You’re Right, They’ll Expel Me if I Run into the Store with a Weapon!!

“I entered the bridge for the first time.”

“…”

“Has the tenth ever entered?”

“…No.”

“I see.”

Intense pain courses through my body. Amidst it, the ninth stands before me, her expression cool.

“I’d like a few minutes of your time to talk… During that time, you’re free to recover or take the opportunity to launch a preemptive strike.”

“!?”

What does she mean? What intention lies behind such a proposal?

“I suggested this because there will be no other opportunity once this moment passes.”

“Out of mercy, from your position of strength?”

“That’s not it… If that’s the case, then listening would suffice.

Suzuko’s demeanor shifts. The cool air around her changes, enveloping her in an aura ready for battle.

“I kicked you here because I didn’t want Hiroki to hear.”

“!”

“Before I defeat you, I want to say something.”

In a low voice, Suzuko expresses the true feelings she had been harboring.

“It’s okay not to involve yourself with Hiroki anymore.”

“────”

“I heard you took care of Hiroki, who had just transferred schools despite being busy.”

“──”

“But you no longer need to spend your time on Hiroki.”

“──”

“That’s all I wanted to say.”

“What are… you talking about…”

Forgetting the option of natural healing, I begin to strengthen my body. And then,

──！！

I smash a machine with a single blow, pulverizing it.

Still, Suzuko’s expression remains unchanged, and she just stands there. I approach her directly, standing close enough that our breaths could mingle.

“If it was unnecessary interference, I apologize… I don’t think it needed to be said.”

“Apologize? It wasn’t necessary?”

“The tenth is amazing. Everyone admires you, and you always accumulate such achievements… Taking care of Hiroki might seem bothersome to someone like the tenth.

Without any malice or sarcasm, Suzuko simply conveyed her sincere feelings.

“So, you no longer need to be overly kind to Hiroki. The tenth should focus on what you want to do… I’ll be by Hiroki’s side.”

“…Be by his side?”

“…”

“So… that’s how it is.”

“The tenth?”

“An indirect declaration of war… that’s what you mean, right?”

“Declaration of war?”

Misunderstandings and meanings clash. Only Suzuko is left questioning, while the one before her sees it differently.

“!”

I launch a strike aimed at Suzuko’s face.

However, the girl quickly catches the punch with one hand, anticipating its speed and power.

“What are you trying to do?”

“It’s a response to your declaration of war.”

I pull back my fist and return to my original stance.

“You’re supposed to be wasting your days at home, living aimlessly. That’s the real you, Uchimoriya Suzuko.”

“The tenth?”

“If you remain as you originally were, then I can continue as I have been.”

“…My life has nothing to do with the tenth. I don’t want you to decide my future for me.”

“I’m saying this because it matters.”

That existence is irreplaceable to me. It belongs to me alone.

“Are you saying you’re going to take it from me?”

“Take? What are you talking about?”

“I mean exactly that.”

Suzuko is continually baffled by questions that don’t connect with her. Yet, from the girl’s expression and voice, Suzuko understood what was being thought.

“If I’ve said something to offend you, I apologize… Why are you angry?”

“You who overly concern yourself with others’ inner thoughts should understand without me having to say anything.”

“I truly don’t understand. …I just thought it would be better for the tenth to concentrate on ‘that mission.'”

“‘That mission’?”

“It should have been the ‘surveillance mission’ that the tenth took over in my place.

—To team up with the target person, move in next to their home, build a friendly relationship, and watch to ensure they don’t do anything dangerous.

For the sake of prioritizing that mission—”

“You’re trying to distance that target person, ‘Ogino Hiroki,’ from me, aren’t you?”

“────────Yes.”