Lunch

Both of them started on their lunch.

As expected, even while eating, Saonji moved with such grace. Every time she used her utensils, it felt like Kouhei was watching a princess in action. Her movements were elegant, almost otherworldly. Well, that made sense—she was a succubus, after all.

Still, it's hard to focus on eating when everyone in this cafeteria is staring holes into me, he thought, feeling the weight of all those eyes.

It wasn't just the guys, but girls too. Most of them shot jealous glances his way, but a few seemed more curious about the situation. Thanks to his unexpected pairing with Saonji, he'd become the center of attention—like some kind of walking attraction.

Well, I guess it's not all bad. At least I get the best seat to see this side of her, he thought, sneaking glances at Saonji.

Right now, she was savoring her food, her expression so focused it almost seemed like she was enjoying every bite. Kouhei found himself wondering if she had a soft spot for eating. As he stared, Saonji eventually felt his gaze and looked up, raising a brow.

"Aren't you going to eat that, Okumura Kouhei?" she asked, her tone cool.

He snapped back to reality, realizing he had completely forgotten his own meal. Feeling awkward under her gaze, he hurriedly started eating again, though the constant stares from the cafeteria kept him on edge.

***

Meanwhile, Touyama Kozue was watching them from a distance, curiosity and intrigue evident in her expression. As far as she knew, no human could get close to a succubus—let alone a primordial one—without ending up seriously messed up, if not outright dead. Yet somehow, Okumura Kouhei seemed to be doing just fine. Earlier, she had even caught a glimpse of him holding hands with Saonji.

"That means he's special, right?" Touyama muttered to herself, eyes narrowing as she focused on Kouhei.

He wasn't anything special, appearance-wise. Just a plain, ordinary guy. Seeing him sitting next to Saonji felt almost jarring. And the fact that Saonji seemed to be intentionally touching this human made it all the more intriguing.

Curiosity getting the better of her, Touyama decided it was time to dig deeper into this strange development. So, after grabbing her lunch, she made a beeline straight for Saonji and Okumura's table.

***

"Mind if I sit here?" a young woman's voice interrupted, one that was all too familiar to Kouhei.

He froze the moment he realized who it was.

Touyama Kozue.

Like Saonji, Touyama was also on the student council and served as one of the second-year representatives alongside her. And, like Saonji, Touyama was undeniably attractive—one of the most beautiful girls in the entire school. But that's where their similarities ended.

Unlike Saonji, who kept her distance from others and pushed anyone away who got too close, Touyama was the opposite—cheerful, energetic, with a charisma that drew people in. She was friends with just about everyone. Well, almost. Because Kouhei was an exception.

They had spoken once before, but Kouhei's awkwardness with people had made things so uncomfortable that it left a bad impression. That awkward encounter was the last time they'd exchanged words—until now.

Kouhei didn't say a word, and it didn't seem like Saonji was going to object either, so Touyama took a seat, choosing a chair close to him.

Considering how sensitive Saonji usually was about her personal space due to her ability, it was odd that she let Okumura to be close to her, Touyama thought.

"You're Okumura Kouhei-kun, right?" Touyama asked, turning her focus to him. "I've been wondering since yesterday why Hina-chan's been acting differently. Turns out she's found herself a boyfriend."

She emphasized the word boyfriend deliberately, watching Saonji closely to see how she'd react. But to her surprise, Saonji didn't even glance in her direction. It was as if she didn't care that Touyama might think she and Okumura were a couple.

"Hey, Okumura-kun? How long have you been seeing Hina-chan?"

"W-We're not seeing each other. We're not in a relationship, T-Touyama-san," Kouhei stammered, his voice quivering.

"That's right, Kozue," Saonji finally chimed in, her voice calm. "We aren't that serious. We're just sex friends, after all."

The words hit like a bomb, freezing everything around them.

"S-Saonji-san!? W-Why would you say that?!" Kouhei spluttered, his face turning crimson.

"Well, it's the truth, isn't it? It's not like I'm going to be embarrassed about something like that," Saonji said, completely unfazed.

Everyone within earshot caught the words sex friends, and the ripple effect was instant.

"T-They're sex friends?"

"T-This is massive! I can't believe this! A plain-looking guy like him is sex friends with someone as stunning as Saonji?!"

"No way, does that mean Saonji-san isn't a virgin anymore?"

"Nooooooo! Why him, Saonji-sannnnnnnnn?!"

Whispers and gasps spread through the cafeteria, the disbelief and frustration clear on their faces. The whole scene quickly turned chaotic.

Touyama, on the other hand, was left completely speechless, her mouth hanging open in shock at the revelation Saonji had just casually dropped.

"E-Eh? H-Hina-chan? Y-You're actually having sex with Okumura-kun?" she stammered.

"Yes," Saonji replied without a trace of hesitation or shame.

"B-But what about your ability?" Touyama pressed, her voice dropping to a hushed whisper.

"For some reason, he's the only one who isn't affected by it. Even though we've touched, kissed, and had sex, somehow, Okumura Kouhei doesn't die," Saonji explained, her expression as neutral as ever.

This was something beyond belief. A human who could actually survive—no, thrive—even after being touched by, and even fucking, a primordial succubus. It was downright impossible, defying every known rule. There was not a single recorded instance in history of someone surviving such an encounter. Just a single touch from a succubus like her, and you'd be sucked dry, withered like a lifeless prune.

"Okumura-kun, could you tell me if you're really human?" Touyama's voice was edged with disbelief, her eyes searching him for answers. "I mean, there's no way you could've had sex with Hina-chan, not with her being—"

"I'll be the one to explain the reason."

The sudden voice sliced through Touyama's words like a knife. They all turned toward the source, finding the student council president, Sarushima Yuuna, staring back at them. Her lips curled into a composed yet mysterious smile, as if she already knew too much.

"After you're done with your lunch, would you mind joining me in the student council office?" she asked.