<purga> shaman 50

The Shaman can't become a Hero
Act 5: Worst Harem Party
Chapter 50: Crack
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"Answer the question Momokawa! What the <hell> were you doing just now!"

"N-no wait... just wait ok! Watch the sword..."

Her sharp blade pointed at me, she seems extremely agitated. Kenzaki-san is so mad, I can't begin to describe her as only angry, and has an air around her that's telling me that any form or excuse or small talk will have my neck drop by her wrath. No, if I zip up now, in her rage, she might just unconsciously do the same.

Having fallen into an abrupt and unfair state of crisis, I can't say I'm calm either.

"Sto-stop... Kenzaki-san, if you kill me, you'll also..."

"Bastard! You dare start threatening me now!"

"Uaaah, I'm sorry! B-but, I'm telling the truth, if you accidentally stab me, you will get the same wound, so the sword, please pull it back..."

It'll be too late after the deed it done. I made sure to clearly explain how my <Pain Return> works, but holy shit man, humans are such damn valiant creatures, braving any danger if they're too mad. No, I guess it's cause <Pain Return> doesn't have any solid form, so I can't expect them to intrinsically avoid hitting me.

"Shut it, Momokawa, don't underestimate me— *Fuhn*!"

"GUH!?"

Kenzaki-san drew back her sword, but as soon as she did, there was a fist landed in my gut. It wasn't anything like a frail girl punch, but felt heavy like an iron ball, an impactful punch.

Naturally, my abdominal muscles being as weak as they are, I couldn't bear the attack at all. The strength drained from my knees, and I collapsed into the ground right there.

"Uh, Ugh... ow, ow... *hi,c*... ow..."

I cried letting out a pathetic voice. the sting in my stomach hurts so bad, I felt it'd be better to die than suffer through this. The pain was too much, I had no leeway to feel shame or dishonor.

This pain and humiliation is the same I felt when I was lynched my those Goma. It should be the 2nd time, but you never get used to this kinda shit.

"*Tch...* It's the curse. How annoying"

I breathe deeply to control the pain and look up. There, stood Kenzaki-san with a face warped much more than can be described as annoyed.

She definitely got a taste of the same pain as me, but the hell's this difference in reaction. How does this woman keep standing so normally after getting gut-punched this hard... No, this too must be a result of our vocations. A <Dualwielder> like Kenzaki-san adapted to battle must have a high degree of pain resistance. Could also be the result of her hellish sword training from a young age.

"*Hah, haa... haah...* K-Kenzaki-san, why are you... doing this..."

I can't hold out if she attacks again. The intense pain slightly subsided, so I try to speak up. Presently, I have no methods to end this other than peaceful dialog. No matter how unfair she's being, if I return with, "You punched me, fucking bitch!", that's like asking for assisted suicide.

Ah man, being <weak> sure sucks.

"*Why* he says... Bastard, *you tell me* if you understand what you just did"

The hell you want, don't ask me if you already know.

"You dog. You sure got guts doing *that* while us girls are sleeping right there, huh Momokawa!"

Well fuck you too, I went out of my way all the way into this corner, out of courtesy alright. You're talking as if I raped someone in their sleep.

"Souma would never do something like this, not even once... This is why men are such"

"*Haah...haah...* Kenzaki-san, you've got it wrong... I just, really needed this for my curse, and..."

"Don't make excuses! Have some shame!"

Grabbing my collar, she forcefully stands me... not even; Kenzaki-san being the tallest of us below Mei-chan, my small body lifts easily. I couldn't touch soil even if I stretch my toes to the limit.

My neck is, a bit constrained too. It hurts.

"I'm sor... wait, stop... don't hurt me..."

Begging as if I'd be killed, I ready myself for another punch.

"You really think I'm letting you off after you—"

"What in the, Asuna, what's going one? What's all this shouting for"

Right then, a voice from the fountain, this intonation and tone, must be Class Rep.

Maybe because she was called by name, Kenzaki-san let go of me. Ouch. I fell instantly and landed on my butt.

I'm saved— isn't something I can gullibly assume. Maybe her appearance doesn't mean she's coming to mediate, but actually it's leveled up into a group lynching.

"Oh, Ryouko, sorry for waking you up"

"You woke me up too Asuna"

"Hmm, what's up~, what happened guys?"

Following Class Rep, Souma-san and Natsukawa-san also called out.

"There was an incident. Girls, listen to this—"

"... Kotarou-kun?"

Mei-chan had also, woken up. With this much noise, I'd find it weird if she hadn't.

But once that Mei-chan, who was rubbing her sleepy eyes, saw me, those eyes changed. It was the Berserker's eyes, those that slaughter even monsters.

"<Kotarou-kun!>"

Mei-chan appeared in front of me in a flash. Her speed being super-class, I mostly didn't even see her run.

"Ah, Mei-chan..."

But when I saw her large body standing to defend me, Ah fuck, how pathetic, my tears wouldn't stop. Finally, now at least my life isn't in danger. I was relieved from the very depths of my heart.

"J-just what, is going on here"

Me, Kenzaki-san, and coming to the rescue at sonic speed, Mei-chan. With this much of a dangerous scent drifting about, Class Rep quickly caught on, and the three rushed over. Since Takanashi-san isn't here, she must be out like a log.

"Momokawa, talk. Don't make a girl talk about such a repulsive action"

Even a guy can't outright say stuff like, *I was masturbating*. And you even want me to open the closet in front of class 2-7's representative prettiest girls? No, their prettiness aside, I'd doubt my sanity if I could calmly say it to any girl.

"... I was, masturbating here"

But I said it. I had to, or else we wouldn't solve anything.

"Eh, EEH!? What, you mean you..."

"Please, tell me I misheard..."

"*Ni-nihaha...*"

I'm dying from the shame. Class Rep made a face as if she was flabbergasted. Souma-san, as if she'd seen something so obscene she'd barf. Natsukawa-san was completely drawn back with a wry smile. As for Mei-chan, I was too scared to check.

"L-listen I, I don't think I have anything to be guilty about. This was absolutely necessary for my curse... But you seriously can't show something like this to anyone, so I tried to do it secretly and..."

"Still with the excuses, Momokawa—"

"Stop that Kenzaki-san. You're scaring Kotarou-kun"

Kenzaki-san still looks like she has a big knuckle sandwich ready for me, and Mei-chan boldly stands in front of her to prevent it. Her wide back defending me is so big and reliable.

"That's how it is, so everyone can go back"

As if declaring, *Nothing to see here*, Mei-chan casually speaks. And naturally, everyone says "Alright, we get it—" and the matter comes to a close, and that doesn't actually happen at all.

"Futaba, are you seriously sticking up for Momokawa?"

"This doesn't even count as sticking up or anything. What did Kotarou-kun do wrong anyway?"

From Mei-chan's tone, it seemed like she believed me word for word. He didn't have any ill will, he only did what had to be done. Speaking as if she's blatantly ignoring the sin of me performing self-pleasure in the same room where all the girls were sleeping.

"You've heard what he did. This bastard's been looking at us girls with lecherous eyes all this time. And he even has the gall to explain himself with a curse or whatever. Do you think we can forgive this?"

As for Kenzaki-san's opinion, I can't say I agree with all of it... But I can half concede that her's would be the correct reaction from a girl. Getting so mad as to put a sword to my neck, and punching me in the gut is a bit much, but she'd obviously feel disgusted to no end if there was some scumbag fapping in the same room they're all breathing in. It's an issue of psychological nonacceptance.

"I uhm, well, don't feel too good about it..."

"N-nihaha, I don't really, get that sort of stuff so..."

Even if Class Rep and Natsukawa-san weren't screaming stuff like "You disgust me, sick wanker", and displaying outright disgust, but clearly they're hastily sliding the subject. These two didn't do this out of considering for me, but for Mei-chan. They're weak against her right now. So they can't express strongly.

"Futaba-san listen, even if what Momokawa-kun said happens to be true, I believe what he did was bad. What he did was, for a young man, clearly lacking in delicacy"

But in contrast, Souma-san spoke with conviction. Once a girl says it like that, no man in the world has any way to make excuses, it's a guillotine. Lack of consideration, lack of delicacy. For women, those can become valid enough reason to condemn a man.

"*Delicacy?* Souma-san, are you seriously blaming Kotarou-kun with a worthless reason like that?"

*Cut the jokes bitch, they ain't funny, and this ain't no time for 'em either, capisce?!* I almost heard a sort of rageful inner voice coming from Mei-chan's speech.

"It's a *very* important reason. Look here, including you yourself, there are currently 6 of us girls here. And the only boy among us is Momokawa-kun. But even if he's the sole boy, we must act with correct morals. Or else, the whole team will suffer from the friction"

"So what you're implying is, you'll force only Momokawa-kun to bear it, aren't you?"

"He's the only one now, but hereafter, if we rejoin with other boys, the rules will stay the same"

"Nonsense, just admit it, you just want yourselves to live the sweet life"

"I don't believe I'm asking the impossible. Since, when nii-san was with us, nothing like this happened at all. In the first place, in our current situation where the opposite sexes must work together, we need to maintain the rules"

"And let me guess, you, Souma-san, will be making these so called rules"

"No, not me, all of us"

Majority rule. That is a concept any Japanese knows and can accept.

Were my actions right or wrong. We don't even need to vote on that. Out of the 6 girls, Mei-chan is the only one on my defense. Getting a majority vote is a pipe dream within a pipe dream.

"Futaba, how come you're trying so hard to protect Momokawa?"

"I could say the same, why... Why are you getting in Kotarou-kun's way?"

"You saw how he's so adamant about what he did. You've been with him all this time, Futaba. Who knows what he's been doing to you"

A sudden guilt stabs at my heart. That day when I made Rem, I had sinned heavily performing *lookout*. If I went like, *At least I didn't touch her*, I'd really get my neck offed by Kenzaki-san.

"Futaba-san, I won't be insensitive and ask what sort of relationship you have with Momokawa-kun. But even if you've sworn yourselves to one another, in our current circumstances, having sexual relations would be simply wrong"

"Hmph, aren't you simply jealous you can't get Souma-kun to look at you that way?"

"T-this has nothing to do with nii-san!!"

Souma Sakura raises her voice all too suddenly. A-and with intensity to boot. I'd always though that she towards her older brother, Souma-kun, had an air around them sweet enough to defeat any of those cute couples you find anywhere... but I totally didn't expect this. It's no joke, Souma Sakura actually loves her own brother.

Hey wait, Sakura, calm down... alright, and Futaba-san too, I really need you to not pursue this

"Oh, sorry about that. It's not like I don't understand your feelings. I don't mean to mock you"

Class Rep slides in with perfect timing. And I'm glad Mei-chan backed off too.

"No, I'm sorry as well... I lost my composure a little..."

That right there isn't what I'd call *a little*. She said it with so much power I'd bet her fanclub's chairman would faint if he saw.

"Whatever the case, since we are all in this together, Futaba-san, you'd agree that we need to establish some rules correct?"

"Sure"

"About the incident with Momokawa-kun, it would seem like not everyone had a proper grasp of the rules, so let's rule it as a mistake due to ignorance. And fortunately, he didn't defile anyone either"

You think I can be that daring, with these girls. I don't have enough lives for that. But I'm grateful you actually said that.

"Let of with just one punch, you should be thank our tolerance Momokawa"

"A punch, Kenzaki-san... did you perhaps, <hit> Momokawa-kun?"

Holy crap. I just saw a little bit of that red aura drifting from Mei-chan's trembling shoulders.

"Cause he was saying he's gonna curse me or something. I gave him a good one in the gut. I was going pretty easy on him, but he started crying like a pansy. What a weak excuse for a man"

"...<You're dead>"

Mei-chan tightened her fist, and the aura was beginning to swirl. I get reminded of that Armor Bear getting destroyed with a hole in its chest. Yeah, she damn well has enough power to kill someone with her bare hands.

"No don't! Mei-chan!"

I made a full spurt tackle towards Mei-chan's waist as if I was an American Football player. But like that 100 year old sacred tree in the shrine near my house, she doesn't even budge. But, soft. And a tight waist. She's seriously slimmed down huh— wait no, this ain't no time to be impressed.

"Kyaa!? Kotarou-kun!?"

And unbelievably cute voice leaks from the bloodthirsty Berserker. I'm literally the only one being desperate here. Does Kenzaki-san even realize she was standing on the fine line between her life and death?

"Mei-chan, I'm glad you're doing this for me, I really am. But this time, I did something super careless so it's alright!"

The girls' eyes towards me clinging onto her was severely painful, so I quickly took my arms off her waist, and in the same movement, prostrated myself. It's the ever famous bowing down in a dogeza.

"I'm deeply apologize, it was all my fault. Please find it in yourselves to forgive me"

There is some shame. But I'm not particularly resenting them. Mei-chan got angry for me, and though it might be inappropriate considering the situation, I was really happy. That even I had at least one ally. I can't be more thankful for anything other than her trust towards me.

"Asuna, and Sakura too, look, Momokawa-kun is even lowering his head, let's forgive him"

"Yes, I'm fine with that. I can't think blaming him any further would be productive"

"There won't be a next time, Momokawa"

And having attained clemency, I finally stand up. Ah, legs are a bit shaky. Must be damage from sacrificing my pride. I wonder how Mei-chan is seeing me, who was so quick to dogeza, right now. I'm scared to look.

Calm down, just relax, me. I honestly feel like crying right now, but there's something I just have to finish saying right now.

"...Uhm, excuse me but, the curse I was trying to do, I have permission to do it right?"

If I can't make <Vile Mud Doll> there'd be no point in going through all that for some semen.

"Momokawa! You little—"

"Wait Asuna. Momokawa-kun, that curse of yours, do you absolutely need it?"

"<Vile Mud Doll> is a curse that creates a golem. If we have this, it can become a shield at sudden unprecedented moments. When we fought the Armor Bear, it was because that golem took a hit for me that I didn't die"

"And to make that, you uhm... you have to use that?"

"Without this, it's power drops drastically. Like, how alchemists use it for making a homunculus, heard of that?"

"... I see, if it's like that, then I guess you have to"

"Oi, Ryouko, what're you talking about. What's all this about that homun-whatever you said"

"I'll tell you about it later, so please keep quiet"

As I'd expect from Class Rep's extensive knowledge. Plus she has good judgement too. It's super helpful.

"Anyway, you can make that <Mud Doll> of yours this time... You already have, those ingredients right?"

It's sorta cute how Class Rep is having a hard time asking. Honestly thought she'd gotten used to this business with Tendou-kun... is she perhaps, inexperienced? My condolences, Class Rep.[Note 1]
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*Note 1:  Sex... probably
=================

"I just need need to chant it out and thats it"

"Uhuh, alright then... as for next time, let's think about that at another occation"

"Oi Ryuoko, this guy didn't get it through his head at all. I really think he needs some—"

"Asuna, I know you're very strict about these things, but you need to relax a bit too. The rules weren't set, so there won't be any penalty either"

"If it was our dojo, it wouldn't end with a bit of beating"

"Sakura said it remember, we'll all be deciding on the rules from now on. And making them too strict would that in itself create friction... Anyway, let's all just go to sleep for today. We're leaving here tomorrow morning right?"

Though reluctant, they probably didn't want any more stress either, so apart from Mei-chan, the young ladies silently headed back to their place of sleep.

"Uhm, Class Rep, thanks"

"... If it's thanks, tell it to Futaba-san"

With a somewhat tired smile, Class Rep withdrew in quick steps.

"You too Mei-chan, can't thank you enough. You really saved me"

"Why... did you stop me"

"Of course I would, we can't start something with those girls over this little thing"

"But Kotarou-kun you... it was, so awful, you, you even had to dogeza and..."

Why's Mei-chan making a face like she'll cry. I'm the one who lowered his head in shame, after all.

"No problem, since they calmed down after I lowered my head, it's great"

"But, but then..."

"It's really no problem. You believed in me Mei-chan, so I'm all good"

"... I'm so sorry, Kotarou-kun"

Ultimately, full drops of tears indeed fell from both her eyes.

I'm stumped. How does one go about consoling a girl in these cases, I really have no clue...

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TN: took a load more time than I expected. well. hopefully it was as fun for you as it was for me~