IBHJ 1209

"What did you just say—!" Manaka couldn't hold back any longer as she glared at the orange-haired girl with her innocent smile, teeth clenched in frustration.

"I said I'm tired, and we need to stay in this village for a few more days."

"Don't you want to find your brother anymore?"

"I do, but I'm exhausted. Even if I want to find my brother, I still need to balance work and rest."

"You annoying little brat, even when you're lying to people, you should have some limits. I'm not an idiot!" Manaka glared at her, jaw tight with anger.

"Well, I am young, so 'brat' might be accurate, but you don't look that much older yourself." Ritsuka blinked innocently, deliberately letting her gaze drift to Manaka's chest a few times, clearly implying something.

Manaka choked, staring back with a mix of embarrassment and anger. She slapped the table with one hand and snapped, "If you want to stay here, then stay by yourself! I'm done with you, you troublesome kid! I have important things to take care of. Goodbye!"

With that, she jumped to her feet and stormed off angrily.

Ritsuka put on a dramatic face. "Oh, my heart breaks at losing a companion! But that Demonic Dodhisattva is still watching you nearby. If you leave me now, you'll be killed, Manaka. You're collecting Beasts, right? No matter what grand wish you have, if you die, you won't accomplish anything. Of course, if the mighty Manaka has already made up her mind, she won't look back, right? I should respect my friend's decision, so even though it tears me apart, I won't stop you from walking straight to your death, Manaka."

Manaka: "..."

Her face crumpled as she turned around and dropped back into her seat.

"Hmm? Aren't you leaving anymore?" Ritsuka blinked innocently.

"I'm staying," Manaka muttered with a sour expression.

Hearing this, Ritsuka clapped her hands together cheerfully. "Just what I'd expect from the Queen of Evil—so crafty and unpredictable! Already forgotten everything you said a minute ago."

Manaka's face flushed red as she bit her lower lip, glaring at her with a mixture of humiliation and anger, her small fists clenched tightly.

In her eyes, this orange-haired demon was even worse than her brother Fujimaru Shirou.

Though Shirou had repeatedly ruined her plans and even killed her, he'd never humiliated her the way this orange-haired demon was doing right now!

Damn it—damn it!

Inside, Manaka's soul was weeping.

They were tears of pure humiliation.

If looks could kill, Ritsuka would have died a thousand deaths from Manaka's glare alone.

But for now, she could only swallow this humiliation, choking back tears.

The image of Ayaka suddenly flashed through her mind, and Manaka jerked her head up, giving Ritsuka an intense stare. Through clenched teeth, she warned, "You are not to interfere with matters between me and my sister, is that clear, Fujimaru Ritsuka?"

Ritsuka looked at her with a puzzled expression and asked, "Well... I haven't asked for many favors before, but is this really how you ask someone for help?"

Manaka suddenly flashed back to when Shirou had forced her to bow her head and beg at the South American connection point. Her fists clenched tightly.

They were truly cut from the same cloth, but at this moment, she had no choice. She lowered her head and said softly, "...Please, Ritsuka."

The tears of her soul flowed once again.

"I understand," she nodded, then seemed to remember something and smiled. "Actually, if you hadn't mentioned your sister, I might have forgotten she was even in this village. But since my friend has humbled herself to ask me, I'll remember the situation between you and your sister. I'll just watch from the sidelines without getting involved. Then once I've had some rest, we'll continue our journey."

Manaka: "..."

"Oh, by the way. You didn't actually need to humble yourself like that, Manaka, because I'm not the type who butts in unless someone asks for my help. Otherwise, if I made things worse, wouldn't that just cause problems? I'm not that clueless." Ritsuka clapped her hands together, smiling brightly at her.

This person...

Manaka stared at the smiling girl and suddenly realized that beneath her cheerful, innocent exterior, this person's heart might be darker than black mud.

Pure evil underneath!

Beast VII the Orange demon...

This humiliation, I'll remember it!

Despite being repeatedly embarrassed by Ritsuka, having gotten her promise, Manaka could finally relax a little.

Over the next few days, Manaka divided her attention between avoiding Ayaka and keeping a close eye on Ritsuka's movements.

Even with Ritsuka's promise, and with Shirou as an example of someone who kept their word, Manaka still couldn't bring herself to fully trust Ritsuka.

Ritsuka Fujimaru might have an innocent face, clear eyes, and the appearance of a sweet girl, but in Manaka's view, she was actually a demon who took pleasure in humiliating her at every opportunity!

So she had to stay on high alert!

Fortunately, during these days, Ritsuka had mostly just wandered the streets. The few times she did approach Ayaka—moments that filled Manaka with anxiety—she only made casual conversation and borrowed a few books to read.

This left Manaka feeling both relieved and increasingly angry. There was no doubt in her mind that Ritsuka was playing with her!

Just like during the Shinjuku Holy Grail War, when the real Manaka had held everyone's fate in her palm and toyed with them as she pleased, now she was the one being toyed with.

Maybe that's how fate works. Those who manipulate others' destinies will eventually find themselves manipulated by destiny.

How could the real Manaka Sajyou, sleeping deep within her, have ever imagined she would be defeated by Shirou, and even give birth to a fake personality that continued to suppress her, preventing her from awakening?

Right then, Manaka spotted Ritsuka walking toward Ayaka's book stall again.

Manaka knew Ritsuka was just doing it to mess with her nerves, but she'd grown somewhat used to it and wasn't as anxious as she'd been the first time.

Then, she heard Ritsuka ask:

"Ayaka, I have a question. Your sister is Manaka Sajyou, right?"

Manaka froze for a moment, then the realization hit her.

This person—

Not only had she humiliated her repeatedly, but now she was breaking her promise!

"My... sister?" Ayaka suddenly froze, then followed Ritsuka's pointing finger, immediately spotting a familiar blonde girl hiding behind a wall. Her eyes went wide.

"Manaka..." Ayaka instinctively backed up several steps, her eyes filling with fear, suspicion, and hatred as she stared at her. "So you really did come to Pan-Human History from the South American connection point!"

As she spoke, she continued to retreat cautiously.

"What's wrong? I'm just passing through, and you want to run away at the sight of me? As your sister, I'm truly hurt." Manaka placed her hand over her heart in a theatrical gesture and stepped out from behind the wall, her face showing a troubled expression, as if genuinely saddened by her sister's fear and hatred.

Ayaka didn't say a word, just stared warily at Manaka while slowly backing away.

Since Altera had been taken by Gaia, she had no powers or allies nearby that could stand up to Manaka Sajyou.

Manaka wore a faint smile, seemingly quite pleased by Ayaka's fearful and hateful gaze.

However—

"You're acting weird, Manaka. These past few days, haven't you been hiding behind walls, secretly watching your younger sister?" Ritsuka tilted her head, her clear eyes looking at Manaka with confusion.

Hearing this, Manaka smiled elegantly, "You really do love to joke, Miss Fujimaru Ritsuka."

Fujimaru? Is this girl Shirou's sister? Ayaka glanced at Ritsuka's face in surprise. Could she really be related to him?

"Why are you suddenly using my full name like this?" Ritsuka looked completely confused.

Now's my chance!

Ayaka saw her chance, and the moment Manaka's attention shifted away to Ritsuka, she quickly threw a golden bottle straight at her.