They arrived at school just as the bell rang, narrowly avoiding being late. Kouhei felt a wave of relief wash over him; his perfect attendance record was still intact. However, their entrance didn't go unnoticed. As they walked through the halls, students stopped in their tracks, eyes wide and mouths agape. Whispers began spreading like wildfire. The Ice Princess, known for keeping everyone at arm's length, was walking shoulder to shoulder with someone—a guy, no less. To the onlookers, they looked almost like lovers.
Touyama Kozue, already making her way to class, noticed the growing commotion from down the hall. Curiosity piqued, she turned to see what was causing such a stir. When her eyes landed on Saonji, walking so closely with a boy, she practically froze in disbelief.
"W-Wait, I must be dreaming, right?" she muttered to herself.
This was the first time she'd ever seen Saonji with anyone in such close proximity. Normally, no one dared get that close to the Ice Princess. Like Saonji, Touyama had a secret of her own—she belonged to a family of demons, a devil to be exact. She was well aware of the danger primordial succubi like Saonji posed. Even devils had to avoid physical contact with primordial succubi. If they touched someone—even another demon—they would perish, overwhelmed by unimaginable pleasure.
Yet, the boy was walking right beside Saonji, and there were moments when their shoulders even brushed against each other. Despite the contact, he wasn't collapsing in ecstasy. He wasn't trembling or falling to his knees from the pleasure a touch from a succubus would typically cause.
"N-No way... She's letting him that close? That otaku?"
"Who the fuck is that guy?"
"I think he's her classmate... I've seen someone who looks like that around."
"But why the hell is she with him?"
Even Touyama struggled to comprehend what she was seeing, though her reasons were vastly different from the others.
"Strange, isn't it?" a voice said beside her.
Touyama stiffened, glancing sideways. "P-Pres..." she stammered, realizing who it was. The student council president, Sarushima Yuuna, stood beside her. An elegant beauty with long, flowing golden hair and striking ruby eyes, Yuuna was the epitome of grace.
"Isn't it strange that he can get so close to Hina, even though she pushes everyone away? Anyone she touches ends up drowning in pleasure, whether it's by accident or on purpose."
"I-It's definitely strange... so why is he the exception?"
"Maybe he's immune to her ability." Sarushima's eyes narrowed as she studied the boy with growing curiosity. "It would make sense if he has demon blood. There's no way a normal human could survive Hina's touch without being overwhelmed."
If even demons couldn't touch Saonji, she thought, then how could some ordinary human handle it?
"That really is something to think about," Touyama muttered, a thoughtful look crossing her face.
"Well, I'm heading back to my room. You should too, Kozue. You'll be late."
"Y-Yes," Kozue replied, her voice small as she scurried off.
Sarushima Yuuna watched her go before murmuring softly as she ascended the stairs, "Interesting..."
***
"Where is he?"
"That guy over there?"
"No way."
"Yeah, seriously. Look at him—he's so plain, so dull. You're telling me he's with Saonji?"
"I don't know, but people saw them walking together this morning. And get this—they weren't even keeping distance. They were shoulder to shoulder."
"Saonji-san, letting someone that close? That's unheard of."
"I know, right? That guy has to be up to something. Maybe he's blackmailing her or some shit."
"Idiot. Do you really think someone like him is capable of blackmail? Look at him. Even if he tried, Saonji would never fall for it."
"Yeah, you're right."
"Then why the fuck was she with him this morning?"
By now, the lunch bell had rung, signaling the start of the midday break. Kouhei was about to leave and grab lunch, but the doorway to his classroom was suddenly crowded with students. Their eyes were filled with curiosity, all focused on one thing: the boy who'd been seen walking to school with Saonji Hina, their shoulders practically touching.
It went without saying—he was that boy.
"I also heard they were walking home together yesterday. You think they, you know, slept together?"
"Come on, now you're just making shit up."
"Hey, Otaku," a booming voice called from behind him.
Kouhei turned around, his heart sinking as he looked up to see a towering young man, flanked by a couple of equally tall guys who were staring down at him.
"W-What is it, S-Sotomura-kun?" Kouhei stammered.
"You dating Saonji?" Sotomura asked bluntly.
"N-No, we're not," Kouhei replied quickly.
And that was true. They weren't dating at all.
***
"Are we going to start dating now?"
Earlier that morning, while they walked side by side, Saonji had hit him with that question out of nowhere.
Kouhei's heart had jumped, pounding against his ribs, and his cheeks had flushed hot. His mind scrambled. It seemed almost natural to start dating, right? They'd done something only lovers do. It made sense.
But at the same time, something felt off. It wasn't that he didn't want to be with her, but... this? This situation, where their hearts weren't even aligned? It didn't feel right. He needed to know something first.
"S-Saonji-san... do you even like me?"
It was the question he couldn't avoid. The truth was, the reason they'd had sex wasn't because of love or a shared connection. They did it because they had to. Saonji had her own motivations too.
"Is that a prerequisite for us to date?" she asked, her voice cold, detached.
"Of course it is." Kouhei answered, trying to sound firm. "How could you date someone you don't even love? There's no point in being in a relationship without love."
Saonji came to a stop, turning to face him. Her eyes were as icy as her tone, and her expression gave nothing away. "Then, would you believe me if I said I love you?"
Kouhei hesitated, feeling a strange weight settle in his chest. No, he didn't believe her. Her voice was flat, devoid of emotion. Last night, when they were tangled in the sheets, she'd moaned, and for a moment, he'd glimpsed something real beneath her cold demeanor. But now? Now she was impenetrable again.
"I don't," Kouhei admitted after a beat.
"Then I guess we'll just turn into... what do people call it? Friends with benefits?" Saonji said, her voice still distant, as if the suggestion meant nothing to her. "I guess that's what we'll be."