Stars and Night

A fragrant, gentle breeze brushed past her ear and caressed her face.

Trembling, Su Youzi watched the "Great Shrine Maiden" turn and leave without the slightest attachment.

The might bursting from the girl, and that aura that made even the world fall and be destroyed with a few soft words, caused Su Youzi's heartstrings to tense involuntarily.

That feeling was even more oppressive than the pressure brought by the "Origin Witch."

This time—

The bottomless abyss lay behind Su Youzi. There was no retreat left.

Only after the "Great Shrine Maiden," riding White Wolf, had leisurely faded into the distance did Su Youzi, stung by the cold spring wind, tremble as she covered her opened chest.

"Y-Youzi..." Soga Toyura hurried over, and Su Youzi gently took her hand.

"Cough, cough, cough—" Not far away, Kujo Ryuko coughed up blood with a miserable expression. Supported by Kujo Iruka, she rose and limped over through the patch of broken bamboo.

"What did you block that for..." Kujo Iruka looked irritably at Kujo Ryuko, who was limping beside her.

Before an enemy as powerful as the "Great Shrine Maiden," Kujo Ryuko had not even been qualified to serve as a cushion.

"I..."

"None of your business..." Kujo Ryuko still tried to push away Kujo Iruka's support.

What a bastard.

All she ever says are sarcastic remarks.

Did she think I wanted to block that attack for her?

I only thought Miss Youzi might get hurt and wanted to serve as a human cushion for her. Who could have known that bastard would be the one kicked flying?

"Who... Who knew some people were so mighty and imposing in daily life..."

"Yet once they reached the battlefield, they turned out to be silver-plated spears with wax tips."

Kujo Ryuko clutched her chest, unsure how