>>1191366
"I want us to be a family."
A few words. The affection he felt, all of it was loaded onto them, and delivered to her. Decisive words that he had never spoken before. Words that said the relationship between them was already not that of ordinary lovers.
In an instant, Stella's body that was embracing him trembled.
But that was only one instant.
Immediately, Stella hugged Ikki's body even harder, and said―
"Yes. Ikki, please make me your bride."
With a voice that sounded like she would break into tears, but with a bashfulness truly filled by delight, she gave him her answer. The moment he heard those words, Ikki's heart was wrapped by relief―and he finally let go of his consciousness.
"Ikki…? No, Ikki! Hold it together!"
Losing strength, Ikki's body leaned languidly on her. Even though he was breathing… it was terribly weak. She could tell he was in a dangerous condition with a glance.
And furthermore Stella noticed it. Ikki's entire body, it was bleeding underneath his clothes. The body he had strengthened many hundred-fold. It was already beyond the range that a human body could withstand.
If I don't take him to the infirmary quickly….
"Stooooop!"
But in front of Stella who was trying to carry Ikki to the infirmary, a barrel-like man was standing. With bloodshot eyes, and greasy sweat dripping down all of his face, it was Mamoru Akaza.
Those eyes had no sanity in them anymore. He had failed. Therefore, he would have to take responsibility for that failure. If so, there was no way he was going to be promoted. It was obvious that he would lose even his current position.
Unless he did something to erase that.
That impatience, it took away all the sense from this middle-aged man. Akaza had taken out a hatchet Device, and approached the unconscious Ikki.
"He he he! Please wait a moment, Princess! Please leave that boy to me! I must have a duel with him right now~! In truth, the one who was to be his opponent was not Touka Toudou, but me! That was a promise between men! So give that boy to me immediately―huh?"
