The lunch period arrived, and Akira sat alone at a table near the window, eating quietly. His new look had drawn attention all morning, but he'd managed to avoid most conversations.

That peace shattered when Kenji approached with his crew.

The basketball star was flanked by four of his friends, and students immediately stopped talking to watch. Phones came out, as everyone sensed drama.

"Hey, Creep King," Kenji said loudly, stopping right in front of Akira's table. "Heard you've been getting comfortable with my girl."

Akira looked up slowly, meeting his eyes without flinching. "I thought we'd been through this before. She's not your girl anymore. You made sure of that."

Kenji's face flushed red. "Watch your mouth…"

"You dumped her over text," Akira continued calmly. "Called her boring. Said she wasn't worth your time. Remember?"

The crowd murmured, and a few students snickered.

Kenji slammed his hand on the table, making the tray rattle. He leaned down, his face inches from Akira's. "Listen to me, you little shit. I don't know what game you're playing, but it ends soon. The Sports Festival tournament is in two weeks. Basketball finals. You and me, one-on-one after the team match. I'm going to embarrass you in front of everyone. Show them you're still the same pathetic loser you've always been."

The cafeteria held its breath. Usually, the old Akira would have stammered or looked at the floor. Instead, he replied calmly. "I'm not even on the team."

"I know that!" Kenji snapped, his face flushing red. "I'll talk to Coach. Get you a tryout. If you can perform well enough, you'll replace our co-captain for the festival match."

The crowd gasped.

"You serious?" Akira asked.

"Dead serious." Kenji leaned forward, his voice dropping to something dangerous. "I'm going to embarrass you in front of everyone. Show them you're still the same pathetic loser you've always been, just with a new haircut."

Akira stood slowly. His new height and physique made Kenji take an involuntary step back. The watching students noticed. "Looking forward to it," he replied, a faint, mocking smile playing on his lips. "Try not to trip on your own feet when the pressure gets to you."

The confidence in those four words was devastating. Kenji's crew shifted uncomfortably.

"You… you think you can beat me?" Kenji sputtered. "I'm team captain! I've been playing since middle school!"

"Then you should win easily." Akira's voice was calm, almost bored. "So why are you so worried?"

Kenji's mouth opened and closed. He had no response.

"Two weeks," he finally spat. "Tryouts are this Friday after school. Don't chicken out."

He stormed off, his crew trailing behind him awkwardly. The cafeteria erupted in conversation.

Akira sat back down, returning to his lunch like nothing had happened.

—

After school, Akira was in the library researching basketball fundamentals when Rina found him. She looked exhausted; there were dark circles under her eyes, and her usual energetic demeanour was completely gone.

"Hey, fake boyfriend, I've been looking everywhere for you."

"Fake girlfriend," he replied in the same tone. "What can I do for you?"

"Can we talk?" she asked quietly. "Somewhere private?"

They found an empty classroom. Rina closed the door and leaned against it, wrapping her arms around herself.

"I've been having these dreams, Akira-kun," she started. "No, nightmares. There's this woman made of ice, and she's screaming. And there are shadows with red eyes everywhere."

Akira's stomach tightened. His mind immediately went to that night on the rooftop… the ritual with Ayaka. Rina had seen them, and he'd used Mind Wipe to erase her memory.

"Last night I woke up, and my room was freezing," Rina continued in a shaky voice. "Like the AC was broken, but it wasn't even on. And I felt like something was watching me from the corner. Something cold."

Ai's voice whispered in his mind: "Darling, the wipe is degrading. Her subconscious is breaking through. The demonic essence she was exposed to is causing fractures."

"Is that a thing?" Akira asked, trying to think of what to do or say. "I thought the mind wipe was supposed to wipe her mind." He said, emphasising the words 'wipe' and 'mind'.

"Well, for some reason, the memory is creeping back in."

Akira moved closer, keeping his voice gentle. "It's just stress, Rina. The fake dating thing, the breakup with Kenji, school pressure... you're overwhelmed. Your mind is processing trauma through nightmares."

"Maybe," she said, but she didn't sound convinced. "But it feels so real. Like something actually happened that I can't remember."

She looked up at him with fear in her eyes. "Akira... can I stay with you tonight? Just one night? I don't want to be alone. I'm scared I won't wake up if the cold comes back."

Akira looked down at her. She was terrified, seeking shelter in the only person she felt she could trust.

[CHOICE AVAILABLE]

[A: Let her stay, comfort route - +10 Affinity (Rina)]

[B: Use her fear to deepen bond, dominance route - +60 PP]

Akira chose A without hesitation. Building genuine trust would serve him better than exploitation here.

"Of course," he said. "You can stay over. We'll watch movies or something; keep your mind off it."

Relief flooded her face. "Thank you. Really."

—

Evening - Apartment

Dinner time came around. Everyone was gathered in the living room: Akira, Mia, Aoi, and Ayaka. Rina had excused herself, saying her stomach hurt, and went to lie down in Akira's room, though no one saw her entering there.

They ate takeout while the TV played some variety show nobody was really watching.

Aoi sat across from Akira, sneaking glances at him when she thought no one was paying attention.

She wore a loose house dress, but the way she tucked her hair behind her ear and bit her lip whenever their eyes met made her blush. She would quickly look away, remembering their moment in the library that had been interrupted by his phone.

Mia noticed every single glance. Her jaw tightened, but she forced herself to stay calm, sitting close to Akira and occasionally touching his arm possessively.

Ayaka watched all of this with quiet amusement, saying nothing.

"This hits the spot after today," Mia said, slurping noodles, her eyes on Akira. "And you look amazing with the new style, Akira-kun. Everyone at school was talking."

Aoi glanced at him too, blushing and looking away quickly as she poked at her food. "Yeah... it's nice."

Akira nodded. "Needed a change. Feels good." He caught Aoi's quick peek again, and her blushed cheeks… she was remembering their library study session, no doubt.

"Akira-kun," Mia said after they finished eating in a sweet voice, though she kind of sounded on the edge as her hand slipped under the blanket. "Should we go to your room together? It's been a while since we... talked."

Akira knew what she meant. Aoi, too, probably, as her face went red, and she suddenly became very interested in her empty plate.

Under the blanket, Mia's hand reached his groin, and she began to knead him through his trousers.

Akira felt a jolt of arousal, his cock beginning to stir under her expert touch. He reached down under the blanket as well, his hand finding the hem of her skirt. He slid his fingers along her silky inner thigh, heading toward the heat of her centre.

Akira felt his fingers dip into her soaking wet panties. Mia let out a tiny, sharp intake of breath, her hand tightening around his growing hardness.

The risk of being caught right there in front of Aoi and Ayaka was an aphrodisiac in itself.

[CHOICE DETECTED: MIA WANTS TO "PLAY"]

[A: Give in and take her to the kitchen/hallway for a quick fix. Reward: +20 PP]

[B: Reject her to increase her "Desire/Frustration" level. Reward: +40 PP, +5 Affinity]

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