Episode 158: A Shocking Revelation! What is Kei’s Weakness!?
“Hmm, this is troubling. There’s no escape anywhere.”
Ryuko sighed while looking down at the gate entrance.
Unlike the general gate that’s open to tourists, the special gate used by students was somewhat smaller in scale.
Ryuko had thought perhaps this location might work, but contrary to her expectations, the area before the gate was crowded with more students than usual.
Of course, the infamous bracelet was wrapped around her wrist.
“…That makes sense, doesn’t it? Since there are so many kids who love festivals, everyone just follows along and wears it without thinking.”
Ryuko collapsed to her knees within Baltius’s wings. This was the fifth gate they’d searched for, and Ryuko found herself despairing every time.
By now, Toa had grown accustomed to seeing her like this.
“Then let’s head to the next gate?”
She had come to understand Ryuko well enough to say such things casually.
“Why are you so positive!? The last student gate we relied on didn’t work either, and now the students are against us… what if the Student Council wears those bracelets too?”
“Eh, are they that strong? …Could it be, even you would lose?”
“No, I could easily handle it without any issues.”
Ryuko replied calmly.
The prerequisite for being ranked S-Class was the ability to single-handedly take control of the academy.
Thus, if viewed as a war, this would be child’s play for Ryuko.
However…
“If I beat up the Student Council, I’d definitely get appointed as the next president on some pretext! Besides, it’d be awkward later if I beat up acquaintances!”
“Eh…?”
“The thought of someone thinking ‘But this person brutally beat me with Baltius back then’ gives me chills! I don’t want to leave behind grudges like that! I desire a peaceful daily life!”
“…I see.”
“Aah! Stop looking at me like that! It has disdain mixed in!”
Toa watched as Ryuko clung to her and cried loudly.
Her expression as she stroked Ryuko’s head felt colder than usual.
“You should understand, right? It’d be awkward to fight seriously with friends!”
“Would it?”
Images of Mizuki and Miroku flashed through her mind.
“It’s over! If I disappear for a week without contacting anyone, the Board of Directors will send a new S-Class individual. Then they’ll discover my pitiful crying form…”
“She’s still alive though…”
Despite her disheveled state, Ryuko shouted confidently.
“Uwaan! At this point, even calling in the rookie Mizuki would be fine! Let her cleverly burn everything away!”
“Waa”.
At her pitiful sight, Toa couldn’t help but exclaim. However, instead of pulling away, she continued to stroke Ryuko’s head while saying:
“Don’t worry. Kei will help you. Let’s wait a little longer.”
“Mm… Is it really okay? No matter how strong she is, it’s tough dealing with the students too.”
“Don’t worry. That girl is strong.”
With a smile, Toa answered confidently. Her voice was filled with so much assurance that Ryuko looked up.
Their eyes met. After staring for a few seconds…
“Who are you?”
“…What are you talking about? Don’t say things that make no sense.”
For a brief moment, though fleeting, Ryuko saw something else in place of Toa.
Something far more terrifying and sadder than the Toa she knew.
“Because, just now I really—”
“Ah, that’s right,” Toa interrupted.
“Toa and I are actually dating. We’re super affectionate couple material.”
“Eh… eeeeeh!?”
Ryuko’s brain received another massive piece of information. Whether or not Toa’s figure momentarily changed into something else became irrelevant.
This was far more explosive.
A topic of utmost importance for high school girls everywhere.
It was the romantic affairs of young maidens.
“Eh, lie-lie-lie! Really!?”
“Absolutely true. We’ve held hands, kissed, and of course… gone further.”
“So-so-so further too!”
All previous fears vanished. Ryuko glanced around nervously, thought for a moment, and then said:
“While moving to the next gate, tell me about it.”
“Sure, no problem.”
“Yay! Tell me all about the two of you. Hey, I’ve got plenty of snacks too!”
“Waa!”
Ryuko pulled out snacks and canned drinks from her expansion field and spread them across Baltius’s back. Apparently deciding to indulge in escapism through gossip, Ryuko dove into their conversation about romance.
Baltius, after briefly appearing as if he wanted to say something, began moving.
Though seemingly pessimistic, Ryuko clearly shifted into action mode for the next moment. This was why other S-Rank members left her be, though she remained unaware of it.
“So, how did you two start dating? That girl seems rather serious… not really interested in that kind of stuff, right?”
In Ryuko’s view, Kei was a diligent explorer always trying to remain calm amidst chaos. She seemed entirely detached from matters of romance. Even coming to Kroma Music Academy felt slightly unexpected.
“That’s what it looks like, huh? But actually, she’s one of the loneliest and most clingy people out there…!”
“Ehhh really!? I mean, she seems so cool… so much like an elegant older sister!”
“Hehehe, nope, Ryuko-chan. Behind that facade, she’s actually the sweetest person at Factom General Academy who loves everyone the most. She cares deeply for others and moves first… although, she does have the bad habit of trying to do everything alone.”
With a snack in hand, Toa smiled brightly as she answered. Though slightly frivolous compared to her usual self, Ryuko’s S-Rank sensors were already long turned off.
“Oh, so that’s how it is! So, who made the first move? Wait, don’t tell me! Let me guess… it was Toa, right!”
After eating a snack, Ryuko gave her today’s most serious look and asked.
Upon hearing this, Toa paused for a moment.
“……………Correct!”
“Yes! That’s what I thought!”
“Hehe. That’s right. I confessed… it all started when I discovered her secret.”
“Secret?”
“Yes. Her shadow. Well, maybe to her, that’s the form that truly affirms her existence.”
Lowering her gaze, Toa continued speaking.
“So, I thought, if I could support her somehow… if I could affirm her as she is. I’m not as smart as Miroku or as capable of leading others like Mizuki, but I thought, if I could at least make Kei smile…”
“Oooh… oooh…”
(Isn’t this a bit heavy? Isn’t this a bit intense for relationship talk.)
Ryuko’s expression hardened slightly. Sensing this, Toa changed the oppressive atmosphere.
“So, I tackled her and kissed her during the confession! And after that, lots of other things happened!”
“Buh—eh, eh!?”
Ryuko’s face quickly turned red. The flower of Watatori Ryuko, who had never had a boyfriend, blushed furiously.
She was a book-smart muttonhead.
“Wha-what?! You tackled her?! So-so-so-so-so what happened?!”
Ryuko whispered, confirming that Rei was asleep. Leaning in close, Toa chuckled softly.
“She made these incredibly cute sounds. Completely unlike her usual cool demeanor.”
“Ooooh…!”
In Ryuko’s mind, Toa’s status soared to the highest level. In Ryuko’s world, a master of romance equaled an S-Rank individual.
She didn’t know.
Around Kei, there were multiple girls like this.
“Also, there’s something else Kei herself hasn’t realized yet.”
Saying this, Toa leaned in and whispered.
“She’s extremely sensitive to ear stimulation. If you give her an ear massage, she melts completely.”
“Melts… melts…!”
Ryuko repeated the words, her face turning bright red.
Still blushing fiercely, Ryuko asked,
“So, anything else?”
“Fufu, well… how about I tell you about our first date?”
“Kyaa! I want to hear, I want to hear!”
The two maidens accelerated.
No one present could stop them.
■
Meanwhile.
In the soundproof room at Kroma Music Academy.
“Nana’s been sent home, so let’s begin, Star Reader’s Staff, or Zero.”
“Ahahaha! I’m getting excited!”
In the center of the room stood a dummy head microphone created by a certain girl, flanked by two girls with identical appearances.
“I’m going to record now… ASMR.”
“Ki-ta-ne!”
This major incident threatening Kroma Music Academy was already conveniently set up by individuals possessing extraordinary powers.
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