The next day—
She pushed a magazine loaded with 17 rounds of 9mm bullets into the Glock 17 in her hand, then, with practiced ease and speed, racked the slide to chamber a round!
Click!
After the crisp sound rang out, Inori immediately raised the gun without a word and, expressionless, fired several shots in succession at the human-shaped target across the shooting range!
"Ah!"
During the process, Hare, who was watching from the side, instinctively covered her ears the moment she heard the first gunshot and couldn't help but let out a small scream. Even with her ears covered, the deafening blasts continued to pound against her heart.
Bang! ×17
Exactly five seconds later, after the continuous gunfire emptied the magazine, the final shell casing fell onto the table with a light clink.
Click!
The gun entered a slide-lock state.
Inori instinctively ejected the magazine and glanced at the empty chamber. Throughout the entire process, the girl holding the gun didn't blink once, her hands steady beyond belief, as if this series of actions was nothing more than second nature.
"Still as accurate as ever."
Ayase, who was responsible for recording behind them, twirled the pen in her hand and couldn't help but remark to the Shogun beside her and Hare, who was still covering her ears.
"Her accuracy is impeccable—the best in the team."
Ayase praised.
"I can tell."
The Shogun nodded. Before coming to this world, she had never seen such a weapon—one that combined both offensive power and mobility at range. She had seen ranged weapons before, such as bows and thrown spears, even long-distance attacks using elemental power, but a mechanical weapon like this was something entirely new to her.
However... it was still useless against her. It couldn't even break her defenses. She had already witnessed that when slaughtering those GHQ soldiers. It looked intimidating, but in reality, its power was insignificant to her. Its speed was indeed faster than arrows, and perhaps deadly to ordinary people.
Beep—!
Inori pressed a button beside her, pulling the target toward them. She glanced at the impact points—mainly two areas: the forehead and the heart...
"One shot was off."
She said.
"Doesn't matter. Anyone hit that many times would already be dead."
Ayase shrugged.
That was true...
Inori nodded slightly and, as if conceding, sent the target back again.
"Inori... i-is this what you usually do?"
Hare asked cautiously.
"No... this was part of past training. I don't do it anymore."
Inori shook her head in explanation.
"Miss Menjou, want to give it a try? Shooting? It feels great, you know?"
Ayase mischievously encouraged the girl shrinking beside the Shogun.
"...Eh?!"
Hare trembled all over, clearly unwilling.
"Enough. Do not make her touch such things."
Seeing the troubled look on the girl's face, the Shogun spoke to the wheelchair-bound girl behind her.
"But... if she's already involved with Funeral Parlor, isn't she long past being able to stay out of it?"
Ayase replied.
Right... after all, they're a terrorist organization... even on TV.
She thought to herself.
"Hare... give it a try."
Inori removed her earplugs and gestured, offering the gun.
"Inori too... mm... M-Mio..."
Like a kitten, the girl glanced at her, as if asking for permission. The sight was so adorable it could melt one's heart.
"...Haa. If you're not afraid, then trying once wouldn't hurt."
Seeing her expression, the Shogun slightly changed her mind and allowed her to try a shot.
"Eh? Mm..."
Hearing that, the girl was visibly startled. She puffed her cheeks slightly in protest, but soon obediently walked forward.
Pfft~
Watching her like this, the Shogun couldn't help but feel a bit mischievous inside.
"Hold it..."
Inori placed the handgun into her hands.
"Mm... o-okay."
Hare awkwardly held the pistol. It had some weight to it. She gripped the handle with trembling hands, holding it in front of her lower abdomen, her arms drawn in.
"Your posture is wrong. Like this."
Inori lifted her arms, guiding them up to eye level.
"Aim using the sights on top. It'll be more accurate."
"Mm... okay."
The girl nervously brought the gun's sights right up to her eyes, as if she were sniping, resulting in an extremely comical posture.
"...Like this?"
She asked.
"If you don't mind getting a black eye from recoil."
Inori replied expressionlessly.
"..."
The girl pursed her lips and obediently extended the gun forward, though her forearms were still trembling, making it impossible to aim properly.
"...It's so heavy."
She muttered softly.
"That's normal. Everyone is like this when they first shoot... just try one shot."
Inori said.
"B-But..."
"Fire."
Inori interrupted her, raising a hand to steady her arm and adjust her aim.
"—!!"
Her fingers trembled slightly. She instinctively turned her head away, closed her eyes, and pulled the trigger.
I'm going all in!!!
Bang!!
"Ahhh~!!"
Thud~
Even though she was the one who fired, she nearly fell to the ground...
"Uh... is this what they call a 'gun of kindness'?"
Ayase wiped the cold sweat from her forehead.
"More or less..."
Inori picked up the Glock that had flown to the ground and placed it back on the table.
"Tch... what a useless little girl. What's the point of joining Funeral Parlor? You'll just be a burden. Go home and do your homework!"
Argo, passing by, sneered disdainfully.
"..."
Hare, sitting on the ground, trembled at the mockery, not daring to lift her head.
"If you would keep your mouth shut... no one would mistake you for mute."
The Shogun turned her head coldly, her sharp words cutting through the air as she rebuked him.
"Huh... you woman—!"
"Were you born knowing how to walk? To speak? Or to shoot? No—you knew nothing. All you could do was cry."
"!!!"
The man's face immediately twisted at the insult.
"Foolish. Resistance relies on action, not empty words."
She added.
"You bastard!!!"
He immediately stepped forward, raising his fist.
"That's enough! Argo!!"
Ayase shouted sharply at the man.
"Ayase, you—!"
"Get out! And keep that temper of yours in check!"
Ignoring him, she coldly gestured toward the door.
"Tch."
The man slammed the door as he left.
"..."
Throughout the entire exchange, Hare didn't dare move at all, nor did she dare to interrupt. She could only sit there stiffly, listening to the argument, feeling deeply guilty.
"...Pathetic rage."
The Shogun glanced disdainfully at his departing figure before crouching down beside Hare and extending her hand.
"Sorry... Mio... I'm really useless, aren't I?"
Hare gently took her hand and was helped up. She apologized softly while brushing off the dust from her skirt.
"Not at all. Everyone has things they're good at and things they're not... and besides, it's your first time."
She comforted her.
But...
She glanced at Inori, who was once again hitting the target with perfect accuracy...
Under certain influences, even something one wasn't good at could be forcibly mastered.
...
"...Mio?"
Noticing her momentary distraction, Hare gently placed her hand against her cheek, asking with concern.
"It's nothing... I was just lost in thought."
Feeling the warmth of her palm, she came back to her senses and smiled at the girl who was worried about her.
"...Mio is like that sometimes... hehe..."
At this moment, the two of them were seated at the bar of the underground lounge. Hare rested her head on the table, gazing at the woman beside her with affection.
"Strange, isn't it?"
She asked softly after hearing her words.
"Not at all... mm... I... I like it///"
Hare spoke in a muffled voice, her flushed face buried.
"...Pfft. Want something to drink?"
Seeing how cute she looked, she smiled, then stood up and stepped behind the bar, looking over the drinks. Most of them were alcohol—something she would get drunk from instantly. Of course, Hare couldn't drink either, since she was underage.
"Anything is fine, as long as it's not alcohol."
Hare replied.
"...It's all alcohol."
She muttered.
That made sense. After all, this was a bar, and most members of Funeral Parlor were adults.
Fortunately, she found the juice section. There was apple juice and orange juice. She instinctively chose orange juice, poured it into two glasses, and placed them on the table. The two of them picked them up and took a sip.
"...Not sweet."
She murmured in slight disappointment.
"...Mio really likes sweet things."
Hare said knowingly.
"I-it's not that I like them that much... it's just..."
A faint blush appeared on her face as she tried to explain, looking a bit adorable.
"..."
Hare simply sat across from her, resting her cheek on one hand, gazing at her with doting eyes. The warm lighting cast over the girl's face added a faint golden shimmer, making her look like a precious gem.
—
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