A Vengeful Retribution

Chapter 27: Normalcy

3rd POV

Later during a break session, Tatenashi introduces Kanzashi to Ichika, who was with Yap, Laura, Cecilia, Houki, Charlotte and Rin. 

"Ah, Class 1-4, right?" Yap Haruto offered a polite smile, a hand out. "I've heard how you made it with Uchigane Nishiki during the tag tournament. Sure, you held well, but your ferocity is quite.. admirable." He said as he chose the last words carefully.

Kanzashi Sarashiki blinked, ever so slightly flustered by the sudden attention. Her grip tightened reflexively on the tablet she was holding before she hesitantly reached out to shake Yap's hand. Her eyes flicked up, briefly meeting his.

"Th-thank you," she muttered, trying not to appear too caught off guard. "I... I just did what I could. Compared to most of you, I'm still catching up."

"Oh don't be so modest," Tatenashi cut in smoothly, a playful edge to her voice as she slid an arm over her younger sister's shoulder. "She might be quiet, but Kanzashi here gave a lot of those third years a surprise during the tournament. Especially with that last counter she pulled off in the semi-finals."

Houki nodded with her arms crossed. "I remember that. It was clean. You didn't overextend."

Charlotte chimed in with a warm smile. "Yeah, honestly, I thought you were going to retreat at that moment, but you flipped it into a perfect counter. Very gutsy."

Laura gave Kanzashi an unreadable look. "Still too hesitant," she muttered, sipping her tea. "But not bad."

Cecilia rolled her eyes. "Oh please, Laura—coming from someone who practically declared a one-woman war during her own first match."

Yap, meanwhile, still kept his gaze on Kanzashi. Not in a judgmental way, but with an analytical glint, the kind that unnerved even the most confident of students.

"But still," he said, withdrawing his hand smoothly, "for someone piloting a unit like the Nishiki, your decision-making under pressure was... deliberate. Controlled."

He leaned back slightly, folding his arms behind his head. "You remind me of someone I used to train with. Not flashy, but deadly when you get in rhythm."

Kanzashi looked down for a moment, cheeks a faint pink. "That's... kind of you to say."

Ichika, watching this unfold, blinked in mild surprise. "Wow, Haruto, that's probably the nicest thing I've heard you say about anyone who didn't try to fight you."

Yap gave a soft laugh. "Can't help it. Talent deserves to be acknowledged."

Tatenashi grinned, clearly enjoying the dynamic between everyone. "Looks like you're earning the respect of even our academy's most unpredictable powerhouse, Kanzashi."

Kanzashi blinked again. "Unpredictable...?"

Laura nodded solemnly. "Yap here has only two modes: silent analysis, and... destruction. In combat"

Cecilia sipped her tea with a sigh. "Honestly, I sometimes forget he's still technically a first year."

Yap smiled lightly, the edges of his expression unreadable. "Technically."

Just as the atmosphere settled into a quieter rhythm, Charlotte suddenly looked toward Ichika.

"Wait, Ichika—did you ever figure out your costume for the cultural fest play?"

Ichika blinked. "Wait, that's still happening?"

As the group devolved into groans, laughter, and mild chaos over forgotten events and upcoming rehearsals, Yap simply leaned back in his seat, gaze turning toward the sky.