"The Gate is closed." Satomi’s voice was tense, laced with a rare hint of actual panic. "But we have a massive problem."
"What is it?" Akira asked, his combat instincts instantly flaring, pushing the post-orgasm haze away.
"It was a decoy, Akira. A manufactured gate. And Valerius didn’t just tip off the regular SPIU agents... he leaked the coordinates directly to the Order of the Silver Hand."
Akira froze. "Aya’s people."
"Yes. Dozens of them. They’ve completely surrounded the periter with high-level purification barriers. Ayaka and I are trapped inside the warehouse district. If we try to break through the blockade with force, they’ll imdiately identify our essence."
"Hold on. I’ll use Phantom Step. I’ll co get you—"
"No!" Satomi snapped. "You don’t have ti! Sakura’s corruption is accelerating. Valerius designed this flawlessly. Plus it’s better you are far away from here."
Static crackled on the line as a distant explosion echoed through the speaker.
"They’re moving in," Satomi hissed. "We have to hide. You have to go to that dinner, Akira. Solo. Do not wait for us."
The line went dead.
Akira stood in the middle of Rina’s room with a hard expression. Mia sat on the edge of the bed, still flushed, her legs pressed together as his cum continued to leak out of her. Rina was curled up under the blanket; her violet eyes was tired but stable.
"Stay in this room," Akira said firmly. "Both of you. Lock the door. Don’t open it for anyone except or Satomi."
Mia looked up at him, concern flickering across her possessive expression. "Where are you going?"
"Dinner. With Valerius."
Rina’s eyes widened. "Akira, that’s..."
"I know." He cut her off as he gathered his clothes. "But I don’t have a choice. He’s making his move already. If I don’t go, he wins by default."
Mia stood, crossing her arms. "Then I’m coming with you."
"No." His tone left no room for argunt. "You’re staying here. So I know that if things go wrong, you’re both safe."
Mia opened her mouth to protest, but the look in his eyes stopped her. She nodded reluctantly. "Fine. But you co back to . Understand?"
"I will."
He turned to Rina. "If your essence starts spiking again, text Ayaka imdiately. Don’t wait."
Rina nodded weakly. "I will. Be careful, Akira."
He left without another word.
—
The restaurant was elegant... far too upscale for a high school student to afford without drawing unwanted attention.
Akira arrived at 7:15 PM, fifteen minutes late. The hostess led him through the main dining area, past tables filled with well-dressed couples and business executives, and into a private room at the back.
Valerius, Sakura, and Yui were already seated.
The room was isolated. Soft lighting, floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city skyline, a single large table set with expensive china and crystal glasses.
Valerius stood when Akira entered, giving a warm and welcoming smile. "Ah, Kanzaki-kun. I was beginning to think you wouldn’t make it."
Akira’s eyes flicked to Sakura.
She was dressed in a tasteful black dress; her hair was down for once, and her expression was sowhere between uncomfortable and intrigued. Yui sat beside her, perfectly poised, playing the role of Valerius’s assistant.
"I had sothing to take care of," Akira said, sitting down across from them.
"Of course." Valerius gestured to the empty seat. "Please, sit. We’ve already ordered appetizers. I hope you don’t mind."
Akira sat, his eyes never leaving Valerius. The older man’s smile didn’t falter. He looked relaxed, confident, like soone who already knew how the night would end.
The conversation started simple enough.
Valerius asked Sakura about her plans after graduation. She talked about university applications, her scholarship offers, her desire to study international relations.
He listened intently, asking thoughtful follow-up questions, making her laugh with perfectly tid observations about academic bureaucracy.
Akira tried to interject, but Valerius always redirected smoothly.
"And you, Kanzaki-kun?" Valerius turned to him with a polite smile. "What are your plans after high school?"
"I haven’t decided yet."
"Ah. Still exploring your options. Very wise." Valerius’s tone was warm, but there was sothing condescending underneath it. "Though I imagine today’s ga opened so doors for you. That final shot was quite impressive."
Sakura nodded. "It was incredible. Everyone’s still talking about it."
"Indeed." Valerius leaned back in his chair, swirling his wine. "That kind of resilience under pressure is rare. Which brings to why I invited you both here tonight."
Sakura straightened up, her interest clearly piqued.
"I’m launching a youth leadership program," Valerius continued. "A network designed to connect talented young people with resources, ntorship, and opportunities they wouldn’t normally have access to."
He gestured to Sakura. "I want you as the face of the program. Your reputation, your academic record, your discipline... you represent everything we’re trying to cultivate."
Sakura’s eyes widened. "?"
"Absolutely. You’re exactly the kind of leader this generation needs."
He turned to Akira. "And you, Kanzaki-kun, would be our success story. The underdog who turned his life around. The athlete who overca adversity. Your narrative is compelling."
Akira’s jaw tightened. "What’s the catch?"
"No catch." Valerius smiled. "Just an opportunity. Significant funding for any university you choose. Networking with influential people. Exposure that could open doors you didn’t even know existed."
Sakura was leaning forward now. "That sounds... amazing, actually."
"It sounds too good to be true," Akira said flatly.
Valerius tilted his head. "Because it is good. Why does that make it untrue?"
Sakura looked at Akira, a hint of frustration in her expression. "He has a point, Akira. Why are you being so negative?"
Akira didn’t answer. He just stared at Valerius, searching for the trap he knew was there.
Valerius’s smile widened. "Of course, there is one condition."
Here it cos.
"You both need to prove you can work together," Valerius continued smoothly. "Leadership isn’t about individual excellence. It’s about collaboration. So I’m hosting a weekend retreat at my estate. Team-building exercises, strategic planning, networking with other program participants. All expenses paid, of course."
He reached into his jacket and pulled out two elegant invitations, sliding them across the table.
"This weekend?" Sakura asked, picking up her invitation.
"Yes. I know it’s short notice, but I believe in moving quickly when opportunities arise."
Akira didn’t touch his invitation. "I’ll think about it."
"Take your ti." Valerius’s smile didn’t waver. "Though Sakura’s already accepted."
Akira’s eyes snapped to her. "You did?"
Sakura looked defensive. "He ntioned it earlier, before you arrived. It’s a good opportunity, Akira. Why wouldn’t I go?"
"Because you don’t know him."
"And you do?" Sakura’s tone was sharp now. "You’ve been acting paranoid all night. What’s your problem with him?"
Valerius raised a hand gently. "It’s alright, Sakura. It’s healthy to be skeptical. Kanzaki-kun is right to be cautious." He looked at Akira. "I’m a stranger offering you sothing valuable. Of course you’re suspicious. That’s smart."
The words were perfectly chosen. They made Akira look unreasonable. Made Valerius look patient and mature.
And Sakura’s expression softened toward Valerius, hardened toward Akira.
—
Ten minutes later, Valerius excused himself. "I need to take a call. Work never stops, I’m afraid."
He gestured for Akira to follow. "Kanzaki-kun, would you mind stepping outside with ? I’d like to discuss sothing privately."
Akira stood, ignoring the warning bells in his head. They walked out into the hallway, away from the private room.
The mont they were alone, Valerius’s pleasant mask dropped, and his smile turned cold. "You’re thinking about how to kill right now, aren’t you?" he asked casually.
Akira didn’t deny it. "Sothing like that."
"Don’t." Valerius’s voice was flat. "You’re not ready. And even if you were, I own this city. The SPIU, the Gates, the school... I control the board. You’re just a piece I’m deciding whether to remove."
"You don’t own ."
"Not yet." Valerius stepped closer. "But I will. One way or another."
He glanced back toward the private room, where Sakura and Yui were still seated. "I’ll make you a deal. Join , and I’ll leave your harem alone. All of them. Mia, Rina, Aoi, Ayaka, even your teacher. They’ll be safe."
"And if I refuse?"
"Then I take everything." Valerius’s eyes locked onto his. "Starting with her."
He nodded toward Sakura through the doorway. "She’s already halfway mine. Three more hours and the corruption is permanent. By Monday, she’ll be begging to touch her."
Akira’s fists clenched. "And you think I care about her?"
Valerius raised an eyebrow, his smile widening. "Oh? So the Ice Queen isn’t part of your little collection? How interesting."
"She’s not."
"Then why are you here?" Valerius tilted his head, studying Akira like a specin under glass. "Why did you limp all the way across the city on a damaged ankle to attend this dinner if she ans nothing to you?"
Akira didn’t answer.
"Because you do care," Valerius continued, his voice soft and knowing. "Maybe not the way you care about the others. Probably because you haven’t fucked her yet, or haven’t bonded her to your essence. But what I know is that you care enough to try and save her. And that’s all I need."
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