Chapter 18: The Battle of Wills
Kazuki paced nervously in the courtyard, the echoes of the clash ringing in his ears. The night air was thick with tension, the distant sound of metal striking metal sending chills down his spine.
"Elara..." Kazuki muttered, fists clenched. What was happening? Was Tara really provoking her?
Before he could think further, the doors to the training grounds burst open, and Elara stormed through, her face flushed, her chest rising and falling with heavy breaths.
"Elara!" Kazuki rushed to her side. "What happened?"
Elara wiped the sweat from her brow, her eyes dark and stormy. "Tara's gone too far this time. She thinks she can do whatever she wants just because..." Her jaw clenched. "Just because she thinks you're interested."
Kazuki's face burned. "I-I'm not!"
Elara stepped closer, her eyes locking onto his. "Are you sure? Because it didn't look that way."
Kazuki swallowed, his pulse racing. "I told you, she caught me off guard. I wasn't —"
"You weren't what?" Elara demanded, her hand grabbing the front of his shirt, pulling him closer. "You weren't enjoying it? You weren't tempted?"
Kazuki's breath hitched, Elara's face inches from his, her grip tight and unyielding. "Elara..."
"Answer me," Elara whispered, her eyes fierce. "Are you tempted by her?"
Kazuki's mouth opened, but the words refused to come out. How could he explain it? The confusion, the rush of emotions, the undeniable attraction to Tara despite knowing better...
"That's what I thought," Elara said, releasing his shirt and stepping back, her jaw tight. "You need to be careful, Kazuki. Tara isn't playing games. She wants you. And she'll do whatever it takes to get you."
Kazuki clenched his fists, frustration boiling inside him. "What am I supposed to do? She's... she's relentless."
Elara's expression softened, her eyes dropping to the ground. "Stay away from her. Stay close to me. I can protect you."
Kazuki's heart skipped a beat. "Protect me?"
Elara met his gaze, her cheeks flushed. "Yes. From her. From yourself. From... whatever this is."
Before Kazuki could respond, a sultry, familiar laugh echoed from the shadows. Tara emerged from the darkness, her robe still clinging to her curves, her eyes fixed on Kazuki.
"Aww, am I interrupting something?" Tara purred, stepping forward, her lips curling into a sly grin. "Elara, you look so flustered."
Elara's eyes narrowed, her fists clenching. "Tara. You need to back off. Now."
Tara tilted her head, her gaze never leaving Kazuki. "Why should I? Kazuki and I were having such a nice moment before you barged in."
Kazuki's face burned as Tara's eyes roamed over him, her tongue flicking out to wet her lips. "Kazuki," Tara said, her voice a seductive whisper. "Why don't you tell Elara how much you enjoyed our little 'session'?"
Kazuki's breath caught in his throat, Elara's eyes boring into him, demanding an answer. But before he could speak, Tara stepped closer, her hand reaching for him.
"You don't have to answer," Tara said, her fingers grazing his jaw, her body pressing against his. "I already know."
Elara's face darkened, her aura flaring with barely restrained rage. "Tara. Get. Away. From. Him."
Tara's grin widened, her eyes glinting with wicked delight. "Make me."