Volume 1, Chapter 2 Part 5

“I was mistaken. You are not useless. What Homura-san said is correct.”

Inside the heart of the bowing Sumika, was full of deep regret and guilt.

―Ain’t you looking down on all that?

It was exactly as he said.

She was supposed to be the one watching the closest.

Just how much Chikori worked hard. How much she did her best.

Then, she had to be the one that should have understood Chikori’s strength.

Yet despite so, she made light of her.

Underestimating her, moreover she even went as far as calling her useless―

(-……!)

It felt like her heart was going to be torn apart by guilt.

“…I’m, disqualified as a leader……!”

Her defense just now was reflex as it were.

Because it was Sumika who had sharpened herself until she was called as a S-rank magician, that she could immediately take defensive action.

Sumika already didn’t have any more intention to continue the fight.

More than anyone, it was herself who deeply realized her own incompetence.

“That’s why this match is―”

“STOP THATTTTT!!!!”

But, Sumika’s words that were going to recognize her own loss―her incompetence, was blocked by the raised voice of none other than Chikori.

“Chikori, san……?”

“Don’t lower your head! There is no need for that at all! Because, I could become this strong is all thanks to leader-!”

“Thanks to me……?”

“That’s right! When everyone abandoned me saying that I’m useless, only leader stayed by my side until the end! You worried together with me― if leader wasn’t with me then… if I was really alone… I absolutely couldn’t do my best. That’s why, don’t lower your head or anything-! Because Sumika-chan is the best leader for me–!”

Sumika was taken aback.

Inside the eyes of Chikori who was looking straight at her, resided a light of respect that seemed overflowing.

“Besides the match is still not decided yet. Because leader is still not going at me seriously at all right?”

“……That’s”

Sumika hesitated to reply towards those words thrown at her.

Why?

Because the words that Chikori said was without a doubt fact.

Sumika had yet to completely show her power.

For what reason?

It was simple.

―The girl’s seriousness, was after all a power that was just too great to be directed at an ally even in a mock battle.

That was why Sumika didn’t use it. She hesitated to use it. But―

“Master said to me that he can make me even stronger than Leader in one night, but I think that kind of thing is impossible. Certainly, I have become more or less strong, but I cannot corner Leader at all. ―That’s why, show that clearly to Master. That the friend that I respected, is far, faa―rr amazingly stronger than even Master thought!”

Chikori was looking for exactly that power.

That mighty power that was too irrational to be directed to a human, to a comrade.

Everything was for the sake of the honor of the close friend that she respected.

“Chikori-san……”

In this instant, Sumika realized for the first time.

Just how much she was relied on by Chikori. How much Chikori was proud of Sumika.

(…Certainly, I might be an incompetent leader.)

She couldn’t hide her immaturity anymore.

Surely with Homura acting the role as the leader of the 101st, the platoon could be utilized in a far more skillful manner.

However, even so―

If a trust to this degree was directed to her, she couldn’t just throw it away one-sidedly.

At the very least, the current leader of the 101st was her.

Then, it was her duty as leader to answer the trust that was directed to her from her subordinate with all her strength―

“It’s just as you said. Having someone else keep saying things about me, is vexing in the end.”

That was why Sumika resolved herself. ―That she would show her power, right here!

“Then, I’ll unreservedly do it. Chikori-san!”

Instantly, Sumika used a sorcery and summoned a red binder to her left hand.

{Wa, oi oi oi! Is that girl Hoshikawa really serious!}

{Th, this is bad, that thing! She plans to use that on her classmate-!?}

{Everyone, run away right nowww! You all are going to get dragged into it―-!!}

The moment they were looking at that binder, the expression of the onlookers paled and they fell into panic.

They who scrambled for getting out of the training field understood.

That binder, was what caused Sumika to be called as a S-rank magician, the crystallization of her talent and power.

And then, of course it was also something Chikori understood, but―she didn’t run away.

On the contrary her lips lifted up as if she was just waiting exactly for this.

“Then, here I go! Leader–!!!!”

Facing Sumika who took out her trump card, she faced her without fear.

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