Chapter - 2

Unlike before, she was properly dressed in a tasteful dark vest and skirt. The school uniform for Hagun Academy suited her quite well because it brought out the red of her fire-like hair. But what drew Ikki's eyes was her chest. That huge area, adorned by a ribbon, emitted a strong presence that instantly reminded Ikki of her half-naked figure… but his breath stopped after seeing the girl's expression. She had probably been crying. The skin under her eyes swelled with resentment.

"Sorry."

That was why an apology came from his mouth. Men shouldn't make women cry. Even if it wasn't his fault, the terror she felt in that moment had been real.

"What happened was an unfortunate accident and I wasn't trying to peep on you. But I saw what I saw, so that's why I'll take responsibility as a man. Bake me or grill me, you can do whatever you like."

"…How resolute. Is this what they call the spirit of a samurai?"

"More like the spirit of a poor speaker."

Ikki showed a rueful smile to Stella, who seemed to understand his remorse. She also softened her expression and returned a thin smile.

"Haha…. Honestly, meeting a molester right after arriving in Japan made me start to think that this was the lowest kind of place. I might've turned this into a diplomatic uproar, but I've calmed down a bit thanks to you. Because you've shown me such strong spirit, it wouldn't do for me not to respond equanimously as a member of an imperial family."

The hostility from when she first entered the room disappeared. After seeing that favorable expression, Ikki also lightened his demeanor. He had thought an imperial princess would be moody and hard to please, but now she seemed like someone who'd accept a proper conversation.

"Ikki, in deference to your gallantry―I'll forgive this matter if you perform harakiri."

…But in reality, it was only true in his head.

"No, please wait a minute! Isn't harakiri too harsh a punishment even for a major crime!?"

"Well, wouldn't capital punishment be expected after assaulting a princess? Seriously, you should be tied to a log and stoned to death by all the nation's citizens. It's quite a privilege that I'm letting you off this way instead."

"Stoning is better suited to making steak tartare than to punishment, isn't it?"

"Just letting you die with honor is a great indulgence, a bloody sacrifice on my part."

"I'm the one who ends up bleeding!"

"Hahaha. Kurogane, you give such clever responses."

"No, please stop laughing. As an educator you should keep the school from hosting an execution!"

"Kurogane, we can purchase peace between Japan and the Vermillion Empire just by offering you up. Don't you think it's a very good deal?"

"How can a deal be good if it costs human life!?"

From Ikki's perspective, someone was getting ripped off here.

"H-Hey, Stella-san, can't you think of another way to settle this?"

"What are you so dissatisfied about? Isn't harakiri considered honorable for Japanese men?"

"No, I was born in Heisei! And I don't have any connections with samurai! And I crossed over to the hip-hop side long ago, yo!"

"Ha, that persona sounds really fake."

"If you don't feel like stopping this then please stay quiet!"

Ikki cried out at Kurono's interruption, but Stella's expression darkened again at Ikki's resistance.

"What's with you!? Didn't you just say that I could do whatever I wanted, whether it was to bake you or grill you!? If you're a man then stick to your word!"

"N-No, that was just a quirky Japanese expression. I didn't know you were really planning on baking and grilling me!"

"Kurogane, you're full of excuses and evasions, aren't you? Remind me, what was it you said about taking responsibility as a man?"

Noisy chairman! His life was more important!

"…I-In any case, just because I saw you in your underwear, you can't make me pay with my life!"

"J-Just, you said!? I... I can't believe it! I can't believe it, you pervert! Is that what you said after despoiling the body of an unmarried princess!? Even my father has never seen it!"

Flames of anger ignited in Stella's eyes at Ikki's careless words. No… it wasn't just her eyes burning. The air around Stella was starting to release scorching heat and light.

Come to think of it, the newspaper wrote something about her ability―

"Unforgivable! I'll personally turn a perverted, molesting, insolent commoner like you to cinders! Serve me, Lævateinn!"