NoWaYu 4

I felt really exhausted after using that technique.
It was pretty strong.
But I now understand,
It's not something you can use repeatedly in battle.
I knew about the risks beforehand...
We were told about the stamina depletion and extreme fatigue that come with,
But it's really something else when you experience it.

We had Ichimoku Ren help us out this time...
But I personally would like to get stronger.
One day, I'd love to try out ■■■■


Hero record Oct 2018
Takashima Yuuna Record



Chapter 4: Shade Leaf




A single bus, driving down this road surrounded by fields.
Next to Chikage's seat is her special scythe, wrapped up in cloth. It's been folded into a portable state.
She took a day off and went back to home hometown in Kouchi.
Staring at the scenery outside the window.
It's October already.
The autumn breeze blowing through the golden fields; mountains in the distance were also starting to turn red.
[...]
Eventually, Chikage stopped looking out the window, took out a portable game device and turned it on.
An FPS where you shoot down attacking zombies and goat abominations.
Putting on here earphones, she stopped hearing the sound of the moving bus. Focused on the screen, she stopped paying attention the her surroundings.
Video games were Chikage's sole hobby.
Her gun shot down the enemies one after the other.
The dying monstrosities bled a red similar to humans'.
Chikage's technique was astounding.
Even with starting gear, no recovery items and no saves allowed, she breezed through the levels.
(People throughout Shikoku must know that I've been chosen as a hero by now...)
She recalled the first Vertex invasion to Shikoku that happened a few days ago.

After their first battle ended in victory, the existence of the "Heroes" that repelled the vertex was made public.
Taisha cooperated with the mass medias and even helped promote the Heroes, as a way to reassure the people of Shikoku. Proving that humans can defeat the Vertex, the Heroes will protect everyone.
Over the next days, the five of them were featured on TV, newspapers, over the internet and even in weekly magazines with their real names revealed.
They became the center of attention, and once they were revealed to be no more than young children; people all over Shikoku had their eyes on them.
The secret weapon of the nation.
The hope of mankind.
The final and strongest shield.
[These magazines and newspapers have Wakaba-chan interviews]
During lunch, Yuuna came to the cafeteria holding a bunch of magazines and newspapers. All of which featured special Hero articles, especially Wakaba being the leader, with a large picture.
[What a show this has become...]
Anzu said, impressed as she took a magazine out of the stack.
Hinata looked at the page, and said as a wrinkle formed between here eyebrows.
[Mumumu, This won't do. This picture does not capture the appeal of Wakaba-chan. From now on I'll request they only use my best shots...]
[Don't do it! Don't you dare!]
[Are you just pretending, Wakaba-chan?]
Tamako looked at it next, then shrugged.
[These are all writing what they please. We're neither a weapon, hope nor a shield. Just humans]
For a while, the Hero unveiling excitement continued like some sort of festival. The girls were allowed to take some time off afterwards. The hero system is highly dependant on the mental state of the wielder, and can't be used in

unstable condition. Rest is very important.
Especially Yuuna who manifested the power of a fairy into her own body; she was hospitalized in order to investigate the after-effects.


The sound of the bus door opening could be heard through the earphones. Chikage looked up and noticed she arrived to her destination.
She almost got a new high-score, but was forced to quit.
[...I'm getting off...]
She put away her handheld, grabbed her scythe and got up.

A few minutes' walk later, Chikage arrived at a one-story rented house. That was her home.
A foul smell hit her the moment she stepped inside.
Dust was everywhere, and empty cans and bottles scattered all over the corridor.
Garbage bags piled up in a corner, likely forgotten there for weeks.
[I'm home...]
No response.
She stepped inside avoiding the empty cans.
As she made it to the living room, she saw her mother wrapped up in a futon. Asleep after taking her medications.
Whitening hair, sunken eyes and withered thin skin...You wouldn't believe she was still in her thirties.
The fusuma across the room opened and her father stepped in.
[Chikage, you're home! It's been a while, how are you doing?]
Opening his arms wide and welcoming his daughter. The man had a bright expression, but he seemed fatigued.
The moment he saw the giant scythe she was holding, his expression stiffened and quickly switched back to that fake smile.
[That's the Heroes'...It must have been rough]
Chikage couldn't tell what he meant by that. Was he talking about her fighting, or the fact that this commotion made her come all the way back carrying that heavy object.
[More importantly, dad...At least clean up a bit. There's garbage all over the place]
[Y-yeah. But you know I'm busy taking care of your mother]
Making up an excuse, he averted his eyes. The man can't do chores, nor does he try to.
[I'm sorry, Chikage. To see your mother like this]
He looked down at the sleeping woman, sighing.
[It's fine...I just had some time off]
The reason she came home was because of her mother's condition worsening.
After the first Vertex invasion, many people started manifesting what was known as the "Sky fear syndrome". A psychological illness born from the immense fear of the monsters.
It was classified in 4 stages, depending on its severity.
Stage 1, being the lightest - its symptoms were just fear of looking up and discomfort when going outside.
People suffering from stage 2 and above would have flashbacks of the time of the attack, causing them to be mentally unstable and affecting their everyday life.
Up until recently, Chikage's mother was at stage 2, but her condition worsened and is now at stage 3. Making the flashbacks and hallucinations much more frequent, and need for medicine a lot more pressing. She of course still couldn't

work nor go outside.
The final stage was the worst. symptoms ranged from ego collapsing, memory loss to madness. It was so harsh that many people believe the Vertex emitted some sort of waves or poison that affected the human brain.
It was also said that by the time someone reached the third stage, it wouldn't take long for them to get to the final one.
Chikage's mother was soon to be moved into a special facility. That was why her father called her back home.
If it gets worse she might not even recognize her daughter anymore.
Chikage got angry at her father who did not even try to hide he was giving up, but she couldn't think of a reason to refuse.
[Chikage, you haven't eaten lunch yet. I'll have something delive-]
[It's okay...I don't want anything]
Cutting him mid-sentence. She turned around and proceeded to leave the room towards the front door.
[Where are you going?]
[Since I've come all the way here...I wanna go see my friends]
[I see...]
Chikage felt he was trying to tell her something, but she ignored the fact and left.
(I knew I shouldn't have come back...)


Walking down the narrow country path, Chikage regretted her decision.
Her wanting to see her friends was a mere excuse. There was no such person in this village.
She simply wanted to get away from there.
She hated that house.
She also hated the sight of her parents, broken and exhausted.
Why did it become this way.
When her parents were a loving couple.
Their families apparently protested, but they rented a small house and started living there.
Soon after Chikage was born.
Both parents rejoiced at the birth of their child.
A third member added to their small family, and their days of happiness continued.

But that's not how it went.
Chikage's father was a child turned adult, being both an irresponsible father and husband.
He prioritized his own freedom and refused to help out with housework.
One night, Chikage's mother collapsed from a high fever. Chikage being too young to know what to do called her father asking for help. "Give her some medicine and put her to sleep", he said and hung up the phone. He finally returned at

around 2am, drunk. Chikage spent all that time crying alone.
Family in-fights happened regularly.
And one day, the mother's affair came to light.
Being in a small village, the news spread quickly and the couple's relations with the other residents became the worst they could be.
Chikage was not spared either. She couldn't stand all the people talking behind her back.
She was bullied and hated at school.
Soon after, the mother ran away with another man.
And yet, the couple still wouldn't split up.
They couldn't come to an understanding on who would take custody of Chikage, both wanting to push her onto the other.
If it weren't for her, they would have long left the past behind and started a new life.
They both cursed her existence.
"I'm a worthless and upleasant child..."
Was how Chikage felt about herself.
She lived her life resented by her parents, despised by the other villagers and bullied by her peers.


And the day of the invasion.


When she awakened to her powers, she wasn't in an place that was attacked and never actually had to fight. But Taisha confirmed that she was chosen and had her move to Kagawa.
Thing just sort of naturally happened afterwards. Taisha provided an explanation of what Heroes were, she then met a group of girls who were like her and transferred to a school under Taisha's jurisdiction.
A boarding school with only 6 students.
By the time she got used to her new lifestyle, and after all sorts of procedures were done, Chikage went back home just once.
Her mother was there. She was at Honshuu during the attack and barely managed to escape from the Vertex back to Shikoku. The man she ran with was apparently killed.
[Your mother has the Sky fear...]
Her father said with a gloomy expression.
He was referring to the Sky Fear syndrome. She was already at the second stage.
She couldn't go outside nor work. The scandal left them scorned by their families, so the father was the only one taking care of her. The people suffering from the illness were too numerous, so they couldn't admit Stage 2 and below into

hospitals. The man was working part time and barely managing to scrap by due to the expenses of his wife's treatment.
(...You reap what you sow...)
The Koori household was always confined and stifling.
Chikage hated that house.
She also hated the sight of her parents, broken and exhausted.
And above all, she hated her worthless and unpleasant self.


As she walked drowned in her thoughts, she passed by her old school. Be it by force of habit, her feet simply carried her in that direction.
She had nothing but bad memories of this place.
No a single person took her side, she spent all her days looking down at her seat.
Her classmates used to call her "Daughter of the bitch" and "slut". Most likely not even knowing the meaning of the words.
Even the teachers mocked her, saying a child born of those parents could never amount to anything.
Her belongings were being stolen almost on a daily basis.
The girls would surround her, rip off her clothes and toss them in the incinerator.
At times they would cut her hair with scissors, hurting her ears in the process more often than not.
They would even push her down the stairs and mask it as playing.
Back then, the only way Chikage could protect herself was shutting her heart completely. One way she did that was by getting into video games. As she focused on the screen, closed her ears with earphones she was able to block off

everything else.
That way, both the mocking voices and painful bullying couldn't reach her.
Unable to hear anything.
Unable to feel anything.
Unable to feel pain.
She simply waited for time to pass as she immersed herself in her games.
Worthless as she is, It was only natural for people to hurt her like that, or so she thought.
[With parents like that]
[Annoying]
[Gloomy]
[Let's burn it]
[Ahahahaha!]
[What happened to your clothes?]
[Slut]
[crappy parents]
[Disgusting hair]
[Scissors]
[Ah, messed up]
[Blood!]
[Ahahaha]
[Sensei did not see anything]
[Ahahahaha]
[Stop playing video games]
[Disgusting]
[Stairs]
[She fell]
[Ambulance]
[Run away]
[Don't make trouble for sensei]
[All because of those parents]
Unable to hear anything.
Unable to feel anything.
Unable to feel pain.
Nothing...
[There no way...it doesn't hurt...]
Chikage covered her ears, feeling pain from the spot that was previously cut by her classmates.
No matter how hard she focused on her game, she could still hear their voices. She could sense their malice. She could feel the pain.
She was always in pain, alone.
[Why...]
Tears started forming in the corners of her eyes.
Why was she remembering this now. Back in Kagawa she forgot about it all. She wished the memories from that time would disappear forever.
(let's go back...)
She turned her back on the school.
She didn't want to spent a single more moment in this place.
She wanted to go back to Kagawa right away.
(I wanna see...Takashima-san...)
When she was getting used to that lifestyle. When she completely gave up on interacting with other people. Yuuna nonchallantly spoke to her.
Once she's back to Kagawa.
Once she talks to Yuuna.
She'll completely forget about the past again.
[You're...Koori-san?]
A voice said from behind. When Chikage turned around, the one standing there was her old female teacher.
She smiled, looking slighly older than she used to.
[What are you doing here? Everyone has already left for your house]
[...? My...House?]
[Yes, we received word that you were coming home]
Question after question rushed into Chikage's mind.
(Everyone...? What...? Who...?)
The teacher took her hand, [Come on, let's go] she said as she pulled her.
And lead her back to her house.
People were gathered in front of the building.
Completely confused.
As she approached, they gathered around her.
Even more confused.
What is even going on? The people looked at Chikage with admiration and respect.
And then started talking.
The classmates who used to bully her, smiling as if trying to get on good side. [We're friends aren't we? You don't hate us right?]
The shop keeps from the shopping district who used to call her the daughter of the whore bowed their heads asking her to come visit their shops.
The neightbors who called her a creepy child are now saying she was the pride of their village.
A man calling himself the mayor said he would give her a medal of honor and asked for her permission to put up the pictures on the local magazines and homepage.
Chikage was dumbfounded at first, but she eventually realized the meaning of this charade.
(Oh...So that's what this is...)
She hit the ground with the handle of her scythe, still wrapped up.
The sound of the impact echoed, and everyone around her went silent.
[...I have something...To ask of you all]
With everyone's attention on her, Chikage said with a tiny voice.



[Am I...A person of worth...?]


The all stood there looking dubious, when someone broke the silence.

[Of course. You are a hero after all]

The others followed suit and said the same thing. Everyone praised the hero Chikage.
Up until recently, she lived as the lowest of the low. Bullied, mocked and hurt. The fact that she was useless drilled both into her body and mind.
How about now though?
Those who hurt her once were now trying to get on her good side.
The adults who thought of her as nothing more than a stone by the side of the road, were now holding her hands.
(All because...I'm a hero now...)


Chikage ended up staying the night at home that day.
She hated spending time with her parents, but right now their existence meant very little to her.
She hated how weak and worthless they were.
The heroes' families received all sorts of compensation from Taisha; Chikage recalled hearing about that once. She thought the fact that her parents could even still live and afford her mother's bills was all thanks to her.
The hero Chikage was allowing them to live.
Looking at her mother, her eyes blank due to medication; she asked.
[Hey...Mom]
[What...?]
[Are you happy...I became a hero?]
[Yes...I am glad I gave birth to you...I love you]
Celebrated at birth.
Cursed and scorned later.
Chikage was being celebrated once more.


The next day, Chikage went back to Kagawa.
Shortly after, the Vertex' second attack happened.


The enemy of mankind, approaching as they crossed the wall.
The girls holding their weapons stood to face them.
The number of stardust was a lot more than the first time.
But Chikage was no longer afraid.
She cut through them with her scythe.
Wakaba, Tamako, Anzu and Yuuna all were there.
[Wait...Takashima-san?]
Chikage doubted her eyes for a moment. Yuuna was hospitalized and was supposed to sit through this fight.
After taking care of the enemies before her, she rushed to Yuuna's side.
[Takashima-san...Weren't you in the hospital...?]
[Ahahaha....Time stopped so I sneaked out. I can't just sit and watch as you all fight!]
Chikage's mouth loosened at the response.
[Ooh! Gun-chan's smiling! You're not feeling nervous today!]
[Yes...It won't be like last time...]
[Alright! Let's defeat all the Vertex and protect Shikoku!]
Chikage nodded as she looked at the swarm.
(...I'll kill the most...And become number one...)
She jumped into the midst of the Vertex and started cutting them down. Every time she swung her scythe they would be split in half letting out an eerie cry and disappear. It was as easy as defeating monsters in a video game.
(My worth...Is in being a hero...)
Because she was a hero protecting the people and killing the Vertex, that she was praised and loved.
So if she kills the highest number of Vertex and becomes the number one Hero she'll be loved even more.
(The harder I try the more they'll like me...)
She no longer wanted to be worthless.
For that she'll do anything.
Suddenly, a group of Vertex started gathering and evolving.
[I'll.. take care of that one...!]
Chikage focused her mind and accessed Shinju's records, menifesting its power in her body.

The new Evolved Vertex, was a giant with a mouth similar to the smaller forms.
[It simply grew bigger...?]
[I wonder...]
Tamako and Anzu pondered. and observed its movements.
In an instant, the giant opened it mouth and let out an endless barrage of arrows that rained down on them like a meteor shower.
[Uwaaaaaaaaa!]
Tamako rushed to turn her weapon into shield form, protecting herself and Anzu from the arrows.
When the monster realized its attacks had no effect on them, it switched to target Yuuna.
[Waawawawa!]
Yuuna moved about dodging the arrows.
[I can't get close to it like this]
The monster's firepower was on a whole different level compared to Anzu's crossbow. Trying to approach it reclessly won't end well.
It then set its sights on Chikage.
The endless stream of arrows shot towards her and evicerated her.
She collapsed and fell down to the Jukai.
[Gun-chaaaaaaaaaaan!!]
Yuuna's scream resounded.
But then she saw something unbelievable.
Chikage who should have vanished in the Jukai, was rushing towards the Vertex from another spot.
Looking closely, there wasn't a single Chikage, but 7 of her nearing down on the enemy.
[A cloning technique?! Gun-chan you're a ninja?!]


(That's not it...Takashima-san...)
The fairy whose power she manifested was Shichinin Misaki. It allowed her to exist in seven different places at once. She wouldn't die unless all seven were killed at once.
If one or two were taken down, they would immediately get replaced. The number of people present will always be Seven.
How matter how many arrows there were, it was imposible for them to kill seven people at once. Right now Chikage was immortal.
A dozen bodies got shot down in the process, but the Chikages paid no attention and made their way into melee range.
(My weapon has the power of...Oohagari)
Once, a farming god went on a rampage after his friend's death and even destroyed the funeral hut in his rage.
The weapon he used was Oohagari. A cursed blade that defiles even the dead.
(Truly a perfect weapon to be cut down with... don't you think...?)
The seven bodies swung down the human sized scythe at once, attacking seven different spots, causing the giant Vertex to scatter and disappear.


Afterwards, having taken care of the remaining 100 or so enemies, the second battle ended.
Once again, Nogi Wakaba had the highest kill count.


A few days later
It was the midst if autumn, the wind was getting colder.
Chikage was training alone, swinging her giant scythe.
As expected, Taisha praised Wakaba for her exploits in the previous fight, and the medias promoted her even more.
(I'll become stronger...Much stronger than Nogi-san...)
[Gun-chaaaan!]
Chikage stopped her hand and looked in the direction of the voice. Yuuna was approaching from the entrance of the training grounds]
[Takashima-san...What about the hospital?]
[I finally got discharged today. I was bored all this time! Also, they found out about me sneaking out for the fight the other day...If it weren't for that I would have be able to leave much earlier...]
Yuuna shrugged and let out a sigh.
[What about you Gun-chan? training by yourself?]
[Yes...I want to be stronger]
Chikage never trained by herself before, but now she had a clear objective.
(The harder I try...The more everyone will love me...)
If her sole value was in being a hero, then she ought to work and increase that value. For that, she needed to be stronger.
Chikage resumed swinging her weapon.
Thinking purely in weapon specs, Chikage knew her scythe wouldn't lose to Wakaba's Katana. So what was the difference between the two of them? It was probablt in the way they handled those weapons.
Wakaba practiced Iai ever since she was a child, she handled the blade like an extension of her body.
On the other hand, Chikage wasn't that good at using the large and heavy scythe.
So she thought, if she trained in handling her weapon even a little bit more she'll definitely catch up to Wakaba.
[Gun-chan, may I?]
Yuuna extended her hand towards Chikage.
[....!]
Chikage reacted instinctively. An after effect from back when she used to get bullied. When someone tried touching her her body tensed up in fear.
(Takashima-san...She must be offended...)
But Yuuna showed no hints of minding it, and touched Chikage's hand.
[You hold your weapon like this, then swing it like this...WOOSH!!]
With her hand on top of Chikage's, Yuuna made a swinging motion.
[W-woosh...?]
[Yup, WOOSH!!]
[What exactly is Woosh like...?]
[Like...WHAM!!]
[Wasn't it Woosh...?]
[WHAM and WOOSH are the same, but different! It's all about the mindset!]
Yuuna's explanation made no sense, but she tried her best trying to convey it to Chikage.
Chikage appreciated that.
[Also, Gun-chan]
[What...?]
[I think you were true MVP for that last battle, Gun-chan]
[Eh...?]
[You killed almost as many as Wakaba-chan. You took care of all Vertex that tried coming my way and stopped the ones Tama-chan missed.]
[Ah...]
Yuuna knew exactly how hard Chikage was fighting. She was watching all along.
With her hand still on Chikage's, Yuuna said smiling as she swung the scythe.
[Ehehe, Gun-chan's hand is so warm. It's chilly today so I wanna stay like]
[...Yeah...]
Chikage's eyes started tearing up.
These tears were different from the ones back in her hometown.
[huh? You're crying? Did I say something wrong? I'm so sorry!]
Rushing to stop the apologizing Yuuna, Chikage wiped her tears and shook her head.
[No...This is...not that...]
[?]
Chikage made a smile, tears still in her eyes and said to the confused Yuuna.
[Thank you...Takashima-san]
She will no longer be hurt by the wounds from her past. She thought to herself.

Chapter 4 - End.