Artoria's emotions were tangled in knots.
But she was not the kind of woman who clung too tightly. She could pick things up and let them go, and had never thought of herself as an invincible existence. So, before long, she steadied her heart again.
Even so, she remained… unwilling.
"In that case, I've passed your trial, haven't I?" Ryoji removed his mask, and silence swallowed the Kendo Club inside and out.
He turned to Scáthach, who stood nearby with arms crossed beneath her impressive chest, and asked her directly.
"Mm. No problem."
For some reason, Scáthach's attitude had grown surprisingly casual, as though none of this mattered in the slightest. Compared to yesterday, her tone was downright lenient.
"Do as you like. Just remember, you need to maintain at least a two-thirds attendance rate. Otherwise, if you get held back a year, I won't lift a finger for you." Yes!
Akick, keep suffering in class. Your brother's moving ahead first!
"Ryoji–San."
The exchange finished, Artoria finally spoke. Her eyes burned as she gazed at him.
"May I invite you to join the Kendo Club?"
"Wha--?!"
The dojo's silence exploded.
Most of the Kendo Club members outside wailed in despair, crying that even their beloved Club Leader had fallen prey to the god's charm. A couple, however, were beside themselves with joy, grinning so wide it nearly split their faces.
"Unbelievable! The flower of the Kendo Club is inviting God Himself to join?!"
"What?! No way, the flower of the Kendo Club is asking God to sign a marriage certificate?!"
"…That's going a bit too far, don't you think?"
Inside the dojo.
"Join the Kendo Club?" Ryoji looked awkward at the suggestion.
"But I've always been… part of the Going-Home Club."
In other words, he meant to refuse.
TYPE-MOON Academy had a relatively free-spirited culture, joining a club was never mandatory. Ryoji had always headed straight home after school.
"I won't require you to attend regularly. That much I can promise!" Artoria stepped forward, making her vow with utter seriousness.
"…Why are you so obsessed with dragging me into your club?"
"Don't mind it," Scáthach cut in, answering his question with a sly smile. She looked entirely unconcerned.
"The Kendo Club's Leader is notorious for being a sore loser. If she loses to someone, she'll doggedly chase after them until she wins. That's just how she is."
"I… I'm not that bad…" Artoria turned her eyes aside, clearly flustered.
"B-But joining does have benefits! Like gaining extra course credits, or free access to practice here anytime… the dojo's always open to members."
Not exactly an earth-shattering perk.
If it were a true Heroic Spirit, Ryoji might have gone looking for a fight on his own. But practicing swordsmanship with ordinary students? He had no interest.
"Hold it! Kendo Club, you shall not steal a march ahead of me!"
Before Ryoji could refuse, an overwhelming voice thundered from outside the dojo.
The gathered crowd parted as though pushed aside by sheer force of will. Murmurs rose, and into their line of sight stepped a girl overflowing with self-confidence.
Her features bore resemblance to both Artoria and Okita Souji, but her figure was far fuller, especially the… assets straining against her school uniform buttons, enough to put grown women to shame.
"Student President?!"
"Is this the start of another battle for God?!"
"Hah! Now this is worth the show!"
Amid the excited chatter, the girl strode boldly through the parted crowd.
At the dojo's entrance, she removed her shoes, letting her small feet wrapped in pristine white stockings touch the floorboards. She approached the group directly. Unlike Artoria's black tights, hers gleamed white.
Scáthach, at some point, had already switched into spectator mode, watching the farce unfold with amused delight.
The Student President.
Ryoji knew her well.
A daughter of the Roman Consortium, the pampered ojou-sama whose flamboyant style had earned her the nickname "Miss Umu." She was a second-year senior at the Academy, Nero Claudius.
"Ryoji, cast aside that insignificant Kendo Club and join my Student Council instead!"
Nero strode right up to him, completely ignoring the darkened expression on the so-called flower of the Kendo Club standing nearby. With a radiant smile overflowing with confidence and passion, she fixed her gaze squarely on Ryoji., Huh?
Why are you here too?!
"Wait just a moment!"
Artoria could endure it no longer. She stepped between the two, eyes narrowing with open hostility toward the Student President.
"I won't let that slide, calling the Kendo Club 'insignificant'? And besides, I was the one who invited him first! Even if you're the Student President, you still need to wait your turn!"
"As if this is about turns. This is a matter of seizing it before it slips away!"
Hands on her hips, Nero laughed haughtily, casting Artoria a mocking look.
Artoria's eyes sharpened dangerously. It was obvious Nero's words had stung her pride.
"Um… can I leave now?"
Ryoji raised a hand, looking every bit the innocent bystander.
"I'm not really interested in the Kendo Club or the Student Council. The only club I want to join is… the Going-Home Club."
"Ma, don't be in such a rush to refuse."
Nero chuckled smugly, extending her right arm while pressing the other hand dramatically to her chest. Her smile burned with unshakable confidence as she declared:
"Yes, it is I!"
"...?"
"In simple terms, I have a liking for you!"
"Oh. That's… not too surprising."
"Beauty is a rare and precious treasure. Ordinary people, when faced with beauty that lies far beyond their reach, are too crushed by inferiority to approach. I have investigated this, and in your three years at the Academy, the number who dared to confess to you can be counted on one hand."
It was true.
Throughout his life in this world, those bold enough to confess to Ryoji were vanishingly rare. Most chose to admire from afar, finding that alone more than enough.
Because his allure stood so many dimensions above the mortal norm that people didn't even feel romantic desire toward him, they could only see him as something exalted, of a realm entirely separate from their own.
Only those born with overflowing, unshakable self-confidence would ever dare to confess to him.
And from childhood to the present, such people numbered fewer than five. The rest had simply been wealthy women trying to buy their way close.
"But I am different!" Nero's voice rang with absolute conviction. "I, and I alone, will prepare myself with all my heart and soul, claim that beauty for my own, and protect it as mine alone!"
Right there in front of everyone, President Nero unabashedly declared her possessiveness.
Clap, clap, clap!
Ryoji couldn't help but applaud. With a sigh, he remarked, "As expected of a tyrant."
"Oh?"
At those words, Scáthach gave him a look heavy with implication.
"My nickname, is it? Hahaha! Don't stop there, shower me with even harsher praise if you like!"
Nero showed not the slightest hint of shame. Instead, she puffed out her chest proudly, head held high.
That level of self-awareness, beyond any ordinary person… There truly couldn't be many like her in all the world.
(End of Chapter)
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