The sound—sharp as a gunshot—echoed through the room. My reflexes screamed ambush, and I nearly deployed my Spatial Storage to summon a weapon. I caught myself just in time, my eyes landing on the chalkboard.
"WELCOME, AXEL-KUN!" was written in massive, colorful letters. I forced my combat instincts back into their box.
"My, my. It seems we gave you quite a start," Chizuru said from behind me, her voice tinkling with amusement.
"Any sudden loud noise is going to get a reaction," I muttered, trying to slow my racing heart. "But... what is all this?"
The classroom had been transformed. Desks were pushed together to form long tables, piled high with snacks, sweets, and bottles of juice. Almost the entire class was there. Chizuru had led me here immediately after the final bell—how had they managed to coordinate all this in zero time?
"Everyone was sneaking in prep work during the breaks," a girl with a bell-ribbon in her hair said, leaning over to inspect me. "Look, I'm not usually a fan of brats, but you... well, you don't really feel like a brat, do you?"
I recognized her from my status scan. She was the one with the "Magic Cancellation" ability—the same one who had been clobbering the Class Rep with a paper fan earlier.
"Remind me... who are you again?"
"Right, we didn't do introductions. I'm Asuna Kagurazaka."
"Axel Almar. I don't know how long I'll be here, but I look forward to working with you."
"Are you sure you're ten?" Asuna squinted at me. "Ten-year-olds don't talk like that."
"Who knows?" I parried.
"Hey, Asuna, no fair hogging him!" a girl with a soft Kyoto accent chirped. "I'm Konoka Konoe. Nice to meet ya, Axel-kun!"
This was the girl with the monstrous SP pool—over 300. But the name caught my attention. "Konoe?"
"That's right! You met my Grandpa the other day, didn't ya? I'm his granddaughter."
I looked at her, then back at Chizuru, who was watching us from the sidelines.
"Yes, she really is," Chizuru confirmed with a nod.
I looked at Konoka again, comparing her bright, cheerful features to the wrinkled, mischievous face of Dean Konoe Near-Emon.
"Was she a foundling?" I asked flatly.
WHACK!
Asuna's paper fan—the harisen—descended upon my head with practiced precision.
"Don't be rude!" she barked.
"No, I mean... look at the genetics involved here," I argued, rubbing my head.
"I know what you mean," Asuna sighed, "but I promise you, they're related by blood. She's his granddaughter through and through."
"Asuna-san! How dare you lay a hand on Axel-kun!" Ayaka shouted, charging over to reignite their morning feud. The "betting pool" for their fight started up again instantly among the other students.
"What is it with you and this brat, you shotacon?!" Asuna yelled.
"At least I'm not an old-man-chaser like you!" Ayaka fired back.
"Those two..." I muttered.
"They've been in the same class since elementary school," Chizuru explained, appearing at my shoulder. "It's been like this for years."
"Elementary school? I guess that makes them 'fated rivals' in a way."
"That is true, aru! Good bonds last forever!"
Ku Fei popped up out of nowhere, holding out a plate with a steaming bun on it. "For you. A welcome gift, aru!"
—I made them. Please, have one,— a soft-looking girl behind her added, bowing politely.
"Satsuki runs the Chao Bao Zi stand. It's the most famous food stall at Mahora. The taste is guaranteed," Yuna explained, joining the group.
"The beef bowls are amazing, too," Sakurako added.
—If you visit the shop, I will make you a special beef bowl,— Satsuki signaled with a smile.
"Beef bowl, huh?" I mused.
"Oh! You know what a beef bowl is?" Madoka Kugimiya asked, leaning in close. "Do they have those in America?"
"I like them," I said simply. "Though I haven't had the chance to eat one in... a long time."
Actually, I hadn't had one since I became Axel. Between Mariel and Lemon, the cooking was always top-tier, but strictly Western. Even in the SEED world, I found sushi, but never a proper gyudon place.
"Well, you're a man of taste! How about this: I'll take you to the best beef bowl place near the station sometime. As a thank-you for yesterday? My treat."
It was a tempting offer. Misa had offered me some kind of "bitter melon crepe" earlier which sounded like a biohazard, but a beef bowl was something I could get behind.
"Sure. I'd appreciate that."
"WHOA!" Asakura shouted, appearing with her camera. "Kugimiya makes her move! A beef bowl date! She's taken the lead in the Axel-kun Sweepstakes!"
"Shut up, Asakura! It's not like that! I'm just being a good senior to a kid who hasn't eaten enough Japanese food!"
"Kugimiya-san! You too?!" Ayaka screamed, abandoning her fight with Asuna to rush over.
Madoka, startled by the Class Rep's sudden "teleportation" to her side, instinctively jumped back. But I was standing right behind her.
"Careful," I said.
She stumbled, her heels catching on each other. I reached out to steady her, catching her before she hit the floor.
"Ah... wait..."
"Kugimiya-san! How envi—I mean, how dare you trouble Axel-kun like that! Step aside, I'll take over!"
"Class Rep, your true feelings are leaking out," Yuna deadpanned.
"Uh, Madoka? If you've got your balance back, I'd appreciate it if you stood up," I said.
I was holding her up, but in the awkward scramble of the catch, my right hand had ended up firmly cupping a handful of her chest. Honestly, for a middle schooler, her "status" in that department was surprisingly high.
"EEEEK!"
Madoka finally realized the tactile nature of our current position. She let out a short shriek and practically catapulted herself away from me.
"ANOTHER SCOOP!" Asakura yelled. "Kugimiya uses her 'accidental appeal' to make physical contact! A classic move!"
"ASAKURA! SHUT! UP!" Madoka screamed, her face turning a deep shade of crimson.
"Kugimii's face is all red~," the twins teased, giggling.
"Anyway, Axel-kun, the beef bowl thing is a go, right? We're coming too!" Misa said, handing me a meat bun.
I took a bite. The dough was sweet and fluffy, and the filling—a mix of pork, bamboo shoots, and shiitake—was incredibly savory. "This is good. Really good."
—The secret is in the thickness of the crust,— Satsuki signaled, beaming.
"Hey, Axel."
Evangeline appeared beside me, Chachamaru in tow. The crowd seemed to part instinctively for her.
"The party's nice and all, but don't forget our promise. Come to my place after this. We're going to settle things—at full power."
"That's fine, but... shouldn't we wait until tomorrow?" I glanced at the clock. It was nearly 5:00 PM. I wondered if she wanted to fight at night because of her vampire strengths.
Eva just gave me a predatory grin. "Don't worry. I know what you're thinking, but it won't take more than an hour."
"If you say so."
"What kind of 'full power' talk is this?" Chizuru asked, stepping into the conversation. She had been watching from a distance, but her "protective mother" radar had clearly been tripped.
"Nothing much," Eva said smoothly. "Axel and I are just going to have a serious sparring match."
"A match..." Chizuru's brow furrowed. She was a pacifist at heart, and she clearly didn't like the idea of me getting into a real fight. "I'd prefer you didn't drag our Axel-kun into your dangerous games, Evangeline-san."
"Kukuku... 'our Axel-kun,' is it?" Eva chuckled. "Fine. If you're that worried, why don't you come along?"
I blinked. I expected Eva to tell her to get lost.
"Is that allowed?" Chizuru asked.
"Sure. On one condition: only you and Yukihiro Ayaka. Don't bring Murakami Natsumi."
"May I ask why?"
"Magic is meant to be a secret," Eva said, her tone suddenly cold and serious. "You and Yukihiro are already involved because you're under Axel's protection—which keeps the old fogies at the top from interfering. But if a normal person like Murakami sees us, any other mage would have to wipe her memory. You don't want that, do you?"
"Are you sure you should be saying such things here?" Chizuru asked, glancing at the noisy class.
"It's fine. They're all distracted by the food and the fighting. And those who are listening... well, they're all 'involved' anyway."
"Involved? Who?"
"I might know, but I'm not telling," Eva smirked. "In any case, if you're worried, follow us. Axel knows the way."
"I understand," Chizuru said, bowing her head. "I will be joining you, then. I'll see if Ayaka wants to come, but I will definitely be there."
"Chizuru, you don't have to—" I started.
"I most certainly do. As your guardian, Axel-kun, I have both the right and the duty to oversee your safety."
"Guardian, huh..."
I looked at my ten-year-old hands and sighed. Chizuru was immovable when she got like this.
"Fine. Do whatever you want."
[Status Window]
Name: Axel Almar
Level: 38
PP: 625
Melee: 262 | Ranged: 282 | Skill: 272 | Defense: 272 | Evasion: 302 | Accuracy: 322
SP: 462
Ace Bonus: SP Boost (Consumes SP to enhance Slime performance)
Growth Type: All-Rounder / Special
Terrain: Air: S | Ground: S | Water: S | Space: S
Spirit Commands: Accel, Effort, Focus, Direct Hit, Awaken, Love
Skills: EXP Up, SP Boost, Telekinesis Lv.10, Attacker, Gunfight Lv.9, Infight Lv.9, Morale Limit Break,
Geass (Greyed), Magic (Fire/Shadow/Summoning)
Total Kills: 376
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