"...Wh-what's wrong? Is something not right?"
Sayaka's voice carried a faint tremor, her cheeks tinged pink as she fidgeted slightly under Mahiro's steady gaze.
"No," Yotsuba Mahiro shook his head slowly, his lips curving into a small smile. "Everything's just right—perfect, actually. Sayaka-san, you look really beautiful with your hair down."
"R-really?" She blinked, almost doubting her ears. "I usually tie it up for kendō practice. It just became a habit, you know..."
Sayaka's fingers lightly brushed over her damp black hair. She lifted a towel, pressing it against the strands with a soft, embarrassed motion. Though she seemed calm on the outside, her voice betrayed the faint nervousness fluttering within her chest.
Halfway through drying her hair, her movements faltered. The towel slipped ever so slightly in her hands. She turned her head to the side, deliberately avoiding Mahiro's gaze, as if too shy to let him see the expression on her face.
Her lips parted, cherry-colored and trembling ever so faintly.
"...Mahiro-kun, could you... maybe... help me blow-dry my hair?" she whispered.
Mahiro's eyes widened for just a second before he quickly nodded. "Of course! Leave it to me."
....
The quiet whirr of the hairdryer filled the room. Warm air flowed steadily, fluttering the strands of her silky hair.
Standing behind her, Yotsuba Mahiro carefully lifted portions of her hair, running his fingers gently through them so the air could reach every strand.
Sayaka's hair was beautiful—thick, smooth, soft. It glistened slightly under the light, as if each strand carried a faint luster.
But truthfully, it wasn't just her hair that drew his eyes.
Because they were both still in their bathrobes, from his angle he could see—just faintly—the soft valley at her chest, like a hidden treasure revealed only in fleeting moments. Water droplets slid down from her temple, tracing a path along her delicate collarbone before disappearing into the folds of her robe.
'Hiss...' Mahiro quietly drew in a breath, forcing himself to remain calm.
Sayaka said nothing, her face lowered slightly. Her silence and the subtle curve of her shoulders filled the air with a tension he couldn't quite describe.
Then, without warning, she leaned back. Just a little, but enough to brush against him.
Mahiro froze for half a heartbeat, then set the dryer aside. Without thinking, he wrapped his arms around her from behind, drawing her fully into his embrace.
Sayaka's body was warm, soft yet toned from years of kendō training. She was slender but strong, a mix of grace and quiet strength. For Mahiro, who had never been this close to a girl before, the sensation was overwhelming.
The faint fragrance of her shampoo and body wash rose between them, gentle yet intoxicating. Breathing it in, Mahiro closed his eyes briefly, exhaling in quiet contentment.
He could feel Sayaka trembling slightly at first, her breathing uneven. But little by little, her body relaxed against him. She seemed to surrender to the moment, letting herself rest completely within his arms.
Hearing Mahiro's soft sigh, Sayaka's lips curled upward ever so slightly. Knowing that she was the reason behind that sound filled her chest with a warmth that pushed aside her nervousness.
Her ear pressed gently against his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. Thump-thump. Thump-thump. It echoed in her mind like a secret melody.
She had never been this close to any boy before—only her father had ever embraced her. Yet Mahiro's hold felt different. Warmer. Stronger. It was unlike anything she had experienced.
It made her feel safe. And yet... her heart fluttered restlessly at the same time.
The silence stretched until Mahiro's voice broke it.
"I say, Sayaka... are you trying to tempt me? Aren't you afraid I might bully you?"
It was half a joke, half a test. But his words made Sayaka's body stiffen in his arms.
Her cheeks burned crimson. Her slender fingers fidgeted restlessly at the hem of her yukata, twisting the fabric as if to pour her nervousness into it.
Seconds passed. Then minutes. So long that her hair nearly finished drying on its own.
At last, her quiet voice trembled out:
"If it's Mahiro-kun... actually... you can bully me."
Her words were soft, yet they struck him harder than any blade.
Mahiro's heart skipped, then pounded. That single line, spoken with such shy honesty, lit something wild and uncontrollable inside him.
Mahiro turned Sayaka around to face him, his hands cupping her cheeks gently. He looked into her eyes, searching for any sign of hesitation or doubt. Finding none, he leaned in slowly, giving her ample time to pull away if she wanted.
Sayaka's eyes fluttered closed as Mahiro's lips brushed softly against hers. It was a gentle, tentative kiss, a promise of more to come. She melted into him, her body molding against his as she kissed him back, her hands reaching up to tangle in his hair.
Mahiro deepened the kiss, his tongue exploring hers, tasting every inch of her mouth. Sayaka moaned softly, her body pressing closer, seeking more friction. Mahiro's hands roamed her body, finding every curve, every dip, exploring her with a patience and reverence that made her heart flutter.
He slipped his hands underneath her robe, finding her bare skin, making her gasp. She helped him, pushing the fabric aside, giving him full access to her body. Mahiro groaned, his hands finding her breasts, cupping them gently, his thumbs brushing against her nipples, making them harden into peaks.
Sayaka whimpered, her head falling back, exposing her neck to him. Mahiro took advantage, his lips finding that sensitive spot, kissing and nibbling, making her moan and writhe beneath him.
He lifted her up, wrapping her legs around his waist, carrying her to the bedroom. He laid her down gently on the bed, his body covering hers, his hips grinding against hers, making her gasp.
...
Mahiro positioned himself at her entrance, his heart pounding with anticipation and a hint of fear. He looked into Sayaka's eyes, seeing his own hesitation reflected back at him.
"Are you sure about this, Sayaka?" he asked, his voice filled with uncertainty. "We can stop if you want. We don't have to do this."
Sayaka bit her lip, her body tensing as she prepared for the invasion. "I'm sure, Mahiro. But... I've never... I mean, It's my first time. And... it might hurt."
Mahiro nodded, his voice filled with reassurance. "I know, Sayaka. And I promise, I'll be as gentle as I can. But if it's too much, just tell me to stop, okay?"
Sayaka nodded, her hands gripping his arms tightly. Mahiro took a deep breath, positioning himself at her entrance, feeling her stretch around him as he pushed forward, inch by agonizing inch.
Sayaka gasped, her body tensing as she adjusted to his size. Mahiro froze, giving her time to adjust, his forehead resting against her. "Are you okay?" he whispered, his voice filled with concern.
Sayaka nodded, her voice filled with pain. "It... it hurts, Mahiro. But... but it's okay. Keep going."
Mahiro nodded, beginning to move, setting a slow, steady rhythm that had them both gasping and moaning with each thrust. Their bodies moved in sync, their hearts pounding in time.
"Mahiro... it... it still hurts..." Sayaka whimpered, her voice filled with pain.
Mahiro kissed her gently, his hands finding hers, entwining their fingers. "I know, Sayaka. I'm so sorry. But we're almost there. Just a little longer."
He continued to move, his pace steady and sure, his body dominating hers. Sayaka gasped, her body tensing as her climax neared.
"Mahiro... I... I think I'm going to come..." she panted, her voice filled with desperation.
Mahiro smiled, his voice filled with pride. "That's it, Sayaka. Come for me. Show me how much you love this."
With a final, shuddering cry, Sayaka came undone, her body convulsing around him as her orgasm ripped through her. Mahiro followed her over the edge, his cock throbbing inside her as he came undone, filling her with his hot cum.
As they lay there, panting and sweat-soaked, Mahiro pulled Sayaka close, his voice filled with satisfaction. "Well done, Sayaka. You did amazing. I'm so proud of you."
Sayaka smiled weakly, her body limp and spent. "I... I couldn't have done it without you, Mahiro. You made it... you made it so special."
Mahiro kissed her gently, his voice filled with love. "And I promise, Sayaka. From now on, every time will be just as special. Just you wait."
"Another round?"
...
When Yotsuba Mahiro finally came back to his senses, the night had already deepened—well past midnight.
In his mind lingered the image of Sayaka—her cheeks flushed with a soft, rosy glow, her lips slightly bitten in hesitation, that shy expression etched into his memory like a brand.
Now, that same girl lay quietly in his arms, breathing softly in her sleep. Her head rested against his arm, her slender shoulders faintly curled as though to seek warmth. Her chest rose and fell in an unsteady rhythm, her small nostrils flaring gently with each breath.
Her shoulder-length hair spilled across the pillow like strands of black silk, gleaming faintly under the lamplight. The bedside lamp's glow was dim, casting only a tender orange light. But in that faint illumination, her skin seemed to shimmer like smooth jade, her features so serene and delicate it made her look like an ink painting come to life.
The gentle rise of her chest, the faint blush lingering on her cheeks, the peaceful yet vulnerable expression—Mahiro found himself staring without realizing it. She looked like a peony just touched by morning dew, fragile yet dazzling.
"…Mm."
A soft sound escaped her lips, a small moan that sent a ripple through the quiet night. Mahiro's heart skipped a beat as the girl stirred faintly in his embrace. Slowly, her long lashes fluttered open, revealing hazy, half-lidded eyes that gazed up at him.
"Sorry… did I wake you?" he whispered.
Sayaka shook her head gently, her voice still hoarse with drowsiness. "Mm… no. Mahiro-kun, you're still awake?"
Her tone was low, carrying that dry, muffled quality of someone not fully awake.
"I'm not sleepy," Mahiro admitted softly.
Sayaka gave a faint smile. "Is that so… actually, me too."
Though her body was exhausted, her mind felt strangely awake. Her instincts seemed to take over as she curled up closer, nestling against his chest. Her ear pressed near his heart, listening to the steady, powerful thump that reassured her more than any words could.
Mahiro felt her subtle movement and responded naturally, raising his hand to rest on her bare shoulder. His fingertips traced the faint warmth of her skin—soft, smooth, and alive.
"…Since neither of us can sleep," Mahiro finally said, breaking the silence, "how about we talk for a bit?"
Sayaka blinked and then gave a small nod. "…Mm, okay."
But even so, neither of them could think of a topic right away. The silence stretched on, the faint ticking of the clock the only sound filling the room.
After what felt like a long pause, Mahiro spoke again, his tone softer than before.
"Sayaka… do you ever regret it?"
The sudden question made her body tense for a heartbeat, her delicate frame trembling faintly. But the nervousness quickly subsided, because she could tell Mahiro wasn't finished.
"I think you already know who I am," he continued quietly. "At the banquet before, I mentioned it. I am a Modifier Magician of the Yotsuba Family. You understand the biggest drawback of a Modifier, don't you?"
Sayaka froze. She did.
Lifespan.
Every Modifier carried that fate. Their magic burned through their very life, shortening their years the more they pushed their limits.
Mahiro himself hadn't yet shown the signs—nor had Miyuki. But there were examples all around. Sakurai Honami… who had given her life too soon after pushing herself to protect the ones she loved. Kudou Mitsunobu… Kushima Retsu's grandson, blessed with overwhelming power but so frail and bedridden, wasting away under the weight of his gift.
Mahiro could not say whether he would walk the same path one day. But deep inside, the thought gnawed at him.
"…I know," Sayaka's voice finally came, soft yet steady.
She shifted slightly in his arms, her gaze unwavering despite the dimness of the room. "I don't understand everything about Modifier Magicians. But there is one thing I do know—Mahiro-kun, you saved me."
Her words struck deep.
She recalled the despair that had nearly drowned her, the suffocating darkness of being ignored, overlooked, abandoned. Her heart had once been like a weight sinking in muddy waters, no voice reaching her, no hand to hold.
But then—Mahiro appeared.
Just like that, he had reached into the abyss and pulled her out.
"When you reached out your hand to me, when you stood up for me… when you destroyed those terrorists without hesitation just to protect me… at that moment, Mahiro-kun, I already loved you. Deeply, irrevocably."
Her voice quivered as she buried her face against his chest, muffled but determined.
"That's why… even if I'm not as brilliant as Mayumi-senpai, even if I'm not as breathtaking as Shiba-senpai, I don't care. As long as Mahiro-kun needs me, I will stay by your side. Always."
Her quiet words lingered in the room, echoing louder in his heart than any shout could.
Even in the dark, Mahiro felt the heat of her gaze—her sincerity blazing brighter than the dim lamp.
He wasn't sure how others would react to such devotion. But for him, in this moment, her feelings set something alight deep within his chest.
Something dangerous. Something unstoppable.
Without thinking, he tightened his arms around her slender frame. Sayaka gave a faint gasp as he pulled her close, holding her as though he could never let go.
"…Mahiro-kun…"
Her whisper trembled as his embrace deepened.
And thus, the night that followed was destined to be anything but quiet.