admit defeat.

He's still standing!

At this, even Ikki couldn't hide his surprise. But―

"..I see. So this is what that old mister wanted to use then."

There was no fighting spirit harbored in Kuraudo's eyes.

"Haha.. Awesome..."

As if yearning for the battle that occurred here two years ago, he laughed cheerfully. And then, he once again turned his attention towards Ikki after lifting up his blood-dyed body.

"Worst One―your name?"

"Kurogane Ikki."

"Kurogane.. We'll continue this at the Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival."

Saying that, he headed towards the exit of the dojo. It seems like he no longer had the intention to fight. Guessing that, Ikki asked―

"Kurashiki-kun, this dojo―"

"Do whatever you want. ―Cuz there's no reason for me to wait anymore."

That was his answer.

"W-Wait Kuraudo!"

"Hey you guys! We're leaving!"

"Y-Yeah!"

His lackeys followed Kuraudo one by one and left the dojo. And just when their figure completely vanished,

"Whoa! Get a grip, Kuraudo!"

"This is bad, he's completely lost consciousness!"

"Someone hurry up and call an ambulance!"

"Wait a bit! I'll drive us to school."

"Kurauudo! Hang on―!"

Their panicked voices echoed from the distance.

Ikki banished his?Intetsu?with a sigh, though there seemed to be some admiration dwelling in that.

"Not letting his enemies see his weakness... He's surprisingly stubborn too."

"Just like you right?"

"Uwaah!"

Being suddenly pushed back, he fell on his backside.

"W-What are you doing, Stella!"

"Don't go spouting that pretentious stuff while you can't even stand."

"Uuu."

Certainly, the current Ikki couldn't even stand up again, let alone walk. Because he was found out, he averted his face with a pout.

"You noticed..."

"Of course! Jeez, getting beat up like this every single day! If you had that awesome technique then why didn't you use it sooner!"

"Don't ask for the impossible. It's the secret attack of the great Last Samurai. There's no way I could use it without prior preparation. If I didn't wear out Kurashiki-kun to make his sword attacks go a bit dull, then I would've been turned into mincemeat."

"Then at least try to avoid those injuries a bit more!"

Sighing, Stella tossed her bag at Ayase.

"Sempai, I brought a first aid kit just in case, can you please stop the bleeding? A girl from a dojo like you should be able to right? In the meantime I'm going to call a sensei and meet up, we can't get on the train all covered in blood like this, can we?"

"Y-Yes, I got it!"

Replying, Ayase took the bag. Inside, there were many first aid materials like bandages, disinfection liquids and so on. Before Stella finished calling the school to get a car, she should be able to complete some of the treatment. Ayase steadily beginning the treatment, and while doing so...

"Kurogane-kun. ..Thank you."

She tightly grabbed Ikki's hands and gave her heartfelt gratitude.

"Because of you, I think I've finally understood what my father really felt... I thought I was the one who understood him the most, but looks like I didn't understand him at all."

"That's not true."

"Eh..?"

"The reason I was able to win today was thanks to the fact that Ayatsuji-san was able to perfectly remember Kaito-san's teachings. I don't think, other than Ayatsuji-san, anyone else could've done that. You understand him the most. Because, you are the Last Samurai's successor."

"..."

Was it really so? Ayase didn't know that for sure. But she, certainly, prayed for that to happen.

"Then, I'll have to get stronger. Strong enough so that I can proudly call myself his successor, strong enough to beat that boy myself."

Ayase's eyes were no longer clouded like they were before. She probably will never again lose her way. Because she had found a place for herself, a place where she was proud to be.

Ikki showed a relieved smile at this Ayase.

"I'll be looking forward to it."

He prayed so that the wish of the girl would one day come true.