-1314- Indirectly insulting me?

So, half an hour passed just like that.

At the gates of Hagun Academy, Rozen's group had arranged to meet, but now only three people had arrived.

These three were, of course, Ikki, Stella, and Shizuku.

All three of them were dressed in casual clothes, having changed out of their usual uniforms. They looked like vibrant young people full of energy, attracting attention.

Especially Stella and Shizuku. One was as beautiful as a flower, the other was adorably sweet; one had a tall, voluptuous figure, and the other was petite and delicate, forming a very striking contrast that frequently caught the eyes of passersby.

It was evident that both had made a special effort to dress up for this outing.

As a result, the two of them were now sulking.

"Even though he's the least busy among us, he's the one who's late. That's too much," Stella fumed over the tardiness of the last member.

Naturally, Shizuku was the same, but her reasoning differed from Stella's.

"It seems like someone doesn't want to go out with us. I think it would be better if just I and my dear brother went out alone," Shizuku said, hugging Ikki's arm and repeatedly making her request. Her intentions were as obvious as an open book, known to everyone.

"Don't say that. Maybe Rozen got held up by something," Ikki hurriedly tried to smooth things over. "Besides, Shizuku, didn't you say you might have a friend coming along too?"

This was something Shizuku had mentioned when she arrived for the meeting.

To be honest, when they first heard it, both Ikki and Stella were very surprised.

After all...

"Can you really make friends? You're not lying, are you?" Stella openly expressed her skepticism.

Why wouldn't she?

With Shizuku's personality, even Rozen and Stella, who often spent time with her, were never called friends by her. She was both sharp-tongued and disliked everyone except Ikki. It would be strange for someone like her to make friends.

Thus, when they first heard about it, both Ikki and Stella were not just surprised, but shocked.

However, Shizuku instead looked disdainful.

"I may dislike people, but there are exceptions. Alice is one of them. She's not superficial and has no excess fat. She's a considerate big sister," Shizuku said.

"I see, a non-superficial big sister with no excess fat... Wait, why do I feel like you're indirectly insulting me?" Stella's initial understanding quickly turned into suspicion as she raised an eyebrow.

"That's just paranoia, Stella. Please don't accuse me unjustly," Shizuku replied, looking at Stella with even more disdain, as if she were looking at an idiot.

"Shi~zu~ku~!" Stella, realizing she had been played by Shizuku, was ready to blow up.

"Alright, alright, you two, please don't fight. This is the school gate; everyone's staring, and it's very uncomfortable!" Ikki quickly intervened as the peacemaker.

Even after training with Altera, outside of battles, Ikki was still the same easygoing and gentle boy.

Of course, once in combat mode, he became calm and terrifying, like a war machine taught by Altera, showing no mercy to his opponents, making every strike potentially fatal. He truly lived up to being Attila's disciple.

But normally, Ikki hadn't changed much. As now, although he was surprised by Shizuku's news, he was genuinely happy that she had made a friend.

The quirky Shizuku finally made a friend. Maybe her personality would gradually return to normal because of this.

Ikki was hopeful.

He couldn't help it. Having a sister who constantly tried to sneak into her brother's bed naked, attempting unspeakable things, was a heavy burden for him.

Fortunately, after training with Altera, Ikki's senses had become much sharper, and his hidden power, Mind's Eye, had improved. He could detect and thwart Shizuku's nightly attempts. Otherwise, Ikki might have already been sent to Germany, who knows.

Now, Ikki could only hope that Shizuku's new friend could help her get back on track and correct her distorted values and affections.

Unbeknownst to Ikki, Shizuku's friend, in some ways, had even more twisted values and affections than Shizuku herself.

Just as the three were quarreling...

"Sorry, I'm late."

With this voice, Rozen finally arrived, walking out from the school gate.

He had changed out of his uniform into casual clothes, a sight that was rarely seen.

His attire was nothing remarkable, just a plain shirt, jeans, and a jacket, a very ordinary outfit.

However, inexplicably, this ordinary attire on Rozen exuded a sense of laziness and freedom, causing the girls around to involuntarily glance over with admiration in their eyes.

"You..."

Even Stella and Shizuku were momentarily stunned, unable to react immediately.

"You look really cool, Rozen."

Ikki was very straightforward in his praise, a big smile on his face.

"Is that so? I just threw on whatever."

Rozen approached the group, somewhat nonchalant.

It wasn't that Rozen was deliberately trying to show off; he really didn't pay much attention to this outfit.

Stella and Shizuku only just realized.

"Why... were you so slow?"

Stella's words stumbled a bit.

"..."

Shizuku quickly looked away, mentally repeating "I love my Onii-sama" a hundred times.

In this situation...

"Sorry, I met someone on the way and chatted for a bit, maybe we'll spar in the future."

Rozen casually spoke up.

"Met someone?"

Stella was slightly taken aback.

"Chatted for a bit?"

Shizuku blinked as well.

"There's a possibility of sparring?"

Ikki was even more intrigued.

Because all three knew very well that Rozen wasn't someone who cared much about winning or losing. Although he might sometimes spar due to a competitive spirit, curiosity, or childishness, he rarely did so without reason, not even participating in the Seven Star Sword Festival, similar contests of strength, as he might do.

Despite this, he claimed there might be a possibility of sparring with someone, which naturally piqued the curiosity of the three.

"Who is it?"

Stella directly voiced her question.

Rozen casually yawned and responded, "It's nothing, just the student council president."

With that, the entire area fell silent.