[173] Partner Selection

The table fell into relative silence as Julis, Kirin, and Yabuki focused on their meals, while Roy continued browsing the two major websites between bites.

Soon, Julis finished her lunch.

"Roy, there's only one month left until the Phoenix Festa. Even though you're incredibly strong, I think we still need to work on our teamwork. Meet me at the arena after school today," Julis stood up and reminded him.

"Oh, and let's go register at the student council office this afternoon!"

Roy's expression instantly cracked.

Seriously? Others misunderstanding was one thing, but why were you getting it wrong too?

"W-Wait a minute!"

Before Roy could speak, Kirin suddenly widened her watery eyes, looking at him with an innocent yet anxious expression.

"Roy-senpai... you're supposed to team up with me, right? That's the case, isn't it?"

"What?!"

Julis was startled by Kirin's words and immediately shot her a guarded look.

"Hold on, Roy is already my partner. Didn't you know that? Are you trying to steal my teammate?"

"I-I'm not trying to steal anything..."

Kirin vehemently denied Julis' assumption.

Then, with the cautious gaze of a kitten, she turned back to Roy.

"It's just... I heard that your partnership with Julis-senpai only lasted until yesterday's mock battle..."

"Oho!"

Yabuki's eyes sparkled as he watched the scene unfold, his face full of excitement as he happily shoveled more food into his mouth.

If he weren't afraid of getting burned, he would've whipped out his phone to record this and post it on the school forum!

"Honestly, why would you misunderstand that?"

Relieved by Kirin's explanation, Julis placed her hands on her hips and gave her a helpless look.

"No, Julis..."

Roy raised his hand, barely holding back his frustration as he tried to explain.

"It... It's not a misunderstanding..."

Kirin mumbled, her timid expression hiding a hint of stubbornness.

"I definitely got the email..."

"Email?"

Julis frowned in confusion.

"My, my, having such a lively debate, are we?"

Just then, the person who would make the situation even messier entered the fray.

A faint, elegant fragrance drifted from behind. Roy noticed but didn't move—only to feel two arms wrap around his neck from behind, followed by a soft yet bouncy sensation pressing against the back of his head.

Claudia had somehow appeared in this corner of the cafeteria, hugging Roy's head from behind while smiling provocatively at Julis and Kirin.

"But I regret to inform you both that you've already lost the battle for Roy's partnership. Why, you ask? Because Roy has already teamed up with me and registered for this year's Phoenix Festa!"

"What did you say?!"

"P-President?!"

Julis and Kirin froze simultaneously, disbelief written all over their faces.

The cafeteria was bustling with people, and as prominent figures in the school, their group naturally drew attention. Now that they seemed to be on the verge of arguing over a man, the surrounding crowd couldn't help but stop in their tracks, casting eager glances with the excitement of spectators watching a drama unfold.

Damn, this guy's amazing!

Everyone looked at Roy, who was at the center of the brewing conflict, with admiration in their eyes.

This guy had only been at the school for less than ten days, and he'd already won over Her Highness the Princess, the busty loli, and the curvaceous student council president? Was there really such a legend in the world?

"W-What's going on, Roy?!"

Julis widened her expressive eyes, staring at Roy with disbelief.

"We already formed a team, didn't we?!"

"Well, yes, that's true…"

Roy looked at Julis with a pained expression.

"But I never said we'd team up for the Phoenix Festa…"

"Wha—?!"

Julis was stunned, her mind thrown into chaos.

No, calm down. Think back to what happened.

Roy had scolded her a little, hoping she'd stop resisting help from others, and then he'd invited her to form a team.

At the time, both of them had wanted to participate in the Phoenix Festa, and neither had found a suitable teammate. Julis had naturally assumed Roy was inviting her to team up for the festival.

So she'd agreed, thinking his reasoning made sense—and his skills were beyond reproach.

Later, he'd suggested a two-on-two mock battle with Toudou Kirin. Julis had no objections; getting to spar with the top-ranked fighter before the festival was valuable experience.

But at the time, she hadn't thought any deeper.

If she had, she would've realized that her understanding and Roy's intentions had subtly diverged.

Roy's reason for teaming up with her might not have been for the Phoenix Festa—it could've just been for the mock battle with Kirin.

Teaming up just for the mock battle made perfect sense too!

"…So, I misunderstood?"

Julis' face went blank, as if she'd suffered an unbearable shock.

"I also received an email like this…"

Kirin spoke up softly.

To prove her innocence, she pulled out the same email.

It was a critical hit on Julis.

"But if Roy-senpai has already teamed up with the president… then I don't have a partner either…"

Kirin lowered her head, her youthful face filled with heartbreaking disappointment.

"What the hell…"

Julis suddenly felt all the strength leave her body, slumping weakly against the table.

"There are only two days left before the deadline for reserve team applications. At this point, where am I supposed to find a suitable partner…?"

Julis was always clear-headed. Since this situation was caused by her own misunderstanding, she wouldn't blame Roy. But with the Phoenix Festa just around the corner, where could she possibly find a suitable teammate now?

Yabuki watched the scene unfold, observing the two sighing girls, and his expression suddenly turned odd.

No partners?

Wasn't this the perfect combination?

"The situation turning out like this is partly because I wasn't clear enough back then."

At this point, Roy was left speechless, feeling utterly torn between laughter and tears.

"However, I've already teamed up with Claudia and successfully registered, so I can't join you two... In that case, why don't the two of you just form a team together?"

"That's exactly what I was thinking."

Claudia, hanging onto Roy's back, beamed at the two of them.

"You two—one is ranked first in Seidoukan, the other fifth. Your strengths are comparable, and with one excelling in ranged combat and the other in close-quarters, you'd make a perfect team!"

Julis and Toudou Kirin froze simultaneously.

They looked up and exchanged glances.

Then, realization dawned on both of them at the same time.

"Right! That could work!"

***

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