"N-No!" Hanako blurted, stepping forward. "We're not with the heroes, I swear! We just want Rin-chan to join us and have fun enjoying his youth. Isn't that true, guys?" She looked desperately at the others.
They all avoided her gaze, awkward from her sudden denial.
Chris adjusted his glasses. "Well, if that is the case, shall we start?"
He stepped back, sizing up the line of half-naked students.
"Please me sexually. Or at least try to. If you show promise, I will allow my master to consider himself one of you. However, if even two of you fail to satisfy me... I will destroy you."
The threat landed like a boulder. All six of them flinched and instinctively clenched their fists, as their throats swallowed hard again.
"Of course," Chris added, almost gently now, "that was only a jest. My master has forbidden me from manslaughter, ineffectively so. But the consequence remains: failure means he stays away, understood?"
In the minds of Naoya, Shiki, Nagumo, and even Hinata, it went like this: "We don't even want Rin here THAT much."
But in the minds of Akane and Hanako: "Alright. Let's do this thing and claim our prize. This is a matter of life and death."
So yes, the majority wanted out. Yet… for reasons none of them could quite explain, they could not say no to the beautiful butler standing before them.
***
Akane and Hanako locked their eyes across the cramped clubroom, like a silent skirmish. The air even carried the faint musk of sweat and the sharp edge of awkwardness.
Both girls opened their mouths at the exact same moment. "Let me start first!"
They then growled at each other in unison.
Akane stepped forward first, with her fists clenched. "Hey! You just appeared out of nowhere and now you're trying to drag Rin away from me? Back off!"
Hanako lifted her chin haughtily, her long black hair shifting over her shoulders.
"Rin-chan is not a product or an object. He has the freedom to choose who he wants. Though, as promised, I will get you both together."
"While being the most dangerous threat to the relationship?! Hell no!"
Their voices rose, overlapping in sharp bursts. Akane jabbed a finger toward Hanako's chest. Hanako leaned in, her eyes narrowing. Their bickering filled the small space like stagnant waters.
Behind them, Naoya had already moved. He stepped up to Chris without hesitation, his green eyes hard with disgust.
"Does… Rin know about what you're doing to us right now?" he asked, with a low voice.
Chris met his gaze composedly and emotionlessly.
"Rin-sama has left me in charge of deeming if you all are worthy." He rested, then added, "If you feel that you are above my master, then walk away."
Naoya felt the words settle in his chest like poison mist.
Something cold and unknown pressed against his ribs; certainly, a danger he couldn't name but could very well feel in his bones.
He swallowed once, then leaned in and kissed Chris. The kiss was rough, hurried, and mean.
Naoya's lips crashed against Chris's, their teeth grazing, and his tongue pushing in without preamble. His hands gripped Chris's coat lapels, pulling him closer as if the force alone could prove something.
Chris did not move. But neither did he reciprocate or respond.
After several seconds he placed one hand lightly on Naoya's shoulder and pushed him back.
"You fail in flying colors," Chris said calmly. "In order to please my master, you need to be tender and affectionate. Because he himself lacks those qualities. Allow me to demonstrate."
Before Naoya could react, Chris cupped the back of his neck and drew him in again. This time the kiss was slower and deliberate.
Chris's lips brushed Naoya's once, then twice, and after that, parted them gently.
His tongue slipped inside, stroking with elegant care, tracing the roof of Naoya's mouth, and teasing the underside of his tongue.
He grazed Naoya's lower lip with his teeth, a soft bite that pulled a startled gasp from the boy's throat.
Naoya's eyes fluttered open mid-kiss. Chris's face was close. Too close. And his golden hair was framing those calm blue eyes.
For a second Naoya wondered, 'Chotto, is this person really a guy? For all I know, they might be a woman acting like a guy. I mean, no man could kiss this softly and so sweetly.'
The thought made heat flood his face.
Chris pulled back slowly. "That is the kiss my master deserves. I will screen you at another date. Allow another candidate to come forward."
"It's my turn now!" Akane and Hanako shouted together.
"Hey, back off!" Akane snapped.
"This is a battle of love," Hanako replied. "I cannot possibly back off. But I promise, I will get you together with Rin-chan."
"Can you drop the deception already?!"
Their argument flared up again, with their voices rising.
Hinata moved before either could take another step. She stepped up to Chris quietly, wiping off her dark green bangs from falling into her eyes, as she looked up at him.
"If we 'please' you," she asked, her voice anxious, "are we allowed to leave?"
"Indeed," Chris answered. "I only want to know if at least two individuals in this gathering have the necessary skill needed to handle my master's sexual tension."
Hinata took a big sigh, then rose on her toes and brought her lips to his.
The kiss was tender… loving, affectionate, with just the right edge of hunger. Her mouth moved slowly against his, with soft presses of their bodies that deepened gradually.
Her tongue brushed his in shy invitation, then retreated, as if persuading him to follow her lips. One hand rested lightly on his chest, as her fingers curled into the fabric of his coat.
Chris watched calmly, but allowed it.
After several long moments he nodded once.
"Excellent," he said. "It is almost as if you loved me. I like it."
Hinata pulled back, glaring at him through her glasses before looking away. "Whatever."
"So… What more do you have for me?" Chris asked. "My master is not going to be assuaged with just good kisses."
Hinata immediately stepped closer again.