Pact Beneath Moonlight

Steam pours from around me like sulphury springs as I finally step forth from the rejuvenation chambers, the cleansing waters having purified the filth that had accumulated over the day.

"Truly, a most wondrous invention, this 'shower'. To think, a device to cleanse one's body and spirit in a matter of mere moments." I cackle to myself, trying to distract from my embarrassment. "Oh, what a boon it is, that I may partake of it whenever I so choose. Unlike those poor souls from centuries prior, who had to bathe in rivers and streams…!"

I trail off as my eyes catch on the towel and garments my closest ally has provided for me. I'm thankful for the kindness, especially considering my own garb is still stained with the dust and sweat from today's activities. But the sight of the doll and paper resting on top of the pile is far more interesting.

"Ah, my voodoo doll…! She has finally returned it!" I can't help but laugh, walking towards the prize. "To think, the mighty Grand Magus Miyari could not retrieve her own totem though! How pathetic, how utterly humiliating—"

My rambling is cut short as my eyes catch the note. It's simple and written in Kimiko's handwriting, but it makes my heart skip a beat and my cheeks flush.

⊱ ──────ஓ๑♡๑ஓ ────── ⊰

I realized that you too deserve a reward for surviving today's encounters. So, here you are~

You can have me. Anything you want. Half an hour.

- Your best friend, Kimiko ♥

⊱ ──────ஓ๑♡๑ஓ ────── ⊰

"…" I stare at it, my breath catching in my throat.

Anything I want?

Anything?

I-I'm not sure if that's what she meant, but, but it sounds like—

"…" My mouth feels dry, and my heart is beating rapidly in my chest. Just like that, my immortal self is reduced to that of a lowly maiden, my mind racing through the possibilities.

What would I do with her? She's not the type of individual to extend such an offer lightly, and yet, and yet—

"…!" I pick up the doll and read over the note again, then glance at the clock. 7:30 PM, right on the dot.

How thrilling! Did she somehow anticipate how long I would spend in the cleansing chambers?! To time this down perfectly? How very cunning of her. She truly is a fearsome individual, the only one that could rival even the likes of myself!

I take a breath to calm myself, and then turn to the doll and note, scanning it once more.

"Should I really go through with it though?" I whisper, the weight of the decision pressing down on me. "If I go forth, there shall be no turning back. I would be committing to the path I've chosen. A declaration of war against the status quo, a rebellion against the natural order of things, a proclamation that my heart will not be denied any longer, and that I shall have her."

I glance at the mirror, and I can see my reflection staring back at me. My hair is wet and clinging to my face, my skin flushed, and my eyes wide with excitement. Despite my transmogrified features not reflecting accurately due to needing a different cleansing ritual of their own, I can still see anticipation and nervousness in my gaze, along with hope.

A more seriousness takes me as my facade fades a little. In truth, it's been hard to keep up my delusions recently, especially with the start of our last summer break in high school. The looming threat of university applications and exams, the uncertainty about my future, and the fear that our time together is running out—

I take a deep breath, letting myself just be.

No, even if I do move on to all of that, there will be an aspect of my chuuni self I'll always take with me. After all, how could I not treasure it? It was what somehow endeared me to her in the first place.

I pick up the voodoo doll after drying off, the cloth soft and warm. And then, with trembling fingers, I stroke its head once, hoping she might feel it.

"Come to me, my love," I whisper, and then I open the sliding door.

When I enter her bedroom, she's already lying down, her face as gentle as an angel despite being the most cunning sorceress witch I know. The moonlight from the window illuminates her in an ethereal light, and the soft sound of the aircon humming in the background only serves to make the atmosphere more intimate, serene.

"Kimiko?"

No response. I can only hear her steady breaths. Her eyes are closed, and I can't tell whether or not she's awake.

"Are you sleeping?"

Again, no answer, and I can feel my nerves growing, my hands shaking as I grip the doll tighter and approach her, soon looking down at her raven-like hair from right beside the bed.

Silence. Stillness.

My breath catches, and I can feel my pulse quicken, slowly reaching for her hand to hold. "I-if you can hear me…"

I trail off, stopping my confession before I can say anymore. No, she deserves more than just a base declaration of my love—so much more than that. I have to do something better. Something that shows her how I truly feel. But, but…

"…" I swallow, my eyes tracing over her prone form, then to the doll in my hand, remembering the note. There's a way I can do both, isn't there? There's a way that I can show her, and have her know I love her, without resorting to such a trivial, mortal method.

My hand diverts itself towards her, shaking, and caresses her cheek instead. This enough should be fine, right? After all, the magic wouldn't work if she wasn't already in love with me…

As we contact, I can feel her warmth against mine. Her skin is smooth, soft. It's a moment of connection I've craved for so long, and yet forbidden, locked behind the societal norms and expectations we must adhere to.

But now… Now, I'm free to do as I please, at least for a short while. My hand trembles as it fully cups her face, her eyes closed, and when she twitches a tiny bit, I realize she's only pretending to sleep.

A grin forms on my lips, and I can't help but laugh, my heart skipping a beat. She's too kind. She's too cute. She's too precious, too precious for anyone except myself.

"Kimi-chan? As Grand Magus of the Order, Immortal Nekomimi, I have a proclamation to make and a pact to form with thee."

She remains still, her chest rising and falling with each slow breath, eyes shut tight, and a trembling expression on her face. I can feel her life energy radiating from within as she struggles to remain composed.

"…" Not waiting any longer, I slowly raise the voodoo doll's head up, bringing Kimiko's own face closer to mine. My heart pounds faster and faster as her lips approach. Her scent fills the space between us. A sweet and intoxicating aroma of cherry blossoms and vanilla, a bewitching fragrance that sends a shiver of delight through me.

Then I kiss her, enthralled by her own magic.

"!"

Her lips are so soft and tender, a gentle caress against my own. I admittedly don't know much about the act, but I do know one thing as we finally bridge that gap.

She tastes just like her scent, but deeper.

A flood of emotions rushes in, overwhelming me, and I find myself desiring air, unable to breathe. But still, I push forward, the need to be closer driving me more so.

Perhaps a minute passes until I pull away, a string of saliva connecting us. My face is hot; my body is burning. I'm panting heavily; my chest is heaving. I struggle to make sense of it all, even as the want to forge even further presses me.

But, I don't do so. After all, we're both good girls, aren't we? I won't do anything that untoward.

"Kimiko, I love you. Do you accept my feelings?"

"…" Her eyes open, and a smile blooms on her face as our eyes lock. Despite her own grand magics, I can tell she's just as flustered as I am, her cheeks bright red and her eyes twinkling like stars.

"Is that a yes?" I ask, my voice trembling as my fingers fidget.

She giggles, her voice like wind chimes in a summer breeze.

"Indeed it is, Miyari~"

And with that, she wraps her arms around my neck, pulling me into an embrace, sealing our pact beneath moonlight

***

I feel warmth press into my side as we both lay beneath the covers, night sky and moon outside the window. We haven't spoken much since our confession—way too out of breath and awkward to do so—but it's not uncomfortable at all. In fact, it feels natural to be this close, her arm draped around me like an anchor, keeping me in place.

Despite bracing myself for the moment and assuming it an inevitable part of her reward, I am admittedly a bit surprised she actually went this far. But I guess it just goes to show that no matter how many times I try to predict what she'll do, she'll always manage to surprise me.

We both let out contented noises, ready to soon fall asleep. There's a pleasantness and wholeness that I can't really explain to this all. It's like I'm complete now, the hole inside of me filled. I can feel her every heartbeat, hear her every breath. Her presence envelops me, and I feel so loved.

"…Hey." Her whisper tickles my ears for the first time in a while, a grin in her voice. "I… have an inquiry to make."

"Ask away, my Miyari." I return the smile, my voice hushed. "What troubles you?"

She shifts, turning her face toward mine. "Would you like me to dispose of the voodoo doll? I truly only really created it to prank you, perhaps soften you to my intentions, not manipulate your feelings."

"…Hmph. So, you were using it to get my attention. I should've known." I roll my eyes, smirking. "But no, I would prefer to keep it as a token of our relationship."

"B-but are you certain? To have such power over you, it might corrupt my soul even more, and then we'd be in real trouble—"

"Shush." I press my finger to her lips. "I trust you. And if it does corrupt your heart and turn you into an evil witch like me, well, that's okay too."

Despite not sparing a glance over to it, I know the doll is on the nightstand now, resting beside both of our phones.

"Are you truly willing to take that risk for me?" she asks, raising a brow. "I could become a true monster, you know? Become possessed by the voodoo. Give into my base wants."

"Do you really have to ask that? Of course I am. After all, while that doll may have strange powers, you forget one very important thing, Grand Magus."

"Oh? And what am I lacking in knowledge of?"

I smile as she pokes at me mischievously like a cat, and then lean over. Our lips hover ever so close, and I can feel her shuddering breath in my own. We both know what's going to happen next, and the anticipation is delicious, making the moment all the sweeter before we connect.

"The wants would be mutual. Would it not?"