She Wanted to Lock Her in a Cage, Yet Also Worshipped Her Like a Goddess in Heaven

For the entire English class, Kotomi Izumi lay sprawled on her desk.

Tsumugi Nomura didn't disturb her. In her mind, Kotomi was probably exhausted from participating in the art exhibition in Kyoto while still studying diligently each night back at the hotel. She hadn't even finished feeling moved by Kotomi's dedication—how could she bear to wake her up?

If it weren't for the need to stay low-key during class, Tsumugi would've gone to the office to fetch her blanket and draped it over Kotomi. The exam was tomorrow—she couldn't afford to catch a cold.

When the bell rang at the end of the first afternoon class, Tsumugi, ever mindful not to drag class past the allotted time, offered a few heartfelt words about the exam tomorrow and then left the 1-F classroom.

As soon as the teacher left, the students relaxed.

Megumi Kato glanced at Kotomi, who was still face-down on her desk, looking like an ostrich desperately trying to bury her head in the desk cubby. She couldn't help but laugh, then leaned in close to her ear and whispered:

"Oooh~ Who's this bashful little wife? Oh~ Turns out she's mine. Then it's all good."

Still blushing, Kotomi turned her head and glared fiercely at Megumi, then promptly buried her face back down.

"Hmph!"

It seemed Kotomi's mood wasn't going to improve anytime soon.

Megumi could only sigh silently to herself. Truth be told, it was her own fault. Kotomi wasn't upset because they had done it again—in fact, if Megumi hadn't done that one thing, Kotomi might've been delighted to go for another round.

So what exactly had Megumi done to Kotomi in the PE equipment storage room to make the normally soft little penguin throw a tantrum?

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Compared to her upper body, Kotomi's slender legs were perfectly proportioned, elegantly complementing her curves. In fact, her entire figure was exquisitely balanced, with a hint of softness and naturally impressive curves that made her look neither too thin nor too chubby. A fraction less, and she'd appear scrawny; a bit more, and she'd start worrying about her shape.

It was the kind of figure countless people dreamed of—an ideal body that would make any onlooker stare wide-eyed in awe. Most people couldn't pull it off.

Kotomi was sure that if she walked into a gym right now, she'd be surrounded by fitness girls asking how she sculpted and maintained her body.

She loved the idea of being surrounded by girls in workout gear, but if she were asked for her routine, she honestly wouldn't have an answer—because she never worked on her figure and had never even thought about fitness. She simply went with the flow.

And what was that flow?

It was eating. Eating and eating. Eating lots, and eating until full.

Calories? Nutritional values? What were those—just some numbers?

Before awakening her academic abilities, Kotomi used to get a headache just looking at numbers. That's why she was so bad at science subjects back then, let alone paying attention to calories to control her diet.

To put it plainly, Kotomi had always eaten until she was stuffed. The concept of dietary control didn't even exist in her vocabulary.

If this truth were made public, it might instantly turn countless fitness girls—who starved and exercised themselves in pursuit of a perfect body—into dried-up salted fish.

But really, there was no need to compare. If you've worked hard and your body has improved, the one who benefits is you.

Back to the point. By now, you can probably guess what Megumi did to Kotomi in the equipment room, right?

Not only did they go for a second round, but Megumi had also accidentally torn Kotomi's white pantyhose—completely.

As in, so ruined they couldn't even be worn again.

It was only after she calmed down that Megumi realized this. Looking at the shredded silky fabric, her knees began to ache. She knew there was no avoiding the punishment—this was a kneeling-on-the-washboard kind of offense!

But Kotomi didn't actually make Megumi kneel on a washboard—mainly because, well, there wasn't one in school… Still, ever since they returned to the classroom, Kotomi had been lying on her desk without saying a word, quietly pouting.

It wasn't because the tights were expensive. She had plenty more in her closet. Even if Megumi ripped one every day, there'd still be enough to last a month.

It was just…

Kotomi was frustrated at her own helplessness. Every time, she ended up being the one with her wrists pinned down.

She always wanted to fight back, but when the moment came, all her strength vanished, and she could barely stand, let alone resist.

She knew it was a feature of the Queen of All Females constitution, but she still felt a bit indignant.

Just as Kotomi was sulking and mentally plotting a counterattack, Megumi pulled out a small gift box from her schoolbag, placed it in front of her, and smiled gently:

"For my sweetest, sweetest cutie~"

Staring at the little gift box, Kotomi sat up in surprise and held it with both hands. Though it wasn't particularly big or small, the way she cradled it made it look like a matriarchal elf carefully protecting her newborn child in the palm of her hand.

"Is this for me?" Kotomi asked in disbelief.

"Silly girl, who else could possibly be the sweetest, sweetest cutie?"

Megumi countered with a question, then added:

"Back when you signed up for the National Art Awards, I decided that if you made it into the exhibition, I'd get you a present to celebrate. You were in such a rush when you left for Kyoto, I didn't have time to prepare it then—but now I finally have the chance. I'm not letting it slip away."

"Just like that time at the aquarium, when I didn't let the chance to confess and make you my girlfriend slip away."

Words as soft as powdered sugar, yet soaked with honeyed affection, brought a shy blush to Kotomi's cheeks. In a quiet, timid voice, she asked:

"Thank you. Um, can I open it?"

"Of course you can."

Megumi's smile deepened. She reached out and, half-deliberately, helped Kotomi untie the ribbon on the gift box. The purple ribbon slid down and draped across Kotomi's pale wrist.

From Megumi's angle, it looked as though the purple ribbon was wrapped around Kotomi's wrist—binding her, entwining her, securing her firmly by Megumi's side, forcing her eyes to look at no one else but her.

The ribbon wrapped around your wrist is the expression of my twisted and obsessive love. Let it become a cage you can never escape.

Yet at the same time, I stubbornly wish to protect your purity. I hope this selfish ribbon can become a shield to guard your radiant wings from harm.

She wants to lock her in a dark cage, to tear her wings away with blood-stained hands—yet also worships her like a divine goddess in heaven, longing to be her one true believer, the only one to protect her holiness.

As the purple ribbon fell away, the gift box naturally opened, revealing a slightly silly-looking chibi plush of an owl.

"An owl plushie?"

Kotomi held a medium-sized owl plushie in her hands, curiously examining it. Just from her expression alone, it was obvious that Kotomi really liked it.

Not just because it was a gift from Megumi, but also because the owl had big, silly-looking eyes. Kotomi adored animals that looked silly and goofy—every time she saw one, it felt like seeing a long-lost relative.

"Do you like it?" Megumi asked with a bright smile.

"I love it!"

Kotomi nodded emphatically. The radiant smile that bloomed on her face made it hard for anyone nearby to stay calm. She looked nothing like the girl who was pouting at Megumi moments earlier. Cradling the owl plushie like a priceless treasure, she said:

"This owl is just too cute. By the way, Megumi, why did you pick an owl for the plushie? I thought you'd go for a penguin."

After all, Megumi had more than once said Kotomi looked like a silly, clumsy little penguin who waddled when she walked. So when she saw the plushie was an owl, Kotomi had been momentarily stunned. She had assumed it would be a penguin.

When Megumi heard the question, she seemed to recall her original reason. Her smile deepened, but she didn't foolishly reveal the true reason behind choosing the owl. After a brief pause, she laughed softly and said:

"Because this owl looked just way too cute. And you know, in many sword-and-sorcery stories, owls symbolize wisdom and sharp perception. Their big eyes seem to see everything."

"Sounds cool, right?"

"Of course, I gave you this owl because I hope you can have the same kind of wisdom and perception as those fantasy owls."

What Megumi said sounded perfectly reasonable—but it wasn't the real reason at all.

Still, Kotomi had no idea.

She didn't notice anything strange.

So she simply believed it, naturally.

Her ears twitched slightly, and after thinking it over, she puffed her cheeks and looked at Megumi indignantly:

"You want me to be wise and sharp like an owl? I think you're calling me a dummy!"

Megumi didn't deny it. She reached out and gently pinched Kotomi's soft cheek, countering:

"Aren't you? Always being silly and spacey. Do you know what I worry about the most every day? That if I let my guard down even once, some bad woman will snatch you away."

Megumi's possessive words made Kotomi blush, but she still retorted with stubborn pride:

"I'm not that silly! You're making things up! There's no way I'm that gullible."

After saying that, Kotomi hugged the owl plushie even tighter—making Megumi envy it immensely.

In any case, the previously sulky and pouting Kotomi had, without even realizing it, been completely appeased by the owl plushie Megumi gave her.

Meanwhile, Mashiro Shiina rubbed her sleepy eyes. After arriving at school today, she was her usual self—except for waking up briefly during lunch to eat, the rest of her time had been spent sleeping, daydreaming, drawing, or quietly admiring Kotomi's back and side profile.

But because she had stayed up late the night before, she was especially tired today. So since arriving at school, she'd mostly been resting on her desk. Normally she stayed awake for at least a few classes. But today? She had slept from the first morning class straight through to the end of the first afternoon class—and was still feeling a bit drowsy.

Maybe she had finally rested enough. When the bell rang at the end of the first afternoon class, she slowly opened her sleepy eyes. Since school was almost over, she figured she should pull herself together.

Having spent the whole day catching up on sleep, Mashiro hadn't spoken much with Kotomi. She figured Kotomi might be feeling lonely now…

Ever since coming back from Kyoto, Mashiro felt like her relationship with Kotomi had made a huge leap forward!

After all, we've already kissed—of course we're lovers! Even if Megumi also kissed Kotomi in the art room, it doesn't matter. I've kissed Kotomi more times than Megumi ever has!

The only thing missing was a confession. Kotomi hadn't actually said the words out loud. Could it be that she was just too shy?

Seriously…

If that's the case, then I should take the initiative and confess to her! I'm going to marry Kotomi one day and change her name to Mashiro Kotomi. Whether it's a confession or a future proposal, it should come from me!

Mashiro's thoughts were simple. Whatever came to mind, she did—just like now—

She stood up, not caring that they were still in class, and walked toward Kotomi's seat. Mashiro had decided—she was going to confess, right here and now, to her snow-white beloved: Kotomi Izumi!

"Kotomi, please go ou—"

Standing beside Megumi's desk and speaking to the girl seated within, Mashiro began her confession. But before she could finish her sentence, her wide eyes froze in shock.

Art was her greatest gift. Her paintings hung in the Louvre. She wore the halo of a prodigy recognized worldwide, a peerless genius among her age group. Those who stood beside her were dim stars next to the moon.

Her eyes had memorized every beautiful detail she ever saw.

Especially for art—Mashiro had a memory unmatched by ordinary people. Even Kotomi, with her awakened academic abilities, might not be able to surpass Mashiro's recall in this area.

This morning, when she entered the classroom, Mashiro clearly remembered Kotomi was wearing opaque white pantyhose. She'd even fallen blissfully asleep after admiring Kotomi's white-clad legs.

But now, the white tights were gone. Kotomi, who never went bare-legged, was now showing bare skin, with a faint sheen of lingering sweat clinging to her body. It was winter, yet her white shirt looked damp.

Kotomi looked beautiful—irresistible. But compared to how she appeared earlier, there was a strange, hard-to-describe sense of dissonance.

A sharp gaze struck her face. Following the feeling, Mashiro looked down and saw Megumi watching her. At some point, Megumi had lifted her head and was staring at her with a gaze full of smugness—like a victor looking down contemptuously at a defeated rival.

That look from Megumi was like a thunderclap in a clear sky, rumbling through Mashiro's chest—and suddenly, she understood the reason behind Kotomi's strange change.

Mashiro froze, lips parted, but after realizing what that shift meant, it felt like a thorn had pierced her throat—she couldn't even make a sound. And yet… why did she suddenly want to sob?

"Mashiro, is something wrong?" Kotomi asked with a soft smile, flipping through her books for the next class.

Her smile was still as warm and angelic as ever.

But the angel in her eyes had been touched by Megumi—no, violated more than that—in ways she could hardly bear to imagine!

What did Megumi do to Kotomi that her tights ended up missing? Mashiro wasn't naïve. That smug, taunting look in Megumi's eyes made everything painfully clear. Her fingers curled into fists, digging into her palms so hard that the pain didn't even register.

Biting her lip and glancing at Kotomi, Mashiro's eyes shimmered with tears. She took a deep breath, shot a glare full of fury at Megumi, and turned away without saying a single word—walking back to her seat.

Kotomi blinked, confused. What just happened?

Mashiro had called out to her, she had responded, and then—Mashiro's expression changed and she returned to her seat without a word.

The change had been so abrupt that Kotomi was completely thrown off. She was just about to get up and follow when Megumi caught her wrist.

"Mashiro might not be feeling well. Let her rest quietly for a bit," Megumi said gently.

"Huh? Well… okay."

Kotomi hesitated, glanced at Mashiro who was now lying face-down on her desk again, looking like she was back asleep. Though she nodded at Megumi's explanation, she didn't quite believe it. She resolved to find a moment alone with Mashiro later to ask her what really happened.

Seeing Kotomi sit back down, Megumi's smile returned to its full, serene brilliance.

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