Chapter 76: The Deep Sea Witch

Shizuku Kurogane, a B-rank Blazer, was the second most talented newcomer this year, right behind Stella.

Usually, Blazers with distinct traits or outstanding abilities were given titles.

Shizuku had earned the title "Deep Sea Witch" thanks to her powerful elemental manipulation ability to control water.

That was all Charles had known about this girl—until he actually met her, and then added one more thing to the list.

To that, Shizuku Kurogane simply replied, "What's there to be confused about?!"

"In my country, that would never be acceptable!" Stella couldn't help but speak up.

Charles, equally dumbfounded, muttered, "Yeah… In our country, people would break your legs for that."

Actually, the one most flustered by having his first kiss stolen was Ikki Kurogane, but he finally managed to pull himself together and said, "Shizuku, your way of thinking really is messed up!"

Shizuku's expression remained unchanged as she smiled and said, "Other people are other people. We're us. For us, not just a kiss—even spending a romantic night together would be completely normal!"

"There's no way that's normal!!!" ×N

Congratulations to Class 1-A for achieving consensus on at least one thing on their first day of the new school term.

Even Ikki, as dense as he could be, finally reacted to those sensitive words.

"What are you even saying, Shizuku?! A girl shouldn't be talking like that…!"

Shizuku only smiled more seductively and said, "Hehe, of course I'm joking. But seeing your face all red like that—so cute, Onii-sama!"

Ikki still remembered his sister as that shy, introverted little girl. How had she turned into this?

Unrelenting, Shizuku wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned in close. "Come on, don't get hung up on little details. Let Shizuku be close to you, Onii-sama. Do you have any idea how much I missed you these past four years?"

Charles covered his face and said, "Uh, I don't mind you two being close siblings, but maybe be mindful of the setting?"

Ikki snapped back to reality at Charles's words and quickly pushed Shizuku away. "Right, we're in the classroom! This has to stop!"

Shizuku looked a bit dissatisfied but said, "What a shame. Then I'll find a quiet place later where I can tell you just how much I've missed you. However…"

She turned her gaze toward Charles, her expression clearly unfriendly.

Charles figured she was upset because he'd "ruined the moment," but that didn't seem like enough to warrant such hostility.

With impeccable etiquette, Shizuku bowed to him and said, "As my brother's friend, I appreciate your understanding of the bond between siblings."

"How polite! As expected from the noble daughter of the esteemed Kurogane family."

But before he could finish, Shizuku cut him off bluntly.

"But… you're the one who beat my brother, aren't you? Mr. Charles?"

Charles finally understood where all this hostility was coming from—it was because of the mock battle.

Shizuku loved her brother more than anyone and believed in his strength more than anyone.

So the fact that Ikki had been defeated was something she probably found even harder to accept than Ikki himself did.

Ikki sensed the animosity as well and quickly tugged at her sleeve. "Hey, Shizuku, that's no way to treat someone."

He turned to Charles and said, "Sorry about this. She's only acting like this because of me…"

Charles raised a hand and said, "I get it. Still, I really envy you—having such a caring and beautiful little sister."

Truthfully, Shizuku was unexpectedly easy to get along with. Charles knew exactly how to handle her.

For Shizuku, it all boiled down to one simple principle: if you praise her brother, you're friends; if you support her being with her brother, you're sworn allies.

So the moment Charles said that, Shizuku's expression cleared like sunshine after a storm.

"Not at all, I was the one who was rude. I never expected my brother to have such an understanding friend. Please take care of him from now on."

Ikki scratched his head, confused at how the relationship between the two had suddenly become so harmonious, as if they'd reached some unspoken agreement.

Charles looked between them and said, "I just got here and haven't had time to prepare daily necessities. Since the weekend is coming up, I made plans with Ikki to go shopping.

If you don't mind, Shizuku, would you like to join us?"

"Go on a date… with Onii-sama?!"

Shizuku's eyes sparkled instantly, and seeing the expression on Charles's face, she immediately understood his intention.

It seemed Charles had been severely underestimated before. Her brother's friend… was a true comrade.

She gave him a covert thumbs-up, but outwardly responded with elegance, "If it's not too much trouble, I'd be delighted."

Internally, she had already started planning which outfit would captivate her brother the most.

"I'm going too!" Stella couldn't hold back and shouted on the spot.

But when everyone turned to look at her, she blushed deeply.

"I only just arrived in this country too. I have a lot of things to buy."

Her excuse was plausible enough, and Charles didn't suspect her of having any hidden motives.

But Kagami made a strange face—there was no way a royal princess could possibly be missing anything.

Especially since the King of Vermillion was a total doting father. If not for the limited space in the dorms, he would've tried to ship the entire castle to Japan.

Seeing right through Stella's excuse, Kagami grinned wickedly and said, "Then it's basically a double date!"

A "double date" referred to two couples, usually close friends, going out together for a relaxed and fun time.

"Double date?!!"

Charles, as usual, stayed calm. So did Shizuku, who was perfectly fine with anything that involved her brother. The ones who panicked were Stella and Ikki.

After all, dates were something couples did. Stella wasn't mentally prepared for that yet, and Ikki feared being labeled a siscon pervert.

Ignoring their flustered reactions, Charles said, "Then it's settled—see you this weekend!"

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