Today was the day Okita Souji would face off against Ikki Kurogane.
She'd considered… should she throw the match on purpose?
After all, Ikki cared deeply about the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival. Compared to him, Okita didn't have any particular reason to compete.
Ikki had a promise to fulfill with Kurono Shinguuji: to graduate by winning the festival. And he'd promised Stella a final, formal duel there.
And her? She fought for the fun of it.
Unlike the protagonist in I Don't Want to Be a Valkyrie, she didn't have any annoying system constantly forcing her to complete tedious tasks. In each world she visited, she had complete freedom.
She chose what to do. She chose what not to do.
Mashu had once told her, "Our only wish is for you to find happiness." So whatever Okita chose, they'd support her without ever forcing her hand.
She could do as she pleased, enjoying freedom even beyond that of Eren Yeager.
However, the thought of "holding back" only lingered briefly in her mind.
She'd been looking forward to this battle against Ikki for so long. When she learned that her final match would be against him, her first reaction wasn't worry—it was excitement!
She'd already fought Touka Toudou, and that duel had been her happiest experience since arriving in this world.
Edelweiss was another story. She was certainly strong—too strong, in fact. Okita wasn't a masochist; there was no joy in being pummeled mercilessly.
The water on the stove started boiling.
Okita tore open a packet, poured the milk tea powder into a plastic cup, added sugar and a small container of coconut jelly, then picked up the kettle and poured in the steaming water. As the water gurgled into the cup, it let out a faint bubbling sound—strangely satisfying.
She'd always enjoyed the soothing sounds she'd find in those short ASMR videos; there was something inexplicably relaxing about them, a feeling that made her wonder—did she actually have a lot of stress? People around her often commented, "You don't look stressed at all."
Stirring the milk tea with a chopstick, she felt it dip through the layer of unmixed powder at the bottom. A few bubbles rose to the surface, and the tea settled just a little.
The sugar packet even read, "Add according to taste," but Okita didn't understand the friends who only used half a packet—she could easily use two if they let her, but each cup only came with one packet.
The milk tea was hot, steam swirling up from the cup. She'd have to blow on it to take a sip, although Okita felt that the blowing was more comforting than actually effective.
She remembered someone once talking about this: "In novels, those cultivators who are immune to heat and cold still blow on their tea before drinking it. Why?"
Someone had replied, "It's just a habit. They were used to blowing on tea before they became cultivators, so it's something they keep doing, like me scratching my head when I'm nervous—even though I haven't had hair for years."
Yes, that made sense to her.
She took a sip, feeling the warmth spread down her throat, diffusing once at her chest and again in her belly.
"My whole body feels warm… It's a lovely day."
She stood by the window, basking in the sunlight spilling over the earth, radiant and full of life.
Just then, a little bird landed on her windowsill, unafraid.
"Well, hello, little birdie. Here for a sip of my milk tea?"
The bird chirped, its voice cheerful, as if it had a pleasant story to share with her.
It even hopped a bit closer, as if it truly wanted a taste.
"Hey, now, I can't let you have any." Afraid the bird might actually be interested in her tea, Okita quickly moved it aside. "I'm not even sure birds can have milk tea! Probably not, right? With all the additives… Hang on, I'll get you some bread, or maybe some corn or peanuts."
Later, as Edelweiss walked by, she found Okita Souji breaking off small bits of bread and feeding them to the little bird.
Annoyed, Edelweiss shooed the bird away, muttering under her breath, "Okita's feeding should be reserved for me! Not some mangy bird from who-knows-where!"
"Was anyone even competing for it?"
Okita teased Edelweiss, remarking that her behavior was a tad childish. To her surprise, Edelweiss didn't seem the least bit embarrassed; instead, she placed her hands on her hips, looking proud.
"I only act like this around you, Okita."
"Am I supposed to be honored by that?"
"Of course! Go ahead, feel honored. And give me a sip of your milk tea."
"This was made for me, though…"
"It'll taste better because it's yours."
After breakfast, Edelweiss suddenly told Okita to put on something nice for a day out.
"Now that I think about it, it'd be such a waste if we didn't go explore the city together!"
"But I still have school…"
Okita had gotten somewhat used to Edelweiss' spontaneous whims.
"Don't think I don't know, Okita. You hardly study while you're there, and there aren't many people who can actually teach you. More often than not, it's you teaching them."
"Uh… but I have a match this afternoon…"
In the end, Okita couldn't argue with her—she rarely could. After all, for as long as she could remember, she had always prioritized other people's wishes over her own.
As long as it didn't cross her boundaries, she rarely refused a request if she could fulfill it.
"In that case, let your big sis pick out a really~~~ cute dress for you."
"Throw that dangerous idea away! And when did you even buy me a dress, Sister Ai?!"
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