I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

Why is this happening?

Sanako felt both annoyed and puzzled by her own "loss of control" earlier.

—To be honest… if Ms. Kinoshita hadn’t told me, I wouldn’t have known that Tachibana-kun had attended a fireworks festival with other women besides me…

Sanako knew that she and Qingdeng were just friends, and it was none of her business who Qingdeng went with or where he went, and she had no right to interfere.

but……

but……

but……

But I'm so angry!

I can't quite put my finger on why I'm angry, but I just feel so angry!

Especially when she thought about all the gentle words Qingdeng had said to her last night... she got even angrier!

Although Sanako tried her best to maintain her inner peace, she soon succumbed to the emotions surging in her heart—she slowly raised her eyes and stared at Aoto with a tense expression.

At the same time, Kinoshita Mai did the exact same thing.

Kinoshita Mai feels very ashamed right now.

It was especially shameful.

He was basking in his own pride at having accomplished what Sanako couldn't, only to discover that what Aoto and she had done, he had done with Sanako the very next day...

The feeling of shame kept rising and fermenting... and finally turned into anger!

Especially when she thought about how she had just stupidly boasted to Sanako that she was a "special person"... she got even angrier!

She used almost the exact same movements as Sanako, almost simultaneously raising her gaze slowly and staring at Aoto with a tense expression.

The two women have now reached a consensus and share the exact same idea:

—I really want to punch Tachibana-kun/Aoto hard!

Aoto clearly felt the oppressive gazes cast by Kinoshita Mai and Sanako.

Responding to the two imposing gazes, Qing Deng shuddered, then involuntarily and mechanically turned his head to face the two women standing behind him.

A man and two women, six eyes, each emitting a different emotion, clashed fiercely in mid-air.

"Tachibana-kun, is there anything you want to say?" — This was the message conveyed in Sanako's eyes.

Compared to Sanako, who has a strong sense of self-esteem and a domineering style, Kinoshita Mai, whose personality is much "softer," has a much gentler gaze.

However, she didn't give off an air of "let's just let this matter drop."

Instead, it felt like a test: "I may not ask any more questions or delve deeper... but Qing Deng, can you just let this go?"

The two women's combined gazes transformed into a giant hammer, pressing down on Qing Deng's head, shoulders, and heart...

This hammer blow was not a fierce strike delivered with all one's might.

Instead, the Qingdeng is tapped repeatedly in a gentle, unhurried rhythm.

This feeling of being stuck in the middle is extremely agonizing.

As time went on, the two women's gazes grew increasingly terrifying...

"We need to quickly think of something to say or do"—this is what Qingdeng said, whether it was "reason" or "instinct."

However, Aoto's mind was blank! He couldn't even decide whether to go see Sanako or Kinoshita Mai, let alone take action!

He wants to see both girls!

He wanted to look both women in the eye at the same time!

Unfortunately, despite being a normal human being, he only has one pair of eyes! Both eyeballs can only move in the same direction at any given time!

This was the first time he had ever encountered such a situation, whether in his past life or this one!

There were absolutely no precedents to refer to, and absolutely no experience to draw upon.

Just as Qing Deng was speechless and at a loss for words, the tension in the atmosphere was about to reach a breaking point—

"……Ha ha ha ha."

A hearty laugh suddenly broke into this tense "battlefield".

It was the commander's laughter.

The chief commander, who had been standing silently to the side, now turned her beautiful eyes and looked at Qing Deng and the others repeatedly.

"No wonder you've been all smiles these past two days, looking so cheerful. So you've been enjoying the fireworks festival with Ms. Kinoshita and Ms. Sanako!"

As he spoke, he slowly walked to the middle of Aoto, Kinoshita Mai, and Sanako.

"But that makes sense. I would find it strange if you didn't come to watch the fireworks with Ms. Kinoshita and Ms. Sanako."

As expected, Souji attracted puzzled looks from Mai and Sa—Aoto, who was wondering what Souji was up to, couldn't help but cast a surprised glance at Souji.

Elodie, who knew nothing and simply thought that Aoto and Souji were having a normal chat, continued to watch the fireworks intently.

Sensing the questioning gazes of Mai and Sasuke, Souji smiled calmly, placed his hands on his hips, and naturally continued the conversation:

"Since the end of last month, Tachibana has been clamoring that he is looking forward to the upcoming fireworks festival, saying things like, 'I love watching fireworks the most. If I have the chance, I will definitely invite my best and most important friends to watch the fireworks together.'"

"I was also curious about who these were, the 'best and most important friends' that Tachibana mentioned. When I asked him, he was very mysterious and wouldn't say anything."

"Now, the answer has finally been revealed."

"If it's the two of you... then it makes perfect sense."

"After all, Tachibana-kun always talks about the two of you in front of me."

Before one shock had subsided, another arose—Souji's words were like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, causing uncontrollable ripples of surprise to appear in the eyes of Kinoshita Mai and Sanako.

As if deliberately leaving the two women some time to react and process their thoughts, the commander paused for a moment before resuming his speech.

“Tachibana often tells me: ‘I’ve received a lot of care from the Senjiya... especially from you, Ms. Kinoshita.’”

Souji's eyes shifted, looking at Kinoshita Mai.

"They say, 'Although A-Wu is a bit shy and timid, and at first glance gives people a gloomy feeling, after getting to know her better and having more conversations with her, you will find that A-Wu is actually a very kind, interesting, and lovely girl with a vibrant inner life. I like chatting with A-Wu, and I feel inexplicably relaxed whenever I am with A-Wu.'"

"Miss Sanako too!"

Souji's gaze shifted dramatically, moving from Kinoshita Mai to Sanako.

“Tachibana-kun has mentioned Sanako-san's matter quite a bit.”

“'Miss Sanako is a very reliable and handsome female warrior.'”

“'Miss Sanako is so graceful and elegant. I really hope I can have such refined manners as Miss Sanako.'”

“I went to the Chiba Sword Museum again today. Every time I chat with Ms. Sanako, I feel like I’m bathed in a spring breeze.”

"Such remarks are too numerous to mention."

“Every time Tachibana-kun visits Senjiya or Chiba Kenkan, he talks to me about the two of you after returning to Shieikan.”

"It seems like I can never finish talking about the two of you."

"To be honest, the way Tachibana-kun values ​​you two... makes me a little jealous."

After saying this, Souji revealed a sweet smile with both eyes narrowed into two crescent moons.

It was pleasant and bright. At first glance, I didn't notice a single unusual sunny smile.

After Souji finished speaking, Kinoshita Mai and Sanako blinked their big eyes, revealing expressions of utter astonishment.

Not to mention the two of them... Qing Deng was also stunned.

Qing Deng stared blankly at the commander, speechless.

The commander's demeanor was completely natural, without the slightest hint of hypocrisy or affectation.

If Qing Deng hadn't known the inside story, he too would have been fooled by the Chief!

He did mention Kinoshita Mai and Sanako to Souji... but not at all "frequently"!

As for statements like "Ama is actually a very kind, interesting, and adorable girl full of vitality" and "I really wish I could have such elegant manners as Sanako," he has never said them to anyone!

However, Qing Deng wasn't stupid.

He quickly realized why the commander-in-chief had suddenly intervened in this chaotic "battlefield" and fabricated so many lies that were clearly in his favor.

Upon realizing what had happened, Qing Deng immediately cast a grateful and moved glance at the commander-in-chief who had provided him with crucial assistance at this critical moment.

The commander-in-chief's "rescue" took effect immediately.

Although Sanako still had a cold and aloof look, the lines on her face had softened considerably.

As for soft-hearted girls like Kinoshita Mai, who are easily swayed and coaxed, there's no need to even mention them.

—In Qingdeng's eyes, I am one of his best and most important friends...

She lowered her head shyly, and the imposing aura she had just displayed when she glared at Qingdeng and questioned him with her eyes vanished in an instant.

A silly, innocent smile appeared on his lips.

—So, in Qingdeng's heart, I'm at least on par with Ms. Chiba...?

Whether in appearance or temperament, I am inferior to Chiba Sanako. For someone like me to hold the same weight as Chiba Sanako in Aoto's heart—this is truly exhilarating and inspiring for Kinoshita Mai, who often feels inferior in front of Sanako.

As the easily coaxed Kinoshita Mai blushed with shyness, the tense atmosphere that had been hanging in the air instantly eased.

Seeing this, the commander nodded in satisfaction.

Immediately afterwards, she parted her red lips again, as if she wanted to say something to the two women in front of her.

only……

"Cough! Cough! Cough cough cough! Cough cough cough!"

Abruptly, she suddenly began to cough violently...

……

……

At this very moment—

Edo, Ryogoku Bridge, somewhere—