Chapter 2: Forcefully Kissing the God
Shirazawa stared at Shinohara with a gaze so cold and sharp it felt like a blade, sending a chill through everyone present.
"Who gave you permission to bully her?" Shirazawa asked with indifferent detachment.
"I—so what if I bully her?" Shinohara stiffened her neck, her face flushing crimson. It was hard to tell if it was from anger or the sheer embarrassment of being confronted by Shirazawa. Regardless of the reason, her humiliation drove her to double down. She raised her palm, intending to strike Wakaba's face.
But then—
*Slap!*
The crisp sound of a strike rang out, echoing piercingly across the silent school grounds. Everyone froze. Shinohara covered her mouth and looked down at her right hand in disbelief.
"Um, Shirazawa-kun... I, I didn't mean to." She stammered out the words before bowing repeatedly in apology. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I really didn't mean to!"
Just as her palm was about to land on the girl's face, Shirazawa had flashed forward, shielding Wakaba with his own body. The slap landed squarely on his handsome cheek, leaving a bright red handprint. *This move should definitely score me some major favorability points...*
Behind him, Wakaba was slightly surprised, but her stunning face remained devoid of any excess emotion, as if she were born with a permanent poker face. Shirazawa frowned, rubbed his cheek, and looked up at Shinohara with a cold tone.
"I'll say it once more: no one is allowed to touch Wakaba." He glared at Shinohara and continued, "I don't like any irrelevant things getting near her."
The threat in his voice caused the surrounding students to gasp in unison.
"..."
*This transfer student is so arrogant. Just because he's a bit handsome... I'm not jealous at all.*
"I..." Shinohara Mirei bit her lip, a surge of intense humiliation washing over her. She felt like a clown—ridiculous and pathetic in the eyes of others. She couldn't accept it! Why did this woman deserve Shirazawa's protection? Just because she was beautiful?
Well, she was indeed beautiful to an unrealistic degree—like a high-and-mighty god, far out of reach. Not far away, Negishi Shouko (Vampy) looked on with a dark expression, jealousy nearly overflowing from her chest. But her innate self-loathing kept her silent, unlike the reckless Shinohara Mirei.
If Shinohara hated something, she wanted to destroy it. And if she couldn't destroy it, she would at least make their life miserable. Since Wakaba never fought back, bullying her had become Shinohara's daily outlet. Seeing her target looking disheveled used to bring her immense satisfaction.
But this time was different. Shinohara Mirei clenched her fists, bit her lip until it bled, and glared at Shirazawa with resentful eyes. "Why?! Why do you protect this woman like this?!"
Shirazawa fell silent for a moment, then flashed his signature smile. "I like her. Is there a problem with that?"
"..."
Shinohara Mirei froze. Every girl nearby froze.
*Crack!* xN
In that instant, the sound of glass shattering echoed through the air—the sound of countless girls' fantasies breaking. Shinohara's pupils shrank, her body went rigid, and her face turned deathly pale. She looked at Shirazawa and shook her head in disbelief. "That... that's impossible!"
Shirazawa raised an eyebrow, looking at her with a half-smile. "What do you think is impossible?"
Shinohara Mirei opened her mouth. "How... how can you prove it?"
"Hmm, proving it seems a bit difficult." He tilted his head, turned around, and stared straight into Wakaba Hiiro's eyes. "Can I kiss you?"
"?"
Everyone was shocked, including the usually unflappable Wakaba.
"Since you're silent, I'll take that as a yes."
Without another word, Shirazawa reached out, grabbed the girl's slender, soft shoulders, and pulled her into his arms. The next moment, his pale, warm lips pressed against hers. Two sets of soft, sweet lips met with a moist, dense touch.
"Mmm~"
The surrounding students were completely dumbstruck. What on earth was happening? Shinohara felt like she had been hit by a bolt from the blue; her world was collapsing.
*Crack!*
*CRACK!*
This time, the sound of hearts breaking was even louder. Wakaba's eyes widened, and her expressionless face finally broke into one of sheer astonishment. The sensation from her lips sent a series of electric shocks to her brain, numbing her thoughts.
*This... this feeling... is so strange...*
For the first time in her life, she felt an unprecedented shock—even a bizarre flutter in her chest. She stared blankly at the clean, fair face inches away, noting his closed eyes and trembling eyelashes. He looked so focused. His skin was so fair it seemed to glow, like a freshly peeled egg.
Wakaba was so stunned she forgot to push him away. It wasn't until something soft poked into her mouth to "stir up a storm" that she snapped back to reality. Her eyes flew open, and she began to struggle violently.
But Shirazawa's arm around her waist was like an iron band; she couldn't escape. The friction of their lips brought a wave of tingling that made her heart race and her breathing turn ragged.
*Damn mortal! How dare you disrespect a god? Maybe I should just kill him?*
*No, no, that would expose me. If 'they' find me, it'll be a disaster.*
*But I can't let this guy off easy!*
*This... this is my...*
At that thought, her black-stockinged leg kicked out with full force, striking Shirazawa's "vital lifeline."
*CRUNCH—!*
"Cough, cough, cough!"
The sudden attack made Shirazawa release her in agony. He curled up like a cooked shrimp, enduring immense pain. Every male student present felt a sympathetic chill in their loins.
*With that hit, Shirazawa-kun is probably finished.*
*Good... serve him right...*
Wakaba took the chance to break free, retreating several steps and staring at him warily. A trace of glistening moisture remained at the corner of her mouth, catching the sunlight. She instinctively licked it away, but as soon as she realized what it was, a miraculous blush crept onto her face.
After catching his breath, Shirazawa managed to stand steady. He wiped his mouth with his sleeve, and when he looked up, he had returned to his usual nonchalant self.
"That was a bit too cruel, don't you think?" He gave a half-smile, his lips curving into a wicked, roguish arc. "..."