The night at the mountain villa was tranquil and peaceful.
Bright moonlight, like a gauzy silver veil, filtered softly through the windows and spilled onto the floor, lending the room a hint of mystery.
The air was filled with the fresh scent unique to mountain forests, and the occasional chirping of insects made the silence feel even deeper.
The bathroom door slowly swung open.
Billowing steam poured out like white clouds.
Yui Hirasawa, Tsumugi Kotobuki, and Ritsu Tainaka emerged, chatting and laughing.
Ritsu stretched broadly, her face full of contentment.
"Ah—nothing like a hot bath to relax every muscle!"
She shook her damp hair, droplets scattering like tiny pearls that sparkled in the moonlight.
Yui rubbed her round cheeks, her eyes a little drowsy; her "so‑cute‑it‑hurts" expression made it hard not to smile.
"I just want to drop into bed right now… haa~"
She yawned, her lazy manner underscoring a young girl's charm.
The very next second she frowned, confusion filling her eyes.
"Wait, Mio‑chan came out ages ago. Where did she go?"
Tsumugi also looked puzzled.
She cast an elegant glance around. The living room was empty, save for a soft lamp in the corner whose light flickered on the wall.
The three girls exchanged looks; a vague uneasiness crept into their hearts, winding like tiny vines.
A faint sound drifted from the room at the end of the corridor—so soft it was like leaves rustling in the wind, or someone murmuring.
Ritsu asked, "Did you guys hear that?"
Tsumugi and Yui both nodded. The mysterious noise had hooked their curiosity.
Ritsu took the lead, muttering, "Don't tell me something's happened to Mio…"
Worry tinged her voice and quickened her steps.
Yui followed close behind, clutching Ritsu's sleeve, eyes wide and wary.
Tsumugi brought up the rear, brows knit, her face tense.
Noticing that Rei Ao was missing too, countless guesses and worries welled up inside her.
When they reached the tightly shut door, the sound was clearer—it had to be coming from inside.
Yui tilted her head and pressed an ear to the door, wearing the blank, earnest look of a curious child.
Her cheeks went crimson, like a ripe apple.
Eyes round, she let out a small "Ah!" and stumbled back a few steps as if frightened.
Still baffled, Ritsu pressed her own ear to the door.
Almost instantly her expression froze.
Her mouth dropped open, a blush spread rapidly, and her eyes filled with shock and disbelief.
She straightened stiffly, clamped both hands over her burning face, and stammered, "Th‑that's… Mio?"
Her voice shook with astonishment; her body trembled.
Tsumugi bit her lip—one of her suspicions seemed confirmed.
Taking a deep breath, she too placed an ear to the door.
After a moment her face darkened, anger flashing in her eyes.
She balled her fists, her body quivering slightly; questions and fears whirled through her mind.
Ritsu and Yui were in a panic.
Only Tsumugi forced herself to stay calm.
Exhaling, she gave the door a long look and said,
"Given the situation… we wait."
All was still in the mountains, broken only by the occasional chirp of insects.
Rei Ao gently pushed the bedroom door open.
He glanced back at the sleeping Mio Akiyama, a tender smile on his lips.
Closing the door behind him, he walked into the living room—
—only to find Ritsu, Yui, and Tsumugi dozing on the couch.
His footsteps roused Tsumugi from her light sleep.
She shot upright, eyes sharp on Rei Ao.
Confirming who he was, she strode forward imposingly.
Her gaze was accusatory.
"What did you do to Mio Akiyama?"
Her voice was icy, threaded with suppressed anger.
Rei Ao paused; from her tone he realized she both knew something had happened and had misunderstood it.
He smiled—a playful curve that only made Tsumugi warier.
"Haven't you already guessed?"
The teasing note in his words inflamed her further.
Tsumugi's face went white.
Convinced Mio had been forced, she could no longer hold back her fury.
Her voice shook with anger and concern for her friend.
Rei Ao waved a hand dismissively, speaking evenly:
"You've misunderstood one thing.
"Everything between us was voluntary—or, if you like, a transaction."
His tone was calm, as though stating something utterly ordinary.
Tsumugi blinked, confused.
Eager for the truth, she pressed him.
Rei Ao's gaze deepened. He said slowly,
"Mio Akiyama asked me to find Yui Hirasawa. The price… was herself."
His words exploded in Tsumugi's heart like a bomb.
The cry did not come from her, but from Yui behind her.
Already awake, Yui sat there in a daze, eyes reddening.
"So it was because of me that Mio‑chan…"
Her voice caught in her throat; tears pooled as guilt and self‑reproach flooded in.
Because of her, Mio‑chan had ended up in this situation. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ NovєlFіre.net
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