By this time, half an hour had passed since school ended, and the members of the karate club began to arrive one after another.
Seeing this, Yuu Hoshimiya walked up to Sumi Tsukamoto and said, "Student Tsukamoto, let me take you to the school infirmary for some treatment."
Feeling the lingering pain in her back and waist, Sumi hesitated for a moment before nodding in agreement.
Even if she stayed, she wouldn't be able to lead the club activities in her current state.
Before leaving, Sumi said to Ran, "Ran, I'll have to trouble you to lead everyone's practice today."
"Leave it to me, Senior," Ran replied, agreeing immediately.
Sumi Tsukamoto had always viewed Ran as the next captain, and Ran was already well-versed in leading the club's drills.
The other members weren't surprised by the arrangement, but they were incredibly curious as they watched Yuu Hoshimiya supporting their captain.
Ran eventually gave a simple explanation, stating that Sumi had accidentally strained herself and was going for treatment, which finally put the topic to rest.
When Yuu Hoshimiya brought Sumi Tsukamoto to the infirmary, he didn't see Tomoaki Araide, who was supposed to be there.
The school doctor's job was usually quite idle, and during club activities, almost no one ever visited the infirmary.
As the saying goes: students handle small injuries themselves, and for big ones, you call an ambulance; the school doctor was more of a symbol than a necessity.
If it were the real Tomoaki Araide, he certainly wouldn't have been neglecting his duties.
But since this was Vermouth in disguise, it wasn't at all surprising that she had slipped away to slack off.
Looking at the empty infirmary, Yuu Hoshimiya was quite pleased.
Without anyone else around, he could use his magic for the treatment, which saved a lot of trouble.
However, he still had to maintain a cover on the surface.
"Student Tsukamoto, Dr. Araide isn't here, so I'll apply the medicine for you."
He had worked as a part-time school doctor for quite a while, a fact Sumi was well aware of.
"Then I'll have to trouble you, Teacher Hoshimiya."
As she spoke, Sumi obediently lay face down on the medical bed.
Yuu Hoshimiya casually picked up some ointment for blood circulation and bruising, then pulled the privacy curtains shut to begin her treatment.
He pulled up her loose white karate gi, and Sumi's flat, elegant, snow-white back was instantly revealed before his eyes.
Healing magic required physical contact, so Yuu decided to say a few more words of warning first.
"Student Tsukamoto, for the medicine to work, I need to rub it in thoroughly. This might be a bit... offensive."
While speaking, Yuu Hoshimiya had already poured a bit of the liquid onto Sumi's back, and then his hot, large hands pressed down.
Feeling those burning hands wandering across her back, Sumi, who had never encountered such a situation, felt her face flush instantly. She began to twist her body uneasily.
But through some strange impulse, she didn't refuse. Instead, she said proactively, "Teacher Hoshimiya, this is for treatment. Please don't worry about it. If anything, I'm sorry for the trouble."
Having received her consent, Yuu Hoshimiya no longer hesitated and unleashed his full effort.
The ointment, the healing magic, and his professional bone-setting massage techniques all worked in tandem.
His large hands began kneading her soft back, moving along the spine down to the tailbone, coming inches away from touching her buttocks.
Yuu Hoshimiya wasn't just taking advantage of her; while the injury from the throw was minor, Sumi had many hidden old injuries from years of practice and combat.
Since he was already at it, he decided to go all the way and heal the internal damage within her body as well.
With the triple-threat treatment, Sumi Tsukamoto began to feel better and better.
It was a bit stinging at first, but now she felt as if she were soaking in a relaxing hot spring!
Soon, under the influence of the healing magic, Sumi had fully recovered.
Yuu Hoshimiya withdrew his hands and said, "Try standing up."
Sumi hopped up nimbly and twisted her body; there was no longer any issue at all.
She couldn't help but marvel, "Teacher Hoshimiya, your technique is incredible! It's all better now, and I feel like I'm in peak condition!"
The look of admiration in Sumi's eyes toward Yuu grew even stronger, and it quickly turned into an eager fighting spirit.
"How about it, Teacher Hoshimiya? One more match? Or... just some more 'guidance'?"
Hearing this, Yuu Hoshimiya couldn't help but roll his eyes at her; this girl really had a short memory for pain.
"Forget it. There's not enough room here, and there are too many people in the club now. If you're really that impatient, find a time and a place, and I'll be ready whenever."
Sumi Tsukamoto nodded, beginning to seriously contemplate the details for their next private session.
Once Sumi was recovered, she returned to the dojo to join the training.
Naturally, the only one capable of sparring with her was Ran.
As time slowly passed, the other club members left one by one, until only Ran and Sumi—the first to arrive—remained.
These two were the classic examples of being both talented and hardworking.
Only when the setting sun stained the campus courtyard red did their sparring finally come to an end.
Both girls were lying on the floor, their white uniforms long since soaked through with sweat.
Sumi laughed and said, "That felt great. Ran, you're the only one in the whole school who can go at it with me for this long. It's been a while since I sweated this much."
Ran chuckled dryly. An entire afternoon of practical combat training inevitably led to some injuries. Her body was currently covered in bruises, but her gains were equally significant.
Sumi pulled Ran up, and the two headed toward the shower room in the back.
Besides the locker room, the dojo facilities naturally included a shower area with individual stalls.
The two girls stripped off their gi and entered the stalls completely naked. Both possessed incredible, domineering figures, though the bruises from their training marred the aesthetic slightly.
They turned on the taps, and hot water from the showerheads cascaded over their two voluptuous bodies, sending up clouds of misty steam.
Sumi couldn't help but speak up: "Ran, Teacher Hoshimiya is really amazing. When I was fighting him, I couldn't land a single hit. How is that possible? It's the first time I've ever experienced something like that!"
Ran was washing her hair with shampoo, her head lowered, speaking somewhat indistinctly. "Brother Yuu told me that compared to his karate, I'm just missing a tiny little bit. I can't quite put into words what it is, either."
"But he once said that 'tiny bit' can only be grasped in a life-or-death struggle. So, for you to be fought to a standstill like that, you must be missing that same element!"
Hearing this, Sumi murmured, "Only grasped in a life-or-death struggle... no wonder he's so powerful!"
Ran continued, "Even if you did grasp it, Senior, you still wouldn't be able to beat him. Brother Yuu has even more powerful ultimate skills that he hasn't even shown yet!"
Ran spoke with a tone full of pride.
Sumi hurriedly asked, "What ultimate skills, Ran?"
"I can't tell you that. I haven't even learned them myself yet!"
What Ran was actually referring to was magic; no matter how great one's fighting skills were, they remained powerless against magic.
However, to master magic, one first needed the talent.
And even with talent, the fastest way to improve was through dual cultivation with Yuu Hoshimiya.
Akako Koizumi, the magic teacher for the group and a natural genius, had spent over ten years of painstaking meditation to build her mana, yet she hadn't gained as much as she did during her recent sessions with Yuu.
Ran felt in her heart that Sumi Tsukamoto would soon become "one of them."
But until then, she wouldn't reveal anything about supernatural powers, Drug A, or the mysterious organization.
Not just Ran, but Sonoko and the other women felt the same way.
This was a tacit understanding among them that required no verbal instruction.
A look of disappointment flashed across Sumi Tsukamoto's face, her expression unreadable as she pondered something.
Ran turned off the tap, took a towel from the rack, and carefully dried her body, wiping away the droplets before putting her school uniform back on.
Sumi finished her shower shortly after, and once they were both dressed, they stepped out of the shower area.
In the dojo, Yuu Hoshimiya, having timed his arrival perfectly, was already waiting for them.
Yuu said, "I have to thank you, Student Tsukamoto, for accompanying Ran in her training all afternoon."
Sumi shook her head, her hair swaying, and said brightly, "Don't mention it, Teacher Hoshimiya. If you really want to thank me, just spar with me more... or give me guidance a couple more times!"
This girl was still obsessing over it!
After speaking, Sumi picked up her bag, said her goodbyes, and walked out of the dojo.
Yuu Hoshimiya moved to Ran's side and placed his large hand on her shoulder. He performed the healing technique again, and a tingling, numbing energy echoed through Ran's body, quickly erasing every bruise.
Feeling the familiar sensation within her body, Ran's large eyes stared intently at Yuu, her thoughts unknown!
Once the healing was done, Yuu led Ran out of the dojo, closing the heavy doors from the outside before they got into the car and drove toward home.
On the way back, Yuu Hoshimiya multi-tasked, driving with one hand while using healing magic to soothe Ran's aches and swelling.
At the same time, they chatted casually.
Naturally, Sumi Tsukamoto was the main focus of the conversation.
However, seeing that Ran was about to veer into the topic of "men and women" stuff, Yuu quickly changed the subject.
Tacit acceptance was fine, but bringing it into the open would still make even Ran jealous.
In the end, he would be the one to suffer.
Compared to a "Asura Field" of drama, Yuu much preferred his harmonious and loving crystal palace.
"By the way, Ran, the school festival at Teitan is next week, isn't it?"
The abrupt shift in topic was quite clumsy. The girl rolled her eyes at her handsome boyfriend but went along with it anyway. "Mmm. Our class is preparing a play."
Having successfully diverted the conversation, Yuu breathed a sigh of relief.
The Teitan High School festival was a major destiny event, so he naturally remembered it.
It was said to be next week, but in this chaotic timeline, who knew when it would actually start.
So, he hadn't paid much attention to it until now.
But now that they were on the subject, Yuu's thoughts began to wander.
The trajectory of destiny had changed significantly. Ran, in particular, had shifted from the fate of a tragic heroine to that of a "Female Protagonist" who lived a blessed and happy life.
And Yuu Hoshimiya was the "Golden Finger" for this protagonist—or rather, the "old man" behind her... or on top of her.
Given that, would this play still be the same as in his memory?
If it was the same, who would play the knight?
Rather than making random guesses, Yuu chose to ask Ran directly.
"A play?" He looked curiously at the beauty beside him. "Ran, are you in it?"
"Yes, and I'm the female lead."
Ran seemed a bit embarrassed.
With her looks and figure, being the lead was a given, but she wasn't someone who liked to show off.
However, she couldn't withstand the antics and vote-rigging of her best friend, Sonoko.
Consequently, when Class 2-B tallied the votes, she had won the lead role by an absolute landslide.
"Oh? Then I'll definitely have to go see it."
Yuu raised an eyebrow and continued, "What's the story about, exactly?"
"Mmm... it's about a princess who goes through a crisis and eventually becomes a queen..."
Ran briefly explained the plot; it was essentially a "Strong Female Lead" story.
Yuu understood. This script was likely Sonoko's doing.
Sonoko usually acted like a typical high school girl, loud and carefree, but she was the future heir to the Suzuki family.
In matters like this, if she had an intention, it would almost certainly happen unless Ran stopped it.
After all, no high schooler was stupid enough to make the Suzuki heiress unhappy over something so trivial.
Given that Ran and Yuu's relationship couldn't be exposed, Sonoko naturally chose a script that allowed her best friend to be the most dazzling star.
To be honest, aside from playing matchmaker for Ran, Sonoko's favorite hobby was making Ran the brightest star in the sky.
After they finished talking about the play, Ran rested her chin on her hand and said, "There's one more thing I almost forgot. Brother Yuu, Senior Sumi asked me to ask you for a favor. It seems to be about the 'Seven School Mysteries'..."
At the mention of the Seven School Mysteries, Ran's expression turned a bit uneasy.
Yuu was briefly stunned, then realization dawned on him.
Come to think of it, Sumi Tsukamoto—despite her absurd combat power—seemed to be just like Ran: she wasn't very good at dealing with ghosts, monsters, or supernatural things.
Even though Ran had seen magic now, she still found it hard to overcome that psychological hurdle.
Yuu nodded and agreed, not discussing it further.
Whether it was a real supernatural event or a fake one made no difference to him.
If anything, he hoped it was real, as it would mean encountering an extraordinary power outside of magic.
They arrived home near 6:00 PM. Seimi Asai had already prepared dinner.
Calling over Eri Kisaki and Midori Kuriyama, who were still working, the five of them sat together and enjoyed a blissful dinner as they always did.
As for a certain superstar upstairs, no one knew where she had gone to go wild on her Harley motorcycle.
Every time she was fed to satisfaction by Yuu Hoshimiya, Yukiko would disappear for a few days to travel around Japan alone.
She actually wanted Yuu to accompany her, but she knew he had many other beauties to attend to, so she mostly traveled by herself.
When she got tired of traveling, she'd come back to rest for a few days and replenish her energy and "essence" from Yuu.
She was living a quite flavorful and carefree life.