The Black Princess and the Calculating Prince

“Are you planning to use that cliché excuse later, ‘I just happened to run into you at the vending machine, so let’s walk back together’?” Colt asked, a faint smile gracing her lips as she watched Prince Aoyama operate the vending machine.

“Clink—clink—,” came two crisp sounds.

Colt was not surprised by his gentlemanly act of buying a drink for her as well, but she wondered if the dispensed beverage would suit her taste, given that Prince Aoyama hadn’t bothered to ask.

“Aren’t Colt and I, at this very moment, standing before a vending machine?” Prince Aoyama retorted, turning to offer her a charming smile as he retrieved two cans from the machine and extended one to her. It seemed his intention was indeed to use that very excuse.

The red-packaged can in his hand appeared to be tomato juice, but what was the light blue one he had given her?

Taking the slightly chilled beverage, Colt examined it, a smile of approval spreading across her face.

“A rehydration drink? For someone who just worked up quite a sweat, this certainly isn’t a bad choice.”

‘He truly is a clever one,’ Colt mused.

“Even if it weren’t a rehydration drink, the kind Colt wouldn’t refuse it, would she?” Prince Aoyama continued, flattering her with a smile before taking a sip of the tomato juice in his hand.

“Didn’t I warn you before not to be so glib? Not everyone falls for that act,” Colt remarked, giving him a sidelong glance as she opened her rehydration drink and began to sip.

“As I thought, it was you and your sister whom I encountered on Sunday, wasn’t it?” Prince Aoyama asked, his tone unwavering as he finally cut to the chase.

‘That’s for the best; it saves me the trouble,’ Colt thought.

“Since you already know, how about starting with an apology? Your sister made my most precious little sister cry, you know. While the misunderstanding was cleared up, I was absolutely furious at the time.” Temporarily dropping her pretense, Colt deliberately sharpened her gaze, glaring directly back at him.

“Although my sister didn’t tell me much, it seems it wasn’t something easily forgiven,” Prince Aoyama conceded. “On behalf of my sister, who you nearly killed, I offer my sincerest apologies once more.” With that, he bowed deeply to Colt.

‘Hmm? Did I actually hit her back then? That’s somewhat surprising,’ Colt mused.

‘But there’s no need to dwell on that now,’ she decided.

“How do you plan to explain yourself if your classmates see you like this? A prince bowing ninety degrees to the academy’s Black Princess might just catch the eye of the newspaper club.”

‘Such simple teasing would likely be ineffective against him, because—’

“If there were truly anyone around here, the Black Princess herself wouldn’t allow me to do such a thing, would she?”

‘He was no mere pretty face to be admired,’ Colt acknowledged.

“Hmph—raise your head.”

“My gratitude is boundless.”

Prince Aoyama lifted his head, his confident smile betraying that the situation was entirely within his control. In a way, he was truly a troublesome fellow.

“Can you tell me how you deduced it was us? Don’t you think the contrast is too great?”

‘Though I had largely guessed, I wanted to confirm,’ Colt thought.

“Honestly, your sister’s animated description alone was almost enough to confirm it,” Prince Aoyama began. “The beauty of you two sisters is quite unforgettable, you see.”

“Still trying to be glib at a time like this? My estimation of you has certainly dropped.”

‘That single clue shouldn’t be enough; there must be other details. He should just tell me honestly,’ Colt mused.

“Raising Colt’s favorability score is proving to be quite a challenge.”

“…”

‘If you know, then just tell me already,’ Colt urged silently.

“Actually, Samidare Ruka mentioned that you two lived nearby when she was at ‘Beethoven’,” Prince Aoyama explained. “Combined with some other intriguing details I’d noticed earlier, it all became clear.”

“Are the ‘intriguing details’ you’re referring to from last Tuesday’s incident?”

‘At that time, it made no sense for only us to have noticed,’ Colt thought.

“Not just then,” Prince Aoyama corrected. “I actually started noticing you two from the very first time we ate in the cafeteria. And, your little sister can speak Japanese, can’t she?” He smiled, moving closer to Colt.

“If you were my enemy, I would truly want to kill you right now,” Colt declared, meeting his gaze with a symbolic smile of her own.

‘Leaving Princess aside, this Prince Aoyama fellow is truly dangerous, a born schemer, perhaps…’ Colt pondered.

“So, in that case, my sister and I are safe, then?”

“As long as you don’t do anything strange, we won’t become enemies,” Colt stated. “And if you want to thank someone, thank your sister. My little sister truly enjoyed her desserts.” With that, Colt turned and walked away. Letting them know this much was sufficient.

‘Besides, it was almost time for them to gather,’ she realized.

“So, can we be friends?”

Behind her, Prince Aoyama slowly followed.

“If you were to expose a few more weaknesses to me,” Colt replied without turning around.

“Isn’t my hemophobia enough?” he asked, a hint of a chuckle in his voice.

‘It seemed there was no longer any need for them to test each other; she might as well just tease him,’ Colt decided.

“Speaking of which, you truly are unique,” Colt remarked, turning to walk backward, facing Prince Aoyama with a playful grin. “Despite having vampire lineage, you’re not afraid of sunlight, yet you suffer from hemophobia? Could it be that you’re constantly starving?”

“By vampire standards, I can still replenish my energy with regular food until I reach adulthood,” he stated, taking another symbolic sip of the tomato juice in his hand.

“You’re so tall, yet you’re still a ‘little brother’?” Colt quipped, “Your big sister here is quite surprised~”

‘Though she considered standing on her tiptoes to pat his head, she ultimately decided against it,’ Colt thought.

“Pure black hair, a dark heart, and poisonous words. The title ‘Black Princess’ truly suits only Colt.”

‘Oh? He knows? The girls in class must have told him,’ Colt mused.

‘No matter,’ she concluded.

“Not at all,” Colt retorted, playfully mocking him in return. “You, who are named ‘Prince,’ are not ‘white’ in the slightest either. Perhaps a white horse will be forever out of your reach?”

“If you are the Black Princess, don’t you think a Black Prince would be a more suitable match?”

“My, you really can talk, can’t you? Your score just dropped again.”

‘Even after I said that, he still didn’t forget to flirt with me? Truly, he was…’ Colt thought.

“Oh, dear, may I inquire how many points I have left?”

“Thirty points.”

Colt held up three fingers to him.

“So, I’ve been above passing grade all this time? That doesn’t feel bad.”

“Even without discarding some of your unnecessary traits, I admit you possess considerable charm.”

‘Truthfully, Colt was a pragmatist who valued ability above all else; though Prince Aoyama struck her as dangerous, he undeniably shone with a distinct brilliance.’

“Yet, it’s not enough to attract the Princess, I presume?”

“Heh heh, give up,” Colt chuckled. “More than a prince, I prefer a knight who stands by my side, guarding me.”

“Can’t a titular knight suffice?”

“I think it’s best you remember this: only a princess is truly capable of lying. Goodbye.”

‘Since he wanted a ‘good guy’ card so badly, she might as well give him one,’ Colt thought.

Turning her head once more, and giving him no chance to detain her, Colt quickly made her way towards Xiaobai amidst the crowd.