Chapter 21 – ２１ – Dance Time

Entrance Ceremony Arc

“Cast Off!”

With my words, the rider suit created from magical power burst away, exposing my skin—including the sensitive parts—to the open air.

Ah, no matter how many times I experience it, the only way to describe this sensation is that it feels good.

I feel like I’ve been working hard today just to taste this feeling…

“…Approximately ten minutes. I’m torn on whether to judge this as having endurance or not.”

“I think Naru dear is doing quite well. If we’re talking in terms of seconds, the maintenance time is gradually increasing and the intervals are getting shorter.”

And so, today is the third day since classes began.

For today’s Masquerade class, I was again in a separate room with Suzu. I am learning to maintain the rider suit, while Suzu is learning how to support me.

“I’ll put it back for now. Ms. Tarui.”

“…Yes? What is it?”

Having enjoyed the open air for a while, I manifested the rider suit again.

Yes, this is already the third time today, but the time it takes to create it is steadily decreasing, and the duration I can maintain it is increasing.

Furthermore, I feel like the quality of the rider suit itself has improved, so there’s no sense of discomfort even when wearing it for long periods.

That aside, I have a question.

“Currently, the time I can maintain my rider suit is around ten minutes. How does that compare to the duration of an actual Duel?”

“…It depends on the opponent. If it’s a fight between B-Rank Evaluateds, it’ll be settled within five minutes at most. However, if it’s between A-Rank Evaluateds, it’s not uncommon for it to take more than ten minutes, though it is rare.”

“By the way, A-Rank Evaluateds usually fight other A-Rank Evaluateds. Plus, since Naru dear’s only means of attack right now is punching and kicking, I think it’ll inevitably become a long-term battle. Specifically, twenty minutes or more.”

“I see…”

“…I should mention that while exposing your naked body during a Duel is not a loss according to the rules, if you are caught on camera, you will be arrested by the police after the Duel ends. If that happens, things will become quite troublesome.”

“Hmm…”

It seems that my current level is sufficient for fighting B-Rank Evaluateds.

However, for A-Rank Evaluateds, I’m still lacking time.

And if I’m caught on camera, it’s a police matter.

A police matter… I’d hate that. I’m aware that I’m already causing a great deal of trouble, but I’d hate it if that trouble extended to Suzu or my parents.

As for myself, becoming a sex offender for exposure wouldn’t dim my beauty, so I’m not that worried about it.

“…Regardless, since you’re maintaining it steadily, let’s try moving around in that state. Conveniently, today’s assignment for the other students is to dance while their Masquerade is active, so let’s do the same.”

“Understood.”

“Then, I’ll…”

“…Ms. Minasono, you dance as well.”

“Yes… I wanted to film Naru dear. Oh, I can just set up a camera.”

Suzu and I secured a spot with nothing around us and began to dance, following the movements shown on the monitor Ms. Tarui had prepared.

The dance started slowly, as if checking how far the body could move.

Then it gradually became more intense, reaching a climax.

From there, the intensity subsided, but it became a dance where one had to be conscious of every movement down to the fingertips and toes.

It lasted five minutes.

It was an intense exercise that utilized the entire body.

“Haa, huff… This is hard…”

Suzu dropped out halfway through.

Apparently, she ran out of magical power, and her body couldn’t keep up.

“True. It does seem difficult for a beginner to dance. I’m fine as long as I have a model to follow, though.”

In contrast, I danced through it normally and have already entered the second lap, with enough breath to speak.

I don’t feel my Magic Capacity decreasing at all; it seems I could handle a higher difficulty.

“…This dance is originally intended to check if the Masked Form’s fine motor control is functioning, if there are movements that cannot be performed, or if there are issues with flexibility. Mr. Midorikawa seems to have no problems at all.”

“Well, my Masked Form just changed my gender. I don’t think those kinds of problems would occur.”

“…No, it’s actually quite common. For some reason, movements that were possible before transforming become impossible once they become a Masked Form. Ms. Minasono is a good example in a way.”

“I see?”

“That’s true. Maybe because of the things I’m wearing, I feel like I can’t do movements I normally could.”

For now, it seems I’ll receive a good evaluation for the dance.

Well, I’ve never disliked moving my body.

From my perspective, it’s only natural that I can do it.

Besides, I’m wearing less now than I usually do.

“…Which is why… I imagine the grounds are currently a scene of absolute chaos.”

“Ah…”

“That… makes sense.”

“That’s one thing, but I’m starting to get itchy, so—Cast Off.”

“Naru dear, shouldn’t you wrap some white light around the places you aren’t supposed to show?”

“…That might be an option.”

I cast off, took a breath, and then brought the rider suit back.

Yes, I’ve really gotten used to this.

I can cast off smoothly and bring it back just as easily.

Still, white light on my chest and crotch… that might be worth considering.

If that becomes the norm, I’ll have various excuses.

Also, I need to think about weapons.

I don’t have a strong desire to actively seek out Duels, but if it ever comes to that, being completely helpless against someone like Ms. Maruta… would be more than just a little irritating.

“…Mr. Midorikawa, please continue dancing. However, lend me your ear. I will discuss the schedule from tomorrow onwards.”

“Understood.”

It seems she has something to tell me.

“…Based on today’s class, I judge that the problem of your Masked Form being unable to appear in public has been temporarily resolved. As for your habit of wanting to strip or the maintenance time, practicing on your own to get used to it is the shortest path.”

“I agree with Ms. Tarui.”

“…Therefore, from tomorrow onwards, your Masquerade classes will be conducted joined with the other A-Rank Evaluateds. If you feel like you’re about to cast off in public, please deactivate your Masquerade instead of stripping.”

“I see, understood.”

It seems I’ll be joining Tokuto and the others in class from next time.

As for the cast off… well, I’ll just have to handle it skillfully.

“…Additionally, you are permitted to use your Masquerade freely within your own room in the dormitory. I will issue the permission for that later. Given your control ability and the capabilities of your Masked Form, you shouldn’t break any furniture, walls, or floors.”

“Meaning, I can practice bringing out my clothes in the dorm?”

“…That is fine. In fact, it would be best if you did so proactively. However, make sure to lock your room door securely.”

“Well, that’s obvious.”

I found out later that I was the first person to be granted permission to activate their Masquerade in their dorm room by the third day of class.

Normally, it takes at least a month.

Apparently, the level of control and stability of my Masked Form is extraordinary.

“…And with that, today’s class is over. Tomorrow, Friday, will be observing mock duels between third-years. Monday will be a meeting and class exclusively for A-Rank Evaluateds, so there won’t be many opportunities to use your Masquerade. That’s why I want you to be able to maintain your clothes stably by next Tuesday.”

“Yes. I’ll do my best.”

“I’ll help as much as I can, Naru dear.”

And so, the day’s class ended successfully.

✧

“The top grade for today’s Masquerade class is ‘Broadcast Accident’?”

“They said it’s because they took the class in a separate room and had the space to do the dance.”

“Naked dancing… ahem. Well, as for being first in dance, I can accept that given that Masked Form and Magic Capacity.”

“But they don’t appear in public. I don’t know if that’s a fair evaluation.”

“It means they’re better than Magariya or Kibitsu, right? They must have been sharp… and shaking.”

Words were exchanged among the students.

The person with the highest Magic Capacity this year, who doesn’t show their face, had revealed a glimpse of their grades.

“I wonder if I could have won if it were just dancing.”

“Probably. I have some training, but it seems the odds were against me.”

“Hmm~. Are you okay with being third?”

“? Why should I care?”

“I mean, in the fight for the top spot among this year’s new students. Between Ms. Morikuni, Mr. Fuchibeni, or the number one.”

“I see. I don’t mind Mr. Fuchibeni, but as for the number one…”

Words were exchanged between those who had become close.

Whether the second-highest Magic Capacity cared about the third-highest.

“I’m strong. I’m strong! So why… I can’t stand it… Morikuni is one thing, but that number one person especially… just because they have a high Magic Capacity…”

The person in third place muttered alone after hearing this.

Because the opponent’s form was invisible, the conversation twisted and became distorted.

“If you can’t stand it, why not just crush them in a Duel?”

“That’s it! A Duel… I’ll challenge them to a Duel! Once I beat them down, everyone will have no choice but to acknowledge me!!”

And so, with a whisper that seemed to come from within their own heart, the third-place student found the solution unique to Duel Academy.