Sarasa Saionji has hip-length red hair, which she typically ties into a side ponytail on the left side using a light blue scrunchie. A distinctive single hair strand sticks up on her forehead, adding to her unique look. She has red eyes that complement her hair color, giving her a striking and memorable appearance

Her overall look exudes both elegance and confidence, reflecting her sharp intelligence and composed nature within the high-stakes environment of Academy Island.

Sarasa Saionji appears to be kindhearted and composed, but she has a strong and assertive side, especially when confronted. While she usually maintains a polite and collected attitude, she is not afraid to stand her ground and can be quick to anger when provoked.

This is particularly evident in her interactions with Hiroto Shinohara. During a confrontation, Hiroto grabs her wrist and pushes her down, which immediately sparks her frustration. Her irritation escalates further when she ends up soaked in water due to an unfortunate accident. This incident reveals that, despite her usual self-control, she can be impulsive and emotional in unexpected situations. These moments showcase both her graceful and strategic nature, as well as her fiery temper when pushed to her limits.

Sarasa Saionji is a second-year high school student at Sakura Academy in District Three. She is widely recognized for her exceptional intelligence and strategic prowess, having achieved the highest entrance exam score in the academy’s history. Her extraordinary abilities quickly set her apart from her peers, establishing her reputation as one of the most formidable figures in the school’s ranking system.

During her first year, Sarasa became the only student to achieve the prestigious Seven-Star King status as a first-year, an unprecedented accomplishment that solidified her dominance. Her unparalleled success earned her the title of “Empress,” a name given to her by students who either feared or respected her overwhelming power. Since enrolling in the academy, Sarasa has never lost a single star and has emerged victorious in every battle she has participated in. Her undefeated record makes her the undisputed queen of Academy Island, both in name and in ability.

Hiroto Shinohara
Sarasa first encountered Hiroto Shinohara when she helped him find his way to Sakura Academy. However, due to an unfortunate accident, she misunderstood his intentions, believing that he had tried to violate her just to provoke a duel. Outraged, she immediately challenged him to a match, which Hiroto reluctantly accepted. Despite her overwhelming skill, Sarasa ultimately lost the duel not because of Hiroto’s strength, but because she became flustered and embarrassed when her wet clothes left her exposed in front of the crowd.

As a result of his victory, Hiroto obtained the Red Star, a powerful ability that allows its wielder to manipulate lies while also uncovering the previous owner’s deceptions. This event led to tensions between them, with Hiroto assuming that Sarasa harbored resentment toward him.

Following the speech ceremony, Sarasa confronted Hiroto, demanding to know why he had not revealed her true identity as Rina Akabane (赤羽 里奈). In response, Hiroto shared his own secret regarding the nature of the Seven-Star Holders, shifting the dynamic between them. Over time, their relationship improved, and they reached a level of mutual understanding that allowed them to call each other friends. Eventually, Rina revealed that she was not the real Sarasa, explaining that the true Sarasa had been kidnapped prior to the events of the series, forcing Rina to take on her identity until she could return. Hiroto and Himeji were the only ones privy to this secret.

Kugasaki Seiran
Kugasaki is obsessed with Sarasa, going so far as to revere her as a “Goddess.” His admiration borders on fanaticism, as he constantly challenges her to duels, hoping to prove himself worthy. Despite his persistence, Sarasa defeats him every time, leaving him with a record of ten consecutive losses. She finds his behavior troublesome, as his relentless pursuit of victory only results in repeated failure.

Real Sarasa Saionji
Rina and the real Sarasa Saionji were good friends before the latter was kidnapped a year prior to the series’ events. To prevent Academy Island from discovering the truth and to maintain the balance of power, Rina assumed Sarasa’s identity, carrying on her responsibilities and reputation as the Empress. Only Hiroto and Himeji are aware of the deception after Rina confesses the truth.

The name Sarasa (更紗) translates to “calico, chintz, cotton print,” referring to a type of patterned fabric. This could symbolize her multifaceted identity, as she conceals her true self while assuming the role of another. Her surname, Saionji (彩園寺), is composed of “color” (彩, sai), “garden, park, plantation” (園, on), and “temple” (寺, ji). Together, the name can be interpreted as “a colorful garden temple,” possibly reflecting her high status within Academy Island and the admiration she receives from others.

Her real name, Rina Akabane (赤羽 里奈), carries a different meaning that contrasts with her assumed identity. Rina (里奈) consists of “village” (里, ri) and “apple tree” (奈, na), giving it a more natural and grounded feel compared to the prestigious name Sarasa Saionji. Her surname, Akabane (赤羽), is made up of “red” (赤, aka) and “feather” (羽, hane/bane), which can be interpreted as “Red Feather.” This name could symbolize freedom, hidden strength, or a phoenix-like rebirth, fitting her role of taking on a false identity while waiting for the return of the real Sarasa Saionji.