After not seeing each other for two weeks, why meet each other again at all? Seiji felt that it would have been better if they never met again.
âGood evening, Mitarai-san,â Seiji greeted Akatsuki calmly as he walked outside and closed his door. âYou actually visited such a rundown place like mine for a second time. It must trouble you greatly.â
âSomething like this? Not at all.â Akatsuki smiled. âItâs quite worth it as long as you understand my sincerity.â
Anyone that heard this conversation and saw this scene would likely think that Akatsuki was a perfectly nice young man.
âSincerity⊠Indeed, I can understand.â Seiji looked at Akatsuki. âAs for what you wish to discuss with me, letâs continue our conversation at the same place as last time.â
âSure thing.â Akatsuki nodded.
Seiji glanced at Akatsukiâs Spirit-branded Retainer standing beside the latter as he walked towards Akatsukiâs car. This person was wearing a brown windbreaker and black glovesâNaruo Yashuu.
Compared to when Seiji saw him at the Winter Snow Festival Yin-Yang Master party, this icy-seeming Spirit-branded Retainerâs hair appeared to be darker and there was an ominous sensation coming from him.
Just like last time, Seiji and Akatsuki ordered coffee and remained silent for several seconds while exchanging glances.
âTwo weeks has been plenty of time, Haruta-san. Have you finished considering things?â
âTo be honest, I havenât really thought much about it. After all, many things have been occurring recently.â
Something flashed in Akatsukiâs eyes.
âWell, that must have been hard on you. However, please understand how it is for me as well. Iâve already waited half a month, and wish to have a clear answer from you.â
âMy apologies. I shall start considering your proposal seriously right away. Please show me your sincerity by waiting another two weeks.â Seiji smiled.
The dark blue handsome boyâs expression became somewhat grimmer.
âPlease donât say something so foolish, Haruta-san.â
âIâm not saying something foolish, Mitarai-san.â Seiji maintained his smile. âIâm sincerely requesting you for another two weeksâ time. One full month would be even better. Iâll definitely think of an answer by then.â
âStop joking around!â Akatsukiâs gaze turned icy. âDonât dare to say something so foolish to me a second time.â
âIn that case, Iâll change my wording. Mitarai-san, please seriously consider my sincerity, and donât reject me so casually. Otherwise, youâll definitely regret it.â
âHow ridiculous! IâmâŠâ Akatsuki suddenly paused in the middle of speaking.
He suddenly recalled that these words wereâŠ
âYou told me those words last time,â Seiji stated while retracting his smile. âHow do you feel now? Multiply your current disgust by one thousand times, and you can probably arrive at how I felt back then.â
A server arrived with their coffees. The server then left after leaving the coffee behind.
âThis is your answer?â Akatsukiâs tone of voice turned icy as well.
âIndeed,â Seiji stated calmly. âFrom the very start, I didnât like you, and really wanted to beat you up.â
âHah, a foolish ordinary personâs emotions⊠no, I should say piece of trash.â Akatsuki chuckled coldly. âA piece of trash scumbag like you isnât even worthy of approaching Natsuya.â
âHowever, Iâm much closer to her than someone like you whoâs no ordinary person⊠oh, my mistake, I should have said someone like you whoâs not a person at all,â Seiji mentioned lightly.
Akatsuki was filled with rage upon hearing this!
âGarbage! Donât think that just because youâre part of the Haruta Family that I wouldnâtâŠâ
âI never thought so in the first place. I wouldnât doubt your shamelessness, because youâre the type of guy capable of doing anything,â Seiji said as he looked at Akatsuki. âYou believe that youâre so special and look down upon others. Youâre deluded by your own feeling of superiority, but donât even know that thereâs too many people just like you in this world.â
âYouâŠâ The dark blue haired boyâs handsome face was becoming distorted.
âYou want to kill me, while I want to beat you up. When we combine our desires, the conclusion is quite simple.â There was a steely glint in Seijiâs eyes. âLetâs duel, Akatsuki Mitarai.â
âWhatâŠ?â
âLetâs have a duel, you and me.â
Akatsuki paused in surprise for a moment before his mouth slowly arced upwards as he began laughing.
âHeh heh heh heh⊠Hahahahahaha!â
He laughed louder and louder with an obvious tone of condescension in his voice.
Seiji didnât change his expression as he silently listened to Akatsuki finish his laughing.
âA piece of trash like you!! Is unworthy of challenging me to a duel!!!â
The Mitarai Family young master made such a condescending statement after he finally finished his fit of laughter.
âItâs appeared, a classical antagonistâs line from xianxia novelsâŠâ Seiji thought that to himself without letting his emotions be affected in the slightest by Akatsukiâs acerbity.
Just as Seiji was thinking about what words he should respond with, Akatsuki continued talking, âBut, I should thank you for your foolishness! A duel will give me the perfect opportunity to deal with you!â
âYeah, yeah, thanks for your hard work in acting the part of the classical antagonist.â
Seiji mentally commented as his mouth arced upwards.
âIâm delighted to come to a mutual accord with you. In that case, letâs discuss the formal procedures for the duel.â Seiji had a tone as if he was at a business meeting.
Akatsuki was rendered speechless by this.
He mysteriously felt like he had somehow been one-upped when he saw how calm Seiji was compared to his own loss of control regarding his own emotions.
Natsuya received a phone call from Seiji.
When she heard his explanation of what just happened, she paused in surprise for two full seconds.
âI apologize. Please tell me what you just said one more time.â
Seiji repeated what he told her again.
The student council president took a deep breath after confirming that she hadnât heard incorrectly.
âYouâre going to duel Akatsuki Mitarai!? What the hell, Seiji!?â
âItâs just a duel. Thatâs something perfectly normal.â
âThe hell with it being normal! Why did this suddenly happen!? What led to this!?â
âHe came to visit me again to hear my answer. That was my answer.â Seiji chuckled. âWe both wanted to kill each other and reached an excellent mutual accord.â
âThe hell with mutual accord! Donât make it sound like you were having a business negotiation! Do you know what you just did!?â
âI know. I suppose it was half suicidal.â
âOnly half!? Since you already know, whyâŠâ
âOf course, it was for you.â
âErâŠâ Natsuya felt a sudden impact from this.
âI know that I lack power. That was hammered into me all the more deeply last week, when I couldnât do anything about the Midnight Spell. But even so, thereâs still some things I want to try,â Seiji stated calmly. âI hope that you can be a witness to my duel, Natsuya.â
Natsuya fell silent for a moment as something flashed in her eyes.
âI refuse,â she ended up telling him.
âNatsuyaâŠâ
âDoing something so foolish⊠and so willful, have you ever considered my feelings?â The student council presidentâs words were filled with anger.
âErâŠâ
âAkatsuki Mitarai is supposed to be my opponent. Iâm the one who got you involved, but now youâre saying that youâre going to be the one dueling with him, and asking me to be a witness⊠There should be a limit to your foolishness, idiot!!â
Seiji fell silent upon hearing this.
âCancel the duel and stop getting involved in this. Since you already know that you lack strength, obediently walk away,â Natsuya spoke in a low voice. âIf you insist on continuing with your willfulness⊠I shall stop you!â