As the after-school bell rang, many students left the school building as usual.
Nobody noticed that something unknown was happening inside the Student Council office.
The office, which should have been serious and quiet, was now gathered with several girls. They sat together in a circle with one boy among them, apparently playing a drawing-lots game.
At first glance, everything seemed normal.
Until someone suddenly let out a delighted voice.
"Yay! The first person to draw the king is me!"
Perhaps because she had not expected to draw the king immediately, Kikyō showed a brilliant smile. Then she impatiently flipped over her crown stick, showing everyone her current identity.
Kei looked a little envious.
She also wanted to draw the crown stick representing the king, but unfortunately, she was Subject No. 4.
"Kikyō is so lucky. Have you thought about what command you'll give?"
Honami blinked, holding the stick that marked her as Subject No. 5. Whether intentionally or not, she let Kikyō see it.
They were playing a classic game.
Everyone drew lots at the same time. Whoever drew the crown became the king and could issue a command to anyone present.
However, the king could not directly name a person. They had to give the command to a numbered subject, such as ordering Subject No. 4 to do something. Whoever held that number then had to obey the king's command.
Because nobody knew anyone else's identity before the command was given, everyone would feel a sense of tension.
That was one of the thrills of the game.
"Mm... let me think."
Kikyō's gaze moved to the other side and met Suzune's eyes.
Suzune's body seemed slightly tense, as if she were worried Kikyō would issue some strange command that would embarrass her in front of everyone.
Ignoring Suzune, Kikyō calmly shifted her gaze away.
Then she saw Airi nervously clutching the stick in her hands. Even before any command was given, the tips of her ears had already turned red.
Although Kikyō really wanted to tease her, she knew she could not make this easily embarrassed bunny go first.
Then Kikyō saw Masumi.
Her gaze lingered there for a moment before skipping over her.
Finally, there was Kaoru.
This was the Student Council office. As the Student Council president, it was perfectly normal for Kaoru to be here.
Besides, they were the ones who had forcibly dragged him into this game.
Kikyō's lips curved slightly.
What command should she give this perverted President?
"Ahem. As the king, my command is very simple."
Kikyō put on a serious little face. "Subject No. 2 must collect one personal item from everyone here."
Kaoru stiffened.
He was Subject No. 2.
In an instant, Kaoru felt everyone's eyes turn toward him.
Kei looked excited. Honami looked a little helpless. Suzune wore an expression that seemed to say, 'Of course it would be like this.' Airi had already lowered her head in embarrassment.
Masumi's reaction was even stranger. She stared at them blankly, as if she had accidentally wandered into a completely different world.
"What kind of personal item?" Kei asked curiously.
"Something close enough to make him nervous."
Kikyō giggled and lifted the edge of her skirt just a little before immediately pressing it back down. "Boys love this kind of almost-seeing-but-not-quite situation. It makes them very excited."
"Your gaze is indecent, Master."
The girl smiled like a little angel, though there was plenty of teasing in her expression.
"Can we change the command?"
Kaoru's face did not change.
Although he was indeed a pervert, this kind of game was making that fact harder and harder to deny.
"Master always pretending to be a gentleman is something I especially like, but unfortunately, Master's objection is invalid. We already explained the rules."
Kikyō sighed deeply, as if she herself had no choice.
"The king's command must be embarrassing. No other kind of command is allowed."
Yes.
Their King's Game was different from other people's. It was not the all-ages version. It was the dangerous version.
At first, when they barged into the Student Council office and kept saying they wanted to play a game, Kaoru had assumed it would be normal.
Since they wanted to play, he would play with them.
Only when Kikyō explained the rules did Kaoru realize he had been tricked.
This was nothing more than a party under the name of a game.
"Kaoru, you have to respect the king's command, okay?"
Honami's gaze seemed slightly dissatisfied.
Since even she said that, Kaoru could only stand and look around at the girls.
Kei was the first to stand.
She looked at Kaoru eagerly, just like Kikyō. She was always the most enthusiastic when it came to this kind of teasing.
After all, if something had to be handed over, standing up made it easier.
The moment Kaoru came closer, Kei immediately stretched both hands toward him like a well-behaved child waiting for him to act. Her eyes were shining, and there was no sign of unwillingness.
Seeing her smile, Kaoru suppressed the impulse in his heart and said softly, "I'm taking it now, Kei."
"Ehehe, okay!"
Kei hooked her arms around his neck. Her eyes were filled with love.
As long as she leaned against him, her heart could not stop liking him even more.
It was truly terrible.
Because the command forbade anything too obvious, Kaoru could only take a small accessory from her. Even that small contact made Kei squirm slightly, her soft body brushing against him.
"Don't move around."
Kaoru felt his composure wavering.
The girl in his arms was so soft, and she smelled so good. It was difficult to remain calm.
"It tickles a little... I can't help it..."
Kei's voice carried a sweet trace of laughter.
Eventually, Kaoru took the small item from her and stepped back.
Kei's face was red, but she still stood on tiptoe and kissed Kaoru lightly on the lips.
Before Kaoru could properly taste her sweetness, she retreated with a flushed face.
"Every time I see Kei doing something bad with Master, it feels more like she's acting spoiled than doing something risky."
Kikyō somehow complained.
"I-I'm not acting spoiled!"
Kei hurriedly hid her embarrassment. "You're the ones who are too bad. Isn't kissing more comfortable?"
"Kissing is kissing. Teasing is teasing."
Kikyō urged, "Master, hurry up and move to the next one. Kei is going to start monopolizing you."
"If anyone gets punished, it should be you!"
Kei was unconvinced, though when she met Kaoru's eyes, she became shy again. "Only the item. Nothing else."
She was a little worried Kaoru would really tease her too much. It would be embarrassing, but there was also a small bit of pride in her heart. If Kaoru wanted to tease her, that meant he liked her, right?
Still, Kei felt embarrassed and became tangled up inside.
Next was Honami.
"Kaoru can undo this button."
Honami blinked, indicating the top button of her shirt.
"Wait, isn't that against the rules?"
Kei was stunned. She suspected Honami was using her charms to tempt Kaoru.
"But I'm not taking anything off."
Honami understood the rules very thoroughly. "Besides, if I don't loosen it a little, it'll be hard for Kaoru to reach what I'm handing over."
Kei immediately looked at Kikyō, who nodded with some difficulty.
Unfair.
One day, she would also become that impressive!
Following Honami's instructions, Kaoru reached toward her collar. He undid the top button, then the second, while doing his best not to look too closely.
Honami smiled at him gently.
If Kaoru liked her body, she did not mind using it to make him happy. In her mind, being able to please him was one of the best meanings of dressing up for the person she loved.
Sure enough, Kaoru's restraint almost broke.
Honami leaned closer and whispered, "If you want to touch, you can."
Kaoru almost surrendered on the spot.
But before he could completely lose control, he remembered they were still in the office and reluctantly stepped back with Honami's small ribbon in his hand.
"Bad boy."
Honami puffed her cheeks slightly, though after Kaoru stood, she still took the initiative to kiss him.
Then she smiled.
"Now it doesn't count as bullying."
This girlfriend was far too cute.
Kaoru almost wanted to pull her into his arms and never let go.
Next was Suzune.
Facing Kaoru's gaze, Suzune showed no expression. She looked as if she would allow whatever he did.
Kaoru approached her like he had with Kei. Because of the angle, it looked almost as though he were hugging her.
For an instant, he seemed to see Suzune's ears turn slightly red.
"I'm taking it."
As if deliberately being mischievous, Kaoru breathed lightly near her ear.
The girl in his arms trembled faintly.
When he took the small hair tie from her, Suzune glared at him with a red face.
"Pervert."
"Definitely a pervert," Kikyō said while touching her chin. "Somehow, Master treats Horikita differently."
This made both Kaoru and Suzune glare at her.
"Hurry up. Don't waste time."
Suzune whispered to Kaoru.
Since she had said that, Kaoru obediently stepped back.
Next was Airi.
"I-I'm here!"
Airi looked at Kaoru nervously.
Because Kikyō had said her usual style was too plain, she had helped Airi change her hairstyle before coming over.
Her original twin braids had become twin tails, and her glasses had been removed, revealing the girl's natural appearance. Her delicate features and small nose made her look very pretty and cute.
"Airi."
Kaoru reached out and held the girl's waist. "Don't be nervous. Sorry for making you wait."
Of course Airi was nervous.
But once Kaoru hugged her, her body only stiffened for a moment before gradually relaxing.
His embrace carried a familiar warmth that made her feel safe.
"No... it's okay..."
By the time she came back to herself, Kaoru had already taken the small charm attached to her bag strap.
He kissed her lightly on the lips before looking toward Masumi.
"W-what? I'm not playing!"
Masumi acted fierce, though her confidence was clearly weak. If he dared to make her participate, she would definitely... definitely not be polite.
"I know you're not playing. I'm just enjoying the view."
Kaoru glanced toward her legs.
Masumi was wearing the school uniform too. That did not prevent Kaoru from appreciating her.
"Disgusting."
Masumi's gaze was icy, but she made no move.
After all, Kaoru had looked at her hundreds of times before. At this point, she no longer cared that much.
Kaoru did not mind either.
He had looked hundreds of times, and Masumi had scolded him hundreds of times.