We moved from the office area to the living quarters. Mutsuki and I sat facing each other, and I took one of the ring-shaped devices she had shown earlier.
I held it up in front of my eyes and examined it. "How do you use this?"
"Kuhuhu∼" Mutsuki slipped the ring onto her own wrist as she spoke, smiling brightly. "This is a heart rate detector. You put it on your wrist, and if your heart rate exceeds a certain level, you get electrocuted."
Electrocuted…
"Is it safe?"
Mutsuki puffed up in displeasure and complained coquettishly. "Eh∼ what do you take me for, Sensei? Honestly. It only gives a sliiight tingly feeling!"
Still half doubtful, I asked, "So, what kind of game are you planning to play with this?"
"Hehehe, good question. The rules are simple. From now on, we take turns making the other person flustered. Whoever loses their composure first, whose heart rate spikes and gets electrocuted, loses. And of course, the loser has to agree to one request from the winner."
Why did this game sound so familiar the more I listened?
However, unlike Ako, who acted on impulse, Mutsuki was clearly prepared.
And unlike Ako, who subconsciously looked forward to losing, something she personally admitted like a dog enjoying discipline, Mutsuki was a mischievous trickster through and through. To tease me more effectively, she would aim solely for victory, and might even resort to some underhanded tricks.
Just like the last time we played cards.
Without a doubt, this was a trap Mutsuki had set for me, one I should not have stepped into lightly.
But the condition she offered suited me perfectly.
I agreed to play with Mutsuki precisely so I could teach this little devil a lesson, to let her learn what it meant to respect one's elders.
If she wanted to use herself as bait, then she should be prepared to be bound by her own cocoon.
Besides, even if I accidentally lost, would that not still be a win for me?
"Are you sure you want to play like this?"
I frowned and put on a hesitant expression. "Shouldn't we add some restrictions? On how we're allowed to make the other flustered, or on the punishment for losing."
"It's fine∼ I trust Sensei's character∼ or could it be…" Mutsuki began using her well-practiced pitiful act again. "Sensei, don't you trust me?"
"Of course that's not the case."
On the contrary, it was precisely because I trusted her bad taste that I said it on purpose.
I pondered for a moment, then continued, "Still, it doesn't really feel appropriate…"
Before I could finish, Mutsuki cut me off. "Oh come on, don't drag it out∼ let's just have fun together∼ come on, Sensei!"
She leaned in and helped me put on the heart rate detector, then nodded in satisfaction and declared with a wicked grin,
"The game, starts now∼!"
I loosened the band slightly, slowed my breathing as much as possible, emptied my mind, and prepared myself for Mutsuki's upcoming attack.
Judging from the rules, the one who attacked first undoubtedly held a huge advantage. If Mutsuki wanted to win, the best strategy would be to seize the initiative and go all out, like pushing me to the ground like last time.
However, to my surprise, Mutsuki handed the initiative to me.
"Since this is Sensei's first time playing, I'll let you attack first. That's just being considerate to beginners."
Was she really that confident she would not lose right away?
Did she have some kind of trump card, or was she like Ako…
In any case, the most important thing now was to make a move that would leave Mutsuki flustered and her heart racing.
Unfortunately, since the process was equivalent to intense physical activity, I could not use my authority to cheat in this game.
But that was fine. I had a weapon powerful enough to decide the outcome in one blow.
"Mutsuki."
I walked up to the white-haired girl sitting on the chair and crouched down to meet her gaze.
"About your confession last time, I still haven't given you an answer."
"…Eh?"
"I thought about it for a long time, and I finally figured it out, my feelings toward Mutsuki…"
"Ah, ahaha, is this Sensei's attack? Or…" Mutsuki's smile looked a little forced, as if she had not expected this kind of strategy. "Hehe∼ taking things so seriously, that's pretty cute∼ but but, I was joking back then, you know? Just the usual prank. If Sensei took it seriously, Mutsuki would be in trouble∼ of course, if this is Sensei's strategy, then sorry, it's comp∼lete∼ly∼ use∼less∼ okay? Because back then I was just trying to teach an arrogant Sensei a lesson!"
…Was she panicking a bit?
Even though her tone quickly returned to its usual teasing, and the heart rate detector showed no reaction, the fact that she cut me off and rattled on so aggressively was not like her usual self.
It was obvious. She was shaken.
That was only natural. Faced with someone as outstanding as me, the only human male in all of Kivotos, what student in the prime of youth could avoid developing feelings in secret?
The fact that Mutsuki came all this way on a precious day off just to play this kind of game with me was already the biggest proof of her interest.
And as everyone knows, curiosity is the first step toward falling.
Back to the point.
I smiled gently and indulgently, and casually patted her head. "Can you listen until I finish?"
"…Hehe∼ of course. Go ahead."
The girl subtly brushed my hand away.
I took a deep breath. "I'm sorry, but I can't accept Mutsuki's confession."
Mutsuki tilted her head in confusion. "I already told you it was a joke. Are you really not getting it, or are you pretending not to get it? Acting like this won't make girls like you. So, is that it? If you're done, then it's my turn, right?"
"Sorry, I didn't finish what I was saying, so I made you misunderstand."
I took Mutsuki's hand, the one without the detector, and gazed sincerely into her delicate, adorable face as I spoke earnestly.
"The reason I can't accept your confession is because the one who should be confessing… is me."
"…Hah?"
At last, I saw an expression of pure shock on Mutsuki's face, impossible to hide.
Success. This meant victory was mine.
With a foundation of affection and normal aesthetic sense, no one could resist a confession from someone as handsome on the outside and perfect on the inside as me.
Don't blame me for being despicable, this was simply making reasonable use of my own advantages.
Asagi Mutsuki. Prepare yourself for defeat.
Knowing that one must never stop halfway, I pressed on without pause, launching into a barrage of words at the stunned Mutsuki.
"Mutsuki, from the first time I saw you, I was deeply attracted to you.
"At first, I just thought you were very cute. But as I got to know you better, I realized that compared to your looks, what really makes my heart race is your personality.
"You usually act carefree, yet when it matters, you are more reliable than anyone. You love pulling pranks, but you always stick to your principles. And beneath that mischievous taste, there is a kindness hidden inside…"
I spared no effort in praising Mutsuki, who was still, at her core, an inexperienced student. I spoke until she was completely overwhelmed, her face quickly turning red, her words faltering into silence.
But something felt off.
By this point, Mutsuki had more or less regained her composure, and she smiled as she said,
"I'm just teasing you according to my own preferences, that's all. What exactly are you misunderstanding? Anyway, this kind of attack won't work, so you should give up as soon as possible."
I selectively listened only to the first half and was overjoyed. "Preferences? So that means you like me?"
"…Didn't I say that's not it? Isn't your self-awareness a bit too strong?"
I instantly switched to a dejected expression. "So, does that mean Mutsuki hates me?"
Mutsuki averted her gaze and muttered, "…Ah, it's not to that extent either… I guess…"
This was too strange.
Why had Mutsuki still not been electrocuted?
After thinking for a moment, I sighed. "Sigh, I didn't expect this move to fail too."
Mutsuki narrowed her eyes, smiling brightly. "Oh my, oh my… so it really was Sensei's strategy after all. What an interesting trick∼"
"Why not think of it as me seizing the opportunity to speak from my heart?"
"Hehe, you're still try harding to this point? Hahaha∼ that's hilarious∼"
Her laughter gradually faded, a cold glint flashing in her eyes as she said icily, "What a shame, it failed comp∼lete∼ly, kuh∼uhu∼. Then, it's my turn next. For a villain who used such underhanded methods to hurt a delicate maiden's heart, what should I do, I won∼der∼?"
She enunciated every word slowly. Her expression looked genuinely frightening, as if she was truly angry.
"Don't be in such a hurry. Before that, Mutsuki."
I was still holding her warm, almost burning hand, my smile gradually growing gentler. "Could you explain why your pulse is beating so fast, yet you haven't been electrocuted? Don't tell me… your detector was never powered on in the first place?"
As I spoke, my gaze fell on the band around her wrist, deliberately hiding the power indicator light.
"…Aha∼ you caught me."
All the anger the white-haired girl had built up vanished instantly, her expression turning awkward. "To think I'd slip up in a place like this, ahaha."
"According to the rules, you lost. Do you have anything you'd like to say?"
"Um… Sensei, could you let go of my hand first?"
Mutsuki looked at me pitifully, but that trick no longer worked.
"No. And please don't think about struggling." I advised her earnestly. "Mutsuki, you wouldn't want me to get hurt because of your stubbornness, right?"
With the strength of a Kivotos student, breaking free from my grip would be easy.
But doing so while ensuring I would not sprain something was another matter entirely.
Mutsuki was momentarily speechless, letting out an awkward laugh. "Ehehe∼ that kind of threat won't work, right?"
"I believe Mutsuki is a good girl. So you definitely wouldn't have the heart to hurt me, and you would absolutely accept defeat honorably, right?"
To put it bluntly, I was simply betting on Mutsuki's current level of affection for me.
And I was over ninety-nine percent confident.
After meeting my gaze in silence for quite some time, Mutsuki finally shook her head helplessly.
The little devil girl, now lacking her usual composure, was defeated by my resolve to use myself as the stake. She drooped her head in frustration.
"Alright, this time I lost. What kind of request are you planning to make?"
Opportunities like this did not come often.
Suppressing the joy in my heart, I considered carefully. "Then, my request is…"
At that moment, Mutsuki abruptly interrupted me. "Mm-hm∼ how about I guess first? Wouldn't that be more fun, Sen∼sei∼?"
Was she trying to buy time and gather her thoughts?
At this point, there was no way Mutsuki could turn things around.
Besides… the victory had come too easily, and I was starting to feel a bit bored. I was actually curious to see how Mutsuki might try to flip the table.
With that in mind, I nodded. "Go ahead and guess."
"Kuhuhu∼ thank you∼"
Mutsuki closed her eyes, pondered for a long while, then ventured a guess. "Could it be that you want me to stop disturbing you at work from now on?"
I shook my head. "No."
I knew that making such a request would be suppressing Mutsuki's nature. Even if she agreed now, she might not keep it later, and it would only lead to resentment.
Mutsuki's eyes filled with tears. "Then, is it that I'm not allowed to prank you anymore?"
"Not that either."
For the same reason, this was an even harsher condition and would provoke even more resistance from her.
"Are you trying to force me to go out with you?"
"That would be closer if you flipped it around."
There was no way I would waste such a precious request on something that would naturally happen sooner or later.
If you want to take advantage of me, just say so.
"Hmm… I see…" Mutsuki racked her brain. "I really can't think of what Sensei wants to do…"
I could not help but remind her, "My request is actually very simple."
Really, it was just a tiny, insignificant punishment.
"It's just…"
"Ah, I know∼"
Just as I was about to reveal the correct answer, Mutsuki suddenly spoke as if struck by realization.
I strongly suspected she had interrupted me on purpose again, perhaps still dissatisfied with my earlier attack.
Under my gaze, the white-haired girl narrowed her plum purple eyes. Her pink tongue licked the corner of her lips as she revealed a meaningful smile, her tone sweet and alluring.
"You wouldn't be thinking of doing to me… what you already did with that Hoshino student from Abydos, here at Schale, would you?"
"Wh…!"
The sudden turn of events sent a chill down my spine.
Even though I had long anticipated that the on-duty Problem Solver 68 might have noticed something that day, I never expected Mutsuki to reveal that she was aware of it at this exact moment.
And in the instant my guard slipped, Mutsuki seized the opportunity. Her soft body pressed right up against me, her cherry lips close to my ear as she breathed out a warm, intoxicating breath.
"Huaa∼ ear whisper attack∼"
I instinctively covered my ear, but did not react any further.
"…Eh?" Mutsuki looked uncertain and surprised. "Why didn't Sensei get electrocuted?"
"So that was your plan."
I said with a sigh of relief, "Good thing I also turned off the power."
"When did you do that? I didn't even notice…"
I replied righteously, "Of course it was when you closed your eyes just now."
Of course it was when the game first started.
Knowing full well it was a trap, if I did not secretly cheat, would I even be human?
"Honestly! Sensei, you actually did something like that behind my back. Do you really trust adorable Mutsuki-chan that little!"
Ignoring Mutsuki's nonsensical protest, my face broke into a brilliant smile.
"So, it's my turn to make a request now, right?"
"Sigh, a bet is a bet, and a loss is a loss. Sensei, go ahead and say it."
Does someone who was clearly trying to get me to loosen my grip so she could escape just now really have the right to say willing to accept defeat?
Just as I was about to speak, Mutsuki suddenly pretended to cry. "Waaah∼ I believe that Sensei, as a proper adult, surely wouldn't stoop to picking on such a delicate little girl like me, and make all sorts of embarrassing demands, right? Sneak peek."
Haha, she chickened out.
Thinking back on it, I scolded her sternly. "Honestly! Mutsuki, to say something like that right to my face, do you really distrust your upright and honest teacher that much?"
"…Hmph, then please, Sensei, make sure you don't betray my trust."
"Of course. So, Mutsuki, could you please not try to run away?"
I took a deep breath and spoke with utmost seriousness. "I also want to entrust my trust to you."
The little devil girl stared at me, her gaze complicated, for quite a while before speaking.
"How boring. Fine, I get it. Let me say it again, you're not allowed to make any weird requests."
"…By the way," I released her hand and could not help veering off topic, "how did you know about Hoshino and me…?"
"Hehe∼" Mutsuki smiled slyly and waggled her eyebrows at me. "I just happened to see her coming out of Schale looking sleep-deprived yet very satisfied. Then, thinking about a certain someone who had those deep, dark circles under their eyes that day, wasn't it obvious what happened?"
I fell silent for a few seconds. "Other than you…"
"Kayoko was right next to me at the time," Mutsuki said casually. "And Haruka, who was in charge of cleaning, had a pretty strange reaction too, right? So I guess the only one who doesn't know is Aru. To think you're actually… this kind of… per∼vert∼. Kuhuhu∼"
In situations like this, Aru was especially reassuring.
I was left speechless, then tried to defend myself. "I didn't make the first move."
My lack of confidence was obvious.
"Alright, alright∼ pat pat∼" Mutsuki patted my head, grinning mischievously. "So cute. Nobody really cares that much anyway. If people knew you were this kind of scum, for some of them it might actually be good news."
She made a disturbingly good point. Was this Kivotos?
So strange. So lovable.
"Alright, let's get back on topic."
"Oh oh∼ here it comes∼"
Mutsuki sat up straight, looking surprisingly well-behaved.
My gaze slowly drifted downward. "Anyway, take off your boots first."
Mutsuki froze for a moment, then burst into delight. She kicked off both boots in a flash and stretched one slender, delicate foot out toward me.
"Hehe∼ so this is what you wanted… the rumors were actually true∼ kuhuhu∼ if you'd just said so earlier, I would've agreed right away∼ you biiig∼ per∼vert∼"
…Huh?
I had only planned to subject her to a tickling punishment, but looking at what was right in front of me, I swallowed.
Mutsuki had misunderstood me, and I felt deep pain over it. But if I were to clarify the truth now, how much damage would that do to a young girl's fragile heart…
There was no choice. I would have to silently shoulder this infamy.
I did not hesitate any longer. True to my original intent, I used the tool I was born with to carry out a severe punishment on the sadistically grinning Mutsuki.
Hopefully, she would learn her lesson and take it to heart.