"Who is that person?"
"Elara's classmate? A friend?"
"He looks like her boyfriend, they seem very close."
Alex's appearance caused a wave of whispers across the basketball court. Many girls from the basketball club looked them over with gossipy eyes. Fortunately, due to Elara's injury, no one came closer to interrupt.
Alex was unbothered by the attention, but Elara felt overwhelmed. Everyone in the club knew her, and being the subject of their discussion was... She secretly glanced at the boy beside her, her expression complicated.
But she didn't object. She didn't push him away.
Inside the locker room, Elara stumbled and sat down on a bench. The girl adjusted the strands of hair across her forehead, avoiding his gaze, unsure of what to say. In the silence, her shoe was suddenly removed, startling her.
"K-Alex?! What, what are you doing..."
Her foot was cupped in his hands, and Elara's face flushed crimson.
"Checking on you, of course," Alex said, sounding completely matter-of-fact as he handled her delicate, small foot. "Why are you so clumsy? Getting hurt during a simple game."
The shoe was off, and then the sock. The feeling of his touch on her skin made Elara extremely uneasy. Hearing his comment, she pouted. It's because your appearance unsettled me that I fell...
"Does it hurt?" Alex poked her ankle gently.
"Mmm, it hurts..."
Elara whispered softly. Seeing the look of concern on his face, she pursed her pink lips. "It's... it's nothing. I just need to rest for a bit."
With that, Elara's gaze drifted around the empty locker room. "Alex, do you really care about me?"
"That's a strange question, Elara. You are my woman. If I don't care about you, who will I care about?" Alex replied meaningfully.
"Your woman, you say? If only that were true," Elara lowered her head, seemingly provoked, and began to speak strange words. She was silent for a few seconds. "The truth is, in your eyes, I'm just a plaything, aren't I?"
"..."
Alex stopped smiling, looking up at her with surprise.
He was genuinely startled. Even Mrs. Summer hadn't dared to bring this up, yet Elara was doing it. Was she finally dropping the act?
"You've known that Mom and I recovered since the moment it happened, but you deliberately didn't say anything, just to tease us and watch the show, right?"
Alex stood up.
"You're right. I knew the moment you returned to normal," his neutral expression faded into a slight smile. "And yes, I did intend to watch the show, because Mrs. Summer's and Elara's reactions were quite entertaining."
"..."
He actually admitted it? This horrible bastard!!
"You, you... that's too much!"
Elara looked up, meeting his eyes without flinching. Seeing the boy's wicked smile, she felt an unbearable sense of grievance, and her eyes welled up.
"So everything was fake, right? Everything about our time together before, and even your concern just now—it's all fake. I'm just your plaything, aren't I?"
"Look at you saying that," Seeing tears escape her eyes, Alex gently reached out to wipe them away. Feeling the soft texture of her skin against his palm, he leaned in closer. "You are indeed my plaything, but all the time we spent together, and my concern for you—those are feelings that come straight from my heart."
The girl whose cheek was being caressed bit her lip. She tried to shake his hand off but couldn't, only managing to turn her face away with difficulty. "I am not your plaything."
"Too late," Alex closed the distance, his soft chuckle echoing near her ear. "You are my plaything, you are my woman. You can never escape this; you belong to me forever—"
Thump-thump—
Why? Why is my heart beating so fast, even though his words are so awful? Why do I still feel this way about this detestable bastard...?
"First you use that strange ability to hypnotize me, and now you..." Elara spoke mournfully. "Do you know, you truly are awful."
Chuckling, Alex didn't reply. He bent down, crouching before her again, and picked up her foot, activating his ability.
Elara watched him silently. What was even worse was that this bad guy, who had done such terrible things to her before, was now being so gentle.
How can he be like this?
She watched as he gently massaged her ankle, feeling the pain gradually disappear. Elara knew this was his time ability; her mother had also regained her youth because of it.
Her expression and mood grew increasingly complex.
BAM!
CRASH—
The girl lunged forward, tackling the boy who was squatting in front of her. They both fell to the floor, her on top of him, pinning him down.
"Elara?"
"I might just be an ordinary girl, a fool, with no prominent family background or outstanding skills," Elara straddled Alex, gripping his school uniform collar with both hands. Her body pressed tightly against his.
Her soft, full chest unreservedly pressed against his body.
"I may not be able to compare to you and your superpowers, but even so, I won't just let you bully me!"
She sounded very determined.
"Of course not, Elara," Alex agreed, staring up at the girl sitting on his lap, and blinked. "In this world, no one but me is allowed to bully you."
"You—"
Elara looked thunderstruck, tears flooding from her eyes. "Why do you always say things like that... You bastard, I hate you!"
Seeing her cry again, Alex knitted his brows. "Why are you crying again... Elara, if you truly hate me... Mmmh."
She lunged forward, kissing him hard.
Alex's remaining words were swallowed. Wet, soft lips pressed against his, and strands of her hair fell across his face, tickling and sending shivers through him.
Four lips were sealed together. Elara, dominant and bold, thrust out her tongue, initiating a deep, passionate kiss. Their tongues coiled and tangled, sucking at each other's saliva, as if trying to swallow the other's tongue whole.
"Mmm... Nngh, chu... Haaah..."
The greedy kiss lasted for a long time before they broke apart. Elara's wet eyelashes fluttered as she stared reproachfully at the slightly stunned Alex. A string of silver saliva slowly stretched between their lips before finally snapping.
Her full, glossy cherry lips were slightly parted, breathing heavily and exhaling a fragrant, incredibly alluring scent.
"That's right, I hate you. I hate you the most~"
She continued, but this time her tone was soft, her voice laced with tenderness and resentment. Her hands began to unbutton his school uniform, stroking his solid muscles and body, her eyes glazed over.
At the same time, she started to remove her own clothes.
She pressed and slid her ample breasts against his chest, kissing and licking his neck.
Unhesitatingly, she revealed the lovely curves of her body, presenting her beautiful and tempting form before him. As she kissed and licked, she whispered:
"Alex, love me~"
She was overcome by passion.