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"Haa... haa..."
Shallow, uneven breaths rose and fell in the dim hotel suite. Outside, night had deepened—the city skyline drenched in shadows.
If anywhere deserved the title of "the city that never sleeps," it was Itogami Island.
Unlike Tokyo's endless neon nights fueled by commerce and humanity, Itogami was a sanctuary for demons, home to countless nocturnal species that truly came alive after dark.
Midnight approached, marking the start of the island's second act. For the island... and for Yuuma Tokoyogi.
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"W-wait... give me a second... let me rest..."
Her voice trembled between shallow gulps of air. She straddled Bokue's lap on the sofa, knees planted against either side of his thighs, arms locked tightly around his neck.
Their bodies pressed together, her flushed cheeks burned bright, the blush traveling all the way to her lips. Under the glow of the ceiling light, kissed with saliva's sheen, her lips gleamed like a jewel—red and wet.
"Can't keep going? Then maybe we should call it here for tonight."
Bokue's tone was gentle, considerate.
They'd only been at it a little over an hour—not even two—and Yuuma had stayed mostly cautious, still pulling back before going too far. But that was natural.
Her first time had been nothing like this. Back then, she had borrowed Nagisa's body. This time, it was her own—her real body. No matter how much experience her soul carried, her flesh was new, untrained.
"...Nngh... just let me rest for a bit."
Yuuma whispered into his ear, her warm breath tickling his skin. She wasn't stubborn enough to bluff that she could push further, but she wasn't ready to stop, either.
In gamer terms—she was camping. Pull back, then test again. If her stamina returned, she'd go on. If not—well, that was fine too.
"Bokue... I'm thirsty..."
Her tone softened into a lazy whine as she burrowed closer, cheek pressing against his chest, fingers teasing lightly along his shoulder.
"Water? Juice?" Bokue asked, his hands steady on her waist.
"Mm-mm. I want wine..."
Her red eyes narrowed in mock petulance, her usual tomboy mask stripped away, leaving behind something far more feline—spoiled, purring, coaxing.
"It's right behind me on the table. I can't reach—so, Bokue, feed me?"
"Wine? You?" Bokue's brow arched.
She hadn't actually drunk much tonight. The glass on the coffee table sat untouched, more prop than beverage—something to add to the atmosphere, to season the air with a hint of temptation.
Still, alcohol wasn't exactly for students.
"Not allowed?" she pouted, brushing a kiss against his cheek. Her wine-red eyes shimmered, misty with heat. "What's the matter? You're not one of those boring old geezers who shout 'no alcohol before twenty,' are you?"
Bokue had no answer. Personally, he'd never cared for alcohol. Taste-wise, it didn't even hold a candle to cheap milk tea on a street corner. And drunkenness? That just left you dizzy and miserable.
But before he could say as much, Yuuma giggled.
"Hey... wanna know a little secret?"
No alcohol touched her lips, yet she leaned against him as if tipsy, her grin hazy, her voice low.
"Do you remember how old we were when we first met?"
"Of course. I was seven, you were six."
"And?"
"And...?" Bokue frowned. "What about it?"
"Mm~ don't you remember? I told you before—Tokoyogi Aya is my 'mother' in name only. In truth, she's my source code. The original. I'm just... her copy."
"I remember. So?"
"So..." Her breath brushed his ear as she whispered, lips almost grazing his skin.
"...when I first opened my eyes—when I first existed—this body was already six years old."
"...!!"
The thought struck him like a hammer. If she'd started at six... then subtract that from her age now...
Her true mental age was still under—
"Get it?"
Her smile widened, cheeks flushed, eyes glittering with mischief.
"..."
This wasn't just risky. This was a capital crime.
"Haha~ don't look so stiff. I'm teasing. Sort of."
She grinned, then broke the tension herself. With a flick of her fingers, the untouched wineglass leapt from the table into her hand. She downed it in one tilt of her throat.
Only then did Bokue blink, realization dawning.
"Yuuma... your magic's still working?"
"Looks like it." She licked her lips thoughtfully.
"And thanks to you... it's stronger than before. Le Blue has evolved. I can do more than I used to. For example..." She paused, eyes sparkling. "I can share my senses with others. Directly. A perfect 'link.'"
"Oh—and speaking of links..."
She trailed off suddenly, as if remembering something. Her expression shifted, determined now. She pressed down on his shoulders, then tugged his hand into hers.
"Come with me."
"Hm? Where?"
"You'll see. Just follow."
She pulled him toward the bedroom. Bokue's chest tightened faintly. He had a suspicion...
The door creaked open. Darkness pooled inside. And with it—a faint, heady scent of champagne drifted out.
There was also... breathing. Unsteady, restrained.
Bokue's eyes narrowed. No way...
Click—
The bedside lamp flared to life, bathing the room in soft golden light.
On the bed, bound in a position that belonged more to certain films than reality, lay the Heian princess herself, robed in silk. The sheets beneath her were soaked, golden champagne staining the fabric in glistening rivers.
Yuuma tilted her head up, a catlike smile curving her lips.
"Looks like someone couldn't wait any longer."
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