Ayame sat down at a table far away and slowly opened her sketchbook. It looked like she was focused on her drawing, her pencil gliding smoothly over the paper. But Akira could feel her attention… that same watching, judging gaze from class, always there.

Aoi tried to continue working, but the easy intimacy from before, when it was just her and Akira, was gone. She was self-conscious now and overly formal in her directions to Akira.

"The branch there needs more shadow," she said stiffly.

"Here?"

"Yes. And blend it more."

Akira worked in silence, very aware of the two women. Aoi was clearly uncomfortable; the way she avoided looking at him directly and how her hands trembled slightly as she mixed paints. Ayame drew with her pencil, but she kept looking up to watch them.

After twenty minutes that felt like hours, Aoi quietly said, "I think that's enough for today. We're making good progress."

"You sure? We could finish this section."

"I'm... I'm getting tired. We can continue tomorrow."

Ayame looked up from her sketch. "Leaving already? I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable."

"Not at all," Aoi lied in a too-bright voice. "I just have other things to attend to."

As they packed up, Ayame approached the backdrop again, studying it with genuine interest. "May I ask what inspired this design? The mystical forest theme is quite specific."

Aoi's face lit up despite her discomfort… she could never resist talking about her art. "I wanted to capture that feeling of possibility. Like the forest holds secrets, pathways to other worlds. Somewhere you could escape to when reality becomes too much."

"Escapism." Ayame nodded thoughtfully. "The desire to flee from something difficult."

"Or the courage to imagine something better," Akira interjected.

Their eyes met, and there was a moment of understanding, or perhaps challenge, passing between them. Ayame's gaze was steady and calculating, like she was solving an equation in her head.

"Both interpretations have merit," Ayame said finally. She returned to her table and began packing her things as well. "Thank you for letting me share the space. I'll see you both in class tomorrow."

She left, her footsteps echoing down the hallway until they faded completely.

The moment she was gone, Aoi grabbed Akira's arm. "There's something off about her. The way she watches you... it's not normal curiosity."

"I know."

"You know? Then why did you invite her to stay?"

"Because avoiding her would make her more suspicious." He squeezed Aoi's hand. "Trust me on this. The best way to handle someone who's watching is to give them nothing to see."

Aoi searched his face, looking concerned. "Akira-kun, are you in some kind of trouble?"

The question was direct and worried. Akira considered how to answer. "Let's just say my life is more complicated than it appears. But I'm handling it."

"If you need help..."

"I know. Thank you." He gave her a soft, gentle kiss on the forehead. The kiss was both comforting and possessive, showing that she belonged to him. "For now, the best way you can help me is to act normal when she's around. Don't change how we act with each other, even though she is watching."

Aoi nodded slowly. "Okay. I trust you."

What neither of them knew was that Ayame hadn't left. She was in the equipment closet across the hall; the door was cracked open just enough to watch through the gap as Akira kissed Aoi's forehead.

She pulled out a small notebook and wrote in neat, elegant handwriting:

"Subject demonstrates significant social charisma. Multiple female classmates show signs of romantic attachment. Unusual for a typical high school male. Possible supernatural influence? Or natural charm? Further observation needed.

Note: Subject appears protective of the Saito girl. Genuine affection or manipulation? Subject's relationships may be a leverage point if direct confrontation becomes necessary."

She snapped the notebook closed and slipped away silently, leaving no trace she was ever there.

[AYAME'S SUSPICION METER: 28% → 31%]

[REASON: Unusual social dynamics observed. Subject demonstrates abnormal influence over multiple female students.]

—

Back at Rosewood Residences, Akira found Rina waiting for him in the common hallway. She was leaning against the wall near his door, with her arms crossed and a serious expression.

"Can we talk?" she asked quietly.

"Yeah. Your place or mine?"

"Mine. Less chance of Mia barging in."

They went to her room. Once inside, Rina didn't waste time. "Something's wrong. I can feel it. You're more tense than usual."

Akira was surprised. "How can you tell?"

"I don't know. I just... I feel it. Like there's a thread connecting us, and it's vibrating with your stress." She shook her head. "That sounds crazy, doesn't it?"

It didn't sound crazy to Akira at all. Was this the Heart Strings bond working both ways? Creating a connection that lets her sense his emotional state even without the skill active?

"Interesting," Ai murmured. "The bonds you create aren't one-directional. She's attuned to you now."

"There's a new girl at school," Akira admitted, sitting on her couch. "She's watching me. I think she might be connected to the people who investigate... the crazy things happening."

Rina's eyes widened. "Like those government agents in school?"

"Something like that."

"What are you going to do?"

"Be careful. Act normal. Don't give her any reason to suspect I'm anything other than a regular student who got lucky with a late growth spurt and some basketball skills." He ran a hand through his hair. "It's all I can do right now."

Rina was quiet for a moment, her jaw setting with determination. "I want to help."

"Rina..."

"I mean it. You trusted me with the truth. Let me do something useful with that trust." Her voice was fierce and passionate. "What can I do?"

Akira considered. Having an extra pair of eyes could be valuable, especially someone Ayame wouldn't suspect was connected to him. "Watch her. Not obviously… just notice things. Who she talks to, where she goes, and what she asks about. Report back to me."

"I can do that."

"But Rina, be careful. If she's as dangerous as I think, and if she realises you're helping me..."

"I'll be careful." Rina stepped closer, her hand finding his chest, feeling his heartbeat beneath her palm. "I'm not as fragile as I look."

The intensity in her gaze shifted, darkening with something else. "Besides, if something happened to you, I'd be alone again. I can't go back to being alone. Not after knowing what it's like to have someone who sees me."

Akira pulled her into an embrace, feeling the warmth of her body against his. "You won't be alone. I promise."

Rina pulled back slightly, just enough to look up at him. Her hand slid from his chest to the back of his neck, fingers threading through his hair. "You keep making promises. Do you always keep them?"

"I try to."

"Then promise me something else." Her voice dropped lower, husky. "Promise that no matter what happens with that girl, no matter what danger you're in... you'll come to me. You'll let me help. You'll let me be there."

"Rina..."

"Say it." Her other hand joined the first, both now cradling his face. "I need to hear it."

The air between them was charged, electric. Akira could feel the bond thrumming, the emotional threads pulling taut with desire and need and something deeper.

"I promise," he said.

"Good." Her thumb traced his lower lip, the touch sending heat straight through him. "Because I'm not letting you face this alone. Whatever you are, whatever you've become... I want to be part of it. Part of you."

Her eyes dropped to his mouth, then back up to meet his gaze. "Tell me to stop if you don't want this."

Akira didn't tell her to stop.

And Rina closed the distance between them.

Rina's lips met Akira's in a rush of heat; her lips were soft and gentle against his, their breath mixing as she leaned into him.

The kiss started lightly, her hands still cradling his face, thumbs brushing his cheeks, but quickly deepened as he responded, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her close. She tasted like mint and something sweeter, her tongue slipping past his lips to explore, teasing his with bold strokes that sent sparks down his spine.

"Akira..." she murmured against his mouth, breaking for air only to dive back in. Her body clung to his, hips grinding subtly against his growing hardness.

The bond thrummed between them, amplifying every touch: the way her fingers tangled in his hair, tugging lightly; the soft press of her breasts against his chest through her shirt; and nipples hardening into points he could feel.

His cock stirred, thickening in his pants, the pressure from thinking about Ayame forgotten in the rush of desire.

She pulled back slightly; her eyes were dark and hooded, lips swollen and glossy from the kiss. "I meant what I said. I want to be part of you... all of you." Her hand slid down his chest, over his abs, pausing at his belt, fingers tracing the bulge straining against the fabric. "Let me show you how much I trust you."

Akira's breath hitched, his shaft twitching under her touch. The air was tense, her warm and faintly floral scent filling his senses. But as his hands moved to her hips, a familiar voice purred in his mind.

[SYSTEM PROMPT: INTIMATE BONDING WITH RINA]

[The cheerleader's loyalty burns hot, host. She's offering herself; how will you claim her?]

[OPTION A: Gentle and emotional—make love slowly, building the romance route carefully. Reward: +30 Affinity (Rina), Emotional Anchor Unlock.]

[OPTION B: Dominant and rough—take control, pushing her limits to test her devotion. Reward: +25 Affinity (Rina), Submission Route Open.]

[OPTION C: Tease and edge—build tension without full release, strengthening the connection through denial. Reward: +20 Affinity (Rina).]

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