K – Seven Stories - Chapter 5

The 5th story out of 24, about the old Scepter 4. The original text is provided by , as usual.

K ~ Seven Stories: 24 Pieces
Piece 5: Shiotsu Gen (Superorganism)
by Furuhashi Hideyuki

“Habari, you’re too lenient when it comes to Zenjou.”

When there were plans made beforehand, said Zenjou would disregard them and rush out; when there was a formation put together, he would ignore it too and blast off on his own anyway. Really, he tended to make light of orders at every turn… or more like, he never had any intention to follow orders to begin with.

Scepter 4’s vanguard troops, and Zenjou Gouki in particular, were guilty of acting arbitrary way too often, and Shiotsu had been pointing out that, as well as the lax attitude of the Blue King, Habari Jin, who tolerated such actions, for a while now.

“Haha, guess that’s true. What a pickle.” Habari always laughed it off, casting his eyes heavenward.

But once, when Shiotsu repeated his frank opinion for who knows what time, Habari suddenly took on a serious look and said, “Sitting on your hands until I give you an order… Is Scepter 4 that kind of organization?”
“No, that’s not…” Shiotsu faltered. He couldn’t exactly argue back when it was put that way. Which, however, didn’t mean he agreed.

“Here.” Habari drew his sword. The movement was soft, but swordsmanship skill behind it was surprisingly sharp.

“Mhuh?!” Shiotsu whipped out his sword too on pure reflex alone and repelled Habari’s blade.

“Shiotsu. Just now, did you draw before or after you thought it through?”

Habari, a loaded smile on his lips, sheathed his sword. Like with drawing it previously, the blade was put away instantly, in one skillful motion, as if vanishing into thin air. Only Shiotsu’s sword remained to stick out like a sore thumb, leaving its owner in an awkward spot quite literally.

“If we likened Scepter 4 to one united living organism, we would have to accept that its movements are dictated by reflexes, among other things.”
“And that’s Zenjou, is what you want to say?”
“No, it’s not limited to only Zenjou. You and other members each fulfill their own respective roles as dictated by reflexes. The set of those reflexes coming together is an action Scepter 4 takes as a whole that corresponds to my will… You’re doubting my words, aren’t you?”

Having said all that, Habari burst out laughing, back to his usual self.  “Haha, that’s your role precisely. Keep doubting everything, Shiotsu.“
”…I see.“ Face sour, Shiotsu put his sword back into its sheathe.

Needless to say, he didn’t agree with any of it.