Nabi ducked under the chain, the gleam of the rope dart missing her cheek by a breath. She countered with a sharp kick, but Hayato caught her ankle midair, twisting and forcing her back.
He's fast… too fast.
She staggered, steadying herself. Without her powers, without her frost, the fight was pure hand to hand and in that, he was better. His stance was tight, efficient. Every move was practiced, drilled into muscle memory. Even as he groaned apologies under his breath, his body worked against her like a machine wound too tight.
Nabi clenched her teeth, blocking another strike. Damn it. He doesn't even want this, and he's still overwhelming me.
Kasiba leaned against her desk, arms folded, watching with amused eyes. Her voice purred across the room. "Wow. Look at how easily he bends to me. Isn't it beautiful?"
Nabi shoved Hayato back, breathing hard. "Hayato, listen to me!"
"I—can't—" he gasped, his hands trembling as they formed another strike.
"Kasiba isn't as hot as you think!" Nabi snapped, desperation edging her voice.
Hayato's eyes flickered, pained. "Y-you don't get it! She's… way too hot!"
"She's a murderer," Nabi shot back, her heart pounding as she circled him. "She kills children. You can't be horny for that!"
Hayato lunged again, and she barely managed to parry, but the chain wrapped around her wrist, pulling her close. His body collided with hers, momentum slamming her against the desk.
Kasiba's laugh was low, sultry. "Oh, the irony. Convincing him I'm not beautiful… while he pins you down."
Nabi struggled, but Hayato's grip was unrelenting. His weight pressed her shoulders against the cold desk surface, rope dart pinning her arms.
"Sorry… Nabi…" he groaned, sweat dripping down his face. "I'm trying—but I can't—"
Her eyes met his, burning with both fury and fear. If I don't break her hold soon… I'll have to freeze him!
The frost swirled from Nabi's hands, and with a sharp thrust, she released it. The blizzard struck Hayato, not enough to wound, but enough to knock his head hard enough to stop being horny and tear him free of Kasiba's ghostly strings. He staggered, skidding against the floor as the cold bit into his skin.
Nabi straightened, her breath steady. "For someone who isn't even part of the Watch… you're a shockingly good fighter."
Hayato coughed out a laugh, brushing frost off his arms. "Thanks for the compliment." He gave her a weak grin. "Guess now I know how Yúzé felt a little, huh?"
Nabi's lips twitched into the faintest smile, but she didn't let herself linger on it. Her eyes sharpened, frost coiling in her palm once again as she turned her attention to Kasiba. "This time, I'm not playing. One shot, and you're dead."
The Witch tilted her head, glasses glinting as her lips curved into a slow, sly smile. "Careful now. It only takes a single thought from me…" She tapped her temple with one slender finger. "…and every boy in this building kills himself."
Nabi froze mid-step, the frost hissing in her hand. Her chest rose sharply as her jaw clenched.
Kasiba let the silence hang, savoring it, then turned lazily toward the door. "If it's a fight you want…" She looked back over her shoulder, smirk widening. "…then follow me."
Her heels clicked against the floor as she left the room without hurry, her presence chilling the air long after she'd gone.
Nabi lowered her hand, the frost dispersing reluctantly. Hayato exhaled, tightening his grip on his rope dart as he fell into step beside her.
The hallway was silent as they followed Kasiba's measured steps. The fluorescent lights above flickered faintly, their hum the only sound until her voice cut through the air.
"Men," Kasiba mused, her tone half-amused, half-scornful. "So many of their choices are driven by their sexual desires. A Witch doesn't create anything out of nothing—we only give what is already craved… in exchange for its equivalent."
Nabi's eyes narrowed, her voice dry. "Then why not call yourself a merchant and be done with it?"
Kasiba rolled her eyes, her heels clicking against the floor. "Cute. But there is one young man I've found… who seems oddly immune to me."
Hayato raised a hand, deadpan. "Must be gay."
Nabi shot him a glare and rolled her eyes, though her lips twitched faintly despite the tension.
That was when a young man in a school uniform emerged from around the corner. About their age, tall and broad-shouldered, his tanned skin catching the dim light. Black hair fell just above his ruby-red eyes, which glowed faintly like embers. A cigarette dangled lazily from his mouth as he strolled forward, hands buried deep in his pockets.
Kasiba gestured toward him with an elegant wave. "Allow me to introduce Abel Lopez."
The boy's eyes flicked between Hayato and Nabi, his expression unreadable.
Kasiba smirked, already turning to leave. "Abel, be a dear and entertain our guests while I see myself out."
As she passed Hayato, she winked subtly, her lips curling in a smile that made his stomach twist. Then she pushed open the exit door and walked out of the building—scot free.
Nabi's chest tightened with frustration, but she bit it back. I can't risk it… if I go after her now, the boys in this school will die. At least… I have Hayato back.
Her gaze shifted to Abel. Something about him was wrong. Not his stance, not his words, something deeper. A presence she couldn't quite place.
Abel stopped in front of them, his cigarette glowing faintly as he took a drag. His voice was gravelly, almost bored. "You two got a problem with the miss or something?"
Hayato pointed casually with his rope dart, face straight but voice dry. "Unfortunately, yeah. She's a sexy witch who sacrifices children. That's kind of a problem."
For the first time, Abel grinned, a low laugh rumbling from his chest. "Heh. At least you're funny. You're gonna need humor where you're headed."
His ruby eyes sharpened.
Both sides shifted, wings and weapons ready to come out at a moment's notice. As in the silent hallway of St. Mary's, the clash was about to begin.