Chapter 228

The moment I saw that, the emotions I had been weighing between reason and instinct simply exploded.

"One... two... three... four... Th-that's it..."

I strode toward her as she rapidly counted the seconds under her breath.

"Wh-what...? I told you to stay back..."

Intimidated by my deadpan approach, she backed away, but I lunged forward and pulled her into a tight embrace.

"Hyaaah!?"

The first thing I noticed when I hugged Renka was that she was surprisingly slender.

Her limbs and waist were thin, but beneath my hands, I could feel the firm, toned muscle unique to someone who exercised regularly.

A body optimized for touching. It was absolutely perfect.

"Ah... ahh..."

The sudden embrace left Renka dizzy and disoriented.

Pushed back helplessly until her back hit the wall with a thud, she felt her legs beginning to give out.

The unexpected hug seemed to have short-circuited her mind.

She was trembling so much she would have collapsed if I hadn't been holding her up, and I slid one of my legs between hers.

I could feel her buttocks pressing against my thigh.

Enjoying that surprisingly plump sensation—much like Chinami's—I tightened my arm around her waist and my hand on her pelvis, pressing her completely flush against my body.

At the same time, her lower half lifted slightly before settling back down.

Jingle!

Did the sound of the bell, ringing as her body swayed, bring her back to her senses?

"Hah!?"

Focus returned to Renka's eyes. She shook her head once, placed her hands near my collarbone, and pushed with all her might.

But her efforts were in vain; my body didn't budge an inch.

"Hey...! Hey! What are you doing right now...!? Let go...! I said let go...!"

She struggled to break free, spitting out lines fit for a soap opera heroine.

Feigning a complete loss of reason, I exhaled a hot breath against her long, slender neck.

"Hnnngh...!?"

A faint tremor ran through Renka's entire body.

It seemed that tickling sensation, making her fine hairs stand on end, had awakened all her senses.

Watching her resisting arms go limp, I caressed her solely with the breath escaping my nose and mouth. Then, I brought my lips to the nape of her neck and brushed up and down in a single, lingering stroke.

"Hic...!"

Perhaps finding pleasure in that moist, lukewarm touch, she let her hips—which had merely been resting against my thigh—slump down heavily.

Having surrendered her body to me entirely, she must have realized she couldn't let this continue, because she clenched her fists tight.

Then, with a fierce tone that sounded ready to slap me across the face at any second, she issued a warning.

"Get off me...! You son of a bitch...!"

Obediently backing off here would disrupt our future master-servant dynamic.

Even if it provoked her anger further, taking a somewhat forceful stance was the right move.

Friendly in normal situations, but domineering during deep physical contact.

I needed to adjust my attitude accordingly.

With that thought in mind, I replied immediately.

"Quiet."

"Wh-what...? What did you just..."

"I said you're being loud. Keep it down."

Did she feel intimidated by my freezing tone?

Renka flinched, sucking in a sharp breath as she snapped her mouth shut.

Taking advantage of the opening, I slipped my hands under her arms, gently cupped her lower breasts and ribs, and applied pressure with my fingertips.

At that provocative touch, Renka's body gave a violent jolt.

"Ahnn...!"

I could see the sweat seeping out from tension and arousal, giving her fair skin a glossy sheen.

Even her unique, sweet scent was growing stronger.

It made me genuinely curious about what was going through her mind right now.

"Calm down... Matsuda...! Just calm down...!"

She tried to dissuade me, her voice much softer now, having decided to change her approach.

Since it felt like she would run away immediately if I let her go here, I answered by silently pulling her waist even closer.

"Hey...! Stop...! Seriously, stop...!"

Her voice was growing distressingly breathy.

This was probably the absolute limit of what the current Renka could tolerate.

I wanted nothing more than to take this all the way.

But she wasn't ready yet.

Even the preliminary groundwork was insufficient. The most we'd had was a strange tension when the topic of the love hotel came up.

She had feelings for me but hadn't realized them herself yet. Pushing the intensity any higher right now would only poison the well.

Her affection could easily turn into aversion.

Once she went home today, she would figure out her feelings toward me to some extent. For now, I'd stick to other forms of physical contact without crossing the line.

Having quickly sorted out my thoughts, I pretended to hesitate about placing my hands on her breasts one last time. Then, feigning the look of a man desperately suppressing his urges, I released the embrace.

I left the leg wedged between her thighs exactly where it was.

Just to keep her from collapsing before her strength returned.

Then I waited for her breathing to settle.

"Haa..."

As the massive storm passed, Renka let out a sigh of relief.

Unconsciously licking her pale, trembling lips, she glared at me.

"Are you completely out of your mind...?"

"I don't know about that, but let's do this again sometime."

"D-do this...? Do what...? Don't tell me you mean the cosplay...?"

"Yeah."

"A-are you crazy...? We made a promise...!"

Tap.

I pressed my forehead against hers.

It was the exact same action I had taken in the movie theater. But because the location and situation were incomparably more erotic this time, the way she received it would feel entirely different.

"D-don't do that...!"

Taking it a step further, I grabbed her slender wrists and raised them.

I crossed them above her head, pinned them flat against the wall, and clamped down with one hand to secure them.

"Hey...! What are you doing...?!"

A hint of coy whining bled into her voice.

Was it instinctual? Judging by her expression, she didn't seem to realize she was making sounds like that.

Hearing that captivating tone pierce my ears, I spoke quietly.

"I'm sorry."

"For what...?"

"For hugging you out of nowhere. Did I scare you?"

"...Of course it scared me...! And if you're sorry, let go of my hands..."

"Tell me you'll do it again, and I'll let you go."

"I said no...! We made a promise...! We agreed you wouldn't bring up the cosplay anymore...!"

"Then I suppose that means we could do it when you're in the mood, President?"

"...That's not going to happen... Though I suppose it's a possibility..."

It was an unusually submissive answer for her.

Nodding at that, I released her hands.

Taking advantage of the moment she sighed in relief, I pulled my leg back as well.

"Ah...!"

Instantly, Renka stumbled.

Between her high heels and her struggle to adjust after my sudden actions, she was having a hard time keeping her balance.

Carefully catching her arm to steady her, I led her to the bed and sat her down.

I had been somewhat domineering up until now.

I had pressed my lips to her skin and indirectly—but suggestively—touched her sensitive chest.

I had even wedged my leg intimately between her thighs and pinned her down.

Yet her resistance was surprisingly mild. Part of it might be because she had already figured out my personality... but it also meant she didn't hate being treated this way.

The very fact that she had agreed to a cosplay she had no obligation to wear proved she had feelings for me.

Sure enough, the best way to handle a strong female knight was to be even stronger.

From now on, I would thoroughly dye her in my colors.

While thinking that and reminiscing over the little rabbit dance she had done, I turned my head—

"...Hey."

When she called out to me in a subdued tone, I looked over, only to find—

"Yeah... Whoa!"

Renka winding up to smack me with the packaged vibrator. Startled, I quickly grabbed her arm.

"What are you doing?"

"Die...! Die!"

She must have been incredibly shocked if she was showing this much intense emotion.

Had I gotten a little ahead of myself with my earlier thoughts?

No, that shouldn't be the case. Subconsciously or not, Renka must have definitely thought my demeanor suited me.

My desire to conquer her surged wildly.

I'd step back for today, but starting tomorrow, I would escalate both the intensity of her training and our physical contact until she fully submitted.

Making a vow fit for a villain, I spoke to Renka, who was flailing and trying to pry my hand away.

"Do you even know what you're holding right now, President?"

"That's none of your business...!"

"True enough... but calm down first."

"Shut up! Did you listen when I told you to calm down...?"

"So you're actually going to hit me?"

"Of course I am...! You should count yourself lucky I'm only hitting you, you piece of trash... H-hey, where are you looking...! Eyes front!?"

Sensing my gaze lingering on her exposed cleavage, she covered her chest with one hand.

She looked incredibly pretty, blushing furiously and completely flustered.

Letting go of the arm holding the vibrator, I asked her a question.

"Do you want to rest a bit before we go?"

Perhaps having lost her fighting spirit as the mood turned strange, she let out a dejected sigh and tossed the vibrator package onto the bed.

Then, she abruptly stood up and marched toward the Changing Room.

Taking that as a silent answer, I watched the sliver of her rear left exposed by the leotard as I grabbed my coat to get ready to leave.

*

Nothing but silence filled the car on the ride home.

Renka seemed to have a lot on her mind, staring blankly out the window and continuously sighing.

Being considerate, I simply drove in silence until we were nearing her place, at which point I spoke up.

"President."

"...What."

"I really enjoyed today."

"S-so what... Erase it from your memory."

"Let's grab food together on our next day off."

"No."

"You don't have a choice."

"Then why the hell are you asking for my opinion!"

"I'm not asking. I'm telling you."

Scoffing in utter disbelief at my shamelessness, Renka muttered to herself.

"This is ridiculous... What is wrong with him...?"

"Thanks for the compliment."

"I wasn't talking to you."

"Then you should have kept it in your head. Oh, by the way, should I head in early tomorrow? Since our schedules are lining up, let's work together."

"...We don't know if they're lining up or not. The Boss hasn't decided yet."

"When I went to eat, he said he'd swap them sometime next week. Didn't you hear about that, President?"

"......"

She subtly turned her head, looking a bit guilty.

One look told me she absolutely had. Knowing her, she had probably even spoken favorably when the Boss asked for her opinion.

She should really learn to hide her emotions better before trying to play hard to get... Tsk, tsk.

Chuckling softly so the transparent girl wouldn't notice, I stepped on the brake as we arrived in front of her home.

Then, in a nonchalant tone, I said:

"I'll swing by tomorrow before your shift starts."

"...You mean we're going to work together?"

"Yep. You get to avoid public transit, and I get to see you bright and early... Isn't that killing two birds with one stone?"

At the subtly dropped confession, Renka's throat bobbed heavily.

Revealing my feelings like this always netted a reaction far beyond my expectations.

Laughing lightly, I jutted my chin toward her brightly lit house.

"Head inside."

"......"

Hesitating for a moment, for whatever reason, Renka eventually started gathering the bunny girl outfit from the back seat.

Watching her, I got out of the car, popped the trunk, pulled out an empty shopping bag, and handed it to her.

Shooting me a look that asked what I was doing, she questioned me.

"What's this...?"

"To carry it easier. You were going to wash it before giving it back, right? Because you're worried I might sniff it."

"Ugh...!"

"Am I wrong?"

Having been read like an open book, Renka shoved the clothes and accessories into the bag with a huff.

Then she ran toward her house as if fleeing the scene.

The fact that her legs gave out and she stumbled halfway to the Main Gate was just a bonus.

I watched her precarious retreat with feigned concern, only chuckling when the gate slammed shut.

Would she be able to get a wink of sleep tonight?

I highly doubted it.

*

Stare...

Staring blankly at the ceiling with her mouth hanging open, Renka replayed the day's events in her head.

Herself, wearing a humiliating outfit and doing a stupid rabbit dance...

And Matsuda, pouncing on her...

The heavy touches that followed, the electrifying sensation running through her body, and the scent seeping into her skin... the fierce, overwhelming smell of a male...

Gulp.

Catching a whiff of his manly scent still lingering on her body, she unconsciously swallowed hard as she recalled the attitude he had shown when she tried to stop him.

His gentle, yet inexplicably oppressive, deep voice teasingly blurring the line between polite and commanding.

The moment she heard it, her heart had pounded wildly, nearly sending her out of her mind.

To say her heart hadn't fluttered would be a lie.

It sounded that good, and it was a voice perfectly suited for the man named Matsuda.

'Crazy bitch... I'm really losing it...'

It was absurd that she had even thought such things while being utterly humiliated.

Cursing at herself to calm her racing heart, she then reflected on his touch.

When he had wedged his thick thigh between her legs and pressed firmly into her bare skin with his fingertips, a bizarre sensation had washed over her.