[75] Trouble Brewing

"That's not the case."

Eiji was panicking inside, but his face remained calm and composed.

"Actually, we're just simulating a date. Don't misunderstand."

"Exactly."

Kanata pouted slightly, feeling a bit annoyed, but she was willing to prioritize the bigger picture.

"We were just curious about what dating is like, so we decided to try a simulated date. It's quite popular among young people these days. Didn't you know?"

Although he was making it up on the spot, Eiji spoke with such seriousness that he almost convinced himself.

"Right, that's exactly it."

Kanata replied with a similarly indifferent expression.

"I'm already engaged. How could I possibly go on a real date with someone else?"

What a clever rich girl.

Although the engagement was a significant obstacle to their relationship, in this situation, it became a powerful tool to prove their innocence.

No one would have guessed that the usually elegant and dignified Kanata from school was secretly a mischievous little devil who loved seeking thrills.

"Is... is that so? Have I already fallen out of touch with young people...? I'm so sorry for misunderstanding you two!"

The girl across from them didn't suspect much, given how natural they acted, and quickly apologized.

Eiji secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Good, we managed to fool her.

The girl didn't realize that a simulated date was still pretty weird.

But considering this was Japan, it somehow made more sense.

"And you are?"

Kanata put on her elegant demeanor and sized up the other girl.

Without a doubt, this was also a beautiful girl with a quite impressive figure. Although she couldn't compare to Tōka or Stella, she was still quite eye-catching.

"My apologies. I'm Ayase Ayatsuji, a third-year student from Class 1 at Hagun Academy."

The girl quickly clasped her hands in front of her stomach and bowed politely, introducing herself in a soft voice.

No impression.

Eiji searched through his memory bank but couldn't recall anyone matching this senior's description. She probably hadn't confessed to him before.

To be honest, if a senior with such a top-tier figure and looks had confessed to him in the past two weeks, he would have been doing everything he could to shed his virgin status.

But the surname Ayatsuji... could she be a descendant of 'that' Ayatsuji?

"Why are you here?"

Kanata continued to inquire.

Had she grown suspicious, thinking Ayase Ayatsuji might have followed them here?

"Actually, my home is nearby..."

Ayase Ayatsuji, unaware of any suspicion, answered honestly.

However, as she spoke, a deep shadow briefly crossed her face, though it disappeared quickly, and she smiled again.

"My father is also receiving treatment at a nearby hospital, so I come back on weekends to visit him."

I see.

Kanata nodded slightly, accepting the explanation and letting go of her suspicions.

"Forgive me for asking, but is your father Kaito Ayatsuji?"

Eiji suddenly spoke up, asking with interest.

"Y-Yes... my father is Kaito Ayatsuji."

Ayase Ayatsuji seemed a bit shy, avoiding eye contact with Eiji as she answered.

Eiji had seen this kind of reaction many times before and didn't pay it much mind.

"Kaito Ayatsuji? Is he a famous person?"

Kanata asked, clearly puzzled.

"In the world of swordsmen, he is indeed quite famous."

Eiji nodded.

Kaito Ayatsuji, known as the "Last Samurai."

For someone like Kanata, who had no interest in martial arts, it was normal not to recognize the name. But for anyone involved in swordsmanship, the name would be familiar.

Although he wasn't a Blazer, he possessed exceptional swordsmanship. He had won numerous prestigious national kendo tournaments, such as the Tenryū Imperial Tournament, the East-West Unification Tournament, the Musashi Cup, and the Ten-Dan Tournament. He was a swordsman who endlessly pursued the pinnacle of kendo.

"Most importantly, even though he wasn't a Blazer, he once stepped forward to suppress many criminal ability users."

Eiji recounted the swordsman's achievements, even he couldn't help but admire him.

"Blazers usually have incredibly strong magical defenses, making even bullets ineffective. But Kaito Ayatsuji's sword was unaffected by magic, making it quite unique. However, this also earned him the animosity of many Blazers, so his reputation in the Blazer world isn't prominent."

As an ordinary person, Kaito Ayatsuji had defeated many criminal Blazers, which largely stole the spotlight from Blazers and made some of them very unhappy. As a result, they banded together to suppress him for a while.

"But in recent years, there haven't been many rumors about him, and he hasn't participated in any competitions."

Eiji recalled the information he had about Kaito Ayatsuji. "The most recent competition was at least two or three years ago. So, it's because he fell ill?"

Hmm... why does this feel familiar?

Eiji suddenly paused.

He had felt this way before. During his time in the hospital, Eiji had occasionally seen news reports on TV about things like "Ryouma Kurogane's death" and felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity... Could it be that he was touching on the original story?

"Yes, my father was diagnosed with heart disease over two years ago and has since retired."

Ayase Ayatsuji's expression darkened.

For her, such an outstanding father was also someone she admired. Even after becoming a Blazer, her father remained her role model.

"Heart disease..."

Eiji suddenly understood.

Although the technology in this world was quite advanced, and medical technology had become highly sophisticated due to the existence of Blazers, there were still many incurable diseases that remained unsolved, with heart disease being one of them.

Once someone contracted such a terminal illness, even the world's best doctors could only lament their inability to help. Moreover, with the Ayatsuji family's assets and connections, they couldn't possibly afford to hire a doctor of that caliber.

Kaito Ayatsuji had no choice but to retire and live out his remaining years in peace.

For a swordsman like him, he must have been very unwilling when he retired.

Although Eiji sensed the flavor of the original story, after so many years, he no longer cared much about the plot. So, he didn't press further and chatted with Ayase Ayatsuji for a bit longer before parting ways.

Ayase Ayatsuji went to the front desk to order, while Eiji and Kanata continued their unfinished dinner.

With this interruption, they had to eat faster to avoid missing the school's curfew.

Clang—!

The sound of a bell rang from the entrance as several figures entered the restaurant one after another.

Kanata, who was sitting facing the restaurant's main door, quickly caught sight of these people from the corner of her eye and couldn't help but frown.

"What's wrong?"

Eiji noticed the change in her expression and asked.

"Students from Donrou Academy."

Kanata lowered her voice, her expression tightening slightly.

"The one leading them was a top-eight finalist in last year's Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival. He's quite skilled and a troublemaker."

***

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