Kouhei's voice was firm as he spoke. He wasn't lying. Not one bit.
"Then why the fuck were you with Saonji earlier? I heard you even walked home with her. What's the deal with that, huh?" Sotomura's tone was rough.
"I-It's just a bunch of coincidences and misunderstandings, S-Sotomura-kun!" Kouhei stammered, his voice shaking as he tried to explain.
"You're not bullshitting me, right?" Sotomura's eyes narrowed, a twisted smirk forming on his lips. "Because if you are, I'd really enjoy smashing that lame-ass face of yours. You get me?"
"A-Alright," Kouhei managed to squeeze out, his whole body shrinking back under Sotomura's intimidating glare.
With a final sneer, Sotomura finally got out of his face, leaving Kouhei with a sense of relief washing over him. But just as he was about to slump back into his chair, Saonji appeared right in front of him, cutting off any chance of catching his breath.
"Okumura Kouhei," she said, her voice as cold and detached as ever, like ice that had no intention of thawing.
All eyes in the classroom and even those lingering outside turned sharply in their direction.
"W-What is it, Saonji-san?" Kouhei asked, his nerves making his voice waver.
"Let's go have lunch together," Saonji replied, her tone icy and emotionless, sending a chill down his spine.
Kouhei had no good reason to say no, but a gnawing feeling clawed at his insides, warning him that agreeing might drag him into some serious trouble.
"Is it no good?" Saonji asked, tilting her head with an almost childlike cuteness that seemed out of place with her usual distant demeanor. The contrast only made the moment feel more surreal.
Well, screw it. Why should I give a damn about what everyone else thinks, right?
"I-It's good," Kouhei muttered, swallowing hard.
"Then let's go. Give me your hand," she demanded, holding out hers without a second thought.
"H-Hand?" Kouhei stuttered, his eyes darting to the open hand in front of him.
"Let's hold hands while we go," she said, her voice unyielding.
The glares from all directions hit Kouhei like daggers, making his skin crawl. It felt like if he actually took Saonji's hand, he'd be inviting an attack from everyone around.
"Is it not good again?" she asked, her voice edged with impatience as her eyes bore into him.
"O-Of course it is!" He grabbed her hand, feeling like he had no other choice.
As she led him away, Kouhei couldn't shake the feeling that he was like a dog on a leash, being pulled wherever she wanted. But what could he do? It felt impossible to resist her.
"They're holding hands."
"What the—didn't he say they weren't like that?"
"I don't think I've ever seen Saonji-san get this close to anyone."
The whispers spread through the room like wildfire, with eyes glued to them as they walked. But Kouhei was as clueless as everyone else. The truth? Saonji just wanted him as her sex friend—someone she could have sex with whenever she needed. Because, somehow, Kouhei was the only one who could handle her touch without dying from the overwhelming pleasure of her succubus ability, which drained a person's lifeforce with just a single touch.
Kouhei went along with it without really grasping the situation. His main reasoning? Well, Saonji had saved him from dying, so he felt it was only natural to go along with her wishes. And besides, she was a demon succubus—something Kouhei only had a vague, internet-driven understanding of. In his mind, succubi were eternally horny creatures, always craving sex. That might have been just his idea of them from everything he'd read online, but it made a twisted kind of sense to him.
Saonji, driven by her nature, wanted to have sex with someone. But the problem was, she couldn't touch just anyone—her very touch could drain a person's life. That's why she needed him. He was the only one who could handle her without dropping dead from the pleasure of her touch.
She'd told me back then that she needed me, Kouhei thought.
But if that's true, what if she found someone else who could touch her... would she just leave me behind and go to that person instead?
The thought clawed at him, gnawing at the edges of his mind. It wasn't impossible. But could he even handle something like that? No, no way in hell he could. But what if that guy was better looking, more muscular, and had way more experience in sex than him?
The thought alone made his jaw clench, his teeth grinding together as tension coiled in his chest like a snake ready to strike.
I don't want that. I want Saonji-san to be mine and mine alone. I don't want any other guy taking her away from me.
An ugly, twisting sensation surged through Kouhei, like a dark shadow wrapping around his thoughts, poisoning them. It was like a jealous ghost, feeding on his insecurity, making his insides churn. But just when it felt like the feeling would overwhelm him, he felt Saonji's grip tighten around his hand, a firm squeeze that sent warmth spreading through his palm. It was subtle, but to him, it felt like she was telling him without words that he had nothing to worry about, that she wouldn't replace him so easily.
The dark feeling in his chest melted away, disappearing like smoke on a windy day.
After walking for a bit longer, they finally reached the cafeteria. The moment they stepped inside, it was as if every pair of eyes zeroed in on them, locking onto their joined hands like it was some kind of scandalous sight.
"Is the Ice Princess really holding hands with someone?"
"N-No way. Seriously? With that otaku?"
"I can't believe this! Why him, Saonji-san?!"
The whispers and gasps hit Kouhei's ears like a tidal wave, crashing through the cafeteria, thick with shock and disbelief. It was like the air itself had become heavy with jealousy and confusion, as if the very idea of Saonji choosing him was too much for everyone to handle.
Well, I guess I'd feel the same if I were in their shoes, Kouhei thought, a strange mix of satisfaction and anxiety twisting in his gut.
Saonji led him through the crowd to the ordering area, their hands still intertwined. The warmth of her touch made Kouhei's pulse race even faster, each heartbeat hammering in his chest. Once they placed their orders and got their trays, Saonji finally released his hand, her fingers slipping away, leaving a lingering heat on his skin as they headed toward an empty table.