The world outside was already a mess, and Kotegawa's secret base was just as chaotic.
Under the sustained pursuit, Kotegawa Yui and Kushida Kikyou had long lost the strength to resist, only able to let out intermittent, muffled groans.
Afterward, Kanzaki Saku looked at the two girls before him, who had been repeatedly 'trained' to the point of exhaustion by his special ability, and considered how to deal with them.
Kanzaki Saku had originally planned to play along with this unexpected encounter and go meet Megumi Kato, the one known as the King of a Hundred Beasts.
However, the information he had obtained during the confrontation indicated that this operation was their private decision; Megumi Kato knew nothing about it.
The two exhausted subjects were clearly unable to continue with the original plan. Kanzaki Saku couldn't just swagger up to Megumi Kato and say something like, "Oh, darn, you found me." That would seem far too unnatural.
Plus, Kanzaki Saku had an appointment today, so he decided to bring the day's special training to a close.
"Hey, wake up." Kanzaki Saku gently patted Kotegawa Yui's shoulder.
Kotegawa Yui let out a mumble and groggily opened her eyes. The moment she saw Kanzaki Saku, she instinctively assumed a defensive posture—a conditioned reflex from the previous special training.
He had intended to end things, but faced with such a clear reaction, it would seem too impersonal for Kanzaki Saku to just stop there.
"Miss Strategist, it seems your plan has failed. However, seeing as you and Kikyou cooperated rather earnestly... I can pretend today's events never happened. I won't mention it to anyone."
Kanzaki Saku could clearly feel Kotegawa's body relax upon hearing his words.
"But, from this day forward, I need to know everything you two know about the Kato Legion's movements. Understand?"
As Kanzaki Saku's tone shifted, Kotegawa's body tensed up again.
"Un-er, understood... I, I know what to do..."
"Very good. Remember to remind your companion later." Kanzaki Saku, satisfied with her answer, generously granted her a swift conclusion.
Kanzaki Saku stood up, straightened his clothes, and looked at the two sleeping girls on the floor, contemplating his next move.
He took out his phone to check the time. There was still a while before his appointment, enough to handle the aftermath here.
Kanzaki Saku stood by the window, quietly pondering the potential chain reactions from this unexpected incident. Although his plans were disrupted, it seemed he had also gained some unexpected rewards.
He gave the two sleeping figures one last look, then quietly closed the door and left.
In short, after a series of indescribable events, the two delinquent girls, whose bodies and minds had been cleansed and who had awakened their inner female, reluctantly became Kanzaki Saku's moles inside the Kato Legion.
After tidying up the messy classroom a bit, Kanzaki Saku stepped into the hallway, planning to get some fresh air and then slip away.
What a peaceful day! Holy crap, why are there so many people downstairs!
Isn't that Yukino in the lead?!
What's going on? Didn't the first battle just end yesterday? Is this World War II already?!
The surprise was momentary. Kanzaki Saku quickly figured out that Yukino had launched a second battle against the Kato Legion because of him.
He subconsciously pulled out his phone. Sure enough, the screen was flooded with notifications for missed calls and unread messages, all showing a red "99+".
It's probably too late to call back and say he got lost on the path of life.
To say he had no feelings for his childhood friend would be a lie. Honestly, Yukino had always been good to him, protecting him since they were young, even going so far as to become a delinquent for his sake.
And now, because he might be in danger, she had mobilized the entire club to fight her sworn enemy. Even if possessiveness was a factor, Kanzaki Saku was deeply moved.
But, being moved was one thing! He, Kanzaki Saku, was a male Bodhisattva who aspired to save all the repressed starlets; how could he give up the entire forest for a single tree?
'I need to find a way to not let Yukino's trip be in vain, which would break her heart, but also prevent her from actually fighting Megumi Kato.'
It seemed the spies he had just "turned" would be put to use so soon.
He hurried back to the classroom, where Kushida Kikyou had woken up and was leaning against Kotegawa Yui. Seeing him return, the two girls thought the "special training" was about to begin again and lay down in despair.
Kanzaki Saku didn't make a move, but he dropped a piece of news that was enough to make them faint.
"Looks like you'll need to start your new jobs early. Your boss, Megumi Kato, and my girlfriend, Yukino, will probably be meeting here in a little while."
"You probably don't want them to see you in this state, do you?"
Hearing this, Kotegawa Yui and Kushida Kikyou suddenly found a burst of energy and started getting dressed.
To be seen by Boss Kato after failing to sneak a taste? To be seen by Yukinoshita Yukino after kidnapping and attempting to assault her man? Either way, their fate would not be a pleasant one.
Kanzaki Saku watched their reaction with satisfaction. "It seems you understand the consequences. Well then, here's a chance to redeem yourselves. Not only can you avoid a conflict, but you can also secure your positions in the Kato Legion... and maybe even become heroines."
"Let me ask you, where is the Kato Legion's main force right now?"
While buttoning her shirt, Kotegawa Yui answered, "At... at the base, drinking to celebrate yesterday's victory. I was there too, but I left after getting a call from Kikyou. Most of them should be pretty drunk by now, with their guard down..."
"Good." Kanzaki Saku nodded. "Then, the plan is simple. While the Service Club is only surrounding the building and not yet attacking, and the situation isn't out of control, you two will 'desperately' 'rescue' me, the hostage, and return me to Yukino."
"What?" Kotegawa Yui didn't understand at first.
Kanzaki Saku patiently explained, "It's part of the plan. You'll say you're the conservative faction within the legion, that you couldn't stand the dirty kidnapping tactics of some of the radicals, believing it dishonored the Kato Legion and the name of the King of a Hundred Beasts. So, you took a huge risk and saved me. Now you're returning me safely, in the hopes of having a fair and square decisive battle next time."
He pointed to their torn clothes and the disheveled marks on their bodies (which didn't need any faking). "Your current appearance is the best proof of the hardships you've been through. When Yukino sees that I'm safe, her anger will subside."
"On the Kato Legion's side, you can explain that you were forced to resort to this method to defuse the crisis and prevent the Service Club from launching a sneak attack during the victory celebration, thus protecting everyone's gains and safety. You could even say you outsmarted Yukino."
Kotegawa Yui's eyes gradually lit up. The plan sounded a bit fantastical, but it was indeed their only way out right now, and might even allow them to curry favor with both sides!
She glanced at Kushida Kikyou, who also had a hopeful expression, and nodded firmly.
"We... we understand! Master!" Kotegawa Yui shrewdly changed her form of address for Kanzaki Saku.
Kanzaki Saku accepted it readily and patted her head. "Good. Remember, from now on, you belong to me. Perform well, and I won't treat you poorly."
And so, under Kanzaki Saku's direction, a temporary rescue drama was quickly choreographed. Kotegawa Yui and Kushida Kikyou supported each other, trying to make themselves look more like they had been through a struggle.
Meanwhile, Kanzaki Saku adjusted his demeanor, reverting to the frail appearance that Yukino perceived him to have.
_____
🔥 New chapters are up! 🔥
New Story: Stardew Valley: What Do You Mean They All Became My Servants
✅ Read 40 chapters ahead of everyone else.
✅ Get cool exclusive stuff and updates!
Let's hit these goals:
🎯 100 Powerstones = 1 extra chapter for the public!
🚀140 MEMBERS = 5 extra chapters on all stories for supporters!
👻 P - Walnutchan