Drinks and Seduction

Velvet lights, candles and wines, alongside the soft hymn of Moonlight Sonata drifting in the air.

Mitsuki-san and I sat together on a deep crimson velvet sofa, the texture plush beneath us, soaking up the low golden glow from the ornate chandelier above. The scent of roses and wine mixed faintly with incense burning in the corners of the lounge, giving everything a dreamlike haze.

Surprisingly, she didn't cling to me this time. Instead, she held a tall-stemmed glass filled with deep red wine, her slender fingers curling around the crystal like they'd been trained to seduce by touch alone.

"So, how did it turn out, Akane-kun?" she asked, swirling the wine slowly, her voice smooth and relaxed.

"Mitsuki-san, why did you make me act like I was the manager?"

She chuckled, eyes dancing with amusement. "Haha… well, if I'm going to help, I may as well make it entertaining, right?"

She brushed her hair back with her fingertips, then tilted her head toward me.

"How's my hair, Akane-kun? Is it to your liking?"

"Of course... your straight long hair is exactly my type. And it smells so good, like a budding purple tulip still wet with morning dew."

Her smile curled wider, cheeks faintly pink.

"Haha, my hair is your type? Only my hair?"

"No, not just that. Your purple lipstick... your soft, slender hands... and the way you dress that shows just enough to leave the rest burning in my imagination. And I like how cool you act, Mitsuki."

She laughed, soft and throaty. "The moment you dropped the honorifics from my name, it made me very excited."

"Shall I keep calling you Mitsuki, then?"

"If that's what you like, dear. By the way... You're awfully observant. Must be all that experience with women, huh?"

"I'd be lying if I said you were the first woman I've praised, but..."

I leaned in slowly and gently raised her chin with my fingertips, locking eyes with her.

"Out of all the women I've praised, you're the only one I truly meant it for."

Her fingers closed around mine as I held her chin, her touch delicate, but there was strength hidden in it.

"Are you trying to seduce me, Akane-kun?"

"No. I'm just stating facts."

"Ughhh! I hate this~ Don't act so formal with me! Everyone else does that!"

That explains it. Everyone sees her as some untouchable goddess or boss.

"Alright. How should I act then?"

"Casual. Like how you acted at the mall. Tease me. Talk to me. Don't treat me like I'm a damn guest."

"Okay then, Mitsuki. You could've just said you wanted that."

"Tsk. You should've figured it out. I thought you were good at handling women."

Don't phrase it like that. Damn.

"Anyway, I haven't paid yet. Where's your manager? Wasn't it Kaede-san?"

"Oh, she's not charging you. Like me, she's indebted to you."

"Eh? How's that?"

"Well, she's friends with my mom. She helped me keep my job here a secret. But when my mom started getting suspicious, Kaede made things worse with her dumb excuses. Long story short, mom threatened her too. If my lie falls apart, she goes down with me."

She stared at me in silence, then gave a sly grin. Her arm coiled gently around mine and she rested her head on my shoulder. The silk of her dress brushed against my skin, sending goosebumps through me.

"She's indebted to me too, huh? I wonder how I should collect on that~"

Oh no. She's definitely cooking something.

---

[Ayase's POV]

knock knock

"Mi-chan! It's already 9 PM! Let's go to the club!"

No answer.

I knock again.

Still no answer.

I tried entering but..

The room was locked.

Did she already leave…? WAIT. SHE WENT AHEAD?!

That witch! We were supposed to go together at 9! Ugh, I'm still wearing my work suit. No choice. I have to go now.

---

[Akane's POV]

Some time have passed since she arrived.

"Hey dear, why don't you pour me some wine~?"

She was already clinging on me more than before—pressing her chest softly against my arm, her body heat leaking through the fabric. Her scent—lush red grapes and intoxicating floral perfume—filled my lungs.

"It's hard to serve you when you're wrapped around me like this."

"Oh, right!"

"So... could you let go of my arm first?"

"No way~"

She set her glass aside and leaned even closer, placing one hand on my cheek. Her fingers traced a slow, electric path along the side of my face, her nails lightly scraping my jawline.

Her breath was warm, wine-laced, and tickled my ear as she whispered, "Hey dear… are you not happy serving me?"

"Mitsuki, you're definitely drunk."

"Nooo I'm not! And call me my lady, dear~"

Yup. She's drunk.

She moved again, closer still, her fingers exploring the line of my neck before sliding down the center of my chest. Her touch was slow, unhurried, but filled with intent. I felt every fingertip through my suit, like heat etching shapes into my skin.

"My lady? Are you okay?"

"Mmm… just a little sad. You're not giving me enough affection. Even though I helped you today." Her voice softened, barely a whisper.

She sounded... hurt but not sincere.

Her lips brushed my jaw—featherlight, not a kiss, but more like a promise. A dangerous one.

Too much stimulation. Her body language, her words, her scent—it was all too much. She knew what she was doing. And I was falling for it.

I swallowed. Hard.

"Well then, my lady… what can I do for you?"

She leaned in again, wrapping her arms tightly around my waist, resting her head against my chest like a cat claiming territory.

"Can we go to my hotel? Pretty please~? Just us?"

NOPE. DANGER. WARNING. KAEDESAN.EXE HAS ENTERED THE CHAT.

"I'm sorry, my lady, but I can't."

I have to follow Kaede-san's rule or else I'm screwed.

"Whyyy? I promise we won't do anything naughty~ Probably."

Probably, she says.

"I can't leave my post."

"Then I'll pay. Problem solved."

Classic rich girl move.

"I think Kaede-san won't allow it."

"EHHH?! But whyyy!"

"Because bringing me to a hotel is kind of... well, it's suspicious."

"Tch. We won't do anything! I just want—"

She suddenly clung tighter to me, her voice trembling, face buried in my chest.

"I just want more time with you, Akane-kun. This club closes at 2 AM. I hate it. I hate that I only get these scraps of time with you..."

My heart tightened.

"But why me? There are so many guys who would kill to be with you."

She looked up, her face soft, her violet eyes hazy with emotion.

She cupped both of my cheeks. Her touch was warm and trembling, her fingers brushing my temples.

"Why you...? I don't know either. But when I'm with you... I feel normal. I feel like me. Maybe it's because... I'm not your boss here."

She leaned closer. I could see it—feel it. Her lips, parted slightly, nearing mine.

Time slowed. My heart pounded so hard I could hear the blood rushing in my ears.

The music faded. All I could hear now was her breath... and my own.

I should stop this.

I have to stop this.

But her warmth, her fragrance, her touch—they were drowning me.

If I let this happen, I'd be breaking Kaede-san's rule. And I'd risk everything.

But in that moment...

I didn't care.

Her lips hovered just a breath away.

And I...

...the one who should be doing the seduction, is the one who is being seduced.