Episode11 – Ryoko's Embrace — A Love Confirmed Through Surrender

Ryoko's Apartment — Where He Belongs

It was a quiet night. Shota sank into Ryoko's plush sofa and let out a deep sigh.

(Ah… I’m finally back.)

The familiar scent of Ryoko’s home, the warmth in the air— it was as if something hollow deep inside him was being slowly filled again.

Beside him sat Ryoko. She gently ran her fingers through his hair.

“…Ryoko-senpai,”

Shota whispered, laying his head in her lap.

“I’ll never leave you again.” 

“…I know.”

Her fingers softly stroked his cheek.

“I was so lonely… while you were gone.” 

“…Me too.” 

“Liar.” 

“Huh?”

Ryoko chuckled.

“At first, you were enjoying your freedom, weren’t you?” 

“…Ugh.”

Shota averted his eyes, but Ryoko lifted his chin with a single finger.

“But in the end… you came back.”

He nodded.

“…I couldn’t make it without you, Ryoko-senpai.” 

“Fufu, of course. You can’t live without me.”

Her voice was sweet, endlessly gentle.

“And you know what…”

Ryoko looked down, eyes softening.

“I can’t live without you either, Shota-kun.” 

“Ryoko-senpai…”

“When I thought you might leave me… my heart ached so badly. I didn’t know what to do.”

As she spoke, she grasped his hand tightly.

“That’s why… I’ll never let go of you again.” 

“…Me neither.”

Shota squeezed her hand back.

“I… like being under your control, Ryoko-senpai.”

She smiled.

“Fufu, I know.” 

“So don’t ever let me go again.” 

“Of course not.”

Her fingers moved with a smooth, graceful motion—

—and in the next instant, Shota’s body lifted gently into the air.

“Whoa…!” 

“Fufu, don’t even think about running again, okay?”

Ryoko giggled playfully and pulled him into her chest.

“It’s okay. I’m not going anywhere.”

Shota closed his eyes and melted into her warmth.

—This is where I belong.

Her control… felt like peace. And she, too, realized she couldn’t live without him. They were bound by a love that was sweet, deep, and utterly unbreakable.

Ryoko’s “Punishment” — And the First “Curse”

As Shota rested his head in Ryoko’s lap, she gently trailed her finger down his cheek.

“Hey, Shota-kun?” 

“Hmm?” 

“…I still can’t forgive you.” 

“Huh?”

She smiled sweetly—but there was a glint of mischief in her eyes.

“Forgive you for… dating Akari.”

Shota immediately sat upright.

“W-Wait, that was just me trying to forget you! I didn’t mean—” 

“Hmm?”

Her finger traced over his lips.

“But you see, Shota? I’m in a bit of a bad mood.” 

“W-Wait, hold on—”

—The next moment—

Ryoko’s eyes shimmered with a mysterious glow.

Shota’s body gave a small jolt as a strange sensation rippled through his brain.

“Uh… what was that…?” 

“Fufu, I've put a 'curse' on you ♡” 

“W-What!?” 

“From now on, once every five minutes, you’ll feel an irresistible urge to kiss me. ♡” 

“…Huh?” 

“Doesn’t matter if you’re at work, on a train, anywhere—there’s no escape. I’ve etched the command deep into your brain with my power ♡”

“That’s… that’s seriously bad!!”

Shota scrambled to his feet—

—but his knees buckled.

“Huh!? I can’t stand!?” 

“Aw, what’s wrong?”

Ryoko tilted her head innocently.

“You didn’t think I’d let your body off the hook, did you?”

She gave a satisfied nod.

“Unless I say so, that curse won’t be lifted ♡” 

“W-Wait, I have work tomorrow! What if it happens in public!?”

“It’s okay.”

She smiled serenely.

“You’ll be so overwhelmed with desire you won’t care who’s watching ♡”

“No, that’s not okay!!”

But Shota’s protests were drowned out—

The next wave of compulsion surged from deep within.

(Oh no… I want to kiss her… so bad!!)

“See? Looks like five minutes just passed ♡”

Ryoko leaned forward with puckered lips.

“U-Uwaaaaahhh!!”

Shota grabbed her shoulders— —and kissed her.

“…Mmm ♡”

As their lips met, Ryoko smiled with pure satisfaction.

“Fufu ♡ This’ll last a full 24 hours, you know ♡”

“M-My tomorrow is doomed…”

Her giggle echoed sweetly in his ear.

“It’s a punishment, Shota-kun. Obviously ♡”

—And just like that, Shota became completely hers.