“It’s fine, isn’t it? Being swarmed and proposed to by women you don’t even know would only be a headache. You were lucky to escape that kind of nuisance. Besides, as Yugo said, Elena is happy because of Marcos’s words. It’s not something for us to worry about, right?”
“Exactly! Elena’s feelings are what matter most! So even if Marcos is a bit of a letdown in some areas, it doesn’t really matter, does it? Case closed!”
“...I have a few concerns about being called a ‘letdown’ by a man even more disappointing than myself, but I’ll appreciate the sentiment.”
Thanks to Ryuga’s cool-headed intervention, the conversation seemed to be heading toward a smooth conclusion.
Having ended that topic, Yugo brought up the next point of discussion, which was tangentially related.
“Anyway, I’m just glad that mysterious craze is finally over! Like Ryuga said, it was a nightmare being surrounded by people every time I moved an inch. I’m really glad things have calmed down.”
“It really was incredible. Even I had a hard time being approached by so many different people. It was actually a little scary.”
“I know, right? I’m just glad the whole commotion ended without any incidents!”
“To be precise, it’s a good thing it ended before we caused an incident.”
“Seriously. It’s a relief for us, too, that things were settled before we had to carry out the plan we decided on in the meeting.”
“...Yui, exactly what kind of discussion did you all have?”
“Brother, don’t ask us any questions.”
Feeling an ominous aura radiating from the girls who had participated in that meeting, Ryuga tried to question his younger sister, only to be brushed off with his own catchphrase.
In the midst of this, Sakura, looking far more cheerful than one might expect from someone involved in such a dark discussion, laughed heartily with her mouth wide open.
“At any rate, it is a blessing that the troublesome period has passed! There is nothing more vexing than being caught up in strange commotions, so I rejoice that we did not have to face such a situation! Fuhahahaha!”
“Um... Sakura-chan? I hate to be the one to say this, but I think it’s better if you don’t say things like that. How should I put it... whenever someone says something like that, usually—”
Everyone present understood exactly what Raiha was trying to say.
In short: don’t trigger a flag. Just when you think you’ve avoided a troublesome situation, the moment you celebrate it, disaster strikes.
The group’s fears were proven right with spectacular timing. A very close acquaintance of the girl currently laughing brought that very trouble right to their doorstep.
“Hey! I ask for entrance! I seek entry!!”
“Hm? Wait...”
“That voice is...!”
The group’s expressions shifted instantly upon hearing the booming, deep male voice echoing from outside the classroom.
Sakura, who had been laughing up until a second ago, turned the palest of them all. While they all stared at the classroom entrance, the door suddenly flew open, and a person they really didn't want to see appeared from the other side.
“Oh, there you are! Yo, it’s been a whil—”
Before the large man could finish his boisterous greeting—Tadakatsu Amamiya, Sakura’s father—Sakura sprang into action.
Slamming the door shut and bracing herself against it with all her might to ensure it wouldn’t open, she screamed to her best friend, Setsuna.
“Setsuna! Your bow! Ready your bow! If he tries to force his way in, do not hesitate to fire a volley!!”
“...Are you sure that’s appropriate behavior for a daughter?”
“It is precisely because I am his daughter that I know! In cases like this, Father brings nothing but trouble!!”
“Well, yeah... that’s spot on. Though, it would be a help if you could refrain from shooting at us.”
When everyone turned toward the source of the mumble agreeing with Sakura’s shout, they saw Raiha’s father, Ujiyasu, scratching his cheek with a wry smile, alongside Setsuna’s father, Motonari.
It seemed they had entered through the other door while Tadakatsu was making a scene. Yugo bowed to them, his posture stiff with nervousness.
“I-It’s been a long time!”
“Hello there, Yugo-kun. It seems you were quite active on Wind Island. Tales of your heroism have reached even Yamato.”
“I-I’m honored...!”
“Gahahaha! As expected of the man I approved of! I believed you could do it, Yugo!!”
“So? What kind of trouble have you brought this time?”
Tadakatsu, who had somehow overcome his daughter’s obstruction and entered the classroom, spoke in high spirits while slapping Yugo on the back.
Urged on by Sakura—who didn't bother with pleasantries and firmly believed her father and the others had brought nothing but bad news—Tadakatsu and the others took on awkward expressions and began to explain.
“No, we aren’t the ones at fault this time, you know? If anything, we were the ones trying our best to stop them.”
“Please, I want you to keep at least that much in the back of your minds.”
“...But you still brought the trouble here, didn’t you?”
“That is true... well, the matter is simple. Heirs of the Prestigious Noble Houses of Yamato have come forward, stating they wish to test your strength.”
“Eh? Why?”
“Well, it’s like this. Basically, they’ve stepped up to claim that they are more suitable to be the fiancés for our daughters than you.”
“We’ve been managing to brush them off until now, but it seems your exploits reaching Yamato has made them increasingly anxious. They’re saying they want to meet you once, along with the girls, to confirm your true worth.”
“...Am I being challenged to a test of strength again?”
“Don’t worry! Though they call it a test of strength, there’s nothing complicated about it! You just have to fight and see who’s superior!!”
“That doesn’t make me feel better at all, Tadakatsu-san...”
Yugo grumbled, realizing that following the Three Members of the Clay Branch House, his opponents this time were the heirs of Yamato’s noble houses.
Sensing from Tadakatsu’s words that another duel was likely, Yugo stared into the distance as the flag he had just triggered brought immediate trouble. Just as he was thinking how much he truly hated this, the classroom door swung open with force, and the heirs in question made their appearance.