The first target of the 7 day 5 night trip in Italy was the main island of Venezia.
However, Kamijou and company were staying at a hotel 20 km south of that (in fact, it was even further away because the coastline was curved) in a town called Chioggia.
The accommodation here wasn't cheap, and it seemed to lack a night life because all the shops in Venezia closed rather early. If they wanted to play for 24 hours, it was not rare for tourists to choose hotels that were farther away from Venezia, at least that was what was written in the guide booklet…but even as a highschool student, Kamijou didn't find it credible.
"But it's close to the sea."
Kamijou blurted as he disembarked from the bus. The hand carrying the luggage bag quickly felt the weight.
Though the airport was also near the sea, Chioggia got more of the sea breeze.
However, there was no beach. The coasts were made of stone canals, letting the rivers flow into the sea like a saw cutting the land.
And Index, who was standing beside him, said,
"I think it's more like we're surrounded by the sea than being near it."
"What's going on?"
Kamijou paused among the crowd, looking for Index. As he was holding the luggage, he looked like someone who was here for business or to tour about.
"We're in the middle of Chioggia right now, an island on the Adriatic Sea that's separated by 3 rivers. This is a small town that's 400m in length. The land wouldn't increase no matter what, so the buildings are packed together. When you see it, you can see why the gaps between the houses are so small."
Really? Kamijou wondered as he looked around.
The said canal was in front of him. The turquoise waters separated the town like lines. It was about 20 to 30 meters wide, and there were flat roads on both sides, and suddenly blocked in front by a house. The rice-white surface of the wall looked like the first layer of a dike. The space between every house was so small that not even a soccer ball could pass through it. How do they clean that area? Kamijou wondered.
Suddenly, a motorboat sailed past Kamijou's eyes.
There were many ports along the canal, occupying half of the area of it. This meant that it was a necessary quantity, a basic way of transport that linked all the way to the sea. The ports looked like they were used for entertainment; each one of them had an antique feel. Looking closely, cloth rags and pails were just randomly placed there.
Kamijou, who was not used to seeing these, felt that they were very troublesome, and said,
"That is rather troublesome, isn't it?"
Index looked surprised as she replied,
"As this place is separated by so many canals, the bridges have to be winding. You can't go down the canal if you don't use a boat. Although, to be honest, the best way of transport is still by land."
She bitterly laughed,
"This place is like Venezia. Before Chioggia became a tourist destination in the 16th century, it was supposed to be a town that's meant to preserve the original street environment of Venezia. In other words, including the weaknesses."
"…"
After hearing such words flow so fluidly, Kamijou pondered silently.
He stared at Index.
"What now, Touma?"
"Index…Index is someone who knows about things other than magic, huh…"
"Touma's saying that I'm stupid, right!!? Why do you feel that way even when I told you so nicely!!? If Touma feels that way, I'm going to bite you to death—no mercy!!"
"Don't bite me!! Anyway, you shouldn't say that you won't forgive someone in this situation—sigh, never mind—sigh, never mind, it hurts before you even tried!!"
Facing Index, who was baring her teeth, Kamijou backed away without a second thought. Even if he used the luggage bag as a shield, this level of defense would easily be bitten through. Kamijou slightly felt the danger to him.
But in contrast to the trembling Kamijou's prediction, Index didn't rush forward, but dropped her shoulders down and sighed.
"Never mind, we came here happily to go on a tour, no point in getting angry over such a thing. Come on, Touma, put down the luggage bag."
"…To counter with words and win without a battle, won't you attack me when I let my guard down?"
"No."
"Will you attack me once I'm relaxed?"
"No, no."
"Last time…really?"
"No."
"NO WAY! YOU'RE DEFINITELY ANGRY! EVEN FOR GIRLS, WHO MATURE FASTER THAN BOYS, THIS SORT OF ACTING WON'T FOOL THIS KAMIJOU!! HAHAHA, HOW CAN I EXPECT THAT WHEN I'M ALWAYS UNFORTUNATE! YOU'LL DEFINITELY BITE ME IN THE END! GOT TO GUARD MYSELF TIGHT, THE VICIOUS NUN INDEX IS EYEING MY HEAD, WANTING TO BITE ME!"
"…"
"AREN'T YOU ANGRY NOW? YOUR PITIFUL ACTING IS CRACKING…EH? YOU'RE REALLY ANGRY? YA! THE GENTLE NUN IS SILENTLY OPENING HER MOUTH!? DAMN IT, THIS IS THE CASE! ISN'T THIS WHAT I EXPECTED!? THOUGH I'M NOT HAPPY ABOUT THIS AT ALL WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH—!!"
The sound of flesh being bitten could be heard.
At the same time, the boy who often angered Index let out a dying cry.