"Yo, look over there! A dude?"
"They're totally hugging!"
"He's super hot!"
"Man, I wanna be in a relationship too…"
"Wait, who's that Lycoris girl?"
Shichen holding Takina like that was impossible to ignore. Of course the other Lycoris girls passing by noticed.
Their voices carried over easily. Embarrassed, Takina pushed him away and turned her back to him.
Shichen watched her flustered reaction and couldn't help but chuckle. It was the first time he'd seen her shy—unexpectedly adorable.
[Scenario drill beginning shortly!]
[Scenario drill beginning shortly!]
[Scenario drill beginning shortly!]
Suddenly, the PA system came on.
[All Lycoris, report to the training room before the drill begins.]
[Repeating: all personnel…]
"Drill?" Takina tilted her head, confused by the announcement.
"What are you gonna do, Takina?" Shichen asked, stepping behind her.
"What do you mean, 'what am I gonna do'?" she turned to him, puzzled.
"This drill? Chisato set it up."
"Huh?"
"She's doing it for you. To challenge your replacement."
"No way…"
"What, don't trust me? Or don't trust Chisato?"
"It's not that, I just…"
"The other side has two people. Chisato's on her own—she needs a partner."
"I…" Takina opened her mouth, but couldn't get the words out.
"Takina—are you gonna stand by your current family, or your old team?" Shichen said, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"My… current family?"
"Yeah. Chisato—she's your family now."
"…Family…"
"Alright, I'll decide for you."
Shichen bent down and swept her into a princess carry.
"W‑Wait—Manager?!" Takina squeaked, instinctively wrapping her arms around his neck.
"Let's roll."
Holding her close, Shichen headed toward the drill arena with the crowd.
"M‑Manager, seriously, put me down…" Takina muttered quietly, her face burning with all the eyes on them.
"What's the big deal~? We're making a flashy entrance."
"Huhhh…"
By the time they reached the spectator seats, Chisato was already on the field, going head-to-head with Fuki and Otome Sakura.
She was gliding across the arena with lightning-fast reflexes. The paintball guns aimed at her couldn't even graze her.
One versus two—and she wasn't even breaking a sweat.
"Wait, that's the Tower Hero?"
"She's insane!"
"Why is she fighting alone though? Where's her partner?"
"Maybe she doesn't have one…"
Hearing the whispers, Takina quietly pressed her lips together.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Commander Kusunoki," Shichen said as he walked up, still carrying Takina.
"You know what's going on, don't you?" the commander replied without looking at him, eyes locked on the fight.
"Yep." Shichen nodded with a grin.
"And her response?"
"She's jumping in, obviously." Shichen carried Takina off toward the prep room.
"Manager, I can walk by myself…"
"Less talk." He gave her a light slap on the butt.
Takina froze and went quiet immediately.
In the prep room, Shichen set her down and turned to leave.
"Manager…" Takina called out.
"What? Getting cold feet?" he turned back, smiling.
"No!"
"Then what is it?"
"…Can I really stay at the café?"
"You goof." Shichen chuckled. "You're already one of us."
"Okay then…" Takina smiled—a real, bright smile.
"Go team up with Chisato. Didn't you notice she's been holding back against that Sakura girl? She's saving her for you."
"I got it!" Takina nodded confidently.
"Then go crush it."
"Right!"
As Shichen got back to the stands, Takina was already on the field.
She and Chisato locked eyes, smiled—and launched their attack.
"Commander Kusunoki," Shichen asked as they fought, "who do you think's gonna win?"
"You should know better than I do." The commander didn't even glance back.
"Then why all the theatrics? Was this your plan?"
She didn't answer. Shichen didn't push—he just focused on the action below.
Chisato barely lifted a finger. It was Takina's show now—she effortlessly took down her so-called replacement, Otome Sakura, then cornered Fuki and finished her with one clean punch.
It was personal.
Back when Takina first joined the café, she had a bandage on her face—from when Fuki hit her.
The drill wrapped up just like that—fast and flawless. None of the watching Lycoris had expected it to be so one-sided.
Fuki was their new ace. Sakura was considered top-tier too.
And yet, they got completely wrecked.
Was that really the infamous Tower Hero?
Wasn't Takina the one who got kicked out of DA?
…She's incredible.
Shichen saw the admiration in everyone's eyes and knew—this was what Takina needed to finally move on.
He flashed a thumbs-up to the girls and waved them over.
"Shichen! Was I awesome or what?!"
Chisato was the first to run over, diving right into his arms.
He caught her with one arm and ruffled her silver hair with the other. "Of course you were—my Chisato's unbeatable!"
"Hehe~"
"Manager…" Takina stepped forward too.
"My Takina's amazing too." He patted her head gently.
"Mm." Takina nodded, smiling.
"Alright then…" Shichen looked at the commander. "Commander Kusunoki, time to pay up, right?"
"Mm." Kusunoki nodded solemnly and turned to Takina, giving a small bow. "I'm sorry."
Takina pursed her lips, stunned. She'd never imagined the commander would apologize.
"You're not gonna just let her stay like that, are you?" Chisato whispered to her.
"Ah! Commander, please raise your head!" Takina blurted out, flustered.
"Alright, I'll be going then," the commander said, standing tall and turning to leave—clearly not trying to stop Takina from going back to the café.
"Wait a sec," Shichen called out.
"Shichen-san?"
"Got a little gift for you."
"A gift?"
"As thanks for raising Chisato and Takina—I'll make you a promise. If you run into anything you can't handle, I'll help."
"You sure about that?"
"Absolutely. I mean, I'm super grateful you brought us together."
"Shichen…"
"Manager…"
"I understand." Kusunoki nodded slightly. "I'll accept that."
"But don't drag the girls into it. I want them living the lives they chose."
"You've got my word."
Then Shichen pulled both girls close—and the three of them disappeared in an instant.
"Huh?"
"They're gone?!"
"What just happened?!"
The nearby Lycoris girls were stunned.
"Commander, what was that just now?" Fuki asked, running over.
"Don't ask. Just remember what he said."
After leaving DA HQ, Shichen originally wanted to take the girls out and help Takina relax. But she asked him to drop her off at the café instead.
"Manager, I just want a little time alone. Spend the day with Chisato."
"Aww~ Thanks, Takina!"
"Have fun."
Takina quietly went back to her room, leaving Shichen and Chisato alone.
The café was empty. Tohru and Yami hadn't come back either.
"Chisato, anywhere you wanna go?" Shichen asked.
"Shichen, would you stay with me today?" Chisato asked, eyes full of light.
"Of course."
"Yay! But let's get dinner first. We'll need the energy."
"Huh? For what?"
"Hehe~ You'll find out soon."
"Keeping secrets now? Alright, alright—lunch first. What do you feel like eating?"
"Meat! Gotta refuel for later!"
"Got it~ today's all about you."
Shichen took her out from the café. They found a good BBQ spot and ate until they were full and happy.
Afterward, Chisato led him somewhere she had in mind: the old Tokyo Tower—now just a ruined shell of what it once was.
"Why'd you bring me here?" Shichen asked curiously.
Chisato smiled. "Because this is where you and I met for the first time."
~~~
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