Chapter 217: What a Deep Friendship
Shizuka's killing intent was unmistakable, a sharp, icy pressure that seemed to thicken the air around them. Her expression hardened into that of a seasoned fighter, one who had already decided that words were pointless.
She stepped forward, twisting her hips and shoulders in perfect sync as she launched her ultimate move at Kouya—
The Punishment of the Fist of Justice!
A blow so fierce that anyone hit by it would crumple on the spot, losing consciousness for a short while. The dojo had a simpler nickname for it—"the mind-breaker punch."
And then—
Pa! Pa! Pa!
A series of sharp, lightning-fast impacts echoed through the air, each one bursting like firecrackers.
"What are you doing?!"
Kouya blocked Shizuka's assault with both arms, his expression a mix of disbelief and exasperation. The shock from each impact traveled through his bones. His stance slid half a step back before stabilizing.
'You're seriously throwing punches at your own student? Is that what counts as education now?!'
He groaned internally. This was exactly the kind of outdated, dangerous "lesson" that modern schools had long since banned. For good reason!
"Not bad." Shizuka arched an eyebrow, genuine surprise flickering in her eyes. She hadn't expected him to react so quickly, let alone parry cleanly. The sharp air from her last strike had barely brushed his sleeve.
"When I trained at the karate dojo," she said with a smirk, "only a few could block my punches like that."
A faint thrill spread through her chest—the same feeling she hadn't felt in years. She clenched her fist again, ready to test him further. But before another blow could be thrown, a desperate voice rang out.
"Please, both of you, stop this!"
The female shop clerk hurried over, her voice trembling as she waved her hands. Her expression screamed panic. If the store became the site of a fight, she'd be the one answering to management.
"Ah—sorry, my hand just itched for a moment." Shizuka blinked, remembering where she was, and retracted her fist. Her confident aura faded into slight embarrassment as she awkwardly scratched her cheek. "I got carried away."
"Whew~" The clerk exhaled a shaky sigh of relief, bowing deeply. "Thank you for understanding!"
Shizuka straightened her coat and turned toward Kouya, curiosity glinting in her eyes. "You've trained in karate before, haven't you?"
Kouya brushed dust off his sleeve and shook his head. "Nope."
The school had a karate club—pretty well-known, too—and he often saw students practicing during breaks. But he'd never joined. It simply wasn't his thing.
Shizuka tilted her head. "Then you've got good instincts. How about coming over to my place sometime?"
"Your place?" Kouya blinked. "What exactly are you planning to do to your own student?"
Her lips curled into a small grin. "There's a proper dojo at my home. You could learn a thing or two—or just spar for fun."
"Yeah, no thanks." Kouya's refusal was instant. "Not happening."
"Fine, fine." Shizuka gave a dramatic sigh, waving him off. "There's always another time. I'm patient." Then she smirked. "What, you expecting me to invite you two for dinner next?"
Despite her occasional violence, Shizuka wasn't the type to cross boundaries. She respected her students' privacy. At least she wasn't nosy enough to question why Kouya and Gabriel were buying underwear together.
After tossing them one last amused glance, she turned on her heel and headed back into the store.
Gabriel instantly relaxed, shoulders dropping. "Finally." She spun around, ready to bolt, but Machiko lingered. After a long hesitation, she stepped forward, wringing her hands nervously.
"Gabriel… this isn't right."
"I know it's not." Gabriel puffed her cheeks and jammed her hands into her pockets, looking annoyed. "But it's done now."
Calling Kouya along to buy underwear was embarrassing enough. Sure, he was dependable, but still—a guy! The last thing she'd wanted was to run into acquaintances.
Yet fate had decided to humiliate her completely.
"If you know it's wrong, why still do it?" Machiko asked softly, glancing between the two. "If Vigne finds out… she'd be heartbroken."
If her boyfriend and best friend went shopping for underwear together, Vigne would crumble. She was gentle, pure, too kind for this kind of emotional trauma.
Gabriel tilted her head back, thinking aloud. "Hmm, yeah… she'd probably be mad. But if that happens, I'll just act cute and play dumb."
"W-what?" Machiko's jaw dropped. "Act cute… and play dumb?"
Her entire understanding of morality shook. How could anyone say something like that so casually?
'You can just pretend and everything's fine? That's your plan?!'
'This… this must be what true friendship looks like!'
"Of course, it's better if Vigne doesn't find out." Gabriel's tone dropped lower as she shot Machiko a half-lidded glare. "You're not gonna tell her, right?"
"I-I won't!" Machiko squeaked, eyes wide with fear, tears trembling in her lashes. "I won't say anything to Vigne, I swear!"
"But lying to her like this… isn't that wrong?" she added timidly.
"Lying?" Gabriel blinked in confusion. "You're overthinking it. It's not really about her."
'How could it not be?!'
'You're secretly doing something with her boyfriend and claim it has nothing to do with her—how terrifying are you, Gabriel?!'
"What's wrong with you?" Gabriel sighed, rubbing her temple. "I think we're talking about different things. Let's just… drop it for now."
"N-no need to continue!" Machiko waved both hands, forcing a pained smile. "I still need to shop, so I'll go first…"
"Alright, whatever you say."
Gabriel shrugged and strolled back to Kouya. "Come on, let's head out before Vigne catches us."
Machiko watched them go, her heart sinking. 'If they know they'll get caught, why keep doing it? Is this some strange thrill, like playing with fire?'
Kouya and Gabriel soon returned to the arcade. Satania and Rikka were glued to Raphiel's latest gacha attempts, cheering with every twist of the capsule machine, while Vigne wandered nearby with Kanna's tiny hand in hers.
The moment Vigne spotted them, her face brightened. "Eh? Where did you two disappear to?"
Gabriel lifted a bag casually. "Went upstairs to grab a game." Her tone was perfectly natural.
"I see…" Vigne tilted her head slightly. It was strange that Kouya had to accompany her, but she let it slide.
"It's nearly six," Vigne said, glancing toward the darkening windows. "We should start heading home before it gets too late."
"But we haven't finished playing!" Raphiel whined, eyes sparkling with childish glee.
"You've already opened a mountain of gacha capsules!" Vigne sighed. "At this rate, your entire allowance will vanish!"
"It's fine~ I'll just stay at Lady Satania's house," Raphiel said sweetly, looping her arm around Satania's. "Right, my dear lady?"
Satania froze. "Why would you stay at my house?!"
"Because," Raphiel said dramatically, clasping her hands and gazing up with innocent devotion, "a great lady like you shouldn't live without a loyal servant. Allow me the honor of serving you!"
"Hehehe~" Satania puffed her chest out, laughter bubbling up. "Since you beg so sincerely, I suppose I'll graciously allow it!"
'Allow it, my ass!'
'When she actually goes to your house, you'll be the one serving her! Have you already forgotten how she toyed with you last time? Are you a goldfish with a seven-second memory?!'
Laughter filled the air as they exited the mall, their arms full of shopping bags and the fading warmth of the arcade still clinging to them.
The sun had dipped low in the sky, painting the horizon with streaks of crimson and gold. Layers of burning clouds overlapped like molten waves, and the dim twilight slowly embraced the streets.
The evening breeze carried the faint scent of flowers and pavement, brushing past their hair and cooling their flushed faces. Their shadows stretched long beneath the orange glow, mingling and swaying on the ground.
As they walked together, the sound of chatter and laughter mixed with the rustling of leaves and the fading hum of the city. The world around them glowed soft and calm.
Moments like these—simple, fleeting, filled with warmth—felt strangely precious.
Even if tomorrow brought chaos again, for now, this ordinary evening was enough.
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