“U-Um, Sarukomi-san—” “You can just call me Tatsuya, Miyako.” “EHHHH??????!” The loud exclamation drew a few lingering glances from the nearby students.
The two of us had just swapped our outdoor shoes at the lockers before she stopped me in the entryway.
Now, here she was, cutely fidgeting on the spot, her eyes firmly glued to the floorboards as her knuckles gripped the strap of her school bag.
In all honesty, I was just testing the waters to see how far I could push.
I wanted to see what an 82% affection rating actually looked like in reality.
As she struggled to find the words to fill the silence, I decided to take the initiative.
“Would you like to go to a café together?” “Y-Yes!” Her response was instant, her head snapping up before she could even think to filter herself.
“Alright,” I chuckled, raising my right hand between us, my palm open.
My intentions were completely obvious.
“We should go now then.” Miyako looked down at my hand, then up at my face, then back down to my hand, repeating the cycle in total hesitation.
Very slowly, her small fingers slid into my palm, her grip tight and warm.
We stepped out of the school gates together, walking side-by-side under the heavy, burning gazes of the surrounding students.
[Miyako Shikimori’s affection has raised 2%] ‘So it even sends live updates.’ This system was getting better and better.
Miyako and I enjoyed a calm walk minus the gazes from everyone.
Of course, I made sure she wasn’t near the street while we moved.
I would be hurt if she got injured, especially when I’m near her.
“How was P.E.?
I heard the girls played volleyball today.” “It was fun, my team won!” By the time we crossed the second intersection, Miyako seemed to have adjusted her mind to the situation.
The nervous stiffness left her frame, and she wasn’t nearly as fidgety as before.
“Ugh, and we had to run our legs off on the track…” I complained lightly.
“Hehe, you looked good while you did it!” “Oh?
Maybe I should have posed for you since you were looking so closely.” “S-Be quiet.” I smiled, my hand exerting slightly more force to gently pull her closer to my side.
There had been a moderate, respectful distance between us, but now that boundary vanished, leaving us walking almost shoulder-to-shoulder.
“U-Um, Tatsuya-san?” “Yes, Miyako?” “N-Nothing.” She didn’t pull away.
Instead, she gripped my hand even tighter, and when I glanced over, her face was plastered with a brilliant, genuine smile.
I wanted to tease her more, but I felt that might be a bit too much for her heart to handle on our very first walk.
[A choice has arrived!] 1.
Flirt more boldly.
– random reward 2.
Don’t do more.
– nothing […] ‘More boldly?’ I wondered how to do that.
The only thing I could think of was definitely not something she could handle right now.
It actually might plummet our current mood.
I’m sure in hindsight I’ll find out something, but for now… [Choice 2 chosen] The transparent screen dissolved into thin air, and I focused my attention back on the path ahead.
A cozy, modern café came into sight, and we made our way through the glass doors.
A waitress led us to a quiet table for 2 nestled a bit hidden away in the back corner.
After placing our orders, the waitress left, leaving just the two of us in the quiet space.
“Thank you for coming with me.
I needed a break from studying.” “I’m sorry I made you invite me when I meant to ask you.” “Don’t apologize.
It’s a man’s responsibility to take the initiative, right?” She meekly smiled, her cheeks warming.
“I guess so.” “No need to be shy.
You liked it when I asked, right?” “Y-Yes.” “See?” I rested my chin on my palm, repeating the exact posture I used back in the classroom.
“Did you just want to hang out, or did you want to talk to me about something specific?” “A bit of both,” Miyako admitted, her fingers tracing the grain of the wooden table.
“I-I wanted to see if you were free this weekend?” “Yeah, as long as nothing major happens, my schedule is clear.” “Maybe we can do something together?” “Of course, I would love that.” “I-I also…” Miyako’s voice trailed off, her face turning a deep, dark red for absolutely no discernible reason.
“Maybe I should wait,” she whispered, clearly trying to think to herself, but the words came out a little too loudly across the small table.
“Wait for what?” “Gasp?!
D-Did I say that out loud?!” “Yes, you did.
It’ll be much better to just tell me now.” Miyako immediately used her long, light pink hair to cover her face, shielding herself from my gaze.
“M-My friend said I should be completely honest with my feelings.
I…” “You?” “I-I like being d-dominated.
Y-you know?” [Choices have appeared!] I had to pause completely, my mind grinding to a halt.
The sheer psychological whiplash of that confession was just too heavy to process smoothly.
“Your friend must be a very unique individual.” “S-She said after I admitted my hidden desire, everything else would feel weak by comparison.” “You know, that’s actually not wrong.” I nodded slowly, analyzing the statement.
I could actually see the logic in that advice.
“So you like being dominated.
I see.
I see.
Rest assured, I’ll use that knowledge very well.” I looked her in the eyes through the strands of hair trying to protect her.
Saying it was one thing, but getting through it was another.
I knew she was feeling so embarrassed right now.
Once it cleared, she really would have nothing to get embarrassed about after.
“H-H-How?” [The choices have changed.] ‘It can even do that?’ The screen glitched and changed.
[choices (new)] 1.
Give her what she wants.
– Random reward 2.
Make her wait – Random reward […] Making my decision, I quietly stood up, lifted my chair, and moved it directly next to hers.
Before she could comprehend the movement, my arm wrapped firmly around her waist, pulling her petite frame against my side until her head rested completely against my chest.
Leaning down, I let out a faint, low whisper near her ear, giving her exactly what her hidden nature craved.
“Since you like being dominated so much, I’ll have to make sure you know exactly who you belong to.”