"Who the hell is Mu Xiaoxiao? Why does he have such strange superpowers?"
"Was Chi-chan bullied by him? Does she have the same Incubus Pattern as me?"
Himemiya Makoto's head was about to explode. All kinds of chaotic thoughts swirled in her brain. She looked at Chisato, trying to organize her words.
Though it was lunch break, rain still fell outside. Many students remained in the classroom. Except for those who went to the cafeteria, everyone ate indoors.
"Chi-chan..."
"Makoto? What's wrong?" Chisato took her bento box from the drawer, humming a happy tune. She looked at her friend with curious eyes. "You look strange."
"I want to ask you something... about Mu Xiaoxiao."
"Xiaoxiao? What about Xiaoxiao?"
Hearing Mu Xiaoxiao mentioned, Chisato grew curious. Makoto had nothing to do with him.
Little did she know, Himemiya Makoto was equally confused. 'Xiaoxiao? They're on a first-name basis? What happened?'
"I think Mu Xiaoxiao... is kind of dangerous. Chi-chan, he hasn't hurt you, has he?" Himemiya Makoto hesitated, then whispered.
"Hurt me how?"
"You know... bullied you or something..."
'Bullied?' He had bullied her before—terribly so. Chisato thought shyly, hands on her cheeks. But she said, "No, he hasn't bullied me."
"Really?" Himemiya Makoto remained skeptical.
"Really. Xiaoxiao is actually a very good person, Makoto. Don't judge him."
"Then on you—"
Looking at Chisato's uniform, Makoto wanted to see if she bore the same Incubus Pattern. But before she could check, Kisaragi Anna approached, ponytail swinging.
"Chi-chan, let's go."
"Anna-chan, coming now." Chisato grabbed her lunch box and apologized to her friend. "Sorry, Makoto."
"???"
Makoto felt stupid.
'Anna-chan? Weren't you two fighting yesterday? Hostile? Now you're on intimate terms? Eating lunch together? When did you get so close?'
She couldn't understand them at all.
Chisato and Kisaragi Anna's sudden closeness left Makoto's head full of question marks. Mu Xiaoxiao wasn't in the classroom either. She sat in her seat all noon, doubting life.
---
PE class was scheduled for afternoon, but heavy rain forced them indoors. Teacher Kaho Ootani announced they'd hold class in the gymnasium.
For Chisato and Kisaragi Anna, PE had never been a favorite.
One simple reason: they had to change into gym clothes.
And now, one more girl shared that dislike...
Those alluring silver marks on her body... exposing them felt a bit shameful. But shame aside, Chisato no longer intended to hide like last time.
Compared to her initial fear and disgust toward Mu-kun, now she'd given him her whole heart. She loved Mu Xiaoxiao more and more. She no longer rejected the Incubus Pattern on her body—she even liked it.
This was Xiaoxiao's unique imprint. His personal brand. It could protect her. Even if everyone saw, it didn't matter.
They were all girls anyway...
Chisato, with her changed mindset, walked with Himemiya Makoto toward the locker room. Her thoughts wandered into the sky, dreaming of happy times with Xiaoxiao—the lingering joy and bliss with him.
Her friend's strange glances went completely unnoticed.
"Chi-chan!"
"Huh?" Before reaching the locker room, climbing the stairs, they encountered a familiar face. Chisato looked up at the boy standing at the top. Slight surprise crossed her expression. "Senior Yuuto?"
It was Senior Yuuto. She felt like she hadn't seen him in days.
This senior she used to like... now, Chisato felt nothing upon seeing him. Just a stranger. At most, a little awkward.
"Chi-chan, where are you going?"
"To the locker room to change. PE class soon." Chisato offered a reserved, polite smile. An aura of alienation radiated from her.
"I see..."
"I'll go now, Senior Yuuto."
'What's wrong with Chi-chan? Doesn't she like Senior Yuuto? Why so flat?'
Yuuto sensed her change. His expression tightened. "Wait! Chi-chan... I need to tell you something."
"Senior Yuuto, what is it?"
Chisato fiddled with her hair, looking at the boy with wide, calm eyes. That calmness made the senior inexplicably panicked.
"It's about you and that guy... that boy from before..."
He'd never forgotten how that bad guy dragged Chi-chan away right in front of him. These days, he'd been restless, tormented by the matter between Chi-chan and that person.
Now he'd finally made up his mind. He came to demand an explanation.
"Ah, you mean Xiaoxiao? What about him?"
"Didn't he drag you away that day? I don't know who he is, but I'll protect you, Chi-chan." Senior Yuuto's eyes burned with determination. He looked extremely serious.
"No matter what happens, I'll stand by your side. I'll help you. I won't let him hurt you..."
The Chi-chan from before would have been deeply moved.
Too bad...
"Well, Senior Yuuto, I'm sorry." Chisato shook her head, interrupting. "Xiaoxiao hasn't hurt me. I don't need help. Though I appreciate your kindness."
"What?" Yuuto was stunned.
"What I do has nothing to do with you. And Senior Yuuto—"
"Chi-chan? What—what do you mean? I just want to help you! You and him..."
The senior grew anxious. He rushed forward to grab her, but the girl stepped back, dodging.
Chisato clutched her arm. Her eyes no longer held the love they once did—only awkwardness and vigilance. "Senior Yuuto... everything between me and Mu Xiaoxiao is voluntary."
'Mu Xiaoxiao?'
Himemiya Makoto, listening silently, froze.
Chisato stared at the senior with a complicated expression. Suddenly, she bowed. "I'm sorry. Everything between me and Mu Xiaoxiao is voluntary. I... I like him. No—I love him."
Her ears buzzed. Not only the senior stood dumbstruck—Himemiya Makoto watching was equally shocked.
Himemiya Makoto was dumbfounded. 'What did she say? Like? She likes Mu Xiaoxiao?'
'Is this really Chi-chan?!'
"Like? Impossible! You must be forced!" Senior Yuuto couldn't believe it. He didn't want to believe.
He'd loved Chisato. He'd liked this underclassman since they were kids. 'Doesn't Chi-chan like me? She should like me!' "Why—why would you fall for someone like him?! This can't be!"
"Senior Yuuto!" Chisato frowned. Anger flickered between her brows. "I'm telling the truth! If you talk about Xiaoxiao like that again, I'll get angry!"
"..."
Senior Yuuto stared blankly at her.
"Hmph." Chisato's expression softened slightly. "Seriously, I don't blame you. Senior Yuuto didn't do anything wrong. But... you're too late. I love him too much to like anyone else. I'm sorry."
The girl held her chest, a happy smile on her face.
"I'm sorry. Senior Yuuto, please don't come to me anymore. I'm afraid of misunderstandings."
With that, she brushed past him, leaving him standing alone at the stairway—petrified, unmoving for a long time.