Chapter 15
by Need_More_SleepChapter 15: Assault Studies
Thinking fast, Kanako opened the freezer compartment of the refrigerator to cool herself down, using the cold to regain some rationality. Aria’s words were powerful, but she couldn’t possibly agree.
Once she agreed to that “anything,” Kanako couldn’t guarantee what exactly she might do. Things might spiral out of control, and they could end up “growing up” overnight…
Aria, holding onto Kanako’s sleeve, watched in confusion as Kanako stuck her head into the freezer.
Only when the skin on her forehead began to sting from the cold did Kanako pull away from the fridge and stand up.
Just as Aria was about to say something, Kanako placed a hand on her shoulder, giving her a slight push to create some distance.
“Sigh…” Kanako let out a breath. “Just once.”
“Just once?”
“I can team up with you, but only once.”
“I’ll rejoin Assault Studies as an elective. The first case after that, I’ll team up with you to solve it. And only that one time. That’s my condition,” Kanako added.
At the Armed Detective High School, students could freely take elective courses from other majors.
While elective courses didn’t require exams or earn credits, many Armed Detective students, believing that more skills never hurt, participated in them. After all, the skills learned now were capital for survival in the future.
“Hmm…” Aria frowned in thought.
Faced with Aria’s relentless pressure, Kanako chose to retreat strategically. She intended to make Aria realize her helplessness in her normal state.
The powerlessness of being unable to exert extraordinary abilities no matter how hard she tried, so that Aria would give up on the idea of teaming up.
Living with Aria and being chased daily, Kanako wasn’t sure how long she could keep her secret. Having Aria give up willingly was undoubtedly the best approach.
“…Fine. I don’t have much time either. In return, no matter how big the case, you’ll do it.” After considering it for a while, Aria nodded.
“No problem. Since you agreed, then please give me a little personal space,” Kanako pressed her own demand further, she urgently needed to relieve the pressure.
“Even if I go back to my own dorm, you have to keep that bed for me! I paid for it!”
“Alright, alright, you’ve already got the key from the dorm manager. What else can I say?” Right now, Kanako just wanted to see this great deity, Aria, off. Even if it was only temporary, at least she could relax for a while.
After dinner, a pleased Aria packed her things and returned to her own VIP dorm apartment.
The few short days of cohabitation felt like a whole year to Kanako.
‘Who understands the pain of having to clean the bathroom at least twice a day! Air freshener is expensive, you know!’
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It was the fourth day of the school term. Kanako had never imagined that, after just a few months, she’d return to a place unfit for humans—Assault Studies.
After finishing her Detective Studies classes, Kanako filled out an elective application form and headed to one of the Armed Detective High’s three most dangerous areas: the Assault Studies department building.
Hearing the faint sounds of shouting and gunfire, Kanako really didn’t want to go in.
Assault Studies was also known as the “No Tomorrow Department.” The student mortality rate at the Armed Detective High was mostly concentrated here.
The graduation survival rate for students in this major was 97.1%—roughly three out of a hundred died. That’s not even counting the disabled. Those who could make it to graduation in Assault Studies might not be the best at everything else, but their survival skills were top-notch.
Considering she needed to submit the application and undergo equipment inspection, Kanako didn’t drag her feet. Since she promised Aria, she had to do her best within her abilities.
Having had a gap of several months, Kanako needed restorative training in both martial arts and shooting.
Pushing open the door, she entered the Assault Studies building.
Perhaps noticing Kanako’s arrival, the surrounding students who were training suddenly quieted down, all turning their attention to her.
‘So, so awkward… Why are you all staring? Hurry up and train…’ Kanako really wanted to turn and run.
Some girls whispered to each other, pulling out their phones as if trying to contact someone. The boys also murmured, it was rare to see someone who had transferred out of Assault Studies come back.
Some male and female classmates who had teamed up with her before nodded and greeted her, which made her feel a little less awkward.
Feeling prickly all over, Kanako hurried like she was fleeing for her life towards the office of the Assault Studies teacher in charge, preparing to face that irritable “elephant.”
Knock knock. Kanako rapped on the office door.
“Come in!” An impatient female voice came from inside.
Entering the office, Kanako saw Ranbyou sitting behind the desk, her legs crossed on the desktop, a can of beer in her right hand and a cigarette in her left, looking quite content.
Ranbyou wore a dark tank top and ripped jeans. Her black hair was tied in a high ponytail. Her pretty face wore a hangover expression—she must have gotten completely drunk again last night. Though holding a beer can now wasn’t much better.
Don’t let Ranbyou’s sloppy appearance fool you. She was the daughter of a certain Hong Kong triad boss and a famously powerful Armed Detective from Hong Kong.
At nineteen, she possessed a physique stronger than the average man, beast-like keen insight, a brutal personality, and a ruthless approach to tasks.
After being expelled from numerous Armed Detective training schools, she ended up at the Tokyo Armed Detective High, where she now taught Assault Studies and also served as a physical education teacher.
When drunk, Ranbyou was an unpredictable human weapon. Her weapon of choice was the M500 revolver, known as the “Elephant Killer.”
As for why Ranbyou could buy alcohol under twenty… the drinking age in Japan is twenty.
Don’t ask. The answer is a gun barrel to the forehead.
“Well, well, look who’s here.” Seeing Kanako enter, Ranbyou immediately perked up. She swung her legs off the desk and sat up straight.
“Te-teacher, here’s my elective application form.” Kanako nervously placed the form on the desk.
Ranbyou didn’t even glance at it, grabbing the application and stuffing it into a drawer. “Yutori already gave me a heads up. Now hand over your weapons.”
Kanako hurriedly presented her sidearm and butterfly knife. The weapons had just been sent to the Equipment Department for maintenance, so they should pass.
“Hmph, maintained decently. Your elective application is approved.” Ranbyou returned Kanako’s weapons.
“Thank you, teacher.” Retrieving her weapons, Kanako prepared to go for training.
“You go practice shooting first. Then I’ll personally train you.” Just as Kanako was about to leave, Ranbyou said this.
“Teacher, that’s not really necessary, is it? Don’t you have other students to take care of? I’m just a lowly elective student…” Kanako was terrified. If Ranbyou personally trained her, she’d probably be carried out of Assault Studies horizontally.
“Tch, still being picky? It’s decided! You, this sandbag, dared to leave for months without permission. My hands have been itching for you.” Ranbyou made the decision.
“Sandbag…” Kanako walked out of the office as if mourning her own parents. Today’s beating was inescapable.
[To be continued.]
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