Chapter 3 — The Privilege of Luck

While most students were either at home or at Team Trials, a fight broke out between some students and the newcomer.


Harumaki Yuuki accepted Hinata Ryûko's challenge.


If one blow reached him, he would join Ryûko's team. A simple task in theory... only in theory.


Blam!! Ryûko fell heavily, tripped by Yuuki. She got back on her feet to attempt a powerful kick, but he dodged again.


Like this morning, it felt as if she were battling an intangible force. Worse, with her teammates beside her, the impact was still small.


Yuuki weaved an elbow aimed at his face; the blow was fast. Odogiri Yôsuke, the guy with the headphones, was very quick for his level.


Trapped between the pair, Yuuki observed the situation. Left, right, he was foreseeing every move from his inexperienced adversaries.


From his rear, a small ice spike aimed at his blind spot shattered into pieces. The attacks from the backline by Tsukishima Mori had little to no effect.


"He is dodging everything, even with Yôsuke, I can't keep up!"


Ryûko's worries twirled in her mind as she dashed ahead, changed her pace with a spin, while Yôsuke tried to touch Yuuki. Their target didn't flinch, instead, he kicked Ryûko in her solar plexus with raw force. Blowing away the young girl.


Yôsuke felt the impact as Yuuki deflected his attack. The purple-haired man grabbed Yôsuke by the neck. He pulled him in and kneed him hard in the stomach. Knocking him out just as fast as Ryûko.


From behind came Akira, the least influential fighter. With him, a sharp-looking ice spear launched at full speed, breaking in an instant with a slap of Yuuki's hand.


Akira tried to retaliate, but before he could do anything, Mori stepped in front of him.


She used her two war fans to attack. She created ice shards that clung to her weapons. She used them like two daggers.


Her movements were graceful, almost like a dance. Yuuki had to dodge and deflect her repeated thrusts and slashes. Mori's guard still had a few flaws he could exploit.


Yuuki threw a punch, pressuring and undeniably powerful. Mori tried to create an ice shield, but it was too slow. Yuuki punched her in the stomach, sending her flying a few feet behind.


"Too strong..."


Her faint words flew away with the breeze that accompanied her fall before a heavy thud marked the end of the fight for her.


The only one left was Akira.


"You can leave if you want, you could get hurt."


Akira's fist clenched.


"Are you f*cking mocking me?"


"No, not at all. I just think that's the case."


Yuuki's deadpan face didn't solve the issue at all. Akira threw a punch, parried by Yuuki, who kicked his chin with a flash kick, sending his opponent to the mat. As Yuuki thought, he wasn't strong at all.


"So... Um... Are you fighting too, or...?"


He looked at the last person standing, Tonakura Waguri, who hadn't lifted a finger in this fight.


"Hmpf. I'm not a fighter like them. I didn't sign up to get beaten up for free."


"Thought so, you seem even weaker than this guy." He said, pointing at Akira. "Do you know where the infirmary is? I'm still new to this school."


"Main building's second floor, turn right, and enter the first room."


With a double thumbs-up, Yuuki thanked Waguri.


"Such nonchalance and carelessness at the same time. That guy's really the worst... At least..."


Waguri shot another light arrow at Yuuki at full speed. Like Mori's small projectiles, it shattered before Yuuki as if it had hit an invisible wall.


Not only did Yuuki hear Waguri's thoughts, but he also sensed her attacks, even though they were so weak. He continued to gather the unconscious bodies, holding them at the same time.


"I will head to the infirmary. Thanks again for your directions."


Another arrow flashed and disappeared again.


"Are we fighting?"


Waguri only replied with a narrowed eye stare, full of aggression. Yep, she definitely wanted to fight.


"Let's make this quick. I have to do some shopping for tonight's dinner."


"I don't give a damn about your dinner, I won't make this easy for you!"


"Thought so too."


*


Ryûko woke up with a jolt in one of the beds in the infirmary. A few night lights at the bedsides lighted the room. The smell of alcohol tickled Ryûko's nostrils. Right by her bedside was an open bottle and some bandages.


A reminder that sent a painful signal throughout Ryûko's body. The previous fight had left its marks. And heck, was it painful.


She put her foot on the ground, and with the lack of stamina she had, she fell headfirst.


"You shouldn't get out of bed so soon. It's dangerous."


A bored voice reached Ryûko's ears. She looked up at the lady in front of her. Her tall, slender frame, boxed in a long white coat, cast a shadow over Ryûko.


The lady bent down to poke Ryûko's cheek repeatedly.


"Actually, if you're awake, that means you can go home. And so can I."


"Iyasu-Sensei... You've just advised me not to get up."


"Yes, that was before I thought that I wanted to go home."


The woman had an air of constant boredom, with dark circles beneath her eyes. Her deep brown hair was tied back in a long ponytail.


Gondo Iyasu, Narukami High School's nurse. Highly competent due to her Kikai, she is also known to be quite lazy.


"Go home already, your friends are waiting for you. Your mother's already here to pick you up."


"Eh??? You didn't have to! Mama will kill me!!"


"You should've thought about it before acting so recklessly."


Iyasu stood up. Her heels clacked with each step as she joined her desk.


"This person deliberately struck your solar plexus, carefully enough to use little strength. He knocked you unconscious without causing too much harm, which is probably his goal."


She wrote Ryûko's name in the infirmary logbook for visits. It was Ryûko's second visit that day.


Iyasu continued her explanation. This time, she was more serious.


"I advise you to avoid any future altercations with them. I must protect my students' physical integrity. I will do everything I can to make this happen."


Iyasu's words were wise. Yes, they were competitors for the Erabareshimono no Kyousou, but they remained students. This journey to find strength could end dramatically, especially for fragile people like Ryûko.


But, of course, she would not listen. It was more than just strength. For Ryûko, Yuuki had to be in her team and nothing else.


She exclaimed while bowing intently.


"Sorry, but I can't! Yuuki's recruitment is very, very important to me, so I can't give up. For my friends and for myself, I must try again tomorrow. There is a high chance that I will end up here tomorrow as well. So please take good care of me at that time!"


Ryûko bowed even more before leaving the infirmary with a dash.


Iyasu only looked at her shadow outside the room, visibly confronted by her mother. The young girl's determination was impressive. Yet, challenging Harumaki Yuuki was probably a mistake.


"That means that I'll have to work overtime tomorrow as well... I hate this job."


*


The next day, Harumaki Yuuki walked into his classroom. Wearing the same emotionless face he always has.


In his left hand, he held a carton of strawberry milk from the famous brand Ichigo-Chan. A little treat for Yuuki at any time. The milk's creamy texture combined with the sweet, tart taste of strawberries... what a—


"Good afternoon, Newbie! You look in great shape today!"


A burnt-orange creature moved in his path, Hinata Ryûko. Yuuki gave a nod to greet her.


"You were really tough yesterday. But today will be different!"


"Oh? And what makes you say that?"


"I've got a feeling, hehe!"


The girl's smile dazzled with passion, but Yuuki wasn't having it.


"You shouldn't trust that feeling."


"If it isn't the strongest in the flesh."


Yôsuke arrived from the door, tapping Yuuki's shoulder lightly.


"I understand why Ryûko wants to recruit you now. You're one strong fellow."


Yuuki nodded as he took another sip of his drink. He didn't seem familiar with Yôsuke yet. Blessed with social awareness, Yôsuke guessed Yuuki's hypothetical reserves.


"Right, I haven't introduced myself properly." He held out his hand. "The name's Odogiri Yôsuke, nice to meet you."


"Same."


The two of them shook hands. And as it ended, Yôsuke flashed a bigger smile.


"So your name is Odogiri Yôsuke as well, speak of a coincidence!"


"Always a pleasure to meet another Odogiri Yôsuke, we share one cool name."


Yôsuke patted him on the shoulder in a buddy-like way since he got the joke.


"Haha! You're a fun guy! I like you already!"


These two will probably be a great match, Ryûko thought.


At the same time, Akira tried to sneak past them. Trying to avoid Yuuki. Ryûko caught his arm, and Akira didn't have a choice but to stop.


"Come on, Shin-chan. Come and say hi to the Newbie."


Akira glanced at Yuuki out of the corner of his eye. It was the same look as yesterday when he kicked him in the chin. There was no way he would greet him after that.


"Shin-chan? Why are you ignoring me? It's super mean, you know?"


There it was, Ryûko's cute exaggerations. Akira had witnessed them for quite some time, but he had no intention of complying this time.


"I'm not ignoring you. I don't want to talk to that guy, that's all. He beat me up, you know. And also, stop using that dumb nickname!"


"Same here, but I'm not making a scene about it," Yôsuke teased.


"I told you to avoid confrontation, but you didn't listen, that's your fault," Yuuki calmly continued.


Ryûko squeezed his arm tighter, closer to her chest.

"Look how close they are already, I'm sure you will be good friends too!"


Akira averted his gaze. "I won't!"

Ryûko's grip was impossible to escape, the little girl was strong. She held his arm so tightly that he was unable to get to his desk.


"Shin-chan..." Ryûko gave him a pleading look. "Come on... Do it for me..."


It's super effective! With an instinct-driven spin, Akira reached out his hand to Yuuki.


"My name is Akira, Toshinori Akira. Nice to meet you."


"Same."


... ... ...


Yuuki looked at Akira with his deadpan eyes.


"What's up? Is there something on my face?"


Yuuki shook his head.


"I see that you aren't as funny as Odogiri-san."


"What's that coming from?!"


Ryûko and Yôsuke broke into laughter in front of Akira, who thought he was set up.


"What's so funny??"


The playful moment unfolded as another figure appeared behind Yuuki. They rested their nail-painted hand on his shoulder.


"Looks like you're having fun, Yuuki-kun.♡"


The girl leaned in close, her lips brushing past Yuuki's ear. Yuuki, whose reflexes were well-known, did not react much.


"It's been a long time, I haven't seen you in six months, you know? You could have sent a little message.♡"


Yuuki stayed quiet. Sometimes, tuning her out was effective, like when a cat tries to tease someone.


"Are you ignoring me again? That's so mean of you...♡"


She pressed her body even closer to Yuuki, who, without losing face, responded to her advances.


"I knew it wasn't going to work, but at least I tried."


The girl laughed it off. He hadn't changed one bit.


"Your jokes are still shit. But I'll give you the benefit of the doubt since you're handsome."


"I wasn't joking."


Yuuki stepped away from the girl, who revealed her full appearance. She was wearing her jacket over her school jumper, which seemed a size too ample for her.


The rest of her uniform was gyaru style: rolled-down socks, a short skirt, and a low-cut neckline. And in her hair, a cute cat hairpin held her fringe in place. That was Kaname Anko, a soul that clung to Yuuki when she found it fun.


"Newbie, is Kaname-san one of your friends?"


Was she? Well, kind of... But was she, though...?


"Kind of. I guess."


Kaname's cat-like smile turned even more smug.


"So you're the people trying to recruit Yuuki-kun, huh?♡"


With her hands behind her back, she scanned them one by one. Her green eyes flashed just like a cat analyzing a potential prey. Following those judgmental looks, she scoffed.


"You can't be serious. There's no way you could fit in Yuuki-kun's team."


She put one hand on her chest.


"It doesn't matter anyway, since I will be the one to recruit him for my team.♡"


The girl's cat-like grin was one of confidence and malice. But yeah, she was lying. Yuuki karate-chopped her head lightly.


"Don't lie to them. I would choose them over you anyway."


"Haha! Of course you wouldn't, I'm no fighter after all. But one thing is certain: they're nowhere near the level to be your teammates. That's why you wanted to participate alone. No one could meet your expectations."


She peeked at Ryûko from the corner of her eyes. Anko's speech was clearly aimed at her.


Even if she wasn't entirely wrong, there was no doubt about their weakness compared to Yuuki. Despite that, Ryûko was still hopeful. She clenched her fist, her eyes fixed on Anko.


"I understand what you mean, Kaname-san. But we're not going to give up. Either we win, or we win, there is no other outcome!"


Ryûko's clear voice exuded confidence, more than that, it had an air of certainty.


"She's a firm believer in her chances. Even after facing you twice, she doesn't seem to realize the immense gap between the two of you."


Yuuki's inner voice sounded as sure as he was, but Ryûko still wasn't aware of it. Most of the time, believing wasn't enough.


As Yuuki had realized when he lost Marie. It takes more than willpower to get what you want—courage, devotion, a sense of sacrifice, a bit of fear, and... luck.


The privilege of luck is one of the most important criteria. Being born with a Kikai, joining a particular school at one specific time, and finding the right person for Erabareshimono no Kyousou.


One can see all this as the fruit of luck, the luck to be able to seize an opportunity.


That's why Yuuki accepted Ryûko's challenge because she was willing to take that chance.


Yet, one must be ready to seize it when it comes their way. For that: skills, guts, and... luck as well.


"Ryûko, your resilience is admirable. But that alone won't bring you anywhere. Luckily, with six individuals backing you, your odds are better."


At that moment, Mori stepped into the classroom.


Her impeccably fitted uniform elevated her graceful, svelte, and feminine figure. Her pale, round face bore a closed mouth, and together with her cold turquoise eyes, it gave her an air of nobility. A true icy beauty.


Yuuki pointed at Mori, drawing everyone's gaze to her.


"If there is a world where you catch me off guard, it's the scenario where Tsukishima Mori is the first to confront me. Your chances are still slim, perhaps around 0.1%...."


With a leap forward, Ryûko joined Mori. Holding her hands.


"That's still a better than zero chance! We're counting on you, Mori!"


Mori was speechless. Her late arrival didn't help her grasp the topic, even though she mostly understood what he was saying. This made her even more confused.


"Me...? Why me...?"


To be continued....