Chapter 21:
Note:
PinkRose, Pink's gonna have a little reveal right here.
Man, that was a tough one! Tategami's power was stronger than when I last met her, well that's to be expected. If I went up against her on a 1-on-1, I'd surely lose... For some reason though Nakazato reminds me of her. Something felt off with his power, like... Was he actually just holding back that time? He had this sort of aura surrounding him, and it kind of tells me he's powerful as all hell.
That might be the case but that doesn't matter as of now, what's good is that Neamhain's working better now. And bad news is that there were a ton of people watching us! Yabai, did they see under my skirt?! I-I've gotta go home now!
Natsumi: Y-yeah um... Guys I think I've gotta go.
Nira: Your face is burning up, do you have a fever?
Natsumi: N-no I'm fine, it's just that err... My clothes are somewhat... revealing.
Nira: Eh? It's not that revealing though. It's just casual stuff.
Fuuka: Well, I guess you should let Natsumi be since she's the type of person who's bad with dealing with crowds of people.
Thanks for reminding her Tategami-san! I'm off then, because I'll have to play some Muse Dash! I'll just go outside in the next hour or so. And it goes without saying that I left the Beypark for home and look who I've found, it's Yumiya. Is she finished with that new chapter of hers?
Marina: Yo, Sumi-chan!
Natsumi: Ah, hello. Have you finished that new chapter of that manga of yours?
Marina: Ah, no. Not really, I'm just looking for some reference from the buildings around here, the main character and the gang in the story has entered the city already so I'd need a little reference around here.
I see, I don't really see her going outside most of the time just to get some reference for her manga. I guess she has a little trouble with drawing cityscapes and all that stuff, well it'd make sense since they look big and quite complex.
Marina: Where are you going though?
Natsumi: Home, this stuff is too revealing!
Marina: Ah, if you're done dressing up mind if you come with me?
Natsumi: W-why?
Marina: I don't know why, I guess I also wanna have a little practice with you after getting some reference.
Ah, thank goodness she's not trying to look for little boys this time.
Natsumi: Alright, I'll catch up with you later Yumiya-san.
As soon as I reach my house I go upstairs and dress up in the same stuff I basically wore from t he entrance exams. And yeah, they've been cleaned so don't call me disgusting. I head out immediately and run towards Yumiya.
Marina: You're here!
Natsumi: Yeah, I clearly am. So where to?
Marina: The Beypark works quite well, it's close to the city.
Natsumi: Good idea.
Both of us go through the Beypark and as while walk through Yumiya draws the city around her on her own sketchbook. It's quite nice having a walk with a friend once in a while eh? And speak of the devil, Kadoya's here as well.
Peter: Oh, it's you two. Where are you guys going?
Marina: Just looking for some reference for my art.
Peter: Looking at little boys? You're still a shotacon.
Marina: No, I'm looking at the city. It's hard to draw a city you know?
I kind of feel bad for Yumiya for bullying her like that... Well she does like to tease us a lot so I'll just think of it as payback for those times I guess. What's up with Kadoya though? He seems a little stressed.
Natsumi: Hey... Kadoya are you okay there?
Peter: Yeah, I'm fine. Which is a lie by the way.
Natsumi: So you're not.
Peter: Yeah, I'm still wondering when Dad will come back home though. Does he hate me for being weak?
Natsumi: You're not weak though, you're pretty strong though!
Peter: So is losing to you and Marina a bunch of times in a row strong?
Marina: But does complaining about us being stronger than you gonna make you any better though?
Kadoya fell silent, his father hasn't been here for about 7 years already. And he left by the time Kado-chan started Blading, must feel bad without feeling any appreciation in a long time especially from a loved one of his.
Peter: How about you mind your businesses and finish that new chapter of yours already Marina, alright?
Natsumi: I suppose taking some reference with you will have to wait Yumiya-san.
Peter: Huh?
Natsumi: Kadoya, battle me. I'll show you that you're stronger than you really are.
Peter: Heh, I'll lose like always but alright then.
Marina: Well then, I'll be watching both of you. Now come on, let's go!
We head towards a nearby stadium, I just hope I don't happen to break the stadium this time.
Peter: 2 points for victory should be good enough, you in for it?
Natsumi: Yeah, I am.
Peter: Okay, let's go then.
Marina: 3... 2... 1...
Natsumi and Peter: Go shoot!
[Both Paladin and Neamhain race around the stadium with great speed before crashing into one another at the center, immediately clashing with one another with rapid succession as well.]
Paladin's gotten way stronger now, and so has Kado-chan. How did he get that powerful in such a short time? You're insane Kadoya, real insane.
[Both of them go towards the stadium's ridges then gains momentum shortly before crashing again at the center which knocks both of them away to the edge of the stadium and destabilizes both of them.]
Natsumi: Hey Neamhain, get up!
Geez, Paladin's rubber Semi-Flat tip keeps it stable at the center or dash around aggressively. It's simple, but deadly.
-Meanwhile, a pink-haired girl is watching this from afar-
???: Marina Yumiya, Peter Kadoya, Akari Nakazato, Tsukasa Nakazato and lastly Natsumi Hagane. This should be interesting, I can't wait to see how they'll be like. I, Pink Azariya and my partner Diva will crush all five of you.
"I lived with you for twenty years; how many deeds, events, and men went by! Today I remember them, each and everyone. I still have, for Alfa (Romeo), the tenderness of a first love. The pure affection of a child for his mother."
-Enzo Ferrari