Juzo Ogami vs. Shin Kohazame

**Juzo Ogami vs. Shin Kohazame** is a short duel fought between Juzo Ogami and Shin Kohazame, both first-year middle school students, began when Shin challenged Juzo to a duel for Noren's affection. This challenge also revolved around a pen originally given to Juzo by Noren, which symbolized his status as her boyfriend and obligated him to accept challenges from potential rivals for Noren's affection.

## Prologue

Shin Kohazame is chosen for a mission that involves infiltrating Noren's middle school and building a connection with her because of his exceptional skills, while Ogami grapples with concealing his true strength from Noren, who harbors suspicions about him. Additionally, Noren brings up a peculiar item her father intends to give to her dating partner, which ultimately proves to be a pen-like object, causing Juzo to become bewildered.

## Battle

To the surprise of Juzo and Noren when they encountered Shin outside after the class break, Shin was using a pacifier, claiming it helped ease his anxiety by regressing to a more childlike state. He professed his love for Noren and asked for a chance, despite her already being in a relationship. Noren declined his advances with a punch, discerning his insincerity. Nonetheless, this unexpected rejection intensified Shin's feelings for her, leading him to express his true emotions. However, there was a change of plans. Instead of pursuing the conventional route of trying to win Noren's affection, Shin decided to challenge Ogami to a duel, with the prize being a chance at a relationship with Noren.

During the confrontation between Shin and Ogami, Shin cleverly launched an attack that Juzo narrowly managed to evade. Yet, Shin's agility allowed him to quickly position himself behind Juzo, where he discreetly inquired about their shared profession. In that moment, Shin had a change of heart and opted to challenge Juzo to a duel.

Shin argued that Juzo, as the possessor of the pen gifted by Noren's father, provided concrete evidence of his engagement to Noren. According to Shin, the pen holder was the sole person recognized as Noren's fiancé and was responsible for defending their engagement by accepting challenges. These rules had apparently been posted online, unbeknownst to Juzo and Noren. In essence, the upcoming duel would determine who would emerge as Noren's new boyfriend.

Presently, Juzo finds himself in an unusual situation. His classmates tease him for possessing a pen gifted by Noren's father, symbolizing his status as Noren's boyfriend. The twist is that the pen holder must accept challenges from potential suitors, with the ultimate pen holder considered Noren's fiancé. These somewhat unusual rules had apparently been posted online, much to the amusement of their female classmates. Juzo feels uneasy about the whole situation, while Noren is disheartened by her father's decision to turn her into a prize in what she views as a competition. Amidst this commotion, Ryo expresses genuine concern for Juzo's well-being and assures him that he will not falter, no matter the challenges that lie ahead.

The duel between Shin and Juzo, initiated by Shin's challenge for Noren's affection, is about to begin. Shin outlines the terms of the duel, set to last for an hour. In a rather bizarre twist, Shin's goal is to place a pacifier in Juzo's mouth within the time limit, with success declaring him the winner. This peculiar challenge leaves everyone present bewildered, with some criticizing Shin's habit of constantly using a pacifier.

Before the duel commences, Shin once again professes his love for Noren and expresses his desire to find comfort in her lap if he emerges victorious, a proposal Noren clearly rejects. As the hourglass marks the start of the game, Shin immediately begins his relentless pursuit of Juzo, who skillfully evades each attack while clutching the pacifier. Juzo's nimble dodges earn him compliments from their schoolmates. In a tactical move, Juzo decides to make a quick escape toward a nearby door, seemingly out of fear, to avoid exposing himself. Kotatsu acknowledges his clever thinking.

While making his getaway, Shin launches another attack, this time using kicks. Astonishingly, Juzo once again manages to dodge the assault, leaving spectators to wonder whether it's luck or genuine skill. As Juzo continues to evade, he reflects on how he hasn't encountered such a formidable opponent and finds Shin's pacifier-centric challenge quite bizarre. Shin interjects with the notion that, after being rejected by Noren, he questioned the difference between himself and Juzo, which he boiled down to one being a baby and the other not. This statement perplexes Juzo, but Shin tries to convince him that using a pacifier can provide them both the soothing feeling of being babies, with Shin considering himself the superior baby. Juzo dismisses this notion and continues to dodge Shin's advances.

Throughout the ordeal, Shin persistently professes his love for Noren, suggesting that Juzo can't compete with his feelings. Juzo agrees, realizing that he's moved beyond such emotions and got caught up in this nonsensical challenge due to his stubbornness. As he thinks of his own daughter, Kozue, he begins to see Noren as a daughter figure and genuinely cares about her well-being.

With only five minutes remaining in the duel, the crowd continues to cheer for Juzo as he skillfully evades Shin's attacks. However, as they reach the school's exterior, Shin pulls a hidden string, causing a barrage of pacifiers to rain down on Juzo. It becomes clear that this was a trap all along. Juzo manages to escape the pacifier onslaught but inadvertently steps on a rake with a pacifier on top. He's left with no choice but to face the approaching pacifier inching toward his mouth. The tension builds as everyone watches to see if Juzo can block or evade it.

In a surprising turn of events, the rake suddenly stops, leaving everyone, including Shin, in shock. Shin realizes that Juzo had strategically placed chisels from the art room just before stepping on the rake. This clever move secures Juzo's victory in the challenge.

## Aftermath

After the duel, Shin is left feeling defeated and begins to question the depth of his love. Meanwhile, Juzo, who had thoughts of his own daughter during the duel, comes to realize that when he looks at Noren, he sees a reflection of Kozue, his daughter. He acknowledges that he has feelings for Noren, though of a different kind. He understands that what he couldn't do for his own daughter, he might be able to do for others. Noren, witnessing Shin's distress over the outcome, feels disappointed by the cruelty of forcing people to compete for her affection.

The next day, Chisato introduces Shin as the newest member of the club, as he stands by Noren's side, determined not to give up on her, no matter what.