Master's Philia (WN): Chapter 5

 

A Nice Smile?



 A slightly open space behind the bushes behind the elementary school building.


 That's where Tigaro and Aifie often hung out together a few years ago.



 The person Aifie is currently with is not her childhood friend Tigaro, but a maid from the Asur family who has come to greet her.


 However, Aifie was still practicing her magic, so although the maid came to greet her, she watched without saying anything.



 Imagine breaking a large ball of water into three by shaking your finger.


 The large ball of water floating in the air splits its body and creates three beautiful water balls of equal size, just as Aifie had imagined.



 Three years ago, she could only make one water ball, but now she can float three.


 And it's not just her magic that Aifie has improved.



 What Aifie is sitting on is a stick-shaped magic tool made floating by wind magic.



 This magic tool is relatively lightweight and durable, so it is also used by the Wind Holy Knights, and is an official magic tool of the kingdom.


 Aifie was riding the magic tool and practicing the magic of moving through the sky, just like the Wind Holy Knights do.



 Even the maid who was watching from the side could tell from the way Aifie manipulated multiple magics without any trouble that she had complete control over her own magic.



 The maid's gaze, which was quietly watching over Aifie, was gentle, as if she were looking at her own daughter with a smile.



 It was at that time that she felt someone step into the space behind the school building.



 When Aifie noticed, she turned to see her childhood friend, a boy she hadn't seen in a while.



"Tigaro!!"



 When Aifie noticed Tigaro, she burst out into a happy smile, let go of the control she had on her magic, and ran straight towards him.



 The ball of water that left Aifie's control spilled onto the ground, and the stick-shaped magic tool that Aifie jumped down from rolled around making a noise.



 Aifie stood in front of Tigaro and stood with her hands on her hips.


 Her long beautiful blue hair and breasts that have grown over the years are swaying.



"I hadn’t seen you lately, but you finally came!"


"Yeah, it’s been a while, Aifie."



 Even though they haven't seen each other in a long time, Aifie's attitude towards Tigaro remains the same as before.



 Aifie snorted and acted bossy, but she couldn't hide the happy expression on her face and lifted her cheeks.


 Tigaro couldn't help but smile as he saw his adorable childhood friend.



 Recognizing the presence of Aifie's maid in the corner of his vision, Tigaro immediately puts a smiling mask on his face.


 Trying to look as shady as possible.



"How are you doing? Are you getting better at magic?"


"Hehe. As you can see!"



 Aifie turns around and turns her back to Tigaro.



 Aifi's unique sweet and pleasant scent stimulates Tigaro's nose, and his p*nis reacts slightly.



 Unaware of Tigaro's state, Aifie let go of control earlier and cast a spell on the stick-shaped magic tool that was lying on the ground.



"[Float]"



 A breeze blows, and the stick-shaped magic tool returns to Aifie's control.


 The magic tool floated in the air while spinning.



 And, Aifie also places her hand on the spot where she dropped the water earlier.


"[Water Ball]"



 The water that was overflowing on the ground gathers again and floats in the air like the stick-shaped magic tool.



 Even when multiple spells were activated, one of the spells did not break down, which was proof that Aifie possessed advanced magic control.



 There are not many people in the Kingdom's proud Water Holy Knights and Wind Holy Knights who can control multiple magics so perfectly, and this is a fairly advanced technique.



 When Tigaro saw this, he spoke his honest praise.



"That’s amazing, Aifie."


"Hehe, of course! You're getting better at that magic, aren't you?"


"...Yeah, of course."



 Aifie's words reminded him of the Noros family's magic, and he realized that his true self was about to come out again.


 Confirming that his thin smile remained intact, Tigaro regained his composure.



 ――Today, I came to say goodbye to Aifie.



 Even though they haven't seen each other in a long time, Aifie treats Tigaro as close as before, giving Tigaro a warm and comforting feeling.


 If he wished, he would like this close relationship with Aifie to continue forever.



 He wants to talk to Aifie about trivial things again, laugh and spend time together.



 However, in reality, this is not the case.



 Finally, the Noros family began to pay attention to Aifie.


 Because Tigaro had built a close relationship with Aifie, they realized that if they used Tigaro, they could seize Aifie, the daughter of the Asur family.



 It would be dangerous to continue their relationship any longer.



 That's why Tigaro must cut ties with Aifie.



 Tigaro gulped quietly so that Aifie, who tilted her head cutely, wouldn't find out his inner feelings.



 To be honest, he's scared of being hated by Aifie.


 If he can avoid that future, then he wouldn't do it.



 However, it's even more frightening that his cute childhood friend is being targeted because he's a member of the Noros family.



 ――Throw yourself away to protect this smile.



 Tigaro buried his loneliness deep in his heart and made up his mind.



"...? You, somehow... the way you smile has changed, right? Well, that doesn't mean there's anything wrong with you..."



 Tigaro hid his hands behind his back and took a step towards Aifie who was hesitant.



"Aifie, I think it's okay."


"Hey, hey, you're so close all of a sudden."



 The distance between the two suddenly narrowed, and Aifie blushed as their faces became closer.



 With a smile on his face, Tigaro, who had already activated his manifestation magic, pulled out the [Spirit Tail] that had been slightly sticking out of his palm.



 ――The maid, who had been watching Tigaro for a while, could just see it.



 The tentacle, which was only the size of a fist three years ago, are now thicker than an adult male arm and as long as Tigaro.



 From the perspective of the maid accompanying Aifie, the eerily wriggling thing must have looked like a truly dangerous entity.



"Aifietouka-sama!!"



 Aifie's maid jumped out from the side, hugged Aifie, and hurriedly pulled her away from Tigaro.



"Old lady……?"


"Are you okay, Aifietouka-sama!!"


"Y-yeah. I'm fine, but what happened all of a sudden?"



 The maid accompanying Aifie was worried about Aifie's condition, while glaring at Tigaro, who was smiling happily in front of her.



"It would be helpful if you wouldn’t disturb my and Aifie’s time."


"If you can put that magic away and not touch Aifietouka-sama, I will."


"Hahaha, isn't it just skinship? You'll have to forgive me at least that much."


"…As I expected, your target was Aifietouka-sama, right?"



 The magic tentacle that Tigaro had hidden behind his back had already disappeared.


 Aifie's maid felt indescribable fear and trembled as Tigaro naturally smiled as if nothing had happened.



 As if they had heard the screams of the maid earlier, several people quickly crept behind the elementary school building and appeared, surrounding Tigaro, Aifie, and the maid.



 They held magic tools such as wands and crystals in their hands, ready to unleash their magic at any time.



 Five people suddenly appeared.


 All of them wore the robes of the Asur family and were on guard against the center of the enclosure―― mainly Tigaro.



 Tigaro looked around at the five people surrounding him, and without breaking his smile, said in an easy-going voice with no tension.



"It's very tight security."


"Of course, to protect Aifie-sama."


"What? What do you mean? Tell me."



 Still being hugged by the maid, Aifie can't grasp the situation and asks the two of them.



 She doesn't even realize that she is being attacked right now, but there is still a feeling of familiarity towards Tigaro in her eyes.



 The maid felt pity for Aifie, who still didn't know the true nature of the Noros family, and who still didn't understand that she had been betrayed by a friend she had known for a long time, and said this while tightly hugging the girl in her arms.



"Aifietouka. Please listen carefully."



 The maid's words had a serious tone to them, and Aifie, sensing that atmosphere, listened obediently.



"Tigaro-sama is no longer the Tigaro-sama you know."



"...What do you mean? Tigaro is right there..."



 Tigalo slowly approaches Aifie.



 Yes, Tigaro is always kind to Aifie and treats her with a smile.



 Whether they were playing together or fighting, Aifie loved his smile.


 He smiles with her, so she can do his best even when she's alone.



 Tigaro's smile was so warm and gentle that she thought so.



 ――A nice smile?



 She looked up at Tigaro's face once again.



 His eyes don't have the sparkle they used to, and his eerie smile is extremely thin.



 Tigaro's expression is so far removed from his old smile that she feels a sense of discomfort.


 Aifie got goosebumps at how creepy it was.



"Don’t come any closer to Aifietouka-sama!!"



 The guards of the Asur family who were surrounding them shouted.



 Even after hearing that, Tigaro's creepy yet peaceful smile never faltered.



"Do you guys, who are just Aifie’s bodyguards, have the right to give orders to me, a person from the Noros family?"



 Sensing that Tigaro would not stop, the guards gave instructions to the remaining personnel.



"Stop him!! Protect Aifietouka-sama!!"



 The other four guards begin chanting in unison, and several water bullets are released towards Tigaro.



 The name of the magic is [Water Ball].


 The type of magic is the same as the one that Aifie learned several years ago, but the power is completely different.



 Although the killing power of that magic is not high, it is faster than the one that Aifie had shown before, and it will hurt you if you take it seriously.


 Since Tigaro also comes from a family of great nobles, he probably made this choice because he judged that the guards couldn't easily hurt him.



 When Tigaro saw it, he quickly lowered his hips and moved to avoid it.



 He crouched to avoid the first one, raised his foot to pass through the second one, and twisted his body to dodge the third and fourth.


 The [Water Ball], which was powerful enough to lightly gouge the ground, never hit Tigaro.



 The four people who cast the magic widened their eyes in surprise at his vivid movements.



 The common way of fighting in the magic kingdom of Shirsodi is mainly by using magic.


 Magic is the basis when it comes to canceling out the opponent's magic and killing the opponent as well.



 That's why the tactic of fighting magic with one's own body is unique, and there are very few people who do it, except for one famous family.



"Don't get upset!! He's from the Noros family, which is the best martial arts family in the kingdom!"



 The guards regained their thoughts due to the one guard giving them instructions, but there was a momentary gap.



 Tigaro suddenly approached the person who was at the edge of his vision.


 He thrusts his hand out and used his bare hand, which turned into a fist, to strike the temple of the other person.



 After hitting his head to widen the gap, he sweeps off his legs and thrusts the soles of his feet into his exposed belly.



"Daha!?"



 The guard writhes on the ground.



 Two panicked guards approach to help their friend, but this is a good thing for Tigaro.



"Fuu."



 Tigaro dives into the bosom with quick steps and thrusts his heel directly upwards.



 After kicking the guard in the jaw, and giving him a concussion, the adult's body falling down was a nuisance, so he kicked the guard and pushed him away.



"What!?"



 Using the kicked body as a shield, wrap his arms around him and pull him from behind.



 Even the child Tigaro doesn't need strength.



 Just press the pressure points and thrust your arms out.


 That alone was enough to strangle the guard.



"You!!"



 While Tigaro was strangling his neck, the last member of the bodyguard who was behind him―― a person who appeared to be the captain, fired multiple [Water Ball] at Tigaro's back.



 This escort must be quite strong as it can cast multiple spells in an instant.



"[Spirit Tail]"



 However, all of that magic was shot down by a tentacle that suddenly sprouted from Tigaro's back―― more precisely, around his tailbone.



 The tentacle is as long as Tigaro's height and are cloudy and translucent.


 It is thicker than an adult's arm and compresses tightly.



"Aifietouka-sama!! Run away!"



 Before he could scream at Aifie, he was pelted away by a tentacle.



 In an instant, the guard was pushed away, and the maid who had been hugging Aifie stepped forward to protect her.



 Aifie couldn't see her expression, but she was looking straight at Tigaro, and she could tell that she was paying attention to his every move.



 Tigaro, who was visible on the other side of the maid's back, didn't seem to be worried, and he was giving Aifie a creepy smile full of discomfort.





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