kscans

Chapter 53 - Morning Practice and the Battle Over Boomerang Briefs

"So, where were you two yesterday in the middle of the rain?"

Avea questioned me. She was tapping her shoulder with a wooden stick. I felt intimidated and averted my gaze.

It was the usual morning practice, with the usual members. Aira was here today, too. The sight of Aira sitting primly beside us while we trained, watching over us, was quite cute. It reminded me of my school days in my original world. A beautiful manager watching over the club's activities. It had the scent of youth. Of course, I never had such an event in my life.

"...Uh, my stomach was acting up... I went into the forest to look for some medicinal herbs. It always gets like this when it rains."

"Is that so? Famu said you were kidnapped. She looked like it was the end of the world."

"..."

So she knew and was asking anyway. What a horrible person. With no other choice, I briefly explained what happened, being careful not to mention the transmigrators. I told them how I went to the bandits' hideout to rescue a companion who had been taken by Rylie and the bandits, and how I had cooperated in the rescue.

I wondered how Rylie was doing.

"It seems one of the bandits turned herself in at this settlement's garrison early this morning."

That must be Ito. She kept her promise. Which means she's recovered enough to use her special skill. I might be able to use mine too.

"Goddess Summon!"

"Eh, Master?"

"Hey, what are you trying to do all of a sudden?!"

Famu and Mizuki rushed to stop me, but nothing happened long before they could. It seems the interval before a special skill can be used again varies depending on the skill. Or maybe it's based on the user's proficiency.

"...Don't do things without any context!"

Mizuki scolded me.

"Well then, it's you and me today,"

Avea said, pointing the tip of her wooden stick at me.

"Wait a minute. We haven't even drawn lots today!"

This was too much. Plus, I had a fierce battle with Famu this morning.

"Your party gets into trouble because you're weak."

"That's true, but as you can see, I'm an old man. There's a limit to how much I can improve. It would be faster for Famu and Mizuki to grow stronger. It might be favoritism, but those two are geniuses."

"Even if they're geniuses, it's over if you get taken out. For some reason, you're the cornerstone of your party."

I looked at Famu and Mizuki. Mizuki averted her gaze unnaturally. Had she told Avea to train me?

"Sorry, you're always getting knocked out during battles, so I was really worried..."

"...The only reason I get knocked out is because I want to see your panties!"

I protested to Mizuki.

"That's how it is. I'm going to train you until you're forged into a fine suit of muscle armor. Don't worry. Muscles won't betray you. Even if you die, your heart will continue to send blood to your muscles, and your muscles will continue to fight."

"..."

What's the point if I'm dead? They say building muscle requires talent, too. It's probably impossible for me.

"If you can land a single blow on me, I'll grant you a suit of swim trunk armor.

"No, sorry, but I don't need swim trunk armor."

"Heh heh, you greedy bastard. Fine, I'll throw in a boomerang brief armor as well. The color will be red, to match my bikini."

"Master, please let me wear them too. After you've worn them, please,"

Famu whispered in my ear. Her tail was wagging furiously.

"..."

I didn't know what to say to Famu.

"You look dissatisfied. Muscles and a swimsuit. What more could you possibly need?"

Avea was quite the pervert, too. I thought she was a bit of a meathead, but otherwise normal.

"I already have Mizuki's blue panties. I'd rather wear Mizuki's panties and run across this world than wear red boomerang briefs!"

"Heh, spoken like a true man."

Avea nodded, satisfied.

"Stop it! Just, seriously stop it!"

Mizuki shouted.

"I see you have your pride. So what would motivate you?"

Avea asked.

"Let's see. If Mizuki would do something lewd in the shade of that tree over there."

"What is with you today? I'm absolutely not doing that!"

Mizuki seemed angry.

"Then I can take her place, if you like,"

Avea replied.

"What, really?!"

I readied my wooden stick. Suddenly, I was full of motivation.

"Avea, Master is strong. If you're joking, you should stop. A bet like that is truly dangerous,"

Famu said.

"So the loyal pup says. Is that really true?"

Avea smiled fearlessly.

This was our third confrontation. The first time, I cut through the weak point of her bikini armor. I passed out afterwards, but you could still call it my victory. The second time, I was beaten to a pulp without being able to do a thing. I gained nothing from it, and was even made to abandon my obsession with bikini armor. I spent days in agony, asking myself what would be left of me if I gave up my obsession with bikinis. But now, I have achieved enlightenment. Bikini armor is, after all, just cloth. I should have been focused on what was inside it. I faced off against Avea. I took a Seigan-no-kamae stance, while Avea held her weapon with one hand. The tips of our weapons crossed.

"Here I come,"

I called out. Avea grinned.

"Come on."

I aimed for her head. Avea easily parried the blow. I spun around and immediately stepped in, aiming for her head again. That blow was also blocked. She swung her weaponless arm in a hook-like motion. I felt a sharp killing intent and thought I heard the sound of wind being cut. I jumped back to dodge it. I thought about another attack, but my legs stumbled and I couldn't move. Avea came at me, slashing. I blocked the first attack, but couldn't block the second and fell. I went with the fall, rolling to my feet. She didn't pursue. Once the distance was clear, I stood up and reset my stance.

"Even in this situation, do you really think Mash will win, Famu?"

Mizuki, who was watching the match, asked Famu.

"Yes. Master can create a winning situation no matter what. If he gets serious, no one can beat him."

"Serious, huh..."

As usual, Famu's evaluation of me was off the charts, and it was scary.

"Avea isn't soft. Mash's sword isn't getting through at all."

"...The prize is too big. Master will win,"

Famu declared.

"...Maybe you're right."

Mizuki was being swayed by Famu and was starting to agree.

"Then I'll bet on Mash losing. The prize will be our next date and a chance to get intimate."

Aira, who had been listening to the conversation, joined in.

"Eh? By yourself? Not with Cecily?"

"Yeah. I haven't had a date with Mash yet."

Aira nodded in response to Mizuki's question.

"Mash is soft on the follow-through. He loses focus at the very end and gets careless."

Aira added her commentary on me.

"...Are you serious?"

"It's fine if it's a joke, but you should really stop yourself from actually falling for him."

Famu and Mizuki seemed genuinely worried for Aira. They were saying some pretty harsh things, but they started their bet anyway.

Avea's attacks were strong. Each blow was heavy and fast. It looked random, but she was definitely targeting my weak points. And she easily broke through my defense. My chances to counterattack were also crushed. And her defense was a fortress. My attacks weren't getting through at all. I couldn't even feint her. She was reading me completely.

"What's wrong, is that all you've got?"

Avea provoked.

"As you can see, I'm an old man. Go a little easier on me."

"Alright, then I'll put you to sleep."

Avea casually closed the distance. There was no point in backing away, so I jumped in as well. I aimed for her wrist, but she easily dodged. I tried to slip past her side, but she tripped me and I fell. I couldn't let go of the wooden stick, so I fell awkwardly. Avea didn't attack, just stood there looking down at me, waiting for me to get up. My elbows and knees were scraped. Pain shot through me as I stood up.

"Ow..."

"What'll you do? You've got allies who believe in your victory,"

Avea teased.

"I haven't given up yet."

"That's a good look on your face."

Avea laughed. A laugh full of confidence. She was certain of her victory. I knew it. Defense over offense. If I didn't break her defense, there was nothing I could do. Cheap tricks wouldn't work. So, I would land a blow she couldn't defend against. The weapon I held was a wooden stick, but it was a sword. If I swung it, it could cut through anything. I took a Seigan stance. I would absolutely cut her down.

"Avea, it's dangerous. You should stop now,"

Famu shouted. Didn't she try to stop a fight like this before? But why was she trying to stop Avea and not me? That was the same as provoking her.

"Interesting. I won't dodge the next blow. I'll take it head-on."

Avea switched to a two-handed grip and reset her stance. It seemed she felt my determination too. I closed the distance with shuffling steps. As I stepped in, I swung my weapon high and brought it down on her. The target didn't matter. She would definitely block my blow with her own weapon. My target was that weapon. I would destroy her defense and her means of attack at the same time. Avea raised her weapon to defend. I aimed for it and swung my weapon through. My full-powered blow split her wooden stick in two.

"Avea. I win!"

I raised my weapon again and aimed for her head.

"Your swing is too wide."

Avea jumped into my guard. She grabbed my collar. My body flowed forward diagonally. The back of her thigh was placed against my groin and I was flipped up. The moment my body was brilliantly sent flying, I realized I'd been thrown. I was slammed into the ground on my back.

"Gah!"

A strange cry escaped me. The fierce impact knocked the wind out of me, and I couldn't move.

"Do you yield?"

Avea, who had waited for my breathing to settle, peered into my face.

"Yeah, I lost. ...Damn it."

"You've got a slightly better look on your face now."

A pair of red boomerang briefs fluttered down and landed on my forehead.

"I acknowledge you as a warrior. Become a man who suits those pants."

Avea walked away. In her place, Aira approached. She cast a healing spell on me.

"Famu was right. You were strong. Right now you're just a pervert with something weird on his forehead, though."

"But I lost. Just as you predicted."

"You heard that?"

I nodded. This was just practice. I knew I was no match for her at this stage. So I was supposed to be taking it easy, thinking it was fine if it didn't work out. But Famu believed I would win. I wanted to meet her expectations, just once. So I created an opportunity to win.

"Mash wins in the end. We'll make sure of it."

I hugged Aira. I was making a face I didn't want anyone to see. It was just the scrapes that hurt. Aira stroked my hair.