In just that brief exchange, Ryoji had already struck three times. The first two blows against the lackeys had been so swift and subtle that Kanata likely hadn't captured them on video. Even if she had, the footage could always be adjusted later.
Only the final strike— executed in self-defense under the pressure of Kurashiki Kuraudo— had been properly recorded.
"Pointless." Kurashiki Kuraudo sneered.
Although Donrou Academy wasn't known for producing top-tier Blazers in this generation, Kuraudo was its undisputed strongest fighter.
The academy's director wouldn't expel him. He probably wouldn't even reprimand him— doing so would only hurt the school's reputation, and he'd have no way of justifying it to the board.
"Kuraudo might be fine, but we sure aren't! Hey, you over there, hand that over— mmph!?"
Unlike their fearless leader, the rest of the Donrou students were visibly anxious.
One of them jumped forward impulsively, only to have his panicked companions shut him up by force, covering his mouth before he could finish his sentence.
"Idiot! If you wanna die, don't drag us down with you. That's Scharlach Frau!"
Kanata's reputation was formidable.
She was one of the rare B-Rank knights of her generation in Japan— an elite among Blazers with an impressive combat record and a recognized title. She wasn't someone an ordinary student knight could afford to provoke.
"This conversation is over."
Kanata calmly placed down the student handbook, her emerald-green eyes cold and unwavering.
"The facts are clear, and there's nothing left to argue. If you don't want to be expelled, then get out of my sight."
As expected of Kanata, the highborn lady— effortlessly exuding authority.
"And if I refuse?" Kurashiki Kuraudo grinned, showing no sign of backing down.
"Are you asking me to deal with you personally?" Kanata's refined features hardened with an icy edge.
A familiar, suffocating aura— steeped in the scent of blood— swept through the air, pressing down on Ryoji once more.
"..."
For a moment, Kurashiki Kuraudo was silent. His smirk gradually faded.
"Tch. How boring."
With a shrug, he turned away, waving lazily at his lackeys.
"Let's go."
As he walked past Ryoji, he suddenly reached into his pocket.
Kanata tensed, momentarily prepared to summon her Device— ready to react if he tried anything.
But instead, Kuraudo simply pulled out a Donrou Academy student handbook.
"I've written my current address inside."
He tossed the handbook toward Ryoji with a smirk.
"If you know what's good for you, you'll come find me yourself. Otherwise, I'll make sure you have no choice but to fight me— one way or another."
There was no mistaking it— Kurashiki Kuraudo was a battle-crazed maniac.
More than that, his presence was utterly unrestrained, like a wild beast without morality or limits— someone who would do anything to get the fight he wanted.
"Are you planning to do it again?!"
Before Ryoji could respond, Ayatsuji Ayase, who had been silently observing from the sidelines, suddenly couldn't hold back any longer. She stepped forward, her eyes burning with fury as she glared at Kuraudo.
"If your opponent won't fight you, you destroy everything around them until they're forced to duel. And then, even after winning, you don't stop— you don't even spare them… You ruined my family's dojo, crushed my father in battle, and you're still not satisfied?! How far are you planning to go?!"
…Huh?
So this was where the story connected.
Judging from Ayase's words, Kurashiki Kuraudo had deliberately targeted Ayatsuji Kaito, destroyed his dojo, and forced him into a duel— mercilessly defeating him.
"Kurashiki Kuraudo."
Ryoji clicked his tongue and turned his attention to the shark-toothed delinquent.
"Can you defeat Raikiri?"
"..."
Kurashiki Kuraudo's gaze flickered from Ayatsuji Ayase to Ryoji, but he didn't respond.
If he were strong enough to beat Raikiri, he wouldn't have stopped at the quarterfinals.
"Then how about Kanata?" Ryoji gestured to the woman standing beside him.
"..."
Still, Kurashiki Kuraudo remained silent.
Totokubara Kanata was a B-Rank Blazer, and her abilities were a direct counter to close-combat specialists like him. If they fought seriously, his chances of winning were slim.
"Or maybe… you think you can take on my master, the God of War, Nangou Torajirou?"
The moment Ryoji uttered that name, the air in the restaurant seemed to freeze.
"The God of War!?"
"Wait, this guy says he's from the Nangou Family?!"
"No way… did we just step into a total nightmare?"
Kurashiki Kuraudo's lackeys broke into a panic, their faces drained of color.
Even Kuraudo himself stiffened, his expression darkening as he fell into silence.
Ryoji sighed.
"Honestly, I don't have many people I'd call allies… aside from them."
At that moment, his thoughts drifted elsewhere.
What? Legal loli? Who's that? Never heard of her!
"Back when I was your age, sixteen years ago, I was just as arrogant as you."
He paused dramatically.
"Now I'm already fifteen. People should learn to respect their elders."
His tone carried a grandiosity that made it sound as if he were speaking from decades of experience— despite clearly still being a teenager.
Kurashiki Kuraudo blinked, confused by the bizarre statement.
"Uh… Kuraudo, I think he just cursed you to an early grave."
One of his lackeys leaned in and whispered.
Kuraudo's expression soured instantly.
"Tch. Whatever. We'll see."
His words weren't so much a threat as a stubborn refusal to admit defeat.
With that, he turned and stormed out of the family restaurant, his gang trailing behind him.
The moment they were gone, Kanata let out a small laugh, her expression softening as she arched an eyebrow.
"You really have a devious streak, don't you?" She rolled her eyes playfully at Ryoji.
"In this day and age, honesty gets you nowhere." Ryoji sighed theatrically.
"Heh… hehehe…"
Kanata covered her mouth, but it was clear she was holding back laughter.
Then, her gaze shifted to the restaurant owner.
"I'll cover the cost of any damages from tonight— and I'll also pay for all the customers' meals, as an apology for the disturbance."
"Clap, clap, clap!"
Applause erupted across the restaurant.
It was hard to tell if people were impressed by how effortlessly she handled the situation— or if they were just thrilled about getting a free meal.
By the time the commotion died down, the sky had darkened completely.
"Looks like we won't make it back to the academy before curfew."
Kanata glanced at an electronic clock on the street, then turned to Ryoji with a teasing look in her emerald-green eyes.
"So, how about we get a hotel for the night?" Ryoji's body tensed, his mind sharpening instantly.
An opening?!
If he went through with this, there was a high chance Raikiri would find out and make his life hell.
But… if it meant putting an end to his years of solitude, wasn't that a risk worth taking?
Especially when the woman in question was Kanata—gorgeous, confident, and endlessly entertaining?
However—
Ryoji stayed calm.
After spending the better part of a day with her, he'd gotten a decent read on Kanata's personality.
She might act carefree and adventurous, but deep down, she was surprisingly traditional. And she loved messing with people.
This was definitely a test.
If he reacted too eagerly, not only would he lose his chance, but she'd probably start seeing him as just another easy target for her pranks.
"No, we should focus on more important things tonight."
As painful as it was to turn her down, he knew it was the smarter move in the long run.
If he played his cards right, it would only make her more interested in him.
"Oh? What a shame."
Kanata's voice was smooth and teasing— but there was a glimmer of satisfaction in her eyes.
She was clearly pleased with his answer.
Then, almost in sync, both of them turned their attention to the black-haired beauty standing a few steps away.
Ayatsuji Ayase had been watching their exchange in stunned silence, metaphorical question marks floating over her head.
Wait.
Weren't they just pretending to be on a date?
Why did it feel so real?
…Was she the one out of touch with modern relationships?
"Tell me about your family's history with Kurashiki Kuraudo."
Ryoji's playful demeanor faded as he turned to her, his expression serious.
It was time to get to the heart of the matter.
(End of Chapter)
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