Chapter 46

Assess the situation.

In front of Sheena-san and me stands Tsubasa-san. Far behind, atop a domed building, Len-san lies in wait.

First priority—

"......"

"......"

With a single glance Sheena-san and I reach perfect understanding. She turns her back on Tsubasa-san and sprints off to secure Len-san.

"Huh? Shiki-chan's staying behind?"

Fighting Tsubasa-san two-on-one is not an option. Leaving a sniper in an ideal position is unthinkable. One of us pins Tsubasa-san while the other takes out Len-san—an obvious call.

The only question is who stays.

Sheena-san has lost Rikka and the railgun. Her right arm is gone. I, on the other hand, have only half my Shield Pieces damaged—everything else intact. Clearly I'm the one who can handle Tsubasa-san. And I still have my secret trump card against her: the G-AGE. No words needed; the choice was obvious.

(I'll finish her here.)

I digitize the saber I had in charge mode and stow it, then open full-auto with the assault rifle.

"Now then, let the fun, fun concert begin♪"

Tsubasa-san blocks my shots with her great shield while tracing the air with a finger.

(She's manipulating her item pouch.)

Her battered Aegis is rapidly repaired—she's using repair kits she picked up on the map.

(Frontal assault is impossible. If I'm going to land a hit, it has to be a single shot from the G-AGE.)

She dodged my surprise saber earlier. Firing the G-AGE while she's watching my hands is too risky.

(If I draw the M1911 she'll definitely be on guard. Tsubasa-san won't ignore how unusual it is to use a live-fire gun in this Rank Match. She won't let a bullet graze her—she's the cautious type.)

While the enemy uses repair kits and goes defensive, I work out a plan.

First, confirm the necessary conditions:

1. Stop Tsubasa-san's movement.

2. Force Tsubasa-san into a defensive stance.

3. Block or divert Tsubasa-san's line of sight.

(1 and 2 are easy. The problem is 3.)

Two seconds of thought.

(All right, got it.)

While concentrating fire from the assault rifle, I slip through the doorway of a nearby café.

Tsubasa-san charges straight in, holding one shield, smashing through the café wall.

(She took the obvious bait. Did she decide the risk of falling for my trap was lower than the risk of letting me get away?)

Honestly, it would have been easier if she hadn't followed.

(Bullet Pieces.)

I send three Bullet Pieces toward the ceiling and spray windows and tables with the assault rifle. Shooting windows and tables has no purpose, but Tsubasa-san is the type who looks for meaning in every meaningless action. Her attention will be divided.

(After studying her past combat data, I realized that, despite our different personalities, our tactical thinking is similar. So I know what she'll dislike.)

While Tsubasa-san tries to decipher my meaningless actions, the Bullet Pieces shoot the ceiling and bring the rubble crashing down on her head.

(Bullet Pieces, launch!)

I scatter the remaining three Bullet Pieces as simple decoys. They won't be fired—just sent flying with all the energy they have left.

Tsubasa-san raises two Aegises overhead like an umbrella, then carefully guards front, rear, left, and right with four more shields. Any gaps are covered with Shield Pieces.

"All that fuss for such a second-rate tactic. Tsubasa's Aegis can defend in every direction."

(She misreads the rubble attack as my real plan. My true aim is—)

Rubble now blocks the space between us.

Neither Tsubasa-san nor I can see the other, but I know her exact position from radar.

—I've been waiting for this moment.

What I wanted was this rubble, this blindfold.

I whip the G-AGE from the holster at my hip and fire, quick-draw. The gunshot should be masked by the assault rifle and the noise of the collapsing ceiling.

(Perfect...!)

"!?"

The single G-AGE shot pierces the rubble, pierces the Aegis, and—

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