The kiss lasted longer than either of them expected.
Eventually, Utaha pulled away, breath uneven, her lips still tingling. Her flushed face carried a mix of frustration and disbelief.
"Yami-kun… you're a little too skilled for a beginner."
She wiped the corner of her mouth, eyes smoldering yet resentful.
Yami only chuckled. "It's only been a few days. I'm still a newbie. Maybe I'm just… gifted."
He wasn't lying. The Dragon Emperor's power had sharpened every part of him—strength, senses, even the kind of instincts that made this sort of thing dangerously effective. If Ella hadn't been undead, things might've gone very badly for her.
And as for the others—well, maybe not so different.
Meanwhile, Eriri stood frozen, her entire brain crashing.
"Kasumigaoka Utaha, what the hell are you doing!?"
It was like being blindsided, watching her rival steal the spotlight. This was supposed to be mine first!
Utaha, unfazed, hugged Yami's chest with deliberate intimacy.
"Can't you tell? I'm accepting Yami-kun's confession. If you're just an extra, you can excuse yourself."
"…Extra? Me?" Eriri jabbed her finger at herself, incredulous.
But the more she thought about it, the more the words stung. Utaha accepted his feelings, Ella had already claimed him… and compared to them, she suddenly felt like the one being left behind.
Her heart sank. No way… am I the one who's redundant here?
The thought made her snap.
"No way in hell!"
Without warning, Eriri lunged forward, ignoring Utaha completely. She wrapped her arms around Yami's neck and smashed her lips against his.
Utaha was caught in between, splattered in the mess of it all.
"…"
Her deadpan glare said everything. "Seriously? What is this—face cleanser deluxe?"
Eriri ignored her, focusing entirely on Yami. Except—
Her kiss was clumsy, awkward, more chewing than kissing. The little tiger fangs grazed him now and then, making it a strange mix of cute and painful.
Yami sighed in defeat, placing one hand behind her head, the other at her waist, and guided her into rhythm. Slowly, Eriri's fumbling gave way to something more fluid, until at last, the kiss broke naturally.
Eriri's face burned crimson. She buried her head into Yami's chest, trembling, too embarrassed to lift her eyes.
"…You idiot," she muttered faintly, but her heart thumped loud enough for both of them.
Off to the side, Utaha crossed her legs and shook her head, watching the whole scene with a mix of irritation and mockery.
"Golden Retriever, why are you still here? Honestly… no shame at all, clinging to someone else's boyfriend like that."
Her words dripped with poison, but her eyes betrayed just how much the taste lingered in her mouth.
Eriri snapped her head toward Utaha, eyes blazing.
"It's not cheating if I was here first! Even if I leave, you're leaving too!"
Their glares clashed, sparks flying in the air—an argument seconds away from breaking out.
But Yami's calm voice cut through.
"…Have you really decided?"
Both girls froze.
What he meant wasn't just petty bickering. He meant—really deciding to be with him. His girlfriend. Together.
Something that, by any normal standard, was impossible.
"…."
The rooftop fell quiet.
Utaha exhaled heavily, brushing a hand through her hair. "Hah… what a mess. But what can I say? I fell for a shameless playboy."
Her lips curved into a bittersweet smile. "I don't even know if I'll survive the next time the virtual world drags us in. So… why waste the only love experience I might get in this lifetime?"
"…Me too." Eriri nodded, fists clenched tight.
Yami tilted his head, curious. "…But you have conditions, don't you?"
Utaha's smile sharpened. "Of course. I'm not that easy, Yami-kun."
"…Let's hear it."
"Even if there are other girls, don't you dare hide it from me." Her tone was flat, but her eyes serious.
Yami nodded without hesitation. "I can promise you that. I don't lie, and I don't conceal things."
That was true. If he were just another scumbag, he would've hidden Ella, or softened his "greedy" words. Instead, he laid it all out in the open, knowing how crazy it sounded.
That honesty—warped as it was—softened Utaha's expression. "…Thank you."
But then her face turned pink, her voice dropping as she coughed lightly. "One more thing…"
"…?"
"If… if I say I don't want to… then we don't do anything. We can't… be together in that way."
"…!!"
Eriri's eyes shot wide. "T-That way!?"
As an artist, her brain betrayed her instantly, conjuring vivid full-color illustrations of things that should never be imagined in front of her love rival.
Her face went crimson. "Uwaaahhh!!"
She buried herself against Yami's chest, practically steaming.
Yami chuckled helplessly. "Well… I was looking forward to it. But I'll respect your wishes."
His blunt honesty made Utaha cover her face with one hand. "You're way too straightforward about this! Do you even realize how embarrassing that sounds?"
Her voice trembled, and she wanted nothing more than to slap herself for ever bringing it up.
"…Ugh, what am I even discussing right now?"
Sensing the tension, Yami cleared his throat. "Alright, enough. Let's change the subject. Do you still have the rewards you received from back then?"
"Ah—!"
Both girls jolted, remembering. At once, they reached into their pockets and pulled out a small white stone, each one glowing faintly in their hands.
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