3
—Subaru sprinted up the long, long stairway, but by the time he reached the top, it was already too late.
“Julius!!!”
A hoarse shout came out despite the heavy burden he had subjected his lungs to.
But his voice, his words, did not have the strength to change the situation.
—A white light blotted out the already white space.
Subaru did not know what the principle behind it was. Was it because it was a slash that he claimed could cut even light, or was it the feat of a swordsman who completely broke the human mold? Whatever the reason, the slash unleashed a shockwave that swept away everything.
The person who was in the path of the slash was swallowed up by light and helplessly blown away.
And quite literally in the blink of an eye, the light disappeared, leaving only the tall, red-haired man and the purple-haired swordsman who had crumpled to the ground like a corpse.
“Yo, if it ain’t the small fry.”
As Subaru was left speechless at the scene, the red-haired man lightheartedly called out to him. His face looked as if he had forgotten what had just happened, and he was grinning like a shark, his breathing totally normal.
And then he pointed at the collapsed swordsman—at Julius.
“You were late. I already finished up with him, and he’s gettin’ in my way, so hurry up and take him back.”
“…Reid Astrea…”
“What? Don’t go investigatin’ people’s names, bastard. It’s cooler not to introduce yourself, so don’t get in the way of me actin’ cool.”
Stick Swinger—or rather, Reid—was annoyed at being called by name.
Subaru had his own complaints about that irrelevant comment, but he didn’t act on it thoughtlessly. Slowly, without taking his eyes off Reid, he moved toward Julius.
“I’m not gonna eat you. You don’t have to stare.”
“Sorry, but in my homeland, it’s common sense not to look away when you’re face-to-face with a bear.”
Still on guard and watching Reid, Subaru crouched down and checked that Julius was still breathing. He was unconscious, but putting his hand just in front of Julius’s mouth, Subaru could feel his breath.
“You’re pretty generous for someone who said they wouldn’t show any mercy next time.”
“That’s not it at all. Don’t you think it’s lamer getting beat to shit by chopsticks and having to run away rather than getting killed by chopsticks? I do. I’d rather die than have to show my face again after something that pathetic. So that’s why I beat him down with chopsticks and sent his ass packing.”
“I retract my previous statement. Asshole.”
“Kah! A small fry grumblin’ doesn’t mean nothing. ’Sides, you aren’t plannin’ to try me today. If you wanna rumble, I’ll kick your ass, though. Just like him.”
Scratching his stomach with his right hand, he pointed at Subaru and Julius with the chopsticks in his left hand.
“Piece of shit…!”
“Yeah, yeah, that’s it. Shut up and carry him, or gimme a bit of that loser bitching if you want. If that makes you feel better. It’s easier and smarter. Borin’, though.”
Sitting himself down, Reid narrowed his blue eyes cruelly. Listening to his victorious taunts, Subaru somehow managed to lift Julius.
“Bring the babe next time. Or that hottie’ll do, too.”
To the very end, Reid waved his hand, refusing to call any of them by name.
But Subaru had no response for Reid’s joking attitude. He couldn’t do anything other than run away.
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