"W-waaah… sniff-sniff…"
In an empty back-alley off the town square, Chris sobbed into Darkness's arms, wiping away tears.
Standing before them, Shichen watched with a carefree smile. He showed not the slightest hint of remorse; instead, he idly twirled a small white cloth—Chris's panties—around his right index finger.
Once a person lets go of their inhibitions, Shichen mused, they discover a dizzying happiness—an exhilaration that simply won't stop.
Maybe that's why people with…peculiar tastes get hooked so easily, he thought. Could it be that I'm…a bit perverted at heart?
Impossible! Absolutely impossible! He'd only done sothing this outrageous to "teach Chris a lesson" and to blend into this crazy world a bit better—nothing more.
"Shichen!"
Darkness's tone was stern, though her expression held a strange hint of anticipation. "If you've got the guts, pick on . Why are you bullying Chris? She hasn't done anything to you!"
"Can it, will you? You're my party mber now—you have to listen to !"
"O-obey…your orders…?" Darkness shuddered in excitent.
"Darkness…" Chris looked at her, teary-eyed and speechless.
"W-well, I'll avenge you, I swear!" Darkness replied awkwardly.
"Oh? And how will you do that—wear him down with your stamina until he collapses?"
"Er, well…" Darkness couldn't find an answer.
"Knew it—totally unreliable! I'm suffering because of you!"
"W-wait! I'll beg Shichen to give your thing back, all right?"
"And what right do you have to beg him? You hardly even know the guy!"
"I'm his teammate now. If it cos to it…huff, huff…I'll just let him do whatever he wants." Darkness's breathing grew ragged.
"…Forget it. I can't count on you."
Chris pushed Darkness away, glared at Shichen with tear-filled eyes, and shouted, "Stop twirling that! Give back my panties!"
"Why should I?" Shichen asked with a grin.
"Are you so kind of pervert? Why take my underwear!"
"What's wrong with a man being a little perverted? Besides—you threatened first, rember?"
"I never imagined you'd stoop this low! You hurt first!"
"When did I hurt you? Don't pin false charges on ."
"If you hadn't exposed the fact that I'd stolen from you, none of this would've happened!"
"So what? I rely told the truth."
"It's nothing to you, but to it's the end of the world! How am I supposed to face Darkness now?"
"She doesn't care that you use pads to fill out, does she?"
"Don't you dare say that!" Chris's face burned crimson.
"That's your own problem," Shichen replied solemnly. "If you weren't so hung up on appearances—and if you didn't underestimate your friendship with Darkness—would we be here?"
"M-my fault? Really?" Chris was taken aback.
"Exactly! You undervalued your bond with Darkness. And you're a thief—your outfit's practically underwear already, belly button showing and all. Why worry about a bit of padding? You're just not bold enough!"
"Darkness…" Chris looked at her friend in sha.
"I-it's fine," Darkness said gently, hugging her. "We're friends, aren't we?"
Shichen, satisfied to see them embracing, nodded.
Yunyun tugged nervously at his sleeve. "Um…sothing feels…off?"
"Friendship is noble and sacred—don't misunderstand it."
"That's not what I an!" she pouted, then, blushing, pointed at the cloth in his hand. "Shouldn't you…maybe…give that back? It's kind of…private."
"Hm, maybe—but don't bla . Steal is an uncontrollable skill. I never expected to grab that."
"Really? You sure looked determined just now."
"Only because I first pulled out that chest pad, rember?"
"Well…could you still return it to Chris-san?"
"And why should I? She threatened to sar my na. What if she spreads rumors and everyone misunderstands ?"
"That wouldn't really be rumors…" Yunyun murmured.
"Hmm?" Shichen glared, mock-angry.
"N-nothing! I an playing around with soone's…private item isn't nice. Please give it back. If you really like that sort of thing, I—I have so too…"
Her voice dwindled to a whisper as her face went scarlet.
"Do you have any idea how lethal those words are?" Shichen whispered in her ear.
"Eh?" Yunyun looked up, puzzled.
"Never mind—you'll find out later."
He turned to the still-sniffling pair. "Chris, do you want this back or not?"
"Of course I do! Give it here!" Chris glared.
"No problem—but you can't blab about today."
"Why not? You humiliated ! I'll tell everyone what a beast you are!"
"Oh? Going to burn all bridges? Not afraid I'll retaliate?"
"I'll never show my face to you again, you pervert!"
"What about Darkness, then? What if I take my anger out on her?"
"Th-that sounds nice…" Darkness perked up.
"What are you saying!" Chris snapped, then glared at Shichen. "You can't!"
"Well, maybe you shouldn't try ruining my reputation, eh?"
"It's the truth! F-fine—Darkness will just quit your party!"
"No can do. Darkness is ours now. You don't get a say, and I'm not letting her leave—for now."
"Hah! Can't Darkness decide for herself?" Chris sneered.
"I-I don't really mind…" Darkness undercut her.
"See? And don't forget—I'm holding your own weakness." Shichen smirked.
"Wh-what weakness?"
"Chris, you wouldn't want all of Axel to learn you use padding, would you?"
Chris froze, shaking. "Y-you wouldn't…"
"Heh. So—wanna go down in flas together?"
"…Fine," she trembled. "I won't tell a soul."
"Promise?"
"…Yes."
"Good." Shichen flicked the panties back to her. "Here."
Chris caught them gently and, oddly, looked neither relieved nor angry—just empty.
"Cheer up. Only we know what happened. Apart from Darkness, no one's going to talk. Let's keep getting along, okay?"
"Hey! Why single out?" Darkness protested.
"You tell —who knows if you'd blackmail for 'favors'?"
"Ooh! That's an option?"
"Darkness…" Chris stared at her, at a loss.
"Chris! Don't misunderstand. I won't do anything like that, and I won't breathe a word—trust !"
"…I'll try to."
"'Try to'?!"
"Heh, that's enough excitent for today," Shichen said. "Darkness, stay with Chris a bit. We'll et at the guild tomorrow."
"Got it."
"See you next ti." Shichen waved and left with Yunyun.
"Chris, let's head out too."
"…Mm." Chris squeezed the cloth in her hand, glancing at Shichen's back with clenched teeth. Why did this have to happen to …?
At the alley's exit, Shichen looked back at the two won plodding away, shoulders drooping, and felt a pang of guilt. I really acted like a first-class villain today—so depraved. Yet…it's addictive.
Well, in a world this crazy…might as well be a little crazier.
~~~
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