Chapter 21: Secretary position (1)
"Classes are canceled for the next three days due to heavy rainfall."
The notification glared at me from my phone screen, cutting through the dimness of my room. It was 5 a.m., and my brain was still catching up to reality. Three days without classes? What the actual fuck? It felt surreal, like the universe had decided to hand us a mini-vacation at the most inconvenient time possible, and the timing couldn't have been worse.
The room was cold, a sharp chill biting at my skin. Not that it bothered me much—my body could probably handle temperatures as low as -12 degrees without breaking a sweat. Still, the thought of stepping out into the cold made me groan internally. Those were the kinds of days that begged you to stay under the covers, sleep in, or, better yet, head outside to play football with friends and forget the world existed for a while. But now? Just another dreary day, staring at the rain.
I sighed and reached for my laptop, deciding to distract myself from the weather. I logged into the school forum, curious to see how many students from Class B had applied for the secretary position. The anticipation built as the page loaded, but then I froze.
What the hell? ALL 40 OF THEM had signed up! There was genuinely no way this was real.
Oh wait—there was probably a reason. I mean, having a secretary position on your CV looked good. Imagine trying to get a job and being able to say you were the secretary for the House of Fire. For young sorcerers like us, this was more than just a title; it was an opportunity that could open doors.
But fuck, I have to do 40 interviews now...
The interviews were meant to start at 9 a.m. Great. Just what I needed—spending the next few hours sifting through a crowd of eager applicants. I should probably call Horikita Senpai to ask him if the interviews should be canceled or at least postponed.
I grabbed my phone and dialed his number, waiting impatiently for him to pick up.
"Hey, Horikita-senpai," I greeted him as soon as he answered.
"No."
I blinked, caught off guard. "I didn't even say anything."
"Doesn't matter. You're not canceling the interviews."
I groaned, rolling my eyes despite the fact he couldn't see me. "You're really going to make me interview all forty of them?"
"Yep. You've got this." He said, his voice steady before hanging up.
Staring at my phone in disbelief, I felt a mix of frustration and resignation wash over me. I took a deep breath, trying to collect my thoughts. Forty interviews in one day. It was going to be a marathon of awkward small talk and probably desperate pleas for the position.
"Oh well, I can't really do anything about this now," I sighed, resigning myself to the task ahead.
I changed into my workout gear as I prepared to push through a challenging session.
I started with some dynamic stretches, feeling the tension ease out of my muscles as I warmed up. The rhythmic sound of my feet hitting the floor and the steady beat of my heart soon filled the room. I moved through a series of exercises—push-ups, squats, and lunges.
By 7 a.m., I was drenched in sweat, breathing heavily as I finally finished my workout. The endorphins surged through me, providing a much-needed boost of clarity. I glanced at the clock, realizing I had only a couple of hours left before the interviews would start.
I took a moment to catch my breath, feeling the satisfying ache in my muscles. "Not bad," I muttered to myself, feeling more energized than before. I quickly showered, letting the hot water wash away the fatigue and refocusing my thoughts on the tasks ahead.
As I dressed, I mentally prepared myself for the interviews. Each candidate would be eager to impress, and I needed to find a way to sift through their motivations and skills.
Feeling refreshed and determined, I headed to the kitchen to grab a quick breakfast. I needed all the energy I could get. I poured a bowl of cereal, the crunching sound oddly satisfying against the backdrop of the rain pattering against the windows. I was too lazy right now to cook something. As I ate, I glanced through the forum one more time, skimming through the profiles of the applicants.
It was already 8 a.m. and probably the best time for me to leave the room. I could teleport, but today felt different. The rain had a unique charm, and I wanted to explore it a bit before the interviews began.
I closed my laptop and slipped on my jacket, preparing to step outside. The fresh scent of rain and earth filled the air as I opened the door.
I took the escalator down and was surprised to see Kikyo standing there.
"Yuta, where are you going on such a day?" she asked, tilting her head slightly.
"I should be asking you that question, Kikyo," I replied, raising an eyebrow.
"Oh, I was coming to see you," she said, her voice brightening.
"See me?" I echoed.
"Uhm... I wanted to spend a bit of time with you since we don't have classes and all," she admitted, her cheeks faintly pink.
"I see. Well, I don't really have time today," I said.
"..." She looked down, clearly disappointed.
"You know I have to do interviews for the secretary position," I added.
"Ah, yes, I saw it in the forum," she said, her expression shifting to understanding.
"Yeah, so I'm heading to the House of Fire now," I explained.
"Can't you just teleport there?" she asked, her brow furrowing slightly.
Kikyo's expression softened, a hint of a smile returning. "I get that. The rain does have its own charm, doesn't it?"
"Exactly," I said. "Plus, it's nice to walk for a change. It gives me time to clear my head before facing a sea of applicants."
She nodded, glancing out at the rain-soaked world beyond the building. "Alright then. If you're going to walk, I might as well join you. It could be fun."
"Are you sure? I don't want to keep you from anything else. Also, you don't have an umbrella; you're probably gonna get sick. You should wear a jacket; you look like you're freezing," I pointed out, eyeing her thin sweater and the light drizzle that had started to pick up.
"If you want I could give you my jacket." I added on.
"...ok maybe I want your jacket."
Kikyo's hesitant admission made me chuckle, and I couldn't help but smile at her playful demeanor.
"Alright, I can lend you my jacket," I said, unzipping it and draping it over her shoulders. It was a bit oversized on her, and I could see her cheeks redden slightly as the fabric enveloped her.
"You look good with my jacket," I said, grinning as I adjusted the collar on her. The way it hung off her shoulders added a cute charm to her appearance, making her seem even more endearing.
Kikyo glanced down at the oversized fabric, a hint of bashfulness creeping into her expression.
"Thanks, Yuta. It's nice and warm." She tugged the jacket closer, clearly appreciating the extra layer.
"Anyways do you have an umbrella?" I asked her once more.
"Uhm no, you?"
"No. Never bought one."
"Wait so you were going out during this heavy rain without an umbrella."
"Yeah."
"..."
"Anyways, we should go or else I'm gonna be late." I turned, trying to move past the moment, but the rain was starting to pick up, a heavy curtain of droplets falling from the sky.
"Wait, we are gonna get soaked in this heavy rain." she said, her eyes wide with realization.
"You don't have to worry about getting wet with me, Kikyo." I shot her a reassuring smile.
I heard her murmur something, barely audible over the sound of rain.
"You said something, Kikyo?" I asked, leaning in slightly.
"Uhm, no... nothing!!" Her face was a complete blush mess, the warmth creeping up to her ears.
"You sure? Your face is completely red," I teased, trying to lighten the mood, but deep down, I found her reaction endearing.
"The rain doesn't hit me if I don't want it to hit me, Kikyo, so you don't have to worry."
"What do you mean?"
"You will see once we get downstairs."
We both took the elevator and went down.
As we stepped out of the dorm, the sound of the rain intensified, drumming against the pavement outside. The gray sky loomed overhead, thick clouds threatening to unleash even more of the downpour. I glanced at Kikyo, who was still snug in my oversized jacket, and gestured for her to follow me outside.
"See," I said, extending my hand to show her the rain not wetting me despite being out in the open.
"How do you do that?"
"Mana control. I can manipulate my mana to create a small, invisible barrier about three centimeters thick."
"I shouldn't have been surprised, after all, it's you."
"So, you are coming?"
"Yeah," she said, her voice brightening.
As I casually wrapped my arm around her shoulders, warmth surged through me, a stark contrast to the cold rain falling all around us. Kikyo looked up, surprise dancing in her eyes.
"Yuta, is this really necessary?" she asked.
I chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. "Well, I figured it would help keep you warm. Plus, it makes me look cooler, don't you think?"
"Yeah..." she murmured, wrapping her arm around me and resting her head against my shoulder.
"So warm..."
Her voice was soft, almost dreamy, and I could feel her warmth seeping through my clothes, creating a comforting bubble amidst the chilly rain. I couldn't help but smile, enjoying the closeness.
"You know people will see us like this." I told her.
"...and nice."
"Kikyo, are you even listening to me?" I asked, half-amused.
"You said something?" she replied, looking up at me with wide eyes.
"I just said people will see us like this," I reiterated, trying to keep my tone light.
"...it's not like it matters."
"Really? You don't care?" I pressed.
"No... I honestly don't mind them seeing us like this."
"Oh, and why's that?" I asked, genuinely curious.
"Just like that," she said, a hint of playfulness in her tone.
"Anyways, we should start going," I said, breaking the momentary spell.
She nodded, still nestled against me. "Right. Let's not keep your applicants waiting."
With that, we stepped out into the rain together, my invisible barrier keeping us dry as we walked side by side.
"Is that Ichinose-san?" Kikyo asked, her eyes lighting up.
"Ichinose? Where?" I replied, scanning the area.
"There! Look," she pointed.
"Oh yeah, it's her," I said, recognizing the familiar figure struggling against the downpour.
"Oh, Ichinose! What happened?" I called out as we approached her.
"Oh, Kamado-kun, Kushida-san! My umbrella broke!" Ichinose exclaimed, her frustration evident.
"How does an umbrella break?" I wondered aloud, raising an eyebrow.
"Well," she sighed, brushing a strand of wet hair behind her ear, "I guess the wind was too strong, and it just... flipped inside out."
"Anyways, Kamado-kun, you can teleport. Why are you walking? Also, how are you two not wet, and why is Kushida-san with you? Did I already miss the interview? I thought it was 9 a.m.; it's still 8:30 right now. Also, are you two, um, dating? You seem extremely close..."
I chuckled at her barrage of questions, momentarily taken aback by the directness. "Whoa, slow down there! First of all, I wanted to enjoy the rain, and I figured walking would be nice. As for how we're not wet, I've got this mana control thing going on—it's like an invisible shield."
Ichinose's eyes widened in surprise. "That's really cool! I didn't know you could do that!"
"Secondly, we are not a couple, so don't worry. I'm still single, in case you were wondering. I could make an exception for you, though," I added with a playful grin.
I felt Kikyo's grip tighten when I said this, and I could sense a shift in the air.
Ichinose was momentarily speechless, staring at me in surprise.
"Anyways, let me help you," I said.
"Wait, what?" she stammered. But before she could react, I launched a wave of heat at her, using my mana to dry her out completely.
"There, all done!" I announced, satisfied with my work. "Yeah also, no need to thank me," I added.
Ichinose blinked in disbelief. "You never show any of these moves during our team training."
"...meh. Anyway, are you coming with us?" I asked, gesturing for her to join.
"Uhm, what?" she replied, looking a bit confused.
"You know, so that you don't get wet," I clarified, nodding toward the rain.
"Oh yeah, that makes sense," she said, finally catching on.
Without waiting for another response, I wrapped my arm around her neck, pulling her close as we walked together under my invisible barrier. The warmth from our proximity felt comforting amidst the chill of the rain, and I couldn't help but notice the surprised look on her face.
"Just like this, right?" I teased, trying to lighten the mood.
Ichinose laughed softly, a hint of pink coloring her cheeks. "I guess this works!"
Kikyo rolled her eyes.
I felt her tighten her grip even more and lay her head on my shoulder.
"Uhm, yeah," she replied, her tone a bit evasive. "It's becoming a bit colder, right? Wouldn't you agree, Ichinose-san?"
"Yeah, it's quite cold today," Ichinose nodded, glancing up at the dark clouds overhead.
"Well, it's good that we don't have much to walk since the House of Fire is close," I said, trying to keep the mood light.
"You guys have never been there, right?" I asked them, glancing back.
"No," they both replied in unison.
"I'm kind of bored going there," I admitted with a sigh.
"Well, you are the leader for the first year, so it's kind of your job," Ichinose pointed out, a teasing lilt to her voice.
"Yeah, I know," I replied with a nod.
"Anyways, Ichinose, were you able to do what I asked yesterday?"
"Uhm, what?" she responded, looking a bit puzzled.
"You know, ask my class leaders if they wanted to form a unison."
"A unison?" Kikyo chimed in, her interest piqued.
"Yeah! They want to help us with our academics in exchange for me training them for the midterm exam."
"Wait, but aren't you going to train us for the midterm exam?" Kikyo asked, raising an eyebrow.
"No, no one asked me to."
"..."
"Anyways what do you think Kikyo?"
"I think it's a good idea. This way we can benefit from it."
"I asked Hirata-kun, he said he has to ask you, I asked Karuizawa-san, she said the same but they both agree."
"I also tried asking Horikita-san, but she looked a bit weird."
"Weird?" Kikyo asked.
"Yeah, she was having a bit of difficulty walking and her legs were a bit shaky. She also looked a bit sleepy. She also had a slight blush on her face. Her lips looked a bit bruised. Her knees also seemed a bit bruised."
"She probably fell down." I said nervously.
"You think so Kamado-kun?"
"Yeah, it's probably just a fall," I insisted, but I could feel a wave of malice radiating from Kikyo.
"Fuck, Ichinose, why did you have to talk about this?" I thought to myself.
"Anyways, we are already here at the House of Fire. Would you like to check it out?" I suggested, hoping to steer the conversation in a different direction.
Kikyo's grip relaxed slightly, but I could still sense her lingering irritation. "I guess so," she replied, her tone still a bit tense.
Ichinose, clearly sensing the shift in mood, chimed in with enthusiasm. "Yeah, I've heard a lot about this place! It's supposed to be really cool inside."
I led the way as we approached the entrance, trying to keep things light. "Just wait until you see the fire-themed decor. It's pretty impressive. And the food is also great too!"
As we entered, the warmth enveloped us, a stark contrast to the chilly rain outside. The walls were adorned with fiery motifs, and the faint sound of crackling flames filled the air.
Ichinose looked around in awe. "Wow, this place is amazing!"
"Anyways Ichinose, you see that door there." I said while pointing at it.
"Uhm, yeah," she replied, squinting to see it better.
"That's where the interview is going to take place. You should head there soon. All of your classmates should already be there. Kikyo, I'll show you my office so you can rest a bit before the interview starts."
Kikyo raised an eyebrow but didn't argue.
"Ichinose, it's only about 8:45. You've got about fifteen minutes until I come in to start the interview, so you have some time."
"Okay, I'll just prepare a bit," Ichinose said, taking a deep breath. She seemed a bit nervous, which was understandable.
"Don't worry too much, you'll do great!" I encouraged her, giving her a reassuring smile. "Just be yourself, and everything will be fine."
Ichinose smiled back, looking a bit more at ease. "Thanks, Kamado-kun. I'll try my best!"
As she walked toward the interview room, I turned to Kikyo. "Let's head to my office. It's a nice space."
We made our way to my office.
As we entered, Kikyo's eyes widened in surprise. "Wow, it's so big..."
"Yeah, I know. Make yourself comfortable—" I began, but before I could finish, I felt her wrap her arms around me from behind, catching me off guard.
"Yuta..." Kikyo said softly, her voice a mix of playfulness and something deeper.
"Uh, yeah?" I replied, a chill running down my spine as I sensed her malice creeping back in.
"Nothing," she said, her tone teasing but also hinting at something more serious.
I turned slightly to gauge her mood. "Are you sure? It feels like you have something on your mind."
"Maybe I just like being close to you. Is that a crime?"
"No, it's not a crime."
"I actually have to leave now, though, Kikyo."
"Yuta...will you be my boyfriend?"
"What?"
"I asked if you would be my boyfriend."
"Uh, Kikyo, that's... a big question."
"Why not? We get along really well, and I enjoy spending time with you. Besides, you said you're single, right? Or is it because of Horikita?"
"What? No..."
"Then there shouldn't be any problem right, you said you will be there for me. We've been spending time together, and I've felt a connection between us. You can't deny that."
"..."
"I showed you my darkness, and I want to be there for you," Kikyo continued, her voice steady yet filled with emotion.
"Kikyo, it's just... I'm not sure if I'm ready for a relationship right now. It's complicated."
"Complicated how?" she pressed. "I've opened up to you in ways I haven't with anyone else. Are you scared to commit to a relationship? Is there perhaps another woman in your life?"
"Yeah there is." I said flatly.
"I don't really care."
"..."
"You are an S-rank and also a massive playboy, so it's not surprising hearing that. Everyone in the school knows you probably fuck a couple of girls," Kikyo said, her voice low and daring.
"I love you, Yuta," she confessed, her tone softening as a hint of raw emotion slipped through. "Even if you're using me, I wouldn't mind it."
"..."
For a moment, I just stared at her, the room seeming to grow smaller, more intimate. Then, without another word, I turned and captured her lips in a kiss, fierce and unrelenting. She gasped, startled at first, but quickly melted into me, her arms snaking around my neck as she pressed herself closer.
Her legs wrapped tightly around my waist, her body molding perfectly against mine as the kiss deepened, becoming a passionate exchange of breath and heat. Her lips were soft yet demanding, her fingers tangling in my hair as if anchoring herself to me.
I carried her effortlessly to the desk, her weight barely registering against the adrenaline coursing through me. Gently, yet with a deliberate urgency, I laid her back, the edge of the desk cool against her skin. Her eyes fluttered shut, lips parted, as I leaned over her, the kiss evolving into something primal.
I explored her mouth with deliberate intensity, each movement drawing out a soft, breathless moan from her. The sound was intoxicating, like a melody crafted solely for this moment, each note sending a shiver down my spine. Her hands roamed across my shoulders and back, her touch igniting sparks wherever it landed.
Her body arched slightly beneath me, responding instinctively to the closeness, her breaths coming in short, needy gasps between kisses. My lips trailed down her jawline, grazing the sensitive skin of her neck, and I felt her pulse quicken beneath my touch.
I finally broke off the kiss, breathless and unsure of what to say as I gazed down at Kikyo. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes half-lidded with an emotion that made my chest tighten.
"Kikyo, I—" I began talking but she placed a finger gently over my lips, silencing me.
"Shush..." she whispered, her voice soft yet firm, her smile carrying a mix of playfulness and vulnerability. "This kiss... it's enough for me to understand everything I needed to know."
Her words lingered in the air, and for a moment, we simply looked at each other, the silence more profound than any conversation. Finally, she broke the quiet, her tone lighter but with an undeniable undercurrent of certainty.
"So... from when do we start the relationship?" she asked, tilting her head slightly, her lips curving into a sly smile as she searched my face for an answer.
Caught off guard by her directness, I let out a soft laugh, shaking my head. "You don't waste any time, do you?"
"Why would I?" she replied smoothly, her hands still resting on my shoulders. "When I want something, I go for it." Her expression softened, and she added in a quieter tone, "And I want you, Yuta."
"Alright," I said finally. "I guess we start now."
Her face lit up, her smile radiant as she pulled me into a quick, playful kiss. "Good. Because I wasn't planning on letting you go anyway."
"Well too bad cause I have to go now."
Her smile faltered for a moment, her brows furrowing in mock disappointment. "You're seriously going to ruin this moment by leaving?" she asked, her tone a mix of playful annoyance and genuine frustration.
I chuckled, gently brushing a strand of hair away from her face. "As much as I'd love to stay and bask in your newfound possessiveness, I do have things to take care of."
Kikyo pouted, her arms tightening slightly around my shoulders as if to anchor me in place. "You're unbelievable. You just agreed to be my boyfriend, and now you're running off like it's nothing."
"You are forgetting that we are in my office right now, we came here because I have to do interviews for a secretary."
"Oh yeah... I did forget about that. But now that I remember, this is even better."
I raised an eyebrow. "Better how?"
She leaned back slightly, propping herself up on the desk. "Think about it. I get to stay and see you in action. And who knows? Maybe I can help you find the perfect secretary." Her tone was playful, but there was a glint of mischief in her eyes.
I sighed, shaking my head with a smirk. "Help me? Somehow, I doubt your 'help' will be all that helpful."
"Don't underestimate me," she teased, crossing her legs and folding her arms. "I'm very observant. I'll know immediately if someone's a good fit."
"Sure...let's now go to the interview room."