The day after my clash with Fate—the second day of our school field trip—found me sitting down to breakfast with the rest of my group. The spread was quintessential ryokan fare: grilled salmon, pickles, toasted nori, and dashi-maki tamago. It was the standard Japanese breakfast, though the inclusion of senmai-zuke gave it that distinct Kyoto flair.
"Mmm. It's good, but it still can't touch a breakfast made by Chizuru," I remarked. "I guess that's the downside of mass production."
Sitting across from me, Chizuru offered a graceful smile. "Oh? Why, thank you."
She'd been understandably worried when I returned from last night's battle, but seeing me come back without a scratch seemed to have put her mind at ease.
To Chizuru's side, Ayaka was picking at her omelet, her expression uncharacteristically somber. It seemed she was still beating herself up over passing out drunk at Kiyomizu-dera yesterday. More specifically, the fact that she'd slept soundly while I was out there fighting had clearly wounded her pride.
"Ugh... to think I was dead to the world while Axel-sama was in the midst of a crisis... I've disgraced myself," she lamented.
"Class Rep? What's wrong?" Madoka, sitting beside her, looked up from her rice.
"No, it's nothing, Madoka-san. I am simply... reflecting deeply on my failures at Kiyomizu-dera."
"Hmm. Well, if you say so. Anyway, we're still good to group up with Negi and Group 3 for the Nara trip today, right?"
"Yes," Ayaka straightened up. "Our first stop is Nara Park."
The second day was technically for independent group activities. However, given the request from the Headmaster, our group had planned to stick close to Group 3, since they were the ones most entangled with Negi's circumstances. It was a standard tourist route—Nara Park, Todai-ji, and the like—so no one had raised any objections.
"Here you go, Axel."
As if she'd been timing her move to the exact moment I finished my meal, Chizuru handed me a cup of tea. I thanked her and took a sip, noticing Misa watching us with a mischievous glint in her eye.
"You and Naba-san are really in sync, Axel. Madoka, you'd better step up your game or you'll lose out."
"Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say," Madoka replied drolly.
"Wait, that's not like you," Misa prodded. "Usually you'd be shouting, 'I'm not a shotacon!' to cover your tracks."
"I'm not 'covering' anything. It's just... we're on a field trip. It feels like a waste to spend the whole time shouting. Don't you think so, Axel?"
Madoka turned a meaningful look in my direction.
"...I haven't the slightest idea what you're talking about," I replied levelly.
"Heh. You actually thought you were being subtle? Well, your poker face aside, Asuna is practically an open book."
Madoka had a point. Ever since last night's battle, the way Asuna and Negi looked at me had shifted. There was a certain... hesitation there.
I suppose it couldn't be helped. On one hand, you had me—someone who had survived a literal, honest-to-god war zone. On the other, you had Negi—the son of a hero, yes, but still a child—and Asuna, a civilian who just happened to possess a specialized "Magic Cancellation" ability. Watching my fight with Fate must have left them with a lot to process.
"Don't sweat it," I said. "Something happened, sure. But that's something they have to overcome on their own."
"Wait... is it really that serious?" Madoka asked, her brow furrowing.
"Depends on the person. For me, at least, it's already a thing of the past."
"I have no idea what you're talking about... but fine. If you say it's not a big deal, I'll drop it."
With that, the heavy atmosphere dissipated, and we finished our breakfast as a group.
Nara Park. It's the quintessential tourist spot, famous for the wild deer that congregate there and the "deer crackers" you can buy to feed them.
Wild, huh? I thought to myself, watching a literal mob of deer swarm Natsumi the moment she held up a cracker.
"Wow, look! Negi-sensei, look! Deers!"
Naturally, Negi was there with Group 3. For some reason, Setsuna had also split off from Evangeline's group to join us.
"Are you sure about this?" I asked her.
"Yes," Setsuna replied firmly. "Protecting Milady is my primary mission. Besides, Evangeline-san gave me her permission."
"I see. Do you think they'll show up?"
"Hard to say. The boy calling himself 'Fate' was injured in last night's raid. They don't have the numbers to break our line as it stands. They'll likely try to bolster their strength first—the question is how long that will take."
"It'll be fine," Chizuru added. "If they come back, they'll have to deal with me and Ayaka too."
"Exactly!" Ayaka said, patting her Pactio card with pride. "Unlike yesterday, I am in peak condition. Whether they target Konoe-san or the priest's letter to Negi-sensei, I will show them the power I was granted to protect this group!"
Chizuru watched Ayaka with a wry smile before turning back to us. "Still, I wonder if concentrating all our strength in one group is wise. I just hope they don't target the other girls..."
"It's under control," Setsuna assured her. "I've surreptitiously deployed my Shikigami to watch over each group. If anything happens, I'll know instantly."
"Oh, well then—"
Chizuru was likely going to say she was relieved, but the words died in her throat. It wasn't an attack from Fate—it was the rest of the girls, who had been playing with the deer, suddenly descending upon us.
"Setsuna-san, want to go grab some dango?" Konoka chirped, grabbing Setsuna's arm.
"Chizu-nee, I need help picking out souvenirs!" Natsumi cried, still slightly frazzled from her encounter with the deer, pulling Chizuru away.
"Class Rep! Mind if I steal a moment for a quick interview? You don't mind, right?" Asakura chimed in, dragging Ayaka off.
"Axel-kun~ Why don't you come play with the big girls? We've got 'fun' things planned," Misa teased.
"Misa! Stop saying stupid things!" Madoka barked, though she grabbed my arm anyway. "Sorry, Axel, do you mind coming with us for a bit?"
I was swept away by Misa and Madoka. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Chachamaru and Yue hauling Asuna off in a different direction.
"...Alright, what was that about?"
I gave Misa and Madoka a deadpan look once we were clear of the others. Nearby, Asuna was currently acting as a human anchor, trying to hold back Setsuna who was, as usual, trying to bolt back to Konoka's side.
Despite Setsuna's martial prowess, she was being surprisingly hampered by Asuna... until she wasn't.
"Wait! Sakurazaki-san!"
"Hey! Asuna?! Why are you grabbing me?! Kyaaaaa!"
-------------------------
If you enjoy this story, you can read 70+ advanced chapters on Patreon!
Webnovel will keep getting 1 new chapter every day but Patreon readers can stay far ahead.
Maybe it's not a big deal now… maybe it will be later.
[email protected]/Greyhounds
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"