The Sixth House...?　Hey, you're an idiot...!

　A slight fear flashed across Asaro's face as he looked up at Currier-san.

''Fool?　What?

　With a patient attitude, Currier-san replies.

''No, no ... before that, who do you think would believe such a story?　Are you from the Sixth House?
Hm... well, there's no need to put too much faith in it. Just... do you want to join an attack team with a guy who claims to be from the Sixth House?
....
'If you know a little bit about the Sixth House, you don't want to be associated with anyone who mentions that they're from there, do you?

　Asaro looked out into the silent classroom to see how the other students were reacting.
　None of the students made any attempt to open their mouths, but remained still and silent.
　It's just........they all clearly looked uncomfortable.
　Hurry up and get it over with.
　Their faces seemed to tell us so.

''.........d*mn it.

　Asaro clicked his tongue and stood up.
　And to his cronies, who were upset but bracing themselves.

Let's go. I can't stay in this stale classroom much longer.

　I said.
　As he was walking out of the classroom, Asaro turned around and glared at Currier-san.

''Now you're going to be isolated in this group. You'll probably be ignored by the entire school. Don't expect any more invitations to join the attack team.

　After saying that, Asaro left the classroom with his cronies.
　The door closes.
　Thus, the tension that had dominated the classroom was finally released........it seemed.

''It's true that there was a problem with his--Fibruk's attitude.

　One of the girls descended the steps while saying that.

''The fact that you dared to make such a statement in order to refuse his invitation... well, it's not that I don't understand.

　It was Cecily.

　By the way, I was about to go down too but in the middle of it, Cecily started talking.

"..........

　There was a kind of air emanating from the current Cecily-san that made it difficult to interrupt him from the side.
　Seeing that Mr. Zeke was holding his forehead with a troubled look on his face, perhaps he, too, was finding it difficult to stop Miss Cecily now.
　As they descended the steps, Cecily-san stood in front of Currier-san.

'But--I'm not too impressed with you claiming to be from the Sixth House.

　Currier-san and Cecily-san are facing each other.
　Cecily-san is a little shorter than her, so she's in the form of looking up at Currier-san.

''You are........''
'This is Cecily. Cecily Arkwright.

　In Cecily-san's eyes as she looked at Currier-san, there was a sharpness in her eyes that seemed to shoot through the other party.
　

''If I've offended you in any way, I'm sorry I'm going to have to leave.

　Cecily quickly stood in front of Currier-san, who was about to turn herself around.

'There is one thing I would like to advise you about.

　With a slightly troublesome look on her face, Currier-san let out a breath.

''........What didn't you like about me, Miss Cecily?

　Cecily-san turned her gaze to Currier-san as if she was about to pierce her opponent.

''I don't think the name of the Sixth House should be given out easily.
...maybe.
The other day I saw a man who used the name of the Sixth Estate for threatening purposes. Indeed, the name of the Sixth House might be a good source of threats.
I don't know who he is, but he's a dumbass too.
'Yes, I agree. I don't think it would be wise to go out of your way to bring up the name of the Sixth House.
'Yeah, I agree with you wholeheartedly,'


　Currier-san sniffed, as if she had finally learned something.

I'm sure you're right. So you thought my words about being from the 6th house were a way to get through the day.
...Isn't it?
Well, you're welcome to think that. I don't need you to believe me. But--

　The edges of Currier-san's mouth hung up microscopically.
　There was a hint of sarcasm in her eyes.

''It seems that the daughter of the prestigious Arkwright family seems to have a somewhat naive way of thinking about things.
...Am I being naive? If you don't mind, may I ask you to elaborate on why you think that?

　Currier-san makes a face that is a little unexpected.

''Huh........you have a surprisingly bloodthirsty personality.
'At least I'm trying to be cooler than you are. So, what's your reply?
You want to hear it?
Yes, by all means.

　The tension between them was like a tense thread.
　Hmph, Currier-san dropped her breath.

''You tried to interrupt me earlier when I was being tangled up with this guy called Phiburg or something.
...Is it something that's wrong?
I'm not saying it's a bad thing. Well, maybe you're kind at heart. And being kind is not a sin.
..........
But are you proud of yourself somewhere?
Pride?
'Yeah. Well you might want to get rid of the idea that you should be able to solve anything of that, for example, if you intervene.

　Cecily-san's expression strengthened slightly there.

''I don't have... that idea... but...''
''Well that and the mock game thing, which isn't very complimentary,''
A mock-up?
You're a natural double-sword user, aren't you?　That said, I don't know if it's egalitarian or not, but you would have chosen to fight a single one of them with an unfamiliar logic, wouldn't you?　That one's in danger too.

　Miss Cecily looked away.

'That was...'
In a sense, you're the opposite of this Phiburg guy. In your case, the trouble with you is that you can't really estimate the competence of your opponent. If you compare it to your own strength and decide that they are not as good as you, then maybe you have a soft spot in your heart.
I have never had a soft side...
It's just ... that could get you tripped up someday.
...it's

　Cecily-san turned over and squeezed, scratching her thin body.

''Humph........''

　Mr. Currier turned on his heel this time and put his hand on the classroom door.

'Well, never mind what I just said. It's just the ramblings of a clown. But ... one thing I can say for sure.

　Miss Cecily looks up.
　Miss Currier said.

'If a woman like you were to set foot in the apocalypse, you wouldn't last a day.
-Oh!

　Then Cecily reacted bluntly.

''I'll give you one piece of advice as well. At best, stay out of the Latter-day Sphere and the Sixth House.

　With that, Mr. Currier turned to leave the classroom.

Wait.

　Cecily stopped him.

'If you are indeed from the Sixth House this is a good opportunity. Would you like to fight me?
I'm sorry, but I don't have time to worry about you.
What do you think?　As far as I've 'guessed', you're the one I'm dealing with, and it's going to be quick, don't you think?
Oh... in a minute.
Yes, in a minute.
Well, maybe one day you'll get to show them the ropes before they have to deal with the Sixth Estate's bastards.
Stoppage!

　Suddenly, a man's voice mingled in... or rather, it was my voice.

'That's it!　That's it, let's make it a stop!

　I stepped between them, both palms facing each of them.

'Black, Hiko?'

　Cecily rolls her eyes.
　I grinned and gave Cecily an awkward smile, sweating from the grease.

'That's enough for now, Miss Cecily. I'm sure that was a bit of a sell-it-and-buy-it-and-sell-it kind of thing, and we both got heated up!　But when you think about it, there's no reason for the two of them to be fighting!　Right?

　Then there was a little pause.
　And then Cecily, after closing her eyes and thinking about something, slowly opened them.
　The usual smile had returned to her mouth.

''Well you're right, Kurohiko is right. I'm sorry, because of the mention of Doomsday Township and the Sixth House's name, I might have lost myself a bit too.
Mr. Cecily...

　Well, thank God.



　And then Currier opened the door and slipped out.

'Oh, Currier-sa--'
Uh, Blackbeard.
What?

　I was about to go after Miss Currier when Cecily stopped me.

'May I have a word?'
"I'm sorry, Miss Cecily, but I--

　I've been chasing after Marie Currier.

The invasion team for the Holy Ruins would you be willing to work with me?

　For a while, I didn't understand what was said.

'....Heh?