Are there only perverts in this school?

“Why don’t you two head upstairs first? I’ll stay and clean up.”

The extremely uncomfortable dinner finally ended, and the Sister hurriedly ushered Airy and me toward the staircase leading to the second floor.

According to Airy, cleaning up after meals should fall to the juniors, but was dinner always the Sister’s responsibility? I glanced at Airy, but she just tilted her head, seemingly just as clueless.

“Yujin, it seems Catherine has taken a liking to you. I had to do a full deep-cleaning session on my first day…”

“Ugh. I don’t care about being liked by her.”

What good would come from getting on the good side of that weirdo Sister anyway? My neck still aches, and this choker is constantly bothering me… Choker?

Now that I was looking more closely, I realized something. I hadn’t noticed at first because of the height difference, but Airy wasn’t wearing a choker.

“Hey, Airy, is it okay for you not to have a choker?”

“A choker? That kind of thing doesn’t suit me… Ah, but it looks amazing on you, Yujin!”

“Oh, uh… thanks.”

Airy began patting my head, enthusiastically explaining why the choker suited me so well. Her excitement didn’t even register, as I was too shocked to process it.

So it’s a runaway-prevention choker, huh? I’m wearing one because I seem like I’d run, but Airy doesn’t because she seems trustworthy? Is that it? Now I’m even more curious if the alarm is real or not.

“Airy, where’s my room? I didn’t hear where it is.”

“I know where your room is! It’s already been decided which one you’ll be using.”

“Thanks, Airy. I’ll reward you by patting your head!”

“Gladly!”

Even when I reached up and stood on tiptoes, I couldn’t touch Airy’s head. Only after she bent her knees did I finally manage, but somehow, it felt like I’d lost. It’s not that I’m small—Airy’s just ridiculously tall.

“Haa… This is so exhausting.”

The room Airy guided me to was just as luxurious as the rest of the dorm, filled with ornate decorations and expensive-looking furniture.

When I first opened the door, I was stunned, but Airy’s calm demeanor made me wonder if she came from a wealthy family. Honestly, just from her appearance, she did look quite refined.

After accepting Airy’s repeated apologies about not being able to stay due to her duties, I was finally left alone. The first thing I did was check my reflection in the mirror.

Long black hair that reached my waist, a doll-like face with delicate features, and striking golden eyes.

It’s my face, but isn’t it honestly cute? Well, I’ve been looking at it for years now, so I’ve gotten used to it.

Wait, this isn’t the time to be admiring myself. The problem is this choker.

“Grr… Nghhh!!”

Even when I strained against it, the stylish black leather choker with embedded jewels didn’t budge. If it were regular leather, it should at least stretch a bit, but it felt almost fused to my skin.

“Fine, I give up. I can’t take it off right now anyway…”

After failing to remove the choker and ending up with swollen fingers for my trouble, I felt thirsty. There was a fridge earlier, maybe there’s at least one drink inside?

“What an adorable sight.”

“Eek!!”

As I turned around, the first thing I saw was a pair of sharp blue eyes glaring at me.

They were followed by a faintly chilling smile that sent shivers down my spine.

“I didn’t hear the door open…”

“A Sister can manage at least this much. By the way, Yujin, what exactly were you just doing?”

Those blue eyes weren’t cool and refreshing, they burned intensely, making me feel like I’d be incinerated if I gave the wrong answer.

“The choker… it’s so pretty…”

Unable to handle the pressure, my mouth blurted out an excuse on its own. Is this survival instinct?

“I was just… touching it.”

“Hmmm…”

Gulp.

“I see.”

Did I survive? Even I thought that excuse was ridiculous.

“That choker is a custom piece I made myself, so I hope you’ll cherish it. It’ll be with you for the next three years.”

“I’ll treasure it!”

So this was the Sister’s handcrafted special product? Who knows what kind of punishment I’d face if I treated it poorly.

No, this is terrifying. Why give something like this to someone you just met? And only to me, at that.

“Yujin, I’ll start by giving you the textbooks you’ll need for school.”

Terrified, I shrank into myself as book after book began piling up on my lap.

One, two… By the time ten books were stacked, my legs were starting to ache.

“Excuse me, Sister. Could you put them somewhere else? My legs hurt.”

I mean, this is a reasonable request, right? It’s not like I’m asking for much. She could just stack them on the desk or bed.

“Alright.”

Contrary to my expectations, the Sister obediently listened to my request, lifting the stack of textbooks from my thighs in one motion and effortlessly placing them on the bed.

They were so heavy I could barely hold them up, but she handled them like they weighed nothing. She’s definitely a yokai.

Plop.

“Sister?”

After setting the books on the bed, the Sister unexpectedly sat down beside them and spread her arms wide, as if inviting me to come closer.

“Yujin, come here.”

“…Are you serious?”

Did she really think I’d just go along with this? It hasn’t even been a few hours since she bit my neck. Whatever she’s planning, there’s no reason I have to go over there.

“It’s to explain the rules of paradise. For a smoother explanation, come and sit with me.”

“If that’s the case, you can explain it from here. I’m not going over there!”

“Yujin.”

Hic.

The moment I refused, the Sister’s clear, high-pitched voice dropped, tightening around me like a noose. If an angel were to turn into a demon, this would be what it felt like.

“Come. Now.”

Her eyes, just as they had been earlier in this room, were blazing with an intensity like blue flames, making it impossible to resist.

And so, like a moth drawn to a flame, I found myself moving toward her.

“Good. Nothing good ever comes from disobeying me.”

The Sister’s embrace was oddly warm and comfortable, as if it had been made just for me.

As she hugged me tightly, she gently patted my head, which was unexpected. But I couldn’t shake the fear that she might change her demeanor at any moment.

“Yujin, before I explain the rules of paradise…”

And that ominous feeling soon became reality.

“You seem to have gotten quite close with Airy.”

“Y-you told me to get along with her… didn’t you?”

“Catherine.”

Before I knew it, her hand was no longer on my head but instead lightly stroking my neck—right where the lingering pain from her earlier bite still throbbed.

“From now on, call me Catherine. Understood?”

“…Catherine.”

“Good. What a good girl you are.”

Terrifying… I’ve never been this scared of anyone, woman or man in my entire life.

“Yujin, while I did say to get along with Airy, I didn’t mean that well.”

“That well…?”

“You hugged her, didn’t you? Your whole body reeks of another woman.”

“Are you some kind of dog yokai, Sister?”

My honest mouth, please, just this once, keep yourself shut.

“Hehe… A dog. I don’t dislike dogs.”

For some reason, it seemed like I had escaped unscathed! Catherine likes dogs, note to self.

“Which is why, with my keen sense of smell, I can tell. You hugged her, didn’t you?”

So I didn’t actually escape, huh. She’s such a picky person…

“I-I was hugged against my will! I’m innocent!”

Sorry, Airy… uh, Airy unnie. I’m selling you out this time.

“Lies.”

“Eh…”

“I heard everything. You agreed to let her hug you once a day, didn’t you?”

“W-what… how…”

She hadn’t even left the dorm since dinner.

With all those dishes she prepared, how did she hear that? When? …Is she really a yokai?

Thump.

“I am very much alive. Can you hear my heartbeat?”

Catherine hugged me tighter, and the sensation of her chest, which had been pressing against me, became even more pronounced.

Heartbeat? I can’t hear it because her chest is too big. If it’s anyone’s heartbeat I hear, it’s probably mine…

“Yujin. Sadly, promises made in paradise must always be kept. Even if I dislike the deal you made with Airy, I can’t just cancel it as I please.”

Is that how it works? I didn’t know that… And Airy knew and didn’t say anything? I’ll flick her forehead next time I see her.

“For now, I think I’ll need to ‘educate’ you for making such a reckless promise.”

“Ah! Ow!”

Bite.

She bit me again.

It wasn’t the same spot as before, but now the other side of my neck hurt just as much. It burned.

Smooch… slurp…

“D-don’t suck… you pervert…”

Catherine, who had buried her face in my neck, was now pressing her lips against my skin, sucking loudly.

The spot she had bitten moments ago throbbed painfully, and the combination of heat and strangeness was overwhelming.

I wanted her to stop.

But I couldn’t do anything, my whole body was enveloped in her embrace, completely swallowed up with no escape.

Perhaps from the moment I couldn’t resist her initial hug, this was inevitable.

Lick.

“Hah… mm…”

The lips that had been fervently devouring my skin eventually softened, and her gentle tongue began soothing the wound with careful licks.

I couldn’t see it, but I was certain the area was bright red by now. I just hoped it wouldn’t be visible to others, they’d definitely think something strange.

“Yujin.”

Her whisper, so close to my ear, sounded sweet, probably because my head was overheating.

“You did well.”

Chu—

“Ugh…!”

The moment her lips pressed a final kiss to my earlobe, my body melted into a puddle, making it nearly impossible to sit upright.

If Catherine hadn’t been holding me in her arms, I probably would’ve collapsed onto the floor.

“That concludes today’s ‘education.’ Now that you’ve been properly educated, Airy’s hugs are permitted.”

She said it like she was granting a favor. It’s my body, why do I need her permission?

Besides, she’s done far worse things than a hug herself.

“You’re a complete pervert…”

“A pervert, indeed.”

See? She doesn’t even deny it.

***

I don’t know how long I stayed in her embrace.

When I absentmindedly glanced out the window, I realized it had long since turned to night, well past dinnertime.

“How much longer are you planning to stay in my room…?”

Normally, I’d be planning an escape by now, but my body was so exhausted that all I wanted to do was collapse into bed.

“I haven’t explained the rules yet, have I? There aren’t many, but they must be followed.”

“Ugh, fine, then hurry up and tell me.”

“Such crude language, perhaps more ‘education’ is needed.”

“Catherine, please just tell me quickly.”

Ah, Shin Yujin. How did you become so spineless? You didn’t back down when the troll took a cat into the jungle, so why now?

…But my neck still aches, so I don’t really have a choice.

“Alright. Listen closely as I explain slowly.”

First rule:
Do not break promises.

Second rule:
Do not get close to men.

Third rule:
Do not be tempted by the alluring outside world.

Fourth rule:
Do not deceive others with a malicious heart.

Fifth rule:
Always think of others and dedicate yourself to them.

“That’s all. As for the details… oh my.”

Catherine gently laid me down on the bed she’d been holding me on. Her movements were so tender, as if handling something precious. Anyone who knew her would probably be shocked to see this side of her.

“Perhaps we’ll discuss the details tomorrow. Sleep well, Yujin.”

Chu—.