Chapter 79: Kamishiro Sota (Offense and Defense)
"Just so you know, it's only supposed to be a little naughty request, okay? If you ask for anything too weird, I'll shoot it down without mercy."
I made sure to warn Souta, who was already looking way too eager.
"I know... honestly, that makes it easier for me, too."
He sighed after saying that.
"To be honest... lately, I've been getting tired of holding back against someone constantly throwing herself at me with 'You can do whatever you want' vibes..."
Must be Suzuka.
Now that he mentioned it, he'd come to me for advice about her a few times.
"She likes you, so why hold back? Or do you just not like Suzuka that way?"
"...Honestly, I don't dislike her."
"Then why...?"
"It's her family... I've already met her parents. They liked me since I saved their daughter. If I so much as lay a hand on her, they'll probably have wedding talks arranged by the next morning, trying to make me their heir."
"...Yikes."
I couldn't help saying it aloud.
So that’s what it means to date a real ojou-sama—you need serious commitment.
"And yet Suzuka’s constantly all over me... more physical contact lately, too. She smells good, she’s soft... honestly, it's tough."
That's beyond teasing. That's torture.
I’d taught Suzuka a few tricks to seduce Souta, but... hearing this, maybe I just made things harder for him.
"...Sounds rough, Souta."
I’m sorry. I used to think, ‘Man, this lucky bastard’s got a busty rich beauty all over him and still won't make a move? What a wimp.’ But now? Yeah. I get it.
If your whole life gets locked down the moment you touch her, anyone would hesitate.
"...Besides, there’s other stuff I’ve gotta think about."
He scratched the tip of his nose with his index finger and glanced at me.
...Wait. He doesn't mean me, right? I’ve got nothing to do with that, okay!?
"Sorry for dumping all that on you... It’s just, with you, Alice, it feels easy to talk about stuff. I end up rambling."
...Please don't treat me like that.
Sure, if I were a girl who liked him, hearing him talk about another girl might sting. But I’m not! So stop being weirdly considerate.
"...Enough already. Let’s just get back to the duel."
I answered flatly, knowing full well this attitude would probably get misinterpreted too.
...I need to tell him the truth soon and clear up these misunderstandings.
To do that, I need to win this duel fast.
I re-cast Increase Physical Ability (Minor) on myself.
"Yeah... let’s do this."
Once again, we took our stances and faced each other.
No more talking. Time to speak with fists.
I closed the distance with short, precise steps, trying to catch Souta within striking range.
But before I could get in, Souta kept cutting me off with sharp jabs and low kicks.
He was using his reach advantage to keep me out—out-range tactics. If this kept up, I wouldn’t be able to land a single hit and he'd just keep hitting me from the outside.
But my movements weren’t so slow that he could keep shutting me down forever. I watched for an opening between his constant checks and slipped inside his guard.
“Khah…!”
The moment I leapt in, Souta’s fist was already there, like he’d known exactly where I’d come from. His counterpunch, backed by my own momentum, slammed clean into my solar plexus.
My diaphragm seized. I couldn’t breathe. Gasping, I staggered back and dropped to my knees.
“…Want to call it quits? Hitting a girl just doesn’t sit right with me.”
“Don’t joke around. I told you to come at me seriously… something like this is nothing.”
Forcing myself up, I tried to act like I was fine. But my unsteady legs gave me away. He could tell I was bluffing.
“Still… you actually managed to read my movements...”
“Honestly, I couldn’t follow your movements clearly. But… if I know where you’re going to be, I can land a hit.”
“…You lured me in on purpose. Created an opening to guide my movement…”
“Bingo. Now then, if you’re not giving up, mind if we get started again?”
“Just bring it. I can handle this, anytime.”
“…That fake bravado of yours… it’s exactly like someone else’s.”
Because it is me. But I still couldn’t say that.
I needed to confess properly. Apologize for everything.
Which meant—I couldn’t lose here.
“…If you’re not coming, then I’ll make the first move.”
With that declaration, I launched my attack once more.
I talked big, but honestly, my situation had only gotten worse. Souta kept using his long-range checks to keep me out, same as before. But now, even when I spotted an opening, the memory of his earlier feint made me hesitate.
The result? I couldn’t close the distance. I couldn’t land a hit.
Fine, then. If I can’t trust his openings… I’ll just create one myself.
I backed off for a moment and began chanting a spell.
“Hisuiraku – Flying Pebbles!”
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