I felt the bloodlust and lunged into the bathhouse, only to find Setsuna standing there, holding Konoka in her arms like a rescued princess.
"Axel-kun?!"
Negi stood nearby, his eyes wide with shock. I didn't give him a second of my attention. Instead, I focused on the Magic Archer arrows of flame hovering behind me. With a mental flick, I sent them screaming into the dense shrubbery just outside the bath.
Because the arrows were fueled by my SP and under my absolute telekinetic control, they didn't set the bushes ablaze. Instead, they burrowed through the foliage, homing in on the presence I'd detected.
However...
"He got away."
"It seems so. Whoever it was, they were quite a veteran."
Setsuna was the one who answered my muttered complaint. As expected of Konoka's personal shadow, she had sensed the intruder's presence as clearly as I had.
"Setsu-chan... I don't really get what's happenin', but did you save me?"
The cool, sharp edge of Setsuna's expression vanished the instant she heard Konoka's voice. She fumbled for words, her face going pale then red, before she abruptly set Konoka down and bolted for the changing room.
"Konoka-san, what exactly is your relationship with Setsuna-san?" Negi asked, still processing the scene. "She called you 'Ojo-sama'..."
"Konoka... did something happen between you two after all?" Asuna added.
"...Yeah. I haven't really told Asuna the whole story, have I? Negi-kun, Axel-kun... would you mind listening?"
Konoka looked at us expectantly. Negi and Asuna nodded immediately, but I could only offer a weary, lopsided smile.
"Look, this isn't exactly the time or place for a heart-to-heart. There's a rest area near the inn's entrance. Why don't we talk there?"
"Oh, good point. It's a bit embarrassing to talk while we're like this," Konoka said, finally realizing her lack of attire and blushing a deep crimson.
The three of them scrambled out of the bath. Knowing that anyone could wander in at any moment, I took what we call a "crow's bath"—a lightning-fast scrub and rinse—and headed out to join them.
So much for a long, relaxing soak.
"Axel-kun, over here!"
"Sorry, did I keep you waiting?"
"It's fine, we've only been here five minutes. Go ahead, Konoka-san."
Konoka began to recount her past. She spoke of the sprawling estate in Kyoto where she grew up. Of her first friend. Of the day she nearly drowned in a river, and how Setsuna—who had been tasked with protecting her—had been devastated by her own perceived failure. From that day on, Setsuna had buried herself in the way of the sword to ensure it never happened again. But as she grew more dedicated to her duty, she grew more distant from Konoka. Eventually, they reunited at Mahora, but by then, Setsuna was cold and formal—a stranger in the shape of a friend.
As she finished, Konoka's eyes brimmed with tears.
"I wonder if I did somethin' to upset Setsu-chan. She just won't talk to me like she used to."
"Konoka..."
Asuna draped an arm around her, comforting her as she led her back toward their room. Once they were out of earshot, Negi turned to me.
"Axel-kun... isn't there anything we can do for Konoka-san?"
"Who knows? In the end, this is something Setsuna has to resolve for herself."
If I had to guess, Setsuna was avoiding Konoka because she didn't consider herself "fully human"—likely a haph-orphan or a half-demon. Konoka's social standing was also a massive hurdle; she was the daughter of the head of the Kansai Magic Association and the granddaughter of the Kanto Magic Association's leader. Even if Konoka didn't care about status, plenty of people in that world would whisper about a "beast" getting too close to a noble lady.
"Well, regardless of her personal drama, I just need Setsuna to do her job as a bodyguard properly," I said.
"Yeah. It would just be nice if those two could be friends again."
With that, Negi excused himself, citing his duties as a teacher.
I watched him go, bought my usual can of black tea from the vending machine, and sank into a nearby sofa.
"So. The bathhouse attempt was thwarted. Does that mean they're done for the night? ...Doubtful. A follow-up strike while our guard is down is exactly what I'd expect."
Konoemon had hired me for a reason. I needed to coordinate with Negi and Setsuna to make sure we didn't lose Konoka on the first night.
As I was lost in thought, a voice came from behind me.
"...Axel-san?"
"Setsuna."
She was standing there, clutching a handful of paper talismans. Her gaze was sharp, searching.
"After what happened in the bathhouse, there is no doubt you are involved in the hidden world... Tell me: are you my enemy?"
"...Hah? Wait, hold on. Didn't the Headmaster tell you about me?"
"Eh?"
Setsuna's confusion was genuine. It seemed Konoemon had completely failed to mention my involvement to her. I sighed. I was here to help Negi, yet the primary bodyguard hadn't been briefed on the hired muscle? Talk about a massive oversight.
"Um... so, you are an acquaintance of the Headmaster?" Setsuna asked, her piercing gaze softening into something more hesitant. I gave her a silent nod.
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