Chapter 4.1: Eightieth Kiss, Pretty Doll Sneeze of Doom

So? I said. “What is it you want? To rob me? Take whatever you want and leave.”
I spoke calmly to Maru, even though she still had her knife pressed against my throat.

I’d heard of scams or robberies through dating apps, but I never thought it would happen to me on the very first try. My luck really was terrible.

“Rob you?” Maru spat. “You know perfectly well that’s not what I want.”

Her tone had changed—impatient, furious.
I didn’t answer. I didn’t understand anything.

“If you don’t tell me right now how to end this, I won’t hesitate to kill you, clown.”
She was getting angrier by the second.

“Look, girl,” I said, still frozen in place, still calm. “I honestly have no idea what you’re talking about. But if you want to kill me, go ahead. Cut me from top to bottom like I’m a pig, I don’t care. I’ll just come back again and again to the same point.”

“There! You see?” Maru shouted, tightening her arms around my neck. “You said it yourself! You know exactly what I’m talking about! You’ll just repeat all of this again, won’t you? I knew it was your fault, you bastard! It couldn’t be a coincidence that you were the only thing different in eighty damn years—oh, but you really screwed up when you exposed yourself on the date, talking about your lack of enthusiasm for the last eighty years. Did you think I wouldn’t notice?”

“Wait,” I said, eyes widening more than they ever had. “You’re aware of the loop?”

If I had still been slightly drunk, that sobered me instantly.

“Of course I’m aware, asshole! I don’t know what you did to me or why you’re doing it, but release me!” Maru yelled.

“Alright, relax,” I said. “First, calm down. Second, I have nothing to do with this. Obviously I can’t prove it, but you’re the first person in eighty years I’ve met who’s aware of this time loop. So let’s talk. Let’s put our knowledge together and try to find a solution.”

I was calm—and honestly, relieved.

“No way! You think you’re going to trick me? I won’t lower the weapon until you free me!”
Her last words came out as a desperate plea, and a few tears even gathered in her eyes.

“I swear I’ll kill you,” she whispered, voice shaking.

“Listen, Maru,” I said, looking straight at her. “For someone who claims to be an adult, you’re about the size of a grade-schooler and as thin as a twig. Do you really think you’re a serious threat just because you have a knife?”

I slipped back into mocking her as I made a quick movement with my torso. My hands grabbed her arms before she could react, keeping the knife from moving, and I easily freed myself from her hold. I pulled her arms together and held both of her wrists with one hand—they fit easily.

I squeezed just enough, and Maru let out a cry of pain and surprise, dropping the knife.
I slowly cornered her against the wall, and with a smooth movement, my free hand went to her neck. I didn’t squeeze—not to choke her—just enough to let her feel I could crush her windpipe at any moment if I wanted to. It was a posture of control, of power, to make it clear she wasn’t the one in charge here.

“See?” I said. “If I’d wanted to, I could’ve broken out of your pathetic attempt at a threat a long time ago. I just didn’t care enough. So if you’re willing to cooperate, I’ll let you go. If not…”
I tightened my grip lightly but firmly as I brought my face closer, almost whispering the threat into her ear. “I’ll squeeze.”

Maru let out a soft sound—half gasp, half moan—and looked away.

“Oh? That little noise was kind of sexy,” I said, teasing her.

She looked like a porcelain doll, completely at my mercy.

“Anyway, if you understand, I’ll let you go,” I said.

“No… wait…”
Maru was completely red, cheeks burning.
“Don’t let go. Not yet…”

“Huh?” I blinked.

“Tighten… a little more.”

My body reacted immediately, understanding what she meant. My hand moved on its own, fingers tightening gently around her neck.

Another soft sound—another breathy moan—from that delicate little doll who’d stopped resisting entirely, her hands lifted slightly as she closed her eyes.

Without thinking, I kissed her—just like we had kissed minutes earlier. She kissed me back even more intensely. Our tongues tangled, heat rising between us, both of us momentarily forgetting how surreal the whole situation was.

Suddenly… Maru inhaled sharply, like she needed air—
but no.

Achoo!

She sneezed straight into my mouth, clumsy and explosive—spit and snot splattering all over my face.

“Hey! You little brat—what a disgusting revenge!” I said, laughing.

“It’s not—” Maru tried to answer before sneezing again, her voice nasal. “I’m allergic to dogs!”

Her eyes were red and a bit swollen, her nose running nonstop.

I couldn’t help it. I burst out laughing while Maru kept sneezing and sniffling miserably.