Last night, we discussed keeping Toko up and heading outside of town while she was unwell.
In the end, the meeting went on until 5 a.m., after which I went to sleep.
Then, I woke up at 7.
Because there’s a three-hour time difference, I have to get up at this time.
“Still sleepy…”
The biggest flaw in the plan to take advantage of Toko’s poor condition was that I wouldn’t get any sleep either, thus worsening my own condition.
I’ve just realized this now.
“Seriously?… I want to sleep more…”
The futon feels so soft…
“Big Brother! Wake up! We’re going to be late!”
Toko entered the room in her pajamas.
“Do you not feel sleepy? Maybe it’s better to forfeit?”
Even as I said that, I burrowed back under the covers.
“I’m sleepy too, but isn’t that bad? Hurry up! After we’ve swiftly defeated the President and Mathias, we’ll return and sleep.”
“Ahh, I’m so tired…”
“Honestly, you’re right. Don’t we have plenty of time to talk about going out of town later? Why are we doing this the night before a duel?”
This girl still hasn’t realized it.
She’s an idiot…
Well, I’m not one to talk.
“Haa… I’ll eat and then go.”
“Exactly! We’re gathering in the classroom at half past noon. Ilmera and the others are waiting for us.”
That’s how it was decided.
Apparently, they’ll also come to cheer us on.
“Got it!”
After getting out of bed, I went down with Toko to the living room.
After finishing breakfast, we got ready separately.
“Clothes… would regular uniform do?”
Anything would work fine, right?
After changing into my uniform, I glanced at my watch.
It was already 8 a.m., and it was still 11 a.m. on the other side of the time zone.
“I can sleep for an hour… but I probably won’t wake up if I do…”
Since there was nothing else to do, I spent the time reading comics.
When it was 10 minutes before the agreed time, I went through the gate and arrived at the dormitory.
“Ah, you’re here.”
“Yeah? I said I’d come in my uniform, right?”
Cedric and Frank were waiting for us in our usual hangout spot.
“Is the uniform not okay?”
You’re wearing uniforms too, aren’t you?
“No, it’s fine with me. Cedric and I were just thinking about how you’d show up.”
“Hmm… alright then, let’s go.”
“Sure.”
We went down to the first floor and started descending the hill.
“Ah… I’m still so sleepy…”
Yawning came naturally.
“Is something wrong? Didn’t you sleep well?”
“Kind of. I was thinking about how to persuade my parents to let me go outside of town.”
“You’re bold, aren’t you?”
“Man, it wasn’t something you should’ve been thinking about the night before a duel.”
The two of them were unimpressed.
“Actually, I seriously don’t care about Mathias anymore.”
“Really?”
“That guy talked all big about a duel but was saying he wouldn’t do it unless it’s in the training area. That cooled me off a bit.”
On top of that, it’s about Sharl.
Now, Mathias doesn’t really matter to me anymore.
“Ah, I understand what you mean…”
Frank nods deeply in agreement.
“Why?”
Cedric inquires.
“Well, you see, a duel is technically a fight to the death, right? Not that people actually kill each other, but it’s still close to that intensity, and there’s even a formal gesture like throwing down a glove. Saying you want a duel only to insist on a training ground… it’s not the mindset of a warrior, much less someone from the martial family of the Jakall clan.”
“True, true. If it’s just a fight, a training area would be fine, but when it’s called a duel…”
“I feel like Mathias is all talk.”
I agree with that.
“Still, I don’t know how strong he is.”
Well, even if I lose, it’s fine.
The main concern is Sharl.
“Good luck. No matter the outcome, it’ll be a great experience for you, considering it’s your first time fighting against a Wizard. I think you’ll find it beneficial, even compared to Yuika, who’s more of a swordsman. Just relax and give it your best shot.”
As the two of us relaxed the atmosphere, we finished descending the hill, went to Building D, and entered the classroom.
There, we found Ilmera, Noel, and Yuika already there, standing around Toko, who had already taken a seat.
And for some reason, Toko was wearing a training uniform.
“Oh, Tsukasa also came.”
“Hello!”
“Tsukasa is in the uniform.”
We walked over to the girls.
“Does the uniform not work?”
“Normally, you should be in combat gear, right?”
Ilmera declared firmly.
“Combat gear? I ain’t got any.”
“Why not? Huh? And your weapon?”
“I don’t possess one.”
“You’re the same as usual.”
Indeed, I am just the same as usual.
“Wait, do you guys carry weapons?”
“Normally, if you’re fighting, wouldn’t you equip weapons or armor?”
“In Japan, you might get arrested.”
Gun and knife law violations exist.
I’m well aware of that at least.
“Still, the uniform seems lacking, huh? Aren’t you skilled in martial arts? Don’t you have anything like Toko’s training uniform?”
Well, it exists, but I don’t wear it.
Besides, if I did wear it, I’d look like a twin of Toko.
“Not needed.”
“If there’re no issues, then fair enough… well, alright then. Alright, both of you ready? In peak condition?”
Hmm, not quite…
““We’re good””
Toko and I answered simultaneously.
At that, Yuika gave a slight smirk.
“Alright! Let’s go to the training area!”
Ilmera said, and Toko stood up.
“――Alright! Just because you have a better face and figure doesn’t mean you can act all high and mighty… I’ll crush you!”
Toko charged out of the classroom brimming with energy fueled entirely by personal grievances.
“It seems what she’s been worried about wasn’t home-related but that…”
“I understand her feelings, but…”
“We’ll follow her!”
As the three girls chased after Toko, we exchanged glances and headed toward the training area.
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