Kusanagi Godou. Fifteen years of age and in his first year of highschool in Jounan Academy.
Athletic ability: Above good. Grades: Very excellent. Duration without a girlfriend: Fifteen years.
Personality: Blunt, lazy, rude.
Hobbies: Sleeping and reading.
Favorite word: What's-your-face Food: Anything sweet
Skills: Good at cooking. Proficient in fighting bare-handed. Finding lost things. Can show amazing leadership in times needed.
Overall: has little positives and many negatives.
Teachers' evaluation: "Ah, Kusanagi-kun. Although he's good both in class and sports, he clearly lacks interest and motivation. Furthermore, he is very lazy and has a strong disinterest in many things."
Parents' evaluation: "I don't want to say anything about that idiot. Go ask someone else." (Mother) "My daughter Shizuka is very cute! I'm gonna celebrate with her in a restaurant. Dear son, I won't object if you decide to come, but be prepared for the misery of being excluded from a heartfelt celebration between father and daughter!" (Father)
...
The bell rang, indicating that it was the end of class.
The teacher in front of the class finished writing in the blackboard, placing the chalk in a container. The middle aged teacher then turned to his class and said some things. But most of his words fell on deaf ears, the students of Class-1 were already busy arranging their belongings and preparing to either hang out on the last school day or go home.
One particular student has his head collapsed on his desk.
Needless to say, he is our protagonist.
Kusanagi Godou (information above) was a person who would sleep in class and miraculously ace his studies. He was also the student council president, despite being lazy and asleep half of the time, his natural charisma made the other students from his grade vote for him. Surprisingly, even though his reputation was greatly known in his school, he is reliable, trustworthy and is a good friend.
"Godou-san, it's already end of class, please wake up."
One particular classmate walked on his table and shook his shoulders. The brown haired girl was the pride of the middle school students, the number one in the rankings of 'Girls that you want to have a relationship with!' (although she was not aware of it) Mariya Yuri was her name.
"What's-your-face...? Already time to go home huh...?
Godou yawned as he moved his neck that ached from his uncomfortable sleeping position. Ignoring Yuri's weak glare, he grabbed his bag along with hers and proceeded to to head out of class, pretending not to notice the deadly stares that he was receiving.
"Tsk... That Kusanagi, he should just die." "That lazybones again..." "Why is Mariya-san always with him when either going to school or returning home...?" "Don't you know? Mariya-san and Kusanagi-kun has been doing that routine ever since middle school...!" "Eh?! So that means that they've known each other for so long?!" "Who knows? But they always go to school and home together." "She also allows him to carry her bag..." "Rumors from the teachers' office say that Mariya-san always goes into Kusanagi-kun's house...!" "An affair?!"
It was well known all over the school that Kusanagi Godou and Mariya Yuri were close to each other. Close enough that Yuri proposed to be the Vice-President of the student council to assist the lazy president. With her in the council, works that Godou couldn't finish was handled by her. Her presence also helped Godou to remain in position, much to the latter's annoyance, and when Godou was almost evicted in student council, Yuri almost step down from her position.
The reason for Godou almost being kicked out of the student council was for not following the school rules.
As the student council president, it was one of his jobs to stop bullying by reporting it to the teachers. But what he did was beat up the high school students that were bullying his little sister that was on her middle school.
Jounan Academy has a middle school inside its campus. This private academy's campus was quite large, especially the forest near the boundery between the high and middle school sections. It was like a garden, it even has ponds.
Despite his pathetic posture, Kusanagi Godou was an expert in hand to hand combat. His physical abilities are also good even if he doesn't use them mostly.
His personality and bluntness tends to annoy most people, therefore fighting was inevitable. Thus he studied and trained to be able to at least protect himself. However, Godou proved to be talented and his martial arts teacher decided to teach him high level fighting, much to his horror. The bone breaking training was not worth it, he doesn't need to use techniques that can break his opponents' spirit. Although he calls himself a gentle person, he has the habit of returning damage fivefold.
In other words, Kusanagi Godou is a smart, blunt, lazy, ass-kicking, chef-student.
"Godou-san, aren't we suppose to go in the student council room to check the clubs that are requesting to use facilities in summer?" walking beside him, Yuri asked.
Godou who was carrying both his bag and Yuri's shrugged, "...I've already done those earlier."
"Eh?" Yuri tilted her head, "knowing Godou-san, you would just say that you forgot it and tell me to help you later. What, have Godou-san finally decide to take responsibility?" she asked, her voice filled with a little hope.
Godou stared at Yuri with his normal lazy look, "Shizuka-chan's sick, and I promised to go home immediately. That's why I finished all of the work so there're no hindrance," he replied, gesturing Yuri to stop walking since the stoplight turned red.
Yuri showed a look of concern, "how's Shizuka-san doing? I hope it's not serious."
Godou sighed, "just a cold. It's her own fault, she kept eating ice cream with the excuse of hot weather. Those stuffs from Galaxy-Bucks also help worsen her condition. No need to worry, just a few days of rest should do it."
Smiling, Yuri released a sigh of relief, "is that so? What a coincidence, Hikari also has a cold."
Smiling wryly, Godou added, "that's probably because in the past few days, the two of them were hanging out and eating whatever cold treat they can see."
This time, Yuri revealed a surprised look, "I see. So that's why Hikari hasn't been around lately."
"Spare her the scolding, she's sick and she has probably learn her lesson," he replied at the sighing Yuri.
"But still, she made us worry."
Remembering their childhood memories, Godou smiled once again, "we also used to do the same things when we were younger. Your parents didn't scold you for worrying them right? During that time you also escape from your duties," he said, reminiscing about the past when he would sneak Yuri out of the shrine just to play with her. They often went to places where they can play and spend the rest of their time.
The Hime-Miko blushed adorably upon remembering the happy times, a small smile also found its way into her face, "yes, we were troublemakers back then. When you were still not as lazy as you are now," she teased looking at him. It was rare for the gentle Hime-Miko to act like this, and Godou was confident that he's the only one who have seen this side of her.
"...Spare me the crap," he said with a bored tone, "I was a kid back then, it was natural to be energetic. Nowadays my energy are always low. No doubt it's because of my work in the student council," he muttered while being lost on his own thoughts.
Yuri sighed, "I doubt that Godou-san, please admit that you're just lazy. Even though you're asleep half of the time and always eats nutritious food, you always complain about having low energy. If I had known that Godou-san will grow up like this, I would've encouraged my younger self to make you exercise,"
Facing Yuri's scolding Godou rolled his eyes, "aah, spare me. Just thinking about exercise makes me tired," Godou yawned, not embarrassed in the slightest to act unsightly in front of a girl.
"Geez, whatever am I going to do with you, Godou-san?"
"...Allow me too skip clubs in high school?"
...
After walking for some minutes, Godou and Yuri arrived at the Kusanagi residence.
The Kusanagi family lived at the edge of Bunkyo ward in Tokyo. Amongst the many shops that were near a subway station; situated at a corner, was a second hand bookstore that had closed down. After the death of the shop owner, Godou's grandmother, four years ago, it slowly began to run out of business, and eventually closed for good.
And anyway, when compared to the days when the shop would open and close without a single customer, nothing had really changed.
Especially when one considered there was nothing even approaching a 'manga section' in the store, it was hardly surprising that the bookstore couldn't keep up with the newer shops. Perhaps the store might have survived if it was in Jinbocho, but being in a small alleyway, it would have been more unusual if business was any better.
Since four years ago, the Kusanagi family never bothered to restart the store.
"Is it fine, Mariya?" Godou asked, "going here, I mean. Lately, you've been staying at the house and returning late in your home," he added. It's been a routine for Yuri to go into his house after school and return in her home when it was already dark.
The Mariya family lived in an apartment complex in Toranomon. Although their main house was located in the Saitama prefecture, they used the Toranomon apartment for easy commuting to work and school.
Of course Godou made it a habit to accompany Yuri when returning at home. Letting a girl like her travel alone in the night brings a sense of guilt even for him, who rarely ignores anything that doesn't concern him.
"It's fine," Yuri replied, "my parents allowed it as long as Godou-san escorts me back. They're really confident in Godou-san's fighting skill after all," she added. Her family knows that Godou was good in bare-handed fighting and they trusted him in guarding her should anything happen, he had never failed them.
"Is that so," Godou said with a sigh, "there goes my hopes of sleeping early."
"Tomorrow's the beginning of summer Godou-san," Yuri also sighed, figuring what Godou was implying, "you can sleep for two months if you want," she added the last part with a hint of resentment. Godou just smiled while thinking about his work-free summer.
Upon entering the house, Yuri removed her shoes and put on the slippers that Godou prepared. The two of them proceed upstairs where the grandfather, Kusanagi Ichirou was waiting, watching a T.V show while sitting on the sofa. A little girl with brown hair can also be seen lying on the sofa covered by thick blankets.
"Sorry for intruding again," Yuri did a perfect 90 degree bow, "Godou-san mentioned Shizuka-chan being sick, I came to check on her."
The said girl mentioned just stared at Yuri with a thankful look then proceeded to glare at Godou, who shrugged and took his seat on the other side of the room. The grandfather just chuckled, winking at his grandson like he was some sort of accomplice.
"My, please don't worry about it," Ichirou replied, "Yuri-chan is always welcome here. Shizuka here is also glad for your visit, isn't that right?" Ichirou then turned towards Shizuka who was blowing her nose.
"Y-yes," was her reply in broken voice, "I-achoo- I'm glad that Mariya-senpai came here worried about me achoo! I also want her help to discipline Onii-chan about meeting those girls from the other class," Shizuka signaled with her eyes and Yuri immediately got her message.
"Godou-san," Yuri revealed a smile far comfortable for Godou's taste, "what is Shizuka-chan saying? Godou-san have the time to meet those girls yet Godou-san don't have time to stay awake in class...?" she asked with an icy tone. "Please do enlighten me about this."
Godou sighed while sending a slight bored glare at Shizuka. His little sister couldn't scold him so she relied in Yuri for assistance, and to think that he will be able to have a quick nap without someone nagging at him.
"They're asking me if I could accompany them in a concert this summer," Godou replied with a lazy tone, Yuri and Shizuka's eyebrows raised in unison.
""What was your answer?" was their question.
"...That I've something better to do like I don't know, resting my always tired body," Godou answered without hesitation. He hated noisy places for he can't sleep peacefully, the feelings of the girls who asked him didn't even passed his almost asleep brain.
Yuri sighed while Shizuka rolled her eyes, "Onii-chan, do you ever think about anything other than being lazy?"
Godou smirked lazily, "Do Charizards breathe fire?"
Shizuka groaned and Yuri placed her face in her palm. Godou was so lazy and he knows it himself, despite that he haven't even try to fix this attitude of his. Upon seeing their reaction, Godou chuckled as he rested his cheek on his palm, showing signs of being sleepy.
...
...
...
A couple of hours later, Yuri and Ichirou were washing the dished while Godou lazily lie on the sofa, watching the news with the bored gaze of his. There was nothing interesting enough to gain his interest.
"I can't believe you Onii-chan!" despite being sick, Shizuka stepped in front of Godou with her hands on her hips and her eyes glaring at him. "You're making Mariya-senpai do the work even though she's a guest! You're the worst among humans, go learn some manners! Achoo!"
"Ah that's right," Godou sighed, "Mariya-chan~ please leave the work to the old geezer!" he yelled and Shizuka kicked him in the stomach.
"Onii-chan you're the worst!" Shizuka yelled in rage, "instead of helping, you passed the work to grandfather! I should really drown you in a swamp!" she then proceeded to step on the poor body of our protagonist.
"I-isn't that a little harsh?" through moans of pain, Godou asked.
For a moment, Shizuka stopped her abuse, nodding at his words. "You're correct. The swamp hasn't done anything to deserve getting you dunked into it," she said as she directed her sharp gaze towards her good for nothing brother.
"Okay, that's enough," appearing to break the awkward scene was none other that their grandfather. Yuri can also be seen following him from behind. "Godou it's getting late, escort Yuri-chan back into her home, and when you return I would like to talk about some important matters," he explained the last sentence with a tone that Godou didn't like. It simply reek of...
Manual labor...!
Godou released a yawn as he stood up from his lying position. "Alright, let's go what's-your-face—" not long after he said that, a foot found itself being burried on his stomach.
...
...
After leaving the Kusanagi household, Godou and Yuri rode the train. They departed after half and hour and walked for fifteen minutes before arriving at the apartment complex located in Toranomon. Because it was already eight in the evening, Yuri didn't went straight ahead towards Nanao Shrine.
"Really, I should be sleeping in this hour," sighing to himself Godou muttered.
"Godou-san, I get the feeling that you find sleeping more desirable than making sure that a friend arrives safely at their home," Yuri said as she shook her head. She wondered how she befriended such a lazy person.
Thinking about it, all started when they were still young. In class, Yuri always scolded him for his rudeness towards other students, she didn't know how but it resulted in them often debating. Then before she knew it, she already considered him as one of her friends, they would play and do things together.
Back then, Godou wasn't as lazy as he is right now.
He was blunt, rude and lazy but he was a good person. He will act if the situation really calls for it, most of the time, he only observed the situation, but to the surprise of many, once Kusanagi Godou acts, even the most simplest details or mistakes will be his greatest tool in winning.
She looked after him over years, helping him in whatever problems, hoping that he will change his attitude. But now she realized that such a thing was next to impossible. Kusanagi Godou was a person different from many, the way he views the world was different from others.
He worked differently from other humans.
He was special, she knew that much.
But he spends all of his time goofing off and rarely focuses on anything. In other words he was already a lost cause when she met him. Aside from that, he knows nothing about magic and the likes and Yuri was planning to keep it that way.
"Ah Yuri, you're home late again," as they arrive in her house, they were greeted by an old lady with a gentle smile. She was Yuri's grandmother, a person whose name was forgotten by Godou.
"Obaa-san, maybe you could convince what's-her-face here to not go in our house anymore?" Godou suggested hoping to lessen his daily work and spend more time resting, but he was immediately met by Yuri's cold glare. "I mean, it would be better if Mariya doesn't return home so late at night," he added weakly.
"Hoho, it's fine. Yuri has already made it a habit to look after you," the grandmother smiled gently at him. "If the child has decided herself, then there's no helping it."
"Tsk. It was worth a try," Godou sighed as he waved his arms lazily, "time for me to go back. See ya when summer's over! Tell the younger what's-her-face I said hi! " he yelled as he went towards the door, closing it as he left.
"Seriously, Godou-san's a lost cause," Yuri sighed as she gazed at the window, watching the figure of the black haired youth disappear in the dark. "I really fear his future," she muttered while shaking her head, still gazing at the back of her friend.
A clear image suddenly surfaced in Yuri's mind. Naturally, this was anoracle brought by spirit vision.
However, what it showed was—
"...Golden Sword?"
...
Summer vacations.
The extended break that countless high schooler longed for.
For this month and a half, some went out to play and have fun, others engaged in sports, while others toiled with sweat and devoted their passions to work, love, supplementary lessons, or doujinshi conventions.
But to Kusanagi Godou, his summer was full of misfortunes. Because instead of spending his time back in his own country,doing whatever he likes, namely sleeping, he instead traveled to Sardinia, Italy to do a work for his grandfather. A work that made him travel across the seas just to deliver some old lithograph to some old stranger that he doesn't even know. What made it worse was that he doesn't even know how to speak Italian and he was alone during this travel.
It all started the same night after Godou returned from escorting Mariya Yuri.
An acquaintance of his grandfather visited their house, inviting Ichirou in a meeting out of country about an exhibit concerning their former jobs of being a professor of history. The trip was considered to be once in a lifetime chance so he hurriedly travel into their house to inform Ichirou.
"As interesting at it sounds, I'm afraid that I cannot join," Ichirou replied calmly while drinking his sake. "I have a task in my hands."
In the living room of the Kusanagi household, two old men were enjoying alcohol.
Godou was also there, sitting at a corner with his usual lazy expression. He was there to only pour the liquor, moving back and forth to deliver warmed bottles of sake.
With just one whiff, he can tell if the sake was warmed in the right temperature. Being expert in culinary, Godou has this skill ever since he was young, whenever his mother wants to drink and orders him to prepare the liquors, mixing cocktails and even making her son taste them to get the right taste. Occasionally, when the Kusanagi household held a drinking party,he was in the kitchen utilizing the skills of his specialty. However, his skill came from the training by his grandfather from a young age.
"What is this task that you needed to do?"
The one who asked his grandfather was an old friend, Takamatsu-sensei. He was from the same generation as Godou's grandfather, a professor at a private university within Tokyo who taught western history. It was also because of this, that Shizuka called him 'sensei'.
Of course, Godou calls this person 'what's-your-face' like any others.
"I am going to Italy to deliver an important thing to an old friend," Ichirou answered, "my flight is scheduled in just two more days."
Even though Kusanagi Ichirou was a person who liked to travel, he had rarely left the country recently. However, a few weeks ago, he suddenly said that he wanted to go to Italy.
"That old friend that you mentioned is a woman right?" Takamatsu-sensei, Ichirou's old friend, said with some disgust.
"Ah, if you're going to put it that way, she is also someone you know. She was Lucretia Zola, do you still remember her? A foreign student from Italy back when we were in university," Kusanagi Ichirou reminded Takamatsu-sensei, who was still frowning.
"That woman? Hey, don't tell me that you have been always in contact with her?"
"No, it only started recently," Ichirou explained, "I sent a letter in her Italian home address that I heard from before, and a reply came back. That precious item she left behind forty years ago was still in my possession. If possible, I would like to return it to her."
"A precious item?" Takamatsu-sensei asked with a hint of interest. "Just what did that woman leave here in Japan?"
Facing Takamatsu-sensei's inquiry, Godou's grandfather left his seat and quiickly came back. He was carrying a flat object covered in purple cloth, he placed it in the table and began to unwrap it.
It was B5 sized stone tablet, on it was a childish drawing. It should be a picture of a man with both his hands and feet locked up, distributed on the edges of this drawing were drawings of a bird with its wings spread out, the sun, moon and stars.
The tablet was very worn out in appearance and even had signs of being burnt.
"...An ugly looking lithograph," Godou summarized with a lazy tone, "can I sleep now?" he asked the two people but was evidently ignored.
In truth, he knows that the thing was very precious. A carving left behind by primitive peoples that came from Greece. Godou recognized the chains and birds as a symbol of punishment in the place that the Greeks called as Tartarus. The man in the drawing was was probably being punished by having his insides pecked by the bird. But no matter how precious it was, it was still an ugly drawning, and that's what Godou said.
But aside from its history, Godou could also sense some lingering abnormality coming from the stone...
"Looks really precious," Takamatsu-sensei sighed, "but still Ichirou! This is once in a life time discovery! Can't you delay your meeting with that woman? Didn't you promised Chiyo that you would never see her again?"
Chiyo was the name of Godou's grandmother that passed away four years ago. Godou remembered her as being a gentle grandmother than did her best to taught him the wronds that his grandfather mane when still younger. As far as he knows, his grandmother was really concerned about him being a womanizer or something.
"Promise?" Ichirou repeated with a hint of curiosity, "wasn't it that I will not see her off the airport?"
"It's not that!" Takamatsu-sensei roared and Godou placed his hands on his ears, he hated noisy places. "I'm sure that you still remember, you're just playing dumb! What's more, you're not obliged to go personally, all you need is to send it over by mail!"
"Indeed," Ichirou agreed, "but it's precious. Wouldn't it be troublesome if it is damaged on the way there?"
"As I said," Takamatsu-sensei sighed once again as he gestured Godou to pour him another cup of sake, the youth sighed and did his job. "Can you delay it? This trip that I'm talking about is really rare. Didn't you wished that you could attend it back when we were at university?"
Ichirou also sighed. "OK, I get it. This is indeed very rare so I will go. I'll just let Godou deliver this tablet to Italy, this way I can go with you in that country and avoid breaking a promise with my wife."
Godou's ears perked up upon hearing that his grandfather said, with an annoyed expression he spoke, "It's troublesome, I don't want to do it geezer."
"Are you serious Ichirou?" Takamatsu-sensei asked with a worried tone, "does Godou know any Italian?"
Upon his question Ichirou smiled, "Nope, none at all. But things will work out somehow, no problem."
"I didn't agree to this," Godou said, "I don't want to go to Italy, end of discussion."
"Hoho, are you sure?" Ichirou asked with a smile, "Godou, you do know that your mother will return here in Monday, right? She'll take care of Shizuka, which means that you'll be stuck with your mother and sister while I am gone."
Godou, who was preparing to leave the room stopped. His sister was loud, so was his mother, should that devil come back, even if only for a few days, she will order him non-stop and throw parties. If that happens, he won't be able to rest, scratch that, he won't be even to sleep peacefully!
Facing this situation, Godou sighed and showed a look of surrender.
If he only knew what will happen during his trip to Italy, he would most likely endure a week of no sleep.
...
...
Godou has several experiences of being taken overseas by his grandfather.
The places visited were mostly Southeast Asian countries like Vietnam or Thailand. Getting separated with his grandfather then meeting up several days later has also happened. Every time that it occurred, Godou had to spend a days tracking his grandfather with the difficulties of language barrier. In severe cases he had to spend several days tracking because of his grandfather's habit of moving between places.
This was one of Godou's strange skills, the ability to find something or someone should he put his mind into it. His mind can come up with the possible locations of the missing target and he will automatically search for them even without knowing the place or looking at maps. He will just move and after a while, he will arrive in the location of his target.
It was a very convenient skill that saved his life every time he got lost in a foreign country.
There was once an incident where it took him five days before arriving at the hotel where his father, Gozou, was staying. It surprised both his father and his younger sister, who thought that he was picked up by their grandfather.
Apparently, his father have totally forgotten about him during that time.
He knows that his grandfather was deliberately leaving him just to see if he will return like usual. Thus, Godou decided to put effort in learning the universal language to make it easier for him, and from the foreigners that he will ask, well he doesn't really talk to them since he only moves into the location, but he wanted to look be bilingual for the heck of it.
Godou already knows that this skill was not natural, because even now as he stands in the foreign land, his body knows where to search in order to locate his target's position. He would like to study about this skill, but he doesn't even know how to explain this to his own self.
And because he couldn't be bothered, he just left it as it was.
On the south side of Italy, a vacation island floated in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. This was Sardinia, an island about the same size as one of the four main islands of Japan. Its population is roughly half a million of which over half was concentrated in the largest city, Cagliari.
Enclosed by crystal clear seawater, the surrounding natural environment was also very beautiful.
The biggest industry on the island was tourism. Every summer, Sardinia was crowded by tourists whose purpose was to vacation in Europe. Particularly in the northeastern side, the sea shore as beautiful as an emerald was renown as vacation spot exclusive to upper nobility.
He didn't really want to have a vacation alone in a foreign country, however Godou viewed this trip as soul-searching. It would be a waste if he did not enjoy his trip in an island that was famous for being one of the beautiful vacation spots.
"...Then it's decided. I'll have a stroll in this little town, sleep later, then take the train later to the town where what's-her-face lives, then spend the rest of the vacation goofing off."
Godou was at a hotel room booked by his grandfather in Japan.
Though it was a simple 5-storey inn, its facilities were well provided, and extremely clean though not very luxurious, the food provided was also good.
Godou sat on the bed, browsing webpages for maps and travel guides about Sardinia, making his plans for the next few days.
The town where his grandfather's acquaintance lived was located in the centre of the island. Godou decided to take a break here for today since hi body needed to recover from the jet lag and the fatigue from air travel. Twelve hours of sitting wasn't much for him, considering that he spends more time watching T.V and sleeping back at his house, but even though he was used to it, Godou still felt tired from the travel. Especially since it was very hot in this particular time.
But he can rest when it's nighttime. Right now, it was still one in the afternoon, and the Mediterranean sun gave off bright rays. The clear blue sky hand not a single cloud. This kind of wide unrestricted view was not something that can be found in Japanese scenery.
Godou left the inn and walked around the town, intending to find a coffee shop and have some snacks.
After a few minutes of walking and effort, Godou found a cafe on a little street.
Godou doesn't know any basic Italian language, but he wasn't concerned in the slightest. He was not a person who fretted over such details, and it was pointless to be nervous. Besides, staffs in this vacation spot should be used to travellers. Thinking about this, Godou stepped inside the shop.
The decor of the shop was rather plain.
There were only seven customers inside, all middle aged men or older. No one dressed fashionably and and they all had casual attire and looked very relaxed.
They were gathered in the interior of the shop, watching a broadcasted football match on an old CRT television. Although Godou was good at different sports, he wasn't really a fan of football and basketball. His interest were only caught by sleeping and running away from his sister.
Godou walked towards the bar.
The bartender who greeted him was a twenty-something-year-old youth. Godou felt a little relieved, for no matter what country, the chances of someone being competent in English was highest amongst younger generation. Of course, there were also many exceptions.
"Excuse me, I would like to order three servings of Italian Panini and a large cup of Espresso," speaking in fluent English, Godou ordered and the bartender only smiled and replied 'OK' during the whole conversation.
After receiving his order, Godou sat in the place that was nearest to the window. He ate in silence as he observed the people that were playing outside in the beach. Most of them were people with the same age as him, they were playing football in the sand, sweating under the sun.
Godou was also good in sports, but he didn't really pay much attention for he really love sleeping and would spend most of his time doing it. Because of that he was labeled lazy even though he wasn't. Being lazy is different from sleeping, but Godou didn't corrected them. When not feeling sleepy, Godou does what other people do, hang around in the arcade and play video games, sometimes he even goes to the public swimming pool, he was also in charge of cooking and well... he walks towards school and escorts what's-her-face back to her home.
After he finished eating, Godou thanked the bartender, settled his bill and left the coffee shop.
Godou stopped through the intersection. Although there were no cars passing through, he still stood patiently waiting for the traffic light to turn green.
He noticed that there were only a few people on the streets even though it was already two in the afternoon. Then he remembered that now was the time for siesta- the afternoon nap. Though afternoon nap is no longer common in places like Rome and Milan, it wasn't so in a place like this.
When the traffic light turned green, Godou proceeded to walk, that was the only time he noticed that there was another person in the other side of the intersection.
She was a girl whose age was most likely the same as his, she was not tall for European standards but there was a certain sense of dignity, how should he put it? Proud like queen, walking with elegance and imposing manner.
Her long blonde hair that somehow reminds him of a crown, fluttered in the breeze.
Dressed in red, under the birghtness of the sun and in contrast in her long blonde hair, the impression of red color was especially shining.
However, all these aside, the most important feature was the girl's beauty.
Beautiful features as if the result of delicate craftsmanship, better proportioned than any doll, livelier than any model or actress, and completely saturated by nobility and self confidence, it was a face no one could ever forget after seeing once.
Unless the person was an idiot obssessed with swords.
...Or simply Kusanagi Godou.
He only took a second to look at her before returning to his own thoughts. He walked towards the other side, not paying the slightest attention towards the girl that was also walking into the other side. From the other side, the girl glanced at Godou with a look of suspicion.
...
A day after he arrived in Cagliari, Kusanagi Godou was spending his time by exploring the small town. Normally he would've started travelling towards Oliena, but due to some circumstances, the train was not available today. Without anything to do, Godou strolled at the beach.
There were a few people out and Godou found it weird. He expected tourists to be sighted everywhere.
Leaving the beach, Godou sighed. There was nothing else to do and it was so hot that he can't even sleep. In times like this, he may as well take a swim. Just as the thought passed his mind, he heard someone's footsteps coming from behind him.
It was because of his trained senses that he was able to grab the arm that was stretched to attack him, without any hesitation he lifted the assailant clean off the ground flipping him over his head, throwing him into the ground. A second later, he turned towards the assailant and saw the assailant losing all of the air in her lungs as she thumped heavily onto the ground, lying in her back and staring up at the blue sky, completely speechless even if she had had enough breath to speak with.
However, Godou didn't expect his assailant to be a girl.
"Ah," Godou scratched the back of his head, "my bad woman. Reflexes you know?"
"You-! You-!" the girl spluttered, gaping at Godou. "You threw me!"
"Astute observation, woman," Godou deadpanned sardonically, "I can see that you're a genius on the same level as Einstein."
Fast enough to make Godou cautious, the girl stood and raised her hand, "Come to me, the sword inheriting the name of the lion-hearted king! Cuore di Leone!" Godou watched with half closed eyes as a silver body of a blade appeared at the girl's hand like a beam of clear light bathed in the rays of the shining sun.
"Is that magic—"
Godou wasn't able to finish his question as the blond-haired girl attacked him by thrusting her sword forward. Godou narrowed his eyes as he spun his body and evaded another attack from the crazy girl that was attacking him. He jumped backwards and faced the attacker.
The tip of the sword was waving about like a tail of an animal. Even though Godou knew nothing about swordsmanship he could tell motions of impeding attack. The one who taught him martial arts beat his body into a pulp so he could use this skill.
Jumping forward, he released a punch that was blocked by the swords back blade. But the punch the he released earlier was able to bent the blade of silver sword. Seeing this, the girl narrowed her eyes as if considering Godou as a threat.
Godou's experience told him that this girl was strong, should he continue to fight he will definitely lose.
"Seriously," Godou started, "what's wrong with you woman?"
The girl in front of him glared, "what's wrong with me? I should be the one asking that! You threw me without a reason!" she yelled.
Godou sighed as he raised both of his hands, "as I said, I did it out of reflex. The position you made can be mistaken as an attacking stance, I bet that even you would do what I did should it happen to you," he said as the girl lowered her sword.
The girl still glared at Godou with her blue eyes. The sword in her hand dematerialized and she crossed her arms under her chest.
"So, what you need woman?" Godou asked.
"I have a name and it's Erica Blandelli," the girl said, stretching her hand. "Let me borrow your bag."
Raising an eyebrow to her request, Godou considered if it was a scam but immediately discarded the thought. The girl simply radiated an air of nobility, there's no way she would do acts like a lowlife. So without thinking, he handed his bag to her,
Opening the bag, the girl named Erica pulled out the familiar lithograph. "Look, what is this? A holy relic giving off divine power- even for us magi of the Copper Black Cross, will rarely possess specimens of this high calibre."
"So what?" Godou questioned as he grabbed his bag, Erica let it go without resisting. "This magic thingy is to be delivered to the original owner. That's the main reason why I'm here."
Erica tilted her head, "the original owner? This person is in the island of Sardinia?"
"Yeah, what's-her-face lives here. Now, elders said don't talk to strangers so I'll be leaving now," Godou remarked as he turned around to leave.
"That doesn't make any sense!" Erica yelled as she tried to grab his shoulder, stopping only when she remembered what happened recently. "Wait up you brute!" she yelled as she tried to catch up to Godou who has started running.
After a few minutes of chasing, Godou finally stopped to buy some ice cream, for himself of course. Erica was watching him with twitching eyes and a distorted smile.
"...Such rude acts aimed towards me. I shall punish you in a little while," she muttered with a scary grin, "but first, I have a question for you, please tell me the name of the original owner."
Godou stared at her with his half opened eyes. After a second of staring he then turn his head around as if saying that he wasn't paying attention at her.
"You-! You-! Answer my question quickly, or would you rather be threatened by a sword?" a vein popped in Erica's forehead as she asked. "While I'm still feeling generous, please answer the question," her eyes as sharp as swords and her tone was full of pseudo-gentleness.
Godou sighed, "her name is what's-her-face—" he dodged as a sword almost cut him, "Lucretia something what's-her-face," he said while releasing another sigh. This was one of the reasons why he wasn't interested in a relationship. His mother, Shizuka, Mariya, all of them were scary and his view of women has been twisted by them.
"Lucretia Zola?" Erica repeated, "the Witch of Sardinia? An evil and rude man like you, going to meet her? How suspicious."
...
...
"So you just came here just to deliver that grimoire and you don't know that magic existed until seeing me call my sword?" sitting beside him in a bench was Erica who was listing these facts with a melodic voice.
"Yeah that's right. So can I return now? I don't want to miss dinner," with a voice full of disinterest, Godou stood up but was pull back in the bench by Erica.
"Wait a minute your jerk, do you honestly think that I will believe such lies? Be a more realistic if you're going to lie," Erica said with a weak glare.
"It's already six in the evening woman, isn't it time for dinner?" Godou said, corssing his arms.
"Not that you idiot!" Erica yelled, "are you Sir Salvatore's cousin or something? Youe idiocy is on the same level as his!"
Godou puffed his chest, "for your information, I am ranked one on the middle class and not to mention that I'm the student council president. Also, I don't know what time Europeans eat dinner, but in Japan we eat dinner at this time, do you want to eat?"
Hanging her head in defeat Erica sighed, "fine! Let's eat!"
Just as Erica marched to a nearby ristorante, Godou could be seen smirking as if he succeeded in a prank.
...
...
In Italy there existed common eateries like trattoria as well as high class ristorantes.
Since Godou doesn't know anything about restaurants, he just followed Erica while being his usual self, annoying her to no end.
As they arrived, they were immediately taken to their table, although Godou wanted to eat alone and proposed it, Erica refused saying that she needs to keep an eye to him or else he could escape without being punished from calling her stingy just recently.
Since Godou did no understand any Italian, it was up to Erica to order.
"Really, you're ordering wine?" Godou asked in his normal tone after seeing the bottle of wine being placed on their table. He was still a minor, but he had already tasted a lot of different liquors thanks to his mother.
"Isn't it obvious? Wait, don't tell me that you don't know how to drink?" Erica asked as if mocking him.
"Only an idiot wouldn't know how to drink," Godou smiled as if saying that Erica was an idiot for even asking.
"You-! Outsmarting me once again...!" Erica grumbled, sending a look of resentment towards Godou. "Don't expect another opportunity...!"
"Heh," Godou chuckled lazily, "don't worry about me, I have a high alcohol tolerance."
As Godou said that, the waiter arrived with Erica's order. For appetizers, there was prosciutto ham as well as a wide selection of resh seasonal vegetables. With fried lamb brains which Godou had for the first time, handmade sausage, and baked Sardinian flatbread. The meet entrees consisted of roasted suckling pig served in slices, as well as horse ribs that still retained some blood.
Drinking the red wine, Godou savored its flavor and smiled while relishing the aftertaste.
A complicated taste unique to high quality red wine, with a mixture of bitterness, sweetness as well as sourness. The fragrance of grape and fruitiness assailed the sense of smell.
"Hn, western wine isn't really my favorite, but this is really good."
"So you know a little about wine huh? Then just drink obediently and stop spouting nonsense."
Godou ignore Erica's rambling as he began to eat, the taste wasn't really that good, considering that he was a better cook. But at least it wasn't in the level like those food in England. He sighed as he remembered his trip there, he wasn't fond of English food.
Remembering that trip also brought memories of him being lost, again and was forced to find his relatives despite the cold weather.
As they eat and drink, Godou noticed that Erica was observing him.
"Are you counting how many glass of wine I have drunk?" Godou asked witha wry smile, "that's really stingy you know?"
"I already said that I'm not stingy...!" Erica yelled, "why do you keep insulting me?"
"I'm only saying the truth you know?" Godou replied, "I prefer being direct."
"If direct means being rude then you are indeed direct. However, I am thinking on how you managed to learn such a proficient bare-handed technique without magic." Erica explained.
Godou tilted his head, "does magi use magic to learn those things?" he asked with an innocent tone.
Erica huffed, "idiot, who needs magic to learn those? Really, you're so hopeless," she sighed once again, resting her head on the table. "What I meant was that it's hard to deliver strong blows without the help of magic, yet you were able to do so."
Godou shrugged, "well, my master spent s good time beating me so I could use those tricks. I'd hate myself if I didn't learn something awesome after those pain,"
After that, the two of them remained silent, eating and drinking without reservation. Each time their wine glass would be emptied, the waiter would fill it immediately. They continued to drink, trying to beat one another in a contest.
After three bottles of wine, Godou was the first to collapse.
Watching in glee, Erica huffed, although she herself was almost drunk. "Serves you right, you idiot. Trying to beat me in a drinking contest is your greatest mistake."
It only took a while for her to realize how troublesome it was. Her companion was drunk and unconscious while she doesn't know what to do with him.
The next day when Godou wake up, he became curious to where his clothes went. He also found the place strange since he never remembered going in a hotel to spend the rest of the night. It was also weird because he remembered passing out earlier than someone.
Just when he was thinking about what happened, Godou felt someone moving beside him.
"Geez, don't move idiot... I'm still trying to sleep!"
"Erm...?"
The moment their eyes met one another, Erica's face became completely red while Godou... he doesn't have the slightest of clue.
"...I have an explanation for this?"
Surprisingly, the one who said this was Erica Blandelli.