The sun dipped lower towards the Atlantic horizon, painting the private island's sky in hues of fiery orange and deep violet. Kyouya found himself by a different section of the resort's sprawling pool, a cool drink in hand, observing the evening's informal gathering. The women, having changed into more revealing attire suited for a tropical night, moved with varied degrees of grace and calculation.
His gaze, ever analytical, drifted over the scene. His earlier encounter with Riko Futaba had been a curious anomaly, an unexpected brush with simple inquisitiveness. Now, however, the air felt charged with a different kind of energy, a potent, almost palpable presence that drew the attention of everyone nearby.
She moved with an inherent royalty, her long, vibrant crimson hair a blazing banner against the deepening twilight. Her form, exquisite and undeniably powerful, was accentuated by a flowing, deep red dress that seemed to cling to every curve, hinting at both danger and allure. This was Scarlet Vermillion, a name that perfectly encapsulated the raw, untamed passion and authority she exuded.
As she drifted closer, a natural magnet, a faint, predatory smile played on her lips. Kyouya observed her. Scarlet Vermillion. Height: approximately 172 centimeters. Weight: around 58 kilograms. Three sizes: B99-W63-H89. The sheer volume of data, compiled from various sources, presented itself with the same clarity as if he had personally taken the measurements himself. The origins of such precise information were, as always, irrelevant to the knowledge itself.
She stopped a few paces before him, her crimson eyes, sharp and intelligent, locking onto his own, hidden behind the sunglasses. There was no shyness here, no hesitant curiosity like Riko's. Only a bold, direct challenge.
"Saionji-kun," her voice was a low, resonant purr, rich and confident, carrying an undercurrent of undeniable power. "I've heard much about you. And seen… even more." Her gaze lingered for a moment, an unspoken appraisal passing between them that suggested she had already dissected him as thoroughly as he had her. "It seems my father's little 'game' has brought quite the interesting prize to our shores."
She took another step, closing the distance, her presence commanding and intoxicating. A hand, delicate yet firm, reached out and settled on his forearm, a possessive gesture that left no room for misinterpretation. Her touch burned, not with heat, but with a vibrant, demanding energy.
"Tell me, Saionji-kun," she continued, her thumb tracing slow circles on his skin, "what does a man like you truly desire? Beyond escaping your father's whims, that is. Is it power? Pleasure? Or perhaps... a queen to rule by your side?" Her eyes held a dangerous gleam, promising both endless devotion and an iron will.
Kyouya remained unperturbed, his internal calculations running at full speed. Scarlet Vermillion was a direct challenge, a queen in waiting who expected nothing less than absolute dominion. She was an embodiment of everything his father probably sought in an heir's partner, yet she was also a volatile variable. Acquiring her, or even manipulating her, would require a different approach than any other on this island. She was not to be simply obtained; she was to be conquered, or perhaps, persuaded to conquer with him. This game was indeed becoming far more complex, and far more intriguing.
Scarlet Vermillion's touch was a brand, her gaze a challenge. Kyouya allowed a fractional pause, just enough for the silence to stretch, for her assertive expectation to solidify. He acknowledged the intensity, the almost palpable hunger in her eyes, without reacting to it emotionally.
"My desires, Vermillion-san," Kyouya finally articulated, his voice maintaining its neutral cadence, "are multifaceted. Power is merely a tool. Pleasure, a variable. And a queen..." His eyes, though still veiled by the sunglasses, seemed to bore into hers, hinting at a depth she couldn't immediately fathom. "A queen, by definition, implies a domain. My true desire is to construct a domain where those tools and variables are perfectly aligned with my objectives. A domain of unparalleled tranquility, free from external interference, yet enriched by... compatible presences. To achieve that, one must first possess absolute control over one's own narrative.'"
Scarlet's hand tightened almost imperceptibly on his forearm, a spark of genuine amusement, perhaps even admiration, flickering in her crimson eyes. A slow, knowing smile spread across her lips, more predatory than before.
"A domain of unparalleled tranquility, free from external interference, with compatible presences?" she echoed, her voice a low, throaty chuckle. "How exquisitely selfish. And how… utterly Saionji-kun." She leaned closer, her breath warm against his ear, her voice dropping to a seductive whisper. "Such ambition requires a formidable partner, Saionji-kun. Someone capable of navigating interference and cultivating the finest presences. Perhaps even... a queen who understands the value of true control, and who might just be your most compatible presence of all." She pulled back, her smile widening into a challenging smirk, her gaze unwavering. "Consider my interest piqued."
Kyouya merely inclined his head, a silent acknowledgment.
The challenge was clear, the proposition intriguing. He had given her just enough to latch onto, enough to believe she held a unique key to his ambition.
As Scarlet finally released his arm, a subtle shift in the air reminded him of the other observers. His gaze, no longer solely focused on the crimson-haired woman, swept across the assembled beauties. They were all still standing, a silent, attentive audience to his exchange with Scarlet, their faces a tableau of curiosity, impatience, and budding rivalry. They waited, like pieces on a chessboard, for his next move.
His eyes drifted across the familiar, unfamiliar faces of his former classmates, until they landed on a sharp, unyielding glare. Ayaka Kurose.