That 378: Despicable

The surroundings alternated between dim and bright.

It was because the clouds were moving swiftly, and the sun kept appearing and disappearing.

Somewhere in my mind, I couldn't help but wonder if Riru-kun was manipulating the weather itself. He was so adept at concealing his presence.

"This... dodging and weaving...!"

Even though it was still quite bright, I couldn't catch him.

I was being toyed with.

There was also the fact that repeated damage made it hard to move my body properly.

Then, just as I was about to use a healing spell,

pffft—

a shuriken shot through the air, whistling past my hand.

...Yeah. That's right. A shuriken. The kind ninjas use. Where on earth did he even buy one?

Regardless, the fear of being thrown with genuine intent is overwhelming. Even though I know my current body wouldn't sustain a fatal wound, I still had no choice but to focus entirely on evasion.

But manipulating tricks like that is essentially the same as admitting you can't win in a fair fight. If I could just close the distance somehow...

"Since a moment ago, you're being cowardly! Cowardly! If you're a man, fight fairly, like the protagonist of a jump manga!"

His feeble provocation, of course, had no effect.

I pursued him, and he darted away.

Now it's hard to tell who's the one playing tag.

As they wasted time in this pointless chase, the two of them had unknowingly moved into a fantasy zone lined with medieval European-style streets.

Swiftly, Riru-kun headed toward the Avienia Castle, the very symbol of Disneya.

It was good that they were nearing the destination, but first, I had to defeat him.

"Meow!"

Yet Riru-kun, seemingly far more familiar with Disneya's geography than I, dodged through the wooden streets, weaving left and right, and eventually leapt into a souvenir shop.

Immediately following the retreating figure, I found myself facing a row of dolls from well-known fairy tales—Peter Pan, Pinocchio, Cinderella, Snow White, and more.

Disgusting, just like I expected from Riru-kun. Filthy.

As a girl, I'd feel uneasy about swinging a blade around recklessly in such a place.

Carefully moving through the store, I arrived at an area lined with dolls from Alice in Wonderland’s tea party.

"You're certainly mad."

～You're completely mad.～

『But I'll let you in on a secret.』

～But I'll tell you a secret.～

『The best people are all mad.』

～All the best people are.～

Ignoring the famous line Alice once spoke at the tea party, I search for a shadow among the dolls.

Then, suddenly, I sense a presence.

Quickly turning my blade toward it, I—

“Whoa!? ‘Nameless JK’ girl!”

The girl standing there was the round-faced girl I'd seen earlier.

Even I was genuinely surprised by her sudden reappearance,

"Why aren't you running away!?"

"B-b-because... you see..."

She glanced around nervously,

"Your friend... told me to tell you... he said... I'm the one who'll... see it through..."

"A friend?"

Who could it be?

In a situation like this, the ones who might lend a hand would probably be Sumire, Asuka, the gambler, and maybe Ayaka-chan.

But I shook my head.

"Though it's a kind offer, please go back to that person and tell them, 'There's no need for it.'"

I said it quietly, speaking quickly.

"Huh? Why?"

"I don't like it. It feels like everything—even the help coming—is all just in Riru-kun's palm."

"Isn't that... overthinking it?"

"No. Just now, I was nearly forced into using the *Roar* with no other options left. That was probably an attempt to summon allies. If so, my companions have been lured right into the trap."

"…………………"

I was skeptical just a moment ago, but now this theory holds undeniable credibility.

It's because, for some reason, Riru-kun seems to be approaching Abienia Castle more and more closely.

If my companions heard the announcement made by Shizukawa Reika, how would they react?

Probably, they'd head straight for the castle—the final destination—first, then move toward the direction where the commotion is coming from.

In that case, though, they'd be fleeing toward a place where interference is highly likely... where my allies are most likely to be. That seems a bit odd.

"Understood. Please make this perfectly clear: 'Do not interfere in this battle at all.' I originally accepted this challenge on the basis of a one-on-one fight. I cannot break that agreement from my side."

"...I, I understand..."

The girl made a slightly strange face, but seemed to grasp the situation clearly, then hurriedly left the souvenir shop.

That should be fine.

Perhaps it was foolish to let out a sigh of relief right there on the battlefield.

I didn't notice his approach.

Not toward me—rather, toward the round-faced girl running right in front of me.

"Huh?"

For a split second, hesitating to comprehend his intent, Ritsuru suddenly kicked the girl forcefully in the back of the head without hesitation.

Bang! The girl slammed her head hard into the ground, blood splattering.

After that, she didn't move a muscle.

"Boo"

You're foolish.

But Riru-kun, you weren't trying to hurt her a moment ago.

"What are you doing, you idiot!"

The words came out before she could stop them, sharp and scolding.

"I heard there's a 'reputation reward item' that lets you impersonate a third party... So, who exactly is the real one here?"

"No, that's not—"

She paused, realizing that possibility wasn't entirely impossible.

"Cat's staff." That was the item used when infiltrating Ichihon Geidai University, wasn't it?

Given who she is—Tatsumi Tsumuri—using that item wouldn't be surprising at all.

"Now then. As you've probably guessed, this is my second trump card. I'm going to crush this girl's neck bone right now. So I'd kindly ask you to drop your sword and surrender immediately. Please."