Love You Tenth Day: 01 [Militza Carax] ◇◇ (88) (Patreon)

*Tenth Day: 01 [Militza Carax] ◇◇*

After the locks on each room were released and the short period of free time by the shore had ended... a launch party to celebrate the conclusion of the test and filming was about to begin on the beach, where the TV station staff had set up a venue.

Seeing the meat being carried in by the staff, Militza's swimsuit-clad classmates raised their voices in astonishment.

"Look, it's real cow meat... not synthetic protein or cultured stuff..."

"Yeah. Apparently, back in this era, the inefficient luxury of raising livestock outdoors in less-polluted environments and eating them as meat was permitted even for the common folk."

"Huh? You're not telling me they're going to grill the meat on this net thing instead of using the ship's cooking system, are you? What about the smoke?"

"That's why we're doing it outdoors, isn't it?"

"Cooking outdoors is so unsanitary. It's barbaric."

"This is the Middle Ages, man. Barbaric is fine."

"Whoa! The smell of real meat cooking is actually pretty strong, huh!?"

"Ahem, ahem."

The last voice belonged to Professor Raymond, who was standing on a specially constructed stage. After clearing his throat, he lifted the microphone, his well-groomed, magnificent beard twitching.

"For this meal, we've decided to try a format called a 'barbecue,' modeled after the home parties of this era. What do you think? From the perspective of our time, it may seem crude and utterly unsanitary. But in these Middle Ages, it was apparently a common way to deepen friendships, hold casual feasts, and enjoy family recreation."

A murmur of "oohs" went through the crowd. In the heavily polluted 27th century, it was a custom that had long since died out.

"Of course, the meat we've specially procured in this era has undergone thorough hygiene checks and processing, so you have nothing to worry about. The cooking will also be handled by staff who have received training, so it's all fine. And this is the most important thing..."

Professor Raymond paused for effect and winked one eye.

"...Eating this meat will not affect the future. You can rest assured."

A burst of laughter rose from among the students.

"Later, we'll have greetings from the director and a speech from our guest, so until then, why don't we all enjoy this novel experience?"

Clap, clap, clap, clap, came the applause.

Watching them out of the corner of her eye, Militza let out a discontented sigh.

"In the end, I never got to see it..."

What kind of final battle had [Scar], the one who defeated her [Light Blade], fought against [Gunstar Heroines]? Unable to suppress her curiosity, she had asked the TV station staff if she could see the match recording, but she had been refused.

Apparently, to prevent the program's climax from leaking before it was edited and broadcast back in the 27th century, the director had given strict orders to "not leak the video records." The storage domain had also been moved deep within the hierarchy of the personal terminals, making unauthorized access difficult.

It was a shame, but there was nothing to be done about it. On the other hand, she was reluctant to ask Violette Deneuve to apply pressure for something so minor, as it would mean owing her a favor.

However, the staff member Militza had negotiated with had told her,

"We got some great drama out of it, the director was overjoyed."

So it seemed the filming had been a satisfying one for the TV station.

(Well, for a joke entry with [No Ability] to win the whole thing, I suppose it's the kind of dramatic development they'd love.)

With that thought, Militza downed her glass. Although it was a luxury item, she just couldn't bring herself to like the smell of real meat. She intended to stick to drinks for the night.

Glancing over, she saw Violette at a nearby table, looking exceptionally grumpy and chewing on a piece of meat with a bored expression. For someone of her wealthy status, real meat was nothing particularly rare. It probably held no special excitement for her.

(Consoling that stupid girl every time is such a pain.)

But if she stayed close, she'd undoubtedly be forced into that role. Before she could be caught, Militza decided to quickly put some distance between them.

While it was unfortunate for Militza that Violette's ridiculous plan had been thwarted, she hadn't been particularly enthusiastic about helping in the first place. She wanted to avoid any more trouble.

(I'll have to get her to stand on her own two feet with a more sensible plan next time.)

Thinking this, Militza began to walk. At her destination of refuge, her classmate Reginald Stepney was chatting with those around him, a plate of burnt vegetables in his hand that he didn't know what to do with.

(He was the supervisor for [Gunstar Heroines], the one who made it to the finals.)

Although he missed out on first place, he still came in a respectable second, beating out their other classmates. It would surely be added to his grade, and he would naturally be featured prominently in the show. Perhaps in anticipation of that, he was in high spirits, talking about the test with those around him.

"Man, what a pain. I never thought my contender would kill herself in the final match."

(...Suicide?)

Militza, who had been eavesdropping, furrowed her brow.

"Whoa, whoa! Why the hell did that happen, Stepney?"

"Seems my [Gunstar Heroines] and the winner, [Scar], were friends. To let [Scar] have the win in the final match, she blew her own brains out."

"Huh? If they were friends, you should've known from the daily monitoring, right? Why didn't you notice? It's the supervisor's job to guide them so that doesn't happen."

"I can't tell the faces of these medieval mongoloids with glasses apart, and I don't bother watching a different contender that closely every single day."

"And she ended up killing herself. You're a real piece of work."

"What was I supposed to do? The girl never showed any sign of it to me."

Turning her back on Stepney, who continued to chat with his classmates, Militza moved to another table.

(What in the world happened?)

Militza suppressed her displaced curiosity with a bitter feeling. It was truly, truly a shame she couldn't see the recording.

(Do I have no choice but to wait for the broadcast...?)

As she thought this, Militza picked up her next drink and brought it to her lips. Just then, she saw Professor Raymond return to the stage, microphone in hand once again.

He glanced around a couple of times, waiting for the students to quiet down, before saying,

"The director doesn't seem to be coming, so I suppose it can't be helped. Shall we proceed?"

He cleared his throat again.

"And now, we will have a greeting from the winner of this test, Sayoko Mido, also known as [Scar]. Everyone, let us welcome her with a grand round of applause."

Amid the applause, [Scar], who had been waiting in the wings, walked onto the stage. She was a petite girl in a navy sailor uniform, just as Militza had seen in the recording of the [Light Blade] match.

She walked slowly to the professor's side, then turned to face the students, including Militza.

"Originally, she was scheduled to stand here with her supervisor, Miss Kuribayashi... however, she has informed us that she is feeling unwell and will unfortunately be unable to attend today's party."

A few lewd snickers could be heard from a portion of the students.

"I had thought to have the director accompany her instead, if he were here. But since he has not yet arrived, I'm afraid she will have to give her greeting alone. My apologies, Miss Mido, but if you would please, just something simple."

[Scar] smiled sweetly and nodded.

"And now, a greeting from Miss [Scar], who has finished all her battles and emerged victorious. Everyone, another round of applause for her!"

Applause once again erupted from the students and TV station staff. [Scar] bowed to them, then brought the microphone to her lips and tested it with a soft "Ah, ah."

"Good evening, everyone. I am [Scar]. Thank you for the introduction, Professor."

With the aid of a bio-artificial intelligence, [Scar] spoke fluent English.

"But it's quite alright. I was planning to do this alone from the start."

"Oh?" the professor murmured, looking back at [Scar].

"However, Professor, you are mistaken. You said I have 'finished all my battles'... but actually, I have one more battle left."

A small "fufufu" escaped [Scar]'s lips.

The professor tilted his head at her words, but he seemed to think it was nothing more than some clever material for her speech. Seeing this, [Scar] smiled once more.

"Everyone from the 27th century, are you familiar with the word 'Gu-doku'? It's an old term from Chinese sorcery."

But no one here knew the word.

"You take a large jar and put many poisonous insects inside. Without giving them any food. Then, inside, the insects kill and eat each other in order to survive."

The gruesomeness of the words [Scar] spoke put a damper on the celebratory mood, and the crowd fell silent.

"And the one that survives in the end gathers all the poison of the insects in the jar into its body... and becomes a monster, possessing a powerful grudge and a deadly venom. It's said that sorcerers used it to cast curses or perform strange rituals. Well! That being said, it's just a superstition. Fufufu."

(What is she talking about!?)

Among her surrounding classmates, some even wore expressions of contempt, as if to say, "What is this medieval person's nonsense?"

But Militza felt something cold run down her spine.

"Everyone, doesn't it remind you of something?"

[Scar] looked out over the students from the stage. But no one answered her question.

"Well, I suppose it's a sorcerer's prerogative to create a Gu-doku, but..."

She turned smartly towards the professor and slipped a hand into the jacket of her sailor uniform.

"That the last one left wouldn't turn around and bite the sorcerer..."

And the kitchen knife she pulled out,

"...who ever decided that, I wonder?"

she plunged into the professor's neck.

2025.07.07

Kiyo-sensei, the artist of the "I Won't Forgive Your Future" manga, has drawn a Tanabata illustration of Sayoko and Erika for us!!! Everyone, look!

By the side of the Milky Way, Sayoko-Orihime waits for... Erika-Orihime! What's this, it's an Orihime & Orihime yuri Tanabata!

The atmosphere is perfect, and it's so beautiful... (´；ω；｀)

Look at their gazing eyes, their intertwined fingers, the divine and yet so very yuri-yuri pair!!

Their expressions and the difference in their builds are also truly delicious, aren't they? ( ´∀｀)

Kyoka: "According to legend, Orihime and Hikoboshi stopped working and were separated by divine punishment, but in your case, I'm sure it's because Eri-chan was the only one doing her job properly, and you were too clumsy to weave properly, Sayoko."

Sayoko: "Hoh, you're getting a deeper understanding of Eri-chan, aren't you?"

Kyoka: "Of you, too."

Sayoko: "Kyoka, you have wings, so you're perfect for this. Be the magpie."

Kyoka: "Isn't that the role where I become a bridge and get stepped on?!"

Come to think of it, a type of lily called the Kanoko Yuri apparently has the nickname "Tanabata Lily" (sudden trivia).