Chapter 8 -A Tail That Hates Other Girls

The next day, Rei Hoshizaki walked into class feeling strangely aware of one thing.

Kuro Akamine.

More specifically—

Her tail.

After yesterday’s incident, Rei had learned something important.

Kuro’s tail reacted to everything.

Embarrassment.
Annoyance.
Happiness.

And apparently…

Him.

When Rei sat down beside her, he noticed something immediately.

Her tail was already swaying slowly behind her chair.

“…Morning,” Rei said casually.

Kuro didn’t look at him.

“…Morning.”

The tail swished once.

Rei smirked.

“You’re in a good mood today.”

“…I am not.”

“The tail says otherwise.”

Kuro quickly grabbed it and stuffed it under her chair.

“…Stop analyzing my tail.”

“It’s very expressive.”

“…It’s not supposed to be.”

Before Rei could tease her again—

Someone approached his desk.

“Hoshizaki!”

Rei looked up.

It was Mika, one of the more energetic girls in their class.

“Did you finish the math homework?” she asked.

Rei scratched his head.

“…Barely.”

“Can I see it?”

“Sure.”

He slid his notebook toward her.

But the moment Mika leaned closer to look—

Rei noticed something beside him.

Kuro’s tail.

It had completely stopped moving.

Then slowly—

It puffed up.

Rei glanced at her.

Kuro was still staring straight ahead.

Expressionless.

But her ears were slightly tilted toward them.

Listening.

Very carefully.

Mika smiled at Rei.

“Thanks! You’re a lifesaver.”

“No problem.”

Then she suddenly said,

“You’re actually pretty reliable, you know?”

Rei laughed awkwardly.

“That's the first time anyone's said that.”

Mika giggled.

“Well, maybe we should study together sometime—”

THUMP.

Something hit Rei’s leg.

He looked down.

Kuro’s tail.

It had just smacked him.

Hard.

Rei blinked.

“…Kuro?”

“…What.”

Her voice was flat.

But the tail was flicking aggressively.

Rei leaned closer and whispered,

“Why did your tail just attack me?”

“…It didn’t.”

“It definitely did.”

“…You imagined it.”

Another thump.

Rei looked down again.

The tail smacked him a second time.

“…I’m being assaulted.”

“…Deserved.”

Mika finished copying the homework and handed the notebook back.

“Thanks again!”

“No problem.”

She waved and walked back to her seat.

The moment she left—

Kuro finally turned toward him.

“…You seem popular.”

Rei raised an eyebrow.

“…Popular?”

“Yes.”

“You mean because someone asked for homework?”

“…And because she said you were reliable.”

Rei leaned back in his chair.

“…Are you jealous?”

Kuro’s ears twitched.

“…No.”

The tail smacked him again.

Rei grinned.

“The tail disagrees.”

“…My tail has no opinion.”

“Oh really?”

Rei leaned closer.

“Then why is it trying to beat me up?”

Kuro looked away.

“…It’s just reacting.”

“To what?”

“…Annoyance.”

“With me?”

“…Yes.”

Another pause.

Then Rei said something dangerous.

“So if another girl talks to me…”

He gently tapped the fluffy tail beside his chair.

“…this happens?”

Kuro grabbed her tail again and pulled it into her lap.

“…Stop touching it.”

“You’re avoiding the question.”

“…I’m not.”

“Sounds like jealousy.”

Kuro glared at him.

“…It’s not jealousy.”

“Oh?”

“It’s…”

She hesitated.

Then quietly muttered,

“…mission efficiency.”

Rei blinked.

“Mission efficiency?”

“Yes.”

“If another girl distracts you…”

She crossed her arms.

“…my mission becomes harder.”

Rei tried not to laugh.

“So you're saying…”

He leaned closer.

“…you want my attention?”

Kuro’s ears instantly turned red.

“…I didn’t say that.”

“You basically did.”

“…Idiot.”

Rei chuckled.

Then something unexpected happened.

Kuro stood up.

“…Come with me.”

Rei blinked.

“…Where?”

“…Just come.”

After school.

The two of them were walking down the quiet street together.

Orange sunlight covered the road.

Rei shoved his hands in his pockets.

“…So why are we walking home together?”

Kuro answered simply.

“…Mission.”

“Oh.”

“…Also.”

She looked away slightly.

“…So other girls don’t.”

Rei grinned.

“Don’t what?”

“…Talk to you.”

Rei laughed.

“You’re definitely jealous.”

Kuro stopped walking.

Her tail suddenly wrapped around his wrist again.

“…I told you.”

She looked straight at him.

“…It’s for the mission.”

Rei stared at the tail around his wrist.

“…Your mission is very aggressive.”

“…You said I should try harder.”

Rei sighed dramatically.

“Yeah, but I didn’t expect physical restraints.”

Kuro ignored him.

Instead she started walking again—

Still holding his wrist with her tail.

Rei followed beside her.

After a moment he muttered,

“…You know people will think we’re dating.”

Kuro’s ears twitched.

“…Good.”

Rei nearly tripped.

“…Wait what?”

She glanced at him.

A small, mischievous smile appeared.

“…That helps the mission.”

Rei realized something terrifying in that moment.

Kuro Akamine.

The quiet girl who barely spoke.

The girl with the fluffy ears and traitor tail.

Was slowly—

And very effectively—

Taking control of the mission.

And his heart might already be in danger.