Magical Boy ~ English version

Chapter 104

Classes continued normally throughout the month of November. The professors were just checking even more rigorously that everything was in order to welcome their American colleagues. They had to look good and be exemplary hosts.

On the first of December, all the students had gathered in the refectory. Additional tables had been added and the meal was buffet style. A welcome reception for their fellow foreigners. They had arrived the day before, but had been able to take the time to get used to the jet lag. As General Manager, Nakamara welcomed them, along with Starlight, Shadow, and Bunny.

They had tables reserved for the moment but they could later take their meals with the Japanese students if they wished. Nakamara explained what the tournament would consist of.

Students with offensive powers will fight each other using their abilities, but those with passive powers would fight in a more traditional way, thanks to the additional combat class reserved for them. There was going to be an event to decide the duels during the first week. The normal fights will be offered in the second week and finally, the duels using powers would be done in the third. Since the damage was likely to be substantial, all of this would take place in the training complex. The third arena had been remodeled, the fake city that was usually there, replaced by a wasteland.

Reporters would also be present to transcribe the tournament in live. The media could not miss such an important event. To avoid civilian injuries, Nakamara had worked on indestructible and weatherproof cameras that they would use at this time, so that they would not be damaged by the students' powers.

This welcome meeting, doubled by the buffet, had lasted almost two whole hours. To allow time for their guests to get to know the complex and get to know each other, the day had been freed up.

Nanaya and his friends had gathered in the courtyard to discuss their American comrades. The colors of the uniforms were inspired by famous fictional heroes. Blue and red for Heritage, the school of heroes. Green and purple for Ravenwood, the villain school. And green with a hint of red for Acadia, the school of magical girls.

They didn't immediately notice the Heritage student approaching their group. A young man with dark green hair and slanted yellow eyes, he was not wearing his uniform properly. Before anyone could make a move, he grabbed Nanaya's arm and pulled him towards him, lifting the lock that hid the damaged part of his face. He did it so abruptly that he tore a moan from the magical boy when he tugged on his hair.

"Hey!! What are you doing ?!" Mineko exclaimed, "are you crazy?!"

"Leave him alone !" Haru indignantly grabbed Nanaya's other arm, more gently, "you can see you're hurting him!!"

"And who are you anyway?!" adds Jun. 

Haru quickly backed away seeing a transparent greenish shape clinging to his arm. The American student ignored them. His lips stretched into a smile revealing his sharp teeth, as he cupped his hands on Nanaya's face, not without pressing on the damaged part.

"Ah~ Love, you're still so adorable," he whispered in perfect Japanese, "you remember me, right?"

"You're hurting me," Nanaya gritted, "Let me go!"

"Don't you remember me, Love?"

"I don't know anyone in America! Let go of me !"

The stranger pouted and Nanaya managed to force himself free. He stepped back and his friends immediately moved in front of him to protect him.

" Who are you ?!"Yelled Kōtarō, "What's your problem?! You want to fight ?!"

"Oh~ well, well, well," the young man whispered, "if it isn't Kot-chan."

"What ?! I do not know you !"

"Ouch. Right in the heart."

"Who are you ?!" Kenji repeated, "you can see they don't know you!"

"Pfft~ that's hurtful. But okay. Alright. It has been a long time. I'm not even surprised that Kot-chan forgot about me."

"Go to hell !" Growled Kōtarō, "and don't call me that!"

"But that my love doesn't remember me makes me sad."

"Your love ?" Monaka muttered, gloomily, "I have a feeling you're making movies for yourself. Our sunshine clearly doesn't know you."

"Oh~? What do I hear? Have you been unfaithful, Love?"

"That's enough," Rakko growled back, "stop the nonsense!"

"No need to be so defensive. I'm just happy to see my fiance again."

"EXCUSE ME ?!" Kōtarō exclaimed, "YOUR WHAT?!"

The twins almost threw themselves on their friend to hold him back. Kōtarō was ready to pounce on this guy and beat him up. Seeing that the stranger was about to take advantage of the free space to get closer to Nanaya, Tomeo blocked his way, arms crossed, staring him down.

"Stop bullshitting," he hissed, "babe isn't engaged to anyone."

"Hm~ do you want to bet?" The American sneered, whose eyes seemed to shine, "step aside or I assure you you will never be able to participate in this tournament anyway."

"That's enough !" Cut Nanaya advancing again, "this kind of threat, I would be surprised if it would be accepted in a school of heroes. Now explain yourself!"

"Oh~ he learned to bite. I would almost be scared."

"What's your problem ?! You say I'm your fiancé, but we don't even know each other!"

"Heh... you're really serious. Bullshit. I take it you got rid of yours too?"

The young man reached up to the open collar of his shirt to pull out a thin chain. It hung a small silver ring, clearly intended for a child's finger, surmounted by a half heart. Nanaya opened his mouth to deny but closed it. He knew this ring. It was the only piece of jewelry -apart from the magical bracelet- that he possessed. So he couldn't forget it, even if he had never really worn it. He suddenly began to remember who had given it to him. He looked up at the American student.

"I-chan?"