Russell Square, London, UK.
Rita's hair fluttered in the breeze as she tucked a strand behind her ear. The gentle and elegant cityscape before her made Rita pause and take it all in.
"It's been so long since I've been back. A pity there's someone here ruining the scenery…"
Rita turned around with a look of disgust, watching Ryn and Durandal playing soccer with children on the grass behind her.
"Starshatter!" "Supernova Shine!" "Light Particle Burst!"
With every shot, Ryn would call out a magnificent name, never repeating himself. The action was the same, but the move's name was different each time.
"That's enough! Ryn! Just play soccer properly!" Durandal couldn't stand Ryn's chuunibyou proclamations anymore. Although the kids around them were looking at Ryn with eyes full of admiration, Durandal was so embarrassed she felt like she could dig a hole through the grass.
But just then, someone passed the ball to Durandal.
Durandal focused her mind, widened her stance, and watched the ball fly towards her. She took a deep breath and then unleashed a powerful shot.
"This strike shall pierce the stars!"
The soccer ball that flew past her kicked up a violent gust of wind. Ryn flicked his long hair and gave Durandal a sidelong glance.
"You're strong, worthy of being my opponent. But you stand no chance against our team."
The little kids on his team also gathered around Ryn, mimicking his pose and taunting Durandal's team.
"That's right, that's right, big sister, just give up! We're definitely going to win!" "Even though the big sister is amazing, our big sister is even more amazing!"
"You little brat, I'm a boy, call me big brother."
"Huh?! I thought the big sister just had a boyish voice, I didn't realize you were actually a boy!"
"Hmph, talk is cheap. Let's see what you can really do! My star-piercing strike will not be defeated."
Durandal snorted coldly and prepared her little teammates to defend against Ryn's team's upcoming attack.
Smack—, Rita covered her eyes, unable to bear watching any longer.
Although it was supposed to be a game of soccer, it had devolved into a shooting match between Ryn and Durandal. The other little kids on the field were all huddled together in fear.
This wasn't soccer! This was murder...!
Only when the two of them got bored did they return the soccer ball and the field to the children.
"Big sister, you guys are so amazing!" "Can you teach me such amazing moves!" The children cheered, surrounding Ryn and Durandal.
"Uh..." The children's enthusiasm left Durandal at a loss. Reason told her to tell the children they could never achieve this even if they tried their whole lives, but her heart told her not to speak the truth and hurt their feelings.
However, Ryn didn't think as much as Durandal. He laughed heartily and wrapped his arms around these enthusiastic little rascals, earnestly deceiving them.
"As long as you study hard and then train hard, you will definitely be like us in the future! Let me tell you a secret training regimen: 100 push-ups, 100 squats, 100 sit-ups, and a 10km run every day. If you stick to this for several years, you'll be as strong as us!"
"Really?!" "I'm going to do 200 push-ups!" "..."
"Alright, alright..." While the children were making their bold declarations, Ryn grabbed Durandal and made a run for it.
The two of them hadn't run far when Rita, her face dark, silently floated over and squeezed between them.
You two bastards. I just turned my back for a second, and you're holding hands again.
Rita smiled benevolently at Ryn, then bumped him aside with her hip. She then took both of Durandal's hands and looked at her affectionately.
"Ri... Rita! What are you doing here..." Durandal looked in surprise at the suddenly appearing Rita. She had snuck off to the UK for her vacation, not expecting to run into Rita.
"Lady Durandal~ If Lord Ryn can be here... how could I, who is on a mission with Lord Ryn, not be here as well."
The more benevolent Rita's smile, the more... she had been standing there since Durandal started playing soccer, watching as Ryn joined in, and then watching them finish, yet Durandal hadn't noticed her presence at all...
Darn it, it's all Ryn's fault.
"No, Rita, that's not what I meant. It's just that you have a mission this afternoon, I thought you had already left..." Durandal quickly explained. If she didn't, the scent of Rita's jealousy would soon spread for miles.
Ryn just lay there on the ground, took out his phone, and started browsing Schicksal's newly launched aircraft, while also pondering how he was going to mess with Rita later.
Then, Rita took Durandal's hand and walked away.
"Ryn is still over there! Aren't we going to get him?" Durandal stopped Rita and looked back at Ryn on the ground.
"Hehe, Lord Ryn seems so engrossed in his phone, we shouldn't disturb him." Rita smiled and pulled Durandal along, quickening their pace to leave.
Ryn looked speechlessly at the two figures disappearing into the distance. He simply rolled over and started making a call to Kiana and the others.
He had thought that after a month of hard work, he could finally relax for a few days, but a new mission came right away.
*Sob sob sob*~ I haven't even had a chance to have some tender moments with Kiana and Mei.
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Rita took Durandal to a quiet corner of the square, and the two of them sat on a bench to rest.
"I never thought Lady Durandal would choose to vacation in the UK." Rita said, looking happily at Durandal. "Could it be that you were worried about me?"
"Have you forgotten, Rita? I told you a long time ago that I must visit the UK when I have the time. It's just a coincidence that I have time now."
"In that case, please allow me to be your guide and show you around!"
Rita looked at Durandal with a gentle and sweet expression, her slight smile exceedingly beautiful and moving.
Durandal abruptly stood up and turned her back to Rita. Her heart was pounding, faster than usual. Durandal felt her face getting hot, and her tsundere self didn't want Rita to see her blush.
"Rita, don't you still have a mission? Is it really alright for you to accompany me?"
"The meeting is in 3 hours and 45 minutes. Please rest assured."
"Then... I'll leave it to you."
"As you wish~"
Rita's smile was full of joy. Even though Durandal had turned around, she couldn't hide her blush, especially since even her ears had turned bright red~
Oh, right, I forgot about that annoying guy.
This was supposed to be a wonderful date meticulously planned by Rita, a beautiful time for just her and Durandal.
Why did that bastard Ryn have to come along!
Rita gritted her teeth as she watched Ryn chatting and laughing with Durandal while they shopped. She walked up in a huff and punched Ryn twice.