“Um…what did you need me for?” Kanemitsu managed to speak somehow, but he was still nervous. It was little wonder, as he was facing Misaki, the wife of his sovereign, and though married, still the most popular among the warriors; and Seto, her mother, feared by friend and foe as the demon princess of Jurai, the legendary Amazon. For Kanemitsu, who idolized them, it was unreasonable to ask him not to be nervous.
Kanemitsu’s demeanor resulted in showing Yosho the position he held as a member of the Imperial Family. A mere encounter petrified people, striking fear deep in their hearts. He also saw how immature he was compared to Seto’s charisma. This meeting was a shock for Yosho as well.
“Don’t be so nervous. We’re here today as Yosho’s family.” Seto gently took Kanemitsu’s hand without putting any weird pressure on, which was unusual for her. Although that was enough for his cheeks to flush and beads of sweat to appear on his forehead.
“Uh-oh!!” Yosho almost shouted as he glanced at Misaki. The corners of her mouth were twisted and trembling slightly. Misaki had the habit of glomming onto anything and anyone she deemed cute. She held back while she was on official business as Empress, but when she came close to her limit, this was the warning signal. If she were to glom onto Kanemitsu-dono right now, he might die from shock. But Yosho could not hold her back, and Seto was in the middle of introductions. His eyes met with those of the principal, standing a step behind Kanemitsu, and signaled him by glancing towards Misaki.
“Seto-sama…! Here, would you like to sit down on the sofa…?” As hoped, the principal was aware of Misaki’s habits and deftly let Seto know of Misaki’s situation.
“I’m sorry, I was being inconsiderate… Please.” Seto stepped back to make way for Kanemitsu and did not forget to nonchalantly step on Misaki’s foot.
“Ow!!”
Seto encouraged Kanemitsu to sit down, then sat across from him and cut to the chase. “We asked you to come here today to thank you for taking care of Yosho at Galaxy Academy, and also…” Kanemitsu clenched his fists tightly and looked down. He thought he was going to be rebuked for being Kasen’s puppet as well as House Amaki’s. With Yosho being there, he could not think of any other business. Seto noticed all this and continued with a smile, “Kanemitsu-dono, would you want to study at the Academy again?”
“What…? Galaxy Academy?!” Kanemitsu lifted his face at the unexpected words.
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Did Yosho…?!” He regained some of his composure, thought Yosho had said something to Seto, and turned to face him. Yosho shook his head, barely perceptively, denying it.
“It was truly unfortunate that you had to return during the exam period and were unable to take the exams in four subjects. However, I received a report that of the eleven subjects you were able to take the exams for, your grades were all at the top of the class. If you are willing, I shall permit it under my name, Kamiki Seto Jurai.”
This offer was extremely appealing for him. And an imperial mandate from Seto herself. But Kanemitsu was unable to answer and remained silent for a while. Seto waited patiently. She knew why he hesitated, what he was particular about, and could predict how he would answer. Kanemitsu opened his mouth as if wringing the words out, “Um…I went to study there on orders from the Amaki Family. And I returned to Jurai upon those orders. Going to study at Galaxy Academy was my dream. I could never express enough appreciation for your kindness, but my desire is that this is one dream I must bring to fruition on my own…”
There were some things that could not be conferred, even by the Imperial Family or people he respected. Kanemitsu had ruined it once. He realized it was due to his own inexperience. He knew that he would not make the same mistake again. To work for Seto and Misaki, his idols, was what he wanted. But he could not as long as he could not be confident in himself. He could not honestly say that he wasn’t resentful of the Amaki Family for forcing him to return to Jurai. He never wanted to have to resent Seto or Misaki because of his inexperience. He was yet another awkward, stubborn Jurai man.
“All right…” Seto answered regretfully, but inside, she was satisfied that he had answered exactly as she had expected. But there was no way Seto was backing down, and of course she had prepared her next scheme. “But Kanemitsu-dono, while applying to the Academy will be easier than before, you will still need to pay a substantial sum. It will take you decades to raise the funds.”
“I am prepared for that…”
“Kanemitsu-dono, would you like to make a wager with me?” She turned a provoking smile to him. She was revealing her true colors.
“A wager…?”
“Yes. The rules are simple. I will provide, out of my own pocket, twice the amount Jurai’s federally financed study would provide. We will divide the expenses necessary for study by the number of exams needed for minimum credits in both semesters. If you are top of the class in those exams, I’ll pay the entire amount; if you are second, I will pay half; if you are third, half of that again; and so on every time you fall in rank. If you are the top in all your subjects, you will owe nothing for the entire year. I will provide bonuses for other exams you pass and awards you earn. You can devote yourself to study as long as you want, whether decades or hundreds of years. Meanwhile, I will not interfere with anything you do. Once you have had your fill, you will come work for me to pay off whatever you could not offset.” With skillful intonations of her voice and expressions, and subtle pauses, she pulled him into her grasp. “What do you think? Would you accept?”
“Is that all?” The conditions seemed easy for Kanemitsu. In actuality, he had almost always been the top in the core requirements, so he was confident.
“But maintaining top ranks every single time is a difficult undertaking.
You might end up working for me for the rest of your life. If you’re not confident, you shouldn’t do it. Well?” It was a gentle provocation for Seto.
Of course, Kanemitsu had been so nervous just a minute ago, and now he was excitedly discussing a wager with Seto. She was good at making him play her game.
“All right! I accept!!” “Then that’s settled!”
Kanemitsu reflexively took the hand outstretched by Seto. “…!!” After the fact, he realized that he was holding her hand, blushed, and let go.
Seto chuckled, “Kanemitsu-dono, when will you start? You can go right away, but what does the principal think?”
“Kanemitsu-kun, what are your thoughts?” The principal’s tone was a little flabbergasted.
“I-I’d like to go after the training voyage…” “Yes, that sounds good. Seto-sama?”
“All right, I shall make arrangements. I will say this again during the ceremony, but please have a safe voyage. I will await your return.” “Have a nice trip.”
Kanemitsu blushed even further at Seto and Misaki’s kind words. The students attending the ceremony were looking forward to these words. The words normally saved for millions of citizens were shared among a few select hundred. But these words right now were for Kanemitsu alone.
Yosho thought of another gift. “This will be Kanemitsu-dono’s first long voyage.”
“That’s right…then here is something from me.” Since Seto had started this custom herself, the words from Yosho clued her in. She cut off a lock of her hair and handed it to him.
“Th-th-thank you!!” Kanemitsu was touched and moved to tears. “Oh, a good luck charm? Then I will also.” Misaki grabbed her ponytail, and…
“…!!” Everyone present opened their eyes wide in shock. Misaki chopped off a full third of her long hair and handed the bundle over with a smile. Kanemitsu, overcome by nervousness and extreme emotions, lost consciousness where he stood.
“Seto-sama, thank you for Kanemitsu-dono.” After Kanemitsu had left the room as if walking in a dream, Yosho bowed deeply to thank Seto.
“Talented youth is the most valued treasure in Jurai. This was the obvious thing to do.” Seto looked at Yosho with her best smile. However…
“This will be the best day of Kanemitsu-kun’s life. I pray that he will never turn wise to your machinations.” The principal’s words were genial but barbed.
“Did I overstep my bounds?”
“Not at all. I’m just saying I hope he won’t discover you had the Academy’s invitation to him as a scholarship student shelved.”
“What?!” Yosho looked at Seto in shock.
“Oh, you knew? I didn’t want anyone else to have him. This is our secret, Yosho-dono,” Seto chuckled.
Yosho was speechless. A scholarship would have been fully paid for by the Academy, and the student would not have to pay it back. This is the point at which his father the Emperor of Jurai would have said… “Old bag.” Though, rationally speaking, this was very much in line with the way she was. At least Kanemitsu would not be unhappy. Seto was one of the best to call one’s master, despite a few parts of her disposition, and he respected her. He would never be bored being at her mercy. “I can’t believe her…”
There was a god and a demon on Jurai. Yosho remembered the words of the leader of the pirate guild when they sought asylum from the Galaxy Police.