Swipe.
Click.
Swipe.
Pause.
The raven-haired beauty in a beige-colored sweater, high ponytail, and black leggings contemplated her options. Taking a look at the questionnaire posted upon the computer screen, she let out a weakened sigh. Even now, the glaring red and black words that read 'Mix & Match' seemed to taunt her for her weakness and hesitation.
'What was the most amazing adventure you have ever gone on?'
The question appeared on the screen to finish creating her profile and run the matching algorithm for the selection process. Snorting, she thought of such a thing. Adventure? Had she even had one? Staring at the blank box that was designed for her to input an answer, she inwardly groaned. Still, as her mind wandered at possible ways to answer such a thing, her fingers already began typing up a response mentioning a visit to Kyoto many years ago.
Had it been something that would be labeled as an adventure? No, not really. But, it had been some of the most fun she had gotten to experience in her high school years. For now, such an answer would have to do. Hitting enter, she waited for the program to refresh.
As expected, the next question appeared on her screen within seconds.
'Is true love once in a lifetime according to you?'
Oh, right. Loyalty. Now, there was no text space but instead the choice to select yes or no. Simple enough. Hell, at this point, she had wished all the questions were answered in this manner. Or at least multiple choice. Clicking 'yes, she let the algorithm begin forming, all the while answering more and more questions.
'Do you like talking about your past?'
Nope.
Hard pass.
Again, another question replaced the previous one. Just like the earlier questions, she provided the app with half-truths and vagueness. Cursing herself, she finished the questionnaire with frustration and irritation.
How the hell had she gotten here?
Oh, right.
Work.
She had resided here for almost an entire year, and each time she had a moment to breathe, she could not help but wonder if she had made the right decision to accept such a job. Everything had been great at first. Getting offered a position as an Application Specialist had been nothing short of a shock as well as an honor. Given the fact that she had no degree to help secure such a prestigious role and had just finished Highschool, she had wondered why they had even hired her. Vaguely, she remembered being in the interview room and had nervously mentioned such a thing. To her utter confusion, the interviewer had simply smiled and waved her head in dismissal at such a statement.
"Oh, don't worry about that! We are looking to train for the position." The women's voice had echoed in the back of her mind, and at the time, the nineteen-year-old naïve girl had given it no additional thought. Instead, she had eagerly accepted.
Upon the job offer, she had been provided additional information about the company and the roles. She had been recruited for an entry-level Application specialist position that would consist of several months of training. When asked about such a role and the company itself, the brunette showing her around the building was all too eager to provide a wealth of information.
"We have Engineers, Application Analysts and then your position, which is an Application Specialist. You're going to be the first line of support on our app. If the issue is complex, then you're going to let our Engineers and Application Analyst know, and they will take over. Your training will go over how to use our programs, our company, possible expansion of the app. As for your typical job roles, you will assist with any issues or complaints that may be occurring for users. Does that make sense?"
Nodding numbly, Kagome had tried not to look overwhelmed.
For weeks, she had been nervous about the training. Thinking back now, the anxiety had not really been warranted. As she picked up the material, roles, and duties quicker than expected, her worries had in turned eased.
The role had seemed simple enough, and her duties consisted of reviewing submitted tickets. Based on the complexity, she would then see if this was something her team could assist with or if it needed further escalation. With excellent marks in her assessments on the material and her willingness to help those around her, she had been informed that she would be promoted to a leadership position within months.
Even then, she had thought nothing strange about the stroke of good luck.
But at the seven-month point, Kagome Higurashi finally began having her concerns.
After concluding training, the corporation announced that the app would soon be launched and required their employees to reside within their housing complex. For most, it had been celebrated news as with such a requirement came the employee housing discount. The company had even gone ahead and even let every employee that their rent would be a fixed amount based on their income. Just like that, almost all eagerly signed up for a place of their own and at the expense of only a tiny chunk of their monthly paycheck.
Had she been more knowledgeable about the world, she would have asked herself why everything seemed too good to be true. But she was young, and even then, she had merely notated that it was strange for such a requirement. Yet, she accepted the offer of discounted housing nonetheless and decided to reside within the company grounds. With such a decision, the little white lies began.
Her mother had asked how her job was going. "It's great, mama. Such an unbelievable opportunity!" came her words before she could even stop them. In the back of her head, she understood the remaining paycheck had been a saving grace for her family and them to keep their home and family shrine. When she moved out, she had mentioned to her mother about her decision to live in company housing. When her mother seemed doubtful, she reassured her and noted that they could rent her room for additional income. At the mention of such a thing, the conversation was dropped.
At the announcement of the launching of their app, more demands surfaced.
Her starting day shift had turned into a night shift. When asked about this, the leadership had plainly told her that they were moving around the teams to ensure everyone was ready to support the launch. Reluctantly, she admitted that it made some sense. After all, the app would be used at all hours of the day. Still, she couldn't help but worry as her once large training group turned into a more select team.
With the agreement, the change became final. Sango would lead the day shift while she oversaw the night shift. As weeks went on, their teams continued to dwindle until both of the leaders were left were a total of ten teammates under each of them. It hadn't made any sense. A total of twenty people to oversee tickets? But Sango had simply suggested that, more than likely, there were other locations and employees to help provide support. Dropping the subject once more, Kagome Higurashi reassured herself everything was going to be okay.
At the eight-month point, both teams had been told that they were official for the launch. The testing period would last a month. As the launch began, they would slowly be integrated into how to best become successful in their role.
Once more, another obligation and necessity surfaced.
On the day of the announcement, every employee was given a phone. With it, the app had come pre-installed. It didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out what came next. She remembered all too well the email that went out with an explanation of what was being requested.
Please note you will find that a phone has been issued to all employees. This device does come with an unlimited data plan as a thank you to all our hardworking employees. Please feel free to utilize our app and become familiar with it. If there are any questions or concerns, please reach out to your leadership or the HR Benefits Department.
Nothing had been mandatory. Just to be sure, Kagome had read the email over again. Disregarding the need to download a program that she worked with all day, she had simply used the phone for work communications.
Much to the shock of no one, the requirement to utilize the app had been announced soon after. Shaking away her worries, Kagome wondered why the abrupt changes caused her such anxiety. After all, wasn't she living the dream? Isn't this what most people craved? A job that paid well, great benefits, and incredible perks? Still, her stomach sank at the thought that something else was going on.
'No, stop it, Kagome. You can do this. They're not asking you to sign your life away, just to use their app.' But her mind and nervousness told her otherwise. Even still, she brushed away her gut feelings and continued to push forward.
That had been how she got here.
Staring down at the app on her phone, she took a deep breath in anticipation. Now that she had finished the assessment and questionnaire, a new screen was presented. Now, a pool of individuals to chose from littered the screen.
'Swipe left or right based on preference' the directions read under the profile and user presented. Glancing down at the name on the screen, she scoffed. How could she possibly choose someone based on only their name and profile?
"Test the app out," leadership had said. "Run through the results of the algorithm."
It should have been fun. Hell, even exciting. Instead, all that she felt was dread at such a request.
"It will be amazing, Kagome. Trust me." Sango's voice rang through her head as she remembered when she voiced her concerns about being forced to use the app. Instead of understanding, her friend had giggled and called her paranoid. Then, she had followed with reassurance to utilize the app and even try to meet someone.
She snorted at her words. Have fun? Apparently, her friend had yet to realize that communicating with strangers was not her strong suit. Or maybe that in itself was why she had said such a thing. Taking a deep breath and closing her eyes in a last-ditch effort, she prayed to all the gods above to make sure she didn't match with a crazy person.
Without any further thought, she pushed her finger to swipe to the right on whomever the next unfortunate candidate would be. Opening her eyes to glance at the rash decision, she read the name on the screen.
Koga Matsuura
'Okay. No worries.' Taking a breath, she reassured herself with relief. He seemed normal enough. But just to double-check, she clicked on the user and selected the tab that read 'information.' Pulling up her work program, she quickly reviewed a few things on her end.
Okay, so the user had just downloaded the app, which meant that if they matched, then it would make her his first match. If nothing else, they were together in that regard. Turning her gaze to his personal profile, she skimmed through the information he provided to the public.
Name: Koga
Age: 24
Location: Tokyo
About Me: Names Koga. If you live in the area, we've probably run into each other, and I'm a face that is hard to forget. Fast things and nature are my passions. Up for a chat if you can keep me interested. If not, don't waste my time.
Damn.
Narrowing her eyes, she read the description over again just to ensure she had not missed anything. Just her luck. Did the universe really loathe her so much? Did it, in fact, just pair her up with someone that seemed incredibly full of himself? She really hoped not. But just like that, the cosmos smiled at her thoughts as a ding notification sound told her all that she deservedly didn't want to hear.
They were matched.
'Calm down. It's fine. It's a beta. Nothing serious. Just do your job, Kagome Higurashi'. With more words of encouragement to herself, she determined that she could at least see how this played out.
What was the harm in such a thing?
Swiping right already, princess? I just created this profile an hour ago. I'm flattered.
Well, apparently, he didn't waste any time reaching out.
Huffing, she gazed at her phone. A nickname? Already? Was it possible to dislike a person so quickly?
How ironic that he thought she had sought him out. Letting out a tiny snort, she wondered how he would react if he knew she wasn't here for friendship or one-night stands. No, those were the last things she needed in her life. Gazing back at the message, she smirked. How would he react if he knew that she had blindly selected his profile?
Or, if he had only known that she had done everything in her power to stall from carrying out these tasks in her position. But here she was, at almost midnight, on a social app talking to what appeared to be a conceited and arrogant ass.
Writing out a snippy response, she crossed her finger that this would put an end to their conversation.
It was an accident? I'm new to this app.
She hoped he would believe it. After all, it was a half-truth. Something she had all but mastered early in her childhood. While this was her first time using the app personally, she most unquestionably wasn't new to it. Knowing the basic layout and functions of Mix & Match was her job. Still, it was not as if she had matched with him deliberately.
Maybe that was where the problem lay? Or why she was now speaking to someone so different than herself. Perhaps, she should have actually taken leadership's suggestion and scrolled through the available criteria of users and selected someone she felt she could connect with. Wasn't that how the app was supposed to be used?
But she hadn't.
Instead, she had told herself that she didn't need that kind of mortification in her life. But now, here she was, stuck with someone just as bad.
Apparently, she should have listened.
Meh. Doubt it, but who am I to call a stranger a liar. That can come later.
Doubted? Had he just called her out on a lie? How could he have possibly known? With narrowed eyes, Kagome reread the message. Maybe he was simply cocky?
Rubbing her forehead in weariness, she let out a groan. How was she going to make it through this endeavor? This test was scheduled to last a few weeks, and she couldn't help but wonder if they would even make it that long with their drastic differences.
As she debated on how to proceed, a loud notification from her phone let her know that the user on the other end did not take well to slow responses. Apparently, one way or another, he would continue on their communication.
I thought photos weren't allowed in the beta? What makes you so unique, princess?
Again with the nickname.
Conceded, he may be, but apparently, he was also observant. Users weren't allowed profile photos at this stage.
Or phone numbers.
Or to send attachments or files.
The beta stage was a necessary trial for their company. They, as a company, had already known what would work on the app. After testing it for half a year, they were far more ready for the app's release than they had let on. Having already hired their own testers to ensure that the app ran smoothly and without any hiccups, they ran the beta for reasons other than most. This trail was strictly for metrics, data, and algorithm information. The people who enrolled in the trial were told that they would have to correspond with at least one individual for the next month. There would be no photo or data exchange but instead just communication.
For the users, it was purely to report back on the experience of using the app. For her, she was provided with drastically different goals and expectations. When everything was said and done, she concentrated on the metrics from users and oversaw the project and its data. For a while there, she had thought she could escape participating in the dreaded trial. With that thought, she had tried to ignore the email that had been sent out. Just when she thought she had been successful, leadership had come around and handed all employees a blank form.
She had remembered the man's smirk plastered on his face as he handed it to her. Almost as if he knew she would detest such a thing. No explanation was needed, but with a leering smile, he had provided one anyway.
"Our company has noted that not everyone had signed up for the app. Please know that this will be a requirement. Everyone needs to match with 1-2 people, more if you like. We need to have all hands on deck with this. Yes, our engineers are working on this, and we have beta testers. For now, we're also adding all employees to gather further insight. Make this experience what you will—friendship, correspondence, or a relationship. Your involvement will help secure this legacy and success. Once the form is filled out, please hand it back to me within the week."
Then had come the additional information regarding the differences between beta testers and employees regarding usage of the app.
"You will have your photos visible to others as well as some additional capabilities. With that, if asked by a user why you have a capability that they don't, we do have the information you can provide them with."
And with that memory and recollection, Kagome Higurashi reluctantly responded to the user on the other line while reminding herself of what was expected of her.
Don't worry; it's not a big deal. Some users have it while others don't. I think I heard that they're rolling out the feature slowly. I'm sure you'll get it soon.
Lie.
But she was just doing her job.
Gazing at her profile photo, she cringed as more and more lies were typed up. This had been another requirement. One that Sango had been most passionate about. For hours, her friend had looked through every single selfie and photo Kagome had ever taken. Finally, with an excited squeal, she had chosen one on her behalf and all but insisted on uploading it.
So that's you? In the photo?
For a moment, she couldn't help but panic. Why ask such a thing? More importantly, why was her appearance even being discussed this early on in their communication? Did he actually think she was catfishing him?
Did people actually lie about such a thing? Wouldn't it eventually come to be exposed? How long could a façade be kept up when the desire of online dating was to meet up someday? Even now, she couldn't help but admit that she felt like her privacy was being invaded far more than she liked. It wasn't the question that made her nervous per-say. No, it was that her image was exposed to everyone on this app.
Instead of voicing such a concern, she decided she would flame his fires of suspicion. Maybe then, he would abandon the attempts to pursue this further.
Nope, not me. I figured this is my first-time online dating, so why not steal a photo online and use it on here. Why is that a problem? You don't do crazy?
Clicking send on the text, she prayed that it would provide the gentle nudge this stranger needed. Would he realize that he should match with someone else?
Hopefully so.
With another ding, she discovered another trait of his.
Persistence.
Groaning in defeat and her doom, she read the message aloud.
I like crazy. Keeps life interesting.
Was he serious? After everything she had typed up, he still continued, as if nothing was odd about the situation at hand. Here she was, trying to convince him to find someone else. Yet, he soldiered on as if he wanted to communicate with no one else.
The man couldn't take a hint.
Instead of rewarding him with a response, she selected the facepalm emoji response to his message. As it appeared in the chat, she couldn't help but let the newly found smile linger on her face in amusement.
Oh, is that progress I'm seeing? Already providing me with emojis. Look at us go at this like a whirlwind. If I didn't know better, I'd say we were destined for each other.
She grinned. Progress? All from the bare minimum action of attaching an emoji to a message? She could all but feel his confidence oozing from the chat. Who was this man, and how in the world had they matched? Did the universe not know that she was the complete opposite of this type of person?
Destined, he said.
But, what he didn't realize yet was that they were complete opposites. She was quiet and almost always tried her best to stay under the radar of nearly everything and everyone. So far, he seemed like he all but thrived at being the center of attention and never took 'no' for an answer.
With such a thought, she type up a response.
I don't know. Can progress be seen in the form of an emoji? Setting the standards a bit low if you ask me. Destined, you say? You believe in such a thing?
For now, she would play fire with fire.
If he wanted to be confident and cocky, then why should she not follow his lead?
Or, at least try.
Unable to pause her thoughts, she wondered what the user behind the screen was actually like in real life. Was he always like this? If so, where had such surety come from? More importantly, if he had such assurance in himself, what was he doing on such an app?
Don't worry, princess; I can get you lower.
And just like that, Kagome Higurashi blinked at her phone in skepticism.
Had he just...?
Her face burned with embarrassment, and she quickly considered shutting off her phone with the desire never to open up the app again.
She didn't need this.
Closing her eyes, she sighed while trying to calm the butterflies in her stomach and pounding chest.
'Calm down, Kagome. Don't get worked up over a stranger. He's just—' But her assurances to herself stopped as she debated on her next choice of word. He was just what?
Flirting?
Reluctantly, Kagome reminded herself that most people wouldn't get so shaken up with such a comment. Most of her friends were in a relationship and were all but used to such language. This behavior wouldn't have phased them. But she was not like them. She had never given the time of day to those around her in terms of romance. Instead, she had focused on her family and her education. Even in Highschool, she had not so much as dated.
Although, to be fair, there were other reasons for the lack of romance. Thinking back to her family and their views on such topics, she shook her head. Yes, her lack of dating had come from issues outside of her preference or personality.
As if knowing that she needed to stop such thoughts, twelve dings came over the housing intercom, informing the entire building of the time. Staring at the clock beside her, she noted just how late it was getting.
Midnight.
With wide eyes, she thanked the universe for the time being the best excuse to get her out of this situation.
I have to get to bed. It's late. Thanks for the conversation.
It was a lie, but she needed a breather. As someone that only interacted with her coworkers and family, she wasn't used to having a social life outside of them.
This?
This made her unsure.
She was out of her element.
She wasn't a social butterfly. Not anymore, at least. Plus, this wasn't just chatting. Now, it had spilled into flirting and was most definitely something that she had no experience in. What was the purpose of doing this with random strangers over the internet? What did it accomplish? Other than the pounding heart that she had and the tightening in her chest. Trying to calm herself, she wondered how people did this all the time. Or, how others managed to do this with multiple people at once? Hell, even the thought of such a thing made her exhausted.
Liar. That's twice now.
The ding and message popped up instantly. With it, he had attached the purple devil emoji.
Unable to control herself, she laughed and briefly wondered why she was so pleased with his lack of ending the conversation. How had he known when she had not provided him with the truth? He wasn't wrong on both accounts. That thought alone made her heart race faster.
Without finding an answer to her question, she texted back.
Maybe. Keeping track are we? How attentive.
Clicking send, she grabbed her laptop, phone, and notebook and began heading to her bedroom while lost in her thoughts. While her living room was comfortable, she preferred to work in her bedroom. If there was one perk to the night shift, the ability to work from 'home' had been it. Of course, by home, it was still very much on the company property.
Balancing all the items in her hands, she typed out her following message without allowing him time to respond to her previous one.
You know, I did accidentally match with you. I swiped right with my eyes closed.
She didn't know why she felt the need to tell him such a thing. For now, she would blame it on wanting to start a new friendship as honestly as possible. Throwing herself in a comfortable position on her bed, she waited.
In the meantime, she pulled up her ticketing system and checked for any updates. Seven in-progress tickets were posted at the top of the program. Clicking through them, she noted that they were all assigned to Sango and her team. Refreshing the screen and double-checking, she couldn't help but glance back at her phone in excitement.
At that moment, her phone vibrated on the bed with a new notification.
No worries, princess. Thank you for the honestly. Just know that the universe has its ways. The beginning isn't as important as the end.
With it, he had attached the grinning emoji. Reacting to the message with more butterflies in her stomach and shaking hands, she selected the rolling face emoji in an attempt not to let him know how he was affecting her.
Apparently, he was also smooth.
Did such confidence come from his personality, or perhaps, the factor of him being anonymous on an app. Sure, he had a first and last name listed with a city, but no photo was attached. Kagome knew all too well the power that came from limited information.
Either way, he wasn't at all what she had expected.
Another notification ding interrupted her thoughts.
So, are you heading to bed? Or just ignoring me?
Once more, he let her know that patience was not a virtue that he excelled at. Both times that she had left him on read for more than a minute, he had double texted. This time, it was less than a minute without communication, and here he was already calling her out on it.
Begrudgingly, she admitted to herself that it felt nice.
To be wanted.
No, I'm here. Just doing some last-minute things for my job.
With hesitation, she wondered if she was revealing too much. Or was she overthinking things as a result of her lack of socialization? Here was a stranger that knew her first and last name, how she appeared, and now, he knew the type of shift she worked.
Still, something inside her told her that all would be well.
That he could be trusted.
Allowing her gut feelings to lead, she refused to voice out loud that despite everything, she was now invested in their conversation.
At night? It's late. You're not tired?
Nodding to the question, she responded in the chat with a shrugging emotion.
Here she was, bothered about the information she had provided to him so quickly. She had thought he would take in such information and possibly use it later on in their conversations.
Instead, he was worried for her? Her heart swelled at such a thought.
Again, he impatiently sent another text.
No prince to take care of you?
This time, she scoffed. Prince Charming? Really? A happily ever after with the love of her life? Oh, if he only knew.
Her grandfather's words rang through her head at such a thought.
"You are to remain pure. Our family comes from a long line of holy users-"
Others her age had gotten a talk about Sex Education, but she was stuck with her grandfather's ramblings. Time and time again, her grandfather referenced their ancestors and how important it was that she did not lose her virginity. To say such a conversation had left her humiliated was an understatement.
Later, she had tried to approach her mother about her grandfather and his ramblings. Instead, to her complete and utter confusion, her mother seemed to contemplate her words and response.
"Kagome, he is just looking out for you. Our family comes from-" and just like that, Kagome Higurashi had walked away from her mother in disappointment.
Yes, yes, she knew.
A long line of holy users and the descendants of Midoriko herself.
For a significant duration of her childhood, the excuse had been used for practically everything. Hanging out with her friends after school? Nope. Instead, she had to practice archery and meditating.
After a time, frustration had turned to resentment. With such a change, Kagome Higurashi had begun to give up on any attempts at a social life. As she got used to such behavior, she had nearly given up all hopes of living a life outside of the shrine and life as a priestess. But then, her Highschool graduation had come, and this job had appeared out of nowhere. Unable to contain her excitement, she jumped on the opportunity to put some distance between herself and her family.
Typing back a response, she tried to remove the flame of resentment that she began to feel towards her memories of home.
No horse or glass slipper yet. I'll let you know when such a thing arrives. Bummer. I bet I would be a hell of a princess. Don't you think?
With it came a tired smile of the disbelief of her own words.
A hell of a princess?
Who was she kidding?
Still, he didn't need to know.
Instead, she waited for his response. But instead of a reply, there was only silence—no texts or emoji reactions. For twenty minutes, she questioned if she should say something else. Excuses appeared in her head—reasons for his silence.
He was tired.
He had things to do.
He grew bored.
And just like that, she told herself she was stupid. Wasn't this what she had wanted? For him to not communicate? So then why did her chest now hurt in a whole different type of manner? And, why was she now double-guessing her words and behavior? After thirty minutes and rereading their entire conversation several times, she accepted defeat and finally gave in.
Is the big bad wolf asleep? Did I bore him?
At that moment, she regretted hitting the send button.
She regretted coming up with a nickname for him.
She regretted her words and her newfound confidence.
More importantly, she felt exposed. Would he think she was needy? Yet, her rare and aggressive move provided her what she wanted—a response.
A term of endearment? You shouldn't have, princess. Why a wolf? What gave me away?
There hadn't even been a minute between her text. Blinking, she tried to think what he was up to at this time of night. Why had he been silent for so long but texted back so quickly?
Had he been testing her?
With widened eyes and a hint of annoyance, she wondered if he was playing with her emotions.
Even still, a part of her was thankful he had texted back finally.
I don't know; I felt it fit you. How about your nickname for me? Why princess?
Round and round they went.
For two minutes, she waited for a response. Yet, strangely enough, it felt like forever. Was she too forward to ask such a question? Would he respond with sarcasm? Or, would he ignore her once more? Unable to settle her doubt, she paced across the room anxiously-all while in anticipation of his response.
Simple. You're beautiful and most definitely worthy of such a title.
And just like that, the butterflies came back, and her world stopped. Face flushed, body on fire, and heart racing, she tried to calm herself. She sent out a response and reminded herself not to make a big deal out of it with trembling fingers.
After all, wasn't this how people texted? Compliments and hookup lines?
So, why didn't her heart understand such a thing?
Thanks.
What else was there to say? How did one feel or respond to such an announcement? It had only been an hour since matching with the stranger, and already, he brought her into a realm of emotions she wasn't used to or prepared for.
When was the last time someone had flirted with her?
Highschool?
Her fingers trembled as she texted as an excuse for her heart to calm. Even now, she noted how the smile on her face hadn't left. After only one hour of conversation, with widened eyes, she realized that she was becoming attached to the stranger and his confidence.
Fuck.
With such a realization came a notification sound.
Well, it's getting late. I have an early day tomorrow. Night, gorgeous. Sweet dreams.
With no warning and preparation for his departure, the empty feeling in her heart made her realize something even more terrifying than simple attachment.
Even though he was just now leaving, she already missed him.
Fuck indeed.
Koga Matsuura was a man that could handle almost anything life could throw his way. More importantly, he was famous for following his gut. His instincts had kept him alive for hundreds of years and ensured his survival throughout wars and assignation attempts. So when the council meeting gave limited information and couldn't answer even the most basic questions, he hesitated.
Running his hands through his high ponytail, he narrowed his sapphire blue eyes while observing his surroundings. In front of the council, he watched Ryu, a Dragon Lord, finish his speech for the intended project. The entire time, wearing a smug smirk and radiating off confidence.
"An app, Ryu? That is your answer to our infertility plague that is destroying the Youkai population? Taku's breeding program sounded less absurd." The Lord of the Southern lands spoke up with a tone of irritation. The Feline Demon was not wrong. Koga nodded in approval with the speaker. The Southern Lord had made such a statement to be an insult, but somehow, the Dragons confidence did not seem to waver. Instead, he laughed pleasantly at such a comparison.
The breeding program that Taku had introduced as his project for the fertility plague had been nothing short of revolting and horrifying. Before the council, the demon had suggested that they experiment with the human population and the remaining fertile demoness utilizing breeding programs. The appalling suggestion had even come with photo designs of the breeding facility and the rooms that would be needed. Taku had proudly shown off the rooms and explained that every member on the demon council would use one to ensure that offspring were created.
Briefly, Koga reminded himself to stay calm while voicing his concerns.
"Tinder isn't going to fix infertility, Ryu. What the fuck." He spat with added annoyance.
It was strange to think that Ryu was usually practical and quick to think on his feet. He was known, like most dragons, to be intelligent as well as observant. To have him introduce an app to the council as a solution to their infertility issues was nothing short of absurd. Here was the dragon, not bothered in the slightest by such hostility and pushback with his presentation. None of the previous Lords had used their month of preparation and programs to insult the council's intelligence in the last year. Yet, here was Ryu seeming to do just that.
Yet, Ryu seemed to ignore his statement once more.
"Each council member has been given a full month to test out their plan for a viable solution with all resources at their disposal. Now, it is my turn. You do not have to agree with it; simply allow it to fail or succeed." Now, his eyes twinkled with excitement.
Snorting at the man before him, Koga nodded in reluctant acceptance.
The dragon wasn't wrong. For the last year, each council member had to devise a plan to assist with the fertility matter. All resources had been given to each individual to ensure equal opportunity for success. So far, all had failed. Ryu was the last member to produce his idea.
But an app?
Really?
"So you want us to…hook up with other demons on your app?" Koga needed to make sure he understood this correctly. More importantly, why were only two council members speaking out with concern about this? Did the other members not have their reservations? Or were they too exhausted and worn out with defeat at this point? Reluctantly, Koga decided it was more than likely the latter.
Once more, the dragon seemed to hesitate in his answer.
Finally, he spoke.
"No. All that needs to be done is to match with users within a week or two. Be friends, lovers, or strangers. It matters not. After the month ends, I will conduct my presentation with the findings. The last week will be used for implementation."
Glaring at the ominous dragon, the answers that were provided made him even more curious. What was he hiding? And implementations? What the fuck did that even mean? How was an app for communication going to help with reproduction?
This time, another lord seemed to have understood the dragon's unspoken words.
With it, the Lord of the Western Lands announced his understanding before the council. "You are approaching this matter with thoughts of interspecies breeding, is that correct?"
Ryu nodded with a knowing smirk.
"Something like that, Sesshoumaru." The silver-haired council member who had spoken nodded in consideration while allowing Ryu to continue with his answer.
"For the last several centuries, we have bred mostly within our race. I propose a possibility of interbreeding until the fertility plague is resolved. However, my project will be addressing additional concerns and hypotheses. In addition to this, I will be utilizing information and recommendations that other members have presented." With the last statement, his eyes darkened with hunger and greed.
The moment the dragon spoke, he felt the hair on the back of his arms stand up, and with it, he felt his body prepare for confrontation.
A feeling that had not occurred for hundreds of years.
A feeling and reaction that was reserved for war and battle.
Just like that, he felt his youki hum and pulse through his body as if a battle was before him. With widened eyes, he shoved such power back before the council could notice that his beast was trying to surface. Clawing at the invisible barrier, he fought to regain control. What the hell was the dragon planning that warranted such a reaction from his beast?
What in the actual fuck?
When was the last time his beast had tried to overpower him?
Centuries ago?
Fuck.
Fuck.
Fuck.
Regaining his composure, he tried to consider why his beast had reacted in such a way intended for the direst situations. The only time such events happened was when his pack was in danger. Yet, he knew they were all safe.
So why?
Unclenching his fists, he reminded himself that such gut feelings were never wrong. He couldn't recall a time or period that his beast had overreacted in interpreting a potential threat. Even if he didn't know what the dragon had planned, he knew he would need to prepare for any possibilities.
"Fine. We can play on your app for a few weeks." He tried to make sure his voice held his usual tone. He would pretend to be his confident and cocky self. He would not let the dragon know that he was suspicious of him. Or that his beast was worried.
Hell, if his beast was worried, then that meant the dangers were far more significant than he or anyone on the council could predict.
Ryu beamed and nodded eagerly.
"Great. I will send out additional information on expectations for this app and how to best proceed." With those words, the dragon bowed his head in thanks and quickly departed.
Koga threw himself on his couch while rubbing his temple. In terms of a rough day, he had come off on top. After the meeting, he had been ready to alert a select few to his concerns. His pack was the first. He notified them to be on guard around the dragon and, more importantly, be cautious with the app. For the time being, he had expected to tell no one else. Still, to his utter confusion, the Dog Lord of the Western Lands appeared before him as he planned to depart.
"You have concerns about the dragon?" Like always, the Dog held a tone that lacked any emotion. Yet, the narrowed eyes let Koga know everything.
He wasn't the only one that noticed the unusual demeanor of the dragon. Nodding, he decided that such an alliance would be beneficial. After all, they had fought beside each other in multiple wars. Unlike the dragon, they had forged treaties together. If nothing else, Sesshoumaru could be trusted-especially if there was danger ahead.
"My beast is uneasy with the plan the dragon devised." For a split second, he noticed Sesshoumaru glanced at him with eyes slightly widened.
"I see. You suggest preparation?"
Nodding in confirmation, Koga said nothing else.
"The West will observe and make sure we are ready." With those words, the Lord of the Western Lands had given him a curt nod acknowledging that they would discuss matters further at a later time.
The wolf prince should have been relieved, but instead, he had arrived at his domain even warier. If the Lord of the Western Lands had taken his words with such confidence, then it had only meant one thing.
There was a war on the horizon.
After briefing his entire pack to be on the defensive and informing them of what little they knew, he finally allowed himself a moment to rest. Staring at the phone, he took a stressed breath.
It was now or never.
Opening up the app he had downloaded less than an hour ago, he stared at the prompts that were popping up one by one. After allowing permission for the app to provide him with updates, he instantly received notification that he had gotten his first match. Alert at the situation before him and curious, he clicked on the user preparing himself for anything. But even with such preparations, he was left in shock.
There, on his screen, was an image of a ravened haired beauty with the eyes that would rival the ocean in both beauty and depth itself.
The word flickered on his screen.
Yet, it was not the words themselves that had caused such confusion.
The shock had come from his beast surfacing at something so simple as a photo of the beautiful woman. With no explanations, his beast rumbled in approval, and with one word, brought his world to turn upside down.
'Mate.'