May 2, 2015. 1:05 PM — Osaka International College, Osaka

  Akane was in art class, trying to create an abstract painting. Around her, her classmates and the teacher praised her, as they always did whenever she did anything at all.

  —That painting is amazing, Akane-sama —said one of them.

  —You can really tell when someone has talent —added another.

  —Very well done, Akane-sama. The emotion and intention in your work come through clearly —the teacher concluded, bowing her head respectfully.

  Akane smiled politely, just as she had been taught.

  She felt nothing.

  There was no emotion or intention in that painting.

  Just a yellow stain covered by a blue one, surrounded by small splashes of different colors, made when the palette had slipped from her hands and fallen against the easel.

  Since she was little, her father had drilled three basic rules of life into her.

  A princess does whatever she wants.

  A princess does not apologize.

  A princess is respected by everyone.

  And Akane Onodera was a princess.

  For years, that had seemed perfectly logical. She was an Onodera.

  But now, close to turning thirteen, she was beginning to feel that being a princess was not as wonderful as it sounded.

  When people praised everything she did—even when she did nothing at all—a bitter taste rose in her throat.

  What was the point of trying to do something well, if the reaction would be exactly the same even if she did it badly?

  Shortly before class ended, she excused herself to go to the restroom. She was not in the mood to listen to more comments about her "undeniable artistic talent" on the way to where the car was waiting.

  She came out almost twenty minutes later.

  When she returned to the classroom, she was surprised to see that one of her classmates was still there. Yoriko Zumaki was sitting at her desk, her face resting on her arms, as if she had fallen asleep.

  Akane gathered her things and prepared to leave. Before doing so, she turned toward her politely.

  —See you tomorrow, Zumaki-san.

  Yoriko lifted her head, still drowsy, and answered automatically.

  —See you tomorrow, Akane-san.

  Akane froze.

  It was the first time anyone had ever addressed her in such a... familiar way.

  And far from making her uncomfortable, the sensation was strangely pleasant.

  It took Yoriko barely a second to situate herself in time and space. When she did—and saw Akane staring at her—the color drained from her face.

  —I-I'm sorry, Onodera-sama! —she exclaimed, jumping to her feet—. I'm sorry! I'm sorry!

  Akane watched her in silence for a few seconds.

  —It's fine. You can call me Akane-san, Yoriko-san.

  The other girl turned even paler, convinced she was being tested.

  —I never could, Onodera-sama! —she replied, bowing deeply.

  Then Akane drew a mischievous smile across her lips.

  That smile which, over the years, would become her personal signature.

  The one that never meant good news.

  —Of course you can —she said lightly—. I order you to, as a member of the Onodera Group.

  Yoriko froze in place. Common sense—and her father's constant warnings never to disrespect that girl—collided head-on with a direct, unquestionable order.

  A long minute passed as she searched for a correct answer that did not exist.

  Akane smiled again. This time, with genuine warmth.

  —See you, Yoriko-san.

  Yoriko could only respond with a series of exaggerated bows, not daring to make a sound.

  September 19, 2016. 6:49 PM — Onodera Mansion, Osaka

  Akane sat on the terrace of the inner garden, watching the seasonal flowers that had been planted the week before. Bored, she scrolled through her phone, rereading conversations with Yoriko and Eda—the only girls close enough to truly be considered friends.

  Her friendship with Yoriko had begun almost like bullying on Akane's part, after the day Yoriko had accidentally called her "Akane-san." Over time, Yoriko learned that Akane was far more normal than she had expected from an ojō-sama. She realized that the girl's untouchable aura came from everyone else—it did not originate with Akane herself.

  Love what you're reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.

  Eda Schmitt, on the other hand, was a special case. With a German father and Japanese mother, she had been raised in a Western way, without excessive reverence for surnames. When she arrived as an exchange student for family business reasons, classmates were asked to give her time to adjust to using honorifics, since she had spent her entire life in Germany—even though she spoke Japanese. In the end, it was everyone else who adapted to the fact that she only used honorifics with adults.

  Akane was no exception—to her delight and to the horror of the rest of the school.

  Eda had been the first of Akane's classmates to show interest in her brother. Far from feeling jealous, Akane thought a girlfriend was exactly what Takeshi needed to stop being so bitter.

  She invited Eda over one day, and Eda fearlessly stood in front of Takeshi and told him she liked him. The boy did not even look at her for more than half a second before saying he had no time to waste on women—much less on girls. Eda had only smiled, satisfied that she had at least made it onto his radar.

  Akane lifted her eyes from her phone and found Takeshi watching her from several meters away. She smiled at him with irony.

  Relax, onii-sama. These plants aren't carnivorous.

  Takeshi continued watching her in silence.

  —Come sit with me —she invited, tapping the edge of the planter.

  —I'm fine here, Akane-sama.

  Akane's chest tightened when she heard him call her that. She had only blurry memories from before the pool accident, but she was sure Takeshi had treated her far more affectionately back then.

  —Why are you always so far away?

  —Because I have to protect you, not coddle you. Father's orders.

  Akane glared at him for a few seconds. She knew her father well—but her brother did not need to obey him so literally.

  —Fine, baka-sama —she said, annoyed.

  Takeshi stared at her, convinced he had misheard.

  —What did you call me?

  Akane looked at him, then smiled. She had struck a nerve, and she was going to use it.

  —Baka-sama —she repeated, savoring every sound.

  Takeshi's expression darkened.

  —Treat me with respect! I'm your older brother!

  —Then treat me like your younger sister!

  A tense silence followed.

  Takeshi adored his little sister. But his father's words after the pool accident had conditioned him. He could not allow himself to neglect Akane again. And to do that, he had to avoid getting too close.

  Akane stood and walked toward him.

  —Do you hate me? —she asked.

  —Of course not! —he answered without hesitation.

  Akane's eyes filled with tears.

  —Then stop treating me like you do. You say you want to protect me, but you've been hurting me with your distance for years.

  Takeshi felt as if the blood in his body had frozen. He forced himself to wrap his arms around his sister. Akane buried her face against his chest and finally broke down in tears.

  —I never wanted to make you suffer —he whispered.

  —But you did. And now you have to make up for it —she replied, smiling through her tears.

  —I promise.

  December 11, 2019. 3:12 PM — Osaka International College, Osaka

  Eda spent the entire morning trying to convince Akane and Yoriko to go with her to a café that had recently opened across from the school. She insisted the coffee was very good.

  Akane had already told her several times that she did not like coffee. She preferred sweet drinks.

  Eda replied that she could order double chocolate.

  When Yoriko asked what the real reason for going was, Eda did not overthink it.

  She said the guy at the register was really handsome.

  Akane raised an eyebrow and asked what about Takeshi.

  Eda shrugged and replied that her brother had missed his chance.

  The three of them laughed and crossed the street together toward Starlight café.

  November 6, 2022. 9:38 AM — Onodera Mansion, Osaka

  —Come on, Takeshi, just put it on already.

  Miwa was holding a massive helmet, trying to hand it to her brother.

  —Akane, I have an important meeting tomorrow, and you know it. I need to prepare everything.

  —You're brilliant. You can do it all in a few hours.

  Takeshi looked at his sister with a tired expression. He knew exactly what was coming. He knew there was no way to convince her. And yet, he still tried.

  —Niiiii-chaaaaan~ —Akane used her most powerful weapon: her sweet, musical voice.

  Takeshi looked at her, but could not help smiling just a little.

  —Aren't you ashamed of manipulating your older brother so shamelessly?

  —Aren't you ashamed of being so easily manipulated by your little sister? —she shot back, grinning.

  —Fine —Takeshi said at last—. Just a couple of hours. To make sure no one knows who you are and tries to get close to you with bad intentions.

  —You're the best! —Akane hugged him and kissed his cheek.

  November 6, 2022. 5:49 PM — Town of Beginnings, Floor 1

  Kayaba's explanation had just ended, and chaos had already erupted in the plaza. Some of the more experienced players ran off to claim hunting grounds and the best quests. Others stood frozen in place. Still others shouted, demanding to be let out.

  But what truly alarmed Takeshi was not the situation itself.

  It was seeing Akane standing in front of him, looking exactly the same as in the real world. People could recognize her.

  Akane stared at him, stunned, trying to process what was happening.

  Her brother looked her straight in the eyes and spoke.

  —Akane, listen to me carefully. From now on, do not use our real names. Do you understand?

  —Why? —she asked.

  —Because information is power. And we shouldn't give out unnecessary information. Also, with our real appearances, we could be recognized.

  Miwa watched him for a long moment, then nodded.

  —Do you really think we're trapped and that we can die? —she asked.

  —I don't know. It seems unlikely. But I'm not taking risks.

  —And what does that mean?

  —That I'm going to protect you as if you really could die here.

  Ryuho's gaze was filled with protectiveness—and something else she could not quite identify.

  Miwa touched his face with her fingers.

  —Just promise me you won't do anything reckless, okay?

  —I won't do anything reckless —he replied solemnly—. I'll do whatever is necessary to keep you safe. That's different.

  Miwa hugged him tightly, bracing herself for what was to come.