Chapter Seven: Our Resolution
Friday.
It was Friday.
During days like this, classes finished earlier than the presumed time, giving ample time for club activities.
Others usually went home, however,
those who weren't interested in club activities or those who couldn't perform them.
Outside,
the clear weather was accompanied by scorching sun and heat, as each and every club performing outdoor activities continued on.
… one of those groups was holed up inside the gymnasium: the Kendo Club.
"What's wrong, Sinclair? You look out of it today!"
From across the hall, Haruka shouted with a commanding voice.
Morgan, crouched on one knee with his hands on his thighs, was panting hard.
Sweat clung to his bangs and dripped down his chin.
Letting out a heavy exhale, he then glanced at her.
"Sorry, I'm not feeling it today."
He forced himself to stand, wiping his forehead with the back of his wrist.
Across from him, Haruka narrowed her eyes.
"...You. What's with that expression? What's on your mind?"
Her tone had softened, just slightly, as she took a few steps towards him,
Now standing in front of him, her brows creased together into a frown as she observed him.
Even through her strict and commanding exterior, she was always caring when need be.
When she looked at her vice-president, however.
Anxious? Distracted?
While sometimes he was usually distracted like this, he picks himself up in the next few moments.
That wasn't like him.
Haruka wasn't superhuman, but she didn't need to be superhuman to tell when something was off.
Right now, even as she scrutinized him,
… his distant and unfocused gaze was proof.
"Fuu. Well then, if you wish not to talk about it, then let's drop it."
She turned away, ready to dismiss it. But then—
"Accompany me, Senpai. Let's take a break together."
All of a sudden.
He dropped those words.
There was silence for a brief moment; each and every member of the kendo club, about ten of them, paused.
Slowly, they turned their heads over.
…Haruka froze, turning her head in bewilderment.
As it turns out, even a girl like her could make such an expression.
"W-w-what are you on about!?"
She stumbled back, waving her hands in the air, with her voice pitched higher than usual.
Morgan blinked, caught off guard. That… was not the reaction he expected.
'Wait, that's not what I meant.'
What he wanted was confirmation concerning Kagarike Haruka.
You see.
Timelines for certain events were uneven in a way, or so, at least, Morgan would like to think so.
Even if he were able to use a Realizer.
At best, it would make him slightly stronger. But even then, that is not enough.
Because of this, he began thinking.
From what he knew.
Mana filled this world, and mages certainly existed at some point on this planet.
They were able to manipulate the world's mana to conjure up miracles.
No matter how small those miracles are, certainly, however, they were able to perform supernatural feats.
But, because of this,
They were destroyed.
And also thanks to this,
Spirits of Origin, Spirits, Neighboring Worlds, Quasi-Spirits and the likes of them were born.
'Is it because I'm here? Or is this world trying to fix its holes itself?'
Morgan wouldn't know.
All he knew was that there is barely any time left.
"Mhm. Alright."
Somehow, at some point, his expression had gotten serious, and seeing that, somehow, Haruka relented.
Under the stunned gazes of everyone in the gymnasium, the two of them exited together, still dressed in their kendo gear.
Like that,
… they walked side by side across the school grounds until they reached a small outdoor tap.
Morgan went first, opening it as water rushed out; scooping some into his cupped hands and splashed it across his face.
As droplets fell from his chin, he finally spoke.
"Haruka, you are in your third year, right?"
Waiting for him to finish first was Haruka, standing right beside him with folded arms.
Hearing his question, she blinked, then slowly nodded her head.
"Yes, that is true."
"Is that also why you must win the nationals?"
The steady sound of running water filled the silence that followed.
Morgan had stopped moving but his hands still cupped midair, with an afterthought expression.
"I see. So that's what this is about."
Coming to that realization, she said that with an almost, ...what was it?
A disappointed tone?
Regardless, she scratched the back of her head near the base of her ponytail
"That's right."
Letting her hands drop, she stepped forward to the tap.
Morgan instinctively moved aside, giving her room.
Then, mirroring his earlier action, she cupped her hands beneath the stream and splashed water onto her face.
"I don't know if you're aware, but I come from a family of trained martial artists."
"No, it isn't only that."
She stopped for a moment before turning the valve of the tap off.
Just then, a soft cloth brushed against her cheek.
Morgan was holding out a towel.
"Thank you."
She murmured, accepting it.
Gently, she dabbed her face dry as she continued.
"However, nowadays, practices like this aren't taken seriously anymore."
Che.
With a sharp click of her tongue, with her hand clenched tight against the towel, she said that in displeasure.
"Spacequakes, huh?"
Morgan mouthed, and she nodded.
That's true.
He barely knew anything about the world, how spacequakes and spirits affected the world,
...and how they changed it.
Morgan wanted to know.
"Yes. That damned thing that took Haraka-nee away. If not for it... if not for it... then Haraka-nee would have-"
Frustration.
He could feel it coming from her.
In that moment, Morgan could finally piece it together:
What had happened to her…
And how Haruka's sister, Haraka, had ended up in the Neighboring World.
"I'm sorry."
"You don't need to be. I'm the one who should be; I completely lost my cool there."
Haraka probably hated Spacequakes.
Seemed like he was right about her.
If she knew Spirits were the cause, then it'll change her in many ways.
But Morgan had come to like her.
Even if her existence in this world was less than significant, he'd come to like her as a person.
Passionate, hardworking,
When the world's standards for competition had been lowered. She was still giving her best.
That stubbornness made him respect her more. But—
...then, what about him?
'Surgery, huh?'
If that was what it would take, then there was no point in being hesitant about it.
As the saying goes, no pain, no gain.
"Hou? That's a resolute expression on your face. Attained enlightenment or something?"
Haruka cocked a raised eyebrow.
"...don't tell me, you want to compete in the nationals?"
"Aaaa. Sorry about that, Haruka."
Morgan cut her off before she could continue, blocking his ears as though he couldn't hear her.
Naturally, it caught the female off guard.
"Oi, you bastard! You have no understanding of a delicate woman's heart, I'll beat that into you."
She clenched her fist against the towel, tossing it at him; however, Morgan simply caught it with a smile on his face.
A smile.
One Haruka hadn't seen.
...So he could smile like that, she thought.
It seemed like her words had helped him a lot.
That was quite the resolute expression he was having.
Both are now going to face their hurdles with everything they have.
Regardless of whether or not they were small in the face of this world's destiny.
"Come, Haruka, let's continue training."
"Spirited are we now?"
"No, I'll just be disappointed if you lost woefully and then you come back crying to me."
"Sinclair, I'll kill you!"
Morgan waved while walking in front with a casual raise of his hand.
…tomorrow.