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"That's not the case." Ryoji was panicking inside, but his face remained calm and composed.
"Actually, we're just simulating a date. Don't misunderstand."
"That's right."
Kanata pouted, feeling a bit annoyed, but she was willing to prioritize the bigger picture.
"We're both just curious about dating, so we decided to try a simulated date. It's quite popular among young people these days. Didn't you know?"
Even though he was making it up on the spot, Ryoji spoke with such seriousness that he almost believed it himself.
"That's right, that's exactly it." Kanata also replied lightly. "I'm already engaged, so how could I really date someone else?"
What a clever rich lady.
Although the engagement was a huge obstacle to their relationship, in this situation, it became a powerful tool to prove their innocence.
No one would expect that Kanata, who was usually elegant and dignified at school, secretly enjoyed seeking thrills like a little devil.
"Is... is that so? Have I already fallen out of touch with young people...? I'm really sorry for the misunderstanding!"
Seeing how composed and natural the two were, the girl across from them quickly believed them and apologized profusely.
Ryoji secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
'Good, they managed to fool her.'
The girl didn't realize that a simulated date was still quite strange.
But considering this was Japan, it somehow made sense.
"And you are?" Kanata put on her elegant demeanor and looked the girl up and down.
Without a doubt, this was also a beautiful girl, and her figure was quite good. Although she couldn't compare to Touka or Stella, she was still quite eye-catching.
"My apologies, I'm a third-year student at Hagun Academy, Ayatsuji Ayase from Class 1."
The girl quickly clasped her hands in front of her abdomen and bowed politely, introducing herself in a soft voice.
No impression.
Ryoji searched through his memory bank of relationships but couldn't find any trace of this senpai. She probably hadn't confessed to him before.
To be honest, if a senpai with such a great figure and face had confessed to him in the past half month, he would have been trying his best to shed his status as a steel virgin.
But the surname Ayatsuji... could she be a descendant of that Ayatsuji?
"Why are you here?" Kanata continued to inquire.
Was she suspicious, thinking that Ayatsuji Ayase might have followed them here?
"Actually, my home is nearby..." Ayatsuji Ayase didn't seem to notice and answered Kanata's question honestly.
But as she said this, a deep shadow briefly crossed her face, though it disappeared quickly, and she smiled again.
"My father is also receiving treatment at a nearby hospital, so I come back to visit him on weekends."
So that's how it is.
Kanata nodded slightly, accepting the explanation and letting go of her suspicions.
"Forgive me for asking, but is your father Ayatsuji Kaito?" Ryoji suddenly spoke up, asking her with interest.
"Yes... my father is indeed Ayatsuji Kaito."
Ayatsuji Ayase seemed a bit shy, not daring to look directly at Ryoji, only answering hesitantly.
Ryoji had seen this kind of reaction many times and didn't pay much attention to it.
"Ayatsuji Kaito? Is he a famous person?" Kanata asked, somewhat confused.
"In the world of swordsmanship, he is indeed quite famous." Ryoji nodded.
Ayatsuji Kaito, known as the "Last Samurai."
It was normal for someone like Kanata, who wasn't interested in martial arts, to not know his name, but anyone who had been exposed to sword techniques would definitely be familiar with it.
Although he wasn't a Blazer, he possessed extremely high-level sword techniques and had won numerous prestigious national kendo tournaments, such as the Tenryu Gozen Tournament, the East-West Unification Tournament, the Musashi Cup, and the Ten-Dan Tournament.
He was a swordsman who endlessly pursued the pinnacle of kendo.
"Most importantly, even though he's not a Blazer, he has personally suppressed many ability-wielding criminals."
Ryoji recounted the swordsman's achievements, feeling genuinely impressed.
"Blazers typically have incredibly strong magic defenses, making them resistant even to bullets. But Ayatsuji Kaito's sword techniques don't rely on magic, allowing him to bypass those defenses entirely. That uniqueness, however, also made him a target of resentment among many Blazers, which is why his reputation isn't widely acknowledged in Blazer circles."
As an ordinary person, Ayatsuji Kaito had defeated numerous Blazer criminals, inadvertently overshadowing Blazers themselves. This, naturally, didn't sit well with certain factions, leading to a period where they actively tried to suppress his influence.
"That said, I haven't heard much about him in recent years. He hasn't competed in any major tournaments lately."
Ryoji sifted through his memories. "The last time he participated was at least two or three years ago. Was it because of an illness?"
'...Wait. Why does this feel familiar?'
Ryoji suddenly hesitated.
This sensation— it reminded him of when he was in the hospital and saw the news of Kurogane Ryouma's death. That strange sense of familiarity… Was he brushing up against the original storyline?
"Yes, my father was diagnosed with a heart condition over two years ago and was forced to retire." Ayatsuji Ayase's expression darkened slightly.
For her, such an extraordinary father had always been her role model. Even after awakening as a Blazer, she had looked up to him as the ideal she aspired to reach.
"Heart disease..."
Ryoji immediately understood.
Although this world possessed advanced technology, the existence of Blazers had shifted medical research in different directions. While regenerative treatments and enhancements had made great strides, some illnesses— particularly heart diseases— remained largely incurable.
Even if they had access to the best doctors, the Ayatsuji family likely lacked the wealth or connections to afford the rare specialists capable of treating such a condition. In the end, Ayatsuji Kaito had no choice but to retire.
For a swordsman of his caliber, being forced to lay down his blade must have been unbearable.
Though Ryoji could sense that this was tied to the story's plot, he wasn't overly concerned with following a scripted narrative. He simply exchanged a few more words with Ayase before parting ways.
As she walked toward the counter to place her order, Ryoji and Kanata resumed their meal.
With the unexpected interruption, they had to pick up the pace—if they lingered too long, they risked breaking curfew on their way back to school.
Clang!
The restaurant's wind chime rang as several figures stepped inside.
Kanata, facing the entrance, caught sight of the newcomers from the corner of her eye, and her expression tensed slightly.
"What's wrong?"
Noticing the change in her demeanor, Ryoji asked in a low voice.
"They're students from Donrou Academy," Kanata muttered, her voice barely above a whisper.
She narrowed her eyes. "The one at the forefront was a quarterfinalist in last year's Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival, quite formidable, and he's a troublemaker."
(End of Chapter)