After all, it was the first ti he had encountered a crossdresser, and even Eiji felt a bit out of his depth. Ikki and Stella weren't doing much better, but Nene remained completely unfazed, even seeming a bit pleased.
Although her junior brother had always been respectful to her on the surface, she could clearly see what he really thought deep down. She never expected that after being harassed by the crossdresser, he would genuinely start thanking her.
Nene suddenly began to understand how to deal with her junior brother.
"Shizuku is really amazing. She's grown up so much without noticing, and her ntal fortitude has beco so strong. She used to be so shy when she was little..."
Ikki looked at Shizuku, who showed no signs of being shaken, and couldn't help but feel a sense of pride as he recalled his sister from their childhood.
When she was younger, Shizuku had been a very shy girl. She could barely speak when facing others, often cried at the drop of a hat, and always needed his help with everything.
Who would have thought that after a few years apart, she had changed so much? Now, Shizuku could face a crossdresser without batting an eye.
He needed to learn from her.
"Whether soone is male or female doesn't matter. As long as they're human, I dislike them all equally."
Shizuku covered her lips with a light chuckle, then walked over and naturally wrapped her arm around Ikki's, her expression full of affection.
"Of course, Brother is the exception!"
Take that back.
Can soone please remove the thorn in Shizuku's heart?
"Although Alice is a rare type, since she herself has expressed that she wants to be treated as a woman, there's no need to feel awkward. Brother, just treat her as a woman. That's what I've been doing."
"I'll try..."
Ikki couldn't deny that it was a bit difficult, but since Shizuku had said so, he had to give it a shot.
"Hehe, thank you for your kindness, but don't force yourself. I don't want anyone to feel awkward because of gender issues. Just be natural."
Nagi smiled and offered a way out, which made both Ikki and Stella feel much more at ease.
No wonder Shizuku, who was usually so reclusive, could get along so naturally with Nagi despite having only been roommates for a few days. They acted like ordinary friends.
From these words alone, it was clear that Nagi was a very considerate person, able to understand and accommodate others' feelings. Such people were rare.
Ikki thought this to himself, and his impression of Nagi improved significantly.
"Hey hey, what are you doing as soon as you co out?"
"Just the usual sibling interaction. Brother and I used to walk like this all the ti when we were kids, right, Brother?"
"Huh? Yeah, that's true..."
"Ugh...!"
Stella, the princess, stared at Shizuku's arm linked with Ikki's for a long ti before finally unable to hold back her protest. But Shizuku effortlessly brushed her off, causing Stella to let out a frustrated groan.
"W-Well, if that's the case, then I'll—"
Stella looked at Ikki's free right hand, her eyes filled with longing, and couldn't help but take a step forward.
"I knew you'd say that, Stella, so I've prepared sothing for you. Here, please put this on."
"...What is this?"
"A collar. Please enjoy the servant dynamic, Stella."
The princess froze on the spot, unsure whether to move forward or retreat, her face filled with frustration.
Shizuku seed to have prepared for this for a long ti. With just a few words, she had left Stella speechless, standing tall like a proud swan.
"What's this about a servant?"
Eiji asked curiously.
"It's nothing!"
Stella's expression worsened, but she tried to act nonchalant, hoping to brush it off.
"Ara, why not talk about it? Weren't you brave enough to say it so loudly in front of the whole class? Why are you hesitating now?"
Shizuku smiled sweetly, her words cutting deep.
"Or is it that after making a bet in the duel that the loser would beco the winner's servant for life, you're now backing out after losing? Does that an Stella's loyalty to Brother is just that flimsy? Or perhaps the words of the Vermillion royal family carry so little weight?"
Such sharp words.
Eiji silently praised her and began to look forward to what would happen next.
Aren't they going to fight?
He had heard that they had fought a week ago, but unfortunately, Eiji hadn't been there to see it. Otherwise, he would have loved to witness whether won tore each other's clothes during a fight.
No particular reason, just pure curiosity.
"There's no need to be so harsh. Sorry, Stella, Shizuku went a bit too far. She's not really a bad person, so there's no need to take her words so seriously."
Unfortunately, Ikki stepped in, acting as the diator between the two.
Being perpetually single, Ikki didn't realize that sotis saying things like this was akin to adding fuel to the fire.
"W-What's there to be afraid of! I'll show you the dignity of the Vermillion royal family!"
Stella snatched the collar from Shizuku's hand and clicked it around her neck.
"Ahaha, haha... See! The Vermillion royal family keeps its word!"
She laughed as if she were about to short-circuit, her face red as a tomato, steam practically pouring out of her cheeks, and her eyes spinning as if she were about to faint on the spot.
Are they really going this far?
Eiji hadn't expected Stella to actually put on the collar. He had been hoping for a fight.
But seeing this, it seed Princess Stella had a lot of potential. She seed willing to play along with anything. In an instant, Eiji's mind filled with various scenarios.
No doubt, Ikki was a lucky man.
The passersby around the school gate all turned to stare at Princess Stella with shock and disbelief.
"...This is just ridiculous."
Even Shizuku was at a loss for words, staring wide-eyed for a long ti before finally waving her hand dismissively, her interest waning.
"Fine, you win this round. Consider yourself qualified."
"Hah... haha... I won..."
Princess Stella's face stiffened, and with a humiliated smile, she fell backward.
As her courage faded and her sha returned, the princess fainted in a spectacular fashion.
***
Near Hagun Academy, there was a large shopping mall with a national presence.
The group took a bus and arrived in about ten minutes.
Due to the earlier commotion, by the ti they arrived, it was almost noon.
"Brother, we still have so ti before the movie starts. How about we grab sothing to eat first? Thanks to soone, we've been busy all morning, and I'm getting hungry."
Shizuku showed no intention of letting go of Ikki's arm and sweetly suggested.
"In that case, I recomnd the food court on the first floor!"
Nagi, acting like an expert, enthusiastically suggested.
***
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