1:22 AM

The lesson starts.

The lesson starts.

The lesson about the girl who manifested the labyrinth disease starts.

She has no privacy nor human rights.

Since she has already been designated as a calamity.

As much as time allows, everything about her will be investigated.

『First Hour Period ---

Please learn about the profile of the girl』

Name --- Mizuiro Gunjou.

Sixteen.

Girl.

Height 147 cm.

Weight 35 kg. As light as a feather.

Born in Minato, Tokyo city.

She is a descendant of the founder of Mitsutomo Group, one of the three big military conglomerates that have expanded rapidly since the discovery of the labyrinth disease. In other words, she's a super rich man's daughter.

Which reminds me, the 《Headphone Fuzz》 she was using was a 'Mitsutomo Heavy Industries Made' one. So that was the reason why she was using that headphone.

As a lady of the Mitsutomo Group, she had received gifted education since when she was still a child.

As for her family members ---

Mother - Mitsutomo Yurie.

Father - Mizuiro Seitarou.

Elder sister - Mizuiro Ruri.

Three people.

Her parents' teaching was that it would be meaningless if she didn't become a strong magician. As a member of the bloodline of Mitsutomo Group, which has grown thanks to the 《Magic Converted from Labyrinth Spoils》, she had to grow up as a talent who could save the world and be useful to the world.

Consequently, since she was a child, she had received strict instructions to not shame the Mitsutomo name.

But when Gunjou was eight, her big sister Ruri who was fifteen then died. Her big sister, who had already become a magician and started to make a name for herself, died in a failed labyrinth raid.

Even as Gunjou cried, shaken up, her parents did not cry. There was not even a funeral. If she could die in a labyrinth of that level, she's not our child, they scorned her.

Make sure you don't die in such an unsightly manner like her, they drilled into Gunjou.

Since then, Gunjou strove a notch harder in her training.

For the sake of saving the world.

For the sake of not becoming unsightly.

For the sake of getting praised by her parents.

And then, we had that Gunjou. That Mizuiro Gunjou who had become a world-famous magician with twenty corporate sponsors.

But yesterday.

On the 2nd of December.

She had a labyrinth disease onset.

That is the official data given to us.

Or I could say, something that Gunjou herself was already aware of.

However, there is some other data here. As she no longer has any privacy.

About her recent behavior.

About how she went to karaoke with friends recently and how she had fun there.

About how she became more tearful recently.

About how she got hyped up by her rivalry with her cla.s.smate Arisu s.h.i.+nnosuke, and had been training longer hours than before.

"............"

But that doesn't matter.

More importantly,

Both she and her big sister were abandoned kids ---

They were orphans bought from a children's home by the Mitsutomo Group ---

Their parents were not even married, but just training instructors ---

Mitsutomo Group hid this truth from them to make use of them, and without knowing it, they tried desperately to please their 'parents'.

Reading about that environment which Gunjou was placed in unknowingly, in the end, it's the same everywhere, I thought and smiled.

Kiri looks at me sadly, and smiles.

s.h.i.+ro's face has become a little angry, it seems. But maybe I am mistaken.

As if none of that matters, the lesson moves on.

About her recent behavior.

About her wonderful results.

About the large number of people she had saved.

About the fact that she actually likes flowers, and had made a flowerbed on the balcony of her room. And about how she disliked winter because flowers wilt then.

In the middle of the lesson, s.h.i.+ro raises his hand.

"Sensei."

"Hn? What is it, s.h.i.+ro."

"It's enough. I've read all the data."

"You are not allowed to read ahead on your own without......"

"That's for when we have a lot of people right? If there's a gap between the comprehension capabilities of the people, that might be a better way but......"

s.h.i.+ro looks at us. At me, Kiri, Yousuke, and Himi. He didn't look at the other students.

"In the end, the guys who are gonna do it today are mostly those who know Gunjou well. There's no need for us to learn anything more about her profile. Let's leave more time for the raid and move on to the next lesson."

Honjou Tsukasa looks at us.

"Is everyone in agreement?"

There is no objection. Honjou Tsukasa nods.

"Then, let's take a toilet br......"

Before she finishes, our homeroom teacher stops. She then says.

"You don't need a break?"

No objection as before.

Honjou Tsukasa grins.

"Aren't you guys unusually serious? You guys are finer people than I thought. Do you want to save your cla.s.smate that badly?"

Even though she said 'save', but it's really to 'kill' --- no one replies to her question.

I look out the window.

The snow has started piling up in the schoolyard. Is it also cold inside the tower that Gunjou has given birth to?

Just like Gunjou, I too hate winter. It's because it's cold.

"............"

And thus, the first hour period ends.

『Second Hour Period ---

Lesson on memorizing the structure of the labyrinth made by the girl』

The lesson in the second hour period, is to read and memorize the data of the labyrinth created by Gunjou, from the scans by the researchers.

No one knows why it is a tower.

There are 100 floors above ground; this is a tower that only extends upwards.

Additionally, the labyrinth is not a complicated one and there is only one straight path.

On each wide floor, there is only one place where the next floor is connected via a staircase.

The floor that Gunjou is on is the 75th floor.

If we insert into the labyrinth in the remaining hour, and if we start climbing all the way up from the ground floor, we won't make it if we take more than a minute to clear each floor.

And say, if we want to fight Gunjou with 20 minutes remaining, we have to reach Gunjou in 40 minutes, meaning we have to clear each floor in about 30 seconds or so and that's just impossible.

In that case,

"Are we inserting right into an upper level?"

I turn the page. The infiltration route starts indeed from above the ground floor. The possible points of insertion are, the 100th floor, and the 30th floor, it seems.

Even though both routes are provided in the doc.u.ments, it's probably better to enter from the 100th floor. In that way, we have less floors to clear in our raid.

At that moment, Santou raises his hand.

"Erhm, Sensei, can I ask something?"

"What is it? Ah ~, you are...... who again?"

"Santou. Santou Taisuke."

"So, Taisuke-kun, what is it?"

"Which route should I memorize? Which route will we be taking......"

But, Yousuke says.

"We don't know what will happen, so it's better to memorize both."

I agree.

Gunjou is a high level labyrinth. Then, the instant we enter, we won't know what will happen and what kind of problems we will face; in the first place, we don't even know whether the labyrinth structure would be the same as the scans.

In that case, we should make as many preparations as possible.

"Memorize both...... both...... I see."

Santou looks a little surprised, and he nods.

Our homeroom teacher Honjou Tsukasa then says.

"Ah, by the way, cla.s.s 5 will be inserting into the 100th floor."

Kiri looks up.

"Cla.s.s 5? Which means there will be other raid teams?"

I then say with half-opened eyes.

"Probably the guys from Kansai."

Honjou Tsukasa did mention something like that over the phone. Since there was the fear of the possibility of the Tokyo students getting wiped out by Gunjou, they called in the students from Kansai ---

The team from Kansai will probably raid Gunjou at the same time.

Honjou Tsukasa nods.

"That's right. I heard they'll come. Though I doubt any of them will be stronger than our team...... But still, it seems like there's a capable team in Kansai; rivaling our 『Hero Team』. they are dubbed the 『Valor Team』."

Never heard of them.

But Himi says.

"...... they are a team that has several corporate sponsors behind them, one that has become famously recently all of a sudden right? I heard they are really strong as a team."

I smile.

"Haha, they must have great teamwork, different from us who can't even get along huh?"

On hearing that, the female student with a boyfriend in cla.s.s 2 says angrily.

"Then you guys should just get along!"

I look at her. How are we supposed to get along better than this?

Then, at that moment, I can hear the sound of choppers outside the window.

5 transport choppers. Seems like the whole Kansai group is coming.

They are probably deceived about the difficulty level.

I ask.

"Sensei."

"What is it, s.h.i.+nnosuke-kun?"

"This is not in the doc.u.ments yet, but what is the rank of the labyrinth this time?"

Honjou Tsukasa replies readily.

"It's 15."

As expected, she lied. If that's true, then there won't just be only 10 Kichijouji High students left here.

Even though 15 is not a low rank per se, it's possible to clear it with barely a few fatalities. And the reward for clearing it is huge. You can get correspondingly high rewards for clearing high level labyrinths. There will probably be a lot of people who wants to partic.i.p.ate.

But all the students in this school did not think that the labyrinth born out of Gunjou would be of a low rank. That's why everyone's gone.

s.h.i.+ro says.

"So, its actual rank?"

I answer.

"42."

A buzz sounds instantly in this cla.s.sroom with no more than 10 people. Even Kiri, who's beside me, gave off a s.h.i.+ver.

s.h.i.+ro looks at me.

"How did you know?"

"Sensei told me over the phone."

"So, you came despite knowing the rank?"

"You should also have a faint idea that it'd be something this right? The cowards have already gone home."

But Kiri says from beside me.

"...... 42, you say...... it's a number where it's not a question of cowards or not anymore."

At that moment, the girl with a boyfriend in cla.s.s 2 stands up. She trembles uncontrollably. Her face is on the verge of tears. She then looks at us,

"...... uwu............ uuwwuuuu...... uuwuuuu."

She lets out some strange crying sounds, but without saying anything, she leaves the cla.s.sroom.

She has abandoned her boyfriend.

The perilous love affair easily ended.

And that is the right choice.

"All right, one Escaped."

Two others stand up. And dash out of the cla.s.sroom.

"Three Escaped."

I murmur.

Santou and another girl remain. Both of them have fearful faces.

Santou turn to face us.

"...... erhm, is the Hero Team...... not running away from a rank 42? Is there any chance of winning?"

s.h.i.+ro appears thoughtful. A face that looks as if it's considering what the right choice is.

He then looks at me.

"Hey, s.h.i.+nnosuke."

"Hn?"

"What is the highest ranked labyrinth you've cleared before?"

Kiri too looks at me with deep interest on her face.

But Honjou Tsukasa interrupts.

"Since the lessons on how to go about raiding it, and what kind of team to form, will take place in the 4th hour and 5th hour periods, can you guys wait until then before deciding on whether you are going to get blown away by the wind of cowardice?"

She's right. The time limit draws near while we are wearing ourselves out with this kind of talk.

"How's the map?"

s.h.i.+ro then answers Honjou Tsukasa's words.

"Already done memorizing it."

Santou then frantically says.

"You're kidding me!?"

But no one looks at Santou. At any rate, his ability won't be of any use in a rank 42 labyrinth. It doesn't matter whether or not he has memorized the map.

Honjou Tsukasa says.

"Cla.s.s 5 will insert on the 100th floor. However, from the survey, there will be more obstacles from there down, so we don't really know which insertion point is really better. And by telling you this, the 2nd hour period is over, and now......"

I look up at the clock.

The second hour period has ended at 2.15. No more than an hour has pa.s.sed since the start of cla.s.s.

Honjou Tsukasa says.

"Do you need a break?"

As before, no one makes a sound.

And I have already memorized the map.

I have already memorized everything there is to know about the way to where Gunjou is.

Now, the next lesson begins.

『Third Hour Period ---

Lesson on the girl's weakness』

Gunjou's weakness is the blood of others.

From the results of the investigation, her movements will cease if she either sees or touches blood.

While it's not like she will be damaged by the blood itself, but it's possible to stop her movements.

"............"

She can't deal well with the sight of blood.

She can't deal well with seeing her comrades die.

She can't deal well with seeing others get hurt.

Is that the reason why she's weak against blood?

I don't know. It's not written in the doc.u.ments. The only thing that's clear is that she's weak against blood.

Furthermore, with regards to how to get blood on her.

How to predict her movements.

Information covering a variety of patterns on these, as well as what abilities Gunjou possesses, are written; though I memorized them, I cannot rely on them. In actual fact, the labyrinth disease girl will move in more complicated manners than what is written in the doc.u.ments. Because there will still be some emotions and intelligence left in them.

Gunjou's abilities are also more or less the same as what she had. Depending on the labyrinth, her abilities will get boosted, but anyhow, it means that she will be using magic.

In other words, she will use a variety of magic ---

"...... how troublesome."

I think aloud.

She's now different from a normal human being, and can also use a broad range of fortifying magic. In that case, no matter how much you try to predict her movement patterns, it will never be exactly the same.

Honjou Tsukasa has prepared tens of measuring cylinders filled with red fluids on the teacher's desk and she says.

"The blood has been prepared, so take as many as you like. Get it on Gunjou, stop her, then kill her. Get it?"

With that, the 3rd hour period comes to an end.

♦

10 minutes break ---

Right after we were dismissed, I headed out of the cla.s.sroom to the toilet.

To the toilet at the level two floors above, where the AV and meeting rooms are at. It's the toilet which Gunjou often visited when she puked from her nervousness. This was where she desperately hid that self of hers which was crushed by the pressure from her commitment to protect her comrades.

"............"

I switch on the lights of the completely dark corridor.

No one is here as expected.

I stare at the ladies, but since Gunjou is no longer here, I enter the gents. Just as I am about to relieve myself at a urinal, s.h.i.+ro enters the toilet.

Lining up right beside me.

I look at s.h.i.+ro and say.

"There are three urinals so why are you standing beside me? Don't tell me you are gay?"

"Aren't you saying that because you are embarra.s.sed at being looked at?"

"Shall I show it to you?"

On hearing that, s.h.i.+ro grins,

"Oh my, you sure are confident. I'll take your challenge."

And, as he starts to turn towards me,

"Huh? d.a.m.n you, don't screw with me!"

I holler angrily and step back from the place. I have yet to open up my zipper.

At that moment, Yousuke enters.

"h.e.l.loz."

On top of that, Himi and Kiri enter as well.

While looking around, Kiri says,

"Wow, this is the first time I enter a gents ~"

I look at them in blank amazement.

"Why are all of you here?"

Kiri then answers.

"Isn't it because the Hero Team is having an emergency meeting?"

s.h.i.+ro looks at me. As expected, s.h.i.+ro's fly is also still closed. Well, that's a given.

Yousuke says.

"Ah, but s.h.i.+nnosuke, if you can't hold it in, we can go out for a while......"

"Never mind that. It's not that full."

My arms crossed, I look at the a.s.sembled Hero Team in the cramped toilet.

s.h.i.+ro says.

"Ah, anyway for now, can I speak in the role of the person in charge?"

No one objects, and he nods and continues.

"First, let's ascertain our situation. The rank of the labyrinth that Gunjou gave rise to is 42. Even in the world-level perspective, this is a rather high level labyrinth. If we let it become an eternal labyrinth, it will be at a rank of 420 or greater but --- now. Is this something we should raid, or not? Let me hear your opinions. Those who are in favor of entering it, raise your hand."

The way s.h.i.+ro is seeking for hand raises with clear-cut words and not expecting any opinions, is the mark of someone who is not a follower, but one who has managed a great number of people before.

Despite pretending that he was opposing Gunjou, he really is someone who's used to leading people.

Those who are in favor of entering the labyrinth, raise your hand ---

However, no one raise his hand to those words.

Continuing, s.h.i.+ro says.

"Then, those who are against entering it raise your hand."

Then...... Yousuke, Himi, and Kiri, raise their hands while looking at one another's faces.

That's natural. Because it's a rank 42.

Only fools will enter it.

s.h.i.+ro looks at me.

"I'm also against it. And thus, we won't enter it this time."

"My."

"The people who won't be entering it includes you as well, s.h.i.+nnosuke."

"Ha, you want me to just follow what everyone decided......?"

s.h.i.+ro then nods readily.

"That's right."

"Don't include me in your comrade group without asking me."

But s.h.i.+ro looks hard at me,

"Even if you say that, this is a no-brainer choice for normal labyrinth raiding magicians right? However, if this were a rank 25, I believe we would be able to clear it if this team cooperates."

He said something incredible. Both Himi and Yousuke have looks of surprise on their faces, but Kiri says hesitatingly.

"Eh, eh, don't tell me this is turning into a development of us entering it? It's 42 you know?"

But, ignoring her, s.h.i.+ro continues.

"Based on what I saw, the Asahi Momoka incident should be a rank 20 or so."

Based on what he saw, he said. In other words, this guy should have at least cleared a rank 20 before.

"And so, if this were a rank 20 labyrinth, this team would be able to clear it. I have never seen the likes of such an excellent group a.s.sembled before. If so, if we make our preparations carefully, I think we can even clear up to a rank 20 labyrinth. If Gunjou were at that level, then, well, we probably could do it. But the truth is......"

"42. It's impossible."

Says Kiri.

s.h.i.+ro nods.

"I also think so. There is no fool who would raid a time-limited rank 42. But s.h.i.+nnosuke. You came to the cla.s.sroom despite knowing that it's rank 42. Does that mean you have a chance at winning?"

On hearing that question, I ponder.

Do I have a chance at winning?

Two years ago. When I was fifteen, I had raided a rank 40 eternal labyrinth. It has been two years since. Right now, my strength is of course way higher than that time. The me right now should be able to clear it without appearing unsightly as I did then.

Perhaps, I might be able to raid a rank 55 eternal labyrinth.

But even so, I have no confidence in winning this time.

Only the ultimate fool will enter a rank 42 time-limited labyrinth that has not been fully surveyed. What on earth am I doing?

But s.h.i.+ro asks me.

"So let me ask something about you. What is the highest rank you have raided?"

"............"

"What is giving you the confidence to be here?"

"............"

"Why are you so fixated in raiding it? Are you going after the reward that you will get just from entering it? Or, is there some other reason?"

"............"

s.h.i.+ro stare at me and says.

"Tell us the reason behind your obsession in raiding this labyrinth. And, if you recognize us as comrades and ask for our help, we'll help you. But if you don't, meh."

"Meh? Are you a kid?"

On hearing my words, s.h.i.+ro smiles.

"But that's obvious right. It's a rank 42 you know? Normally, no one will enter. The only choice is to Escape."

He's right.

But s.h.i.+ro says.

"But you want to enter. Maybe you are way stronger than what I've imagined, and might be able to clear a rank 42 labyrinth by yourself."

That's impossible. Completely out of the question. Two years ago, a hundred men team entered, and I was the only one who barely survived.

s.h.i.+ro continues.

"But from what I'd imagined, you can't do it alone. In that case, you need comrades. Comrades who you can trust. And this is where we come in."

At that moment, s.h.i.+ro raises his fist. Fast. He is trying to punch me.

I stop that fist and say.

"You shouldn't be hitting comrades right?"

But s.h.i.+ro looks hard at me and says.

"If we are comrades, that is. But, I haven't heard it from your mouth yet. Are we comrades?"

"............"

"Do you need our trust?"

"............"

"Say it. If you want our help, then tell us you want us as your com......"

I thrust s.h.i.+ro's hand away.

s.h.i.+ro then glares at me and says.

"All right, I got it. You are not our comrade. Then, we won't be entering the labyrinth this time. I won't want to entrust my life to someone who's not our comrade and die."

"............"

"You can enter it alone and die by yourself. Or, maybe, it'd be fine for you to put up your solitary airs and achieve your grand ambition. At any rate, it's probably an ambition you can achieve by yourself, right?"

"............"

s.h.i.+ro turns his back to me and says.

"Well, we're going home. We're Escaping first. Bye, s.h.i.+nnosuke."

Yousuke looks as if he wants to say something but s.h.i.+ro stops him.

As always, Himi looks up at me apologetically, but says nothing.

The three of them exit the toilet.

And with this, everything comes to an end.

Gunjou's fate comes to an end.

Gunjou is gone before we even enter the labyrinth.

Without s.h.i.+ro and the rest, she can't be saved.

I can't clear a rank 42 labyrinth all by myself.

Then, it can be said that I am the one who has killed her.

Because I can't trust anyone.

Because I can't accept anyone as my comrade.

Because I am a chicken-hearted, wimpy coward, Gunjou dies.

I......

"............"

Kiri touches my elbow gingerly from behind me,

"...... s.h.i.+nnosuke-kun......"

She says.

"I think this is the correct thing."

"............"

"Even if we enter the labyrinth, it's not like we can save Gunjou-san's life."

No. It's possible to save her. I possess the magic to do that.

However, I am unable to accept the goodwill of others.

Because I'd get hurt if I trust and like someone and she dies.

Because I'm afraid of getting betrayed by someone I trust and like.

But, if I don't trust anyone, will I be able to save anyone hence forth?

Do I really think that I'll be getting to the point of being able to clear a rank 666 labyrinth all by myself?

At any rate, it's probably an ambition you can achieve by yourself, right?

s.h.i.+ro said that.

I clench my fist.

"...... d.a.m.n."

I moan.

Kiri's touch on my arm becomes heavier.

I ask.

"Kiri."

"Yeah."

"If I tell you that I'm entering Gunjou's labyrinth, will you follow me?"

"...... s.h.i.+nnosuke-kun, you wouldn't do such a thing, would you?"

"If I tell you I would?"

"You wouldn't. You...... no, both you and I don't live in that kind of world."

"But, if I tell you I would?"

I ask.

On hearing that, Kiri ponders quietly for a while, and then says,

"...... then, I might just follow you......"

That's an unbelievably foolish response. An answer that I would not have expected from the smart and strong Kiri.

Without thinking, I say with a half-grin.

"...... you must be an idiot. It's 42 you know?"

"Yeah."

"Then why would you come?"

"...... because I like you, I suppose."

"Don't screw with me."

"Or it's because you have saved me before, perhaps? I don't really know. But if you are asking me for real, then I might go. If you truly need me, then I might turn my back on everything and go along with you. I can't just let you die by yourself."

I turn around towards Kiri.

With a worried face, she is looking straight at me.

A genuine face.

Even though there is nothing in it for her, she is worried about me dying, and said that she would enter the labyrinth with me.

A fool.

In the end, she's the same good girl like Gunjou.

Hating to see her comrades die. Unable to abandon friends. Falling in love with somebody, and willing to help that person without getting anything in return; that's the kind of world she resides in.

s.h.i.+ro trusts me, and is willing to risk his life to enter a rank 42 labyrinth which he should not enter, if I ask for his help.

Kiri too is willing to risk her life to enter a rank 42 labyrinth if I ask.

A choice that a sane person would not make.

In other words, I am already someone who's trusted by them.

Trusting me unconditionally, in a pushy manner.

All that remains is for me to return that trust. For me to do my best in suppressing my fear, rub shoulders with them and trust them.

"...... d.a.m.n, d.a.m.n, d.a.m.n."

There is no more time.

There is no more time to fret.

In the meantime, Gunjou's life is fading away.

"...... d.a.m.n, it's your win."

I exit the toilet to go after s.h.i.+ro. s.h.i.+ro has never returned all along.

Standing outside the toilet with their backs against the wall, are s.h.i.+ro, Himi, and Yousuke.

s.h.i.+ro looks at me and grins.

I scowl and say.

"...... aren't you guys waiting for me?"

s.h.i.+ro grins and says,

"Those aren't the words I want to hear. Let's go again."

"............"

"Now, there's no more time so say it quickly. Say that you want us to become your friends. Since you're a good guy anyway."

"............"

"You were the one who told us that it was rank 42. It was stated to be a rank 15 at the end of the doc.u.ments. A lie was written. And so, if you had wanted to make use of us, you would have just ridden on that lie. There was no need to tell us that it was rank 42. But yet, you told us. Why? There are three reasons I can think of.

1. Because you're an idiot.

2. Because on top of of telling us the truth, you wanted our help.

3. Because you like us.

Now, which is it?"

This guy's really annoying. I hate him. I don't want to talk to him. But, there isn't any more time. So I scowl, glare at s.h.i.+ro, and say.

"...... it's number two."

"What's number two?"

"................................................, help me."

s.h.i.+ro smiles.

Yousuke smiles.

Himi also smiles.

Kiri comes out of the toilet, looks a little happy, and a little troubled, then looks up at me.

This is the worst.

Really the worst.

However, even if it's the worst, I have to tell them if I want their trust. At any rate, there isn't any more time. Thus, I disclose the information that I shouldn't be leaking out...... to s.h.i.+ro, Himi, Yousuke, and Kiri.

"...... I...... possess the magic that might allow me to forcibly sever the illness from Gunjou and save her."

s.h.i.+ro's eyes widen very much in surprise.

More like, everyone has a surprised look.

Because no one has ever heard of the existence of such a magic. Since if a diseased girl could be killed, she would be terminated --- and no one would be bothered to seriously develop such a troublesome magic.

But, s.h.i.+ro does not ask any question. He merely narrows his eyes, and looks hard at me......

"Then, this is the only chance we have to save Gunjou. If she turns into an eternal labyrinth, it'd be impossible."

That's right.

A rank 420 is practically unclearable. s.h.i.+ro takes a step forward, grabs my arm and says to me.

"All right, then let's do it. Let's enter the labyrinth and save Gunjou."

Save --- he actually said such an idiotic word that proclaims his willingness to risk his life to save another person so easily.

On top of that, both Himi and Yousuke place their hands on s.h.i.+ro's hand which is grabbing me.

Further on top of that, Kiri too places her hand.

I no longer have any idea how to stop that.

I can only look down at them, troubled ---

Suddenly behind me, a girl's voice rings out.

"What the heck? Holding hands in the toilet? The peeps in Tokyo sure like to act all-friendly like little brats huh?"

I look in her direction.

Down the corridor, I see a group of people in school uniforms. Uniforms that are different from those of 《Kichijouji High》.

They are probably the group from the school in Kansai.

In the center, a twin tailed girl with an abnormally short skirt is staring at us, smirking.

Though both her appearance and voice are cute, murderous intent overflows from her entire body. She has already activated her 《Headphone Fuzz》.

She's probably quite strong.

They are probably the people who are dubbed as the 『Valor Team』. I count a total of nine people.

s.h.i.+ro, Kiri, Himi, Yousuke, and I look in their direction.

The Kansai girl says.

"When I heard of the Hero Team, I thought they would be a bunch of tough-looking guys and came here feeling a little apprehensive, but what the heck, they're just a bunch of blockheads. What do you think? Zakkii?"

Then, the small-looking guy called Zakkii, with swept-back hair, steps out.

"Indeed, they look weak. Shall we test them before entering the labyrinth?"

"I wonder whether it's a crime to kill them outside of the labyrinth in Tokyo?"

"It can't be helped if weaklings die right?"

"Yeah. Then --- Incineration switch."

She invokes her magic suddenly.

Threatening to fill up the narrow corridor, flames burst out of the girl's raised palms.

But the guys behind me have also activated their magic.

Yousuke steps out. Spreads his hands.

"Spider Legs switch!"

He uses an AOE defense magic.

From the center of both his hands, eight spider-like legs spread out, and threads start dancing out, creating a barrier of threads in front of Yousuke.

The threads burn.

The spider burns.

But that's where the flames stop.

However, from the other side of the corridor, a voice rings out. It's the voice of the guy called Zakkii.

"Slas.h.i.+ng Maiden switch."

A flash of light.

Then a slash.

A powerful attack that an AOE defense magic can't defend against.

However, Kiri steps out.

"Nine-Fold switch."

A j.a.panese sword appears in her hand. With the magic from that sword, she can counter nine attacks of any power.

Swinging her sword, she receives the slash from Zakkii.

Zakkii is holding a dirk-like object in a reverse-hand grip.

"Oh my, you can stop this. Who are you?"

"A comrade of the Hero Team."

Comrade.

Comrade.

Comrade.

s.h.i.+ro looks at me.

Then,

"Comrade."

He slaps my shoulder delightedly, to which I scowl.

"You should fight too."

"My magic has too much destructive power and shouldn't be used inside the school right? You do it."

"...... tch, firepower idiot."

While clicking my tongue, I step forward.

Then, the girl behind Zakkii, who is exchanging slashes with Kiri, jumps out.

"While you're talking, this is the end ~! Burning Bullet switch!"

She twists her body.

Her fist alit.

At the same time, I activate the magic that has been flowing in my brain.

【In an instant ♪   In a flash ♪   In the time of a flash ♪

The flash of time, the flash of an instant ♪   In an instant ♪   In a flash ———】

"...... Acceleration switch ---"

I accelerate my body. I kick the floor, kick the wall, and encircle the girl from behind.

The girl reacts. She's following my movements. Maybe those flames are bestowing a speed-boost to her body.

However, even so,

"I'm faster."

I grab her twin tails.

"Ou-ouch, it hurts."

She swings her fist at me but it doesn't reach me. I fling her with all my might. She tumbles over the corridor.

Zakkii retreats from us and yells.

"Makoto!"

Seems like her name is Makoto. She immediately gets back up. And glares at us.

"Not bad. I let my guard down a little, next time......"

But, a graceful looking girl, with long deep blue hair, and clear eyes that are also deep blue in color, steps out, and stops her.

"Let's stop, Makoto. This is not the time for a brawl between Kantou and Kansai, is it?"

Then, Makoto's movements stop. Seems like the deep blue girl is the leader. She looks at us with quiet eyes.

"...... you are the 『Hero Team』 members right? We are from 『Osaka Arts High』."

s.h.i.+ro then says.

"You are the rumored 『Valor Team』 huh?"

"We've been recently called that. It's a name given to us in school. And, are you the leader of the 『Hero Team』?"

The deep blue girl looks at s.h.i.+ro.

"Hn?"

s.h.i.+ro then looked in my direction. Will you be the leader, his eyes speak.

I wave my hand in an irritated manner, and beckon him to quickly get things going.

s.h.i.+ro then goes on to look at Kiri, but she shakes both her head and hands to reject the post.

If Gunjou were here, we might be disputing about it, but right now, the leader of the 『Hero Team』 is decided easily.

s.h.i.+ro turns to his front and says.

"I'm the leader, His.h.i.+ro s.h.i.+ro."

The deep blue girl then nods her head and says.

"I am Mitsutomo Kujaku."

Mitsutomo --- that's the name the girl gave.

She carries the same family name as Gunjou, the name of the military conglomerate, Mitsutomo group, that had brought up Gunjou.

I look hard at Kujaku and say.

"...... are you here to dispose of the shame of your family?"

Kujaku then looks at me. Then smiles.

"I'll be sorry if capable individuals were to be killed by that 『Shame』, so I came here to do a little test. It seems like you are stronger than I expected but...... you're too few in numbers. You can't do anything with just five people right? How about leaving everything to us, 『Osaka Arts High』 and Escape now?"

I say.

"Are you saying you'll save the world?"

"Yes."

"It's rank 42 you know?"

"We know that of course. She's one of us after all. But rest a.s.sured. We'll dispose of this labyrinth and save Kantou, so the capable individuals of Tokyo can feel free to take a break from this. Well then, shall we go? Makoto, Yamazaki. Let's get rid of Mizuiro Gunjou."

Then, Kujaku turns her back to us.

The students from Kansai leave.

s.h.i.+ro looks intently at the 『Valor Team』 and says.

"...... seems like those guys can take care of a rank 42."

"Yeah."

"Then, if they're doing it, the world can be saved."

"Maybe yeah."

"And, Gunjou will be disposed. Even if there's a way to save her, they'd still kill her probably. They've come here to get rid of a disgrace. It's a squad meant to dispose of Gunjou. They are probably backed by a military corporation."

But at that moment, s.h.i.+ro puts a stop to those words and says something unpleasant happily,

"But even so, since you are a good kid, you'll risk your life for a comrade right?"

I don't want to reply. I'll definitely not answer that disgusting, dumb question of his.

And, while making a scowl that can't get any worse, I still say,

"Yeah, that's right. Before those trash who are dubbed the 『Valor Team』, we'll reach the diseased girl and --- save Gunjou."