Chapter 136: Tomoe Tachibana and Miyabi Hotaka

Within the dining hall of Kouryou Academy, the cafeteria serves as a vital hub, as the intense combat training requires students to consume a massive amount of energy.

The facility offers the vast majority of the world’s most exquisite cuisines. By any standard, it can only be described as luxurious. Yechen, however, pays no heed to the many gazes fixed upon him and his companions; as long as they are not as intensely scorching as Julie’s previously were, he finds them unworthy of his attention.

In truth, Yechen’s group is the center of attention in the hall. Beyond the freshmen, students from previous years are also present, and among them, Saeko Busujima and Shiina—who enrolled before Yechen—have already established formidable reputations.

Their arrival caused a stir throughout the academy. Not only did they excel in every field, but, most importantly, they are both rare beauties, leading many to harbor thoughts toward this pair of Blaze partners. Yet, Saeko, who is usually gentle and polite, turns into an iceberg when faced with suitors, refusing to say a word and eventually evolving into a complete disregard for all male students.

Shiina’s approach is even more direct. She does not initiate conversation, and if others try to speak with her, she at most replies, "How superficial." Consequently, before Yechen and his group arrived, Saeko was the only person she was familiar with.

Today, however, Saeko—who never smiles at boys—is speaking quite warmly to a male student, causing those who think they know her to wonder if they are dreaming.

"That’s Saeko over there, isn't it? Why is she being so friendly to a freshman?"

"Damn it! How does that freshman deserve Saeko’s favor? A mere freshman! If he’s got guts, let’s see him after school. A few of us will teach him a lesson!"

"Heh, let me uncover the truth!" Among several groups of second and third-year Blaze partners, one student adjusted his glasses with an "I’ve seen through everything" expression and said, "According to my investigation, Saeko Busujima comes from a distinguished family of swordsmanship."

"What! You actually found out her background? Why are you only telling us now? Tell us everything else you know!" The topic of Saeko’s status drew male students from all around, excluding the freshmen.

The sensation of being surrounded satisfied the student, who lifted his chin and declared, "Saeko is indeed from a prestigious swordsmanship lineage, but that family has historically served a specific master. As the sole heir, Saeko is undoubtedly destined to be a protector. That freshman must be the one she serves!"

"What!" The minds of the others immediately conjured images of Yechen using his status to force Saeko into submission, and each one grew indignant, itching to teach Yechen a lesson.

Saeko and Shiina noticed the hostility directed at Yechen in these people’s gazes. Frowning, they whispered something to Yechen, finished their breakfast in a hurry, and went off to warn those overconfident students.

Yechen picked out some dishes he liked and glanced at the tray held by the smiling Hakuhime beside him.

"Strawberry ice cream, chocolate ice cream, melon ice cream... it’s all ice cream." He listed the items on her tray with a tone as flat as possible, then shook his head. "Hakuhime, I know you love ice cream and that your physical constitution handles eating it on an empty stomach just fine, but at least eat something else."

Suddenly spotting a dish of mushrooms that no one had touched, he picked it up and placed it on her tray. Hakuhime blinked, looked at the mushrooms, and surprisingly did not object. She obediently picked one up and ate it without any sign of repulsion.

"What’s wrong?" Julie noticed the girl who somewhat resembled herself, and seeing a look of disappointment on that usually expressionless face, she asked with concern.

"There is no mapo tofu." Kanade Tachibana set down her chopsticks, looked up, and repeated with a aggrieved look in her amber eyes, "There is no mapo tofu here. They said they wouldn’t have it."

The reason was immediately clear. While this cafeteria was full of gourmet food, it did not carry every dish imaginable, and mapo tofu was one of them. It was no wonder Kanade was so disappointed, knowing she would be unable to eat her favorite dish for a long time.

"No problem. I’ll just go tell Sakuya Tsukumo. I promise you’ll have delicious mapo tofu by tomorrow, Kanade!" Yechen assured her; Sakuya would never refuse such a small request.

Hearing that she would have her mapo tofu tomorrow, Kanade’s spirits lifted. Just as Yechen was about to enjoy his breakfast, someone greeted him from nearby: "Good morning, Yechen."

Following the voice, Yechen saw two girls with wide, watery eyes. The one in front had long, black hair tied with a ribbon and carried an air of nobility, while the other looked gentle, timid, and prone to shyness.

"May we sit with you?" The girl who spoke was someone Yechen vaguely recognized as a classmate—Tomoe Tachibana and Miyabi Hotaka. He nodded and said, "Sure."

"Then excuse us." As she placed her tray on the table, the shy girl sat down right beside her. Tomoe looked at the assortment of ice creams in front of Hakuhime and the nearly finished plate of mushrooms, and with a habit of lecturing, she said, "Hakuhime-san, listen: meals should be balanced. Having this for breakfast is not good for your body!"

"It’s okay~ Tomoe-san. My body is different from ordinary people's; I won’t get sick from eating a little something like this." Hakuhime replied with a perfect smile.

"I apologize, that wasn't what I meant to say, but I still hope you’ll consider it," Tomoe said, realizing it might be inappropriate to comment on the diet of someone she had just met, and moved on to the main point. "Actually, what I’m worried about is the two of you."

"Yes?" Julie, who was eating her breakfast, noticed the topic had suddenly shifted to her group and spoke up.

"Even if it is school policy, having a young man and woman living under the same roof... I imagine there must be many inconveniences." As she mentioned this, Tomoe thought of something, and her face turned slightly red.

"That’s right, that’s right. I think so too. It’s not reassuring to have them living together. It would be better if they lived with us instead," Hakuhime chimed in, nodding in agreement with Tomoe’s suggestion.

"Yes, wait—no! Wouldn’t replacing the Blaze partner with you be exactly the same thing?" Tomoe realized the implication and retorted immediately.

"Of course it’s different! I’m Yechen’s fiancée, so it doesn't matter if we live together!" Hakuhime stated as if it were a matter of course.

"Fi—fiancée? Even if you are fiancés, you shouldn't do... do those kinds of things before marriage," Tomoe whispered.