Chapter 22 – vs Maid (2)

Ｒ​ｅ​ａ​ｄ ｏｎ ＫａｔＲｅａｄｉｎｇ​Ｃａｆｅ

 

For Captain America’s fighting style to work, several prerequisites were necessary:

First, physical abilities matching the Super-Soldier Serum.

This part wasn’t a concern. Between Kivotos students’ bulletproof durability and my own monstrous physique as Silk, I had more than enough—if anything, I was overqualified.

Second, the shield itself.

A shield made of vibranium alloy, the toughest material on Earth (in Marvel lore). An item so broken that Spider-Man once called it a ‘violation of physics’. Without it, my imitation of Cap’s style wouldn’t work.

Third, mental fortitude and combat skills.

Beyond his convictions, close-quarters combat was Captain America’s specialty. His fights were always up-close—requiring not just brawling skills but psychological warfare. Leading the charge, reading attacks, blocking with his shield, and breaking through enemy lines—that was his way.

Could I pull that off?

Even though this was my own idea, doubts lingered.

Maybe that’s why I accepted Neru’s challenge. Fighting her might give me the confidence I needed.

And as it turned out—

I was absolutely right.

***

CRACK!

A thunderous step echoed as we closed the distance in an instant.

Gun versus shield.

RATATAT—!

Neru’s bullets ricocheted off my shield as I charged forward without slowing.

“Annoying little—!”

“Haaah—!”

She dodged my lunge, but I wasn’t done. Twisting the shield, I drew my pistol and fired from the side.

BANG! BANG!

But Neru, predictably, dodged with a smirk. Her crimson eyes flared as she read my stance, then she kicked off the ground and rushed me.

I raised my shield—only for her to leap over me, predicting my move. A gun barrel pressed against my back.

“Game over, dumbass—!”

CLANG!

“Huh?!”

Her jaw dropped.

She didn’t know one thing:

My Senses were sharper than hers.

I’d twisted midair, blocking every bullet with my shield—all of them, trajectories predicted the moment she pulled the trigger.

“You—you insane—!”

“Hah. My turn, Senpai.”

“You’re a riot!”

I didn’t give her time to react, charging faster this time.

Neru’s eyes gleamed.

The moment I swung the new shield, shot like a cannonball, and reached Neru’s immediate vicinity, Neru lowered her body with the corners of her mouth raised as if she was endlessly happy. 

Then—

“Cheeky little brat—!!”

BAM!

Her foot slammed into my shield like a sledgehammer. The impact sent me skidding back—

CLANK.

A strange metallic noise rang in my ears.

Neru’s grin turned predatory.

“Go on, give it your best shot, you damn junior!”

“……!”

SCRREECH—!

The chain wrapped around my shield yanked it down, breaking my guard. As the pressure slowly intensified, I realized that Neru was trying to disarm me. 

For a split second, I considered ditching the shield and fighting pistol-only, but I immediately saw Neru’s expression. She was waiting, watching my reaction without firing her gun.

And I realized—

She’d figured me out.

I understood what she meant by ‘cheeky’.

“Hah!”

I laughed in vain. I couldn’t help but admire her insight. So I didn’t hesitate.

I activated my Senses.

Not the half-conscious version I’d been using—the real deal.

The world expanded.

A flood of information overwhelmed me—but I could handle it.

I saw Neru’s gun aimed at my forehead.

The chain still restraining my shield.

Neru’s expression and her exhilarated grin.

And, everything that existed in this arena was ‘seen’.

I felt it. I heard it. I understood it.

And in that instant, I made my choice.

“Fine. I’ll admit it this time.”

-I admitted it.

Her strength. My own inadequacy. The fact that I couldn’t win if I continued like this.

So I got serious.

BOOM—!

I stomped, shaking the entire room.

No more holding back.

No more underestimating Neru.

No more hiding that I was Silk.

“My mistake, Senpai. So—”

That was my decision.

My respect for Mikamo Neru.

I pushed aside the fear of exposure and focused only on the fight.

Trusting the personality I knew from the game, I bared my true self—yanking my shield back with all my strength.

Crack! 

The chain on the shield still made a sharp sound, but it didn’t matter. If it wouldn’t come off, I could just break it.

TAK!

“I’ll do my best.”

The chain broke. Neru staggered back, and I steadied myself.

We locked eyes.

“Cheeky brat. You really thought you could fool me?”

“What else could I do?”

“Hah! Bold talk! But I get it now—you being her makes sense.”

“As an apology, I won’t hold back anymore.”

“Damn right you won’t, junior!”

Neru laughed.

I smiled slightly as well.

The look in our eyes held only one emotion now:

The desire to win.

“Here I come.”

“Bring it!”

I dropped my pistol. Neru lowered her stance.

We glared at each other, using our boiling pride as fuel, we charged.

***

What followed wasn’t something humans should’ve been capable of.

Our physical abilities—already beyond normal—escalated further.

The training hall became a warzone.

Gunfire. Shattering concrete. Shockwaves tearing the room apart.

They traded blows—blocking, countering, striking.

The concept of ‘ground’ ceased to exist. They ran along walls, kicked off ceilings, as if every place they ‘touched’ was their ground.

BOOOOOOM—!!!

Debris flew. Dust choked the air.

Amid the chaos, two girls laughed like maniacs as they fought without restraint.

Shoot. Block. Strike. Counter. Repeat.

Red and blue eyes flashed through the dust, clashing like comets.

To any observer, this would’ve been unbelievable—

The first-year student fighting Mikamo Neru on equal footing, the one who was called the strongest in Millenium.

However, since Neru had wisely picked a remote training hall. No one saw this scene.

Only they knew—acknowledging each other’s strength, fueling our rivalry.

“Kuhahaha—! You’re insane, brat! Hiding this kinda skill?! Not bad!”

“F*ck! You’re strong!”

“Hah?! Watch your mouth, damn junior—!”

Neru, thrilled by a worthy opponent.

Nanashi, finally free to go all-out without holding back.

Different words, same feeling:

‘This was fun.‘

And 

‘I want to win.’

The two felt a great sense of liberation, there was no need to hold back.

Neru fought with Superhuman Instincts. Nanashi fought with Superhuman Senses. Their strengths covered their weaknesses—keeping the fight even.

But as time passed, the gap widened. In Neru’s favor.

CRASH—!!

Neru’s knee kick sent Nanashi flying into a wall. Nanashi pushed off, but her stamina was draining fast.

Then—

SMACK!

Neru’s knee slammed into Nanashi’s face.

Blood sprayed as Nanashi crumpled.

Some might’ve praised her for fighting Millennium’s strongest—a close-combat monster—to a near-draw.

Others might’ve admired her will to keep going despite exhaustion.

But Neru and Nanashi knew the truth.

“F*ck… you’re good…”

“You are still lacking experience, junior.”

Both of them knew best who would win, and who would lose

In raw potential, Nanashi surpassed her.

But in current ability? Neru’s combat experience and physical prowess outmatched Nanashi’s.

A month of training wasn’t enough to beat Millennium’s strongest.

In addition, the shoddy gear (a mass-produced pistol and a basic shield) that Nanashi was using didn’t help either. Neither did the fact that Nanashi still has yet to properly adapt to her Superhuman Senses, and no matter how much she tried, she was no match for Neru.

But excuses didn’t matter here.

Nanashi somehow managed to force herself up.

Neru panted, grinning at the sight of her junior.

“More?”

“…Yeah. Of course I will.”

Nanashi’s goal wasn’t just to win—it was to learn.

Winning against Neru was also a goal, but her most important goal was to learn and grow.

To steal every bit of experience from Neru.

To grow stronger.

So—

“I’ll fight all day if I have to.”

“Kuhah! Knew you’d say that! Let’s go—!”

Nanashi would’ve backed off in fear before.

But after this fight? Seeing how much she was able to grow and improve? 

No retreat.

“Again.”

“Whenever you’re ready, rookie!”

Nanashi took a stance and Neru took a stance as well.

Nanashi, holding up her almost broken shield, kicked her feet and was about to charge at that moment-

Then she froze.

“—Stop.”

A familiar, unwelcome voice cut through the hall.

The two who were about to have a go at each other, slowly turned towards the voice

Gray hair reaching her waist.

A maid uniform like Neru’s.

A large bag and a pistol in hand.

Their faces paled.

“What exactly are you two doing?”

Murokasa Akane smiled—terrifyingly.

Neru and Nanashi shared a thought:

‘We’re screwed.’

‘Goddammit.’

“President. And you, junior.”

“Take a look around you.”

Only then did we notice—

The destroyed training hall.

The shredded shield.

Their bloody state.

“…Uh.”

“Do you understand what you’ve done wrong now?”

Akane’s words hit like ice water.

Nanashi’s excitement faded, replaced by dread.

Nanashi’s senses, still recovering, whispered the future to her:

‘Himari-senpai’s gonna kill me for this, isn’t she?’

Yeah. She’s so dead.