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Lunch was curry rice with garlic.
Senior Sister Touka, Kanata, and Misogi Utakata had reportedly developed this recipe back when they were still at the orphanage. They had experimented tirelessly to create a delicious curry using limited funds, ensuring everyone could enjoy a satisfying meal.
By simmering beef tendons in Senior Sister's special curry sauce, they infused the dish with rich umami. The addition of appetite-stimulating garlic made it utterly irresistible.
Almost everyone devoured several large bowls, even Kanata. Only Stella seemed to have a poor appetite.
"Alright, time to wrap up the relaxation and get down to business!" Senior Sister Touka cleared away the pots and pans, rubbing her hands together eagerly.
"First, we'll divide into groups. With eight of us, we can form four teams. One team will stay at the dormitory to provide central support, while the other three teams will patrol in different directions. If you spot anything unusual, report it immediately!"
Kurogane Ikki and Stella automatically formed a group, while Tomaru Renren and Saijou Ikazuchi, as a well-coordinated veteran duo, paired up as well. The remaining four members were divided into two groups.
"How about Touka and Taka-chan stay behind as the central support team?" Totokubara Kanata suggested earnestly. "The central support team needs strong legs to cover ground quickly and the ability to overcome any obstacles to reach the others swiftly. Your abilities are best suited for this."
"Eh?" Toudou Touka froze in surprise.
She had originally planned to team up with her junior brother and go hiking in the mountains—a unique kind of date.
However, Kanata's reasoning was sound.
Among the group, Touka possessed the strongest legs and could cover ground the fastest. Combined with Misogi Utakata's unpredictable nature, they could provide the quickest and most reliable support to everyone.
"Alright, then Junior Brother can team up with Kanata..." Touka reluctantly agreed.
"We'll investigate thoroughly!" Totokubara Kanata declared with unwavering determination.
...
"I can't walk anymore~!"
The mountain was rugged and rocky.
As a training ground for Blazer students, mountain climbing itself was excellent exercise, so no trails had been built. The terrain was extremely steep and treacherous.
Less than ten minutes after setting off from the central training area, Rich Lady Kanata was already showing signs of exhaustion.
"Carry me~!"
"Alright, alright, get on!"
Rich Lady Kanata's barrage of flattery and cajoling successfully wore down Ryoji.
He crouched down, scooped up her legs, and hoisted her onto his back, feeling the soft pressure of her weight against his back.
Yet listening to her breathing near his ear, she didn't sound tired at all.
'If you know, you know.'
"I haven't seen any signs of giants at all."
Their patrol route was on the eastern hills of the training ground, covered in dense primeval forest. No matter where they looked, there was no trace of giants.
If giants were truly active, there would at least be massive footprints or toppled trees as evidence.
"So it was just an exaggeration after all?"
Rich Lady Kanata clung to Ryoji's back.
His gait was remarkably steady, almost without any jostling. The fragrant scent wafting from his neck even made her feel drowsy.
To stay awake, she leaned close to Ryoji's ear and spoke in a voice as thin as a silken thread.
The warm breath against his ear felt like a cat's paw gently scratching at his heart.
"Woman, you'd better stop playing with fire!" Ryoji's expression darkened, adopting a domineering CEO demeanor.
"Hehehe." Rich Lady Kanata giggled coquettishly. "Tell me more~"
This "domineering CEO" act held no intimidation for her; in fact, she found it rather cute.
"Hmph, if you were trying to provoke me, you've succeeded!" Ryoji sneered coldly.
Then, tilting his head, he cast Rich Lady Kanata a glance that was three parts nonchalant, three parts roguish, and four parts thinly veiled mockery.
Back in the day, I used to dominate the female fiction charts. Playing a domineering CEO? That's child's play!
"I've angered you. So what?"
Rich Lady Kanata licked her lips, feeling a thrill of excitement.
"Hmph, still unrepentant? It seems I have no choice but to teach you a lesson!"
Ryoji released his grip, letting go of Rich Lady Kanata's legs.
With a startled "Ah~," he wrapped his arm around her slender waist, spun her from behind him to face him, and swept her into his arms in a princess carry.
Ryoji focused his gaze, summoning nine parts cold indifference and one part tender affection. He fixed his eyes steadily on the rich lady in his arms.
Hiss!
That was truly domineering!
He'd only acted casually, but under the force of his charisma, it felt as if the character had truly materialized before her eyes.
Rich Lady Kanata's breathing quickened slightly, and she averted her gaze, unable to withstand his intense stare.
"Hmph, woman. I'm right here in front of you, yet you dare look elsewhere? Who gave you the nerve?"
Ryoji wrapped one arm around her waist and used his free hand to grip her chin, forcing her head to face him.
Staring directly into those eyes that seemed to possess magical power, Rich Lady Kanata's heart pounded violently, and her face flushed crimson.
Yet her gaze gradually grew hazy, and she even reached up to wrap her arms around his neck, offering him a passionate, lingering kiss.
'No, no, no!'
'Rich lady, can't you play along a little?'
'At this point, you should be resisting fiercely, but after my forceful kiss, you'd wear a conflicted expression—unwilling yet yearning for his warmth.'
'How am I supposed to continue the act now?'
Still, with such a beauty in his arms, Ryoji decided to abandon the pretense and simply savor the rich lady's taste.
"...Promise me you won't play this game with anyone else, okay?"
After the kiss ended, Rich Lady Kanata collapsed breathlessly into his arms, her eyes glazed and tender as she gazed up at him.
'So thrilling!'
'I can't handle it!'
"What right do you have to make demands of me?" Ryoji sneered, grabbing the rich lady's chin. "Remember this: you belong entirely to me. From now on, only I get to tease you!"
Gasp!
Rich Lady Kanata gasped for breath.
Then she threw herself into Ryoji's arms, nuzzling him fiercely as her long legs kicked wildly in the air, unable to calm down for a long while.
This proved that domineering CEOs truly are women's kryptonite. There's a reason they dominate female-oriented fiction.
Of course, this only works if the CEO is devastatingly handsome. Otherwise, you're just a sleazy creep.
More than ten minutes later...
"Why is the sky getting so dark?"
Having finished their domineering CEO act, Ryoji carried Rich Lady Kanata on his back as they continued patrolling the mountains.
"Should we head back?"
"Hmm... I don't want to go back yet."
Rich Lady Kanata leaned against Ryoji's shoulder and planted a wet kiss on his neck, leaving a hickey.
The scene from earlier would be her treasured memory for the next year, something she could savor every night.
But once they returned, she'd have to give Ryoji back to Touka.
She wanted to spend more time alone with him now.
"Then let's keep exploring," Ryoji readily agreed.
"Don't leave too many marks," he cautioned. If Senior Sister Stella found out, he'd be struck by Raikiri.
"I'll leave as many as I want!" Rich Lady Kanata guessed his concern and, feeling a surge of defiance, planted several more hickeys on his neck.
"Oh no, it's going to rain!"
The sky gradually darkened with storm clouds, and the air grew heavy with moisture.
Ryoji, carrying Rich Lady Kanata on his back, hurried down the mountain path.
(End Of This Chapter)