The red-haired girl — Keena — appeared to be utterly confused. She twisted her body while she was on top of Akuto’s waist, so her skirt flipped up and she moved into a position where her panties were firmly rubbing up against Akuto.
“Wai...” Understandably, Akuto’s face grew red.
Then, it appeared that Keena realized what type of position she was in.
“A-Aiyaaaahhh!” Keena rolled off of Akuto with a flop. She fell onto the ground making a flashy M-shaped pose with her legs. When she realized that her panties were again exposed, she hid them with both her hands in a fluster.
“Unh...” Her face red with embarrassment, Keena looked up at Akuto with eyes that looked ready to cry.
“So-Sorr—” Akuto began to apologize when Keena suddenly ran off. “Wait, please!”
Akuto ran after her, trying to call for her to stop. They were in a bamboo grove, so while visibility wasn’t great, there wasn’t anywhere you could completely hide yourself. So it should have been easy for Akuto to pursue her. However, after Keena ran behind a thick area of bamboo, he realized that he couldn’t make out her shape at all. The bamboo shouldn’t have been enough to hide her completely. He walked around to the back of the crowded growth of bamboo but there still wasn’t any sign of Keena.
“What?”
But when Akuto looked at the ground, he was surprised. Left behind there was a complete school uniform. Akuto went to pick them up. They were the exact clothes Keena had been wearing up until then, as there was still some body heat left on them. Just a few feet in front of them, there was a shirt on the ground, and even further past there, her underwear.
—What the heck...
Akuto was puzzled. He got close to the panties, but of course he dared not pick them up. When he got a glimpse of the white underwear with some sort of character printed on the back, he immediately heard a small “Eek!” whispered from nearby.
“Huh?” Akuto instinctively looked around the area. No one was there.
But he noticed a small floating light in the air. It wasn’t giving off its own light, but it was an insect-sized object that was reflecting and sparkling in the light from the evening sun. It was floating just a little bit above Akuto’s line of sight.
—A stone? Akuto thought he was looking at a small, shiny stone flying in the sky, but in an instant that object flew off into the distance.
Korone came up behind Akuto.
“She disappeared. I thought about trying to chase after her, but I am no longer able to track her location,” she said. “Unfortunately, it seems that Keena Soga’s student handbook was left back at the dorm.”
“Right, you can pin down someone’s location as long as they have their handbook, can’t you?”
“Correct. However, it does not apply to cases where mana has been manipulated to keep its disturbance at a minimum. The reason I was delayed in coming here was because you manipulated your mana and tried to mask your presence.”
“I didn’t do anything like that.”
“You were trying to escape, so you must have done so without realizing it. Keena Soga is doing the same thing right now. I cannot trace her mana. In her case though, I’m sure it is deliberate.”
“Deliberate?”
“It seems that she can completely mask her mana.”
“That’s amazing. But then, why did she leave her clothes...”
“I do not understand the reason for that.”
“Right? Why did she do that, I wonder,” Akuto said, then grew silent for a while. Something about having a conversation with Korone felt unnatural and artificial.
“...Hey. What should I do for now?” he asked.
“Please go about your daily life normally,” Korone answered clearly.
“...Normally?”
“Yes. I have been instructed to ensure your safety and your free will, to the maximum of my abilities. That is what observing and guarding you entails.”
“And if I happen to do something bad?”
“I have been ordered to immediately give you a suitable punishment.” Korone said, matter-of-factly.
—I feel like she just told me something terrifying, but...
Yet due to the girl’s appearance, Akuto didn’t feel scared of her.
“Alright, so for this incident?”
“I’ve verified that you had no intention to harm Junko Hattori. I have the right to trace the mana inside your body. You have given me permission to do so. Through this, I was able to analyze the feelings that you held in your heart in the past few minutes.”
“You’re saying you can read my thoughts?”
“Only your emotions. Up until a few minutes ago, the largest emotion you had was one of confusion. Other emotions include compassion and sexual arousal.”
“Y-You don’t have to go that far!” Akuto raised his voice in spite of himself. But Korone remained calm.
“I cannot follow that order when it is a necessary part of my duties.”
“...Is that so.”
“Yes. But I have been ordered to ensure that you retain freedom in your daily life. It is most important to eliminate danger. From that point of view, I recommend that you exercise caution with regards to your relationship with Junko Hattori. With Keena Soga, she is considered to have violated the law. Since her role in this event is insignificant, I believe her to be of no relevance. But after this, if she continues to pretend to be your observer, then a suitable response will become necessary,” Korone said. Akuto wasn’t sure how to respond to that.
“...I don’t really get it. But that girl is a classmate of mine, you said?”
“Yes. I’ve retrieved Keena Soga’s attendance records and it seems that she was absent today. I believe this is the reason that you two were not acquainted with one another.”
“Hmm, I wonder if I’ll see her tomorrow?”
“It is not possible for me to make those types of predictions.”
“No, I just mean... You know, her clothes. We will be able to get them to her?” Akuto pointed to the clothes that were spread out on the ground.
“All we need to do is bring them to the caretaker of the girls’ dormitory. If that task is difficult for you, then I will handle it.” Korone started to pick up and collect the clothes. “Well then, let us deliver these. Then I will escort you back to the dorm.”
Akuto nodded along with Korone’s words, but part of what she said stuck in the back of his mind.
—Escort me back to the dorm?
He was quickly given the answer to his question. After delivering the clothes to the girls’ dorm, Akuto returned to the boys’ dormitory, but Korone was stuck closely behind him.
As to be expected, the other male students in the dorm were in an uproar. It was shocking to see a girl walk proudly into the boys’ dorm. Even more, it was inconceivable for a rare beauty like a Liradan girl to enter the dorm unnoticed. The dorm halls were in a commotion as students exclaimed that Akuto was fooling around with another girl again.
“Um... This may be a foolish question to ask, but how far are you intending to follow me?” Akuto asked, and Korone answered without paying any attention to the gazes of those around them.
“If I see an indication that you intend to escape, then I will follow you into the restroom, and the bath. If there are no such signs, then I will guarantee your privacy, but I basically intend to live with you.”
The boys in the dorm made an even bigger commotion upon hearing their conversation. At this, Korone raised her hand and summoned the speaker. Her broadcast echoed throughout the dorm.
“To all of you in this dorm. Please pardon the interruption. I am an observer dispatched by the imperial government. Please call me Korone. I have been charged with observing Akuto Sai. I ask for your cooperation. Being a female modeled observer in a boys’ dorm is slightly inappropriate but, my appearance was chosen based on what form would give the observed, Akuto Sai, peace of mind. I will respect the privacy of all those who are not under my obs
ervation, so please do not worry. However, be extra careful about any violence or untoward behavior directed at a Liradan. I have been given the authority to resist or hand out immediate punishment, if necessary.”
This time, the dorm fell silent at Korone’s broadcast.
“Um... By ‘respect our privacy,’ are you saying that you’ll keep everything you see a secret?” A nearby boy mustered up the courage to ask Korone shyly.
Korone nodded.
“That’s correct. Even the observed, Akuto Sai, will have a part of his privacy guaranteed, so it shall be the same for him, as well. He and I will be sharing a room, but I will be keeping our lives in there a secret, so I ask for your understanding on this matter.” With that answer, the inside of the dorm again erupted in noise.
She had previously mentioned living with Akuto, but it seemed that she was in fact going to be living with him in the same room.
A strange mixture of envious and pitying gazes focused on Akuto.
“M-Man, you really are so cool, boss!” The only one excited in a positive way was Hiroshi, who seemed to have run away from the girls’ dorm in a panic earlier.
“‘So cool?’ Aren’t you misunderstanding this situation?”
“Even if she’s an observer, I can’t believe you have your own Liradan! You’re incredible, boss!”
Akuto denied this, but Hiroshi was too excited to listen.
Meanwhile during all the commotion, dinner time had arrived. During the meal, Korone stood completely still and unmoving behind Akuto.
“Um... Korone? Aren’t you going to sit?” Akuto asked, meekly. As expected, he couldn’t help but feel anxious.
“There are no seats, and I do not eat food, so no.” Korone answered. In the blink of an eye, Hiroshi stood up and brought over a spare chair.
“Here you go!”
“Are you telling me to sit?” Korone asked, staring at the chair.
“Um... yes...?” Hiroshi replied, confused by her question.
Korone was silent. She was normally expressionless, but now a look of confusion could be seen on her face. After a few seconds, Korone opened her mouth.
“This is what’s known as ‘kindness,’ isn’t it?” she said, as if she was satisfied with her conclusion. “This is generally analyzed as an action done with an expectation of sexual compensation, but I do not have the authority to analyze your emotions. So under the presumption that this expectation does not apply, allow me to thank you. Thank you.” Korone bowed her head and sat in the chair.
A strained smile appeared on Hiroshi’s face.
“Um... You’re welcome...”
Dinner ended and Akuto withdrew to his room, but he felt uncomfortable and awkward as Korone followed behind him as if it was a matter of course.
“Um... Coming into my room is kind of...”
“Is that so. If it is your wish, then I won’t enter your room,” Korone said, more obediently than Akuto had expected. Akuto felt relieved.
“Ahh, in that case, I’ll ask that you do that. It’d be great if you slept somewhere else. If you talk to the dorm mother, she could probably set you up with a room.” Akuto opened the door and went inside. Korone didn’t follow him in.
“Okay then, see you tomorrow.” Akuto said goodbye to Korone and closed the door. He sat down on the bed and let out a sigh.
A lot had happened already, but he knew that he was in for even more trouble from here on out.
—Hattori... And Soga...
Now by himself, Akuto held his head in his hands. But suddenly he was hit by a strange sensation — he could feel that there was someone outside of his door. Not just outside of the door, but sitting there, and staring at it.
Akuto got up and opened the door.
Green hair and green eyes jumped out at him.
Korone was standing at attention directly outside of the door.
Expressionless and standing perfectly still.
Akuto closed the door.
He waited a few seconds, and then opened it again.
Korone was standing right outside of the door. She hadn’t even moved a muscle.
Akuto closed the door.
Then opened it.
Korone, standing at attention.
He closed the door.
Then he opened it.
Korone.
Unable to bear it any further, Akuto broke the silence.
“...Are you intending on staying here until morning?”
Korone nodded.
“Yes. I will observe you, without entering your room,” Korone said, matter-of-factly.
“Won’t you get tired?”
“I will not,” Korone said.
“...Alright. Come in.” Akuto had ran out of patience.
“Well then, I will come in.” Expressionless as ever, and not looking the least bit pleased, Korone entered the room.
“Ugh...” Letting out another sigh, Akuto once again sat down on his bed.
Korone stood in front of him and stared.
“......”
“..................”
“....................................”
“................................................”
“............................................................Hey?”
“Yes?”
“Won’t you get tired?”
“I will not.”
“You’re interfering with the free will of your observation target, so I’d appreciate it if you could act like a normal roommate,” Akuto said, forcing a smile.
Then Korone grew silent, lost in thought.
“................................................?”
“What’s wrong?” Akuto asked, and Korone looked startled.
“...Forgive me. I don’t know what exactly it means to be a ‘normal roommate.’”
“I guess there’s nothing you can do about that, huh. You don’t have emotions, right?”
“Incorrect.” Unexpectedly, Korone denied Akuto’s assumption.
“Huh?”
“I have emotions. Without them, I would be unable to analyze human emotions. To be precise, Liradans do not have an ego,” Korone said.
“Ego?”
“We only have our own identity and are self-aware during our mission. Whether or not expressing emotion is necessary is decided by the ego. If a mission goes on for a long time, then an ego becomes attached to us, and once that point is reached, we are able have functioning emotions.”
“You say some pretty hard to follow stuff...”
“It means that until I become accustomed to this situation, it will most likely be inconvenient for you,” Korone said with a nod.
“So you’re saying once you get used to me, you’ll be able to behave emotionally?” Akuto said with comprehension.
“That’s correct,” Korone acknowledged. “As such, first I would request some advice on how to behave.”
“Hmmm... Usually, you can sit in my chair or on my bed. When you don’t have anything to do, you can just sleep,” Akuto said.
“Understood.”
“I take my bath in the morning, so I’m going to sleep now. You can go to sleep, too.”
“I see.”
Akuto took off his coat and laid down on the bed. Then, Korone flopped down on the bed next to him.
Laying on his side, Korone’s face was right in front of his. The two of them stared hard at each other.
Korone smelled like a real girl. Akuto’s heart skipped a beat, but Korone’s expression didn’t change in the slightest.
“...Hey.”
“Yes?”
“It’s kind of hard to sleep with you there...”
“I see. Did you become sexually aroused?”
“Hey! Don’t read my emotions!”
At Akuto’s protest, Korone stood up gracefully and looked down on him, without changing her face in the slightest, and replied:
“That was a joke.”
“...Eh?” Akuto looked perplexed,
but Korone gave him a sidelong glance and then looked up at the cabinet that was above his closet.
“Yes, it seems that there is nothing currently placed in that storage space, so I will sleep there.” Korone skillfully climbed up to the cabinet and slipped inside.
—I feel like I won’t be able to let my guard down even though she isn’t human...
All Akuto could do was sit there, bewildered. Then he thought to himself that she could just sleep there today for all he cared, and closed his eyes.
“............................................................”
But for some reason, he felt a restlessness in the air. He opened his eyes and looked up at the cabinet with a start. There, Akuto saw a thin opening in the cabinet door, and from that crack, Korone’s green eyes were staring intently towards him.
“...Hey?”
“Yes?”
“...You’re not messing with me, are you?”
“A little.”
“......”
“..................”
“....................................”
“................................................”
“............................................................Hey?”
“Yes?”
“Having fun?”
“A little.”
“...Well, good for you.”
“Yes.”
—I don’t get it... I just don’t get it...
Akuto covered his head with his comforter.
3 - The Scary Upperclassman
The next day, Akuto had an unsettling dream. He felt disoriented when he woke up, so he stayed in bed and stared vacantly up at the ceiling.
It was a dream about the past. All that remained in his mind were feelings of bittersweet nostalgia. The image of glittering jewels stuck in his mind, but he couldn’t remember anything about what happened in the dream.
“What was that about...?” Akuto murmured. Just like always, he woke up early in the morning. He checked the clock on top of his desk, and it was still 5:30.
Akuto thought it was better to get up than try to go back to sleep. He stretched as he sat up, but then froze.
“Good morning,” came a voice.
Demon King Daimaou: Volume 1 Page 7
