To be honest... half an hour ago, when Soga Yura saw the corners of Sakura Mai's mouth rise to reveal that pleasure-seeking criminal's smile.
Soga Yura had already sensed that something was wrong.
There was definitely a pit ahead.
This guy definitely wanted to plot against her again.
Don't let this guy's free and uninhibited "Knight Princess" appearance fool you; having been classmates for so many years, Soga Yura understood that this guy's heart was 'rotten to the core'.
The reason Yuzu knew the vacation time of Imperial Capital University back then might very well have been because this guy leaked... no, revealed the news.
But... would a rift develop between her and her because of this, leaving a grudge from then on, causing them to go their separate ways?
Not at all—
Sakura Mai had Soga Yura's psychology in a vice grip.
Back when Soga Yura saw Sister Yuzu appear at the gate of Imperial Capital University, although the expression on her face turned from sunny to cloudy in an instant. Even if her hands were about to be broken by the luggage straps, she exploded with all her potential in an instant, picked up the luggage, and turned to leave.
But... Sakura Mai knew.
This guy was secretly thrilled inside.
And thrilled to death.
She wished she could immediately return to the dormitory, then cover her burning face with both hands and twist around on the bed like a maggot in secret delight.
Those vermilion eyes were immediately plastered with joy and smugness after leaving Sister Yuzu's field of vision.
That kind of happiness... was a joy completely different from the 'superficial', 'camouflaged' joy and smiles she showed to everyone else, including herself.
Soga Yura's eyes were just short of telling her directly... "Look, Yuzu came to pick me up."
"My little sister came to pick me up."
"She still has me in her heart!"
The estrangement between the two only lasted for a few short days.
Soga Yura's disguise was helplessly wiped away amidst Sakura Mai's carefree smile.
This guy... after all, wanted her and Yuzu to reconcile.
However—
When Soga Yura, carrying bags big and small, walked to the entrance of the mall and saw that incredibly familiar girl's back... the smile on Soga Yura's face completely vanished.
She had thought about how Sakura Mai would pit her this time.
Would she leave her name on the items she purchased?
Or secretly stuff the shopping receipt into those consolation gifts?
Soga Yura was cautious, taking every step carefully, convinced she hadn't made any oversights.
Unless Sakura Mai spoke up directly—
Saying that these things were all gifts from her to Yuzu.
Otherwise... Yuzu could not possibly know that these gifts came from her hands.
The biggest problem was that "Mental Ascension Elixir".
Her own mental power... Yuzu was too familiar with it.
If she used the conventional production method, Yuzu would probably be able to taste it in one sip; the elixir would be full of her scent.
Although... just thinking about that feeling made Soga Yura feel incredibly high.
But it won't do—
She was already prepared for a secondary production.
Remaking the already produced "Mental Ascension Elixir" into another portion.
The recovery effect would only increase by ten percent, but the consumption would increase by another three times.
After finishing it... Soga Yura would probably be so weak she couldn't get out of bed at home for half a month.
But it didn't matter!
As long as Yuzu... as long as Yuzu could recover her spirit, she felt satisfied.
Looking at Yuzu's back on the commercial street, Soga Yura absolutely never expected this.
Sakura Mai was actually playing so wild this time.
"You're crazy!!!"
"You are absolutely freaking crazy!!!" Soga Yura turned around and wanted to run.
But... Soga Yura, whose constitution was so frail that luggage could make her arms sore and weak, with physical stamina like a cripple.
How could she possibly outrun Sakura Mai, a "Sword of Will" user whose physical fitness was among the best even among Third Sequence Physical-type Espers.
What's more... to ensure nothing went wrong.
Sakura Mai had been quite mean-spirited; taking advantage of Soga Yura's fanatical enthusiasm for shopping for her sister, she hadn't helped Soga Yura carry a single bag.
If it weren't for that burst of excitement supporting Soga Yura, she probably would have collapsed on a bench complaining of foot pain long ago.
She wouldn't even bother to move her feet.
Sakura Mai simply extended her arm and effortlessly dragged Soga Yura, who looked like she had lost the will to live, back by force.
"Sakura Mai!!!" Soga Yura wanted to struggle.
But... looking at Su Yuzu on the street.
She didn't dare make too much noise, afraid of attracting Su Yuzu's attention.
But... unless she used her ability, as a frail mental-type Esper, and a particularly weak Soga Yura at that, how could she possibly struggle against Sakura Mai.
Furthermore—
Even if she used her ability.
Sakura Mai's ability happened to be the "Sword of Will", which possessed a certain degree of mental resistance.
Perhaps she would eventually be defeated, but... dragging Soga Yura in front of Su Yuzu would be absolutely effortless and problem-free.
Moreover... Soga Yura didn't dare use her ability either.
She knew that Su Yuzu was very sensitive to her mental aura.
If she used her ability beside Yuzu, she would definitely be detected by Yuzu.
This was also the reason why Soga Yura had specially prepared binoculars in the school director's office earlier to giggle foolishly while watching Yuzu's sleeping face.
"Yuzu~~~"
"My Yuzu~~~"
"Ehehe... Yuzu looks so cute when she sleeps."
Except for a hateful big dog lying on the edge of Yuzu's bed, everything else was simply perfect.
"You're crazy!"
"Absolutely crazy."
Soga Yura scolded in a suppressed voice, "Do you know what the consequences of doing this are?"
"We are friends..."
"You can't harm me like this."
Sakura Mai didn't say a word; like a god of war, she forcibly dragged Soga Yura and pushed open the glass doors of the mall.
The final barrier between Soga Yura and Su Yuzu was also breached.
Soga Yura revealed an expression as if she were about to cry.
It was the first time Sakura Mai had seen Soga Yura reveal such a fragile expression.
Did she really do something wrong?
By doing this... would she and Soga Yura not even be able to be friends in the future?
Sakura Mai didn't know.
But she knew that the arrow was on the string and had to be fired.
She had truly had enough of this guy's twisted attitude toward her own sister.
"Let go of me... let go of me, okay..."
The roaring voice gradually became mournful and weak as Soga Yura was held up by Sakura Mai, "Sakura..."
"No..."
"Mai..."
"I beg you... you can't do this."
"You don't understand."
"Between me and Yuzu... you don't understand."
"After we go back, I'll tell you everything in detail, just let go of me first, okay?"
Sakura Mai looked at Soga Yura's appearance, looking like she was about to cry.
Suddenly, infinite hesitation rose in her heart.
Did Soga Yura... really have a reason?
She wasn't sure.
But judging by that guy's attributes of being nearly a sister-slave, what if?
The hand holding Soga Yura loosened just a tiny bit.
Hope finally appeared in Soga Yura's tearful vermilion eyes.
But... just as she saw hope.
The girl who was talking and laughing with her companions suddenly stood on her tiptoes and turned around.
Sakura Mai watched the smile suddenly vanish from Sister Yuzu's face.
Thump, thump—
Beside her, Soga Yura's pupils completely lost focus.
Alas~
It's over.
________________________________________
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