If you're satisfied with my help..."
"Please."
Even though Akane was disappointed for some reason, I was greatly relieved. One of my big concerns about this situation would disappear. I still needed food if I didn't want more tsukudani[7]. I glanced at the clock again. My stomach was still empty, but it was time for class. The teacher was already sore at me being late for morning class.
"See you, Akane-chan," I said as I turned to leave.
Suddenly I saw glowing in the corner of my eye. The bracelet on my right arm was flashing, fast! Oh crap, this was... The back of my head was hit by a hard object.
"Yo, ya got some balls, adding 'chan' ta mah name! Ya son of a bitch."
That wasn't Akane's shy voice...
I raised my hands like in western movies. I turned around slowly, praying she didn't shoot. Where Akane had been, I stood at the gunpoint of the vicious dog girl.
"Akane-chan, huh? Who do ya think Ay am, an obese cat lover livin' in a condo?"
I know she didn't like it, but what was she saying? There's no confusing this girl with the normal version.
"You told me to call you that."
Akane wasn't listening, "there are two things that Ay can't stand in this world. One's letting peanut-butter toast fall to da ground, an' da other's when people add 'chan' to ma name! Natsuru, friends are allowed to use ma first name, no honorifics!"
"Friend, or partner?"
"Did ya forget? That bracelet hangin' from ya pale arm is da same color as mine. If ya weren't a friend Ay would have sent you to Hawaii full of lead bullets."
"Of course I know we're partners, but 'friend?' "
"Ay know, but that little voice in ma head keeps whisperin' yer okay. Yer ma partner, yer okay, so yer ma friend. That's all there is to it."
"Guess that's it then." The whispers in my head were telling me to get my phone, call for help and hope someone could save me.
Akane's eyes were in serious vicious dog mode. "Paranoid dickwad, yer thinkin' Ay'm a character outta some Dostoevsky novel, huh? Ya complain and ya'll be missin' everything from the neck up."
"We don't have time for this."
"Ya think Ay'm a fool? Just became Kämpfer if ya wanna fight."
That's true; why had Akane suddenly turned into Kämpfer. If she didn't change herself there must be a reason. I had to make my 'friend' think about it.
"Akane-chan..."
"Ya have a death-wish?"
"Akane... Why did you transform?"
"Huh?"
"Why did you become Kämpfer. Like you said before, there must be someone wanting to fight."
In the library a gust blew, "there's a Kämpfer nearby."
Before I could blink something blurred past my eyes. There was a loud thunk and there was a large dagger embedded deep in the table. Akane's handgun reacted. Her gun looked like it was American Government issue, spitting streams of death. Like hounds seeing a fox, a flock of bullets rushed to find their prey. It sounds poetic, but even if I say so myself, those shots all disappeared somewhere.
"Natsuru, hit the floor!" Akane yelled, as we both fell together to the floor.
"If ya wanna avoid skippin' across the Styx change and get ready ta fight!"
"I refuse!"
"Then Ay'll do it myself!"
I tried to resist but before I knew it I had become a girl, firmly wrapped in a skirt.
The other students in the library were surprised at the sudden firefight. They all ran off wailing loudly. Some of the female students were sobbing, they had fallen over each other trying to escape. They had my pity. I hope they weren't traumatized.
I tried to see what the vicious dog girl was doing, but I was still face-down on the floor. I could hear the gun blasting continuously.
"You have such a thirst for blood. If it's an old man I'm sure he died of shock."
"Hey, let's flush out our target!" Akane looked at me with evil purpose.
"Get yer eyes off the ground and help. Is yer skull full of Baby Star Ramen, ya bastard?"
No my head isn't stuffed with Baby Star Ramen, I'm just an amateur at fighting. Give me a break. I was smart enough not to say that to Akane though. She grabbed my collar and dragged me upright anyway. Man that hurt, what happened to us being 'friends?'
"Natsuru, listen, run over behind that bookshelf over there, Ay'll follow."
It was an encyclopedia shelf covered in dust, with no empty spaces. I suppose it would make a decent shield.
"Run on the count of one... one! Go!"
I tried to jump towards the shelf and my foot slipped. Damn hot-headed girl, don't play at a time like that! I didn't want to get mad at Akane, but that wasn't the time to joke around.
"Ya failed at listenin' to mah count."
"Yeah, I don't want to get sliced."
"Look, we gotta work together to attack the 'sword' Kämpfer."
Was she serious? Akane kept cursing at me. This 'chick' had just became a Kämpfer that morning while Akane had been one for six months. Less than one day compared to 180, her experience made a difference.
"I'm not just worried about a haircut."
"Kill da skirt. Haven't ya taken yer compulsory sword classes?"
"So, what kind of sword is it?"
"Don't know. Ay saw as it flew in front of us; too small ta be a two-handed sword, too big to be a knife. Ya wanna know more, go ask the attacker."
I'd ask, but I haven't seen the attacker yet. Akane's fierce eyes shifted left and right doing reconnaissance like a dog. I tried to follow her example, but had no idea what I was doing.
"Let's get ta work..." She began to count, "one, two, three!"
We dashed at the same time. Our movements weren't full of confidence, but for the distance we had to go it didn't matter. We both dove behind the bookshelf. I ended up underneath Akane. Her stance reminded me of a hunched vicious dog, ready to attack. She was surprisingly light, and soft. No, that was her considerable chest. She had a lovely scent to her. Because we were both wearing skirts our bare legs got firmly entangled. I hadn't been thinking like that for even half a second, but Akane's fierce burgundy eyes glared at me.
"Hey, ya lookin' at me like a lesbian. The way ya were picturin' me in yer head, try picturin' yer'self bein' killed."
Uh, no, I want to live. I followed the warnings and decided to look away from Akane's body. 'Clang... clang...' a metallic sound rang out.
Akane chuckled, "our opponent's weapon can't get through. These books are tough."
Books were heavier than they appeared, even more so for thick encyclopedia volumes. The shelf was sturdy steel designed to support a heavy load. It made the perfect shield.
"Ready to counterattack, my lesbian buddy?"
When was I promoted from partner to 'buddy?' Hey, hope she knows I'm not really a lesbian.
"You say counterattack, but where's the enemy?" I gingerly looked through a crack between volumes. I could only see dust dancing, not a chance of seeing our enemy.
"Hiding like a cancer. We gotta treat it the same way."
"So, how's this counterattack going to work?"
"Buddy, that's where yer needed." Akane looked down towards me and grinned as she approached. "Perfect plan. Ya run out from hidin', enemy attacks, Ay counterattack."
"Is that your plan?"
"Either that or ya suck on mah gun like it's a honeycomb..."
"Okay, guess I'll go!" I had been volunteered to become a decoy. Perfect plan my ass, the way things were looking, my role would be to get chopped up.
Akane was impatient and getting angry, "yer thin, ya'll make it one way or another."
"You probably won't take responsibility for me if I die."
"Ay'll be responsible for makin' ya die if ya don't go." She put both hands over my mouth as I was about to scream, stupid aggressive girl. "It's da end of da discussion."
"You call that a discussion?"
"Bastard, ya got magic. Ya got speed. Find a place that ya can defend and leave da enemy ta me." Akane smiled, "Ay'm countin' on ya buddy."
I was puzzled by her smile. She is truly lovely when she smiles. Deceived by that smile I crawled to the edge of the shelves. Still no sign of the enemy.
"Akane, give me a signal when I should run."
"Go whenever ya want. Ya'll manage, somehow."
Her smile and words didn't match, another thought crossed my mind. The timing to run out without getting hit only works if someone is looking for enemy fire. Maybe my 'magic' could deflect the knife. Hmm, my mind was pondering, by the counter argument was staring at me from much closer. If Akane wasn't overly concerned I have to match her resolve.
I took a breath and prepared, "I'll go."
"Go quickly!"
I kicked off the floor and left the cover of the shelves. At the same time I thought what is my 'trigger' for my 'magic?' I had no idea. First the vicious dog girl says whatever words would get me to go, then I foolishly rush into the decision to go. Turns out I didn't have to worry, the enemy wasn't attacking me.
Then I saw the gleam of the shiny blade right behind me; I had been ignored. The enemy saw through my decoy attempt. The blade continued past me. As I had thought, the enemy's weapon was a dirk; a long dagger or a short sword. There was no doubt, I saw it clearly, I bet Akane saw it as well. There were two dirks, attached to chains. I saw them freely moving like snakes, but the enemy remained invisible. The enemy Kämpfer manipulated them safely from a distance. All I heard were metallic sounds as the blades cut through the steel bookshelf with ease and it started to collapse on Akane. Crap! I turned and pulled her hand before it fell on her. One dirk turned and pointed at us, Akane fired and the blade was deflected. It withdrew into the distance.
"Lick-a-bitch!" Akane said as she spit out blood. Had her mouth been cut? "Ay'm patient, Ay'll send 'em to da netherworld!"
"We'll be the ones dying if we don't find the enemy."
"Next time execute dat motherfscker like Ceaușescu[8]! Got it?"
A dirk flew at us again, we crouched and it grazed us.
"Da enemy heard and reacted."
"Was Ceaușescu disliked?"
"An enemy of science, just like Gihren Zabi[9] shot in the back of the head."
"But does that mean..." I suddenly saw a foot at the edge of my vision.
Akane's gun turned as fast as my gaze. Standing next to that partially destroyed bookshelf was Sakura-san. Why was she here?
Akane yelled, "it's the motherfscker."
Just like that morning, Sakura-san was under gunpoint.
"...playin' with us eh? This time ya'll playfully die!"
Akane was on the verge of pulling the trigger. I grabbed Sakura-san's arm and pulled her out of the way while Akane showered bullets at us. I held tight to Sakura-san and rolled on the floor.
"Akane stop!"
"Ya pumpkin head! She's da enemy!"
"Who's the pumpkin!? Sakura-san isn't a Kämpfer!"
Akane's angry eyes softened slightly.
"Say what?"
"She doesn't have any weapons. She's a normal person."
"Maybe she dropped 'em."
"That doesn't make sense."
From above both blades flew at us. We quickly jumped out of the way. They left a hole in the floor then retracted to the distance, not to Sakura-san's hands.
"See."
"...crap!" Akane was frustrated and turned the other way.
"Look how scared she looks, is that the face of an enemy?"
"Da chains are comin' from further away."
It was true, it seemed to be coming from just outside the doorway. Aiming for our hiding spot, but staying invisible. Akane was getting more grumpy.
"Tell dat Kaede whore ta stay outta da way when Ay'm fightin' Kämpfer!"
Hey hey, why are you calling her a whore? Sakura-san's face was pale. I tried to calm her mood.
"Why are you here Sakura-san?"
"... oh... I had to look up some references in the library... There was a terrible sound and I tried to escape, but couldn't get past."
What bad luck to be caught in the middle of Kämpfer fighting twice in one day, both times involved me.
"Even if she was a doddering ol' hag, she's dead if she get in da way again!" Akane's rage wasn't lessening, she was full of hostility.
I started to confront her and got her gun's muzzle between my eyebrows, so I quickly stopped.
"Dat's right, back off."
"I'm not backing off. I'll vouch for Kaede, if she gets in your way again, take the punishment out on me."
This girl, even if she and one man were the last people on the planet she would turn them into enemies. She would try to push her way through a scrum[10] line of policemen.
"Yo Natsuru, talkin' back ain't in yer nature. What ya think ya are, my husband?"
"Not a chance in the world, unless by gunpoint."
"Al'right, but I get ta shoot ya if she bothers me?"
"Whatever, just leave her alone."
"Yer lucky, Kaede survives, for now."
Akane's eyes had a dull glow. Is she serious? Just when it appeared that she was about to fire at me a dirk came between a gap between books. I pushed Sakura-san out of the way. The blade nearly grazed her neck. Akane opened fired as I rolled out of the way. By the time I twisted around to look the dirk had disappeared. Dangerous! I was almost skewered and sold as a new style of kebab.
"Damn it, so annoying!" Akane had turned her wrath from Sakura-san to the invisible enemy. "Yer gonna have a face full a holes so yer brain can cool off! Natsuru, yer silly girl over there sprung a leak."
I looked, but she wasn't 'leaking,' she had fainted from the sudden volley of bullets fired by the vicious dog girl. She had crumbled to the floor, unconscious, still as death before my eyes.
"Pinch 'er and see if she's dead."
No, fainting is a normal reaction, your nerves are just too thick. Mine must be too, my head was calm as if nothing was happening. Another byproduct of the Kämpfer transformation?
Kin-Kon, Kan-Kon The end of lunch bell sounded.
"Crap, Ay'm gonna be late," Akane lamented.
"You're serious?"
"Of course, even tho' Ay may seem like a meek girl, Ay love ta study, despite my looks."
"Even with a foul mouth?"
"Hey, Ay'll miss class at this rate!" Akane pointed the gun at me again. I knew my comment was risky.
"Hey, just so ya know Ay'm an honor student."
"Unfortunately, I think you're going to be late. I gave up trying after I was late three times."
"Don't be proud 'a that."
"I'm not a 'good' boy, it's my way of not standing out in class."
We both paused and fell silent. We listened but there was no sound of the enemy. Even though the attacks weren't constant, the gaps never had lasted this long. No sound of dirks cutting through the air or chains snaking along.
"The attack stopped..."
Akane said, "no sign of 'em."
"That's a first."
"We're not done, where'd ya go?"
I didn't answer, there was no way to know. After a short time we both got up and came out from our cover. It was a gamble, but sure enough there was no attack.
"Our enemy is gone."
"Sounds like cold feet ta me."
"I'm not so sure."
"What did ya say?"
The enemy had been calm and didn't even fall for my decoy attempt. I don't think we had the upper hand. There must have been a reason to call off the attack.
Akane was kicking the floor of the library, "late ta class and didn't get anything ta eat."
I wasn't too worried about being late. I didn't have a perfect attendance to maintain. Suddenly a thought came to mind.
"Hey Akane, maybe our enemy in an honor student."
"Yeah? Why would ya say that?"
"Seeing how much you're worried about it, maybe the enemy didn't want to be late either."
"Same as me?... Ya think our enemy's an honor student at Iron Star?"
"Well, it's a thought." I was guessing of course, there was no evidence. Somehow my intuition led me to think I was right. Another power of being Kämpfer?
"Ay'm headin' back to da women's section. Natsuru, yer on yer own."
"I'll go home, but what about Sakura-san?"
She was still passed out on the floor.
Akane was pretending to pick her ear, "don't make a woman do strenuous work. You can carry her."
"But I'm a woman now too."
"Just words, yer bad-ass enough to handle 'er."
"You're just complaining to get out of it."
"Ay'm a white-collar worker."
I was about to say, 'you and me both' but I said hello to her gun's muzzle instead.
"Physical labor is a man's work, right?"
The pistol was more convincing than any words that could pass my lips. I accepted without hesitation.
She clucked her tongue and stored the dirk in her cuff. The chain and other dirk were put away silently. She checked her left wrist, it was already time.
"...can't be late!"
Any good student hates to miss classes. Being a good student doesn't just mean living up to the image, it also means denying yourself of fun to avoid a bad reputation. Her hand slapped a table and dust flew up. The library was in a sad shape. She hated harming the books, but it was worth it. Besides, she could get the budget committee to buy new books.
While walking calmly to her next class at Iron Star Academy she brushed her school uniform and made sure it was perfect. Just before the teacher came through the door she sat at her desk.
I dove into classroom 2-4, but I was still late. First class had already started and everyone but me had taken their seats. The infamous Classic Literature teacher glared at me, pointed to the blackboard and said "use yomikudashibun". That's transcription of Chinese classics into Japanese, and I somehow managed to do the assignment after five attempts.
I had returned to the appearance of a man. While I was running to school my bracelet glowed and my sailor uniform changed into a blazer and pants. Harakiri-tora didn't lie when he said I'd change back automatically, although the change made me feel sick.
I had no idea how Sakura-san was doing, probably answering for her tardiness in a similar way, but her class subject would be mathematics.
Our school was segregated boys and girls didn't share classes, or even the same buildings. I attended Iron Star Academy High School and it was open to boys and girls but wasn't co-ed. Originally it was a girls' school founded before the war. The term 'iron' was not in reference to miners, but to developing strong women. The school catered to teaching girls of privileged families domestic arts.
Ten years ago it began to accept male students. The announced reason doors were opened to male candidates was to 'keep with the times' but most people assumed it was to maintain the level of student fees collected.
Although common to historic schools, opinions of graduates were influential in affecting management. Iron Star Academy did not deviate from that practice.
The OG's (Original Graduates)[1] complained that 'men are cunning, who knows what effect they will have on female students.' Their recommendation was to 'separate the school by sexes at least.' After debate the Board of Directors passed it by a narrow margin. The extensive grounds were divided in two with a fence to separate the girls and boys sections. Passage from one side to the other was closely monitored and rarely allowed. It seemed like 'one hand doesn't know what the other is doing' since information between the sides was severely limited. To further please the OG's and avoid waste they printed the entrance exam in a magazine.
That's the dark history of Iron Star Academy. The legend continues that the initial separation was just a white line on the ground, but the boys crossed the line in droves to visit the girls. Honestly!
Until yesterday there was no confusion that I was male, so I'm enrolled in the boys' academy at Iron Star. Now it seems the future isn't as certain.
The previous class ended at 1:00 and it was time for lunch break. I quickly ate the convenience store onigiri I bought on the way in. With the remaining time I planned to take a quiet nap. Whenever I'm bored a nap is appreciated, and if it helped me pay attention in afternoon classes it was even more advantageous.
I went to the waste basket to discard the wrapper but a classmate was beckoning me. It was the strangely stylish yet immoral Higashida. He was the self-appointed chairman of the Iron Star Beauty Research Club. It was a covert club, not that a club like that could ever be considered official. I had heard that he could 'know a beauty by the sound of her breath,' and that he could actually name the girls walking on the opposite side of a wall. Sounds impressive, but who could confirm his answers?
"Senou, you're being called."
"If it's the teacher, tell him I'm dead."
"No dude," Higashida's voice was hushed. "A girl, a female student."
That woke me up.
The boys' and girls' sections are in separate buildings. The school strongly limits who is allowed to cross between the sides. 'As much as possible, restrict travel between sections.' The academy even has separate main entrances for each section. The only students allowed to freely cross the boundary were student council members and class representatives. Ordinary student needed a permit. The procedure to obtain a permit was complicated and amazingly convoluted. That's not to say there weren't ways for the determined students to find passage. The loopholes were closely guarded secrets that were only given verbally. Large illicit activities based on these exchanges were also rumored to occur.
"A girl?"
"Asking for you."
"Is it Sakura-san?"
"Idiot, it would be big news for Sakura Kaede to visit the boys' side. If she came asking for you, there would be death squads formed to hunt you down."
Sakura-san is one of the two most beautiful girls at Iron Star Academy. Her reputation was stellar, but she had never visited the boys' side. That made her a 'hell of a mystery' to the boys. In addition to Sakura-san the other leading beauty was Student Council President Shizuku Sangou.
"Well, this morning I met Sakura-san."
"Ah, it's true that Sakura-san was late for her first class just like you. Just a miracle of a coincidence."
"Just telling you."
"If you had met an Iron Star Beauty, I would have heard." Higashida oddly puffed his chest out with pride.
"The girl who asked for me?"
"Oh yeah, in the hallway."
Thanks to Higashida I left the class room and discarded my plan for a nap. In the hallway was a girl, standing there she seemed to have no presence about her; very somber, wearing an out of trend hair-band. I wasn't sure but it appeared she wore glasses; I couldn't be sure because she was looking down. The girl and I stood in silence for a while. Although I was called on, she wouldn't talk first.
"Well, you asked for me?"
"... yes..."
The conversation made it that far, then stopped again.
"How did you manage to get here... I wonder."
"Yes..."
"So, what's your name?"
"Oh... oh... I'm a member of the library committee."
"Huh?"
She ignored my confusion and kept talking.
"Since... I'm in the library committee... I'm allowed in the boys' side. The library... deals with both sides of the school."
She noticed that she hadn't answered me and bowed quickly to apologize.
"Oh... Please, I'm sorry... I've been saying strange things... I rarely talk to boys."
This was a pure-hearted and innocent girl. Nervous in front of boys.
"I'm sorry... accept my apology... so sorry..."
She bowed many times.
"Don't go that far," I waved my hand.
I'm not experienced talking to girls, but this was extreme.
"Please don't worry about it, just let me know your name."
"It is..."
"Yes?"
"...Mishima Akane."
"Huh...?"
My mouth hung open so far my jaw almost came loose. Akane's face turned bright red and she looked back at the floor.
Akane and I went to the library. The library is a separate building built on the border between the two halves the school. Since books are shared, the library was unisex. It had guards stationed at both doorways leading to each half of campus. We came here because Akane had said 'the boys' side... makes me anxious.' Since she was used to the library she wouldn't be as nervous there. We sat face-to-face across a wide library table.
Akane was as squirmy as ever. She was probably still getting used to the location, but she began to speak. The conversation turned to the main topic.
"I'm... also a Kämpfer," She said while showing me the bracelet attached to her right arm. "This is a... Bracelet of Oath."
"Yeah, I've heard..."
Page 59
"It's proof... of being Kämpfer."
"I also have one... but..." my mouth dropped and my eyes opened wide, "you're really the girl from this morning?"
"Yes..." Akane's face turned purplish-red, "...that was me."
"You said I had an 'amazingly fat ass' ..."
"Yes..."
"You'd 'kill me.' "
"Yes..."
"Called me a 'bitch.' "
"Yes..."
"You always become that girl when you're a Kämpfer?"
"Yes..."
"...with that personality?"
"Please... do not tease me anymore...!"
Behind her glasses, she was on the verge of tears... ugh, she started crying.
"Please forgive me Senou-san... When I become Kämpfer... I say all sorts of vulgar things without thinking. I'm truly sorry!"
Thanks to Akane kowtowing and choking up crying, we were the center of attention from the surrounding students. I was honestly embarrassed.
"I'm good, I'm good. Don't worry about it, I was just surprised," I reassured her while smiling.
"I become a girl when I change, but I didn't know a Kämpfer could also change personality."
"It's true..." Akane said as she raised her head slightly, still crying. "Even I can't believe it. It's scary to think about... I'm always surprised at what she does..."
I took a harder look at her. If I looked past the timidness and fragile voice, I could just make out the very same vicious dog girl I dealt with that morning.
"Why did you fight me?"
"On my way to school... I suddenly transformed. I looked around... all I saw was Senou-kun and that other girl..."
I also transformed suddenly, but in my case it was after meeting Akane.
"The opponent of a Kämpfer... is a Kämpfer. I did think it was strange that Senou-san was a boy."
"But you suddenly stopped fighting."
"I found out you were a partner."
"Huh, a partner!?"
"Your bracelet, blue means you're my partner."
She held out her arm and her bracelet was the same pale-blue as mine.
"...I shouldn't attack my partner."
"So, what about the enemy?"
"They have bracelets too, only red."
I was impressed, "you know a lot about it."
"Seppuku-kuro-usagi, my Entrails Animal stuffed toy told me."
Apparently I'm not the only one with a moderator's messenger. Her's is also an Entrails Animal. I thought about asking if she liked that type of grotesque series, but I decided to pass. There was a big difference in the amount of information each of our messengers divulged. Harakiri-tora was considerably more tight-lipped.
"How do you transform?"
"If I want to I can transform myself. If there is another Kämpfer in the area I may also transform. In the morning I must have sensed Senou-san."
"How do you get back to normal?"
"When you haven't been fighting," she was shy, but smiled.
Her smile was rather lovely, she was good looking behind her timidness.
I remembered it took a while to return that morning, "how much time does it take to return to normal?"
"Until you learn to change yourself it varies. At first it's very random. It may be five minutes, but one time it took me two days."
Aw crap, that sounds like trouble. I wouldn't be able to go to school, since my tuition only paid for the boys' section.
"Come to think of it, you had a pistol. Do we get weapons?"
"I fight with a 'gun,' Senou-san fights with 'magic.' "
"I don't follow," this was all new to me.
"Item... I fight with a handgun, I can't fight empty-handed. When I transform the item I use is provided. Since Senou-san uses magic no item is needed."
"Oh..." it didn't make me feel any better. It came naturally to me that morning the first time I needed it.
"Seppuku-kuro-usagi told me there are three types of weapons for Kämpfer; 'gun,' 'magic' and 'sword.' "
"Those only." I'd never seen the sword. The only Kämpfer I knew were Akane and myself anyway.
"They're called 'Gewehr' , 'Zauber' and 'Schwert.' They are hard to pronounce since they're German."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. Also 'kämpfer' is German, except the female noun would be 'kämpferin,' but all I hear used is 'kämpfer.' I wonder why though."
Sorry, but I have no knowledge of foreign languages.
"Why do we fight?"
"I don't know either...," Akane is apologetic. "I've asked Seppuku-kuro-usagi, but she wouldn't tell me, no matter how many times I asked."
So, she doesn't know either, same as me. Nobody seems to know, the reason still isn't clear. How many Kämpfer were there? Where were they? There weren't any answers for me. All I could tell was what was put in front of me. If anything comes up it comes up.
Akane looked anxious, "did I say too much...?"
"Huh?"
"I'm sorry, I can be obtrusive, I just say things without thinking..." her face looked tearful again.
I panicked, "oh, I'm really sorry, I just got lost in my own thoughts. Please forgive me."
"That's good..." her face looked relieved. Very different from the expression I saw at gunpoint on the way to school.
"It's just that... that..." she was fidgeting nervously. Probably not because she had to use a bathroom though.
"Se... Senou-san, can you tell me..."
"Yes?"
"Ah, ah... it's the first time I... a Kämpfer and... talking with a boy... well... I want to hear Senou-san's story. I'm sorry!" Akane's face turned bright crimson and she bowed low enough for her hear to rest on the table.
"It's impolite, right? Impolite, right? The first time to meet someone, to ask such a thing. I should be more polite, right? I've been blushing so much because I am not accustomed to talking to boys. It's useless, but I want to talk more, I would like to hear all about you. Please forgive me, I'm so sorry!"
She had talked without even a break to take a breath, there was no way for me to interrupt. Aw crap... she began to cry loudly and buried her face in the desk. I'd watch scenes like this on television, but never in person. I was at a loss at what to do. I was not used to dealing with girls. Students all around were intently watching us. I decided I had to do 'something' to comfort her.
"It's not bad for you to ask. Mishima-san please raise your head."
I'd rather say 'I'm not bad.' I know saying something like that can lead to the opposite effect, like a souvenir from Hokkaido of a carved bear with a salmon in it's mouth[2]
"I'll talk... I'll talk... I'll tell you all about me." I began to talk without waiting for her reply.
I told her about my class: (second year classroom 4), my parents: (transferred to Kumamoto[3]), favorite TV genre: (variety show), grades: (average), future dreams: (none).
While I was telling her this I was thinking that I seemed so average. I made a perfect image of a 'typical high school student' featured in a newspaper. I started explaining the less usual part about my parents moving away for their jobs and letting me stay behind. My insipid story seemed to be interesting to Akane, she was eager to hear more. She stopped crying before long, I was saved.
I also told her about my morning waking up in a woman's body. How Harakiri-tora aggravated me and spoke in the voice of Shizuka-chan[4].
She chuckled when I said 'Shizuka-chan,' "that's funny."
"That I like anime?"
"Not just that. I like anime too."
And she's part of the library committee? I started to loosen up. I tried to think, but I'd never talked so openly to a girl before. It's not as if I had a girlfriend.
"Well, Mishima-san, it's your turn."
"Eh, eh..." Her face turned red again, no more crying, but a bit different then before. "Oh, I... I'm just a somber girl..."
"I doubt that. Start with your class."
"The fourth classroom... in the second year. My favorite subjects are... and I... I... I..." her voice got quieter and quieter.
That didn't seem like a good topic. I'd have to find something easier to answer.
"When did you become Kämpfer?"
"Six months ago, I woke up and opened my eyes. My body was hot and I was holding a big gun that I strangely wanted to shoot. I had a feeling someone would knock at the door and would try to shoot me..."
This is Japan, except for policemen and yakuza, nobody has a gun. It's more likely she'd be shooting at a pedestrian walking by.
"Then Seppuku-kuro-usagi started to speak. 'You are Kämpfer.' " Akane looked embarrassed for some reason.
"Suddenly my gun was in my hand and I wanted to riddle Seppuku-kuro-usagi's belly with bullets."
"I can understand that..." I chimed in, but there was a short pause after.
"I listened to her, and knew somehow it was true, I was Kämpfer. Although that was after I threw Seppuku-kuro-usagi out the window about six times."
That reminded me of tossing Harakiri-tora in the trashcan repeatedly, amazingly similar. Then I asked the most important thing.
"In the last six months have you had to fight other Kämpfer?"
"I..." she looked down slightly again, "I fought with a sword wielding Kämpfer. I thought I won, but it was only a draw. I shouted a lot of vulgar words..."
Sounds like it ended in trash talk. I got a taste of it that morning, so I didn't need to ask for details.
"I always try to find a way to control my language when I become Kämpfer, but it never does any good."
"Maybe that's just the way it works," at my words she paused to listen. "Mishima-san changes personality, I change gender. Maybe it's like a fighting ritual for Kämpfer."
"...like a fighting ritual. Huh..."
Although it seems a bit much for a Kämpfer ritual to turn me into a girl.
"Well, that's what I'm thinking. It's what's needed to turn someone ordinary into extraordinary."
"Transformed to a hero with the desire to defeat villains."
"Are we heroes or villains, and how can we tell?"
That stuffed animal didn't explain anything of importance after all, probably just turned me into a women with no reason. Akane started to look worried for some reason.
"Oh, forget what I just said, I was just thinking out loud."
"It's just that I have similar thoughts."
"Like what, Mishima-san?"
"That..." she hesitated. " 'Akane[5]' is fine, that's what all my classmates call me. Even though I've never been called that... by a man..."
She looked down and started to blush deeply. I thought I should reply quickly.
"Well, 'Natsuru' is good for me also."
"Okay..., Natsuru-san."
I glanced at the clock on the wall. Lunch-break would be over soon.
I stood up, "I'll be heading back."
"I... I'm... usually in the library. If you ever want to talk."
"Sounds great, thanks."
I remembered something Harakiri-tora told me that morning[6].
"Can I ask you for a favor?"
"What's... that...?"
"I want to go out with you."
Akane batted her eyes and turned bright red, "but... Natsuru-san and I... we just met today for the first time..."
"I need to do some shopping and I'd appreciate your help."
Her expression suddenly looked very odd and she slumped her shoulders. What kind of reaction was that!?
"I don't have any girls' clothes, if I can't change back. I need help knowing what to buy."
"I see... If you're satisfied with my help..."
"Please."
Even though Akane was disappointed for some reason, I was greatly relieved. One of my big concerns about this situation would disappear. I still needed food if I didn't want more tsukudani[7]. I glanced at the clock again. My stomach was still empty, but it was time for class. The teacher was already sore at me being late for morning class.
"See you, Akane-chan," I said as I turned to leave.
Suddenly I saw glowing in the corner of my eye. The bracelet on my right arm was flashing, fast! Oh crap, this was... The back of my head was hit by a hard object.
"Yo, ya got some balls, adding 'chan' ta mah name! Ya son of a bitch."
That wasn't Akane's shy voice...
I raised my hands like in western movies. I turned around slowly, praying she didn't shoot. Where Akane had been, I stood at the gunpoint of the vicious dog girl.
"Akane-chan, huh? Who do ya think Ay am, an obese cat lover livin' in a condo?"
I know she didn't like it, but what was she saying? There's no confusing this girl with the normal version.
"You told me to call you that."
Akane wasn't listening, "there are two things that Ay can't stand in this world. One's letting peanut-butter toast fall to da ground, an' da other's when people add 'chan' to ma name! Natsuru, friends are allowed to use ma first name, no honorifics!"
"Friend, or partner?"
"Did ya forget? That bracelet hangin' from ya pale arm is da same color as mine. If ya weren't a friend Ay would have sent you to Hawaii full of lead bullets."
"Of course I know we're partners, but 'friend?' "
"Ay know, but that little voice in ma head keeps whisperin' yer okay. Yer ma partner, yer okay, so yer ma friend. That's all there is to it."
"Guess that's it then." The whispers in my head were telling me to get my phone, call for help and hope someone could save me.
Akane's eyes were in serious vicious dog mode. "Paranoid dickwad, yer thinkin' Ay'm a character outta some Dostoevsky novel, huh? Ya complain and ya'll be missin' everything from the neck up."
"We don't have time for this."
"Ya think Ay'm a fool? Just became Kämpfer if ya wanna fight."
That's true; why had Akane suddenly turned into Kämpfer. If she didn't change herself there must be a reason. I had to make my 'friend' think about it.
"Akane-chan..."
"Ya have a death-wish?"
"Akane... Why did you transform?"
"Huh?"
"Why did you become Kämpfer. Like you said before, there must be someone wanting to fight."
In the library a gust blew, "there's a Kämpfer nearby."
Before I could blink something blurred past my eyes. There was a loud thunk and there was a large dagger embedded deep in the table. Akane's handgun reacted. Her gun looked like it was American Government issue, spitting streams of death. Like hounds seeing a fox, a flock of bullets rushed to find their prey. It sounds poetic, but even if I say so myself, those shots all disappeared somewhere.
"Natsuru, hit the floor!" Akane yelled, as we both fell together to the floor.
"If ya wanna avoid skippin' across the Styx change and get ready ta fight!"
"I refuse!"
"Then Ay'll do it myself!"
I tried to resist but before I knew it I had become a girl, firmly wrapped in a skirt.
The other students in the library were surprised at the sudden firefight. They all ran off wailing loudly. Some of the female students were sobbing, they had fallen over each other trying to escape. They had my pity. I hope they weren't traumatized.
I tried to see what the vicious dog girl was doing, but I was still face-down on the floor. I could hear the gun blasting continuously.
"You have such a thirst for blood. If it's an old man I'm sure he died of shock."
"Hey, let's flush out our target!" Akane looked at me with evil purpose.
"Get yer eyes off the ground and help. Is yer skull full of Baby Star Ramen, ya bastard?"
No my head isn't stuffed with Baby Star Ramen, I'm just an amateur at fighting. Give me a break. I was smart enough not to say that to Akane though. She grabbed my collar and dragged me upright anyway. Man that hurt, what happened to us being 'friends?'
"Natsuru, listen, run over behind that bookshelf over there, Ay'll follow."
It was an encyclopedia shelf covered in dust, with no empty spaces. I suppose it would make a decent shield.
"Run on the count of one... one! Go!"
I tried to jump towards the shelf and my foot slipped. Damn hot-headed girl, don't play at a time like that! I didn't want to get mad at Akane, but that wasn't the time to joke around.
"Ya failed at listenin' to mah count."
"Yeah, I don't want to get sliced."
"Look, we gotta work together to attack the 'sword' Kämpfer."
Was she serious? Akane kept cursing at me. This 'chick' had just became a Kämpfer that morning while Akane had been one for six months. Less than one day compared to 180, her experience made a difference.
"I'm not just worried about a haircut."
"Kill da skirt. Haven't ya taken yer compulsory sword classes?"
"So, what kind of sword is it?"
"Don't know. Ay saw as it flew in front of us; too small ta be a two-handed sword, too big to be a knife. Ya wanna know more, go ask the attacker."
I'd ask, but I haven't seen the attacker yet. Akane's fierce eyes shifted left and right doing reconnaissance like a dog. I tried to follow her example, but had no idea what I was doing.
"Let's get ta work..." She began to count, "one, two, three!"
We dashed at the same time. Our movements weren't full of confidence, but for the distance we had to go it didn't matter. We both dove behind the bookshelf. I ended up underneath Akane. Her stance reminded me of a hunched vicious dog, ready to attack. She was surprisingly light, and soft. No, that was her considerable chest. She had a lovely scent to her. Because we were both wearing skirts our bare legs got firmly entangled. I hadn't been thinking like that for even half a second, but Akane's fierce burgundy eyes glared at me.
"Hey, ya lookin' at me like a lesbian. The way ya were picturin' me in yer head, try picturin' yer'self bein' killed."
Uh, no, I want to live. I followed the warnings and decided to look away from Akane's body. 'Clang... clang...' a metallic sound rang out.
Akane chuckled, "our opponent's weapon can't get through. These books are tough."
Books were heavier than they appeared, even more so for thick encyclopedia volumes. The shelf was sturdy steel designed to support a heavy load. It made the perfect shield.
"Ready to counterattack, my lesbian buddy?"
When was I promoted from partner to 'buddy?' Hey, hope she knows I'm not really a lesbian.
"You say counterattack, but where's the enemy?" I gingerly looked through a crack between volumes. I could only see dust dancing, not a chance of seeing our enemy.
"Hiding like a cancer. We gotta treat it the same way."
"So, how's this counterattack going to work?"
"Buddy, that's where yer needed." Akane looked down towards me and grinned as she approached. "Perfect plan. Ya run out from hidin', enemy attacks, Ay counterattack."
"Is that your plan?"
"Either that or ya suck on mah gun like it's a honeycomb..."
"Okay, guess I'll go!" I had been volunteered to become a decoy. Perfect plan my ass, the way things were looking, my role would be to get chopped up.
Akane was impatient and getting angry, "yer thin, ya'll make it one way or another."
"You probably won't take responsibility for me if I die."
"Ay'll be responsible for makin' ya die if ya don't go." She put both hands over my mouth as I was about to scream, stupid aggressive girl. "It's da end of da discussion."
"You call that a discussion?"
"Bastard, ya got magic. Ya got speed. Find a place that ya can defend and leave da enemy ta me." Akane smiled, "Ay'm countin' on ya buddy."
I was puzzled by her smile. She is truly lovely when she smiles. Deceived by that smile I crawled to the edge of the shelves. Still no sign of the enemy.
"Akane, give me a signal when I should run."
"Go whenever ya want. Ya'll manage, somehow."
Her smile and words didn't match, another thought crossed my mind. The timing to run out without getting hit only works if someone is looking for enemy fire. Maybe my 'magic' could deflect the knife. Hmm, my mind was pondering, by the counter argument was staring at me from much closer. If Akane wasn't overly concerned I have to match her resolve.
I took a breath and prepared, "I'll go."
"Go quickly!"
I kicked off the floor and left the cover of the shelves. At the same time I thought what is my 'trigger' for my 'magic?' I had no idea. First the vicious dog girl says whatever words would get me to go, then I foolishly rush into the decision to go. Turns out I didn't have to worry, the enemy wasn't attacking me.
Then I saw the gleam of the shiny blade right behind me; I had been ignored. The enemy saw through my decoy attempt. The blade continued past me. As I had thought, the enemy's weapon was a dirk; a long dagger or a short sword. There was no doubt, I saw it clearly, I bet Akane saw it as well. There were two dirks, attached to chains. I saw them freely moving like snakes, but the enemy remained invisible. The enemy Kämpfer manipulated them safely from a distance. All I heard were metallic sounds as the blades cut through the steel bookshelf with ease and it started to collapse on Akane. Crap! I turned and pulled her hand before it fell on her. One dirk turned and pointed at us, Akane fired and the blade was deflected. It withdrew into the distance.
"Lick-a-bitch!" Akane said as she spit out blood. Had her mouth been cut? "Ay'm patient, Ay'll send 'em to da netherworld!"
"We'll be the ones dying if we don't find the enemy."
"Next time execute dat motherfscker like Ceaușescu[8]! Got it?"
A dirk flew at us again, we crouched and it grazed us.
"Da enemy heard and reacted."
"Was Ceaușescu disliked?"
"An enemy of science, just like Gihren Zabi[9] shot in the back of the head."
"But does that mean..." I suddenly saw a foot at the edge of my vision.
Akane's gun turned as fast as my gaze. Standing next to that partially destroyed bookshelf was Sakura-san. Why was she here?
Akane yelled, "it's the motherfscker."
Just like that morning, Sakura-san was under gunpoint.
"...playin' with us eh? This time ya'll playfully die!"
Akane was on the verge of pulling the trigger. I grabbed Sakura-san's arm and pulled her out of the way while Akane showered bullets at us. I held tight to Sakura-san and rolled on the floor.
"Akane stop!"
"Ya pumpkin head! She's da enemy!"
"Who's the pumpkin!? Sakura-san isn't a Kämpfer!"
Akane's angry eyes softened slightly.
"Say what?"
"She doesn't have any weapons. She's a normal person."
"Maybe she dropped 'em."
"That doesn't make sense."
From above both blades flew at us. We quickly jumped out of the way. They left a hole in the floor then retracted to the distance, not to Sakura-san's hands.
"See."
"...crap!" Akane was frustrated and turned the other way.
"Look how scared she looks, is that the face of an enemy?"
"Da chains are comin' from further away."
It was true, it seemed to be coming from just outside the doorway. Aiming for our hiding spot, but staying invisible. Akane was getting more grumpy.
"Tell dat Kaede whore ta stay outta da way when Ay'm fightin' Kämpfer!"
Hey hey, why are you calling her a whore? Sakura-san's face was pale. I tried to calm her mood.
"Why are you here Sakura-san?"
"... oh... I had to look up some references in the library... There was a terrible sound and I tried to escape, but couldn't get past."
What bad luck to be caught in the middle of Kämpfer fighting twice in one day, both times involved me.
"Even if she was a doddering ol' hag, she's dead if she get in da way again!" Akane's rage wasn't lessening, she was full of hostility.
I started to confront her and got her gun's muzzle between my eyebrows, so I quickly stopped.
"Dat's right, back off."
"I'm not backing off. I'll vouch for Kaede, if she gets in your way again, take the punishment out on me."
This girl, even if she and one man were the last people on the planet she would turn them into enemies. She would try to push her way through a scrum[10] line of policemen.
"Yo Natsuru, talkin' back ain't in yer nature. What ya think ya are, my husband?"
"Not a chance in the world, unless by gunpoint."
"Al'right, but I get ta shoot ya if she bothers me?"
"Whatever, just leave her alone."
"Yer lucky, Kaede survives, for now."
Akane's eyes had a dull glow. Is she serious? Just when it appeared that she was about to fire at me a dirk came between a gap between books. I pushed Sakura-san out of the way. The blade nearly grazed her neck. Akane opened fired as I rolled out of the way. By the time I twisted around to look the dirk had disappeared. Dangerous! I was almost skewered and sold as a new style of kebab.
"Damn it, so annoying!" Akane had turned her wrath from Sakura-san to the invisible enemy. "Yer gonna have a face full a holes so yer brain can cool off! Natsuru, yer silly girl over there sprung a leak."
I looked, but she wasn't 'leaking,' she had fainted from the sudden volley of bullets fired by the vicious dog girl. She had crumbled to the floor, unconscious, still as death before my eyes.
"Pinch 'er and see if she's dead."
No, fainting is a normal reaction, your nerves are just too thick. Mine must be too, my head was calm as if nothing was happening. Another byproduct of the Kämpfer transformation?
Kin-Kon, Kan-Kon The end of lunch bell sounded.
"Crap, Ay'm gonna be late," Akane lamented.
"You're serious?"
"Of course, even tho' Ay may seem like a meek girl, Ay love ta study, despite my looks."
"Even with a foul mouth?"
"Hey, Ay'll miss class at this rate!" Akane pointed the gun at me again. I knew my comment was risky.
"Hey, just so ya know Ay'm an honor student."
"Unfortunately, I think you're going to be late. I gave up trying after I was late three times."
"Don't be proud 'a that."
"I'm not a 'good' boy, it's my way of not standing out in class."
We both paused and fell silent. We listened but there was no sound of the enemy. Even though the attacks weren't constant, the gaps never had lasted this long. No sound of dirks cutting through the air or chains snaking along.
"The attack stopped..."
Akane said, "no sign of 'em."
"That's a first."
"We're not done, where'd ya go?"
I didn't answer, there was no way to know. After a short time we both got up and came out from our cover. It was a gamble, but sure enough there was no attack.
"Our enemy is gone."
"Sounds like cold feet ta me."
"I'm not so sure."
"What did ya say?"
The enemy had been calm and didn't even fall for my decoy attempt. I don't think we had the upper hand. There must have been a reason to call off the attack.
Akane was kicking the floor of the library, "late ta class and didn't get anything ta eat."
I wasn't too worried about being late. I didn't have a perfect attendance to maintain. Suddenly a thought came to mind.
"Hey Akane, maybe our enemy in an honor student."
"Yeah? Why would ya say that?"
"Seeing how much you're worried about it, maybe the enemy didn't want to be late either."
"Same as me?... Ya think our enemy's an honor student at Iron Star?"
"Well, it's a thought." I was guessing of course, there was no evidence. Somehow my intuition led me to think I was right. Another power of being Kämpfer?
"Ay'm headin' back to da women's section. Natsuru, yer on yer own."
"I'll go home, but what about Sakura-san?"
She was still passed out on the floor.
Akane was pretending to pick her ear, "don't make a woman do strenuous work. You can carry her."
"But I'm a woman now too."
"Just words, yer bad-ass enough to handle 'er."
"You're just complaining to get out of it."
"Ay'm a white-collar worker."
I was about to say, 'you and me both' but I said hello to her gun's muzzle instead.
"Physical labor is a man's work, right?"
The pistol was more convincing than any words that could pass my lips. I accepted without hesitation.
She clucked her tongue and stored the dirk in her cuff. The chain and other dirk were put away silently. She checked her left wrist, it was already time.
"...can't be late!"
Any good student hates to miss classes. Being a good student doesn't just mean living up to the image, it also means denying yourself of fun to avoid a bad reputation. Her hand slapped a table and dust flew up. The library was in a sad shape. She hated harming the books, but it was worth it. Besides, she could get the budget committee to buy new books.
While walking calmly to her next class at Iron Star Academy she brushed her school uniform and made sure it was perfect. Just before the teacher came through the door she sat at her desk.
