Saki was a bit intimidated.
Even though her status had changed overnight because of Alex—transforming her from a bullying victim to the top of the social ladder—being confronted by aggressive Gyuars still triggered her old instincts.
Did I do something? These girls look... really scary.
"So you're Saki Yoshida?"
There had been rumors that Saki was doing compensated dating (enjo kosai) on certain websites. The rumor had spread everywhere, and Izumi Ueno had certainly heard it. At the time, she had mocked the girl, but they had never actually interacted.
Then everything changed. The three Gyuars had experienced the school's transformation firsthand. And the source of it all, the 'Master' named Alex, was said to have done it all for Saki Yoshida.
This was the woman.
She was quite beautiful, with a waterfall of flowing black hair. Her body beneath the uniform was perfectly curved in all the right places. Her delicate features and aura stood out among the students. Perhaps because she had become a woman, Saki had gained a certain seductive charm compared to her previous innocence.
Her femininity had blossomed.
But...
Izumi saw right through Saki's attempt to stay calm. As a veteran Gyaru who had bullied countless people, she recognized the scent of weakness hidden deep within the girl.
That was the scent of a victim.
Tsk, a woman like this is born to be someone's plaything. Usually, people like her have miserable lives, yet she somehow got involved with that guy... Izumi narrowed her eyes, her gaze turning dangerous.
In her mind, this woman was partly responsible for her current predicament.
"Is there... something you want?" Saki asked.
Izumi didn't speak. She just stared with her fierce, upturned eyes. Saki bit her lip and refused to back down, meeting her gaze with a blank expression. Inside, however, she was terrified. What is wrong with this woman? What is she going to do?!
The standoff continued, leaving Sae and Minako in a cold sweat. Are they going to fight? No matter how much Izumi hates her, Saki is close to Master. Izumi, be rational!
Minako reached out a trembling hand. "Um, Izumi..."
"It's nothing," Izumi suddenly broke the tension with a bright smile. "I just wanted to see what kind of person you were."
"You really are a beautiful girl..."
Izumi's face shifted completely as she toyed with her hair. "If you run into any trouble at school, you can come find me. Though I doubt you'll need the help..."
Minako was stunned.
Is this Izumi?
Was this friendly girl, acting like a protective big sister, really Izumi Ueno? Sae and Minako exchanged bewildered looks. Even Saki was dazed.
"Oh... uh, okay. Sure. Thank you."
"Don't mention it. We're all companions from now on, after all." Do you think I'm stupid? Even if this woman reeks of weakness, she has a massive backer. I'm already a prisoner to that guy, and my body was already... if I try to fight her now, I'd be a moron.
As for pride... Izumi silently mourned her own dignity. She'd just have to find it somewhere else later.
Speaking of which, is that guy a monster? He's fucked so many girls in this school, including me... doesn't he get tired?
Thinking back to Alex's savage performance the day before—every powerful thrust hitting her soul, moving like a tireless machine—she couldn't help but think: Pervert!
The crisis averted, Saki had gained her first real "friend" (aside from Alex and Mila). Regardless of what Izumi was planning, on the surface, she was going to stay on Saki's good side.
Meanwhile, at the Hihara villa—
"You really went overboard, didn't you?" Shiho Hihara was dressed in a magnificent evening gown, elegantly slicing a steak as she enjoyed lunch.
She wasn't kept in the dark about the school's events. Even with Alex's powers, things on that scale could be noticed. As local nobility, the Hihara family could help smooth things over.
The "friendship" established during the previous transaction was now proving useful.
Alex, who was being hand-fed by Mila, looked at the voluptuous and sexy Auntie Shiho. "Overboard? I thought it was pretty average."
Average...
Shiho's cutlery paused. She was speechless. "Mila, I can understand him being reckless, but I didn't expect you to go along with such madness..."
You weren't like this before!
Mila Tsubakihara sliced a piece of A5 Wagyu and fed it to her lover with a tender smile. "As long as Alex is happy. In my heart, his desires are the most important thing."
This wicked pair of dogs.
They were like a Great Demon and a Wicked Woman. It was a shame they weren't born for each other.
"I did it for justice. Divine retribution, you know?" Alex said righteously, wiping his mouth. "Even though those girls became my slaves, I treat them quite well... most people don't get that kind of privilege."
He suddenly shot a strange look at the mature woman across from him.
"Wh-why are you looking at me like that?" Shiho became nervous, her movements stiffening.
"Speaking of which, Auntie Shiho is just like those girls. You're my slave too, right?"
"Huh? Who's your..." The black-haired woman put her fork down in a huff. "Alex-kun! Don't talk nonsense! Calling me a... thing like that."
"Is it wrong? The Hihara family literally gave you to me, and you've already slept with me," Alex licked his lips purposefully. "Auntie Shiho, you don't think you can flirt with other men after being with me, do you?"
"I-I never said I wanted other men... But even so, I can't be a 'slave,' can I? At least... at least I should be on the same level as Mila, right?"
"Shiho," Mila fed Alex another piece of beef. "Look at me now. Is there any difference between me and a slave?"
"..."
"Besides, when I first met Alex, he basically treated me like a slave anyway."
"..."
You two are doing this on purpose, aren't you?! You pair of dogs!
"Alright, alright, joking aside. Mila-san isn't my slave; her status is several levels higher," Alex wrapped an arm around her slender, mature waist, caressing her while pulling out a black notebook with his other hand. "Let's talk about this."
"Is that the... hypnosis tool you mentioned?"
Auntie Shiho and Lady Mila both focused on the item.
"Yeah. I checked, and it definitely has a hypnotic effect... it's the first time I've seen a supernatural item like this," Alex tossed it casually onto the table. "Auntie Shiho, have you never seen anything like this before?"
"Never. If I had, I wouldn't have been so shocked by your appearance. I used to think this was a purely scientific world," Shiho sighed.
"The Hihara family is an ancient noble line. You've never seen such things?"
"I'm just a woman who married in. I don't know all the Hihara secrets," she shook her head. "Maybe they exist, maybe not. But probably not, otherwise my father-in-law wouldn't have... However, while I haven't seen supernatural powers or items, I've heard many legends and taboos. I suppose... they might be related to these powers?"
"Legends? Like Yokai, ghosts, and that kind of stuff? Those are everywhere." Alex leaned back in his chair.
"Alex, I never thought much of them before, but looking at Japanese folklore now, many of them might be based on truth," Mila said, wiping his mouth. "It's worth investigating."
"True. Auntie Shiho, are there any legends in the Hihara family?"
"Instead of stories, they're more like taboos..."