Our Decide! Part 2

Sei spoke in a way that gave her words an unexpected seriousness that Kenya had never encountered before. He stood frozen for several minutes, trying to process the weight of what she had just said. 

The surprise on his face was unmistakable as he struggled to understand her message. After a moment filled with silence, confusion, and contemplation, he finally stammered,

"What?"

In an instant, Sei's laughter erupted like sunshine breaking through a cloudy sky when she noticed the bewildered expression on Kenya's face. 

"Hahaha! Do you really think I would actually do something like that?" she asked playfully, her tone bright and buoyant.

Her lightheartedness transformed the atmosphere between them. The amusement she brought seemed to dissolve the tension, leaving behind a sense of relief and camaraderie.

Hearing Sei laugh, Kenya smiled and tilted his head slightly. They then walked to the library to clean up the room, as their earlier fall had already created a mess.

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Oedo Clan

In Hokkaido, the summer season continues with low temperatures, keeping the air crisp and cool. On this chilly day, two young men stand close together, crossing their arms over their chests as if to ward off the cold.

They are bundled up in thick winter coats, which seem oddly out of place for a time of year typically associated with warmth. Their clothing clearly indicates their discomfort in the brisk weather.

"If we're talking about this topic right now, I just want to say that I really have a soft spot for that girl, Ishigami!"

Keigo exclaimed enthusiastically as he strolled alongside Shinji, both friends keeping their eyes fixed straight ahead as they walked. 

"Hah? That girl? No way! I actually prefer Shiba over her!" Shinji countered, shaking his head with a hint of disbelief.

"I mean, if you think about it, he definitely shows more leadership than she ever does," he added, sneaking a sidelong glance at Kenjuro, his expression one of confusion mixed with a bit of annoyance at his friend's preference.

"And especially, we really have no idea where she originated from, do we?"

"What about Jin?" Keigo asked, his brow furrowing slightly as he posed the question.

At that moment, a sudden stillness washed over Shinji in response to Keigo's inquiry. He realized that he knew very little about Jin, and even Kenjuro remained somewhat of a mystery to him.

"All I can tell you is that the Oedo Clan has a history of supporting leaders from various other clans. However, I can't shake off this peculiar aura that surrounds her. It reminds me of the strange feelings I experienced when we visited the Kozuki Clan a decade ago," Kenjuro remarked, casting a sidelong glance at Shinji.

"Now, let me clarify, this isn't to say I oppose your decision regarding the Shiba Clan. I simply believe it would be prudent for us to explore other clans or individuals as potential options. You have ambitions to alter the timeline, which is commendable, but while the Shiba Clan possesses considerable strength, having someone from an entirely different clan at the helm of the S・A team might yield a more significant impact than we usually expect."

At that moment, Shinji appears deeply thoughtful, as if reflecting on Keigo's words.

Sato Homestead

"Who should I choose?" Kaito pondered aloud, comfortably perched on a large, sturdy tree branch that swayed gently in the breeze.

He gazed up at the vast expanse of sky above, filled with wispy clouds and the bright blue hues of midday, as he contemplated his thoughts, speaking softly to himself.

Just two days earlier, a dramatic event unfolded when Sei and Takeru engaged in a fierce duel. The excitement was palpable as all the first-year students, including Kaito and his friend Haruto, gathered to watch the spectacle.

They were captivated by every detail—the precision of the fighters' movements, the intense energy radiating from their auras, and the intricate techniques they displayed during the fight.

Each moment felt electrifying, leaving a significant impression on Kaito as he reflected on the astonishing display of skill and determination.

''Who?'' Kaito questioned himself, then jumped down for a walk. 

''Well, I think Sei is kinda funnier!'' Kaito smiled and walked forward to his home. 

Takahashi Shrine

"Haru?" called a warm, gentle voice from downstairs. It was none other than Amiko Takahashi, Haruto's beloved mother, who had just returned from the mailbox with exciting news.

"A letter has arrived for you!"

"I'll be down in a moment!" Haruto replied eagerly, his heart racing as he hurried down the stairs to meet her. The anticipation of receiving a letter always thrilled him, and he couldn't wait to see what it contained.

As he reached the bottom of the stairs, his mother held out the envelope to him with a bright smile, her eyes twinkling with warmth and affection.

"Here's your letter," she said cheerfully before turning to head into the kitchen to prepare dinner for the family, humming softly to herself as she worked.

Haruto took the envelope from her hand and furrowed his brow in confusion when he saw the name of the sender;

"Inamori?" he murmured quietly to himself, glancing back towards the kitchen, where his parents were busy but seemed to be keeping an eye on him, their expressions filled with curiosity.

"It's from a friend!" he announced brightly, trying to mask the mix of emotions bubbling inside him.

After a moment of consideration, he turned on his heel and made his way back upstairs to his room, his mind buzzing with questions about what the letter might contain.

He opened a letter upon entering the room, confusion evident on his face. 

"Who will you choose?..... What does he mean?" Haruto murmured to himself.

Shiba Clan

"You simply aren't cut out for leadership in the same way that Ishigami is!"

Shiba Seijuro asserted confidently to Takeru, positioning himself squarely in front of him with a serious and steadfast expression that conveyed the importance of his message.

With a deep, meaningful sigh that carried the weight of his convictions, he continued on with his point,

"Have you ever stopped to consider the origins of where they actually came from? The history is quite fascinating—it all traces back to the illustrious Kozuki Clan!" 

"Hah!?" Takeru exclaimed, visibly jolted by this unexpected revelation, his eyes widening in astonishment as he processed the information. 

"That's correct—believe it or not, four of them trace their lineage back to the Kozuki Clan," Seijuro reiterated, his tone unwavering and firm as he emphasized the significance of this connection. 

''This is the Clan that is undeniably more suited to flame aura quantum bending than we are!''