"I'm sorry, Yuki-san, but we can't do sothing like that," Kouhei said, his voice steady yet firm. "That's not how my power works."
Across from him, Misuzu's gaze didn't waver. "I know," she admitted, her tone calm yet resolute. "For the power-up to take effect, both of us need to share a strong bond. Simply chasing after you in search of strength wouldn't work—our connection wouldn't deepen that way. That's why I proposed sothing to Yuuna."
She paused for a mont, then t his eyes with quiet determination.
"I asked her to assign you as my bodyguard for a while."
Kouhei blinked, slightly taken aback.
"Oh, and for the record," she added with a small, knowing smile, "I wasn't lying about the stalkers. I really am being followed."
Now it all made sense. The reason Yuuna had given him this job wasn't because he was the most qualified—it was because Misuzu had specifically requested him. She wanted this arrangent. She wanted to grow closer to him.
"I'll be going to work after school too," she continued smoothly, as if this were the most natural thing in the world. "Which ans you'll be coming with ."
Kouhei exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. "I hope I won't be a burden during that."
Though this was sothing that had been decided for him, he couldn't deny that part of him welcod it.
Because deep down, he, too, wanted to form stronger connections.
If he could help Misuzu—and the others—grow more powerful through the bonds they shared, then perhaps this was the best path forward.
With that, lunch ended, and the two of them returned to their respective classrooms.
***
The student council office was quiet, save for the rhythmic ticking of the clock on the wall.
Yuuna stood by the window, her gaze locked onto the school field below. A soccer match was underway, the players darting back and forth across the grass, their movents sharp and precise. In another section of the field, a few students jogged in disciplined strides—athletes training with unwavering focus, their eyes set on upcoming competitions.
Kyouka had been summoned to this office, though she had no idea what Yuuna wanted to discuss. Even so, she had co without hesitation.
Finally, Yuuna spoke.
"Kyouka, what do you think about the upcoming Faction War between and Souichiro?" Her voice was even, but there was an edge to it. "Who do you think will win?"
Kyouka studied Yuuna's back as she stood facing the window, her silhouette illuminated by the afternoon light. "What do you think?"
Yuuna let out a slow breath, fingers tracing the windowsill in idle contemplation.
"Honestly… I don't think we stand a chance."
There was no bitterness in her tone. Just raw, unwavering acceptance of the truth.
"It's not that I don't trust my faction mbers," she continued, her voice asured. "But the reality is, they aren't suited for combat. Most of them function as support rather than frontline fighters. anwhile, Souichiro has gathered so of the most powerful individuals under his command—many of whom are heirs to prestigious family lineages."
It was an undeniable fact.
No matter how much Yuuna wished otherwise, her faction simply lacked the raw strength needed for direct confrontation.
Nagisa and Aria were formidable brawlers, excelling in close-quarters combat. Yuuna, Hina, and a few others were mages, their power formidable but limited by the nature of magic. anwhile, Sakurako, Misuzu, Yumi, Kozue, and the others served as supports—essential, yet not suited for the frontlines.
Kyouka understood all of this.
She was well aware that Yuuna's faction was outmatched.
Souichiro's forces weren't just strong—they were an overwhelming storm, an army of elites, each powerful enough to turn an entire town to ruin.
And yet…
There was one factor that could change everything.
A wild card.
The Child of Anti-Prophecy.
Kyouka's gaze sharpened.
"You have Okumura-kun with you, don't you?" she said, watching Yuuna's reaction carefully. "If you used him, he could turn the tide of this war."
Yuuna stiffened slightly.
Then, without missing a beat, she responded.
"I have no intention of using Kouhei-kun."
Her voice was firm, unwavering.
"If I did that, he would hate . And that is the last thing I want."
She traced a delicate finger along the windowpane, her touch almost reverent.
"He would never forgive for that."
Kyouka narrowed her eyes.
Sothing felt… off.
She had known Yuuna for centuries.
And in all that ti, Yuuna had never hesitated to use whatever ans necessary to achieve her goals. No matter the cost, no matter the sacrifice—she had always done what needed to be done.
Yet now, she was refusing to utilize the one person who could turn this battle in her favor?
This wasn't like her.
And then, realization struck.
Yuuna had changed.
"Why are you doing this?" Kyouka's voice was calm, but there was an unmistakable sharpness beneath it, like the edge of a blade waiting to be drawn. She leaned forward slightly, her eyes scrutinizing Yuuna's face. "You could make your faction mbers so much stronger if you used him, couldn't you?"
The silence in the room deepened, the hum of the distant school bell fading into nothingness.
"I don't fully understand the extent of his powers," she continued, her fingers tracing the polished wood of the desk beside her, "but given the situation you're in now, not using them seems... wasteful. Don't you think?"
Yuuna stood motionless in front of the window, her arms crossed as the golden afternoon light frad her silhouette. Outside, the field was alive with movent—athletes sprinting, soccer players clashing, students laughing. A world that kept moving, indifferent to the turmoil waging within these four walls.
She finally spoke, her voice carrying an unusual softness. "Kouhei-kun wanted to see him as more than a tool. And so, I won't treat him as one."
Her words were simple, yet they carried a weight that pressed against Kyouka's chest.
Yuuna turned, her deep crimson eyes eting Kyouka's gaze. "Besides, Kouhei-kun's power isn't sothing that can be exploited at will. It has to be cultivated, nurtured naturally. I can't force it. I can't harvest it. I can't exploit it."
Her fingers ghosted over the window sill, the cold surface grounding her thoughts.
"His power is tied to the bonds he creates with others. The closer people get to him, the stronger they beco. It's not sothing you can manipulate just because you desire it. It has to be real." Her eyes darkened, a shadow flickering across them. "It has to be built on sothing genuine."
Kyouka remained silent, watching her carefully.
Yuuna inhaled deeply, her thoughts drifting back to the conversation she had with Kouhei.
He had told her his plans.
He was going to use his power not just for himself, but for everyone in her faction. He wanted them to grow stronger—Hina, Nagisa, Aria, and the others—so that when the inevitable Faction War erupted, they wouldn't be standing there unprepared. They would be ready.
They would be strong.
And that was why he was working to deepen his bonds. Not just with her, but with everyone.
Yuuna exhaled, a ghost of a smile gracing her lips.
"...I just have to watch over him as he builds his way up." She turned fully to Kyouka, the fading sunlight casting a warm glow over her features. "That's far more exciting than forcing it to happen, don't you think?"
Kyouka studied her for a long mont.
Sothing was different.
Sothing had changed.
With a soft breath, she finally spoke. "You really have changed."
Yuuna chuckled, shaking her head. "Kouhei-kun changed ."
There was a depth to her voice, an honesty that Kyouka hadn't expected.
"If he had never co into my life, we wouldn't even be having this conversation." Her crimson eyes flickered with sothing close to nostalgia. "Everything I just said? None of it would have ever crossed my mind, let alone left my mouth. But ever since he arrived… everything about has changed."
And that was the truth.
The Yuuna of the past—the one Kyouka had known for so long—would never have spoken like this. She had been cold, calculating, and indifferent. She had never planned ahead, never truly cared about anything beyond imdiate benefit. If she found sothing useful, she would drain it completely until there was nothing left.
But now?
Now, she was talking about patience. About trust. About building sothing real instead of seizing it outright.
Kyouka's eyes narrowed slightly.
Just how much had Kouhei done to change her?
What exactly had he done to make the once emotionless Yuuna turn into soone who could even entertain the idea of restraint?
For the first ti, Kyouka found herself intrigued.
Curious.
Yuuna, sensing her silence, shifted her stance, the atmosphere around her subtly shifting with it. "Now then," she said, her voice turning serious, "let's get to the real reason I called you here."
Her crimson gaze locked onto Kyouka's with unwavering determination.
"I want you to help fight Souichiro."
Kyouka's answer ca without hesitation.
"You know I can't do that."
Her voice was unwavering, as firm as steel.
"I can't involve my faction in a Faction War. And even if we combined our strength, I doubt we could defeat your brother."
Kyouka's faction was even smaller than Yuuna's.
They weren't weak—not by any ans. But compared to Souichiro's army, they were nothing more than a drop in the ocean.
Even if they joined forces, it wouldn't be enough.
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