Chapter 28: Please Begin Your Performance

Kitahara pushed open the door to the Literature Club, and a rich aroma of tea wafted out—green tea, judging by the scent.

He surveyed the club room, which he hadn't visited since the start of the term. The classroom was spacious, with bookshelves lining both walls and a long table stretching across the center.

A certain "green tea" girl was reading by the window. She wore natural-looking makeup that made her appear bare-faced, her expression one of focused concentration. Several boys were watching Reina Sakura as she read, whispering among themselves.

"Sakura-chan is so cute..."
"Should we go up and ask for her contact info?"
"No, I’m too shy..."

Kitahara watched with amused interest. When Reina Sakura wasn't playing her tricks, she truly possessed the aura of a literary maiden, especially with those beautiful legs in white tights, which held an air of both innocence and allure.

He checked the system.

[Reina Sakura]
[Favorability: 9]
[Status: She is dissatisfied with your orders but, pressured by circumstances, is forced to comply... She is planning, at a suitable time and place, to turn the tables and become the master herself.]

The favorability had dropped by 6 points in just one day? Kitahara was a bit surprised; that was quite alarming. Beneath Reina’s pure exterior lay a heart as dark as it gets. Indeed, one could not approach a person like this with conventional logic; kindness and gentleness would only become excuses for her to run wild.

However, Kitahara hadn't come today to serve as a supporting character for Sakura. He was here to train his dog.

"Why didn't you reply when you got my message?" He stepped forward, his voice cold. "Do you think you’ve grown capable enough to ignore me?"

"..."

Reina Sakura wanted to keep up the act a little longer. She had noticed Kitahara out of the corner of her eye and intended to use her current appearance to gain some favor, but he wasn't playing along.

Reina turned, tilting her head up, and said aggrievedly, "I was reading just now and didn't notice."

Her soft posture and the way she deliberately bent over—revealing her pure lingerie while acting submissive—were flashing right before Kitahara's eyes. He looked down with interest. Reina was wearing a white camisole underneath; her breasts were full, creating a deep cleavage that, paired with her pleading expression, looked both innocent and seductive. She looked exactly like an ignorant, naive girl being forced to compromise with an evil power.

If not for the system’s constant warnings, Kitahara might have been fooled.

"Is that so?"

Kitahara reached out to stroke her cheek. At the touch, Reina’s body noticeably stiffened. "Why do I feel like you ignored me on purpose?"

"Kitahara-kun, isn't this inappropriate? Between us..." She pulled back slightly. "We aren't in that kind of relationship yet."

A whore trying to keep her reputation. Kitahara marveled at her acting skills; no wonder she would become an award-winning actress in the future. With this pitiful, endearing look alone, how many great directors would be lining up to "guide" her?

"That's not right. What are you supposed to call me?"

"Kitahara-kun?"

"No, no... that's not what I told you to play the part of yesterday, Sakura-san. Have you forgotten?" Kitahara lowered his voice, his tone light but lacking nothing in the way of threats. "I don't mind helping you remember."

"I..."

A flash of fear crossed Reina's eyes. She never wanted to experience the death-like terror of yesterday again. She cursed him under her breath, then forced a smile. "Of course I remember, but there are so many people here. I thought it might affect your... no, your reputation, so calling you Youki-kun is fine."

"I don't care."

Kitahara’s smile looked like a demon’s to Reina. She gritted her teeth, hesitating, unable to get the two words out. Finally, under his subtle, lingering smile, she was forced to say, with deep humiliation, "M-Master."

Though she stuttered, it didn't matter. Kitahara only needed her to express submission. Besides, what did a little bit of petty defiance matter?

"Good girl, good girl."

He smiled and pinched the girl's cheek. She pursed her lips, and an inexplicable emotion welled up inside her... This bastard, to look down on her so much! It was... simply outrageous!

Yet, at the same time, that strange emotion continued to flow. Gradually, Reina felt the dopamine in her system transform into a positive sense of pleasure. She felt a bit comfortable under his touch and couldn't help but tilt her face up, signaling him to change the angle.

Coming back to her senses, she suddenly realized something was wrong. She shifted her gaze to see the boys in the distance staring