"Get up from my lap, Selene! This is wrong!" I shouted, my voice cracking.
Rei and Akari just sat there, watching us like it was their favorite drama.
Selene only smiled and wrapped her arms around me tighter. "Nothing is wrong, Kisaragi. You're my future wife, so why can't I sit on your lap?" she said, looking way too calm.
What is even happening right now?
In all the isekai stories I've read or watched, the main lead is the one chasing the love interest… but here? Why is the villainess acting all sweet and nice?
No. No way. I won't fall for that pretty face. She's the bad guy of this manga.
"Get off me now, Selene!" I yelled, hoping she'd actually listen this time.
But she tilted her head, her smile turning a little dangerous.
"Wow, Kisaragi… no one's ever yelled my name like that and lived to tell about it," she said, her voice low.
"What?" I froze, my heart skipping a beat.
Then she leaned in, so close her breath tickled my ear, and whispered softly:
"But don't worry… you can yell all you want, because you're mine. Forever."
No. No no no. Stop it, heart. Don't race. Don't fall for her. I blinked fast, trying to calm myself down.
"Get off me! Get off me!" I started kicking my legs and throwing my hands like a kid having a tantrum.
From the side, Rei leaned closer to Akari and whispered loudly enough for me to hear:
"Babe… before we get caught in this mess, let's go have our own adventure. Leave these two lovebirds alone."
"Yes, good idea," Akari said as they both stood up, smiling like little devils.
"No! Please! Don't leave me here with her! Please!" I begged, but they just laughed and ran out of the hut.
"Jerks," I muttered under my breath.
Selene chuckled softly, still comfortably sitting on me. "Looks like it's just the two of us now, Kisaragi."
I pointed desperately at the empty chair beside me. "Look! The chair is free now. You can sit there, okay? Please?"
But she just crossed her legs on my lap and gave me that smug queen smile.
"No thanks. This chair is much better. It's soft… and comfy." She even bounced slightly, making my face burn red.
"Well, I'm not a chair!" I grumbled, my hands gripping the edge of the table. "And people are watching!"
"Let them watch," she said without even looking away. "At least they'll finally know…"
Her icy-blue eyes locked on mine as she leaned even closer.
"That Rin Kisaragi belongs to me."
I stared back at her, feeling my stomach twist and my heart beat way too fast.
And all I could manage to say was:
"I told you… I'm not anyone's property…"
But even as I said it… my voice grew smaller and less sure.
But no — I won't give in to this. Never.
"Please," I begged, trying to make my eyes look pitiful, "please get off my lap."
Selene stared at me for a long moment, her eyes unreadable. Then finally, she stood up gracefully and sat down across from me.
Thank goodness.
But then she tilted her head and said, softly but clearly:
"Okay, Kisaragi… then tell me. What do I have to do?"
"…Do what?" I asked, blinking at her.
"What do I have to do," she repeated, "to make you fall for me?"
I froze, my mouth opening but no sound coming out.
Was she serious? Really serious?
"You can't," I finally managed to say. "I can't fall in love with anyone. And I don't want to."
Love stories… they're not for me. I've read enough of them to know how they end. And someone like me… doesn't deserve them. Never.
Selene's eyes softened a little, but she didn't stop staring at me.
"Why can't you?" she said quietly. "Everyone deserves a chance at love… even those who think they don't."
Her voice was so calm… but for some reason, it felt like she was talking about herself, not just me.
I shook my head hard and looked away.
"No. Not me. I will never fall in love."
But as the silence stretched, I couldn't stop thinking—
Why does my chest feel so tight when I say that?
Then her soft voice broke the quiet.
"What if I make you fall in love with me, Kisaragi?"
My eyes shot back to her.
"What…?"
She stepped closer, her long silver hair swaying behind her.
"You said you can't fall in love. But what if I prove you wrong?" she said, her voice calm but full of something sharp and certain.
Then she stood tall, extended her hand toward me, and declared,
"Seven dates. That's all it takes to show you what love is. After seven dates… if you still feel nothing, then I'll know Rin Kisaragi was never meant to be mine."
Seven dates? For seven days?
I felt a spark of hope as I crossed my arms.
"And what happens if I don't fall for you after that?" I asked, trying to sound confident.
Her lips curled into a sly, knowing smile.
"Then… I'll cancel the marriage proposal. And I'll leave you alone. But," she added, leaning just close enough that I could feel her breath,
"you have to be honest about your feelings."
That was it. My chance.
There's no way I'd ever fall for her — no way a villainess could break me down.
"Fine," I said, standing up and gripping her hand firmly.
"Seven dates. Seven days to prove that I can never fall."
But then she leaned in even closer, her silver eyes glinting with mischief, and whispered,
"I said seven dates, Kisaragi. I never said they'd be in seven days."
I froze.
"What?! That's not fair!"
She just chuckled softly and winked at me.
"Everything's fair in love and war, girl."
I stood there, stunned, as she started walking away, her steps quiet but full of confidence.
"See you on our first date, Kisaragi," she called over her shoulder, her long hair swaying like away.
I clenched my fists, muttering under my breath.
No matter what… I'll never fall in love with you, Selene Kurosuki. Never!
But then again…
Why was my heart already beating so fast?