To America (1)
To America (1)
The academy's sixth week came to an end.
It was the morning of the seventh week, with midterms and the like about to begin.
The cadets were starting to throw themselves into their studies.
Awakener law, court precedents involving incidents Awakeners commonly encountered, and so on.
Those topics appeared on the national Awakener certification exam.
Naturally, the relevant classes were difficult and there was a great deal to study.
Cadets aiming for a high rank practically worked themselves to death during midterms.
Sia and Alice were no exception.
—Mutter, mutter.
"No matter how much I memorize, there's no end to it...."
"After I awakened I figured the college entrance exam was a waste, but if I didn't have that foundation I'd have been in real trouble."
Inside a café, the two sat groaning over textbooks spread across the table.
The sight of my diligent wives made me smile.
'They'd qualify for A-rank even if they skipped the exam entirely, but they were working this hard because they wanted to reach S-rank.'
It wouldn't matter if they did poorly on the test.
Would the government mistreat rare resources like Awakeners merely because they were bad at studying?
At Sia and Alice's level, they could mark answer one for every question and still have A-rank in the bag.
I'd explained that to them more than once.
How had my wives responded?
"I know. But then I can never reach S-rank."
"Exactly! I want to become S-rank like you, Yujin!"
Then they buried themselves in their studies.
They were so admirable that I wanted to pull them both into my arms and shower them with kisses.
Alice already hugged me whenever she got the chance, and Sia kissed me every day, but still.
"How is it for you, Yujin?"
"Hmm. It's hard for me too~."
"Liar. You're obviously going to score another hundred."
"Hey, I'm human too."
By contrast, I could not have been more relaxed.
Only freshmen found the material difficult and tedious to memorize. After living as an Awakener for a few years, you learned it all naturally.
On top of that, I retained everything I'd studied before my regression.
I had no real need to study.
Even so, I had wedged myself between them and at least pretended to study because...
'It was about time. Why hadn't he called? Did that bastard forget...?'
—Bzzzt.
[Incoming Call - Công]
'I knew I could count on you, Công!!'
———I wanted to relay the news of the S-rank Gate immediately.
I answered at once,
pretending to be startled.
"Công? Hold on... Hello?"
[Yujin! An S-rank Gate in Washington, America....]
"Good heavens, what shocking news. Girls, this is no time to study."
After the short call, I immediately briefed my wives.
An S-rank Gate had appeared.
The location was Washington, United States.
The raid team would consist of an elite American clan and the Vietnam Liberation Army led by Công.
And...
"Pack your clothes and equipment and meet in the Chairwoman's office within three hours. I'll handle everything else."
And then there were my wives and me.
The two, who had only been blinking at me, sprang from their seats.
"I'll go get my equipment from Dad!!"
"I-I'm coming too!!"
—Dash.
'They were quick. Preparing them in advance had paid off.'
Even the way they moved without freezing up was adorable.
I smiled proudly and rose at a leisurely pace,
organizing everything I had to do in my head.
The first task was informing Master.
—Step, step.
"...My disciple?"
"Oh, Master. You were out and about."
"I went to pick up a package."
I happened to run into her.
Perfect timing. I immediately started to explain...
—Pause.
'Wait. Master went to pick up a package herself? They usually delivered right to the dorm. Unless she'd gone to retrieve something prohibited from being brought inside.'
The question struck me just before I could explain.
What package would be important enough for Master to collect personally?
Looking more closely, I saw "Prohibited" written on the box.
Had she ordered something by mistake, gotten it confiscated, and taken it back from the Chairwoman?
I asked at once.
"What's the package? What'd you order?"
—Flinch.
"Th-There is... something."
"......?"
She apparently didn't intend to tell me.
I was curious, but pressing further would invade her privacy.
I decided to let it go.
"All right. More importantly, Master, something major happened. An S-rank Gate appeared in America."
"Hmm... Huh? S-rank?"
"Yes. The S-rank Gate I'd planned to go to with Công."
I steered the conversation back to the Gate.
Master reacted much the same as my wives.
"Th-Then why are you saying it so calmly?! How long until the flight?!"
"About two and a half hours? You only need one sword, Master, so you can take your time...."
"How can I when this is my first date with my disciple?! I-I'll change, so wait here!!"
—Dash.
I had not expected her to be very surprised, yet hearing that she was going with me flustered her terribly.
So badly that she accidentally called the Gate a date.
My heart almost fluttered.
"Come to the Chairwoman's office by three~."
"Got itttt~!!!"
That took care of informing Master.
All that remained was preparing to leave the country,
—Bang.
"Chairwoman. Công says an S-rank Gate broke in America. Please handle the administrative processing for departure."
I activated my ultimate technique: "Handle It for Me."
That was why I'd been so relaxed.
As a mere cadet, there was nothing I could do myself.
The Chairwoman had to handle all the actual work.
I expected her to complain about me working an old woman to the bone, but...
"Understood. I'll contact the American Association."
"......?"
I'd expected her to grumble.
Instead, she readily agreed.
...Ever since our argument three weeks ago,
she had complained far less.
Our usual banter had disappeared too.
Tsk. Was she still angry?
"Yes. Thank you."
'I should bring her a gift on the way back.'
I decided to buy her a souvenir during the return trip.
The final task was...
"Haru, Winterer. Daddy's going to America, so for the next few days...."
—Grab. Squeeze.
"Daddy can't go. I'll be lonely if Daddy leaves."
"......."
Getting my daughters to let go.
America was far away, and an S-rank Gate raid would take time.
Even in the best case, I would be gone for at least five days.
There was no way our clingy little Haru would accept that.
She clung to me and demanded that I stay.
"Rice Cake. You'll die if you go into an S-rank Gate with your skills. You're weak as hell."
"It'll be fine. You saw how strong Master is, right? She's coming with me."
"Don't care. Just don't go. What if Haru cries?"
Even Winterer joined in.
Her eyes were full of worry. She must have grown rather attached to me.
...A few weeks ago, she had tried to kill me. Now she was telling me not to go because I might die.
What a touching little Rice Cake.
"Aww, are you worried Daddy might die~?"
"...What Daddy? Why would you be my father!?"
"Haru is my daughter, and you're Haru's big sister."
"I'm older than you!?"
That was that, and this was this.
I teased her lightly,
trying to break the strangely awkward mood.
It worked perfectly.
"Yeah. Big Sis, call Daddy Daddy too. Then we're a real family. All three together, the Tri-Color Rice Cake Family."
"Wh-why would I...."
"Please, Big Sis."
—Sparkle.
After clinging to me, Haru turned her pleading on Winterer.
The attack of her pure, sparkling eyes was devastating.
It was far too powerful for that Wannabe Villain to withstand.
"Ugh, ughhh...."
—Tremble, tremble.
"......D-Daddy."
"Sis. Good job."
Thanks to Haru, I gained another daughter.
Unlike Haru, this one was squarely in her rebellious phase.
As a bonus, the atmosphere turned warm and affectionate.
"All right. Then, Haru?"
"Daddy. Why...?"
-Smooch.
"......!!!!!?"
"Wait for me with your big sister for exactly five nights. Haru is a good girl, so you can wait, right?"
I seized the opening and kissed her forehead.
Haru's cheeks turned bright red.
"O-Okay. Heehee."
"Hey, Rice Cake's dad. If you go, you'll die...."
-Smooch.
"......Hweh?"
"Winterer, take good care of Haru. Daddy's leaving because he trusts you, her dependable big sister. Understood?"
Winterer received a bonus kiss.
Even if our family was only make-believe, the gesture meant, Please take care of Haru.
Her response hardly needed explanation.
—Flush.
"U-Uh, what...? Uh, okay?"
Winterer was naturally flustered.
Turning bright red over a familial kiss made her the very picture of a Wannabe Villain.
"Then I'll see you both in five days! I'll call every day if I can, so don't get too lonely!!"
—Dash.
I escaped while they were both still flustered.
I'd have liked to spend more time with them, but...
it was almost time to leave.
If they kept me any longer, I might be late. It couldn't be helped.
-Creeeak.
"I'm back—... Everyone's already here?"
In any case, I returned from the Chairwoman's quarters to her office.
The three who'd arrived first welcomed me.
"Seriously, what took you so long?"
"Haru grabbed me and begged me not to go. It took a while to calm her down."
"...If that's what it was, then fine. Oh, Yujin. I got your gear too."
"Thanks. Sia, you're the best."
-Wink.
"Then treat me accordingly. Pfft."
Sia wore her distinctive artifact outfit and had packed an enormous assortment of tools.
"...Yujin, leave the interpreting to me! I'll translate every last word for you!"
"Ah, Alice, you're the best too. Thanks."
"Hmph. It's nothing. This is only natural for a fellow member of the Pine-Needle Squad!"
Alice had packed as well and wore a confident smile.
"I-I didn't really bring anything... I can't speak English, and I have no equipment...."
"Master, we're grateful just to have you. Without you, an S-rank Gate would be too dangerous for us even to approach."
"......Alright. I may not know the rest, but if it's a matter of strength, leave it to me!"
Master had been looking self-conscious between the two heavily prepared girls, but my words brightened her face.
These were the three who'd join the S-rank Gate raid.
"Yes. Then... Chairwoman. The entry permit?"
"Received it some time ago. Though the conditions were attached that no payment will be made to Ninomiya, and that she must depart promptly after the raid."
"That's better than expected. I thought they might demand a hostage."
"With an S-rank Gate that broke in the capital of America, would they dare talk fussy terms."
"That's true."
The Chairwoman seemed to have worked hard while we prepared.
She had completed the negotiations in only three hours. As expected of the fourth-ranked S-rank Awakener.
Master apparently would not receive full VIP treatment, but...
"Those are the conditions. Is that acceptable, Master?"
"I'm going on a da—into a Gate with my disciple. I care nothing for such pocket change."
Master herself didn't mind,
so there was no problem.
"All right. Then... Sia, Alice, Master. Let us go."
"Yeah. The secretary prepared a car, so we'll take it to the airport."
"What should I do? My heart is already pounding!!"
"Don't get carried away. Once we're inside, stay close to me...."
We set off for the airport in a noisy, excited group,
leaving the Chairwoman, Haru, and Winterer behind to see us off.
And...
"———Yujin. What in the world is this?"
-Ding!
[The S-rank Gate reacts to the subject's '???'!]
[The Gate's estimated danger level evolves from S-rank to S+++-rank!]
[The dungeon's master has been slain....]
[Drawn by the Gate's "???", the Transcendent ????? intrudes....]
"......."
'Sorry, my friend. I knew this would turn into a disaster, but I never imagined it'd become this much of a disaster.'
The strongest raid team in Awakener history confronted an unprecedented S+++-rank Gate.