Eriri bit her lip, took a deep breath, and pressed the call button.
Though she didn't want to admit it.
Regarding Seiji Fujiwara's shameless demand, while she was angry, she unexpectedly couldn't say she was entirely opposed.
The call connected after one ring.
Through the receiver came Seiji Fujiwara's laughing voice.
"Hahaha, Eriri, you've come around?"
Hearing Seiji's voice made Eriri furious, but now she had no choice but to lower her head. She could only forcibly suppress her anger and ask: "...Do your conditions still stand?"
"Of course." Seiji answered readily. "Come to my apartment. You know the address."
...
That evening.
Eriri stood before the automatic doors of a high-end apartment building.
She wore her Toyonosaki uniform, her golden hair somewhat disheveled, a few strands blown by the evening breeze and clinging to her pale cheeks, unable to hide her beauty.
The apartment's automatic doors sensed someone and slid open silently, revealing the brightly lit lobby inside.
But Eriri couldn't bring herself to take that step.
Every second she stood there, the struggle in her heart intensified.
Should I really... go in?
But if I don't go in, where else can I go?
Wait for the Spencer family lawyers to send someone to forcibly evict me?
Or drag my luggage to those cheap rental rooms that make me sick just looking at them?
No... I can't do it.
Just then, the apartment elevator dinged open, and three familiar figures emerged.
Seiji Fujiwara walked out, his expression leisurely and content.
Seeing Eriri standing outside, he smiled and raised his hand. "You came?"
However, that calm greeting sounded incredibly mocking to Eriri's ears.
As if reminding her that her current predicament was entirely within this man's expectations.
Eriri instinctively clenched her fists, her knuckles turning white from the pressure.
She lowered her head, not daring to meet Seiji Fujiwara's eyes, only squeezing out a single word through her teeth:
"...Mm."
Seiji said nothing more, just turned around while gesturing for her to follow.
Eriri moved like a marionette, walking with stiff steps behind him into the elevator.
The elevator space was small, its metal walls reflective enough to show her anxious, disheveled appearance.
She could smell the scent coming from Seiji.
Not body wash or shampoo, but Seiji Fujiwara's own scent.
This aura filled with male hormones made her feel inexplicably flustered. Thinking about what was about to happen, her cheeks began burning uncontrollably.
"Ding—"
The elevator stopped on the top floor.
Seiji Fujiwara's home occupied the entire level.
"Sit anywhere." Seiji pointed to the leather sofa in the living room, then headed straight for the kitchen. "I'll get you some hot water."
"...Pardon the intrusion."
Eriri slipped off her shoes and entered. This wasn't her first time at Seiji's place.
She'd visited before.
But this was the first time she felt so uncomfortable.
Soon, Seiji returned carrying a steaming cup of water and handed it to her.
"Drink up, you look terrible~"
Eriri looked at the cup but didn't take it. She took a deep breath and finally gathered the courage to look directly at Seiji. "You promised..."
"Of course."
Seiji set the water on the table, pulled out his phone, brought up several photos, and handed it to her.
The photos showed a completed property transfer contract and a bank transfer receipt.
The numbers clearly displayed that the villa in Uekyo Ward belonging to the Sawamura family now had "Seiji Fujiwara" as its owner.
"I've already bought your family's villa in advance." He said casually. "Once the deal is complete, you can keep living there. The Spencer family won't bother you anymore."
Eriri looked at the black and white text on the phone screen, and the enormous weight in her heart finally settled.
But immediately after, an even heavier sense of humiliation gripped her heart.
A deal?
Right.
Seiji Fujiwara has shown his sincerity, so next, it's my turn to pay the "price."
Thinking this, Eriri's body began trembling uncontrollably.
Seiji noticed her anxiety.
He didn't press closer, just said calmly:
"Eriri, let me say this one more time—I'm not forcing you. Right now, you have two choices."
"First, you can leave right now, go back to your villa, continue being your young lady. I'll act like last night's phone call never happened. Between us, it'll be like before—classmates, friends."
Eriri's head shot up, disbelief flashing in her eyes.
He... he's going to let me go?
However, Seiji's next words instantly dragged her back to reality.
"Of course, as part of the deal, I'll collect rent for the villa each month. Not much—just market rate, one hundred eighty thousand yen."
One hundred eighty thousand!
That number struck Eriri's heart like a sledgehammer!
Her entire current assets weren't even close to a fraction of that number! Even if she didn't eat or sleep and drew illustrations like mad, there was absolutely no way she could earn that much in a month!
This so-called first choice was nothing but a dead end!
Seiji looked at her face, which had instantly turned deathly pale, and continued:
"The second choice is to fulfill our 'verbal contract.'"
He paused, his gaze falling on her openly, that look carrying undisguised possessiveness.
Landing on Eriri, it made her break out in goosebumps.
Especially when Seiji's gaze swept over her sensitive areas, she felt even worse—as if invisible hands were touching her, making her feel intensely uncomfortable.
"The contract is this: give your body to me. In return, you can not only live in the villa rent-free, but I'll also cover all your future expenses, including your tuition, living costs, and money for those expensive art supplies."
"Now, tell me your choice, Eriri."
The air fell into deathly silence once more.
Eriri's breathing became rapid, her chest heaving violently.
She knew she had no real choice.
"...Do I even have a choice? The second one!" Eriri glared at Seiji and roared viciously.
"Good."
Seiji didn't mind her anger—it posed no threat whatsoever, like an adorably fierce kitten.
"Then come in. No time like the present, let's begin immediately." He stepped aside, clearing the path.
Eriri bit her lower lip and walked into that bedroom with stiff steps.
Utaha isn't here tonight.
'They probably broke up,' Eriri thought, feeling somewhat relieved.
Good thing she's not here, otherwise I wouldn't know how to face my friend.
Little did she know.
Seiji had sent Utaha to stay with her mother tonight specifically for this evening's "program."
...
Entering the room.
Click—the door locked.
"Come here." Seiji walked to the bedside and smiled, gesturing for her to approach.
Eriri walked over stiffly.
But Seiji didn't do anything to her. Instead, he pulled out three documents and a pen from the nightstand.
It was a rental contract.
"This is the lease for your villa. You're the tenant, and the rent... is zero." He handed her the contract. "Sign it, and legally, you'll have the right to live there."
Eriri looked at the contract but didn't move.
She knew this was just the devil's "sweetener."
"As for our 'contract'..." Seiji's voice sounded by her ear. "You know what to do."
He reached out, gently lifting Eriri's chin, forcing the girl to meet his eyes.
"But don't worry, for now, I won't do anything to you."
Seiji's thumb gently caressed her soft lips, his tone ambiguous.
"You're too tense. That won't make for a good experience."
Before he finished speaking, he leaned down.
Eriri's pupils contracted sharply. Before she could react, she found herself pushed onto the bed.
Then she heard Seiji whisper in her ear:
"Don't be nervous, Eriri... tonight is just the appetizer."
Appetizer?
Eriri froze. As a former doujin artist who dominated the scene under the pen name "Eri Kashiwagi," she naturally understood the meaning.
She instantly felt relieved.
But also a trace of inexplicable disappointment and regret.
...
In the bedroom, only their intertwined breaths remained.
Eriri lay on the soft large bed, her Toyonosaki uniform outlining her graceful figure.
Her neck was slender, waist thin, legs straight.
Her face was pale and flawless, exquisite as a porcelain doll.
Seiji didn't rush into action, instead appreciating this scene with interest.
The girl's slightly flushed cheeks from nervousness, her tightly pressed lips, and her violently heaving chest beneath her clothes... all of it was like an artwork full of tension, bringing him pleasure.
He reached out, his fingers gently tracing Eriri's cheek, feeling that silky-smooth skin.
Eriri's body trembled violently, as if struck by an electric current.
"Don't..." she said, startled, trying to stop him.
"Really?" Seiji's lips curved into a playful smile. "But our transaction has already begun."
He leaned down, warm breath spraying against Eriri's ear, instantly dyeing her sensitive earlobes crimson.
"Or are you saying you want to break the contract right now?"
Break the contract...
Those two words made Eriri freeze instantly.
Right, I can't break the contract.
Eriri could only bite her lip tightly, close her eyes, and refuse to look at Seiji.
Seeing her abandon resistance, Seiji smiled with satisfaction.
His hand began to move.
The movements were gentle and slow, full of exploration, like examining every detail of a treasure.
Even through that thin layer of athletic fabric, he could clearly feel the girl's body curves and warmth, along with that delicate, soft skin.
Eriri trembled uncontrollably.
A strange, tingling sensation spread throughout her body. This feeling made her feel incredibly ashamed yet unable to resist.
Her body seemed to no longer belong to her.
"Relax, Eriri." Seiji's voice carried a hint of seduction.
"The more tense you are, the worse it feels."
"Don't..." Eriri's voice carried a sob—the panic of having her hard shell peeled away to expose her softest core.
Seiji ignored her powerless protests.
He leaned down, his cheek gently pressing against her collarbone, taking a deep breath.
"Very fragrant." He murmured lowly, as if evaluating a top-tier perfume. "Is it cherry blossom body wash? It suits you."
His praise held not a trace of lewdness, yet could destroy Eriri's psychological defenses more than any crude words.
Because it reminded her that she was currently being "appraised" by this man from head to toe, like an object.
Her body, scent, everything—all became playthings in his eyes.
Eriri's mind gradually grew hazy.
She'd drawn countless shameful positions, depicted countless times how women looked when losing control under others' manipulation. She'd thought herself a "master" in this area, capable of seeing through all reactions.
However, when all this truly happened to her, she discovered that reality's impact far exceeded any fantasy from her pen—more intense, more... irresistible.
She felt Seiji's weight, felt that intensely aggressive masculine aura wrapping around her tightly.
She was like a lone leaf tossed in a storm, all resistance and pride torn to shreds by these merciless winds.
Finally, that string called "reason" in her mind snapped with a "crack."
...
After an unknown time.
The bedroom fell quiet once more.
Seiji slowly straightened up, his face showing satisfaction and refreshment.
He looked at the girl on the bed—eyes tightly shut, completely drained, tear tracks still on her face—his gaze full of contentment.
Eriri is even more delicious than I imagined.
All those shy reactions and soft sounds—absolutely delightful.
This is a completely different experience from Utaha.
Seiji stood up leisurely, opened the bedroom door, walked straight to the living room refrigerator, grabbed a bottle of ice water, and started drinking.
In the room.
Eriri lay on the bed for a long time before finding a trace of strength.
She slowly opened her eyes. The lingering sensations and emptiness from deep within constantly reminded her what had just happened.
She tremblingly got dressed, supporting her aching body as she sat up from the bed.
But her stockings were unwearable—soaked with Seiji's essence.
She certainly didn't want to soak her feet in it like in those doujinshi, playing those humiliating scenarios.
While pondering whether Utaha had left any short socks here, she looked up.
Suddenly she saw Seiji leaning against the bedroom doorframe, drinking water while watching her with leisure.
Eriri's heart filled with fury again.
She looked at him with disgust. "Satisfied now?"
"Of course." Seiji said slowly. "However, Eriri, you seem to have misunderstood something."
"What do you mean?" An ominous premonition rose in Eriri's heart.
Seiji slowly walked before her, looking down at her with cat-and-mouse playfulness in his eyes.
"What just happened was only the 'deposit.'"
"Living in that mansion has ongoing costs."
"Property fees, utilities, plus the capital I paid to buy it... all of this requires you to pay an additional 'rent.'"
"You!?"
Eriri's pupils shrank sharply.
"Liar! You shameless bastard!"
Like an enraged cat, she screamed and lunged from the bed, hands outstretched, trying to claw at Seiji's face.