"Fear is not evil. It tells you what your weakness is. And once you know your weakness, you bee stronger"

  — Gildarts Clive, Fairy Tail

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  Roy turned, looking at Saeko Busujima quizzically.

  "Don't mistake me for a frail woman! I'm perfectly capable of fighting," Saeko said, a smile pying on her lips.

  Roy paused, realizing she was right. Saeko Busujima, after all, possessed a thirst for battle, a desire to unleash her swordsmanship. Roy's tendency to eliminate all the zombies himself had left her with no outlet for this urge.

  "Then I'll leave it to you, Saeko-senpai," he agreed, allowio take on the surrounding zombies.

  Roy would focus on proteg the group, including Saeko herself. If she entered danger, he could intervene instantly.

  Saeko smiled brightly at his assent, then began her deadly dah the wooden katana.

  Roy stayed close to Shizuka Marikawa and Saya Takagi, keeping a watchful eye on Saeko's progress.

  As the sughter began, Saeko's movements grew increasingly swift and precise.

  Her swordsmanship was incredibly sharp, noticeably more refihan before. Roy's own swordsmanship had clearly elevated her skills.

  Roy also noticed a growiement in her expression, a clear enjoyment of the battle.

  As he suspected, living in an era of peace was a waste of her bat talent. She should be at his side, witnessing the stro fighters across various worlds, reveling ihrill of bat.

  In no time at all, Saeko had cleared the area of all zombies.

  "Whew... Let's get inside," she said, her expressiourning to its usual calm after the fight, exhaling softly.

  "Yes, you've worked hard, Saeko-senpai. Let's go in a," Roy replied, leading the way into Shizuka's friend's house.

  ...

  Upoering, he carefully checked the interior. Though the house appeared unoccupied, he couldn't rule out the possibility of someone hiding inside.

  Saeko, Shizuka, and Saya were surprised by his cautious approach. It also instilled a deeper sense of security in them.

  After firming the house was clear, the three women headed to the bathroom to freshen up.

  Roy went to a separate bathroom to wash up. Though he hadn't been spttered with blood, he still felt the o se himself.

  He finished first, emerging to find the others still enjoying themselves ihroom. It seemed they wouldn't be out for a while.

  Roy went to the kit and prepared a simple meal of noodles.

  By the time the noodles were ready, Saeko, Shizuka, and Saya had emerged, their hair still damp.

  "I apologize. To think I'd let Roy-kun cook for us," Saeko said, entering the kit ed in a towel.

  For a traditional woman like Saeko, having a man cook for her felt almost like an insult. However, Roy had quietly prepared dinner while she was bathing, leaving her with little choice.

  Roy admired Saeko's appearahe simple towel did little to ceal her stunning figure. He mentally appuded her beauty. Her words pleased him even more.

  A woman who could grace a ballroom, manage a kit, elimihreats, overe obstacles, drive a luxury car, own a beautiful home, outsmart rivals, and defend herself against thugs…

  Ahem...

  No, that should be, a woman who could domihe battlefield.

  She ractically the perfean.

  "It's no trouble at all. It was just a simple meal of noodles," Roy said. "e help me carry these out. I imagine you're all starving."

  He stepped aside, gesturing for Saeko to ehe kit.

  "Certainly!"

  Saeko smiled, carrying two bowls of noodles out of the kit, leaving a trail of pleasant fragran her wake.

  Chug to himself, Roy carried the remaining two bowls.

  "e a," he said, handing a bowl to Saya.

  Saya eyed him warily. They were all still in towels, leaving them vulnerable. If Roy had any ill iions, they would be in trouble. She scrutinized him, but his clear gaze held no hint of malice or lust. Relieved, she accepted the bowl and began to eat.

  After an afternoon of running and fear, she was famished.

  "Mmm, these noodles smell wonderful! They're delicious!" Shizuka excimed after her first bite.

  Saeko, though silent, also seemed to be enjoying the meal.

  Seeing them eat with such relish brought a smile to Roy's face.

  After they had finished, he spoke.

  "By the way, Saeko-senpai, have you given any thought to what I mentioned earlier?"

  "Eh? What was that?" Saeko asked, looking at him quizzically.

  "When we first met, I asked you to bey servant," Roy said with a smile.

  "Huh? Servant?"

  Before Saeko could react to Roy's words, Saya interjected, staring at him in surprise.

  "What? If Saya-san wants to bey servant, I'd wele her as well."

  "Idiot, I would never…" Saya's face flushed crimson as she sat back down.

  The word "servant" in this text carried otations of family, belonging, and even marriage. Saya had interpreted his words as a fession.

  It never occurred to them to associate the term with devils.

  However, in this case, being his servant was akin to accepting a proposal, a lifelong itment.

  Saeko finally uood, her face als a delicate shade of pink.

  Though a pirl at Fujimi Academy, aced to fessions of love, this was *Roy's* fession.

  Throughout their ordeal, his exceptional swordsmanship, calm demeanor, and unwavering ability to guide them to safety had left a deep impression on her.

  His noble bearing, handsome features, ale nature had already sparked admiration within Saeko.

  Now, with his ued fession, she felt an impulsive urge to accept. However, before she could speak…

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