Natalia checked her appearance one final time in the mirror. Her outfit was perfect—casual enough for coffee with Emi but stylish enough to project confidence. A loose-fitting cream sweater hung artfully off one shoulder, paired with high-waisted jeans that accentuated her figure without being overtly sexual. She wanted to look approachable today, not intimidating.
The reflection showed more than just her outfit. In the background, sprawled across her meticulously made bed, lay Satori. He lounged there like a cat in a sunbeam, one arm tucked behind his head, scrolling through his phone with casual disinterest. The door to her bedroom stood open—a necessary precaution with her father and Kimiko just down the hall.
Natalia turned from the mirror, crossing her arms as she leaned against her vanity. "Satori. We need to talk."
He glanced up from his phone. "I'm all yours, what's on your mind?"
She took a deep breath, steadying herself. "No more sex. Not until we're at the academy."
