After the match between Arien and Floch, the students took a short break before the third round continued.
The break ended, and the students returned to the stands once more.
—SIXTH MATCH OF THE THIRD ROUND.
NAERIS LUNETH VS HARUKI AOYAMA.
Naeris finished her tub of popcorn and opened her mouth in a small O shape when she heard it was her turn.
—It's my turn at last!—She set the tub down on the ground, pulled the pom‑poms from her hands, and handed them to Kenzo.—Here, Kencito. Remember to cheer me on from up here.—She winked at him.
Kenzo took the pom‑poms and nodded.
—Alright. Good luck.—He gave her a small smile.
—I won't let you down!—She said before heading down the steps and running toward the arena entrance.
During the break, Floch had recovered a little and returned to the stands beside Termomix, though he was covered in bandages.
Termomix looked at him, his eyes still as empty as ever.
—You should be in the infirmary.
—I didn't want to miss the rest of the matches. This is getting more interesting by the minute.
—I see.—Termomix turned his gaze toward the fighting arena.
Floch stared up at the sky through half‑closed eyes, thinking about the next match.
—Naeris versus Haruki…—He crossed his arms.—Hmm…
Termomix watched him out of the corner of his eye, expressionless.
—I'm a little worried about Haruki. He's such an innocent boy, and Naeris… well, she's Naeris.
—Who do you think will win?—Termomix asked.
—It's hard to say. A girl with an incredibly powerful technique against someone who fights for a promise. But that's not why it's hard to call it—it's their personalities.
—Their personalities?
—Exactly. I can't picture Haruki striking Naeris, and Naeris… well, she's a little off, but I can't picture her hurting someone like Haruki either. Most likely, neither of them will take this match seriously.
—So it's anyone's guess.
—Yeah… but if you pushed me for an answer, I'd say Naeris.
—Why?
—Only because she's already shown she's more aggressive. That's all.
Kenzo turned the pom‑poms over in his hands, curious, and shook them gently.
Someone walked into the stands and headed straight for him. Kenzo turned to see who it was, and his eyes went wide.
—Varek!
Varek smiled and waved with his right hand.
—Hey again, Kenzo.
Kenzo beamed.
—You're back from the infirmary.
Varek sat down beside him.
—Yep, finally.
—Are you all right now?
—I'm perfectly fine.
—I'm so glad.
—Naeris is up next, right?
Kenzo nodded.
—Yeah, they'll be out any second.
The first gate opened, and Haruki stepped out. He looked nervous, a little embarrassed to be the center of everyone's attention.
Arien held up a big sign toward the arena. It read: "You can do it, little Haruki!"
—Go, Haruki! You've got this!—He shouted at the top of his lungs.
Rika stared at him, confused.
—Shouldn't you be in the infirmary too?
Arien lowered the sign for a moment and glanced at her.
—Nah.—He tapped the bandage on his cheek.—Just a couple of cuts. No point staying there when I could be cheering for our Haruki.
Kaien laughed, then cupped his hands around his mouth.
—You can win this, Haruki!
Arien nodded enthusiastically and waved his sign again.
The gate opposite Haruki swung open, and Naeris stepped through, wearing her usual confident grin.
They stood facing each other, eyes locked. Naeris took one step forward—and in the blink of an eye, she was only inches away.
Haruki hadn't even seen her move, but… she stopped, and gently cupped both his cheeks in her hands.
—AWWWWWW! You're so cute! And your face is so soft!—She tugged playfully but gently at his cheeks.
Haruki stared in surprise, but didn't pull away. He just smiled shyly and let her keep touching his face.
—Th‑thank you.
—Adorable!
The students in the stands looked confused, but the scene struck them as sweet anyway.
Naeris went on squishing his cheeks for a few more seconds before something seemed to click, and her eyes went wide.
—Hey, Harukito…—She lowered her voice.—You're the one bound by a promise, right?
—Ah… yes.—He shrugged, still timid.
—So… do you have Rika's number?
—Yes, I do.—He tilted his head.—Why?
Naeris let out a quiet squeal, grabbed both his hands in hers, and bounced excitedly on the spot.
—Can I have it? Can I please please please have it?!
—Mm… I suppose.—He blinked.—But what for?
Naeris leaned in closer.
—It's for a friend of mine who'd really like to talk to her.—She whispered conspiratorially.
Haruki smiled warmly.
—Oh, I see! Rika could definitely use more friends. I don't mind at all.
Naeris wrapped him in a tight hug and squealed again.
—Thank you so much, Harukito!
Arien narrowed his eyes, leaning far over the railing.
—What are they talking about? I can't hear a thing from here.
Rika grabbed the back of his shirt before he could tumble down into the arena.
Naeris pointed a finger straight at Kenzo in the stands, still hugging Haruki with her other arm.
—Look! That's the friend I meant!—She waved high above her head.—Kenzo, wave!
Varek and everyone else turned to look at him. Kenzo turned bright red and buried his face in his hands.
Haruki stared at him, curious.
—I think I've seen him before.
Naeris looked back at him.
—He's such a good friend.—She glanced up again.—KENZO, WE GOT RI—
Kenzo could take the embarrassment no more. He activated his technique.
—EARTH TECHNIQUE: EARTH COCOON!
In an instant, Naeris was sealed inside a sphere of packed earth. Haruki jumped back in alarm.
—Naeris… are you okay in there?
Naeris laughed from inside.
—Of course I am!—The cocoon crumbled away, and she popped out grinning.—See? I'm fine!
Haruki let out a small breath of relief and smiled.
The academy's announcer cleared his throat into the microphone.
—Uh… I don't mean to rush you two… but are we going to get this match started?
Naeris looked up at the announcer's booth.
—What match?
—What do you mean what match?! Your match! The sixth bout of the third round!
—Oh right!—She snapped her fingers.—The match.
She jogged a few steps away, then turned back to face Haruki.
—Let's get started, Harukito.
Haruki fidgeted with his hands, staring at his feet.
—I… I don't know if I can do this…
—Huh? Why not?
—Because… I don't want to hurt you. My parents always told me a man should never strike a woman…
—Aww. Seriously, you are too sweet!—Naeris thought to herself.—I'm tougher than I look, don't worry about me.—She pointed a thumb at her chest.
—But still…
—Come on, come on! Don't think about that—just try your hardest.—She tapped her own face with both index fingers.—Just… try not to hit my face, okay? This beauty takes work to maintain!—She said with a proud grin.
Haruki nodded slowly.
—All right. I promise.—He was still visibly nervous.
—SIXTH MATCH. BEGIN!