"How have you been lately, Mary? I know things must have been difficult for you..."
"I'm doing okay. It’s been a lot to handle, sure, but my own actions caused it all. I’m not running away anymore; I’m going to face it head-on and move past this with my father."
"I see. That's good. But if anything happens, tell me right away, okay? I want to help."
"Thanks. I’ve thought this for a while, but you’re a surprisingly good guy, despite that scary face of yours."
The former members of the Society of Friends of the Night were being treated as pariahs following the recent string of incidents. Some had even been arrested by the Security Force. Even if it was their own fault, the environment they faced was undeniably harsh.
Worried that Mary was suffering the same fate, Yugo had asked how she was doing, only for her to respond with a genuine smile. She had spent so long fleeing the grief of her mother’s death and lashing out at the world, but facing her own weaknesses and mistakes had allowed her to grow immensely.
Seeing her smile with such resolve as she spoke of facing her pain properly, Yugo felt a deep sense of relief. He truly wished her the best as she started her new life with her father.
Even though he felt she would be fine now, he reiterated that he would always be there as a friend. As he did, Sakura approached him with a drink in hand.
"Yugo-dono, I must truly apologize for all the trouble I caused. It is only because of your support that Mary-dono was able to take this step forward with her father."
"It wasn't just me. Everyone worked together. You were a big help too, Sakura."
"Perhaps. However... I learned many things from you during this ordeal. For that, I wish to offer my formal thanks."
Sakura bowed deeply and then looked up, her expression noticeably clearer. She met Yugo's eyes and spoke with a firm, confident voice.
"If it is permissible, I wish to remain by your side and continue to learn. If you would have me, I would like to join your retinue as well."
"Of course! You're more than welcome. If you’re okay with someone like me, then I look forward to working with you, Sakura!"
"And I with you!"
Yugo grinned back at her as they shared a firm handshake. Marcos, who was currently busy shoveling a forkful of pie into his mouth, chimed in.
"First Ryuga and Setsuna, now Sakura? The Hero Candidates are going to lose their minds when they hear about this."
"Now that you mention it... have I really gathered most of the exchange students from Yamato?"
Yugo looked slightly panicked as he realized that out of the five students, three were now his allies. Excluding Yui from the Elementary Division, that left only Raiha. He felt a wave of exhaustion at the thought of the Hero Candidates resenting him for this, but he quickly reminded himself he was just making friends. He wasn't doing anything wrong.
"It simply speaks to your personal charm, Yugo-dono," Sakura said. "Surely Marcos-dono agrees?"
"Hmph."
Marcos looked away, neither confirming nor denying the statement. Yugo gave a wry smile at his rival’s typical lack of honesty, but then En decided to stir the pot, and things took a turn for the complicated.
"Oho? Yugo, did you go and make another girl fall for you? You sure are a ladies' man! Look at you!"
"Wait, what?! En, don't say stuff like that! It's not like that at all. We're just friends, right, Sakura?"
Yugo laughed awkwardly as En teased him, prodding his side with her elbow. He turned to Sakura, hoping she would help clear up the misunderstanding, but...
"Wh-Wha?! Th-That is correct! We are not in such a relationship! To say I've fallen for him is...! It is not as if I harbor secret feelings of affection for Yugo-dono... right?"
A metaphorical cloud of steam seemed to puff from Sakura’s bright red face as she stammered through her denial. However, her honest and straightforward nature made the reaction far more convincing than her words.
"...Sakura? What is that supposed to mean?" Setsuna asked, her voice dropping. "I believe we’ve had several long talks about this, haven't we?"
"I-It is a misunderstanding, Setsuna! I have no intention of stealing anyone's love! ...Though, well, since Yugo-dono does not currently have a lover, it would not technically be stealing, would it?"
"...Yugo? What’s going on here? Would you care to explain?"
"I see, I see," Anhel added. "So while you had us working ourselves to the bone on your new armament, you were busy wooing the Princess of Yamato? Interesting... very interesting!"
"No, you've got it all wrong! I'm just as confused as you are! M-Marcos! Help me out here—!"
As the girls closed in, radiating a terrifying, crushing pressure, Yugo turned to his reliable best friend for support. But Marcos had already retreated from the danger zone and was casually chatting with Mary near the kitchen.
"Shopkeeper, is there no more pie? This plate is almost empty."
"Wait, Marcos! Come back! Come baaaack!"
Yugo’s desperate cry echoed through the cafe, sounding like a man abandoned by his own equipment in the heat of battle. It wasn't long before those cries turned into genuine screams of terror as the women closed the net.
"By the way, Yugo’s partner and that girl—the one who's small but, well, big—where are they? I don't see them anywhere."
Mary, who had been watching Yugo’s interrogation like it was a spectator sport, suddenly turned to Marcos. As she said "big," she held her hands out in front of her chest, tracing the outline of a large curve. Marcos let out a small sigh at the gesture before answering.
"Ryuga said he would be a little late since he was picking up his sister. As for Ms. Utsusemi... she was supposed to be coming with him."
Marcos glanced at the clock on the wall, and his expression sharpened. A significant amount of time had passed since the party began, yet Ryuga, Yui, and Raiha were still missing. They should have arrived at the shop long ago.
A sudden, gnawing sense of unease took hold of him, and he voiced his concern in a low whisper.
"Don't tell me... has something happened?"