Kiryuin wasn't wearing the AN High School uniform today. Instead, she donned a body-hugging black shirt with a seductive blood-red lotus design, topped off with a short black vest that barely reached her waist.
The lotus, which normally symbolizes purity despite growing from the mud, appeared more sinister in blood-red, especially against Kiryuin's impressive figure, giving the design a three-dimensional effect. It made one wonder—if the design had been Pikachu or Squirtle, would it pop out even more?
The crimson of the lotus also complemented Kiryuin's own blood-red eyes, creating an aura of dark allure. She paired this with a black mini skirt, and her long legs were covered in sheer pantyhose that left little to the imagination. The thin nylon barely concealed her legs, and even a slight bend of her knee made the black fabric stretch tight enough to reveal the faint paleness of her skin beneath.
But what really drew attention was the Kawasaki motorcycle behind her. Matching Kiryuin's outfit in every way, the all-black beast seemed ready to roar to life at any moment.
Taking the helmet Kiryuin tossed to him, Yukio wasn't quite sure what her intentions were: "Senpai, are you inviting me for a ride?"
"Half and half. Depends on you," Kiryuin responded with an air of dominance that seemed to come naturally to her. Even the faint smile tugging at her lips exuded an unspoken authority. "This morning, Horikita Manabu looked pretty agitated."
"For the student council president, who's always cold and composed, to be so flustered—it's clear you've caused him quite a bit of trouble."
"And yet here you are. Normally, you'd be out with your classmates, enjoying a free ride while earning points. But today, you're hiding out in the hotel, breaking from your usual routine."
"I went ahead and rented a Kawasaki just for the occasion. If you're planning on heading to Takahashi's yukata shop tonight, I figured I'd tag along and watch the fun. I'm curious to see whether it'll be the clever junior or the stoic student council president who comes out on top."
"With something this interesting, I wouldn't want to miss it."
"If you don't have any plans tonight, Junior, then come for a ride with me. Either way, I lose nothing—there's a 50% chance I'll watch the show, and a 50% chance I'll enjoy a ride with an interesting junior like you."
Yukio nearly wanted to applaud Kiryuin, but his hands were occupied holding the helmet. She had pieced together so much information from just a few details—this senpai was certainly no ordinary person.
Most people, seeing Horikita Manabu acting unusually, would merely think something was up, but wouldn't connect it to Yukio staying in the hotel all day. Yet this Kiryuin could make the leap without any trouble.
"Well, since you've put it that way, I won't decline," Yukio said as he put on the helmet and extended his hand, indicating for her to give him the Kawasaki keys. "Tonight, I'll let you witness a real 'heated' event."
He didn't mind. What he had planned for the evening would soon spread across all the grades anyway, so whether Kiryuin found out sooner or later didn't affect his plans. And since he could get a ride on a Kawasaki, why bother paying for a cab?
Kiryuin raised an amused eyebrow, the end of it arching sharply, giving her gaze a piercing look. She didn't seem fazed by Yukio's emphasis on the word "heated," instead, she swung her leg over the bike and donned her helmet. "Don't think about driving. If there's a guy riding a bike with a girl on the back, they love pulling sudden brakes. But me? I don't like braking."
Both now wearing helmets, Kiryuin's clear voice became muffled, and Yukio could only catch part of what she said as he swung his leg onto the back seat. "If you put it like that, Senpai, I'm not sure I should be riding with you."
"You're already on, so don't think about getting off," Kiryuin retorted as she twisted the key, and the engine roared to life. The deep growl of the machine sounded like a wild beast caged inside the fuel tank, its low rumble promising raw power.
Even the exhaust pipes trembled, ready to release a blast of fumes at any moment.
Without turning her head, Kiryuin expertly reached back, grabbed Yukio's hand, and pulled it onto her abdomen. "Hold on tight."
Yukio happily embraced Kiryuin, showing no pretense of shyness, holding her confidently. He could even feel the faint outline of her abs through the lotus-patterned shirt. This impressed Kiryuin: "See? That's why you're such an interesting junior. Holding on tight? We're about to take off."
With a twist of the throttle, the Kawasaki roared even louder than before. However, there was no sudden jolt of speed, nor the lightning-fast acceleration Yukio had expected. The bike cruised forward smoothly, only slightly faster than an electric scooter. It was more like Kiryuin was a cautious, safety-first beginner driver rather than a thrill-seeker.
Yukio was caught off guard. With the wind rushing past and the helmet blocking out much of the sound, he had to raise his voice: "Kiryuin-senpai, didn't you say you don't like braking?"
Kiryuin, eyes focused on the road, twisted the throttle just a little each time, shouting back: "Yeah, that's why I drive smoothly! This way, I don't have to brake unless there's a red light!"
"So that's your idea of not braking?" Yukio couldn't help but laugh. "I thought you'd be speeding all the way!"
"Only an idiot would do that!" Kiryuin shouted back with full energy, her voice cutting through the wind. "Who would throw away a future full of excitement for a brief thrill?"
"My life, no matter how boring it might seem at times, could still last 80 years, right? Why risk it for a momentary thrill when I can enjoy decades of excitement and fun?"
Yukio had initially assumed Kiryuin was the type who constantly sought out thrills and excitement, but this ride was revealing a different side. Kiryuin, despite her adventurous nature, was rational and prioritized safety. She sought out fun and stimulation but was careful not to put herself in danger.
If Yukio had to sum her up, he'd describe her as someone who enjoyed excitement within limits, always putting safety first.
As the Kawasaki raced down the road, Kiryuin's long white hair, reaching down to her waist, fluttered in the wind. Strands of it occasionally slapped against Yukio's helmet visor, resembling writhing white snakes.
Yukio suddenly felt like he understood Kiryuin better. She was like a calm, steady river—flowing forward every day without much disturbance, yearning for the waves and chaos of the sea. But just when she was about to reach the ocean, she would make a timely turn, avoiding the unknown depths to ensure her safety, avoiding being swallowed by the vastness of the sea.
It made Yukio curious—what kind of experiences had shaped Kiryuin into someone like this?
...
200 power stones = 1 extra chapter
300 power stones = 2 extra chapter