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In late spring and early summer, sudden showers were particularly frequent.
Before long, lightning flashed across the sky, thunder rumbled, and a torrential downpour erupted from the dark clouds, soaking the trees and turning the roads to mud.
"Finding this cave was a stroke of luck."
The rain had come too suddenly.
Unable to make it back in time, Ryoji and Rich Lady Kanata stumbled upon a narrow cave and immediately took shelter inside, planning to wait out the storm before returning to the training grounds.
Ryoji stood at the cave entrance, shielding his eyes with his hand as he scanned the sky. Judging by the movement of the distant dark clouds, the rain wouldn't let up for at least another ten minutes.
"Did your clothes get wet?"
"Fortunately, we took cover in time. They're only slightly damp," Rich Lady Kanata replied, glancing at her pristine white formal dress. Besides, she had her parasol, which had shielded her from much of the rain.
'What a pity.'
If she had gotten soaked, she could have used the excuse of catching a cold to temporarily take it off.
"I'll contact Senior Sister," Ryoji said, pulling his student handbook from his pocket and calling the Senior Sister who had stayed behind.
"Yes, we can't return due to the heavy rain... Hmm, okay, I understand... What? Is that so? We'll head back as soon as possible."
A few minutes later, the call ended.
"The other two groups seem to be facing the same problem—they've all found shelter from the rain for now. But according to Senior Sister, Kurogane Ikki's group apparently discovered traces of a massive creature moving around."
"So there really are giants?"
"It seems likely, but we can't rule out the possibility of Blazers causing trouble."
And Stella has caught a cold, despite usually being so energetic and full of life.
Ignoring it could worsen her condition, and with the discovery of giant tracks, Senior Sister and Misogi Utakata are already heading to Stella's location.
"If... only if..."
Rich Lady Kanata's voice suddenly echoed through the cave.
"If the time comes when you have to make a choice, would you abandon me?"
Ryoji's gaze, which had been fixed on the distant movements, froze in place.
The air in the cave grew heavy as Rich Lady Kanata's question hung in the air.
"That's a rather sudden question..."
"Because I'm a little scared."
Totokubara Kanata pulled her clothes tighter around her body, feeling the icy wind seep through her collar, sending shivers down her spine.
"I was always just a third wheel between you and Touka. It wouldn't be surprising if you abandoned me someday. And if Touka ever found out, I'd definitely pay the price..."
Despite all she had done, she knew her place.
At the end of the day, she was just the other woman who had seduced her best friend's boyfriend. Drawn to his relentless drive, she had willfully ignored Touka's feelings and used underhanded tactics to win him over.
She understood that their relationship was fundamentally wrong.
And because she understood this, she lived in constant fear.
Terrified that Ryoji might one day abandon her under pressure, or that Touka would discover the truth and slice her with Raikiri—though she knew Touka would likely never resort to such violence.
Even during intimate moments, such thoughts would suddenly flash through her mind, followed by a wave of lingering fear.
"Remember when I helped you by making all twelve of your opponents withdraw? I said it went against my principles, right?"
Rich Lady Kanata gave a bitter, melancholy smile.
"Actually, my real motive was that if you competed in the Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival, you'd gain fame quickly and resolve my engagement problem sooner. So it was all driven by my own selfish desires. I wasn't as noble as I thought I was."
Resolving the engagement would remove a major obstacle, allowing them to publicly declare their relationship sooner.
Breaking her principles for Ryoji?
No, she had broken them for herself.
"Isn't that a good thing?"
Ryoji couldn't help but chuckle as he listened to her confession.
"What's so funny?" Rich Lady Kanata glared at him, genuinely annoyed. She was seriously troubled by this.
"Sorry, sorry."
Ryoji chuckled apologetically.
"Kanata, do you think it's unfair to the opponents when I arbitrarily change my match-ups?"
'Why is he suddenly bringing this up?'
"Indeed," Rich Lady Kanata nodded thoughtfully.
'Like Hagure Botan.'
She had been unfortunate enough to be chosen by Rich Lady Kanata because she was an Executive of the Broken-Winged Angel-sama fan club. If she were to face Ryoji in a match, she would undoubtedly forfeit.
Yet she possessed the strength to rank among the top ten in the school. With a bit of luck, she could have easily been selected as a participant.
So, for her, it was undeniably unfair.
"But fairness is rare in this world. Most things are unfair, which is why people desperately pursue equality." Ryoji smiled lightly, but Totokubara Kanata saw no genuine amusement in his expression.
"I'm not that noble. I just want to protect my own little corner of the world."
Save the world?
Uphold justice?
First, I need to protect myself.
Ryoji would rather protect himself and those around him than worry about strangers.
If he didn't change his opponent, he would inevitably face Senior Sister first, and one of them would have to leave in defeat. He didn't want to see that happen, so he approached Rich Lady Kanata.
Guilt? He felt a little.
Regret? Not even a trace.
After all, Senior Sister took care of my every need. What did you ever do?
"This is my selfish desire," Ryoji concluded.
"It's the same with you. In my heart, you're part of my little world, so I'll never abandon you."
His words were calm, but to Totokubara Kanata, they carried more weight than any grand declaration, filling her with a sense of security she had never known.
"Achoo!"
A small sneeze came from beside her.
Rich Lady Kanata turned her head, her cheeks flushed.
She had clearly tried to suppress it, but failed.
"Put this on," Ryoji said.
Ryoji unbuttoned his coat and handed it to Rich Lady Kanata.
The cave was already damp, and with the rain outside, she could easily catch a cold if she didn't protect herself.
"Mm."
Rich Lady Kanata accepted the coat without pretense and slipped it on.
It still carried a trace of his warmth.
Clutching the coat tightly, she felt the lingering warmth seep into her skin and warm her heart.
'Wait a moment.'
Kanata suddenly realized something.
Ryoji had only given her a promise, but he hadn't directly addressed the issue of juggling two relationships.
His relationship with Touka was progressing smoothly.
This was common knowledge among the Student Council; anyone could see it.
"Ryoji, in your heart, is Touka also part of your 'territory'?"
"Ah, well..."
Ryoji shifted his gaze guiltily.
'I thought I was being so evasive, but you still saw through me.'
"I understand." Rich Lady Kanata's face darkened.
'This little brat... he actually wants it all!'
(End Of This Chapter)