Chapter 23 - Akeno's Challenge and Aika's Revelation

Akeno led me through the hallways of Kuoh Academy, her usual teasing smile playing on her lips.

The further we walked, the fewer students we saw. The noise of chattering classmates faded into silence, replaced only by the occasional creak of the wooden floor beneath us.

Something about the way she moved made it obvious—this wasn't just a random detour.

Akeno had plans.

Before long, we stopped in front of an old, unused storage room. A faded sign reading "Off Limits – Storage Only" was taped to the door, but she barely acknowledged it. Instead, she reached into her pocket, produced a key, and slid it into the lock.

Click.

The door swung open.

"After you, Malrik-kun~," Akeno purred, her voice laced with amusement.

I stepped inside, my eyes adjusting quickly to the dim lighting. Stacked chairs, unused desks, and dust-covered boxes filled the space.

Not exactly the most romantic setting.

But with Akeno?

It didn't need to be.

The door clicked shut behind me.

I turned just in time to see Akeno leaning against it, arms crossed, her violet eyes gleaming with mischief.

The air shifted.

That usual playful, teasing energy she carried suddenly felt… heavier.

More deliberate.

She took a slow step forward, her movements smooth, predatory, closing the distance between us without ever losing that smirk.

"You're quite composed, Malrik-kun," she mused, tilting her head slightly. "Most men would be trembling in a situation like this."

I smirked. "Most men aren't me."

She chuckled—a soft, velvety sound.

"Ara~? Confidence. I like that."

Then, she placed a single finger against her lips, feigning thought.

"But I wonder… just how long will that confidence last?"

Her hand moved—tracing up my chest slowly, teasingly.

She leaned in, close enough that I could feel the warmth of her breath ghosting against my skin.

"Let's see how long you last."

A normal guy would've crumbled right there.

But me?

I smirked.

"Oh? And here I thought you liked men with a little resistance."

Akeno's eyes flashed with something dark—something excited.

"Mmm~ Maybe," she purred. "But I like it even more when they finally break."

She pressed herself closer, her ample curves molding against me, fingers brushing against my collar, her touch featherlight but intoxicatingly intentional.

I let her have her fun.

Let her enjoy the game.

Let her think she was winning.

Then—I moved.

In an instant, I reversed our positions, pinning her against the desk behind her.

Akeno let out a soft gasp, her body tensing slightly at the sudden shift.

For the first time since we stepped into this room, her teasing mask faltered.

Her breath hitched.

Her fingers clenched around my shirt.

I leaned in, my lips hovering just beside her ear.

"You were saying something about breaking me?"

A slow shiver ran through her, her grip tightening against my chest as her breathing grew just a little more unsteady.

Her once-dominant smirk wavered—but didn't disappear completely.

Instead, she chuckled.

Soft. Breathless.

"Ara~ Malrik-kun, are you trying to turn the tables on me?"

I traced a single finger down the side of her jaw, watching as she tilted her head ever so slightly—instinctively giving me access to her neck.

"Ah. There it is."

Akeno swallowed, her throat moving beneath my touch.

She was trying to maintain control, but I could feel the shift.

The way her body leaned into mine.

The way her fingers curled against my shirt—not in an attempt to push me away, but in a silent pull.

She let out a slow, shuddering breath.

But then—she grinned.

"You're good," she admitted, voice softer than before. "But…

A sudden spark.

Before I could react, Akeno flipped the script again, twisting out of my hold with a fluid motion.

And just like that—she was behind me.

Her arms wrapped around my shoulders from behind, her soft curves pressing lightly against my back as she whispered into my ear.

"But I enjoy the game too much to surrender that easily~."

I chuckled.

"Aren't you supposed to be a shrine maiden?" I mused, reaching up to gently take hold of her wrist.

Akeno giggled. "Mmm~ but being bad is so much more fun, don't you think?"

She trailed her fingers down my chest, her nails scraping lightly against my skin before pulling away, her smirk returning in full force.

"Ara, ara~ Malrik-kun," she hummed, twirling a lock of hair between her fingers. "I think you and I are going to have so much fun together."

I turned to face her fully, matching her smirk.

"You have no idea."

———————

The sun had begun its slow descent, casting warm orange hues across the rooftops, stretching long shadows along the pavement. The once-bustling streets near Kuoh Academy had grown quieter, the fading echoes of students' voices dissolving into the warm evening air.

Aika and I walked side by side, her usual teasing demeanor oddly absent.

No flirty remarks. No sarcastic jabs.

Just silence.

She was waiting.

Finally, she glanced at me, sharp eyes scrutinizing my face with that knowing look she always had when something didn't add up.

"You've been thinking about something all day," she mused, her voice light, but laced with curiosity. "And since you actually kept your promise to walk me home, I'm guessing it's important."

I smirked. "What gave it away?"

Aika snorted, crossing her arms. "Please. You're too smooth for your own good. You don't just do things. There's always a reason."

She wasn't wrong.

I slowed my pace slightly, hands slipping into my pockets as I weighed my next words carefully.

Then—I decided to just go for it.

"Aika," I said, my voice calm but firm. "What if I told you… the world isn't as normal as you think?"

She raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Are we finally dropping the act? Took you long enough."

I blinked. "Wait… you already—"

Aika smirked.

"I knew you were hiding something, Malrik. You're way too mysterious for a regular high school student." She tilted her head, amusement flickering in her eyes. "But supernatural? Now that's a new one. So, what are we talking about here? Vampires? Aliens? Secret government experiments?"

I chuckled, shaking my head.

"Devils. Angels. Fallen Angels. Gods. And, of course, people like me—humans with powers."

Aika stopped walking.

For the first time in the conversation, real silence stretched between us.

Her expression didn't show disbelief.

It showed thoughtfulness.

She studied me, searching for any sign of a joke.

Then, after a long pause—

"Wait… you're serious?"

I met her gaze evenly.

"Welcome to reality, Aika."

She stared for a few seconds longer, lips slightly parted, before letting out a long, measured sigh.

Then—she smirked.

"You know what? Fine. Why not? My life was getting boring anyway."

I laughed. "You're taking this better than most people would."

She crossed her arms, shrugging. "I'm just built different."

I shook my head, chuckling.

The supernatural world had no idea what it was in for.

And as the last sliver of sunlight dipped below the horizon, I couldn't help but feel it.

Things were only just getting started.