Pact Beneath Moonlight

Miyari POV

Steam billows forth like sulphury springs as I finally step forth from the rejuvenation chambers. The cleansing waters have finished purifying the filth that's accumulated over the day.

I cackle to myself, trying to distract myself from embarrassment, though my eyes catch on the garments in the basket, and in particular, the doll resting on top of them.

"Ah, my voodoo doll! She has finally returned it!"

To think that the mighty Spellmaster Miyari couldn't retrieve her own totem though… It's pathetic and utterly humiliating—Wait. What's that? A note?

It's simple and written in Kimiko's handwriting, instantly making my heart skip a beat and cheeks flush.

⊱ ──────ஓ๑♡๑ஓ ────── ⊰

Miyari-chan. You 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 almost sounds like she wants me to take advantage of her.

My mouth goes dry as my immortal self is reduced to that of a lowly maiden.

W-what the heck should I do? She's not the type of individual to extend such an offer lightly, and yet, and yet—Wait. It couldn't be, right?

Did she actually see through my plans to confess my feelings? Am I that transparent?

I-I mean, how very cunning of her. She truly is a fearsome individual, the only one that could rival even the likes of myself!

"…Should I really go through with it though? And is this even what she's referring to? What if I'm wrong? What if this is no more than her playing along?"

I glance at the mirror, and my reflection stares back at me in judgment.

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. It's all so overwhelming and I just don't feel like I'll ever be enough. How could I be? I'm just a delusional clown, and Kimiko's the top of our class.

I take a deep breath and another minute passes as I grapple with what I want to do.

There would be no turning back if I continue. I would be committing a rebellion against the status quo and proclaiming that my heart will no longer be denied. And if she really is just playing along, I would be jeopardizing our entire relationship.

However, if I don't take this now, when would I ever get the chance? The clock is ticking, and there's only so much time that we'll have together.

I dry off and pick up the voodoo doll. And then with trembling fingers I stroke its head hoping that she might feel it.

"…Come to me, my love," I whisper as I make my decision and open the sliding door.

***

When I enter her bedroom, Kimiko is lying on the bed with a face as gentle as an angel. 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.

"Kimiko?"

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

"Are you sleeping…?"

Again, no answer. I can feel my nerves fraying and hands shaking as I grip the doll and approach her, looking down at her raven-like hair.

My breath catches as my pulse quickens and I slowly reach for her hand.

"K-Kimiko. 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. 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. 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.

"Kimiko… As Spellmaster of the Sun Cult and Immortal Nekomimi, I have a proclamation to make and a pact to form with thee."

My hand diverts itself to caress her cheek. This should be fine, right? After all, the magic wouldn't work if she wasn't already in love with me…

I raise the voodoo doll's head and hope with all hope that it still works. Her scent fills the space between us. A sweet and intoxicating aroma of cherry blossoms and vanilla that sends a shiver of delight through me.

My heart pounds faster and faster as her lips approach. My chest squeezes, my hands tremble, and then—

I feel contact. Her warmth against mine.

Her lips are soft and tender, like 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: it's a moment of connection I've craved for so long, locked behind societal norms and bullcrap expectations.

And it feels so right.

My hand trembles as it fully cups her face, and when she twitches a tiny bit, I realize that she's only pretending to sleep.

I can't help but laugh as adrenaline continues to course through me. She's too kind, too cute, too precious for anyone except myself, and I just got played by her.

She remains still, her chest rising and falling with each slow breath, eyes shut tight, and a trembling expression on her face as she struggles to remain composed.

"…" Not waiting any longer, I slowly raise the voodoo doll's head up again, bringing Kimiko's face closer to mine.

Then I kiss her again, enthralled by her own magic.

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 with only a thread of saliva still connecting us. My face is hot; my body is burning; I'm panting heavily as 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 gazes lock. Despite her own grand magics, I can tell she's just as flustered as I am with her cheeks bright red and eyes twinkling like stars.

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

"What do you think, dummy?"

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

***

Kimiko POV

I feel warmth press into my side as we both lay beneath the covers, night sky shimmering 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 with her arm draped around me like an anchor.

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 Miyari-chan, she'll always manage to surprise me.

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

"Ask away, my Miyari. What do you want to say?"

She shifts, turning her face toward mine.

"Would you like me to dispose of the voodoo doll?"

"Hm, why?"

"I only obtained it to prank you and perhaps soften you to my intentions. Now that I know that is actually works though…"

"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. You know, as a token of our relationship."

"A-are you certain? To have such power over you might corrupt my soul, and then we'd be in real—"

"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."

"Are you truly willing to take that risk for me? I could become a true monster. Become possessed by the voodoo and give into my primal 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."

"O-oh? And what am I lacking in knowledge of?"

I smile as 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.

"Those wants would be mutual. Would it not…?"