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"What a sight."
As the female students climbed out of the pool, their white clothes clung close, hinting at what lay beneath.
"This year's junior intake has no shortage of beauty either!"
"Would you not agree, Haruki-sensei?"
Ulyte turned and addressed Kaito, who had his binoculars raised.
"Absolutely. This requires careful and thorough appreciation."
Kenshi, standing awkwardly beside them, looked away and turned to Ulyte with a genuinely puzzled expression.
"Ulyte-sensei, why are they swimming in those clothes?"
Ulyte laced his hands behind his head.
"Another tradition brought over by otherworlders. An acquired taste, you might say."
Kenshi looked at the faintly visible outlines of the students and muttered under his breath.
"The people who come here really do whatever they want."
He had spoken quietly. But Kaito was Kaito.
"Hahaha. Kenshi, you really are something special."
"Master. Does that mean you are not?"
The voice came from directly behind him. Kaito put the binoculars down immediately and turned around.
"How could that be? I am known far and wide as a paragon of innocence. I would not even dare hold a girl's hand."
Sakuya thought of Rimuru. Of Kanae. Of Testarossa, whose interest in Kaito was not exactly subtle. She pressed a hand to her forehead.
The number of women with their eye on her Master really was growing.
Perhaps she should take the initiative herself. He certainly never did.
The thought brought colour to her face before she could stop it.
"If you were truly that innocent, I would not need to worry at all."
"Heh heh... that is... heh heh..."
Kaito scratched his head, finding no particular answer available.
Kenshi rescued him without meaning to.
"The male students here really do nothing at all."
He was looking at the group of young men on the far side of the pool, reclining comfortably by the water.
"In fairness to them," Ulyte said, "it is not that they do nothing. They are not permitted to do anything. An injury would be a serious matter."
Kaito made a sound of dismissal.
"And that is exactly why they turn out useless. But then again, what abilities does a stud horse actually need?"
"Haruki-sensei, is that not a little harsh?"
It was not entirely Kaito's fault for being blunt about it. The male students at this academy were, in truth, thoroughly spoiled. Their days consisted of some cultural studies and a little sword practice. Several of them had less stamina than the girls. Kaito had limited patience for people who were clearly capable of more and made no effort to find out.
"Harsh? Is something I said incorrect?"
He glanced at Ulyte. Just the one glance, quiet and level.
Ulyte felt, inexplicably, as though he had been looked straight through.
"Heh. Perhaps you have a point."
He agreed, with rather less conviction than usual.
"How disappointing. I was hoping for a debate."
"Haruki-sensei, you jest."
"Heh. Perhaps."
Time moved on at its usual pace, and summer vacation arrived before they were quite ready for it.
Lashara and the others were persuaded, by a combination of invitation and mild coercion from Queen Flora Nanadan of Havoniwa, to make the journey there.
Kaito, uncharacteristically, did not go with them. He warned them to be careful of potential trouble along the way and left it at that.
Oddly, once it became known that Kaito was staying behind, Lithia and Aura also withdrew from the trip. They wished, they said, to make use of the vacation to study magic properly with Sakuya.
"So you came to find Sakuya."
Kaito looked at the two girls standing in front of him, both a little tense, and asked with an amused expression.
"Yes. We both want to study the use of magic seriously," Aura said quickly. "If Miss Sakuya is willing to teach us."
"If you want to learn, then learn. I should warn you, though, I will be away for a few days. Sakuya will stay here and teach you in my absence."
"What! You are leaving?!"
"You are actually going?"
Both girls' faces fell at the same moment.
"Only for a few days. I will be back shortly."
The relief on their faces was immediate and visible. Lithia and Aura bowed together.
"We understand. We wish you a safe journey, and hope to see you back soon."
Kaito watched them with a small, warm feeling he did not bother to name.
He was not the same person who used to go red when Kanae teased him. He was well aware of what the two girls felt. He was also not in any hurry. Feelings needed time and care.
Besides, he had not yet properly sorted things out with Sakuya. That came first.
"Heh heh. I will be back before you know it."
"Then we will not take up any more of your time today."
Aura gave a small bow. She and Lithia turned and left the hall.
Kaito watched them go.
Then, without turning around, he said quietly.
"Sakuya. Do you like me?"
The sound of pouring tea stopped.
A small splash followed.
"Master, you... I..."
Sakuya looked at him when she found her voice, her expression helpless in a way it almost never was.
"I am asking if you like me."
Kaito was still smiling, easy and unhurried.
Sakuya looked at him. She thought of the small moments that had accumulated between them without her quite noticing. Her eyes dropped to the pendant hanging at her waist, the one Kaito had given her after losing at chess. The little figure on it had its hands over its head, wearing an expression of wounded indignation.
She laughed, quietly, before she could help it.
Then she raised her head and looked at him directly.
"I like you. I like Master very much."
Kaito let out a slow breath.
"I like Sakuya very much too."
"Master, I... Mmph!"
Before she could finish, Kaito had crossed the room, pulled her close, and kissed her.
He let go only when she was slightly short of breath.
"Huff... huff... Ah!"
She had barely caught herself when he swept her up from the floor entirely.
The bedroom door grew closer.
Sakuya's face, usually so composed, had gone a shade of red she had never quite managed before.