"Take responsibility?" Haruki repeated the words, his expression remaining as flat and unreadable as a stone wall.
Julis, realizing how the phrase sounded outside of a tactical context, went scarlet. She waved her hands frantically. "I mean as a partner! Don't get any weird ideas! I'm a Princess, and you're... well, you're just you! If we team up, you have to commit to my training, my strategy, and our victory. No half-hearted effort. No running away when things get tough. That's what I mean by responsibility!"
Haruki sighed. "I think you're the one getting weird ideas. I already said I'd see this through to the end. My word is my bond."
Julis huffed, crossing her arms to hide her trembling fingers. "Fine. Then it's a deal. But don't expect me to be nice to you just because we're teammates."
"I wouldn't dream of it," Haruki replied.
The two of them stood in the fading light of the courtyard. The ambush had been thwarted, and a partnership—forged in fire and awkwardness—had been born.
"We should get to the administration office before they close," Julis muttered, turning her back to Haruki so he couldn't see her lingering blush. "The registration for the Phoenix Festa needs to be finalized."
"Lead the way," Haruki said.
As they walked, Haruki's Sense of Fluctuation remained active. He knew the sniper was still out there, and he knew that by siding with Julis, he had just painted a massive target on his own back.
Good, he thought, his hand brushing the hilt of his blade. The faster they come, the faster I can cut them down.
After a tedious hour of digital signatures and biometric scans at the administration office, Haruki and Julis were officially registered as a pair for the upcoming Phoenix Festa.
President Claudia Enfield met them outside the office, a knowing, playful smirk on her face. "Oh my, that was fast. I knew you two would hit it off, but I didn't expect a formal partnership on day one. You certainly don't waste time, Aizawa-kun."
"It was a logical decision," Haruki said, ignoring the "shipping" subtext in Claudia's tone.
"It was a necessity!" Julis snapped. "He's the only one who doesn't fall over when I look at him. That's all."
"Of course, Julis. Of course," Claudia giggled. She then turned her attention to Haruki. "Since you're a Special Cadet now, your housing has been upgraded. You won't be in the standard freshman barracks. You'll be staying in the Elite Wing of the Seidokan Dormitories."
Haruki raised an eyebrow. "Is that near the girls' wing?"
Julis stiffened, her turquoise eyes narrowing. "Why do you care? Thinking of 'accidentally' wandering into my room again?"
"I'm thinking of my commute," Haruki replied dryly. "The less I have to walk, the more I can train."
Claudia handed Haruki a keycard. "It's actually in the same building as Julis's suite. High security, private training rooms, and the best cafeteria in Asterisk. Consider it a perk of being Seidokan's new secret weapon."
Julis looked like she wanted to protest, but the thought of having Haruki nearby—especially after the sniper attack—offered a flicker of security she was loath to admit. She huffed and began walking toward the dorms.
"Well? Are you coming or not, 'Partner'?"
Haruki nodded to Claudia and followed the Princess.
The evening air was cool, and the neon lights of Asterisk began to hum with life. As they reached the Elite Wing, Julis stopped in front of a sleek, heavy door.
"This is my floor," she said. "Yours is the one directly above mine. If you hear anything... I mean, if you see anything suspicious, you better let me know immediately."
"I'll hear it before you see it," Haruki promised.
Julis lingered for a second, her hand on the door handle. "Goodnight, Haruki."
"Goodnight."
Haruki watched her enter her room before heading up to his own. His new quarters were spacious—a minimalist's dream. He dropped his bag and went straight to the center of the room, sitting cross-legged on the floor.
He drew his blade, resting it across his lap. He could feel the Darkin energy simmering beneath his skin, still eager to break free after his return from the Black Bullet world. He closed his eyes, sinking into a deep state of meditation.
The Phoenix Festa was coming. The assassins were watching. And Haruki Aizawa was just getting started.
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