After finishing about half of my matches with Class One, I finally sat down against the wall of the training hall.

Aside from Oujin and me, who had fought every classmate one-on-one, the others were still full of energy. They were shouting their battle cries, clashing wooden swords against each other.

So far, everything looked just like the nostalgic scenes I had seen in my previous life. Just as Lili had intended.

After all, what we were doing in this club activity was exactly the same as what Blythe used to do at his dojo.

The only real difference was the girl standing beside Oujin, holding out a hand towel for him.

There were four girls in Class One—Riona, Seneca, Letis, and one more girl from Group One whom I still hadn’t learned the name of. She wasn’t very noticeable.

Her hair was so long that even her bangs covered her eyes, making it hard to read her expression.

“Here, use this.”

Oujin didn’t take the offered hand towel. Instead, he pulled one out from his own pocket and held it up.

“I have my own. I don’t need it.”

“……”

The girl slowly lowered her hand holding the towel.

She didn’t walk away. Instead, she peered at Oujin through the gaps in her bangs.

Then, she turned her gaze to me.

“Neu, do you want one?”

“Yeah.”

“Here.”

She placed the folded hand towel on top of my head.

That’s… an interesting way to hand something over.

“Thanks.”

“Mm.”

Her attention was no longer on me. She was staring at Oujin again.

What is this weird, itchy atmosphere? Do I even belong here?

After a brief hesitation, the girl parted her lips.

“Um… thank you.”

“Hm?”

“For, um, training with me. Your explanations were really easy to understand. Even better than in class.”

Oujin replied curtly.

“Of course. That’s what club activities are for. You don’t need to thank me.”

So cold.

Just watching made me uneasy.

I wiped my sweat as I observed.

“I’m Monica Frixel.”

“Ryoka Oujin.”

“I’m Ere—”

“—I know.”

She cut me off before I could introduce myself.

“I don’t know much about the Eastern Kingdoms, but I thought your name was beautiful, so I remembered it.”

…I was clearly ignored just now.

No, she didn’t cut me off. She just never even considered me part of the conversation. Yeah.

Frixel. That’s the surname of the viscount who governs the port city of Ruinario, located in the eastern region of the Kingdom of Galliant.

Since she was in Group One, led by Ilga, I had already assumed she was a noble, but she turned out to be quite a distinguished one.

In my past life, I had no personal connection to Viscount Frixel. He wasn’t the type to step onto the battlefield. His family contributed to the Kingdom of Galliant through trade with other nations.

By the way, Ruinario is located north of Elva. The two cities aren’t far apart. Because of that, people often compare the "corrupt city" of Elva with the "virtuous city" of Ruinario.

At present, Elva generates more wealth, but during wartime, the situation reverses. Unlike Elva, which allocates its port to tourism, Ruinario has strong trade ties with foreign nations, making it far more valuable in times of conflict.

“I see. Thanks.”

Oujin remained indifferent. Monica’s lips curled slightly.

Ugh, this is so awkward.

But instead of leaving, she remained standing there as if she wanted to say something.

Then, Oujin glanced up at her.

And like a true man, he spoke.

Oh…

“Sorry, but you’re blocking my view of the practice session.”

Hey! Oujin!?

Still, this was unusual. He was acting surprisingly assertive. It seemed that as long as he wasn’t surrounded or panicked, he could remain calm even in front of girls.

“Ah, y-yes. Sorry, Ryoka-san.”

“Please don’t call me that. I don’t really like it.”

All of us in Group Three knew that in his homeland, that name was typically feminine. But for him to just say it outright without explaining… even I was starting to feel worried.

Monica hesitated, looking dejected. But then, as if making up her mind, she lifted her head and spoke to Oujin again.

“Um… is it okay if I sit next to you?”

“...!?”

Oujin flinched, looking up at her as if he had just now realized she was a girl.

“Next to me!?”

“Y-yeah.”

“Why!?”

What kind of question was that? Obviously, it was because she liked him! Even I, Eremia, could tell. Hell, even my past self—Blythe, a brute of a warrior—would have figured it out.

“Um, I’m tired… so I wanted to rest too…”

“If you just want to sit against the wall, there are plenty of other open spots!?”

Oh wow… just… wow.

Watching someone else’s teenage awkwardness was painful.

“I wanted to sit next to you, Oujin-san…”

“Why!?”

“I thought we could… talk a little… Is that… not okay?”

“It’s not that it’s not okay! But, um, I—uh—ahhh—!”

Suddenly, Oujin’s head snapped around toward me.

Gah!? That was terrifying! Was his neck even okay at that angle!?

“I was planning to train with Eremia just now—”

Immediately, Monica’s head turned sharply toward me as well.

The pressure in her gaze was intense, practically screaming, “Please, just understand.” It felt like the sword pressure Lili exerted. The power of a girl in love was terrifying.

I gulped and stood up, brushing off my pants.

“I don’t mind doing it later. The weather is nice today, so I shall take my leave and leave you young ones to enjoy your time. I’m a little tired.”

“Hey! Eremia! Wait! You’re younger than me, aren’t you!? You’re not even old enough to be tired!?”

“Idiot. I’m talking about mental age.”

Honestly, I really did want to spar with Oujin’s "Karaburi Ittō-ryū." I had been wanting to for a long time. This club activity was a great opportunity.

But.

If I ended up making enemies of my female classmates in Class One, my school life would become miserable. Compared to that, sacrificing Oujin—just one or two of him—was a small price to pay.

—Were you planning to go down with those you couldn’t save?

That was what Oujin had rebuked me for during our battle with the dragon.

Unfortunately, I didn’t have the courage or strength to save him now. I hoped he would understand.

Besides, this club would be meeting every weekday from now on. There would be plenty of opportunities to cross swords.

“Well then, Oujin. May fortune not smile upon you.”

I raised two fingers of my right hand and flicked them in a cool, nonchalant gesture over my shoulder. Then, I turned toward the exit of the training hall.

Moving at an extremely brisk pace.

“Eremiaaaaaaaa…!”

A cursed wail echoed behind me.

And thus, the first day of club activities came to an end.