Three Girls We were inseparable, always together, our mantra: forever and ever. I believed it, too.
Then, two fell for the class heartthrob. They were smitten, constantly asking me for help. I wasn't interested, so I casually gathered intel from him and passed it on. I cheered them on. "No hard feelings, whoever wins!" I laughed.
But their friendship soured.
"I'm cuter than her." "I'm richer than her." "I'm taller than her." "I'm better built than her."
Her, her, her, her, her.
Something's wrong, I thought. We were so close. Why this?
I tried to mediate—soothing, coaxing, bringing them together. When they were with me, they smiled, like old times. But apart, the I'm better than her boasts resumed.
I was at a loss. How could we go back?
Then, the heartthrob confessed to me. "You're cuter, so I'll date you," he said.
I had no interest. I knew they loved him, and I didn't think I suited a guy like him. They were cuter. So I refused.
"Sorry. Find someone better—someone close by!"
From that day, I was branded a "man-playing slut" by the boys, mocked and pointed at. A "backstabbing, ugly-hearted cat" by the girls, shunned with disgust.
It was the heartthrob's petty revenge. It was a rumor spread by my two "friends."
Middle school life.
I decided: humans are just like that. Living felt exhausting.
Blackbeard Falls! Grand Battle Standby!
Blackbeard: "Nufu! But then! My beard glows gold or silver, awakening true power! Mood-wise!!"
Rikka: "That's rough on your body, you know? Overdo it, and you're dead."
Blackbeard: "For real!? Then a fusion, like Potara-style magic cheat? Rikka-tan, fuse with me?"
Rikka: "Sure, whatever. If we lose, do what you want."
Blackbeard: "Really!? Angel! An angel's here!! You said anything, right?"
Rikka: "Didn't, but close enough! Beat our boss lady first! Then get past Mash! After that, boil, bake, or hug me—your call!"
Blackbeard: "Dufufu! Great Angel Rikka-tan's Geass wish—accepted!!"
Mash: "S-Senpai and Blackbeard are totally in sync…" Drake: "She's cute, but how'd Rikka end up like this? I love her, but… talk about a flaw…"
Two revel in their bond, two stand dumbfounded.
Blackbeard: "Absolute crisis! Form is emptiness, Namu Myoho Renge Kyo! The Yuripple team's down! Only two of my Four Heavenly Kings remain! But!!"
He strikes an m9 pose, chest puffed out.
Blackbeard: "I, Blackbeard, never once considered losing!!"
Rikka: "That's the spirit!"
Blackbeard: "That's a pirate! Living today to the fullest, no care for tomorrow! If now's fun, that's enough! Tomorrow's for tomorrow's me!"
Rikka: "Got it!"
Blackbeard: "Remember, Rikka-tan! Nothing beats living loud and fun! Or was it 'resolve blows despair away'? Dufufufu!"
Rikka: "Thanks, Blackbeard!"
Mash: "So… precious…"
Golden particles claim Blackbeard.
Both: "Grand Battle! BGM start!!"
Epic BGM blares, hyping the showdown!
Mash: "Senpai…"
Rikka: "?"
Mash: "Getting along so well with Blackbeard… I respect that…"
Rikka: "Really? …Oh."
Clap.
Rikka: "Looks don't define worth. Unless they're repulsive or alien, there's always a chance to connect."
Mash: "Senpai…"
Rikka: "An otaku friend taught me: the world's full of fun. Rejecting it over petty biases is foolish."
Her eyes gleam with hope, gazing skyward.
Rikka: "If there's mutual understanding, I'd befriend a god! Sure, I've been called a 'thieving cat,' 'people-pleaser,' or 'hypocrite,' but I don't care! Also—no boyfriend."
Her gaze clouds, distant.
Rikka: "They said, 'You're too dazzling to look at,' or 'Rikka's a flower on a high peak.' 'Your gender's just Rikka'…"
Mash: "Senpai! Snap out of it!"
Rikka: "Alright, let's kill it, BBA!"
Drake: "Hell yeah! Talking pirate life to Rikka? I like you—a lot!"
Blackbeard: "Obviously! A 'cute girl who vibes with otakus' is rarer than a dragon, a dream come true!"
Drake: "Hah! She's my crew now! Want her? You know what to do!"
Blackbeard: "Duh! Beat the BBA, plunder! Kill the men, ravish the women, toss 'em to the crew—pirate style! Though, I recruited some to keep markets alive."
Drake: "Exactly, you lowlife! Hero or killer, same scum! Winner's king—that's the sea's rule!"
She twirls dual pistols, singing as a starry pioneer.
Drake: "Come, pirate born a century after me! I'll crush your justice under my devil's heels!!"
Blackbeard: "Damn, BBA's cool… If I were a girl, I'd be soaked, CG unlocked! Those variant frames are a pain, though!"
Rikka: "Cross-section and dialogue variants are a must!! They're 80% of the spice!!"
Blackbeard: "Hell yeah!! Now I want Rikka-tan no matter what!!"
Mash: "Mash! Cover Rikka's mouth! It's too much! Before Gil shows up!"
Rikka: "Mmph! (Fast gag. Anyone else would've missed it.)"
Drake: "Want her? Take her! No treasure in this sea has an owner—first come, first served!!"
Blackbeard: "That's it! Pirate logic! BBA, you get it—"
Plunder versus plunder. Pride and resolve clash in the ultimate showdown—
Hector: "—except it won't go that way, sadly."
Instant.
Blackbeard: "—Huh?"
A peerless spear, unyielding, pierces Blackbeard's chest.
Drake: "Edward!!"
Hector: "Thanks, Master's lass. Your distraction gave me the opening."
Blackbeard: "—Tch."
Blood gushes.
Hector: "Quite the chemistry, eh? But some advice—stay away from him."
Drake: "You betrayed your crew—!!"
Blackbeard: "—!?"
Troy's great hero bares his fangs.
Many Lessons Swimming, calligraphy, piano, English.
I earned gold stars. PE, tests, studies, report cards.
Mom and Dad praised me. "You're our pride." "⬛⬛⬛'s a genius."
Their joy fueled me. I excelled at everything, so I did everything.
Lessons piled up, got harder, tougher, overwhelming—more, more, more.
My body broke. Fever, delirium.
They nursed me tirelessly. "Get better, then push harder." "You can do it."
Recovery meant lessons resumed. Endless lessons, studies, tasks—more, more, more.
"Dad, Mom, I'm sorry. I can't anymore."
I broke, admitting weakness.
All lessons stopped. Studies, sports—Mom and Dad expected nothing.
"Fine, if you can't." "Sorry for expecting too much."
They stopped talking to me, raising me "carefully."
Elementary memories.
I swore: Never show weakness again.
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The battle isn't over... and the truth has yet to be revealed. Read the next chapter now on Patreon! [patreon.com/Greyhounds]