NOIZUZERO

Back in the cafeteria, Aioze gathered everyone together.

"We had a meeting, and tomorrow everyone will know the reason. I ask that you don't ask anything today," said the leader.

(This meeting... could it be about Alisiya ?) — I thought , uneasy.

The rest of the day passed uneventfully, until night fell. Yuuki approached Himeno .

" Hymeno , would you like to take a bath with me today?" he asked .

"Of course," she replied, surprised.

" Fujimoto , Shana , Koharu ... you can go later," Yuuki said before leaving.

"Okay," Koharu replied .

— Understood — Shana added .

"Why did you want to take a bath with me today?" he asked . Hymen , suspicious.

"Because we're friends, right?" she replied . Yuuki , trying to disguise it.

"Yes, but I know you're hiding something," Himeno insisted .

Yuuki sighed.

" Okay ... but promise to stay calm and not tell anyone," she said . Yuuki .

"I promise," replied Himeno , curiously.

While Yuuki was washing her friend's back, she began to speak.

— Lysandra has a boyfriend. — he said Yuuki .

"And what does that have to do with the meeting?" he asked . Hymen .

"Her boyfriend is Hiroshi," Yuuki revealed in a low voice.

Hymen stopped for a moment, his whole body trembling.

— What?! — he shouted Hymen .

Yuuki placed her hand over her mouth.

"Calm down, listen to everything," he said . Yuuki .

Yuuki explained the plan, the bet, and Aioze 's decision . When she finished, Himeno was still pale.

"So I'm the first to know?" she asked .

"Yes," Yuuki confirmed .

Can I tell pro Fujimoto ? — he insisted. Hymen .

"No, everyone will know tomorrow. Hang in there," Yuuki replied .

Himeno sighed and remained silent.

"Hey, don't be like that. Now it's your turn to wash my back," he said . Yuuki , trying to calm her down.

Himeno smiled slightly.

— Okay. — he said Hymen .

The two finished their bath and left together, in silence.

— Finally. Our turn. — he murmured. Koharu .

— Exactly — Shana replied , pushing her into the bathroom.

"Have you gone mad?!" he shouted . Koharu , indignant.

— Not yet. But we need to talk — said Shana , already turning on the shower.

"Didn't you find it strange that Yuuki wanted to take a bath with Himeno today?" he asked . Shana .

"I thought so, but thinking about it doesn't change anything," Koharu replied , sitting down.

"You're too relaxed," Shana said , annoyed.

Koharu smiled slightly.

"How about the queen of demons washing the back of the angelic princess?" he said . Koharu .

"Only if the princess washes mine afterwards," Shana retorted , with a half-smile.

"Closed," he said . Koharu .

Shana began washing Koharu 's back with slow, almost provocative movements.

"The princess seems to have grown up... is this how she's been seducing men?" he said . Shana was being mischievous.

— Shana ! — she exclaimed. Koharu turned around abruptly.

"What the hell was that?" she asked , annoyed.

"Just testing your reaction," Shana replied coldly.

"Max must be tired of you, since so many people have used you before," Koharu teased .

Shana clenched her fists.

"You wretched woman!" he shouted . Shana .

The air grew heavy between the two.

"I'm just going to take my bath," said Koharu .

"Do it," Shana replied , crossing her arms.

The hot water ran down, muffling the sounds of anger and wounded pride.

Everyone had finished their baths and gotten dressed. Now we were gathered in room number five, with the small raffle pot on the table.

"Okay, I'll start today's raffle. Is that alright with you all?" she said , picking up the jar.

"Yes," they answered in unison.

I picked up one of the papers and opened it carefully.

— Number four. — I said.

Koharu was next.

— Now it's my turn. — She pulled out a piece of paper and smiled briefly.

— Number two. — Koharu announced.

Shana quickly stepped forward.

"Token number one," Shana announced.

"I think it's my turn," said Max, twirling the jar with his fingers. He took out a piece of paper and held it up.

— Number three. — Max announced.

Hymen approached with trembling hands.

She took out a piece of paper.

— Number three. — he announced . Hymen .

"So you're going to share a room with me," Max said, a little surprised.

Yuuki approached, crossing her arms and staring intently at him.

"Don't make my friend cry," she said . Yuuki .

" Okay ... fine," he replied, disconcerted.

Lysandra stood up.

"Now it's my turn." She took out the paper with a restrained smile.

— Number two. — he announced. Lysandra .

She looked at Koharu with a gaze that mixed sweetness with something indecipherable.

"Then we'll be roommates," she said . Lysandra .

"Yes..." Koharu replied , a little tense.

Gerald approached.

"I'm ending the drawing." He opened the paper.

"Number one," Gerald announced .

Shana smiled.

"Then I'll share a room with you, Commander. Interesting," he said . Shana .

"Interesting, why?" I asked .

"Because I can learn more about defense by watching you closely," she replied playfully.

Yuuki crossed her arms.

"Damn, I'll have to share a room with my rival," he said . Yuuki .

Everyone turned to her, surprised.

"Rival?" I asked , confused.

"That's right. Master Aioze seems to have taken a liking to you. Just to be clear: the only one he should treat with affection is me," he said . Yuuki , with her eyes half-closed.

"It's best not to irritate her now..."

"How about we all go to our rooms?" I suggested , trying to change the subject.

Everyone agreed and began to disperse down the hallways.

Room number three

Himeno adjusted the sheets in silence.

"I'll make up both beds," she said, without looking at him.

Max watched her for a moment.

"Don't worry, I'm not going to do anything," he said, crossing his arms.

"I know... I was just thinking about today's meeting," she replied.

"There's no point in worrying about it now. Aioze will tell you everything tomorrow," Max said .

"True..." he murmured, forcing a smile.

"How about we talk about something else? That way you can relax a little," Max suggested .

Hymen 's face lit up.

"We can talk about... Fujimoto ," he said . Animated Hymen .

"What?" Max blinked, surprised.

Hymeno put his hands to his mouth.

"Oh, sorry! I didn't think about it!" he said . Hymen was embarrassed.

"You like him, don't you?" Max asked bluntly.

Himeno looked away, blushing.

— Yes... I like it. — she replied. Hymen .

Max chuckled softly.

"Who would have thought... that guy has two girls interested in him," said Max.

"Two?" she asked , surprised.

"Yes. Koharu likes him too," Max replied .

Himeno remained silent for a moment.

"Then my chances are slim... it's difficult to compete with someone like her," he said . Hymen, downcast.

"Don't underestimate yourself. You're beautiful, and he knows it. Just yesterday you showed how strong you can be. Keep trying, and you'll overcome her." Max moved a little closer.

She smiled, her face flushed.

— Thank you... really. — she said gratefully . Hymen .

"Besides, Fujimoto seems to like hardworking girls," Max added , smiling.

"I understand..." he murmured, looking at his own hands.

Room number one

"So you also know how to fight even though you have defensive skills?" he asked . Shana , curious.

"I believe that those who don't know how to protect themselves can't move forward either," Gerald replied calmly.

"Can I ask you something?" Shana said .

"Of course," said Gerald.

"Could you teach me hand-to-hand combat in the future?" Shana asked.

"Yes, it will be a pleasure," Gerald replied .

Shana smiled.

Room number four

Yuuki seemed uneasy ever since we entered the room.

"Hey, can you tell me what happened?" I asked .

She took a deep breath before exploding.

"It just so happened that, because of that damned Elfhrensei and his mother, we ended up in this world! And I was almost enslaved by Hiroshi! My life has been turned upside down... what did you expect me to do?!" she replied . Yuuki furious.

I was speechless.

"I thought I'd be happier now, with Himeno and Aioze by my side ..." I said.

"Do you know what I went through before coming here ? Did you ever have to eat scraps off the ground to survive?" she said , her voice trembling.

"I... didn't know that. So Hiroshi took everything from you too." I sighed.

"Yes. And only Aioze knows," he replied . Yuuki .

"Not even Hymen ?" I asked.

"And you probably don't know either," he replied . Yuuki in a firm manner.

"Why are you telling me this?" I asked .

"Because I don't want to see anyone forgive that wretch," he said . Yuuki .

"Nobody would be crazy enough to do that," I said.

She took a deep breath and changed her tone.

"You know, you two would make a lovely couple," she said . Yuuki .

— What...? — I was completely speechless.

"You and Himeno . Give her a chance. You two are a good match," he repeated. Yuuki , smiling.

"Why are you saying this now?" I asked.

"Because I felt like it, that's all," he replied . Yuuki .

She looked me in the eyes, serious.

"Please... don't disappoint Mr. Aioze . And don't make Himeno cry. That's all I ask of you," Yuuki pleaded.

She smiled slightly.

"I promise I'll try," I replied.

Yuuki smiled too.

— That's good. Now let's go to sleep. – he said . Yuuki .

" She's difficult... but deep down, she just wants to protect those she cares about."

Room number two

Lysandra got out of bed and approached Koharu , who was already getting ready to lie down.

"Let's go see Hiroshi now," he said . Lysandra .

Koharu looked up, confused.

"What? Now? Going out in the middle of the night can be dangerous! What if someone sees us?" she said . Koharu was scared.

"There are no guards tonight. And my skills cover escapes perfectly," Lysandra replied confidently.

"I still think it's risky," he said . Koharu .

"Hiroshi wants to see you," she said with a slight smile.

Koharu sighed.

"Okay... it seems I have no choice," he said . Koharu .

Lysandra approached and touched her hand.

Noizuzero ability . It silences all sounds from our bodies and objects we touch. We can walk without being heard, but we must walk hand in hand," she explained . Lysandra .

"Impressive ... Then let's go," Koharu murmured .

A white aura enveloped them both, and in seconds they left the room without a sound . They went down the stairs, crossed the hall, and exited through the main door. No sound, no guards.

As they approached the forest, Lysandra smiled.

he said . Lysandra .

"It's an incredible skill. Is there a time limit?" he admitted . Koharu .

"Three minutes," Lysandra replied .

"Come on, he's waiting for us," he said . Lysandra .

They walked through the darkness until a voice echoed among the trees.

You took your time.

Hiroshi was leaning against a tree trunk, smiling as if he expected something fun.

"What do you want with me at this hour?" he asked . Koharu .

"To remind you of our plan... and, of course, to enjoy some of your company," he replied, in a teasing tone.

Koharu looked away, annoyed.

"Always with those intentions..." Koharu said .

"I'm just being honest. Do you really think you didn't miss me?" Hiroshi said , taking a step closer.

Koharu blushed, but maintained her composure.

"Idiot," he replied . Koharu .

Lysandra crossed her arms.

"Enough with the teasing, Hiroshi. Just tell us the plan," he said . Lysandra .

" Heh , jealous?" he asked , raising an eyebrow.

"Idiot," he said . Lysandra .

His smile faded.

"Did you get what you wanted?" he asked . Hiroshj .

"Yes. Tomorrow the leader will agree to let you visit the base. But it depends on the approval of Fujimoto 's group ," he replied . Lysandra .

"I hope you will cooperate with us," Hiroshi said, looking at Koharu .

"I will do whatever it takes," she replied firmly.

For a moment, silence filled the place. The cold wind swayed the branches, and the moonlight enveloped them like a silvery veil.

"You know... sometimes I think there's still something left between us." Hiroshi took a step forward, his voice now lower.

Koharu glanced at him, hesitating.

"Don't confuse debt with feelings," he said . Koharu .

Hiroshi smiled, moving a little closer.

"Then show me that's really the case," Hiroshi said .

For a moment, they stood face to face, a heavy air between them. Hiroshi's touch was restrained, but there was a tension in it that spoke louder than words. Koharu didn't recoil—perhaps out of pride, perhaps out of confusion.

Lysandra sighed.

"That's enough. We have other things to do," he said . Lysandra .

Hiroshi laughed.

"Okay, okay. There's no need to be nervous," Hiroshi said .

"Let's go back. And remember: tomorrow will be the start of our real game," he ordered . Lysandra .

Koharu nodded silently. Koharu and Lysandra returned to the Good Mercenaries' base.