"A shield can't be a weapon."
Everyone laughed at Kokonoe Tooru's Blaze—a pitiful, dinner-plate excuse for a soul armament. But they don't know why he enrolled at Rakuryou Academy. They don't know about the little sister he buried two years ago. And they don't know that the man who killed her is still out there.
Tooru doesn't need their respect. He needs strength. He needs a partner.
But in a school where Blaze partners are bound by fate and compatibility, who would ever choose to stand besid
Absolute Duo if: The Other Duo - Hotaka Miyabi's Confession — The Approaching Seven Luminaries' Deadly Blade
Several days had passed since the mission at the steel mill ruins.
Everyday life had returned to the academy. During lunch break, the classroom filled with students' laughter and the smell of bread from the school store.
Kokonoe Tooru sat at his desk, gazing absently out the window. The ridgeline of the Hekika Mountains stretched on, melting into the blue sky.
(Shichiyou... huh.)
The words of the chairman, Tsukumo Sakuya, still lingered in the back of his ears.
—There's a high probability that Shichiyou was testing you.
The mysterious emblem they'd found at the steel mill ruins. It belonged to an organization called Shichiyou, apparently. A dangerous group that was supposed to have been annihilated in the Second Blaze Fang War. Their remnants were watching them.
Tooru gently ran his right hand over the black wristband on his left wrist.
(Don't think about it. I have only one goal.)
Revenge. Find Naraku Sakaki, the man who killed his little sister Otoha, and end him with his own hands. Everything else didn't matter.
That's what he'd thought.
"Tooru-kun, would you like to have lunch together?"
A soft voice drifted down to him.
He looked up to find Hotaka Miyabi standing there.
Her fluffy chestnut semi-long hair was tied with a large ribbon. Her gentle amber eyes gazed steadily at Tooru. Her small hands were clasped in front of her chest—her usual habit.
"Miyabi..."
Tooru tensed slightly.
Miyabi was Tomoe's former partner. Due to a Blaze Bond reshuffling, she was now paired separately from Tomoe. But she always found reasons to talk to Tooru. Each time, he never knew how to respond.
From behind Miyabi, another figure peeked out.
"Were you planning to eat alone again?"
It was Tachibana Tomoe.
Her straight black hair was tied back in a single bundle today. Her sharp jet-black eyes looked directly at Tooru. A faint crease formed between her brows—her habit when she was serious.
"It's fine if I eat alone."
"Not acceptable. We're Blaze Bond partners, so of course we eat together."
Tomoe spoke in a tone that brooked no argument.
Tooru let out a small sigh.
(This one's always like this.)
Forceful, direct, and completely indifferent to his convenience. But it was also true that he was saved by that forcefulness.
"Um, may I join you too? I made extra bento."
Miyabi said hesitantly.
Before Tooru could answer, Tomoe spoke up.
"Of course! Miyabi's cooking is delicious, so you'd better look forward to it, Tooru."
"...Fine, I get it."
Tooru nodded in resignation.
The three of them sat around an empty desk in the corner of the classroom.
Miyabi carefully unwrapped two bento boxes. She handed one to Tomoe and the other to Tooru.
"Here you go. ...Um, I'm not sure if it'll suit your taste."
Miyabi's cheeks were faintly red.
Tooru accepted the bento box. When he opened the lid, it was packed with colorful side dishes. Tamagoyaki, karaage, potato salad, spinach with sesame dressing. And on top of the white rice, a single pickled plum.
(...Impressive.)
He honestly thought so.
"You made all this yourself?"
"Yes. ...Um, I heard you like karaage, Tooru-kun, so I put in extra."
Miyabi said shyly, her hands clasped in front of her chest.
Tooru was momentarily at a loss for words.
(She knows my favorite food?)
He didn't know who she'd heard it from. But Miyabi had gone out of her way to include his favorite food just for him. That fact tickled something deep in Tooru's chest.
"Miyabi's karaage is really delicious. Tooru, don't hold back—eat up."
Tomoe smiled innocently.
Tooru brought a piece of karaage to his mouth.
The coating was crispy, the inside juicy. The soy-based seasoning went perfectly with the rice.
"...It's good."
The honest words slipped out before he could stop them.
Miyabi's face lit up brightly.
"Really? Thank goodness..."
Miyabi smiled with genuine happiness.
Seeing that smile, Tooru somehow looked away.
(What is this feeling?)
Something deep in his chest felt restless.
Miyabi's gaze was fixed on him the whole time. The intensity of it made Tooru uncomfortable.
"Tooru, what's wrong? Your face is red."
Tomoe tilted her head.
"...It's not red."
Tooru hurriedly turned his face away.
"What, are you embarrassed?"
"I'm not embarrassed."
"Fufu, you are embarrassed. You're so easy to read."
Tomoe laughed happily.
Miyabi was giggling too.
Surrounded by their laughter, Tooru continued eating his bento.
(Not bad... I guess.)
He muttered inwardly.
After school.
Tooru and Tomoe headed to the training hall "Enbu-kan" as usual.
A 5,000-square-meter indoor training facility. Barrier fields for mock battles were set up so that even unleashing Blaze Fangs at full force wouldn't cause damage to the surroundings.
Today, Miyabi was with them.
"Um, Tooru-kun. Would it be all right if I joined your training too?"
Miyabi asked timidly.
Tooru looked at Tomoe's face.
"I don't mind. I'd like to see Miyabi's cavalry lance after so long."
Tomoe nodded readily.
"...Got it. But don't push yourself too hard."
Tooru said to Miyabi.
"Yes, thank you."
Miyabi smiled happily.
The three of them stood in the center of the training hall.
"All right, let's begin. Tooru, have your Shield ready."
Tomoe thrust her right hand forward.
In an instant, silver light poured from her hand. The light shifted form in the blink of an eye, becoming a single chain.
Tomoe's Blaze Fang, "Iron Chain." A Blaze Fang specialized for offense, wielded by the heir of the Tachibana Eighteen Arts.
Tooru also extended his left hand.
Deep green light converged, and a massive shield appeared on his left arm.
Tooru's Blaze Fang, "Shield." A heretic Blaze Fang with no offensive power.
"I'll go too."
Miyabi also clasped both hands in front of her chest.
Amber light burst forth, and a cavalry lance appeared in her hands.
Miyabi's Blaze Fang, "Cavalry Lance." A well-balanced Blaze Fang that excelled at thrusts and sweeping strikes, making use of its long reach.
"First, I'll attack. Tooru, Miyabi—follow my lead."
Tomoe kicked off the ground.
The iron chain undulated like a snake, slipping past the side of Tooru's shield and extending forward.
Tooru raised his shield and tracked Tomoe's movements.
Miyabi also readied her cavalry lance and dashed out from behind Tomoe.
"There!"
Tomoe's iron chain tore through the air and came down.
Tooru angled his shield diagonally, deflecting Tomoe's attack.
Clang!
Metal rang out, and sparks scattered.
"My turn!"
Miyabi's cavalry lance thrust toward Tooru's flank.
Tooru stepped back half a pace and flicked the lance tip away with the edge of his shield.
Kin!
A light sound. Miyabi's lance was deflected slightly off course.
"Nice, Miyabi! You're getting in sync!"
Tomoe shouted happily.
Miyabi, slightly short of breath, nodded with a smile.
"Yes. Once I understand how Tooru-kun's shield moves, it's really easy to coordinate."
Miyabi's gaze captured Tooru.
In those eyes, he could see respect—and something else mixed in.
Tooru repositioned his shield as if to escape that gaze.
"We're not done yet!"
Tomoe's iron chain attacked once more.
The three-way mock battle continued until the sun began to sink.
After training, the three of them rested in the corner of the training hall.
Tooru leaned against the wall, wiping sweat with a towel.
Tomoe nodded in satisfaction as she maintained her iron chain.
Miyabi took a sip of water from her bottle, then sat down neatly beside Tooru.
"Tooru-kun, thank you for today. I want to fight alongside you more, Tooru-kun."
Miyabi looked up at Tooru with serious eyes.
Tooru's heart skipped at those words.
(Fight alongside me... huh.)
Miyabi's eyes held an amber glow, beautiful enough to drown in.
"...Yeah, I also thought your lance was reliable."
Tooru voiced his honest impression.
Miyabi's face lit up.
"Really? I'm so happy...!"
Miyabi clasped her hands in front of her chest and swayed her body slightly.
The gesture was cute, like a small animal, and Tooru couldn't help but laugh.
"If you look that happy, it's going to make me embarrassed."
"Huh, ah, I'm sorry..."
Miyabi blushed bright red and looked down.
"What are you two doing? Hurry up and clean up."
Tomoe said in exasperation.
But the corners of her mouth were slightly curved in a smile.
That night.
Tooru was alone in his dorm room, looking out the window.
Tomoe had gone to the bath. The room held only the quiet air of night.
Knock, knock.
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.
Tooru stood and opened it.
Miyabi was standing there.
"...Tooru-kun. Is now a good time?"
Miyabi lowered her voice, as if conscious of her surroundings.
"Miyabi? What's wrong, at this hour?"
"Um... there's something I want to talk about, just for a bit. Would you come to the rooftop?"
Miyabi's eyes were utterly serious.
Tooru hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
"Got it. Let's go."
The two of them headed to the dormitory rooftop, careful not to be seen by anyone.
A cold night wind blew across the rooftop.
Countless stars twinkled in the sky. The dark ridgeline of the Hekika Mountains rose against the starlight.
Miyabi placed her hands on the railing and looked up at the sky.
Tooru stood beside her.
Silence stretched between them for a while.
"...Tooru-kun."
Miyabi spoke quietly.
"I'm in love with you, Tooru-kun."
Tooru couldn't move.
Miyabi slowly turned to face him.
Her amber eyes were moist with tears.
"I know I shouldn't say this—I was Tomoe-chan's partner. ...But I wanted to tell you. I've wanted to tell you for so long."
Miyabi's voice was trembling.
"Ever since you paired with Tomoe-chan, I've been watching only you, Tooru-kun. Your shield is so gentle, and so strong... I kept falling for you more and more."
Miyabi spun out the words all at once.
"I want to fight alongside you, Tooru-kun. I want to be at your side, to be your strength. ...This isn't because Tomoe-chan was taken from me. I truly, genuinely love you, Tooru-kun."
Miyabi's confession was direct and painfully sincere.
Tooru was at a loss for words.
(She... loves me?)
His mind went blank.
He'd never once considered the possibility of someone having feelings for him.
Tooru's life had contained nothing but revenge.
"...Miyabi."
Tooru finally managed to speak.
"I came here for revenge. Dating someone, that kind of thing... I can't even think about it."
Tooru answered honestly.
It was the most sincere response he could give.
Miyabi's face looked like she was about to cry for a moment.
But then she quickly smiled softly.
"...Yes. I knew. I knew you were that kind of person, Tooru-kun."
Miyabi's voice was kind.
"I won't rush your answer. But I'm not going to give up."
Miyabi smiled while holding back tears.
That smile was painfully beautiful.
Tooru was struck by Miyabi's strength.
(She's this strong?)
Rejected, yet she didn't cry. Instead, she faced forward and smiled.
To Tooru, that strength was dazzling.
"...Sorry."
That was all he could say.
"Don't apologize. I'm the one who fell for you on my own."
Miyabi shook her head.
That was when it happened.
————!!!
A shrill alarm blared across the entire academy.
"W-what!?"
Tooru braced himself.
"An emergency alarm...!?"
Miyabi's face went pale.
Tooru's Blaze Fang terminal vibrated.
Red text appeared on the screen.
[Emergency. Shichiyou reaction confirmed. All students evacuate immediately to the nearest shelter.]
"Shichiyou... you're kidding."
The blood drained from Tooru's face.
"Tooru-kun, Tomoe-chan...!?"
"Tomoe should be at the training hall!"
Tooru broke into a run.
"Tooru-kun, wait! It's dangerous!"
Miyabi's voice chased after him.
But Tooru didn't stop.
(Tomoe! Be safe!)
He screamed in his heart.
Tooru burst into the training hall "Enbu-kan" and froze at the sight before him.
Tomoe was there.
She had her iron chain ready, facing off against something.
And across from her—
A m
Novelia is an AI-powered platform to read original light novels and fan fiction, create your own in just a few taps, and chat with the characters. New, illustrated episodes arrive daily — free to start.