Some things are unavoidable. Even if you try to avoid them, you still have to face them when the time comes.
In fact, the longer you drag it out, the more troublesome it becomes.
Although he wished he could immediately escape to another world, Takatsuki's rationality prevailed.
The result was that Takatsuki once again took Mei out during class.
Just like the last time they went to see Ryoma, Mei didn't suspect anything about Takatsuki's invitation, even when they went to a secluded forest where no one else was present.
After confirming that there was no one else around, Takatsuki stopped.
Mei looked at Takatsuki, who had turned around with a solemn expression, with some confusion, still not realizing what was happening.
Or perhaps, Takatsuki often acted strangely, and she had gotten somewhat used to it?
Mei also knew that Takatsuki was hiding some things and bore some burdens, but she had never actively asked him about them.
She embodied the Yamato Nadeshiko style to the fullest, not interfering with her male head of household's decisions.
And then…
She faced her greatest emotional crisis.
With faint purple electric arcs flickering around her, Mei suppressed her surging emotions and the other personality within her body that wanted to assert its presence. Her pupils, glowing red, stared at the man apologizing in front of her, as she asked her question, word by word.
"Takatsuki-kun…you mean…you cheated?"
Takatsuki put down his clasped hands with a hint of guilt: "That's right, that's what happened."
She took a deep breath, but the electric arcs around Mei did not diminish in the slightest, meaning her mood had not improved with Takatsuki's honesty, though her tone became a bit smoother.
With a somewhat chilling smile, Mei asked her question.
"Who is that person? Kiana? Hestia? Bronya? Ais? It couldn't be… Seele, could it?"
She rattled off several names in a row, her tone becoming more stable at the end.
"I already guessed this would happen. After all, Takatsuki-kun, you're the only male of our age in this academy. I was already mentally prepared."
These words seemed to be said more to Mei herself than to Takatsuki.
Because she had indeed thought about such things.
She just never said it out loud.
Living under the same roof with a group of beautiful girls, and having such close relationships, it would be impossible for nothing beyond ordinary friendship to happen.
Or rather, Takatsuki had already done remarkably well to hold out until now?
"Well, no…it's Durandal."
"?"
Mei stared blankly at Takatsuki. She hadn't expected to hear an unfamiliar name.
But it also sounded like she had heard it somewhere before.
However, instead of trying to recall, Mei directly chose to ask.
"Who is Durandal?"
"Bianka Ataegina, the current Strongest Valkyrie of Schicksal."
"…"
Mei felt numb.
Who is this person?! The Strongest Valkyrie of Schicksal, how did Takatsuki get involved with her!?
"So…are you going to…break up…with me…?"
Thinking of this possibility, a dark aura emanated from Mei, and the surrounding Honkai Energy also rose sharply.
"No, no!"
Takatsuki quickly denied: "Although it was due to irresistible force, I want to take responsibility for that. Mei, I still love you. How could I abandon you?"
Perhaps realizing that it was just her own misunderstanding, the dark aura around Mei suddenly dissipated.
"Then what if I asked you to choose between me and her?"
"Ah, this…"
This question was no less difficult than choosing who to save if both fell into water at the same time; it was a direct death trap.
Takatsuki chose to remain silent.
Fortunately, Mei seemed to have just asked casually and didn't really expect Takatsuki to give an answer.
Mid-sentence, Mei's tone suddenly changed.
From a somewhat gentle tone, it shifted to cold and arrogant.
Looking at the red pupils, Takatsuki knew that the person in front of him was no longer Mei, but Raiden, or rather, Herrscher Mei?
Takatsuki was a bit confused about Mei's state now; she seemed to often merge her two personalities into one person. Takatsuki hadn't asked whether it was pure Raiden controlling the body while Mei maintained her senses, or if the two had truly merged.
"No, to that hotel from last time!"
"???"
Mei saw Takatsuki motionless and grabbed his arm.
"What are you still doing standing there! Forget it, if you don't move, I will!"
Takatsuki hadn't yet understood the meaning of these words when the surrounding Honkai Energy suddenly erupted, a red lightning bolt flashed, and the two disappeared into the forest.
It was a while after their disappearance that Theresa finally arrived, late.
"What's going on! How can there be such a strong Honkai Energy reaction."
Theresa nervously looked around, and Himeko, who had rushed over with her, was the first to find a clue.
"Theresa, I think we don't need to worry. Look here."
The two looked at the stones on the ground that were still sparking with electricity.
"This lightning, is it Mei? Why is she unleashing Honkai Energy here?"
While Theresa was still wondering, Himeko had already pulled up the surveillance footage around the forest, seeing the scene of Takatsuki taking Mei into the forest.
"It seems we don't need to worry."
Seeing that it was Takatsuki, Himeko felt a little relieved: "I think it's not Mei losing control."
"Is that so? Still, let others pay attention. If you see Mei, remember to notify me."
"Understood."
Takatsuki and Mei naturally didn't know about the commotion they had caused.
It even put St. Freya Academy into a semi-alert state.
He only knew that Mei had actually entered her Herrscher state just to take him away, with horns appearing on her forehead and her pupils changing to the characteristic Herrscher shape.
Although he could easily break free from Mei's grip, Takatsuki didn't do so, instead letting Mei take him, lightning flashing and thunder rumbling, all the way to the Far East.
The speed of the lightning was very fast, with a clap of thunder.
While passersby were still wondering why there was thunder in broad daylight, the two had already landed in front of a hotel.
"?"
Takatsuki looked at the hotel and before he could ask, he was pulled inside by Mei.
Perhaps to avoid scaring others, the horns on Mei's forehead disappeared as they entered the hotel.
"Um… Mei, what are we doing here?"
All the way, Mei didn't say a word except when handing her ID to the front desk, just violently dragging Takatsuki all the way to the hotel room.
"To make sure you don't make mistakes again."
Mei's eyes still maintained the Herrscher's purple, and her pupils had changed into the special shape of the Herrscher of Thunder.
Without letting Takatsuki say anything more, she simply extended her hand and lightly tapped.
Takatsuki's clothes completely disintegrated and disappeared…