Planetes
3. x. Masked Girl

Arcturus seemed happy because his attack would be inevitable by Elliot. However, who would have thought if Elliot had made a protective ice wall thick enough to dispel Arcturus attacks.

"I think I underestimated you!" Arcturus was also grieving.

Elliot's breath seemed to be panting. Arcturus is an opponent that cannot be underestimated. It could be seen from how persistent the red-haired man was against him.

[So protective is Arcturus against Clarissa? But from what I heard from Kazuto-san, he wanted to kill Clarissa. Does this mean he intends to end all of this himself?] Elliot is back.

"Why did you forbid me from approaching Clarissa?" Elliot finally asked.

"Because it's mine."

"Even if you're her brother, doesn't that mean you're meddling in her personal matters?" Elliot did not stop asking Arcturus. Makes the man snort.

"Curtain, not you, not your son. Much the same. Both bring-up and hobby patronize me." Arcturus ruffled his hair in frustration. "I'll end his suffering and not you. You won't be able to help her."

Elliot could see the hatred in the eyes of Arcturus. Yes, the hatred directed at him.

"You want to kill him?" elliot asked back. "Why?"

"Why did you take it once?" Arcturus is angry. "Because I was destined to be. Since I received Perseus' soul."

Ain Elliot twins patterning. Perseus was the one who managed to kill Medusa in the past. Will the tragedy repeat itself?

"Why should you kill him? Is there no other way?"

Elliot does not expect Clarissa's soul to drift in this long feud. Moreover, due to the foolish ritual of merging Medusa with the girl's soul, Elliot finds it increasingly difficult to help the girl.

"Are you hoping to separate Chylara from Clarissa's body? That's impossible, Elliot. It's like you're trying to separate conjoined twins from one heart. When you try to separate them one of them will die, or both will die. Don't you think you're going there?"

Arcturus' explanation left Elliot stunned. He wondered how he could save the girl he liked. Arcturus saw Elliot's negligence as an opportunity to attack and his movements came to a halt when he heard the angry cry of a man nearby.

『WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN MY REGION?!』

Elliot awoke from his daydream and turned to the source of the voice. It was Muraki Kazuto who seemed to be in a great rage.

"Kazuto-san," Elliot lowered his head.

Kazuto turned his head towards Arcturus and intercepted his teeth. Anger was evident in his face and eyes.

『I think I told you that this place is off limits for you to visit, right? Are you dumb and deaf?』kazuto's sarcasm came out and rained down on Arcturus. 『Even you attacked Elliot, what do you really think, huh?!』

Hearing that, Elliot realized that Arcturus was indeed banned from this place. Elliot can see that Kazuto really does not like his brother Clarissa. It seemed like this was enough to remind him not to mess with Kazuto.

"I'm just teaching him a lesson." Arcturus defended himself. "That he should not approach what is mine."

『Clarissa is not an item, b*ngs*t!』Kazuto could not help but kick Arcturus in the stomach until the man almost vomited his entrails. 『How dare you say that when you have a wife. Elliot approaching Clarissa is a reasonableness and you doing this to Clarissa is an abnormality! BEGO!』

It seemed that it was true that not making Kazuto angry was the best choice. Elliot here is only stunned to see Arcturus who was overwhelmed by his teacher Clarissa.

"Why indeed? Clarissa remains my sister," Arcturus returns in self-defense.

『He's not your real brother and you have no right to do that for him. Who do you have the right to forbid anyone from approaching Clarissa?』Kazuto emphasized his sentence, leaving Arcturus at a loss for words. 『You better get out of here before I kill you, Arcturus.』

Arcturus immediately left the place after previously making threats to Elliot. "Remember that my business with you is not done, Le Verrier."

Elliot did not let go of his gaze on Arcturus until the man's shadow disappeared around the corner. Kazuto approached Elliot and looked worried.

『Elliot, are you okay? Anyone hurt?』

"I'm fine, Kazuto-san. Just relax." Elliot looked at his meager wounds on the hands and feet. "Anu, why would Arcturus forbid anyone from approaching Clarissa?"

『I'll explain inside. I'd better treat your wounds first.』Kazuto gestured for the bentala to follow him.

『Perseus has fused with himself, which is why he became obsessed with whatever was ever present in his life. Including Clarissa. If it says Sister Complex, but she intends to kill Clarissa and not protect her. Maybe he's turned into a maniac.』Kazuto explains to Elliot while bandaging Elliot's wounds. 『From the time I handed my student over to that baj*ng*n, I'm more trusting of him to you. I know you'll do your best for Clarissa.』

Elliot listened to Kazuto's words carefully. Arcturus' obsession is not normal. However, he himself was exhausted in overcoming all the attacks of Arcturus.

[When 2 or 3 of my powers come back, I can definitely compensate for them,] Elliot is even more so.

『Well, it's done. I suggest you don't act rashly, Elliot. Your strength has not fully recovered, right?』Kazuto stared at Neptune.

"Err, it's not all, anyway..." Elliot plays his fingers. "Had 2 or three of my powers returned, maybe I could have matched Arcturus...."

Kazuto sighed harshly. 『Can compensate it, does not mean it is enough to terrorize entry into the Association, stupid!』Kazuto clapped Elliot's head. 『Help Clarissa out, which means you should be able to destroy the Association. But, I think your ability is still lacking to destroy the security system of the 2000-year-old Association.』

Kazuto paused while tidying up his P3K equipment. 『Even the Association is predicted to have security that will not be destroyed despite the world doomsday.』

Hearing that, Elliot grew increasingly unsettled. He thought, Arcturus is already at the same level as the witch of the Association. It turns out that his guess was wrong.

"She, Kazuto-san. Then how should we do?"

『While time, you stay here. Don't wander all you want. Remember that! You're a fugitive of the Association.』Kazuto warns Elliot of his status.

Of course Elliot realized that he had run away from that place first. It was also very difficult because he relied on his curse. Suppose he is arrested once again, not necessarily he can run away like before.

The sound of an approaching step made Kazuto and Elliot stand by. Because, from earlier they did not feel the presence of anyone after Arcturus left.

As soon as the figure came into sight, Kazuto and Elliot lowered their horses. Clarissa is coming. Although Elliot and Kazuto seem surprised because the girl came without using a male disguise.

"Teacher? Elliott? What was? How come you guys look so tense?" Clarissa asked with an expression of astonishment drawn on the romance of her face.

Elliot came to his senses and asked. "Kok tumben you're not disguised as a man anymore?"

Clarissa looked scowled and elbowed the bentala's stomach. "What if I wanted to use my real figure like this? Is something forbidden?"

Elliot grimaced and replied softly. "Err, no, anyway. Just a little pangling."

『Clarissa, are you okay? Did the Association people hurt you?』Kazuto immediately asked at the point.

"They wanted to punish me, anyway." replied the witch girl calmly. "But they have examined my work and my punishment has been abolished!"

Kazuto sensed something strange about Clarissa, but he kept his suspicions. Not wanting to destroy the atmosphere.

『Good.』Kazuto pretended to know nothing. 『You rest first, I will prepare food for you.』usai said thus, Kazuto went towards the kitchen.

Clarissa smiled at Elliot and looked gently at the man with the 14 children. Elliot seemed surprised because it was unusual - usually Clarissa like that.

"Is there anything that makes you that happy, Clarissa?" elliot asked confused.

"I'm glad to see you again, Elliot." Clarissa paused her words. "This time I will continue to help you release those curses."

Elliot loosened his vigilance and measured power to gently rub the head of the girl. It's good to see the girl he loves is okay.

"Thank God, Clarissa. I'm also happy." then Elliot gave the key to the girl. "Here, I give it back."

Clarissa gave a smile and accepted the key. "When you don't have to give it back so soon, El."

While Elliot and Clarissa were conversing, Kazuto watched from afar. There was something strange about his student. Sure oes. Even Elliot was unaware that the seal tattoo on Clarissa's neck had changed its complexion.

As the one who had been taking care of Clarissa ever since the girl was handed over to her, Kazuto naturally understood what was strange. Clarissa seemed to be wearing another mask and behaving inappropriately.

{Be careful, El. If you relax your vigilance, it could be you who will fall prey to Medusa and the Association. I don't know what other traps they set up.} Kazuto.

He decides to watch Clarissa's every move. Since Kazuto had a premonition, Elliot would deal again with the Association after this.