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Chapter 74: Success Rate
Having finished his grueling sparring session with Welf and Mikoto, Tsuna headed back into Orario.
"I wonder if I overdid it a bit..."
Walking through the streets, Tsuna reflected on the day's training. To answer their resolve, he hadn't gone all out, but he had fought as seriously as he safely could. He had treated their injuries with his Sun Flames afterward, but he was still worried about them.
"You look troubled."
"Eh?"
As Tsuna walked with his head down, a familiar voice called out to him from ahead.
"Finn?"
Looking up, Tsuna saw the Pallum captain standing in his path.
"Hello. Loki told me about your upcoming War Game. It sounds like quite the ordeal."
"Yeah. That's why we're training."
"Judging by your tone, you don't intend to fight on the front lines yourself."
Finn knew that if Tsuna truly wanted to, he could win against the Apollo Familia single-handedly without a second of training. He immediately deduced from Tsuna's demeanor that the boy was intentionally holding back.
"Do you have a strategy in mind?"
"Yeah. Honestly, it's a total gamble, though."
"Would you mind sharing it with me?"
"Eh?"
"I personally want you to win this as well. After seeing Bell Cranel fight that Minotaur and witnessing the technique you used to destroy the Spirit, I've become quite the fan of your Familia. So, I'd like to offer my assistance."
"Eh!? Really!?"
"The rules forbid outside participation, but they don't forbid giving advice. Or am I not reliable enough for you?"
"N-Not at all!!"
Having witnessed Finn's brilliant tactical command firsthand during the expedition, Tsuna knew firsthand the sheer greatness of his command. Having Finn review their plan was an absolute godsend.
.....
Tsuna and Finn relocated to a nearby café to discuss the War Game strategy in detail.
"I see… It is certainly an all-or-nothing gamble, but if you pull it off, you can completely control the battlefield."
Finn remained perfectly composed, analyzing Tsuna's wild strategy without a hint of surprise.
"Did you come up with this plan yourself?"
"I came up with the core idea, but Lili figured out the specific mechanics to actually execute it."
"Her, huh…"
"So, what do you think of the plan?"
"Honestly, from a tactical standpoint, there is nothing I can add. The plan is sound. If anything is missing… it would be the staging."
"Staging?"
"Yes. When the moment arrives, I want you to say this."
Finn leaned in and relayed a specific phrase to Tsuna. Hearing it, Tsuna felt his face heat up in embarrassment.
"A-Am I really supposed to say that…?"
"It's an all-or-nothing gamble anyway. I think it's worth adding a little flair, don't you?"
"Wait, I'm the one who has to do it?"
"You're the most qualified. Besides, compared to the carnage in the deep floors, a little acting is nothing, right?"
"I mean, I guess, but…"
"Whether you do it or not is entirely up to you. I merely provided a suggestion. The rest is in your hands."
.....
After wrapping up his consultation with Finn, Tsuna left the café.
"Ah. Tsuna~"
"Lunoire."
As the Hostess of Fertility came into view, Lunoire was standing by the entrance, waving him over.
"Perfect timing. Ryuu has some business with you."
"Ryuu does?"
"Hold on, I'll go call her, so wait here."
"Y-Yeah…"
Lunoire marched into the tavern to fetch the elf.
"Honestly!! Why are you so high-maintenance!?"
"L-Let go of me, Lunoire!!"
"You were the one who brought this up in the first place!! Don't wimp out now!!"
W-What is going on…!?
Lunoire was forcefully dragging Ryuu by the collar, hauling her toward the entrance. Ryuu planted her feet and resisted with all her might, but she was no match for Lunoire's raw strength and was unceremoniously yanked out into the street.
Tsuna watched the bizarre struggle, utterly bewildered and unsure of how to react.
"Here!! Now go talk to him!!"
Lunoire shoved Ryuu hard in the back with both hands, sending the elf stumbling forward directly into Tsuna.
"D-Don't come any closer to me!!"
"Gufu!?"
The moment she was shoved into his personal space, Ryuu violently shoved Tsuna away. Caught completely off guard, Tsuna was sent flying backward, smacking the back of his head hard against the cobblestone.
"What the hell are you doing!?"
"B-Because you shoved me!! I-It was an act of force majeure!!"
Lunoire immediately laid into Ryuu for attacking Tsuna exactly like she had done in the past, while a blushing Ryuu desperately tried to defend her actions.
"Owwwww!!"
Seriously, what is wrong with this girl…
Lunoire was also secretly astounded by Tsuna's ridiculous durability, noting that he had taken a full-force shove from a Level 4 and only complained about a bumped head.
"U-Umm… does this 'business' you have with me involve… beating me up…!?"
"A-Absolutely not!! I-I just… um…!!"
Ryuu's face flushed bright red. She fidgeted nervously, awkwardly rubbing her thighs together.
"A-Actually, it's been decided that I will participate in your War Game as the outside helper...!!"
"Eh!? You are, Ryuu!?"
"Y-Yes…!!"
"B-But… aren't you a resident of Orario? I thought the helper had to be from outside the city."
"Astrea-sama is currently outside the city, so it does not violate the rules…"
"Oh, right. But won't your identity be exposed…?"
"Lord Hermes has promised to handle the concealment…"
"Hermes-sama did?"
"Apparently, the rules of this War Game were decided by a lottery drawn by Lord Hermes… Feeling responsible for the outcome, he personally requested my assistance… Therefore, I can fight alongside you."
"Really!?"
Learning that a Level 4 veteran like Ryuu was joining their side drastically increased their chances of success, and Tsuna's face lit up with joy.
"T-That is all I had to say… F-Farewell!!"
"Not so fast!!"
Ryuu tried to bolt back into the tavern, but Lunoire snatched her by the scruff of the neck, freezing her in place.
"You have something you want to give him, don't you!?"
"Something to give me?"
"Come on. Ryuu."
Prompted by Lunoire's glaring, Ryuu reluctantly reached into her right pocket and pulled something out.
"W-What's this…?"
"It's an a-amulet…"
It was an amulet. However, calling it an amulet was being generous; it was incredibly ragged, with stuffing poking out of the seams in several places.
"I-I owe you a debt of gratitude...!! When I heard about the War Game, I started making this… I never imagined I would actually be fighting in it alongside you, though…!!"
"Wait, is this for me?"
"Y-Yes…!!"
Refusing to meet his eyes, Ryuu thrust the amulet forward, her face practically glowing red.
"Ryuu is just clumsy. Believe it or not, this is actually one of the better ones she's made."
"L-Lunoire!! Stop saying unnecessary things!!"
"So, take it, won't you? She worked really hard making it just for you."
"L-Lunoireeee…!!"
Lunoire shot Tsuna a playful wink, causing Ryuu to let out a pathetic, humiliated whine.
"Are you sure I can have it?"
"Y-You'll accept it…!?"
"Yeah. There's no reason for me to refuse."
Tsuna reached out to take the amulet, and Ryuu extended her hand to offer it.
""Ah.""
Suddenly, the knot holding the amulet slipped, and it tumbled toward the ground. Both of them panicked and lunged to catch it before it hit the dirt.
O-Oh crap…!!
Lunoire saw it happen in slow motion. Tsuna managed to catch the amulet, but in doing so, his hand clamped directly over Ryuu's.
Elves were notoriously strict about physical contact, outright rejecting the touch of anyone they hadn't personally acknowledged. Knowing this full well, Lunoire vividly imagined Ryuu sending Tsuna flying with another punch.
But that didn't happen.
""Eh…!?""
Ryuu's hand was completely enveloped by Tsuna's. Yet, she showed absolutely no signs of rejection. Realizing what had just happened, both of them froze in place, utterly stunned.
"A-Ah, sorry!!"
"N-No!!"
Snapping out of their daze, they hurriedly yanked their hands away from each other.
"S-So it feels like it's fine...?"
"I-It seems so…"
"R-Right… A-Anyway, thanks for the amulet. I'll see you at the War Game!!"
Unable to handle the intensely awkward atmosphere, Tsuna blurted out his thanks and sprinted away as fast as his legs could carry him.
I didn't expect Sawada-san to be an acceptable person…
Ryuu stared down at her hand, realizing that Tsuna had apparently cleared her subconscious threshold for physical intimacy.
"Good for you, Ryuu. If you can touch him, you can date him without any problems."
"!?"
Lunoire whispered teasingly into Ryuu's ear, causing the elf's face and ears to burn a violent shade of crimson.
Gasp!!
Amidst her panic, Ryuu suddenly felt multiple intense gazes piercing her back. Snapping back to reality, she slowly, fearfully turned her head to look behind her. Standing there with massive smirks on their faces were Anya and Chloe, alongside a brightly smiling Syr.
"To think our Ryuu would…"
"This just got incredibly interesting, nya~"
T-This is the worst…!!
Seeing Chloe and Anya grinning like absolute menaces made Ryuu want to sink into the floor.
"I'm so happy for you. You finally found your destined partner, Ryuu."
"Y-You're wrong, Syr!! I absolutely do not view him in that way…!!"
"Make sure to invite us to the wedding."
"It's a misunderstandingggggggggg!!"
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