章 83: I Don’t Want to Be a Heroic Spirit [83]
Taking advantage of a quiet moment, Okita Souji opened a communication screen to Chaldea, her curiosity piqued.
"Master, who do you take me for? I'm the genius of all geniuses, the technical consultant for Chaldea, the one and only—Da Vinci-chan!"
On screen, the petite Da Vinci posed triumphantly, hands on her hips, exuding an aura of "I'm so amazing" confidence.
"...But honestly," Da Vinci's tone softened, "you probably don't need to do much. I ran a quick full-body scan of the man on the hospital bed using Chaldea's equipment, and it turns out he's already showing signs of regaining consciousness. In two months, max, he'll wake up on his own."
"Really?" Okita's face lit up with genuine delight. "That's wonderful news!"
Ayatsuji-senpai would surely be overjoyed to hear this, wouldn't she?
---
After their visit to Ayatsuji Kaitou's bedside, Okita and Ayase stopped by a small nearby restaurant to grab a bite.
"Every time I visit my father, I eat here," Ayase said, her spirits seemingly lifted, as she led Okita to a table by the window.
Having been here often, Ayase quickly ordered for herself, while Okita faced a dilemma choosing from the menu.
Eventually, with Ayase's recommendations, Okita made her choice, and the two sat back, waiting for their meals to arrive.
"Say, Souji..."
Okita, gazing dreamily out the window, snapped back to attention at the sound of her name.
"I heard... that you trained Ikki Kurogane in swordsmanship. It's the reason he beat Shizuya Kirihara so easily, right?"
Normally soft-spoken, Ayase seemed unusually intense about this topic. She leaned forward, her gaze fixed firmly on Okita.
"Oh no, it wasn't my doing," Okita replied modestly. "Ikki's talent carried him all on his own."
"I watched Ikki's match…"
Ayase lowered her head, her expression hidden by her bangs.
"...Souji, I have my reasons to become stronger. I must become strong—strong enough to represent our academy at the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival."
That person… they'll be at the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival.
It's my only chance…
"Please, Souji!" Ayase's voice wavered, her tone earnest. "I want to be as strong as Ikki was in that fight!"
For the first time, Ayase laid aside her pride before Okita.
To achieve her goal, she seemed willing to set aside anything—even her honor or dignity.
This kind of resolve was only possible for someone who had lost something before, someone who had tasted the bitterness of helplessness and regret.
Should I agree?
Or should I stop her from going down a self-destructive path?
Before Okita could decide, a voice filled with surprise sounded from behind her.
"Oh? Isn't this Ayatsuji?"
"!!!"
Ayase's pupils shrank in shock, her breath caught, immobilized by that voice alone.
Okita's amber eyes narrowed as she turned to see a group of men swaggering toward them.
"Well, if it isn't Ayatsuji! Haven't seen you around lately," one of them sneered, his tone mocking despite the friendly words.
They were dressed in what appeared to be uniforms from another academy, but their unruly appearance and behavior resembled that of a gang of delinquents.
For the moment, the group didn't seem to notice Okita seated with Ayase. As they approached, Okita took a quick look at Ayase's face.
Her expression was clouded, as if suppressing something, and her aura was erratic.
As a swordswoman, this loss of composure was a serious flaw.
"You there—Kuraudo's talking to you, and you dare ignore him?"
Kuraudo?
Okita's gaze shifted to a man in the group—brown-haired with shark-like teeth, wearing yellow-tinted sunglasses, and a skull emblem across his chest.
He seemed to be their leader, with two garishly dressed women trailing him, and the others instinctively stepped aside to make way for him. Clearly, he was no ordinary thug.
And…
"What's this… such a feral, beast-like presence..."
Kurashiki Kuraudo had initially intended to address Ayase, but something caught his attention. He turned, his gaze locking onto Okita's.
The shift in his attention drew the notice of his followers, and they too glanced in her direction.
"Oh, hey! Didn't even notice there was such a pretty girl here," one lackey grinned, bending down with his hands in his pockets. "So, little lady, what do you say about hanging out with your big bro—"
Thud!
A loud crash startled everyone.
The thug who had spoken was sprawled on the floor, his head having slammed into Okita and Ayase's table, now left in ruins.
The one who took him down…
Ayase's eyes widened in disbelief as she looked at Kuraudo, who was shaking his hand, a look of irritation on his face.
"Was that really necessary?"
Kuraudo turned toward the calm, slightly puzzled Okita.
"That guy was one of yours, right?"
"He crossed a line by bothering you," Kuraudo replied with a shrug.
Most people would find it unthinkable to beat up one of their own for the sake of a stranger. But for Kuraudo, it was a matter-of-fact response.
Even his underlings kept their heads down, silent in the face of his anger. They didn't know what they'd done wrong, only that they'd somehow ticked him off.
"Hey, you."
Kuraudo raised his gaze, his eyes narrowed as he looked down at Okita, still seated at the table.
"You're a swordswoman, aren't you?" he asked, his voice low and steady.
"I guess you could say that. And you?"
Okita tilted her head, her tone casual as she met his gaze, her lips curling up slightly.
"Could it be... you're Izou?"
"Hah."
Kuraudo chuckled softly, his eyes gleaming with a predatory glint behind his sunglasses.
"I don't know who this 'Izou' guy is, but..."
As he reopened his eyes, the beastly light in his gaze intensified, and his grin twisted into something feral and menacing.
"You've got quite the look in your eyes, little swordswoman!"
---
T/N: Cu...?
Spotted any mistakes or awkward wording? Let me know—I'm always looking to improve!
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