Volume 2 Chapter 7 Fighting Daughters 3️⃣： Vs Kazuramichi Naoshi
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
’Honestly, I thinks it’s lame. The old folks keeps complaining ’bout guns. They’re just tools, so why not use ’em conveniently?’
She suddenly remembered something Naoshi had said before.
’Weapons are weapons, ain’t they? Why’s a sword or a bow okay, but a gun ain’t? How’s that s’posed to help fightin’ ayakashi? Makes no sense.’
He said that while questioning the value of weapons, even though he fights barehanded.
That was his true feeling, and he was probably defending his cousin too.
But by the time she remembered, the outcome was already decided.
(Were you shot?)
Her limbs were in a confusing pain that felt both burning and freezing, and the only part that felt strong was her uninjured left arm.
She glanced at Ako, who was skillfully swapping out the magazine from her jacket pocket.
”Somebody, help—oh, Suzuri-chan, don’t get up! Just lie down. Ako-chan, got any ammo left?”
”It’s non-lethal rubber bullets. Suzuri-san was ready too, so it didn’t penetrate. She might have frostbite from the spirit energy (reiki) packed in.”
”Hear that, Suzuri-chan? Alright, Ako-chan, leavin’ the treatment to you.”
”Understood, I’ll take care of it.”
She lay down on the stretcher that was brought over.
While leaving the loser behind, everyone around started moving quickly.
”Nao-nii…”
Suzuri called out, unsure of what to say, and Naoshi gave her a smile that was less sharp than usual.
”Better to learn what it’s like bein’ caught off guard now. Other families or ayakashi don’t often pull stunts like this.”
”Yeah.”
”But hey, watch who you’re pickin’ fights with, else ya won’t last long.”
”I’ll remember it…”
”Suzuri-sama, we’re moving you. Please be careful.”
”Okay, please do.”
She nodded to the family members lifting the stretcher and relaxed her body.
As they carried her to the edge of the training area, she turned her head to look back, but Naoshi and Ako were no longer paying attention to her.
She thought she had gotten a bit stronger, but it wasn’t enough.
Not at all, it wasn’t enough.
”Ugh…”
Suzuri clenched her still-numb right hand tightly, holding back her frustration.
* * *
”Alright, someone give Ako-chan a hand.”
”No, it’s fine. I want to do this one-on-one, cousin.”
”Oh really? You know what that means, don’t ya?”
The ranking between Naoshi and Ako wasn’t settled yet.
First, there was no reason to do it.
At the same time, it was also a last resort that was left.
”Yes, of course. I’ve gotten approval from both papa and great-uncle.”
If Naoshi ever became a threat to the Kazuramichi family, it was expected that his master, great-uncle Yoshitora, and Ako would be there to hold him back.
”To lessen the burden on you, papa and I will take on the work from now on. We need to set some boundaries for that.”
But after the Yoshitada incident, things seemed to have changed.
”Politics, huh? What a pain.”
”Then will you kneel to me? It might get a bit tricky externally, but I can still make adjustments.”
”──You really went there.”
”My role isn’t just to agree with you, cousin.”
”Alright, alright. But I was thinkin’ it’d be better to wait till Ako-chan’s a bit more grown up──not talkin’ ‘bout her chest, okay?”
Ako tilted her head and seriously lifted her overly developed chest, making Naoshi wonder how serious she was while putting on his black fingerless gloves.
Those gloves were made of reinforced fabric, offering protection against blades, fire, and bullets.
Naoshi usually didn’t use them against ayakashi, as they weren’t necessary.
”Even while saying that, you’re all set, huh?”
”You don’t look happy. Ain’t it impressive I’m prepared?”
”I’d be surprised if you thought I would fight with my cousin.”
”That’s somethin’ only someone ready to brawl would say right now.”
Naoshi kicked the ground lightly with his toes and walked to the center of the training area.
Standing there naturally, he looked at his cousin without any pressure.
”Well, come at me anytime, Ako-chan── I’m ready. Are you?”
Eight years ago, Naoshi trained hard and managed to defeat the strongest of his age group.
Itsuki, who was involved, shrugged his shoulders.
”I’m going.”
Ako, already holding a gun, pulled the trigger without hesitation.
There were 3 gunshots.
From her stance, she probably aimed for the big target in the middle.
Naoshi dodged one shot and deflected the other 2 with his hands, sending them to the ground.
Ako didn’t seem surprised and quickly fired 4 more shots.
With her right arm extended, she moved in a way that seemed to catch everything.
But it looked like she knew that too and kept moving.
”──────!”
”Not much of a challenge, eh? Thought ya might catch me off guard.”
As she fired, Ako aimed a front kick at her cousin’s face.
The sound of her kick was like a cold chill running down your spine.
”Ugh…!”
Unlike with Suzuri, Ako threw away all her attacks and rolled on the ground to escape.
A shadow suddenly fell over her.
”────!!”
Naoshi jumped in to close the distance and landed a heavy stamp with both feet, but Ako barely managed to escape again.
After rolling to get up, she knelt and started shooting again.
(────3, 4, 5)
Naoshi counted while dodging like he was dancing.
He remembered the specs of Ako’s favorite gun, which was shortened for stealth. It could hold a maximum of 13 shots, and she had one bullet left.
But to show she was out of ammo, Ako pulled out her baton from her waist.
(Well, ain’t she gutsy?)
She was determined to use every option she had, and it showed in her performance.
It was really a shame that she had to be taken down now.
If only there was more time, she could have been a better opponent to train against──
”──────.”
He exhaled and focused his spirit energy.
The spirit power flowed through his body, and the excess burst out like lightning.
Every time the lightning touched the ground, a burnt smell filled the air.
”I’m comin’.”
As he said this, Naoshi stepped into range.
”──────!!”
With a swift strike, he aimed for her stomach.
Ako knew well the pain it had caused to many opponents before.
That’s why, even with her doll-like face twisted in fear, she managed to dodge just in time.
”Oh really now?”
”────Got you.”
Not only that, but she also threw away her weapons and grabbed Naoshi’s sleeve, making it easy for her to slip in close since she was shorter by about 20 centimeters.
”Ha!”
Breathing sharply, Ako hooked her right foot into Naoshi’s side, using it to launch her left leg up towards his neck.
She was going for an armbar.
But instead of trying to make him tap out, she aimed to break his arm while pulling him in.
”────Quick an’ bold, ain’t ya?”
Naoshi praised her, but to counter her move, he used pure speed and strength.
”This one’s gonna sting a bit, okay?”
With a heavy sound, Ako hit the ground faster than if she had fallen.
”!? ──────Cough!”
Before Ako could pull her arm back, Naoshi knelt and swung his arm to grab her, slamming her down to the ground.
As the pain and shock loosened her grip, he grabbed her collar and lifted her up, releasing her at chest height.
”Ako-chan, tighten them abs.”
”──────!!!?”
After saying it lightly, he brought his right foot down hard onto Ako’s stomach as she started to fall.
”Ugh!!”
With a dull, heavy sound, Ako hit the ground lower than before.
Naoshi stepped on her stomach, pressing down even more.
”Ugh!? Aaaahhh──!!”
In pain, Ako let out a wild scream that was unlike a girl.
Just as he was about to deliver a finishing punch, Ako weakly raised both arms.
”────I, I give up, cousin.”
”Sure thing. Ya did good.”
Naoshi stopped his fist right in front of her face, which looked like it was about to bleed, and casually replied while straightening his back and fixing his clothes.
”Still a long way to go.”
Many who witnessed the intense conclusion seemed to silently wonder, “Does he have no heart?”
* * *
”Looks like Ako-san got taken down too. But you two are still only second-rank among the Four Kings of Lovers. I’m not going down that easily.”
”Quit yappin’. You just lost not too long ago, remember?”
Naoshi glanced at Itsuki, who was coming closer with her hand on her sword, and she looked really happy.
”That’s different. A serious match is still exciting. How about a duel with me?”
He heard a sound as she moved her hand.
”Quit messin’ about. Are we fightin’ or nappin’? Pick one.”
Normally, someone as strong as Itsuki would be a great training partner.
But since the rankings were already decided and he hadn’t lost, he wasn’t really feeling it.
Plus, he still had work to do after this.
”Hmm… then I guess I’ll wait for another chance. It’s a shame, though.”
After thinking for a moment about his casual response, Itsuki sheathed her sword.
”Ya lovey-dovey fool…”
That was a reaction Naoshi never would have imagined before.
Honestly, he wasn’t sure if he was happy about it.
”Cousin…”
”Yeah, what’s up? Did I go too hard? Need to hit up the hospital or somethin’?”
”No, I’m fine. But I’m worried about my stomach, so please let me check if I can have kids.”
”You’re fine. Geez, I worried over nothin’.”
”You’re so mean… Please make sure to teach me properly today.”
”Yeah, yeah, I got ya.”
Naoshi ignored his cousin’s joking words while holding his stomach.
”That’s a promise.”
”Yep. What, don’t trust me or somethin’?”
Actually, it was necessary to decide the rankings in the house.
He understood that, but it still didn’t excite him.
”Wait, Ako-san. I had plans first. I came here for that, so can you wait?”
”I don’t remember making a reservation. And put your sword away, seriously.”
”This is my first time getting taught by my cousin too. I think Itsuki-san understands I want to take my time with this.”
”Quit talkin’ like this is some sketchy love flick.”
”Even if you say that, I’m not just sitting around doing nothing, you know.”
”Sure sounds like what you said earlier, though.”
”Well, you’re saying the same thing. Plus, I’ve been away for over 6 months!”
”Most of that’s Ako-chan’s fault anyway.”
”Naoshi, can you be quiet for a bit?”
”Cousin, please stop interrupting.”
Naoshi felt a bit embarrassed as the two of them cut him off.
”What’s with this unreasonable comeback? Is this a nightmare?”
”Nah, it’s just that obvious.”
Suzuri, who had come over without me noticing, said with half-closed eyes.
Her expression still had a bitter hint, but her steps were steady.
”Should I’ve just gone with, ‘Don’t fight over me’?”
”That would just provoke them.”
She cut that down and cleared her throat softly.
”By the way, Nao-nii? After those 2, can I──.”
”No way, that’s a joke. Three people in one night? What, ya think I’m some kinda celebrity stud?”
”Is it okay for me to be left out like this? This is basically cheating!”
”After all that sleep—oh wait, I was still asleep. But ya knew this’d happen, right? No big deal.”
”It’s definitely not good! Can’t you feel a little sorry for me!?”
”So does this mean yer love’s finally cooled off after a hundred years?”
”It won’t cool down, and I’m definitely not giving up!”
”Yer a fiery one, ain’t ya?”
”What’s with that? Nao-nii keeps bringing it up! If you find me annoying, just say it!”
”Nah, I reckon I might end up jugglin’ even more gals, and if Suzuri-chan thinks I oughta focus on just her, might as well cut ties before it all goes sideways.”
”I’ve been hurt for a long time, you idiot! Just so you know, no matter how many girls you add, I’m definitely going to be your wife!”
”That’s a bold statement.”
Feeling a bit overwhelmed by her strong declaration, Naoshi smiled wryly.
”Honestly, I can’t understand what makes Suzuri-chan feel this way.”
”It’s the pure feelings of a girl wanting to make her first love come true! What’s wrong with that!?”
”Nothin’. Nothin’ at all.”
”Ughhh!”
Naoshi raised his hands to show he was giving up as Suzuri got really close to his face, almost like she was about to bite him.
”Well, puttin’ that aside, I’ll hang out with Suzuri-chan another time.”
”Ugh… I was the first one to get hugged…!!”
”Nope, out of the three of you, Ako-chan’s first experience was the earliest, right?”
”……”
With those words, Suzuri suddenly stopped moving, like a record scratch sound effect in real life.
”Alright, alright.”
He patted her head a bit roughly, and she gave him a half-hearted glare.
”You’re just droppin’ me like some DV guy…”
”Then maybe I should stop.”
”No way. Keep petting me until I say it’s enough.”
”Okay, okay──oh, is the talk over?”
Naoshi noticed that his cousin and childhood friend had stopped arguing and were now staring at him with intense eyes.
”Suzuri-san, isn’t it a bit unfair to sneak in like that? We already spend a lot of time together.”
”Cousin, I said not to interrupt, but that doesn’t mean I want you to go flirt with someone else.”
”These people are really annoying…”
”Suzuri-chan sayin’ that is just a joke, right?”
”What do you mean!?”
”I mean exactly that.”
For a moment, Naoshi wondered if he could just take them all down at once to make it quiet──
But thinking about going up against three people seemed like a bad idea, so he shook it off with a sigh.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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