Cardfight!! Vanguard: Generations Volume 5 [Yukina Sympathy]

- Part 3

"Like I said before. From now on, you belong to me, Takanori-san."

Saionji chuckled and packed away her cards. Likewise, I did the same.

My fate this summer was sealed with this loss.

I was going to participate in Project MF.

"Welcome aboard. I'm looking forward to seeing what you can do."

I languidly nodded.

Saionji took out a contract from her bag and handed it to me.

"Sign here. You're free to read through it, but it's basically a consent form, a waiver, and an NDA combined as a single document."

I flicked through the contract, skim reading it, before looking up at Saionji.

"...is there anything else I need to do beforehand?"

"Not particularly. Everything's been set up for you, so there's no worries there."

"I see. In that case, may I borrow a pen please?"

"Of course, since you asked so politely."

Saionji took a pen from her jacket's pocket and handed it to me. Using it, I signed the contact and handed it back to her.

"Thank you for your cooperation. Now, all you need to do is talk with Mikazuchi-san and he'll instruct you on what to do next."

"Alright. Do you know where he is?"

"I don't. If you want, I can call him to come back here."

"...yeah, that would be appreciated. Thanks."

"No problem."

She took out her phone and called him before turning back to me.

"Mikazuchi-san said he'll be here in five minutes, give or take."

"Alright."

I nodded before scratching the back of my head and sitting down.

"Since my business here is done, I'm going to take my leave now."

I looked up at Saionji who was ready to leave the faculty building.

Just as I was about to nod, I hesitated.

Something from earlier bothered me, nagging me to stop.

"...wait, Saionji-san."

"Hmm? What is it?"

Before I knew it, the words I hadn't been able to say earlier began tumbling out.

"I... I want to know something about you."

"About me?"

She looked half-surprised and half-amused at my sudden interest in her. It made sense, considering I had been so hostile towards her this entire time...

"Earlier, during the fight... you said that I reminded you of yourself when you were younger."

"Indeed, I did."

"I wanted to know... how did you know that freedom wasn't what you actually wanted?"

Saionji put a finger to her chin and hummed.

"Well, that's certainly a question I've never been asked before. To be honest with you, there was no defining moment where I realised the freedom I had obtained wasn't working for me. I just enjoyed myself to the fullest, not being bound to anything, indulging in hedonism, and disregarding the consequences of my lifestyle. Pleasure was the only thing on my mind during those days. However, I think as a result of that immense satisfaction, something else changed inside of me. I should have been happy, and I was happy, that I got to live the life I always desired... but as a result, what sprouted in my heart was hollow irritation."