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Nanana’s Buried Treasure Volume 6 Chapter 4.4

「By the way? What kind of Nanana collection is that? 」

Now that everything is over with I ask this question.

Then one of the Hanae-chans took out a mirror from the corner of the room.

「This mirror is a Nanana collection. That’s it. When you look at yourself in the mirror and stare intently, the person on the other side of the mirror starts to move on its own. Then when you see a flash, suddenly another person is standing right in front of you. This person looks exactly the same as you, even all your thoughts and ideas are the same. 」

I couldn’t help but take a look at the mirror. It’s a pocket mirror that girls often use to touch up their makeup at school, but the frame and back of it have elaborate designs.

「When we are split like this we can do lots of things. 」 「And it’s so convenient. 」

The two Hanae-chans take turns talking.

「We can send one of us to school. 」 「And the other one can slack off and lay around our room. 」

「Studying for a test should be a lot easier if you can do it in half the time. 」

「Even if you go on a date with me I can fool you. 」

The two of them are really in sync.

「….well that mirror is certainly convenient. 」

「Isn’t it? I bought it at an antique shop in town. 」

「Huh? You didn’t get it from a 《ruin》?」

「That seems to be how people normally get them. But I only found that out after I got this mirror. I’ve never been to a place like that myself. I’m not really interested. 」

Come to think of it, when I first joined the Adventure Club, President Yuiga said something like that. It seems that the Nanana collection is not only hidden in the 《ruins》 but also in public circulation. I was told that it is hard to tell what items happen to be Nanana collection, but it seems that Hanae-chan happened to get one by chance, and discovered its ability by accident.

I guess there are some Nanana collection owners that got them that way.

「Ahhh dang. We could have had a lot more fun if we would have gotten first prize. 」

「That’s too bad. 」

The two of them let out a sigh at exactly the same time, looking like perfect mirror images of each other.

After leaving the battle area, Tetsu-kun and I parted ways with the two Hanae-chan and started walking through the park side by side.

「I’m still surprised by you Juugo. I never would have realized that because the bet was 4 coins that she was using a Nanana collection to duplicate herself. 」

Tetsu-kun seems really impressed.

「No. Honestly I was just skeptical. 」

「!? What do you mean? 」

「I was pretty sure I noticed something strange, but I had no proof. 」

Tetsu-kun was surprised by honest admission.

「So it’s possible that you would be mistaken? 」

「Well about that. The Nanana collection’s abilities might have been completely different. 」

「…」

「In addition, Hanae-chan’s argument that ‘it’s not against the rules because I’m using a Nanana collection wasn’t wrong either. 」

「Is that right? 」

「Yes that’s right. Because according to the main rules, the use of Nanana collections are allowed. Even though it was a double of the same person, it was still two people against two people, that might have been tolerable. 」

「So you are saying that it could have gone either way? 」

「That’s right. All I could do was strongly suggest that Hanae-chan was violating the rules to influence gorokuma’s impression of her. 」

「…come to think of it, at the time your words were pretty harsh. 」

「Well it resulted in our favor so all is well. 」

Tetsu-kun looked shocked as I grinned.

「How could you bluff so confidently. 」

「But we would have lost if things stayed the way they were. So I just thought I would do everything I could. Bluffing is good. People are more likely to believe a strong lie rather than a weak truth. 」

「What is that? 」

「Our family motto. 」

Tetsu-kun hears this and grins as he says, 「That’s a strange family motto. 」 I decided to make a proposal to Tetsu-kun that I had been thinking about for awhile now.

「What do you think Tetsu-kun? Want to team up with me? 」

「Join forces you say? 」

I nod.

「Tetsu-kun wants to bring Yun-chan back. I want to win and get the Nanana collection. So why don’t we cooperate? 」

「I decline. I am also aiming to win. 」

「Those were Batako-san’s orders right? 」

「…that’s right. 」

「Hmmm. Now that I think about it, are you the only one of the Three Skulls who is participating in the 《game》 Tetsu-kun? 」

「Yeah, I’m the only one participating. 」

「Hmmmm. 」

「What? 」

「I don’t care, but if that’s the case wouldn’t it be best to work together. 」

「What’s your goal here Juugo? Why are you trying to help me? 」

Tetsu-kun is getting suspicious.

「Well since you are asking me, well… it’s because I also want to bring Yun-chan back. 」

「Oh. 」

「Take your hand off the hilt of your sword. Don’t be jealous. But I digress. I do, but if it comes down to Yun-chan or the rare Nanana collection, I’ll definitely do what it takes to get that Nanana collection. 」

I tell him my honest feelings.

「You make it very clear. 」

「Unfortunately I’m not a super hero who can do save everyone at once and get everything I like. But the thing I’ve set my mind on I will do even if it kills me. I’ve decided that I’m going to win the 《Nanana’s sword》 no matter what. Yun-chan isn’t part of that plan. 」

「So you would abandon Yun? 」

「That’s not what I mean. Am I going to help Yun-chan? Can I help her? I’m not sure what the situation is yet. ….Well if I can afford to help her I will, but if I can’t then I’ll leave it to you. But I really want her to be saved. That’s why your presence is important. 」

「My presence? 」

「For you, if it came down to Yun-chan or the Nanana collection, you would pick Yun-chan for sure right? 」

「100% Yun-chan. 」

「Yeah. It’s great how you can answer immediately and so seriously. That’s very manly. So in that case I don’t’ think there’s any harm in getting help in getting Yun-chan back. 」

「That’s a very convenient suggestion. The person who stands to gain the most from this deal is you Juugo. 」

「What do you mean? 」

「You get yourself a Nanana collection and let me save Yun. If that happens you’ll get both of the things you are after. But even if I save Yun I wouldn’t get the Nanana collection. 」

「But still, you would 100% choose Yun-chan right? 」

「I’d choose yun-chan 100%. But I can’t give up winning and getting the Nanana collection. 」

「You can leave that to Batako-san. 」

As I smiled and said that, Tetsu-kun’s expression visibly changed.

「What do you know about that Juugo? 」

「I didn’t know anything, but now I know that Batako-san is up to something. 」

「Who the hell are you? 」

「I told you before, I’m an outcast from a family of thieves. 」

This is what I told them when I was asked while making a delivery to them before. At the time it was dismissed as a joke, but this time I wonder if he believes me.

「Should I believe in a thief’s words? 」

「I agree that you shouldn’t just believe what a thief says to you. So please consider this as a suggestion from a friend and listen. Tetsu-kun, let me help you save Yun-chan. 」

It’s true. That’s what I think. For people who need help, there is a specific person who should be helping them. And it’s not me who’s going to save Yun-chan, it’s definitely Tetsu-kun.

Tetsu-kun thought for awhile and finally came to a conclusion.

「I want to bring yun back. So if you can help me I would like to accept your offer. However I am a member of Three Skulls, and my mission can’t be compromised. Therefore, I cannot betray my sister. 」

「So what are you saying? 」

「I Tetsunoshin Tsujimi, would like to join forces with you as an individual. I don’t know how much and when we can co-operate, but if you can lend me a hand I would feel reassured, Juugo. 」

「I feel the same. I don’t know how much I’ll be able to cooperate, but I’m happy to have a reliable partner. 」

We share a firm handshake.

We both have our faults, but there is no one I trust more.

It was here that the team of Jugo Yama and Tetsunoshin Tsujimi was formed.

「Tetsu-kun, I’m sorry to start with asking you this, but could you tell me everything you know? 」

Tetsu-kun gives me a suspicieous look when I ask this.

「Weren’t you listening to what I was just saying? What the, is this team already broken up? 」

「No, I’m not talking about the Three Skulls., I’m talking about Yun-chan’s movements. And also what do you know about about President Yuiga? 」