I don't want to be a heroic spirit

"tick"

It sounded like water dripping on a stone platform.

The sticky blood dripped onto the old wooden floor and seeped in easily, appearing dark red in the dim environment.

Ayatsuji Ayase was so frightened that her lips trembled slightly, and she covered her mouth with her hand in shock.

The two figures in the field stood back to back, each holding a sword and maintaining the same posture.

Looking at these two people, both Ayatsuji Ayase and his followers subconsciously held their breath, not knowing whether they were waiting for something or perhaps afraid of something.

The complex and incomprehensible emotions surging in my heart changed with the actions of the two people in the field.

The first person to make a move was Kurashiki Kurato.

His tall figure suddenly staggered, his left leg bent and he half-knelt on the ground, with the giant snake-bone sword in his hand hanging down weakly.

"What was that...name just now?"

There was a hint of weakness in Kurashiki Kōto's voice that was not there before, as well as a slight, barely perceptible tremor.

Okita Souji sheathed the Kikuichimonji and replied calmly.

"My secret sword, Wuming Sanduan."

The ultimate magic sword of the rare and talented swordsman Okita Souji, which is worthy of being sublimated into a Noble Phantasm, [One Thrust] contains [Two Thrusts] and [Three Thrusts]. The moment the three-step Thrust is launched, the one, two and three-step Thrusts "exist at the same time" in the "same position". Even if the one-step Thrust is blocked, the two and three-step Thrusts will penetrate the same position. Due to this contradiction, the tip of the sword will undergo [Image Collapse], which makes the three-step Thrust an undefendable sword technique. Utilizing the [Image Collapse] caused by it, this move is also excellent in destroying objects.

"'Three Stages of Ignorance'..."

Kurashiki Kōrin repeated the name of this move several times, and I wonder what kind of emotion he had in mind.

"It really is... a very powerful sword. I feel like for this one sword, even a hundred years, let alone two years, would be worth waiting for."

"but……"

Kurashiki Kōto stood up shakily, turned around and glared fiercely at Okita Souji who was leaning against him, "You guy, you didn't use your full strength, did you?"

Upon hearing these words, Ayatsuji Ayase and his followers were suddenly startled.

Okita Souji didn't reply, but Kurashiki Kōto didn't need her to reply at all.

For swordsmen, the collision of swords is the best means of communication in the world.

The other person's character, past, goals, and persistence can all be felt from the blade.

and so……

"I can sense that the sword in your hand isn't meant to protect or help anyone, but is wielded purely for the purpose of killing."

The sword that had always been used for killing was now being used for protection, so it naturally could not be considered as full strength.

Because there is something on the blade that was not there originally.

"……Eh?"

Kill?

The eye of Ayatsuji Ayase that was not covered by her hair looked at the petite figure in the field with some confusion.

Even though Kurashiki Kōto made his words so clearly, Okita Souji still didn't turn around to answer him, which made him seem a little embarrassed.

"...Tsk!"

Orochimaru disappeared from Kurashiki Kurato's grasp and was taken in by him.

He covered his chest with one hand and staggered towards the exit.

"You will participate in the Seven Star Sword Dance Festival, right? Well, then, I will be strong enough to force you to use your full strength."

"When the time comes, let me see a sword that is even more stunning than the one just now."

Souji Okita turned his head and saw some followers trying to help Kurashiki Kōto but were punched on the head by him.

Of course, Souji Okita has not forgotten the real purpose of coming here.

"What about this gym?"

"It's up to you. You won after all."

Kurashiki Kōto waved his hand without even turning his head, as if he didn't care at all.

Okita Souji blinked his amber eyes and then was hugged by someone.

"…Senior?"

His little eyes blinked, and Okita Souji didn't know what to do for a moment.

At this time, should I take the baby home?

"Very good……"

The whispering sounded in his ear, as soft as a mosquito's whisper, which made Okita Souji look sideways.

"That's great...you're still here...you didn't leave me..."

Okita Souji wants Ayase Ayatsuji to believe her.

However, the scenes that had been replayed in her nightmares appeared before her eyes again during the battle between Okita Souji and Kurashiki Kurato.

And it's even more dangerous than it was two years ago.

Because her father was not a swordsman, the battle between him and Kurashiki Kōto was fought with wooden swords.

But at this moment, the battle between Okita Souji and Kurashiki Kōto was fought using their respective spiritual outfits.

She didn't dare to take her eyes off Okita Souji, as if if she looked away for a moment, the schoolgirl who fought hard for her would fall to the ground like her father.

If that kind of thing really happened... she would probably never be able to forgive herself for the rest of her life.

Because the junior schoolmate was involved because of her.

but……

"You really did it... Souji..."

Crying tears of joy... probably this is the phrase used at this time.

It felt like the clouds had cleared and the sun had risen. The nightmare that had plagued her for two years disappeared because of the man in her arms.

The other party really won, even though he was as powerful as a monster.

In the past two years, in order to regain his home, to avenge his father, and to prove the "Ayatsuji Ittoryu", Ayase Ayase has never given up challenging Kurashiki Kōto.

But in the end, he was just described by the other party as "a guy who can't even kill time."

So, she wanted to participate in the Seven Star Sword Dance Festival as a representative.

Because Kurashiki Kōto is one of the representatives of Tanlang Academy, and as long as she can reach the stage of the Seven Star Sword Dance Festival, she will have one last chance.

But today, her favorite junior schoolmate fulfilled her promise to her.

Take back everything that Ayatsuji Ayase lost and return safely.

Okita Souji fulfilled all the cool words he had promised her before.

"Senior, can you please let me go... I'm a little embarrassed."

"No, just let me hold you for a while... just a little while..."

Ayase Ayatsuji, who has always given people the impression of being shy and timid, is now showing a rare strong attitude.

What exactly is this emotion that is lingering and rising in my heart?

Peace of mind? Goodwill? Dependence?

Even Ayase Ayase herself could not understand the true meaning of this burning emotion.

Chapter 88 Death Penalty! Repeated Execution!

The sun above my head is a little dazzling, and it makes me want to sleep.

Even though he was going to compete, Ikki Kurogane still did not neglect his daily training.

"I don't have any talent, so I can only work harder than anyone else."

Swing the sword, lift it up, then swing it down again, and lift it up again. It's a very monotonous and boring action, but Kurogane Ikki repeats it thousands of times every day.

Only when his arms began to feel numb and sore and sweat began to seep out of his body did Ikki Kurogane end this stage.

"Ikki!"

Seeing that Ikki Kurogane stopped, Stella immediately ran towards Ikki Kurogane with two bottles of water, but there was someone who was faster than her.

"Brother, you've worked hard. Come and have a drink of water."

Under Stella's unwilling gaze like a defeated dog, Kurogane Jushizuku took the initiative to hand the water in her hand to Kurogane Ikki.

"Oh! Thank you, Shizuku."

Ikki Kurogane didn't notice the resentful look in Stella's eyes behind him. He took the water handed to him by Kurogane Jushizuku, unscrewed the bottle cap and took a sip.

Looking at Kurogane Ikki who was drinking water, Kurogane Shushiku said in a shocking tone, stroking her face and pretending to be shy: "Brother, you are so lucky to have such a lovely sister to bring you water. So, brother, do you like the taste of Shushiku in the water?"

"puff--!"

"babble--!!"

Kurogane Ikki and Stella widened their eyes in shock, especially Stella, whose face turned as red as a monkey's butt.

"Could it be... could it be that... Shushizuku, you are in the water..." Kurogane Ikki stuttered for a long time, but his mind was working rapidly, "No, that's not right! I just discovered when I unscrewed the bottle cap that this water had not been opened before it was given to me!"

"Oh, it's just a little joke between siblings. Seriously, Brother, how could anyone do something so shameless as to kiss the bottle mouth in advance?" As she spoke, Kurogane Shizuku looked at the blushing Stella with a mischievous smile, "Isn't that right, Stella?"

"Uh……"

Stella maintained a very stiff smile and hid the hand holding the water behind her back.

"Yes...you're right, ahaha..."

"Eh? Stella, that's behind you..."

However, the movements of Stella's hands were too obvious. Even without Kurogane Jushizuku's reminder, Kurogane Ikki still noticed it, and Stella was immediately shocked.

"This...this is all the water I bought for myself! What's wrong with me buying water for myself?!"

Stella said such a proud line in an unquestionable tone, turned around, and while shedding the tears of a loser, she opened both bottles of water and poured them into her mouth.

Looking at the back of Stella's head, Kurogane Ikki half opened his mouth, feeling that something was wrong.

By the way...is there really anyone who drinks two bottles of water at once?

"Okay, brother, don't bother with her. Maybe she's just thirsty."

Although Ikki Kurogane has already confirmed his relationship with Stella, Shushizu Kurogane still enjoys making things difficult for Stella, and she even bought a book called "One Hundred and Eight Ways to Play with the Bride, a Must-Read for Young Girls".

Well...Stella will have her own share in the future.

"But, speaking of which, Brother-sama..."

Kurogane Jushizuku suddenly approached Kurogane Ikki and whispered in his ear, "That place... don't you think there's something strange about it?"

Ikki Kurogane looked in the direction that Kurogane Jushizuku was pointing and saw a very harmonious scene.

"Soji, it's almost time for lunch. I suddenly wanted to make a bento today, but I didn't control the amount and made a little too much..."

Ayase Ayatsuji was holding two boxes of bento in her hands, with her head lowered, not daring to look into Souji Okita's eyes.

"So... Souji, could you help me eat some?"

"Hmm? I don't have any problem with that."

"Really? That's great!"

Ayatsuji Ayase raised her head happily, her little face flushed with excitement.

"Oh, by the way, I hope you can tell me what you think after you finish eating, like... which ones you like and which ones you don't like."

"sure."

Everything that happened here was seen by Kurogane Ikki and Kurogane Suzuku who were not far away.

"Is there something wrong?"

Kurogane Ikki asked Kurogane Shushizuku in turn.

"Onii-sama, don't you think... the relationship between Souji and Ayatsuji-senpai is much better than before?"