"Of course there is! Who spanks a woman's butt? Fifth Primogenitor, you're not human! You're a pervert! A lolicon! A butt freak! I'm going to kill you!"
Kirasaka Sayaka glared back at Shichen through tears, burning with shame and fury as if she could eat him alive.
Maybe he'd gone a bit far—but Shichen didn't feel that guilty. She had tried to kill him first.
"Can you kill me?" he shot back.
"I definitely will!"
"Oh? Sounds like I didn't punish you enough."
"Go on then—hit me all you want! I don't care! I won't live like this anyway! As long as you don't kill me, I'll kill you!"
"I never said I'd keep punishing you," Shichen said with a smile.
"Huh?" Sayaka blinked, confused.
"Stop crying and I'll leave it at that. If you keep making trouble, I'll punish Yukina instead," he said, voice going cold.
"What? Y-you… you're despicable! Threatening me like that—how can you be so underhanded? It's too much!"
"Heh. You forced my hand. So—what's your choice?" he asked, almost cheerful.
"I…"
"Looks like your friendship with Yukina doesn't run that deep. I'll go bully her instead," he said, setting Sayaka down lightly and turning to leave.
"W-wait…" Sayaka called after him, butt still stuck out, body bending on instinct.
Being held against his hip hadn't hurt as much; now that both feet were planted, the burn spread everywhere. She could barely stand.
"What is it?" Shichen looked back at her calmly.
"I… I get it."
Sayaka shot him a hateful look, then nodded, resigned. "I won't take revenge on you, okay? In return, you're not allowed to bully Yukina."
"Deal. That depends on how you behave," he said with a small smile.
"Damn you…"
"So I'm going?"
"Go! I don't want to see you again!"
"You came looking for me," Shichen muttered, shaking his head—and vanished on the spot.
"Gone… Spatial magic, huh?"
Frowning at the place he'd stood, Sayaka lasted only a moment before bursting out:
"Damn him… you giant perv! He actually smacked my butt—too much! My poor Yukina… but if it's for you, it's worth it… ow, it hurts…"
She tried to straighten up and the sting flared; sitting would be out for a while. How was she supposed to get back?
For a second she regretted attacking him. If she'd just delivered the invitation, she wouldn't have been humiliated. But she couldn't stand the thought of Yukina being caught in his clutches. Yukina looked petite, and he was (supposedly) a lolicon—how could he not make a move?
The loss was heavy, but worth it, she told herself: that huge perv shouldn't touch Yukina now. Not that she trusted him to keep promises—he might "give in to his nature" any time.
Yukina… how am I supposed to save you…
"Ow, ow, ow…"
After a few steps the burn shot up again. She had to hunch her back and inch along. And this was the rooftop—stairs sounded terrifying.
"Why are you still here?"
A voice she least wanted to hear sounded behind her.
"You came back?" she snapped, glaring at Shichen.
"How are you getting home like that?" he asked.
"None of your business!"
"I'd prefer it wasn't, but you're Yukina's good friend, so I guess it is."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means I'll patch you up." He walked toward her.
"W-what are you going to do?" Sayaka turned away, wary.
"…I just said I'd treat you."
"You're really that kind?"
"Because you're Yukina's friend."
"Yukina… So this is about her? You're still after her, aren't you?" Sayaka accused.
"You idiot," Shichen said, flicking her on the forehead.
"Ow…"
"I'm Yukina's Sensei. Of course I care about her."
"R-really?" Sayaka didn't sound convinced.
"Believe it or not. Turn around," he said, guiding her by the shoulders to face away.
Her legs were long, black over-knee tights straightening the lines of her calves and thighs; pale skin at the upper edge was smooth and luminous—definitely the "grown-up" look.
"W-what are you… eh?" She tensed—then froze at the sensation on her backside.
"Heal," Shichen murmured, placing a palm over the sore spot.
"H-how can you touch—" Sayaka twisted to look back, cheeks blazing.
"My ability requires contact," he said, deadpan.
"Then why are you stroking?"
"Ah… habit. Ahem—other side, too." He set his hand on the other cheek to even it out.
No favoritism—just like the swats, the count should match.
"You… I… mmph—" Sayaka was too mortified to speak. It wasn't just his practiced touch; she'd never been handled like this. Shame battled with the warm, soothing relief until her knees went weak and her thoughts blurred.
"All done. You're fine now," Shichen said, giving each side a light tap.
"Mm—" Sayaka skittered away to face him, both hands clamped behind her, face scarlet and eyes glossy.
"Alright, I'm heading back—class is still on, and Yukina's waiting," Shichen waved, then disappeared for good this time.
"Mm—mm—" Sayaka bit her lip, simmering.
He did use the chance to touch my butt again… huge perv!
But… why did he come back? Was it… just to heal me?
…
When Shichen returned to class, the roster for the intramural games had already been set.
"Shichen-sensei, what took you so long?" Yukina marched up, displeased.
"Ran into something."
"What?"
"Want to know? Take a look." He handed her an invitation.
"What's this?" She accepted it, puzzled.
"An invitation. Open it."
"Oh…"
One glance and her expression turned severe. "The sender is the Duke of Ardeal—Dimitrie Vatler…"
"You know him?"
"Yes. The Principality of Ardeal is one of the autonomous domains that make up the Warlord's Dominion—the Night Empire in Eastern Europe ruled by the First Primogenitor, the Forgotten Warlord. You know that much, right, Sensei?"
"The First Primogenitor—the vampire overlord with seventy-two familiars."
"More than that. The Sanctuary Treaty—meant to enable humans and demon-kind to coexist—was realized only because that sovereign agreed to support it. Otherwise the other two Primogenitors wouldn't have come to the table. Even among equals, the Dominion's military strength is overwhelmingly superior—the most renowned and ancient of the Night Empires."
"You know quite a lot," Shichen said, ruffling her hair with a grin.
"Sensei, be serious."
She didn't bat his hand away, but spoke under it. "He's dangerous. As the ruler of an autonomous domain, he's nobility—direct blood of the First Primogenitor. A pureblood."
"No need to worry. I'm the Fifth Primogenitor—I'm not afraid of him," Shichen said lightly.
"True enough… So what will you do? He's set his sights on you, hasn't he?"
"I am the Fifth Primogenitor."
"Are you going to go?"
"I have to. Otherwise he'll be a nuisance," Shichen sighed.
"Hm? Are you two close?"
"No. Never met him."
"Then why do you act like you know him so well?" Yukina asked, puzzled.
"I keep up with the news."
"I see…"
"Oh, and don't worry about your surveillance assignment—you're coming with me."
"Eh? Why?"
"Look here." Shichen pointed to the bottom right of the invitation. "It says I'm to bring a companion."
"C-companion?!" Yukina yelped, flustered.
~~~
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