Chapter 28

Father and Son is the twenty-eighth chapter of the Rakudai Kishi no Eiyuutan manga.

Summary
Ikki is escorted to his cell, being also informed about the time of his next inquiry. In his cell, Ikki contemplates that the inquiries have already lasted a week, with no end in sight. Ikki has to fight his selection battles in the facility where the inquiries take place, while also getting only small amounts of food and water. Despite the harsh conditions, Ikki refuses to give up, being fueled by his love for Stella. Ikki then imagines meeting Stella's father, and how he must try to convince him of his absolute love to Stella. In the middle of Ikki asking Stella out loud from her imaginary father, a man comes behind him, refusing Ikki's proposition. This man is, in fact, Ikki's father, Itsuki Kurogane, who is responsible for Ikki's inquiries.

Itsuki and Ikki both sit down, with Ikki quickly explaining that he was simply imagining a possible meeting with Stella's father. Itsuki notes that Ikki has already beaten sixteen selection matches, which Ikki corrects is seventeen and congratulates him. Ikki then tells Itsuki that he isn't the failure that he once was and won't be a shame to the Kurogane Family. Ikki proposes that if he won the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival, that maybe Itsuki could then acknowledges Ikki. Itsuki though then says that Ikki has misunderstood their relationship, telling him that he has always acknowledged Ikki, despite his strength. This shocks Ikki, who questions why he has then been treated badly since childhood.

Itsuki explains that the Kurogane Family's mission is to bring together the Blazers of Japan, and make them all work together, which is no easy task. In order to make all Blazers united there needs to be a strict hierarchy, where everyone recognizes and accepts their position, even if they were weak and frail. However, people like Ikki are a threat to this system, as they strive to become something better than they are born to be, which in turn shakes the balance of the whole system. This is the reason why Itsuki has always been treating Ikki badly, as he could be a potential threat to the system established by the Kurogane Family, saying that as Ikki can't do anything, he shouldn't even try. Knowing the true reason for his treatment, Ikki realizes that Itsuki never truly hated or liked him, never having any desires for him. This realization visibly upsets Ikki, who even silently cries, as he realizes the bond between him and his father has been completely severed.

Itsuki then leaves, briefly talking to Mamoru Akaza on his way. Itsuki then walks to his office, noting that he must uphold the system set up by his predecessors, and strive for the benefit of the majority, even if it meant rejecting his own son.

Characters

 * Ikki Kurogane
 * Itsuki Kurogane
 * Mamoru Akaza
 * Stella Vermillion (mentioned)
 * Sirius Vermillion (mentioned, unnamed)