Scene: Natsume's Apartment - 6:32 PM
Machio Araki had lived through many mortifying moments in his short, ridiculous life.
But none—none—compared to lying underneath a vampire girl with a dominatrix stare while his classmates watched from the doorframe like they'd walked into an uncensored anime OVA.
"Yuzu, close the damn door," Natsume hissed, without moving an inch.
"Should I take a picture?" Yuzu grinned, holding up her phone. "For… spiritual reasons?"
Nariyuki, still blinking rapidly like a broken Roomba, muttered, "I thought we were getting pudding... Why are you wrestling?"
Machio turned purple. "WE ARE NOT WRESTLING!"
Natsume arched a brow. "Speak for yourself."
"CAN YOU NOT?!" Machio sputtered, trying to crawl out from under her—but Natsume grabbed his collar and pinned him back down.
"Stop squirming. You're making this awkward."
"It was ALREADY awkward!"
Yuzu marched in, dropped the groceries on the floor, and flopped onto the couch like she owned the place. "Anyway, continue your sexy roleplay. I brought chicken karaage!"
Machio's soul evaporated.
Nariyuki stood in the corner, muttering. "Why did I bring her… I should've just eaten expired yogurt."
Finally—mercifully—Natsume stood up, brushing her skirt and pretending nothing had happened. Her cheeks were pink, though. Barely. But Machio noticed.
Because he noticed everything about her now.
The way her hair swayed when she moved. The glint of mischief in her eyes. The scent of sandalwood and danger that clung to her like a curse.
She glanced back at him.
"You coming, Pact Partner?"
He swallowed.
"Y-yeah."
Scene: Rooftop Balcony - 7:13 PM
The night was cool. Moonlight poured over the railing. Stars peeked between the clouds.
Machio and Natsume stood side by side, drinks in hand.
Well—he had a juice box.
She had blood tea.
Silence stretched.
Finally, she broke it.
"You're not what I expected."
Machio blinked. "Huh?"
"When I first saw you. I thought you'd be another stupid boy. Obnoxious. Perverted. Weak."
"…Thanks?"
"But you're different," she continued, gazing at the stars. "Stupid, yes. Perverted, absolutely. But you're... kind. And you didn't run when I showed my fangs."
Machio rubbed the back of his neck. "I mean, I thought about running. But then I tripped on a mop and fell into your boobs."
A ghost of a smile touched her lips. "That was kind of impressive."
Silence again. Thicker this time.
He looked at her. "Hey… are you okay?"
Her eyes widened slightly. "Why?"
"You always act cold. Tough. But when you kissed me earlier—just to teleport—it didn't feel… fake."
Natsume looked away. Her voice was a whisper. "It wasn't."
Machio's breath caught.
Then—
Ping!
[QUEST: Kiss your Pact Partner under the stars. Intimacy Rank Up. Curse Avoided: "Nipple Sensitivity x100."]
Machio nearly dropped his juice.
"…Why is this system like this?!"
Natsume stepped closer.
"Do it."
Machio turned to jelly. "Wh-what?!"
"Kiss me. It's the quest, isn't it?"
"I—but—!"
She reached up, brushing her fingers against his cheek.
"I want to," she said quietly.
He stared.
Then leaned in.
Slower than gravity.
Their lips touched.
Warm. Soft. Gentle.
And then deeper.
Not rushed. Not awkward.
Real.
The world faded.
Only breath.
Only hearts.
Only them.
Ding!
[QUEST COMPLETE: Pact Deepened. Intimacy Rank: Level 3 – "Mutual Yearning." New Skill Unlocked: Crimson Spark.]
They pulled away slowly.
Machio blinked. "...What's Crimson Spark?"
Natsume smiled, barely. "Let's find out later."
Scene: Downtown – 9:02 PM
Azumi Araki yawned, her apron slung over one shoulder, bag of leftover curry in hand.
The street was empty. Quiet. Too quiet.
She turned the corner near the park—
And froze.
Three men.
One leaned against a lamppost, flicking a lighter. Tattoos on his neck. A gold tooth gleamed.
"Well, well," he grinned. "What's a milf like you doing out here alone?"
Azumi rolled her eyes. "Not interested."
"Aw, c'mon. Let me walk you home. Or maybe we just find a bench..."
One stepped closer.
She backed away—but her foot hit a broken brick.
The bag dropped.
The biggest one reached for her arm—
And someone else moved faster.
A blur.
A crack of metal.
The man dropped like a sack of onions, clutching his ribs.
Azumi blinked.
Kira stood there.
Black hoodie. Skull pins. Lollipop between his lips. A metal bat resting on his shoulder.
"Touch her again," Kira said coolly, "and I'll break your kneecaps, your fingers, and maybe your PlayStation."
The men hesitated—then ran.
Gone.
Silence.
Rain began to fall.
Soft. Then harder.
Azumi stood frozen.
Kira turned. The glow of the streetlamp lit her golden eyes like fire.
"You okay?"
Azumi nodded slowly. "Y-yeah. You… came out of nowhere."
Kira shrugged. "Had a feeling. Also, I stalk you sometimes."
"…What?"
"Forget I said that."
Azumi chuckled, wiping her eyes. "I didn't expect to be saved by a goth gremlin with a bat."
Kira stepped closer, pulling the hood up over both their heads.
Rain dripped around them like silver curtains.
"I like you," . Kira said.
Azumi blinked. "You barely know me."
"I know enough. You're strong. You care too much. And your kid's a lovable idiot."
Azumi swallowed.
"Why tell me this now?"
Kira looked up at her.
And whispered, "Because I wanted to kiss you before I passed out."
"…Wha—?"
Then—Kira kissed her.
Slow. Soft. Sweet.
Lips like warm candy.
Gentle. Shy.
Not like him.
Azumi's eyes widened. Then closed.
The rain muffled everything.
And then—
Kira fainted.
Right into Azumi's arms.
She caught him with a gasp.
"KIRA?!"
Kira mumbled, "Too much blood loss... didn't eat dinner... worth it…"
And passed out.
Azumi stood there.
In the rain.
Holding a soaked teenage chaos agent who'd just kissed her.
"…I'm too old for this," she whispered.
But her heart was pounding.
And her cheeks were red.
And for the first time in years—
She smiled.
TO BE CONTINUED…