Chapter Six

Alpha Birch

The first Enforcer shot forward like lightning.

The B Rank Overseer lunged at me with a silver rapier. Dodging it required nothing more but a simple step to the side. As he passed by me, I used my free arm to grab his wrist and twist it. Using his momentum against him, I sent him stumbling toward the edge of the rooftop.

I kept moving as the second and third swords reached for my head. Ducking over both, I immediately placed myself between the two approaching Enforcers. I swept my leg under the feet of the first, and as he fell slowly through the air, I spun and moved behind his companion. The second Enforcer attempted a counter attack, but I moved out of the way of his swing with a step to the side. My half-opened fist came slamming into his palm, releasing his grip on his sword, sending it twisting in the air.

“Get behind—!” an Enforcer yelled.

I grabbed the sword by the hilt as it hung in the air, spinning it wildly on my fingertips as I turned to deflect the next attack. Steel clashed against steel, sending sparks in every direction. With a hand still to my back, I immediately pressed forward, overwhelming the Enforcer with swift attacks. Each time our swords clashed, the Enforcer flinched from the force of the blows.

Realizing that my opponent probably has actual formal swordsmanship training, I rushed forward and delivered the strongest swing I could manage. The impact of the blow sent a shockwave in every direction, throwing my opponent back into the waiting arms of the other Enforcers, as well as breaking the sword in my hand. Scoffing, I toss it aside and frown.

“I don’t even know what you guys are trying to accomplish.” I said. “If you don’t want me approaching Oshiro-senpai, you can just ask.”

Their leader creased his eyebrows, his lips turning into a frown. “And would you comply with our request?”

“I would consider it if you asked nicely.”

The Enforcer leader sighed and took a step forward, readying his blade. He held the ornate rapier in front of his eyes, its silver length reflecting sunlight.

“Souma Yamada,” he announced. “B Rank Enforcer Lieutenant.”

Ah. Announcing your name to your opponent. How very honorable.

“Hideaki Kimura.” I replied, straightening my stance. “S Rank… uh… freelancer, I guess?”

His eyes widened and the eight other Enforcers that accompanied him showed signs of hesitation. Did these people not do their research? Or did their boss just send them in blind?

“Judging by that look in your eyes, I’m going to assume that you never knew.” I smiled. “And now that you do, I’m going to give you the option to walk away.”

Surprisingly, no one as much moved a step back.

“I’ll handle this myself.” Souma said grimly. “Enforcer Company never retreats.”

“A terrible philosophy to stand behind.” I replied. “But I see no difference. Though I have to apologize, I’m going to try and finish this qui—”

Souma suddenly shot forward, the force of his charge breaking the concrete under his foot. His rapier lanced straight for my chest, forcing me to throw my weight to the right to evade. His sword hit nothing but air, but the Enforcer quickly recovered. He released a flurry of blows, too fast for the eyes to see, aiming for my thigh, arms, and chest.

His blows were not meant to be lethal, but they were obviously aimed to injure.

I evaded to the best of my ability, dodging and weaving between swings and thrusts. His speed was incredible. But I’m faster.

I tried the same trick as before, swiping at his hand with my fist, but he read my movements like a book and evades appropriately. I tried to aim for his legs with a sweep, but he leaped and rolled in the air to evade. His attacks were relentless, a hurricane of silver flashed before my eyes.

“For a B Rank, you certainly fight better than that A Rank I encountered last Monday.” I said, dodging underneath a swing.

“I am a mere B Rank because of my power.” he replied, aiming and missing my head. “But I am the school’s greatest swordsman.”

He swung his sword in a wide arc, forcing me to roll away. The silver blade met the rooftop’s iron barrier, slicing it cleanly apart.

“Are you better than your boss?” I asked, skidding to a halt on one knee.

“Yes.” the serious Enforcer replied, swinging his sword to his side before resetting his stance.

“That’s a surprise. That means your captain relies more on her powers to supplement her swordsmanship.” I stood ramrod straight, removing my hand from my pocket. “You on the other hand rely on nothing but technique.”

He furrowed his brows. “And what point are you trying to make?”

“I’m saying that I won’t be able to beat you with technique alone.” I smiled. “So… congratulations.”

I lowered my stance and ran straight for him. The Enforcer readied a response, going low and preparing his sword—

I kicked the ground and threw myself forward.

Then time stood still.

The world blurred and I reappeared behind Souma. The strength and speed of my sudden rush was amplified ten times, right as I delivered two open-palmed strikes straight into the Enforcer’s back. He didn’t have enough time to react. The force of the blow sent a wave of air blasting in every direction, tossing away the few Enforcers that still stood around. Souma’s body flew straight ahead before crashing into the same steel barrier surrounding the rooftop, thirty meters later.

The force of the impact was powerful enough to collapse the barrier, sending Souma falling straight into the uninviting earth below. I immediately performed another Saltus, appearing above the area where Souma fell through. I gazed down and spotted where the poor Enforcer was. One more Saltus later and I found myself directly above him, my hand reaching for his collar and hoisting him up. A final Saltus sealed the deal as the familiar texture of grass now lied beneath my feet.

To my right, what’s left of the steel barrier fell to the ground.

“Well that’s that.” I briefly checked the Enforcer for injuries. There were a few broken bones, here and there, but he was still in one piece. Overseers are tough, and a direct combat type like him shouldn’t have problems recovering.

The rest of the Enforcers should be making their way down here. I should get away while I still can.

[—

Catching up to Oshiro-senpai’s group wasn’t that hard. I simply found high ground, looked around a bit, and eventually there they were. Their little group of rich kids stood out from the crowd, like a ship of beautiful people floating on an ocean of regular-looking people. I performed a Saltus and followed a few meters behind the group, trying my best to blend in with the crowd.

Even though the fight with the Enforcers took a bit of time, the group seemed determined to walk at a slow pace. Their leader, the ever-beautiful Oshiro-senpai particularly seemed to enjoy taking her sweet time listening to everything her friends were telling her.

In a way, I found her reminding me a lot of the president. She seemed to possess the same level of ladylike poise, and combined with her height and perfect eyebrows, reminded me of a high school version of a supermodel. Her look was such a huge contrast to Nakano’s. And on the off-chance that she returned his feelings, they would be this school’s weirdest couple. Not that there are any other couples in the school in the first place.

Their group left the campus for a high class café half an hour after I started following them. I thought about following them inside, but figured that it wasn’t necessary. The café featured glass walls allowing passersby to see inside. There was a perfect view of the group across the street from a ramen stand.

Lower-ranked students were rarely allowed outside of the campus. However, seeing that Oshiro-senpai and her friends came from dignified families that rule probably meant little to them.

Oshiro-senpai and her friends hung around for a few hours in the café, talking about whatever over cups of expensive looking drinks. Eventually, they left, one by one until she was left with her tall, jacketed companion. The same boy she was talking to earlier.

“Please don’t be her boyfriend.” I wished to the empty bowl of tonkotsu in front of me. “Nakano is going to be so sad if that’s the case.”

The two seemed to be close friends. But if there was any affection between them, it was hard to see it through a glass wall. They conversed, friendly to one another. Oshiro-senpai occasionally giggled at what jacket-senpai said, but that seemed to be that.

When her friend tried to caress her hair, she moved away. Jacket-senpai tried to wave it off awkwardly and threw a joke, and Oshiro-senpai replied with what looked to be kind words.

Oshiro-senpai’s companion stood up to leave, just when I started consider leaving myself. He waved her a goodbye and the two even shared a brief hug. Moments after the sun set, Oshiro-senpai found herself sitting alone in the café, a second cup of coffee before her.

The café’s patrons ranged from businessmen to other rich-looking people. Three girls sat together in a corner of the café, dressed in the uniform of a nearby ‘ordinary’ high school, but aside from them, Oshiro-senpai was the only other student in the establishment.

She almost looked like she was waiting for someone. A rich princess like her was probably waiting for her driver to pick her up. However, the forlorn look on her face told me otherwise.

Sighing, I eventually rose from my place on the ramen stand and decided that now was the time to get things done. I crossed the busy evening street, strode into the café with my chin held high, and walked straight toward Oshiro-senpai’s table.

The café was of a modern design, featuring sleek furniture, and an indoor glass waterfall. Each table had a small plant sitting at its center, as pieces of modern art hung on display. Everything about the place screamed about class and style and beauty.

“Hello.” I said, smiling toward her.

She was way more gorgeous up close. Oshiro-senpai looked up at me with wide hazel eyes, her mouth half open.

“Who are you?” she demanded, eyes suddenly narrowed.

“Ah… that’s a very hostile way of greeting someone.” I said, sliding myself into place in front of her. “I’m Hideaki Kimura, senpai. Nice to meet you.”

She eyed me from head to chest, huffing a breath of hot air. She leaned back on her chair, fingering her hair over her ear and settling her hand on her cup of coffee.

“I see. And do you need something, Kimura-san?”

“Well… not me, but I’m here on behalf of a friend of mine.”

She radiated an air of aloofness. She was wordlessly telling me that I shouldn’t be here, that I was bothering her. But I ignored her rudeness and instead smiled as a waitress approach me from behind.

“Good evening, sir. What will you be having?” the young lady asked.

“I’ll uh… I’ll take this.” I said, pointing at the menu. “A Vanilla Bean Frappuccino. Yeah, that sounds expensive enough.”

The waitress nodded and walked off to grab my order.

“Kimura-san, not to sound rude or anything, but there are plenty of other tables around.” Oshiro-senpai said. “I would appreciate it if you sat somewhere else.”

“Nah.” I replied, causing her to stir in her seat. “I have a question, though. The guy who just left, was he your boyfriend?”

Her eyes widened in surprise. Her irises shrunk and her hand tightened around her coffee cup.

“Wh—Who? Hoshi? He’s a friend. And how did you know about him?”

“Hoshi? Hm. So on a first name basis, then.” I rubbed my chin, nodding. “So just a friend? Ah, good to hear.”

“I’m sorry, but what do you care?” she frowned, leaning forward and glancing at my uniform. “You’re from Autumn Mountain, right? Then you should know that the school forbids relationships between its students. Do you work with Enforcer Company? I’m not seeing anyone, alright. If that’s what you’re worried about.”

“I’m not with Enforcer Company, senpai.” I held up my hands. “In fact, I just uh, recently recovered from a misunderstanding with them. I’m not affiliated with any groups in the school, not yet at least.”

“Well why are you asking then?” her hazel-colored eyes narrowed like a hawk’s. “You can’t just be asking these things because you’re curious.”

“Ah, but that’s exactly the reason.”

“Well you’re being rude.” she scoffed. “Why should I answer your questions?”

“I apologize.” I leaned away from her. “I invaded your space without warning, all because I was bored at school.”

She tilted her head. “Bored… at school?”

I nodded. “Yes. Autumn Mountain is a great school, but we have so many rules that it’s become so hard to have fun.”

“Fun? The school prohibits a lot of things but ‘having fun’ isn’t one of them.”

“Well, falling in love is fun.” I smirked.

She blushed.

“Falling in love is a highlight of youth. But in Autumn Mountain, that’s impossible.” I shrugged. “I saw you hanging out with that guy with a jacket after your friends left and I couldn’t help but feel jealous. Ah, but since you told me that you weren’t an item, I now feel much better.”

“You told me that you were here because of a friend.” her lips curled downward.

“Well, my friend and I share the same dream. He’s already in love with a wonderful girl, but alas, because of the school, the Supreme Student Council and Enforcer Company, a relationship with said girl has become impossible.”

“Boo hoo,” she said, sipping her coffee. “That’s so sad. Tell your friend to get in line. Plenty of people are on the same boat.”

“But wouldn’t it be better if he could at least express his feelings?”

It was at this moment that her eyes widened in realization. She then frowned, her eyes cast downward.

“I’m the girl that your friend likes, is that it?”

“Hm. Yeah.”

“And you want me to hear his confession?”

“Yes!”

“Not happening.” she said, slamming her fist on the table.

“Uh, what?”

“Your friend sounds spineless!” she threw her hands in the air. “Why are you here, asking permission on his behalf? He could have just come here on his own if he really did like me.”

“He really does like you.” I replied. “But do you even know who you are? The school president herself described you as this sorta unapproachable mountain on top of a flower or something.”

“I think it’s the other way around…”

“…regardless! My point stands. My friend can’t just walk up to you because you’re Autumn Mountain’s school idol.”

“That didn’t seem to stop you.” she gestured at my chair.

“Well that’s because I don’t care about school politics.” I replied. “But I do care about my friend. Please, senpai. Just… hear him out.”

She watched me for what felt like two minutes. I half-wondered what was running through her head. She probably thought I was crazy. I probably was. But despite all the doubt in her eyes and despite the aloofness she radiated, she eventually relented, sighing in surrender.

“Very well. I will… listen to your friend.”

I smiled.

“Thank you.”

“But it has to happen outside the campus. You know how the school is.”

“Of course, I’ll get him out.”

“Get him out?” she tilted her head.

I rubbed my fingers on my collar, avoiding her gaze. “Er, he’s a freshman and well, let’s just say he’s not allowed outside school that often.”

She frowned deeply, as all the look of kindness and humanity drained from her face.

“Does he happen to be a C Rank?”

“Uhm, yes. He—”

Well shit.

She suddenly rose to her feet, her hands almost shattering the glass table between us.

“Tell Yori to fight his own battles. I won’t meet with him if it’s through you.” she turned on her heel and made for the door, but I reached out and clumsily grabbed onto her sleeve.

“Wait, listen! He’s your childhood friend, right? At least hear him out—”

“Childhood friend?” she turned over her shoulder. “Wha—What?”

I could practically feel the color drain from my face. “Uh, well that’s what he told me.”

The plant in the middle of the table began moving. One by one, its small branches started wrapping around my forearm, like tentacles on an angry brown-green octopus. Her hazel eyes began glowing, transforming into a shade of leaf-green.

“Let go of my arm, Kimura-san.”

“No. At least tell me why you won’t meet with Nakano.”

“Ask him that yourself.”

I could feel the plant tightening around my arm. It probably didn’t have the strength to break my bones, but it didn’t matter. I didn’t want to piss her off too much. Being antagonistic toward her was the last thing I wanted to happen. Eventually, I released my grip on her and slid back into my chair.

She disappeared without a word, leaving the restaurant with sure, confident strides.

I stayed in my place, in the very same spot where her jacketed friend sat, wondering to myself what went wrong. Or rather, what Nakano did to win her ire.

I’ll have to talk to him tomorrow.

The waitress returned a moment later, with a cup of coffee on a tray. I enjoyed the cup, savoring in the taste of cocoa and mocha.

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A/N: It's Christmas here, so uh, Happy Holidays everyone! Woo.