-701- I still want to thank you

As Rozen watched Frey timidly emerge from behind the tree with her pack of dogs, his first reaction wasn't to exchange greetings with her. Instead, he reached out and grabbed Yaya by his side.

"...Why are you holding onto Yaya, Rozen?"

"If I don't hold onto you, Yaya, what are you planning to do?"

"Do you even need to ask?! Of course, I'm going to deal with the pervert who's been following Rozen, using Yaya's fists!"

"I knew it! You're the perverted one! Stop it!"

"Why...!?"

"No reason!"

Rozen and Yaya started arguing vigorously, creating quite a commotion.

This left Frey somewhat bewildered, and her pack of dogs looked utterly perplexed.

It wasn't until some time later that Rozen finally managed to subdue Yaya.

"Sigh... Why are you helping the vixen..."

Yaya retreated under a nearby tree and began to whimper.

Rozen let out a sigh of relief and followed with another sigh. Then he greeted Frey.

"It's been a while, Frey. Even though you've been secretly following me for these past few days, this seems to be the first time we've met in days, right?"

Rozen spoke with a tired tone.

In response, although Frey was confused, she mustered the courage to approach Rozen with her pack of dogs.

Seeing the obedient dogs following behind Frey, Rozen couldn't help but take a few more glances.

In these past few days, Frey, relying on her several Garm units, had still been excelling at night larty. She had achieved overwhelming victories over several students ranked higher than her, even though she was competing against them.

In the night party that took place last night, Frey managed to defeat the 88th ranked opponent.

In other words, Frey had already bested eleven puppeteers who were ranked higher than her. Only Veyron remained, refraining from facing her directly and watching from the sidelines.

It must be said that this was an incredibly brave achievement.

Rozen believed that as long as Veyron didn't interfere with Frey, she would be able to continue her winning streak with her Garm units, advancing into the top 50 ranked opponents.

However, it remained uncertain when Frey's progress would be halted.

Rozen gazed at Frey with these thoughts in mind.

"Aren't you supposed to get ready for the night party?"

Rozen involuntarily softened his tone as he spoke to Frey.

This wasn't a matter of pampering her.

Whenever Rozen faced Frey, he subconsciously adopted a gentler attitude. This wasn't solely because Frey had a shy personality but also because her circumstances made Rozen feel a sense of empathy, causing him to react this way.

Yet, this was precisely what caused a certain automaton girl to keep turning darker.

"Why is it that you've never been this gentle when it comes to Yaya?!"

From beneath the nearby tree, this sobbing voice was accompanied by gritted teeth.

Rozen ignored it and continued looking at Frey, waiting for her response.

"Everything is ready for the night party," Frey said with her head lowered, her voice barely audible. "I've already fed rabbi, and their physical condition is excellent."

In other words, everything was prepared and ready to go.

"In that case, you should get going soon," Rozen said, glancing at the sky. As Rozen only arrived here to run around after finishing classes, it was now late afternoon, and the night party would start soon.

"Although based on your track record, you should have no trouble defeating the 87th ranked opponent tonight, you should still be cautious. 'Last One' may not sit idly by and let you keep winning. So, be careful."

Rozen chimed in with these rare words of advice.

"I... I know..."

Frey's delicate face blushed slightly, seemingly delighted that Rozen was concerned about her.

This emitted an even more oppressive aura from a certain automaton girl who was crying under the tree.

Naturally, this situation continued to be ignored.

However, the automaton girl couldn't accept what happened next. After their conversation ended, Rozen and Frey fell into an awkward yet somewhat ambiguous silence, not knowing what to say.

Until a little later...

"I... I came to thank you."

Frey made this timid statement, first causing Rozen to raise an eyebrow and then smile.

"I remember, you said the same thing last time, didn't you?"

Rozen teased in this manner.

"Last... last time, you saved us, and this time, you saved my important family. You also helped me and Loki escape from Father's control. I really... really appreciate it..."

Frey made this statement with great effort, and it was clear that this girl, who was not good with words, truly appreciated Rozen, or else she wouldn't express her gratitude to this extent.

However...

"I have to tell you, Frey."

Rozen went silent for a moment and then sighed as he spoke.

"I'm helping you not because I genuinely feel that you need help. I'm not that altruistic."

Rozen said this with a candid, indifferent tone, accepting everything as is.

"Actually, I'm just like you."

These words reached Frey's ears, first leaving her stunned, then causing her to widen her eyes.

"You... You're also...?"

Frey looked at Rozen with great surprise.

The meaning of this is something that I believe wise people understand.

If it were in the past, Rozen would definitely not openly tell someone this.

But now, Rozen could calmly express it.

"That's right, I am too."

Rozen said to Frey, meeting her gaze.

"So, I help you because I'm just like you."

In simpler terms, it's sympathy and also an expression of Rozen's selfishness.

Rozen just wanted to convey this point.

However, this made Frey look at Rozen with more sympathy and a different kind of emotion.

Then...

"Even so, I still want to thank you."

Frey suddenly smiled.

Like a shy blooming flower, she revealed her first ever bashful and serene smile.

"Thank you... for saving me and my family..."

With that, Frey tiptoed.

"Chu..."

With an unusual sound, Frey's tender lips left a faint mark on Rozen's face.

Yes.

This was a kiss.

"...!?"

Rozen was stunned.

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhh...!"

A scream resounded from under the tree.

"I... I have to go!"

Frey's lovely face turned completely red. She turned around, leaned on Rabbi, and ran forward amidst the barking of the dogs, disappearing into the forest.

Rozen watched Frey leave, with one hand subconsciously touching his face, and in his heart, only one thought remained.

"This is a disaster..."

Rozen slowly turned around, and behind him, Yaya, who exuded a sense of murderous intent and ferocity like a raging beast, was swaying towards him.

"Yaya...? Can you please calm down...? Calm down...!"

"I must tear this defiled face to shreds, ahhhh!"

"Stop, stop, stop!"

In the forest, the screams of the boy and girl simultaneously reverberated.

Uninterrupted.