Episode 7 – Ryoko vs. Akari: The Duel Begins

Akari hadn’t given up.

If Ryoko were just a “gorgeous and captivating senior,” Akari could’ve walked away.

But no—there was something wrong about her.

That supernatural phenomenon… It wasn’t normal. It was like magic.

(Shota-senpai is definitely being controlled!)

She was determined to save him.

And the day finally came when she would confront Ryoko—face to face.

The Battle for Shota Begins

Friday night.

After a company drinking party, Akari called out to Shota in a quiet alley.

“Senpai, can I talk to you for a moment?”

“Huh? What’s up?”

“I… I still like you, Senpai.”

The sudden confession froze Shota in place.

“...Akari?”

“I know you’re with Ryoko-senpai. But she’s just… something’s not right.”

Just as she started to explain—

Whooosh…

A gust of wind stirred around them.

“My, my. What a scene.”

Ryoko appeared.

Standing beneath the dim streetlight, she smiled gracefully.

But her eyes were cold. Piercing.

“Trying to seduce Shota-kun again, are we?”

Akari met her gaze head-on.

“It’s not seduction. Maybe… I’m the one he truly wants.”

“Heh… You really think so?”

Ryoko took a step toward her.

“You still don’t get it, do you? No matter what happens—Shota will never leave me.”

“That’s because you’re brainwashing him! Using your ‘powers’!”

Shota’s eyes widened.

“Wait… what?”

For a moment, Ryoko’s smile faded.

“Oh? And what exactly do you think you know?”

“I saw it. That ‘magic’ of yours. That’s not normal.”

Ryoko didn’t answer.

“You’re using your power to control him, aren’t you?!”

Shota held his breath.

“W-Wait, Akari—”

“Please, Senpai. Wake up! If you really love her, I’ll back off.

But if you were made to feel that way… that’s not love!!”

Ryoko stared at Akari silently.

Then—she smiled.

“...Very well.”

“Huh?”

“If you’re so convinced that what Shota and I have isn’t real love…

Then why don’t we put that to the test?”

She raised her hand.

Akari’s body suddenly froze in place.

“Ngh—!”

She couldn’t move.

“!?”

Shota looked at Ryoko, stunned.

“Ryoko!?”

Ryoko gently placed a hand on Shota’s cheek.

“Shota-kun… do you love me?”

Her voice was like honey.

And in that moment—

a wave of euphoria surged through Shota’s brain.

Her hormonal manipulation was amplifying his affection.

Right there, in front of Akari.

“N-No… stop…”

Akari struggled to resist, but Ryoko’s telekinesis held her in place.

Shota looked at Ryoko with dreamy eyes—

and slowly took her hand in his.

“…I love you. So, so much…”

Ryoko smiled, then kissed his forehead.

“Fufu. I’m glad ♡”

Akari’s face crumpled in despair.

“N-No way…!!”

Ryoko turned back to her.

“Yuuki-san.”

“W-What…!?”

“You’ll never have Shota’s love.

Because I am everything to him.”

“……!!”

“So? Are you going to keep fighting?

Or are you ready to give up?”

Akari’s eyes trembled.

(I can’t win… I can’t beat her…!)

In that moment—

Ryoko released her.

Her body loosened; she could move again.

“Looks like I win, don’t you think?”

Akari bit her lip in frustration.

She had no words left.

Ryoko slipped her arm through Shota’s.

“Shota-kun, let’s go home.”

Shota didn’t look back at Akari.

“…Yeah.”

And just like that—Akari was completely defeated.

(…And yet… I still—)

She stood there, staring at their backs, eyes full of regret.

The Next Day – Akari’s Counterattack

But Akari hadn’t given up.

No—she couldn’t.

(If Shota-senpai really loves Ryoko-senpai, then I’ll step aside…)

(But if he’s just been brainwashed—then I’ll save him!)

That was her final hope.

A Trap Set in Broad Daylight

The next day, in the office break room—

Ryoko had gone out for meetings, and Akari seized the chance.

“Shota-senpai, can I talk to you for a bit…?”

“…Akari?”

Shota’s eyes were distant, hazy.

—And that in itself was strange.

(When he’s with Ryoko-senpai, it’s like she’s the only thing he can see…)

(But right now… he feels more like the old Shota-senpai.)

This was her only chance.

“Would you come with me for a little while?”

“…?”

She led him out of the office, to a small café a bit farther from the usual places.

The Plan to Break the Spell

“This place has the best chocolate parfaits.

I thought it’d be perfect for you, Senpai.”

“…Chocolate?”

Something flickered in Shota’s expression.

He remembered—he used to love sweets.

But lately, he hadn’t even thought about them.

“Hey, Senpai…”

“…Yeah?”

“Could you try, just for a moment… not thinking about Ryoko-senpai?”

“…Huh?”

“Just while you’re here with me.

Try not to think about her.”

Shota blinked, confused.

“That’s… impossible.”

“Why?”

“…Because I love her.”

His voice was steady. But his eyes?

Clouded. Distant.

Akari saw it—and felt sure.

(This isn’t a normal kind of love…)

(He’s been made to believe he loves her.)

So she made her choice.

(I’m sorry, Senpai… But I have to do this.)

She gently reached out and took his hand.

“...!”

Shota flinched.

“It’s okay. This is just a hand, Senpai.”

“…”

“It’s not Ryoko-senpai’s hand.

It’s mine.”

“…Akari?”

“Feel it.”

She brought his hand to her cheek.

“It’s warm, right?”

“…Yeah.”

“Now… what do you feel when you touch Ryoko-senpai?”

“…”

“It’s pleasant, sweet, like… your head starts to go fuzzy, doesn’t it?”

Shota’s eyes trembled.

“…That’s…”

“That’s her power.”

“!!”

Akari looked at him, serious and unwavering.

“Right now—can you really say you love her with your own will?”

“…I…”

Shota’s breath caught.

Something inside his mind… began to crack.

The Moment Shota Breaks Free

CRACK!

It felt like a sheet of glass shattered in his head.

“…!!”

Ryoko’s face…

That image that had always brought comfort and warmth—

now suddenly felt distant.

Like a fog that had ruled his thoughts was finally lifting.

“…I…”

—Had I been… controlled all this time?

Shota lifted his head, eyes wide.

“Was I ever really in love with Ryoko-senpai…?”

And the moment he said it—

the spell broke. Completely.

“Wh… What…?”

He looked around—aware, alert, himself.

And for the first time, saw how warped his thoughts had been.

Akari gasped.

(It worked…!!)

The blankness in Shota’s eyes was gone.

He was no longer under Ryoko’s spell.

But then—

“Oh my. This is troubling.”

Ryoko’s Counterattack

At the entrance to the café—

Ryoko stood.

“!!”

Elegant as ever, smiling…

But her eyes?

Deadly serious.

“…Shota-kun?”

“R-Ryoko-senpai…?!”

The sharp clack of her heels echoed through the café as she approached.

“It seems you’ve been thinking some… unnecessary thoughts.”

“…!!”

Shota’s instincts screamed danger.

Her eyes gleamed like a hawk zeroing in on prey.

“Heh… well then.”

She smiled sweetly—

and took her first step toward reclaiming Shota’s heart, completely.

To be continued…