(Kurumu POV – Kai's Room)
'So this is the guy who beat up Saizo…' I study him carefully, eyes narrowing slightly. '…I can see the appeal.'
Moka might be an airhead, but she clearly knows how to pick them.
Sharp features. Calm eyes. That quiet confidence.
And then… my gaze drifts lower.
His bare chest is exposed.
It's defined, but not overly bulky, with dense muscle, clean lines that look functional, as well as pleasing.
'Oh… that's going to make this even more satisfying.' A smile threatens to tug at my lips, but I suppress it instantly, letting my expression soften into a more fragile look instead. I act weak, pitiful, and helpless.
'Guys love that.' I giggle internally. 'He won't last long.'
His eyes stay on me the entire time. Focused and attentive.
'He's hooked already.' I think, pleased with myself. 'I knew I was more beautiful than Moka.'
Time for the finisher.
I let my body sway, then "accidentally" stumble forward… right into him.
I press myself against his chest, making sure my breasts press against him. 'No man resists this.'
And as expected, he catches me. His grip is steady and firm, but careful, like how you'd handle a precious, but fragile treasure.
"Are you sure you're okay?" He asks, the concern clear in his voice.
'Hook, line, and sinker.'
"I'm… a little dizzy…" I murmur, letting my voice tremble as I tilt my head up toward him. "I don't think I can stand very well…"
I lean more of my weight into him, letting my body relax completely against his.
'Now he'll pull me closer… help support my weight. Then he'll hold me close which is when I'll—'
"Then you should sit." He says, interrupting my thoughts.
"…What?"
Before I can react, he lifts me easily, and places me down onto the bed. Despite how quick it was, it was gentle, and filled with care.
'…Huh?' I blink, looking up at him in confusion, trying to read his expression.
He's still looking at me. Just as attentive and concerned as before, but…
He's neither captivated, nor lovestruck. Not even close.
'Wait… what?' My brain stalls. '…Did my charm not work?'
For a split second, disbelief crashes through me, but then I refocus.
'I refuse to believe he can resist me!' I grit my teeth. 'I'll try it again.'
I meet his gaze directly, activating my charm once more, and for a moment, he goes still as the magic takes effect.
'There.' I huff inside, keeping my fragile act going. 'That should do it.'
"I feel… really cold…" I whisper, rubbing my arms as I let a faint shiver run through me. "Could you… hold me?"
My voice softens further, barely above a breath.
Normally, that would be more than enough.
"There's a blanket right there." He replies, gesturing beneath me. "And… it might not be appropriate. We just met."
…
A vein pulses faintly at my temple.
'Are you serious right now?' Outwardly, I only lower my gaze slightly, making my lips tremble.
But inside…
'You've got a beautiful girl asking you to hold her and you're offering blankets?!' I scream!
I take a slow breath to calm down and reset, before locking eyes with him again, using my charm once more, trying even harder than before.
"Please…?" I murmur, letting my voice crack just a bit. "I'd feel a lot safer if you were close… I'm still a little scared after falling…"
I sniffle softly, letting a small tremor rock my body.
My acting is perfect.
I watch him hesitate, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his features. And eventually…
"Alright…" He says, sighing softly. "But just for a bit, until you warm up and feel more at ease."
'Finally.' I grumble inside. 'Took you long enough.'
He sits beside me and wraps an arm around my shoulders in a side hug.
A side hug.
I go completely still.
'…Excuse me?' I think in both disbelief and mounting outrage.
There's barely any contact. He doesn't even try to pull me closer.
'What is this supposed to be?!' Outwardly, I lean into him slightly, playing along. But inwardly, my thoughts are even more chaotic. 'I'm trying to seduce you, not attend a counseling session!'
My eyes narrow ever so slightly as I reassess.
'Okay… think.'
The fact that he's now agreed means that my charm is working… just not anywhere near as well as it should.
'So he's not immune… just highly resistant to it.' I click my tongue mentally. 'Just my luck, meeting a monster like him.'
It's annoying. Very annoying… but not impossible to get around. It just means I need to try a lot harder.
And while I'm thinking, I suddenly realize something else.
A scent. Faint at first, but growing stronger as I lean closer to him.
I inhale subtly… and freeze.
'…What is that?'
It's warm, rich… almost sweet.
But deeper than that… instinctively, I feel it pulling me in. My chest tightens slightly in yearning, while my throat feels dry.
'He smells… amazing.' My eyes flick toward his neck for just a second before I force them back up. 'No wonder Moka likes him… I'm certain he tastes delicious.'
'I'd have thought he's human… but…' I swallow down my growing hunger. 'No human could smell this amazing.'
And as I'm lost in my thoughts and his scent, I don't even realize I've been drifting closer. At some point, my head ends up pressed against his chest.
It's warm and solid.
"You're… getting pretty close." His voice cuts through the haze, making me freeze.
'Damn it.' I think. 'I'm supposed to be seducing him, not melting into him like an idiot!'
Slowly, I tilt my head up, meeting his eyes again. I let my lashes lower slightly, using my charm once more.
"Sorry…" I murmur softly. "I just… felt really safe…" I pretend to hesitate, trying to make it seem convincing. "Could I… stay like this… just a little longer?"
I give him the full look. Soft eyes, faint blush, and vulnerability rooted in trust. And this time, he actually looks away.
"Fine…" He mutters, clearly flustered. "But don't push it."
"Thank you…" I smile sweetly. But inside—
'Heh… got you.' I celebrate. 'So that's your weakness. Not seduction… not charm… but sincerity and cuteness.'
What a weird guy.
But I don't waste the opportunity.
Before he can rethink his decision, I shift, arms wrapping around his torso, and in one smooth motion, I swing a leg over, straddling his lap and pulling him into a proper embrace.
"H-Hey—"
'Too slow, dummy.'
I press myself against him, nuzzling into his chest, feeling his body tense beneath me.
"You really do smell amazing…" I whisper, letting my voice soften intimately. "I just… want to be closer…"
Before he can react properly, I push forward slightly… and he falls back onto the bed with a soft thump, me settling right on top of him.
'There. The perfect position.'
I let my body relax against his, lowering my head onto his chest again, listening to his heartbeat.
It's fast, which is good.
"I think… I can finally relax…" I murmur, letting my eyes slowly close. "Maybe… even sleep…"
I peek through my lashes discreetly, watching his reaction.
And… he sighs.
But… he doesn't push me away.
'Heh. I win.'
The rest is simple. All I have to do is wait until he falls asleep… slip into his dreams… and make him mine. There's no rush.
I settle in more comfortably, making sure my weight pins him just enough that moving me would feel… inconvenient. And then, time slowly passes.
A few minutes, then ten, twenty…
…
'Why isn't he asleep?' I crack one eye open slightly, and he's just staring at the ceiling, wide awake. '…You've got to be kidding me.'
His breathing stays steady, and his eyes don't even droop.
'Is he doing this on purpose?' I wonder, before dismissing it. 'No… that's not it…'
I continue waiting endlessly as my irritation slowly builds, mixing with… sleepiness.
'No. No, no, no. Stay awake. I just need to outlast him.' I peek up again, and he's just as unfazed.
'What kind of monster is this guy?!' I think in exasperation and helplessness.
And slowly, my thoughts start to blur.
My body, traitorous as ever, relaxes further against him, his warmth lulling me in despite myself.
'Just… a little longer…'
…
…
'…why is his heartbeat so comforting…'
My grip loosens, breathing evening out, and before I can stop it…
Darkness covers my thoughts.
Faintly, I feel a hand on my head, stroking my hair casually.
"You're finally asleep?" His voice sounds amused.
'You… idiot… zzz…'
(Kai POV – Kai's Room)
'Well… I can't say I'm unhappy.' I think, staring up at the ceiling. 'But this is… complicated.'
I let out a quiet breath through my nose.
Kurumu is still sprawled on top of me, fast asleep, her breathing soft and even, her weight warm and… very noticeable.
'This is a different kind of battle.' I think helplessly. It's not like I'm immune to her charm. The spell, sure, but not everything else.
She's beautiful, confident, and… extremely hard to ignore. She's also extremely cute, which is a major weakness for me.
Which is exactly why—
'I can't let her go any further.' My hand moves almost absentmindedly, gently brushing through her soft and silky hair.
It's comforting.
'This is already pushing it.' I groan inwardly. 'Any more and I'm crossing a line.'
Because as much as I might like both Moka and Kurumu…
'I'm not a cheater.' I think firmly. 'And all things considered, Moka was first.'
Even if Moka and I aren't dating yet, it's no less important.
'If anything ever happens… it has to be something she accepts. Not something I sneak behind her back.'
I stare at the ceiling again, conflicted.
'Why couldn't I just be a scumbag?' I muse. 'Life would be a lot easier.'
There'd be no guilt, hesitation, or overthinking.
That thought lasts about two seconds before I dismiss it.
'No. I'd hate myself.' I conclude. 'Because it'd hurt Moka.'
So instead, I'm stuck here. In this… oddly peaceful, incredibly dangerous situation.
'At least there are perks.' I admit, a faint smile tugging at my lips as I continue absentmindedly stroking Kurumu's hair. 'But there goes tonight's workout.'
I glance down at her sleeping face. Peaceful, defenseless, and… incredibly cute.
'Moving her would wake her up.' I sigh. 'And for some reason, that feels like kicking a sleeping cat off your lap.'
Unforgivable.
'…Moka's going to have questions.' I grimace. 'A lot of questions.'
After all, hiding what happened would be cheating.
(Moka POV – Dorm, Outside Kai's Room)
'I wonder if Kai overslept…' I hum softly to myself as I walk down the hallway, hands clasped behind my back.
Normally, he's already outside by now, waiting for me with that relaxed smile of his. But today…
'He didn't come.' A small smile forms on my lips. 'Maybe… I can help him for once.'
The thought makes me giggle quietly, a warmth blooming in my chest. I stop in front of his door, raising my hand to knock… and hesitate.
'If I knock, I might wake him up suddenly…' I frown slightly. 'That might startle him…'
After a moment, I reach into my bag instead, pulling out the spare key he gave me. 'He said I could come in whenever…'
The memory makes me smile again, and without much thought, I slide the key into the lock and turn it gently.
I open the door slowly, carefully, making sure not to make any noise.
'Maybe I can see his sleeping face…' I think, excitement bubbling up again. 'Would he mind if I poked his cheeks?'
The door opens, and the world just… stops.
My body freezes as my breathing halts.
There, on the bed, Kai is lying on his back.
And on top of him is a girl. A very pretty girl, curled up against him, fast asleep.
A sharp pain twists in my chest. It comes suddenly, and is unfamiliar.
My heart starts pounding so loudly I can hear it in my ears.
"K—Kai…?" My voice comes out small, trembling as I speak his name.
He looks at me, but there's no panic. Just… a helpless look.
"Moka…" He exhales softly. "This isn't what it looks like."
My lips part, but before I can say anything…
"Mm…?" A soft groan cuts through the silence as the girl begins to stir.
Slowly, she lifts her head, stretching slightly before sitting up, and when her eyes flick toward me, she pauses.
Then a sharp, confident, smug smile forms on her face.
"Moka!" She chirps, as if we're old friends. She points at me casually. "Perfect timing."
My stomach drops.
She tosses her hair back lightly, completely at ease.
"Now you can see it for yourself." Her smile widens. "I stole your little boyfriend."
"W—What…?" My brain stalls, unable to understand what's happening, and I take a step back, like I've been struck, my vision wavering slightly.
"What… is going on…?" I whisper as my hands tremble at my sides.
I don't understand.
I don't want to understand.
But the sight in front of me doesn't disappear… and neither does the pain.
**********
A/N: Hello Everyone! How are you all? If you've enjoyed the chapter and book thus far, please consider leaving me some comments, reviews, or power stones. It really helps the book out.
So, what a huge scandal, hehe. Does this count as a cliffhanger? If so, apologies. Actually, the hardest part of all this was actually figuring out how to conform to Kai's morals, while getting both love interests, since Moka is technically monogamous. I'm honestly considering blunt force honestly about his feelings😖.
But, the chapter speaks for itself. The explanations for the need with Moka and the resolution of all this will be in the next one. But other than that, I don't have much to say.
You can also read 4 chapters ahead and support me at [email protected]/AMV_WEAKLY
So, I hope you all enjoyed, and have a wonderful rest of your day/night😁