Chapter 13 — Tightening the grip

When Akane finally emerged from the student council room, her appearance was as flawless as ever—uniform immaculate, hair perfectly in place, not a single strand out of order. Yet, no amount of composure could completely erase the faint blush lingering at the tips of her ears or the lazy satisfaction softening her gaze.

Waiting patiently outside, as always, was Aiko.

Aiko greeted her with a polite bow, but the slight curve of her lips betrayed a knowing amusement.

"I assume the idea of the hidden camera turned out to be to your satisfaction, Miss Akane?"

Akane didn't answer immediately. She merely glanced at Aiko with those violet eyes—eyes still faintly hazy with the afterglow of her private indulgence.

"Yes, it truly was a thoughtful gift… You knew exactly what I wanted, didn't you?"

Her tone was light, almost playful, but beneath it lingered something darker. Possessive. Hungry.

"It's my duty to know, Miss," Aiko replied, her smile deepening ever so slightly. "To understand even your most secret cravings and fulfill them—that is the sole purpose of my life."

Akane gave a soft, almost girlish laugh. "You truly do spoil me, Aiko," she said, in innocent tone.

But there was nothing innocent in the way her fingers traced lazily along the edge of her sleeve, as if replaying the sensations from moments ago.

She turned, walking down the hall bathed in the red glow of the setting sun, her steps slow and elegant as always.

"He looked so… helpless. So soft. So very easy to break, if I wanted to."

Her words floated in the air, sweet and poisonous both.

"I want to… but I won't break him. Not yet. He's far more beautiful when he struggles."

"Yes. Watching him squirm in your hand does seem to bring you… joy."

Akane's smile widened.

"In my hands… Yes, that's exactly it, Aiko. He already belongs to me. He simply hasn't realized how tightly he's bound."

"But it's time to tighten those loose ends, isn't it?" Akane said softly. "Just watching from the shadows isn't enough anymore."

"What's the next move, Miss?"

Aiko asked the question as if it were ritual. She already knew the answer. But still, she asked—it pleased Akane.

She paused by the tall council room windows, her gaze drifting beyond the glass towards the school gate.

"Begin gathering information about the 'salon onee-chan' Shinichi mentioned in the recording."

"Understood."

Her fingers ghosted along the cold windowpane.

Her eyes softened—dangerously, dreamily.

"He'll come to understand, eventually. That everyone around him brings only pain. That the only safe place left… will be at my side."

Akane's voice fell to a whisper, yet it seemed to echo against the empty walls.

Aiko watched in silence as her mistress brushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear, composed as a queen giving judgment.

"You'll help me, won't you, Aiko?"

Aiko lowered her head. "Of course. With pleasure, Miss Akane."

And with that, Akane walked on, her footsteps light as a songbird's.

Behind her, Aiko followed—her smile faint, her loyalty absolute.