Night draped itself over half the world.
Stars glittered. The moon sat in the middle like a queen.
A little after midnight.
Akasha came to Arthur's room.
She'd just taken a shower — her long pink hair was still a little damp, skin faintly flushed. She was only wearing a nightgown: a pink silk one-piece, the collar slightly open to show off her delicate collarbones and that soft, mature figure.
When she walked, the hem swayed, and those pale, slender legs flashed in and out of sight.
Arthur saw her and closed his laptop.
He dimmed the lights to a warm, soft glow.
Then he raised a barrier over the bedroom.
After that, he simply pulled Akasha into his arms.
He buried his face at her neck — the scent of her shampoo mixed with her own sweet fragrance and flowed straight into his lungs.
"You smell so good, Akasha," Arthur murmured by her ear, breathing a little warm air against it.
"Mmm…"
Akasha's body trembled.
Her pretty face turned rosy, her eyes turning liquid. All the love she had for him was right there.
Arthur kissed her.
Neither of them said anything more — they just let actions handle the rest.
Heat. Gentleness. Then a bit of wildness…
…
At the same time, on the third floor.
Moka Akashiya, who had just closed her eyes to sleep, suddenly snapped them open.
Her silver lashes quivered, her gaze flickering.
She could feel wave after wave of very… specific sensations coming from somewhere — her own face went pink, and her body shivered.
Her right hand slid into her pajamas on its own and slowly moved lower.
A vampiric energy barrier wrapped around her bed.
Somewhere, it was like a little kitten was mewling shyly.
…
Dawn rose in the east. Night gave way to day.
The next morning.
Arthur looked at the sleeping Akasha — her brows had been slightly knitted from exhaustion, so he cast Sky Magic on her. Her willowy brows relaxed; even the corners of her lips lifted a little, like she was smiling in her sleep.
He didn't wake her.
Arthur got out of bed quietly, took his clothes, and went to shower.
He had a date today.
After washing up he went down to the living room.
Moka was there — and when she saw him, she gave him a little glare. There was a trace of grievance… and embarrassment.
Arthur was a bit confused.
He asked, but Moka just said, "It's nothing."
"Arthur, breakfast is ready."
Dragon maid Tohru came out of the kitchen with the last plate.
"Okay, let's eat."
Arthur let Akasha keep sleeping and went to the table with Tohru, Moka, Shuzen Ya'ai, and Shuzen Kokoa.
Yotsuya Miko had gone home yesterday afternoon — she couldn't spend the night outside too many times in a row. She still didn't want to tell her mom about her and Arthur.
Time passed.
Close to 10 a.m., dressed and ready, Arthur left home and took the train to Chiyoda.
The main office of Fujikawa Bunko was there.
Today was the release day for volume 11 of Game of the Gods.
He'd made plans with Kasumigaoka Utaha.
It was also their first proper date after being honest with each other.
Sunday morning, 10:20.
A high-end café in Chiyoda.
Arthur sat by the window, phone in hand.
He wore a mask.
White V-neck T-shirt, blue blazer-style outer coat, dark casual pants — his frame filled it all out perfectly.
Tall, straight, long legs.
Even with the mask on, he'd had older ladies try to hit on him on the way here, wanting to "play a game."
What game?
Obviously that kind of "digging a well."
Arthur rejected them all without mercy.
Sure, they were pretty after makeup, and their figures were fine.
But to him? Not good enough.
He wasn't some yellow eel that dives into every hole it sees.
And compared to the women at home, these ones didn't even make it onto the same chart.
Just then, a tall, stunning figure walked into the café.
Arthur looked up.
Rose-red top, beige blazer over it.
The neckline of the top dipped just enough to show her collarbones.
A pale blue crescent-moon necklace sat at her throat.
Her chest filled out the fabric in a very pleasing curve.
Her skirt was a slit pencil skirt.
Her long white legs were sheathed in sheer black tights.
White mid-heel shoes.
Her legs were perfect — long, straight, not bony, but with just the right amount of softness.
You could tell at a glance: those legs were a year-long hobby.
Her glossy black hair fell to her waist, the front held back with a white hairband.
Two locks of hair hung by her cheeks.
Her features were exquisite.
Long willow-leaf brows.
Those beautiful red eyes — clear, bright, like red wine under light.
Pale skin, cute nose, lips naturally rosy.
Her whole body radiated the charm of a perfectly ripe fruit.
As she came in, customers and staff all looked up — a ripple of surprise passed through the room.
This mature beauty wasn't anyone else — it was Kasumigaoka Utaha.
"Kouhai-kun…"
Even with the mask on, Utaha spotted him instantly. Her red lips quirked up and she walked over.
She sat across from him.
"Long time no see, Utaha," Arthur greeted.
Utaha looked straight into his eyes and smiled. "It really has been. We practically didn't see each other for a month."
Just then the server came over.
Utaha ordered a caramel macchiato.
Then she looked at the mask on Arthur's face, eyes curious.
"Why the mask?"
Arthur blinked. "Because if I take it off… I'm afraid you'll fall for me."
"I don't believe it. Try."
Utaha's smile was pure mischief.
But she also noticed — his eyes looked even better than before. Meeting his gaze like this, she actually felt a little dazed.
"Try? Then I'll try." Arthur's eyes curved.
Arthur shot her a quick wink, then suddenly changed the topic.
"But not right now."
"Tsk~ (ˉ▽￣～) 切~~"
Kasumigaoka Utaha gave him a sideways look, smiling. "I've already booked the restaurant. 11:30."
Arthur said, "You're treating, so I'll follow your lead. As long as there's food, I'm good."
Utaha chuckled. "My, my, kouhai-kun really is carefree. You might actually be cut out to be a hands-off boss."
Time slipped by.
When Utaha finished her coffee, Arthur went and paid the bill.
The two of them walked out of the café.
"Here," Arthur said, lifting his right arm a little, the gesture obvious — hold on.
Utaha's eyes gleamed; the corners of her lips curled. She slipped her hand through and hugged Arthur's right arm.
Something soft brushed against his arm.
Realizing it, her pretty face flushed and a hint of shyness flashed in her eyes.
But she didn't let go.
Instead… she held on tighter.
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