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After my chaotic encounter with Rei, I finally left the school grounds, stretching as the cool evening breeze brushed against my skin. My brain was still processing everything that had happened today—dodging wooden staffs, getting labeled a pervert, and somehow ending up as Rei's impromptu combat coach.
Just another day in my life, apparently.
As I made my way toward the parking lot, I heard Saeko's voice behind me.
"Marco-kun, do you have a moment?"
I turned to see her standing there, her hands resting casually on her hips, that usual self-assured smirk on her lips. Her long violet hair was tied into a loose ponytail, making her sharp, beautiful features stand out even more under the golden hue of the setting sun.
"For you? Always." I grinned. "What's up?"
"I want to go somewhere," she said, tilting her head slightly. "With you."
I blinked. "You asking me out on a date, Saeko-chan?"
She chuckled. "I don't remember using that word, but if that's how you want to see it…"
I smirked. "Alright, alright. Where are we going?"
She shrugged. "Surprise me."
Oh? So she wanted me to take the lead? I liked that.
"Alright," I said, opening the door to my Suburban. "Get in."
She raised an eyebrow but didn't hesitate to slide into the passenger seat. As I started the engine, the deep growl of the modified motor echoed through the nearly empty lot.
"Let's go."
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The streets were quieter than usual as we drove, the city lights flickering to life as the sun dipped below the horizon. Inside the car, there was a certain charge in the air. Saeko sat comfortably, one leg crossed over the other, watching me with amusement.
"You're not going to ask where I'm taking you?" I asked, keeping my eyes on the road.
"I trust you," she said simply. "Besides, unpredictability makes things more exciting."
I chuckled. "Good. Because I'm not the type to do the cliché 'take you to dinner' first."
"Hmm. Then what type of guy are you?"
I glanced at her, smirking. "The type who takes you somewhere fun before anything else."
Her smirk deepened. "I like the sound of that."
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We pulled up to a secluded hilltop, overlooking the city. It was one of those places I had found during my scouting for safe zones. A high vantage point, clear visibility, and—most importantly—a breathtaking view of the entire cityscape at night.
Saeko stepped out of the car, walking toward the edge of the hill, her arms crossed as she looked down at the glittering lights below. The soft glow of the city bathed her face, making her look almost ethereal.
"This is… beautiful," she admitted.
"Told you I wasn't going to take you somewhere boring."
She turned slightly, her gaze settling on me. "You do have a habit of surprising me, Marco-kun."
I leaned against the car, arms crossed. "I get the feeling you don't let a lot of guys get this close to you."
She was silent for a moment, then sighed. "Most men are… weak."
"Physically?"
"Not just that." She turned to fully face me. "Mentally. Emotionally. They don't understand me. I don't want a man who gets scared when I show him my true self."
I met her gaze, unwavering. "And you think I won't?"
She studied me, then took a slow step forward. "No. I think you might be the only one who won't."
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After a moment of comfortable silence, looking at each other eyes, there was no hesitation when she closed the distance between us. One second, she was looking at me with those piercing violet eyes, and the next, her lips were on mine.
It wasn't soft or hesitant—it was confident, slow but deliberate. She wasn't testing the waters; she was staking a claim. And I wasn't about to back down.
I wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her closer, deepening the kiss. Her body pressed against mine, her warmth seeping through our clothes as my fingers trailed along the curve of her lower back.
For someone who carried herself with such composed elegance, her kiss had fire behind it.
When we finally pulled away, her breathing was slightly heavier, but her smirk remained.
"That was… unexpected," I muttered.
"Was it?" She ran a finger along my collarbone, tilting her head. "I think we both saw this coming."
I chuckled. "Fair enough."
She leaned in again, but this time, her lips stopped just before touching mine. "Should we stop here… or would you like to see how much deeper this can go?"
Her voice was sultry, teasing, daring me to take the next step.
My grip on her waist tightened slightly.
"Oh, Saeko-chan," I murmured, my lips brushing against her ear. "You should know by now… I never stop at just 'a little.'"
She exhaled a soft laugh against my neck. "Good."
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