People must pay the price for their own choices.
If you choose to stay up late, you must accept the consequences of oversleeping or waking up without the slightest motivation.
"Good morning, Izuna."
Because I stayed up far too late, I nearly overslept. I arrived at the meeting point right on time and greeted Izuna, who had clearly been waiting for quite a while.
Today the little fox looked even livelier than yesterday. The moment she saw me, her eyes lit up, and her fluffy big tail swished cheerfully behind her.
"Shishou! Good morning! What kind of training are we doing today?"
At the moment, I was in a very awkward position. Due to yesterday's unexpected busyness and exhaustion, I actually hadn't prepared any so-called ninja training.
I did try to look up some reference material on the way here, but soon realized something obvious: cramming last-minute wouldn't work.
After all, the one I had to deal with was Izuna, who was completely obsessed with ninjas.
While Izuna's innocence meant she could be fooled with lofty-sounding theory, when it came to actual training, who knew how much she had already practiced herself?
Suggesting something too absurd would make her suspicious. And even worse as the supposedly experienced Sensei, I would have to demonstrate any training method I proposed.
In short, I realized that unless I spent a great deal of time developing a solid training system capable of convincing Izuna, who had actual ninja experience, my plan needed to change completely.
For example, I could pull Izuna into a field where I might actually have some advantage, then "defeat" her using what little experience I did have.
I looked at the lively, adorable fox girl in front of me and invited warmly, "Would you like to walk around the festival with me?"
According to my very broad definition that everything can be part of the ninja way, going on a date could count as ninja training too.
Anyway, all I really needed from the beginning was Izuna's affection. As long as I didn't use anything too sinister, the method didn't matter, the result was what mattered.
And frankly, enjoying a festival together was much more effective at deepening bonds than any dull training.
I could always make up a link to the ninja way afterward.
She was obviously someone who had never gone out with someone her age before. Meaning the entire narrative was mine to shape.
This could work!
"I'd be honored∼"
Izuna smiled and agreed without thinking, but then suddenly realized something was off.
"Wait! Shishou said today we would start the promised ninja training! Why is it suddenly a festival? Ah! Don't tell me Shishou never planned to train me?! Is this a fox-leading-out-of-the-mountain trick?!"
Why is she suddenly sharp at times like this?
This was not the moment to explain. It was time to divert her attention and regain control.
I let my expression dim and spoke in a hurt tone. "So… Izuna doesn't want to spend time with me?"
"Wh…what?! Of course I do… uh… eh…?"
Flustered, Izuna scrambled to deny it. Even though she still felt something was wrong, she became completely confused.
Even if she had stumbled upon my ulterior motive, Izuna was still Izuna, very easy to handle.
But as soon as I realized I was tricking someone this gullible, guilt rose in me, then instantly turned toward hostility toward the Smug Professor, the likely mastermind behind all this.
If it weren't for that professor I had never met, how would I have ended up manipulating the pure heart of an innocent girl like this?
It was all the smug professor's fault!
To make up for having to bamboozle Izuna, the least I could do was ensure she had as much fun at the festival as possible. Both apologizing and indulging myself at once, truly a win-win.
Having decided to turn ninja training into a date and certain Izuna wouldn't refuse, I smiled.
"I see. Then if you like it, let's go."
"Eh? O-ok…"
Hearing my straightforward answer, the little fox looked like she wanted to argue, but being kind, gentle, and a proper ninja girl, she only swallowed her objections and obediently followed.
At first, she still looked conflicted, likely thinking about the promised training.
But soon enough, she completely forgot about it and immersed herself in the festival atmosphere, enjoying herself wholeheartedly.
"Shishou! Look! Over there! They're selling special cherry blossom flavored dango!"
Izuna tugged my sleeve excitedly, pointing toward a very busy food stall.
With the climax of the Cherry Blossom Festival approaching, the crowds had grown even more. Despite it being only morning, the energy already surpassed yesterday.
I could imagine how crowded it would be during the fireworks. And I could also understand the concern of the festival operations committee.
After all, the Cherry Blossom Festival was one of Hyakkiyako Academy's most famous traditions. If Street Mouryo caused a disaster here, the backlash against Shizuko and her team would be enormous.
And as a member of Street Mouryo, Izuna might even be wanted by the authorities. If she failed to conceal her identity, she could be made an example of and suspended like Wakamo.
Thinking about it, Izuna was unknowingly in danger. I had to pull her away from it, even if it meant becoming the bad guy.
Right now, the most important thing was letting Izuna enjoy the festival fully.
I set aside the heavy thoughts and glanced again toward the dango stall. With that crowd, who knew how long we'd have to wait.
Just then, someone familiar caught my eye. A red figure squeezing out of the crowd.
After escaping, the girl patted her flat chest and sighed in relief, closing her eyes happily and opening her mouth wide to taste the dango she fought so hard for.
And then a stray cat darted out and brushed her leg.
Startled, the red twin-tailed girl dropped the dango. It rolled on the ground several times, picking up dirt. No longer edible.
Akashi Junko from the Gourmet Research Society froze, watching as a passerby stepped on it as well, despair filling her face.
Gritting her teeth, Junko plunged back into the crowd. She did not notice me holding back laughter nearby.
After a moment of subtle schadenfreude, I suddenly realized something important.
If Junko was here… the other three might be too.
Considering the Gourmet Research Society's terrifying mobility and destructive power, to avoid interference I came up with an excuse and took the excited Izuna to a different street.
Soon enough, she spotted her next target.
"Shishou! Look! Inari sushi!"
I stared at the very familiar food truck… and the very familiar person working inside… and slowly fell silent.
Wasn't SRT supposed to be under strict lockdown? Yukino never told me she had leave. So what was this pink fox doing here?
From afar, the pink haired, blue eyed girl served customers with a natural gentle smile, completely hiding the fact she was among SRT's elite.
I instinctively pondered why she was here.
Did she sneak out? Was she here specifically because of me? And where were the other two squadmates, those specialists in gossip?
Question after question surfaced, until I arrived at a simple, effective solution that would solve all problems at once.
Should I ask Lady Shiranui to tighten SRT's management…?
No, that would be too scummy.
Seeing that FOX Squad's vice commander Niko seemed to be genuinely enjoying the festival and hadn't noticed me, I concluded she was probably here on private time. Nothing to do with me.
Still, to be safe, I moved Izuna again.
This time, we didn't run into anyone else.
Izuna's excited cry followed right after.
"Ah! This sweet smell… it's cotton candy!"
…Why did it feel like Izuna's attention was entirely focused on food?
While I mentally complained, the little fox had already sprinted over, bought a stick, and returned. She opened her mouth and took a big bite out of the fluffy white sugar.
Her eyes narrowed happily at the overwhelming sweetness.
"Mmm∼ it's so sweet∼"
As she spoke, she seemed to think of something. She held the cotton candy up to my mouth and said expectantly, "Shishou∼ you should have a bite too∼"
Seeing Izuna smiling at me so sincerely and defenselessly, I felt ashamed of my earlier assumptions.
A true ninja should be like this, quick to identify nearby resources and efficient in replenishing energy for emergencies.
That was Izuna for you.
I couldn't bring myself to reject her kindness. At the same time, being mindful of propriety, I deliberately bit into the same spot she had bitten, to show I had no ulterior motives and that my heart was open and upright.
Obviously, purposely avoiding her bite mark would mean I had something to hide, right?
This was probably my second time showing Izuna my outstanding moral standards in this regard.
I said earnestly to the adorable little fox, "It really is sweet, Izuna."
It felt even sweeter than normal cotton candy. She must have used some ninja technique on it. Something like Water Release.
Izuna beamed. "Right? It's super sweet∼"
A sweet little fox, holding sweet cotton candy, smiling sweetly at me.
Suddenly my heart, traitorous as ever, began beating violently.
I thought… I might actually be falling for Izuna.
At that moment, Izuna looked at the single spot bitten on the cotton candy and finally realized what had happened.
Her smile faded. Shyness and nervousness spread across her cheeks. She lowered her head, then sneaked a look at me. Seeing that I outwardly looked completely unaffected, she relaxed. Though for some reason, also seemed just a bit disappointed.
Izuna herself didn't understand what she was feeling.
With such different thoughts in our hearts, we continued walking through the festival.
Unknowingly, I found we had wandered back to the area near the observation deck Izuna said was her favorite yesterday, the one where she could overlook the streets and see the sacred tree at the same time.
"Ah∼ Shishou, open your mouth∼"
I obediently opened my mouth, and a chopstickful of noodles entered.
Izuna had bought a box of yakisoba from a food stall and insisted on feeding me because, according to dramas, it was a disciple's duty to serve their master.
It almost felt like I was the one enjoying the festival more than Izuna.
After swallowing the noodles, I looked at the cheerful fox girl and couldn't help asking:
"Izuna, are you having fun?"
"Mhm! I really love the Hyakkiyako Cherry Blossom Festival! And also…"
Izuna paused.
"…and also, being able to be here with Shishou makes me super happy!"
If that was the case, then nothing could be better.
But then a thought struck me. What would Izuna think if she learned that her employer's true goal was to sabotage the festival she loved most?
It would definitely hurt her. And even someone as innocent as Izuna would start doubting my motives for approaching her.
After all, Izuna and I had known each other only a bit over one day. Our bond wasn't deep or unshakable, and we didn't understand each other very well.
Our relationship was built entirely on exchanged goodwill. One breach of trust could shatter it at any moment.
That would be the worst outcome.
But if I looked at it from another angle… telling Izuna the truth might cause her to choose justice over her ninja code, turning to my side and revealing her employer's identity.
Assuming her devotion to the ninja way wasn't far beyond what I imagined, that could very well happen.
Just then, my phone chimed.
I told the little fox beside me that I needed a moment and opened momotalk. The message was from Shizuko, who was supposed to be searching for Street Mouryo with the Inner Discipline Club.
Shizuko: Sensei, where are you? Have you found any Street Mouryo members?
Me: No, I'm currently at… and I also walked through several nearby streets earlier. While I was there, none of the Street Mouryo members appeared.
Me: What's going on?
Shizuko: Same here.
Shizuko: Argh! Normally they pop out everywhere even when you DON'T want to see them! But now that we're trying to find them, they're nowhere to be found!
Shizuko: They're definitely causing trouble somewhere right now…
Me: Calm down, Shizuko.
Me: If you can't find them anywhere, they might just be hiding in the dark preparing for a big move.
Shizuko: …
Shizuko: Sensei, how am I supposed to calm down after hearing that?!
Shizuko: I never thought we'd be blocked at step one of the plan…
Shizuko: Ugh…
Shizuko: Anyway, once you're done over there, please contact us quickly so we can regroup and discuss new countermeasures.
The other team had pretty much failed.
"Shishou, is everything okay?"
"I'm fine."
I shook my head, paused, then asked in a deep voice:
"Izuna, you don't want the Cherry Blossom Festival to be canceled… right?"