"Y-You became his girlfriend? How did it turn out like that?!"
Sona was stunned after listening to her Queen, who was a blushing mess. She had never seen this side of her before—it was like looking at an entirely different person.
"He was pretty... persuasive," Tsubaki said weakly, her fingers brushing against her lips as her mind replayed the scene. When she realized what had just happened, her arms had subconsciously wrapped around his neck, pulling him closer. Her heart still fluttered just recalling it.
Sona couldn't believe it. Her Queen seemed to have fallen head over heels for him so quickly. She knew Tsubaki had almost no experience in relationships to begin with, but she hadn't expected it to be this bad. Of course, she herself was the same, but she couldn't imagine getting swept away like her friend.
"...Why are you touching your lips like that? Don't tell me..."
Sona couldn't help but comment after noticing the dreamy way her Queen was acting. Tsubaki didn't respond, but the fact that she looked away with red cheeks was more than enough. He hadn't just confessed to her—he had kissed her. That was intense even for a maiden like Sona, who at least had secondhand knowledge thanks to her sister, let alone someone pure like Tsubaki. No wonder she turned out like this.
"...We'll talk more about this later. But what did he say about the club invitation?"
"He... he said he'll join both."
"Huh?"
"He said it would be more fun that way."
"...Hah. How interesting."
...
School rooftop, lunchtime.
"What do you mean you'll be joining the Student Council as well?"
"Exactly what I said. Plus, my girlfriend is there."
"I see, your girlfri—what?!"
Issei couldn't believe what he just heard. He thought maybe he'd misheard and Kousuke meant to say "girl friend."
"Yes. Girlfriend. No space between them."
"...Who? And how? It can't be Sona-senpai, right?"
"Tsubaki-senpai. You've heard of her, right?"
"Yeah, she always looks so cold that other male students started believing she was allergic to smiling or something."
"That's what I thought too, but..." Kousuke trailed off as he recalled the dreamy look on her face after they parted lips. He licked his own lips at the memory—it made him want to devour her right then and there. One might think he was the devil preying on an innocent girl, when in truth, it was the opposite. "She does have some cute sides to her."
"That's surprising. Even more surprising than the fact that you somehow rizzed her."
"I told you I had game, but you didn't believe me," Kousuke said with a grin.
"So... how did you do it?" Issei asked, still baffled. His friend had been single before lunch! "How did you melt that cold beauty?"
"How, you ask? I just cornered her to the wall and kissed her on the lips."
"A kiss on the lips?! ...You're insane. Why does it feel like I'd get punched if I tried that?"
"Skill issue, I guess," Kousuke said matter-of-factly with a shrug.
Issei could feel a vein pulse faintly on his temple as his eye twitched. 'It must be the face,' he thought begrudgingly. Unlike his other two friends, Kousuke was just as good-looking as Kiba-senpai.
"Well, congratulations, you bastard!" Issei grumbled before pulling him into a light wrestle. He couldn't help but feel a little envious. Kousuke had been brave and took his chance. Issei wished he could do the same.
[You can, partner. Just do it.]
'Shut up, Ddraig!' he replied in his mind.
When he first learned he had such a rare Sacred Gear, Issei was elated. But he didn't expect it to come with baggage—namely, the soul of the Red Dragon Emperor. What's more, he learned that he would eventually have to face the host of the White Dragon Emperor. Their battle was inevitable.
"Oh, looks like my girlfriend's here," Kousuke said. Issei turned toward the door to the rooftop. Tsubaki stood there, shifting awkwardly like a shy girl about to meet her crush.
He turned his head back like a broken robot, only to be met with Kousuke's smug smile. The latter patted him on the back before standing up and walking toward her.
To Issei's disbelief, Kousuke casually wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her into his chest, making Tsubaki gasp. But judging from her expression, she seemed to enjoy the skinship. Then, just like that, he leaned in for a kiss—and though she resisted out of embarrassment at first, she quickly gave in, wrapping her arms around his neck.
Issei looked away before muttering curses under his breath. 'How could they be so bold in broad daylight?'
[Damn, your friend isn't playing around. I like his guts. You know, partner, you should be more confident like him if you want to be a harem king.]
"You don't need to tell me something I already know," Issei muttered in defeat. He wondered if this was how his relationship would have progressed naturally... if he hadn't been traumatized by Raynare.
...
"My President... haa... said that she's fine with y-your choice," Tsubaki said between breaths, her voice slightly shaky after separating from his lips. A trail of saliva connected them. Her eyes under the glasses were slightly glazed from her first passionate kiss.
When he had kissed her before, it was just a peck—Kousuke hadn't wanted to overstimulate her too much, especially with the vast experience he'd gained in another world. Eventually, he would have to reveal that truth to her, but not yet. Not now.
"I expected as much. Though I wonder what she thought about our relationship?"
"She was a little surprised. Said things progressed too fast."
"Do you think so too?" he asked curiously. He knew he was moving quickly—it wasn't like a typical relationship. Just hours ago, they were strangers. But he wasn't the type to let chances slip by.
"...A little bit," she admitted, "but my feelings for you are...genuine."
She tightened her fingers around his, the blush on her cheeks deepening. She had truly becomes a maiden in love.
He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it. "It's mutual, then. I love you."
"!!!"
"Y-You... how can you say something like that so easily?"
"It's something I learned in the past," he said honestly. His eyes seemed oddly distant for a split second before returning to normal. Then, he looked into her eyes with a smile. "If I like something, I'll take every chance to make it mine."
Tsubaki didn't think much of it—too blinded by love. That smile of his made her heart flutter. She had never experienced anything like this.
She prayed that this happiness would never end.