Volume 9 Chapter 14 Side Event — Swimming Block Tournament in the Old Capital
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
After returning from Onigashima, I secured a hotel reservation at a Futami family–associated property in Dadamajima through Yui and the others.
Despite it being summer break—peak season—we managed to book rooms for over ten people. The Futami family must have pulled some strings for us.
Departure was a week away. So during this short gap, I decided to gather info on the Ancient Land Deity and energetically knock out other events.
Though over half my schedule was already booked. The swimming club tournament.
* * *
Stepping off the limited express at Old Capital Station, a wave of muggy air immediately hit us. Summer in the Old Capital. I’d braced myself, but the humid heat was miserable.
”It’s hotter than the 13th District, isn’t it?”
The one who got off the train after me was Manaka. Unlike me with my large backpack, Manaka’s luggage was small. Shizuku-san followed behind carrying a large duffel bag.
”Melting~”
”We’ll have to stick to the shade when moving.”
Next came Hikasa (older sister) and Koutomo. Koutomo was carrying all of his sister’s bags too.
”First, the hotel, right?”
”I’ll guide you. Follow me.”
I called out to Hikasa (younger sister), who got off the train last. She was carrying her own luggage properly. Good girl. Not naming names, but someone should take notes.
We left the station and walked toward the inn under the summer sun.
Our destination: a hotel with Naruse capital investment. A bit far from the station but well within walking distance. After check-in, we all went out for dinner.
The restaurant was reserved too.
At a pricey ryotei near the hotel’s nearest station, we met a nostalgic face.
”Momono-san, it’s been a while.”
”Minoru-kun, long time no see~”
Risa’s older sister, Momono-san. The senior who’d become a JD was there. JD-style casual clothes. Inside, still the same small and round person.
Momono-san was on summer break too but hadn’t gone home. Apparently she was freely traveling all over the country. First meeting everyone besides me, but her natural cheerfulness had them fitting in instantly. We exchanged updates on Old Capital life and Risa’s situation. Talk of the graduation gift I gave last year came up too.
She’d been approached by sorcerers at university a few times, but they apparently backed off once they noticed the Higonokami. Well, naturally. That thing has a weak chastity protection technique embedded at Risa’s request. It warns sorcerers who approach with ulterior motives.
Ordinary sorcerers avoid Plain-folk carrying that thing to avoid unnecessary sorcerer conflicts. Conversely, Plain-folk don’t notice the sorcery, so they can date normally. It’s a piece infused with Risa’s wish: prevent her sister from being sampled by some unknown sorcerer, help her get a good Plain-folk boyfriend.
I just told Momono-san: if you make a boyfriend, make it a Plain-folk.
The fun time flew by, and at the end, Momono-san generously treated everyone as “tomorrow’s morale booster.” Not only that, she’d come cheer for us tomorrow. Nothing but gratitude.
To meet expectations, back to the hotel for early sleep. But first, a quick talk with Hinoki.
’Never thought I’d be able to return here…’
Hinoki emerged from the shadows in small centipede form, murmuring deeply. In this Old Capital, you never know when you might run into Hinoki’s old acquaintances. Hinoki’s self-imposed rule: stay quiet to avoid trouble like dungeon entry bans.
”Did you come here in your active days?”
’Active… well, yes and no. More like sending a clone here for sankin-kotai. Back then, I was pretty feared around here too.’
”Huh…”
’Don’t believe me? It’s true. I was a big deal in the Capital too.’
”No records remain though.”
’Well, the Capital is the Capital—the country’s most dangerous cream of the crop gathers there. No surprise my clone’s awe would pale.’
I vaguely see the phantom of the red-haired boy from my recent dream, pursing his lips. Opening the curtain slightly, the outside is a cityscape of buildings.
’Really changed, huh…’
”Lonely?”
’Naturally. But can’t be helped.’
Hinoki gazing out the window. Wonder what they’re thinking.
”I’m sleeping. Hinoki, what about you?”
’Staying up a bit more.’
”Got it. Night then.”
’Night.’
Lights out. Looking at Hinoki’s form, the red-haired boy seemed to overlap.
* * *
The next day, we moved to the Old Capital’s general pool. Unlike the 13th District, the long-course pool is indoors too. Thank goodness.
The district tournament runs two days. Day 1: sorcery-free regulation. Few sorcerers enter without sorcery. My event, 200m backstroke, had no qualifiers—straight to finals. Clear the cutoff time and everyone advances to nationals, even last place. A different world from the brutality of sorcery regulation.
While warming up, the Hikasa sisters approached.
”First race, right? Good luck!”
”Senpai, good luck!”
”Yeah. Just watch.”
In the waiting room: rivals I’d be swimming with. Honestly, all faces I knew. Only weirdos who’ve continued since middle school join this unpopular regulation. All acquaintances I’d swum with back then.
Masuda from the 8th District, Uehara from the 15th District. Exchanged light greetings with classmates I hadn’t seen in two years. Both had less body fat than typical male sorcerers in middle school. Now they had proper sorcerer builds.
I cleared the cutoff time easily and got my nationals ticket. Well, knew the result. Climbing out of the pool, heading back to the locker room, I heard voices from the stands evaluating me.
”Lane 4’s swimmer. How does someone with that build even compete?”
”A sorcerer with that gut—winning’s a given. Using underhanded tactics just to win.”
”Must be a washout as a sorcerer, doing this just to stand out. Pathetic.”
”Ugh, pathetic.”
Used to this evaluation.
The sorcery-free regulation’s original intent: evaluate the swimming technique of sumo-wrestler-build sorcerers without sorcery. They didn’t anticipate someone like me. My existence is like someone swimming butterfly in a breaststroke event. Winning’s a given. Not against rules but cowardly. Been evaluated this way for ages.
So what.
A Strong male should be greedy for victory. The swimming federation bigwigs understand that, so they don’t reject my entry. Sorcerers understand the dungeon-clearing risk of maintaining this build. My position: only those who understand need to understand.
Amidst that, a familiar voice reached me from the stands.
”Amazing! That time just now—he’d place in last year’s Plain-folk category too. Super fast!”
”He’s amazing, isn’t he?”
”He’s the one I raised.”
The loud cheering voice: Momono-san. With her: Shiho-san and Former Shooting Club President. Nostalgic faces. They came to cheer.
In the return corridor, Koutomo in jersey leaned against the wall. He held out his hand—high five. Grinning, the junior declared with a serious face:
”Will received. Leave the rest to me, Senpai.”
”…No, that makes no sense.”
Different event, different school. Nothing to entrust to you.
”Here, read the air and say something cool like ‘I leave it to you.’”
”The high five was cool. Just the smarmy line ruined it.”
”Harsh ruling.”
Usual dumb exchange. Changed, then went to cheer for District 13 High and Koutomo’s group. Didn’t forget to thank Momono’s group during downtime. Former Shooting Club President still swims in college.
From the stands, cheering on nervous District 13 High members. Watching tense clubmates from my carefree position. Races should end fast.
* * *
Koutomo advanced to finals safely. Hikasa (older sister) fought hard, barely making finals. Hikasa (younger sister)’s qualifiers were starting soon.
Went to hype her up, but she was talking with a female student in school cheer outfit. Bad to interrupt. Turned to leave—spotted. Bit awkward. Approached younger sister anyway.
”Coming up. Do your best. Follow your sister.”
”Of course!”
Full of spirit. Motivated face. The cheer girl held younger sister’s bag. The light blue item I sent recently dangled from the strap.
”Is this the one?”
”Yeah.”
”Then…”
The juniors having a meaningful exchange in front of me turned to me, and younger sister started begging with upturned eyes.
”Senpai, if I make finals, give me a reward.”
”Again!? …Fine, just the request. What do you want? Spit it out.”
”One more of these.”
Younger sister pointing at digital pet device. Still sold out everywhere, rare item unavailable anywhere.
”Greedy… resale purpose?”
”No, it’s for Hiyori-chan.”
Hiyori-chan = the cheer girl here. Same height as Hikasa (younger), unusually scrawny for a cheerleader. Definitely B-team, no, with a high-level new second-year cheer squad, maybe C-team or lower. Thought I’d never seen her—apparently a high school friend. She bowed when our eyes met.
”She wants pink.”
”Color specification too!?”
Thinking she took offense at my reaction, the cheer girl panicked and explained.
”N-no, just ‘if possible’! Any color’s fine! Yes…”
Incredible anime voice. Gap with appearance made me double-take. Seeing me freeze, younger sister bowed too in support.
”Senpai, please.”
”Hmph… fine, I’ll ask. No promises. Hard to get. But you better make finals. If not, deal’s off.”
”Understood.”
”Phew. Then, later.”
”Yeah.”
Turned my back on the two and returned to stands.
* * *
Hikasa (younger sister) appeared in qualifiers. Tried hard but heart spun wheels—6th place, eliminated. Back to younger sister.
Cheer girl desperately encouraging towel-covered younger sister with anime voice. Made deliberate footsteps approaching. Cheer girl noticed, yielded space. Hikasa (younger) no reaction. Called out.
”Tough luck.”
Younger sister flinched at my voice.
”Lack of strength. First half barely kept up, second half clearly stamina out. Hand movements aside, kick got sloppy and you decelerated.”
”…”
”Promise’s void. No reward.”
”…”
Silent younger sister. Cheer girl’s atmosphere shifted—she cut between us and shouted.
”That doesn’t matter! Stop mocking Menou!”
”Not mocking. I’m saying weakness clarified.”
”No need to say it now.”
”Now’s why. Right, Menou?”
Hikasa (younger sister) stood silently. Wiped face with towel, smiled at me with red eyes.
”Exactly.”
”Still two years. Next year, come again.”
”Yes.”
Might be bluster, but she stood. Okay. If she doesn’t forget this frustration, she’ll get stronger. She’s come this far—talent’s undeniable. …Bit presumptuous?
”Sorry, Hiyori. Thanks.”
”Nah, it’s fine.”
The two hugging. Happy ending leading forward is better. Would’ve ended this way without me too. Oops, almost forgot.
”For the two of you, a consolation prize.”
Turned, showed digital pet keychain.
”!?”
”How!?”
Requested item, pink, brand new in box.
”Just happened to have it. Lucky.”
Provider: Momono-san. Actually, I’d asked her recently for souvenirs for my real younger sisters at home, asking which colors—so she had multiple physical units. One was pink. Lucky break.
Handed to younger sister, passed to Hiyori. Both smiling. All’s well, case closed.
Thanked by both, returned to observation seats.
* * *
District tournament day 1 ended. After awards, me and Koutomo had nationals tickets. Koutomo’s group stays one night, returns to 13th District tomorrow.
* * *
Same hotel, but tonight each eating with their high school classmates. I went to Old Capital shopping street with District 13 High swimming club. Ended up back at room late night.
Chilling in room appraising spoils when visitor. Expected—Manaka at the door.
”Can I come in?”
”Yeah.”
She brushed past me into the room. Perfume scent signature.
Manaka sat directly on the bed.
”No time. Let’s start.”
”Wait.”
Stopped her hand on a button.
”What? No time to dawdle.”
”Today: no.”
At my declaration, Manaka was speechless. She planned to m**urbate, clear her head, face tomorrow. Not happening.
Rare for always-calm Manaka—open despair, dissatisfaction.
”Minoru, what do you mean?”
”Hear me out.”
Finger to her lips, silencing image. Leaned closer, whispered in ear.
”Tomorrow. Tomorrow, if you secure nationals, I’ll let you m**urbate all you want. Not just that. I’ll show you what we couldn’t see on the island in the dark.”
”Minoru, that’s…!”
”How about it? Wait until tomorrow?”
”……Understood.”
Deep breath. Fuu, exhale. Manaka stood.
”Promise made.”
Manaka met my eyes once, then left without looking back.
Tomorrow is a decisive battle in many ways.
Notes:
• Futami – The family name of twins Yui and Yuu, and their younger sister Mai. It carries a lower social standing, which factored into the group’s concerns about Yuu’s ability to lead at Shisei High School.
• Yui – Yuu’s older twin sister, this blunt Shisei student from an upper-middle sorcerer line has short hair with a white lock and a downer Jirai-kei, pink/black gothic-lolita look. Minoru’s childhood friend and a protective, mocking member of Manaka’s circle, she defends Yuu and shares guilt in their deception. Composed but critical, she wields a knife and venom-sorcery before being eaten by the Phantom.
• A – A student from South Middle School described as an idol who has been recruited into R’s high school squad.
• T – A first-year student at District 13 High School who has recruited K and N from East Middle into his group.
• S – A first-year student at District 13 High School who has taken B from North Middle into his squad.
• Shizuku – Job: Kuga family servant/attendant; Relationship: Branch family member; chauffeur; Note: Childhood acquaintance of narrator.
• Manaka – Manaka Kuga is an elegant, sharp-featured Shisei High student, authoritative circle leader, and strategist for the top-tier Kuga family’s Founding Strong-Females. Minoru’s refined yet direct childhood friend, she uses a short staff for spatial/air-shaping sorcery. Known for her aristocratic bearing and “-chan” honorific, she manages security, led a year-long deception, and orchestrated an exchange battle request.
• M – A first-year student at District 13 High School and the childhood friend of Anonymous Student 0006, described as an atavistic strong-female who looks plain but possesses significant power.
• Hikasa – Younger Hikasa sister. Quiet, observant, and often appears to be in her own world. Attends New 2 High School with her sister and Koumoto. Shows signs of being protective of her sister.
• K – A student from East Middle who followed N to National High School out of care, successfully remaining pure through N’s protection until a misunderstanding involving Anonymous Student 0008 led to her capitulation.
• N – A student from East Middle with an eccentric personality who entered National High School due to complex family circumstances and used herself as leverage to negotiate a protective agreement for K.
• Naruse – Naruse is the paternal surname of sisters Anri, Risa, and Momono, separate from their mother’s magical Shoji line. Led by their influential hotel/dungeon manager mother, this wealthy old-money sorcerer family and merchant guild provides institutional support to local establishments. They reside in an understated, modest private estate featuring an integrated dungeon and a small dojo.
• Momono-san – Risa’s older sister is a petite, chubby high school senior planning to attend Old Capital University. Refined yet mischievous, she is a supportive tutor and companion who uses pastries as leverage to orchestrate family dynamics. Cheerful and affectionate, she maintains a friendly bond with Aikawa and treats Risa’s partner with welcoming curiosity rather than hostility.
• Momono – The third of five Naruse sisters, Momono-san is a petite, chubby high school senior with gentle, drooping eyes who later attends Old Capital University. A plain-folk member of the Sorcery Engineering Research Society, this intelligent yet chaotic teen speaks in an influencer dialect, mischievously teasing her younger sister Risa, welcoming Risa’s partner, and bonding with Aikawa over magic engines.
• Minoru – The protagonist and narrator is a black-haired Demon reincarnated from Japan, standing 183cm with sharp eyes. Pragmatic yet internally hurt, this eldest Tatemiya son wrongly believed his childhood friends abandoned him. Serving as ‘master’ to a mixed female group, he uses inherent spatial manipulation sorcery to command a handgun and subjugated monsters like Pape in mid-guard combat.
• Risa – A curious humanities student (167cm, light brown semi-long hair, H-cup, black eyes) and the youngest Naruse sister. Playfully assertive and protective of Minoru’s group, this mid-guard sorcerer has no inherent magic but wields magic pistols and Hinoki’s power. When Asunaro takes control, her eyes turn red, enabling fire and lightning sorcery. She is also known to bake cookies for Tatemiya.
• R – A first-year student at District 13 High School who has successfully built a squad and added multiple girls, including M and A, into his group.
• Hinoki – An older classmate and powerful anomaly who speaks with a warm, blunt, Kansai-influenced dialect. Using they/them pronouns, they have a shy yet contrary personality and interact casually with the protagonist. As a mediator in the supernatural community, they secure bodies and support others, having bestowed fragments of their power upon Pape, Kram, and Risa.
• B – A student originally from North Middle School who was added to S’s group.
• Shiho – A petite, plump, long-haired, and bespectacled third-year at 13th District’s Second High School who went to Old Capital University. A shy magic engineering expert and former president of the Sorcery Engineering Research Society, she manages equipment-borrowing approvals. While averse to men, she becomes animated about hardware and is Momono’s close companion.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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