The Occult Research Society clubroom smelled faintly of old books, incense, and the lingering sweetness of Hinata's strawberry gum. The afternoon sunlight slanted through half-closed blinds, painting thin golden bars across the cluttered table where six members sat in varying states of boredom and tension.
Akane stood at the head of the table with her arms crossed very tightly, her expression denoting her displeasure.
Her auburn hair was slightly mussed from running her hands through it too many times.
"Hey," she said with a rising voice, "you haven't gotten me together with Rin as you promised! And I haven't forgotten what you both did a few days ago!"
Hinata leaned back in her chair, her dark green short hair fell over her eyes.
Then she pushed her glasses up with one finger, trying for a pacifying smile. "Whoa, whoa, Akane-chan. It wasn't us, remember? Kiyoshi Rin is the one who molested Hanako. We were just… observing. For research purposes, one could say."
Nishikata Shiki—a tall, lanky guy, with messy black hair and perpetually angry brows—slammed his palm on the table.
"Molested? That wasn't just molestation! That bastard broke our Ice Princess! I mean, look at her now!"
He pointed dramatically at the corner where Hanako sat curled in a chair, her knees drawn up, and her long black hair curtaining her face.
She wasn't crying, of course. She was only busy giggling softly to herself with cheeks flushed pink, and her fingers frisking at the hem of her dark jacket.
Kitagawa Nagumo, the cool guy in the hoodie who rarely spoke, leaned against the wall with his arms folded. "It's serious, though, that Kiyoshi Rin could elude Hanako's Love Gaze. That's Special Grade level ability, and no one, so far, as ever resisted it before."
Yamada Naoya, with his light brown hair ruffled, and his green eyes bright with nervous energy, raised a hand.
"Look, Rin isn't the problem." He started, "I mean, yeah, the ability didn't work on him, which is weird, but the real threats are his followers. Those maids and the butler? Even the NEET girl in his house. They're dangerous people. And I think Rin doesn't even know how ominous they are."
After hearing Naoya's report, Hanako suddenly stood up, as her chair scraped loudly. "Then we've got to protect Rin-chan!"
Akane's head whipped toward her. "Hey! Keep your hands off him!"
But Hanako was already moving, her jacket flapping as she headed for the door. Akane chased after her, yelling something incoherent about dibs.
However, like a joke from the universe, they didn't make it far.
Because, the moment they stepped into the hallway, they collided with him.
Kiyoshi Rin.
"Ah." Akane froze mid-step.
The previous fire in her eyes had now vanished; her cheeks bloomed red, as she stared at his chest like it had personally offended her.
Hanako, on the other hand, lit up like a struck match. But she couldn't say anything, with her mouth opening and closing silently.
Spotting people, Rin looked down at them both, his bangs falling slightly across his eyes.
"Oh, it's Akane. What's up? Incidentally, is this your club?"
Akane swallowed. "Y-Yes. But I'm planning to dump them soon because they're useles—"
Before she could finish the sentence, Hanako lunged forward and fell against Rin's chest, her arms wrapping around his waist.
"R… Rin-chan! Please, join the Occult club!"
Rin glanced at her and raised a brow.
"Rin-chan? Is that me?" He squinted down at her face, focusing on her eyes. "Ah. I remember you. You're that kawaii Onee-san that helped me with my Lewd Meter. So you're with the Occult club, huh? Well, if you really want me to join, talk to my manager."
"K-Kawaii?!"
"Ack! Hey, that's unfair?!" Rin suddenly yelled at the air, startling the two girls.
Then, his hand moved before anyone could react. He reached behind Hanako again, creeping his fingers behind Hanako's ass and groped her hard.
"Ah! Not this again!" Akane yelled, horrified yet flushed.
Rin's fingers prodded into her soft, perky butt, kneading the round curve, and spreading her cheeks slightly under the fabric.
"Hngh! Ah…" Hanako squeaked happily, her body trembling as she pressed tighter against him.
"You… You can grope me anyhow you want, Rin-chan, if you join our club…" she whispered, her voice shaking with heat.
Akane's jaw was dropped at the scene.
But then she snapped out of it, moving into view. "No way! Hey, Rin, you can also g-grope me if you join too! I'll kill you if you do, though."
"Eh? Why is my life suddenly threatened?" Rin pulled his hand away from Hanako's ass, then glanced at her flushed face, "Ah, I'm so sorry about that. GoG just threatened to deck my Lewd Meter and I responded instinctively. But you truly are a lifesaver. Thanks."
Akane fluttered her eyelid, staring at Rin. "By the way, what is this Lewd Meter thing you keep mentioning?"
"Uhm…" Rin glanced around the hallway as if the answer might be written on the walls. Then he shrugged. "Yes! It means I'm horny. If I say Lewd Meter all of a sudden, take it to mean I got horny."
Hanako's blush deepened, as she looked away shyly. "So… Rin-chan is horny now…"
"Hey, cut that out! You're supposed to be helping me!" Akane snapped.
At Akane's words, Hanako gasped; her normally half-lidded eyes suddenly snapped wide open at once.
Then something palpable changed. The dazed, giggly haze from before cleared from her eyes.
She straightened herself and her expression turning serious.
"Please, forgive me. I don't normally act like this, but I have suddenly become infatuated with Rin-chan… But as I promised, I will get you two together!"
"…Huh?" Akane was a bit alarmed by the shift, but accepted, "Well, as long as you understand."
Then Hanako turned fully to Rin, with a steady voice again. "Rin-chan, I think I'm in love with you!"
"Chotto!!" Akane nearly collapsed.
But she continued without pause. "…However… despite my love for you, can you please go out with Hachimoto Akane?!"
"Sure." Rin answered immediately.
"Eh…? Ah, I mean, that's wonderful." Hanako's eyes began to well up with tears as she turned to Akane. "You… You s-see? I told you I w… would do it!"