Dual Souls, The Other Half is Bronya

emmm…

Byakuya fell silent for a moment.

In reality, his physique was too powerful, and with the passive buffs from the "Life Chronicle" added… even Xiao Ai still wasn't enough. He had even reined himself in quite a bit.

"Byakuya!"

Through their mental link, Bronya received the message simultaneously and couldn't help but scold him.

But Byakuya's thoughts were still drifting: with his physique, what kind of person could actually withstand it? Then, unconsciously… Bronya's figure flashed through his mind.

"emmm…"

For a moment, silence fell on both sides. It seems… it wasn't entirely impossible, was it? No, no, no, that won't do! My integrity, you better hold on!

On the other side, Bronya suppressed the stirrings in her heart. "Ahem~ Alright, Bronya has to go out soon, Byakuya, be a little careful on your end."

"If Bronya senses anything unusual…"

—You're dead!

After giving a few instructions, Bronya quickly severed the connection. Although they often teased each other, if it came to the real thing… she still needed a little psychological preparation.

In Osaka, there was a slightly old-fashioned wooden house—"Ichibanboshi."

The restaurant had been selling okonomiyaki for a long time, and the whole place gave off an ancient vibe. But most importantly… this was a shop run by the Morohoshi family.

When Bronya arrived, Ikki and the others were already there. She raised her hand in greeting and then looked at Morohoshi Yudai, "Morohoshi, still trying to drum up business for your family?"

"Ahaha~"

Morohoshi scratched his head, smiling it off as if nothing was wrong. "I'm a merchant of Naniwa. How can I pass up a profitable opportunity? But Byakuya isn't here this time?"

"That guy is with his girlfriend. After all, what's more important than his girlfriend among these trivial matters?"

"Eh! Byakuya already has a girlfriend?!! Damn it, he didn't even tell me." Morohoshi muttered a few words, his gaze shifting to Bronya.

"It's a secret~"

Bronya raised her index finger, making a shushing gesture. She walked past Morohoshi and entered the shop. "Koume, how have you been lately?"

—Welcome~

Inside the shop, Koume, wearing a kimono and apron, took out a small notebook and showed it to Bronya, smiling faintly.

"Your complexion looks pretty good."

Bronya nodded and ruffled Koume's little head. Although not as professional as Kiriko, her skill was still there. "Alright, Koume, the usual."

—Please wait a moment.

She still presented the small notebook.

Bronya didn't say anything about this. Without experiencing someone else's suffering, how could one have the right to persuade them? Words were meaningless; such things required the right timing.

After waiting for a while, an okonomiyaki with a rich savory aroma was served. "It really is the familiar taste. Koume, please prepare another one for takeout for Bronya."

After enjoying her lunch, Bronya, with Xiao Ai's portion packed, prepared to leave. However, before that…

"Speaking of which, did Morohoshi tell Koume?"

???

Koume tilted her head, looking bewildered.

"It seems he didn't. Morohoshi's opponent in the next match is Bronya."

Bronya placed one hand on Koume's shoulder, leaned in slightly, and whispered, "Bronya knows. Koume is still struggling, but he has waited for Koume for too long."

She patted Koume twice lightly and then walked past. "Morohoshi, Bronya's leaving. And about tomorrow's match, Morohoshi, you better get plenty of rest."

"Isn't that obvious!"

Morohoshi, while helping with the shop's business, waved goodbye to Bronya, full of fighting spirit.

Back at the hotel, Bronya didn't hesitate at all and directly opened the room door. After all, it was her own room.

"Xiao Ai still hasn't woken up."

Putting down the packed lunch, Bronya naturally tidied up everything in the room and opened the window for ventilation. "It looks like Byakuya went a bit too far last night."

"After all, this is Xiao Ai…"

As she spoke, Byakuya also got up to help. He could feel that Xiao Ai had actually woken up…

Perhaps she was too shy? That's why she was pretending to be asleep.

Byakuya and Bronya didn't need to communicate; they tacitly picked up the scattered clothes on the floor.

"Good morning, Xiao Ai."

A unique tone of voice. Bronya had specifically prepared clean clothes for Xiao Ai and placed them within easy reach.

Next, she turned and sat on the edge of the bed, her fair hand brushing aside her naturally falling long hair, and leaned down towards Edelweiss. "Time to get up~"

"..."

No response.

"It's not good to deceive yourself~"

Warm breath brushed against Edelweiss's ear, causing her cheeks to involuntarily flush.

"Never mind, Bronya won't be polite anymore."

A pair of small hands reached under the covers, and Bronya scooped Edelweiss up by the waist, carrying her in a princess hold into the bathroom. "Xiao Ai needs to pay attention to personal hygiene~"

"It's all your fault..."

Completely helpless, Edelweiss finally "woke up." She opened her mouth, intending to scold Bronya, but...

Even though she knew it was just Bronya, she felt it was too awkward to do this in front of her. Her voice trailed off, "Okay, okay, I can do it myself..."

A faint struggle ensued.

Bathing herself was too embarrassing to have someone help! But it seemed to aggravate her wounds, and Edelweiss frowned slightly.

"It seems Xiao Ai can't do it herself."

Bronya lowered her head, their foreheads touching. Her voice was gentle, and Edelweiss could feel her breath.

"Mmm..."

A soft sound, like a small animal's cry.

Involuntarily, Edelweiss curled up. She stopped struggling then, allowing Bronya to slowly lower her into the bath.

emmm...

"As expected, I'm left out again."

Meanwhile, Byakuya flipped through the packed lunch, and sure enough, his portion was missing again. "Oh well, no big deal. I'll go grab something to eat first~"

60. Seven Star Sword Martial Festival, Opening!

The Seven Star Sword Martial Festival drew an immense crowd, and the entire city shimmered with a vibrant energy.

However, due to Xiao Ai's identity, Byakuya couldn't openly date her in public.

It was fine usually, but at this critical juncture... emmm... who knew who had infiltrated the event? There were definitely people who knew Xiao Ai, so it was best to keep a low profile.

Thus, Byakuya spent the entire day in the hotel, recounting his past stories to Edelweiss.

— Sometimes, what matters isn't what you're doing, but who you're with!

Even though their date was canceled, Byakuya, Bronya, and Edelweiss felt an immense warmth staying in the hotel.

The next day:

In the early morning, crowds surged toward the bay like a tide, their enthusiasm undeterred even by the height of summer.

emmm...

(Actually, there was an opening ceremony. But looking at it, I felt it was just filler, so I deleted it.)

◆The 62nd Seven Star Sword Martial Festival officially begins!

The competition was divided into four zones: A, B, C, and D, with a total of sixteen matches, four in each group.

Perhaps due to Byakuya's influence, the pairings were slightly different from the original story.

Zone A, Match 1:

Morohoshi Yudai VS Bronya!

"First, appearing from the red gate is the winner of the previous tournament! Third-year student from Wuqu Academy, Morohoshi Yudai!!"

"He is a hero from the West! His extraordinary and genius swordsmanship..." (In short, bragging, skipping)

"Before the finals of the elementary school league, he suffered an unfortunate accident."

"He was severely injured, his legs crippled, which was enough to end his knightly career. He once sadly left the path of the knight. But now..."

— "This man has returned!"

"He overcame his severe injuries that prevented him from walking again, climbing from the abyss of hell to the pinnacle of this country!"

"The glory and setbacks of the knight's path, a man who knows it all yet remains unyielding! 'Seven Star Sword King' Morohoshi Yudai!"

"Today, he will challenge the Seven Star Sword Martial Festival's first-ever consecutive championship, gracing the arena once more—!!!"

The next moment, thunderous cheers shook the ground!

"A—hoshi!!!"

"A—hoshi!!!"

"..."

Bearing such immense expectations, Morohoshi Yudai revealed his Divine Key, the "Tiger King," on the competition grounds and raised it high, as if piercing the sky!

— Leave everything to me!

Although no words were spoken, the meaning was perfectly conveyed, and the atmosphere in the venue reached a fever pitch at that moment.

"Oooohhh—!!!"

Following that...

"After contestant Morohoshi Yudai, the blue gate has also opened!"

"Her reputation may not be widely known, and everything about her is shrouded in mystery, but if I mention one name, you will surely have heard of her—Yakushi Kiriko."

"She is Yakushi Kiriko's younger sister, and along with another person named Byakuya, they are known as the 'Twin Fangs of Lightning,' Bronya of the 'Dark Lightning'!"

"It's worth mentioning that Morohoshi Yudai's severe injuries were treated by Yakushi Kiriko. And according to rumors, Bronya also participated in the treatment."

"So, at this moment, could it be a fated reunion?"

To be honest, the moment Bronya appeared, although the cheers in the venue remained enthusiastic, they were indeed a little weaker.

"A fated reunion..."

Bronya, clad in her Secondary Silver Wings attire, slowly walked to face Morohoshi Yudai. "It seems that way, doesn't it?"

"Unfortunately, Yudai, your journey ends here."

"That's not necessarily true."

Morohoshi gripped his long spear and took a stance.

—A formidable aura that seemed to survey all directions, causing even the spectators to hold their breath.