After that, the three of them went to the movies.
A classic date activity.
Originally, Kure Ragna wanted to watch The Avengers, but Kushida Kikyo insisted on a horror movie instead. He gave in, though he wasn't particularly thrilled.
The film followed a familiar supernatural theme—an eerie story about a family selling their daughter into a cursed marriage with a deceased landlord's son. The girl's tragic fate led to her vengeful spirit haunting the family.
Kure Ragna wasn't a fan of ghost stories. He never believed in that kind of thing.
Kushida, on the other hand, was completely immersed. Every time the suspenseful music swelled, the theater echoed with startled screams—hers being the loudest.
Each time she shrieked, she latched onto Kure Ragna's arm, nearly spilling their popcorn.
Meanwhile, Karuizawa Kei didn't scream once. Not because she was brave—she simply kept her eyes shut the entire time. Eventually, she dozed off, resting her head against Kure Ragna's shoulder.
---
"That was so much fun!" Kushida stretched her arms with a satisfied sigh as they left the theater. The motion subtly emphasized her figure.
"Yeah... fun," Karuizawa muttered, forcing a smile.
She had missed most of the movie, but she didn't need to see it to notice the shift in dynamics.
Kushida had been sticking closer to Kure Ragna throughout the evening—pulling his arm while they walked, laughing a little too easily at his comments.
It didn't sit well with her.
Just as Karuizawa drifted into thought, Kushida leaned in with a playful grin.
"Oh, by the way!" she whispered mischievously. "Don't forget what you bought today. Make sure to wear it for Kure Ragna~"
"E-Eh?!"
Karuizawa's face turned crimson as she stumbled back. "T-That's—! I mean—I didn't—!"
"Hehe, just kidding~" Kushida giggled.
Karuizawa fell silent, unable to form a proper response.
Ding!
The elevator arrived at their floor, and the doors slid open.
"I'll head in first. See you on Monday." Kure Ragna stepped out, turning slightly before leaving.
"See you later, Kure Ragna~" Kushida waved cheerfully.
"Uh, yeah… see you." Karuizawa's response was slower, distracted.
Kure Ragna gave her a brief look.
"Get some rest. Don't stay up too late."
Karuizawa blinked. "...O-Okay."
The doors closed, and the elevator continued its ascent, leaving only the two girls inside.
A brief silence lingered before Karuizawa hesitantly spoke.
"Kushida-san… can I ask you something?"
"Hm? Of course!" Kushida flashed her usual sweet smile.
Karuizawa hesitated.
"...Never mind." She shook her head.
Kushida tilted her head, curiosity in her eyes, but didn't press.
Moments later, the elevator reached their floor. The two parted ways, and Karuizawa entered her dorm room, setting down her shopping bags with a sigh.
She began unpacking—carefully removing and inspecting each new piece of clothing before placing them aside. The first three bags contained the outfits Kure Ragna had tried on earlier.
Then there was the fourth bag.
Unlike the others, she hadn't shown this purchase to anyone. Not even Kushida.
Karuizawa swallowed.
She hesitated before tearing off the seal on the packaging. Inside lay a set of red lingerie—elegant, bold, and far more daring than anything she had ever owned.
Golden embroidery traced delicate rose patterns across the fabric, and the lace edges added an unmistakably sensual touch.
It was… a statement piece.
The moment she saw it in the store, she had turned red.
"This is what best friends do!" Kushida had said teasingly. "Someday, you'll wear it for someone special."
Karuizawa squeezed her eyes shut, slamming the lid back on the box before shoving it under her bed.
"No way! Absolutely not!"
Her heart pounded just thinking about it.
Flustered, she quickly changed the subject in her mind and busied herself with other things.
---
Meanwhile, Kure Ragna had just finished showering when his phone buzzed.
A message from Kushida Kikyo.
Kushida: Did Karuizawa come looking for you?
Kure Ragna frowned, confused.
Kure Ragna: ???
He had no idea why she would. Shrugging it off, he set his phone aside.
Ten minutes later, there was a knock at his door.
Opening it, he found Kushida standing there.
She had clearly rushed over—her breath was slightly uneven, and she wore an oversized hoodie pulled over her head. But what caught his attention was her outfit.
Or rather, the lack of one.
The hoodie was zipped up from the bottom, barely covering her thighs. She wore sneakers, but no pants. And from his angle, peering slightly down into the collar…
"Wait. Is she... wearing nothing underneath?"
Kushida slipped inside before he could react, shutting the door behind her. She scanned the room as if checking for someone, then turned back to him with a sly smile.
"Guess Karuizawa really didn't come, huh?"
She pulled down her hood, then—slowly—unzipped the hoodie.
Beneath it was lingerie identical to the one Karuizawa had bought. The same bold red, the same intricate gold embroidery.
Kure Ragna's eyes darkened slightly.
Kushida stepped closer, her voice teasing.
"I bought it just for you," she whispered. "Do you like it?"
A pause.
Kure Ragna exhaled.
"..."
----------------------------------------
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