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Meanwhile, after parting with Bokue's group, Sayaka and La Folia quickly brought Kanon to the Itogami Island Special Security Force building.
"Alright, I've got the general picture. According to the instruments, Kanon Kanase's body is fine now. But considering there are still some things she needs to explain, I'll keep her here for now."
In the underground surgical room of the Special Security Force building, Natsuki Minamiya—back in her usual gothic dress—stood at the touchscreen computer beside the operating table. Without turning from the various test results on screen, she spoke casually to the two somewhat tense girls beside her.
"Keep her here? But—"
Sayaka hesitated, seeming to want to say something, but Natsuki cut her off with a glance.
"I know what you're thinking, Lion King Organization girl."
The gothic girl crossed her arms in front of her chest with practiced authority, turning to face—or rather, look up at—the War Dancer who stood considerably taller.
"But I think you haven't forgotten—your Lion King Organization only tasked you with 'protecting Princess La Folia.' The 'masked angel' situation, on the other hand, is our Special Security Force's responsibility."
"And even with Princess La Folia's family connection, any negotiations should be between the Kingdom of Aldegyr and us."
Ugh...
Sayaka's confidence immediately deflated.
She couldn't argue with that.
After all, just as Natsuki said, her only protection target was Princess La Folia.
"Good that you understand."
Seeing the War Dancer fall silent, Natsuki softened her aggressive tone slightly.
"Anyway, I've received your report. Since Kanon was being controlled when she did those things, barring any surprises, her punishment should be very light—maybe just observation for a while. As long as we confirm there's no risk of losing control again, she should be fine."
"I see. Thank you, Miss Minamiya."
La Folia lifted her skirt in a perfect noble curtsy, expressing genuine gratitude.
"It's nothing. This is my job."
Natsuki paused.
"Though I certainly didn't expect the one controlling Kanon to be Kensei Kanase... Speaking of which, where is he? You didn't capture him?"
"About Kensei..."
"He's dead."
La Folia let her skirt fall, shaking her head with a smile.
"Kensei's treatment of Kanon angered Bokue, so he was eliminated on the spot."
"Bokue... Bokue Keikain?"
Natsuki's eyebrow twitched, then she looked at the War Dancer beside the silver-haired princess with a rather complicated expression.
"Wh-what? Why are you looking at me like that?"
Sayaka's mouth twitched. She couldn't understand why Natsuki would suddenly give her that look—it made her extremely uncomfortable.
Like all her secrets had been laid bare.
"Nothing, just find it a bit incredible."
Natsuki realized her gaze had been too invasive and cleared her throat.
"I've read your file before. It said you have severe androphobia. But if I recall correctly, you just said you encountered the angelified Kanon while rescuing Princess La Folia from a deserted island. Yet Kensei, who was controlling Kanon, was killed by Bokue Keikain—which means you executed the rescue mission with him."
"Following that logic, the final conclusion is that you and he spent quite an intimate two days and one night on that deserted island... I'm curious if there were certain unspeakable interactions between you?"
Eh?!
Completely unprepared for this sudden question, Sayaka's face instantly turned crimson as she stammered her denial.
"Wh-wh-what are you saying?! Wh-wh-what do you mean 'unspeakable interactions'?!"
"Oh, so there were some then."
Natsuki nodded knowingly.
"But that's normal. From what I understand, that guy has this ability—making any woman who spends time with him gradually unable to resist... That's exactly why I've always been cautious about contact with him. It feels like the air around him alone could get women pregnant."
"Th-this is all nonsense! Completely meaningless—I don't understand what you're saying!"
Unable to endure any more, Sayaka stomped her foot with a burning face, then turned and quickly brushed past La Folia behind her, marching toward the exit with heavy steps.
"We should go, Princess La Folia!"
"Eh? Leaving already... oh, alright."
Only when Sayaka was almost at the door did the silver-haired princess—who'd been enjoying the drama—snap back to reality. She curtsied again to the gothic girl who looked like she'd seen through everything.
"Then I'll leave Miss Kanon in your care, Miss Minamiya. We'll take our leave."
Scene shift to outside the Special Security Force building.
As if truly rattled by Natsuki's words, Sayaka had been practically speed-walking since leaving the surgical room, almost jogging.
La Folia could only follow behind until they finally left the building and she caught up.
"Wait, Miss Sayaka, slow down..."
"Oh, sorry."
Hearing the silver-haired princess's voice from behind, Sayaka finally realized and slowed her pace.
When she turned back, La Folia had just caught up, coming alongside her and patting her chest with relief.
"I didn't expect Miss Sayaka to react so strongly to Miss Minamiya's words. So you really do like Bokue, don't you?"
"Hah? Not you too... Besides, I don't—"
"Really not?"
While Sayaka was still trying to deny it, the silver-haired princess had already put on an all-knowing smile.
"I saw it last night, you know—Miss Sayaka and Bokue embracing in bed. I could tell Miss Sayaka didn't resist him at all."
"You saw?!"
Hearing this, Sayaka felt like a nuclear bomb had gone off in her brain, freezing completely in place.
Without question, La Folia was telling the truth, and she definitely could have seen that scene.
The probability was actually quite high!
"Oh right, I forgot to mention something else."
La Folia smiled, clasping her hands together.
"Earlier at the harbor, Miss Sayaka seemed very formal in front of that Yukina Himeragi girl. Could it be that Miss Sayaka is actually afraid of her finding out about you and Bokue?"
"..."
Silence—which was also acknowledgment.
La Folia's smile grew even brighter. "Looks like I hit the mark. Since Miss Sayaka doesn't want Yukina to know, then please be honest~ Do you actually have a little bit of feelings for Bokue?"
"Ugh..."
With no room to argue, Sayaka could only nod with a red face.
"M-maybe a little... So what?"
"Nothing really, I said I was just curious."
The silver-haired princess wiggled her finger playfully.
"Though as far as I know, Bokue seems to have a girlfriend—a girl named Asagi something. Doesn't that bother you, Miss Sayaka?"
"Well... if he has one, he has one!"
Sayaka had clearly descended into self-abandonment, muttering softly.
"Liking him is liking him. Whether he has a girlfriend or not doesn't matter."
"'Whether he has a girlfriend doesn't matter,' huh... I see."
As if getting the answer she wanted, La Folia nodded thoughtfully.
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