Transfer Student

Okay, settle down, people! Now, um, Ushiwaka?

May I ask who "Kagekiyo" is?

... ...

...That's my name. Ushiwaka Kagekiyo.

Huh? But I have your name listed as "Ushiwaka Yoshitsune."

It's supposed to be Kagekiyo.

I-I see. I guess someone made a mistake then.

All right, Ushiwaka Kagekiyo it is. Now, um, I take it you all know each other?

Anyway, Oruta, I'd appreciate it if you took your seat again!

Ushiwaka Kagekiyo...

W-well... I guess...that's okay then...

Okay...more like as far as you can get from okay, but...fine...

"Ushiwaka"!? Are you freaking kidding me!?

... ...

？！

(Hey, Master. Explain what the hell's going on.)

(What's Kagekiyo doing here, and why're they a goddamn transfer student!?)

？！

(I'm talking to you with telepathy, obviously. In spite of everything, we do have an official contract, remember?)

(Now, never mind that. Spill the beans!)

(I thought you said Kagekiyo had disappeared, but obviously, they didn't!)

(And on top of that, they're just suddenly here as another transfer student now!?)

？！

(Yeah. They are.)

Now, uh, can I ask you a question, Kagekiyo?

Why do you have that bamboo sword? ...It IS a bamboo sword, right?

It totally is. But why isn't it in a bag or a sheath?

Maybe she's really into kendo or something? That's kinda badass...

Kagekiyo looks a little scary, but she seems really confident, too! The bamboo sword's still scary, though!

Don't be stupid! The bamboo sword's the best part!

Okay, everyone, pipe down. I'm talking to Kagekiyo right now.

Hm?

This? It's not a true sword, since it has no blade.

...Okay?

Never mind. Ignore it.

At any rate, I understand swords are not allowed on these premises.

However, I must insist upon at least bringing this wooden imitation, even if only for my own peace of mind.

Umm... Does that mean you're interested in joining the kendo club?

You may take it to mean that, yes.

(Great. Now what do we do?)

(They don't have much magical energy, and they don't have a Servant aura about them, so they're probably in the same position as me and Salieri.)

(And despite that, they're still kind of dressed like they're ready for war. The hell's up with that?)

(Are they just stupid? Do they think they're in a freakin' isekai or something?)

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(Who cares about that!?)

(We need to get on the same page and make sure they're willing to fight with us! Obviously!)

(Okay, let's talk to them during the ten-minute break after homeroom.)

(Got it?)

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And now it's lunchtime!

What's with that stupid Kagekiyo? They kept running off somewhere as soon as breaktime rolled around.

How're we supposed to get anywhere like this?

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(Munch, munch)

(Munch, munch)

(Gulp) Come on, Oruta, why don't you try to relax and enjoy your lunch?

Whoa. An extrovert who seems to have her eye on the newest kid joins us, and you're not even batting an eye.

What can I say? That super cutting remark she made earlier made me think she might be one of us.

What do you mean, one of you? ...But yeah, okay, I am getting hungry.

Man, this country's box lunches are amazing. I can't believe how much stuff's inside.

Oh yeah, bentos are pretty great. I love 'em, too.

Which kind of rice ball would you prefer, Senpai? I have bonito and broiled cod roe.

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Here you go. Don't forget to chew it thoroughly, okay?

So you brought rice balls for your lunch today, Kyrie? That's nice. That's real nice.

The main dishes look great, too. Fried chicken, rolled egg, spinach with soy sauce...

Maybe I'll bring rice balls for lunch tomorrow, too.

Sure, why not?

Rice balls, huh. Good idea. Maybe I'll bring those for my lunch tomorrow.

Oh, you like rice balls too, old new kid?

I don't know. I've never had them before.

No kidding!

U-um, in that case...would you like to try one now?

I made a little extra today, just in case something like this happened!

...

Hey, you. New kid. Back in homeroom, didn't you say something like...

"I'll be watching you."

Or was I just imagining things?

I'm evaluating him right now. What about it?

Oh, nothing.

Hey, Himeko. What're Oruta and Hassan talking about? Evaluating what?

Shh!

Can't you tell? Sparks have been flying between them for a while now!

Our only job now is to stay here and watch, so pipe down!

O-okay.

Anyway, what do we do now? I don't want to keep chasing Kagekiyo down just for them to keep giving us the slip.

The way things are going now, they'll probably disappear right after school's out, too. Should we try visiting them at their home?

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Oh, you mean like a letter of challenge?

...Yeah, okay. That could be fun.

... ...

...Did you lose Kyrie and the others?

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Good. ...No sign of that new kid Hassan either.

Ugh, what's he holding out on us for? He's a Rogue Heroic Spirit on humanity's side; he should be happy to join us.

Oh well, if he's not here, then he's not here. Anyway, there shouldn't be any other students or teachers around, right?

Not necessarily. Maybe if classes were still in session, but the school day is over.

I wouldn't be at all surprised if some students came this way to get the clubhouse.

So we can't really go at it then.

Of course not.

？！

Yeah, yeah.

I know the plan was to send Kagekiyo a letter of challenge so they'd come out here behind the school building, where we could then surround them...

...but man, the optics really suck!

It does.

...Why're you looking at me like that, Salieri? ...Hey, you too, Master.

Especially you, in fact. Did you forget this whole thing was YOUR idea!?

Y-yeah, I know, but still. Ugh, why do they have to be so damn quick with the disappearing act...

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I suspect Kagekiyo is using a skill. Azamaru's Mist, I think.

So, since we have no hope of catching them in a chase, our only hope is to lure them to us.

Yeah, I know, but still. Anyway, I'm surprised you're so eager to fight, Mr. Salieri.

Strictly speaking, this Spirit Origin of mine is not Antonio Salieri. It is an Avenger created from a twisted version of him.

...That said, at the moment, half of me IS Salieri, this school's music teacher.

Ugh, this is so complicated.

Well, I guess it's not too bad for the other guy. You know, the old new kid.

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He's not possessing anyone, right? So he seems like he could be ready for battle whenever.

...Hang on. I just realized. In that case, what's he doing for a cover identity?

How's he able to get away with acting like he really is just a transfer student? Is it a skill? His Noble Phantasm?

He forged the necessary paperwork. I asked him earlier and that was his response.

Oh! That works!

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I would expect nothing less from a leader of a famed sect of assassins. He's clearly experienced at subterfuge.

Damn, I'm impressed. Skills like that would probably be pretty useful, especially in a city like this.

Hm. If our enemy had their roots in this city, then it would be worthwhile to surveil and sabotage their operations...

...but it seems the hostile Servants in this Singularity appear out of thin air.

At least, judging from what we saw yesterday.

Yeah, but there's no guarantee it'll always be like that, is there?

Yes, that is true.

Ah well, we don't even know if he's on our side, so it's a little premature to think about how his skills could be useful to us.

...Speaking of not knowing which side someone's on...

Is Dantès not responding to your calls anymore?

It'd make our lives so much easier if he could just pop out of your shadow and grab Kagekiyo for us.

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...Good point.

Looking at how he was acting earlier, even if he showed up, he'd probably just disappear again pretty quick.

...Well, I guess he wore himself out yesterday, so maybe it's not such a shock he'd wanna avoid a fight.

(True. He must be exhausted after what happened yesterday.)

(Although, there could also be another reason for his choice not to appear...)

(I should be ready to defend Master, just in case.)

All of that said, if he knows something about this trial shit, he really better spill it!

And yeah, maybe it'll be so complex it'll go right over our heads, but still!

...What?

What was so complex? What he said?

Yeah.

...Hm?

N-now that I think of it, sometimes, when you get hyped up, I don't know what you're talking about, either.

Got a lot in common, do you?

He and I are both Avengers. It would not be surprising if we had more in common than we realize.

Don't even joke! I don't wanna get lumped in with you two!

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Slander! That's slander, Master! That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

Wait. Someone's coming. Get in position.

Oh, right.

...I received a letter.

I thought it was from you, but I see the music teacher is here as well.

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Talk?

So you weren't challenging me to a death match? It seems I was excited over nothing, then.

Unless you would, in fact, care to have one?

You and the music teacher can attack me together, if you like.

We didn't come here to fight. We just have some questions we wish to ask.

You ARE the Taira-no-Kagekiyo from Chaldea, yes? The Anti-Hero registered as an Avenger?

Yesterday, you performed a pseudo-Rayshift to this Singularity via the shadow of Edmond Dantès.

Why did you then vanish after the fight? Why have you appeared here now as a transfer student?

I don't know.

(Sigh) If you insist on talking about this dreary nonsense, then...

Ah, I have it. I will answer your questions only if you can land a blow on me. Yes! I like that idea!

Hm?

It is in my nature! Hehe, this is perfect timing. I have been starved for excitement!

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What the hell!? I was just going to cut off their escape path in case they tried to run!

Now we're talking about a damn death match!?

？！

Good grief. So be it then. Just don't call us cowardly for ganging up on you.

I am quite experienced fighting many foes at once. Come at me however you like.

If you can satisfy both myself and Yoshitsune, then I will be willing to entertain your questions.

Shall we?

Huh!? Th-they're actually going all out!

There's no telling when someone might come this way. Let's finish this as quickly as we can, Master!

Oh, for... What was the bamboo sword even for then!?

...Hmm.

I could keep going, but I suppose that will do.

It is such a hassle, trying not to kill your opponents. It's a completely different way of fighting and I do not care for it at all!

Hmm. Perhaps I should have just used the bamboo sword after all...

Ugh. That was a big, fat waste of time and energy.

Well anyway, this means you're going to actually talk to us now, yeah?

That was Kagekiyo's proposal. I see no reason for them to back out on their word.

And I will not. So, what do you wish to know?

The black shadow...

So that was him. Now I see.

That shadow led me to a young woman from this land. I then took possession of her.

Her name is Ushiwaka Yoshitsune and she very closely resembles me in appearance and stature.

I did have a proper Spirit Origin of my own while we were fighting that armored knight, but I could tell I would not last long in that form.

So, laudably, the shadow carved off some of its own Spirit Origin and consumed some of its magical energy to aid me.

...!

Dammit, he just keeps burning himself out without even talking to us...

I-I mean, I'm glad he didn't just send Kagekiyo right back home, but still!

Is communication so damn hard!?

Ugh.

Indeed.

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After that, I merely transferred to this school, just as the shadow said to.

Huh!?

You mean he even had a hand in that!? Seriously!?

Ugh, dammit! He better not literally burn himself out!

... ...

Why would he go to such lengths? Does this mean there's a need to concentrate Chaldea's forces here, at this school?

I don't know.

All the shadow said to me was:

"The way forward will open once all seven trials have been completed."

Nothing more.

So... Does that mean we'll need to defeat all seven Servants to get rid of this Singularity?

That may also be a reference to the path to Antarctica.

Oh, yeah, that whole thing with humanity

Um, excuse me, but this ends now!

I was told you were having a brawl back here, s-so I have to ask you to stop!

Violence is never acceptable!

But if you must fight...a-at least leave Senpai out of it!

A brawl? ...Well, yeah, I guess we kind of were. ...Wait. Kyrie? Is that you?

Oh. Hi, Oruta-senpai.

Senpai! Are you all right!?

S-Senpai! Thank goodness you're all right.

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What, it's already over? Sorry, Kyrie. I guess I was wasting your time.

Oh. The transfer student.

Hey, transfer student.

I sensed a Servant battle and I thought I should try to stop it.

We appreciate your consideration. We would have appreciated it more if you had joined us, though.

Haha. Whether I do or not depends on you people.

Am I?

Good.

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This is getting confusing... All right, let me take this chance to get things straight, Kagekiyo.

You're the same Kagekiyo from Chaldea and you know you're here to fight for Master. Do I have that right?

Ha. Is that what you are concerned about?

You called me here because you needed my help, no, Fujimaru? Then I am your sword to command as you wish.

Go on! Wield me until I break!

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Chaldea...? Wield her until she breaks...?

U-um, Senpai? What is she talking about?

...?

Oh... Is that it?

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Yeah... Yeah, it's the trendy thing to do! That, uh, web comic's everywhere you look these days!

You're laying it on rather thick. It's embarrassing to watch.

Hey! I'm doing my best here!

...Wait. What is this? I'm getting a nasty feeling.

Fujimaru! Over there! About ten meters away!

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Aaaaaah!

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...Fine.

I wasn't planning on anyone else seeing this form unless I was fighting a Servant...

...but if those wolves from yesterday are any indication, I may not be able to get away with that in this Singularity.

...Hassan of the Shining Star, ready for battle!

...It's over. What in the world are these flame creatures, anyway?

I don't know.

They seem to be targeting Master.

If there's a mastermind behind these trials, these things could be their familiars or something.

That does seem possible. At any rate...

...

It seems she witnessed us fighting those things yet again. I'm the adult and the teacher in the room, so perhaps I should be the one to explain things...

...but in this case, I think you should handle that, Master.

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... ...

...Senpai.

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Th-that's okay, Senpai. It's like I told you last night.

I'm going to trust you.

And...I meant it. S-so...even though this was...r-really shocking...

...and scary...

...and my hands are still trembling...

...I'm not going to ask. I really, really want to, but I won't! I'll bite my tongue if I have to!

... ...

......

...Th-th-that being said...

...i-if I get so shaken up that I can't keep that promise any longer...

...then, I might, well...

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...I know. Thank you.

...Thank you.

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(Sigh) I swear, the days go by so quickly.

The next thing I know, it'll be spring. Oh, right. I'll need to order the spring uniforms soon.

Man, I could really use some new outfits myself.

...Hm?

Huh?

Whoa, what is that? It almost looks like CG, but it seems real...

Am I just tired?

Wha