End of War, Deal with the Shijo Family?

"Do you think you can defeat me?"

With a confident smile, Shinichi slowly holstered his pistol again, his hands hanging naturally at his sides, assuming a helpless stance.

"Oh?"

Hayasaka raised an eyebrow slightly, but she wasn't careless. She smiled lightly while still aiming towards him.

"You're very proud of what you're saying now... I don't know who the weak geek was who ran to the infirmary six months ago."

"...We agreed not to mention the dark history." Shinichi's mouth twitched, and his face darkened slightly.

Hayasaka chuckled gleefully, "Is this a bad history? There are still other interesting things I haven't mentioned. For example, the monitor in a certain department store happened to catch a private conversation between you and Nakano Miku..."

Shinichi's heart trembled for a moment. It was a past he didn't want to mention more than "the running incident." He hadn't expected Hayasaka to know about it. Her stalking attributes were truly off the charts.

To cram a thousand words into one sentence, the Shinomiya family's maid was incredibly skilled?!

However, Shinichi was not a soft fruit that could be manipulated casually but a tough man who would grit his teeth until his hands hurt when pinched.

So he sneered.

"In that case, I should mention 'unforgettable' memories like the summer festival and the summer trip."

The summer festival could be considered a turning point in his relationship with Hayasaka.

The "confession of love" in the cave during their summer trip was still very impressive to him, and he wouldn't have trouble reproducing all the words Hayasaka had spoken.

"...Tch."

Furthermore, Hayasaka, with her thin skin, took a step back with a slightly flushed face. "Stop hurting each other. Let the past go. The reason why people's eyes are directed forward..."

"Is just to look forward." Shinichi answered softly and smiled, "I didn't intend to have a long-term relationship here... This is a battlefield right now, and I'm your enemy. To avoid dying from talking too much, we're still focusing on the duel."

"I suggest you not be too confident."

Pulling down the hair tie with one hand, releasing the side ponytail, reflecting golden light under the sunlight.

Hayasaka tied the hair tie around her wrist, her posture holding the gun slightly changed, and her whole aura began to change.

"The Shinomiya family's training is stricter than you think."

"The Yotsuba's devil training is worse than you imagine."

Hayasaka didn't smile, as casual as Shinichi was.

*Bang*

Next moment, a bullet passed through Shinichi.

His eyes refocused. Although Shinichi had anticipated it, Hayasaka couldn't help but speak.

"Isn't this trick useful..."

Shinichi shrugged easily, "Suddenly releasing eye lock and intent to kill, and shooting when there's a gap in the opponent's attention... This technique is decent, does it have a name?"

"No, it's just one of the shooting skills." Hayasaka replied coldly, "The Shinomiya family isn't that good."

"...Coincidentally, I'm not that good at it." Shinichi had just thought of five different names for techniques, "Is there anything else? You'll only know this little trick."

"Huh, that's really annoying."

Hayasaka still pointed the gun at him, but her left hand waved slightly.

*Bang*

Even though her right hand didn't pull the trigger, the gunshot sound was heard, and Shinichi took a step to the right at that moment.

The bullet hit the ground behind him, splashing water.

"You can't see the bullet... I didn't expect you could do this." Shinichi looked at her in amazement and said regretfully, "It's a pity the fake weapon's functionality isn't up to par. With moves like this, and its rate of fire can't reach its original level."

"What about this?"

Hayasaka revealed the Cot SAA peacekeeper simulation pistol hidden in her left arm. She used both hands simultaneously, and the shots suddenly became one, and she unleashed a burst of bullets.

She didn't shoot randomly; otherwise, she would choose to use the light machine gun directly to terrorize Shinichi.

Instead of being rough and crude, she preferred to show meticulous skills and make the man willingly surrender behind her JK skirt.

Then—

Several bullets flew towards Shinichi.

Some bullets bounced off the fence, iron poles, walls, and floor.

Some bullets collided with each other and changed their trajectories.

Two modified simulation weapons, under Hayasaka's subtle control, sprayed dozens of bullets and rushed towards the young man standing silently in front of her like a net.

*Dangdangdangdangdangdang*

Special bullets emitted sharp sounds when hitting the roof.

None of these bullets were aimed at his vital parts, so Hayasaka didn't worry about his safety. At most, it would just be painful for a while, and she was confident in her own ability and resistance to blows.

Therefore, Hayasaka didn't count how many times she pressed the trigger or how many seconds she shot; she just poured all the skills she had learned since childhood into this bullet storm and tried her best to give her best performance.

Only after she heard the sound of an empty room did she slowly lower her trembling hand.

"Hah..."

She was slightly out of breath but not relaxed. Her eyes were focused on the scene in front, not wanting to miss any changes in the next moment.

Then, her pupils shrank...

The two pistols, too hot to touch, fell to the ground.

"How could this happen..."

At this moment, Shinichi was walking with varied steps, his joints swaying slightly, and his whole body seemed twisted into various shapes, walking out of the dense net of chains.

It was easy to lift the weight, not only his romper was still white, but even a drop of sweat didn't come out.

"Your marksmanship is indeed good. Bullet tricks and ricochet shots are skills you shouldn't have at your age."

He turned his neck and calmly explained as he walked towards Hayasaka.

"But unfortunately, Yotsuba has long helped me develop the innate skill of 'Avoiding Protection,' and coupled with the highly useful 'Body Bending' movement technique, although bullets won't confuse me, it's enough for me to avoid them."

As if seeing something absurd, Hayasaka could only move her lips.

"...Are you a monster?"

"I'm still far behind." Shinichi could only smile bitterly.

"In that case, what are you going to do now?" Hayasaka, who couldn't fight anymore, wanted to ask what he would do next.

Shinichi approached her and hugged her.

"Eh? Eh--!?" She exclaimed unconsciously, her face gradually turning red.

"What are you doing suddenly? Even though this is the rooftop, people can come anytime, and there are cameras..."

"Only those who have acquired the badge that requires surveillance records. I will edit out any irrelevant scenes."

"Even if that's the case... huh."

Her mask had just been completely shattered. Although she had already made close contact with him, when she was unexpectedly hugged, Hayasaka twisted her body anxiously, becoming as shy as a little woman.

However, she didn't push him away, but slowly relaxed her body and intended to hug him.

"...You've worked hard as a maid all this time."

Hearing this, Hayasaka was stunned, and the warmth that had just risen quickly turned cold.

She quickly pushed her chest away and asked in confusion, "Why did you suddenly say this?"

Shinichi smiled mysteriously.

"Do you know the Shijo family?"

Hayasaka unconsciously answered, "The Shinomiya family branch expanded overseas after decades of internal strife with the head of the Shinomiya family. The total assets and power accumulated all this time couldn't even be absorbed by the head of the Shinomiya family, so we could only let them build a stronghold in Japan..."

As she spoke, she seemed to realize something and lost her voice in disbelief.

"Wait, can't we...?!"

"That's right."

Shinichi touched her smooth face and fine blonde hair, carefully observing her puzzled expression.

Soon, he slowly revealed a sardonic smile, like a villain about to kidnap the princess.

"Only you know this information now, remember not to tell anyone."

"...With the help of others, I have established a relationship with the Shijo family, and I am currently conspiring with them in a major event."

"Although I am a humble person, I have good bargaining tools, and I can hardly get involved..."

The more she listened, the wider Hayasaka's eyes became, she had many hesitant things she wanted to say, but for some reason, she couldn't.

Her facial expression was very complicated, but deep in her heart, there was an emotion that couldn't be explained.

That emotion was the happiness called peace of mind.

That light was the hope called freedom.