"Hiro-kun, why haven't you been to school all week?"
Standing beside him, Asuna glanced at Hiro, sensing the unhurried, almost leisurely atmosphere around him.
"Although Shirone said you had urgent matters and couldn't get away for now, still..."
Why hasn't he been going to school at all?
Seeing the doubt in Asuna's clear eyes, Hiro smiled and answered directly.
"First, my attendance days are already enough. As long as my written test scores next week are good, I'll still rank first in the Tier, so it doesn't affect anything. Second, to defend against approaching extraterrestrial enemies and protect the world, I had to temporarily put my school curriculum on hold."
To defend...
From protecting the pitiful Earth and the solar system to traveling around hunting Luck to strengthen himself-and incidentally filling the system's energy bar that was close to 100%-those were all facts.
But to Asuna, it just sounded like a joke meant to lighten the mood.
"Really. If you're skipping school, just say so. Why bring up protecting the world?"
Asuna shook her head helplessly, not taking his last sentence seriously at all.
Hiro had already expected this reaction.
He wasn't disappointed.
He simply shrugged and didn't explain further.
When they entered the room, three cups of green tea and one cup of coffee were already placed neatly on the first-use crystal square table.
Steam rose slowly.
They had clearly just been prepared.
Even without seeing Grayfia, Hiro could tell whose work it was.
Sitting alone on the sofa, Eto Yoshimura raised an eyebrow when she saw the coffee in front of her, along with the sugar box, milk pitcher, and two unopened spoons.
"Oh?" Eto glanced at the setup, then at Hiro. "Knowing I can't drink tea, you even prepared coffee for me? That's some thorough consideration."
"Who told me I have such a perfect and elegant Head Maid?"
Hearing Eto's praise, Hiro showed a hint of pride and accepted it without hesitation.
Since Grayfia wasn't present, as her master, he would naturally accept the compliment on her behalf.
"You can't drink tea, but you can drink coffee, Eto..."
Asuna looked at Eto across the table, a trace of complexity surfacing in her expression.
"You really are that Ghoul from back then, aren't you?"
After leaving the Anteiku café, Asuna had been trying to recall where she had seen Eto before.
In the end, the only image that matched was that of a feeding Ghoul.
Although Asuna had privately confirmed Eto's identity with Mikan Yuuki, the answer she received had been a denial, forcing her to temporarily suppress the matter.
Now, she could finally ask face-to-face.
"That's right."
Eto's smile didn't fade. If anything, it seemed even brighter, as if Asuna's question was good news to her.
"It's been so long, yet Big Sister still didn't know. Looks like Mikan really kept her promise to me."
"Of course," Mikan finally spoke, her voice soft. "A promise between friends should be kept."
Her eyes drifted around the room, occasionally brushing past Hiro before quickly moving away again.
Listening to her sister's explanation, Asuna shook her head helplessly.
She didn't say things like You didn't trust your sister or I'm heartbroken.
Trust and promises weren't the same thing.
They didn't have a strict priority relationship.
Mikan's choice wasn't wrong.
However...
Hiro-kun clearly knew the truth and still didn't tell me.
Does he not trust me?
As that thought surfaced, Asuna's gaze toward Hiro gained a hint of resentment.
Seeing that look, Hiro could only raise both hands.
He had given hints.
If she didn't guess it herself, that wasn't his responsibility.
[Ding! Tier 3 Luck Extraction complete.
Congratulations to the Host for obtaining the reward: Eight Gates Released Formation Experience Card ×1.]
[Eight Gates Released Formation Experience Card: The user temporarily gains the Eight Gates and may freely open the first through eighth gates.
Duration is determined by the user's physical condition.
After the effect ends, no physical damage will occur.]
Eight Gates is Eight Gates.
Why does it have to be a one-time experience card?
So stingy.
Hearing the reward obtained from Mikan, Hiro couldn't help complaining inwardly about the system's pettiness.
"If you don't mind, you can stay for lunch."
After a short while, Hiro glanced at the wall clock and smiled at the three girls.
"It's a good chance for you to experience the cooking skills of our family's perfect and elegant Head Maid."
And incidentally...
It'll give me time to check out the big reward that's delivering itself to me-the Infinite Adorable Dragon.
Looking at the number "8" slowly approaching on the system map, Hiro extended his Haki.
He saw the young girl being guarded-or more accurately, escorted-by Zastin.
The sight made him feel oddly conflicted.
For the great Infinite Dragon God to end up like this...
It's almost pitiful.
Or should I praise Zastin instead?
"As expected of the capable subordinate of the Galactic Overlord."
"I'm staying! I'm staying!"
Before anyone else could respond, Eto raised her hand decisively.
"I'm very interested in that maid you mentioned. Please, let me stay!"
As she spoke, Eto wore an expression of pure anticipation, drawing the attention of the other three.
"In that case... sorry for the intrusion."
Seeing Eto like this, Asuna felt a bit amused and eventually nodded.
"S-sorry for the intrusion."
Mikan followed her sister, her voice so soft it was almost inaudible.
By now, if Asuna had even a little sensitivity, she could tell something was off with Mikan.
A few more glances made the reason painfully clear.
But even if she understood, she couldn't say anything.
Has Mikan fallen for Hiro-kun too?
...Really.
Maybe I shouldn't have agreed to her request to visit Hiro-kun.
Even if it wouldn't have changed anything, at least I wouldn't have realized it this quickly.
With a quiet sigh in her heart, Asuna chose not to address her sister's feelings.
After all, she and Hiro were still just classmates with a good relationship.
Nothing had been formally established.
Which meant...
The possibility of being "green-lit" by her own sister wasn't zero.
🔥🔥 You can find chapters ahead here
Support link: pat_reon.com/Redon1
Also other exciting fanfic available 🔥🔥
----------------------------------------------------------
__________________________
🍊 Boost This Fanfic! 🍊
Every 350 Power Stones gets 2 bonus chapters! 🚀
Want faster updates? Show your support by dropping Power Stones, leaving reviews, and sharing your thoughts in the comments! Your engagement keeps the story going strong!