The Crisis World XX

Chap. 38: The One Tournament

The next day, I finally came to Himawari Orphanage after getting permission from my mother yesterday. Herlin was waiting at the door of the orphanage with a bored face even though he still looked very flat, but I knew that he was bored and grumbling.

"It's so long."

"Sorry, sorry. I have to help my mother before I get here."

"Reason. I know you just woke up, looking out of your hair that's still a little mess."

He looked at my hair. Shit, this guy can't be lied to. Though I have taken a shower and combed my hair so as not to look bad, but he can still know about it.

"So, are we going to leave immediately or what?" my many.

"We're leaving with Oita-san, so wait a little while here. I also have to prepare something."

"Good~"

Herlin then walked into the orphanage while I waited. There was nothing that could be done either if I went in there, so I better wait here.

By the way, I've only been here a few times. We always met on the back hill for practice and the view of the orphanage was always unfamiliar to me.

I once came here to help Herlin prepare the birthday party of one of the orphanage children. And they are all good and cheerful children, proof that Yuuki-san raised them well and properly.

Then the thing I remember the most here is when Herlin and I came home from a mission in Shibata Village. At that time we brought one other person with us, Haruka-chan. Someone who was the victim of a strange sacrifice for a Unseen.

I never understood what was going on there, but it certainly wasn't a good thing. Especially if a pack of zombie wolves attacked and killed the villagers. Luckily, it was done.

And speaking of Haruka-chan, what a coincidence that she was running around — seemed to be playing a romp with the other kids, from the backyard.

I watched them and unconsciously created an arch at the end of my lips. A feeling of pleasure because Haruka-chan can smile happily without thinking about things that she should not think about.

Then then, he accidentally saw me and then approached me enthusiastically along with the others as well, to the point of stopping their game.

"Well! There's Iraya-niisan!" haruka-chan. "There's Iraya-niisan!" The others also called and greeted me.

"Yahoo!" my reply was short and stroked Haruka-chan's head.

"What is Iraya-niisan doing here?" ask Haruka-chan.

"Nee, nee, Iraya-niisan! Come play with us!" said one of the boys.

Although I have only been here a few times, but I seem to have been well received here. Which of course is a good thing. But unfortunately, right now I don't have time to play with them.

I crouched down to be the same height as the boy who invited me to play. "Actually I'd love to, but unfortunately I still have business elsewhere."

"Ehhh~" Tone disappointed they catapulted simultaneously.

What I heard from Herlin and Yuuki-san, they don't know anything about Exception and so on. Herlin said they didn't need to know about things like that. So I can't tell them the truth.

"After this is all over, I promise we'll play with you guys, okay?"

"Promise, huh?!"

"Yes." Yeah."

"Well, Iraya-niisan promised. Now you're playing somewhere else there." Suddenly Herlin came and entered into our conversation.

After Herlin came, all of them obediently went straight from here. The lord of the orphanage was indeed great, one order and all of them instantly did so.

By the way he came out together with Oita-san and in Herlin's hands was seen carrying something. Something that made me so excited and impatient, it was a sword! A sword complete with a scabbard and straps.

"Whoah! Don't tell me this is ...!"

"This is your sword."

"That's great!"

The strap is also no less cool, has a 'X' shape made of light brown leather with a rhombus iron plaque on the front and a sword sheath on the back.

Without further ado, I immediately put it on and posed in front of the two of them. Show me how cool I am when I wear this.

"How's it?"

"It's normal." Herlin answered flatly.

"Tch, you really don't like seeing people happy a little bit, do you?"

The three of us went to Tokyo. We took the Shinkansen train and it took about two and a half hours. Well ... it's still mending than a car that could double it.

The long enough journey by train was finally completed and we walked towards a building with a large logo emblazoned on it, 'Akatsuki Corp.' written there.

We entered and the view inside was pretty ordinary. Unlike what I imagined would look ferocious or dirty and creepy, this place even looks like an ordinary office.

Oita-san walks towards the reception desk and is immediately greeted by her. "Is there anything I can help you with?" ask the receptionist.

"I want to go downstairs. In the name of Murasaki Oita."

After checking the list book he held for a while, he spoke again. "Alright, please follow me."

The three of us followed him to a lift. Surprisingly, even though we were on the ground floor, our elevator did not move up — but rather preferably.

After the elevator indicator shows the symbol "B10", the elevator door opens. From inside the elevator I could hear a lively sound, but seeing it in person still surprised me so much.

The square battle arena surrounded by the stands with a crowd of spectators became the first sight I saw.

"Welcome to the Kuni no Hashira Event, The One Tournament!"

We were greeted by some women in clothes that you could say 'pull' the men's eyes. That shows a lot of their skin right here and there.

But other than that 'interesting' scene, I could feel the most striking difference from this room and the previous floor, which was the aura released by each individual. I knew that this room was filled with strong people, who made me only swallow dry saliva.

"What's wrong? Are you getting scared?" Herlin sneered as if he could feel my uneasiness.

"Ta-fear? W-are you mocking me?" My voice unconsciously shook.

"...." - ".But he did not reply and only sighed. Do I really look that big? "That's it, let's take a look at the match chart."

"Ba-good."

Herlin walked a few steps and I followed him, but suddenly stopped and made me hit him. "A-ouh ... What's up, anyway?"

"What's so scary?"

"Eh?"

"Are you scared because they're strong? Or because they're creepy? Or because you're afraid of being badly defeated and disappointing me? What are you afraid of?"

"So-about that ...."

I can't answer it. I don't know if what he said was right or wrong, but I'm definitely scared right now. But suddenly he grabbed my hand and grabbed it, which of course made my face red.

"W-what are you doing?! Release, oi!"

"Now, still scared?"

I stopped thrashing and looked at my hand held by Herlin's two hands. I could feel the softness and warmth from his hands, the hands of a young girl.

No. gabe. I can't make him worry more than this. Feeling scared like this makes me not cool at all, haven't I decided to always look cool in front of her? No time to be scared, you fucking cunt!

I then clasped Herlin's hand that held one of mine. "I'm fine, thank you" I said.

"Then let go of my hand, you pervert."

"Eh?"

"Are you so desperate to never hold a woman's hand and hold my hand for so long?"

I quickly let go of my hand. He this can go from being reliable to being annoying very quickly. "Huh?! You hold my hand first, you weird chick!"

But subconsciously, I shouted out loud enough to attract the attention of one person near us. He looked at me with a cynical and condescending look, until he realized the existence of Herlin.

"You ... Herlin Ririsaka? You finally came back after all these years! Incidentally, I will smash to pieces this year!"

What the fuck is this cool-ass guy. I just met but made a scene. His stature was like that of a man in his early 19s to 20s, taller than me with messy black hair and red irises.

One of the things that made this person intimidating other than his height was the scars all over his body and on his face.

"Who?" And as usual, Herlin's mouth was sharp to everyone.

"What?! How dare you forget the man you destroyed in this tournament two years ago! Then I ...."

The man continued to talk and forcefully, Herlin seemed to realize that he was the type of person who would not stop talking until Herlin remembered, so he immediately explained the situation.

"So yeah .. sorry to disappoint, but I didn't play. I'm just gonna be a spectator this year."

And his excited face instantly disappeared when Herlin said so. "Tch, you coward! Who's the guy who's gonna be watched by someone like you?" And Herlin was ridiculed as a coward.

Herlin pointed at me. "He."

The man then approached me. Shit, I don't like this. He threw his problem at me. By the way, he noticed me for quite a long time and detail.

"Aw ... Haha ...!! How exciting!"

And ... he laughed. Change from anger, passion, then to laughter in just an instant. Sip. My judgment's been round to him, he's a freak.

"You're gonna watch this flat boy? Do you like to see someone in an all-out hit? Now I know your spectacle taste."

He laughed at me and, of course, underestimated me. I'm actually very upset right now, but making a fuss right now won't bring good results.

"Don't be lured, Iraya." Even Cecilia warned me. Well ... I can only be patient at this time.

But ....

A little prank won't hurt anyone, will it?

I approached and talked to him. "Mmm... It seems like your chat is exciting, huh?" And smile.

"Huh?! You said something, boy?!"

"I know I'm weak. But, doesn't provoking a weaker opponent before a match make you look like a loser?"

"What did you say?!"

"All right, that's enough. If you want to fight each other, there's a time, right?"

And Murasaki-san separated the two of us before things became even more chaotic. It seems that he also knew of Murasaki-san's reputation and chose to leave, albeit with an annoyed face.

"Hah ... even the match has not started yet and there has been such an incident." I let out a breath. "By the way, do you know that freak? Looks like he's got business with you" I continued.

"It looks like he's one of the opponents I beat two years ago. If his name is not at all remembered."

"He's Oukami Yuu, his power is transformation."

Oita-san completes the information Herlin needs to remember the person. And my brain also immediately brazed his name on my head, all thanks to his annoying nature.

"Well! Oita, Ririsaka-chan! I didn't expect to see you two here!"

Again there were voices of people I didn't know who called Herlin and Murasaki-san names. I swear that everyone in this room knows them both. Talk about being famous.

While I just hope that the one who came this time is not a bitch.

"It's nice to see you again, Ryuzaki and Hayashi too" Murasaki-san said.

"I am too." Herlin also greeted.

"Is there something going on? Is Herlin-chan going to The One Tournament again this year?" ask the grown man who greeted Murasaki-san earlier.

"No, this time Herlin-chan was just watching. And the one who will fight is this boy."

Murasaki-san patted my shoulder and introduced the two of them to me. "Iraya-kun, they are Kurayami Ryuzaki and Hayashi Satou. They were from the Red Flame organization operating in Tokyo. And you two, he's a new member of Black Rain, Satou Iraya," he continued.

"It's nice to meet you guys."

Red Flame's. The same organization as Black Rain in Kyoto. So the faces of the Exception from other cities are like this, huh? I could clearly feel a strong aura from them.

"It's nice to meet you too, Iraya-kun. My name is Hayashi Satou, I happen to be in this tournament too."

Hayashi Satou, it seems like she is weaker than Kurayami Ryuzaki, but that doesn't mean I can underestimate her. She has black hair with a shark-like bangs and all-black clothing. I also must not ignore the Katana on his back which seems to be his main weapon.

"Hopefully we can fight well, Hayashi-san" We shake hands with each other.

And the other one is Kurayami Ryuzaki, an older stature than Hayashi-san but whose face is at the peak of adulthood. He wears a bright brown robe that covers his entire body except for the head and has a scar on his left eye.

I also did not forget to shake his hand.

While we were chatting, the sound of mic buzzing throughout the room caught our attention. We all knew what would happen after that. Is correct. The One tournament is about to begin.

"Check ... check, check ...! Can my voice be heard? Ah, it looks like it can." A light female voice appeared that increasingly attracted the attention of everyone in this room.

"Ekhehem ...! All of them! Thank you for waiting patiently! Soon, the first match of the eighth edition of The One Tournament will begin soon. ARE YOU READY?!!"

"YEEAAAAAHHHHH !!!!"

"Really, right! It should be that kind of reaction that you put out for this event. Together with your beloved commentator who has been with you for four years in this tournament, Mitsu!

Then also with my new partner who was waiting for me finished talking beside me, Caramel! We will both accompany and guide the course of all matches in this edition. So don't get bored with my voice, will you?"

"YEEEAAAHHHHH !!!!"

I'm not sure if they're more interested in the commentator or the opening of this game, but I think everyone's shout here is too much for an opening.

"Then, my partner Caramel-chan will call out the names of the two participants who will compete in the first match of the year."

"Etto, who will compete is ...."

The first match will start soon. First tournament of my life, huh? I don't know why it feels so thrilling. I think it would be best to pay attention and judge the opponent first before it is my turn.

"... Hayate Kendou against Satou Iraya. Both participants please prepare and immediately go up to the arena."

The flat voice of the robot called out the names of the two participants. No, it's not the cold voice that's so unsuitable to bring a prestigious match like this that's my problem. The problem is in the name of the person who will compete.

Herlin and Murasaki-san looked at me. The most shocked was Herlin until his mouth was slightly opened. I don't think he's the only one who's surprised like that.

"Eh?"

Me either.

Seriate