CHAPTER 9: CHAPTER 9: SIGNALS CROSSED

By Monday, rumors had already started. Nothing concrete. Just whispers.

"She’s glowing."

"Did Rika-san finally get laid?"

I overheard that last one while walking past the nurse’s office.

System: Passive Buff Activated – Ego Surge +3. Performance Confidence +5.

Kai, of course, wouldn’t shut up.

"Bro, I’ve never seen a woman strut like that unless she got wrecked. You’re the wrecking ball, huh?"

I flipped him off but grinned. My best friend might not know the whole truth, but he knew something had changed.

---

Between periods, Rika caught me by the stairwell. She pulled me aside. Alone.

"You left a mark."

She yanked her collar slightly, revealing the edge of a hickey.

"That’s not on me," I smirked.

"Bullshit."

"Don’t wear a blouse that screams ’bite me’ then."

She actually blushed.

"I’m not seeing you this week. Not after school. Not after hours. I need space."

"...You’re scared."

"Damn right I am."

System: Emotional Distancing Protocol Detected. Suggested Action – Surprise Encounter.

"Too bad," I whispered, leaning in. "I’m not giving you space. Not yet."

She pushed me gently away but didn’t look me in the eyes.

---

Later that evening, I got a ping.

System: Side Quest – "Heal Her Wounds."

Objective: Learn the cause of Rika’s emotional trauma.

Reward: Emotional Affinity +20. Unlock: Trauma Link.

I didn’t know much about her ex. Just that he was the type who made a woman feel invisible.

I logged into her old social media. (Yes, I hacked it. Military habits die hard.)

Photos. Backdated posts. A life slowly unraveling in JPEGs and half-hearted captions.

"Why stay with someone who stops seeing you?"

I muttered it to myself. But I already knew the answer.

Because loneliness is a hell of a drug.

And I was becoming her new addiction.

---

Next day, the counseling room was empty again. Her name tag still on the door.

I walked in. Waited.

She came in twenty minutes later, surprised—and flustered.

"What the hell are you doing here?"

"You said no after school. It’s lunch."

"That’s not—ugh."

She shut the door behind her.

"You’ve got no respect for boundaries."

"Not when I know what you need."

"And what’s that?"

"To feel wanted. Every day. Not just when it’s convenient."

She hesitated. Then came closer.

Slowly. Carefully. Like approaching a cliff.

"Touch me again," she whispered. "But... slow."

I obeyed.

Fingers trailed under her shirt, brushing her sides, teasing the curve of her waist. My lips found her neck. Her breathing quickened.

"No rush," I murmured. "Just feel."

I unbuttoned her blouse, kissed down her collarbone, lips barely grazing skin.

She gasped as I suckled one nipple, hand stroking the other breast in rhythm. She arched into me, breath hot.

"Keep going," she moaned.

My hand traveled lower, slipping under her skirt again. No panties.

"You came prepared."

"I’m sick," she whispered. "Sick for you."

System: Quest Progress – 67%.

I moved slow. Fingers circling her clit, then dipping into her soaked pussy.

"Don’t stop, don’t stop," she whimpered.

Her walls clenched around my fingers, hips rocking slowly, rhythm building.

"Cum for me, Rika."

She bit down on my shoulder, muffling her scream.

Then the system spoke to me again, Hey Sweetie, Quest Complete – "Heal Her Wounds". Your reward is Emotional Affinity +20. Unlock: Trauma Link.

New Perk: Bonded Orgasm – Emotional climaxes boost relationship development.

She collapsed into my chest, shaking.

"You always make it feel like the first time," she said.

"Then let’s make it the first time... every time."

---

As I helped her button up, she whispered:

"If anyone finds out..."

"They won’t."

"But if they do?"

"Then we deal with it. Together."

Her fingers laced with mine.

No more denial.

But still plenty of secrets.

---

[To Be Continued...]