Monochrome Checkmate - Killer's Anthem Chapter 5

[shivalries]

Season: Spring, one year ago

---

Location: Front Gates



Arashi: But well, okay. I'll come along with you. I'm cold after standing out here for so long, so it'd be nice to work up a sweat...

Let's practice together.♪

You'd be lonely all on your own, anyway.

Izumi: Alright, then it's decided. I don't think anyone else from our unit is there, but I'll introduce you if they are.

You should at least say hello to your comrades, you know?

Arashi: You say that, but... Considering how you just dragged me in against my will, it's not like I feel any budding sense of camaraderie, though?

Izumi: It's more convenient being a part of us, though. Even a ruined castle is better than sleeping outside.

Rather than an idol unit, we're more like a cooperative organization, or a guild of sorts...

You're not tied down to it, but if you're a part of us you can still gain from it.

There's no harm in becoming a member. I was also a model... so coming in from a different industry, I understand how hard it is.

Of course you'd be confused at first, being outside of your own field.

I'm your senior, after all, I'm telling you this because I'm worried about you.

Arashi: It sounds more like you want me to thank you... Goodness, that part of you hasn't changed.

Fufu. Well, there's no use in holding my ground. I'll go along with you.

I like having privileges but I hate the duties. I'm not going to work for the unit or anything, okay?

Izumi: I got it already, you're the sort who won't lift a finger for anyone but yourself.

You're such a nasty little brat... But well, I trust your ability to some extent.

And I'd like to increase our firepower even if just by a bit, so I'll have you chip in a little for us.

I have to revitalize our swollen, slowly rotting unit somehow.

Arashi: "Our", huh... But I seriously don't wanna do anything.

I barely even recall the name of the unit I'm in... Othello, was it?

Izumi: Until last year, it was. The leader changed this year, so now it's Backgammon.

Arashi: It changes around a lot, huh. If I recall correctly, it was Chess at first, right?

Izumi: Yeah, that's right. That makes it the second oldest existing unit at Yumenosaki. I don't really know or care, though.

It seems Leo-kun is really passionate about that initial unit, Chess...

When it was decided the name would be changed, he was the only one strongly against it...

Arashi: Leo-kun?

Izumi: He's in my year, in the same unit. You've never met him before?

Arashi: Mm... Is he that guy I see with you a lot? The one with long hair, looks like a girl...

I was secretly a little relieved to see you've made friends too, Izumi-chan.

Izumi: We're not friends or anything. It's more like I couldn't just leave a stray cat alone in the rain.

Arashi: Really? You look like you're super close, though, fufufu.♪

You know, Izumi-chan... when you're with "Leo-kun"-san, your expression looks just as nice as it did long ago.

Izumi: Excuse me? I only ever make the nicest and most perfect expressions, though.

...Hwa?!



Ritsu: ......

Izumi: ...Huh, what's this? A dead body? Ughhh, I stepped on it!

Arashi: I think he's alive, though?

I was standing by the gate this whole time, so I saw him wobble over here and lie down. Perhaps he's taking a casual nap?

Izumi: While outside? And don't just ignore suspicious people when you see them, okay?

Show a bit more interest in others! What if he'd felt sick and lost consciousness? That'd be a really big deal!

Hey! Are you okay? Do we need to call an ambulance?

Ritsu: Mmnn...? There's a lot of noise... what's going on...?

I'm fine, leave me alone... You're getting in the way of my sleep.

I'll kill any idiot who interrupts my sleep.

Izumi: Excuse me? We're worried about you, you know!? What's up with this guy, he's pissing me off! You're probably a first year, huh, is this any attitude to be showing to your kind senior?

Ritsu: Mm... I am a first year, but I got held back, so I think I'm the same age as you.

Just leave me alone already... Today the sunlight's intense and unbearable...

So I planned to lie here in the shadows until the sun went down completely...

And if Ma~kun passed by, I'd have him give me a piggyback ride home...

But he seems busy, and I don't see him at all these days.

Izumi: Mm, I don't really get what you're talking about, though?

But you said it's unbearable? If you‘re not feeling well, I'll carry you to the nurse's room.

Ritsu: Mmnn... thanks for the concern. But like I said, I'm okay.

Izumi: There's no way you're okay. Here, I'll carry you, alright? Come help, you shitty four-eyes!

Arashi: Heeey, I told you not to call me "shitty four-eyes"!

Izumi: But you hate your own name, right? I have no choice but to use a nickname.

Ritsu: Is that so? Me too... We're the same, shitty four-eyes-kun.♪

Fufufu. When someone tells you their name, it's good manners to reveal your own.

Ugh, but what a pain. If I say my last name at this school, I get weird reactions.

But well, I'll be polite. My name is... Ritsu... ku... ma.

Izumi: Hm? What? Kuma?

I don't really get it, but don't talk if it's too hard! Just be good right now... Kuma-kun?

Arashi: Ah, what a cute name! You can call me Naru-chan, too~ Lately my own name hasn't bothered me too much.

Izumi: Yeah, yeah, save it for later! More importantly, let's hurry to the nurse's room!

Ritsu: Ugh... What's up with all this... I don't know what's going on, but these guys are so noisy...

~~~

< Killer's Anthem Chapter 4 || Masterlist || Killer's Anthem Chapter 6 >