118: Likes Dominance, Likes Domestic Violence

Miko looked completely high, like she was drunk on something—her eyes dazed, her throat moving involuntarily.

Takashi and Nagisa were just staring at the girl like two idiots, their eyes locked on her, waiting to see when she'd finally notice what she was doing.

Miko didn't realize at all that she was being watched. It wasn't until her forehead bumped into Nagisa's chin that she slowly, hazily looked up.

And when she did, she saw—

Takashi: (? _ ? )

Nagisa: (＃→⌒→)

Miko: "..."

The air froze into an eerie silence.

None of the three spoke. Each held their respective poses, stiff as statues.

The silence dragged on for quite a while.

Eventually, without changing her expression, Miko slowly, gradually turned her face toward the screen.

'Is she really trying to pretend like nothing just happened? Like she thinks we'll just let this go?'

Takashi and Nagisa exchanged glances.

In this moment, the two of them were, for once, perfectly in sync.

Takashi didn't really care—after all, he wasn't the one who'd been taken advantage of.

And even if it happened again, so what?

His priority now was figuring out how to deal with Nagisa.

Takashi wasn't bothered, but Nagisa suddenly pressed a hand to her chin and spoke up: 

"If I'm not mistaken, you're a third-year in the junior high division, right? Iino underclassman?"

Takashi wasn't surprised that the two of them knew each other, but he still asked on purpose,

"You know her?"

The system had given him basic info on Miko, but nothing about her parents or family situation.

Nagisa deliberately leaned her face against Takashi's cheek as she explained, "Of course~ Iino's father is a Supreme Court judge. How could I not know?"

A Supreme Court judge?

Then her family must be rich… no, more like super rich.

After all, once you climb to that level, people must line up just to send you gifts.

'A law student, huh? Might be hard to fool…'

Takashi was deep in thought and didn't even notice Nagisa's overly close gesture.

Meanwhile, after hearing Nagisa reveal her identity, Miko's whole body went stiff.

What should she do?

She'd acted like some creepy perv, sniffing a guy nonstop—and not only was she caught, it was by a senior from her own school.

If this goes back to Shuchiin…

"Whoa, she went up to sniff a random guy and wouldn't stop. Is she a pervert?"

"So gross!"

"She's supposed to be on the morality committee, but she's the worst one of all."

...

Just imagining the rumors she'd face at school if this got out was enough to make Miko feel socially dead.

She was already fantasizing about fleeing the country and starting over somewhere no one knew her.

'No. I can't just sit here and wait to die.'

Miko forced herself to calm down, her gaze slowly growing more resolute.

As the daughter of a Supreme Court judge, she'd been raised to keep a clear mind and steady heart no matter the time or situation.

And actually, the solution was pretty simple.

All she had to do…

Miko pulled out her wallet, kept her head down, and muttered, "H-how much do you want?"

Just bribe them. That's it.

Takashi: "..."

Looking at Miko, already reaching for her money, Takashi turned to the equally stunned Nagisa and said, "Wait, who did you say her dad is again?"

Is your info really that reliable?

This… is the daughter raised by a Supreme Court judge?

Is she really his biological child?

Promise me you'll never become a judge, or the entire Japanese legal system is doomed.

Nagisa looked at Miko, who was holding out money with both hands, and couldn't help but burst into laughter with a loud "Pfft!"

The sound was a little too loud.

Startled, Takashi immediately reached out to cover her mouth and quickly turned to glance at Maki and Tanuma Tsubasa.

"Want some? Don't get the wrong idea, I didn't bring this just for you—I just couldn't finish it."

"Thanks, Maki."

Over on their side, Tanuma Tsubasa was completely wrapped up by Maki's aggressive attention.

The two were completely absorbed in their own little world, showing no signs of even glancing this way.

Maki was thoroughly enjoying herself.

As for Tanuma Tsubasa, he figured that as long as Nagisa didn't come out of the restroom, things should be fine.

Whew, thank goodness.

Just as Takashi let out a sigh of relief, he suddenly felt something wet and slippery sliding across the palm of his hand.

He jerked his hand back, just in time to see Nagisa sticking out her soft pink tongue.

Takashi: "..."

Nagisa calmly pulled her tongue back, blinking her bright, innocent eyes like she was saying, "I didn't do anything."

Miko: (キ｀?Д??)!!

This is what high schoolers are like?!

They're really doing this kind of thing… in a movie theater?

"You've had your fun, haven't you? That's enough—cut it out!"

Takashi had reached his limit, his eyes suddenly going cold.

He didn't like dancing on landmines.

He wasn't some villain. Messing around with someone else's girlfriend didn't give him any kind of satisfaction.

And if Tanuma Tsubasa found out—even if he had a mild temper—there'd be no avoiding a fight.

Then what would Takashi do—hit back or not?

If he fought back, it'd mean he laid hands on someone Maki liked.

You think Maki would just let that slide?

Even though Takashi got along decently with her, he didn't think for a second that he mattered more to her than Tanuma Tsubasa did.

But if he didn't fight back—just stood there and took the hit—he'd feel completely humiliated.

Your girlfriend threw herself at me, I turned her down, and I still got punched? Are you two trying to set me up?

"..."

Under Takashi's icy glare, Nagisa shrank her neck and froze like a statue.

She looked like she'd been genuinely frightened by him—but if you looked carefully into her eyes, you'd know that wasn't the case at all.

He's so hot when he's mad.

Nagisa bit her lip and stared straight into Takashi's eyes like she was undressing him with her gaze.

Since he didn't really know her, Takashi had no idea this girl had a thing for dominant, aggressive guys.

In relationships, thrill and excitement are things women often chase after.

They crave a man who can bring that thrill and excitement into their lives.

Tanuma Tsubasa was great and all, but he was too honest. He couldn't give Nagisa the kind of thrill she wanted.

Guys like Tanuma Tsubasa are honestly super common—they're a pretty accurate reflection of most guys in real life.

Look around you. Or don't—just look in the mirror.

The more honest and upright a guy is, the harder it is for him to find a girlfriend. 

Meanwhile, those slightly bad boys, the kind of guys who seem a little toxic, always seem to be surrounded by beautiful girls.

That's the reason why.

Women want passion. The kind of passion that sets fire to mutual desire.

Tanuma Tsubasa couldn't give that to her—but Takashi could. She felt it from him.

He's so fierce… he totally seems like the type who'd get violent at home, thought Miko, who was also shaken by Takashi's cold gaze. 

Her petite body trembled, but her face flushed strangely red, and an odd thought bloomed in her mind—

A part of her actually wanted to be slapped.

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