— — — — — — —
Inside the apartment—
A magic circle pulsed into existence on the floor, glowing with purple light.
Click.
A long, curvy leg stepped out, geta sandals clicking sharply against the wooden floor.
"Found you~ Nya."
A lazy yet seductive voice echoed out from the magic circle.
A moment later, a tall and curvy woman stepped through it. Her slim waist contrasted sharply with her full chest, creating a striking shape.
She wore a black and purple kimono adorned with golden accessories around her waist. Her expression was sultry, and her sharp golden eyes—vertical pupils—radiated a mix of wildness and danger.
But the most eye-catching features were the black cat ears on her head and the twin-tailed black cat tail swaying behind her.
Kuroka?
Lynn blinked in surprise.
But then...
He gave her a strange look.
"Was she always this traditional? Did I watch the wrong anime or what?"
His eyes scanned her alluring figure.
No skin-showing at all. Not even a thigh.
Kinda different from what he remembered.
Still... maybe just her choice of outfit.
Koneko was nestled in Lynn's arms. When she saw who stepped out of the circle, her eyes widened in shock.
"Big sister?!"
She tensed up and started to rise, but— A hand gently rested on her shoulder.
"Relax, Koneko," Lynn said with a calm chuckle, pulling her back into his embrace.
Koneko froze, but a strange sense of comfort washed over her as she leaned into him. The anxiety she'd just felt disappeared completely.
Her mind went a little fuzzy.
'Lynn-senpai is so strong…'
'His body feels so reassuring.'
Meanwhile, Kuroka's gaze sharpened. Seeing her precious little sister cuddled up in some random guy's arms, her golden pupils flashed dangerously.
"Ho? So you're Shirone's man, nya?"
Her tone was unreadable, but her mind raced back to when Shirone—Koneko— nearly went into heat not too long ago.
It was him, wasn't it?
This bastard!
Her mood turned icy.
She meets her sister again for the first time in forever, and this guy is just casually hugging her like it's nothing?
Her ears twitched in irritation. She was one breath away from pouncing at him.
"Big sis, why are you here?"
Koneko asked, keeping her tone calm, though her tiny fists clenched.
Her sister's power was no joke.
Far beyond even Rias or Akeno. Kuroka had been listed as an SS-class threat in the Underworld.
She couldn't—mustn't—let Kuroka hurt her Lynn-senpai!
A fiery determination lit up in her golden eyes as she stared down her sister.
Kuroka blinked, a bit surprised, and then smiled softly. "Not bad, Shirone. I like that look in your eyes."
All for that guy, huh…
She turned her attention to Lynn again, her gaze darkening slightly.
Should I kill him?
"Sis!"
Koneko's voice rose as Kuroka's gaze lingered.
"Alright, alright."
Koneko frowned. "Why are you here? What do you want?"
Kuroka sighed, her golden eyes gleaming. She reached out a hand toward her sister. "I came to take you home."
"Take me...?"
Koneko froze, then frowned harder. "You didn't come back for me back then. Why now?"
"Sorry, nya~" Kuroka scratched her head. "I was too busy running for my life. Didn't have time to bring you along."
"..."
"I'm not going with you." Koneko's tone was firm.
"Oh? Because of him, right?"
Kuroka narrowed her eyes.
"Shirone... didn't you almost go into heat because of him?"
Koneko blushed fiercely. "H-How did you know that?!"
"That doesn't matter. What matters is—you're staying for him, right?"
She turned to Lynn. "Being near this guy... it's dangerous, nya~"
"Before long, you might be walking around with a baby cat, nya~"
"B-Baby?!"
Koneko stuttered in panic.
"Tch. Even if I have to use force, I'm taking you with me."
Force?!
Koneko's eyes went wide. She remembered her sister's terrifying strength.
"No! Stop!!"
She panicked.
She couldn't let Lynn-senpai get hurt because of her!
Smack.
Suddenly, a large hand landed on her head and gently ruffled her hair.
The familiar move made her ears and tail pop out instinctively. Her eyes relaxed as if by reflex.
Kuroka twitched.
Wha— my little sister has been completely tamed?!
She stared daggers at Lynn, grinding her teeth.
"You've got some guts."
Lynn, meanwhile, had his left hand on Koneko's head and his right elbow propped on the couch armrest, chin resting on that palm. His crimson eyes calmly observed the kitten in his lap.
Then he looked up and spoke flatly.
"You've been talking a lot this whole time."
His gaze slowly lifted until his wine-red eyes locked with Kuroka's golden cat-like ones.
Something about that look made Kuroka shiver.
'What the hell... nya?'
'Instinct?'
'Am I... afraid?'
She stiffened.
There was nothing outwardly special about him—so why did her instincts scream at her?
Her combat-hardened instincts raised a red flag. Something was wrong here.
Her toes curled unconsciously.
"You know..."
Lynn's voice was emotionless as he looked at her.
"Trying to take someone's pet without asking the owner... that's a bit rude, don't you think?"
"Pet?!"
Koneko froze.
And then—An unfamiliar warmth spread in her chest.
Lynn-senpai... finally acknowledged her as his pet!
"..."
"Owner? Pet?!"
Kuroka's whole body tensed like she'd just been shot.
Her golden eyes darkened with fury.
"Owner, huh..."
"Hehehehe..."
"You've got balls, I'll give you that..."
Unpleasant memories came flooding back!
Fwoosh—
A dark purple aura surged up around her like writhing serpents, coiling and twisting across her entire body.
In a flash, her figure blurred—she lunged at Lynn with frightening speed.
But!
A blade, gleaming with icy light, suddenly blocked her path.
.
.
.