"Ah, I'm exhausted."
I relaxed on the sofa, rubbing my full belly.
After returning to Hotel Alpino, we finished the meal Megane-san had made for us.
Due to the incident, we couldn't properly get ingredients, but we used everything in the fridge to have a pasta party.
Yami seems to be participating more actively in the conversation than before. Her way of thinking has changed, even if only a little, because of our earlier talk.
It's not about me, but about Vivio. I really think it's a good thing. Yeah.
It was a fun meal, but the group was a little smaller.
First, there was Fate-san, who was injured. She was shot with a pistol, after all. Next were Takamachi-san and Lanster-san, who were helping the local police with the arrest of the culprits and various other procedures. Sakura also wasn't here, as she joined them.
Subaru-san stayed behind. She's not good at desk work, so she said she would just get in the way if she went. She mentioned that she's better at physical activities.
Now, the dishes have been cleared, and we're just watching TV.
Even the kids, who are usually full of energy, would be quiet after someone got injured.
But what's even more disappointing is...
"So, you're really leaving tomorrow?"
"Yes. It's a shame, but with an incident like this, we can't really enjoy ourselves."
"And if we let the kids play in this state, they might get hurt."
Subaru-san and Asuna said with disappointed looks.
The kids were downcast. It would be dangerous to have them participate in the Land Combat tournament scheduled for tomorrow, as their minds weren't in it. And it's not something to be held by excluding the kids.
"Ugh, no! I don't want to!"
"Is it really impossible?"
"It is. We can't have anyone getting hurt."
Asuna admonished Vivio and Rio, who were pouting. When I see her like this, she really looks like a mother. She's a young wife Asuna. This is getting creepy, me.
The three who hadn't changed much were Riko, Kurumi, and Aria. All three looked as if such injuries were within their expectations.
"The Land Combat tournament isn't a one-time thing. We'll just wait for the next opportunity."
"Oh? So you'll come again next year?"
"Next year, we'll definitely come on our own dime."
"Hehe, I'll be looking forward to it."
Megane-san was smiling.
The small children weren't the only ones who were looking forward to the match. The medium-sized children, Einhart and Kirin, were also looking forward to the match just as much as the younger group.
"It's a shame..."
"Yes..."
Seeing the two of them, Lutecia operated her device.
"Geez, I guess it can't be helped."
A page from a website was displayed on a screen projected in the air.
"What's this?"
"I was actually planning to show you this after tomorrow's match."
When she operated the screen, a simple logo similar to the website's, but with a large font, was displayed.
"Inter-Middle..."
"...Championship?"
The little ones also gathered, wondering what was happening.
"The official name is the Dimension Sports Activity Association. We call it the DSAA for short."
"In other words, it's an official match... a big tournament. It's June now... It's scheduled to be held in two months, in August, on Gakuenjima."
"You're asking us to enter it?"
"That's right."
Nove-san joined in the explanation.
Lutecia winked and operated the screen. As she scrolled down, the application guidelines were displayed.
"I've actually participated in it, and so has Subaru-san's mom. It brings back memories... the era of youth I burned in battle."
She put a hand to her cheek, as if reminiscing about the past.
"Because it's not held by a specific country, anyone can participate if they enter. Because of that, you have to get through a tough preliminary round."
"It's a tournament that's broadcast all over the world. Just being able to participate in the main competition is a great thing."
How narrow of a gate is that, I wonder.
"The DSAA is a tournament for magical combat techniques, so only people who can use magic can participate, but if you win, you'll be recognized as one of the top 10 most powerful teenagers."
A look of undisguised excitement appeared on Einhart and Kirin's faces, especially Einhart's.
It was also apparent in her voice, but she seemed to think she was hiding it.
"Why are you showing this to us?"
"Nove-san told me, you know? Einhart and Kirin also had a lot of things going on in the past and couldn't grow up freely, right? And Einhart seemed to have been a bit of a troublemaker, so I thought it would be a good idea for you to participate in a healthy tournament like this."
"That was in the past! I'm different now!"
I wonder when Lutecia and Nove-san planned this.
"Are you sure~? Ah, is it because you're enthusiastic about something else now?"
"Huh? Something else?"
"...Looks like it's going to be a long road, Sho."
"Should I settle things with this person right here...!"
Why are you bringing up that topic here!
Einhart was completely left behind. She didn't seem to think she was the center of the conversation.
The girls behind her had faces that said, "Oh, I see. It's that kind of pattern." And in fact, there's a very high probability that their prediction is not wrong.
I was completely ignored as I shadow-boxed the smirking Nove-san, and Lutecia continued with the conversation.
"Vivio and the others haven't participated in an official match before, right?"
"It's too early for them, isn't it? I mean, seriously."
Even Nove-san abruptly changed the topic.
"That's not true!"
"We'll train for the tournament!"
"Please, Master!"
"H-Hey! I told you to stop with the 'Master' thing! I'm not really your master. I'm just looking after you a little bit..."
He muttered excuses. It would be easier if he just admitted it.
"By the way, I'm also participating this year!"
"No way!"
It seems Lutecia's participation is already confirmed.
Nove-san's face gradually became more amusing as the kids kept repeating "I'm so jealous." This might be the final push.
"What about Kirin-san and Einhart-san!?"
"I want to participate, too."
"Yes. I want to see how far I can go now."
"...I see."
However, it wouldn't be that simple. There were three girls who weren't satisfied with this situation.
"Nove-san! Three people are participating! We want to participate, too!"
"We're all part of Team Nakajima, right!"
"Hey! Don't just form a team on your own!"
The little ones aren't so easy to please. On the contrary, their momentum increased with the addition of new members.
Megane-san, seeing that they couldn't be stopped, joined the conversation.
"But each participant needs a second, you know?"
"I'll just ask my free older sister."
"Then why don't you ask her to second Vivio-chan and the others, too?"
"Hmm..."
Even after being told this, Nove-san was still hesitant. What was holding him back?
"Vivio and the others are still at the stage where they're just enjoying martial arts. I think it's okay to worry about winning and losing a little later. Besides, I don't want to see them lose badly at the tournament and lose their motivation."
"I wonder about that. Do you think Vivio-chan and the others are the kind of girls who would change because of that?"
"Well... I don't think so..."
"Then it's fine. I'm sure they'll be okay. Because they have such a great Master."
"Huh?"
His dumbfounded face turned bright red all at once.
"N-No, I mean...! Fine! I'll take care of all of you! But if we're going to do it, we're going to do it all the way! We'll train so hard until the tournament that we might as well win it!"
"Yay! Thank you!"
The three of them high-fived as their shy Master gave his consent.
"Oh, by the way, there's one more thing we shouldn't forget. Another condition for participation is... the use of a CLASS3 or higher device. Does everyone have one?"
"Ah, I, I..."
The one who timidly raised her hand was...
"I don't have one."
...Einhart. She seemed to feel bad about ruining the mood and shrunk back.
"There wasn't a good match for my Hegemon Style, so I've only used the bare minimum until now."
"It's true that high-performance ancient Belkan-style devices are rare... but don't worry! Don't underestimate my connections! I know someone who's an expert, so I'll ask them!"
"Oh, thank you!"
With that, all the problems were cleared up. The six people who would participate in the tournament were Kirin, Einhart, Lutecia, Vivio, Corona, and Rio. Chloe's constitution isn't suited for this kind of tournament, and Tina isn't particularly interested.
"Why are you acting like it has nothing to do with you, Sho? You should be busy during that time, too."
"Huh, why?"
Aria approached me with her arms crossed.
I don't remember making any plans for that time. Well, it's very likely that some incident will occur, or rather, I think that's probably what will happen. It's sad that I can easily imagine that scene.
"In August, Gakuenjima has a lot of tourists and a lot of events."
"Hmm?"
"The DSAA is a tournament for minors, but there's also the 'Phoenix Festa,' a two-person team match with no age or weapon restrictions, the 'Daiha Star Festival,' where psychics compete, and many other academic and scientific presentations and new product unveilings... There's a month full of events."
Why did they have to cram them all together? It would have been better to hold them once every four years or so.
"It seems various vested interests are involved. Important people approach the tournament winners, and they scout excellent researchers. There's no point in complaining. So, during that period, there's a lot of people coming and going, right? And it's not every day that officials from companies all over the world and government officials gather. The Bureau alone can't handle it. Terrorism, petty crimes, security, escort, missing person searches, lost children, pickpocketing, traffic control. There are endless requests for Butei. As long as you're on the island."
It sounds like a month of hell. Do we not get a summer vacation?
"So many people come that they use large passenger ships docked around the island as hotels. And students who don't have enough credits try to make up for them here."
That was Riko's voice.
Not enough credits, huh... It's sad that I might end up like that. To be honest, at this point, I wonder how many days I've actually gone to school.
Wait a minute.
"As long as you're on the island? Aria, you won't be on the island during that time?"
"No. I'm scheduled to be at my villa in the Mediterranean. You can't live normally on an island where you have to either work in the scorching heat or stay cooped up inside, can you?"
Having to stay cooped up to live, is the population density that high? As expected of a noble, she's going to spend her summer vacation at a summer resort.
"I won't be there all the time, of course. I'll be on a trip for about two weeks. In the summer, there's a war... at Big Sight."
Ah, Comiket. Be careful not to get dehydrated.
"Sho, you want to come to the villa?"
"No, Einhart and the others have their matches. I'm also Kirin's battle sister. I'll check on that."
In reality, I just want to stay on the island because something is bound to happen. The Mediterranean is too far away. So is mainland Japan.
August, huh. It feels like a new goal has been set.
It's a shame, or maybe a relief, that nothing in particular happened until we went to bed. Everyone must have held back tonight because of the incident.
And so, the last night of our trip passed.
----------
Fortunately, no other incidents occurred after that. When we woke up the next morning, Takamachi-san and Lanster-san had returned, and after eating breakfast, we immediately headed home.
On the way to the airport, we met up with Fate-san at the hospital. Her one arm was in a sling from the gunshot, but she seemed fine otherwise.
We had to leave early, and we were tasked with escorting the two culprits of this incident. Especially Azenda, who had a Stand ability, so a more thorough investigation would be conducted on our island.
I didn't expect to be on the same plane as them, but it couldn't be helped since this was the best possible formation of members to handle any situation. We couldn't afford to let them escape.
It meant we had to give up our holiday, but it couldn't be helped.
We were able to set foot on the island without any incidents.
"I'm sorry, everyone. We had to cut our trip short."
"We'll definitely make it up to you. We'll have the Land Combat tournament then, too."
The people from Section Six put the two of them in a state-of-the-art armored transport vehicle. When I heard they had sent this car to pick them up, I wondered if it was really necessary for just two unarmed people. Maybe because they're a rare criminal with a Stand ability.
"Oh, Yozuki-kun."
Fate-san called out to me as she was leaving.
"Nanoha told me that the room where Azenda was being held was destroyed."
"The room was destroyed, but Azenda didn't escape?"
It's a strange story.
"It doesn't seem like she was switched with someone else, either. At least, not from what we could find."
That means there's a possibility of a new Stand user.
"So I thought I'd let you know. If we find out anything, I'll contact you again."
"Yes, thank you."
Fate-san waved with her free hand and got into the car.
"...Well, I guess so, Yukina-san."
"What is it, Senior?"
"It's not like anything happened in particular."
"I didn't say anything."
Overwhelmed by her pressure, I told her everything that happened during the incident on the way home, clearing up any misunderstandings.
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