"Gulp…" Issei swallowed hard and spoke awkwardly. "Kuroka, it's dangerous here. You should leave as soon as possible."
Kuroka smiled beautifully, blinking her black-and-gold eyes with a teasing grin.
"If I get captured, you'll save me for sure, right?"
"Why are you so confident?"
"Nyaa~ I know you like me, nyaa~."
"…" Issei fell silent, unable to deny Kuroka's statement. "What about you?" he asked in return.
Kuroka's body stiffened for a moment. After thinking it over, she answered, "I'm a little interested in you, nyaa~."
Thump!
Kuroka's tone was flirtatious—soft, smooth, and seductive.
'Ddraig, what do you think?'
'This girl isn't under the influence of an Ultimate Skill. Besides, you haven't been intimate with her.'
'That's true… then—'
'There are two possibilities. She's interested because I'm inside your body, or she's genuinely attracted to your charm. Both could be true. After all, dragons have always been creatures that attract women.'
Issei fell silent and reflected. 'Now that I think about it, that kind of element did exist in the original story.' He let out a long breath, inhaling a sweet fragrance that assaulted his nose.
Issei turned his head—and froze when he saw Kuroka's face right next to his.
Slurp…
Kuroka licked Issei's cheek, her expression turning sharp, as if she had just discovered something that irritated her.
"What is this, nyaa!? Why does your body have the scent of a fallen angel, nyaa!?"
Issei was stunned.
"You noticed?"
"Of course, nyaa! Don't underestimate a nekomata, nyaa!"
Kuroka looked furious, her tail standing straight up like a telecommunications tower.
"Ahem… a lot of things happened. Right now, I have three fallen angel women as my possessions."
"They're your lovers, nyaa?"
Issei firmly shook his head.
"They're my slaves, not my lovers."
Kuroka fell silent, completely at a loss for words.
"I see… women are nothing more than slaves to you, nyaa~."
"Hm?"
"Am I also being targeted to become a slave, nyaa?" Kuroka narrowed her eyes, staring straight at Issei.
"I think you misunderstand. I want you to become my lover, not my slave."
"Nyaa!" Kuroka froze, her cheeks turning as red as tomatoes before she shyly looked away. "Good grief, the Red Dragon Emperor really is good at seducing women, nyaa."
"You don't like it?"
"If I didn't like it, I wouldn't even talk to you, nyaa."
"That's true."
"By the way, I won't forgive you if you dare lay a hand on Shirone!"
Kuroka's expression became ferocious and dangerous.
"Huh? Why did the atmosphere suddenly change?"
"I know I can't defeat you, but I won't stand by if you dare damage Shirone's body," Kuroka added, her tone resolute—ready to die for her younger sister.
Issei grew even more confused.
"Wait a second, explain why you'd think that! If you don't explain, how am I supposed to respond?!"
Kuroka tilted her head.
"You don't know?"
"Know what?!"
"About Shirone entering her mating season early."
"Huh?!" Issei was so shocked he was left speechless.
"So you really didn't know… even though you're the one who caused Shirone to enter her mating season early."
"…Me?" Issei pointed at himself, utterly incredulous.
Kuroka nodded gently.
"Shirone is quiet, so she's very sensitive to her surroundings. On the other hand, you shine too brightly to be ignored. Shirone's attention would naturally be drawn to you all the time, so it's not strange for her to fall in love with you."
"…You're joking, right?"
Kuroka puffed out her cheeks in annoyance, clearly unhappy with Issei's question.
"What do you think, nyaa~?"
"…You're not joking."
"You already know that, so stop treating this like a joke. My little sister's fate is on the line here, nyaa~."
"I'm truly sorry." Issei was filled with regret, which Kuroka noticed, causing her to smile in relief.
"I know you're interested in Shirone, but please don't ruin her now. I beg you!" Tears welled up in Kuroka's eyes, making her look fragile and pitiful.
Issei never imagined he would see Kuroka cry today.
"Don't worry. I won't touch your little sister."
Kuroka's eyes lit up.
"Really?"
Issei nodded with a serious expression.
"Um… if you need a substitute, I can do it, even though it's not my mating season right now, nyaa~." Kuroka blushed slightly, looking cute and adorable.
"Ahem, not right now. There are still many things that need to be done."
"…Alright, nyaa."
'Eh? Is it just me, or did Kuroka just look disappointed?'
"Red Dragon Emperor, please protect Shirone. I'm afraid she'll be taken advantage of by some bad man out there, nyaa."
"I understand. This is my fault from the beginning, so I'll take responsibility."
Kuroka nodded gently.
"Why don't you come with me?"
Kuroka's eyes widened for a moment before she gave a bitter smile and shook her head.
"No. I'd only cause trouble if I went with you."
There was deep sadness hidden behind Kuroka's words.
"I'm sorry. I still haven't managed to persuade Koneko."
"I understand your situation. There's no need to rush."
Issei let out a light sigh.
"I have to go now. Please take care of Shirone for me, nyaa~." With a teleportation magic circle, Kuroka disappeared.
Issei took a deep breath, then hurried toward Koneko's classroom.
To be continued…