married couple but not lover

by vamer

ok

COTE: Married Couples, but not Lovers
derp

Published: 2023
Source: https/

Information and Suggestions.

Before we start, this is a chapter where you can write down suggestions for the plot and more. Just to let you know, I will include female students of the second year as well (Ichika, Nanase, etc.)

To begin, I would like to pose a few questions, which you can answer by reaction or comment on the questions.

Questions:

1: Do you want girls from other series to be included as well?

1.1: If so, who?

For example Nino Nakano, Siesta, etc.

My only condition is that I am acquainted with the character.

1.2: Would you be fine if I make additions (OC)

As of right now, I went ahead with COTE canon only, but I planned to add girls from other series as well.

(Not guaranteed:)

2: Lemon, yes or no?

I'm hesitant about it, to be honest.

3: What would you like to happen later on in the story line? (Can be answered later on)

3.1: Do you want a harem or only one heroine winning?

3.2: If only one, who?

This story will be slow-paced as it takes second priority right now.

Credits for the illustration: "Schnee" on pixiv.

Chapter 1: "Love is a flaw."

𝔐𝔞𝔯𝔯𝔦𝔢𝔡 ℭ𝔬𝔲𝔭𝔩𝔢𝔰 , 𝔟𝔲𝔱 𝔫𝔬𝔱 𝔏𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔯𝔰 .

In a realm consisting of nothing but a white expanse, I stood in line alongside other individuals my age, all of whom were convulsing with anguish at the bare notion of a torturous punishment.

"Kiyotaka," the man ruthlessly invoked, the sound of my name from his lips causing my core to shake.

In the corner of my eyes, I perceived the others releasing a low sigh of relief as my breathing deteriorated, growing ragged and labored.

"Yes," I answered, straightening my spine and establishing eye contact with his terrifying golden-brown orbs. His eyes were like a fiery pit, blazing with intensity and vigor.

"Love is a flaw, understand? It renders you vulnerable and powerless," he sneered, and his words cut through me like a knife.

The disdain in his voice was palpable, and it was clear he considered love a weakness in this world where only survival mattered.

...

...

...

1st April 7:55 AM

"You...wake up," a gentle angelic feminine voice whispered into my ear while my shoulder was nudged.

In accordance, my mind was jolted away from the previous remembrance and returned to reality as I blearily flattered my eyes open to detect a blurry female silhouette in front of me.

"What do you want?"

Scarcely after I had raised this question, the blurriness in my field of vision dissolved, and the short, dirty-blond beauty surfaced.

In the background, I sensed the mildly disgruntled expressions of the others due to the rude attitude I exhibited toward the girl in front of me. Nevertheless, she didn't seem to mind.

"I'm Kushida Kikyou. Do you mind introducing yourself to the others?" she innocently inquired, smiling at me with no contempt whatsoever.

Ah, that's right. We were introducing ourselves, and I must have fallen asleep.

I glanced around and noticed the student named "Yosuke Hirata" friendly simpering at me. This was the only information I perceived before falling into my slumber. In any case, he—just like Kushida—radiated an upbeat air.

In order not to be impolite any further, I rose from my chair with the intent of introducing myself.

But how should I do that?

It was while I pondered this very matter that the anticipative stares and awkward silences mounted, prompting me to commence.

"Uhm, my name is Ayanokoji Kiyotaka. I'm ugh... pleased to meet you all," I uttered in my habitual flat tone, expressing no excitement like a robot.

Great.

The students were awkwardly staring at me, not knowing how to react to my miserable presentation.

Just when utter silence threatened to prevail once again, Hirata started applauding. Afterward, some girls did the same.

"Great, do you have any hobbies or something similar?" he asked, feigning ignorance to the others.

Hobby? Right, Hirata also mentioned he plays football. Well...

"Not really. I'm not good at anything except everything," I honestly stated, shrugging my shoulders.

Thereupon, a blonde student who had his feet on the table started laughing historically at my last remark. Before anyone else was able to react to my statement, the door swung open.

"Take your respective seat students," she ordered strictly, walking to the front desk and altering the atmosphere in the room within a fraction of a second.

The students in the room were captivated by the woman looming before them, her hickory-brown hair tied back in a sleek ponytail.

Her well-proportioned physique conveyed a sense of poise and confidence. Her stern scowl was unwavering, and her gaze was penetrating, instilling a hint of authority and gravitas.

"Bro, she's hot!" one of the boys loudly whispered, the guy with the flashy red hair and another one agreeing.

"Tch," the raven-black-haired girl clicked her tongue in annoyance.

First our encounter, now this, she really has an attitude, huh?

At any rate, thereafter, the final babblers hushed until we all ultimately stared ahead, where the woman slammed her hands on the table, creating a dull thud.

"I am your homeroom teacher, Chabashira Sae. I will now tell you about the rules of this school," she announced, whereupon some students started to yawn, and others averted their attention.

The girl beside me—on the other hand—listened attentively to her every word. For a brief instant, my focus turned to the ceiling, only to return to Chabashira.

Since there were surveillance cameras in the area, I guess I'll pay attention, too, or at least pretend to...

As of yet, she had informed us of the existence of private points and how we could purchase anything. On top of that, we were presented with our own smartphones.

Mind you, that was not all. There is one piece of information Chabashira neglected to include, which can be considered the most vital piece of information.

𝔐𝔞𝔯𝔯𝔦𝔢𝔡 ℭ𝔬𝔲𝔭𝔩𝔢𝔰 , 𝔟𝔲𝔱 𝔫𝔬𝔱 𝔏𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔯𝔰 .

1st April 8:25 AM

"As you know now, this school is unlike any other school. And that's not all," she added, causing the boys, in particular, to get animated.

In fact, I recognized one of the three from earlier, rubbing his hands together in sheer excitement. The girls, witnessing their reaction, contorted their faces in disgust.

"Yeah, we're going to get rizzed up by the school!" he claimed, bewildering not only me but the teacher as well.

"Please don't interrupt, Yamauchi. You can ask questions later."

"All right, sensei."

Astonishingly, he no longer voiced a word and merely listened while virtually drooling.

"For the first month, you will be randomly assigned to the opposite gender you will live with."

What is love? Does it truly make you weak? Is it a flaw?

Beyond the fact that this was the sole school I could attend to elude my father, I was sincerely inquisitive about this because he was the one telling me to repudiate any consideration of "love."

This wasn't the only thing. I was also curious about the outside world, the world he viewed as so broken and unnecessary.

"In the apartment where you will live, there are separate rooms and a living room connected to the kitchen."

"What is your question, Horikita-san?"

So her name is Horikita, huh? Like the name of the student speaker.

"Are the separate rooms locked?"

"They are, don't worry. There's even a camera installed in the living room," Chabashira retorted, soothing Horikita and all the other girls.

In other words, every interaction between them is under surveillance, and if anyone violates the rules, the school will be alerted forthwith.

"In any case, you will behave like a married couple. In the second month, if you desire, you can alternate pairs. After that, only the top ten couples can change partners."

The students surrounding me, presumably, have notions of who they want to be with. In my case, I have no inkling. Although it would be helpful if I didn't stand out too much.

"Are there any questions?"

Despite having pending questions, I abstained from asking them and instead glanced around in anticipation of someone else throwing out a question. However, no one did so much as raise their hand.

How utterly disappointing.

Just as I was thinking that and sighing internally, a boy lifted his hand with a confident, almost narcissistic sneer.

"I don't believe anyone is worthy of living with me, so do I have to?" he quizzed, ogling his hair in the mirror he extracted from his pocket.

Judging by how he conducted himself, I was vaguely averse to whether he meant that question seriously or sarcastically. In contrast to me, the girls primarily were irked and irritated by his attitude alongside a red-haired man.

"There will be no exceptions," replied Chabashira, apathetic to his behavior.

Does the teacher allow such inconsiderate matters as putting one's feet on the table? Surely there must be something underlying this.

For several more seconds, Chabashira waited for another question, but since no other hand rose, she arranged her notes by tapping them on the desk.

"If that's all, the pairs will be revealed imminently, and you are dismissed for the day," she declared, striding out of the room and latching the door behind her.

Within a fraction of a second, the rabid tattle broke out anew, and people rose from their chairs to discuss everything Chabashira had related to us. Only Horikita and I were still sitting in our chairs, not talking to anyone.

"Man, I hope I get matched up with Sakura-chan..."

"Who...?"

My gaze strayed from the guys in malice to the girls, who were distinctly ambivalent about what to make of this situation.

"I want to be with Hirata. He's the only normal guy," grumbled one of the girls, who I think had also participated in the introductions.

Too bad I was asleep.

"But doesn't he have Karuizawa?"

"You're right..." she acknowledged, lowering her head as if reality had struck and shattered the final vestige of her hope.

"If I had known we had guys like that, I would have chosen a different school..."

Suddenly, a raucous, strident clang swept through the room and gouged into my eardrums. It was the sound of the speaker being turned on. The other students covered their ears and halted their conversation.

"Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, please come to the office immediately."

The shrill sound gradually subsided, though I drew a myriad of wary glances. Even Horikita, who hitherto had heeded no one else, was gawking at me.

"What did you do?"

Good question. I don't know myself.

"Is it any of your business?"

Without giving her a commensurate answer, I rose as the chatter slowly ramped up again, and the eyeballs followed me outside.

"Wait, the couple list was just sent to us!"

Heading to the main office, I encountered students from various first-grade classes. Albeit I was not acquainted with them in the slightest, they stared at me strangely until I arrived at the designated door.

Unexpectedly, the door swung open, and a girl with strawberry-colored hair briskly passed me, causing me to freeze. Although I only managed to catch a glimpse of her, her beauty was beyond dispute.

Slowly, my feet started moving again, so I walked into the office but bumped into another teacher.

"Good morning, sensei," I greeted the teacher with brown curls, whose charisma was vastly different from Chabashira's.

"Oh, who do we have here?" she casually commented with a smile, her tone lifting towards the end of the phrase.

My gut intuition suggested that she was most likely popular among the boys in her class due to her personality.

"Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, Class 1-D."

While I hoped she would lose interest in me, the exact opposite was true. Her eyes dilated, and her inquisitiveness grew even stronger.

"So you're from Sae's class, huh?"

"That's correct."

"Why are you here?" she further probed, trying to look me in the eye.

"I have no clue."

Briefly, she granted me the peace I craved. It did not last long, though.

"You're quite attractive, Mr. Ayanokoji. I assume you're famous among the girls?"

After saying this, she grasped my hand and inched closer, so I could smell some of her dulcet cologne, which was a tad too strong for my palate.

"Not at all."

"Perhaps I can convince the chairman to pair you up with me. What do you say?" she purred, her voice oozing with ludicrous seduction as she pressed her ample curves against my chest while her delicate fingers traced a tantalizing trail across my features.

Mh...

Should I report her? It was crystal clear that she was flirting with me.

If it was for another male student, they probably would not be able to refuse her.

Or should I play along—

"Ouch!" she yelled after Chabashira punched her head with notes she was holding.

Somehow, I was relieved she arrived before I made my decision.

"What are you doing to my student?" prompted Chabashira in a demanding tone.

Her eyebrows furrowed into a stern frown, and her eyes narrowed as she registered the scenario.

"Nothing, nothing..."

From one second to the next, Hoshinomiya sported as innocent as an angel while stroking her head to banish the pain.

"Then go now," commanded Chabashira opening the door for her through which she rapidly exited while nictating me with one eye.

Once the door closed, the playfulness and lightheartedness dissipated and were replaced by a slightly more solemn atmosphere.

"Why did you summon me here?"

"Take it easy, Ayanokoji-kun. We have plenty of time," she declared, gliding toward the wooden desk with the stacks of papers.

"I'd like to leave as soon as possible."

Chabashira sat down on the chair, propped her hands on the desk, and sighed.

"You're a very special student, aren't you?"

"Nope. Just a mediocre student," I immediately negated.

What was she getting at?

"Are you sure?" she rejoined, leaning her cheek on the knuckles of her right hand.

"Absolutely sure," I affirmed, nodding my head in tandem.

"I happened to catch your grades on the entrance exams, just so you know," she relayed, flashing me a mischievous grin.

Without stirring, I just blinked at her and waited for her to elaborate until she retrieved my exam sheets.

"What do you want me to do with these?"

With her index finger, she tapped on the numbers circled in red on each sheet.

"Look at these, they're all fifties, exactly half of the maximum score."

Is she going to accuse me of cheating? No, that's out of the question, since they watched me take the test.

Maybe...

"I think I understand what you're saying."

Chabashira's grin broadened further on hearing my utterance.

"So?"

"From now on, I'll study harder to get better results," I remarked slyly, oblivious to her attempt to blackmail me.

A hint of bitterness blossomed in her expression as she gritted her teeth gently.

"Stop playing with me. There's no way this is just a coincidence."

She was definitely right in her observation.

"How else would you explain it?" I countered, tilting my head to the side.

"You've been manipulating your results, haven't you?"

"I might have, I might have not," I dismissed, shrugging my shoulders.

Chabashira started frowning at me, her forehead wrinkling, slightly annoyed. Just as she opened her mouth to resume our chat, her phone began to buzz, and it didn't seem to stop. Thus, she checked her phone and eventually released a profound sigh.

"It seems like I'll have to postpone our meeting."

"If this means I can leave now, I'll accept it," I countered, pivoting around with my hand on the doorknob, anticipating her signal for me to be able to leave.

"You're dismissed."

Out of my pocket, I pulled forth my new smartphone and opened the list, a ripple of anticipation surging within me.

My partner for the first month is...

Kushida Kikyou.

Chapter 1.1: Kushida or Horikita?

𝔐𝔞𝔯𝔯𝔦𝔢𝔡 ℭ𝔬𝔲𝔭𝔩𝔢𝔰 , 𝔟𝔲𝔱 𝔫𝔬𝔱 𝔏𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔯𝔰 .

1st April, 4:50 PM

"Why did it have to be her, of all people?" I mumbled in curdled frustration, my voice scarcely audible above the din of my inner thoughts.

I faced the door, my palm dormant on the doorknob, hesitant to push it down.

Not only had I made a fool of myself during the introduction, but I had also unwittingly garnered the enmity of essentially every male student, all before the first day had even passed.

I hadn't even done anything to earn their scorn, but they were all infuriated with me purely on account of my partner being Kushida. Her beauty had earned her a notorious reputation among the boys, which was only to be anticipated.

Closing my eyelids, I pushed down the latch and stepped into the apartment. Rather than the interior, however, only a wall of scorching steam billowed out and enshrouded me.

It seems like Kushida's already arrived.

Shutting the door behind me, I marched further into the apartment while a coconut scent tickled my nostrils, and grew stronger with each step.

"Oh, greetings, Ayanokoji-kun!" So Kushida welcomed me with an ethereal smile, albeit my gaze flitted elsewhere.

I guess I can partially fathom the reason the boys are envious of me.

Kushida's short hair dripped sparingly while around her waist, only a snug white towel covered her upper body.

In view of the towel's firmness, her voluptuous breasts—which glinted slightly from not being completely dry yet—appeared even larger.

"Sorry for walking into you," I apologized, turning around, so I wouldn't come across as a pervert.

"That's not your fault, Ayanokoji-kun. We are living together anyway, so it was bound to happen."

While I expected her to throw a tantrum, she simply dismissed this incident as an accident. In fact, she was not even embarrassed in the slightest.

"You're right," I concurred, rotating around again. This time, I seized the opportunity to sneak a peek at her fully exposed thighs but proceeded before staring too intently at them, "I think I'll go look around my room."

"Wait," Kushida intoned, grabbing my hand, whereupon I faced her.

Before I could utter a syllable, she pressed her tender breasts against my chest and glowered at me with pleading eyes.

"Do you mind accompanying me shopping later?"

If she was trying to convince me with this stare, it didn't work. Though I suppose accompanying her wouldn't hurt.

"Sure," I replied, conjuring a smile on her mien.

𝔐𝔞𝔯𝔯𝔦𝔢𝔡 ℭ𝔬𝔲𝔭𝔩𝔢𝔰 , 𝔟𝔲𝔱 𝔫𝔬𝔱 𝔏𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔯𝔰 .

1st April, 5:25 PM

The grating screech of the shopping cart's wheels resounded in my ears as I perused the shelves, scrutinizing the fiery-hot beef-flavored instant ramen.

"Do you think this is an appropriate price?" I skeptically questioned as Kushida glided up next to me, her cart at a standstill.

As this is my first time going shopping, I don't know the appropriate prices of the products. Thus, accompanying and seeking the expertise of Kushida—who was currently tipping her head to the side to evaluate the ramen's price of 218 yen—wasn't a bad idea.

"Uhm, I think so?" she reluctantly responded, scratching her jowl with her index finger.

Without hesitation, I put the ramen into the trolley, and together, we continued to purchase items she had noted on her phone. There were quite a few things.

"Don't you think we should spend some more points? We can afford it, after all," she asked, wondering why I always chose the lower-priced items instead of the pricier alternatives.

We were allotted 100'000 private points while each point equating to one yen, so we were spoiled. I can imagine some students lavishly spending their points without a second thought.

"You can't do anything wrong with saving."

"Yeah, you're right—"

The sudden appearance of the raven-black-haired figure triggered Kushida to discontinue her speech just when we stepped into the last section before the checkout counter. The female student's gaze gradually fanned out toward us, her expression darkening into a scornful frown.

"Stop gawking at me like that," Horikita snapped, averting her gaze to the shelf in front of her.

Does she think we are happy to meet her? I cannot speak for Kushida, but I am certainly not thrilled to run into Horikita.

"Hey, Horikita-san!"

There's no chance Kushida has befriended her, right?

"Go away, Kushida-san," shrugged Horikita off coldly, extinguishing Kushida's smile.

Well, there's the answer to my previous question.

"Eh? Why's that?" asked Kushida innocently, feigning ignorance to Horikita's animosity towards her.

Horikita shook her head as she sighed in annoyance.

"I'd like to be alone," she declared firmly, which Kushida seemingly would not take for an answer.

"Let her be for now," I asserted, putting my hand in front of Kushida, so she would stop trying to advance in Horikita's direction.

Kushida retreated a few inches, and her smile took on a sweet-bitter edge.

"You two really match, huh?"

...

What?

How does she reach this conclusion?

"Absolutely not," Horikita and I answered simultaneously.

Kushida narrowed her eyes in suspicion and looked at me in particular with her crimson gradient pupil meeting mine.

"Really?"

"Yes," I affirmed.

"Are you sure you wouldn't like to be partnered with Horikita instead of me?"

Upon hearing this question, Horikita stiffened while holding the bottle of olive oil in her hand. I likewise was somewhat startled by this question, so I just waited for a second and blinked at Kushida.

"If you say it like that, yes."

Horikita's face puckered with contempt as her forehead crinkled, her mouth quirked downward, and she shot me a disgusted look.

However, it's not that I preferred Horikita over Kushida.

"Don't look at me like that. If I were with you, I wouldn't have boys staring at me begrudgingly. If I could avoid that consequence, I'd choose Kushida over you any day," I clarified, appearing to pacify Horikita.

That is all there is to it. Her attitude has been unpleasant, and I have no desire to deal with it.

"Glad to hear that," she answered delayed after sighing in relief, striding away with the shopping basket in her hand.

As she left, I cast a fleeting glance at Kushida, who appeared slightly disheartened by my statement that I'd pick Horikita over her.

"Anyway, let's finish the shopping."

𝔐𝔞𝔯𝔯𝔦𝔢𝔡 ℭ𝔬𝔲𝔭𝔩𝔢𝔰 , 𝔟𝔲𝔱 𝔫𝔬𝔱 𝔏𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔯𝔰 .

1st April 6:00 PM

"Ayanokoji-kun, can I ask you for a favor?"

Scarcely had we entered the apartment again with the shopping bags when Kushida raised this question. She was wearing a determined countenance.

On the way back, we hadn't exchanged a single word, so this was sudden.

"That depends," I answered, commencing to put the purchase items into the right places.

Shortly after, Kushida assisted me in placing the groceries on the shelves.

"I need you to help me befriend Horikita-san," she asserted, prompting me to freeze momentarily.

My help? Out of all people?

"Why?"

"My goal is to befriend everyone, and that includes Horikita."

That's an aspirational objective, though it has its advantages and disadvantages. Being friends with Horikita certainly had only drawbacks.

"I doubt I can be of any help, though," I professed, resuming my former activity.

To be honest, I would rather not involve myself with Horikita too much for now.

"That's not true," she denied, vehemently shaking her head.

I'm honored that she believes in me, but that was really not the case.

"Trust me, it is."

I averted my gaze, opened the refrigerator, and deposited the groceries inside while Kushida—without saying a word—stared at me.

"Can you still aid me?" she replied while clenching her palms.

Why was she so desperate to befriend Horikita? Sure, she desired to befriend everyone in the class, yet there was something off.

I failed to elucidate the underlying motive behind her persistent attempts to befriend Horikita. It was a mystery hovering in the air, but it was none of my business, anyway.

"I can try."

Hearing my approval, her eyes lit up, and she began to sport her habitual heartfelt smile.

"Thank you," she gratefully said, slightly bowing her head.

"In any case, what do you want to drink?" I offered, nonchalant towards her elated mood while boiling the water.

Since I practiced tea ceremony, I could confidently make her tea. When it comes to cooking, though... I honestly have no clue.

"Mh... I'll take a black tea," she said, perching herself onto the sofa in the living room.

For students, this apartment was quite huge since there were two spacious bedrooms and, on top of that, an open kitchen to the living room.

In the living room, there was a comfy couch and a television. I didn't expect the school to be so generous, considering they were handing out 100'000 points to each student as well.

Though, I suppose this is necessary to make the paired-up students feel like a married couple.

"Are you always like this?" I inquired of her while steeping the tea bag into the piping hot water.

A hereupon momentary silence ensued, in which her unblinking eyes met mine. Only the program on the television was audible.

"Huh? What do you mean?" she queried eventually, crooking her head in bafflement.

Kushida was amiable, rather too amiable, to a degree that it felt vaguely artificial. At the very least, it was shady.

Perhaps I shouldn't have broached the subject.

"It's nothing," I quickly dismissed, heading to the living room and handing her the cup of tea she requested, "Here you go."

"Thanks."

She blew on the tea and carefully took a sip. Judging from her features, I concluded I had spooned just the perfect amount of sugar into the tea.

"Ah... that's good," she cooed contentedly, slumping into the couch as her shoulder brushed against mine.

The tart aroma of sweetened tea wafted through the air, while the pleasant warm steam cradled my lower jaw, engendering a tangible pang of warmth and comfort. A moment later, a faint "ping" sound suffused the space.

It was the counter above the TV that leaped from zero to one out of nowhere.

So that's what that counter is for, huh?

𝔐𝔞𝔯𝔯𝔦𝔢𝔡 ℭ𝔬𝔲𝔭𝔩𝔢𝔰 , 𝔟𝔲𝔱 𝔫𝔬𝔱 𝔏𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔯𝔰 .

8th April 9:58 PM

Just like that, the first week of my high school and "married" life had passed. The casts of jealous glances from the boys had abated, except for those from Ike and Yamauchi, who still couldn't reconcile themselves to the fact that I was partnered with Kushida.

At the same time, Kushida's attitude persisted unchanged, even during our study sessions.

As I luxuriated on the couch in the living room, engrossed in contemplation, the door creaked open, and Kushida emerged clad in her pajamas.

"Ayanokoji-kun, you're still awake?"

Her voice was sleepy, and one of her boobs was slightly more exposed than the other, almost threatening to slip out.

"I am."

It was only 10 PM, after all. I'm positive that other students are awake as well, in spite of the fact that Kushida goes to bed around 8 PM. At least, she locks herself in her room after this hour.

"I was going for a walk, do you want me to join?" she offered, fixing her pajama.

A walk this late, huh?

"Why not," I responded, lifting myself from the couch.

𝔐𝔞𝔯𝔯𝔦𝔢𝔡 ℭ𝔬𝔲𝔭𝔩𝔢𝔰 , 𝔟𝔲𝔱 𝔫𝔬𝔱 𝔏𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔯𝔰 .

8th April 10:14 PM

While the piercing chill of the night air prickled my complexion, we walked around the campus and stopped at a vending machine, where Kushida offered me a drink.

"Hey, do you think these points will be crucial?" she asked while inserting the numbers into the vending machine.

Up until now, we had amassed a total of 23 points. Whether that was a decent amount or not, I don't know, but I haven't actively endeavored to maximize that number.

It's every time you behave like a couple in front of the surveillance camera, they will grant you one point. However, I realized repeating the same action every time won't work. In other words, the more points you possess, the more challenging it becomes to acquire points.

"They won't be useless. At least, that's what I think," I declared, opening the can Kushida had just handed me.

I'm pretty sure my thesis about the entire system is correct, though I don't intend to share it since I want someone else to figure it out. If I were to divulge my thoughts, I would simply attract unwanted attention.

"Brother, I'm not the failure I was back then!" a frail voice abruptly yelled in the background.

Both Kushida and I were startled by hearing this familiar voice.

"Wait, is that...?" she whispered in wonder.

Curiously, Kushida peeked around the corner, until eventually, in shock, her eyes widened.

"That's—"

Before she managed to complete her sentence, I put my hand on her soft, moisture-tinged lips and joined her to observe the scene.

Now, that is interesting...

A/N: I hope you're fine with me including some changed canon scenes. The pacing is somewhat slow, I guess.

Was this chapter alright?

Also: Comment with whom Kiyotaka should get next with after Kushida (paired up).

Chapter 1.2: Dark Kushida

𝔐𝔞𝔯𝔯𝔦𝔢𝔡 ℭ𝔬𝔲𝔭𝔩𝔢𝔰 , 𝔟𝔲𝔱 𝔫𝔬𝔱 𝔏𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔯𝔰 .

8th April, 10:15 PM

"Catch up? You still haven't even realized your own shortcomings," stated the male figure, his tone ringing solemnly while we could only witness their backs.

The raven-black-haired girl was Horikita, though she was joined by another student. I had a sneaking hunch about the other one.

"Isn't that the student council president?" whispered Kushida underneath my hand, whereupon I gave a nod of affirmation.

The illumination was dim, but a vigilant inspection of his silhouette and an attentive ear to his voice endorsed that this was the student council president, Horikita Manabu. This was further solidified by their identical family name.

"What should we do?" she asked, her gaze darting up to me for a second.

"Nothing," I promptly retorted, surreptitiously snatching out my cell phone to capture the scene while Kushida maintained her eyes on the unraveling drama.

To my surprise, Kushida, who I had anticipated would rush to Horikita's aid, remained silent and compliant.

"You were a fool to choose this school," Manabu—whose name I learned when he held his speech—commented, pushing his glasses up.

He looked perfectly calm, but his sister was more agitated. Moreover, it looks like their relationship isn't the best.

"I-I'll reach Class A soon! When I do—"

"Impossible," he interjected, his voice heavy with gravity.

"I'll... make it there," Horikita replied in an unsteady voice, devoid of conviction and assailed by a profound sense of desperation.

"What an unreasonable little sister you are..."

Within a fraction of a second, he seized both of his sister's hands and slammed them against the wall, rendering her incapable of eluding his hold.

His intense, frowning glare bored into Horikita's wavering orbs. It was as if his gaze deprived her of breath and impeded her from regaining even a semblance of poise.

"You know what shame you bring me? My little sister in Class D."

Horikita, who otherwise conducted herself so eloquently and haughtily, was only a shell of her former self in the face of her brother's admonition.

"Leave this school immediately," he ordered, his tone of voice revealing there was no room for argument or negotiation.

Amid the situation, I realized Kushida's lips—still covered by my hand—unconsciously altered into a mild smile. Or was I mistaken?

"Brother... I..." stuttered Horikita, choking on her words as her legs and torso quivered while she was pinned against the wall.

Manabu raised his free arm backward, ostensibly to lunge for a blow. With her eyes almost closed, Horikita didn't attempt to resist.

"You must learn..."

As he was preparing to strike Horikita, I steadfastly recorded until the last moment, cutting it off when he swung his arm. Then I intentionally pedaled around the corner with clamorous footsteps, drawing attention to my presence.

"The student council president is using violence on his little sister, huh?"

His strike on Horikita was thwarted as he was caught off guard, and a tinge of surprise blazed across his features.

Nonetheless, he swiftly regained his composure and released Horikita from his grip, at which point his gaze was focused on me with an irritated expression.

"You... who are you?"

"Ayanokoji-kun?" Horikita uttered, baffled, her eyes bulging upon spotting my presence.

"I'm just a bypassing classmate, nothing more," I added nonchalantly.

"You shouldn't get meddled in other people's business if you're not involved," he warned me, indicating I should leave without further inquiry.

However, I had no intention of opting out of this situation. Not when they have provided me with such favorable cards.

"I didn't plan on getting involved, but when I saw you resorting to violence, I couldn't stand by and do nothing," I explained, brandishing my cell phone as proof.

There was no need for me to throw in another word as he rapidly comprehended what I was trying to impart.

"What do you want?" he queried, slightly gritting his teeth.

What do I want? Honestly, right now, there was not much for me to gain by negotiating with him aside from private points or information about the system, which I was already aware of.

"I don't know," I honestly stated, shrugging my shoulders and continuing, "I suppose I'll just keep this video to myself for—"

Abruptly, he launched an attack on my phone to snatch it away, but I tugged my hand aside quickly and retreated.

He's fast.

"Do you practice anything?" he questioned, masking his surprise at my agility in dodging his attack.

"Piano, and a little calligraphy."

"So, you're that student, huh?" he calmly mused, adjusting his tie and the position of his glasses after.

That student? Was I famous?

"That student?" mumbled Horikita cluelessly.

The tension in the air was getting more uncomfortable than the cold, though I remained oblivious.

"I'd say I'm just a mediocre Class D student."

However, he heeded no more attention to me and turned around to establish eye contact with his sister, who has yet to process everything.

"I'm surprised you made a friend, Suzune."

"He's... not my friend," she claimed, whereupon he heaved a sigh of disappointment.

"As usual, you have mistaken isolation for independence. You still have a lot to learn," he remarked coolly, refusing to elaborate by simply walking away.

The streetlight commenced to flicker in the dominant silence as my gaze wandered to Kushida, who still cowered in the shadows, and Horikita now shivered from the chill of the night. Her skin was covered in goosebumps.

"You practice something, don't you?" she eventually accused once she had somewhat recovered from what just happened.

The softness and vulnerability she had exhibited moments before were substituted by her obstinacy and confidence.

"I said what I said."

"Don't expect me to thank you," she warned me, her scowl deepening as she crossed her arms to ward off the cold.

"There's no need," I said, spinning around to leave.

I didn't do this for her sake anyway. Though, this changes a lot of things.

"Ayanokoji-kun—"

"I'll keep quiet about today, don't worry," I interrupted and reassured her as if having read her thoughts without turning around.

𝔐𝔞𝔯𝔯𝔦𝔢𝔡 ℭ𝔬𝔲𝔭𝔩𝔢𝔰 , 𝔟𝔲𝔱 𝔫𝔬𝔱 𝔏𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔯𝔰 .

8th April, 10:23 PM

"What do you plan to do?" Kushida questioned as we trudged down the path toward our abode. The only sounds accompanying us were the crunching of gravel under our feet.

"For now, nothing."

If I had the desire to reap a substantial amount of private points, I could take action. But I am confident that this information will prove valuable in the future.

"So you're just going to keep the video on your phone?" she probed, furrowing her brow in concern.

I haven't even checked whether the video captured Horikita and Manabu well, though they should be discernible.

"Yes."

"Don't you think you should send it to me as well to make sure it doesn't get deleted?" she suggested, worriedly tucking her hand on my uniform.

"I'll see how it goes, but you do have a point."

There was no need to make a hasty decision, after all.

"Oh, I don't want to pressure you, but I can promise you that I won't tell anyone else," she warmly smiled, excusing herself if she sounded too invasive.

𝔐𝔞𝔯𝔯𝔦𝔢𝔡 ℭ𝔬𝔲𝔭𝔩𝔢𝔰 , 𝔟𝔲𝔱 𝔫𝔬𝔱 𝔏𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔯𝔰 .

12th April, 7:45 AM

I emerged from my room to confront Kushida, impeccably attired in her school uniform and ready to head out for her day.

"I'll walk to school with Inogashira. That's fine, right?"

"Sure."

With that, she left our apartment and consigned me to my solitude. I took a moment to slip into my shoes and fleetingly checked our score before leaving the apartment.

By now, we gathered 86 points, though this was mostly contributed to Kushida's effort in the past week. From what I have heard, others were having a hard time collecting points.

For example, Horikita, who was partnered with Yukimura, has amassed an amount of 14 points.

Leaving those thoughts aside, I reached the elevator, where I heard frantic clattering footsteps rushing toward the elevator.

"Hold on, keep it open!" implored a voice.

Thus, I pressed the "open" button, and the strawberry-pink haired entered my view, her sweet scent invading my nostrils. It was the same girl I had met the first day.

"Thank you," she smilingly said, wiping away the invisible sweat on her forehead.

"No problem," I dismissed as the doors closed, and she panted for air.

"I haven't introduced myself, have I? My name is Ichinose Honami from Class 1-B. Nice to meet you!"

Just like Kushida, she was well-known among the first-years and emanated a welcoming ambiance.

"Ayanokoji Kiyotaka Class 1-D. Likewise," I shortly introduced myself with a detached demeanor.

"Ah, you're partnered with Kushida-san, correct?"

"Yes. Are you two close?"

"We spent a lot of time in the first week together," she explained, showing me her phone's background.

It was a selfie of her and Kushida in casual clothes in the mall. She wasn't lying, it seems. They really spent time together.

"I didn't know that."

Our conversation fell flat and was lulled by the monotonous elevator music until she resumed talking, breaking the awkward silence.

"Hey, this might be sudden, but could we meet today after school?" she asked while avoiding eye contact and fidgeting her fingers.

There's no way she's going to confess, right? We just met. I suppose I should go regardless to get a favor from her.

"Alright," I concurred as the elevator doors opened, and she scurried out with alacrity.

"Well, I have to go now. Meet me after classes behind the school building!"

𝔐𝔞𝔯𝔯𝔦𝔢𝔡 ℭ𝔬𝔲𝔭𝔩𝔢𝔰 , 𝔟𝔲𝔱 𝔫𝔬𝔱 𝔏𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔯𝔰 .

15th April, 6:45 PM

"Welcome, Ayanokoji-kun!"

"Hello, Kushida," I countered while taking off my shoes.

"Is there anything you'd like to drink?" she asked, as she did every time I arrived at the apartment.

At first, this routine garnered us a few private points, but now it seemed to have lost its impact. Nevertheless, she persisted in offering me a drink.

"No, I planned to take a shower."

"Should I help you wash your back?"

I was taken aback for an instant and replayed her words in my mind to ensure that I had heard correctly. When I captured her gaze, she sported an innocent smile.

"I think I can do that myself," I repudiated, to which Kushida nodded her head.

"If you change your mind, you can still call me. I'll be preparing dinner in the meantime."

In the last few days, Kushida had lavished me with offers and gestures of kindness. To my surprise, she was even kinder to me in the second week than in the first.

𝔐𝔞𝔯𝔯𝔦𝔢𝔡 ℭ𝔬𝔲𝔭𝔩𝔢𝔰 , 𝔟𝔲𝔱 𝔫𝔬𝔱 𝔏𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔯𝔰 .

15th April, 6:55 PM

Stepping out of the steaming bathroom with damp hair, I realized I had forgotten to grab a fresh shirt. The mouthwatering aroma of a savory meal filled the air wafting from the kitchen.

As I tried to unobtrusively retrieve my shirt from the living room, I was caught by Kushida, who turned around in astonishment. Her mouth hung agape, and her unblinking eyes broadened at the prospect of seeing me.

"Do you really not work out, Ayanokoji-kun?" she queried, astounded by the muscular build of my frame.

I couldn't tell her that I used to work out every day in the white room, so I just lied.

"No, I don't," I responded as she left the kitchen to examine my body more closely.

"I never knew you were this muscular!" she proclaimed in awe, gently running over the contours of my abs with her index finger.

Although this was slightly ticklish, I can't deny that this was somewhat alluring. A tinge of lust ignited within me, yet I resisted and distanced myself to put on a shirt.

"I'm blessed with genetics, I guess," I shrugged, downplaying my well-toned physique.

Thereupon, I sat down at the table and laid my phone on the table as she did. I had learned that being on the phone while eating is considered rude, so we both agreed to put our phones on the table so neither of us would check our phones.

"Thanks for the food!" she shouted and dug in, and so did I.

"It's delicious," I praised, the flavors of the curry exploding in my mouth like a fireworks display.

Throughout the two weeks, she has been constantly cooking for me aside from the exceptions where we just purchased food from the convenience store.

"I'm glad to hear that," she replied, her eyes aglow with elation.

While we ate, we conversed quietly, exchanging snippets of our daily lives and experiences outside school. Since we were in the same class, our conversations were limited to what was happening beyond the classroom walls.

As you can surmise, it was mostly just her talking while I listened due to my lack of friends. The only thing I shared with her is how I helped Ichinose when she was confessed to by her classmate.

I guess couples who are in different classes can also talk about things that happen during lessons.

"I'll go to the bathroom. I'll be right back," Kushida excused herself after she finished her meal.

Quickly, she went to the toilet and locked herself in while I completed my meal and put down my chopsticks. There was still something I desired to talk about with her. It was about the video I was supposed to send her.

I reckon today is a good opportunity to address the topic.

𝔐𝔞𝔯𝔯𝔦𝔢𝔡 ℭ𝔬𝔲𝔭𝔩𝔢𝔰 , 𝔟𝔲𝔱 𝔫𝔬𝔱 𝔏𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔯𝔰 .

15th April, 7:25 PM

"Kushida, I wanted to talk to you," I explained once she sat down again after visiting the bathroom.

"What's up?"

Her head bent slightly in puzzlement, and her look was one of concern for me that something had befallen me.

"It's about the incident we observed some days ago."

The worry in her countenance subsided, and intrigue sprinkled in her pupils.

"Oh, what about it?" she prompted, eager to hear more.

How should I word this now? After reflecting on it for a moment, I sighed and commenced.

"I've decided to not send you the footage," I announced, leaving Kushida perplexed.

For several more instants, she remained flabbergasted before I filled the void with my rationale.

"It's not because I don't trust you but because I have observed Horikita more closely since. I figured she could become a valuable asset to the class under the right circumstances."

Hearing my reasoning, her expression indicated that there was a myriad of things she desired to voice to the extent that she tightened her grip on the wooden chopsticks and pressed her lips together.

"I understand," she opined at last with a bitter simper, her inflection betraying a hint of discontent.

Disregarding her dissatisfaction, I rose from my chair and headed to the kitchen to grab an apron and a pair of rubber gloves.

"I'll wash the dishes since you cooked for me."

"Then, I'll go for a walk," said Kushida softly, taking the phone with her, "I'll be back in roughly fifteen minutes or so."

Without another second, she departed and shut the door behind her.

𝔐𝔞𝔯𝔯𝔦𝔢𝔡 ℭ𝔬𝔲𝔭𝔩𝔢𝔰 , 𝔟𝔲𝔱 𝔫𝔬𝔱 𝔏𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔯𝔰 .

15th April, 7:30 PM

With my phone in hand, I stormed out of the apartment complex. I felt my blood boiling with pangs of frustration. Prudently, I scanned my surroundings as I headed for a forlorn streetlight that illuminated a metal railing near the water's edge.

"What a pain in the ass this bastard is," I vented with annoyance.

With a curse, I dropped the facade of the friendly demeanor I had been putting on and let out a constricted sigh.

How fucking tiresome.

Not only this charade but this bastard as well. No, her as well. Why the fuck does she even exist?

I clenched the phone firmer and scoped out the area again before proceeding.

"For a week, I have been overly friendly with him, but he still doesn't trust me!" I yelled into the night, completely shedding the act I had been maintaining in front of others.

With a vigorous kick, I slammed my foot against the railing, eliciting a shrill clang to echo through the air while I gnashed my teeth together.

Honestly, if he had just sent me this video already, I wouldn't have to deal with this bitch!!

Why does she have to be here in the first place!?

"This is all your fault, Horikita! Honestly, just fucking die already!!!" I yelled even louder out of the sky, the frigid temperature not affecting me as my blood was cooking.

With each kick I hammered against the railing, my anger seemed to pump through my veins with renewed fervor.

"You think you're so great just because you're pretty? I fucking hate you!" I hollered over and over, repeating the phrase until I was out of breath.

Even when I finally stopped and my heart throbbed in my chest, my wrath was still palpable and unrelenting.

Out of nowhere, a blasting alarm buzzed behind me, prompting me to pivot around with a sinister scowl on my countenance.

Who's that now? I'll kill that person.

Emerging from behind the tree was none other than Ayanokoji-kun with his annoyingly insouciant visage.

"Sorry to interrupt you, Kushida but fifteen minutes are due."

A/N: My bad for taking three chapters to get Kushida to that point, but I thought it'd be nicer this way.

What would you have changed at the story until now? Pacing? Or more fan service?

In any case, next and the one after that can be with some fan service, if you like.

I'll start introducing other girls now too. Give me ideas and suggestion on how to proceed. (I planned for the girl after Kushida already a little).

Tell me, what do you want to see to happen between Kushida and Kiyo?

Chapter 1.3: Turned Tables

𝔐𝔞𝔯𝔯𝔦𝔢𝔡 ℭ𝔬𝔲𝔭𝔩𝔢𝔰 , 𝔟𝔲𝔱 𝔫𝔬𝔱 𝔏𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔯𝔰 .

15th April, 7:30 PM

"Did you witness everything?"

The tone in which Kushida spoke was vastly different from the innocent girl she had heretofore impersonated. The dark circles beneath her eyes only accentuated the gravitas of her voice, which tinged deeper, more resolute, and emphasized the palpable tension in the atmosphere.

"I certainly expected you to be a little wicked, but certainly not that rotten," I provoked, sauntering in her direction until the streetlight shone on us.

"If you tell someone about this, you'll pay," she threatened as she inched closer to me until stopping roughly twenty-five centimeters in front of me.

The air she radiated was neither hospitable nor warm but rather forbidding. My gaze was inevitably drawn to the phone she was cradling in her hand, her grip so firm it seemed as if she was about to crush the device with sheer force.

Of course, she wasn't that physically strong, but her grasp merely demonstrated how petulant and frustrated she was.

"How so?" I queried, deliberately sounding foolish to heighten her frustration even further.

Upon my question, the wrinkles on her forehead multiplied, and she tiptoed closer to my face with her lilac-hued iris, demonstrating her frown and anger.

"I'll tell everyone that you tried to rape me," she declared with a menacing glint in her eyes.

Rape, huh? The surveillance camera in our living room should be sufficient evidence to clear most of my name. Although, of course, it wouldn't quite establish my innocence if she accused me.

"We both know this would be a false accusation," I countered with a perfectly calm, uncaring tone.

"It wouldn't," she denied, backing off by stop tiptoeing and grabbing my hand with her free hand.

"What are you doing?" I asked while she slowly pulled my hand closer to her torso.

Before I knew it, my hand perceived a soft sensation incomparable to anything else. With her hand, Kushida forced my hand against her chest.

So that's how it is, huh?

"See? There is proof. Your fingerprints are now right there."

The contrast between our emotions was stark. While she was tilting, I remained composed.

"You're quite amusing, Kikyou."

Thereupon, she released my hand and retreated while retaining her sinister mien.

"Don't call me that just because we're paired."

How intimidating.

"Sure, my bad," I conceded.

"Can you promise me that you won't tell anyone about what you saw today?"

It was not like I had any plans to spread any rumors since if I would, I'd just get the attention and disdain of others.

"Mhm," I affirmed, bobbing my head.

A disgruntled sigh escaped her lips, and she pivoted so that her spine was in view while I reminisced about the past moments and sensations. However, now was not the time to be dwelling on these thoughts.

"All right, let's go back," she announced blithely, spinning around with a broad smile.

She had changed her personality and feigned ignorance concerning what had happened.

𝔐𝔞𝔯𝔯𝔦𝔢𝔡 ℭ𝔬𝔲𝔭𝔩𝔢𝔰 , 𝔟𝔲𝔱 𝔫𝔬𝔱 𝔏𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔯𝔰 .

15th April, 7:40 PM

"Can I take a look at your phone? It might be damaged from the incident before," I asked Kushida as soon as we entered the elevator alongside Mei-Yung.

Until now, we hadn't conversed, nor had she let go of her phone, though her grip had loosened. My request elicited a tilt of confusion from Kushida's head, but she eventually relinquished the device to me.

"Eh, sure! Though, I doubt there is a reason to worry."

"What happened to your phone, Kushida?" queried Mei-Yung, who I believe is partnered with Hirata, with concern.

"Oh, I just dropped it from the stairs," she effortlessly lied to Mei-Yung, mildly scratching her cheek and smiling, thereby effectively deceiving Mei-Yung.

What would Mei-Yung think of Kushida if she knew her true self? While wondering about the question and blending their talking out, I focused on the phone until the elevator doors opened.

"It seems to have taken no harm," I announced after closer inspection, though I did not return the device to Kushida.

"See you tomorrow, Kushida!" the innocent Mei-Yung bid farewell, waving cheerfully.

"Bye!" Kushida replied, reciprocating the farewell gesture as she followed me to the apartment's door.

"May I have my phone back?"

"No," I coldly responded, unlocking the door to the apartment.

"Eh?" she shrieked, flabbergasted and slightly bewildered by my rejection.

"That's my phone, not yours," I explained, which did not help.

"I don't think I grabbed the wrong phone when I walked out of the room. Moreover, I have a background image with Ichinose-san," she benignly tried to explain while—I am sure—she was cursing at me in her head.

It was not that she had grabbed the wrong phone on the table, Kushida had, in fact, selected the correct one. It was just me who had changed the positions of our phones while she was in the restroom.

"You didn't choose the wrong phone, but this is yours," I stated, pulling out the other phone from my pocket and handing it to her.

In utter befuddlement, as if a question mark was hovering over her head, she did not enter the door I was holding open for her.

"Why do you have the image of Ichinose-san and me as your background?" she reluctantly asked, finally entering the apartment.

Her body language was rigid and reserved, with a whiff of wariness evident in her furrowed brows and drooped mouth.

The scent of the aromatic curry from earlier still floated in the air, beguiling the apertures of my nose as I deftly slipped off my footwear.

I turned to her and noticed—through an astute observation—her eyes radiating a tinge of disgust despite her valiant efforts to exhibit a cordial and welcoming expression.

Her irises gleamed with a repugnance directed at my decision to set her as the background for my phone.

"After I helped Ichinose out with her little confession problem, I asked her for a favor."

Hearing my statement, Kushida nodded slightly, her curiosity piqued and gestured for me to continue.

"As you can guess, that favor was to have this image of the both of you. Since we're supposed to be a married couple, I thought there would be no problem with putting an image of you as my background."

A subdued "ping" wailed through the living room, alerting us that my lie had garnered us another point. There was a completely other reason why I requested this from Ichinose.

"Oh, there's no problem with that. It just caught me off guard," she expressed with subtle panic, fiddling with her hands to indicate that all was well and regaining her smile.

"Kushida, do you remember my introduction on the first day?"

"Of course I do. What about it?" she inquired, standing next to the couch and establishing eye contact and slightly weirded out by my sudden question.

"If you do, how can you be so utterly stupid?"

There was no answer, just a complete silence until the counter made another ping-noise, this time a slightly louder and deeper tone. We had just gone back to 86 points.

"Excuse me?" uttered Kushida, closing her eyes and shaking her head.

Still don't know what was going on, eh?

I let out a profound sigh, feeling a sense of disappointment rising within me.

"Listen to the audio I'm about to send you. I recommend you do this in your own room or with headphones."

In accordance, she opened the audio and played it with the lowest possible volume while holding the speaker directly to her ear.

Without needing to add a word, her eyes widened, her entire body shut down, and the longer she listened to the audio, the more perplexed she was.

"You..." she cooed with a tremulous voice, incapable of finishing her sentence due to her genuine shock.

If she had done that to anyone else, her trick would have worked, but it seems she hadn't anticipated me recording the whole incident. Well, in theory, it was her since she carried the phone with her. I just switched the phone and started the recording in our apartment.

After several seconds of her not moving an inch, I headed toward her.

"It's fine," I remarked, pulling Kushida, who had a vacant gaze, into a tight hug, whereupon the ping-noise, again, resounded in the room.

They are probably thinking I'm consoling Kushida for a stupid deed she committed. In reality, I wasn't consoling her but simply exposing her foolishness.

Kushida's slender figure shivered, and instead of warmth, she transmitted coldness to me.

"You know what this means, right?" I whispered into her ears, so the surveillance camera couldn't catch my words.

"... What?"

The confidence she possessed earlier was non-existence and was replaced by dread and anguish. Her heartbeat was pounding furiously against her chest, a wild and unsteady rhythm that seemed to reverberate through her entire body and into mine to the point that I could mistake it for my own.

"You'll do whatever I say."

There was nothing she could say since she was aware that if she disobeyed me, she will be expelled from school if I desired.

"Fucking pervert..." she replied quietly through gnashed teeth.

What kind of fantasies does she have? I didn't mention a single thing about doing something perverted to her.

"Don't worry, I won't go that far," I assured her, releasing her from my embrace.

At least, I don't have any plans to do so right now.

"I'll head to bed."

𝔐𝔞𝔯𝔯𝔦𝔢𝔡 ℭ𝔬𝔲𝔭𝔩𝔢𝔰 , 𝔟𝔲𝔱 𝔫𝔬𝔱 𝔏𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔯𝔰 .

18th April, 7:40 AM

Since the incident with Kushida, three days had elapsed, and as per habit, she had departed without me. So, at the moment, I was contentedly walking to class alone, suspecting that she was avoiding my presence out of resentment toward me.

However, just as I was ambling along, a voice hailed me.

"This is the first time we interact, Ayanokoji-kun," spoke the silhouette, emerging from my right, accompanied by a peachy aroma that wafted from her tawny-brown hair.

The girl possessed azure blue eyes that twinkled with merriment as she smiled at me. It was a face I recognized.

"Matsushita," I dryly responded, catching her off guard.

More importantly, what does she want from me?

"You remember my name?" asked Matsushita astonished as a breeze hit our faces.

I was asleep during the introductions, but it wasn't a wonder that I knew her name.

"We're in the same class, after all."

In fact, I had become somewhat familiar with her through my conversations with Yamauchi, Ike, and Sudou - the trio of "idiots" in our class. The reason I am mentioning this is that Matsushita is paired with Sudou.

"I suppose that's true," she shrugged, suspiciously walking next to me like we were best buddies.

"Is there anything I can help you with?" I asked, bracing myself for her request.

"I thought I'd be nice to make your acquaintance."

"No other reason?"

Like a thief caught in the act, she lifted both her arms in a gesture of surrender, snickering at herself.

"You got me," she admitted, straightening her posture and proceeding, "It's about the exams in the near future."

When switching to the exams, she grew more serious, and ceased snickering.

I knew it. There is no way girls would talk to me without a reason.

"What about them?"

"I know you're not the best in academics, but I want you to try."

"Why?" I inquired, tilting my head to the side.

"I just have a feeling that you can do better if you try," she revealed, not elaborating any further.

Was she observing me? After a moment of thought, I provided her with her desired answer.

"Don't expect too much from me," I warned her, after which she gave a satisfied nod.

From afar, I heard footsteps approaching the two of us, but didn't bother to turn around until...

"Matsushita-san, wait!" a feminine—no, an old, familiar voice shouted for Matsushita.

Like Matsushita, I halted in my tracks. It can't be... right?

Without hesitation, I craned my head to glance at the person, but the rays of the sun dazzled me. I shielded my eyes, so the sun would stop blinding me.

As if the person had the white, radiant wings of an angel, she entered my field of vision while her surroundings sparkled.

"Yuki...?"

Upon spotting me, Yuki's steps shortened until she came to a halt. There was no smile on her face, but shock etched into her visage, and eventually, she let the phone she held in her hand drop to the ground.

"Kiyotaka...?"

𝔐𝔞𝔯𝔯𝔦𝔢𝔡 ℭ𝔬𝔲𝔭𝔩𝔢𝔰 , 𝔟𝔲𝔱 𝔫𝔬𝔱 𝔏𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔯𝔰 .

19th April, 5:00 PM

"Welcome back, Ayanokoji-kun."

Upon entering the apartment with a soaked umbrella, Kushida – wearing casual cloth – welcomed me.

"Make me a sandwich," I ordered cold-heartedly, disregarding her warm welcome.

She did not hesitate and obediently headed for the kitchen. I watched as she gathered the necessary ingredients and began to prepare my sandwich. The freshly sliced bread aroma and the sizzle of fried bacon wafted through the air and enticed my senses.

Five minutes later, she exited the kitchen carrying a plate with a beautifully topped sandwich. The bread was toasted golden brown, and the filling was generously topped with bacon, lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise. She presented it to me with a polite smile and placed it on the coffee table in front of me on the couch.

"Thanks."

In response, she just turned around, her expression contorted into resentment, and she started to fumble on her phone with tension without facing me.

"Did that piss you off?"

Collecting all of her remaining energy, she turned around to respond to me like the habitual, joyful Kushida and did not let her true self show.

"Huh? Oh no, it didn't—"

Her words were interrupted by a sudden, raucous crash of thunder that echoed throughout the room. A bright flash illuminated the room for a split second before the power flickered and died out, plunging the room into darkness. The television screen blackened, and the sole sound was the soft pattering of rain on the windows.

"Electricity cut off, huh?"

"Yeah, it seems so," asserted Kushida, her gaze up to the ceiling where the turned-off light was.

"You can drop the attitude, Kikyou."

"Tch," she clicked her tongue with annoyance and hissed, "I told you to not call me that, bastard."

Although her voice returned to its original tone, it was only passive-aggressive, not shouting, as last time. It felt more comfortable, although she was not polite.

"Are you in a position to talk back, though?" I slyly asked, prompting her to sigh from frustration.

"Fine, bastard," she said, her eyebrow furrowing and a vein popping on her forehead.

Though, I didn't heed any attention to her but gazed at the surveillance camera that wasn't blinking red anymore. It was, too, turned off.

"Come to my room and leave your phone here," I instructed nonchalantly.

With an ominous expression and crossed arms, she warily entered my white-painted, hollow room, awaiting my next instructions while I sat down on my bed.

"Tell me, what do boys usually have in their rooms?" I asked after waiting in silence for several moments.

Her jaw slightly dropped upon hearing my question, and she gazed at me as if I was stupid.

"I don't know, you tell me."

"I'm conflicted about what to put in here."

A shelf? If so, what should I put there aside from books—

"It's none of my business, is it?" she commented in a rude tone, interjecting my train of thought.

Wasn't she extremely popular? Someone like her probably has been in many boys' rooms. Realizing how pissed off she was and how the flow of conversation stopped, I resumed.

"I'm sorry for treating you like before," I apologized, referring to my statement from a couple of minutes ago.

"Shut up, you're not sorry in the least," she answered dismissively.

Guess what? Her statement was right on the mark, and I had to admit that she was spot on.

"There's a reason why I'm doing that," I eventually revealed, gaining not a tatter of her attention.

The room was bathed in a soft, hazy glow from the stormy weather outside, and raindrops battering against the window panes and trickling down the glass.

"It's, so you show me your true self."

"Fuck off..."

Undeterred, I stood up from the bed and approached her, wanting to get a closer glimpse at her countenance. To my surprise, she didn't back away, but held her ground and met my gaze.

"I like your true self more," I relayed, capturing her undivided attention within a fraction of a second.

"Huh?" she sputtered out in astonishment as if she couldn't believe it.

Her head turned from the window to me, but she slightly stepped back upon realizing how close I was to her.

"You heard me, Kikyou," I retorted, my voice scarcely above a whisper.

"Just let me go," she bleated, her cheeks flushing a frail shade of pink.

"If you grant me one more favor, I'll let you go."

It was something I couldn't escape when I read the myriad of novels, albeit I never had the chance to try it and never had the desire to attempt it. That is, at least, until I left the white room for this high school.

"Make it," demanded Kushida, who was—right now—temporarily vulnerable.

At her insistence, I gently cupped my left hand under her delicate chin and embraced her with my other arm, drawing her closer to me until her velvet chest was huddled against me and her warm exhalations fondled my complexion.

Intentionally, I waited a moment, yet, she did not refute me and was surprisingly submissive.

Our gazes locked, and I slowly leaned closer until I was enveloped by the sensation of her full, luscious lips against mine.

A/N: How was the chapter? Yes, I thought about including Yuki as well, and I hope it was understandable how Kiyo attained the evidence

(When she went to the bathroom, he switched his background, started the recording and switched the positions of their phone, Kushida took that phone with her and recorded everything without realizing and Kiyo attained the full evidence).

How's the story so far? I'm afraid whether it's boring / slow-paced or whatever, let me know please.

Lemon in the next chapter? It would be the first time writing a lemon for me.

Chapter 1.4: Maid

𝔐𝔞𝔯𝔯𝔦𝔢𝔡 ℭ𝔬𝔲𝔭𝔩𝔢𝔰, 𝔟𝔲𝔱 𝔫𝔬𝔱 𝔏𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔯𝔰.

19th April, 5:05 PM

I detached my lips from her dewy, rosy lips and gazed into her eyes in the drab twilight for several moments before withdrawing. Kushida, on the other hand, stood still, her posture rigid.

"You can leave now, Kikyou," I declared, brandishing my phone and illuminating the room with the radiant light of its screen.

With the additional lighting, I was able to discern more details of her profile, such as the wispy blush adorning her cheeks still, and her delicate, glowing ears.

"Is this really everything?" she inquired, ensuring I did not want anything else from her.

"For today, yes," I replied belatedly as another lightning strike ensued.

After hearing that, her shoulders subconsciously slumped disappointed that there would not be more to come. Though, I could also perceive her being displeased by knowing there will be more in the future.

"Tell me now what it is," she postulated, trying to prevent procrastination.

"In three days, I want you to..."

𝔐𝔞𝔯𝔯𝔦𝔢𝔡 ℭ𝔬𝔲𝔭𝔩𝔢𝔰, 𝔟𝔲𝔱 𝔫𝔬𝔱 𝔏𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔯𝔰.

21st April, 9:25 AM

Two days had elapsed since the electricity had cut out, and likewise, two days since I had last set foot in the school. Recently, I have not been feeling well, and my thoughts have been consumed. Stripping off my clothes, I hopped in the shower and flipped the water on.

As the steam in the bathroom thickened, and the piping hot water cascaded down from the shower head onto my skin, I closed my eyes.

However, upon closing my eyes, the sensation of his lips on mine reappeared, and the memory flowed through my head, prompting me to rip open my eyes since my body was burning up even more.

Turning off the water, I leaned against the wall with my hands, the drops of water dripping from my wet hair.

"This... bastard..." I mumbled under my breath, my pulse increasing due to my anger.

Why did he have to do this? No... in the first place...

"Why the hell am I remembering this?"

While complaining, I mildly hammered my hand against the wall in frustration.

Do I like...

No, there's simply no way.

Shaking my head and thereby my ruminations, I turned on the water again and proceeded to shower.

𝔐𝔞𝔯𝔯𝔦𝔢𝔡 ℭ𝔬𝔲𝔭𝔩𝔢𝔰, 𝔟𝔲𝔱 𝔫𝔬𝔱 𝔏𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔯𝔰.

22nd April, 3:45 PM

The glimmer of the sun was veiled by a dense blanket of clouds in the sky as I sat across from another student at a small café table. I glanced at my companion Yuki, who perched herself with her frosty iced coffee.

"I didn't expect you to see you again, Yuki," I shared with her.

The last time I had seen her, she was leaving the white room where we had spent many wrenching weeks. At the time, I never dreamed I would ever leave the facility, let alone cross paths with her again at this new school.

"I never would have thought it would be possible to see you again, Kiyotaka," Yuki replied, her eyes shining with a newfound vitality.

"You seem healthier than the last time we met."

I recalled how at the end of our time in the white room, Yuki was struggling with her mental condition. This was not surprising in light of the stress and pressure that fourth-generation students were subjected to. Now, however, it appeared she had recovered completely.

"I am mentally and physically healthier, but what about you?"

"I'm good, though this school really piqued my interest if I may say so," I stated, after which Yuki agreed to my comment.

Simultaneously, we sipped from our respective drinks before she

"Your father, have you heard from him?" she inquired in a whisper, drawing closer to my ear, so I could hear despite the many students roaming around Keyaki Mall as the fragrance of coffee floated into my nostrils.

"You don't need to worry for my sake. Just enjoy your high school life," I sincerely expressed, trying to sound lighthearted but failing miserably.

Just as I sipped my tepid bubble tea, she placed both her palms—which were chilly due to her having ordered an iced coffee—on my hand, which was resting on the table, and leaned forward. Her face was graced by the resplendent, celestial grin she sported back when she first entered the white room.

"I want to do that with you, Kiyotaka."

I couldn't help but question if Yuki had grown bored by my company. Despite having spent countless hours in each other's presence, was she not yearning for the excitement of being with others?

These thoughts weighed heavily on my mind as I gazed into Yuki's smiling eyes.

"Sure."

"I'm your girlfriend, Yosuke!" Karuizawa suddenly snapped from a distance, sounding jealous and enraged.

She was clearly throwing a tantrum.

Yuki's and my attention was riveted on Karuizawa and Hirata, who was trying to pacify Karuizawa while she was on the brink of tears.

I didn't even have to listen to their conversation to surmise why she was mad at Hirata.

"Kei, I know that, but Chabashira told us that we can change partners randomly," he informed Karuizawa, who pressed her lips together like a sulking child while clenching her fists.

It seems that Hirata, who was paired with Mei-Yung, had no intentions of switching since Mei-Yung was probably also happy that Hirata was her partner.

"They are from your class, right?" Yuki quizzed with a breath of concern in her voice.

"Mhm," I confirmed with a slight nod.

Come to think of it, with whom was Yuki paired?

In the inaugural two months, we were mandated to partner with students from our class. Meaning that, even if you change partners after the first month, you will randomly receive someone from your class.

Unfamiliar with the boys in Class A, Yuki's class, I could not determine who her current partner may be.

"Still... I can't take it any longer with Miyake!" Karuizawa bellyached, squeezing her fists so hard that her arms were visibly trembling while she was furiously gazing at the floor.

𝔐𝔞𝔯𝔯𝔦𝔢𝔡 ℭ𝔬𝔲𝔭𝔩𝔢𝔰, 𝔟𝔲𝔱 𝔫𝔬𝔱 𝔏𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔯𝔰.

22nd April, 7:00 PM

As the sky morphed from its deep, cerulean hue to soft indigo, I trudged toward my apartment, hoping to retire for the day. However, as I reached my doorstep, I was met with a jarring realization—my key card was nowhere to be found.

I tried in vain to reach Kushida, but she declined all of my calls, leaving me stranded outside the door.

I knew exactly why she was acting this way.

However, when I threatened to use the audio, I heard the sound of heavy footsteps approaching until the door latch was pressed down with great force.

"Just die, asshole," Kushida venomously spat out when her menacing form in the threshold emerged through the crack, her gaze piercing and narrow.

"That's not a cordial welcome, is it?"

Despite her adversarial behavior, I entered the apartment, which elicited an irked eye roll and an intense glare from her. The air was heavy with tension, and I could feel her hostility emanating from her every pore.

"Welcome home," she ultimately greeted, her mouth contorted in disgust, her crossed arms demonstrating her complete annoyance.

"Thanks, Kikyou," I replied, oblivious to her impertinent demeanor toward me.

Arrived in the living room, I noticed that everything was tidied and the floor was so clean, it was literally sparkling, and the scent of cleaning agent prevailed. It seems like she intentionally cleaned up before.

"Why the hell do I have to do this?" she lamented, scrutinizing her outfit and then trying to take off the headpiece.

Before she was able to do so, I gripped her hand. Without a second try, she ditched the head decoration and impatiently tapped her foot on the floor.

My gaze meticulously swept over her entire ensemble from her white stocking, accentuating the curves of her voluptuous thighs, to the upper part of her dress which had a low neckline, revealing her ample breasts, and finally to her eroded mien.

This really fitted her well.

To be frank, apart from the desire to toy around with her, there was no particular reason for this. However, playing games with her was worth the private points invested.

"You make it seem worse than it actually is."

"No, it's just that bad," she objected, not getting accustomed to the outfit.

It wasn't as bad as she made it out to be, and I'm sure Yamauchi and the others would concur with me this one time.

"This maid dress fits you pretty well, Kikyou," I complimented, caressing the warm complexion of her cheek with my fingertips until she slapped my hand away.

"I'll throw it away as soon as we're done," she intoned coldly, though her cheek was mildly hued in a red shade.

"Start by cleaning the carpet at the front door," I replied, heading to the fridge to grab some snacks. I returned to the living room and watched as Kushida worked diligently, her movements precise and efficient.

𝔐𝔞𝔯𝔯𝔦𝔢𝔡 ℭ𝔬𝔲𝔭𝔩𝔢𝔰, 𝔟𝔲𝔱 𝔫𝔬𝔱 𝔏𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔯𝔰.

22nd April, 7:08 PM

"Good job," I complimented while clapping my hands, when she finished cleaning the carpet.

"I don't need to hear it," she said, waving her hand dismissively, hanging up the wet carpet she had cleaned on one of the chairs.

I briefly peeked at the surveillance camera, which wasn't flashing red. I realized there was no point in checking it because if the camera was on, we would have been deducted at least ten points due to Kushida's inappropriate behavior toward me.

Regardless, I took a moment to ensure she was not recording anything on her own.

"You want a reward?" I sarcastically prompted, standing up from the couch.

The suspicion on Kushida's face was palpable as she removed the beige hair strands from her face.

"What is your reward? More work?" she impugned, anticipating a wicked reward.

I intentionally paused for the effect and then continued.

"A kiss," I answered, pointing at my lips with my index finger.

After her eyelids expanded, she averted her eyes and clicked her tongue.

"In what world would I want a kiss from you as a reward?" she countered, crossing her arms.

"Say, in what world do you not let a random guy touch your breasts—"

A sudden kick to my right abdomen hit me before I could finish my sentence. Trying to retain her calm, she grinned in wrath as a vein on her throat and forehead popped.

"Ouch," I groaned nonchalantly, rubbing my abdomen even though it did not ache.

"Just tell me what to do, I want this to be done with as soon as possible," she demanded, tapping her fingers impatiently as her nostrils turned flared.

I subsequently progressively raised my arms until I stood there in a T-position. Tilting her head towards me with one eyebrow arched up, she squinted at me without comprehending my intentions.

"Help me change my shirt," I instructed, whereupon she facepalmed herself gently and eventually groaned.

"What are you? Five years old...?" she muttered, sounding almost disappointed.

"So what?"

After another sigh of exasperation, she finally commenced unbuttoning my school uniform shirt, revealing my muscular midriff.

Just as she had done once before, she trailed her finger over my abs, her fingertips slightly wet from cleaning the carpet with water.

"Are you actually enjoying this?" I teased, straining to catch her eyes.

"Not at all..." she hissed, evading eye contact and moving behind me to undress my shirt completely, her hands caressing my triceps as she removed the piece of clothing.

"Since this is your true self, isn't it logical to be truthful with me?"

"Just shut up," she said, handing me a T-shirt and turning around.

Before putting on the shirt, I sneaked up behind her until my lips were next to her ears.

"You know, I might just change my mind about not going that far," I whispered, causing goosebumps to spread across her entire body.

A/N: I intended to add the lemon in this chapter, but after thinking about it, I'll be writing this in a seperate chapter for the people who aren't into lemons. (Also it might be too soon, if it's not too soon let me know;))

Yes, it'll be a maid Kushida lemon! Well, I just don't know what kind of lemon. Not in terms of I don't know what to describe or what to write about but whether I should make Kushida give in / fall for Kiyo or just a straight up hate lemon.

Let me know what you desire.

Also, let me know about Yuki's personality, I'm not one hundred percent sure how she is.

Chapter 1.5: Girls, Thighs, Piano

𝔐𝔞𝔯𝔯𝔦𝔢𝔡 ℭ𝔬𝔲𝔭𝔩𝔢𝔰, 𝔟𝔲𝔱 𝔫𝔬𝔱 𝔏𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔯𝔰.

22nd April, 7:10 PM

"You..." growled Kushida, a shade of frustration in her voice as she folded her arms in front of her chest and averted her eyes, her eyes betraying her vexation.

Despite her annoyance, she did not object to the notion.

The sole motive for saying this was so the door would remain open. If "love" is more than kissing, I am tempted to try it in the future.

"In any case, what do you think we should do at the end of the month?"

"We'll split up," she answered without any hesitation, shooting me a scowl.

If I was in her position, I would do the same. In fact, I was hoping for her to say this. Peacefully, I settled myself back onto the sofa.

"Sounds reasonable, but let's do this again tomorrow," I asserted, referring to her maid costume.

The thought of seeing her in this outfit again thrilled me somewhat. As there are only seven days left, I should thoroughly relish them.

"I can't," Kushida intoned in exasperation and proceeded to the kitchen to prepare dinner.

"Why?" I countered Kushida's instant declination.

"I'll meet someone," she revealed, her body language disclosing her reluctance to pursue the conversation.

"To befriend them?"

Kushida sighed, her shoulders slumping, clearly peeved by my inquisitiveness, but she answered nonetheless.

"Yes, Hasebe Haruka and some others," she explained in a flat, discomfited tone.

Some others?

Hasebe was from our class, and she wasn't exactly sociable, to my knowledge. Frankly, everything I heard about her was about her looks, or more specifically, her body.

Kushida could become a valuable asset for me since she already has so many connections. And since she was planning on befriending everyone anyway, I guess I should let her.

"Then I'll join."

𝔐𝔞𝔯𝔯𝔦𝔢𝔡 ℭ𝔬𝔲𝔭𝔩𝔢𝔰, 𝔟𝔲𝔱 𝔫𝔬𝔱 𝔏𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔯𝔰.

23rd April, 3:10 PM

"For today, class is dismissed," Chabashira decreed as the hour neared its end.

Undeterred, the majority of the students stampeded out of the classroom. Not long after, Kushida approached my table with her habitual smile.

"Wait for me outside, I want to ask Chabashira something," I told her, whereupon Kushida's smile broadened in affirmation as she loafed out of the room with Inogashira.

With every bypassing second, the commotion lessened.

Lastly, the dark-haired student Horikita—who only possesses a meager three points and no longer fourteen—raised from her perch and scuttled away. I ambled to the front of the room where Chabashira was arranging her paper on the clipboard.

"Chabashira, what would happen to one if their partner is expelled?" I questioned forthrightly, my hands in my pockets.

Instead of an answer, however, she just proceeded with her activity, disregarding my question and presence.

"I'm not obliged to answer, just so you know," she commented sternly, seizing her clipboard and stepping toward the exit.

"I'll pay for the answer," I relayed to her, thereby stopping her as her eyes dilated soon after as if she had heard those words for the first time.

She cleared her throat and turned around to face me, her face sporting a serious expression.

"10,000 points, I won't answer if you have less," she offered, her voice stern, leaving no place to negotiate the price.

"How avid," I sighed exasperatedly.

Not trying to initiate a discussion, I pulled out my phone and immediately transferred the 10'000 private points to her. Once she confirmed the transfer, she commenced explaining.

"Let's assume your partner is expelled, then you'd be automatically be partnered with someone available from the other gender, independent of whether you desire or not."

"What if there are no other students available?"

"That's highly unlikely since we take into account students of all years, but if this happens, the student will have the choice to remain alone or join another couple temporarily if they consent."

This option has only been incorporated into the regulations to make them more enticing, as the couple must approve this decision before it is finalized. In most cases, I can envision the couple rejecting such an offer.

"Wouldn't this be against the rules? Since, you know, this is supposed to be married couples only."

"If you do look at it like that, yes. However, we can not neglect the fact we promised each student a partner for their stay here, and the couple has to give their consent anyway. This option of three students being in one apartment is a rarity."

In response, I fell silent to digest all the information in peace until I perceived Chabashira impatiently tapping her foot on the gray stone floor.

"And am I allowed to partner with teachers?" I further interrogated, upon which I was met with stony silence.

The ambiance in the room soured as Chabashira's eyebrows furrowed into a dark frown, and a forbidding air emanated from her.

Maybe I'll be able to pair with her in the far future.

𝔐𝔞𝔯𝔯𝔦𝔢𝔡 ℭ𝔬𝔲𝔭𝔩𝔢𝔰, 𝔟𝔲𝔱 𝔫𝔬𝔱 𝔏𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔯𝔰.

23rd April, 3:30 PM

"This coffee is really hot!" Kushida evoked after savoring a sip from her drink while her hands cradled the cup.

"Talk to me normally, Kikyou," I exhorted as we pushed through the bustling crowd of students at the Keyaki Shopping Center to find the table where Hasebe and the others were.

"We're in public, you retard," she noted, her tone still amicable but her words stinging like thorns.

"Are many others joining?"

"A few, you'll see," she serenely relented, letting me know with a gracious smile as I scanned the area for the blue-haired person.

Approximately two minutes later, I glimpsed Mei-Yu, who rose from a table and waved at me with a gleeful grin.

"Hey, Kushida-san!" she yelled, at which point Kushida passed me by, waved back at her, and headed for the table.

Yeah, I should've figured she wasn't waving at me.

Distantly, I already discerned the other students at the table; there were five of them in total. All of them expressed diverse reactions to my arrival.

"If it isn't Ayanokoji-kun..." commented Matsushita, tilting her head with a meek smile.

"Hello, Ayanokoji-kun. I didn't expect you to be here," Hirata honestly greeted.

He was sitting in the middle. To his right was Karuizawa, and to his left was Mei-Yu. Matsushita and Hasebe were perched next to Mei-Yu.

"Who invited you here?" hissed Karuizawa, apparently revolted by my presence.

Before I could explain, Hirata mildly scolded her for her demeanor toward me as I peeked at Mei-Yu smiling at me and Hasebe's indifferent attitude.

"I just went along with Kushida, that's all," I explained, and Mei-Yu modestly nodded in response.

How did these people get together in the first place?

It was a peculiar combination of students. Until now, I haven't seen Matsushita interact with Karuizawa or Hasebe.

"Hasebe-san, this is Ayanokoji-kun."

"You're the one who messed up his introduction."

Ouch.

Why did she need to bring that up?

"I think Ayanokoji-kun does not want to be reminded of it, Hasebe-san," Hirata spoke up for me as if having read my thoughts as he snickered.

Hirata, what a savior.

"Hasebe Haruka, nice to meet you," she introduced herself with a subtle smile.

"Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, the feeling is mutual."

Thereafter, I intended to sit down, Kushida wanting to do the same, but we then realized...

"There is only one more chair..."

Due to the crowds at Keyaki Mall and this café, there were no empty seats at other tables for us to snatch away.

"You can sit down, Ayanokoji-kun. I don't mind standing," Kushida offered kindly.

With a sigh, I slumped down on the chair, grabbed Kushida by the waist, and pulled her towards me. A sensation flourished within me.

"Eh!?" she shrieked, her cheeks tinting a deeper flush of red.

From moment to moment, the sensation of her thighs on my lap blazed in my mind, rekindling a shimmer of lust within me.

"That solves the problem, right?"

Nobody answered. They just stared in bafflement with their jaws slightly hanging open.

"What...?" muttered Karuizawa, her remark hushed by the chatter of the students milling around.

I couldn't entirely glimpse their facial expressions as Kushida's beige hair partially concealed them, but I could feel the begrudging glances from other tables aimed at me by now.

"We are a couple, after all," I remarked, the others slowly regaining their composure.

"How is Yuki, Ayanokoji-kun?" Matsushita then asked cheeky, waking the interest of the rest, especially Karuizawa's.

"I don't know. Why don't you ask her?"

"Wait, you know Yuki from Class 1-A?" Karuizawa queried, her eyebrow lifted.

"You could say so," I responded, slightly distracted by Kushida's alluring thighs perched on my lap.

"They are actually very close," Matsushita further elaborated, trying to provoke me.

"We just know each other, nothing more."

I felt indifferent to Yuki, but I can't lie when I say that I was surprised to be here. And although we spent time together in the white room, I wouldn't say we were close.

Since she is present, I may as well get along with her. There was no space for that in the white room anyway.

Eventually, the conversation segued from Yuki to various other topics involving predominantly Mei-Yu, Kushida, and Hasebe.

As the conversation smoothly flowed, my hand slowly went towards Kushida's bare thighs, which were exposed due to her only wearing the school uniform skirt.

Once arrived there, I delicately ran my fingers over them and squished them.

The fondness of her inner thighs was reminiscent of a fluffy cloud or freshly spun cotton candy.

"Are you feeling unwell, Kushida-san?"

"Huh? Oh, no. I feel fine," Kushida averred, swatting aside any lingering concerns in the air as I continued.

"Can we walk around a little?" bleated Karuizawa out of the blue, the tedium visible on her mien as she leaned her head against Hirata's shoulder, her arms around his.

"Sure," agreed Kushida instantaneously.

"What do you think, Mei-Yu and Hasebe?"

At Hirata's question, they gazed at one another and gave an approving nod moments later.

"Let me go to the restroom before we go," declared Hasebe, who was then followed by the rest besides Kushida and me.

Once the others were out of sight and the number of students around us lessened, Kushida vented a heavy sigh.

"Isn't this meeting annoying you?" I asked Kushida, whose face I couldn't see, but I could sense a faint smile plastered on her countenance.

"It is, but there's nothing I can change," she admitted with her angelic voice and proceeded, "By the way, why are you carrying a flashlight with you?"

Blinking at her in puzzlement for several moments, I eventually answered cautiously.

"I'm not?"

Her plump, butterscotch-soft thighs and buttocks commenced rubbing against my lap, gradually increasing in intensity. It was as if she was doing it to discern what was in my pocket.

"Then what is this in your pocket?" she asked warily, peeking around her shoulder with innocent eyes.

"I am a man, Kikyou."

An instant later, Kushida's eyes teared open, and she immediately rose from my lap. For a moment, utter embarrassment overwhelmed her face, and she was incapable of hiding any of her blush.

Just before the others returned, she regained her composure, and we peacefully strolled through Keyaki Mall while the sensation on my lap was carved into my mind.

𝔐𝔞𝔯𝔯𝔦𝔢𝔡 ℭ𝔬𝔲𝔭𝔩𝔢𝔰, 𝔟𝔲𝔱 𝔫𝔬𝔱 𝔏𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔯𝔰.

23rd April, 4:00 PM

"Why are you not walking with Kushida-san?"Hasebe prompted, her words slightly garbled by the food in her mouth.

Right now, Kushida was walking ahead of us with Mei-Yu and Matsushita while Hirata and Karuizawa were walking next to them. It was just the two of us slacking behind.

"Then you'd be alone."

"I prefer to be around fewer people," she elaborated, sounding genuine as she gazed me in the eyes.

"I feel the same. By the way, what are you eating?" I inquired, my gaze wandering to the food in her hand.

"A croquette, wanna try?" she asked, extending the bitten croquette to me.

"No, thanks," I declined as she happily continued to savor her croquette.

No sooner had I uttered these words than I heard a piano melody in the distance. Immediately the soothing melody captured my attention.

The others seemed to have perceived it as well, and instinctively we drew closer until we were near the blond boy, who was already surrounded by a crowd and playing the piano in the middle of Keyaki Mall.

"Wow..." Matsushita was stunned, her eyes glued to the piano.

"That was marvelous!" one girl chanted in a surprisingly husky voice as the others applauded.

The crowd slowly dispersed, with everyone mesmerized, yet I couldn't reconcile myself to the fact that he had blundered during the performance.

"He really has some skill. Don't you think, Ayanokoji-kun...? Ayanokoji-kun?" asked Hirata, though I was pushing my way through the crowd to the light blue-eyed individual.

"You missed the last tone."

In a surprise, his eyes slightly dilated.

"Excuse me, junior?" he asked, clearly offended.

From the sounds of it, he was a senpai. Well, not that I care.

"You missed the last tone. You played the tone one octave higher than it was supposed to be," I retorted nonchalantly.

"Ayanokoji-kun, I don't think it's worth downplaying his performance, it was great," commented Hirata, putting his hand on my shoulder as his smile was jittering uncomfortably.

I noticed some students in the background, their expressions resembling that of a ghost's, pale and shocked by my audacity.

"It could've been greater if he didn't misplay the last tone."

"That's rude, Ayanokoji-kun..."

Was that considered rude? Scratching my head, I peeked at the others, who seemed to have the same opinion as Mei-Yu.

"I'm just trying to help him—"

"If you're so bugged by my mistake, why don't you do it better, kouhai?" he suggested, his tone implying he was convinced I couldn't do better.

"I'd gain nothing by doing that."

"I'll pay you private points. What about that?"

"How much?"

"75'000."

It was not the private points that tempted me, but a desire within me to play the piano after such a long time. Earning private points in the process was just a bonus.

"Make it 100'000, and I'll do it with my eyes closed."

"He's really going to embarrass himself..." sighed Karuizawa, holding her hand in front of her face.

"Hahaha, all right," he agreed, continuing laughing as he rose from the chair to let me sit on the piano chair.

And so, Ayanokoji-kun closed his eyes and started playing in spite of the ongoing chattering, which soon died down.

The notes of the piano blended seamlessly as if they were part of a divine symphony. The melody was a soothing balm washing over the crowd's complexion like a gentle rain. It was delicate and graceful, yet powerful in its simplicity.

Each note was precisely timed and echoed throughout the mall with a clear, bell-like tone. The melody tugged at people's heartstrings and imbued the atmosphere with a sense of peace and tranquility.

The students surrounding the performer—Ayanokoji—were in awe. Nagumo's performance was by no means poor, but the way Ayanokoji glided his fingers over the piano was simply breathtaking.

When I reopened my eyes, the students gradually started applauding with their mouths ajar.

"What...?" mumbled Karuizawa, shocked because she doubted me.

"He... He really cooked!" yelled Sotomura in awe, overwhelming the applause.

Was Sotomura all right? If he mistakes playing piano for cooking, he might have a serious problem...

Two figures forced a path through the crowd until they were standing in front of me.

One had a sunflower clamped in her hair, and the other possessed silver hair and radiated self-confidence...

A/N: Good chapter or not? (Ngl, Kushida is kinda growing on me)

Do you want me to add a lemon scene before introducing the new girl with whom Kiyotaka will spend the second month or can I add it later while Kiyo develops with the second girl?

I'll make probably one more chapter with Kushida in focus, and then start Chapter 2, so beginning with the new girl and reveal the full rules. (Since when are people so fond of Matsushita? lmfao)

Is my writing style all right?

And are you fine with me adding first-years such as Ichika and Nanase?

One more question concerning special exams, do you want me to include them? Because honestly, I'd rather concentrate on slice of life. If you desperately want me to include them, then I will.

But now, I'll go write the COTE x TQQ Chapter.

Leave an upvote here if you liked it :)

PS: I'm so fucking excited for next volume since a long time. For those who upvoted and read until the end, here's a beautiful spoiler for next volume ;)

Chapter 1.6: G-String

𝔐𝔞𝔯𝔯𝔦𝔢𝔡 ℭ𝔬𝔲𝔭𝔩𝔢𝔰, 𝔟𝔲𝔱 𝔫𝔬𝔱 𝔏𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔯𝔰.

23rd April, 4:10 PM

"That was really impressive, Kouhai," the silver-haired girl expressed, applauding until she arrived in front of me in the company of another simpering girl.

"Thank you."

"My name is Asahina Nazuna, and her name is—"

"Kiryuuin Fuka," the silver-haired girl interrupted, refusing to permit Asahina to introduce her, only herself.

The two stared at me inquisitively, but I felt indifferent toward them. If possible, I wanted to get out of this crowd as soon as possible.

"Can I get my money now?" I inquired, heedless of the female students.

"Did you just...?" bewildered Asahina murmured, failing to quell her surprise.

While Asahina was digesting the fact that I had just completely disregarded them, Kiryuuin burst out laughing.

"How very interesting!"

"Your name is Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, right?" questioned Asahina, folding her arms as her smile paled marginally.

On second glance, she is very attractive. Her beauty shone through her congenial demeanor.

"Yes," I affirmed as my phone buzzed from receiving the private points.

I stood up and retrieved my phone to verify.

"Are you interested in teaming up with me in the future, Ayanokoji-kun?" offered Kiryuin, startling everyone present, including the blonde student and Asahina.

I had no problem pairing up with either of them, but wasn't that a bit too random? In any case, I couldn't team up with them next month.

"Is that even allowed?" Mei-Yu whispered in confusion alongside other students.

Seeing as she asked me that, it was virtually inevitable it was permitted. Since that was the case, I presumed that someone popular among the girls would have many opportunities for themselves.

That was certainly not the case for me.

"Maybe, but I think I'm happy with my current partner," I stated, pointing at Kushida and leaving the scene.

𝔐𝔞𝔯𝔯𝔦𝔢𝔡 ℭ𝔬𝔲𝔭𝔩𝔢𝔰, 𝔟𝔲𝔱 𝔫𝔬𝔱 𝔏𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔯𝔰.

25th April, 3:30 PM

"Hachoo!" Kushida sneezed for the third time in a row, her cheeks burning up red as she was preparing dinner in the maid costume.

Moreover, her breaths were heavy and she appeared to be exhausted. Putting down my tea on the diner table after taking one last sip, I stood up from the chair.

"Lay down on the couch," I ordered, whereupon she obediently staggered towards the couch.

She must have caught a cold on the way home yesterday since it was raining.

"How come I ended up with a cold instead of you?" she grumbled, laying down on the couch with her hand on her forehead.

Gently, I brushed her hand aside and put my hand on her forehead to measure her body temperature.

"38.781 degrees. You have a fever," I announced, despite it being obvious already.

"What's wrong with you? Are you a thermometer?" she mumbled, displaying an irritated, weirded-out expression.

Ignoring her remark, I wetted a fabric with warm water, turned off the stove, and walked towards the couch again to put it onto her forehead.

"Is this good?"

Lacking the strength to answer, she mildly bobbed her head as she closed her eyes.

"I'll get some medicine," I told her as I put on my uniform, not sure whether she was still awake or already asleep.

𝔐𝔞𝔯𝔯𝔦𝔢𝔡 ℭ𝔬𝔲𝔭𝔩𝔢𝔰, 𝔟𝔲𝔱 𝔫𝔬𝔱 𝔏𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔯𝔰.

25th April, 3:50 PM

After successfully purchasing the medicine, I stumbled upon a newly opened bookstore. As my interest was piqued, I entered the antique-looking shop.

The musty scent of old books filled my nostrils, and the dim lighting gave the room a cozy and intimate atmosphere. My eyes were immediately drawn to the shelves filled with books that I had never seen before, especially those from Japanese authors long forgotten.

As I stood there, engrossed in my exploration, I noticed a petite girl with silver hair and violet eyes standing next to me, stealing glances every so often.

"You have been staring at me an awful lot," I remarked, not bothering to put away my book.

"Do you read a lot of works from Dazai Osamu?" she asked, making a shy first impression with her flat tone.

"I read all sorts of things, are you by any chance interested in his works?" I replied, finally closing the novel and putting it aside to look at her.

"Mhm," she confirmed, energetically nodding her head as she sported the most innocent smile imaginably.

Her smile was like a ray of sunshine, and her youthful beauty was simply breathtaking. Her delicate features and shy demeanor made her seem almost ethereal.

How come she was alone?

"My name is Shiina Hiyori from Class 1-C," she introduced herself.

"Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, Class 1-D."

Just as she desired to continue our conversation, I checked the clock and realized I had already spent too much time buggering around. Immediately, I put the book back on the shelf.

"I'll talk to you another time, I need to deliver medicine."

Like taking away a child's favorite toy, the sadness in her features prevailed, nearly causing me to modify my plans and talk to her for the next few hours.

𝔐𝔞𝔯𝔯𝔦𝔢𝔡 ℭ𝔬𝔲𝔭𝔩𝔢𝔰, 𝔟𝔲𝔱 𝔫𝔬𝔱 𝔏𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔯𝔰.

25th April, 4:10 PM

When I entered the apartment, the aroma of cooked rice wafted toward me. The air felt dense, almost suffocating, and there was a faint sweat smell that mingled with the rosy scent in the air.

"How are you doing, Kushida?" I asked right after shutting the door behind me and removing my footwear.

"Do you have to ask, moron? Terrible," she returned in a hoarse voice.

Kushida's eyes were glassy, her face flushed with feverish heat. Her body lay sprawled out on the couch, and her breathing was ragged, indicating that she was in considerable discomfort.

"Where's the medicine?" she desperately asked.

"Here," I answered, showing her the pack of medicine I just purchased.

"Give me the medicine."

Was she planning to take the medication right away?

"Sure, but are you fine with taking the medicine here?" I asked, tilting my head in suspicion.

Kushida's eyebrow furrowed, not comprehending the problem I was getting at.

"Hah? Just give it to me," she demanded, glaring at me with one eye and extending her hand toward me.

Well, if she says so.

"I'll insert it, then."

Without another second's delay, I grabbed her by her feet and pulled them up so that the bottom of her slightly sweaty thighs was revealed to me, including the black, adult-like G-string she wore.

I must admit that the sight of the black G-string adorning her curves was irresistibly seductive. The way it hugged her hips and accentuated her figure was captivating and kept me from turning away.

"Wha—? Stop! What are you doing?!" she furiously yelled, pulling down her rock to conceal her panties from me.

Was every girl wearing such adult-like lingerie?

"Giving you the medicine," I replied, unfazed.

Snatching the medicine from my hand, she squinted her eyes to examine the description of the medicine until she eventually planted her hand on her face and sighed.

"Why'd you bring this kind of medicine?"

I just randomly picked one since the selection was huge. When I asked the worker, he told me this is the most effective medicine for fever.

"You want me to do it for you, or are you going to do it yourself?"

"I'll do it myself. Now go away," she prompted, Kushida's face blushing harder than before.

Did her fever worsen, or was she simply embarrassed?

"I suggest you go to your room," I advised, pointing to the security camera that was functioning again after the power outage.

"Great... I have no strength..." she bleated in a low tone, trying to get up from the couch.

I put my arms around her spine and thighs and carried her into her room in a princess carry, closing the door behind me as I left her inside.

"Tell me when you're finished."

𝔐𝔞𝔯𝔯𝔦𝔢𝔡 ℭ𝔬𝔲𝔭𝔩𝔢𝔰, 𝔟𝔲𝔱 𝔫𝔬𝔱 𝔏𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔯𝔰.

25th April, 7:25 PM

"Did you ready yourself for me, Kikyou?" he asked, referring to the adult-like underwear she was wearing.

With one hand holding both of her wrists firmly above her head, his other hand trailed down the smooth skin of her inner thigh, eliciting a gasp from her lips.

"No way, I would—"

Before Kushida could finish her sentence, he forcefully pressed his lips against hers, igniting a fierce passion within her.

Despite the turmoil within her, Kushida couldn't resist the overwhelming desire surging through her veins, and she gave in to his passionate advances.

Their tongues entwined in a fiery exchange, each seeking dominance over the other, and Kushida felt a heat spreading through her body like wildfire.

Her heart raced as their lips fervently met, a tangle of flesh and passion, leaving her breathless and yearning for more.

The taste of his mouth was intoxicating, and she found herself lost in the moment, consumed by her own primal desires.

His deft hand strayed from the inner side of her thigh and explored the curves of her body as he fondled her voluptuous breast.

She arched her back, yearning for more as he deftly teased and caressed her sensitive spots.

With a deep breath, he extracted himself from her lips, a glistening strand of saliva connecting them, and dedicated his attention to her neck.

Kushida moaned softly as his lips slithered down her neck, leaving a trail of scorching kisses in their wake, sending shivers of desire coursing through her body.

She lost herself in the sensations, the heat, and the pleasure, her body instinctively responding to his every touch. Every nerve in her body was ablaze, and her mind was devoured by the ecstasy of the moment.

Just as her pleasure reached its pinnacle, his hand under the rock of the maid costume, Ayanokoji whispered something into her ear...

"Board five, draw."

Upon hearing that, my eyes fluttered open to the white ceiling of my room. Immediately, I touched my lips, but there was no saliva. Quickly, I spotted Ayanokoji sitting next to my bed.

"Board six, Qd7. Board seven—"

"Can you shut up?" I hissed, interjecting his monologue while rubbing my eyes and removing the cloth from my forehead.

"You're awake, huh."

Just what did I dream of? Why him?

"Were you playing chess against yourself?" I asked after shaking my head, diverting my mind from what I had just dreamt of.

"Yes, it was boring," he responded, his spine leaning against my bed.

My gaze shortly watched out the window. The sun had just set, casting a warm glow across the sky, which was painted in shades of pink, orange, and purple. The clouds seemed to be ablaze, reflecting the colors of the sunset. It was late already now.

"Can you make me some porridge?"

"Are you ordering me around?" he questioned, peeking at me from his shoulder.

"I'm asking you."

"What's the magic word?" he teasingly asked, causing me to roll my eyes in annoyance.

"Please?"

𝔐𝔞𝔯𝔯𝔦𝔢𝔡 ℭ𝔬𝔲𝔭𝔩𝔢𝔰, 𝔟𝔲𝔱 𝔫𝔬𝔱 𝔏𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔯𝔰.

25th April, 7:45 PM

"It's my first time making porridge, so don't mind the taste," I shared with her, handing her the warm bowl.

Without enunciating a syllable, she ate the porridge without praising or complaining about it, making me wonder whether it was good or not.

"Want me to do anything else?"

"No," she responded as she finished the last spoon of porridge.

"You want me to hold your boob again?" I slyly asked, earning me a punch to my shoulder and an angered gaze from Kushida.

"Shut up."

"Will you be fine now?" I queried, putting my hand on her forehead again to measure her temperature again.

This time the temperature measured 37.4 degrees, so the medication successfully lowered the fever.

"Don't pretend to be worried about me."

"Will you miss me?" I prodded, half-jokingly and half-seriously since I was curious about her response.

These were our last days, after all. Will my next partner be worse or better than Kushida, I wonder.

"I won't," she replied coldly, clarifying she had no attachment to me whatsoever.

"But I will," I declared, removing my hand and leaning over to plant a kiss on her forehead before leaving.

Google suggested doing that, was that a wise decision?

In any case, let's hope for a good new partner.

A/N: Sorry if the quality has dropped, I'm laying in bed with 39 degree fever, and there was nothing else for me to do than writing. (Also the reason why I finished this before the COTE x TQQ chapter.)

Before I go on with the next partner, who do you NOT want to see? Since that differs from fanbase to fanbase, I want to know who you do not want to see.

Who do you like to see? (Doesn't have to be for next month.)

Was the lemon dream all right? As I said, it's my first time writing stuff like that, so tell me if it was all right.

Chapter 2: Luck or Misfortune?

𝔐𝔞𝔯𝔯𝔦𝔢𝔡 ℭ𝔬𝔲𝔭𝔩𝔢𝔰, 𝔟𝔲𝔱 𝔫𝔬𝔱 𝔏𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔯𝔰.

1st May, 8:02 AM

"I haven't received any private points," revealed Sotomura, scratching his head as he waited for the digit on his phone to return to 100'000.

Shortly after, several other students chimed in with the identical problem, creating a chaotic sprawl until Hirata pitched in.

"Hm, I have received them though," Hirata intoned with a concerned expression.

Bewilderment swept through the room, and their wild chatter continued. I hope I won't be interrogated.

"What about you, Kushida-san?"

"I have received them as well, but not 100'000."

I did receive my share of private points as well. It was around 88'000. So far, only Hirata, Kushida, and I have received their private points. Mei-Yu must have received them as well.

"Silence," instructed Chabashira strictly as she entered the classroom.

Nobody disobeyed, not even Koenji, and the atmosphere within the room grew more tense and unsettling as the whiff of lightheartedness dissipated. After numerous moments, Chabashira slammed her hands on her desk.

"Are you really that stupid?" she demanded, glaring at us as the students around me started to feel anxious and to gulp.

There was no response. Though, this was a rhetorical question regardless as Chabashira proceeded to write down the scores of each class on the whiteboard.

Class D's score was a depressing zero.

"The private points you receive are dependent on your result as a couple, and this month, it affected the entirety of your class points," she elaborated as the other students marveled at the points of the other classes.

"I don't know how a class can perform this badly," she asserted, her voice filled with disappointment and frustration.

It was unusual for Chabashira to get worked up since she usually seemed apathetic and cold toward us.

"The school went even so far as to give you points for a shared meal for the first half of the month. 30 points have been more or less gifted to you, but most of you ended up with minus points."

"How come we have zero points, then?" Ike asked.

"It's thanks to two couples in here," she divulged, her gaze migrating to Kushida and Hirata.

It was not long after that I received some envious stares from the male students after she stated that.

"How can we earn class points?" Hirata queried, and many students agreed with his question.

"There are two ways. One is the placement of the top ten monthly couple lists. If you manage to be in the top ten ranks of your year, you earn ten class points. If you manage to be in the top ten across the years, you will earn another 20 class points and additional private points."

In theory, a class can earn a total of one hundred class points if all their members end up in the top ten ranks of this year. In spite of her not saying anything, I assume that the lowest-rated pairs end up losing class points.

"Any questions?"

Despite having questions, I stayed silent, not wanting to be the only one to ask.

"I have the feeling that I forgot to mention something else to you, but I will let you know when it crosses my mind again," she commented and then commenced the lesson.

𝔐𝔞𝔯𝔯𝔦𝔢𝔡 ℭ𝔬𝔲𝔭𝔩𝔢𝔰, 𝔟𝔲𝔱 𝔫𝔬𝔱 𝔏𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔯𝔰.

1st May, 11:40 AM

"I'll reach Class A soon, was it?" I taunted Horikita, relishing the opportunity to get under her skin.

Horikita definitely had potential, but there is a limit to that. Perhaps, she realized that she can't reach Class A by herself.

"Shut up. It's not like you did much better," she snapped, rising from her chair with a scowl that could darken a room.

"If I were you, I'd have a look at the rankings of this year," I advised, raising from my chair to leave as soon as possible.

"There's no way you could have..." she muttered, grabbing her phone to check the rankings.

Soon after, her eyes widened, and her jaw dropped in surprise when she discovered Kushida and I had placed eighth in our year.

"And either way, I don't care about climbing classes."

𝔐𝔞𝔯𝔯𝔦𝔢𝔡 ℭ𝔬𝔲𝔭𝔩𝔢𝔰, 𝔟𝔲𝔱 𝔫𝔬𝔱 𝔏𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔯𝔰.

1st May, 3:15 PM

"Wait a moment, Ayanokoji-kun," boomed the authoritative voice behind me, at which I halted my steps and whirled around.

It was none other than the president of the student council, flanked by a girl with magenta hair.

"What can I do for you, President?" inquired the magenta-haired girl, visibly mystified by his abrupt stoppage.

Sliding his glasses up, he turned to the girl with the iPad in her hand while I scanned the area to see if there were people who could eavesdrop.

"Tachibana. There's an open secretary position, isn't there?"

"Yes," she confirmed, nodding, her tone slightly confused by the sudden question.

I had an intuition of what would follow next.

"If you're about to offer me the position, then I'll have to decline," I intervened, thereby angering Tachibana whose nose wrinkled in irritation.

"How arrogant can you get?! To assume he'd offer you such a position?!"

The president soothed her with a gentle stroke of her head, which spurred a blush to her cheeks.

I was tempted to ask them about their relationship but opted against it.

"That was what I was about to do, Tachibana," he revealed to her once she had calmed down.

"Eh? W-Why?" she subconsciously exuded, befuddled.

"It's just a gut feeling, you could say," he revealed, his eyes roaming from Tachibana to me.

Although I reciprocated his gaze, we remained tongue-tied and expressionless. At last, he swiveled around and strolled away with Tachibana.

"I don't see a reason why you should," she told him as they were leaving into the distance.

"Wow, you're really amazing, Ayanokoji-kun!" cheered Hoshinomiya with a sly tone as she clapped her hands, and I observed as the student council members departed.

By the looks of it, she overheard everything.

"Please, spare me," I besought, heaving a heavy sigh.

In contrast to Chabashira, Hoshinomiya was always chipper, despite appearing a bit drowsy today, with dark circles under her eyes accentuating her restlessness.

"Sure, sure. Just for today," she grinned and patted me on the shoulder.

"Is there something you need from me?" I inquired, not intending to stick around any longer than necessary.

"Has Sae informed you yet?" she asked curiously, bending forward, hinting at her haste and impatience.

Informed me? I pondered her words for a second, recalling the rules she had explained to the whole class.

While I was musing, she inched even closer until she was just a hairsbreadth away from me, and her cologne, reeking of alcohol, wafted up my nose. Needless to say, the distance between us felt too close.

"Yes, she did," I replied, assuming she referred to the rules.

"Then have fun with your surprise," she whispered playfully in my ear before leaving.

Surprise? Does she mean my new partner? If so, I hope for the best.

𝔐𝔞𝔯𝔯𝔦𝔢𝔡 ℭ𝔬𝔲𝔭𝔩𝔢𝔰, 𝔟𝔲𝔱 𝔫𝔬𝔱 𝔏𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔯𝔰.

1st May, 6:30 PM

"How unlucky can you get?! It just got worse," Karuizawa complained, her arms crossed tightly as she huddled at the opposite end of the couch.

Ten minutes. I never knew how long ten minutes could be.

Ten long minutes had passed since her relentless complaints began, and during this time, we had lost at least five points. So, we were starting at a disadvantage with minus five points on the board.

"Hirata did not even consider switching pairs," I eventually commented, trying to get her to cease whining.

For the first time, Karuizawa shot me a seething glance, her jaw clenched as she braced herself to make further complaints.

"That's why I'm complaining. How come he gave up a chance to pair up with his girlfriend?"

Hirata is a good person, so if Mei-Yu insisted, he would stay with her if that is what she desired. However, telling Karuizawa—who was still going on—would be of no use.

"It must really suck to be you, huh?" I remarked, my shoulder slumping.

Karuizawa's eyes blazed with anger, and her jaw and hands clenched even firmer. Yet, she did not lash out and just gave me a nasty stare.

"Really, how is it possible that you are friends with Yuki?" she asked, her tone dripping with disdain.

Her name has been thrown at me multiple times, prompting my inquisitiveness about Yuki growing more and more.

"What's wrong with that?"

"Only a handful are friends with her, but most of the time, she is with Shiina-san," she casually relayed to me.

Shiina Hiyori?

"The girl from Class 1-C?" I asked, my head inclined to the side.

Considering their personalities, this would be a match in heaven.

"Yes, who else?" she snorted, whereupon I sighed profoundly in exasperation.

In silence, I stared at her while she whipped out her phone. It goes without saying that she was beautiful. Her figure was slim, and her blonde hair was long and tied into a ponytail. Moreover, she is well-known amongst the other girls.

Judging from her attitude towards me, however, I don't think I'll get along too well with her for the time being. Or rather, she will not get along with me.

"In any case, can we have dinner?" I inquired, standing up from the couch to walk to the wooden dinner table.

"Fine by me," she answered, following me to the table just to sit down and fidget around her smartphone, probably texting someone.

As she unceasingly texted her friends, I blinked at her for several seconds.

It must be nice to have so many people constantly texting you, huh? But that was the least of my concern.

"You can't cook?"

"Nope, I can't," she affirmed, shaking her head as her gaze was still glued to the screen.

My heart sank. Not good, this is not good. This will be disastrous.

"Neither can I."

"Let's order something then," she suggested, putting away her phone to establish eye contact.

𝔐𝔞𝔯𝔯𝔦𝔢𝔡 ℭ𝔬𝔲𝔭𝔩𝔢𝔰, 𝔟𝔲𝔱 𝔫𝔬𝔱 𝔏𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔯𝔰.

1st May, 6:40 PM

"What does this do?" I inquired, tapping the "tip money" option displayed on my phone screen.

Apparently, the option allows me to offer a gratuity for the delivery service, but I do not know how much was appropriate to tip. Was 40'000 sufficient?

"You can't order a pizza?" Karuizawa scoffed, her disappointment palpable as she snatched my phone from my hand to place the order herself.

"I can play piano, though."

Karuizawa regarded me with an incredulous expression, rolling her eyes and shaking her head before returning her focus to the pizza order.

"Done," she announced and handed me back my phone, leaving me wondering just how much tip she had included.

Just as she uttered those words, the doorbell rang, leaving both of us mystified.

Are pizza deliveries always this fast? No, that wasn't possible.

"Who's that?" mumbled Karuizawa, arching an eyebrow as she set down the phone.

Not wasting any time, I walked to the door and peered through the peephole to see who was in front of the door. However, there was not a single person.

Slowly, I pushed open the door and let the flimsy lighting intrude into the apartment until a feminine hand reached for the door and held it ajar. It was a female student whom I did not recognize.

With only the lock between us, her sharp, enigmatic gaze met mine, and a wicked grin unfurled on her countenance. A cloying odor emanated from her, which contained a hint of mischievousness.

Suspiciously, my eyes slightly narrowed as her lips started enunciating her first words.

"Found you, husband~" she crooned teasingly.

𝔐𝔞𝔯𝔯𝔦𝔢𝔡 ℭ𝔬𝔲𝔭𝔩𝔢𝔰, 𝔟𝔲𝔱 𝔫𝔬𝔱 𝔏𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔯𝔰.

1st May, 7:10 PM

"That really hit the spot, don't you think, Ayanokoji-senpai?" asked Amasawa standing in the kitchen with Karuizawa to throw away the pizza boxes.

The smell of freshly baked pizza still permeated the air.

"It did," I concurred, sitting in front of the couch on the fluffy white carpet. The mellow texture felt pleasant on my back.

"What do you think, blondie?" inquired Amasawa, calling her names to purposefully trigger her, though Karuizawa did her best to not let it get to her. Her clenched fists betrayed her true emotions, however.

"My name is Karuizawa Kei, and what are you even doing here?" she hissed justifiably, throwing away her pizza box.

"I just told you, didn't I? I'm staying here. I am Ayanokoji-senpai's wife just like you," she teasingly commented.

Although this is hard to process, she told us that she was a transfer student who arrived today even though she is a year younger than us. Apparently, this was the information that slipped Chabashira's mind.

Her full name was Amasawa Ichika, and she was transferred to Class B, which explains why Hoshinomiya talked to me. So this was the surprise she was talking about.

This option of three students in one apartment is a rarity, huh?

"Whatever..." Karuizawa groaned, her shoulders slumping in defeat.

Just before we started eating, Amasawa insisted on trying on her new school uniform, so she switched her clothes. It seems like her school uniform was slightly too tight for her.

"Can you cook for me next time, senpai?~" pleaded Amasawa, a seductive twang rising in her voice.

"I can't," I responded curtly, refusing her request.

"Just try, it would satisfy me soooo much more," she coaxed with honeyed words.

"I don't think it would satisfy you more."

Amasawa disregarded my comment and gazed toward Karuizawa, whose eyes shifted from her screen to us.

"Mh... I think Ayanokoji-senpai is more than capable to satisfy a woman, don't you think so Karuizawa-chan?~" she asked, a devilish smile etched on her visage.

"Wha—I don't care," she commented, a slight blush invading her cheeks as she scurried off to lock herself in her room.

The sound of her door slamming shut echoed through the hallway.

"What a killjoy..." muttered Amasawa, watching her silhouette disappear and joining me on the carpet.

"She's not really in a good mood."

"Anyway, shall we put it to the test?" she asked, her eyes narrowing as she tilted her head with a smile.

"What?"

"Whether you can satisfy a woman?~"

I most definitely don't want to cook now since we lack the groceries.

"Are you still hungry? I can order you some more food," I offered, ready to order some more food.

"It's fine. Right now, I'm craving for Senpai," she intoned, Amasawa's voice dripping with an insatiable hunger.

Her eyes flickered with a fierce desire, their depths blazing with an inferno of lust as she crawled toward me with the grace of a predator.

Every inch of her body seemed designed to provoke and entice. The fabric of her school uniform hugged her curves in all the right places, drawing my eyes inexorably toward the swell of her hips and the tantalizing curve of her waist.

Her stockings were a vision of danger and temptation, clinging to her shapely thighs like a second skin, threatening to burst at the seams with every twist and turn of her lithe body.

The adult-like air around her told me that she was not going to back down.

"Just so you know, there is a camera," I pointed out, though she did not blink an eye.

"Doesn't that make it even more exciting?~"

Despite my warning about the camera, Amasawa's desire was unquenchable. My back was trapped against the couch, no available escape for me.

Her breathless whisper was imbued with lust, a siren chant drawing me closer to her until she was straddling me on the couch, her body pressed tightly against my lap. Her arms coiled around my neck like a serpent's embrace, her gaze like a magnetic force as I put my hands around her back.

With a nimble movement, she disentangled my arms from her back and guided them to her plump buttocks, inviting me to squeeze them along with a soft moan of pleasure.

As she guided my hand to her plump buttocks, I couldn't help but marvel at their softness and smoothness, my fingers sinking into the delicate flesh like warm butter.

I couldn't help but notice that, like Kushida, she was wearing only a provocative G-string under her skirt.

"Do you like it, senpai?~"

It was alluring, but wasn't this too bold?

"Isn't this very bold for someone you just met?" I countered, the cheeky simper on her mien remaining nonetheless.

"I know Ayanokoji-senpai better than you think."

A/N: Why give him one partner if you can give him two? ;)

Don't worry about Kei, she'll get likeable in a few chapters, I guess.

How was the chapter?

Chapter 2.1: Kushida's Master?!

𝔐𝔞𝔯𝔯𝔦𝔢𝔡 ℭ𝔬𝔲𝔭𝔩𝔢𝔰, 𝔟𝔲𝔱 𝔫𝔬𝔱 𝔏𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔯𝔰.

1st May, 7:15 PM

"How so?"

As she leaned closer to me, her breath tickled my ear, and the scent of her perfume flooded my senses.

"Because I know about the white room," she purred, so the camera wouldn't register her words.

For a moment, my heart sank to my stomach. Those words shattered my serenity.

"You..."

"I have no intention of revealing your identity, senpai," she revealed, winking at me as she rose from my lap.

Why does she know about the white room? There was also no guarantee that she was telling the truth about her intentions.

"Buuut, you have to cook for me tomorrow."

"If you cook the day after tomorrow, sure," I remarked, attempting to negotiate something to my advantage.

Even if she rejected my proposal, I should stick to what she says for now until I can be sure she really has no plans to expose my identity.

"Mh... All right. I'll just cook for you," she replied after a moment's thought, blowing me an air kiss as she headed out of the apartment.

𝔐𝔞𝔯𝔯𝔦𝔢𝔡 ℭ𝔬𝔲𝔭𝔩𝔢𝔰, 𝔟𝔲𝔱 𝔫𝔬𝔱 𝔏𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔯𝔰.

3rd May, 10:45 AM

Since it was the weekend, I decided to meet up with Hirata as I was in need of some information about Karuizawa. However, I arrived an hour early and decided to kill time by visiting an Internet café and trying some video games.

The internet café was dimly lit, and the air was thick with the smell of sweat and instant noodles.

I settled into a game of "Valorant," a 5v5 shooter where players must plant or defuse a bomb. I randomly chose the character "Phoenix," who could control fire. The score was 12-11 for our opponents, and I found myself in a 2v2 situation with Jett, who had low health. We headed to the side and planted the bomb.

Immediately after that, a teammate of mine sent a text message in the chat.

[Throw your Molotov under her, you can heal her. ]

Really? Listening to his advice, I threw my fireball beneath her feet, but instead of healing, she died.

"Argh! What is this dude doing?!"

I ended up losing the 1v2 situation, and the game ended in a defeat. The girl screaming earlier stood up and scanned her surrounding as she gave away an enraged air from her.

"You! You played Phoenix, right?!" the blue short-haired girl prompted, the veins bulging on her forehead and throat, emanating a seething rage.

Her short blue hair was disheveled, adding to her wild appearance. In addition, her clomping footsteps echoed throughout the room as she approached me, her eyes blazing with fury.

"Uhm, yes. What's wrong?" I inquired, rotating around while perched in the gaming chair.

She was Jett, the other duelist in my team. If I was not mistaken, she was called Ibuki in the game.

Suddenly, with a quick movement, she slammed her hand down on the desk, producing a loud thud.

"You just got me killed! What do you mean by what's wrong?"

"One of our teammates told me it would heal you if I throw the fireball under you," I explained, showing her the chat.

"This was my rank-up game to bronze! And I was doing so well too," she complained, clearly peeved and disregarding my comment.

"I don't know, but you had 3 kills and twenty-eight deaths, so a K/D of 0.10714286," I commented, not knowing whether I should add more decimals.

In response, Ibuki's eyebrow jittered, and her fist clenched.

"Ignore that," she hissed, scratching her head, though she wasn't the least bit ashamed after such a performance, and continued, "Apologize now," she menaced.

I expelled a sigh and shrugged my shoulders.

"Sorry," I muttered, my tone lacking sincerity.

My final K/D was actually 28/16, which was 1.75, but I didn't feel like arguing about it.

"Do it more sincerely—"

Instead of soothing her, my lack of remorse only served to enrage her further. Suddenly she reached for my collar, her movements swift and fierce.

"No need to get violent," I commented, effortlessly evading her grasp.

"Tch!"

After snarling her tongue, she repeatedly attempted to seize me by the collar. However, I easily dodged all her attempts just like the first time.

Recognizing that there would be no end to this, I rose from my chair, and before she could react, I captured her by the throat.

"Cut it out, both of you!" one of the workers yelled, interrupting our scuffle.

I let go of Ibuki and headed out. Once The two of us left the internet café, I checked the time and realized it was nearly time I meet Hirata.

Let's come back another time. Maybe I should try out Overwatch after Valorant? Let's see.

"You're just gonna go?!"

"Yes, why should I stay?"

"Let's fight it out," she intoned, taking on a fighting stance while her tone of speech and expression was solemn.

She wasn't joking, huh? From the way she tried to seize my collar, I could tell that she was experienced.

However, she had to see the difference in our abilities, so why would she want to fight me?

I think I know what she's after...

"Nope," I flatly declined, not bothering to dwell on it or heed any more attention to her.

"Hah?" emitted Ibuki, taken aback.

She's not so stupid as to really be willing to fight me, so what she wants is...

"If you truly have a choking fetish, please ask your partner to do it. I won't do it again."

"W-What!?"

𝔐𝔞𝔯𝔯𝔦𝔢𝔡 ℭ𝔬𝔲𝔭𝔩𝔢𝔰, 𝔟𝔲𝔱 𝔫𝔬𝔱 𝔏𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔯𝔰.

3rd May, 6:30 PM

"I'm back," I intoned as I entered the apartment, removing my footwear and feeling the cool hardwood floor beneath my socks.

"Welcome back, senpai~" greeted Amasawa, her flirty voice originating from the kitchen.

I could hear the sizzle of what she was cooking on the stove and the intermittent clink of metal on metal as she stirred.

"Where is Karuizawa?"

"She said she would stay the night with her friends."

That's no good. I planned on talking things out with her as that was essential if I desired to switch partners for next month since we needed to earn points.

Just as I abandoned these thoughts, I snapped back to reality, and my attention was quickly diverted to Amasawa's attire—or lack thereof.

"All right, but what's with this outfit?"

"It's an apron. Do you like it?" she asked teasingly, twirling around to give me a better view.

Her body was draped in an apron that was tied haphazardly around her waist, revealing a tantalizing glimpse of her sculptured curves, her firm nipples were visible through the thin fabric.

The aroma of food floated through the air, enhancing the already inebriating atmosphere.

"I'll tell you again, but there's a camera."

"Mh, but are you sure it functions?" she slyly questioned, putting her index finger on her cheek as if she didn't already know the answer.

"What do you mean?" I stupidly asked, inclining my head to the side.

"I accidentally broke the camera today."

There was no sign of her being sorry, and from the devilish smirk on her visage, I could tell it was not accidental.

"Won't there be consequences, then?" I demanded as she advanced toward me, wrapping her arms around my neck.

Her sinuous form nestled against mine, and I soaked in the heat radiating from her body and the fragrance exuding from her scarlet hair.

Her curvaceous breasts encompassed my chest in a sensual fondle. The weight of her flesh pressed against the thin fabric of her apron, and the contours of her erect nipples pressed thrillingly against me.

The sensation was eruptive, and I felt my whole body responding to her proximity.

"I'll just get a warning and probably have to pay the costs, so don't worry," she reassured me, closing in even more to whisper into my ear and continuing, "masterpiece of the white room, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka."

Instinctively, I roughly grabbed her by her shoulders and separated her from me as I shot her a serious stare.

"That's how I like it, rough~"

"He sent you, didn't he?" I interrogated, her flippant attitude failing to deter my serious tone.

"That's right," she confirmed, smirking.

Considering that man's position, it would be within the possibility for him to be able to send a transfer student a month later. If that is the case, she must be someone capable, so I can't really let my guard down with her.

Was she perhaps a white room student herself?

"Let's just bake bread as a couple," she suggested, thereby letting the prevailing tensity in the air dissipate.

"It won't earn us any points, though."

"It doesn't matter, it's fun," she answered, preheating the oven.

As she did so, I stood beside her, gazing at how she used the oven until she reciprocated my stare.

"You have been staring an awful lot. Since it's you, I'll let you touch them~" she teased as she stuck out her plump breasts—supported by her hands—toward me.

"Let's just start baking," I sighed, getting all the ingredients.

"There's no need to be suspicious or shy, or do you want me to reveal our secret?~"

"Just so you know, there is no real merit in telling this around."

If she were to tell everyone who I was, most of them would dismiss her statements as ridiculous anyway. There are still many reasons this is troublesome, however.

"Oh, I know. People will probably think I'm crazy if I do, but don't you think it will attract attention?"

Without much room for objection, I acceded to her insistence and fondled her breasts.

Amasawa's breasts were incredibly lithe, with a texture akin to squeezing a perfectly ripe peach or a delicate cloud. Each squeeze elicited a low moan from her, confirming she was thoroughly enjoying our little tryst.

And yet, even with their softness, there was still a firmness to them, a testament to their natural beauty and perfection.

After a few minutes, she retreated and readjusted her hair.

"All right, let's start baking!" she cheerfully exclaimed like a child, clapping her hands.

We then started baking. The kitchen grew accommodating and welcoming, the soft humming of Amasawa contributing to the soothing mood.

"The eggs are here, and the flour is here. It says 250g of flour, Amasawa," I instructed, reading a recipe from the internet.

After garnering no reaction whatsoever, I peeked over at Amasawa, covered in a light dusting of flour, toying with it until a brilliant notion dawned on her.

"Isn't this the perfect chance to punish a naughty girl like me?~"

I was confused, to say the least.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, I did kind of blackmail you, didn't I?" she questioned, her flour-covered fingers roaming around my tie and shirt.

"Why would you want a punishment?" I objected, my head leaning sideways due to my puzzlement.

Hearing my question, her mischievous grin grew wider until her white, gleaming teeth were visible. Then, she snatched my hand, dusted it with flour, and clamped it down on her butt cheek like last time.

"The handprint of senpai is on my ass with flour~" she proclaimed, excitement dripping from her voice.

"We are striving away from baking."

"I know, but this is more fun than baking. It won't get us any points either way," she said, using the same argument I used against me.

How troublesome.

"Don't you think you should slap the other side?~"

It was as if her very being was devoured by an untamable appetite, a craving that could only be quenched by the satisfying sting of my hand on her tender skin.

Despite my reticence, Amasawa persisted, her peachy buttocks jiggling enticingly as she offered herself up for another spank. The situation was scurrilous, yet I was incapable of resisting her playful antics.

𝔐𝔞𝔯𝔯𝔦𝔢𝔡 ℭ𝔬𝔲𝔭𝔩𝔢𝔰, 𝔟𝔲𝔱 𝔫𝔬𝔱 𝔏𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔯𝔰.

4th May, 7:48 AM

The classroom was alive with the chatter of students, the rustling of papers, and the occasional sound of someone dropping a pencil as I pondered yesterday's events.

As if the baking wasn't tedious enough, Amasawa also offered to take pictures of my handprints on her buttocks, so I could set them as wallpaper on my phone.

Of course, I—

"Is something wrong, Kushida-san?" Inogashira worriedly asked a few desks in front of me, dragging me out of my reflections.

"It's nothing... I can't find some of my clothes."

At that moment, Karuizawa entered the bustling classroom. Desiring to converse with her, I stood up and strode toward her.

"Karuizawa—"

"Hold on, hold on!" interjected Yamauchi with an ear-splitting shout, capturing everyone's attention within the classroom.

"What's the commotion all about?"

Hirata, like always, instantly tried to solve the uproar, but Yamauchi wasn't having any of that.

"Kushida-san! I need to talk to you!" urged Yamauchi loudly.

"What's wrong?"

Just as silence descended and Kushida raised the question in a state of confusion, his gaze roamed toward me and pointed at me with his index finger.

"You...! IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ME, NOT HIM!!" he shouted, crumbling to his knees while holding his head.

It wasn't just me, but his actions puzzled every individual present. In fact, everyone was exchanging befuddled facial expressions.

"I'll give up understanding you," I mumbled as he—crestfallen—bellyached around until he eventually stood up and elaborated.

"Ayanokoji-kun! You're Kushida's master, aren't you!?"

A/N: Are the descriptions to the scene such as Ichika's apron scene fine or is it repetetive? I would like to detail out how she looks and during the conversation I like to describe their way of speaking and what they might be doing concurrently.

Was this chapter fine?

If that is too annoying, I can try to change, but I don't know if it would work since this is my way of writing.

If you desire to see something in the future, let me know.

Chapter 2.2: Spread your legs

𝔐𝔞𝔯𝔯𝔦𝔢𝔡 ℭ𝔬𝔲𝔭𝔩𝔢𝔰, 𝔟𝔲𝔱 𝔫𝔬𝔱 𝔏𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔯𝔰.

4th May, 7:48 AM

"Excuse me?"

All eyes converged on Yamauchi, who was rummaging in his backpack, drawing attention to himself. I seized the opportunity to steal a glance at Kushida and detected a rosy shade adorning her cheeks, hinting at confusion or perhaps even embarrassment.

The atmosphere in the classroom increased in tension, and the silence was broken only by the noise of Yamauchi rustling in his bag.

"You can deny it all you want, but you know what I'm talking about," Yamauchi asserted, extracting a certain piece of Kushida's clothing.

Once Yamauchi revealed the item from his backpack, the students' eyes dilated in surprise, and their expressions alternated from disbelief to curiosity. Envy simmered in the eyes of several students when they caught a glimpse of the unforeseen piece of clothing.

"I still don't know what you are talking about, Yamauchi," I dismissed apathetically, turning my gaze toward Kushida and proceeding, "You keep such a thing?"

Kushida's cheeks, formerly tinged a soft shade of pink, were now seared with an even deeper blush spreading across her face like a flaming inferno.

Either she was truly embarrassed or cursing at Yamauchi in her head. Probably the latter.

"That—! Why did you even go through my things?!" she yelled, snatching the maid uniform from his hands and pressing it against her chest.

"Yeah, Kushida's right!" Inogashira chimed in, rallying behind Kushida, and the other girls followed suit.

As they did so, I noticed Kushida meticulously inspecting the maid's uniform for any imperfections. Nobody, not even Hirata, was willing to come to Yamauchi's aid.

When the turmoil eventually tranquilized, I addressed Yamauchi again.

"You messed up," I conveyed, placing my hand on his shoulder as the visage of the students—especially the girls—twisted in disgust towards Yamauchi.

"No, I know there's something fishy!" he insisted, pushing away my hand from his shoulder, his eyes harboring a burning will.

I heaved a sigh amid all the chattering.

If he still insisted, I guess I have to convince him. For someone like Yamauchi, there was no need to rack my brain to know how I could convince him.

Lowering my voice to a whisper, I concocted a blatant lie.

"I think she wanted to surprise you with this costume," I suggested, hoping it would be enough to convince him.

"Wait..." he muttered, his mouth agape and his eyes dilating as realization slowly spread through his body like poison.

From the expression plastered on his face, it was evident that he was nursing lascivious musings over the contours of Kushida's shapely thighs and ample chest, regretting that he had missed this golden opportunity.

"Don't you think such a costume would grant you a huge amount of points?" I questioned, leaving Yamauchi's soul to plummet further, crashing onto the floor once again.

"What have I done..."

𝔐𝔞𝔯𝔯𝔦𝔢𝔡 ℭ𝔬𝔲𝔭𝔩𝔢𝔰, 𝔟𝔲𝔱 𝔫𝔬𝔱 𝔏𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔯𝔰.

4th May, 3:00 PM

The distant sounds of students chatting and birds chirping filled the background, adding to the peacefulness of the moment. As we arrived at our destination, Kushida scanned the surroundings with a wary eye, perhaps wondering why I had summoned her here.

"What, bastard?"

It seemed she wasn't too pleased about me summoning her here despite keeping a friendly tone.

"Didn't you hear Yamauchi? It's master," I teased, causing her to cast her eyes skyward and her nose to wrinkle.

"Shut up," she hissed, her tone still somewhat cordial but her words dripping with venom.

"I don't think that's a way to talk to your master."

"What, master?" she sighed exasperatedly, crossing her arms as her smile crumbled.

Honestly, I didn't expect her to actually say it. Did she have a change of heart? No, probably not.

The area was secluded and quiet, save for the occasional rustle of leaves in the nearby trees. I cleared my throat, eager to start our conversation.

"How is it being paired with Yamauchi?" I queried, whereupon her lips jittered as she recalled some memories with him.

"Horrible. That this pervert even went through my clothes," she vented, not mincing her words and no longer putting up an act.

"Should I expel him?" I jested, Kushida acquiescing, not particularly opposed to the notion.

"I don't care," she eventually replied, surreptitiously scanning her surroundings as I posed the question, ensuring no one witnessed this side of her.

"Did you sort things out with him?" I proceeded, Kushida checking her surrounding once more as I posed the question, making sure no one witnessed this side of her.

"More or less, but what do you want?" she demanded, impatiently tapping her foot on the floor, awaiting the catch.

"A date, I think that's what it's called."

"Huh...?" she uttered, suspiciously arching her eyebrow.

I cradled my chin, contemplating what I just stated.

Had I made a mistake? No, I'm pretty sure it's called a date.

"I just missed you, Kikyou."

"What are we doing?" she immediately asked in return, disregarding my playful comment, her eyes not meeting mine.

"I haven't thought of that, so just make sure you have time this weekend."

𝔐𝔞𝔯𝔯𝔦𝔢𝔡 ℭ𝔬𝔲𝔭𝔩𝔢𝔰, 𝔟𝔲𝔱 𝔫𝔬𝔱 𝔏𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔯𝔰.

4th May, 3:19 PM

Arrived in the dorm, I spotted Karuizawa in the living room on her phone, her eyes shifting toward me, only to be shifted away again with disgust.

The gentle wind from the open windows streamed into the apartment, carrying the scattering of the leaves and the distant sound of chattering from distant students.

"Karuizawa, hold on," I announced as the breeze and her dulcet scent enveloped me as she strode past me.

"What do you want?" she inquired, halting and crossing her arms.

Does she not even bother looking at me?

"I want to talk with you privately," I explained, peeking at her over my shoulder just to see her polish her nails in boredom.

"Can't it wait? I'm going out with my friends and Yosuke."

"It's concerning earning points, though," I reasoned since if we earned more points, we would not have to spend more time with each other anymore.

"We can talk about this later," she stated dismissively, resuming in the direction of the door with a hint of aggravation.

My eyes trailed her as she marched toward the door, each of her steps imparting a pang of self-confidence and superiority.

"For a fake girlfriend, you act amazingly, I must admit."

On hearing my words, Karuizawa's hand froze in midair and languished in a state of reluctance as her fingers quivered.

"H-Huh?"

Her chest rose and fell violently with each breath, trying not to hyperventilate.

The atmosphere was now charged with an almost electric tension as if the slightest spark could set off an explosion, and the clouds started to cover the hitherto dazzling sun.

"W-What do you mean?" she stammered, her tone slightly shaky.

Her eyes, once so calm and composed, were now dilated with fear, like a deer caught in the headlights. A small gasp escaped her lips as she turned around, her body tense and rigid like a coiled spring.

"What do I mean? You must be aware, and so must be Hirata."

"Why do you...?" she murmured in confusion, her brows furrowed and her breath labored.

"Hirata told me about you, I know everything," I stated in a solemn tone, closing on her and eventually planting my hand next to her face, the wall behind her leaving no available escape for her.

When I meet Hirata the other day, I asked him for some information about Karuizawa. However, he ended up telling me more than I expected. Of course, I do not know everything.

"That..."

The color had drained from her face, leaving her complexion pale and ashen, and her lips parted slightly as if struggling to form words.

"Amasawa broke the camera, so don't worry," I informed her, trying to soothe some of her anguish, though it seemed to have no effect whatsoever.

Tears—glistening in the dull light—welled up in the corners of her eyes, and her gaze grew glassy, mirroring the anguish and despair consuming her.

"What do you want?"

"I don't know," I monotonously answered, gazing at her fragile body trembling and the first tears rolling down her cheeks.

Although I haven't done anything to her yet, she was this terrified. The trauma she experienced must still be very recent.

"Y-You're just after my body, aren't you?"

"That does not sound too bad," I confessed as I enticingly skimmed my fingertips over the soft, sleek skin of her inner thighs. The sensation evoked a shiver in her.

I couldn't resist the urge to continue my exploration, sliding my fingers lightly over the sensitive flesh and feeling the heat radiating from her body.

Needless to say, I wasn't at all interested in her body, but only in how far she would go to safeguard her secret, which I don't know much about.

Her reaction was immediate and instinctual, emitting a small, deprecating click of her tongue and closing her eyes tightly, a visible expression of her apprehension. I reached out to gently lift her chin and meet my gaze, the strain between us palpable.

Breaking the silence, I deliberately spoke with intention, each word carefully enunciated for emphasis.

" Spread your legs."

𝔐𝔞𝔯𝔯𝔦𝔢𝔡 ℭ𝔬𝔲𝔭𝔩𝔢𝔰, 𝔟𝔲𝔱 𝔫𝔬𝔱 𝔏𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔯𝔰.

4th May, 3:12 PM

"A date with Ayanokoji-senpai, I'm jealous," sulked a feminine voice as I turned around the corner.

As soon as I laid eyes on the scarlet-haired Amasawa, a feeling of unease washed over me. I could feel the tension building up inside me as I realized she may have overheard my conversation with Ayanokoji.

How fucking annoying.

"Eh...? Who are you?" I demanded—in spite of knowing who she was—to get out of this situation.

"Amasawa Ichika, nice to meet you Kikyou-senpai."

I bristled at her use of my first name, wondering how much she had overheard. Despite my efforts to keep my composure, my nerves were slowly getting the better of me.

"It's not really a date, Ayanokoji-kun probably needs my help for something," I attempted to downplay, my voice laced with a hint of nervousness as I chuckled softly and absently scratched my cheek, hoping to dispel any suspicion Amasawa might have.

"Now, now, don't change your tone, Kushida-san. I heard everything.~"

"I don't know what you mean...?" I innocently countered, commencing to walk as other students started walking by us.

"Well, even if I did not listen to your conversation, I know that this is just a facade," she cooed, her expression turning forbidding from one second to another, sending a faint shiver down my spine.

What was with her? I clenched my fists, my fingernails drilling into my skin. The weight of her gaze felt oppressive, and I longed to escape her presence.

"Is that so?" I retorted, fastening my walking pace as I felt my blood boiling.

However, I couldn't vent my frustration here in front of everyone.

"So, do you like Master?~" she cheekily inquired, her smile plastering on her visage once again, feigning ignorance of the previous events.

This bitch really heard everything, huh? I couldn't help but feel like she was enjoying getting under my skin.

And no, I don't like him.

"There's no need to get so close, is there?" I uttered, my eyebrow jittering in irritation and my smile threatening to dissipate as she poked my cheek with her index finger.

"Wow, Kushida-senpai has such clean, soft skin! Maybe that's what Senpai likes about you...? she further teased, stares from the students surrounding us.

"I don't think so," I friendly replied through gritted teeth, a smile gracing my face.

"Mh... You're probably right. It's probably this what he likes about you," she answered, suddenly grabbing my boobs and fondling them.

"Eh...? Stop it!" I proclaimed as she started kneading them with an unwelcome force.

Amasawa's teasing was becoming more and more unbearable. I could feel my frustration building with every poke and squeeze. Her fingers felt like they were leaving marks on my skin. At last, she finally let go, and my face burned with embarrassment.

This bitch...

"Sorry, sorry. I couldn't hold back~" echoed Amasawa's lips, though her tone was far from contrite as she shot me a mischievous smile as if she was thoroughly enjoying the situation.

Her eyes seemed to twinkle with amusement, and her lips curled into a devilish smirk, betraying the insincerity of her apology.

"Stop playing around, Amasawa-san," I intoned firmly, though I could feel my voice starting to crack.

"Did you perhaps let master touch them?" she queried, her tone dripping with innuendo.

How would she even get to this idea?

"Most definitely not," I reluctantly responded after reminiscing about the incident momentarily.

"How about we surprise him on your next date?" she suggested, leaning her head to the side while her index finger poked her jowl.

"Surprise him with what?" I asked, the wrinkles on my forehead increasing as her mischievous smirk broadened and sheclosed in to whisper into my ear.

"A threesome~"

A/N: For some reason, I'm very dissatisfied with this chapter, but I didn't feel like rewriting everything from scratch, so sorry.

I'll perhaps delete this chapter and rewrite again or come up with something else.

Next chapter, maybe, will be something little different.

Chapter 2.3: Beneath the surface

𝔐𝔞𝔯𝔯𝔦𝔢𝔡 ℭ𝔬𝔲𝔭𝔩𝔢𝔰, 𝔟𝔲𝔱 𝔫𝔬𝔱 𝔏𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔯𝔰.

4th May, 3:23 PM

With an expression of contempt and helplessness, she squinted her eyes, and her trembling, goosebumps-covered legs grudgingly spread. There was no attempt of attempting to resist. The conceited Karuizawa was washed with vulnerability.

"Sit down on the couch, Karuizawa," I ordered after removing my hand from the wall behind her and distancing myself from her.

Karuizawa slowly cracked her eyes open, confused but did not refute. Once she sat on the couch, I made my way to the kitchen to open the fridge.

"W-What are you doing?"

"That was just a test to see how far you would go to keep your secret hidden. I wasn't genuinely interested in your body," I finally revealed, walking toward her after retrieving the box from the fridge.

"Then—"

"I just have one condition," I interjected, placing the box on the table and continuing, "During this one month, when it's just the two of us, let's pretend that we are dating."

"Eh...?" she shrieked, surprised and confused, her eyes dilating.

"We are supposed to act like a married couple anyway, so this shouldn't be too much of a strain, right?"

At this point, there was no possible way that she could refuse since in her mind, there was always the threat that I'd tell everyone about her secret.

"O-Okay, but what is this chocolate cake for?"

"I believe your birthday was on the 8th of March."

"Yeah, but that was already about two months ago..." she mumbled, the anxiety and stuttering in her voice slowly but steadily dissipating.

Seeing that her trauma must be very recent, the possibility of her not having celebrated her birthday properly was high. Personally, I had never celebrated my birthday, but apparently, it is common to do it. Or so I have read on the internet.

This, in my opinion, is very ironic since they are celebrating the fact that they are one year closer to death.

"Still, I figured I'd belatedly celebrate your birthday with you since we are "dating"."

"Happy birthday, Karuizawa," I gently added, her emotions threatening to overwhelm her any second as her eyes turned glassy.

"T-Thank you," she mumbled, taking a bite of the chocolate cake as she sniveled and wiped her tears away.

"Now, if you're fine with it, I want to know your story, Karuizawa."

𝔐𝔞𝔯𝔯𝔦𝔢𝔡 ℭ𝔬𝔲𝔭𝔩𝔢𝔰, 𝔟𝔲𝔱 𝔫𝔬𝔱 𝔏𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔯𝔰.

1st April (Kei's first school day in junior high), 7:20 AM, 2012

With a groggy yawn, I trudged down the stairs, rubbing my weary eyes to dispel the drowsiness dwelling on them like a weight. The enticing fragrance of homemade miso soup and steamed rice assaulted my nostrils and stimulated my senses.

The dining room was filled with the soft glow of morning light, casting gentle shadows on the furniture and illuminating the flowers in the vase on the windowsill.

"Are you excited about your first day?" the woman, or rather my mother, asked, beaming with motherly pride.

She stood at the stove, dressed in her usual apron, stirring the soup with a ladle.

"Not really," I responded tediously, still endeavoring to wring the last remnants of sleep from my body.

While I wasn't brimming with excitement, there was undeniably an odd feeling washing over me.

It felt like a subtle knot of nervousness that had made its home in the pit of my stomach, slowly tightening its grip on my insides. The feeling was like a murky mist that enshrouded my mind, making me restless and uncertain.

I picked up the chopsticks and twirled them absentmindedly in my fingers, dreading the day ahead. Once the taste of the miso soup and rice melted on the surface of my tongue, I couldn't stop craving it.

"You should be, Kei."

"Why?" I mumbled with food in my mouth, arching my eyebrow.

Since this is now junior high, I feel somewhat different, though not particularly excited.

"When you grow up, you'll regret not enjoying every second in school," she answered, joining me at the dinner table with her bowl of rice.

"Do you regret not enjoying school?"

"Yes, I do," she admitted, a hint of reluctance in her voice as her fingers reached out to ruffle my hair affectionately.

Her words hung in the air like a warning, and I felt guilty about not looking forward to the start of the new school year.

"Your mother is right, Kei," a hoarse voice suddenly remarked from behind me.

"Grandfather?" I blurted out, turning around to face his eyes.

The shade they possessed was as vibrant and fresh as a newly sprouted leaf, a stark contrast to the weathered lines etched into his face by time and experience.

Without another word, he sat down next to my mother with a gentle, optimistic smile.

"Take this as your good luck charm," he added, putting a blue bracelet around my wrist.

Instead of expressing my gratitude, I scrutinized the bracelet with a keen eye, examining the elaborate arrangement of shimmering turquoise gemstones.

If they say so, I guess I'll try to enjoy this time...

Glancing back at the memory, I found myself struggling to conjure up even a fragment of the minuscule excitement I once felt. It was as if my recollection was a faded photograph, the colors, and details of which had long been drained by the passage of time.

The underlying factor for this was the worst set of years in my life, which dawned on me after this moment.

𝔐𝔞𝔯𝔯𝔦𝔢𝔡 ℭ𝔬𝔲𝔭𝔩𝔢𝔰, 𝔟𝔲𝔱 𝔫𝔬𝔱 𝔏𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔯𝔰.

8th March, 3:30 PM, 2015

"Where do you think you're going, Karuizawa-san?" she asked, halting me just outside the school in a weakly lighted lane flanked by her friends as I tried to rush home.

Not this again...

The fear that gripped me was suffocating, and I felt like I was drowning in a sea of anxiety. All the muscles in my body tensed up.

If there was any way for me to avoid this path, I would have taken it, but there was no escape. The darkness seemed to deepen as I was confronted by my bully, a feeling of dread creeping up my spine.

Ever since I began attending this school, my life had been in a constant state of decline. My motivation had evaporated completely, and every task felt like an insurmountable obstacle.

Every day, the mere thought of walking home filled me with dread, causing my hands to turn numb with fear and tremble uncontrollably.

"What—"

"Don't talk back. I have had enough of you," she disrupted, violently grabbing me by my arm, slamming me to the ground, and kicking me—thereby sending waves of agony through my body.

"What is that?"

Seeing what she was referring to—the bracelet on the floor—like a domino effect, the bumps on my complexion spread. Instinctively, I protected the bracelet, or rather my good luck charm, with my arms.

In response, her eyebrow twitched, and she started stomping on my fingers.

"Agh!" I cried out in agony, unable to suppress the overwhelming pain.

My outer palms were ablaze with excruciating pain as blood oozed out from the crushed skin, a testament to the brutality of her attack. My knuckles felt like they had been pulverized, reduced to a mass of bone and tissue.

"Answer me," she demanded with a complexion twisted with repugnance as she yanked my bangs with a force that made my scalp burn.

"A-A bracelet," I tentatively stammered.

"Today is your birthday, so I'll let you off with just my initial present. Hold her arms."

At her command, two girls restrained my arms, leaving me unable to defend myself. Though, I had no interest in fighting back either way. Just let this be done quickly.

Only a few more weeks until this all ends...

"Enjoy your present," she said, a mischievous tone ringing in her voice.

Before I could pry my eyes open, I experienced a searing pain in my right abdomen, like a branding iron pressed against my skin. It made me wince in unbearable pain, and in an instant, my visual acuity blurred and faded into blackness like the light in the movie theater when the movie was about to start.

In due time, the frigid sensation of the concrete floor seeped into my skin, but the agony and resounding thud of hitting the ground didn't register.

Every nerve ending and blood vessel was fixated on the fiery pain emanating from the right side of my abdomen as if the rest of my body was detached from the scene, an insignificant bystander to the torment.

...

...

...

"I think you have told me enough, Karuizawa."

As soon as his voice pierced through the haze of my thoughts, I was jolted back into reality, a blissful warmth replacing the cold of the concrete floor on my cheek. Though my vision remained obscured, my hearing was suddenly heightened, every sound crystal clear and distinct.

The slow, steady rhythm of his heart was like a metronome of a healing symphony to my frazzled nerves, vibrating in my auricle. Its soothing beat dispelled my anxiety like an ointment, and for the first time in years, I felt safe.

"There is no need to worry anymore."

All of a sudden, a floodgate opened within me, and hot tears streamed down my face like a raging river, unable to be stopped. It was as if I had been holding back a dam for years, and finally, it burst with an unstoppable force.

Every worry, fear, and pain I had bottled up in recent years gushed out, and I couldn't contain it any longer. Ayanokoji-kun's shirt was drenched with my tears as I continued to weep uncontrollably.

Why did it have to be him, of all people, that I finally opened up to?

𝔐𝔞𝔯𝔯𝔦𝔢𝔡 ℭ𝔬𝔲𝔭𝔩𝔢𝔰, 𝔟𝔲𝔱 𝔫𝔬𝔱 𝔏𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔯𝔰.

8th May, 6:45 PM

Dressed in my school uniform, I hesitantly approached Kushida's apartment, uncertain how to properly dress for the occasion. After ensuring that Yamauchi wasn't lurking nearby, I tentatively knocked on her door.

As the door slowly creaked open, Kushida only partially revealed herself before suddenly grabbing me by the tie and pulling me inside her apartment.

"Kushida—"

Not giving me even a second to question her action, she took my face in her delicate hands, her soft fingers tracing the contours of my jaw, and pressed her lips onto mine, urgent and passionate.

I felt her fingers entwine behind my neck, pulling me closer as she deepened the kiss, the sweet taste of her lips and the warmth of her breath from her nose mingling with mine.

Despite my confusion, my eyes—which I kept open—couldn't resist the allure of her seductive figure, tightly clad in the provocative maid costume that hugged every curve of her body.

Her ample breasts heaved with each inhale, accentuated by the lacy frills of her uniform, and her smooth legs seemed to go on for miles. It was as if she had stepped out of a forbidden dream, enticing and tantalizing.

Her kiss was a tempestuous affair, a storm of passion that swept me off my feet. Her tongue sought to enter my mouth like a seductive snake, and in spite of resisting at first, I was quickly consumed by the fervent desire she evoked in me.

Once our tongues entwined, I felt a flame of passion ignite deep within me, burning hotter with each passing moment until I parted my lips from hers.

What game is she trying to play?

Inspecting Kushida's features, her gaze held a rare vulnerability and shyness that I had only once seen before, and her cheeks were flushed with a delicate shade of pink. It was then that I noticed a small communication device nestled in one of her ears, and I strained to hear a muffled voice emanating from it.

However, my attempts to eavesdrop were abruptly interrupted by the noise of a door creaking open. In walked Amasawa, who immediately began to applaud Kushida with enthusiasm.

"Bravo, Kushida-san!" she exclaimed, clapping her hands in satisfaction as she headed towards us.

"Amasawa."

My gaze was immediately drawn to the provocative Christmas outfit that Amasawa was wearing. The silky red fabric hugged her curves in all the right places, leaving little to the imagination. It was as if she was wearing a bikini but with a festive flair.

Every inch of her body was accentuated by the revealing outfit, from the plunging neckline that showcased her ample cleavage to the short hemline that barely covered her hips. The white fur trim only added to the seductive appeal of the outfit, making her look irresistible.

For a moment, I glanced over at Kushida, who stood with her arms crossed. It was clear that she was not pleased with the situation.

"It was her idea, so don't misunderstand bastard," Kushida spoke with irritation evident in her voice.

Judging from Kushida's demeanor, she was not voluntarily doing this, meaning Ichika has something against her. It's probably the secret she desires to protect.

"Don't mind my outfit. It was the cheapest outfit I could find," Ichika chimed in with a devilish smile, provocatively lifting her rock. The silky red fabric of her Christmas costume glittered under the bright lights.

As I observed her, Amasawa inched closed until she held her hand in front of her mouth and whispered something...

"For today, senpai, you can ravage Kushida and me however much you like~"

It seems like this game had already begun, and I was in the middle of it.

A/N: Something different! I don't know whether you'll like it or not, but I wanted to include Kei's past a little and make something that makes Ayanokoji look good since I think some didn't like the last chapter too much (Idk?). I initially wanted to write a lot more (Kei's full past from first school day to the last since we don't know much about her past and her scar as far as I am aware of), but oh well.

Next chapter is the time, but until then, I think, there will have passed a whole lot of time since I may or may not go into Hiatus.

Why? Finals. I'll have plenty of time after my finals.

Though you might be able to change my mind and make me invest my precious free time to write the next chapter with an upvote...

Just maybe...

Tell me whether or not you liked the chapter, and see you!

Chapter 2.4: Threesome

𝔐𝔞𝔯𝔯𝔦𝔢𝔡 ℭ𝔬𝔲𝔭𝔩𝔢𝔰, 𝔟𝔲𝔱 𝔫𝔬𝔱 𝔏𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔯𝔰.

8th May, 6:45 PM

"What are you planning, Amasawa?" I asked, my tone unswayed as I put some distance between us.

"I'm planning for Ayanokoji-senpai to take my virginity!" she crooned with unwavering enthusiasm, her words hanging in the air like a daring challenge.

Moving swiftly behind me, she skillfully removed my uniform, her fingers rapidly undoing buttons and unfastening clasps as if in a hurry.

"Uhm."

Yeah...

That was the only thing I emitted. Amasawa's direct answer left me speechless. Though I must admit, I was somewhat curious.

"I'm not taking no as an answer otherwise..."

Right after letting us know that there would be no way out of this, in one swift motion, she propelled us forward, forcefully guiding us into Kushida's room.

The door closed behind us with a resolute beep, sealing our fate within the confines of that intimate space.

The room embraced us with its dimly lit ambiance, bathed in a subtle red glow that filtered through the curtains.

The soft illumination created an atmosphere of intimacy and secrecy, while the intoxicating scent of Kushida's perfume lingered in the air, permeating every corner of the room.

"If you want to do this, why did you call me?" Kushida fairly asked, her arms crossed.

The stark contrast of emotions between Kushida and Amasawa couldn't have been more pronounced.

One was brimming with excitement and anticipation, eagerly looking forward to this encounter, while the other seemed to emanate a palpable sense of frustration.

"It's Ayanokoji-senpai's first time, so it should be special," Amasawa explained matter-of-factly as if this was the most natural and obvious answer to the perplexing situation.

This girl... What are her intentions?

"Tch," Kushida clicked her tongue in annoyance.

Despite her apparent displeasure, she seemed to reluctantly accept her fate, acknowledging the unfolding events with a resigned sigh. Amasawa is really using her advantage over her to the fullest.

"Who knows, maybe you'll want to stay in the same apartment with Ayanokoji-senpai and me?"

To be frank, that wouldn't be so terrible. That being said, I don't know if I want to deal with Amasawa for an entire month.

"How very funny," Kushida dismissed.

Undeterred by Kushida's response, Amasawa turned her attention to me, encircling her arms around my neck in a possessive embrace. Her gaze narrowed, her eyes holding an intense and inquisitive spark.

"Aren't you curious, senpai?" she questioned, her voice tinged with anticipation, her gaze penetrating deep into my soul.

Truthfully, my curiosity knew no bounds. Of course, I was enthralled by the mystery of this situation. But a barrage of concerns and reservations swamped my mind, casting doubt on the feasibility and wisdom of such an endeavor.

"A little, but isn't without contraceptive...?—"

I began to express my apprehensions, only to be swiftly interrupted by Amasawa, who placed her slender index finger gently against my lips, silencing my doubts.

"Don't worry about that," she answered with an air of confidence and assurance, her words spoken with a sense of finality.

It was as if she had anticipated my question, her readiness to quell my concerns leaving me both intrigued and wary of her intentions.

Not even a fraction of a second after uttering those words, she went down on her knees. Kushida, although begrudgingly, did the same.

Amasawa's hands grasped my throbbing member with a firm yet delicate grasp, her nimble fingers kneading the outlines through the fabric of my pants.

I perceived an abundance of heat flowing through me as the blood rushed down in a thrilling frenzy.

Concurrently, her tongue retraced her lips in a languid, provocative motion.

In the blink of an eye, Amasawa removed all the clothing that adorned my lower body, leaving me completely exposed and unprotected from their gazes. The air in the room seemed to tighten, charged with a blend of surprise and nosiness.

"What..." muttered Kushida, staring unabashedly at my best part with bulged eyes.

"As expected of senpai," Amasawa cooed, and her impish grin morphed into an even more wicked expression as if she had just discovered a hidden treasure.

Her eyes blistered with an unquenchable thirst as her tongue embarked on an exhilarating exploration. With deliberate and sensual movements, her skilled tongue traced a sinuous path from the shaft to the tip of my penis, leaving a trail of glistening saliva in its wake like a roadmap.

Each inert caress and swirling movement elicited a symphony of sensations, a crescendo of lust that rippled through every fiber of my being.

In parallel, her tongue resumed its spellbinding dance and now explored the vulnerable terrain of my testicles with a beguiling combination of licks and gentle sucking.

The silky texture of her tongue on my sensitive skin, coupled with the moist warmth of her mouth, sent shivers of stimulation down my spine.

My gaze quickly wandered from Amasawa to Kushida, who flushed and averted her eyes from the explicit scene unfolding before us.

Gone was her maid costume, now wearing only the headpiece and seductive black lingerie. The stark contrast between her flushed cheeks and the seductive clothing generated an exhilarating mix of innocence and appeal.

Just as my attention settled on Kushida, a familiar sensation of warmth enveloped the front of my erect member. Her lips, moist and inviting, enclosed the sensitive tip while her tongue expertly swirled and tickled within the confines of her mouth.

With unwavering devotion, Amasawa ventured deeper, focusing on conquering my entire length. Indefatigably, she advanced from the tip, inch by inch, yet she couldn't quite reach the shaft.

The sensations intensified as she approached the threshold, and the throbbing veins on my member twitched in anticipation.

"It's... too huge~"

She panted heavily, her breaths coming in ragged gasps, as a glimmering reflection appeared within her golden irises, forming heart-shaped reflections that mirrored her burning ardor.

My penis nestled on her face, adorned with a tousled of disheveled strands, slick trails of saliva dripping down. Her ragged breath tickled my penis.

"It's your turn, Kushida-senpai!~" exclaimed Amasawa cheerfully, clapping her hands together.

"Do I really...?" Kushida muttered, slightly disgusted.

Amasawa nodded insistingly. Kushida sighed silently and eventually gave in.

With concision, she exclusively focused her attention on the sensitive tip of my throbbing member, avoiding any deeper attachment. There was a subtle shade of disgust in her eyes, an emotion I could not ignore.

In the throes of passion, I couldn't resist the primal urge to thrust my hips in response. Kushida's eyes widened in surprise, and for a fleeting moment, the revulsion in her gaze disappeared and was replaced by a glimpse of desire.

Just as I relished the ecstasy, I sensed Amasawa's tongue swivel around my balls again, adding a new dimension of pleasure to the experience.

Her fingertips, light as feathers, traced the contours of my abdomen, leaving behind a tingling trail that fueled my senses.

"Let's get down to business," Amasawa proposed, full of verve.

In accordance, Kushida removed her plumb lips and gazed at her, slightly confused.

"Huh?"

"Tadaa~"

Magically, she pulled forth a condom. From where she got this was a total mystery. The way she effortlessly revealed the package, as though it materialized in her grasp, added an air of enchantment to the scene.

"You can use them as handles, senpai," she winked, pointing at her twin tails while putting the condom into her mouth.

Listening to her remark, my hands found their way to her twin tails, the silky strands slipping through my fingers like strands of liquid desire. With gentle insistence, I guided her head closer, urging her to take it deeper for the act of unrolling the condom.

Her tongue stretched avidly and enchantingly neared the end, even if she couldn't quite reach the whole length of the shaft of my rod.

Unwilling to relinquish my grip, I maintained the pressure and allowed her to taste the limits of my lust and current amusement. When I noticed tears welling up in the corners of her eyes, I let go of her.

With a fluid rise from her kneeling position, Amasawa pushed Kushida onto her bed and placed her on top, giving her control and dominance.

At that moment, their perfectly sculptured asses became an irresistible embodiment of temptation, and their sensual appeal excited me even more. The view of their flawlessly molded curves framed by the delicate strands of the G-string. The delicate fabric clung to her curves, accentuating every luscious curve and leaving little to the imagination.

Amasawa eventually looked back with a devilish smirk.

"Since she's wet already, why don't you start with her?~"

"Me?!" Kushida's voice erupted, disbelief evident in her startled tone.

The suddenness of Amasawa's suggestion caught her off guard, and she visibly tensed as Amasawa began to peel away her delicate panties.

The fabric slowly slid down Kushida's smooth thighs, revealing the intimate secrets concealed beneath.

The suggestion was in the air, an intoxicated invitation that coaxed me deeper into the realm of forbidden desires. Her delicate fingers gently parted Kushida's quivering lips, revealing the glistening pink within, like a delicate flower blooming in the moonlight. Amasawa was right. Kushida was turned on.

"Don't worry. He'll be gentle, right?" Amasawa assured Kushida, tilting her head to the side.

"I will," I confirmed, joining them.

Before inserting, I gazed her in the eyes. Though she didn't say anything, there was no resisting or refuting.

I gingerly inserted the tip, savoring the delicate brush of her velvety walls against my sensitive flesh. Pushing in, the walls of her inner sanctum embraced my intrusion, their tightness both inviting and challenging.

I could sense the slight indentations, curves, and texture—akin to a cushion while pushing further.

Every inch of progress felt like a conquest as if I were venturing into uncharted territory, until the tightness stopped me halfway through.

My body reacted instinctively, muscles and sinews tensing in anticipation. Every pulsation, every heartbeat, and every sense seemed to supernaturally amplify. It was as if I could feel every nerve ending and cell in my body vibrating with thrumming energy, yet my awareness narrowed to a single focus.

"Agh..."

Kushida's moan harbored solely pain as her legs were quivering and gripping the bedsheets. After waiting a few minutes, she eventually accustomed to my size.

"I'll start moving now," I whispered into her ear, brushing strains of her hair from her pain-contorted visage.

Despite the thin barrier of the condom separating our bodies, I could still feel the searing heat emanating from within her, enveloping me in an ardent hug with each vigorous thrust.

Our flesh clashed with each thrust, filling the otherwise silent room.

The lust coursing through my arteries was an addictive elixir. If I'm not careful, I'm not going to be able to stop craving this sensation.

The delicate fragrance of her hair, infused with the invigorating notes of her floral shampoo, mingled with the distinctive scent of her unique essence, creating an olfactory symphony that fueled my longing.

Her soft, stifled moans, like whispered secrets escaped her lips.

And then there was her body. The gentle curve of her waist, the subtle arch of her back, her voluptuous breasts, and the luscious swell of her hips formed a composition of feminine allure that was impossible to resist.

"Mhhm~... Ahh!~..."

From this point, Kushida abandoned any attempt to hide her bliss and yielded to the euphoria sweeping through her, biting her underlip.

With one hand, I ably teased her tender nipple with my fingers. They hardened. At the same time, I applied solid pressure on her abdomen, but gentle, which increased the tightness gripping me.

As I accelerated the tempo, the condom threatened to slip off as saliva from Amasawa's eager ministrations threatened to undermine its hold. Nevertheless, neither Kushida nor I were daunted or fazed by this potential obstacle.

"Mh, it seems you are enjoying this, Kushida-senpai~"

There was a twang of naughty playfulness in Amasawa's vocals as her sleek fingers began to roam the supple curves of Kushida's breasts.

"A-Ahhh... N-No..."

"Should I stop then?" I taunted Kushida, slowing down my movement.

"... N-No... Harder!" she cried out, her voice a desperate plea that echoed through the room while wrapping her legs around me like a serpent, trying to stop me.

"If you ask nicely, I will."

She hesitated for a brief moment, caught between the desire for more and the vulnerability that comes with surrendering to her deepest cravings. Yet, as my relentless penetration persisted, a remarkable transformation overcame her.

Her once wavering gaze, much like Amasawa's, blossomed with heart-shaped desires, an undeniable manifestation of her melting mind succumbing to the overwhelming pleasure.

Finally, with labored breaths and a voice quivering with desire, she found the strength to utter her plea.

"P-Please, Ahh~, master!"

The words spilled forth from her lips, carrying a mixture of longing, surrender, and unbridled passion.

She's surprisingly submissive...

Summoning every ounce of strength within me, I ravaged her. Each thrust grew more forceful, propelling me closer to the edge of ecstasy.

And in a final surge of pleasure, I surrendered completely, impaling her with my entire length, penetrating deep into the sacred sanctuary of her womb.

The walls of her innermost chamber squeezed and clenched around me, a vice-like grip that sought to extract every ounce of me.

"Mhhng!!!~"

As the climax ebbed, Kushida's legs progressively loosened their grip, and her body convulsed with a potent mixture of pleasure and contentment. A satisfied smile spread around her lips while her lips were rolled up.

I began the slow and steady retreat, my member slipping from the silky confines of her intimate embrace. Much to my surprise, however, the rubber, firmly anchored inside her, remained stuck in her vagina, and the sperm flowed in torrents.

"Now, it's my turn~"

Amasawa's turn, huh—

"I'm home, Kushida-san!"

A/N: 3:40 AM. Wow. It's been a while.

That being said, this is my first lemon. Ever. Uhm, so was it alright? No clue, to be honest.

To be honest, I'm rushed some parts now since I just want to go to sleep now. What can I do better?

Should I do more? ;) Please don't tell my girlfriend...

What and who do you want to see next?