Magical Boy ~ English version

Chapter 16

The rest of the first month passed without a hitch. Darkeas's early years, Class 1-D, began to work on costumes.

Unlike the other two schools, Darkeas students had to create their own outfits. For that, they had courses reserved for this creation in order to be able to improve it over the course of their schooling. All the materials were placed at their disposal. The professor in charge was Silktouch, whose power allowed him to control all kinds of fabric.

Kotaro had been rather inactive during all the first lessons, which consisted of creating the design of their future costume. He had already, for many years, and unlike the few others who had already made their plans there, Silktouch-sensei could not find fault with his. But they all had to start making at the same time, so he just listened and watched his comrades do it. Not failing to make fun of the ridiculous designs that some imagined.

But now was the time. In the room provided for this purpose, where sewing machines, soldering irons and all kinds of tools were available, the students were ready to get started.

Kotaro wouldn't admit it in front of his fellow Darkeas. Sewing had always been her favorite pastime. He had no problem using the machine and when asked, he simply claimed his mother had already shown him. This allowed him to get ahead of his comrades. He was already fixing the chosen fabrics together when the others were still trying to thread the thread through the needle.

Silktouch walked over to his table and picked up the paper his plans were drawn on.

"Tell me again how old were you doing this?" He asked.

"...Seven years. Why ?"

"Because it looks like you're far from the best in art class. So it amazes me to see such quality."

"... I applied myself. And I had plenty of time. At least a whole day."

"Hm ..."

He gave it back but didn't seem convinced. The teenager sighed. He wasn't the one who made this drawing. It was Nanaya.

It had to be his hero costume. But he was just as appropriate for a villain. Since childhood, Kotaro had always thought about one thing: His power was speed. He didn't really have a chance to attack or defend. He needed weapons. But a weapon he could use while using his power. Nanaya had the idea. A dart. Like some yellow and black insects. The name had appeared on Kotaro's mind after that. Waspeed. The contraction of Wasp, and of Speed. A costume in the colors of the insect, in a light fabric so as not to hamper his movements and two retractable blades at the level of his hands, soaked in a powerful sedative. Instead of a mask, tinted glasses to protect his eyes from possible projection during his runs. He had never had a better idea and would have refused to do anything else, even if their teacher hadn't liked it.

After all, it was Nanaya's design. And he wanted to respect it.

He remembered that moment perfectly. They were seven years old. They had gotten into the habit of missing school every now and then and the small clearing by the pond had become their own little corner. They were leaning against the big oak tree that was there and playing chess with pebbles. And that day, they had discussed this. Kotaro still wanted to be a hero at this point and wondered what his costume would be. Nanaya had taken some paper from his bag and started drawing, explaining everything he could imagine. Kotaro had vowed to make and wear the costume his friend thought of. To thank him, he made him a teddy bear wearing the miniature replica of the outfit.

The only thing Sutra could find to say was the sedative. She assured him that as a villain he shouldn't hesitate to put poison. But Kotaro had convinced her. How do you interrogate an enemy if he just killed him? That was enough for her not to insist on the idea.