A shitty translation of Volume 1 chapter 3. Covers Yuu's powers and some other tidbits.

[ ] Yuu's dialog
" " Everyone else
(me: ) My comments or notes.

{Ahh, Ayumu dislikes me.
Why didn't you trust me?
It's sad. I know I cannot possess such emotions, but it's so very sad.
I should just tell him everything. But if I do that, Ayumu would surely dislike me.
Sera wanted us to get together for bowling. Bowling - Annihilate all your enemies with a spinning ball. What's the fun in that, but that's enough for me. If I become too happy, it'll be troublesome.}

- Yuu's thoughts between chapter 2 and 3.



Today, Orito and I went to the bowling alley. It's a nice cloudy day today perhaps due to the rain yesterday, so I could go out in the morning.

Well, after the fiasco yesterday I went out and bought some bentou... Sera followed me as well. While waiting, Haruna kept complaining "I'm so hungry." (me: refers to Sera's cooking attempt in the previous chapter.)

We met up in front of the station and decided to fill our stomachs first, and so we went to the nearest family restaurant, Mask•Do•Nald.

You might have heard it somewhere... But it's not the same thing. This Mask•Do•Nald is the only one in this world, started by a masked pro wrestler.

"Good afternoon~!"

A masked wrestler stood at the counter.

We ordered two Mask•Do•Nald hamburger meals, with extra Mask•Do•Shake and Mask•Do•Nugget. Even though I insist on only getting the meal...

"Do you want to buy a mask?"

Though the cashier tried pressuring me with a threatening expression, I rejected him immediately with a "Nope". A meal costs 536 yen and with an additional 1980 yen you would get a mask together with it. Who would want this kind of extra service?

"Really? You don't want one?"

What a clingy person. This sweltering masked guy pull his face slowly towards my face and plea with his chihuahua puppy eyes.

I let out a sigh and bought it.

What an unnecessary purchase, but his expression was scary. It might be easier to deal with him if he hadn't pull the puppy eyes.

Right, now that we're done with the meal we made our way to the bowling alley. In Orito's hand was his unfinished Mask•Do•Shake and in mine was the mask.

We did the paperwork, borrowed the shoes and chose our bowling balls. Preparation done. Recent events strained me greatly, and I'm going to let out steam here.

"Hey Aikawa, over there. Isn't that a really cute girl?"

Orito spoke with a grin, and I turned my head to where he indicated.

And turned back instantly.

"Fall before me!"

Boom. (sfx)

From behind me I hear a familiar voice and the sound of falling pins.

"Yeah! I'm truly a genius. Genius cutie demon baron!" (me: Haruna describes quite a lot of stuff with Baron Demon/Demon Baron and so on, excluded in the anime for some reason.)

With her ahoge in full swing, the noisy girl took a seat. Over there was a green eyed dignified woman and an armored girl with a poker face.

Yeah...

--It's those guys.

Haruna wore my T-shirt and jeans as usual. Yuu doesn't mind the hot weather and didn't make any changes to her clothes. Sera had a mini skirt and a shirt with a common logo, together with some common accessories. She looks like a normal girl of this age.

Why is Haruna here? No, the weirdest has got to be Yuu. Does she really go bowling... Sera dragged her along?

"Oh? What's the matter, Aikawa? Why is your face all green?"

Of course it's green. I'm dead. No, not the time for this. If my relationship with the pretty girls squad is exposed it'll be hell for me.

Calm down. Let's count real numbers. One real number, two real numbers... Is there anyway for me to stay unexposed? It'll be obvious when my turn arrives.

Zombie brain power max. My thought goes to the mask (1980yen) in my hand.

--This is it! I relaxed after putting the mask on. From now on, call me [Mask•Do•Ayumu], the transformed version of [Aikawa Ayumu]! The [Mask•Do•Ayumu] me is three times as abnormal than usual!

Without any worries of exposure, I spied on the three of them with Orito.

After 6 rounds, Haruna got all strikes. Actually, everyone scored perfect. The same values lined up in their scoreboard.

"Wow, those are some high scores-- Are they professionals? Those girls."

Would a professional train here? Those guys are just your common non-humans. Common Masou-Shoujo-that-can't-transform-into-a-Masou-Shoujo, common Ninja-that-feasts-on-blood and common Necromancer-that's-full-of-mysteries.

After Haruna it's Sera's turn. She stood up with the bowling ball in her hand.

"Oi Aikawa! That girl, she has a nice bod..."

Orito was taken in by Sera's slender waist. I was the same too, when I first met her.

"Here I go. HIKEN, TSUBAME GAESHI!"

With soul captivating perfect posture she charged her bowling ball towards the very first pin. Excellent, everything was struck down. I'll add this.
--It has nothing to do with Tsubame Gaeshi.

Sera returned to her seat happily. It's like she felt that she wouldn't miss a pin.

Next up is Yuu. She got up slowly and dragged her feet forward, as though something was pulling her, and she weakly picked up a bowling ball. Must be due to her gauntlets, she couldn't fit her fingers into the holes of the bowling ball. Then she moved forward and released it.

Ton. Rollrollrollrollrollrollrollroll...

The bowling ball rolled slowly from the right then to the left, but suddenly went between pins 1 and 3. Good, everything was knocked over.

More surprisingly, Yuu did a small victory pose. No one here seems to have noticed it, but that was definitely a victory pose. I know best.

Right after that Haruna rushed out even before the pins were done rearranging.

"Fall before me!"

A daring throw. Won't it miss? But then all the pins fell easily. It's always like that.

This group's probably getting perfect scores again. We should hurry up and begin.

"Okay Aikawa! Let's not lose to them!"

No no. Those aren't human.

I controlled my strength so as not to destroy the building.

The fast spinning ball knocked down all everything in its path. A single pin still remains.

"Shit."

I glared at the last guy. You will never be forgiven. This hatred, I'll return it. After grabbing another bowling ball I immediately threw it out.

It took a full blow, that last one fell. You didn't hear that breaking sound, it's all your imagination. Spare.

With a victory pose I went back to a applausing Orito.

"That's lousy. You're not concentrating."

The voice didn't come from Orito, it was from behind him.

I gave it a look, and it was a smug, victorious Haruna looking down on Mask•Do•Ayumu.

"Y-Yo..."

Orito tried to hit on the pretty girl who approached me, though he stuttered.

Like a cat that saw something moving across its sights, Haruna stared at Orito intently, her ahoge twitching a few times and she went into a deep thought for a moment.

"Eh, you must be... Kanko Ton•Genjou?" (me: 夏侯惇•元譲, chinese general in romance of the three kingdoms.)

Who the hell is that! Some hero! I stopped myself from saying my mind, but whispered "It's Orito" to her.

"Ob- Oberstein?" (me: Paul von Oberstein, LoGH, his face was in the manga. Apparently Orito=Oberstein to Haruna.)

"Please have some self-control. And, who are you?" (me: something was referenced here, left it out since I can't identify it.)

"Huh? What the hell are you saying? Why are you wearing that thing?"

Because I don't want to be grouped together with you bunch of superhuman. If it leaks out, there would be lots of rumors circulating around at school.

"Haruna. It's your turn."

Sera joined the fray. Sweet. Only Sera understands me.

The frown on Haruna's visage eased after hearing about her turn and she broke into a smile. Thanks, Vampire Ninja-sama.

"Though she's cute, she's a weird kid."

Orito, who was by my side, smiled happily while looking at Haruna. Orito my friend, you should have noticed the real Haruna--She's really scary.

"Oh Ayumu. Why are you wearing that thing?"

Sera, please learn to read the atmosphere.

"HA HA HA! I'm not Aikawa Ayumu. It's Mask•Do•Ayumu!"

"--I see. You're three times as disgusting."

What!

That was harsh. She didn't add anything else after her sentence, and her words hit me harder than usual.

"Aikawa, do you know all these girls?"

"Nonsense. Why would pretty girls want to be friends with me?"

"You're right. Um, but--didn't they called out your name?"

"It's your imagination. Hahaha."

I don't think that was convincing. Just as I thought really hard about that, Orito went "I see", and laughed together with me... Thank god he's an idiot.

After the interrogation, while I was making my way to the washroom, Sera stood there waiting for me. She folded her arms and had a serious expression. Looks like she wants to have a private conversation.

"What's up? You have questions?"

"...Ayumu. It's about Hellscythe-dono."

"Ah, that was my fault. Is that okay with you?"

I didn't think too much and gave a shallow reply.

"Hellscythe-dono is really sad. You didn't believe in her back then. You were asking during that time -- Why are you doing this?"

"I did tell her my reason for doubting her. There isn't much trustworthy information I can draw upon."

"Then, are those enough to doubt her? Are you sure your information is correct?"

"To prove this point, I had to gather trustworthy information."

"You were saved by her but you didn't trust your savior. I don't understand what were you thinking."

"I understand that she's a wonderful person. I want to believe her. But--at the same time, I doubt her. That's because she didn't try to say anything. You can't convince others without speaking, right?"

I must have a look of disgust on my face, Sera gave me a tight slap with her pretty hand.

"To that great someone, how important speaking is. You don't understand!"

"How could I understand!"

My voice was packed with rage.

"Really?"

"Ahh, why are you so serious."

"The reason Hellscythe-dono doesn't speak, the reason she killed her emotions, you know nothing?"

--Are there reasons for those? And I assumed that she was being quirky.

"Because I don't know anything, that's why I can't fully trust her. If you know anything, please fill me in."

"... I won't do it. But bear this in mind. The most gentle person in the world is Eucliwood Hellscythe."

Sera turned and left.

What could I do. I had an uneasy feeling.

We happily finished our bowling showdown. The score was my 170 to Orito's 103. Well it's due to my strength, compared to a normal person I have a higher chance of getting a strike.

Ah, those next to us had continuous strikes. All of them had perfect scores and all of them were beauties. They attracted lots of attention. Can ninjas stand out so much?

Well back to the main question, how did they recognize me with the mask on? It doesn't serve any purposes anymore so I took it off. Next up is a touching scene.

"I lost. Aikawa, is there anything you want?"

There was a manga volume I wanted to buy, nothing else. In the end I went "I had fun, the gamble's off" and rejected him. We returned our shoes and left the bowling alley.

Damn, I should have gone straight home, but instead I crossed path with three delinquents. They went "Where are the pretty girls today~" and walked passed us in smiles. I noticed.

Noticed what you ask?

It's simple. "Where are the pretty girls today." From the looks of it, they were going to pick up girls.

Jelly? --Nope, nope.
Worry? --Umm, correct.

I worry for their safety. Sera or Haruna, no, Yuu's the most dangerous. The three went ahead anyway.

In the worst case scenario, the whole bowling alley might be blown off.

Haruna's flying kick is professional level.

Sera's sword can dissect a person easily.

Yuu has the power to bring back the dead!

No! Delinquents! Don't do it! Don't go that way!

I screamed in my mind as I followed.

"Aikawa!"

Orito shouted to me who turned and ran, with a shocked expression. I didn't bother turning to face him and just gave a simple reply, "I'm be back shortly."

I have to make it! I increased my speed. Where. Where the hell are they?

Back in the bowling alley, I walked one round but didn't manage to catch them. It's the weekends today, there are way too many people around. I prayed that the two groups never meet.

After skirting about the perimeter of the bowling alley, I decided to meet Orito back at the entrance. In the end, I never found anyone.

"Where did you go?"

"The washroom."

Hahaha. Haruna assaulted my back and cut my dry laughter.

"Ayumu! Buy me some clothes!"

Haruna hugged me all of a sudden.

She must be feeling good about her perfect scoring. Haruna slowly slid off my body. After taking another look, I noticed the presence of the other two.

"So you guys knew each other. Introductions please."

Orito, who's only selling point is his spiked hairdo, grinned. Too bad the eyes behind the glasses didn't smile. I recognize this pattern. He doesn't believe me not even a bit. Everything's better than expected. I still have to explain to him, while we made our way from the bowling alley to the shopping mall.

Before I stepped out, a few ambulance arrived at the bowling alley.

"Over here! Faster! These three are not breathing! Faster!"

The panicky employee's mission was guide the way for the medics.

Ah... I knew it.

Still, I asked Sera "Youy didn't murder them?", "Of course. Vampire Ninjas never kill. They were taken out by Haruna's kicks." Good good.

That's a great way to get rid of them. Poor delinquents, you got off lucky since it was only Haruna's professional kicks.

But, just a little. I think... a little... yes, only a little.

-- I wished for a tragedy.





They're from overseas. That's all I can come up with.

Where were they from, why did they come here, I couldn't make them up. Even if I reveal their true nature I doubt it's going to help. Let's say I'm Orito and I'm being told "From the right this one is a Necromancer, Masou Shoujo and lastly a Vampire Ninja." He'll probably reply with a "Huh?" if I ever introduce them this way. So I left out the specifics.

Obviously, I will never ever mention "The three of them are living with me."

--That's supposed to be the case.

"Where are your lodgings?"

"Ayumu's house."

Haruna answered Orito's question without hesitation. I didn't have the time to shout "WAH!" out loud, cover her mouth or to change the topic.

"Aikawa, why are you hiding things from me? Didn't you say you prefer to be alone?"

Glasses looks scary. I'm sorry.

"Well, it was ad hoc, so I was busy all this while. I just met this dignified and that little one as well."

"How do I make it, I'm defeated... Never thought you would be hiding things from me."

Orito looked intently at me. Though I understand his feelings, but he'll probably be dragged into our problems. This is a world at war.

"Sorry..."

"You should have told me. Well disregard that, did you guys do it? You know, H (ecchi) stuff..."

Orito slyly said. If I answer "Yeah I did it" now there would be interesting reactions, but with misunderstandings, I'll probably become Sera and Haruna's sandbag. Not sandbag as in a punching bag, but into the shape of sand.

"If I really did something like that I wouldn't be in one piece now."

Sera and Haruna responded to my sentence by nodding their heads. Orito felt at ease after seeing their reactions, and with a revolting look on his face, he joined me to help Haruna select her clothes.

Haruna's in front, next up is Orito and me. At the rear was Sera and Yuu as we marched towards the boutique.

"Ah! That's really cute! Look, Ayumu!"

I had a feeling of deja vu from her exclaimations.

Once in a while I would turn behind and notice Sera holding fashion items, contemplating. Chance. Yuu's staring at blank space. Is there a ghost?

"Sera, is there anything you want? I'll pay."

"Can I?" Sera's eye shifted away, looking confused.

"Of course? Learn a thing or two from that person."

I pointed my thumb at Haruna. Her ahoge jumped up and down as usual.

"But, someone like me..."

"It's okay it's okay."

"But, I'm a servant..."

"Oh you. Right, here's an order. Do whatever you like. A servant would follow orders, right?"

I shrugged my shoulders at the stubborn Sera. If I didn't do this she wouldn't have accepted the present.

"This order, it's so low. But--"

She turned and look at the accessories. And without turning, I heard a tiny, really tiny "Thank you".

Sera's simple words made my heart beat faster, as though trying to burst out of my chest. It was like something pierced me. That instant, her smile is captured in my eyes like a photograph. (me: He hnnnnnggggg'd.)

Words like that can even turn into blades.

My line of sight floated away, and met with Yuu's. She's the opposite of me, with a poker face.

Then, the uneasiness in my mind surfaced.

>"To that great someone, how important speaking is. You don't understand!"

Sera's angry words echoed in my mind, unable to leave.

Dammit! I grabbed Yuu by the hand and brought her out.

"Oi, Aikawa! Where are you going?"

I ignored Orito and made my way to the lift.

"Excuse me, but this shirt, does it suit me? Haruna, there are some cute clothes over here too."

Sera approached Haruna and Orito, and then secretly looked at me. Her eyes were like a mom watching her kid's first purchase.

She's making a chance for Yuu and me.

--What a great help.




I took Yuu's hand and pressed the buttons in the lift without speaking. Yuu kept looking at me, while me who was hoping for a quiet place to talk kept staring at the buttons.

The roof is just ahead. With only vending machines and benches for resting, that place is a perfect place for a zombie. The setting sun, dark and looming clouds, were like a reflection of my current state of mind.

I sat down on a shelterless bench and watched the starless, filthy sky.

Yuu, like me, glimpse at the sky. How's the view, is this romantic, such words never came out of my mouth. Putting both arms behind my back, I felt a sense of exhaustion. For two, three seconds not a word was spoken.

I suddenly turned towards Yuu.

"Tell me, Yuu, why did you kill your emotions?"

I put on a serious look, but Yuu's face was as usual. After staring at each other for a while, she pulled out a notepad from her a pocket in her skirt.

[Must I?]

"Yes, definitely."

This time, Yuu sighed. I don't have any idea what she's feeling now. Does she feel troubled or does she not want to explain? Either way, I will impose it on her. I have the right to know. If I don't have then issue me the right immediately.

Again she opened another page of her notepad, it was filled with words.

[the thread of one's fate
wriggles slowly forward
if they cross each other
an encounter is born
a huge magical presence would produce huge effect
that wobbling is enormous and violent
that's why a person with huge magical power
must learn to control
wavering unstable
the change in one's mind would cause magical power to go wild
that's why
I'm not allowed to show emotions]

That was more profound that I imagined. That means... What does it mean?

"Uh... That. If you laugh or cry, you alter other's fate?"

Yuu nodded her head. At this moment I remembered the time when I first met her. That time, she said:

>It's interesting.

>So don't do it again.

In other words, because it can affect her emotions that's why she didn't want me to do it again?

[I don't speak because my words hold power
those who hear my words
will follow its content
and become that way
that is why
I'm not allowed to make any sound]

"Those who heard your words would become that way...?"

She held the notebook towards my shocked face, and the ballpoint pen started moving again.

[If I say it's cold
You will feel cold even if you're in a fire]

"That's way too powerful!"

[Yes
my words
are too heavy
whenever
I don't know whatever power it will become
that's why
I'm not allow to speak]

"No, isn't that weird? What about 'ahh-', 'uuu-' or 'nyaa-', does it matter if you make such noises?"

[I can't
when words become power
I'll have a severe headache
that
I dislike]

To release such great power, you will need to suffer the same backlash? That kind of pain that correspond to such strong power must be unimaginable.

"Are you being hunted because of this power?"

[There are other reasons]

There are more.

[My hands has the ability to heal
blood confers immortality
my heart can release huge amount of magical power]

My thoughts became messier. Instead of comforting me her explanation had the opposite effect.

"That... You can't remove your plate and Armor because they are helping to seal your powers?"

[Correct]

She clapped her hands, which had gauntlets on.

"Do you have the ability to level mountains, stop time or invincibility?"

[I only possess those abilities
other powers
are not tied to my will
even if I'm dead
my powers are still intact
that's why
they wanted to kill me
and steal my powers]

"If I kill you and wring your body, would I get wine that makes me immortal?" I joked.

[Yes]

Kacha kacha, a sound came out of her gauntlets. I did not expect that to be the truth -- May be she's the one who made those Vampire Ninjas.

"Who are those hunting you? Vampire Ninjas? Megalos?"

[I don't know
Vampire Ninjas
Megalo
Masou Shoujo
There are times where I was almost killed by them]

Fu. I sighed whilst walking to the vending machine. Got two cans of Cola and gave one to Yuu. However, she left it on the bench and did not drink it.

"Any other stuff you're hiding from me?"

[I told you everything
do you dislik-]

Her writing stopped. Plop, plop, something drip onto the notepad.

[Do you dislike me?] These words were messy.

I cannot understand how that came to be.

"Did I say I dislike Yuu?"

She shoke her head violently. Those big eyes were filled with tears.


[Everytime there's a change in my emotions
those nearest to me would have their fate altered]

I see, the Yuu with the poker face, the Yuu that does not show any emotions, has been crying later, gripped by a myriad of emotions.
To that end, Megalo, Vampire Ninjas, Masou Shoujo kept coming after us, all at once.

That's nothing. Do you think I'll dislike you for that?

[A monster by your side
if you realize it
you won't dislike it?]

Yuu's beautiful doll-like face turned into one of despair, her eyebrows tightly knitted together.

"Monster? Is there such a thing here? I only see a cute gentle girl after hearing you out."

[Can
I stay with you?]

"Ahhh, do as you like..."

For some reason my awkward words made me angry.

"Ha~" I spat out all the stored air in my lungs.

Do as you like? What the hell am I saying? My current emotions should not be expressed this way. I'm going to do it properly.

"Yuu, you can laugh whenever you want. Fate and whatnot... I'll deal with it when the time comes.
-- So please stay by my side."

Her tears kept coming, all I could do now was to caress her silver hair to comfort her.

http://img716.imageshack.us/img716/7725/2011011879136617.jpg

Until her tears dry up, I'm going to stop caressing her silvery long hair.

Next up, I'll be facing with more troublesome stuff according to Yuu.

Come at me, bro. Even if you're a demon king or WMD, I'll be your opponent.

If that is the compensation for being around Yuu, it's pretty cheap.




They bought stuff like shoes, obviously the one carrying everything is me. Orito looks so happy being surrounded by pretty girls. Even as we parted ways, he made me promise to invite him the next time we go bowling.

"Ha~, I'm exhausted. This world isn't so bad after all! It's not a place to give up on!"

As soon as Haruna entered the house she snatched her stuff from me and ran to her room.

She's probably having her personal fashion show.

"Wait a minute Haruna! Please wear this! If possible strip naked, or else donning on this meido-fuku is fine too!"

Chasing after Haruna is me with a nekomimi headband. Of course I have the cat paw gloves with me as well.

"You pervert! You Erossbone Vanguard!" (me: Rafflesia tentacles + Haruna = takemymoney)

"This isn't Cosmo Babylon-"

She ignored and went behind me, executing an Avalanche style Frankensteiner (me: Did I get this correct? Not familiar with wrestling.) and violently slammed me onto the bed. What a waste, she would look cute with nekomimi.

"Be quiet! You're disturbing me!"

I'm not sure if Haruna was affected by Sera's words, but she clumsily rushed upstairs. I walked to the living with Yuu to wipe off the nosebleed - Napkin, where are the napkins?

"..."

Sera was alone in the porch, in front of the mirror. I spied on her wondering what she was up to, but surprisingly she took the nekomimi headband and wore it on her head.

"... ... ... ... ... ... Nyaaaaaa~"

She posed in front of the mirror several times. Even though I bought it for Haruna, I'm contented to have witness this scene. I should pretend not to see anything.

That was great stuff, let's have pizza tonight...



"DE~LI~CIOUS!

Haruna got more worked up than I thought. Her ahoge bobbed up and down making "bikobiko" sounds.

A seafood pizza laid on the dinning table, and another set of pizza was in the box next to me. Those might not be enough, Haruna and Yuu are extremely big eaters.

"It's been a long time since I had AlfredGunnarssonL. Itadakimasu!"

Haruna picked up a slice of pizza, eyes twinkling, and stuffed a slice into her mouth whilst saying Al... ...? What? --Gu, eh? What the?

"Huh?"

After taking a bite out of a slice of pizza, Haruna asked as her ahoge bobbed about.

"This isn't Alfred GunnarssonL!"

Her iris narrowed and she jumped. How come she's so full of energy?

"That 'Alf-' whatever you mentioned, what's that?"

"Eh? You lay out Gunnarsson on the spreaded Alfred, and then sprinkle melted L over- Ah! That isn't the food of this world!"

Seems like some kind of delicacy. (me: Haruna's a little weird in the head, in case you didn't realize. She speaks lots of non sequitur and is generally the one spouting anime/otaku references. Yuu does the same things as well, but she's not as crazy.)

"It's probably different."

"I see then. There's no way this garbage world would serve Alfred and Gunnarsson."

A disappointed Haruna sat down and took about bite out of the seafood pizza.

"This tastes nice, it isn't too bad as well."

It tastes good! That's all I need to hear!

Haruna's ahoge regained energy and she kept grabbing pizza slices, with a happy face. Yuu, on the other hand, kept her poker face. The pizza in her hand instantly disappears. It was sucked in? Her small mouth went "mogu mogu", ah she's chewing it.

"Ayumu... 'I can do whatever I like' Is this order still active?"

Sera was the only one without a slice of pizza in her hands, her dignified visage had a look of uneasiness. She beckoned to me gently.

"What's up?" I asked.

"I've never eaten anything non-Japanese. This kind of food... ... frankly, it scares me. Could I get some miso soup?"

Her face went back to normal. However, this begs a question.

She's never eaten other kinds of food? That stuff you made last time which melted the pot and utensil (me: really happened, it's some kind of molten dark matter), was it proof that Japanese food is the best?

"Try this, it's delicious. It's not poisoned anyway."

I pushed a slice of pizza to Sera. She looked at it intently, and made up her mind.

"As a Vampire Ninja, I should battle any enemy bravely."

She mumbled to herself, shut her eyes tight and close her jaws on the pizza. She opened her eyes and took another bite, tilted her head and took yet another bite, and started to chew intently.

"This is great, I never expected it to taste..."

Looks like she likes it a lot. With that, the pizza started disappearing. Looks like I didn't get enough.

A noisy dinner, feels like happiness. I can say for sure, at this moment, I'm really happy to be together with them.

"Heh, this pizza food is surprisingly good. Ayumu, let me borrow your cellphone."

Haruna reached out her hands. (me: Wash your hands you bitch.)

"Ho~ra!"

Haruna started dialing the moment she got her hands on my cellphone. A timely report to her world.

buruburuburu... bbururururururu... bururururururu


(me: she's calling Daisensei. Whatever jokes here were in episode one, where Haruna said her seating number was 634526379)
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Ding dong.

The doorbell went off. With a "Yeah I'm coming" I went to open the door and saw a man wearing a hat and a huge trench coat even in this kind of weather.

"Good evening, my name is Cerberus•OneThird." (me: Kerberos in the original, Cerberus, whatever. I'll go with Cerberus since it's commonly understood.)

I saw a dog snout after he took off his hat. A snout like a Doberman. Is this because of Yuu's fluctuating emotions? Has my fate been altered?

"What is your business?"

"I'm the watchman of the netherworld... Wait, I'm a dog but a watchman, don't mind that part. I'm not a watchdog, okay?" (me: I used watchman and watchdog to try and preserve the joke. Gatekeeper would be more of the correct translation. I'm not good enough to translate this part, sorry.)

Huh? I couldn't come up with a response. Hurry up and continue speaking.

"Although I'm a gatekeeper but keeping people out isn't my only job, I prevent those inside from getting out as well. Of course that only applies to the netherworld. You didn't arrive in the netherworld but ended up back here, right? That's why I'm here to arrest cowards like you."

"In other words, you want me to fall into hell?"

"So you get it? It's good that we understood each other, well then- "

He dug out a piece of my shoulder, Cerberus- No, this dog bit my shoulder, and like bread he chewed it off. I kicked him with 310% of my power and ran back into my house.

I can't move my arm properly because of a huge gaping hole. I tried to stop my arm from breaking off while stumbling through the corridor and into the living room.

Yuu's hand should have the power to heal. Since I can't regenerate such a wound in a short time, I'll need her help this time.

"Yuu, I'm sorry. This is sudden but help me heal it!"

I directed my words to the Necromancer watching TV in my living. She didn't look this way but she moved her chin. I sat beside her and showed my wound.

Yuu took off her gauntlet and placed her white as snow arm on my chest. With only that my bleeding stopped and the wound started regenerating.

Ohh Ohh-- The power of healing -- It's so great. You don't even need to touch the wound.

"Mister can'tbekilledAikawa, please die faster! Like--"

Dog charged into the living room, Sera's eye changed red and stared at him, while Haruna jumped up from the table and shouted with surprise.

"A dog spoke!"

Sigh. Megalos can speak. Like that crustacean.

"Oya? Isn't this Hellscythe-sama? So that's why I haven't seen you lately. I see, so you made this? No normal person can make it back from the netherworld. Man, you should have said so earlier."

For some reason the dog sat down at the table with us. Eh, the battle ended?

Everyone face was frozen in this atmosphere. Yuu picked up her ballpoint pen and started writing.

Ton ton. (me: It's a sound effect, she's tapping the table.)

[I forgot] = [Teehee, Yuu forgot all about it, SORWEE!]

"Man, what a wasted trip. Please don't keep quiet after reclaiming a soul! If I knew it was your doing, I wouldn't have came here!" (me: Cerberus sounds really polite when talking about Yuu, but I can't translate well. Sorry.)

The dog kept shaking his head, I don't get what he says. Anyway, there's something I need to make clear.

"You're not going to fight me anymore?"

It replied my question without hesitation.

"Yes, this was Hellscythe-sama's doing, right? She's allowed to do whatever she wants. The kings of the netherworld even have to kneel in the presence of Hellscythe-sama. How do I put it... Uhh... Very powerful."

To my mumbling "Is Yuu that great?" the dog said.

"Of course. [The center of everything] King of the netherworld told me this." (me: No idea about the [center blah blah], probably a title.)

[The center of everything] eh. I don't know how great this person is, whoever Yuu is isn't my concern. --I still mind that part a little.

"Anyway, something else bugs me. That shoulder wound from before, it was serious, right? Was it- No, there is no doubt. Hellscythe-sama used her power?"

Ton ton.

[It's ok
I can handle this level of pain]

Pain- I've forgotten all about it. The price to pay when she uses her power is pain. Headache, if I remember correctly.

The dog went "I knew it" and gave me a cat punch.

It stopped me before I retort with a comeback. He seems to have read it from my expression.

"Hellscythe-sama's hand has the power to heal. Once she touches something, she can use her healing power on any part of the body."

"Hey, that's pretty strong, can it heal everything?"

Haruna showed interest as well, that's rare.

"But as renumeration, she has to suffer the pain inflicted."

"Does that mean Yuu is suffering the agony of having a shoulder being dug away?"

"That's right. Hellscythe-sama is suffering because of you, you know? I understand how agonizing it is when she uses that power, so please let me beat you up."

"Yuu, I'm really sorry. I should have read the instructions."

[It's not a big deal.] = [It's okay, I'll do anything for onii-chan.]

That doggy's round eyes turned rounder after reading that, and while spying on Yuu's face he adds softly.

"--I, I see. Ah, I need to leave now, sorry for disturbing. Ohoh, someone has been killed nearby, I'll go bring the soul back with me then."

"Wait a moment! You said someone's been killed, I can't just ignore that."

"Why? It's a murder that has nothing to do with you, right? Or are you going to help? No?"

I'm not going to help them.

Someone has been murdered nearby. The one committing the crime--
--Is most likely the one who killed me!




I ran about the town with dog in the middle of the night. This is a personal matter, so no one else tagged along.

Nights are so good. I can use my power to the fullest extent. If it was under the bright sun, I might even lost to a grade schooler.

"It's around this vicinity. Eh, seems like someone's still alive."

Dog did a normal landing, (me: they were either running/jumping or flying. Can't tell.) it was a plain house. A window on the second floor was left opened, so we entered from there.

"--We've been had. The soul isn't here anymore."

"What's the matter? Did the person die?"

"I'm supposed to lead the dead's soul into the netherworld, but it seems to have disappeared. Such events have been on the rise recently. They died but the soul didn't enter the netherworld."

"Then, where did they go?"

"They probably got sac."

"Got sac?"

"Sacrificed shortened. I heard this from somewhere, characters like The king of the night (me: First big bad) would grant you huge amount of magical power, if you sacrificed souls to him. Happens frequently in recent times."

We entered a room filled with tension and went down the stairs. Another normal house. Did the soul hunting really happen here? It's so quiet.

But once we reached the ground floor, there was blood everywhere.

"Aikawa-san, please be on your guard."

The dog in front of me wiped the sweat off his forehead with his trenchcoat. How strong! This dog can sweat.

Actually, I'm sweating profusely as well. In front of us lies someone with strong presence. My heartbeat became faster and there were chills all over my body.

--It's here. And extremely powerful.

"Oh oh, magical power still rising. It's not possible that someone in this world possess such strong power--I see! That must be the case!"

I don't get how strong that person is. I wanted to feel that magical power too.

In the darkness, something flashed.

Ton. (me: sfx) My body was blocked, and the dog in trenchcoat held his arms wide. Oi oi, I can't die. Things like being a meatshield are up my alley, let me handle it.

"Why did you protect me?"

"--If anything should happen to you, wouldn't Hellscythe-sama be saddened?"

"It's not a big deal, I'm--"

"Hellscythe-sama showed a joyful expression... I don't want that to be taken away."

For an instant the dog looked like a human. This guy likes Yuu.

"Please escape! You can't win with your level of power! That person is this world..."

That broad back fell onto me. Blood spurted everywhere in the darkness.

I couldn't move. I wanted to take a look at the perpetrator but I couldn't move.

All that was captured in my eyes was a blade.

I can see clearly a chest impaled with a blade. I'm talking about the dog.

I still can't move.

Move, move, move! My mind was functioning as normal. There was nothing to fear at this point. But my body would not move.

--It was the same, like that time I was killed.

At least let me see that guy's face.

Just a little more and I can see it. My body was threw out by the dog, the force was so great that the walls fell apart, and I was outside.

Once I was outside I could move like normal. (me: Hint, hint, it's the killer's power.) With resolute I pulled myself up and prepared to enter the house. I wonder if the dog sensed something and helped me escape, but he never planned his own escape. What a meddlesome fellow.

Dog laid on the floor. In the bloodied corridor, the dog was dissected. No, trisected. His head was lobbed off.

I lied low and searched around the house.

An arm dropped. Does this belong to a young man or woman?

A large mass drops. This would be the head of the household. His body parts were everywhere. Ah, adding the dog that's 5 bodies, but "that person" was gone.

"Hey, is there anything you want to add?"

I went back to the dog, sitting in the pool of blood and looking down on that poor mutt.

"That person, is this world's..."

One word makes a huge difference! World? World's?

But at this moment he couldn't answer anymore.

The dog's body, like dandelion, spread apart and flew away. Just like a megalo...

What a stupid move.

But, well.

...You were a good fellow.

Eh? The death looks just like a megalo's?

>Sigh. Megalos can speak. Like that crustacean.

I recalled what I said before. Opening the trenchcoat, I saw the telltale sign of a megalo--the black school uniform.

Dog--Cerberus•OneThird is a megalo.

It's the gatekeeper of the netherworld. That means megalo originates from the world after you die?

Why did a megalo save a Masou Shoujo like me? Why didn't Haruna do anything even though she was close by?

Why does Yuu acquaintance with a megalo?

And--He was such a fine fellow!



Doo~ doo~ (sfx)

Whilst on my way home my cellphone rang. It's an unfamiliar number, but since I have nothing to do while walking, might as well pick it up.

"Hello?"

"Eh~? It's not Haruna~?"

A carefree and lovely girl's voice drifted from the cellphone.

"Haruna? Ah, ah... Could it be you're Daisensei?" (me: Daisensei isn't her name, it's a title/nickname Haruna made up and it stuck.)

The only person who has business with Haruna can only be Daisensei.

"Yes~ And you are~?"

"Aikawa Ayumu, the replacement Masou Shoujo for Haruna."

"Eh, but you're not a girl (shoujo)."

She went hihihi on the other side. She's absolutely right.

"I've been doing this ridiculous job for quite some time, or did you know about this in the first place? Anyway, what business did you have with Haruna? She's not by my side, is there anything you want me to relay to her?"

"Um~ Then I'll impose on you. Enough of Kyoto tofu~ Please concentrate on regaining your magical power~ Can you help me tell her this?"

"Kyoto tofu?"

"Um, I actually wanted Haruna to get me some. She couldn't find any, so tell her I'm calling it off~"

Her sentence threw me off, I was stunned. She's actually looking for Kyoto tofu. That squarish, bouncy tofu. Not fear (きょうふ) but  Kyoto tofu (きょうとうふ). That Haruna... You couldn't even count on her to fetch you something. What a lovely person. (me: I can't translate this pun, too high level.)

"About that, how about I prepare some for you?"

I suggested.

Kyouko-chan's (me: Cute girl in hospital, probably appears in episode 3.) grandfather should be in Kyoto, I recall. I have good memory when it has to do with cute girls. Wait, why are you looking for Kyoto Tofu in Tokyo? Why not Kyoto?

"Ah, then I'll leave it up to you. I really love Kyoto Tofu~"

"Haha, why did you assign Haruna to Tokyo? Can't you send her to Kyoto in the first place?"

"Ara ara~? You're not in Kyoto? Go to Kyoto, isn't that what I said?"

Don't tell me that fellow... Mixed up Kyoto and Tokyo? ...To...kyo...to or something.

"Sigh, that child~ She's always last in class because of that."

I heard her sigh. Even if you tell me that, I can't help you.

"She calls herself a genius."

I muttered with a smile. At first I thought she was joking,

"Oh yes. I acknowledge that fact."

Which one is it.

-- Isn't she the last in her class? Or is she really a genius?

"She's always last because she's a genius."

Daisensei explained with a carefree disposition.

"Haruna has strong latent abilities. She's great at understanding and application. But but~ If one can easily do anything, you won't find joy in doing it. How do I put it, it doesn't really matter~ She stopped coming to school without me know. Ah, Kyoto tofu, I prefer Miuka~" (me: 茗荷 or みょうが, I don't know what that is.)

Daisensei continued on with her carefree voice. Time to time she drifted back to Kyoto tofu, I have no idea if she's trying to change the topic, or the tofu is really important to her.

Even if she's a genius, you can only teach yourself so much.

That's why Haruna was left behind. She has confidence that she could catch up easily, this confidence and her pride wouldn't allow her to be taught by others.

Her attitude made people unhappy and those around Haruna shunned her. She didn't even have a friend, but if she has a rival, they could learn from each other.

But she accepted the loneliness.

She's always last because she's a genius.

Her attendance is lacking, she would have to repeat a grade if this continues.

Daisensei told her she could be absent but still earn enough credits by hunting and defeating megalos. That, as well as buying Kyoto tofu, was her reason to send Haruna to another world.

Haruna cannot remember names is because she didn't bother, not because she's an idiot. It isn't interesting, that's why there's not need to remember.

Take Kumachi, Zari for example, those were names that she made up. In actual those Megalo had other names, the bear was called Maeshiba, crayfish was Manabe, totally different names. She renamed them so she could remember... Actually I found that hard. Ah, Megalo classes like AA and stuff she got them correct, maybe that's because she's interested it that. (me: Removed names of other Megalos since they haven't appear in the anime yet. Like that Sperm Whale Megalo, which is ridiculously large to fight against.)

"Recently something unexpected happened."

"Something unexpected...?"

"Eh eh. She remembered someone's name. She never remembers my name."

That's right, she only called her Daisensei.

"What magic did you use? Mister Ayumu?"

Hihihi she went, calling my name.

"Although I know quite a few magic, but none of them could get her to open up her heart. You're a pretty good magiciain~"

The great Daisensei is making jokes about me, in my embarrassment I've forgotten what to say. Time to change the topic, and to clear my doubts.

"What exactly are Megalos? At first I assumed they were mankind's enemies, but--"

"Megalos are the foes of Masou Shoujo. If we don't wipe them out, then us Masou Shoujo will not have a future~"

Haruna said something to that effect as well. Looks like it's not only Haruna's opinion, but some kind of collective opinion.

"There was a Megalo next to me just now, but Haruna never noticed it, the Megalo never attacked her. Why is that so?"

"That's rare... Probably~ She has something on her mind? Megalos have the ability to sense Masou Shoujo, and vice versa. This Megalo had an objective other than attacking Masou Shoujo. Even if Megalos sensed Haruna, she wouldn't be able to sense them. Haruna never learned how to, that's why she couldn't even tell that a Megalo is in front of her~?"

She giggled at her joke. I see. Another objective, that must mean me.

After that we talked about more Masou Shoujo stuff, and didn't stop until I reach the porch of my house. Haruna sure has a great teacher.

Alright, time to send Kyouko-chan a message.

-- Get her to acquire some tofu for me.




Reaching home, Sera's face was pale for some reason. A melancholic face and beauty that makes you shiver.

-- Are you alright?

"Not enough blood... Can you get Haruna?"

She begged me like a mosquito. If Vampire Ninjas don't take blood at fixed interval they would perish. If they don't replenish their blood they'll be dead like me.

"Can't you drink mine?"

"--Probably taste revolting."

"I... see."

You wouldn't even want to drink from a zombie even if there's an emergency.

Anyway I went up the stairs and headed for Haruna's room. After knocking twice I entered her room, but not before hearing the rustling of her feet.

"Oi! Don't come in! Never come in!"

The door flew open and Haruna charged out. She's only wearing panties today. During that short period she managed to put on her panties-- Tsk, too bad.

"You Eroboros!"

"I don't get the origin of this..."

"A snake!"

Oh, it's Ouroboros.

"Whatever, Sera looks like she's expiring. Can you spare her some blood?"

"No! Definitelyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy, N!O! Oi! Don't look this way!"

She shrunk back into her room with a red face. Her skin looks beautiful as always, I can't get enough of it. Not the time for this. How? Abduct her?

Well I should go back to the living room, and asked the collapsed Sera "Can't you drink mine?"

"No! Definitelyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy...yyyyyyyy no!"

That's longer than Haruna's.

Ton ton. Our heads turned to the source of the noise.

[Mine   Not a problem.] = [Yuu's shouldn't have a problem, right? I'll try my best!]

"I can't do this! To have Eucliwood-sama spare me her blood, I..."

"Maa maa. Since Yuu agreed, why don't you drink just this once?"

Sera looked like she ate something bitter. She put a finger on the side of her mouth and pondered. Not long after, she came to a conclusion, steel her heart and looked at Yuu.

"--Let's do as you said. I'm sorry."

Sera slowly walked to Yuu's side, and like with Haruna her lips were tightly closed.

Yuu didn't display any emotion, but her eyes narrowed slightly, and Sera went for her neck.

"--Ah."

Yuu closed her hands around her mouth with speed I've never seen before. She shuts her eyes tightly. Did she make a sound just now? It's the first time. Was it because of pain? Her face glowed slightly red.

The blood sucking ended promptly. Sera kneeled immediately.

"I'm very sorry!"

Aside from blushing slightly, Yuu's face was as usual and she looked at the ground for an instant. She went back to watching the TV right after that.

"She's probably... forgiven you."

Even though I said something like this, Sera was still panicky. She looked towards Yuu, but she didn't turn her head even once. Ah yes, I have some questions for Yuu.

"Yuu, that dog just now... That was a Megalo?"

Yuu looked towards me and nodded slightly.

"So you're from Megalo's side. Can you turn into something monstrous like them?"

Yuu sipped her tea and turned her body to the table. Looks like she's going to discuss this seriously.

[People populate the netherworld as well, like this world. I'm a resident of that world.]

"That means you won't turn into a monster."

Yes. She nodded vigorously.

[But abilities like those exists amongst the residents.]

I see, people have special powers like Yuu. The netherworld lives up to it's name, real monsters live there.

"What are Megalos?"

[In the netherworld
to fight Masou Shoujo
souls will be collected
then
put into an animal shaped container
this is the Megalo system.]

"Those who dies in this world, turns into Megalo?"

[Not only from this world
any soul of the dead
comes from all over the netherworld
someone with that ability exists in the netherworld.]

The dead will turn into Megalo, but not me. That means I'm akin to a Megalo but not a Megalo.

--I'm truly a zombie, phew.

Megalo turns into light particles when they die, that means the soul was destroyed.

"Yuu, that means Haruna is your enemy. Why didn't you say something?"

[Haruna she
is a poor girl who lost her magical powers
not a threat.]

In conclusion, the Haruna who lost her magical powers is nothing in Yuu's eyes.

"Sera, what are your connections to Megalos?"

"I'm sorry, but I have no idea what you were talking about."

Vampire Ninjas don't know about Megalos? Maybe the Masou Shoujo wiped their memories every time they got involved.

"Didn't you beat up Megalo without saying a word... That anteater and whale?"

"Our ancient duty was to protect humanity from youkai (monsters)."

Youkai. They must be what Megalo is to the Vampire Ninja.

"Yuu, can I? I mean... I'll continue to defeat Megalos with Haruna?"

[It's fine
I
from the bottom of my heart never liked the Megalo system
the dead should be at peace.]

Yuu dislikes Megalos? That maybe a reason why she came to this world.

Man, so many things happen, what a long day.

Doo~ doo~ (sfx)

The cellphone in my pocket vibrated, it's an email from Kyouko-chan, it's filled with cute characters.

In summary, she'll get her grandfather to acquire Kyoto tofu when he comes to visit her tomorrow. If I meet her after school, then I'll not meet her grandfather. That's a superb arrangement, thanks Kyouko-chan. Haruna's mission is completed.

I laid on my bed once I got back to my room. Ah, I need to inform Daisensei. Took out my cellphone and called a certain number.

bububububububu...burururururu...burururururu...

"Thank you for calling, this Materialize School of Magic, my name is Alice."

A nice sound rang in my ears. I feel rejuvenated after hearing this healing voice. It's not Daisensei's voice though.

"Um, that... Is Daisensei available?"

"Huh? I'm sorry, who am I speaking to?"

"Um, ah... I'm the representative of Haruna from refrain year rising group."

Thank god the study year and group were easy to remember. Not possible to remember her seating number.

"The teacher for that group would be Miss Ariel? I apologize since Miss Ariel isn't around at the moment, do you need me to pass a message?"

"Ah, no, that... Please tell her that the thing she wants will be ready by tomorrow. ..."

"Affirmative. If possible could you tell me your name?"

"Ah... I--I'm Aikawa Ayumu."

"Aikawa Ayumu-san right? I get it. Anything else? Thanks for calling. Then I'll excuse myself."

Ha. Ah. Um, um, um, bye.

I couldn't react properly. Was it nervousness?

Well then, it's been a long time since I stood around reading magazines in the supermarket, I'll go drop by later.

You're asking me why don't I sleep?

Zombies are nocturnal beings.




End of chapter 3.