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"When we catch Natsumi," I proposed, "we'll make her serve us every day. Tea, mopping the floors... what do you think?"

"I approve."

Origami's expression stayed completely neutral, but her words hit the room like a bomb. "My suggestion is that after we capture her, we put a collar on her and tie her to the front gate to act as a guard dog."

Classic Origami. Only she could say something so jaw-droppingly insane with a straight face.

Tohka looked on like a curious child. "Eh?? Are we getting a pet?"

"Correct," Origami stated, her tone deadpan and vicious. As Origami continued her unhinged monologue, a strange voice, dripping with flustered exasperation, suddenly cut in.

"Hey, hey, hey! You guys are going way too far! I'm not a pet, and you can't just slander me behind my back like that!"

"There she is—"

We all looked up. Hovering in the center of the living room, a beautiful woman with long, green hair sat perched on a broom.

Natsumi glared daggers at me, her voice trembling with shame and anger.

"You... you bastard! I thought you were a good person, but you want to do... that... to me! Damn you! You're the worst!"

I met her furious gaze with a helpless shrug, spreading my hands in a gesture of innocence. "Hey, I didn't say a thing."

"Hmph! Still trying to deny it?"

"Just you wait! After you lose, I'll make them all disappear!" With that final threat, Natsumi's figure vanished into thin air.

I turned and sighed, gently ruffling Origami's hair. "Well, you've done it now. You made her angry."

"Leave it to me. Just a big-chested woman. When I catch her, I'll be sure to train her properly... mmmph..."

I almost choked, immediately clamping a hand over Origami's mouth. "Alright, new plan. We split into teams of two or three. Don't get separated, or Natsumi might replace one of you,"

I announced, taking charge. "The search starts now. Kotori, you're with me."

The others looked disappointed, but they nodded in agreement.

Kotori looked over, only to see me watching her with a sly, knowing smile. It was a brilliant smile, but she could tell it was filled with mischief.

"Kotori and I will take this floor," I said.

"Yoshino and I will check upstairs," Tohka volunteered.

"Then my sister and I will also go upstairs."

"..."

"Let's move out."

In the blink of an eye, the hall emptied, leaving just Kotori and me.

I stared at her, unblinking, and she began to fidget nervously. Seeing the timid girl beside me, a triumphant grin spread across my face.

"Hehehe. Kotori-chan, no one can save you now. You're going to get it."

The next second, I lunged, tackling her without warning.

She let out a startled cry, completely blindsided as I pushed her down. With a soft thud, she landed on her back on the sofa. Before she could even think to get up, I was on top of her, pinning her beneath me.

We stared at each other, my reflection perfectly captured in her light pink eyes. The sneak attack had left her so stunned that she'd forgotten to struggle.

I leaned down, a smirk playing on my lips.

"Kotori-chan, I'm feeling a little worked up right now."

Her mind finally caught up. A deep blush crept up her cheeks, so intense it reached the tips of her ears. Her entire face was suddenly beet red.

She tried to push me off, but I grabbed her wrists and pinned them above her head.

"Kyoya," she pleaded, her voice a whimper. "Please let me go. I won't do it again. Waaah!"

She looked at me with teary eyes, her lip trembling slightly from a mix of shame and anger.

"Hmph. Too late to be scared now."

Before she could process it, I crushed my lips against hers in an aggressive move.

'You wanted to stir up trouble? Fine. But there's a price. Acting pitiful isn't going to get you out of this. Did she really think I was a pushover?'

Kotori's mind went blank. She couldn't believe I was actually doing this, right here in the living room.

What if Tohka or Kurumi come downstairs? This damn jerk!!

She parted her silver teeth, intending to bite me, but her effort was weak. It only gave me the opening I needed.

The next moment, Kotori's eyes shot wide open in utter disbelief.

But as time stretched on, Kotori's resistance faded. She closed her eyes. 'The truth is... I actually don't mind these moments with him. Otherwise, why would I keep pushing his buttons? It's the only way to get him to notice me. But there's no way in hell someone like me would ever admit that out loud.'

————

I devoured her like a tiger feasting on its prey, my lips lingering and exploring.

When we finally broke apart, Kotori gasped for air, her hazy eyes staring blankly up at me.

I propped myself up, gazing down at the dazed girl beneath me. My voice was soft.

"Learned your lesson?"

Kotori bit her lip, shooting me a look that was meant to be full of shame and anger. But with her eyes now soft as spring water and brimming with affection, the expression had absolutely no bite. If anything, it just made me want to bully her more.

"Waaah! You're bullying me!"

Hearing her soft, aggrieved whimper, the corners of my mouth curled up. I answered with complete sincerity.

"That's right. I'm bullying you, Kotori-chan. And I'm going to bully you for the rest of our lives."

She bit her lip again, her voice timid. "You big jerk."

Suddenly—

"Stop, wait a second." Seeing me move in again, Kotori yelped, pressing her small, blushing hands against my chest.

"Everyone might come back down any minute. We should get back to business."

"Then you'll have to give me a proper smooch first."

"Huh? No way!"

"Then I guess I'll have to continue."

"..."

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