(Naoya’s POV)

  For what has to be the fourieth fucking time, I crash into the floor with a sickening thud. And of course, what follows immediately after is-

  “Dear Gooooood! My money is as good as gone if I have to rely on someone like you, Mop-Head!”

  As if getting my arse smacked for two bloody weeks wasn’t bad enough, every time I lose, I have to hear this todger’s whining.

  And all I’ve done is lose. So the bell-end has been waffling ever since we’ve started!

  “Thankfully, Arianne-chan and Yoko-chan are amazing enough that they might be able to carry.”, he continues. “Akane-chan and Inko could help as well, but you and Tiny? Ha! It’s too embarrassing to even imagine it.”

  …

  “No, Akai will be of some use. I’m the only one slowing the team down.”

  From the very start, I was the weakest of us. I was the only one who got seriously injured on our most dangerous mission so far, and those guys were light-weights. If Akai wasn’t there, I would’ve lost for sure. Or maybe I would’ve ended up dead.

  All I can do is just beat up on fodder. Maybe I should just-

  “Maybe I should just quit.”, I say quietly.

  I feel like I’m gonna cry, and in front of this bastard to boot, how shameful.

  But surprisingly, Yonaguni heaves a sigh.

  “Listen, Mop-Head. It ain’t no fun mocking you if you get so depressed, you hear me?”

  With effort, I look up at him.

  “From a quick assessment, I can tell you that your Charging ability is the best of your Squadron. And you have a slight edge on Inko in terms of raw physical strength.”

  He continues, ignoring my look of sheer disbelief.

  “You’ve definitely grown less weak these past two weeks, Naoya. So don’t get like your even more annoying cousin and get all gloomy with me, alright?”

  “....Right.”

  Yonaguni turns his back to me and begins to leave the room, but suddenly stops at the door.

  “They wouldn’t want you quitting, so just work harder so that you can stand with them. That’s one of the core values of being an Enigma Squadron.”

  With that, he exits, leaving me still dumbstruck.

  Words of confidence and value from Yonaguni?! Could it be the money? Even called me by my actual name.

  “Heh, maybe he’s not too bad after all.”

  It’s then that the door crashes open.

  “And listen, if you tell anyone what I just said to you, I’ll cram my foot up your ass! You get me?!”

  With finality, he sms the door behind him.

  Nevermind, he’s still a piece of shite. Why did I even bother?

  (Akai’s POV)

  I fall on all fours, heaving heavily. My entire body feels like it’s overheating, or more like it’s on fire. But at this point in my training, I’ve more or less gotten used to it.

  “Alright, Akai-kun, that’s it for today.”

  Shirogane-senpai on the other hand, looks like she just came out of first-css. Our seniors are amazing. If I didn’t have a naturally high defence, I would be a lot worse for wear against senpai’s shockingly strong strikes.

  “C-can’t we go for a bit longer?”, I ask breathlessly. “Please?”

  With no hesitation, my senior shakes her head.

  “Don’t even think about it.”, she says warningly. “Remember, proper rest is the most important aspect of training.”

  “Yes, I understand.”

  With that, I resign myself to sitting on the floor in order to regain some stamina. Which doesn’t take as long as it used to, so that’s some proof that my training is bearing fruit.

  Shirogane-senpai seems proud of my progress, which really makes me happy. But I can’t help but feel a little doubtful when I see her brush off my attacks like nothing. However, I feel pretty confident in my defence and support abilities. I’ve learned a varied amount of buffing spells and I also got the hang of Curative Magic in order to aid my friends!

  I’ll become a true padin in due time, my dear imouto!

  “Uh, Akai-kun…May, I ask a question?”

  “Of course, Shirogane-senpai.”

  Suddenly, the normally bright and composed Shirogane-senpai looks very bashful and skittish. Is something wrong?

  “What kind of girl does Naoya-kun like?”, Shirogane-senpai asks shyly.

  Ah! I see! This is about her crush on Naoya! I’d love to give her some sound advice, but-

  “I honestly can’t tell you.”, I smile wryly. “Outside of her being cute and having a good figure, there’s nothing I can give you.”

  Undeterred, Shirogane-senpai continues to press on.

  “Nothing about preferring younger or older women? Or maybe even hair style or length?”

  I sit and think for a second. I really want to set up Naoya for success here, so I need to think carefully…

  “I think that he’s mostly impartial to the age difference as long as it’s not too big. I know for certain that he likes it when girls have a ponytail.”

  Shirogane-senpai seems to be pleased by this news, as her usual demeanour returns.

  “Great! I think I can work with that!”, she says brightly. “Thank you, Akai-kun!”

  I’m gd I could be of help, but it seems like Naoya shares his cousin’s obliviousness. Heck, it might even be worse…

  “Oh, one more thing. Who’s that Thelka girl that I heard him talking about?”

  And of course, she’s keeping an eye out for any rivals. Love really is amazing.

  “Apparently she’s a childhood friend who he promised to marry when they came of age”, I expound. “But apparently she headed back to Germany the same time he and his family came here to Japan.”

  Shirogane-senpai snorts derisively.

  “So just some childhood fling, what was I worried about?”

  That’s a cold way to put it, but essentially it’s true…Shirogane-senpai’s path into Naoya’s heart is clear of any roadblocks.

  “I’m wishing you two the best of luck. Hopefully, fate ties you two together.”

  “Thank you, Akai-kun! I’ll be sure to do my best!”