This is the building, huh?

I have no time to spare, but I need to have a trump card…

Wait for me a few more moments, Shiori!

Yuudai jumped towards the roof.

---

The golden lance of death thrust forward.

Shiori braced herself.

DOPAANG-

The lance was struck from the side by a small black object and hit the ground instead of its original target.

“Wha-”

It was a kunai.

“Yuu-kun…?”

A silver blade sliced through the top part of the net.

“Sorry for being late, Shiori.”

“Yuu-kun!”

“Oh, huh. You managed to tail Cinder, huh? Good job. But you do realize you’ve walked into my trap, right? I would have preferred to neutralize her first, but this is fine too. I just didn’t think you would be stupid enough to attack us on our home turf without a plan.”

Yuudai stayed silent.

“Just as I thought. All brawn, no brains. Really, you bring shame to your house. Even your parents had a plan when they challenged me.”

“As I thought. You killed them, huh.”

“Yuu-kun… kunai?”

“It was necessary.”

“So I take it that you no longer fear them, Saito?”

“Wrong. They still scare me, but meeting you made me realize it wasn't the kunai that stabbed them and murdered them in cold blood. It was you.”

Unexpectedly, the knight woman- Rina Lebenev began laughing.

“Cold-blooded murder? From you? The son of the duo who murdered my family. in. front. of. my. very. eyes? Thats rich!”

“Do I look like I care?”

The laughing stopped.

“I see. You’re just like me, aren’t you Saito?”

“I don’t care who you are or how justified your actions are. If you dare hurt those I care about, I will kill you.”

“As I thought, you indeed are just like me.”

“First my parents, and now even Shiori nearly died by your hands. Tell me, Miss Lebanev, are you ready to die?”

“My time will come after that of everyone who carries the name of your two houses.”

This isn’t the normal Yuu-kun!

“Wait, Yuu-kun, why are you acting so abnormal all of a sudden! Going on and on about killing and stuff…”

“Shiori. I promised you that I would become strong. This is the realization of that promise. Strong enough to protect you, no matter what it costs.”

“Yuu-kun, I…”

“We’ll get out of this alive, Shiori. Trust me.”

Yuudai turned to his partner.

“I pledge my soul to you.”