Love You Seventh Day: 01 [Sayoko Mido] ★ (62) (Patreon)

*Seventh Day: 01 [Sayoko Mido] ★*

She checked the clock. It displayed "Saturday, October 31st, 7:30."

It was still early for the meeting time they had decided on. Even so, Sayoko quickly finished getting ready and stepped out of the entrance. At the meeting place, the midpoint between their two houses, Erika was already waiting.

Whether it was footsteps or just presence, she noticed Sayoko walking toward her.

"Good morning, Sacchan."

Erika greeted her with a smile, waving her hand lightly.

There was no sign of haggardness on her face. Her complexion was good, and the dark circles under her eyes were barely visible. Above all, unlike yesterday, she felt alive.

...However, Sayoko couldn't honestly rejoice at that.

(She's getting used to it.)

It was a sensation Sayoko recognized in herself.

Erika. That gentle Erika.

She understood that Erika was in the process of stepping off the path of humanity... and Sayoko felt a pain as if her own heart were being crushed.

But even so, even so.

"Good morning, Eri-chan!"

She forced a smile and returned the greeting.

(It’s fine.)

She walked up to Erika and clung to her arm.

(Because you are here, alive again today.)

◆

Holding hands, fingers interlaced, the two walked side by side. Slowly. More slowly than usual.

There was no conversation. The warmth of their overlapping hands was everything they could feel.

While glancing sideways at Erika's somewhat cheerful profile, Sayoko sighed.

(There are seven contenders left.)

The thirteen contenders who existed before the start of the sixth round had been nearly halved last night.

Except for [Heartbreak], who had taken the default win slot just as Kyoka predicted, all other matches had been settled without a draw.

The contenders were decreasing. While this was a welcome situation for Sayoko, imagining the process that led to it put her in a dark mood.

(...Only the contenders who "kill their opponents" remain. Including me, and Eri-chan.)

She sighed once more and shook her head.

(But more importantly than that.)

What came to mind were Kyoka's words after she returned from the battle.

『Since you defeated [Hound Master], there's a high probability your opponent tonight will be [Heartbreak].』

The future fairy's avatar had said so.

With seven contenders remaining, one default win slot would be generated tonight. However, since [Heartbreak] had already passed the sixth round with a default win last night, Kyoka predicted that the slot would likely be assigned to [Light Blade] next.

『Considering their patterns so far, I don't think they'd assign a default win to the same person twice in a row.』

Even though she had defeated [Hound Master], the fact remained that Sayoko had [No Ability]. Even if she wasn't considered mere fodder anymore, she was undoubtedly a much easier opponent compared to the other powerhouses who had survived until the seventh round.

(Well, of course. Anyone would think that. Even I think so.)

[Heartbreak]'s supervisor was Violet Dunois. According to Kyoka, she was the leader of the three girls.

『So, [Heartbreak]'s ability is likely set to be particularly powerful, even among all the contenders. No, it must undoubtedly be the strongest.』

That was her partner's prediction. And Sayoko, who possessed no ability, had to defeat that.

(It's convenient, though.)

That "strongest ability user" wouldn't be targeting Erika tonight. Furthermore, the remaining [Light Blade], also managed by the trio, had a high chance of getting the default win tonight. And if she defeated [Heartbreak], it was highly probable that [Light Blade] would be thrown at Sayoko tomorrow night. Not as a throwaway match, but for retaliation.

From the perspective of protecting Erika, there was no development more convenient than this.

(But against such a "strongest ability user." And against an opponent who knows I have "no ability." Can I win?)

She shook her head to banish the weak thought that momentarily surfaced.

"...That's not it. I'm going to do it."

Her determination spilled out of her mouth unintentionally.

"Hmm? What's wrong? What are you going to do?"

Hearing that, Erika tilted her head and asked. Sayoko, with an "oops" expression, looked away to hide her face.

But, immediately after.

"I'm gonna do THIIIS!"

She declared, quickly unlinking her fingers, and then groped Erika's breasts with both hands with all her might. As a follow-up attack, she used her thumbs to mercilessly grind into where the tips would be.

Wham!

A fairly strong chop. On top of that, her ear was pinched and pulled hard.

"Ow-ow-ow-ow. I'm sorry, I apologize. Have mercy! I won't do it (much) anymore!"

It took about thirty seconds of corporal punishment to earn forgiveness.

After that, just like yesterday, Erika refused to let go of Sayoko's hand... and surrounded by their schoolmates, the two walked hand-in-hand all the way to the shoe lockers again today.

◆

Ding-dong, ding-dong.

Fourth period on Saturday ended, and homeroom was over. Erika had said, "Let's go home together today too," so Sayoko decided to wait in her seat without getting up.

Pirorin.

An SNS message from Erika arrived on her smartphone.

<<Sorry Sacchan. I have to talk to Suita-senpai, so do you mind waiting a bit?>>

Student Council member Suita-senpai. Erika's boyfriend.

(Come to think of it, what will she do about him?)

Although Sayoko was worried, there was really nothing she could do. They would die upon defeat, and even if they survived, they couldn't stay in this era. No matter how they struggled, continuing a relationship was impossible.

(...It must be painful, Eri-chan.)

Despite having strong envy and scorching jealousy, she didn't have a bad impression of Suita's character himself. Because of that, Sayoko felt even more pity for their circumstances.

(She should just ignore me and go be with him.)

Sayoko thought this, feeling a pain in her chest.

But Erika's message was a request to "wait," not to "go home first." As a devotee of the goddess, she had no intention of going against her wishes.

<<Let me know when you're done.>>

Replying only with that, Sayoko began fishing for information on her smartphone.

Tap, tap, tap.

As she continued her research for a while, most of her classmates went home, and the classroom became deserted.

Perhaps having waited for this moment, Himeko Nakata, along with her entourage Sato and Honda, came over to Sayoko's desk.

"Midobu, come hang out with us for a bit."

Sayoko put a hand to her chin, looking as if she were contemplating with a "Hmm." However, she eventually turned her face toward Himeko and answered the invitation.

"Fine, Nakata-san. But I'm busy, so make it quick."