This time, though Mahiro remained silent, his gaze toward Mibu Yuuzou grew increasingly peculiar.
Why did this feel like the White Emperor City entrusting an orphan to Zhuge Liang's care?
Moreover, becoming Mibu-senpai's emotional pillar or whatnot.
Mahiro wasn't the type to feign ignorance or play coy—he was perfectly willing to confront his own desires.
Thus, he was more than willing, even eager, to accept this proposition.
The problem was...
The Yotsuba family looming behind him complicated matters.
Especially since his mother's stance remained unclear, her true intentions unknown...
Yet before Mahiro could formulate a response, Mibu Yuuzou unilaterally concluded their conversation, returning to his wife waiting by the counter.
"Mahiro-kun, did... my father say something to you?"
When he rejoined their small group, Sayaka immediately approached him.
Her lovely face was flushed crimson, as if she saw him as her savior or lifeline.
One glance told him this was Erika's doing.
Unable to endure Erika's teasing, Sayaka had found an excuse to escape to his side.
However, noticing the faint trace of distress in his expression, her voice overflowed with concern.
"It's nothing. Your father is a good man—we just discussed some trivial matters. No need to worry, senpai."
Truly just trivial matters—nothing more than the Yotsuba family's stance.
If they objected, he'd simply rebel against the main house!
No big deal.
"I... I see..."
Seeing that he seemed unwilling to speak, Sayaka didn't press further.
Yet for some reason, she took deep breaths as if trying to calm herself.
The next moment.
She suddenly grabbed his hand and pulled him aside.
"Mahiro-kun, come with me for a moment. There's something I want to... tell you."
Her grip was too strong to refuse, and even her voice trembled slightly with nervousness.
"Erika-chan, what is Mibu-senpai doing with Yotsuba-kun?"
Mizuki noticed the two heading deeper into the hospital and couldn't help but ask.
But her question brought the lively conversation to an abrupt halt, and everyone turned to watch the two figures receding into the distance.
"It seems she's finally made up her mind."
Erika smiled subtly at the sight.
"Erika-chan, what are you muttering about?"
"Ah, Mizuki, children shouldn't ask about grown-up matters."
Mizuki: ???
The bespectacled girl couldn't help but slowly type out a few question marks in her mind.
Meanwhile.
Mahiro let himself be pulled along by Sayaka as they navigated the hospital corridors, eventually arriving at a quiet, secluded corner.
But now, Sayaka felt her cheeks burning slightly, her gaze unsteady. The silence around them was so profound that she could almost hear the violent pounding of her own heart!
Nervousness made her palms slightly damp with sweat.
"Um... Mahiro-kun."
After what seemed like an internal struggle, Sayaka finally mustered the courage to call out softly.
"What is it, Mibu-senpai? By the way, what did you bring me here to say?"
That was what he intended to ask.
But before the words could leave his lips, he looked up—only to be met with a soft, sweet fragrance pressing against his mouth.
The kendo beauty stood on her tiptoes, offering him her innocent first kiss!
The electrifying sensation surged through her body like defibrillator currents, making Sayaka's heart race wildly.
Mahiro, meanwhile, could clearly sense the girl's enchanting fragrance in their mingled warm breaths.
Unconsciously, Sayaka had already wrapped her arms around Mahiro's neck.
She showed no intention of letting go.
Even through their thin clothing, the heat of their bodies was palpable.
The feeling of the first kiss was beautiful, and Sayaka was lost in it. Like a newly lit furnace, her body temperature gradually rose.
"Haa..."
After what felt like an eternity—until Sayaka was slightly out of breath—she reluctantly loosened her grip a little.
The girl opened her eyes, her gaze misty and alluring, long eyelashes fluttering, her fair and delicate skin flushed with an enticing hue.
But her evasive eyes refused to meet Mahiro's.
The problem was, her arms around his neck still wouldn't let go. Instead, she lowered herself from her tiptoes and gently rested her head against his chest, listening to his heartbeat.
"Hey, Mibu-senpai? This is kind of tiring for me. How about you let go first, and we can talk properly?"
To lighten the awkward and ambiguous atmosphere, Mahiro joked half-heartedly.
This senpai's feelings had been perfectly conveyed.
Or rather, if he still couldn't sense them, then Mahiro might as well jump off a cliff and start over.
"Hey... Mahiro, do you think I'm a bad woman?"
"Why would you say that?"
"Mahiro, I like you!"
Sayaka didn't directly answer his question, instead delivering a straightforward confession.
It was unexpected.
Even she couldn't pinpoint exactly when she'd fallen for him.
Perhaps it was the first time he defeated her, or when he stood up for her against the disciplinary committee in the gymnasium, or when he sought revenge against Blanche for her sake...
Or perhaps it was because he possessed that unshakable strength she so admired.
But...
"But even though I'm just a Second Course student, not particularly outstanding, I'm here monopolizing you all to myself. Even Saegusa-senpai and Watanabe-senpai... Not to mention Miyuki, Kitayama, and Mitsui juniors—they'd all be more suited for you than me."
Perhaps it was the oxytocin flooding her system from their earlier kiss, but Sayaka's mind felt hazy, and her words came out oddly.
Mahiro didn't argue. Instead, he calmly lowered his head, gazing at the senpai in his arms with a faint smile.
"Mibu-senpai, is magic really the only way you measure your worth?"
Sayaka's body trembled slightly—he had asked her that question again, the same one from the special reading room.
Back then, she hadn't found an answer. And now, it was the same.
But this time, Mahiro gave her one.
"Mibu-senpai, even if your magical talent isn't exceptional, you're still the 'Kendo Belle.' Your sword is beautiful and strong—so much so that even Erika acknowledges it."
"I think that alone puts you above many, even surpassing most First Course students."
"So don't belittle yourself, senpai. You're an amazing person—beautiful and powerful."
----------
For advance chapters join my Patreon.
[email protected]/Aarvan