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The Lazy Hero (contracted novel with 28 chapters)
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---
Mai clenched her teeth, her cheeks flushed with frustration. She didn't dare say anything, but her clenched fists betrayed her resentment.
Seeing her reaction, Ryosuke stepped closer and, lowering his voice, whispered almost gently: "Don't worry. I'm here to help you, and when the time comes, don't forget that."
Ryosuke scratched the back of his neck with an awkward smile. "It's true I didn't get a chance to look around yesterday…"
Kasumi shot Mai a mischievous glance. "Well then, Mai can go with you."
Mai's brows furrowed instantly. "Why me and not you, Kasumi?"
Kasumi shrugged, feigning innocence. "I need to stay here and wait for Mechamaru. And besides, you know the area better than I do, don't you?"
Mai sighed, clearly unenthusiastic about the idea. She turned her head away, muttering to herself, while Ryosuke, amused, watched her with a faint smirk.
He leaned in, his voice low and teasing: "Come on, Mai. Looks like we've got ourselves a date."
Mai rolled her eyes.
"Tone it down. It's… just guiding you around, nothing more."
Ryosuke nodded with mock seriousness, though his smile gave him away.
---
Mai walked ahead, arms crossed, her expression closed, as if to make it clear this outing was anything but enjoyable. Ryosuke followed, taking obvious pleasure in observing the surroundings despite his "guide's" icy silence.
Along the tree-lined paths, Mai first led him to a small pond. Under the sunlight, the water shimmered softly, and a few colorful fish swam beneath the surface. Mai, however, remained impassive, watching Ryosuke out of the corner of her eye to gauge his reaction.
Ryosuke stepped closer to the pond, visibly captivated. "Really nice spot…" he murmured, glancing at Mai, who only shrugged.
Without replying, she resumed walking, leading him next onto a trail winding through a small forest. There, the rustle of leaves in the breeze, mixed with the songs of birds hidden among the branches, created a soothing atmosphere. Ryosuke noticed Mai's expression softening, though she still tried to keep her mask of coldness.
"Is this a place you come to often?" he ventured.
She answered briefly, without looking at him: "Sometimes. It's quiet here."
He didn't press further, simply enjoying the calm. They continued on, crossing a few streets, parks, and bustling public squares.
Eventually, Mai turned down a side alley that led to a small shop where a local ice cream maker sold all kinds of original flavors. Without a word, she stopped in front of the window, sneaking a glance at Ryosuke, who looked delighted.
"Ice cream, huh? You've got good taste, Mai."
She rolled her eyes, clearly irritated. "I didn't bring you here for you, idiot. I wasn't about to show you around without stopping here."
Ryosuke pretended to think, his gaze drifting dreamily over the colorful ice creams in the display. "Hmm… I'll have vanilla and matcha. And you?"
She stayed silent for a moment, arms still crossed, before almost inaudibly muttering: "Melon."
After getting their ice creams, they sat on a bench in the shade of a tall maple tree, silence settling over them once more. Ryosuke enjoyed his ice cream calmly, while Mai, despite her disinterested air, took small bites of hers.
"Thanks for the tour, it was nice," Ryosuke said, glancing at her sincerely.
She stayed silent, caught off guard. Eventually, she turned her eyes away. "You're welcome…"
Ryosuke let out a small laugh but didn't add anything.
The silence lingered between them, carried by the gentle rustle of leaves in the wind. Mai hesitated, her gaze drifting toward the horizon, before finally breaking the calm:
"I know I'm weak," she murmured, almost to herself. "But… that doesn't mean I'll let those born under a lucky star, like you, look down on me. I'm really doing my best, you know, but…"
She stopped, her voice trembling. Ryosuke set down his ice cream, his gaze suddenly serious, almost intense.
"I know," he said calmly.
Mai stared at him, surprised. She hadn't expected that answer. She thought he'd tease her with that laid-back attitude of his. But this… this was different. Before she could say anything, he continued:
"I know you better than you think, Mai. And… I know her too."
The single word her made Mai's eyes widen. She felt her heartbeat quicken, but Ryosuke, as if nothing had happened, took another bite of his ice cream with a faint smirk.
"I've had the chance to meet the other first-years from Tokyo Jujutsu High," he said casually.
Mai clenched her fists, trying to hide the surge of anger rising within her.
Ryosuke took another spoonful of his ice cream, his calm gaze resting on her, a trace of sadness in his eyes.
"It's a shame, you know. Two twins in the world of Jujutsu… doomed to be weak because they share the same fate."
Mai stiffened, her fists trembling, and snapped coldly: "Shut up. I already know that."
She glared at him.
"But what can I do?" she whispered, her eyes red, her throat tight with words she didn't want to say. In a faint breath, almost to herself, she added: "My sister… she's doomed to be weak because of me."
At that moment, Ryosuke, with a mischievous look, leaned over and bit directly into Mai's ice cream. Stunned, she gaped at him before stammering, half annoyed, half intrigued: "What the hell are you doing?"
He shrugged with a smile. "It's not good to let your ice cream melt. You'll end up with a puddle in your hands."
Mai looked down, realizing her ice cream really was starting to drip. She began taking small bites, and despite the pain weighing on her heart, the fresh, sweet taste of melon seemed to bring her a bit of comfort.
Ryosuke, satisfied, lifted his gaze to the horizon, thoughtful. "Hey, do you remember what I whispered in your ear earlier?"
Mai frowned, trying to recall. "You said something about helping me, and when I asked how, you just spouted nonsense… like when I knew, I'd know."
He turned his head toward her, his expression suddenly serious, almost grave. "So… do you know now?"