“Melt and the others are really giving it their all. Making that much noise just to draw the culprit’s attention...”
Yugo murmured softly. Even from their distant vantage point, the girls’ voices carried clearly through the air. He couldn't make out the specifics of what they were saying, but it was clear they were committed to their roles as decoys. He felt a deep surge of gratitude for their dedication.
“The girls are doing their part. We need to get fired up and do ours, too! Right, Marcos? Ryuga?”
The Security Force and the hotel staff had guaranteed their safety, but their opponent was a Clear Plate possessor with unknown abilities. There was always a chance for things to go sideways. Knowing that, Yugo was even more thankful that Melt and the others had volunteered. He turned to his rival and his partner, hoping to rally them, but...
“Argh! Why is Elena even involved in this? She isn't a student at Luminous Academy!”
“Marcos... how many times are you going to say that? I get where you're coming from, but settle down.”
“Wait—huh? Marcos? Ryuga?”
The two friends he’d called out to were in a restless mood—or more accurately, they were in the middle of a petty squabble. Yugo’s expression twitched as he listened to Marcos’s irritable complaining.
“Given your personality, I know you can’t stand seeing Elena involved,” Ryuga said. “She’s just a normal girl, not even a Magic Knight Apprentice... But she’s here because she wants to help us. If you’re that worried about her, then just do your best to protect her.”
“That goes without saying! Protecting the people from the clutches of despicable criminals is my duty as a noble, whether it's Elena or anyone else!” Marcos snapped, sounding defensive but resolute.
Yugo smirked, thinking how typical that was of him. Ryuga, however, decided to twist the knife a little.
“Heh... You seem even more motivated than usual. Is it because Elena’s here?”
“What?! How dare you—! What is that supposed to mean?!”
“Exactly what I said. You two seemed to have a rather good atmosphere between you back on Shandia Island.”
“That is irrelevant! Listen, I only feel that if anything were to happen to Elena, I would be unable to face her father, Lord Carlos! It is absolutely not because Elena herself is special to me or—”
“Whoa, whoa! Ease up, Marcos,” Yugo cut in, waving his hands. “If you keep shouting like that, the peeper’s going to spot us.”
Forced into silence, Marcos cleared his throat and immediately looked for a way to counterattack. He turned his sights on Ryuga.
“And what about you, Ryuga? What’s going on with you and Raiha? I didn't miss how grumpy you got the second she volunteered to be a decoy.”
“Marcos, don’t ask me questions.”
“You coward! That’s cheating! Don’t think you can just shut down every conversation with that one line!”
“Marcos, I told you to settle down,” Yugo sighed. “Though, Ryuga... it is a bit unfair to start a fire and then refuse to deal with the smoke, don't you think?”
“Tch...”
Ryuga looked visibly disgruntled, earning a wry smile from Yugo. Part of him regretted siding with Marcos; he knew this was a delicate topic, but Ryuga eventually let out a heavy sigh and answered.
“...It’s not that I care about her specifically. I’m just worried about the Chest Scar. She’s using magic to hide it right now, but if anyone saw it... it would cause a massive scene.”
“Ah, right. I see your point...”
Yugo had been slightly concerned about that since they’d first seen the swimsuits a few days ago. Raiha had a large scar on her chest, a wound left by Ryuga's Father during her rampage. They had taken precautions, of course, but Yugo could understand why Ryuga was so tense. If that scar were exposed, it would lead to questions they weren't ready to answer.
“So, it's not because I’m personally concerned for her. I am absolutely, positively not ‘looking out’ for her in that way. Got it? Now, don’t ever ask me that again.”
“O-Okay, I get it.”
Honestly, Yugo thought that getting so defensive was more suspicious than anything else, but he decided to let it go. He valued his friendship with Ryuga too much to keep poking at his sore spots.
He thought the conversation was finally over, but then the two of them turned their gazes back toward him.
“...And what about you, Yugo? Without a doubt, you’re the most popular one here.”
“Eh? Me?”
“I have been curious about that as well,” Marcos added. “It will be quite intriguing to see who you finally choose.”
“Wait—what?!”
Yugo couldn't hide his shock at the sudden interrogation. Now that he was the target, Marcos and Ryuga showed him no mercy.
“Melt is your longest-standing companion,” Marcos noted, “but you’re also indebted to Ann for the Blaster modification. I imagine you’d want to reciprocate both of their feelings, wouldn't you?”
“Personally, I’d be happy if you became the Head of the House of Kogarashi or the House of Amamiya,” Ryuga said coolly. “That way, you’d have no choice but to come to Yamato.”
“Don’t put me on the spot like that...!”
Who would he choose? He was living in what was essentially a harem, and his two best friends were apparently dying to know his pick. This was likely their way of getting back at him for the earlier teasing, and Yugo found himself completely overwhelmed.
He opened his mouth to explain that things were complicated and that he couldn't just pick a name out of a hat—but the moment a gust of wind brushed against his cheek, the atmosphere among them shifted instantly.
“...It seems the chatter ends here,” Ryuga whispered.
“Yes. However, there are more presences than I expected...”
Something was approaching. It wasn't just one or two individuals; Marcos and Ryuga sensed a thick, heavy wave of malevolence. The lighthearted banter vanished, replaced by razor-sharp focus.
Yugo sharpened his own senses and spoke to them in a low, determined tone.
“...Something unexpected might be going on, but our job is still the same. For the sake of everyone counting on us... we’re going to catch that peeper!”