Episode 15 – A Company Party — The Shadow Looms Over Shota

A few months into living together with Ryoko—

Although it wasn’t publicly known at the company, Shota was completely under Ryoko’s spell. Each day, she pampered, loved, and subtly dominated him with her telekinetic powers—and Shota had fallen completely for her.

——And now, there was a company party.

The employees gathered in a private room at an izakaya, raising their mugs in a loud toast. Shota glanced nervously at Ryoko sitting beside him.

"...Ryoko-senpai, don't drink too much, okay?"

"Fufu, don't worry, Shota-kun. You make sure you don't drink too much, either♡"

She smiled sweetly—but there was an unmistakable glint of "surveillance" in her eyes.

(…Today, I have to keep a close watch on Shota-kun♡)

And Ryoko’s instincts would prove right very quickly.

Temptation Draws Near

"Shota-kun, over here!"

While Ryoko was chatting with employees from another department, Shota found himself approached by Nana Sakurai, a cute and popular junior colleague.

"Mind if I sit next to you?" Nana asked as she slipped into the seat beside him.

"Uh, Sakurai-san?"

"Ehehe, Shota-kun, you look extra handsome today! I really like how you look in your suit after work♡"

Blushing awkwardly, Shota smiled vaguely—but Nana scooted even closer, gently placing her hand on his shoulder.

"C'mon, drink more! I'll pour for you!"

"N-No, but... if I drink too much—"

"It's fine! Tonight's for having fun, right? Cheers!♡"

She clinked her glass against his and gulped down her drink. Shota, caught up in the moment, drank too, but a certain thought gnawed at the back of his mind.

(…If Ryoko-senpai sees this, I’m dead...)

Nervously, he glanced toward Ryoko—and his blood ran cold.

Under Ryoko's Watchful Eye

At the far end of the private room, Ryoko sat smiling and chatting.

—But her cold gaze was locked right onto him.

(Oh no… She’s definitely mad...)

Shota broke out in a cold sweat, but oblivious, Nana leaned in even closer.

"Hey, hey, don’t you think we’re a good match?"

"Uh, well..."

"You know, we work really well together, right? Maybe it's fate♡"

She giggled and clung tightly to Shota’s arm.

And then—

Ryoko Makes Her Move

"Oh my? What are you two doing?"

A sweet but icy voice sliced through the air.

Shota jumped. Nana turned in surprise. And there stood Ryoko, smiling beautifully.

"Ryoko-senpai...?"

"Sakurai-san, I didn’t know you and Shota-kun were such good friends♡"

Though she smiled, her eyes were anything but warm. Shota swallowed hard.

(I'm doomed...)

"Oh, Shota-kun, Sakurai-san, look at this spoon!"

Ryoko picked up a spoon from the table and held it out for them to see. Their reflections were visible in the back of the spoon—

—Creak... Crack... SNAP!

Still smiling, Ryoko twisted the spoon with eerie, effortless telekinetic strength until the head popped off and rolled between them.

"Eh? Ehh?! T-The spoon...?!"

Nana gasped and instinctively let go of Shota’s arm.

"Goodness, was the spoon defective? We should ask the staff for a replacement♡"

Just as she said that—

—Swoosh!

Nana’s body lifted gently into the air and floated one seat away from Shota.

"Huh? What’s happening?!"

Ignoring the stunned Nana, Ryoko elegantly hopped over the table and slid into the seat beside Shota, wrapping her arms tightly around his.

"Shota-kun♡ You mustn’t drink too much, okay?"

"Y-Yes, Ryoko-senpai..."

Ryoko leaned her head against his shoulder. But the pressure she exerted was so strong Shota couldn’t move an inch.

"And Sakurai-san? Be careful not to drink too much yourself, okay?"

"Y-Yes...!"

Pale-faced, Nana quickly retreated.

Ryoko, the Undisputed Victor

The rest of the drinking party carried on like nothing had happened.

But Shota spent the entire night stiff with terror.

After the party, walking home together—

"...Ryoko-senpai, are you mad?"

He asked cautiously.

Ryoko just smiled sweetly.

"Hmm? Not at all♡"

"...Really?"

"But Shota-kun might need a little extra punishment to make sure he doesn’t get distracted by any other girls♡"

Shota shivered.

(Oh no… she’s definitely planning something...)

And yet, being wrapped in Ryoko’s arms filled him with a strange, undeniable comfort. Once again, Shota realized there was no escaping Ryoko’s sweet domination.

"Eh..."

Punishment—?!

He shuddered.

Then Ryoko’s finger traced his cheek softly.

"There, it’s done♡"

"...W-What did you just—?"

Ryoko only giggled mischievously, refusing to say.

It wasn’t until the next morning that Shota would realize something strange had happened to him—.