My Friend the Harem Protagonist

Chapter 21: Moonlight Duel

They'd outmaneuvered me. Masaki and Miyu had been on my tail for awhile. We'd weaved through a bunch of yards, until we reached a playground on the far side of town. It was built up on a hill, with a swing set and a jungle gym, so I figured it would be a good place to make my final stand. I'd been so focused on moving forward that I hadn't noticed Miyu split off and flanked me. Just as I ran past the swingset she was there with her knives out.

I skidded to a halt on the mulch. Miyu didn't move, but I saw her glance behind me. I turned and saw Masaki walking up the hill toward me.

"Miyu, split off and head for Aya's house. I'll handle her," Masaki said.

Concern flashed in Miyu's eyes. She must have been worried about going in without backup. She started to protest, but Masaki cut her off.

"If you don't hurry they'll make it to the house, or Haru or Ayami will get there, and it'll all be for nothing. Trust me, I'll be right behind you."

Miyu pursed her lips, but she nodded and ran off. I lunged at her as she ran past me, hoping to slow her down with a blow to the knee. Something intercepted my bat before it had a chance to land. Miyu fell back in surprise

Masaki and I stared at each other. She'd caught my bat with the dull side of her sword. Miyu gaped at both of us before getting up and sprinting away. Masaki and I jumped back and stared each other down on the hillside.

Masaki lunged forward and thrusted her katana at me. I ducked to the side, then ducked again as she slashed for my head. I reached down and grabbed a handful of mulch. Masaki managed to kick me in the ribs and I tumbled backward. I looked up at the last moment to see her standing above me, about to slash down. I sent the mulch toward her face, and she flinched just long enough for me to hit the side of her sword with my bat. It sailed away and embedded itself in a seesaw.

Without hesitating Juri pulled the broadsword free from the scabbard on her back. Her stance changed as she gripped the new sword.

"Why fight me?" she asked. "What do you care if Shin and Aya can't be together?"

"Don't you have a TV to crawl back in?"

Masaki lunged and slashed twice for my chest. I spun backward, dodging the first slice. The second left a shallow wound on my right shoulder. My bat swung slower than her sword, but that didn't mean it was useless.

I ran over to the swingset. Masaki followed and slashed my neck. I hooked my bat around the swing's chain and whipped it toward Masaki's sword as she tried to slash at me. The chain tangled up in the blade, stopping it mid-swing. She barely hesitated, stepped towards me, and hit me in the face with the crossguard. Stars danced my eyes causing me to stagger backwards. My nose hurt, and my hands came away bloody.

I snarled and sent another swing flying toward Masaki. She blocked it with her shoulder, but didn't see me drop low and swing my bat. There was a soft crunch when it hit her foot.

She screamed and let go of her sword. It was tangled up so badly that it didn't fall, it just dangled there. While she hopped around I took a moment to stuff some tissues up my nose.

Masaki tentatively put weight on her foot, and got back into her stance. The last sword, a saber, slid free from the scabbard. My shoulder and my nose ached, but Masaki was off balance. Neither of us could last much longer.

I pulled my hand away from my nose. I felt blood drip down and heard the little plink sound it made as it hit the ground. All my thoughts were on Masaki and her sword. I pulled my bat up onto my shoulder and tightened my fingers. There had to be some way to stop her.

Masaki's stance slid fluently into a motion she must have practiced a thousand times. I saw her flinch as her foot moved, but she gritted her teeth and saw it through. When she flinched, a twitch shot up her body and into her saber. In the streetlight I saw something halfway up the blade. But it was so quick I couldn't be sure.

Where to hit her? Her hands would end it quickly but they were well protected. Maybe her legs since she was already injured? If I made a mistake it would cost me, and unlike Masaki I wasn't a practiced fencer.

Sword raised, Masaki lunged forward ready to split my head. I pushed off and charged her, ignoring the pain shooting down my arm. I'd go for her elbow since she was trying to chop at me. If I mistimed even a little she'd slice me. As the sword moved I again saw something as the light slid across the blade. It clicked in my head, and I swung my bat.

I connected, but not with Masaki. The bat slammed into the side of the sword, right into the twist in the metal. It looked as though the blade had been bent and then bent back into shape.

When we stopped, neither of us had been hit. I was still clutching the bat, even though it was nearly splinters now. Masaki clutched her sword, or what was left of it. The upper part of the blade had snapped off and wind-milled into the sand box.

I stumbled over to Masaki and tried to ignore the throbbing pain in my head. "You're beaten," I said. "Go home."

Masaki looked down at the remains of the sword in her hand. My muscles tensed. I wouldn't put it past her to try anything. I didn't have time to wait for her to come to terms with losing. Every moment I wasted here meant Haru could be getting hurt.

Masaki finally lowered the sword. "Don't hurt Miyu. She's a good girl."

I stared at her then turned and ran off. I looked back to see her silhouette trying to untangle the broadsword from the swingset.

Shin's house was pretty far from where we were. I could still make it if I hurried. If it was too late to help Haru win, I could at least make sure he wasn't pulverized.