The Emperor's Dragon

Misstep

Mrs Shuyona fought the urge to shiver at the figure that sat facing her across her desk. He gave every evidence of being pleasant but she just couldn't shake the feeling that he could snap her without even leaving his chair on the other side of her desk. He was dressed in a plain black suit but he wore it in such a way that it seemed natural. She'd seen many men in suits, and even for those who wore them every day, there was often an air of discomfort. This man didn't show that. And she could tell that the suit was tailored. Specifically tailored to him.

That meant money. He had white hair, and a friendly grin and had been polite to her staff. The school's secretary had been practically drooling.

But none of that changed the feeling she had.

She did not want to be here.

"I'm afraid I find your proposed punishment manifestly inadequate," he said smoothly.

What punishment? Shuyona wanted to ask. She hadn't assigned any yet. And the incident was... Well, what did you do when a quirkless boy deliberately riles up others? It was hardly their fault and while they had been a bit exuberant in their discussion, the boy should really know that it was best for him to keep silent.

They were just teaching him that, since it appeared detention with Rika had not done that. Nor had the detentions with Semai.

"I expect them to be representative of the crime," the man before her was saying.

"I think we can be reasonable here," Mrs Shuyona said. Given the nature of the incident, she had to speak with the parents of all those involved. Mr Hisashi Riji had gotten the first appointment. He'd actually made the arrangements with her secretary. Kenta Abe, Zakuro Kitagawa and Atsushi Ueno's parents had yet to confirm their appointments.

The sentence earned her a half smile from him. It was not reassuring. "Oh, I think you will find I am a very reasonable man."

"Your son has been a troublemaker at this school since he arrived," Mrs Shuyona responded. She knew Mr Riji was the head of JBQC but that didn't mean anything here. "He has several marks on his permanent record, and simply does not behave as he should."

It was amazing how much information could be given by the simple shifting of facial features. Shuyona could see mocking amusement on his face and for a moment she felt utter fear before she calmed herself. There was nothing to fear.

"And how should my son behave?" The question didn't even carry a note of challenge. It was asked as if he was seeking idle information.

"He is quirkless," Principal Shuyona said mildly. "It would be best for him to be..." she paused, considering her words. She wanted to say 'seen but not heard' except that wasn't right. No one wanted to see him either! "Quiet," Shuyona finished.

"Ah." It was rather incongruous to see him sit back, as if this was his office. "You may rest assured, he will be quiet next year as I will be enrolling my son in a different institution."

That was a shock. He'd only been enrolled this year. "We would be happy to facilitate that," Shuyona indicated.

"I'm glad to hear that, as his enrollment will be at your expense."

"No, it will not!" She didn't even have to think about that response.

"Yes, it will," he said. "Because that is my price for not taking legal action."

At that, she had to resist an urge to laugh. The unease she had been feeling earlier evaporated. "Mr Riji," Shuyona said, "I realise you are a reasonably wealthy man, but bringing legal action for this would simply be a waste of your time and money. There would be no conviction." While her school had never suffered legal action, others had for similar incidents and the punishments were very reasonable.