Chapter 19: Conquering (1)
"So, what did you want to discuss, Suzune?" I asked casually, leaning back slightly on the rooftop.
The midday sun cast a warm glow around us, creating a stark contrast to the chaos below. This rooftop served as our refuge, an ideal sanctuary for a private conversation. While I suspected I knew the subject of our discussion, I let her take the lead.
After a brief pause, her sharp gaze swept across my face, likely assessing just how much I was aware of already. With a resigned sigh, she sat up straighter, her posture reflecting a mix of determination and unease. "I wanted to talk about the upcoming midterm exam," she began, her voice steady yet carrying an edge.
"Go on. I'm all ears," I replied, gesturing for her to continue as I absentmindedly picked at my lunch.
"I've been reflecting on what Chabashira-sensei said about our class," she continued, her expression tightening with each word. "About us being a bunch of defects." The disdain in her tone was palpable, suggesting the words left a bitter taste in her mouth. "I can't accept that."
"Why not?" I probed, maintaining a steady gaze as I leaned slightly forward.
She furrowed her brow, clearly grappling with her thoughts. "I… don't understand," she finally admitted, her voice tinged with frustration.
"I asked why you can't accept it. Think carefully before you answer," I pressed, curiosity piquing.
A frown formed on her lips as she considered her response. "Maybe because I'm not like the rest of our class," she said finally, her bluntness unwavering. "I'm not some clown who can't grasp the basics of magic or the simplest social norms."
I raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at my lips. "Interesting perspective," I said, my tone light but edged with amusement. "But let's not forget, you're also a loner. A perfectionist who has alienated herself from the rest of the class. If I hadn't started talking to you, I'd wager 90% of them would despise you by now."
Her eyes narrowed, irritation flashing across her face. "And what of it?" she challenged, crossing her arms defiantly.
"Nothing," I shrugged, leaning forward slightly, resting my elbows on my knees. "I'm simply pointing out the irony. You pride yourself on being above the rest, yet your inability to connect with them leaves you just as isolated as any of the so-called 'defects.' The only difference is the illusion of superiority you carry like a shield."
The silence stretched between us, thick with unspoken truths. Her gaze remained sharp and calculating, dissecting my words as if weighing their validity.
"Am I wrong?" I asked, my tone calm, almost teasing.
She exhaled softly, breaking the tension with a question of her own. "What about you?" Her voice was quieter now, laced with intrigue. "You're in the same class as the rest of us, aren't you? Yet, you're not like anyone else."
I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh? Elaborate."
"You talk to everyone," she continued, her tone sharpening. "You connect with people effortlessly. The class doesn't hate you, nor do they see you as an outsider. Despite that, you're also the student with the highest potential—not just in our class, but across all grades. You're an enigma, Yuta. How do you fit into the narrative you just crafted for me?"
Her words hinted at irritation, a challenge wrapped in inquiry. I could sense her searching for a contradiction, perhaps hoping to catch me off guard.
"Ah, Suzune," I said, amusement flickering in my voice. "You assume I fit into any narrative at all. But the truth is…I don't."
Her eyes narrowed, the intensity of her gaze unwavering. I could see the wheels turning in her mind, but she held her tongue, contemplating her next move.
"You see," I continued, gesturing lazily, "I'm not part of this class because I want to be. I'm here because it serves my purpose—for now. I talk to everyone, not out of some misguided sense of camaraderie, but because it's strategically useful. And as for my so-called 'potential'…" I smirked. "It's merely a tool. A weapon I've honed to stay above the rest. Not for their approval, Suzune, but because control is far simpler from the top."
She studied me, her lips pressed into a thin line, a flicker of understanding crossing her face. "In a way, aren't you saying that our classmates are just tools for you to use, Yuta?"
I met her gaze unflinchingly. "I am," I replied, my voice calm and unapologetic.
Her expression hardened, hands subtly clenching in her lap. "And you don't see anything wrong with that?"
"Why would I?" I countered, leaning in slightly. "Do you think the world operates on fairness? Kindness? People use each other, Suzune. They just dress it up in fancy words like 'teamwork' or 'friendship.' At least I'm honest about it."
The air between us thickened with tension as she mulled over my words, a storm brewing in her mind.
"You see them as tools, but what happens when you have no use for them?" she finally asked, her voice quieter, laced with genuine curiosity.
"Then they're discarded. Simple as that," I replied, the truth of my words hanging heavy in the air.
Her eyes sharpened, the challenge in her voice growing more pronounced. "Does that mean you also see me as just a tool, Yuta?"
A brief silence enveloped us, my expression unreadable as I studied her. Her unwavering gaze met mine, revealing a flicker of something deeper—indignation, curiosity, or perhaps doubt.
I tilted my head slightly, a smirk tugging at my lips. "What do you think, Suzune?"
"I asked you," she countered, her tone firm but guarded.
I chuckled softly, leaning in slightly, my gaze intent and probing. "Suzune," I began, my tone almost patronizing, "tools are disposable. They're meant to serve a purpose, and when that purpose is fulfilled, they're discarded." I reached out, brushing my fingers against her cheek, my thumb grazing her skin. The sudden intimacy made her tense, her breath catching as her wide eyes locked onto mine. "But you? You're more than that. You're sharp, capable. You don't need to be told twice to see the bigger picture. That makes you different from the rest of the sheep in this class."
The tension between us was palpable, a charged atmosphere that felt like it could spark at any moment. I leaned back slightly, observing her with a mix of amusement and intrigue. Her silence spoke volumes, and I could almost see the wheels turning in her mind as she wrestled with my words.
"Suzune," I said, letting her name roll off my tongue, savoring the way it sounded in the air. "You're more than just a tool to me, and I think deep down, you know that. You matter in this game we're playing. Your sharp mind, your fierce determination, they set you apart. And that's why I find our conversations so captivating."
She glanced away for a moment, her sharp features softening slightly as she considered my words. "You say I matter, but you still use me," she replied, her voice tinged with skepticism. "How is that different from being a tool?"
I tilted my head, a thoughtful expression crossing my face. "The difference lies in intention, Suzune. I don't use you mindlessly; I see your potential. You challenge me, push me to think beyond the surface. You're not just a means to an end; you're an ally in a world full of obstacles. Your strength lies not only in your intellect but in your ability to navigate the complexities of this school."
Her gaze flickered back to me, the doubt in her eyes slowly giving way to a cautious curiosity. "And what do you get out of this partnership?"
I leaned forward again, my voice dropping to a whisper, intimate and intense. "I gain insight, a perspective that I can't find anywhere else. You see the world through a lens of clarity that most people lack, and that makes you invaluable. I want to be around you not just for what you can do, but for who you are. That's what sets you apart, Suzune."
She hesitated, her fingers fidgeting slightly as if she were weighing my words against her own convictions. "You really believe that?"
"Absolutely," I replied, a confident smirk crossing my lips. "Your intellect, your resilience, and your passion—they all matter. You matter. I wouldn't waste my time here if I didn't see the worth in what you bring to the table. And I think that's something you've been struggling to accept."
A flicker of uncertainty crossed her face, and I could see her defenses crumbling just a little. "But what if you discard me when I'm no longer useful?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
I shook my head, a serious expression settling on my features. "That's not how I see you, Suzune. You're not just a tool to me; you're a partner in this intricate dance we're performing. I wouldn't discard someone as valuable as you. You're the kind of person who makes this game worth playing, and I don't take that lightly."
Her breath caught, and I could sense the shift in her demeanor—the way her posture relaxed just a fraction, how her gaze softened as she absorbed my words.
"You're more than just an ally, Suzune," I continued, my tone sincere yet charged with intensity. "You're someone who has the power to challenge me, to bring out the best in me. And in return, I want to do the same for you. I want you to recognize your own worth, to see that you have the potential to rise above the chaos and be someone extraordinary. That's what I value most."
For a moment, her expression was unreadable, caught between skepticism and a burgeoning understanding. "You really think I can be extraordinary?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I know you can," I replied, my gaze unwavering. "But it starts with believing in yourself. Let me help you see that. You're capable of so much more than you give yourself credit for, and I want to be there to witness your growth. That's the truth behind my manipulation, Suzune: I want to elevate you, not just use you."
Her eyes searched mine, and I could feel the shift in our dynamic. The air between us felt charged, electric with unspoken possibilities.
Leaning in closer, I lowered my voice, letting the intimacy of the moment envelops us. "I want you, Suzune. Every inch of you." My fingers grazed her cheek, tracing the contours of her face as I spoke, my touch gentle yet firm.
Her breath caught in her throat, and for a brief moment, the world around us faded into a blur. The intensity of my words hung between us, filling the air with a mixture of anticipation and vulnerability. I could feel her pulse quickening beneath my fingertips, her body responding to the weight of my confession.
"I… what do you mean by that?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"What do you understand?" I said simply.
"I..."
"You have no idea how hard it was for me to hold back during those swimming classes, to resist the urge to take you right then and there," I whispered softly in her ear, my breath warm against her skin, igniting a spark between us.
As I pulled her face closer, our lips hovered just inches apart, the air thick with tension. The anticipation crackled like electricity, and I could feel her breath hitch, filled with a mix of excitement and longing. Without hesitation, I closed the distance, capturing her lips with mine in a deep, passionate kiss that demanded all her attention. My hand slid around the back of her neck, pulling her closer as our bodies pressed together, the heat radiating between us was almost overwhelming.
She melted against me, responding to the kiss with a fervent mix of eagerness and yearning, her body arching toward me, hungry for more. My fingers tangled in her hair, gripping it gently as I explored the intoxicating depths of our connection, pouring every ounce of desire into that moment. I wanted her to feel the urgency, the insatiable craving that had been building between us.
"I want to see you unleash everything you've held back," I murmured against her lips, my voice low and thick with desire. "Let go of your fears, Suzune. Embrace this wild slutty side of yourself."
"Please me with your body just like you've wanted to do," I instructed her.
With a swift motion, I pinned her down on the bench, the dominant urge coursing through me. I began to remove her clothes, my fingers moving with purpose and urgency, eager to reveal her soft skin beneath. This time, I would conquer her completely.