"Wait a little bit more, do we have to go there?" she murmured, her voice barely audible over the rain pattering against the windows. She hugged me from the front, her arms wrapping tightly around my waist, pressing her body flush against mine.
Her head rested against my chest, and I could feel the rhythm of her breathing, soft and steady, as though she was trying to slow time itself.
"Yes, we do," I replied. Her warmth against me made it hard to focus, her presence a distraction I didn't mind but knew I shouldn't indulge.
She tilted her head up, meeting my gaze with playful defiance sparkling in her eyes. The corners of her lips quirked up, a mischievous smile forming as she leaned closer.
Her lips brushed against mine, tentative at first, then pressed more firmly, insistent yet tender. Her kiss carried a mixture of mischief and passion, a deliberate attempt to make me forget every responsibility weighing on my mind.
And for a fleeting moment, I almost did.
Her fingers played with the hem of my jacket as she pulled back slightly, her breath mingling with mine. "We could have a little bit of fun, you know. It's pouring outside; just tell the applicants the interviews are postponed or something."
I sighed, shaking my head as I tried to maintain composure. "I can't do that. Manabu-senpai specifically told me the interviews have to happen today."
"Well, fuck him," she said bluntly, her words cutting through the tension like a sharp blade. Her unapologetic tone made my lips twitch into an involuntary smile.
"..."
Her tone shifted, becoming softer, almost sultry, as she leaned into me again. "We still have ten minutes, Yuta. Maybe we can enjoy ourselves just a little. It's cold, and I can think of a much better way for you to keep me warm."
Her hands slid up my chest, her touch light yet deliberate. Her eyes glinted with a mixture of challenge and desire, a dangerous combination I found hard to resist. She tugged at the fabric of my jacket playfully, pouting.
"This thing isn't keeping me warm enough," she added, her voice dropping to a whisper as her fingers curled into the fabric.
I smirked, letting out a low chuckle. "We're only five minutes into this relationship, and you're already acting like a slut."
Her cheeks flushed a deep red, but a sly grin spread across her face. "Maybe," she teased, taking a step closer until there was no space left between us. "But I'm your slut now, aren't I?"
"True," I admitted, my smirk widening.
"And," she continued, her grin turning devilish, "I can't let your other whores think they have the upper hand now, can I?"
I raised an eyebrow. "So this is a competition now?"
"Obviously," she shot back confidently, the determination in her tone unshaken. "I plan to win too. Better get used to it."
"Well, I wouldn't mind disciplining you right now," I said, my voice low and teasing, watching as her eyes widened slightly. A mix of surprise and excitement flickered across her face.
"Oh? What do you mean by that?" she asked, her voice a tantalizing blend of curiosity and anticipation.
I leaned in, brushing my lips against her neck, savoring the shiver that rippled through her body at my touch. Her breath hitched, and a soft, needy whimper escaped her lips. "What do you think I mean?" I murmured, my voice low and thick with desire.
She tilted her head back, baring her neck to me, her vulnerability an invitation I couldn't ignore. A soft gasp escaped her, the sound sending a surge of heat straight to my core. The sight of her like this—pliant and eager—was enough to make my restraint falter.
"I didn't know you were such a naughty girl, Kikyo," I whispered, my lips grazing the shell of her ear, my voice teasing, dark. "I may have to tame you."
Her lips curved into a wicked smile, her voice dipping into a sultry purr. "Tame me?" she echoed, tilting her head just enough for her breath to ghost across my cheek. "I like the sound of that."
"I know you do," I growled, my lips trailing down her neck, slow and deliberate, leaving a path of heat in their wake. Her body responded instinctively, arching toward me, her breathing uneven.
Her hands moved to my chest, her fingers trembling yet determined as they traced every ridge and contour, exploring me with an aching curiosity. "But I want more," she breathed, her voice a whisper of pure temptation.
Her words sent a spark of something primal surging through me. My grip on her waist tightened, pulling her flush against me so she could feel the full effect she had on me. "More, huh?" I rasped, my voice rough and commanding. "Tell me what you want, Kikyo."
She leaned in, her lips brushing against my ear as her breath came hot and fast. "I want you to use me," she whispered, her voice trembling with unfiltered desire. "After all, you can't go pleasing other women and not satisfy your girlfriend."
Her audacity drew a low chuckle from me. Before I could respond, she pressed closer, her lips teasing the sensitive skin of my neck. "You don't know how much I've craved your body," she confessed, her voice raw and breathy. "Every night, I've been thinking about you. I couldn't stop myself. In the shower, in bed... I imagined your hands, your lips, all over me. It took everything not to lose control and take you right there during swimming class, with everyone watching."
Her honesty was intoxicating, every word stoking the fire inside me until I felt like I might explode.
"I want you to humiliate me," she murmured, her lips grazing my ear again, her voice dripping with submission and hunger. "Use me like your little whore."
I smirked, a dark chuckle rumbling in my chest as I cupped her face, tilting it upward so our eyes locked. "You really are desperate, aren't you?" I said. "Maybe I really do need to tame you."
I claimed her lips in a kiss that was hungry, devouring. My tongue teased hers, demanding submission, and she gave it willingly, her moans muffled against my mouth. My hands roamed her body, gripping her hips, her waist, feeling her heat and the way she melted into me.
When I pulled back, her lips were swollen, her chest heaving as she looked up at me with half-lidded eyes. "Tell me," I demanded, my voice a low growl. "Exactly how you want it. What do you want me to do to you, Kikyo?"
Her gaze burned into mine, her cheeks flushed, her lips trembling with anticipation. She bit her lip, her voice soft but unrelenting.
"I want you to take control," she whispered, the words spilling from her lips like a confession. "Pin me against the desk, the wall—anywhere. Make me feel like I'm yours, like no one else can have me. I want your hands on me, gripping, teasing, taking. Leave marks, Yuta. Let me feel you, even after you're done with me."
Her hands slid to the back of my neck, her nails grazing my skin, sending a shiver down my spine. "Pull my hair, make me beg for you. Whisper things in my ear that will make me blush even when I think about them later. I want your dominance, your control. I want to surrender completely to you, knowing you'll take what you want."
Her breath hitched, her lips brushing my ear as her voice dipped lower. "Push me to my limits, make me plead for more. Call me your little slut, your toy, anything you want. I'll take it all, because it's you."
Her hands tightened in my hair, pulling me closer, her lips grazing mine but not quite touching. Her voice dropped to a whisper, barely audible, but the words sent a jolt of heat through me. "And when I can't take it anymore... when I'm trembling and crying out your name—don't stop. Break me, Yuta. Own me completely."
Her gaze darkened, her lips curving into a teasing smirk. "But afterward," she added, her voice softer now, "kiss me. Remind me that I'm yours and no one else's. That I'm special... even if I'm your slut."
Her confession left me momentarily stunned, the rawness of her desire leaving no room for doubt. She had laid herself bare, every word a plea, a challenge, and a promise.
"How about we have a nice dinner tonight? Since you never had a boyfriend, I feel like this should be the bare minimum before I use your body all night."
"A date huh?"
"Well you are my girlfriend now, so a date is minimum."
Okay," she murmured. "Dinner sounds nice."
"Alright then I will make a reservation for us or do you want the dinner at home. After all it's a rainy day."
Kikyo's cheeks flushed a deeper shade of red, and she averted her gaze for a moment, biting her lip before responding. "Home sounds better," she said softly, her voice carrying a shy undertone that belied the boldness of her earlier words. "I think I'd like it... just the two of us."
"Alright then at my place or yours."
"Yours...you are a better cook."
"Fine by me. Then tonight at 7 p.m we have our date."
She kissed me once again on the lips.
As her lips met mine, it was soft and lingering, her shyness melting away in the warmth of the kiss. I let it linger for a moment, savoring the way she leaned into me, her fingers lightly gripping my shirt. When she pulled back, her cheeks were flushed, her eyes shimmering with a mix of anticipation and affection.
"Tonight, then," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, her lips brushing against mine as she spoke.
"Yeah anyway do we go to the interview room now? Ichinose's class is waiting for me to do the interview."
"Oh yeah...anyways in your opinion, who are you selecting for the secretary position?"
"How am I meant to know that?"
"I mean who in your opinion is favourite Yuta? You must have someone who you thinks is qualify for the position."
"Probably Ichinose. She is my teammate and also pretty qualify for this or maybe Akimura."
"Akimura?"
"My other teammate."
"I see."
"Well let's go then."
We left my office and began walking toward the interview room. The sound of our footsteps echoed lightly in the hallway.
Suddenly, my phone buzzed in my pocket, followed by a shrill ring ring ring.
"Yuta, your phone's ringing," Kikyo pointed out, her voice tinged with curiosity.
"Yeah, I know," I replied as I pulled it out, glancing at the screen. The caller ID displayed an unfamiliar number, which made me frown. Usually, calls from unknown numbers didn't bode well. Reluctantly, I answered.
"Hello?" I said, keeping my tone neutral.
"Kamado, it's Chabashira," came the sharp, no-nonsense voice of our homeroom teacher on the other end.
"Sensei?" I said, surprised. "What's going on?"
Her tone carried an edge that immediately put me on high alert. "Cancel the interviews."
"What?" I asked, coming to a halt. Kikyo stopped beside me, looking at me with a raised eyebrow. "Why would we do that? I'm already at the House of Fire."
"There's been a problem," she said bluntly.
"A problem?" I repeated, my grip on the phone tightening.
"Yes. Do you know about the storage room in the House of Fire?"
"Yeah, what about it?" I asked, glancing at Kikyo, who was listening intently to my half of the conversation.
"A few days ago," Chabashira continued, "some second-years went on an expedition and brought back something they shouldn't have—a Maga Stone."
I raised an eyebrow, trying to place the term. "Maga Stone?"
"It's a magical seal that contains a monster within it," she explained.
I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck. "Okay, and? What does that have to do with us right now?"
"Do you even pay attention in class, Kamado?" she snapped. "A Maga Stone isn't just some rock. It's an extremely rare artifact, and this one's seal is particularly dangerous. I've done some research on it, and based on the markings, the creature trapped inside is classified as A-rank."
"...I see," I said after a moment.
"If that seal breaks," Chabashira continued, her voice grim, "it could spell disaster for everyone in the vicinity. You need to evacuate everyone immediately. Inform them that the interviews will be conducted online instead."
"Online?" I repeated.
"Yes, online," she said, irritation creeping into her voice. "We can't risk keeping people there with that thing in the building."
"Fine," I relented, though I couldn't help but feel skeptical. "But what exactly is the monster sealed in the stone?"
She hesitated briefly before answering. "The Dark Shadow."
I blinked. "That's... a dumb name."
"The name doesn't matter," she snapped. "What matters is what it can do. The Dark Shadow has the ability to infiltrate the minds of its victims, dragging them into vivid nightmares. It preys on their fears and slowly erodes their sanity."
"Great," I muttered. "But if the seal's still intact, we should be fine, right?"
"That's the issue," Chabashira said, her tone deadly serious. "With enough mana in the surrounding area, the seal can weaken. Considering the number of students and staff in the House of Fire right now, I'd bet the seal has already started to fail—or worse, it's broken."
"So what you're saying is there's a very real chance it is already out."
"Not necessarily," she said, though her tone lacked reassurance. "That's why I'm calling. You're the most capable one there. If the seal is broken and the Dark Shadow has been released, I'm counting on you to handle it."
"You're asking me to deal with an A-rank monster by myself?"
"You're more than capable. Just keep everyone else out of harm's way. Evacuate them, then neutralize the threat if it appears."
"Fine by me."
"Good luck, Kamado."
The line went dead.
I slipped the phone back into my pocket.
"Bad news?" Kikyo asked, her voice laced with concern.
"You could say that," I replied. "We're canceling the interviews and evacuating the building. Apparently, someone thought it'd be a great idea to store an A-rank monster in the House of Fire, and now the seal might be broken."
Her eyes widened in shock. "An A-rank monster? Here?"
"Yep. The Dark Shadow," I said flatly. "Apparently, it causes nightmares and messes with people's heads. Fun, right?"
"What are you going to do?"
"I'll stick around and deal with it if it shows up," I said with a shrug. "You, on the other hand, are going to help evacuate everyone. Got it?"
Kikyo's expression shifted from shock to determination, her gaze narrowing as she nodded. "Got it. But you need to promise me you'll be careful, Yuta."
"Yeah don't worry." I said while yawning.
"Alright let's get moving then." The sound of our footsteps echoed louder in the tense atmosphere, punctuated by the rain pounding against the windows.
"Alright everyone, no interview today."
"What?" "Is this guy serious?"
I raised my voice, trying to cut through the confusion and murmurs of disbelief. "I said no interviews today! We need to evacuate the building immediately. There's been an incident."
"What kind of incident Kamado-kun?" Ichinose asked.
"A dangerous creature might be loose in the building, so it's crucial that everyone follows my instructions and leaves quickly."
"A dangerous creature?"
"An A rank..."
"An A RANK!!!"
"Chabashira sensei thinks it might have already broken free," I said, trying to convey the urgency without causing a panic. "So we need to be prepared."
Kikyo spoke up, her tone firm. "We need to ensure every one's accounted for. Ichinose-san, can you help me organize the students? Make sure they stay together."
"Of course," Ichinose replied, her determination clear. She turned to the crowd, raising her voice to project authority. "Everyone, listen up! Stay close to each other and follow Kikyo-chan lead. We're in a potentially dangerous situation, so no one wanders off! Keep your voices down."
"Okay, let's move out in an orderly fashion. We'll go through the back exit. Follow me, and stay close!"
As we started moving, I kept a lookout for any signs of trouble, my senses heightened.
"Yuta," Kikyo whispered, glancing up at me, her voice barely audible. "What if it shows up while we're evacuating?"
"Then I'll handle it," I replied.
Suddenly, a low rumble echoed from deep within the building, causing the walls to shudder slightly. The students froze, fear gripping them as the sound resonated ominously through the air.
"What was that?"
I yawned a bit more.
"Meh I'll go see. You guys stay here itself."
"What? Shouldn't we leave the room and try to leave as fast as possible?" a student in the crowd said.
"No."
"Let me go check where the sound is coming from. I am pretty sure it's coming from the storage room."
"Kamado-kun, shouldn't we leave tho?" Ichinose asked.
"Well if that thing is out it would be easier for it to see us if we are in a group."
"Kamado is right Ichinose. This is the best option." a purple haired boy answered.
"Kanzaki-kun."
"I feel like the best option for all of us is to stay together here." Kanzaki said.
I rolled my eyes at Kanzaki's suggestion.
"Yeah Kanzaki-kun is right." Mako said from the crowd.
"Listen you guys stay here, Imma go and see what was that sound."
"But Kamado-kun, what if it comes after you?" Ichinose pleaded, her eyes wide with concern.
"Then I'll deal with it," I said. "I need you all to stay quiet and keep your eyes peeled for anything suspicious while I check it out. If anything happens, you need to make a run for it. Got it?"
As the group exchanged nervous glances, the air was heavy with uncertainty. Ichinose hesitated but nodded reluctantly, while Kanzaki's expression remained troubled.
"Be careful, Kamado-kun," she whispered, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Yeah yeah."