Chapter 2: Boundaries and New Targets
The rest of the afternoon passed in a blur. Even as the lessons droned on, my mind was elsewhere, replaying the events of lunch over and over. Aya had kissed me again, just as I had commanded, with a passion that seemed all too real, yet completely unnatural. She hadn't even questioned it; to her, it was as normal as breathing.
As the final bell rang, signaling the end of the school day, I found myself lingering in the classroom. Aya waved goodbye, heading off to her club activities, while I stayed behind, lost in thought.
What had I done? The thrill of control was undeniable, but something darker gnawed at the edges of my mind. The power of the Hypnosis Wave was growing more seductive with each use, but with that power came a creeping sense of unease. I had altered Aya's reality—forced her to see something that wasn't true as if it was the most natural thing in the world. And the worst part? I didn't feel any remorse.
The corridors outside the classroom began to fill with the chatter of students hurrying to leave. I needed to test the limits of this power further, but I knew I had to be careful. If someone noticed the changes, if they saw through the cracks in the reality I was shaping, everything could come crashing down.
I packed up my things slowly, my thoughts heavy as I made my way to the school's exit. The walk home was uneventful, the streets lined with students heading in different directions, all lost in their own worlds. But for me, the real world felt more like a suggestion—a malleable construct that I could bend to my will.
As I reached my house, I paused at the gate, looking up at the windows. The memory of what happened with Emma last night flickered through my mind. I hadn't seen her all day, and a part of me wondered if she was avoiding me. Or maybe she was just acting like everything was normal, the way I had commanded her to.
When I entered the house, the familiar silence greeted me. I kicked off my shoes, dropping my bag in the hallway. Emma was nowhere to be seen, and I felt a strange mix of relief and disappointment.
I headed to my room, but as I passed by Emma's door, I paused. What if I… no, I couldn't. But the thought lingered, persistent and tempting. The power I held was intoxicating, and the more I used it, the more I wanted to push it further. The idea of altering Emma's reality even more, of making her see me in a new light, tugged at the corners of my mind.
But before I could act on that impulse, my phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out, seeing a message from one of my classmates. It was from Asuka, one of the most popular girls in school, inviting me to a study group tomorrow.
An idea began to form in my mind, and a new target presented itself.
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The next day, I arrived at school with a renewed sense of purpose. I had spent most of the night thinking about how far I could push the Hypnosis Wave. If it worked so easily on Aya, could I use it on someone like Asuka?
Asuka was the kind of girl everyone noticed—beautiful, confident, always at the center of attention. But she was also sharp, with a reputation for being quick-witted and difficult to fool. If I could manipulate her with the Hypnosis Wave, it would be proof that I had mastered this power, that I could control anyone.
The study group was set to meet in the library after school. The day passed slowly, every class dragging on as I waited for the moment to arrive. When the final bell rang, I made my way to the library, my heart pounding with anticipation.
Asuka was already there when I arrived, sitting at a table with a few other students. She smiled as she saw me, waving me over.
"Hey, Kaito! Glad you could make it," she said brightly.
I returned her smile, taking a seat across from her. The study session began, but my mind was only half-focused on the material. The rest of my attention was on Asuka, waiting for the right moment to strike.
After about an hour, the others started to pack up, calling it a day. Asuka lingered, however, offering to help me with a particularly difficult problem. The others left, leaving the two of us alone in the quiet library.
Now was my chance.
I activated the Hypnosis Wave, feeling it ripple out from me. It was subtle, just like before, but I put more power into it this time, targeting Asuka directly.
"Asuka," I said, my voice calm and steady, "don't you think it's a little strange that we've never really hung out, just the two of us?"
She blinked, her expression thoughtful. "Yeah, I guess it is," she replied slowly. "But… why does that matter?"
"Because," I continued, "we're friends, aren't we? And friends should be closer. Don't you think?"
The Hypnosis Wave guided her thoughts, bending them to my will. Her eyes softened, and she nodded, a small smile playing on her lips.
"Yeah… you're right, Kaito. We should be closer."
The power surged through me, and I knew I had her. But this was just the beginning. Asuka was smart—smarter than most. I needed to be careful, to test her limits without pushing too far too quickly.
But as she continued to smile at me, her usual guarded demeanor fading away, I knew that the Hypnosis Wave was stronger than I had ever imagined. And now, with Asuka as my new target, the possibilities were endless.
We walked to the café, the late afternoon sun casting a warm glow over everything. Asuka chatted easily beside me, the Hypnosis Wave still holding her in its soft grip. I could see how relaxed she was, how naturally she was accepting this sudden change in our relationship. It was as if we had always been this close, just two friends enjoying each other's company.
When we reached the café, I held the door open for her. It was a small, cozy place with a few other students scattered at tables. We found a spot near the window, away from prying eyes, and ordered our drinks. Asuka seemed perfectly at ease, smiling at me as if this were the most normal thing in the world.
But for me, every moment was a test. I watched her closely, looking for any signs that she might be questioning what was happening. Yet, there was nothing—just a contented girl enjoying an afternoon with a friend. I had her, but I needed to be sure. I needed to see just how deep I could push this.
As we sipped our drinks, I leaned forward, lowering my voice to a more intimate tone. "Asuka, can I ask you something?"
"Of course," she replied, her eyes meeting mine with a calm sincerity.
I let the Hypnosis Wave pulse again, subtle and steady. "You know, we've been friends for a while now. But I've been thinking… don't you ever feel like we could be something more?"
Her brow furrowed slightly, but not in confusion. It was more like she was considering something she hadn't allowed herself to think about before. "Something more? Like… what do you mean?"
I kept my expression neutral, careful not to push too hard. "I mean, maybe we're not just friends. Maybe there's something deeper between us, something we haven't explored yet."
The Wave worked its magic, twisting her perception, making her consider the possibility that she and I were more than just friends. Her face softened, and I could see the thought taking root.
"I never really thought about it like that," Asuka said slowly, her voice carrying a hint of wonder. "But… maybe you're right. We do have a connection, don't we?"
I nodded, watching her closely. "Yeah, we do. And maybe it's time we started to explore that. We could spend more time together, get to know each other in ways we haven't before."
Asuka's eyes held mine, and I could see the Hypnosis Wave settling deeper into her mind, reshaping her reality. The café around us seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of us in this moment. She smiled, a soft, genuine smile that sent a thrill through me.
"I'd like that, Kaito," she said, her voice warm. "I'd really like that."
This was it. I had her completely now, her mind shaped by the Wave, her thoughts and feelings altered to see me as something more than just a friend. But I wasn't done. Not yet.
I reached across the table, gently taking her hand in mine. She didn't pull away, her smile growing as she looked down at our joined hands. I let the Hypnosis Wave pulse one more time, reinforcing the connection, making it feel as though this was the most natural thing in the world.
"We can start right now," I said, my voice soft. "No more waiting."
Asuka squeezed my hand lightly, her eyes shining with a new light. "Okay," she agreed, her voice full of warmth and certainty. "Let's start now."
The rest of the afternoon passed in a blur of conversation and laughter, the bond between us deepening with each word. I had done it—Asuka was mine, her reality reshaped by the Hypnosis Wave. But as we left the café and walked back to school together, a part of me couldn't shake the feeling that I was crossing into dangerous territory.
Asuka was smart, and as much as the Wave had affected her, there was still a risk. A risk that she might start to question things, that she might notice the subtle shifts in her reality. I had to be careful, had to keep the Wave's influence strong and steady.
But for now, she was mine. And as we parted ways at the school gates, her smile lingering in my mind, I knew that this was only the beginning.