"I'm sorry, Yuki-san, but we can't do something 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 something to Yuuna."
She paused for a moment, then met 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."