14-Rank test ②



 
 Unaware of this kind of interaction between Shizuka and the others, and a few hours after Mari had decided to be careful not to let Yuto fall for the wrong girl, Yuto was in the lobby of a huge hotel in Shinagawa with only three days' worth of changes of clothes.
 With the invitation letter sent by the World Organization of Gifted Persons in hand, he reviewed the schedule again.

I checked in, and the briefing will be held on the third floor, right? It's a bit early, but what should I do? Hmmm? Oh, there's a coffee shop.

 Can Yuto find a coffee shop in the hotel to pass the time? So I walked to the front of the shop.
 But when I saw the order list posted in front of the store, I froze.

'It's so expensive.... Why does a cup of coffee cost so much?

 As Yuto was thinking seriously while looking at the order list in front of the store, a group of people entered from the front entrance of the hotel.
 That group was in the form of several adults in suits, and a girl wearing a blue formal dress was walking around with her long black hair swinging.
 However, from everyone's point of view, the girl's appearance was exactly grumpy itself.

''What the hell, already! Those idiots! I don't want to feel bad. There is no time and place for this. I can't believe you're asking me to win on a day like this, at all!

 The squire, Kamizen Meira, responded to his master's words as if he were talking to himself in a matter-of-fact manner.

''That's because Mizuho-sama professes with gusto that she's only interested in men stronger than me.''

'I don't remember saying that! Why do people always assume that!

''Then, Mizuho-sama won't deny it, because she'll take them down.

'You can't help it! It's already a pain in the ass. If I don't, they'll just keep coming back to me, and they'll be boring! Mostly because of your last blind date! You're so proud of yourself for not having much to offer.

''No, that man was the eldest son of the Mikuriya family, and there were no problems with his abilities or family background...''

You were so weak!

''Mizuho-sama is too strong. And please don't put down every single man who comes near you. You need to be a little more ladylike, as the eldest daughter of the Shitennji family. It won't be easy for us to deal with the aftermath, either.

I know, I know! Hmm? Hey, you're in the way! If you won't go into the store, then get out of there!

 As usual, Yuto, who had been pondering on the shop floor, stuttered and turned around and retreated to the side.

''Oh, I'm sorry!''

 Except for the grumpy expression on her face, there stood a girl with black hair and a purely Japanese-style appearance. Although her outfit was a formal dress, her appearance gave a sense of Yamato Nadeshiko, and there was a striking atmosphere to it.
 Hmph! The girl said, and as she was about to enter the store, she pivoted and stopped in front of Yuto.

''Hm? Are you........gifted?

'What? Oh, yes.....

Do you want to compete with me?

What?

 Masato doesn't understand the meaning of what he's saying and gets flustered.
 The girl in question ignored the troubled Yuto and disappeared quietly into the coffee shop that Yuto was wondering whether to enter. The adults in suits who were following her also follow her.

(What's that? (What the hell...)

 As Yuto looked away dumbfounded, Akera, who was at the tail end of the group, bowed her head.

''I'm very sorry. He didn't mean any offense with that one, so please don't worry about it.''

 After saying that, Akera let out a big sigh and locked eyes with Yuto.

''By the way, you.......you said you're an able-bodied person. Since I'm here at your age, did you also come to take the rookie test?

'What? Oh, yes.....

'I see. Then you might be in sync with our selfish princess. Well, that is if you can get the rank. My name is Kamizen Meira, I serve the Shitennji family. Excuse me, but what's your name?

Ah, I'm Yuto Du Du. Nice to meet you.

"Du Du..... I've never heard of it. Do you come from a family of gifted people?

It's...

 Then, from inside the store, "Hurry up! Meira! I can hear the angry shouts of

"Haha. Haha, you're in trouble, aren't you? Then I'll see you later, Mr. Dou Dou Dou.

 With a light bow, the squire, who called himself Shinzen, walked into the coffee shop.
 While watching it off, Masato wondered if the girl from earlier had noticed this leaking spiritual power of his, and he felt a little bit more relaxed.

 In the end, Masato passed the time while walking around the perimeter of the hotel's rather large grounds.