He who Protects the Transforming Heroines from The Shadows - Chapter 4 - The Guardian

“…So sleepy.”

Turning off the alarm clock by his ear, Kijou Eito let out a huge yawn.

The time was 7:45 AM. Reluctantly crawling out of his futon, Eito headed to the living room.

His home was just a normal apartment. A 3LDK unit—fairly expensive for Tokyo, though being in the suburbs helped keep the rent only slightly higher than in rural areas.

After eating some bread and getting ready, it was a little past 8:15. Since his place was close to Fuura High School, he still had plenty of time to make it.

Saying goodbye to his mom and heading out the front door, he already knew his little sister had left for school. Energetic as always, that one.

“Fwaaaah… hmm?”

While walking along the usual route to school and stifling another yawn, Eito noticed some girls up ahead whispering and squealing excitedly. What was going on?

Glancing around, he noticed an unusually large number of girls. Tilting his head at the oddity, the answer soon became obvious.

“Ahh, Kounomiya-kun looks so good again today.”
“Right? Right? This time of morning is just bliss!”

Overhearing the girls chatting ahead of him, Eito sighed in understanding.

(Kounomiya’s ahead, huh.)

Realizing this, Eito quickly picked up his pace and slipped past the girls to make his way to school.

(If I stay behind him, I’ll just get swallowed by a sea of fangirls.)

After weaving through the crowd of girls, he spotted a boy walking slightly ahead. Even from behind, his handsome aura was practically oozing out. That boy was none other than Kounomiya Kouji.

Kounomiya Kouji. Second-year, Class 1 at Fuura High. A true heartthrob.

Even other guys had to admit he was good-looking—Eito included (grudgingly). Not only that, he was well-behaved, talented, and athletic. The full package.

To top it off, he was the heir to the Kounomiya Group, a massive conglomerate. Handsome, capable, and rich—of course he was popular with the girls. Honestly, it would be weird if he wasn’t. To the guys, though, he was the walking definition of “too perfect to be legal.”

You’d think a guy like that would be student council president, but no—he was the vice president. Not that it mattered.

(Hot guys are the enemy. I’m gonna pass this guy with cool composure.)

What exactly “passing someone with cool composure” meant was unclear, but Eito was completely serious about it.

His overly long bangs swaying, Eito began to pick up speed. The closer he got to Kouji, the more he felt the guy’s refreshing aura—like it might purify his very soul.

But then—because fate is cruel, or perhaps because Eito is just that kind of guy—he stepped on a banana peel (why is that even there?) just as he was about to pass Kouji. He fell beautifully and dramatically, like a soccer player doing a textbook overhead kick.

“?!”

Luckily, he landed on his back and avoided hitting his head, but it still felt like whiplash. It hurt. A lot.

Naturally, attention from all around zeroed in on Eito, who had just wiped himself out in spectacular fashion. People stared as if saying, Really? You’re a high schooler and you fell that cleanly?

“Are you okay?”

Mr. Perfect extended a hand to the gloomy-looking guy who’d just face-planted in front of him. Say what you will, he was just that good a person.

Meanwhile, Eito lay there, staring at the sky through the gap in his long bangs. It was a clear, sunny day.

(It’s been a long time since I looked up at the sky like this…)

When he was younger, he often lay around staring at the clouds. Maybe he should do that again by the river one day.

Despite the pain, these were the kinds of thoughts floating through Eito’s mind. Is he deep? Or just an idiot? Definitely the latter.

“…Don’t concern yourself with me..”

Snapping himself out of his thoughts, Eito slapped Kouji’s hand away. Not because he was embarrassed or anything. Absolutely not.

“I… I see… Well, take care, then.”

Looking slightly surprised, Kouji nonetheless gave a refreshing smile before walking off.

“…Of all things, a banana peel.”

Seriously? That’s so cliché, Eito grumbled internally as he stood up, grabbed his bag again, and continued toward school.

A strange, indescribable atmosphere lingered among the students who had witnessed the whole scene.

♦

“Man, what a terrible morning…”

As the bell signaling the start of lunch break rang through the building, Eito had his head down on his desk. His body still ached a bit, but there was no helping that.

“…Guess I’ll hit the school store.”

With a heavy sigh, Eito got up and made his way toward the school shop in search of lunch.

Normally, Eito brought his own lunch, but today his mom had told him she prepared no side dish to bring, so he had no choice but to buy something.

Fuura High had a cafeteria, and the school store was located on the same floor. It was on the first floor, and always packed during lunch break. Because of that, Eito hurried a bit to get there.

As expected, the cafeteria and shop area were crowded, but Eito managed to buy a yakisoba bread and a sandwich before finding an empty seat to sit at.

He realized he’d forgotten to get water, so he went to the self-service station, filled a paper cup, and returned to the seat he’d saved.

“…Ugh.”
“Oh? It’s you…”

But when he got back, Kounomiya Kouji was sitting across from him. A glance at Kouji’s lunch revealed he was eating the most expensive Western-style steak set in the cafeteria—priced at a staggering 1,980 yen. Figures. The guy had money to burn.

Eito clicked his tongue internally at the rich kid, then glanced around. Unfortunately, every other seat was taken.

With no other options, Eito placed his water down and sat across from Kouji. He then clasped his hands together and bit into the yakisoba bread.

“Are you doing okay after this morning?”
“…Yeah.”

The handsome guy asked with a cheerful smile, and Eito gave him a curt reply. He wasn’t heartless enough to ignore someone who was showing concern for him—at least in form.

“I see, that’s good. Still, what a stroke of bad luck. Who would’ve thought a banana peel would be there… Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. I’m—”
“Kounomiya Kouji.”
“Huh? You know me?”

Kouji looked genuinely surprised that Eito knew his name. Eito, seeing that reaction, found it hard to believe.

There wasn’t a single student at Fuura High who didn’t know Kounomiya Kouji. Not just because of his looks, but also his background profile. It would be much weirder not to know him.

“…You’re pretty famous, after all.”

After finishing his yakisoba bread and washing it down with water, Eito peered at Kouji through the curtain of his bangs. Frustrating as it was—actually, not frustrating, but still (pick a side, damn it)—he really was good-looking.

“Haha, it’s kinda embarrassing, really. Being called famous. But I’m just another student here, like you. Oh, that reminds me., I haven’t asked your name yet. Would you mind telling me?”

Kouji finished his steak set, wiped his mouth with a napkin, and looked at Eito with a dignified gaze. Eito, having just finished his sandwich, reluctantly replied.

“…Kijou Eito.”
“I see, Kijou-kun! Nice to meet you!”

With a bright smile, Kouji offered his right hand to Eito. But Eito had no idea what that gesture meant.

“…What’s that supposed to mean?” So he asked honestly.

“Oh, sorry. I guess it’s kind of weird to suddenly offer a hand. I just meant it as a friendly gesture, that’s all.”
“…Are you seriously saying that? I’m the guy who smacked your hand away this morning.”
“Don’t worry about it. I was the one butting in unnecessarily back then.”

Eito’s eyes widened at those words. Though with how long his bangs were, Kouji probably didn’t notice.

(I figured as much… but yeah, this guy really is a ‘good person’.)

Otherwise, he wouldn’t be so well-liked. It wasn’t just his looks or his background, his personality played a big role in his popularity.

Sure, there were people who badmouthed him. But that was mostly out of jealousy or pettiness, just human ugliness.

“……”

Honestly, Eito had no reason not to take that hand. But he wasn’t used to this kind of kindness.

(Still…)

Touched by Kouji’s sincerity, Eito slowly reached his right hand toward the one being offered—

KIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIN

“!”

A sharp ringing pierced his mind, and Eito instantly stood up. But not before stuffing the last sandwich into his mouth.

“Huh?”
“S’rry!”

Mumbling through a mouthful of food, Eito apologized and hurried out of the cafeteria. As he ran, he reached into his pants pocket to check for the pendulum.

(Tch… Now of all times?)

That sound was the signal from Soleil that a Dark Thrall had appeared. And the fact that Eito heard it too meant—

『Eito.』
“Soleil, this one’s far away, huh?”

Switching to his school shoes at the entrance, Eito rushed outside and moved to a place where no one could see him.

Thanks to that signal, Eito could sense exactly where the Dark Thrall had appeared. It was roughly five kilometers away.

『Yes. I’ve already sent Youka and Miya. I’ll teleport you in ten seconds, Eito.』

Hearing Soleil’s telepathic message, Eito waited calmly on the spot for ten seconds. Then, a circle of light rose from the ground, surrounding him—his body broke apart into particles, and he vanished.

♦

“Now then…”

Teleported by Soleil, Eito found himself in a wide plaza. Apparently, a Dark Thrall had appeared somewhere in the vicinity.

『Eito, over there.』

Guided by Soleil’s voice, he turned his gaze—and spotted it about fifteen meters away.

In a word, it was a massive snake. But unlike ordinary snakes, this one was so enormous it coiled on itself like a dragon, towering several meters high. Its total length was likely around ten meters.

Its scales were a poisonous-looking purple, and its narrow, reptilian pupils were, oddly enough, the same golden color as Eito’s when he was in his Spriggan form. Its flickering tongue seemed to be searching for prey.

Eito immediately hid in the nearby bushes, observing the snake from within the greenery.

“So that’s the Dark Thrall this time, huh? That’s a big one.”
『Yes. But it has no intelligence. It’s simply a beast twisted into that form. In other words, it’s all size and no brains—its danger rating is the lowest class.』
“…But those two were nearly killed by one of the lowest class last time.”
『That was because Reizeroll tampered with it. But I understand. Which is why, aside from you as a safeguard, I’ve made sure there’s another layer of protection this time.』
“Another safeguard besides me…?”

He didn’t know what she meant by that, but he heard the Thrall let out a low growl and looked toward it.

There, Youka and Miya appeared in front of the Dark Thrall, and transformed using their bracelets. After reciting their usual transformation speeches, they launched straight into battle. It seemed Reizeroll wasn’t around this time.

“Good… That means the barrier is up.”

Relieved by Reizeroll’s absence, Eito let out a small breath. Honestly, Reizeroll was not someone Youka and Miya should be facing right now—she was essentially the final boss.

『It looks like there will be no casualties this time either. With the barrier deployed, we can rest a little easier.』

Soleil’s voice responded to Eito’s muttered thoughts.

For reference, the “barrier” was a kind of invisible dome that activated over the area the moment a Lightguide Princess transformed.

While the barrier was in place, ordinary people unconsciously avoided the area. Thanks to this, civilians were not dragged into the battles between the Lightguide Princesses and the Dark Thralls.

However, there were exceptions. Lightguide Princesses and their Guardians were unaffected by the barrier’s repellent effect, since they were innately aware by divine signal of where the Dark Thralls appeared.

Of course, if a Dark Thrall encountered civilians before the barrier was set up, the government would take over. At least, that’s what Eito had heard; he hadn’t been told the full details by Soleil. Still, since he’d started this job, he hadn’t heard of any civilian casualties.

“Looks like I won’t have to step in this time…”

Just then, Youka slammed her heel down into the serpent’s head. With a shriek, the snake crashed into the ground. Miya followed up with a spell that pinned the creature’s head in place.

“…Might even make it back by sixth period.”

Eito was, after all, just a high school student. And at the moment, he’d skipped fifth period without permission. As much of a gloomy loner as he looked, he was actually pretty conscientious, and this was bothering him quite a bit.

『To think one of my trump cards would be such a small-minded boy. Truly lamentable.』
“…The hell did you just say, you old hag? I’ll kill you.”

Eito growled out the words, voice full of murderous intent.

Not that Eito wanted to do this job. Who in their right mind would willingly take on something this annoying and potentially deadly? And yet he had taken up that role. Unlike Youka and Miya, who voluntarily chose to become Lightguide Princesses of their own will, Eito had been forced into becoming a Spriggan.

『Fufu, I apologize. I was only joking. I’m sincerely grateful to you, Eito—I’ve never thought otherwise. Truly, thank you, as always.』

Soleil brushed off his hostility like it was nothing, and then, like an ambush, she quietly voiced her gratitude.

“Wh—?! The hell, don’t just say that all of a sudden!”

Eito’s voice turned from anger to flustered panic. He looked very much like an ordinary teenage boy in that moment.

『Oh my, so you do have a cute side. Honestly, I always thought you were a ridiculously sullen brat.』
“Shut up, you hag… And what do you mean by ‘trump card,’ anyway?”
『Who’re you calling a hag!? It’s not important—more importantly, look, it’s happening now.』

Prompted by Soleil, Eito turned his focus back to the girls, just as they began chanting their purification spell. But last time, things went south at exactly this point. Eito figured they knew that, too—but still, he kept a close watch, ready to leap in at a moment’s notice.

“Let the raging flame be turned to light—”
“Let the mystic water be turned to light—”

They both raised their hands toward the Dark Thrall, and their hands overlapped.

““Purifying light, GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!””

A torrent of light surged toward the immobilized serpent. With no way to escape, the Dark Thrall was swallowed whole.

“KIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!”

With a final, dying shriek, the Dark Thrall was cleansed. It should have been over—but just as Eito let his guard down, danger struck again.

Perhaps the darkness in this serpent’s heart had been too strong, because the purification was taking longer than usual. In that gap, the Thrall made one final move.

“Shya!”

The serpent cracked its body like a whip, aiming its tail at Youka and Miya. The speed at the tip made a sharp crack through the air—it was moving at the speed of sound, at least.

“Sh1t!”

Even if he moved now, he wouldn’t make it in time. Especially not if he had to transform into Spriggan first.

The girls didn’t react fast enough either—the tail was going to hit them. And if it did, the damage would be catastrophic.

“Damn it!”

This was his mistake. After telling Soleil to make sure they never let their guard down, he had done just that—for a moment. And because of it, the girls would—!

Just as Eito’s instincts spurred him to act, Soleil’s voice echoed in his mind.

『I told you, didn’t I, Eito? I had another safeguard besides you. —Looks like they made it just in time.』

The moment her voice reached him, a sword suddenly came flying out of nowhere.

Moving at supersonic speed, the sword pierced the serpent’s tail. The impact was so forceful that the creature’s massive body was flung backward.

“…What?”

The Dark Thrall finished disintegrating into light, leaving behind only a sword and the human who had once been corrupted into a Thrall.

As Eito, Youka, and Miya stood frozen in disbelief, footsteps echoed from somewhere nearby.

“—Good. Looks like I made it in time.”

With the steady click, clack of his footsteps, the boy emerged.

Clad in white, princely clothes and blessed with flawless features, he had the perfect appearance of a gallant knight swooping in to save the day. He even reminded Eito, slightly, of his own Spriggan form.

“That guy—!”

From his hiding spot, Eito’s eyes went wide. Because the boy who now slid the remaining sword into the sheath at his left hip turned to Youka and Miya with a bright smile and said:

“Nice to meet you, rookie Lightguide Princesses. I am your Guardian—your very own knight.”

It was none other than Kounomiya Kouji, the boy Eito had just been talking to a short while ago.