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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVHAkhF1cA4

>>Continue being Airi Hirayama.

Your name is Airi Hirayama and nothing else. What were you up to again? Oh, that’s right. Hours ago, you and your brother got started on the third task to assist the organization of the Tournament of Magic. That’s why your brother is pointing a handgun at a trio of delinquents in the scum-filled backstreets of Shibuya. His attempt at intimidation is a huge success. The delinquents freeze on the spot, then shuffle backwards looking as if they suddenly remembered they left the kettle on. Your brother does not lower his arm. He simply stares at the boys in front, his eyes set and firm.

A couple of tense seconds pass. Up in the sky, a raven crows. The delinquent at the front, with the dirty shirt and bandages around his fists, spits. It leaves a dark patch on some cracked concrete. He snarls at your brother.

“Tch, this better be good.”

He walks towards a door at the side of the rusted warehouse front. His two fellows follow. Their retreating backs disappear from sight. Keiichi lowers his gun and puts it to his side. You blink and it’s gone, no doubt having fallen back into his ‘space’.

“That was quick,” Hideki remarks. He grins at your brother, “Hey Keiichi, if those guys got too close were you going to shoot?”

Your brother shrugs. “Depends on how many of them came at once. If it was all of them, then yeah maybe.”

“Don’t guns make loud noises, though? Wouldn’t that have attracted a lot of attention?”

“I think I was hoping I could handle them with pistol-whipping alone.” Your brother says. His eyes go a little distant and he raises a hand to his forehead, “And now my spirit mentor says I can’t. Dammit.”

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“Imagine all the gang members hearing gunshots and them rushing to this very spot. They find three unconscious bodies, a guy they don’t know standing above them with a smoking gun. In response, they take out their weapons and charge towards us!” Hideki gasps and raises a hand to his mouth. He wraps his arms around his body and begins to sway back and forth on the spot, shivering. His teeth chatter. “Man, that sounds super scary!”

Your brother rolls his eyes, “Come on, we all know you’d be able to handle yourself in a situation like that. Also, guns don’t smoke that much.”

“Hey, I know I’m great, but even I can’t beat up fifty guys at once.”

“Yeah, you’d run up a wall and start jumping across the rooftops. Then you’d go home and write about how awesome you were.”

Hideki smiles. “Can’t deny that. There’s always a good story to be found in escaping impossible odds.” He then turns to you, his notepad out. “Hey, Airi-chan, if you were in your brothers’ shoes, what would’ve you done?”

“Oh no no no.” You say, shaking your head and waving your arms about. “I’m not aggressive enough for this kind of negotiation. Onii-chan is better suited.”

“I dunno, I think you can be pretty intimidating when you want to,” Hideki says, winking. Your brother nods in agreement.

“I’m really not, honest.” You mumble. “…do you two think so?”

“Sis, did you forget a few hours ago you threatened to rip Hideki’s dick off?” Your brother says, his voice flat.

The remark causes you to bury your face in your hands. Hideki clutches his hands to his stomach and guffaws. His laugh rings like a set of bells through the empty street. You swear your scarf is doing the same, except in a much more canine-sounding fashion. “That was an accident. I really don’t know what came over me back then…” You exclaim, your cheeks glowing pink. No, that really isn’t an excuse. You look at Hideki with remorse, “I’m sorry.” You say.

“Apology accepted, Airi-chan.” Is his sincere reply.

“Eh, he probably deserved it. Don’t worry about it.” Your brother says. Hideki whips his head around to stare at your brother. Then his eyebrows crease downwards, he clutches his chest and lets out a shrill, but fake, cry of pain. Your brother ignores him. He grins and ceases his act.

“While we’re on the topic, Airi-chan,” Hideki says, “Isn’t your magic art kinda frightening if you haven’t seen it before?”

You bite your lip. A stray finger plays with the fabric in your fluttering red scarf, “It’s not that scary...I hope.” You murmur.

“Don’t worry, it’s not.” Your brother reassures. A small smirk flickers on his lips, “It just makes people think you might be suicidal.”

"Aren't those two basically the same thing?" Hideki remarks.

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“I can’t help it!” You exclaim, “Things just happen naturally!”

“Well, if all else fails, you could always use your cuteness against the delinquents.” Hideki says and winks. “They say a woman’s charm can open all kinds of doors!”

You blush again. “Um, that’s…” You stammer.

“Not in a million years.” Your brother grouses, jabbing Hideki in the ribs. He stumbles to the side, clutching his chest, but still maintains his cat-like grin. Your brother hisses at him and nods his head towards the warehouse front door. “Now shut up,” he says, “Someone is coming out.”

You look towards the door, relieved that the topic has finally changed. You and the two boys watch as a lone figure emerges from the darkness within the warehouse. It’s masculine, like the other members of the gang. Broad shoulders, a tall physique and long and stocky legs. You see blonde hair in a buzzcut, a set of pale eyes and a large, square jaw. His facial muscles are hard like boulders. There’s a black, leather jacket on his back and it’s unzipped, revealing a white-shirt with an imprint of a crimson skull. Behind him, the trio of delinquents from earlier trudge out.

“That’s them.” The one with the mohawk says, pointing at your group. The blonde boy stomps out into the afternoon sunlight and eyeballs the lot of you. He settles on your brother, his expression contorting into a mean grimace.

“You the guy who pointed a gun at my boys?” His voice is heavy and thick, reminding you of the footsteps of a giant.

“They started it.” Your brother replies, locking eyes with the heavy-set boy. The faces of the delinquents behind contort in anger. “Can’t fault me for self-defense, yeah?”

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“First things first. Pull it out again and I’ll snap you in two.” The boy snarls, smacking his fist into his palm and cracking his knuckles. Your brother doesn’t seem impressed. You don’t doubt this boy’s physical strength, but the two of you have faced worse.

“Are you the boss?” Your brother asks.

“Nope, that’s Kata’s second, Takiji.” Hideki chimes in, “Pretty rough guy, they say.”

“A well-informed smartass, eh? Good, save me the trouble of explaining everything.” The boy named Takiji snorts. “So, you’re the infamous SwordxGun, eh?”

“I’m just a regular guy.” Hideki corrects. He points you to them and your brother, “Those two are the duo.”

Takiji eyeballs you. “Findin’ that a little hard to believe.” He says, raising a thick, blonde eyebrow. “You sure as hell don’t like a pair of psychos.” Wait, is that what the rumors are saying about you and your brother?

Your brother shrugs. “Believe what you want. Check the Internet if it’s really bugging you.”

Takiji snorts. “Whatever you three are, you better not try any funny business. There’s fifty members in this gang and half of us are magi, the boss and I included. You try and start a fight here; you better be ready to take on all of us. Let me tell ya, we ain’t gonna show mercy just because you’re from a posh school.”

“We’ll keep it in mind.” Your brother says.

“You better.” Takiji growls, “Now that’s over with, what the hell do you want? Make it quick, ‘cos I ain’t got all day.”

“What’s the deal with you and the Brave Ravens?” Your brother asks.

“Ain’t that obvious? You ever stuck your neck in these parts of the woods?” Takiji drawls, “They did shit to us and pissed us off. That makes them our enemies.”

“…is that it?” Your brother says, a little annoyed.

“What, you want a whole book or somethin’?” Takiji growls, “That’s what you came to find out, huh? You got your info, now piss off.” His cronies nod and snarl at you in agreement. They raise their weapons in what they think is a threatening manner.

“I think there’s more to that story. What is it?” Your brother says, refusing to move.

“Did you not hear what I said? You deaf or what.” Takiji glowers at your brother, a vein blistering red at the side of his neck. His voice is lower, buried in a powerful patience. He stamps the ground with his foot, kicking up dust and gravel. Your brother frowns. A hardened glint flickers in his eyes, but he does not move.

“Why the hell is a private school brat so interested in our business, anyway?”

[Input your command]
>Say you’re researching for a school assignment.
>Say you need to know to keep your friends safe.
>Say you’ll leave quickly if he spills the beans.
>Challenge him for the information.
>Tell them the truth about the government and your tasks.
>Attack the entire gang.
>Bow out for now.
>Custom option.

>>700667
>>Say you’ll leave quickly if he spills the beans.

>>700667
>Say you need to know to keep your friends safe.
>Say you’ll leave quickly if he spills the beans.

Small crowd today. I should probably double-check the title next time.

Writing now...

>>700786
I'm sure people will start coming in a little after 6
I just got back from classes

>>700831
>>700786
Same

>>700667
>>Say you’ll leave quickly if he spills the beans.

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Oh, this could be bad. Your brother isn’t the most aggressive of men, but he really doesn’t like being pushed around. This is a boy who once came precariously close to breaking a girl’s nose with the butt of his gun. That girl had been mocking you to your brother up close, but was still wrong of him to attack.

The situation reminds of the one you’re facing right now. If you don’t do something, your brother might draw his handgun, the…

What was the name of the gun, again? It starts with a B, you know for sure. B…Betterner? Butterar? Banana? Oh, it’s hopeless. You can never remember the names of your brother’s guns, no matter how many times he explains it to you. His mentor reputedly said you don’t have the right mindset. It felt a little insulting when your brother told you.

Maybe you should intervene already.

“I’m sorry!” You open with these two common words. Coming from your mouth, they’re more effective than those of a boy’s. Your brother and Takiji cease their standoff immediately. Takiji actually looks a little confused, arching his eyebrows. Your brother has a questioning expression. You glance over at him and understanding flashes in him. You then step forward and give Takiji a quick little bow.

“We didn’t mean to cause you or your group trouble.” You say, “The truth is, we only came here because we’re concerned about our friends.”

“What?” Takiji asks, “What do you mean by that, girlie?”

“If there’s going to be fighting on the streets, I’d like to know what kinds so my friends can know and avoid it.” You continue, “That’s all what we came here for. If you tell us we’ll be out of your hair and you won’t have to see us again.”

A surprised grunt escapes from Takiji’s mouth. He takes a step back and groans, rubbing the back of his neck. He looks over his shoulder and sees that his posse is just as nervous and undecided about the situation as he is. He thinks, turning the cogs within that oversized skull of his, then heaves a long, draw out sigh.

Your scarf chitters into your mind. He’s congratulating you for upholding your training in one of his earliest lessons: weak spots are not limited to just the body.

“Tch, fine,” Takiji growls, “You better get the hell out of here once I tell you, alright?”

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“That’s okay.”

“Dunno why you came all the way over here instead of asking around, but whatever.” Takiji says, “Like I said, the Brave Ravens have been doing shit in our turf and it’s pissing us off. Writing graffiti, making messes, standing in our streets, stealing shit and beating up our guys. That sort of crap. Yesterday we caught some of our boys in a fight with the Ravens over near Miyashita. Low-level guys, but those bastards started it.”

“You seem sure of yourself.” Your brother comments.

“Course I am!” Takiji shouts, stomping the ground once more, “We’ve got evidence and all! Words straight from their mouths! You sayin’ I’m doubting my gang?”

“Just checking…” Your brother mutters.

“If the Ravens keep on doing their shit, we’ll have to get our bikes out, head over to their turf and wipe them out.” Takiji says, pumping a fist, “Well, that’s what Kata says, anyway.”

“And here I thought Kata was supposed to be a chill guy…” Hideki murmurs. He shivers as Takiji directs another one of his searing, iron-heavy glares at you.

“Let’s see you have your crew get beaten up and see how you deal with it, private school brat.” He snarls. He then turns to you, his expression only slightly less irritated and high-strung, “Look girlie, if you don’t you or your friends to get hurt, don’t come around these parts. Stay on those upper-class streets of yours, got it?”

“Thank you so much,” You say, giving him a smile. The blonde thug doesn’t appreciate it. He snorts and jerks his thumb to the end of the street. He doesn’t need to say anything else. You leave the grimy streets of Udagawa and step back into the main hub of Shibuya. By now, the sun is going down, covering the skies with patches of darkness. The city has responded by turning on practically every single light it has. Even now, the crowds do not fade.

“I think,” Your brother begins when the three of you are at a red pedestrian light, “That Takiji guy is pissing me off.”

>“Please don’t start a fight with him.”
>“He’s just concerned.”
>“He did seem rather quick to herd us out of there…”
>“It’s not because of me, is it?”
>“Do you want to investigate him some more?”
>Custom option.

>>700993
>>“He did seem rather quick to herd us out of there…”
>>“It’s not because of me, is it?”

>>700993
>>“Please don’t start a fight with him.”
>>“He did seem rather quick to herd us out of there…”

>>700993
>“He did seem rather quick to herd us out of there…”
>“It’s not because of me, is it?”
>“Do you want to investigate him some more?”

>>700993
>“He did seem rather quick to herd us out of there…”
>“It’s not because of me, is it?”
>“Do you want to investigate him some more?”

>>700993
>“He did seem rather quick to herd us out of there…”
>“Do you want to investigate him some more?”

>>700993
>>“He did seem rather quick to herd us out of there…”

>>700993
>"He's just concerned."
Don't worry brother, I'm sure your dick is bigger than his.

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“Onii-chan, it’s not because of me, is it?” You ask.

“I wasn’t concerned about you,” Your brother huff. He then stops. A knowing smirk spreads across Hideki’s mouth like writing ink in water, “Wait, that’s wrong. I mean, I knew you could handle yourself back then. Anyway!”

He says the last word with more loudness than usual, then shakes his head quick and clears his throat. “That guy kinda looked like he was hiding something.” He state.

“He did seem remarkably quick to herd us out of there.” You muse. “Do you want to investigate him some more?”

He grunts, “I don’t know. I don’t know a lot of things, like why the Japanese government is making us do this instead of actual police departments. Also, my stomach has been growling at me for the past ten minutes.”

“Same here,” Hideki yawns. He looks at a nearby electronic billboard. A commercial about deodorant has ended and now the local news is on. There’s a timer displayed near the button of the screen, flanked on both sides by a belt of moving headlines. “It’s past six. I think I’m going to head home now. You guys have my phone number?”

“Yeah, but why ask?” Your brother says.

“Well, if you’re going to sneak into their hideout in the dead of night, you’ll need someone who can see in the dark.” Hideki replies, as if speaking the most obvious trivia in the world.

“You think there’s going to be people for us to eavesdrop at that time?”

“You never know. I’ve heard some gangers crash at their hideout all the time, like it’s their second home.” Hideki says, “There might be a diary or something we can steal.”

“Sorry, but I can’t imagine a tough biker writing a diary.” You pipe up.

“Like I said, Airi-chan, you never know. There’s all sorts in this world.” Hideki smiles and winks, “When I saw you for the first time, I never knew you would turn out to be such a demolitions expert!”

“But I don’t know how to wire a bomb. My explosions are special!” You cry.

“You’re adding more gasoline to the fire, sis.” Your brother says, “See ya, Hideki.”

“Catch you guys later!”

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>>Hirayama Siblings: Return home.

Your apartment is a standard establishment near the center of Shibuya. It’s got a kitchen, a small living room, a bathroom with an actual bath and two rooms for you and your brother. Why do two high schoolers own their apartment instead of living in student dorms? That’s a very good question, but it’s wrong on one assumption. You are renting your apartment. It’s just that your parents are paying the rent.

“Spinach again, huh…”

“Do you not like it, onii-chan?”

“Nah, I’m just thinking about how much you eat this stuff. Anything you make is bound to be good.”

“Aw, thanks.”

“It’s the truth, though.”

Cooking in the house is done mostly by you. It’s nothing special—your mother taught you the basics on the weekends and in school holidays—but your brother acts like it’s a miracle. It’s strange, because you know because he can cook. Your brother sometimes makes breakfast if he wakes up early.

“Okay, let’s eat.”

“Thanks for the meal!”

Tonight’s dinner is fried lamb, fried spinach, white rice and orange juice. It’s something you whipped up in twenty minutes. If you had more time you could have added soybeans to the meal, but you didn’t want to leave your brother starving for any longer. Oh well, you can chalk that up for tomorrow’s platter.

“So, what do you think we should do next?” Your brother asks halfway through the meal.

“Pardon?” You mumble, a wad of vegetable mush in your mouth. You swallow it and repeat the word.

“About the gang situation. What are your thoughts on it?”

“I thought you didn’t want to think about it.”

“I just want it over and done with as soon as possible.”

>“Maybe we should take up Hideki’s offer.”
>“I wonder if Michiko can help us somehow…”
>“Let’s go to Shinjuku tomorrow to check out the Brave Ravens.”
>“We should wait and see.”
>Custom option.

>>701235
>>“Let’s go to Shinjuku tomorrow to check out the Brave Ravens.”
Get both sides of the story before we start busting heads.

>>701235
>>“Let’s go to Shinjuku tomorrow to check out the Brave Ravens.”

>>701235
>“Let’s go to Shinjuku tomorrow to check out the Brave Ravens.”

>>701235
> let's go check on the ravens tomorrow
What's a group of ravens called?

>>701235
>>“Let’s go to Shinjuku tomorrow to check out the Brave Ravens.”

>>701235
>>“Let’s go to Shinjuku tomorrow to check out the Brave Ravens.”

>>701248
A constable, an unkindness, or a conspiracy

>>701235
>>“Let’s go to Shinjuku tomorrow to check out the Brave Ravens.”

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When thinking about Shinjuku, a lot of words spring to mind. Big is one. The fact that it’s the commercial and administrative center of Tokyo is another. It’s home to Stonewolf High, one of the four great magus academies of Japan, and borders Shibuya. The obvious conclusion is that your academy and Stonewolf have much contact with each other. Since magi are notorious for conflicting with each other when confronted with their differences in power, the two academies are rivals.

That conclusion would be correct. It is also not important at present. Or rather, that is what you thought when you left the academy grounds upon the ring of the final bell.

“You’re still here, Hideki?”

“Of course I am, buddy.” The blonde boy says, nudging your brother in the side, “Can’t leave my friends hanging, eh?”

“That would imply that we need your help.”

“You do. What if you two get framed for something again? Who else is going to be an eyewitness?”

“…good point, but these are bikers we’re going up against.”

You head to the bus station, the one near the Yamanote train line. A quick purchase of tickets and a bumpy ride later and you’re standing in the middle of Shinjuku. According to the information your brother looked up on the Internet, the hideout of the Brave Ravens is to the south, near a convenience store of all places.

That’s where you head. Along the way, you spot a number of Stonewolf High students on the streets. They see your uniforms and give you a variety of looks. Inquisitive, funny, scathing or even smiles. None of them do much, though. The rivalry is meant to be fought in the stadium, not in the streets.

Along the way to the hideout, trouble strikes. The three of you are passing by a deserted back alley when you overhear a conversation. It’s nothing good.

“Hey lady, what do you think you’re doing here? This is Brave Raven turf!”

“She looks kinda cute, though.”

“Rich, too! If we shake her down, will we get rewarded by the boss?”

These voices are coming from a group of thugs in white jackets. In response, you hear a different, feminine voice, clear as crystal and lacking any form of fear or hesitation.

“I will repeat myself again. May I meet with the leader of the Brave Ravens, please?”

Your brother’s eyes widens. He smacks himself in the forehead, grumbling all the while. “Oh god, what’s she doing here?” he breathes.

>Intervene as a group.
>Intervene by yourself, because a single girl is clearly enough to handle this.
>Let your brother attack them.
>Throw Hideki at them.
>Do not intervene.
>Custom option.

>>701489
>>Intervene by yourself, because a single girl is clearly enough to handle this.
Time to Koiso Ryoko the shit out of them. I'm assuming that's Michiko.

>>701489
>>Intervene by yourself, because a single girl is clearly enough to handle this.

>>701489
>>Intervene by yourself, because a single girl is clearly enough to handle this.

>>701489
> Intervene as a group

>>701489
>Intervene by yourself, because a single girl is clearly enough to handle this.

>>701489
>>Intervene as a group.

>>701489
>>Intervene by yourself, because a single girl is clearly enough to handle this.
Alternatively, Toss Onii-chan at them so he can be the knight in shining armor or something.

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>>Airi: Intervene.

You step into the alleyway. Your boot hits the worn concrete. It is like a boulder falling from a skyscraper for all the impact it has. The thugs immediately turn around and stare at you. They are large, towering over you. But it is not all muscle; there are bulging stomachs and fattened cheeks among you.

“Who’s this?” one of them asks in the slurring tones of a man who drank too much last night and is still feeling the aftereffects.

“Another chick,” A second mumbles, “Ain’t recognize her from anywhere.”

“Please stop this at once,” You plead at them, “This is a mistake you’re making.”

“Huh?” The first thug says, “Are you tellin’ us what to do?”

“Who the hell do you think you are, bitch?” The second thug continues, “You want a slap?”

“No, that’s…” It’s too late. The thugs are advancing towards you like drunken bears, fists up and at the ready. The one in the front, who has a tomato stain on his shirt, is leering at you, your chest in particular. Then a disappointed look crosses his face. You don’t know what your brother is thinking right now, but it’s probably very violent. It’s up to you to handle this. That’s what you told him.

It’s one against three…no, four. The odds are against you, despite detecting a lack of a mana in their bodies. If you attacked them all here, it would count as self-defense, you think. It would be the word of an innocent-looking girl against a set of heavyweight, no-good thugs. Even if arrested, there is a high chance you would get off scot free.

So, that means you should fight. Shesmur barks at you, his agreement clear.

Thus, you do what any ordinary teenager girl would do this situation: rip the scarf off your neck and hold it in the air. You then raise your wrists and force your mana towards them, tearing gashes in the skin and letting your blood spill everywhere.

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The effect is instantaneous. The thugs see the crimson and stumble back, looks of shock on their meaty faces. They cry and they swear, the sounds bouncing off the walls in the alley. Then they notice how none of your blood has touched the ground. Instead, they see it flow towards your scarf in a series of upward streams. The liquid mingles and soaks with the fabric. The scarf gurgles. It is a cry of glee and quenched thirst.

And now the scarf is no longer a scarf. It’s glowing bright and it’s compressing into itself, straightening, hardening and elongating. You reach out and grasp the bottom, revealing a crimson hilt. The rest of the blade—a grey and sharp chunk of metal—follows. You swing the object once and it displaces the air. Somewhere in the distance, you hear your spirit partner barking with eagerness.

This is the magic art you developed with Shesmur: the ability to create weapons made out of blood. It costs, of course. You have suffered anemia many times during your decade-long history with this magic art. It’s okay now, because after training you have five times more blood than a normal human.

You hear a thug gulp. It’s magnified by the tense silence. You point your blade at them. They stumble back, further this time. The mysterious girl giggles.

>“Please stop. I do not wish to hurt you.”
>Attack them. You have the advantage.
>“You cannot win against me. Leave and I won’t hurt you.”
>Wait for them to react.
>Custom option.

>>701796
>>“You cannot win against me. Leave and I won’t hurt you.”

> because after training you have five times more blood than a normal human.
How does that even work?

>>701796
>>“You cannot win against me. Leave and I won’t hurt you.”


>>701812
>How does that even work?
Maaaaaaaaaaaagic

>>701796
>>“You cannot win against me. Leave and I won’t hurt you.”

>after training you have five times more blood than a normal human
Just like one of my Japanese animes!

>>701812
It's magic, she ain't gotta explain shit

>>701796
>“You cannot win against me. Leave and I won’t hurt you.”

>>701812
She's a big girl.

>>701796
>>“You cannot win against me. Leave and I won’t hurt you.”

>>701812
LOTS of blood doping and using magic to superpower her marrow.

>>701796
>"Take me to your leader."

Now I'm imagining her with really prominent veins and bloodshot eyes. And really messy periods.

>>701837
>And really messy periods.
God damn it Anon.

>>701796
>>“You cannot win against me. Leave and I won’t hurt you.”

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Every magic art has its price and yours is no different. A trickling sensation runs up your right arm towards the hilt of your blade. This is Shesmur’s handiwork and it’s not unfamiliar. He’s a thirsty beast.
In this form, so much so that he resorts to draining your own blood as long as he is in your hands. It’s a slow, constant process, but it’s a toll on your body and has led to losses several times in the oast. There’s a method to restore your lost blood, but the problem is that it involves cutting flesh and drawing fresh blood from others.

As nasty as delinquents can be, the four in front of you do not deserve to be hurt.

“You cannot win against me. Leave and I won’t hurt you.”

You hope that your harsh words, combined with your bloodshot eyes and the pressure emanating off your magic, is enough to convince them.

>Roll d100 for intimidation.
>Best out of three wins.
>There will be a thirty minute break after this post goes live.

Rolled 3 (1d20)

>>701899

Rolled 65 (1d100)

>>701899

Rolled 95 (1d100)

>>701899

>>701908
Terrifying lil girl

>>701908
Thank fuck.

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>>701908
Thanks for the save

>>701908
And they pissed themselves, yuck.

>>701908
Imouto is a very scary girl

>>701827
FOR YOU

>>701908
Maximum yandere mode

>>701933
4U

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There is something to be said about how a fifth of humanity is considerably more superhuman than the rest. When confronted with an aggressive magus who appears to have some degree of training, the usual response from the average human being is to drop everything and run. The thugs you are confronting are no different.

“You’re lucky we’re feeling generous today!”

“The next time we see, you’re dead!”

Your attempt at intimidating is a success. The thugs scarper out of the alleyway, passing the girl they harassed in the process. They don’t even bother to look behind, not even for the beanie that fell off the head of one of them.

You relax and lift the tip of your blade to your neck. The blade glows and the light wraps itself around your neck. And then your scarf is back, waving about in the gentle breeze passing through the alley. Your right arm feels a little light from the minor blood loss. That’s also okay, because it’ll be better soon. Your blood replenishes itself at thrice the rate of a normal human.

You hear your brother and Hideki approach from behind. “You beat them all without moving at all! Nice one, Airi-chan!” Hideki praises.

Your brother’s words are almost the polar opposite. “That really wasn’t necessary,” he says.

“Eh, why do you stay that?”

He sighs, focusing his vision what’s behind you. “You’ll find out soon enough.”

“My my, it truly has been a while,” The girl in the shadows speaks. Her voice is like a patchwork of silk woven with fine steel wire. There is no sign that she was affected by what just happened. “It pleases me to see you both alive and well.”

An irritated frown forms on your brother’s lips. “Stop being mysterious and just come out already.”

“As you wish, dear friend.” The shadows obscure her, but you manage to see a set of thin pink lips arrange themselves into a confident smirk. The girl begins to walk briskly in your direction. Her heels make gentle click-clack noises against the concrete. The way she walks makes you feel as if the very air, oxygen and all, is moving aside for her presence.

The dim afternoon sunlight shines on hair like liquid sapphire, a clear, refined complexion. Her eyes, sharp like the edge of a diamond, lock onto you and your brother and a confident smirk arranges itself on those thin, pink lips. Her body is a slender, petite-chested figure dressed in a school uniform much like yours, except hers is colored in shades of blue and resembles a military uniform with that emblem and pair of epaulettes.

>>702171
>bringing out best chest Krul
You're an alright guy Thorn.

>>702171
A CHALLENGER APPEARS

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Hideki gapes at her. Your brother takes a sharp breath. He sounds a little frustrated. Yet, he cannot help himself, nor can you blame him. The girl is entrancing, stunning, an oddity in these scum and filth-ridding street. She is like a personification at of adolescent elegance and wealth. Her earrings must have cost twice as much as all your clothes combined.

To his credit, your brother immediately reverts to his usual, slightly ornery look. He tenses up, his fingers curling into a handgun’s grip. His gaze is not aggressive, but neither is it welcoming.

“Good day to you, Hirayama siblings,” The girl says, a soft, coy giggle at the end of her silk-like voice, “And to that rat scurrying behind them, I suppose.”

“Florence Rutherford.” Your brother says, looking straight at her, “What are you doing here?”

“Cleaning up some trash,” The girl named Florence replies, not missing a beat, “A task far below my usual duties, but I suppose we must all perform some form of community service in our lives. Thankfully, your sister saved me from the trouble. I am most grateful to her.”

“That wasn’t a full answer and you know it.” Your brother shoots back.

“Prying into a lady’s private matters, are we?” Florence asks, smiling at him, “How uncouth, but I suppose it’s refreshing to know that your accident has hardly changed you any.”

“The reason I’m asking you this is because if you’re here it means things are going to get complicated.” Your brother responds, “I don’t want my crap getting more complicated than it already is.”

Florence lets out a long, deliberate and ultimately satisfied sigh. “I suppose that as your friend—”

“I’m not sure that I would call you a friend.”

“Do we not have history together?”

“That history was a real pain in the ass, Rutherford.”

“Acquaintance, then. I suppose that as your acquaintance there may be some value in informing you all. I believe that our reasons for coming here coincide.”

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“Why do you think that?” Your brother asks.

“These streets are controlled by the notorious delinquent group the Brave Ravens. There are very few reasons why us outsiders would come here. You all have business with the leader of the Brave Ravens delinquent gang, one Mister Doppo?”

“So you know…” Your brother grumbles.

Florence chuckles, high-pitched and fit for a queen. “Your honesty is one of your virtues, Keiichi, but it also makes you rather transparent. My eight-year old self could have figured it out. I also overheard your little group chatting about it on my way here.”

“You were spying on us?” You ask.

“I was not. I simply happened to be walking along a similar path. I did not believe you would all be here, but it is a nice surprise.” Florence flexes her fingers, appendages beneath thin, fine white gloves. “Now then, shall we be off?”

“Excuse me?” Your brother asks, his arms crossed.

“As I said earlier, our destinations are the same. If we are together, I believe it will be beneficial to both parties. At the very least, we will be able to move through the door as a group and complete our negotiations separately.”

“God, I was right. You’re already making things seem bigger than they should be.” Your brother groans.

She giggles again, then looks at you. You stiffen, startled.

“What is your answer, Airi Hirayama?”

>“It sounds fun, so why not?”
>“You seem troublesome, Florence. Maybe not today.”
>“Please don’t give my brother any more reason to stress.”
>“Tell us your reasons for coming here.”
>Custom option.

>>702312
>“It sounds fun, so why not?”
>“Please don’t give my brother any more reason to stress.”

>>702312
>>“It sounds fun, so why not?”
>“Please don’t give my brother any more reason to stress.”

>>702312
>>“Please don’t give my brother any more reason to stress.”

>>702285
>those tumors on her chest
Who is this? This isn't Krul.

>>702312
>>“Please don’t give my brother any more reason to stress.”
>“It sounds fun, so why not?”
She seems like a nice girl.

>>702312
>>“Please don’t give my brother any more reason to stress.”
Don't quite trust this dodgy oujo.

>>702312
>>“Please don’t give my brother any more reason to stress.”
>“It sounds fun, so why not?”

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You look Florence in the eye. Her smile widens. “Please don’t give my brother any more reason to stress.” You say.

“I assure you, my dear, it’s all up to him.”

That’s more or less the best you’re going to get from her. Anyway, it’s not Florence is hostile to you. You and your brother have co-operated with her on quite a few occasions. Your brother would call them stupid, but that’s his problem. Walking alongside her today might be interesting, possibly even fun.

You nod. Your brother presses a hand to his forehead, closes his eyes and breathes in and out. “Come on, then.” he says.

“Excellent.” With that, Florence begins striding towards the exit of the alleyway. Your brother keeps up the pace. The two of them are now walking side by side. If an outsider came by this very moment, what would they see? Would their minds capture this moment and take it an unexpected direction? Probably not, because Florence is smirking at your brother with knowing eyes and he’s rolling his eyes and seems to be reminiscing on how peaceful the world was before Florence showed up.

He then realizes something. “Hey, where are your servants?”

“Oh, I decided to pursue this matter alone.” Florence replies.

“Why not?”

“It provides more of a challenge, of course.”

“God, you are so full of yourself.”

“Is it not wonderful?”

>>702312
So im guess Florence and Keiichi used to fuck.
Cool Cool, although i'm more interested in Airi's past relationships to be honest.

>>702462
kinda leaning to the ojou route now

pleasedon'tbeabitchpleasedon'tbeabitchpleasedon'tbeabitchpleasedon'tbeabitch

>>702486
She a huge Bitch anon
but is a big fucking Dick
They are perfect for eachother

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“Wow, I can’t believe I have the chance the meet the queen of Stonewolf!” Hideki exclaims. He then calls out, “Miss Rutherford! Would you care for an interview?”

She glances over her shoulder. That’s it. Florence Rutherford doesn’t do anything else. Her eyes are forward and she’s back to teasing your brother. It is as if she glanced at an uninteresting store window. It takes Hideki about five seconds before this matter sinks into his brain.

“A true ice queen, huh…” He mutters, smiling yet at the same time sounding a little put off. You pat him on the back.

“Sorry about that, Hideki.” You say, your expression apologetic, “Florence is…standoffish towards people she doesn’t know.”

“You two seem familiar with her.”

You crack a small grin. “Like my brother said, we’ve had trouble with her in the past. I’ll tell you about it another time. Try not to feel too bad, okay?”

“Oh, I'm already over it.” Hideki says, standing up and whipping out his pen and notepad. An aura of raw energy has surrounded his body. It's like standing close to an open fire. “It just means it’s time for my improvisation skills to shine!”

“I’m not sure that’s what you’re supposed to be taking from here…”

It takes a minute for your group of four to arrive at the entrance of the Brave Raven’s hideout. It has the look of an abandoned apartment block, but there’s touches here and there, like the makeshift garage to the side and the gigantic sign of a black raven painted on a set of double doors. The air stinks of trash, cigarette smoke and spent oil. There are tire tracks dug into the ground.

A biker is standing outside the front door. He’s dressed formally for a delinquent. True, there are holes in his jeans, bandages on his arms and welts on his cheeks. But his shirt is clean, there’s no smoke in his mouth and he’s wearing a top hat of all things. He’s leaning against the door of the hideout, staring off into space when you approach. He hears your footsteps and looks up.

“Never seen you guys before.” He states, raising an eyebrow.

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“I could say the same about you.” Florence responds, the first to speak. She looks around, then sniffs, barely audible. “I would like to confirm something. Is this the hideout of the Brave Ravens?”

“You’re in the know, huh?” The biker says, “Then I suppose I don’t have to introduce myself?”

“I’m afraid you do. I do not pay much attention to these parts.”

“Ouch, lady.” The man says, grinning. His hands are in his pockets. You squint and see that one of them has formed a fist. “Well, I better get to it. Name’s Abe. I’m a lieutenant in this fine gang.”

“A pleasure to meet you, Abe,” Florence says. Her acting is so good it could have won an award, “May we see your boss, Doppo?”

“Ah, I’m afraid that might be a bit of a problem.” Abe confesses.

“Here we go…” Your brother mutters.

“You see, our boss is kinda in a bad mood at the moment. He’s in a meeting with some of our members. Secret stuff, can’t say why. He doesn’t want to be disturbed.”

“Is that so…” Florence says, her words questioning like the pincers of a torturer's iron tongs. She does not seem slighted in the least. Her smug smile hasn't slipped. What exactly is she planning?

Anyway, how are you supposed to get inside?

>Offer to do the gang a favour.
>Bride with money.
>Let Florence handle this.
>Challenge Abe for entry.
>Find another entrance into the hideout.
>Tell him about how some of his fellow gang members harassed Florence.
>Custom option.

>>702596
>>Tell him about how some of his fellow gang members harassed Florence.

>>702596
>Tell him about how some of his fellow gang members harassed Florence.

>>702596
>Tell him about how some of his fellow gang members harassed Florence.

>>702596
Tell them we got some dirt on a rival gang, might be something his boss is interested in.

>>702596
>>Tell him about how some of his fellow gang members harassed Florence.

>>702628
Possible option, but what would be said dirt?

>>702596
>Let Florence handle this.

>>702632
Just a bluff. See if we can squeeze in by telling him it's top secret.

Spirit>Ojou>Idol

>>702706
Gunfucker.
You have best taste

>>702706
>>702722
WE need bird to have a favorite so he can write fanfiction.

>>702722
I hope Thorn writes how she became our spirit mentor.

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>>Airi: Tell him about how some of his fellow gang members harassed Florence.

“Ah, so that’s why those four came in earlier with their tails between their legs.”

“Oh, you know them?” You say.

“They’re pretty low-level guys. Man, this puts me at a real dilemma.” Abe sighs, “On one hand, insulting any member of the gang is insulting all of us. On the other, it’s pretty weak of them to go after an innocent girl. Damn, I’m feeling like I owe you lot.”

“Are you going to let us in or not?” Your brother asks.

“Well, how about this? Tell me what you’re here for and I’ll consider it. Like I said, our boss doesn’t want to be disturbed.” A mild shudder courses through his body, “Trust me, you don’t want to be there when he’s pissed.”

>“We want to know about your feud with the Red Skull Rockers.”
>“We want to tell him to stop being violent.”
>“That’s a secret.”
>“We have some information about a rival gang.”
>Custom option.

>>702766
>“We want to know about your feud with the Red Skull Rockers.”

>>702766
>>“We want to know about your feud with the Red Skull Rockers.”

>>702727
You can't force the writefaggotry, anon.

>>702766
>>“We want to know about your feud with the Red Skull Rockers.”

>>702766
>>“We want to know about your feud with the Red Skull Rockers.”
>>“We want to tell him to stop being violent.”

>>702766
>>“We want to tell him to stop being violent.”
This sounds good for a quick laugh.
>“We have some information about a rival gang.”

>>702766
>>“We want to know about your feud with the Red Skull Rockers.”

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“We want to know about your feud with the Red Skull Rockers.” You say

“Is that it?” Abe asks, his voice layered with confusion.

“Is something wrong?”

“Nah, it’s just…you could’ve asked me that from the start. Or maybe not, because I think I’m supposed to keep my mouth shut.” Abe sighs and fiddles with something in his pocket. It turns out to be a lemon candy. He pops it into his mouth and chews on it, his expression thoughtful. “I dunno what to tell you, miss. Why are you so interested in it, anyway?”

You use the same excuse you gave Takiji in Udagawa. “I want to keep my friends safe. I don’t want them being caught up in your gang war.”

“I guess that’s a good enough excuse as any…” Abe mutters, “Alright, but there’s not much to say. We’re pissed at the Red Skulls because they’re been harassing us. Trespassing on our turf, loitering around, taking our business, that sort of stuff.”

Your brother opens his mouth. Hideki taps him on the shoulder and shakes his head. Your brother clamps his mouth shut and pockets the key. Abe doesn’t seem to have noticed.

“One time, we came back to base after a ride and saw that their logo was spray-painted on one of the walls here. It wasn’t our hideout, but this is our turf!” Abe’s voice is louder, more passionate now, “Yesterday, some of our guys were hanging in Shibuya. They weren’t even dressed in our colors, they were just enjoying a day off, and the Red Skulls came up to them and attacked them. If that’s not wrong, then I’ll set my hat on fire.”

“Try not to.” Your brother mutters, “It looks expensive.”

“Hah! You have a good eye, kid. That’s pretty much the end of it.” Abe says, “You want my personal opinion?”

“I didn’t ask but you look like you’re gonna say it anyway.”

“I wouldn’t mind burning the Red Skulls’ clubhouse down. But I would also be content to sit on my ass and waits until it all cools down.” Abe says, “It all depends on the flow. Doppo is the boss here. Is that all?”

It is for now, you suppose. Abe turns to Florence.

“What about you, then?”

Florence doesn’t say anything at first. She slips a hand into her blazer and draws out a small piece of paper. You briefly wonder why she didn’t put whatever’s on that paper on a smartphone. Maybe Florence just doesn’t like technology? In any case, Abe’s eyes light up and his mouth curves into a gasp of recognition.

“Oh, so this is what it’s about.” He mutters, “Damn, I should’ve realized. Alright, go in and talk to the boss lady. He knows more about this than you do. But you three…” Now he’s addressing you, “Yeah, I don’t think you guys can come in.”

>“We’re with Florence.”
>“Okay, our business is done here, anyway.”
>“Any chance of telling your boss to be less violent?”
>Ask Florence what was on the paper.
>Leave.
>Custom option.

>>702964
>>“Okay, our business is done here, anyway.”
>You sure that t was the Rockers starting something, and not someone trying to start a war for their own ends?

>>702964
>>“Okay, our business is done here, anyway.”
I'm guessing a third party's trying to start shit.

>>702964
>>“Okay, our business is done here, anyway.”

Someone's trying to play them both against each other.

>>702964
>“Okay, our business is done here, anyway.”

>>702964
>>“Okay, our business is done here, anyway.”
>>“Any chance of telling your boss to be less violent?”

>>702964
>“Okay, our business is done here, anyway.
>Ask Florence what was on the paper.

>>702964
>"You're being made fools of, but not by the red skulls."

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I think that'll be it for today. Thanks to everyone who showed. Your last choice will be incorporated into the OP for the next thread. Speaking of the next thread, RL has turned its ugly nose at me, meaning that I'll have to skip a week. The next thread will have to be on the 28th of October. It will start on 9:00 pm UTC as usual. The title will be the correct one, I promise.

On the plus side, there's a public holiday around that time in where I live, so that gives me another opportunity to run. It'll give me more time to write snippets, which will be posted here on my Twitter. I

In other news, Florence Rutherford has been introduced. Please bask in the glory of her smugness and her petite stature. In the initial draft of this quest, she was part of True Hearts instead of Michiko. I changed that for reasons that you'll probably figure out later on.

Archived thread: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/700640
Ask fm: http://ask.fm/TwilightThorn441
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TwilightThorn

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>>703053
cheers, boss

>>703053
Thanks for running. How smooth would we have to play it to romance the smug? She seems like a bundle of fun with a fuck ton of secrets and hidden goodies.

>>703053
A bit late to the party, but thanks for running.

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>>Year: Be 2013.

Your name is Airi Hirayama. You are fourteen years old, live in a country town in Japan and enjoy eating stir-fry tofu for lunch. You are also a young magus—a spirit tamer to be precise—contracted to the mischievous canine blood spirit Shesmur. His arrival brought a lot of surprises into your life, none of which can compare to the situation you are facing right now. You are standing in the entrance to your brother’s room and you are witnessing what is quite possibly the most shocking sight in the history of mankind.

“O-onii-chan!” You cry.

“Airi?” Your brother looks up, confused. He’s sitting on the carpet in the middle of his room, alone, “What are you gawping at for?”

You don’t answer at first. Your tongue is glued to the back of your throat. A plate of apple slices, cut in the kitchen by your mother, falls out of your hands. They collapse to the floor in a heap of plastic and wet, sugary mush. You raise a trembling finger and point at your brother.

“That’s…that…” you stutter.

“What?” He asks.

“Your…your…” you mumble.

“HUH?”

“Your room is clean for once!” You scream.

It takes a second for the statement to register with him. “Is that so much of a big deal?” He shouts, glaring at you.

“Of course it is! You never clean your room!” You shout back. You take the opportunity to glance around the room. Your eyes widen with every sight and your brain begins to heat up like a steam kettle. The floor is devoid of dirty socks. The window is open, letting fresh air and sunlight to slow in. Your brother’s clothes are hung up on hooks where they belong. His bed is made. There’s nary a snack wrapping or a crumb to be found on the floorboard.

Oh my god, you think to yourself, his room is just as clean as yours! Impossible!

Is this a dream? Is Shesmur playing a trick on you? You grab your arm and force mana into it, splitting the skin open and drawing blood. It stings. Nope, everything is still the same. This is reality and it’s staring at you cold in the face.

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“I can’t believe it…” You mumble to yourself, feeling dizzy, “Is onii-chan is learning to take care of himself?”

“I heard that.” He grumbles. “That’s insulting, Airi, what you’re implying.”

“Well, it’s true! You never cleaned your room of your own will! It always took me and Mom to drag you kicking and screaming into the process.”

He flinches. “I’m sure it wasn’t that bad…” He mutters, glancing away.

“It was! Do you want me to recite what you said last time? Something about how cleaning your room would reduce your worth as a human being?” You retort, leaning forward and putting your hands on your hips.

He groans, running a hand through his messy black hair. “Maybe I should’ve left my room as it was. Shit, no, that’s a horrible idea. I don’t want to think about what that woman would’ve done to me…”

“Who?” you ask.

“That woman. You know, black dress, long black hair, stinks of ash. My mentor, Airi.” He says, attempting to create the shape of a woman with his fingers. It looks more like a crude number eight than anything else. He groans and gives up. “Akasha-Alea. Don’t tell me you’ve already forgotten.”

He spits the name like there’s something sour on the end of his tongue. Oh, now you remember. The woman in the funeral dress, who showed up to your family’s home fortnights ago, brandishing your brother in one arm and a spirit contract in another. She was young-looking for a spirit, almost your age. Yet, whenever she spoke you felt compelled to shut your mouth and listen, lest you offend some ancient tradition. She was determined to make herself part of your brother's life, whether your parents liked it or not. You haven't seen her in a while, though.

“The spirit of firearms? Her? What happened to her?” You say.

Your brother snorts. “More like what happened to me. She said my room was ‘unacceptable’ for a mentee of a ‘High Waffegeist’ or something and then she flat out ordered me to clean it. I refused, so she dragged me into the her realm and started lecturing to me about the history of firearms. It was so fucking annoying I decided to do what she said just to get her to shut up. He groans again. “Knowing her, this was her plan all along…”

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“Wow…” You gasp. “That’s actually really clever.”

“It’s a real pain in the ass, that’s what it is!” he exclaims, “I was about to catch some shut-eye and she interrupted it!”

“It’s not good to laze around, onii-chan…” You say. You look down and notice a pile of metal parts in front of your brother. You recognize the shapes of screws, springs and pins. They are all the color of steel and iron—greys and blacks. Keiichi is rummaging around in them, picking them up and putting them against each other. Every once in a while, he looks towards a sheet of white paper on the carpet.

“What are you doing?” You ask.

“Working on Akasha’s latest task…” He replies, not bothering to look up. “First she makes me spend hours in the spirit realm firing at some shitty practice targets, then she interrupts my sleep and then I find out she’s disassembled by handgun when I’m not looking. Now she’s telling to put it back together on my own.”

You wait until his rant ends before speaking. “Is this part of your training, onii-chan?”

He gives you a flat look. “What do you think, Airi?”

Okay, that’s a yes. He doesn’t have to be so rude about it, though.

You walk over and crouch down next to him. You pick up the paper and take a look at it. The heading reads ‘Beretta 92FS Diagram’. That’s the only thing you recognize. The remainder of the paper is filled up with an intricate design of a handgun, complete with labels and instructions. Your brain takes one look at it and promptly gives up.

“It looks hard.” You say, placing the paper down.

“Could be worse.” Your brother grunts, picking up a spring, fumbling and dropping it. He scowls and sighs. “Damn, this is probably going to take a while. You better go.”

“Um, okay.” You swallow, then a thought occurs to you. “Onii-chan, since you’re going to be there for a while, is there anything I get you?” You ask.

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He eyes you, or rather the patch of floor behind you. “I’d ask for those apple slices, but you’ve already dropped them.” He says.

Your hands fly to your mouth. That’s right! You forgot about the apples. Their edges are browning and the juice has spread across the wood boards. It’s only a small mess, nothing like that disaster in the kitchen from a year back. Even still, a mess is a mess!

“Oh my gosh, I’m sorry!” Quickly, you descend your knees and begin scooping up the apple slices with your bare hands. They’re covered in dust—no way can your brother eat these. There’s also a sticky stain from where they landed. A sponge and clean water will take care of that. You thank your lucky stars the slices hadn’t landed on the carpet.

As you pick up the slices, you can’t help but observe your brother in action. He scans across the instruction sheet, mouthing the words, before returning to fiddle around with the pile of parts. He picks up a piece, tries to slide in or attach another one with it and frowns as it fails. But there are certain moments when he gets things right, where the metal parts neatly connect with each other. And in those moments, his usual scowl drops and his face lights up with a smile, a genuine one formed from the joy of a job well done.

Your brother, who had been gloomy for months, hardly retreating from his pigsty of a room, is attacking the task set by his spirit mentor with a never-before-seen fervor. Even though he’s muttering obscenities beneath his breath, even though he’s complained about how this Akasha-Alea is driving him up the wall, even though he’s always looking so exhausted after his daily practice sessions…

…you know he’s feeling satisfied, and thus happy, with himself.

“Yes! It worked. Now, what about this part…aw, crap.”

If your brother is happy, then you’re happy as well. You stand up, the apple slices back on the plate, and smile to yourself. Then you close the door and leave your brother to work in peace.

>>714434
That's some nice fluff Thorn. Airi a cute and Onii-chan is too.

Sounds like onii-chan was depressed for some reason until Akasha appeared. Any guesses why?

>>714825
Someone stopped him from shooting up his school.

>>714825
Maybe he was bullied at school?

>>714825
Airi got contracted to Shesmur before K1 got his spirit mentor?