Vol. 5 Ch. 1 Ep. 12: Kiryuu Kikyou and the Succession Contest 1

Sensei! Sensei!

Heehee! Good morning!

Do you refer to my mental or physical state?

Heeheehee...

Whatever it may be, I am a fresh sakura blossom!

We have much more pressing matters to address, however.

We're going to locate Kikyou, and she will be my witness for my Hyakkaryouran succession contest!

We'll have everything we need to begin our new era.

Cue the lights! The great legend of Hyakkaryouran Yukari shall begin!

Heehee. The hallmark of a true educator. You know all the right questions to ask! After all, you must understand your opponent before you engage.

If I were to describe Kikyou... She's the smartest, most logical, and sensible person I've ever met.

There was one time...

Yukari. You know better.

Y-Yes...! *gulp*

I've already told you. You're allowed one ice cream a day.

As I well remember! However, Kikyou...!

Rules are rules. And good rules exist for good reason. Excessive sweets before bed is detrimental for your teeth and your health.

Furthermore, are you brushing your teeth after meals? Properly?

O-O-O-O-Of course I am!

I naturally would never dream of skimping on brushing my teeth and using mouthwash as a substitute! No, ma'am.

That's it. I will be inspecting your teeth after your meals, starting now.

WHAAAT?

That's the perfect illustration of Kikyou's character!

With such upstanding character, she'll undoubtedly lend us a helping hand!

"Y-Yeah! You do have a lot of faith in her!"

Heehee!

Every moment that passes is another wasted!

Let's go!

Hello? Kikyou, it is Yukari!

I'll let myself in!

Wh-What? Sensei?

...?

Yukari?

It's me! I've missed you dearly, Kikyou!

Ah, Yukari... It has been quite some time. I'm glad your vivaciousness hasn't dulled.

Irony walks in my shadow today. To see you today, at this moment...

Perhaps there are higher forces showing their hand.

...?

You'll need to wait your turn, Yukari.

My turn...?

"What brings you here, Shizuko?"

Ah! Let me explain!

On behalf of the entire student body, I'd like to announce the revival of the Hyakkiyako Lantern Festival!

...You already knew? O-Oh! Thank you, Sensei! We've been working really hard!

Heeheehee.

Hearing your words of encouragement makes me really... Heehee...

Ack! Stop distracting me, Sensei! I don't have time to be kicking my feet and giggling!

Okay! Step one: Locate the Kadenokouji miko and ask her to conduct the festival's main ceremony!

...Ah.

The Kadenokouji are one of the oldest and most respected families in Hyakkiyako rituals and ceremonies.

One couldn't overstate their importance and what they represent.

An excellent way of putting it!

And so, naturally, it was the Kadenokouji family that conducted the festival's ritual. That is, until it was banned twenty years ago.

It's recorded that something went wrong with the ceremony, and the festival hasn't been held since.

Which brings us back to our original purpose! Only the current Kadenokouji miko can rightfully revive the Lantern Festival!

I visited their residence in person, but she wasn't home! I needed a different plan of attack.

You have to make your own luck sometimes!

I heard the Kadenokouji miko was a member of the Hyakkaryouran, so I came straight here.

Would you like to respond, Kadenokouji Yukari?

Ah! I had no idea it was you! It's great to finally meet you!

Great! That means you're already up to speed. Will you work together with the Festival Department? Please?

I... Well...

*gulp*

I truly wish I could be of assistance, but I must decline, Festival Department President Shizuko.

...Huh?

Wh-Why? Did I do something to offend you?

No! It's simply...

My place is with the Hyakkaryouran!

Which is why I've come here, Kikyou! Because this is where I belong!

...What is this drivel?

I plan to declare a succession contest against Nagusa.

I've heard the news, Kikyou! A Declaration of Dissolution? I don't understand.

...

This must be a misunderstanding of some sort! Please, explain! Kikyou!

Yukari.

Rumors are spreading left and right, and people are losing faith in the Hyakkaryouran.

I plan on rectifying this situation with a succession contest!

Which brings us to your presence here, today.

I came to beg your assistance, Kikyou! Will you serve as witness to my succession contest, please?

With your support, we can return Hyakkaryouran to its former glory together!

I understand your motivations now.

I was wondering when Kadenokouji Yukari would make her move, once the Declaration of Dissolution was released.

A succession contest wasn't within my calculations, I'll admit. Although perhaps I should've expected it.

Yes... I can see how you decided upon this strategy.

...!

I trusted you'd understand, Kikyou!

If that is your course of action...

No.

I did NOT think that was where this was going!

N-No? I don't understand...

You have always protected the Hyakkaryouran's ideals with your heart and soul! I truly believed that of all people, you...

Would agree? Support you?

Allow me to explain.

You are delusional. Arrogant. I'm disappointed, Kadenokouji Yukari.

...!!

I've gathered and analyzed all pertinent information. Nagusa's disappearance and subsequent reappearances, and even your meeting with the Yin-Yang Club.

Fervent hopes have no place in reality.

Nagusa will never return to the Hyakkaryouran again.

She already bid her farewells.

She came back to the Hyakkaryouran one last time. To renounce the presidency that Ayame had passed down to her.

"(That was what Renge meant...)"

N-Nagusa... You've met with her? I-I cannot believe she would resign.

W-Would she?

Renge was too soft to relay the news.

Do not expect such consideration from me. I will not lie for your feelings.

She deserted us. She is not of the Hyakkaryouran.

But...!

Even so, I want...

Fine. Allow me to entertain the possibility of this succession contest.

You plan to defeat Nagusa, become the rightful president, and restore the Hyakkaryouran. Your ambition knows no bounds, and I commend you for that.

But there is a flaw Renge attempted to gently reveal to you. One that I will now spell out.

...!

Listen carefully, Kadenokouji Yukari.

You could never best Nagusa in combat.

There is no strategy in this world capable of achieving that end.

Know the limits of your capabilities and give up.

N-No! Absolutely not!

I shall not give up! I, Yukari, will defeat her!

I...!

I am Hyakkaryouran's Elite, aren't I?!

Well then, how do you plan on besting her? When you cannot even defeat me?

D-Defeat means nothing if the soul remains strong!

So be it. I'll demonstrate my strength to you! Here and now!

Kiryuu Kikyou! I request a sparring match against you. If I emerge victorious...

No.

If you're going to prove yourself, do it properly.

Challenge me to a succession contest.

...Wh-What?

Do you fight for ideals you can't uphold?

Strength is justice. That is what we believe at the Hyakkaryouran Resolution Council.

You want me to bend my knee? Force my will. Win this succession contest, and I will be your witness.

...!!

So, um... Sensei...!

M-Maybe I'll just...come back another time?

I can't turn back now...

I declare a succession contest against operations officer Kiryuu Kikyou!

I accept, Kadenokouji Yukari.

Sensei of Schale will serve as a witness to this contest for the seat of operations officer. Tradition states the necessity for two witnesses, however...

Given the circumstances, we acknowledge a special agreement between the two parties.

As members of Hyakkaryouran, Kadenokouji Yukari and Kiryuu Kikyou participate in this contest with only one witness.

Do you agree with these statements?

Yes! I've prepared my heart!

Then, let us begin.