The Price of Victory

Saint Lily turned to White Rose, taking a deep breath.

“Do you even know what you just did?”

“……”

“I know. I won.” White Rose replied simply, her expression utterly exhausted now that her Flower Domain was closed. Still, she managed to force a smile. “The victor takes all. Saint Lily, try not to be such a sore loser.”

A sharp, crimson handprint bloomed on the side of White Rose’s face.

“Is that what I asked you?” Saint Lily watched her, exasperated and visibly incensed. “I asked if you noticed everyone behind you!”

“……”

“Don’t just stand there in silence. Answer me.”

“I won.”

“That answer tells me you did notice. Yes, you won, and you were impressive. Your final reversal truly exceeded my expectations, and you successfully bloomed. You really do have immense potential, White Rose.”

“So what? Explain what just happened! Since you noticed them, was it intentional? Or an accident?” Saint Lily’s usual gentleness vanished, replaced by an unfamiliar pressure and stern authority as she fixed her gaze on White Rose. “Don’t tell me you weren’t aware of Red Spider Lily’s abilities, nor that you didn’t understand the power of that last attack. This challenge was meant to be a friendly spar, not to mention impacting others. Did you even consider the consequences?”

“……”

“‘Knowing when to stop’ is merely an excuse for the weak. Saint Lily, I won. From now on, I am the captain, and you have no right to dictate my actions.” White Rose regarded her with cold eyes. “I’ll overlook this slap, considering all the help you’ve given me over the years. But if there’s a next time, you’ll leave ‘Lucky Garden.'”

“I…” Even in her anger, Saint Lily found herself trying to make excuses for the junior she had held in such high regard. Perhaps White Rose hadn’t noticed, or she had noticed but it was an accident, or the attack had been too late to retract. Truly, if only White Rose would offer even a small explanation, Saint Lily would…

Saint Lily watched in silence. In just one day, this junior seemed to have become a stranger, her true nature unrecognizable.

“I will not allow you to become the captain of ‘Lucky Garden,'” Saint Lily declared, each word deliberate.

“Heh~ Are you trying to renege just because you lost? It has nothing to do with your permission!” White Rose turned to Dandelion and the others. “You’re putting on an act, pretending to care for everyone. Why don’t you see what *they* think?”

“Hmm…” Miss Dandelion mused, offering an apologetic smile to Saint Lily. “I’m sorry, Lily, I understand your feelings. But for a team, rules are paramount. Constantly changing decisions isn’t acceptable. And as a fair judge, this challenge was White Rose’s victory.”

“……” Saint Lily’s lips parted slightly, but she nodded, acknowledging her understanding. She then looked to Hyacinth and Redbud. “And you two?”

“Ah…” Redbud hesitated, but Hyacinth spoke up. “While White Rose can be reckless, I’ve worked with her for many years. I trust her character, and I believe she has the ability to lead this team well.”

“Since Senior Hyacinth says so, then it must be true~ Besides, Senior White Rose is so amazing, she’ll definitely lead us further! Sister Lily, um… a bet’s a bet, right?” Redbud twirled her fingers, not daring to meet Saint Lily’s gaze as she whispered, resigned to the outcome.

“Saint Lily, see? This is what everyone thinks! They have no complaints, so why do you need to protect them?”

“It seems your saintly act fell flat this time~” White Rose sneered, a malicious smile gracing her lips. “Everyone isn’t blind, and they’re not children either. How could they not see through your little trick?”

“……”

“From now on, just focus on being my support. And watch closely, as your captain, how I lead ‘Lucky Garden’ to greater heights.”

“Oh, and one more thing.” White Rose glanced at Red Spider Lily, a peculiar idea forming in her mind. She hadn’t forgotten her initial plan. Turning back to Saint Lily, she continued, “Captain’s orders: all irrelevant personnel, leave the premises. And Saint Lily, if you still want to stay here, you do the honors.”

****

“I’m sorry, Red Spider Lily, that you had to endure this with me. You helped everyone, yet received no thanks, only this treatment.” Saint Lily apologized from the back seat of Red Spider Lily’s motorcycle.

“I don’t really care. I never wanted to get involved with them anyway.” Red Spider Lily paused. “But Saint Lily, are you alright?”

“Just leave with me like this,” Red Spider Lily said. “That person just now, ‘Saint Lily, if you leave, don’t ever come back!’ she shouted it so loudly. It seems you can’t go back.”

“Ah…” Saint Lily sighed helplessly. “I know. But I couldn’t just stand by and watch injustice unfold before my eyes. And Red Spider Lily, your temper isn’t usually so mild. Yet this time, for my sake, you endured the slight without fighting back, choosing instead to leave.”

“My temper isn’t good?”

“My mistake. It’s a fierce sense of justice.”

“Oh, then I forgive you.”

“A friend made a compromise for me, but if we’re friends, why should I make her compromise?” Saint Lily murmured. “This isn’t what I wanted. Though I might have a thousand reasons to stay, none of them require you to suffer for it.”

“……” Red Spider Lily remained silent. To be honest, she was quite open-minded. Even if Saint Lily had chosen to stay, she wouldn’t have felt any resentment. On one side was the super-powered team she’d been with for years, one she’d even assembled herself; on the other was her newly made friend. She could easily discern which held more weight. Adults prioritize dignity, which was why she had chosen to yield.

Yet, this person’s way of thinking was truly different from her own, different from most people’s.

And because of this difference, Red Spider Lily felt a warmth spread through her heart.

“……”

But precisely because of this, two hypothetical scenarios involuntarily surfaced in Red Spider Lily’s mind.

‘What if one day she found out Red Spider Lily was a 26-year-old man?’

‘What if one day she discovered Red Spider Lily was also Villain No. 1, Su Mo?’

Hmm…

So why let her know?

Red Spider Lily quickly came to a conclusion.

“Ah~ Red Spider Lily~”

“What?”

“Am I a complete failure?” Saint Lily asked softly.

“……” Red Spider Lily paused, then spoke. “You are wonderful. You don’t need to care about others’ opinions. Though I wouldn’t claim my words carry much weight, I know this: no matter what happens, I will always be Saint Lily’s fan. Obsessed with my big sister, utterly devoted, ready to smash through walls for her!”

“Pfft~ What on earth is that~” Saint Lily said helplessly, her mind recalling the previous ‘bullet screen’ battle as her cheeks unconsciously flushed.

“I’m serious,” Red Spider Lily stated, gazing calmly ahead. She genuinely had become a fan of the other woman.

“……”

“I… I’m not that good.”

“And you don’t have to be, do you? The Saint Lily who slacks off, who acts spoiled, who complains – that’s still Saint Lily. But the Saint Lily who is kind, strong, and warm – that’s also Saint Lily.”

“You’re not a flawless saint; you’re my lovely friend.”

“…That’s cheating.”