The next day's lunch break. The location was the school courtyard.
We spread out a leisure sheet there, and I, Riran, and Ryuguin were eating lunch facing each other.
Apparently, she had something she wanted to consult us about while we ate.
Consulting is fine, but... why the courtyard?
I moved my eyes and looked around.
The gazes, gazes, and more gazes of men glaring at us... or rather, at me.
Well, that makes sense.
Riran and Ryuguin. Just having two of the most beautiful first-year girls in the courtyard makes them stand out, and yet here is a guy like me with them. The jealous stares are incredible.
You guys, you probably have your own Fated Persons too. So please stop, it's scary.
Feeling awkward, I nibbled on my lunch and took a sip of tea. Mmm, delicious.
"Phew... So, Ryuguin. What was it you wanted to consult us about?"
"Hmm. How should I put this..."
Ryuguin let out a bitter smile, looking like it was hard to say.
It's probably—no, almost certainly—about that matter. Since she called it a consultation.
I glanced at Riran. But she just shrugged and tilted her head. It seems Riran hasn't been told anything yet either.
Hmm. I have a bad feeling about this.
Ryuguin agonized over how to start, and then...
"Actually, I've been disowned."
She dropped an absolute bombshell.
"".............................. Huh????""
Disowned... Disinherited... Disowned!?
Ryuguin said it quite nonchalantly, with a flat expression.
Riran and I, having heard that, were stunned.
Did this girl just say she was disowned? Uh, seriously?
"W-Wait, Rion, is that true...!?"
Riran pressed her in a low voice. But I understand the feeling. Even if someone suddenly tells you they're disowned, it lacks any sense of reality.
"Ah, sorry. To be precise, rather than being disowned, it's more like I'm about to be."
"...So it's not decided yet?"
"Yes. But I'll probably be notified around today."
Ehh... isn't that a bit too sudden?
What on earth happened?
"Actually, after that, I consulted Leeza-san via message. About how we should proceed from now on."
At Ryuguin's words, Riran nodded silently.
Well, it's their lives. That's only natural.
"As a result of our consultation, we decided to tell them properly and try to get them to understand. Even for us, we want to be blessed by our families."
Yeah, that's a wise decision. It's not something you can keep hidden forever.
"So, I told her yesterday along with Leeza-san."
"That was fast!"
I knew Leeza-san's ability to take action was fast and forceful, but Ryuguin is quite active too.
Since she's that person's Fated Person, I can somehow understand it.
"S-So, what happened...?"
"She fainted. It seems she hasn't woken up yet."
No, that's only natural! From a parent's perspective, it was incredibly sudden!
Besides, Ryuguin's mother was very worried about the family succession.
Imagine having your own daughter expose to you, "Actually, my Fated Person is a woman..." Of course she'd faint once or twice!
"That mother of mine received such a shock that she fainted. Once she wakes up, I will probably be disowned from the Ryuguin family."
""............""
Riran and I fell silent at the rapid development.
At a time like this, I don't know what words to use. A development where she gets disowned is just too unexpected.
"...If you are disowned, what will you do, Rion...?"
"I'll be taken care of at Leeza-san's place. Leeza-san and her mother have both accepted me."
...She's acting so calm. She isn't shaken at all.
Even though we're completely confused by the sudden turn of events.
"But... maybe I'll have to quit school."
"...Eh?"
"Quit...? W-Why?"
"Because if I'm disowned, I won't be able to get money from my parents' house, right? I've heard about the circumstances of Leeza-san's household as well. As expected, I can't be so thick-skinned as to ask them to pay for my money until I graduate high school."
Th-That's true, but... even so, to quit school.
Riran was so shocked her eyes were practically rolling back in her head.
"...Can't we do something about that?"
"Hmm... honestly, I think it will be difficult to persuade my mother. I've lived with her for 16 years, so there's no mistake."
"It's my first time seeing someone say something so negative with such confidence."
If that's the case, what should we do?
To be honest, it's already checkmate. There probably isn't a way to overturn the current situation from here.
Regarding her future life, if she's going to be with her Fated Person, Leeza-san, there shouldn't be a problem.
No matter what adversity, no matter what hardship, you can overcome it if your Fated Person is there.
That is the 'Red Thread of Fate'.
But that only applies to themselves; it doesn't have the power to change other people's ideologies.
In other words, it's a total stalemate.
"...So, what was the consultation? We can't do anything about stopping the disinheritance or not wanting you to drop out..."
"I've already given up on those. It's no use thinking about things that can't be changed. My consultation is... well..."
Ryuguin's cheeks turned red, her fingers fidgeted, and her body became restless.
"Um... even if I end up quitting school... will you still be my friends?"
"Of course we will!"
Ah, she's revived.
Riran grabbed Ryuguin's hand and pulled her close.
"Rion. I'll always, always be your friend... no, your best friend!"
"I'll be by your side as a friend, too. Leeza-san is my master, after all. Let me cooperate as much as I can."
"Riran-chan, Sanada-kun... yes, thank you."
With tears in her eyes, Ryuguin gave a brilliant smile.
Riran, who was watching her, also had faint tears in her eyes—immediately after, someone's smartphone rang.
"Ah, sorry. It's mine."
She quickly pulled out her smartphone... and froze. What's wrong?
"R-Rion...?"
"E-Err... for now, please look at this."
"Can I look too?"
"Yes. Rather, I want the two of you to see it..."
The two of us?
I exchanged looks with Riran and took the smartphone from Ryuguin.
What was displayed there was:
Mother: We have things to discuss.
Mother: This evening, bring Leeza-san, Riran-san, and Akito-san with you.
It was, in effect, a death sentence.