Hayasaka Ai burst into a restroom, splashing water on her face. In that clubroom, she'd felt three different kinds of danger at once—like a blade on her throat, a monster's gaze on her back, and winter frost creeping up her limbs. If she'd lingered, she might've died.
"Milady… if you don't appreciate me, I might actually get killed one of these days," she muttered, staring at her pale reflection. Two stinging slaps of cold water later, she steadied herself.
Probing Tatsuki through his friends was off; those girls were all trouble. She'd have to approach him directly—after she finished the "find a building" errand. So tired.
…
In the student council room, Tatsuki sat with eyes closed—not napping, but testing the King of Chronos. At lv 6 he could lift a region clean out of the timestream and do as he wished inside it: stop time, slow it, resume it; at higher finesse, rewind, hop minutes forward or back, stretch or cut a segment. But the big stuff still had tight limits at this level—minutes, not hours, unless he shrank the area. Strong, yes; done? Not yet.
A soft rustle. Chika crept closer, a permanent marker like a "holy sword" in hand. She leaned in over his calm face, cheeks puffed. "All your fault… Now Big Sis Toyomi and Moeha keep looking at me like I'm a weirdo." Revenge! She'd draw the world's biggest turtle on his face.
But as her eyes dropped to his lips, a stray thought jolted her—what does a real sweet kiss feel like? She shook it off. Focus! Turtle first.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm gonna draw a giant turtle on your—" she blurted, then froze. That voice… Tatsuki's eyes were open, amused.
"Waaah!" She spun—but he'd already caught her marker hand. His other hand gently squished her cheeks into a pout. "Confess. Still feeling brave?"
"Mmmf—" She could only tear up and squeak; he was clearly teasing her on purpose. After a bit, he let go, tilted her chin, and leaned in. "Still dare?"
Chika's heart thumped. He was getting very close; his warm breath brushed her skin. Lashes trembling, she… closed her eyes.
Tatsuki paused. She could have stepped back—yet didn't. The veteran in him read it: she liked him, and maybe… liked being teased. He closed the distance. Chika's arms slid around his neck, and she surrendered to the kiss.
The door clicked. Kaguya stepped in with a hopeful, Will the president be thinking of me?—and froze. President. Chika. Kissing.
Why… when I was first… Her thoughts scattered. She'd braced for this day—after that life-sim game, she knew Tatsuki was responsible and wouldn't discard anyone—but standing here, she felt like the only one left behind.
Tatsuki gently tapped Chika's back; she blinked, looked up—and met Kaguya's empty stare. I'm dead.
…
"So you tried a prank, and the president 'punished' you?" Kaguya sat queenlike on the sofa; Chika stood small and crimson, sneaking glances at Tatsuki. He smiled—okay, she could feel shy.
"That's it," he said lightly. "She aimed a turtle at my face. I caught her and gave a light punishment."
"Punishment…" Kaguya's expression wavered. She'd seen who leaned in first. If he hadn't warned her, who knew how far Chika would have gone. She sighed. "If the president says so, I'll let it go."
Chika beamed with relief. Tatsuki, meanwhile, frowned inwardly—why did this feel like seeking permission for a private moment?
He sent a thought across their link. Do you like me, Chika?
She jolted and glanced around. "What's wrong?" Kaguya asked.
"N-nothing. Draft," Chika fibbed, staring at the open window.
Don't look around—I'm talking in your head, Tatsuki sent.
Like you? As if, dummy! she shot back—while blushing.
You were awfully proactive just now, he teased.
I…
He pressed. I like you, Chika. I'll take responsibility. Can you give me your answer?
Silence—outside, anyway. Inside, her thoughts tumbled. Ever since that first time, something in her had tilted. She craved his attention… even his teasing. Was she—ugh—that type? The word she wouldn't say rattled her. Did she like him, or just… the feeling?
Tatsuki caught every wobble and nearly laughed. She wasn't afraid of him—she was afraid of being a "weirdo."
Chika-chan, he said gently, whether you're a little masochistic or just uniquely you, I accept you. Honestly? I like the real Chika.
The line hit center mass; the wall in her heart cracked. I am NOT an M! she huffed.
"Of course," he conceded aloud with a smile. So… your answer?
This time she didn't run. Hmph! It's all your fault. You took my first—I can't marry anyone else now. So I'll just marry you, you jerk!
Under the bluster, he felt pure, fierce joy.
...
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