"Yaba…"

Shame crashed over Kanata in relentless waves, drowning the fragile resolve she’d just gathered. *I can do this*, she thought—until a voice inside whispered, *No. You can’t.*

No. She *would* do this.

"Three… two…"

One second left. Kanata barely propped herself up. Her lips hovered a fist’s distance from Alessia’s. Breath ragged, heart hammering, she’d even forgotten the blood seeping from her abdomen.

Right there—Alessia’s soft, tempting lips. The woman waited patiently, perfectly poised. Her fair neck and delicate collarbone peeked through the deliberately unbuttoned top of her white shirt, hinting at cleavage beneath.

Damn. This was totally intentional.

Eyes shut, Kanata pressed her lips to Alessia’s.

*Thump—*

Her heart lurched. Heat flooded her cheeks; her ears burned crimson. The kiss felt elastic as pudding, sweet-scented. She even tasted lemon lip balm—the expensive kind that made her wallet ache.

She’d wanted to buy that very balm for Nozomi. Took her to the counter, paid… only for Nozomi to return it moments later.

—*"I absolutely won’t become a burden to Kanata!"*

Curled in her wheelchair, sobbing, frail shoulders trembling—a sight that shattered the heart.

*For Nozomi’s sake… just push through.*

"Mmm… mmm…"

Alessia let out soft, pleased sounds, savoring the rare thrill of being kissed first. She’d always been the initiator; role reversal felt… fresh. Though… Miss Kanata Himemiya’s technique left much to be desired. Clumsy bumps—noses, teeth—a far cry from her earlier boasting.

"Tell me," Alessia murmured, "you’ve never kissed anyone before, have you? All theory, zero practice. Ruining the mood completely."

She pursed her lips, a secret thrill bubbling inside. Teasing someone into kissing another they disliked? Unexpectedly exhilarating. Kanata’s flustered, resigned expression was *exquisite*.

"Let me show you what a real kiss feels like," Alessia purred.

…

Just like that—the dynamic flipped. Alessia in control. Kanata yielding. It had always been this way. Gentle by nature, stubborn in other matters, yet before the Sovereign, Kanata could never stand firm. Maybe… debt really did tie her hands.

Forced onto Alessia’s lap, one hand cradling her bare back, the other stroking her cheek with practiced ease.

"I know Gen kissed you," Alessia said, voice dripping with displeasure. "It pissed me off… But she’s of the Ichiko family. Can’t touch her. So—"

Her gaze sharpened. Tone turned icy.

Kanata’s stomach dropped. *She holds grudges.* A cold dread coiled inside.

"So it’s all *your* fault, Kanata. You could’ve refused. Why flirt with her behind my back?"

Fingers dug into the abdominal wound.

"Ah—! It hurts, it huuurts…!"

White-hot pain blanked her mind.

*But… Gen kissed me first…*

What fault lay with the one forced? She’d been half-conscious—the flirtatious woman already groping, kissing recklessly.

"A lying child isn’t a good child, you know~"

Pressure tightened. Crimson bloomed across the bandages.

"So… what will you do to appease me, flirtatious Miss Kanata Himemiya?"