Kazuki woke up late.
Not because he was tired—but because sleeping in felt right after stealing a kiss from a married woman under moonlight. He stretched in that haystack bed like a cat with no guilt in his bones, then stared at the cracked ceiling and muttered, "She's gonna think about that all day."
The system chimed like it was proud.
{Lila Affection: 63%}
{Mental State: Conflicted, Curious, Stirred}
{Note: Husband still unconscious. Risk level: stable for now}
{Daily Bonus: +2 Charm for smooth exit}
Kazuki rolled out of bed, dressed lazily, and headed into the village, whistling like a man who had no idea what consequences meant.
That's when he saw her.
Mia.
The baker's daughter.
A short girl with sharp eyes, fiery red hair, and a temper that made grown men flinch. She wasn't smiling. In fact, her glare was doing most of the talking.
Kazuki waved casually.
"Morning, flamehead."
She stomped right up to him, fists clenched, chest heaving—not in a cute way. More like she was about to throw flour and a skillet at his face.
"You," she snapped.
"Me," he said with a grin.
"I heard what you did."
Kazuki blinked. "Be specific. I've done many sinful things."
"Don't joke! You've been seen talking to Lila. Too much."
"Well, it's a small village. Can't help if she's chatty."
"She's married!"
"...So was Cleopatra. Worked out for her a bit."
Mia's face turned red. Not the flustered kind. The furious kind.
"You think you're clever? Charming? That you can just flirt with anyone and smile your way out?"
"Yes," he said without hesitation.
She froze. Like she didn't expect him to just own it.
And Kazuki stepped closer, closing the space between them, lowering his voice.
"What's it to you, Mia?"
"I— I just don't like seeing someone play with people like toys."
"Is that what I'm doing?"
"Yes!"
"Then why are you still standing here?"
Mia's lips parted like she had a retort lined up—then stopped. Her fingers twitched.
Kazuki tilted his head. "You're cute when you're mad."
"Shut up!"
"You're cuter when you're not."
Her face went nuclear. Steam practically coming off her head. She pushed him in the chest, hard.
"Go die!"
Kazuki laughed, took a step back, and gave her a mock salute. "I already did, remember?"
System pinged.
{New Interest Detected: Mia – Suspicion: 70%, Attraction: 30%}
{Status: Hostile curiosity}
{New Trait: Tsundere Detected – Dialogue tree unlocked}
He turned and walked away before she could throw something. Not fast. Just enough to show her he wasn't flustered.
She yelled, "I'm watching you, pervert!"
"Please do," he called back.
He wandered down the road, hands in his pockets, already thinking ahead. Lila in the evening. Mia heating up faster than her oven. And somewhere in the middle, trouble waiting to trip him up.
This world didn't need saving.
It needed someone like him to mess it up a little more.
Kazuki didn't wait for trouble.
He found it.
That evening, he strolled by the bakery—not for bread. He just had a feeling. Sure enough, Mia was out back, sleeves rolled up, kneading dough like it owed her money. Hair tied messily, a bit of flour on her cheek. She didn't see him at first.
So he leaned on the wooden fence, watching.
She noticed.
She didn't say anything, just wiped her hands on her apron and gave him the most annoyed glare the village had ever seen.
"You stalking me now?"
"Didn't know you needed protection. Scared the bread might bite?"
"I could throw a rolling pin at your face."
"I bet you'd aim for the lips."
She turned red.
He stepped closer, just enough to make her feel it.
"Still mad?" he asked, voice low.
"I don't get mad. I get annoyed when men like you act like the world's their harem."
Kazuki gave a slow smile. "You think I'm collecting girls?"
She scoffed. "I know you are."
"Are you jealous?"
She threw a towel at him. "Shut up!"
It hit his chest, soft and warm, still smelling like cinnamon.
He didn't throw it back.
He walked past her instead, casually entering the back of the bakery like he belonged there. She blinked in disbelief and stormed in after him.
"Hey! You can't—!"
Kazuki leaned against the table, scanning the room. "Nice setup. Cozy. Bet you sneak snacks all the time."
"I don't—why are you here?"
He looked at her. Direct. No smile.
"Because you're interesting."
That froze her.
No teasing tone. No smirk. Just quiet honesty.
She shifted her weight, arms crossed, eyes narrowed. "You mean annoying."
"I mean interesting."
"...You're dangerous."
Kazuki walked to her slowly. No sudden moves. Just presence.
"Probably."
Her back touched the wall before she realized she'd moved.
He leaned in, one hand beside her head, not touching her—just close enough to feel the tension.
"You keep watching me like you want to warn the others. Or maybe like you want to understand why they fall."
Mia's breath hitched.
"I'm nothing like Lila," she whispered.
Kazuki tilted his head. "No. You're louder."
That earned him a slap to the shoulder.
But her eyes didn't leave his.
"You'll regret playing with me."
"Wouldn't be the first time."
She looked at him like she wanted to hate him. Maybe she did. But hate was a step away from passion, and Kazuki knew exactly how to walk that line.
Then, just when the air got heavy, when her lips parted ever so slightly—
He stepped back.
"Smells like burnt bread," he said casually.
She blinked, confused.
"Oh god, the oven!"
She pushed past him, running to check it.
Kazuki slipped out, towel still over his shoulder.
The system chuckled in his head.
{Mia Affection: 41%}
{Suspicion: 82% – You're getting spicy}
{New Passive: Heat Resistant – You thrive under fire}
{Hidden Quest: Two Fires – Lila or Mia? Or both?}
Kazuki didn't answer.
He just smiled, strolling toward the river again.
Night was falling, and someone else might be waiting in the shadows.