The Absolute Godspeed of Infinite Worlds

Lunch was garlic curry rice.

It was said that back when Touka, Kanata, and Utakata were still at the orphanage, they had experimented over and over to come up with a delicious curry that could be made on a tight budget.

Beef tendon was simmered in Touka's special curry sauce, infusing the dish with rich, savory essence. Combined with the appetite-stimulating garlic, it was simply impossible not to enjoy.

Almost everyone had several large helpings—even Kanata wasn't an exception. Only Stella seemed to have a poor appetite.

"Alright! Break time's over, let's get to work!"

Touka put away the pots and bowls, cracking her knuckles in anticipation.

"First, we split into groups. There are eight of us, so four groups of two. One team will stay at the dorm as central support, while the other three patrol in different directions. If anything unusual is found, report it immediately!"

Ikki and Stella naturally formed a pair, as did Renren and Saijou, the long-standing duo with great synergy. The remaining four were left to divide into two more teams.

"How about Touka and Utakata stay behind?"

Kanata proposed seriously.

"The support team needs to be fast on their feet and able to overcome any obstacles quickly. You two are the best fit for that."

"Eh?"

Touka froze for a moment.

She had been hoping to pair up with her junior and spend time hiking together—maybe even treating it as a kind of unconventional date.

But Kanata's reasoning did make sense.

Of all of them, Touka had the strongest legs and fastest speed, and paired with Utakata's fate manipulation, they could provide fast, reliable backup.

"…Fine. Then junior, you go with Kanata."

She relented reluctantly.

"We'll investigate thoroughly!"

Kanata replied with firm determination.

***

"I can't go on~!"

The mountain was steep and covered in jagged rocks.

Since it was a training ground for Blazer students, there were no proper trails built—the harsh terrain itself was part of the workout.

Barely ten minutes from the central area, Kanata was already pretending to be out of stamina.

"Carry me~!"

"Alright, alright. Hop on."

With a bit of acting and sweet talk, Kanata successfully broke Eiji's will.

He crouched down, scooped up Kanata's legs, and carried her on his back. He could feel the soft pressure against his back.

But listening to her breathing near his ear—it definitely didn't sound like someone who was tired.

Anyone with a brain could see what was going on.

"There's no sign of a giant anywhere."

Their patrol route was on the eastern hill of the training grounds, which was covered in dense forest. But no matter where they looked, there was no sign of any giants.

If a giant had really passed through, there would at least be huge footprints or toppled trees.

"So it really was just a rumor?"

Kanata rested on Eiji's back.

His footsteps were so steady, she barely felt any jolts. The faint scent from him made her drowsy.

To stay awake, she leaned closer to his ear and spoke in a soft, whispery voice.

The warm breath tickled his ear like a cat pawing at his heart.

"Woman, you'd best stop playing with fire."

Eiji's expression darkened as he put on his best overbearing CEO act.

"Hehehe~"

Kanata giggled coquettishly.

"Say more~"

To her, his CEO act had zero intimidation—if anything, it was adorable.

"Hmph. If you're trying to provoke me, then congratulations. You succeeded."

Eiji let out a cold laugh.

Then turned his head to give her a gaze that was one-third nonchalance, one-third roguish charm, and four-tenths ironic disdain.

Back in the day, he had reigned supreme across women's fiction forums. Playing an overbearing CEO? Child's play.

"I provoked you. So what?"

Kanata licked her lips, a spark of excitement lighting in her eyes.

"Hmph. Still not repenting? Looks like I'll have to teach you a lesson!"

Eiji loosened his grip and let go of her legs.

As she let out a startled "Kyaa~," he wrapped an arm around her slender waist and spun her around from his back into his arms—holding her in a princess carry.

He steadied his breath, then fixed a gaze on the rich girl in his arms—nine parts icy indifference, one part hidden tenderness.

Damn.

Now that was CEO-level dominance.

He thought he was just acting casually, but with his natural charm, he might as well have stepped straight out of a female-targeted romance novel.

Kanata's breathing quickened. She averted her gaze, clearly flustered.

"Hah. Woman, you dare look away from me? In front of me? Who gave you the courage?"

Eiji tightened the arm around her waist. With his free hand, he gently took her chin and turned her face toward him.

Staring into those eyes that seemed to pull her soul in, Kanata's heartbeat went wild, her face flushing hot.

But then… her gaze began to melt. Her arms snaked around his neck, and she leaned in to give him a deep, fiery kiss.

…Wait.

Rich girl, could you play along a bit?

Aren't you supposed to resist at first? Struggle, act like you're not willing, but secretly yearn for his warmth while he kisses you senseless?

Now how was he supposed to carry on the scene?

Still, with a beauty in his arms, Eiji decided to drop the act and just enjoy the moment.

...

...

"…Promise me, don't ever play this kind of game with anyone else, okay?"

After the kiss, Kanata lay breathless in his arms, her eyes glazed over with warmth and affection as she looked up at him.

Too intense.

Can't handle this.

"You think you have the right to make demands of me?"

Eiji sneered, gripping her chin again.

"Remember this—you belong to me. From now on, only I get to bully you."

Hoo boy.

Kanata felt like she was suffocating.

She crashed into his chest, rubbing against him with enthusiasm. Her long legs kicked around in the air wildly, unable to calm down for a good while.

As it turns out, CEO-style dominance really is a woman-killer. No wonder it thrives in romance stories.

…Of course, that only works if the CEO is stupidly handsome.

Otherwise, it's just harassment.

—Ten minutes later.

"Why's the sky getting so dark?"

After finishing their intense CEO-roleplay session, Eiji continued patrolling the mountain trail with Kanata riding piggyback again.

"Wanna head back?"

"Mm… not yet."

Kanata laid her head on his shoulder, and with a loud smooch, planted a hickey on his neck.

The earlier scene had been so stimulating, she was sure it'd become her most treasured memory for the next year—something to replay every night.

But going back meant returning Eiji to Touka.

Right now, she just wanted to have him to herself a little longer.

"Then let's walk a bit more."

Eiji responded smoothly.

"…But try not to leave too many marks."

If senior sister Touka noticed, he might not survive her Raikiri.

"I'll do the opposite!"

Guessing his concern, Kanata pouted and rebelliously planted several more kisses on his neck.

"…Crap, it's gonna rain!"

Dark clouds quickly rolled in overhead, and the air thickened with moisture.

With Kanata still on his back, Eiji hurried toward the foot of the mountain.

***

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