The Pain of Being "Intercepted"
"Even if he doesn't remember every single detail from the IF lines, Hachiman definitely remembers the strengths and weaknesses of each candidate, as well as their secrets—not to mention things like Anastasia's business plans."
In the Shirogane household, Shirogane Miyuki analyzed meticulously and objectively: "If he could harden his heart, it would be incredibly easy for him to use that knowledge to target and defeat the other candidates. The difficulty level right now is basically the lowest in history."
"However, anyone else might do that, but Hikigaya-senpai definitely won't."
Shirogane Kei puffed out her chest with pride. The Hikigaya-senpai she respected and looked up to wasn't the kind of guy with no character or conscience.
"True." Shirogane Miyuki nodded with deep emotion. "If he were facing an enemy like a Sin Archbishop, Hachiman would definitely be as unscrupulous as possible—as long as he wins, anything goes."
But now, he was dealing with his own side, so he would surely stay his hand. The five candidates were in a state of healthy competition; even the most abrasive one, Priscilla, wouldn't play dirty against the others. Instead, they focused on developing themselves to defeat one another fairly.
One had to admit that the other four candidates' moral fiber—unanimously choosing a healthy competition with boundaries—had effectively saved their own lives.
Had any of them lacked "martial virtue," Hikigaya Hachiman would have 100% targeted them and kicked them out of the race with ease during this past year.
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「Hikigaya Hachiman stayed his hand and was even effectively "sponsoring" his rivals. Anastasia could see this clearly. At first, she was suspicious, cautiously searching for traps; however, as a year passed, facts proved there were no traps. Hikigaya Hachiman was simply doing a good deed.」
「Upon realizing this fact, all of Anastasia's curiosity, vigilance, and doubt naturally turned into affection and sighs of admiration.」
「She was a merchant, and what a merchant feared most was debt. Hikigaya Hachiman sending over such complete business plans was a massive favor—one so large it was priceless. If she left it unpaid, she would be unable to sit still.」
「After some thought, Anastasia made a decision... Her Fox-Dona could actually see through the secret of why the Pleiades Watchtower couldn't be approached. Since Hikigaya Hachiman wanted to enter the tower so badly, she would help him fulfill that wish.」
「Furthermore, the Great Spirit Puck had fallen into a deep sleep and required a massive energy-storing magic crystal to absorb energy and wake up. Anastasia happened to find out the whereabouts of such a crystal, along with some information regarding the Archbishop of Gluttony.」
「By giving all three of these things to Hikigaya Hachiman for free, Anastasia felt that the favor would be largely repaid. It was a pleasant arrangement.」
「But there was one prerequisite.」
「"An invitation to the Water Gate City of Priestella?"」
「In the manor's drawing room, the core members of the Emilia faction gathered to face the messenger. He was a frail, scholarly-looking man named Joshua—Julius's younger brother. Like his brother, he served Anastasia.」
「"Yes, Lady Emilia," Joshua said. "Please be sure to attend. Additionally, Sir Knight Hachiman is a guest specifically named by Lady Anastasia. Please do us the honor."」
「Hikigaya Hachiman opened his mouth in silent resignation. Could he say no? Anastasia had made it clear that because of those business plans, she was extremely curious and wanted to see him in person, and she had brought out all these baits for that purpose. To get that precious intelligence, he had to go.」
「"I understand... tell her I will be there."」
「"Thank you for your understanding, Sir Hachiman. Well then, I shall take my leave and await your arrival." Joshua, who was as polite as his brother, stood up.」
「On the verge of leaving, having completed the task assigned by his liege, he suddenly paused. At this moment, he wasn't acting as an envoy for the Anastasia camp, but as a brother with a brother-complex, eyeing Hikigaya Hachiman with an unfriendly gaze.」
「"...But I don't believe you compare to my brother at all! Brother always praises you, saying you're the best whether as a strategist or a knight—but Brother is the world's number one, invincible, incomparable, best, strongest, most excellent, most amazing person!"」
「Garfiel immediately slammed the table and stood up. "Hah? You brat, looking for a fight? This Great One will take you on! Daring to belittle the General in front of me—have you prepared yourself for death, kid!"」
「Caught between laughter and tears, Hikigaya Hachiman gently shook his head. He stopped the aggressive Garfiel before the conflict escalated further and looked at Joshua kindly.」
「"You're right, I am indeed not as good as Julius. However, Joshua, you must understand that humility and politeness are part of what makes Julius 'the most excellent'."」
「 'As his brother, you can share in his glory, but you shouldn't use such an excessively arrogant attitude to tarnish his reputation.' Joshua caught the subtext; his face turned pale, and he suddenly looked unsteady as he reflected deeply.」
「"I... thank you for your teachings... No, you truly are worthy of Brother's praise. Even if you aren't number one in the world, you're at least number two... Ah, sorry... um, I'll take my leave."」
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"Oh, Joshua."
In the Hoshin Trading Company, Julius gave a helpless smile. He felt happy that his brother admired him, yet found it funny that his brother had made a fool of himself in front of the whole world. "Fortunately, it was the gentle Hachiman-kun who only gave a lesson in words rather than a punishment. You should thank him, Joshua."
In the eyes of everyone else, Joshua's behavior was just that of an over-enthusiastic younger brother; no one was particularly repulsed by it.
Mainly, since Julius and Hikigaya Hachiman were best friends, Joshua was practically like a half-brother to Hachiman. His rudeness could just be seen as a rebellious phase.
Thinking of it that way, there was no hatred, especially since he knew how to reflect.
Compared to the amused Julius, Anastasia—whose eyes were twinkling—and Crusch, far away in the Karsten estate, were filled with a sense of comfort and satisfaction.
"Sir Hachiman's special care..."
Crusch murmured, pursing her lips. Her heart throbbed with excitement and was filled with emotion.
Ferris was especially exuberant, beaming on behalf of his Lady Crusch. "Even though they are all candidates and have all had intimate contact with Hachiman-nyan, Lady Crusch ranks above Lady Priscilla and Lady Felt-nyan! Congratulations-nyan!"
Crusch was about to smile, but looking at Joshua, she thought of Anastasia. She thought of how Anastasia's correspondence was more frequent than her own, and how Anastasia had "intercepted" her Sir Hachiman through sheer persistence.
Her mood immediately became unpleasant again.
"A—na—sta—si—a—"
That "interception" was something she would hold a grudge over for a lifetime!
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