"..."
"..."
Tap…
Neither of them spoke; there was only the slight sound of their indoor shoes tapping on the floor. Chloe's crystal-clear eyes blinked as her gaze met her friend's.
"What's wrong, Mackenzie? Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Chloe, were those things you just said the truth? Or were you being threatened to say them?" Mackenzie knew her friend liked that upperclassman, so she found it unbelievable that Chloe would say such things to him.
"Why are you saying that too? I wasn't threatened," Chloe pouted her bright red lips, smiling faintly. Although Alex had done something very inappropriate initially, what she said now was unquestionably her true feeling.
Her feelings, her emotions, and her perception of Yuto Senpai had all changed.
"I was completely sincere~"
"But didn't you like that upperclassman? Why suddenly, suddenly…"
"That's a long story, but the person I love is Alex. That won't change," Chloe opened her small hands, interlocking her ten fingers, her face radiating a bright, blissful smile.
She no longer cared about Yuto Senpai and wanted to completely distance herself from him, afraid Alex would misunderstand, even though Chloe didn't think Alex ever saw Yuto Senpai as a threat.
But girls are always careful and completely devoted to the person they love.
"I love him, and I love the time we spend together. It's a lot of fun~ Hehe."
Chloe's laugh seemed harsh in Mackenzie's eyes.
"..."
Why is this happening? She loves him? I made a deal with Alex for Chloe's sake, and now she's telling me she loves him? This, this is too ridiculous!
Mackenzie's mind was a mess; she felt like a complete dupe.
And that Alex guy, he never told me the truth! Was he just trying to get me to engage in those Lewd Acts with him? That hateful scoundrel!
He must have been laughing at me behind my back!
And me, why didn't I ask Chloe sooner? Otherwise, I wouldn't look so foolish…
Dazed, she followed Chloe to the locker room. There were a few other female classmates changing clothes. Mackenzie, whose mind kept wandering, felt utterly lost, unsure what to do next.
"Chloe! What is that?!"
A beautiful girl with light purple hair and a somewhat aloof demeanor suddenly walked over and stared at Chloe. "You have a tattoo?"
What?
Mackenzie followed the voice. Her eyes widened in shock when she saw her friend Chloe take off her jacket, revealing the Pink Heart Mark on her lower abdomen.
That mark… it's the same as mine…
"Hey? Seriously, Chloe! You're copying the bad girls and getting a tattoo?"
"But haven't you noticed, this kind of tattoo is so Lewd? It looks very suggestive."
"This isn't a tattoo," Chloe quickly waved her hand, her cheeks flushed. "Well, strictly speaking, it's close, but… my boyfriend put it there."
"Wow! It really is a suggestive tattoo! That sounds so fun. I want one too…"
The girls clustered around, chattering, which made the purple-haired girl's forehead furrow with irritation. "You girls! Getting tattoos like this is against school rules!"
"Shiina Senpai, why are you so rigid?"
"Exactly, exactly! It's no wonder Shiina Senpai doesn't have a boyfriend!"
Chizuru Shiina, the class president, was teased by the group, her face completely red with anger.
After finally getting rid of the curious girls, Chloe put on her gym uniform, covering the shameful Succubus Mark on her body. "Mackenzie, what's wrong?"
She noticed her friend was still spacing out.
Mackenzie bit her lip, unsure what to say. Meeting Chloe's bright eyes and seeing her exquisite, fair face, Mackenzie remained silent for a long time before quietly opening her locker.
In front of Chloe, she slowly took off her school uniform jacket…
As her tempting collarbone and pale skin were exposed, Chloe's eyes gradually widened, and her expression slowly turned into one of shock and bewilderment.
"Mackenzie, you…"
Staring at the Succubus Mark on Mackenzie's body—identical to her own—Chloe slowly parted her red lips. Under her friend's gaze, she slapped her hands over her face and exclaimed.
"That big bad guy Alex! He was reckless again!"
Mackenzie: "???"
Mackenzie: "…"
Chloe, what kind of reaction is that?!
In the indoor gymnasium, the boys were playing basketball, trying to use their cool flair and athletic ability to attract the attention of the girls in the class.
Of course, some less athletic boys were sitting on the sidelines, being inconspicuous spectators.
Alex was one of them. The only difference was that he had a few pretty girls sitting next to him, drawing envious and jealous looks from many boys.
Bang, bang, bang!
The basketball on the court suddenly deviated from its path, flying straight toward Alex with considerable spin and force. The speed was not small.
"Watch out!"
"Look out!"
The ball's target was either Alex or the girls next to him. If it hit a face, there would likely be a gush of blood. Just as everyone expected a tragedy,
the boy sitting cross-legged on the floor lifted his eyes and reached out.
THWACK!
He firmly caught the basketball, holding it in his hand.
Mackenzie, standing next to him, watched the ball that was only a few inches from Chloe's face, heart pounding. If Alex hadn't caught it, it might have…
But Chloe, what is that expression? Do you realize how dangerous that was?
"Hehe, I knew Alex would be fine," Chloe sat on Alex's other side, shoulder-to-shoulder, an intimate posture, without a trace of fear.
The surrounding gazes suddenly became surprised, looking at Alex with doubt and curiosity.
"Are you okay? Sorry about that…" A few boys quickly rushed over to apologize, their eyes full of curiosity when they looked at Alex.
"You guys need to be more careful! Do you know how dangerous that was?" Chloe complained a little but didn't continue lecturing. "Luckily, Alex was here."
Mackenzie's gaze toward Alex was complicated. Her gaze toward Chloe was even more conflicted. After the boys left, she spoke with a cold laugh. "Look at you two, so lovey-dovey. So intimate."
You two are intimate, but do you know what a mess you've caused me?!
"Mackenzie, you seem to have a big problem with this?" Alex tilted his head, giving her a half-smile. "Our agreement was not to harm Chloe. In a sense, I didn't hurt her. Everything was Chloe's choice. That doesn't violate the deal, does it?"
"You… you're just quibbling!"
Alex shrugged, noncommittal. "Whether it's quibbling or not, I'm the one who's right."
This guy!
"Alright, stop arguing, Alex," Chloe pulled on the boy's hand. "Mackenzie is my good friend. You, just don't bully her, okay?"
She leaned against him, her breath warm, and pouted playfully. "She did this for me… If you keep bullying her, I'll feel guilty. If you stop, I'll agree to anything you want~"
"It's not my style to let go of someone I've set my sights on," he paused. "However, since it's your request, Chloe, then the deal with Mackenzie is canceled."
"Alex~"
Touched.
"Don't forget what you said—you'll agree to anything I want, okay?" Alex smiled at Chloe a little wickedly.
"Ugh… Pervert~ Lewd~"
Watching the two of them show off their affection, Mackenzie's mouth twitched, her mind complex.
Although he had let her go, Mackenzie didn't feel much happiness.