55 Two-face

"How about it?"

Waiting for a response, Kenneth looked at both Dan and Kate with a calm expression, a small smile on his face.

"… Why do we have to play a game with you?"

"Don't misunderstand. It's not like I'm forcing you to do anything. It's just an invitation for a friendly competition."

"…"

Kenneth spoke lightly. To him, this type of invitation was no big deal. However, for Dan, there is nothing more suspicious than this.

'This guy… what the hell is he planning?'

"… I'm sorry, but we're going to have to decline that offer."

"Can I ask the reason why?"

The small smile never left Kenneth's face. He showed not a single sign that he finds anything that Dan has said unagreeable. If it was anyone else, they would probably have relaxed their guard. But, as always, Dan continued to observe Kenneth with a watchful eye.

"That's just it. There is no reason."

"What do you mean?"

"Even if we agreed to a game, there is no meaning to it."

"You!? I didn't want to interrupt Ken so I kept quiet, but I have already reached my limit. What the hell is that attitude!?" Erica, who had been glaring at Lexi the entire time, released a huge outburst.

"… What are you talking about? I was just stating a fact."

"You—!?"

"Wait, Erica," Lexi interrupted to mediate the situation, "Let's just all calm down for a bit. There is probably a misun—"

"Shut up, Alexis! Besides, it's probably your fault for not teaching your man some manners—"

"Erica."

"!?"

"It's fine."

"But—"

"…"

"I-I got it."

With just one look, Kenneth instantly made the worked-up Erica cool down.

"Sorry about that. Erica just gets excited a lot of the time. She doesn't mean anything by it."

"… No problem. If I may ask, what is your guy's relationship?"

"Oh, we are just friends."

"Friends?"

"Haha. Did you find it that surprising? Judging from your reaction, you probably heard a lot of rumors concerning Erica. I'll just say that a lot of those rumors are just exaggerations. She is misunderstood a lot but Erica is not that much a bad person. I guarantee it."

'… By not fully denying anything, you're just saying there is some truth to the rumors though…'

Knowing that Dan is still not convinced, Kenneth merely shrugged his shoulders.

"Well, anyways… you said that there is no meaning to playing us, correct?"

"Yeah, I did say that."

Showing a pondering expression, Kenneth seemed to consider Dan's words. Saying nothing more, Dan continues to wait for his response.

"Hmm… certainly, it's true that there is not much merit in it for the two of you. That is my mistake."

Unfortunately, just as Dan expected, Kenneth had actually admitted to being wrong and actively apologized. As a result, the sharp retort Dan planned on saying if the conversation were to go south died in his throat. As long as Kenneth does not plan on overreacting, there is no way Dan could go out of line himself. They're still in class after all.

'Kenneth Preston… not an opponent to be underestimated. If he was more like Tony, I would have such an easier time…'

"But, let's see… if there is no merit for you guys to play, making up a few merits now shouldn't' be too hard."

"What?"

"How about we make it a bet? If either one of our teams were to win, we can get the other to listen to them for one wish."

"… You serious?"

"Of course. I wouldn't joke about something like this."

"… Putting aside whether or not to agree to this, what kind of rule is there that would stop you from breaking your promise?"

"You're just going to have to take my word for it. But I will say this… I will never break a promise I make. Alexis, you know that right?"

"Lexi, is that true?"

"… It's true. Kenneth had in the past made many promises to me. He had not broken any one of them even once. For this type of thing, you can trust him."

Having heard what Lexi had to say, Dan turned to look at Kenneth in the eye. Even after staring for a long time, Dan was unable to find any reason to find what he said untrustworthy.

"If you were to beat us in a match, we will listen to anything you have to say. So how about it?"

To what could only be likened to the whispers of the devil, Kenneth asks what Dan and Lexi will choose. Lexi only continued to look at Dan, her hand grabbing the hem of his shirt tightened. It seems that she is leaving all the decisions to Dan.

"I—-"

.

.

.

"Ken! Are you really fine with that?"

"What are you talking about?"

"You know what I'm talking about! It's about that arrogant guy! I don't know why you would want to ask to play a game with a guy like that, but he acted way too self-important! Who does he think he is!? Besides that bitch Alexis was with him too—"

While Erica continues to insult Dan and Lexi with all derogatory words she could think of, Kenneth ignored her as he looked back to that moment.

(… I'm sorry, but I won't change my mind. I'm going to have to still decline.)

(… Are you sure? It's a chance to make me do anything you want. It might just be me saying it, but my family is quite influential. I could probably fulfill any wish you might be thinking of, you know.)

(Even so, I remain firm on my decision.)

'… To know me and still have the gall to refuse my invitation… hmph, not just an Alexis hanger-on, I see.'

Although Kenneth is more or less praising Dan's actions in his head, even he couldn't ignore the boiling anger seething beneath his 'mask' of a face. For Kenneth, finding a person that would actually refuse him on anything despite should know who he is both rare and something that should never happen. To know him and yet this happens… impossible.

Unfortunately, for Kenneth, he misunderstood one important detail. There are still people that don't know a thing about him. Even if they had met multiple times.

'… Well, it doesn't matter. I'm going to have to let go of Alexis this time. Not like I expected it would be that easy in the first place. Alexis is a woman I have my eyes on. She should be different from all the other bitches I met. A little resistance makes the best spice for when I finally make her mine.'

"—what's so good about that bitch anyways? She just tricking everyone with her act—"

"Erica, shut up."

"!?"

In a cold voice, Kenneth prevents Erica from saying anything more. Erica surprised, became quiet immediately, and looked at Kenneth with a bit of fear in her eyes.

"You've been getting noisy for a while now. Don't think I haven't forgotten about you barging in."

"… B-but I was just trying to—"

Kenneth interrupted, "Your answer?"

"…S-sorry."

Glared by Kenneth's suddenly cold eyes, different from the gentle one he showed Dan and Lexi before, Erica could do nothing else but apologize. Watching how Erica shrivels up from his stare, it wasn't until a little bit later that Kenneth showed a satisfied expression.

Kenneth walked towards Erica before standing directly beside of her. Then, without warning, had his right-hand grab hard onto Erica's buttocks.

"Hyaah♥!!?"

"Good girl. Here's your reward."

"Mnn…mngh♥… w-wait… everyone can see…"

"Don't worry. Everyone is too focus on the games to notice us."

Molding the shape of Erica's buttocks to his hands, Kenneth made her writhe in shame and pleasure as she tried to hold back her moans.

"Erica, only you know my 'true self'. That is why I can only trust you to understand me."

"Hyaa….mggh…Is that true....mnn♥!"

"It's true. That's why I want you to help me become friends with Alexis. You can do that right?"

"Nmm♥… ahhn♥… yes, I will help Ken to become friends with Alexis! That's why do it to me more. I want you inside of me!"

'Heh… idiotic woman… but very useful… as long you listen and do what I say, I won't be against playing with you.'

Erica continues to beg as Kenneth small smile that does not reach his eyes. The two of them disappeared into the main building after they told the teacher that both of them are going to the bathroom.

.

.

.

"Were you OK with that, Dan?"

"What are you talking about?"

"With refusing Kenneth's invitation just now."

"… Is that the kind of thing you would ask a person you left the entire decision-making process on?"

Currently, Dan and Lexi are walking together, after leaving both Kenneth and Erica at the spot they were talking at.

"Besides, it's not like you don't know exactly why I refused. You were testing me after all."

"What do you mean?"

"Don't play dumb. So, did I pass?"

"… Fufu~ It's not like I was really testing you are anything. It's just I'm glad you really refused. I was worried you would have agreed."

"Who would? That suspicious invitation… it's like telling me it was a trap. I would have been stupid to accept it."

Dan shrugged his shoulders in an exaggerated manner as Lexi giggled. Seeing that Lexi had returned to her 'usual' self, Dan could not help but let out a small smile. After allowing Lexi to laugh for a while, Dan could not help but become curious.

"Hey, Lexi? What's your relationship with that guy?"

"Fufu~ Wha~t… are you being jealous?"

"Please, just answer seriously."

"… Do you know who Kenneth Preston is?"

"Nope, not at all."

"Like I thought. That's maybe why you could have refused him like that. Not many people could do that, you know?"

"…? Why?"

"You see Kenneth's family, or more like his father, are really famous and influential people. You've heard of Gregory Preston, right? That government official."

"Hmm, I had heard of that name many times in the news before… don't tell me."

"Just as what you would've imagined, Kenneth's father, Gregory Preston, is high-level government official within the Earth Union. He holds a lot of sway within the Union and as such his protégé, Kenneth gets a lot of the benefits."

"For real? First time I met a 'young master' in real life."

Shocked from hearing such crazy information for the first time, Dan could not help but recall the last conversation he had with Kenneth.

'So that's why he said he would easily be able to grant any wish that I want. I thought that was pretty arrogant, but if he had a father like that, I can understand.'

"I haven't heard many rumors about Kenneth ever abusing his powers in any way. However, I also haven't ever heard of any rumors of people ever having a disagreement with him either."

"… How suspicious. Well, that's good and all, but what does this have to do with his relationship with you?"

"The thing is, I don't when, but Kenneth came up to me one day and asked if he could be my friend out of the blue. Since then I had been trying to excuse myself many times from agreeing. However, Kenneth did not stop and had been trying to talk to me undeterred."

"… I can only say my condolences. Wasn't there anyone that could have helped you? You were obviously uncomfortable. With how popular you are, there should one or two white knights here and there."

"Fufu~ Popular you say? It's not that convenient. The thing is due to the fact of Kenneth's father, there aren't many people willing to put themselves in danger just to save me."

"I see. But I still don't understand. It hurts me to say this, but isn't Kenneth quite the catch? Good-looks. Rich and influential family. Polite(?). A normal girl would have been scrambling for him. So why not you?"

"Fufu~ What? You worried Kenneth would take me away from you?"

"That's not it."

"Aww~… you're no fun. Isn't that's where you go crying that you don't want me to leave you?"

"…"

"Fufu~ It's just a joke. Well, as to why I didn't find becoming friends with Kenneth as a good idea… it comes down to intuition, I guess."

"Intuition, again?"

"Ah! You're doubting me again, aren't you? My intuition is pretty good I'll have you know. It's thanks to my intuition that I was able to get through the troubles I had in life. Even now, it seems my intuition is correct."

"?"

"Fufu~ You know? My intuition about you, silly. To even have protected me from Kenneth… just as I had hoped. No, even more than I had hoped! Fufu~ I think I'm actually falling for you already."

"…"

In response to the speechless Dan, Lexi wrapped her own arms around his right into an embrace. As a result, Dan could now suddenly feel the sensation reminiscent of two soft pillows pressed directly onto his arm. Lexi is now sandwiching his arm between her boobs.

"We were interrupted, but now that it's over, I'm going to ask you again. Do you want to make me your woman?"

Throwing a seductive glance, Lexi pulled Dan's arm deeper into her hills and valley. Feeling the blessed pressure he was subjective to, Dan could feel a certain part of his body reacts.

Noticing the creation of a bulge forming around Dan's shorts, Lexi giggled before letting Dan's arm go. It couldn't be helpt that Dan felt disappointed when she did that.

"Fufu~ I just remembered. I think you still haven't invited your sister to join the Massage Club yet, right?"

"… Yeah, I haven't."

"Fufu~ Can't have that. If you can't convince your sister to join, we can't make the club. Why didn't try to invite her on Sunday?"

"I tried. But it seemed that Kay was out having fun with her friends all day, so I missed my chance."

What Dan said was true. After returning Kate back to the dorm, Dan tried calling his sister Kay afterward. Unfortunately, Kay had never answered her phone once. By the time he could get a hold of her, it was already late in the evening. It seemed that her phone battery died so that was why she didn't pick up the phone. Not wanting to ask her to join the Massage Club over the phone, Dan postponed telling her it until now.

"Are you planning on inviting her later today?"

"That's right. Immediately after school, I planned on nabbing Kay so that I could convince her then."

"Fufu~ I see, I see. Is it okay if I join you on that?"

"You, Lexi?"

"I mean, didn't you promise that you would go on a date all day with me? To leaving you date and go talk to another girl. I can't accept that in good grace."

"Don't say such misleading things. I'm just going to go convince a family member to join my club. It's not that bad. I was planning on continuing the date afterward if you could just wait."

"Fufu~ I'm kidding. But I'm serious about you bringing me with you to convince your sister."

"Can I ask why?"

"Wouldn't it be easier to convince her if I came along? Objectively, asking your sister to randomly join a Massage Club is not the most convincing of statements is it? If I'm there, the likelihood of it being considered a joke would lessen."

"… That's true."

"Then it's decided."

"Seriously…"

With a radiant smile, Lexi laughed as Dan gave a weak shrug.