Capítulo 61: I Don’t Want to Be a Heroic Spirit [61] [50 PS]
Bonus Chapter!
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With a crepe in her right hand, Stella pressed her left hand against her cheek, savoring each bite with pure bliss. She couldn't resist taking another bite, and pink flower petals seemed to bloom around her in sheer delight.
"It is indeed delicious. The cream is rich and leaves a delightful aftertaste," Kurogane Shizuku nodded approvingly.
"Right?" Arisuin Nagi beamed with pride at their praise. "This place is truly a hidden gem, so I had to recommend it to you guys. Although, for ice cream, I'd actually recommend the place on the third floor."
"You sure know a lot of spots, don't you?" Stella remarked, a mix of admiration and maybe a hint of envy.
Shizuku leaned over with a smirk and chimed in, "When it comes to delicious treats and cute clothes, no one knows better than Alice."
"It's my life's purpose," Arisuin replied playfully, gladly accepting Shizuku's exaggerated compliment. He then turned to Okita Souji and Ayase Ayatsuji, who had both been quietly focused on their crepes. "What about you, Souji? Ayatsuji-senpai? How is it?"
"Mm! It's really tasty. Alice, you have excellent taste!" Okita Souji exclaimed without hesitation, giving Arisuin a look of gratitude. Ayase, on the other hand, looked a little conflicted.
"M-me? My thoughts?" she stammered, her face a mix of reluctance and shyness. Yet, under everyone's expectant gazes, she finally spoke up, "W-well, it's delicious, but… I think it's not as good as what Souji makes."
Everyone froze, stunned by Ayase's unexpected remark.
"Wait—Souji can bake?"
"Stella, that's not the point here! The real point is that Souji makes sweets that are even better than this place Alice recommended!"
"Alice, your secret was well-kept!" Arisuin feigned dramatic disappointment, holding his face. "Honestly, why didn't you say so earlier? Now I look like a clown for recommending this place!"
"It's… it's not as exaggerated as you're making it out to be…"
Suddenly finding herself the center of attention, Okita Souji scratched her head, embarrassed. "I just know a little bit about making sweets, that's all. Besides, it was my sister who taught me everything I know. She's way better at it than I am."
"You have a sister?"
Upon hearing this, everyone turned to Souji, their eyes wide with surprise and curiosity.
"Now that you mention it, you've never really talked about your family before," Ayase mused thoughtfully, her gaze lingering on Souji. "What's your sister like?"
"My sister…"
As multiple pairs of inquisitive eyes locked onto her, Souji's face tensed up slightly.
"It's alright if it's too hard to explain."
"No, it's not… too hard to answer…"
Souji lowered her gaze, looking at the half-eaten crepe in her hand as if lost in thought.
"A… a little girl afraid of loneliness?"
"Are you sure you're describing your sister and not your younger self?"
Just as the crepes were finished, the server brought over some additional desserts.
"To be honest, I kind of snuck out."
Souji prodded a small piece of cake with her silver fork, resting her chin on her hand. "My sister always said the world outside was dangerous, that I'd be safest by her side. So for years, she wouldn't let me leave. Coming here to Hagun Academy was something I did behind her back."
"My dad is the same way!" Stella chimed in, finding common ground with Souji. "He's always lecturing me, saying Japan is full of creeps and that every guy is just waiting to ogle girls and breathe down their necks."
It turned out that both Souji and Stella shared the experience of having an overly protective family member. It was both a source of frustration and something a bit enviable.
Watching the two talk, Ikki Kurogane seemed momentarily lost in thought. It was like seeing the ethereal beauty of the aurora under the night sky—so close and yet so far away.
Then, all of a sudden, he felt a gentle squeeze on his hand.
"There's no need for you to be envious, dear brother."
Shizuku placed Ikki's hand to her forehead, her voice soft yet brimming with a gentle tenderness.
"All the love you've been deprived of… I will give it to you. Whether it's a father's love, a mother's love, the love of a big brother, a little sister, or even that of a lover—whatever you need, I can provide it all."
"N-no… that's a bit too much, Shizuku."
Ikki let out a polite, somewhat awkward laugh, but his eyes softened as he looked back at her.
"Thank you, Shizuku."
Yes, even though Ikki's family looked down on him, never showed him any love, treated him as an embarrassment… his sister loved him unconditionally, supported him with all her heart, and never gave up on him.
He didn't need to envy those who had the love of their family, for he had someone who loved and believed in him just as deeply.
After leaving the dessert shop, Ikki and Arisuin made a quick stop at the restroom.
Souji watched them go, somewhat curious if Arisuin might head to the women's restroom, but he ended up following Ikki into the men's room instead.
"They're taking forever!" Stella complained, her patience quickly wearing thin. "Leaving four girls out here waiting on them…"
Souji simply stayed silent, unsure how to respond.
Suddenly, her eyes sharpened.
"Everyone stay still!"
With a loud, gruff command, bursts of fire erupted, gunshots and the sound of breaking glass merging into chaos, throwing the mall into turmoil.
Even in a world filled with swordmasters, firearms still held an undeniable power of intimidation. People immediately cowered, crouching low or falling flat to the floor.
"What's going on?!"
Stella looked around in shock, still processing the situation. Souji, however, scanned their surroundings with rapid precision.
A group of heavily armed, masked assailants had already surrounded the mall without anyone noticing.
And from what Souji could tell, they weren't all here—there were likely others positioned in different areas.
The mall had five floors, and each one was crawling with masked men, spread out strategically.
In short…
"Not a situation I can handle all at once…"
Even for a skilled swordmaster like Souji, firearms might pose little threat, but for the civilians around, they were a lethal danger.
Without being able to ensure their safety, Souji knew she couldn't recklessly make a move.
"Don't make any sudden moves! You're our hostages now. Until we get our ransom, stay put! Women and children, gather in the center of the mall!"
All around her, Stella, Ayase, and Shizuku—though brimming with power—chose to hold back and play along, reluctant to risk the lives of those around them by acting too hastily.
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