Vol.3 Ch.6: ... and Tanabe's Will ①

-Chapter 6-

“Men!”

The loud shout echoed across the kendo hall. In the same instant, a wooden shinai sword came smacking down atop Tanabe’s head with a loud clash. The ‘men’ call in kendo is what’s used to declare a head strike, and with said strike landing atop his head, Tanabe had let his opponent take a point. In response, he could only sigh.

“Murakami, your concentration today is rather poor.” the opponent observed, a hint of disappointment in his voice.

“Yes… I’m sorry, captain Ishiya.” Tanabe apologized with a bow.

“You’re one of our best players. Concentration is the foundation of kendo, so please make sure you’re fully prepared mentally for the tournament. It’s only a couple of days away, after all.” lectured the kendo team captain, a third-year student named Ishiya.

“Yes, of course.” Tanabe gave a respectful bow just before the two of them left the center of the hall. Two more students took their place, preparing to get in a practice match of their own.

It was now Thursday, June 15th. School had already let out, and Tanabe Murakami was hard at work getting in as much practice as possible for the Inter-District Kendo Tournament that would be taking place that Saturday. However, the lapse in his concentration that day was apparent.

After all, the very night before, Tanabe had found himself wrapped up in a truly unbelievable situation. The existence of magic, magic zones creating bizarre miniature spaces, a whole other world named Alviquan, and a girl he’d been looking after turning out to be a vampire. It was all a little too much to take in so suddenly, to the point that Tanabe wasn’t even sure how he ‘should’ react to such things. In the end he’d only had a single night’s sleep to sit on the information before being thrust into another day of classes, followed up by kendo practice.

“Hahh… I’ve gotta get it together.” Tanabe sighed, splashing some water on his face at the faucet outside of the kendo hall. After drying it off with a towel he looked up at the clear blue sky.

“Honestly, it still feels like last night was some kind of bizarre dream…” he quietly muttered to himself as he thought back to the aftermath of Eli’s escape.

Following the dispelling of Eli’s magic zone and her subsequent escape, the trio of Tanabe, Yuko, and Kanna had all gone to take a seat at the arbor in Rigel Park to collect their thoughts and go over what to do next.

“Right now, the most we can do is to remain vigilant.” Kanna spoke. “Despite everything, we do not yet know what the objective of that vampire girl, Elisia, is. With access to her wings, she could even have fled the district for all we know.”

“Ah, you’re right…” Tanabe muttered in realization. “Do you really think she’ll just leave?”

“Again, I do not know.” Kanna shook her head. “If she remains here, we are certain to encounter her again, but…”

An uneasy silence lingered over the group as Kanna failed to finish her sentence. Tanabe looked to his side to find Yuko still completely dispirited, and barely engaged in the conversation.

“Hey, um… President, could you tell us more about vampires? It still doesn’t quite feel, well… real.” Tanabe hesitantly asked Kanna.

“Well, I could delve more into what I know, however…” Kanna glanced at Yuko. “I think now would not be the ideal time, would you not agree?”

“Ah… right.” Tanabe realized what she was suggesting. “Sorry, Maeda…”

“Don’t worry about it…” Yuko responded in a near-whisper. Her voice was almost inaudible.

“Regardless, I believe we should all return to the dorm and get some sleep.” Kanna suggested. “I do not believe there is much else we can do here.”

“Right…” Tanabe quietly agreed with a nod.

After that, the trio returned to the dorm, each heading back to their specific rooms. Following that night of sleep, morning came and Tanabe had a relatively average day of school, leading up to now, where the memory of the prior night is causing his concentration in kendo to waver.

“According to President Kawagoe, we’re basically at a standstill...” Tanabe spoke to himself, staring up at the tall tree beside the kendo hall. “I haven’t seen Maeda all day, and couldn’t find her during lunch, either… I hope she’s feeling better.”

Of course, the way the situation with Eli unfolded was upsetting for Tanabe as well, but he realized how much more the situation hurt Yuko. Even now, he couldn’t get Yuko’s tearful pleas with the cold and distant ‘Elisia’ out of his memory.

“I have to do… something. But what can I do…?” Tanabe quietly contemplated, lifting his hand to block the rays of the summer sunlight peeking through from the gaps in the tree leaves and branches.

After staying there for a few moments longer, Tanabe lowered his arm and returned back to the kendo hall.

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“That’s all for tonight! Remember, our final practice is tomorrow, but we’ll be taking it easy so everyone can rest for the tournament on Saturday. We’ll go over our strategy, our opponents, and our lineup. Dismissed!”

The kendo team captain Ishiya thoroughly closed out the day’s practice session, and clearly let the other members know what to expect leading up to the big tournament.

“Haahh… this late already, huh…?” Tanabe sighed as he removed his helmet.

The sun outside had already set, and it was well into the evening. Of course, it was common for club practice to run long when a big event was coming up. Tanabe was used to this routine by now. His body and mind were exhausted from practice, so he quickly changed his clothes, got his stuff together, and left the kendo hall.

As Tanabe stepped into the dark outdoors, he couldn’t help but think once more about what happened the night prior. He glanced up at the nearby streetlight. It illuminated the immediate surroundings, much like the same lights in Rigel Park.

“I really should see how Maeda’s doing…” he quietly whispered to himself.

As Tanabe began his quiet walk back to the dorms, he couldn’t help but think about the situation.

What exactly was Eli to me? I enjoyed spending time with her, and Maeda too of course… In fact, I’ve always enjoyed spending time with Maeda. She’s kind and easy to talk to. In a sense, it felt like we were starting to grow closer thanks to Eli.

Relatively speaking, it’s not as though Tanabe had known Yuko for very long. They’d only started talking after Yuko got the job at the café a few months earlier. But still, they got along well and had enjoyed each other’s company. Even Tanabe had realized how bashful Yuko was around him at the beginning, but at this point they were more like good friends.

Then, just as their relationship had reached that level of stability, the two had found Eli, and suddenly they found themselves spending even more time together. During the whole thing, Tanabe felt he was starting to learn more about Yuko and her earnest nature, and honestly, he started to find himself drawn to her.

I saw how she looked… I saw her heartbroken expression when Eli disappeared on us. Of course, it bums me out too, but… I think Eli represented something very important for Maeda. I think… I think that’s what’s bothering me the most.

Tanabe’s resolve had begun to take shape.

Of all the crazy unbelievable stuff I saw that night, the one thing I can’t get out of my head is that look on Maeda’s face. Yeah, that’s it… Her smile. She lost her smile…

Memories flashed through Tanabe’s mind; memories of Yuko’s happy expression every time she saw him at their café job. The bright smile that would always come across her face… a smile born simply from getting to spend time together, albeit on the job. That was the kind and cheerful Yuko Maeda that lived in Tanabe’s heart.

I want to see Maeda’s smile again… That’s what’s been bothering me.

As Tanabe had this realization, he found himself standing in front of the student dorms. It was as though his walk there had gone by in mere moments due to how lost in thought he was.

“Jeez, I’m really in my own head today, huh? No wonder I couldn’t concentrate on kendo…” Tanabe chuckled lightly at his own expense as he stepped inside to the dorm’s entryway.

As he made his way inside, he paused. He watched the various other students walking back and forth.

I already had dinner with the team, so maybe I should get a bath in and hit the sack… It is already getting late, after all.

Tanabe contemplated how to spend the remainder of his night, before glancing over at a certain hallway. It was the hallway leading to the side of the building with the girls’ dormitories.

Maeda… I probably won’t be able to see her tonight.

Tanabe sighed. After all, the student dorms were separated by gender, and he wouldn’t be allowed to enter the girls’ side of the dorms. Even though he’d wanted to meet up with Yuko, he had little choice but to give up and try again the next day.

“Well… Let’s get this sweat washed off.” Tanabe muttered with a stretch of his arms, before making his way towards the baths.

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After enjoying a long, relaxing soak in the bath, Tanabe finished drying off and headed back out to the main hall after getting dressed. It was starting to get pretty late and fewer students could be seen walking around than before.

“Haaahh… Guess I should head up and get some sleep too…” Tanabe yawned.

However, as he turned to make his way towards the elevator down the hall on the boy’s side, he noticed a particular someone over by the lounge vending machine.

“… A quick change of plans.” Tanabe muttered before making his way over to the person he saw.

“Excuse me,” he said on approach. “You’re friends with Yuko Maeda, right?”

“Hm?” blinked Chisa Ando, turning to face him with a can of juice in her hand, fresh from the vending machine.

The two stared at one another in silence for a moment.

“A-ah! Yeah! I’m Chisa Ando, Yuko’s friend!” Chisa flailed around, nearly dropping her can of juice.

“Right, I thought so.” Tanabe nodded. “I remember seeing you once before, back in April you came running into the restaurant in a panic or something. Plus I think I’ve seen you two together a lot.”

Tanabe and Yuko had primarily interacted at work, so he wasn’t quite familiar with any of Yuko’s friends. Still, Yuko and Chisa had spent enough time together that he was able to recognize her on sight at least.

“Y-yeah, sorry about that time! Hahaha…” Chisa rubbed the back of her head, feeling rather embarrassed. “So anyway, what does the star of the kendo team want with me?”

“Please, I’m no one special.” Tanabe waved his hand, trying to disperse any awkwardness. He was aware that some students tended to put him up on a pedestal due to his position in the kendo club, so he always had to go out of his way to try and keep the conversation level with anyone who felt star-struck. “Anyway, if it’s not too much trouble, could I ask you to go get Maeda for me?”

“You wanna see Yuko?” Chisa blinked. “Oh hooo~, I see now, so you two are getting pretty close now, huh~?”

Chisa suddenly started grinning all knowingly, and giving Tanabe a little poke with her elbow.

“Yuko’s been holdin’ out on me! I didn’t know you two were close enough to be having any late night meetings~.”

“Ah-!” Tanabe began to blush upon realization of what Chisa was implying. “N-no! It’s nothing like that, honest! I’m just worried about her is all!”

“Hmm…” Chisa swiftly changed to a contemplative stance and nodded her head. “Yeah, she was pretty quiet at school today. I felt like there was probably somethin’ up…”

“Y-yeah, so, um…” Tanabe stuttered.

“Roger!” Chisa gave an exaggerated salute. “I’ll go fetch her for ya’! Just wait right here!”

“R-right! Thank you so much!” Tanabe gave Chisa a smile and nod, as he watched the girl prance off to the hallway leading to the girls’ dorms.

Following that, Tanabe took a seat in a chair that was right near the vending machine.

“Phew…” he sighed. “She may be Maeda’s friend, but those two are really different, huh…?”

Tanabe took a stretch in his seat while thinking about how he’d always seemed to have trouble dealing with energetic girls like Chisa.

The fans of the kendo team aren’t too different from her, but man… Girls who are such bundles of energy can be tough to keep up with.

Tanabe quietly chuckled to himself.

About 5 minutes ended up passing before Tanabe caught sight of Chisa emerging once more from the girls’ dorm hallway. However, Chisa was the only person he saw.

“Hey, how’d it go?” Tanabe asked as Chisa approached.

“Well… Yeah, I think she must not be feeling well after all.” Chisa lamented. “When I told her you were calling for her, she seemed surprised, but then she went and said she was too tired and was going to bed… Sorry.”

“Ah, it’s no problem.” Tanabe tried to reassure her as he rose from his seat, preparing to head out.

I see… So you really have been avoiding anyone involved, Maeda…

Tanabe found himself feeling unsure whether he should keep trying to reach out to Yuko, or just let her work out her feelings on her own. However, as the other person who was helping her look after Eli, even now he couldn’t help but feel he should be doing something.

“Thanks anyway for your help.” Tanabe smiled. “Have a good night, Ando.”

Tanabe began to walk away, heading in the direction of the boys’ dorm, when…

“H-hey, hold on a sec!” Chisa stopped him.

“Hm?” Tanabe turned back her way.

“Do… do you know what’s going on? With Yuko, I mean…” Chisa asked, wearing an uncharacteristically serious expression.

“Me? Well…” Tanabe paused.

He wasn’t fully sure what Chisa was trying to ask. In the first place, he doesn’t know her very well. He knows Chisa is Yuko’s friend, but does that mean she’s told her about all of the bizarre magic and vampire stuff going on?

Should I tell her the truth? She might be someone Yuko keeps in the loop about these things, but…

Tanabe thought over the situation. Based on the interactions he’d witnessed between Yuko and Kanna, it felt more likely that what he witnessed was part of a secret those two had been sharing. That said, it was entirely possible that someone like Chisa was involved as well, but…

I feel like… Yuko or the President would’ve mentioned her, or something…

Tanabe couldn’t be sure. Yuko may not have been in the right mindset to explain things to Tanabe to the extent of mentioning everyone ‘in the know’, but Kanna had notably tried to keep him at least aware of anything important. If there were others involved besides those who were there that night, he felt like he would’ve at least heard about them.

In the end, Tanabe had reached a conclusion, and made his choice.

“I don’t really know anything in particular. It just seemed like she wasn’t feeling well, so I wanted to ask her about it.” Tanabe waved off Chisa’s question. “Thanks again for your help. Later!”

“Ah, gotcha… Night, Murakami…” Chisa waved, her expression looking just a bit sad.

As Tanabe walked the hallway to the elevator, he couldn’t help but feel a bit guilty. He wasn’t sure why.

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