"I see. So that's what happened..."
Yugo murmured, a solemn expression clouding his face as he listened to Claire's story.
Watching the girl before him, who looked so fragile it was painful to see, he fell silent, realizing she was desperately trying to support her benefactor. Claire continued her explanation.
"After Lord Isaac left, I searched for someone to act as a substitute for Zenon-sama in the duel... but every student I approached turned me down. Even friends I've known since before we entered Luminous Academy."
"I'm not surprised. Isaac is stupidly strong. No one wants to go head-to-head with a guy who can take down even the top Hero Candidates."
"I've been so focused on Zenon-sama that I failed to keep up with the current state of the academy. I completely misjudged Lord Isaac's strength. I never imagined he was a man so deeply feared."
Claire's face was heavy with gloom, her voice a strained murmur that sounded almost like a groan.
Her own life and Zenon's were on the line, and the repeated rejections from the many friends she had relied on had only further eroded her already fragile spirit. She looked up, fixing her gaze on Yugo as she prepared to speak, but—
"...So, you came to Yugo as a last resort. To ask him to fight Isaac in Zenon’s place."
"Kh—!"
Claire flinched as the cold voice cut through the air. She turned her trembling gaze toward the speaker.
There stood Melt, her face set in a stern expression. She stared Claire down as she continued.
"I feel for you, I really do. I can see you're working yourself to the bone for Zenon's sake. But... that’s a completely separate issue. I think what you're doing is wrong."
"Hey, Melt. You don't have to put it like—"
"Quiet, Yugo. I know how you feel, but just stay back and listen for now."
Yugo moved to stop Melt from berating Claire so harshly, but Anhel restrained him.
The girls had their own perspectives to sort out. Backing Melt up, Anhel nudged a visibly awkward Fee to step back with her, quietly watching the exchange between the two women.
"I know you're desperate. I also know it must have taken a lot of courage to show your face to Yugo, considering he's your former fiance and your ties should be cut by now. But you haven't forgotten what Zenon did to him, have you? Fine, the duel was one thing, but ever since then, he's never stopped calling Yugo trash. He spread lies that Yugo cheated during the duel with Rush and encouraged all the other students to pile on him and blame him!"
"Regarding that... I am truly sorry. As the one who could not stop Zenon-sama, I also bear responsibility—"
"You're not the one who should be bowing! That's Zenon's job, isn't it!?"
Claire gasped softly at Melt's sharp words.
Deep down, she likely already knew the truth. Melt's voice was thick with emotion as she pressed the silent girl.
"Yugo is kind, so he'd never refuse a request from someone in your state. I'm sure Fee-kun would also tell his brother to help you. But I... I can't forgive what Zenon did to Yugo. If you want Yugo to lend you his strength, shouldn't Zenon be the one to come here, bow his head, and apologize for everything? Instead of bowing in his place, shouldn't you be bringing him here to make amends?"
"You're... exactly right. However, right now—"
"Right now, what? He can't fight his own duel, and he can't even apologize to the person he's wronged. Why should Yugo risk his life to fight for someone like that? Do you really think staying with a man who just leans on you for everything is going to make you happy?"
"......"
Unable to find a rebuttal, Claire hung her head in silence.
Melt's words were harsh, but Claire could sense a underlying current of concern—that Melt simply couldn't stand to see her in such a pathetic state. After a long silence, Claire finally spoke.
"It was Melt Epee-san, wasn't it? You are right. I... was mistaken."
"So, what are you going to do? Can you bring Zenon here?"
"No... unfortunately, I don't think that's possible. Zenon-sama is very unstable right now. Even if I could persuade him, there isn't enough time. It's beyond my power to bring him here immediately."
A look of wretchedness crossed Claire's face as she bowed deeply.
Straightening up, she looked around at Melt, Yugo, and the others.
"I am terribly sorry. I see now how self-serving and shameless my behavior was. Please, forget we ever spoke. I will take my leave now. Thank you for your time."
After a polite bow, Claire turned on her heel.
She accepted that she was wrong and prepared to walk away... but then, Yugo’s voice called out to her back.