"Your Highness, will you be seeing your younger brother this time?"
Leila stood before Ask and asked earnestly.
Although Ask was somewhat puzzled, he trusted this loyal subordinate completely.
"I might. Didn't I say we should let things take their course? If we try too hard, people will notice, no matter how good our acting is."
"Understood. As it happens, Kallen has successfully joined Zero's personal guard, so that side also needs your attention... Please wait a moment."
"Hmm? What are you talking about..."
That afternoon, at Ashford Academy.
Nunnally had organized a celebration here for Suzaku Kururugi. Most of the students who attended were not particularly opposed to his status as an Honorary Britannian.
The party was being held in the first-floor hall, while Ask was in the activity preparation room on the second floor, sparring with Milly in swordplay.
Long sword in hand, Ask launched surprise attacks at Milly again and again, repeating the simplest thrust over and over. His thrusts left her groaning in misery, with no choice but to defend herself and beg for mercy.
After barely half an hour, she was drenched in sweat, utterly exhausted, and gasping for breath.
Fortunately, the noise of the party drowned out Milly's voice.
Even so, Milly kept her hand firmly over her mouth.
Unable to find his student council president, her junior Rivalz was looking for her.
As luck would have it, he heard some rather peculiar noises from the activity preparation room during his search, so he called tentatively through the door:
"President?"
"Mmph...? What is it, huh?"
"Aren't you coming to the party, President?"
"..."
Ask's swordplay grew increasingly fierce, cutting into her body and making her cry out in pain.
Fortunately, her hand covered her mouth.
The swordplay was one concern; Ask's identity