“Actually, can I talk to you guys about my thoughts on this? I think the Blue Coven probably had nothing to do with Azusa’s kidnapping. The Blue Coven still had no idea where she was while I was still at their laboratory. Or rather, it was more like they had given up on finding her. They seemed to think creating a new one would be easier than finding the old one.
“The researcher who ran away with the woman carrying Azusa apparently destroyed every piece of information relating to the experiment, causing failed attempt after failed attempt to reproduce the same result as Azusa. Despite all their failures, they still seemed to think they had a higher chance of success in creating a new version than finding Azusa, who the Red Coven couldn’t even find with the full use of all their assets and manpower. I think they had the same opinion before I was there too.”
“Doesn’t that only apply to the people in the laboratory though? The nobles in charge may have had a different opinion.”
“Hmm, I think the Red and Blue Covens would already be at each other’s throats if that were the case. The Blue Coven’s Patriarch came to the lab several times to check on my status, and I don’t think there’s anyone sterner and crueler than he is. He normally gave off the kind old man vibe, but I heard he killed every researcher who opposed him. He seemed like the type to do anything to achieve his goals. If he knew Azusa was here right now, I’m certain he would rage a full-out war with you. But things are relatively calm around her right now. It doesn’t seem like the two covens’ Patriarchs are in negotiations either.”
“I met the Blue Coven’s Patriarch before. He didn’t seem like that type. I thought he was a calm man who didn’t seem suited to rule the Blue Coven known for being such an aggressive coven…”
“Ah, yeah. If I’m not mistaken, they got a new Patriarch two years ago. The current Patriarch is the man who killed the prior Patriarch in a one-on-one battle. The Blue Coven runs completely on the notion of the survival of the fittest—whoever defeats the Patriarch in battle becomes the next Patriarch. From what I heard, this Patriarch was one of the few who actually went as far as killing his predecessor in the match.”
“…Where on Earth did you get a hold of all this information? You claim you were locked up in a laboratory your entire life, but you have common sense and know how to talk normally.”
“Just goes to show even I had someone to talk to.”
“You did?”
“My hypothesis is based on everything I just told you. Naturally, if you don’t believe everything I told you, there will be inconsistencies with it. Anyway, my hypothesis is this: there is a third power targeting Azusa aside from me and you Reds. One that’s not the Blue Coven,” Tsukiharu concluded. Sharp gasps could be heard around the table. Tsukiharu leaned back in his chair and took a sip of his tea as if to signal he was done talking.
Kouya eyed him suspiciously and finally spoke up, “What made you decide to tell us all this? There’s nothing in it for you.”
“I felt like this was the best course of action now that Azusa is with you Reds. She contracted with the Akaoni and her attachments lie with you. Well, in essence, I want you guys to take good care of her until I’m ready to take her away with me. I was willing to wait for that time to come. But I have no idea what exactly it is this third power wants. If they abduct her, I have no clue where they would take her, or what they would do to her. In that case, using you lot seemed like a good idea. You said there’s nothing in it for me, but I told you because of the disadvantages keeping quiet could have,” Tsukiharu explained logically, rendering everyone else without an argument.
Only Tsukiharu casually plucked the sweets off the table and munched on them. Once he confirmed they had nothing else to say, he stood from his seat.
“Tsukiharu?” Azusa quickly called him to stop.
Tsukiharu looked over his shoulder and grinned, “I’m going home since it looks like you’re done questioning me. See you again at school tomorrow, Azusa.”
“Wait.”
“Huh?” Tsukiharu responded less-than-eloquently when Subaru told him to wait just as he turned to leave.
“Let’s call a truce.”
“Subaru?” Ichi grabbed Subaru’s arm with a questioning look. Subaru silently put his hand on Ichi’s and kept his eyes locked on Tsukiharu.
“I want a truce with you. And if possible, I want to share information.”
“What are you going on about?”
“I don’t like you and could never come to like you after what you did. But, if the third power you mentioned really exists, the more people we have fighting on our side the better.”
“Hmm. You’re going to believe what I told you?”
“It doesn’t seem like there would be much benefit for you to lie to us about this stuff. Anyway, this is something I just decided arbitrarily—are the rest of you okay with this?”
Ichi nodded as if she had no other choice, Kouya shrugged with a look of disgust, and Azusa gave a firm nod.
“Obviously, we won’t drop our guard around you, but we will refrain from acting hostile toward you as well. Things will go smoothly if you think before you act too.”
“I guess I’m okay with that.”
Youta returned to the table just as Tsukiharu reluctantly agreed; he must have actually been waiting for the perfect timing.
“I take it you are finished?”
Azusa could no longer see his smile as angelic—sly fox.