Chivalry of a Dark Knight [Batman x Rakudai Kishi no Cavalry]

CH18: Golden Week (prt 3)

The group looked on as the two 'girls' disappeared, with the exception of Bruce who rolled his eyes and proceeded with the rest of his routine: doing a series of Katas.

Taking a few steps away from the group, Bruce's body moved and cycled through each form and strike with such mechanical precision that like it was second nature to him. So focused he was in his steps that he almost didn't notice Ikki silently taking up a spot to his side and performing the same series of Katas as he was.

Bruce nodded as if he just accepted a silent challenge and the two of them went through the motions perfectly in sync like one was the shadow of the other, despite the differences in their height and frames.

Shizuku couldn't help but stare at the sight. She had always been enamored by Ikki's training but seeing him and Bruce being like mirror images made her feel strangely conflicted.

"They're very similar."

Both those words and the voice who said them caught Shizuku by surprise but when she quickly turned towards the speaker, her brows fell into an annoyed frown.

Ayase, who had taken a seat beside her, looked towards the two males with a small smile that bordered on fascination and amusement.

"It's strange isn't it? How different Wayne-san and Kurogane-kun are in some aspects but completely the same in others?" she noted.

Shizuku ignored her but silently turned her sights back towards Ikki and Bruce, almost like she was considering her words. She wished Alice was still with her right now, despite how miffed she felt about her roommate being friendly towards Ayatsuji, he would've at least kept her busy.

Not to mention that him going off with Stella like that also got on her nerves and she only felt more antsy when Ayase all of a sudden scooted closer to her.

"By the way, Kurogane-chan." she whispered to her.

"Yes, what is it?" Shizuku asked with annoyance.

"Are...Vermillion-san and Kurogane-kun romantically involved?"

The youngest Kurogane's eyes popped open before she spun towards the senior in offense.

"Excuse me!?" Shizuku exclaimed.

Her reaction made Ayase scoot away nervously while holding up her palms in an attempt to calm her down.

"D-d-don't take it the wrong way. I just thought that as his sister, you would know."

Shizuku scowled at her with intense suspicion.

"The better question is: Why is Senpai asking something like that all of a sudden? Do you have some intentions for Onii-sama?"

Ayase's face immediately flushed bright red at the thought and it took her a second to react by rapidly waving her hands in denial.

"Whu!? No! It's nothing like that!"

"Why? Because you hate boys?" Shizuku asked in a mocking doubtful tone.

Surprisingly, Ayase paused at that accusation and actually clarified with her.

"Th-that's not true. I don't hate boys. I...I'm just nervous around them, that's all. As a matter a fact, I actually love boys."

As inappropriate as that last part sounded, she was being truthful. Despite her shy demeanor, Ayase is a romantic at heart who also dreams of falling in love someday like most girls her age. However, her only experience in the ways of love have come from Shoujo/Josei manga and light novels.

As a matter a fact, her only reason for asking about Ikki and Stella was for her both growing curiosity and for her to confirm her suspicions about them; considering that she also wondered if Stella was giving off mixed signals when it came to Bruce.