Although this banquet was nominally Eriri's birthday party, it was, in reality, more like a social gathering. Influential figures from all walks of life mingled with one another, raising glasses and exchanging pleasantries, while countless unseen deals were undoubtedly being made behind the scenes.
Before long, Sato said goodbye to Eriri and prepared to leave. Accompanying him was Kasumigaoka Utaha.
This time, Yuuki Asuna was attending as a representative of her family's company. Building good relationships with a few diplomats would make exporting her family's electronics much easier, so there was naturally no way she could leave early.
After they stepped out of the castle, everything seemed much quieter.
The streetlights cast a soft glow, lighting the road through the night. Beneath the lights, a branch of cherry blossoms stretched into view.
"Let's go."
Sato glanced at the girl beside him. Seeing her bare shoulders, he took off his jacket and draped it over them.
"Hmph."
Utaha gave a light snort, but the faint upward curve of her lips made it obvious how happy she was.
Eriri's house sat at the top of Detective Hill, so to head back they had to walk downhill.
Standing at the top of the slope, a gentle spring breeze blew toward them. Compared to early spring, the night air had become much warmer. Her crimson dress fluttered in the wind like a blazing flame.
"How's university life?"
The two walked side by side in silence, chatting casually as they looked out over the countless lights of the city.
"University... it's fine, I guess."
Utaha brushed back a strand of hair that had been blown loose by the wind and turned to look at the boy walking on her left. Her gaze was gentle, like a pool of warm spring water.
The boy was gazing at the lights in the distance. She could only see the profile illuminated by the streetlights, his straight nose, the soft lines of his face, and the city lights reflected in his eyes. Every part of him captivated her.
"Just fine? That's the University of Tokyo."
Sato laughed as he turned to her.
"That's a university people spend years struggling to get into, and many still never make it."
Although the University of Tokyo was often criticized as a breeding ground for corrupt politicians and powerful capitalists...
People were hypocrites. They might say that out loud, but deep down they were filled with envy.
If they got in themselves, they'd be singing a completely different tune.
"No matter what, it's only Japan's top university. Even if it were the best university in the world, that wouldn't mean it's the best at everything. There's really nothing that remarkable about it."
Utaha spoke calmly.
Sato shook his head with a smile.
"If someone else heard you say that, they might actually fight you."
"Hmph. Then would you protect me?"
"Of course."
"Then what do I have to be afraid of?"
Utaha nodded in satisfaction and gave Sato a look that said, Good answer.
Putting on an exaggerated expression, Sato replied,
"But two fists can't beat four hands. If a whole crowd rushes us, I won't be able to protect you."
"It doesn't matter. If you get beaten to death, I'll go with you."
"Can't we both stay alive?"
"If you're dead, then you'll belong to me alone."
Sato stared at Utaha with a stunned expression.
Utaha looked back at him just as stubbornly, her eyes blazing with unmistakable intensity.
Unable to meet that burning gaze, Sato lowered his head slightly. Instead, he reached out, took her hand, and said softly,
"Don't worry. They won't be able to hurt you."
"Hmph."
Utaha's cheeks flushed, but she let him continue holding her hand.
The two strolled through the spring night together. There were barely any pedestrians left on the streets, and even passing cars were few and far between.
"I suddenly feel a little guilty."
Sato spoke out of nowhere.
After all, he already had a girlfriend.
Utaha glanced sideways at him with her bright eyes and gave another soft snort.
"Then you must be enjoying yourself."
"I'm not."
"You're not?"
"Really. It's just that this feels..."
Sato's expression became rather complicated.
After all, he was out walking with another girl behind his official girlfriend's back.
Tsk.
What a scummy thing to do.
I, Nohara Sato,
will forever condemn this kind of behavior!
"If it makes you uncomfortable, then break up with your girlfriend."
Utaha rolled her eyes at him. Suddenly, she pulled her hand free and glared at him.
You're out walking with me, and you're bringing up another girl?
And after hearing Sato put it that way, her own expression became somewhat conflicted.
After all, she had been the one to make the first move.
Thinking about it like that...
Didn't that make her just like those "other women" in TV dramas?
"Seriously? You're that ruthless?"
Sato stared at her with wide eyes.
So the mistress wants to kick out the official girlfriend and take her place?
Utaha narrowed her eyes, folded her arms across her chest, and asked,
"Answer me this. Between me and her, who's closer to you?"
Someone answered cautiously,
"Her."
Utaha's eyes widened.
"I'll give you one more chance."
"You."
Sato sighed helplessly.
In a certain sense, no one was closer to him than Utaha.
"Hmph. You don't get to eat and run. Tell me, if she and I both fell into the water, who would you save?"
Now THAT was a classic question.
Fortunately, Sato was very confident in his answer.
"I'd save both of you."
"You can only save one."
"If I can save both, why would I only save one?"
Sato asked in return.
Utaha's expression cooled.
"What if you could only save one?"
"I'd definitely save both."
"Fine. Let's say neither of us can swim. We're two kilometers apart, and you're exactly halfway between us. Who do you save?"
"Both."
Sato gave the same answer again, wearing a confident smile.
"We're both drowning. How are you supposed to save us both?"
Utaha gritted her teeth as she glared at him.
This guy was obviously pretending to be dense now.
Sato actually wanted to ask her something.
Have you ever seen the speed of light?
But after thinking it over, he looked at Utaha seriously and said,
"I'll tell you the answer after you graduate from university."
Once she graduated, he would tell Utaha another truth about this world.
Utaha frowned as she looked at him.
Was he just brushing her off?
Then why did it feel like there was something more hidden behind his words?