Clarissa POV
I sit on my bed, a book in my hands, but my mind keeps drifting back to what happened earlier.
How Rika protected that glasses girl.
How she held her.
And why she let her touch her shoulder, despite our deal.
I grip the book, take a deep breath, and snap it shut. Standing, I pace my room, fingers tapping against my arm as I think of a way to separate them.
I ring the bell attached to my bedside table, and my butler enters, bowing his head respectfully.
Butler Laurence: "Young lady, you called me?"
I nod, sitting on the edge of my bed, crossing my legs as I face him.
Clarissa: "Yes. I want you to dig up everything you can on a girl named Mila Clemson."
Butler Laurence: "Right away, miss."
He bows again and immediately leaves my room. I roll my eyes and flop back onto my pillow—
until I hear a faint whistle from the window.
I sit up, fix my nightgown, and walk over to open it.
The masked guy from earlier stands there, smirking and waving like we're neighbors greeting each other. I narrow my eyes, leaning against the window frame, arms crossed.
Clarissa: "What are you doing here?"
He just smirks, leaning against the darker alley wall.
Mask Guy: "Nothing. Just checking on you."
I glare.
Clarissa: "Of course. After that stunt earlier? Do you even realize how dangerous that was? I almost got hit!"
He doesn't flinch. Just laughs.
Mask Guy: "You're so noisy… And besides, I didn't know that Ashikawa girl would ignore you completely for a nerd."
My body tenses. My fingers curl into the hem of my shirt.
Clarissa: "What did you say?"
My tone turns cold. He smirks wider, clearly enjoying my reaction.
Mask Guy: "What? Affected? Can't accept that she didn't think of you, even after you used your charm?"
Clarissa: "Shut up. I still have it under control, and I don't need your reckless acts to destroy it."
He snickers and claps mockingly.
Mask Guy: "Fine. If you say so."
He pushes himself off the wall to leave, but I call out.
Clarissa: "Hey! Tell me why you did it."
He glances over his shoulder, sighing like I'm annoying him.
Mask Guy: "Master ordered me to."
My eyes widen. I lower my head, trembling slightly. I have so many questions, yet I don't dare speak them. My hand grips my pendant tight.
He shakes his head, chuckling.
Mask Guy: "Oh yeah, almost forgot. Blood Luna needs more of your connections. Can you support us?"
I take a breath, steadying my voice.
Clarissa: "Of course. Tell your master I'll help."
He raises a hand in a lazy wave and disappears into the shadows.
I look up at the night sky, the cold wind brushing my face as I clutch my pendant tighter.
Clarissa: "She should be punished… right, Shinji?"
That night, my thoughts won't stop. Plans form and break apart—ways to tame Rika, to make her mine more than Mila ever could.
---
The Next Day
I walk into class and see Rika napping at her desk while Mila gently caresses her hair, guarding her. I head to my seat, and Mila glances up at me before returning to her book.
Mila: "Good morning, I guess."
Clarissa: "Good morning to you too."
She runs her fingers through Rika's hair again, then keeps reading. I unzip my bag—loudly—just to get their attention.
Rika stirs, sits up quickly, and looks around, still holding onto Mila's arm.
Clarissa: "Oops. Sorry. Didn't mean to be so loud."
My voice is polite, but my eyes stay on Rika.
She looks at me, then slowly moves away from Mila. I cross my arms and smile sweetly.
Without warning, Rika stands, grabs my arm, and pulls me out of the classroom. Mila calls after her, but Rika doesn't listen, gripping my wrist tightly. She drags me to the rooftop and shoves me against the railing.
Clarissa: "Damn, you really like being rough with me, huh?"
I rub my wrist, but she just shakes her head and slams her palm against the wall beside me, trapping me between the cold surface and her body.
Rika: "Who?!"
Clarissa: "What?"
Rika: "Don't you dare lie to me. Who was that guy yesterday? Didn't I warn you—don't drag Mila into your twisted games!"
Clarissa: "Are you accusing me? Did you forget you're the one with the kind of family that makes those connections? Maybe I should be asking you that question."
I jab a finger into her chest, stepping forward.
Clarissa: "And don't look at me like that. I was almost hit yesterday—oh, wait. You didn't notice because you were too busy cuddling that glasses girl. Even though we already had a deal. Pathetic."
Rika: "Don't ever call her that."
Clarissa: "What? Huh? What will you do?"
She shoves me hard against the wall, her hand pressing into my shoulder. I gasp for air, holding her in place. Then—footsteps on the stairs.
She glances toward the sound.
And in that moment, I make the biggest mistake I've ever made.
I grab her and kiss her.
Her body tenses, eyes widening as my lips touch hers. The rooftop door bursts open, and a couple of students walk in. They freeze, then quickly look away, mumbling apologies before retreating.
Rika shoves me back and covers her mouth.
Clarissa: "Hey! That hurts."
I sound annoyed, but deep down, I'm just as shocked as she is.
And somewhere in my chest… a strange tingling starts to spread.