Lete's Love Tribunal and the Spark of Realization
Third-year girls from Chroma Vocational School in the Sepia Archipelago.
The reason they'd come all the way to Academy City was Lete, who'd set her sights on Orion Academy.
Academy City was already a place they'd dreamed of visiting at least once, and now they had the perfect excuse. No way they could hold back.
As graduation loomed closer, steadily approaching from afar, they wanted to shake off the gloom of parting ways.
With their trademark bold decisiveness, the girls had chosen to travel during the academy's founding festival, which overlapped with a national holiday.
They'd expected a smooth, fun trip, but a dimensional rift disaster had crashed the party. Surprisingly, though, it barely registered in their conversations anymore—it had vanished from the spotlight long ago.
Guided back to their lodging by the security officers, the girls had just one topic on their minds.
"Lete! Any reply yet?"
"We just exchanged names..."
"What's his name?"
"...Rohan."
The girl covered her flushed face with the back of her hand, hiding her mouth. She wished her short hair was longer right then.
Still, she couldn't tear her eyes from her phone.
Seeing their usually cool, straightforward friend react so cutely made even the others' hearts race.
One girl, sprawled on her bed tapping away at her phone, suddenly widened her eyes.
"I searched him up, and boom—he's right there. Famous guy, huh?"
"For real!? Show me!"
The girls piled onto one bed like a hamburger stack, eyes glued to the online news article.
"Wiping out a crime syndicate...?"
"Sounds like a whole different world. Kinda unreal."
"This is what Orion Academy students are like?"
Only Lete, raised in a martial family, sparkled with excitement as she devoured the article.
Curiosity flew her way as she savored every word.
"Lete's always had a thing for strong guys, huh?"
"Not just that..."
"Huh? Then what?"
"Well, he's handsome... and cool..."
Silence blanketed the lively dorm room.
The girls turned serious, replaying their time at the shopping mall in their heads.
"Before 'handsome,' he struck me as kinda fierce... Remember that student council president who confessed to you? He was famous for being hot."
"That guy? One punch and he'd shatter. No thanks."
Lete's straightforward judgment.
Her friends chuckled, used to it, and the chatter flowed on.
"Lete's tastes are still a mystery."
"But yeah, the 'cool' part? I get that. He's got that solid, decisive older-guy vibe."
"Aww~ Our little Lete's finally got her first crush. Mom was worried you'd graduate without any high school romance."
"Who's mom!? Get off me, you creep!"
One girl got grabbed by Lete and tossed to the opposite bed.
"Alright, Lete's Love Tribunal is now in session."
"Everyone seated. Pronto!"
As they watched the familiar antics unfold, the girls cracked open some snacks.
The signal that real gossip was about to kick off.
"Never thought Lete would charge in like that outta nowhere. You've never shown interest in guys before."
Eyes swarmed her, demanding an answer.
Lete fiddled with her short hair and replied.
"If I didn't go for it then, I might never see him again. I hate regrets..."
"Ooooh~ Bold move~"
"The way you slipped into dialect from nerves? Hilarious."
"..."
"Just lean into your charm points. If it's not forced, it'll land."
"R-Really? It's just a habit from the dojo..."
This seemed like solid advice for once.
Lete perked up, joining in earnestly.
Topics flew from outfits to sitting posture, stretching the conversation long into the night.
Then one girl shifted gears.
"Is he stronger than you, Lete?"
"Yeah. No way I could beat him right now."
"Whoa, someone stronger than Lete exists?"
"Tons of 'em."
Only Lete knew. Her friends didn't even realize Rohan was the one who'd directly saved them from that crisis.
She'd been holding off the monsters herself, and everyone else was huddled in terror anyway.
His moves weren't something normal eyes could even parse.
"..."
It hit her anew.
The fluid grace in dispatching multiple monsters, the split-second judgment to prioritize saving people—it was a perfect blend with real combat.
A glimpse into Rohan's values, crystal clear.
The more she thought back, the harder her heart pounded.
"But he had all those pretty girls around him. Just classmates?"
"Pfft, if he had a girlfriend, he wouldn't have given you his number."
"Best to just ask. Lete! Do it quick!"
As eyes piled on, Lete wailed in protest.
"A-Asking that outta the blue would be rude...!"
"You're past that point—you already got his number."
"I dunno! No interruptions! I'm handling this my way!"
Dodging her teasing friends, Lete dove under the covers.
They tugged at the blanket, but Lete's grip strength was no joke. Ordinary high school girls stood no chance, even together.
"...Anyway, he'd give the same answer."
Was she done building her blanket fort and thinking?
Lete poked out her fist-sized head and spoke.
"Huh?"
"About all the pretty people around him and whether he has a girlfriend."
The room's eyes naturally converged.
"I didn't wanna assume based on looks and regret it later if I was wrong..."
Lete softly shared her inner thoughts with her friends.
Not her usual booming voice, but it carried.
"Such a good girl... Mom doesn't cry easy, but this is bringing tears..."
"With all that competition around him, you're at a distance disadvantage. Gotta message as much as possible while he's out of sight?"
"Nah, not planning to cling like that."
"Huh?"
"Just... got a feeling we'll meet again soon. I'll check in occasionally and focus on training."
They'd never heard of someone getting a number and then playing it this cool.
But somehow, it fit Lete perfectly.
Her friends could only cheer for this whirlwind first love to work out.
"S-Sis...! Snap out of it...!"
"..."
Clara wanted to zone out and break down too. Unfortunately, Sion beat her to it.
Sion's face screamed too many thoughts. Even her pointed ears drooped slightly.
Clutching her recovered shopping bags, she stayed silent.
She kept walking toward the first floor where Rohan waited, but her steps lacked energy.
"Sion sis..."
Worried, Clara started piecing together a logical conclusion.
The eyes of the girl who'd been content with the status quo flashed open.
'N-No way, this is the trigger?!'
The moment Sion realized her feelings for Rohan?
Honestly, it was a miracle she hadn't figured it out until now.
Which meant this wasn't the time to comfort others.
What position should Clara take? Unlike combat, she had zero experience here—no answers in sight.
'And that lady too...'
Clara's gaze shifted to Ichinose Yui.
Noah Frozenheart was bouncing around with her usual grin, thrilled to have her stuff back. But Ichinose Yui was blatantly different.
Ever since seeing the girl who'd boldly shown interest in Rohan, Yui's posture had gaps.
They finally reached the first floor, steps slowed.
Rohan approached after finishing with the security officers.
"There you are? Bags all good?"
"Yeah..."
While Clara debated asking about that girl from earlier...
Clear-headed Noah hopped over.
"Rohan!"
"Huh?"
"Let's all grab lunch!"
Rohan checked the time on his phone.
The dimensional rift had thrown everything off—it was already afternoon. Miss this window, and it'd get tricky.
"Any places even open, though?"
Security said things were stabilizing outside, but who knew.
Plus, Sion and Clara might feel awkward—he glanced their way.
"Gotta be, right? It's Academy City."
Was that common sense here?
Rohan rubbed his chin, eyeing Sion and Clara.
Hard to outright refuse when Noah was pushing. Telling them he'd discuss and come back felt off too.
"Lady Noah. Apologies."
"Huh?"
Sion shook off her hesitation, heels clicking as she approached and hooked her arm through Rohan's right like it was natural.
Clara startled, then scurried to his left, plastering herself on.
"We've got a house viewing reserved."
Ichinose, listening quietly beside them, gaped.
"Really? Too bad. Was gonna treat you to Tigrova specialties."
"I regret it too. Let's definitely make time next."
Rohan fumbled amid the sudden closeness but seized the chance.
This was as good as a signal from the two.
"Sion, word from the place you're showing?"
"Not yet. But the appointed time's nearing. We'll be late if we don't head out now."
"Yeah, even with all this, better wait till the slot."
"R-Right, bro...!"
Rohan let Sion and Clara lead him out of the shopping mall.
"You two take care! Lunch next time!"
He turned back with a wave, vanishing through the shattered glass doors.
"Aww, bummer. Wanted to hear what their deal is."
Noah wagged her tail, bummed at missing the fun.
"H-House viewing...?!"
Ichinose finally snapped out of her daze, catching the conversation a beat late.