After finishing her lava-style omelet rice, Kotomi Izumi gave a brief goodbye and left the maid café.
What she had just done there would probably spread throughout Sobu High School within a day.
Kotomi wanted to keep a low profile, but there were always idiots—like those four women earlier—who insisted on handing her opportunities to show off on a silver platter.
She looked down at her small, delicate hands. They looked soft and harmless, yet just moments ago, they had nearly taken a woman's life.
Even if she had killed that dark-gold-haired woman, Kotomi knew she wouldn't have felt any guilt.
Strike first to avoid being struck a hundred times later. Kotomi had always believed in that. In critical moments, hesitation only meant losing something precious—and afterward, you'd spend your life regretting that hesitation. So when it was time to act, she would act. Even if she went too far, even if someone ended up dead, it was better than losing someone she cherished and being haunted by grief.
If the same thing happened again, Kotomi would still act—and this time, she would hit even harder. Maybe she wouldn't kill all four of them, but she'd at least snap that dark-gold-haired woman's neck without hesitation.
Kotomi exhaled slowly. She realized her personality had changed.
Before, she could never have imagined killing anyone. But after surviving the Shika Juu and Isshiki Yushin serial murders, after facing death head-on, after watching Kazumi fall into an endless sleep, Kotomi found herself strangely calm at the thought of taking a life. She wouldn't seek it—but if the time came, she wouldn't hesitate.
The Queen of All Females constitution had enhanced her physical strength far beyond normal. She had once thought it just made her good at sports. But now, it seemed it also granted her the ability to kill with her bare hands.
When Kotomi returned to join Megumi Kato and the others, she first apologized for being gone so long—then immediately shifted the blame to the overcrowded festival stalls.
"For someone as delicate and fragile as me, there's no way I could squeeze through that many people~" she said, completely straight-faced.
Her pre-planned excuse worked flawlessly. Yukino Yukinoshita, Megumi Kato, Yui Yuigahama, and Aimi Izumi all accepted it without suspicion.
Only Iroha Isshiki gave her a knowing look. After a brief moment, her lips curled into that mischievous smile Kotomi knew all too well.
Kotomi nearly jumped in alarm, a bead of cold sweat forming at her temple. Whenever the little devil smiled like that, she couldn't help but tense up—because it almost always meant trouble. Iroha was far too skilled at teasing her. Kotomi had built up quite the trauma from it.
Fortunately, the little devil showed some restraint this time. Whatever prank she was scheming, she didn't act on it right away. Kotomi breathed a quiet sigh of relief.
Now all she had to do was avoid being alone with her until Iroha either lost interest or forgot about it. Then she'd be safe from any teasing.
That was the "wisdom" Kotomi had developed after being pranked more than a dozen times—though it had never once actually worked. Still, she believed it could work, in theory.
After all, everyone forgot things sometimes. And while Kotomi often called Iroha a "little devil," it was only half-joking. Iroha was just a mischievous human girl—not an actual demon from hell.
If she really were a demon, Kotomi would've sensed it long ago.
As everyone knew, Kotomi's constitution was that of the Queen of All Females—but there was something off about it. It was somehow intertwined with succubi. To be precise, Kotomi's body was a hybrid—Queen of All Females + Ultimate Succubus form.
And succubi were a branch of demonkind.
If Iroha Isshiki truly were a demon from hell, then the moment they first met, there would have been an instant reaction—a resonance of shared bloodlines.
What that "resonance" felt like, Kotomi had no idea. She'd never experienced it herself. Kazumi had once explained it to her briefly but never went into detail.
Back to the topic at hand—Kotomi Izumi believed that everyone, at some point, was bound to forget something. Iroha Isshiki was no exception. So if she simply avoided being alone with her until Iroha forgot about her prank idea, wouldn't she be able to dodge it completely?
I'm such a genius, Kotomi thought proudly, even letting out a few smug little hums of satisfaction.
Unfortunately, her hums caught the attention of the very person she was thinking about.
Iroha turned to her with a curious look, then, as if realizing something, silently smiled. After glancing around to check their surroundings, she leaned in close.
!!!
The sudden closeness made Kotomi jolt in surprise, scolding herself inwardly for being so hopeless. Before, whenever Iroha got close, she'd feel pure wariness—but now, the first emotion that bubbled up was happiness.
No way! There's no way I'd be happy just because this little devil is getting close to me! she insisted in her mind.
Iroha looked up at her with a mischievous smile, then pulled back slightly. But before she could retreat completely, Kotomi instinctively grabbed her and pulled her close again.
Stick closer.
"Senpai, you're so cute when you act all tsundere~" Iroha giggled as Kotomi held her, pressing herself comfortably against her senpai's side.
"D-Don't get the wrong idea! It's just cold, that's all—I'm using you to warm my hands!" Kotomi said stubbornly, refusing to let go of Iroha's small shoulders.
Her words only made Iroha smile wider. The little devil intertwined her slender, warm fingers with Kotomi's right hand, gently wrapping it in her own. Kotomi's left hand was still resting on Iroha's shoulder.
"Alright~ From this moment on—every day, every hour, every minute, every second—I'll be your personal hand warmer, Senpai."
When Iroha suddenly tightened her grip, Kotomi froze for a moment. A shiver ran up her spine as a strange mix of comfort and nervousness washed over her. The tingling warmth spread through her whole body, making her tense without realizing it.
"Senpai, are you okay? Hehe… you look so cute right now. Your face is red, and even your ears are red. It's okay if you want to let out a happy sound, you know~ Unless, of course, you don't mind Megumi-senpai, Yukino-senpai, Yui-senpai, and Mashiro-senpai hearing you~"
"Tch, I'm not happy," Kotomi huffed, blushing furiously. "And you're already calling them senpai even before you've been admitted to Sobu High? You sure are bold for a mere little Iroha."
"If I'm just a little Iroha," she teased back, "then why were you so nervous when I smiled at you earlier?"
"Y-You talk too much!"
Meanwhile—
Aimi Izumi had taken Yuka out to buy takoyaki.
At that moment, Yuka was eating happily, her face full of delight.
"Thank you, Aimi-oneechan!"
"You're welcome. If that's not enough, you can have some of mine too."
"Aimi-oneechan, you're such a good person!" Yuka said with a grin. Then her expression shifted to one of playful mischief. "But… if you're here buying takoyaki with me, what if Penguin Onee-chan comes back and ends up alone with the others? Aren't you worried?"
Yuka loved gossip—she loved stirring the pot even more.
Aimi only smiled at her words, taking them as innocent chatter from a child. Kids say the funniest things, she thought, amused.
Besides, Kotomi and the others weren't far away. And even if Yuka happened to tell someone, she'd probably forget in a few minutes anyway.
So Aimi confidently replied, "It's fine. Iroha's my best friend. Even if I don't ask, she'll keep an eye on Kotomi for me. There's no way Megumi could try anything funny with her around!"
Aimi smiled to herself, thinking about the day she'd finally confess her feelings to Kotomi Izumi. When that time came, she knew Iroha Isshiki would definitely be her greatest ally—the ultimate support in her pursuit of Kotomi.
One person's strength had limits. No matter how clever or cunning Megumi Kato was, Aimi was sure she couldn't possibly win against her and Iroha together.
Heh heh heh… the rules of victory are already set. This time, I'll win for sure! she thought smugly. I can't wait to see Megumi's face when she loses—the look of a defeated puppy who just can't accept it!
...
Behind Yukino Yukinoshita, Yui Yuigahama, Megumi Kato, and Mashiro Shiina, Kotomi Izumi walked with her arm around Iroha Isshiki's shoulder, feeling both content and sweetly flustered. The little devil's earlier words had nearly melted her heart completely.
Still, she had to be careful. If any of the girls in front turned around right now, the first thing they would see was her arm wrapped around Iroha.
If it were Megumi who turned around first… Kotomi suspected she might have to use her Clock of the Twilight Demon ability again—even though she still hadn't figured out exactly how that power worked.
Then there was Mashiro. The things Mashiro had said and done back in Kyoto—Kotomi knew exactly what they meant. She knew Mashiro liked her. She just hadn't figured out the right time or way to respond.
But one thing she was certain of: she liked Mashiro too. Otherwise, they wouldn't have kissed that time.
Kotomi admitted she was someone with a lot of feelings. But she believed she was loyal to every one of them.
To be more precise—she could be in several relationships at once, yet she was completely devoted to each person involved, giving them her full heart.
Kotomi knew she should probably put a bit of distance between herself and the little devil right now—but she just couldn't bring herself to let go.
"Senpai, you're too wary sometimes," Iroha said softly, her tone laced with mock sadness. "Just now, I only smiled at you, but you immediately thought it was my 'evil grin' before a prank… Sure, I've teased you a few times before, but if you misunderstand me like that, it makes me sad~"
Her expression was so adorably pitiful that Kotomi felt her heart soften on the spot.
But! Instead of actually giving in, Kotomi suddenly released her hold and stepped away, putting some distance between them.
Her reaction was so quick that anyone watching would've thought the same thing: This is the very definition of a hopelessly straight girl!
However, Kotomi didn't think she was being "straight" at all. In fact, she was feeling quite proud of herself.
Hmph. Nice try, little devil. After all the times you've pranked me, did you really think I wouldn't learn? When I take the upper hand, you always switch tactics—pretending to be sad so I'll drop my guard, then striking back the moment I do. But this time, your favorite trick won't work on me! The same old move, used 36 more times? Impossible! she thought smugly.
But then… she froze.
Wait—did I just think 'the same old move used 36 more times'? Didn't I already think something like that before?
Yes—last time, she had thought: The same old move won't work on me three more times.
So how did three suddenly become thirty-six?
What was happening here?
The poor little Kotomi was completely bewildered by her own math.
Meanwhile, Iroha Isshiki blinked in confusion at Kotomi's sudden withdrawal. Then she puffed out her cheeks in mock anger, looking adorably sulky.
Kotomi held her ground, unmoved. Instead, that odd competitive streak inside her surged with satisfaction.
Pouting and pretending to be mad? Hah! That little routine won't work this time either, you sneaky devil! she thought triumphantly.
Watching Kotomi's overly smug expression, Iroha sighed helplessly and said slowly, "Senpai… when you saw me grin earlier, you were probably thinking I was planning to prank you again, weren't you? So you decided to avoid being alone with me until I gave up or forgot about it?"
Kotomi stiffened, eyes widening. Her carefully crafted "battle strategy," the one she had taken such pride in, had just been completely exposed.
"W-What are you talking about? Maybe it's just a generation gap," Kotomi said, forcing a fake laugh. "I mean, I'm a high schooler, and you're still in middle school. Of course there's going to be a communication gap."
"Senpai," Iroha said with a sigh, "you're usually so good at acting and pretending. So why is it that whenever you're with me, all your real thoughts just show right up on your face? At first, I honestly thought you were doing it on purpose to tease me…"
"…for my sake," Iroha Isshiki finished with a playful laugh.
Kotomi blinked. "Then why don't you think that anymore?"
Putting aside how her so-called "battle strategy" had somehow been completely exposed—and wondering when exactly she'd started showing her thoughts so clearly on her face—Kotomi couldn't help but feel curious. "Why did you say 'at first'? Why don't you suspect it now?"
"Because," Iroha said softly, smiling sweetly, "from the moment we met until now, we've already shared a lot of unforgettable moments together—even if it hasn't been that long. I really want to go to Enoshima with you again, Senpai~"
Her tone was so sincere that Kotomi's heart skipped a beat.
"In all that time," Iroha continued, "I realized something. You're someone who swings between being incredibly clever and adorably clueless. When you're smart, you're really smart. But when you're silly, you turn into the cutest airhead ever. So when you wear your thoughts on your face, it's not some calculated trick to mislead me—it's just because you're being… well, you."
She giggled softly. "Honestly, at first, I thought you were doing it on purpose—like you were pretending to be transparent as part of some elaborate counterattack. I got so nervous and excited, thinking, 'What kind of move is she planning? What kind of brilliant trap starts with revealing her thoughts on purpose?' I even wondered if I'd underestimated you. 'Could Senpai really be that strategic?'"
Kotomi's lips twitched. "Well, sorry to disappoint. I'm not some master strategist who plans three steps ahead. I'm just me."
"How could I be disappointed?" Iroha smiled, shaking her head. "You're you, Senpai. Whether you're clever or clumsy, serious or silly—you never let me down."
Kotomi's face flushed crimson. After a moment, she murmured shyly, "Enoshima… we'll go again someday, okay? Just the two of us. No worries, no interruptions. We'll enjoy it properly this time."
"Yay~!" Iroha cheered, waving her sleeves happily.
She was wearing a soft beige cardigan today—the first time Kotomi had seen her in it. The sleeves were long enough to cover half her hands, turning into cute "paw sleeves" that made her look unbearably adorable.
After her excited little cheer, Iroha rose on tiptoe, her hand—still hidden in her sleeve—slowly reaching toward Kotomi's cheek.
Their faces drew closer, breaths mingling. Kotomi's heart thudded faster and faster. She felt shy, but she didn't want to pull away. Instead, she found herself anticipating what she imagined would happen next…
"Senpai," Iroha whispered sweetly, "come a little closer, okay?"
Her voice was soft and honeyed—like warm syrup pouring straight into Kotomi's heart.
And so, Kotomi obeyed without resistance, lowering her head slightly, cheeks burning with nervous excitement. Her imagination was already racing ahead, filling her thoughts with what she hoped would happen next.
Iroha's sleeve-covered hand finally brushed against Kotomi's cheek—and then…
Plop.
Something small landed in Kotomi's mouth.
Automatically, she bit down.
Then—
"Cough! Cough, cough, cough!!! W-What the—what kind of candy is this?! Why does it taste like wasabi?! It's horrible!"
"Hehehe~ I bought a bag of prank-flavored candy from one of the festival stalls," Iroha said cheerfully, pulling a small bag from her pocket and shaking it teasingly. "Want another one, Senpai~?"
Kotomi's anger meter instantly maxed out.
That little devil!!!
How had she fallen for it again?!
Kotomi grabbed Iroha by the shoulders, smiling darkly. As she did, she noticed Iroha's ears—slightly red, peeking through her hair. So she got flustered too when she leaned in earlier…?
Kotomi didn't bother to think about it. All she wanted now was revenge.
Grinning wickedly, she pinched Iroha's ear and twisted gently.
"Ah! Ow, ow, ow! Senpai, I'm sorry! I won't prank you again! Please let go, my ears are gonna fall off!"
"Hehehe. Even if this time isn't enough, there's always next time. I'll make sure to properly discipline you, my little devil—until you finally behave!"
Their playful scuffle drew attention from the group ahead.
Megumi Kato blinked. "Huh? Why are Kotomi and Iroha suddenly wrestling?"
Yukino Yukinoshita sighed. "Kotomi really does act like a child sometimes."
Meanwhile, Yui Yuigahama muttered under her breath, "Getting scolded by Kotomi and having her tug your ear… I'm kinda jealous."
Kotomi's earlier caution had paid off—none of them had seen her hugging Iroha earlier.
None of them… except Mashiro Shiina.
Mashiro had glanced back just once—only to catch the exact moment Iroha leaned against Kotomi, then pulled away, and Kotomi immediately pulled her back into her arms.
She had watched every second that followed. Her eyes were wide and unblinking, soaking in every detail like a camera.
Watching the girl she loved flirt playfully with someone else, seeing Kotomi hold Iroha close and tease her like a lover… Mashiro should have been furious. She wanted to storm over and break them apart.
But instead, an uncontainable thrill welled up inside her.
Her pulse quickened. Her breath caught.
She was excited.
—
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