Chapter 13: Love, Lies, and Late-Night Drafts
The night had barely cooled when Ren stepped outside to clear his head. His body still hummed from Reika's "private correction" session, every muscle sore in ways he didn't know existed. Yumi had left him a sweet, possessive goodnight message and a bento box for tomorrow—because, of course, claiming him came with meals included.
But he wasn't heading home just yet.
A light flickered on next door.
Megumi Sakamoto.
She'd been oddly quiet since Yumi had laid down her territorial law. No more surprise wine visits, no more "accidental" peeks through parted blinds. But tonight, something in the air called him forward.
Curiosity? Lust? The scent of sandalwood and ink?
The house next door was glowing with soft, warm lighting. Through the half-open curtain, Ren caught a glimpse of her—seated at a low table, pen in hand, glasses slipping down her nose. Her silk robe fell off one shoulder.
She looked like a scene from an erotic dream.
His phone buzzed.
[Megumi Sakamoto]
"Couldn't sleep. Too many… ideas. Want to be my muse for a little?"
[SYSTEM ALERT: Quest Unlocked – "Storytime Seduction: The MILF Next Door Writes"]
Difficulty: Teasing Temptress
Temptation Level: Volatile
Reward: Unlock Trait – Narrative Desire
Warning: Possessiveness Pulse – Yumi Alert
He stared at the screen, smirking.
A muse? That was a new one.
Megumi greeted him in a loose, black robe that did absolutely nothing to hide the curves beneath. Her hair was in a messy bun, red pen tucked behind one ear, and a sly smile danced on her lips.
"You came," she said, feigning surprise. "I wasn't sure if Yumi had you on a leash."
"She might," Ren said, stepping inside. "But she didn't tighten it tonight."
Megumi chuckled, leading him to the writing nook where papers were scattered like chaotic passion. Candles flickered, casting shadows along her bare legs as she curled up on the floor.
"I'm working on something," she purred. "But I need inspiration. A bold, younger character… someone with reckless charm and the kind of stamina that drives older women insane."
He raised a brow. "Sounds oddly specific."
"Does it?" She tilted her head. "Why don't you help me figure out how he might react in a… certain scene?"
She read aloud from her handwritten notes:
"She sat on the edge of the table, the tension in the room as thick as her unspoken hunger. His gaze burned against her skin. Her breath hitched when he stepped closer, brushing her knee with fingers he hadn't earned the right to touch her with—yet."
She looked up at Ren, eyes gleaming.
"Tell me, Ren… if you were him, what would you do next?"
He leaned in, voice low. "I'd make her say she wants it. No guessing. No half-written fantasies. She'd have to use her words."
Megumi shivered. "Yes. Yes, that's good."
[Ren's Seduction +5 | Megumi's Lust +10]
[System Tag Detected: Storyteller's Desire]
[Muse Connection Forming…]
Time blurred.
She scribbled notes while asking him increasingly explicit "writing questions."
"Would he kiss her here, or here?"
"What if she wanted him to tie her wrists with a ribbon—silk or lace?"
"Does he take his time or… make her beg?"
By the time the clock struck midnight, her robe was slipping dangerously low, and the room was thick with shared imagination.
Ren stood behind her now, reading over her shoulder. His hand brushed her lower back. She gasped.
"I think," Megumi whispered, "you may be too good at this."
He smirked. "Do you want me to stop?"
She turned, eyes glazed with a mix of hunger and hesitation. "No. But if we do this, I'll write everything. And once it's written... it becomes real."
[SYSTEM UPDATE: Climax Chapters – Rewrite Edition Unlocked]
Trait Gained: "Muse Manipulation"
Bond Thread Formed: Megumi Sakamoto
But before they could cross the final threshold—
The doorbell rang.
Megumi froze.
Ren narrowed his eyes.
She blinked. "No one ever visits this late…"
She padded toward the door, robe half-closed, and opened it—
Only to find Yumi Arai standing there. Arms crossed. Smile sharp.
"Oh," Yumi said sweetly. "Hope I'm not interrupting anything... literary."
Ren paled.
Megumi's pupils dilated.
[SYSTEM ALERT: Passive Rivalry Escalated → Active Conflict Detected]
MILF Duel Update: Yumi Arai vs. Megumi Sakamoto
Stakes: Nighttime Muse Rights
Emotional Tension: Simmering
Next Scene Trigger: "Wine, Words, and War"
End of Chapter 13