"Suit yourself." Horikita Suzune did not think Hosen Kazuomi would actually make a move, and she turned to leave.
Nanase Tsubasa, meanwhile, seemed to have anticipated what was about to happen and slightly turned her face away.
At that moment, Hosen Kazuomi moved.
A swift kick shot straight toward the spot where Horikita Suzune had been standing moments before.
At the last possible instant, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka yanked Horikita Suzune backward, narrowly avoiding Hosen Kazuomi's completely unrestrained kick.
"You actually dared to attack?" Horikita Suzune had not reacted at all. After being abruptly pulled away, her body had gone rigid.
"Yo, not bad reflexes." Hosen Kazuomi looked with interest at Ayanokoji Kiyotaka behind Horikita Suzune.
Having come to her senses, Horikita Suzune seemed to want to search her bag for something, but Hosen Kazuomi gave her no chance. He strode forward, rushed up to her, and reached out to grab her.
With nowhere left to retreat, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka stepped in.
"Hm?" Seeing Ayanokoji Kiyotaka standing in front of Horikita Suzune, Hosen Kazuomi curled his open hand into a fist and viciously swung at Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's face.
Smack. Ayanokoji Kiyotaka raised his hand and blocked Hosen Kazuomi's punch, drawing a hint of surprise from him.
"Oh? You're pretty strong. Then try this." Hosen Kazuomi swept his right leg toward Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's shin.
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka lightly jumped backward to evade the attack, then turned to Horikita Suzune. "Go first."
"But..." Though Hosen Kazuomi had only attacked twice, Horikita Suzune already understood that his strength was far beyond anything she could resist. Yet Ayanokoji Kiyotaka clearly intended to cover her retreat. She could not allow herself to abandon him like this.
"Oho, you really are interesting." Hosen Kazuomi chuckled softly. "That clears up the doubts I've had these past few days."
"But the farce