Hinata frowned deeply from their hiding spot behind a low wall in the courtyard corner, her glasses slipping slightly down her nose as she peered through the leaves of a nearby bush.
The three girls crouched together, Akane sandwiched between Hinata and Hanako.
From here, they could see the main exit of Building C, where students trickled out after lectures, but Rin's group stood out immediately; him in the lead, tall and composed, with Dracula and his two maids trailing close, and Chris a step behind, a tablet in his hand.
"This isn't working," Hinata whispered, her dark green short hair brushing against Akane's shoulder.
"What isn't working?"
"…He can't be alone for even a second with those maids glued to him. And what's worse is that they're more beautiful than me; how do they even exist? And look, I tried confusing them with a bit of bloodlust earlier, but they didn't even react. And If I amp it up any more, the whole group of students would panic from the sudden fear. We might blow our cover too."
Hanako sighed softly, as her long black hair shifted; she leaned forward to take a better view. Disappointment was etched with faint lines around her cool, expressionless face.
"Contingency plan it is, then." She straightened up slightly, still hidden by the wall. "Fortunately, we've been monitoring Kiyoshi Rin since his first year. The Occult Research Society has eyes everywhere on campus, you see."
"You've been what?" Akane's head whipped toward her. That's creepy! Stop spying on people!" Said the lady who occasionally stalk the same person.
"We even planted a sleeper agent on him too," Hanako ignored Akane's outburst completely, her voice steady. "The person we concealed to keep a close eye on him is Yamada Naoya. A reliable secret agent. He's somewhat giddy, but I guarantee you, he's effective. I will ask for his help immediately."
"No, I'm telling you to stop doing stuff like that!" Akane shouted, her voice rising enough to draw a quick glance from a passing student.
She clamped her mouth shut, her cheeks heating up again.
Hanako didn't even acknowledge the yell. Her dark eyes stayed fixed on the building exit as she made a phone call:
"Ah, hello Naoya. Yes, there is something I want you to do for me—"
***
"Yo! Rin!"
Across the courtyard, Naoya came into view; a bright kid with light brown hair that caught the daylight sun and green eyes sparkling with energy.
He wore casual clothes: a loose hoodie over a graphic tee and jeans, with sneakers scuffing the pavement as he jogged up to Rin and his group.
"Ah, Naoya! Haven't seen you since morning. Were you in class?" Rin asked, pausing mid-stride.
"Hey, c'mon, I'm the one who should be asking you that." Naoya grinned, falling into step beside him. "And is it just me or do you smell like sex sweat?"
"It's just you," Rin replied flatly, not breaking pace.
Naoya laughed it off, chatting animatedly as they walked.
As Rin replied him, he glanced back at the followers—Inferna and Munganda with their flawless postures, Dracula absent-mindedly walking, and Chris adjusting his glasses—then something sharp crossed Naoya's face.
"Hey, Rin, mind if we talk alone for a sec? There's this super important thing I gotta show you. I promise, it won't take long."
"Sure," Rin shrugged.
Then Naoya led him toward a calmer path behind the building and away from the main crowds.
As they separated, Naoya looked over his shoulder again and glared at the group. Though, Inferna and Munganda glared right back with unspoken fury.
Though, Dracula and Chris simply raised an eyebrow, not really understanding why the mortal was suddenly showing hostility.
***
The three girls watched from their corner, as Rin was taken away.
Akane's heart was still pounding in anticipation.
The spot Naoya chose was secluded enough, and there were no other students around. And it was visible from the girls' new angle through a gap in the hedges they now hid.
"So… what is this super important thing you wanted to show me?" Rin asked, stopping near a cluster of trees.
Naoya opened his mouth to answer him—
And Hanako decided to strike, then and there.
She squinted from the distance, her dark eyes narrowing until they formed a distinct purple heart shape in each pupil.
The air around her seemed to thicken for a moment with a thin pressure that made Akane's skin suddenly prickle.
But… Nothing happened.
"Hm?" Hanako blinked, a fragment of confusion cracking her usually cool facade for the first time.
"What? Aren't you supposed to go meet him or do something now?" Akane asked, glancing between Hanako and the distant figures.
"That's not it…" Hinata's playful smile had faded at this point, replaced by a serious countenance. "That's not how it works. Hanako-chan has the ability to make someone like her, and even fall in love with her if she wanted. Moreover, she can transfer those feelings to someone else. That was the plan: hit Kiyoshi Rin with it, then shift the affection to you."
"C'mon, I'm begging you guys to stop doing unorthodox things like that!" Akane cried, her voice a desperate whisper-shout.
Hinata waved her off. "It wasn't working either way. And for the first time ever, too."
"inconceivable," Hanako nodded slowly. "I'll increase the volume now. Then focus more on the target."
"And that will be more effective?" Akane asked, still doubtful.
"I guarantee it…!" Hanako assured her, "But, on the other hand, it might turn him into a mindless zombie who just loves me."
"What?! You're being evil now!" Akane whined, grabbing Hanako's arm.
Hanako ignored her again.
Her heart-shaped eyes glowed brighter, the purple intensifying as she squinted harder, channeling whatever unseen force she wielded into Rin.
"Chotto! Don't hurt him!"
***
Back with Rin and Naoya, Rin suddenly swiped at the air near his neck, like swatting an invisible fly.
"Hm? Did something happen?" Naoya asked, tilting his head.
"No... It's just," Rin answered, rubbing the spot in his neck. "my Lewd Meter suddenly went down a few levels. And it only happens when I'm exerting myself. Weird."
"...Lewd Meter? What's that?" Naoya asked, confused but intrigued.