Rain had stopped.
But Azumi's chest was still cloudy.
Steam rose from the mug in her hands, but it wasn't tea warming her—it was something far deeper. Her fingers brushed the letter again. She'd read those three words a dozen times already.
Thanks for the warmth.
Her cheeks flushed.
"Stupid boy," she whispered. "Kissing me out of nowhere like that…"
And yet… she hadn't slapped him. She hadn't pushed him away. If anything, she'd leaned in. Her lips still tingled with memory.
She was thirty-one. A single mother. And he—Kira—was barely older than her son.
Why am I thinking like this…?
She pressed the cup to her lips but didn't drink.
Her heart thumped again. Loud. Too loud.
"Mom?" came Machio's voice from the hall. His hair was a mess, as usual, his school uniform halfway buttoned. "Did… did he leave?"
Azumi turned slowly. "Yes. He left a note."
Machio raised a brow. "A note? That's it?"
"That's more than what most men leave," she muttered, instantly regretting it.
Machio blinked. "Wait. Wait. WAIT. Did something happen between you two?!"
Azumi blushed hard. "No! Absolutely not! Well, not—not like that! Just—just go to school!"
"Mom!"
"I said GO!"
Machio grabbed his bag, muttering something about hormones and plot twists. He slammed the door on the way out.
---
At school…
"Dude, your mom's hot."
"SHUT UP, Nariyuki!" Machio smacked his friend on the head with his lunchbox. "Why does everyone keep saying that?!"
Nariyuki rubbed his scalp. "I'm just saying! If I fainted and woke up in her bed, I'd kiss her too."
"WHA—!? That's NOT helping!!"
They continued to bicker like two overcooked noodles until an ominous presence stepped into the hallway.
Click. Clack.
Click. Clack.
The sound of heels on tile.
Natsume Tachibana strolled in, her long silver hair in a high ponytail, her vampire fangs peeking slightly from her smirk. Her outfit? Way too tight for the dress code. A white blouse stretched over her ample chest, unbuttoned just enough to violate three school rules and awaken six different fetishes.
"Machio~," she purred. "Did you miss me?"
Behind her, Matsumi leaned against the wall in a pink hoodie and black garters, licking a popsicle and giving Machio that look—the look that said she still remembered the time she force-fed him her panties during detention.
And next to them…
Anzu-senpai.
The third-year art club queen with a sketchbook of Machio's most embarrassing moments. She adjusted her glasses, giving him an innocent smile.
"Good morning, Panty Prince," she said sweetly.
Machio nearly collapsed. "Why are all of you here?! This is harassment!"
"It's called flavor," Natsume replied. "Besides… we have company."
That's when the doors creaked open.
In walked her.
Principal Heimi Kuronuma.
Tall. Cold. Elegant. And wielding a black riding crop like it was a badge of perverted justice.
Her eyes narrowed. "Machio Honjou."
He froze.
Heimi stepped forward, her boots gleaming. "Your lewd activities have escalated. You've corrupted not one—but three female students. And now rumors say… you're seducing your mother's savior?"
"WHAT?! Who said that?!"
"Anonymous tips. Probably from the girl whose panties you returned with a love poem attached."
Machio turned beet red. "That was the SYSTEM, I SWEAR!"
Heimi raised the crop. "As punishment…"
CRACK.
She struck the air.
"…you shall clean the girl's changing room. In a bunny outfit. While being observed by the staff's most degenerate member: PE teacher Gojima."
"I HATE THIS SCHOOL."
---
At lunch, Natsume found Machio curled up under a stairwell.
She sat beside him, poking his cheek.
"…You thinking about him?" she asked.
Machio stared at the floor. "He warned me about you."
Natsume's expression darkened slightly. "…What did he say?"
"That you'd ruin me. That this bond between us… is a curse disguised as love."
Natsume leaned close, her voice sultry. "Do I feel like a curse when I'm touching you, Machio?"
Her hand slid onto his thigh.
He squeaked. "That's not fair!"
"I don't play fair."
Their lips almost met—but just before they touched—
DING.
[Quest Update: Kiss Kira. Optional: Use tongue. Bonus: In front of your mom.]
Machio blinked. "…The hell!?"
Natsume peeked at the screen. "…Are you turning gay?"
"I—I—NO! It's the SYSTEM!"
"Sounds like you're into him now~."
"SHUT UP!!"
---
After school…
Rain had cleared. The sunset bathed the streets in orange light.
Machio and Natsume walked home when they saw him.
Kira.
Leaning against the telephone pole outside the café. His golden eyes were distant, gazing at the upper window—Azumi's room.
His long coat swayed slightly in the wind.
Machio stepped forward. "Hey."
Kira turned. "You're back."
"Why… are you looking at my mom's window?"
Kira looked away. "She's kind. Warmer than I expected."
"…You like her, don't you?"
"I'm not human enough to love," Kira said softly. "But if I could…"
Machio blinked. And then—
He grabbed Kira's collar.
"System wants me to do this. Blame it, not me!"
And then—he kissed him.
Kira's eyes widened. Machio's mouth trembled against his. It lasted a second.
Maybe two.
"…That was soft . You taste like your mom," Kira muttered, stunned.
Natsume screamed in laughter.
And then—
"Machio!?"
Azumi stood at the door.
Holding groceries.
And watching her son locking lips with a strange man.
"…Mom! I can explain—!"
But she only stepped closer, eyes softening as she looked at Kira.
"…You came back."
"I wanted to see you again," Kira said.
Machio looked between them, wiping his lips. "So uh… do you want him to move in or something?"
Azumi stared at Kira.
Then took a breath.
"…Let's start as friends."
Kira blinked. "Friends?"
Azumi smiled faintly, despite her racing heart. "Just… friends. For now."
Kira lowered his gaze. "I'd like that."
Natsume crossed her arms. "I swear. If this turns into a love pentagon, I'm burning this whole town down."
Machio groaned. "It already IS!"
Azumi exhaled.
The sunset turned deeper.
Warm.
Like the boy's letter.
Like the kiss that had shaken her.
And though she couldn't name what she was feeling just yet—
She didn't push it away.
---
To be continued