Heiron High was supposed to be a normal school.
But for Machio... it was just another goddamn battlefield.
He sat slumped at his desk, doodling despair into his notebook. Dark circles rimmed his eyes. His bunny-ears trauma still haunted him.
How do I break the Crimson Pact... he thought, scribbling "HELP" over and over.
From the next seat, Nariyuki leaned over, grinning like an idiot.
"Bro," Nariyuki whispered loudly. "Just kiss her!"
Machio stared at him like he had grown a second head.
"Kiss... WHO?"
"Tachibana, duh! If you kiss her real hard, maybe the curse will turn into love magic and poof problem solved!"
Machio choked on air.
"THAT'S NOT HOW MAGIC WORKS, YOU MORON!"
Nariyuki shrugged sagely.
"Hey, in anime, kissing solves like, 80% of curses."
Machio clutched his head.
I'm surrounded by idiots.
Before he could continue plotting his miserable future, the classroom door slid open with a sharp screech.
"Machio Maebara," the teacher called. "You're on cleaning duty today."
Machio groaned.
Of course I am.
Dragging himself to the supply closet, Machio grabbed a mop and trudged back into the empty classroom.
Then—
He heard soft footsteps behind him.
He turned.
Standing there was a petite girl, maybe the size of a middle schooler, with glossy black hair in twin braids and a sly smile on her heart-shaped face.
Her uniform was slightly customized—thigh-high socks, tiny skirt, loose cardigan.
But the badge on her chest gleamed.
Third Year.
Senpai.
"Yoo~ Are you Machio-kun?" she sang, her voice sweet and dripping mischief.
"Uh... yeah?" Machio said warily.
The girl winked.
"I'm Anzu Kotahara. Your Senpai. Your future master~."
Machio blinked.
"Huh?"
Ding!
[New Quest Unlocked!]
"Senpai's Special Pet!"
Obey Anzu Kotahara for 24 hours!
Reward: +5 Strength!
Penalty: Wear a cat tail and ears for a week.
Machio's soul left his body.
NOOOOOOOO—
Before he could protest, Anzu skipped up to him, tugging him down by his tie until he knelt.
"Good boy," she whispered.
Machio turned beet red.
His brain melted into a puddle of panic.
"Senpai, this is inappropriate—!"
Anzu giggled.
"Shhh~! It's a Senpai's right to tease her cute juniors, you know."
She twirled around him, her skirt flipping dangerously high, flashing little glimpses of her pink lacy panties.
Machio wanted to scream.
Suddenly, Anzu crouched down, putting her face inches from his.
"Ne, Machio-kun," she purred, brushing her finger under his chin, "how about you become my real boyfriend?"
Machio's brain blue-screened again.
"I—wha—YOU'RE TINY! AREN'T YOU LIKE TEN?!"
Anzu pouted cutely.
"I'm eighteen, you dummy. I'm just... fun-sized."
She stood up, stretching her arms above her head, causing her cardigan to slip off one shoulder, revealing scandalous, lacy black bra straps.
Machio's nose almost exploded.
This school is cursed.
Meanwhile...
Across town, in a bustling open market—
Azumi Araki adjusted the thin straps of her summer dress and sighed, pushing her shopping cart along.
Her lush, curvy body drew stares from every man she passed, completely unaware of the chaos she left in her wake.
Azumi was focused.
Need fresh eggs... and rice... maybe some wine for a treat... she thought.
Then—
A shadow fell over her.
She turned—and almost dropped her basket.
Kira stood there, leaning lazily against a lamppost, dressed in a tight black shirt that clung to every sculpted muscle and leather pants that screamed "bad decision."
"Yo," Kira said smoothly, flashing a devilish grin.
Azumi blinked.
"...You're that guy who almost kidnapped me last month," she said slowly.
Kira chuckled.
"Harsh. I prefer 'aggressively flirted.'"
Azumi arched an eyebrow.
"What do you want?"
Kira shrugged.
"Just saw a beautiful woman alone in the market... thought I'd offer my services."
He leaned closer, voice dropping to a sinful purr.
"Anything you need... anything at all."
Azumi's cheeks flushed.
"Get away from me, you weirdo," she snapped.
But her heart beat faster.
Kira inhaled deeply, drinking in her scent like a starving man.
Sweet... stubborn... warm...
He couldn't help himself.
He tucked a stray strand of hair behind Azumi's ear, fingers brushing her cheek lightly.
Azumi shivered.
Kira smirked.
"You're trembling, pretty lady."
Azumi swatted his hand away.
"Because you're creepy! And maybe because it's cold!"
It was 28°C.
Kira laughed under his breath, eyes glowing slightly red.
For a second, he almost leaned in—almost took her lips right there, market be damned—
But he stopped.
Because it wasn't lust he was feeling.
It was something... heavier.
Real.
He backed off with a sigh, stuffing his hands in his pockets.
"Another time, beautiful," he murmured.
As he sauntered off into the crowd, Azumi cursed softly under her breath...
and touched her burning cheek.
Later that night...
Atop the Blackspire Tower, Machiel L. Lord stood before a giant, blood-stained tapestry, sipping absinthe.
Behind him, Kira approached, still sulking.
"You let your feelings get in the way," Machiel said without turning.
Kira scowled.
"I didn't do anything."
"But you wanted to," Machiel said lightly. "Dangerous, little brother."
Kira stiffened.
"...Don't call me that."
Machiel chuckled.
"Why hide it now? You are blood of my blood. Older brother to Natsume Tachibana, heir to the Keyholders."
Kira's fists clenched.
"I don't care about the bloodline anymore."
"Then why do you still bear the Mark?" Machiel mused.
On Kira's chest, under his shirt, a faint red sigil pulsed.
The Mark of the First Blood.
Machiel turned at last, smiling lazily.
"Fate binds tighter than love, brother. And it seems..."
he glanced into the distance, where Azumi's scent still lingered faintly,
"...you are about to tear yourself apart."
Kira said nothing.
He just clenched his fists harder until blood dripped down his palms.
Somewhere in the city...
Machio sneezed violently.
NEXT TIME:
Anzu's "Special Pet Training" begins!
Nariyuki's advice goes horribly wrong again!
Misaki discovers Anzu's plan... and goes into Yandere Overdrive?!
Kira's feelings spiral even deeper.
And the ultimate secret behind the Crimson Pact draws closer!
(Warning: Contains Senpai Domination Play, Public Market Flirting Battles, and Unplanned Shirtless Vampire Brooding.)