Chapter 169

"That's enough, ladies. This isn't a dating show."

I can't help but say that Nibuya Morika said.

"The matter has been resolved; you should leave now."

Natsukawa Masuzu directly ordered them to leave.

"Cough cough."

Atenbo Yume and Saginomiya-senpai looked embarrassed, coughed twice, and then regained their composure.

"Thank you again for your help, Hasegawa-kun. If you need anything, please let me know and I will do my best to help!"

Saginomiya-senpai bowed to express her gratitude.

"Regarding the alliance, since the two sides are not evenly matched, I will not force it. However, I am somewhat capable of gathering information, so I hope that we can at least share information. This way, we can better pursue the mysterious path."

Before leaving, Atenbo Yume exchanged contact information with them and chose to change her plan.

What do you think?

Hasegawa Izumi didn't care about this level of request; she simply consulted the opinions of others.

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Indeed, information plays a very important role.

Various authentic information about the supernatural can broaden one's horizons, preventing one from being narrow-minded, and may even provide opportunities to gain benefits from it.

They are also useful in battle, for example, for information gathering like Jiraiya and Gojo Satoru, and can even change the outcome of a battle.

"Sage, what are your thoughts on the person who awakened from the beginning? Do you think she's an existence like us?"

Takanashi Rikka rested her chin on her hand, her expression inquiring.

"I don't have any particular thoughts. If we're destined to meet, we'll meet again... As for whether she's a powerful being from another world or a new human rising in New world, it doesn't matter."

Hasegawa Izumi didn't take it to heart at all, maintaining a cold attitude.

While a powerful alliance is certainly a good thing, why rely on others when he can accomplish something on his own?

Even if the other party becomes extraordinary at the very beginning of the upheaval, the same applies.

Because he firmly believed that he was the strongest!

His current listless and bored attitude is simply because he is too invincible and lonely, and has never encountered an opponent.

Oh, I see.

Everyone immediately felt reassured and breathed a sigh of relief.

It seems they won't be easily eliminated!

After school, the four girls gathered together to exchange ideas.

"Those two women know that the Lord Sage is a transcendent being, even if it's only a tiny bit of death."

Dekomori Sanae made an arch with her hands, resting them on her chin, her expression serious.

"Let's just get rid of him. The Club President is very powerful, but we're still in a period of keeping a low profile and shouldn't expose ourselves to those people."

Natsukawa Masuzu's eyes were icy cold, revealing a hint of murderous intent.

"Greedy Witch, you've gone too far."

Takanashi Rikka glanced at her and stared at her as she spoke.

"Since the Seeker of Truth has displayed his power openly, it means he is confident in his abilities."

Because Nibuya Morika had known Hasegawa for longer than the others, she was able to understand things more clearly.

His arrogance was merely a facade; he didn't actually enjoy flaunting his strength, it just happened to be a necessity.

"Furthermore, do you really think you haven't been exposed? You haven't forgotten about that live stream, have you?"

She continued.

Everyone looked at Dekomori Sanae, putting immense pressure on her.

"We shouldn't have been exposed, right? That woman didn't see us display our power or death. Even if there's an investigation, they'll only find out that she's just creating a stir."

Dekomori Sanae a very confident rebuttal.

Is it really that simple?

"Nibuya Morika said meaningfully."

However, this is also a trivial matter.

The Version Update; if it's been exposed, it's exposed.

After returning home, Saginomiya-senpai made a phone call.

"... In conclusion, what are your thoughts, Isumi? I can assure you that, aside from liking to act cool, that person actually has a great personality and is very handsome."

"Sister Ijin, please don't say such embarrassing things."

"These kinds of things are something we always have to go through, Princess Izumi. I think you two can get to know each other first!"

"Um... I'll consider it."

On the other end of the phone, a girl with a kimono and a cute, well-behaved hairstyle pulled her sleeves together and covered her mouth, her blue-purple eyes shimmering with memories.

She vaguely remembered the name Hasegawa Izumi; it seemed like Nagi had mentioned it before. Apparently, the two of them had a grudge, but it wasn't a big deal—just a feud over having a lollipop stolen.

In addition, she had met the Hasegawa family's uncle and aunt. Because they were historians, her family had invited them to visit historical sites such as the royal court.

Such a coincidence is delightful.

However, she was not swayed by her Sister Ijin's suggestion, but simply made a note of it for the time being.

Several days later.

A pleasant morning.

"Spring!"

Just as Hasegawa Izumi arrived outside the train station, she suddenly heard a girl shouting from behind.

He turned around and looked.

The stunningly beautiful girl, disregarding any sense of elegance, gripped the handles of her handbag with both hands and jogged over, her dazzling golden hair, a work of art, fluttering in the wind.

It seems that their schedules have coincided again today.

Sitting on a bench inside the tram, the area where the two of them were suddenly became a deserted no-man's-land.

"Someone's been quiet lately, I don't think I've heard any rumors of you causing trouble for a long time."

Eriri closed her left eye and opened her right eye, tilting her head slightly to look at him.

The bored girl wanted to start a conversation.

With his hands behind his head and legs crossed, Hasegawa Izumi said with an arrogant air, "Because I'm waiting for a worthy opponent to appear."

Performing miracles to bully the weak does not interest him.

"Wow, what a cool line! Izumi, how did you come up with that? Or did you see it in some anime?"

Eriri clapped enthusiastically, smiling with her eyes narrowed, as if she were coaxing a child.

"Oh."

He suddenly chuckled softly and said with amusement, "Eriri, if one day you find out that everything I've said is true, what will you do?"

Are you dreaming?

Eriri first scoffed, then clenched her fist and stared at him.

"You're really sick! It was my mistake to let you form that weird club with those guys... I'm so sorry, Auntie."

"However, it's not too late to realize this now. Let me correct this mistake myself!"

"Take this... Personality Correction Fist!"

59 Rivals Meet

"Eriri, do you know what Aunt Sayuri has been up to lately?"

Hasegawa Izumi casually dodged the girl's attack with a twist of her neck.

So, you dare to hide!

Eriri's gaze sharpened. She had only intended to poke her Childhood Friend's face with her little fists to make him look foolish, but now, her competitive spirit was suddenly ignited.

"I don't know. Why are you suddenly asking this? What does it have to do with you?"

As Eriri answered, she seized the opportunity and decisively tried to grab his face.

Hasegawa Izumi sat up straight abruptly, causing her attack to miss again.

"What's going on? Do you have eyes on your face now?"

Eriri was somewhat embarrassed and angry, and tried to grab her Childhood Friend's body, but her movements repeatedly missed, and she couldn't touch him at all.

"Because, a few days ago, Aunt Sayuri called me and said she was going abroad and asked me to take good care of you at school."

Hasegawa Izumi turned her head to look at her as if she hadn't noticed anything.

"She's doing all this unnecessary work! Why would I need an idiot taking care of me? She must be senile."

Eriri seemed to be sulking, her arms crossed, the air she blew out making her golden bangs sway.

"Oh, so this is what you care about?"

Hasegawa Izumi could tell that the girl's expression was somewhat unnatural.

Clearly, she knew what Sayuri was doing abroad.

According to the information Sayuri Lily told him, Sayuri had been invited to England to attend that person's art exhibition.

While both are pursuing their Path of Painting, compared to Eriri, that person's talent is truly exceptional, like someone else's "perfect child."

As a result, the two, who had once studied painting in the same studio, became 'enemies'.

Of course, this was just an identity Eriri created for herself; in reality, that person had no such understanding whatsoever, since that person was simply a painting fanatic.

"What kind of look is that? I've become stronger now! I won't lose to that person!"

Eriri, in a moment of agitation, raised her cute little fangs and said.

"I haven't said anything yet... and if you can become stronger, so can she."

Hasegawa Izumi raised an eyebrow.

This isn't like a game update where weak heroes are buffed and strong heroes are nerfed; in reality, the strong getting stronger is the normal development.

In other words, as a world-class genius painter, it wouldn't be strange for him to pursue art through painting. And there might be a hidden reason behind Sayuri Sayuri's urgent trip to England for the exhibition.

"Can she become even more powerful? Hehehe... Is it possible that she has already reached her peak, while I still have enormous room for improvement?"

Eriri's smile gradually faded, replaced by a resolute look in her eyes as she stubbornly encouraged herself.

Is this an unacceptable outcome that has led to nonsensical talk?

Hasegawa Izumi was amused.

"Oh, right, this is the money I borrowed from you before. I've been putting it off long enough, it's time to pay it back."

He suddenly remembered something, and just before getting off the train, he took out enough banknotes from his pocket and handed them over.

"You're going to pay me back with money you got from selling your body to other women?"

Eriri glanced down at it, her expression one of utter disgust.

"Just tell me if you want it or not. If you don't, I'll consider it settled."

He didn't choose to argue with him, but simply said something lazily.

"Alright."

Eriri gritted her teeth and accepted the money, inwardly grumbling a few words about the Young Lady.

She actually tried to corrupt her Childhood Friend with money; such a tactic is utterly shameless!

The tram has arrived at the station.