Surviving in Blue Archive Chapter 162 82: Izuna, you don't want the cherry blossom fes

People must pay the price for their own choices.

If you choose to stay up late, you must accept the consequences of oversleeping or waking up without the slightest motivation.

"Good morning, Izuna."

Because I stayed up far too late, I nearly overslept. I arrived at the eting point right on ti and greeted Izuna, who had clearly been waiting for quite a while.

Today the little fox looked even livelier than yesterday. The mont she saw , her eyes lit up, and her fluffy big tail swished cheerfully behind her.

"Shishou! Good morning! What kind of training are we doing today?"

At the mont, I was in a very awkward position. Due to yesterday's unexpected busyness and exhaustion, I actually hadn't prepared any so-called ninja training.

I did try to look up so reference material on the way here, but soon realized sothing obvious: cramming last-minute wouldn't work.

After all, the one I had to deal with was Izuna, who was completely obsessed with ninjas.

While Izuna's innocence ant she could be fooled with lofty-sounding theory, when it ca to actual training, who knew how much she had already practiced herself?

Suggesting sothing too absurd would make her suspicious. And even worse as the supposedly experienced Sensei, I would have to demonstrate any training thod I proposed.

In short, I realized that unless I spent a great deal of ti developing a solid training system capable of convincing Izuna, who had actual ninja experience, my plan needed to change completely.

For example, I could pull Izuna into a field where I might actually have so advantage, then "defeat" her using what little experience I did have.

I looked at the lively, adorable fox girl in front of and invited warmly, "Would you like to walk around the festival with ?"

According to my very broad definition that everything can be part of the ninja way, going on a date could count as ninja training too.

Anyway, all I really needed from the beginning was Izuna's affection. As long as I didn't use anything too sinister, the thod didn't matter, the result was what mattered.

And frankly, enjoying a festival together was much more effective at deepening bonds than any dull training.

I could always make up a link to the ninja way afterward.

She was obviously soone who had never gone out with soone her age before. aning the entire narrative was mine to shape.

This could work!

"I'd be honored∼"

Izuna smiled and agreed without thinking, but then suddenly realized sothing was off.

"Wait! Shishou said today we would start the promised ninja training! Why is it suddenly a festival? Ah! Don't tell Shishou never planned to train ?! Is this a fox-leading-out-of-the-mountain trick?!"

Why is she suddenly sharp at tis like this?

This was not the mont to explain. It was ti to divert her attention and regain control.

I let my expression dim and spoke in a hurt tone. "So… Izuna doesn't want to spend ti with ?"

"Wh…what?! Of course I do… uh… eh…?"

Flustered, Izuna scrambled to deny it. Even though she still felt sothing was wrong, she beca completely confused.

Even if she had stumbled upon my ulterior motive, Izuna was still Izuna, very easy to handle.

But as soon as I realized I was tricking soone this gullible, guilt rose in , then instantly turned toward hostility toward the Smug Professor, the likely mastermind behind all this.

If it weren't for that professor I had never t, how would I have ended up manipulating the pure heart of an innocent girl like this?

It was all the smug professor's fault!

To make up for having to bamboozle Izuna, the least I could do was ensure she had as much fun at the festival as possible. Both apologizing and indulging myself at once, truly a win-win.

Having decided to turn ninja training into a date and certain Izuna wouldn't refuse, I smiled.

"I see. Then if you like it, let's go."

"Eh? O-ok…"

Hearing my straightforward answer, the little fox looked like she wanted to argue, but being kind, gentle, and a proper ninja girl, she only swallowed her objections and obediently followed.

At first, she still looked conflicted, likely thinking about the promised training.

But soon enough, she completely forgot about it and imrsed herself in the festival atmosphere, enjoying herself wholeheartedly.

"Shishou! Look! Over there! They're selling special cherry blossom flavored dango!"

Izuna tugged my sleeve excitedly, pointing toward a very busy food stall.

With the climax of the Cherry Blossom Festival approaching, the crowds had grown even more. Despite it being only morning, the energy already surpassed yesterday.

I could imagine how crowded it would be during the fireworks. And I could also understand the concern of the festival operations committee.

After all, the Cherry Blossom Festival was one of Hyakkiyako Academy's most famous traditions. If Street Mouryo caused a disaster here, the backlash against Shizuko and her team would be enormous.

And as a mber of Street Mouryo, Izuna might even be wanted by the authorities. If she failed to conceal her identity, she could be made an example of and suspended like Wakamo.

Thinking about it, Izuna was unknowingly in danger. I had to pull her away from it, even if it ant becoming the bad guy.

Right now, the most important thing was letting Izuna enjoy the festival fully.

I set aside the heavy thoughts and glanced again toward the dango stall. With that crowd, who knew how long we'd have to wait.

Just then, soone familiar caught my eye. A red figure squeezing out of the crowd.

After escaping, the girl patted her flat chest and sighed in relief, closing her eyes happily and opening her mouth wide to taste the dango she fought so hard for.

And then a stray cat darted out and brushed her leg.

Startled, the red twin-tailed girl dropped the dango. It rolled on the ground several tis, picking up dirt. No longer edible.

Akashi Junko from the Gourt Research Society froze, watching as a passerby stepped on it as well, despair filling her face.

Gritting her teeth, Junko plunged back into the crowd. She did not notice holding back laughter nearby.

After a mont of subtle schadenfreude, I suddenly realized sothing important.

If Junko was here… the other three might be too.

Considering the Gourt Research Society's terrifying mobility and destructive power, to avoid interference I ca up with an excuse and took the excited Izuna to a different street.

Soon enough, she spotted her next target.

"Shishou! Look! Inari sushi!"

I stared at the very familiar food truck… and the very familiar person working inside… and slowly fell silent.

Wasn't SRT supposed to be under strict lockdown? Yukino never told she had leave. So what was this pink fox doing here?

From afar, the pink haired, blue eyed girl served custors with a natural gentle smile, completely hiding the fact she was among SRT's elite.

I instinctively pondered why she was here.

Did she sneak out? Was she here specifically because of ? And where were the other two squadmates, those specialists in gossip?

Question after question surfaced, until I arrived at a simple, effective solution that would solve all problems at once.

Should I ask Lady Shiranui to tighten SRT's managent…?

No, that would be too scummy.

Seeing that FOX Squad's vice commander Niko seed to be genuinely enjoying the festival and hadn't noticed , I concluded she was probably here on private ti. Nothing to do with .

Still, to be safe, I moved Izuna again.

This ti, we didn't run into anyone else.

Izuna's excited cry followed right after.

"Ah! This sweet sll… it's cotton candy!"

…Why did it feel like Izuna's attention was entirely focused on food?

While I ntally complained, the little fox had already sprinted over, bought a stick, and returned. She opened her mouth and took a big bite out of the fluffy white sugar.

Her eyes narrowed happily at the overwhelming sweetness.

"Mmm∼ it's so sweet∼"

As she spoke, she seed to think of sothing. She held the cotton candy up to my mouth and said expectantly, "Shishou∼ you should have a bite too∼"

Seeing Izuna smiling at so sincerely and defenselessly, I felt ashad of my earlier assumptions.

A true ninja should be like this, quick to identify nearby resources and efficient in replenishing energy for ergencies.

That was Izuna for you.

I couldn't bring myself to reject her kindness. At the sa ti, being mindful of propriety, I deliberately bit into the sa spot she had bitten, to show I had no ulterior motives and that my heart was open and upright.

Obviously, purposely avoiding her bite mark would an I had sothing to hide, right?

This was probably my second ti showing Izuna my outstanding moral standards in this regard.

I said earnestly to the adorable little fox, "It really is sweet, Izuna."

It felt even sweeter than normal cotton candy. She must have used so ninja technique on it. Sothing like Water Release.

Izuna bead. "Right? It's super sweet∼"

A sweet little fox, holding sweet cotton candy, smiling sweetly at .

Suddenly my heart, traitorous as ever, began beating violently.

I thought… I might actually be falling for Izuna.

At that mont, Izuna looked at the single spot bitten on the cotton candy and finally realized what had happened.

Her smile faded. Shyness and nervousness spread across her cheeks. She lowered her head, then sneaked a look at . Seeing that I outwardly looked completely unaffected, she relaxed. Though for so reason, also seed just a bit disappointed.

Izuna herself didn't understand what she was feeling.

With such different thoughts in our hearts, we continued walking through the festival.

Unknowingly, I found we had wandered back to the area near the observation deck Izuna said was her favorite yesterday, the one where she could overlook the streets and see the sacred tree at the sa ti.

"Ah∼ Shishou, open your mouth∼"

I obediently opened my mouth, and a chopstickful of noodles entered.

Izuna had bought a box of yakisoba from a food stall and insisted on feeding because, according to dramas, it was a disciple's duty to serve their master.

It almost felt like I was the one enjoying the festival more than Izuna.

After swallowing the noodles, I looked at the cheerful fox girl and couldn't help asking:

"Izuna, are you having fun?"

"Mhm! I really love the Hyakkiyako Cherry Blossom Festival! And also…"

Izuna paused.

"…and also, being able to be here with Shishou makes super happy!"

If that was the case, then nothing could be better.

But then a thought struck . What would Izuna think if she learned that her employer's true goal was to sabotage the festival she loved most?

It would definitely hurt her. And even soone as innocent as Izuna would start doubting my motives for approaching her.

After all, Izuna and I had known each other only a bit over one day. Our bond wasn't deep or unshakable, and we didn't understand each other very well.

Our relationship was built entirely on exchanged goodwill. One breach of trust could shatter it at any mont.

That would be the worst outco.

But if I looked at it from another angle… telling Izuna the truth might cause her to choose justice over her ninja code, turning to my side and revealing her employer's identity.

Assuming her devotion to the ninja way wasn't far beyond what I imagined, that could very well happen.

Just then, my phone chid.

I told the little fox beside that I needed a mont and opened momotalk. The ssage was from Shizuko, who was supposed to be searching for Street Mouryo with the Inner Discipline Club.

Shizuko: Sensei, where are you? Have you found any Street Mouryo mbers?

: No, I'm currently at… and I also walked through several nearby streets earlier. While I was there, none of the Street Mouryo mbers appeared.

: What's going on?

Shizuko: Sa here.

Shizuko: Argh! Normally they pop out everywhere even when you DON'T want to see them! But now that we're trying to find them, they're nowhere to be found!

Shizuko: They're definitely causing trouble sowhere right now…

: Calm down, Shizuko.

: If you can't find them anywhere, they might just be hiding in the dark preparing for a big move.

Shizuko: …

Shizuko: Sensei, how am I supposed to calm down after hearing that?!

Shizuko: I never thought we'd be blocked at step one of the plan…

Shizuko: Ugh…

Shizuko: Anyway, once you're done over there, please contact us quickly so we can regroup and discuss new counterasures.

The other team had pretty much failed.

"Shishou, is everything okay?"

"I'm fine."

I shook my head, paused, then asked in a deep voice:

"Izuna, you don't want the Cherry Blossom Festival to be canceled… right?"