The Devil Wears a Miniskirt

Aoi's smirk lingered in the air like the aftertaste of really strong coffee—bitter and dangerous. Yuki stood her ground, but for the first time, she wasn't smiling.

"I'll see you around, Ryo," Yuki said, flicking her hair before walking away.

I should have left it at that. I should have let her go and focused on literally anything else—like, I don't know, not ruining my life. But no. Because for some reason, my brain short-circuited when she sent me one last glance over her shoulder, her blue eyes filled with something new.

Desperation.

Later that evening, my phone buzzed. A text from Yuki.

Yuki: Hey. Can we talk? At my place? Just us.

I stared at the message. My thumbs hovered over the keyboard. Every rational part of my brain screamed DON'T DO IT, but then again, rationality and I had never been close friends.

And that's how I found myself standing outside Yuki's apartment, like an idiot.

The door opened, and there she was—wrapped in a dangerously oversized sweater that hung just right off her shoulders. Her blonde hair was slightly messy, as if she had just gotten out of bed, and her lips curled into a knowing smile.

I gulped.

"Come in, Ryo," she purred, stepping aside.

The rational part of my brain was now unconscious in a ditch somewhere.

Inside, Yuki's apartment smelled like strawberries and something expensive. Dim lighting, a soft couch, and the faint sound of music playing in the background—it was as if she had cast a spell on the whole atmosphere.

She sat next to me on the couch—way too close. Her bare thigh brushed against my jeans, and I nearly forgot how to breathe.

"So…" she said, tilting her head cutely. "You've been avoiding me."

I forced out a laugh. "Avoiding you? No, no! I was just… strategically maintaining distance."

Yuki giggled, leaning in. "I don't like distance, Ryo."

I blinked. "Uh—well, it's great for things like… perspective? And... and social boundaries?"

She reached out and placed a hand on my chest, fingers trailing slightly. My soul left my body.

"Ryo…" she whispered, her breath warm against my skin. "Don't you still want me?"

My brain was now full-on blue-screening. My mouth opened and closed like a fish. This was bad. This was so bad.

I could feel myself slipping, the way her touch made my thoughts hazy. Her lips were just inches from mine. If I just leaned in—

No. No.

I shook my head, gripping the couch like it was the last stable thing in my life. "Yuki, we can't—I mean, you have a boyfriend."

She pouted. "Oh, Ryo. Don't be so boring."

Before I could protest, she straddled my lap, her arms wrapping around my neck. Holy mother of all things unholy.

"I don't care about Toru," she whispered, her lips brushing against my ear. "I care about you."

My heart was going at the speed of a Formula 1 car. My survival instincts were throwing up red flags, but unfortunately, my body had other opinions.

Yuki pulled back slightly, staring into my eyes. "You know, I always liked you, Ryo."

I gulped. "You… did?"

She nodded, her fingers tracing my collarbone. "Of course. You're different. You see me."

My brain was melting. She leaned in, her lips dangerously close—

And then.

BANG.

The door slammed open so hard I thought it would fly off the hinges.

Aoi stood there, her expression blank, her eyes scanning the scene like a detective arriving at a crime scene. Mikasa was behind her, looking equally unimpressed.

I froze.

Yuki froze.

Silence.

Then—

Mikasa whistled. "Damn, Ryo. Didn't take you for the type to get devoured like this."

I died inside.

Aoi sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "I left you alone for one evening and you're already making life-altering mistakes."

Yuki's expression darkened. "What the hell are you two doing here?"

Aoi crossed her arms. "Saving our idiot before he signs a contract with the devil."

Mikasa smirked. "Although, gotta admit, it's fun watching him squirm."

I groaned. "Can we not make this worse?!"

Aoi ignored me and turned to Yuki. "We both know what you're doing."

Yuki's sweet smile returned. "Oh? And what's that?"

Aoi's voice was sharp. "Manipulating him. Again."

The room felt ten degrees colder. Yuki stood up slowly, fixing her sweater, but her gaze never left Aoi's. The two of them were now locked in a silent battle of wills.

And I was just… there. Existing. Suffering.

Aoi finally exhaled. "Come on, Ryo. We're leaving."

I blinked. "Wait, I am? I mean, I—"

Mikasa grabbed me by the back of my hoodie. "Yup, you are."

Before I could protest, I was dragged out of Yuki's apartment like a misbehaving puppy.

As the door slammed behind us, I let out the longest sigh of my life. "Well. That could've gone better."

Aoi shot me a look. "Could've gone worse too."

Mikasa laughed. "Damn, Ryo. You really are a chick magnet. Too bad they're all insane."

I groaned. "Please don't remind me."

Aoi shook her head. "You're lucky we got here in time."

"…How did you get here in time?" I asked, suspicious.

Aoi gave me a knowing smirk. "Magic."

Mikasa grinned. "Nah, I just tracked his phone."

I gaped. "YOU WHAT?!"

Mikasa winked. "Relax. It's for your own good, loverboy."

I sighed. "I hate my life."

Aoi patted my head. "No, you just have bad taste in women."

Mikasa snorted. "And zero self-preservation instincts."

I groaned again.

This was my life now.