"Yukina, good morning," Shichen said with a smile, waving hello.
"Morning… wait, Sensei, why are you here?!" Yukina finally registered what was happening and blurted out in surprise.
"I don't know either—I suddenly appeared in your house… But are you okay right now?" Shichen asked, letting his gaze roam.
Yukina was wearing only a white tank top; though not tight, it still outlined a delicate lily-bud curve.
Her pale, flat midriff was completely bare, skin with a fine sheen, clear and luminous, and a cute little navel.
Down below she wore only simple white underwear; her legs were slim and straight, skin like translucent jade—white upon white.
"Sensei—!" Yukina remembered her state at last, squeaked, and crouched down, arms across her chest. Her pretty face flushed visibly.
"Yukina, you're dressed this lightly first thing in the morning?" Shichen asked cheerfully.
"I… I just got up! Why are you still looking, Sensei?" She noticed he was still calmly staring and snapped in flustered annoyance.
"It's so pretty—how could I not look?" he answered bluntly.
"Mm…" Yukina reddened further, her eyes watering slightly.
"Dressed like this, weren't you showing it to me?" he teased.
"Of course not! Don't say things like that, Sensei! I'm at home—and I just woke up! Also, why did you show up in my house?" She felt her cheeks burn and lowered her head, burying her face against her knees.
He could see even her ears were red. "Didn't I say I suddenly arrived at your place?"
"How could it be 'sudden'! You didn't do it on purpose, did you?" Yukina lifted her head a little, uncertain.
"Am I that kind of person? Did you forget what's going on in Itogami City right now?"
"Eh? Because of the spatial instability?" Yukina recalled.
"Mm. You know how the fluctuations react especially to those with strong mana. You know my mana, right?"
"Sensei is the Fifth Primogenitor, after all… So that's why you suddenly appeared here?"
"Yep. I was watching TV in the living room, zoned out for a second, and ended up here. A lucky break."
"What are you saying, Sensei!" Yukina glared at him, mortified.
"You're really cute, Yukina," Shichen said without the slightest hesitation.
"Mm… Even if you say that, I'm not going to be happy…" She pouted, but the corners of her lips betrayed her.
"Really?" Shichen walked over, crouched in front of her, and grinned at her face-to-face.
"Mm… Sensei, don't get so close! I look like this…"
"It's fine—it's not like you're indecent," he comforted.
"It is indecent! Can you please not look…"
"With something so pretty, wouldn't it be a shame not to?"
"Mm…" She could feel his gaze traveling over her legs—hot and tingling. Sensei is shameless… Then it hit her: Shichen's command of space wasn't inferior to Natsuki's. How could he be affected by spatial shifts?
"Sensei…" Yukina raised her little face and stared at him.
"What is it?"
"Do you take me for a fool?"
"Of course not—you're very smart."
"Then why are you lying to me?"
"Lying? About what?"
"You aren't affected by spatial fluctuations. The instability doesn't do anything to you, does it?"
"Uh…"
Uh-oh. That quick? He'd thought her flustered embarrassment would keep her from thinking too much.
"Sensei…"
"Ahem—well, Yukina, let me explain."
"So you did do it on purpose!" Yukina puffed her cheeks in a huff.
"Not exactly. I can negate the instability's effect on me… I just didn't."
"What does that mean?"
"Space keeps reacting to me right now. Whether I respond depends on my mood. I sensed a link to your place—and didn't block it."
"That's still on purpose…"
"Yeah. I did it on purpose," Shichen admitted with a nod.
"Mm…"
His frank admission left her without words. But if he did it on purpose… it was to come see her.
"Why did you come to my place, Sensei?"
"Because the timing's great."
"Great… timing?"
"Mm. A chance to be alone with you—and to see a very lovely sight."
"Sensei… what do you want to do alone with me? What are you going to do?"
"You've been unhappy lately, Yukina. I came to comfort you." He stood, bent down, and scooped her up.
"Eek—! Sensei?" Caught off guard, she put her arms around his neck. Her pretty face was right there, red as an apple.
He held her princess-style, right arm supporting her back, feeling how small she was; left hand under her legs, palm savoring the smooth, delicate warmth.
"Let's go to your room first."
He gave her a small smile and headed for her room—the living room had no furniture, not even a sofa.
"Sensei…" Yukina's mind was a blank; she could only let him carry her. In her room, he looked around, then sat on the bed. The room was simple—just a bed, a desk, a wardrobe—no other furniture or decorations. She wasn't here to "enjoy youth," after all—she was here to monitor him.
Shichen didn't mind the Agency; he was the one getting the benefits anyway, and while they had their motives, they truly had taken good care of Yukina. Though the room was bare, it held a faint fragrance—not soap or shampoo, but Yukina's own scent.
"Yukina," Shichen said, looking down.
"Sensei…" She turned her head aside, not daring to meet his eyes.
He set her on his lap and, with one hand, guided her face to look at him.
"Sensei…" Her eyes shimmered.
"Yukina, it's been hard, hasn't it?"
"No…"
"I know you—Sayaka getting there first hurt, didn't it?"
"I don't know what you're talking about…"
"Hehe~ I won't deny what I am. You know I'm a bit of a flirt."
"A bit?"
"Fine—a lot. So I couldn't resist Sayaka."
"Did she even try to tempt you?"
"She came right to me—and said, for your sake, I could do anything. How could I ignore that?"
"So you just wanted to misbehave, Sensei?" Yukina pouted.
"Of course. I'm a normal man… But honestly, I should have done those things with you."
"Eh?" She stared at him, dazed.
"Too bad Sayaka cut in."
"Sensei…"
"Yukina's so cute—how could I not be moved? How could I not like you?"
"Sensei…" Her big eyes fluttered; her heart raced.
"The Agency assigned you to me—so I'm not handing you over to anyone."
"They didn't assign me… I'm here to monitor you."
"Do you really believe that?"
"Mm…"
"It hurts to be preempted. So I'm here to make it right."
"Make what right… Sensei?" she asked, tense, as he slowly lowered his head toward her.
"If you want to refuse, just push me away." He kept leaning in.
"…"
She couldn't. Watching his face draw close—right before her—she squeezed her eyes shut and waited. It felt both long and instant; heat bloomed from her lips to her heart, making her whole body tremble.
So this is what a kiss feels like… No wonder Sayaka's addicted.
"Mm!" Yukina's eyes flew open. He'd coaxed her lips apart—she couldn't escape—and his tongue entwined with hers. It was even more overwhelming, like an electric current running through her.
Staring at the Sensei's face so close to hers, her gaze softened; her brows curved; she looped her arms tighter around his neck and closed her eyes again.
She let Shichen do as he pleased.
After all, she was only a young woman—how could she resist the Fifth Primogenitor?