Having set his sword aside, Takeru rested his palms on the snow-covered ground… and bowed. “What are you doing?” she demanded. “I admit to all of the accusations the challenger has leveled against me. So…” He scooped his hair to the side, exposing the back of his neck. “I forfeit,” he bowed lower, offering his bare neck to the blade, “and offer my life in atonement.” Misaki felt like the world had come to a halt.
