[20] One Percent (Patreon)

(Kai POV – Kai's Room)

'It's already morning?' I open my eyes just as dawn begins to break, thin light creeping in around the edges of the curtains, and let out a reluctant sigh. 'It's true what they say. The good times never last.'

Even with a crowded bed, I can say with certainty that I've never slept more soundly. Looking down affirms that it wasn't all a dream.

Throughout the night, Moka has drifted considerably closer in her sleep, pressed flush against my side, both arms wrapped around me like I'm an oversized teddy bear. Her cheek rests against my chest, and she's smiling faintly, probably enjoying a pleasant dream.

And on my other side is Kurumu, who has draped herself across my torso, hugging me while her legs hook around one of mine.

'They really are adorable like this.' I think, smiling to myself. Which makes what I need to do next that much harder.

"Moka. Kurumu." I say softly, shrugging my arms to jostle them. "Time to wake up."

Moka's brow furrows. She frowns for a few moments before her peaceful smile returns as she falls back asleep.

Kurumu, however, doesn't react at all as she sleeps like a brick.

I try again, a little firmer this time. The result is that both of them, entirely on instinct, cling tighter. Moka burrows her face further into my chest while Kurumu tightens the grip of her legs, making an already impossible escape much harder.

I'm almost tempted to give up and lie here, embracing indolence… but we can't.

"Moka." I shake her gently but persistently. "We've got school. You really do need to wake up."

And eventually, it works.

"Mmm… what time izzit…?" She mumbles, sitting halfway up and rubbing at one eye with a loose fist, her hair a complete disaster. Then she looks down at me, and a slow, goofy smile spreads across her face. "Mornin', Kai~."

'…That should be illegal.'

"Morning, Moka." I say, returning her smile. "Sleep well?"

"Mhm." She nods, then seems to properly register where she is, and immediately goes pink. "I slept really well. And I had a nice dream, too…"

She doesn't elaborate, but she does avoid meeting my gaze.

"Glad to hear it. I slept pretty well next to you too." I chuckle, which doesn't help with her blush.

I then turn my attention to my other side, reach over, and pinch Kurumu's cheek. "Kurumu. I know you're faking being asleep. Good morning."

Her eyes snap open instantly, containing no traces of grogginess. She smiles innocently and squeezes me tighter, feeling no shame at all. "Good morning, Kai~!"

"Not even a yawn." I note. "You could have at least tried."

"Why pretend when I'm already caught? Besides, how long did you know?" She asks, looking delighted.

"Since the very beginning." I say, which makes her smile widen. "I'd have happily let you keep pretending." I add. "But we have class today."

"Booooo." She groans theatrically, but releases me anyway, sitting up and stretching with a long, satisfied sigh.

"Moka." I turn back. "Are you hungry?"

Her eyes light up, then immediately dart away shyly.

"I… um… a little." She fidgets with the hem of her pajama top. "B-But only if you're sure! I don't want to be a bother first thing in the morning, and I can wait a little longer."

"You could never be a bother. I'm flattered you think I'm so tasty, so go ahead." I tilt my head, exposing my neck.

"Thank you, Kai." She smiles, no longer hesitating.

Chomp.

She scoots in close and sinks her fangs into my neck, and begins drinking, one hand fisted in my shirt.

'Does this technically count as breakfast in bed?' I muse, staring at the ceiling.

"How come she gets fed and I don't?" Kurumu pipes up jokingly.

"Aren't you full?" I ask flatly. "You've been getting fed all night."

Succubi feed on affection and love. Between the cuddling and my feelings for her, she should be stuffed.

"Mm… I've got a big appetite~." She says slyly. And then she scoots in behind me, wrapping her arms around my waist, and presses her lips to the side of my neck, kissing, then sucking, with a clear purpose.

Unfortunately for her, the resulting hickey fades and vanishes in less than a second.

"…Huh?" Kurumu pulls back, blinking at my very unmarked skin.

"I heal fast." I shrug, holding back a laugh. "You should give up on marking me."

I'm not brave enough to shut down Natural Restoration, especially with Moka's appetite.

She stares for a moment, then, much to my concern, she begins looking happy and excited.

"Wait, so that means I can just keep trying, right?" She asks, way too eagerly.

"That's not—" I begin, but she's already back at it, peppering my neck with kisses.

So I sit on the bed, Moka attached to one side of my neck, and Kurumu to the other. Neither of them showing the slightest interest in stopping… I can't help but wonder…

'Are we ever going to school?'

And as it turns out, we did make it to school… albeit a bit late.

Beyond that, the day passes without incident. Classes come and go, and nothing out of the ordinary happens. Once the final bell rings, Moka, Kurumu and I meet up with Ms. Nekonome, who leads us to an empty classroom with the words "Newspaper Club" printed on a sheet of paper and taped to the door.

We file in and take our seats as I set the container I've been carrying all day down beside my desk, and wait.

"Okay, everyone! Thank you all so much for joining!" Ms. Nekonome says brightly, standing at the podium with her signature smile as she unfurls a newspaper and presents it to us energetically. "Now, let's get to work on running… a newspaper!"

Her enthusiasm is admirable. It's also very difficult to reciprocate, given that the entire membership consists of three people.

Then I hear it… faint footsteps in the corridor, still a fair distance off, but clearly coming this way.

'…Right on schedule.' I think, rising from my seat, container in hand.

"Sensei." I say, with as much sincerity as I can muster. "Even if this club is small, the three of us will do our absolute best to meet your expectations. And honestly, we're really grateful to be part of it." I hold out the container. "So please accept this. It's just a small token of our appreciation."

Moka blinks, while Kurumu stares at me with a questioning expression. To their credit, neither of them breaks character. I'd asked them to play along, and they're playing along magnificently. Moka nodding earnestly from her seat, while Kurumu adopts a bright smile that suggests sincerity.

Ms. Nekonome looks momentarily stunned by my enthusiasm, then beams.

"My, my~! It's such a blessing to have thoughtful students!" She accepts the container, turning it over curiously. "May I open it?"

"Of course." I nod, and she lifts the lid… and freezes.

Her human transformation comes partially undone on the spot as a long feline tail bursts free behind her and begins to swish rapidly back and forth. Her pupils narrow into thin vertical slits, locked with laser precision onto the contents.

Inside, roughly ten goldfish drift lazily in clear plastic bags of water, blissfully unaware of the fate awaiting them.

"Th-This…" Ms. Nekonome swallows hard, her voice trembling with barely restrained hunger. "This is… for me?"

"Yes." I say solemnly. "We wanted to show our appreciation properly, Sensei. We hope you like them."

'My sincerest condolences, fishies.' I think, entirely calm about my role in this. 'But your sacrifice is for the greater good.'

"You three!" Ms. Nekonome clutches the container to her chest, tail lashing wildly, her composure hanging by a thread. "You three are officially my favourite students!"

And at that exact moment, right on cue, the classroom door slides open.

"My apologies. It's awfully bad form, being late to the very first meeting." A tall second-year steps in, carrying two bouquets of flowers.

(Gin POV – Yokai Academy, Newspaper Club)

I finish my apology smoothly, with both ease and confidence… but internally, I'm a little surprised.

'Nekonome-sensei's favourites? Already?' I think, taken aback. 'How did they manage to win her over so quickly?'

But the confusion doesn't last long, because my eyes find the two girls sitting near the front, and every other thought is pushed to the back of my mind.

'The rumours definitely undersold them.' I think, their features making them easy to recognise.

The blue-haired one is a knockout, all curves with a hint of mischief and seduction. But the pink-haired one… she takes my breath away. Delicate, sweet-faced, and a soft nervous look that makes me want to take very good care of her.

'She's perfect.'

"Greetings, everyone. I'm Ginei Morioka." I say, flashing a charming smile that's never once failed me. "Your editor."

I take my first step toward the girls…

And find my path calmly, and suddenly blocked by the only other guy in the room.

"Ginei… I'm Kai Hino." He says, smiling warmly. "You're our senior, and the club president, right? And are these flowers for us?"

I blink at him suddenly appearing, but keep calm.

"That's right." I say, adding a touch of magnanimity to my voice. "Gin's fine, though. No need for formalities."

"Alright then, Gin." He nods, then looks me over with what appears to be genuine appreciation. "You know, you're a pretty handsome guy. And thoughtful too, bringing gifts to our first meeting."

'Well… maybe the kid's not so bad after all.' I think, about to return the compliment when his next words almost make me choke.

"Hmm." He tilts his head as if contemplating something. "I'd say about one percent as handsome as me. Which is quite good."

"…" I stare at him speechlessly, retracting anything good I ever thought about him.

He says it like it's a compliment, but nothing could be more insulting.

"…Sorry?" I manage, giving him a chance to take it back, but it's like he doesn't even hear me.

"And don't worry about the flowers." He continues. "You're the president. You shouldn't be stuck doing the tedious bits. Let me take care of that for you."

And before I can react, he plucks both bouquets out of my hands.

"H-Hey—" I begin, but he's already walking away. I watch, unable to stop him without looking too forceful, as he walks to the girls and presents a bouquet to each.

"Moka. Kurumu." He says sweetly. "Gin brought these for you. They're nowhere near as beautiful as either of you, obviously, but it's a nice gesture."

The pink-haired one, Moka, takes hers and immediately goes red, hiding half her face behind the petals.

"K-Kai! There are other people here…!" She mumbled cutely, deeply embarassed, but clearly happy.

"You really think I'm prettier than flowers?" The blue-haired one, Kurumu, leans in, delighted. "Can you say it again?"

"Later." He promises. "And I'll get you both proper gifts after club activities, too."

They both light up like fireworks, and my flowers are promptly forgotten. And I'm sure, even if they remembered them, they might forget who brought them.

My hands begin, very slightly, to tremble.

'Okay. Okay. I can still recover.' I take a breath and step forward with a chuckle, ready to reclaim the spotlight. "Ha! Well, I'm glad you ladies like them. I did pick them out myself, after all—"

"That's exactly what I told them." Kai says, turning back to me with such a sincere smile, I begin to doubt if his actions were actually accidental and well-meaning. "I made sure they knew the flowers were from you. It wouldn't be right to take credit for someone else's thoughtfulness."

'He… did say they were from me…' I think, but something feels wrong about the entire thing.

Even with acknowledgement, I don't feel credited.

I open my mouth to dispute it somehow, but everything I can think of just sounds like I'm being petty and whining.

"Oh… and Gin." He adds. "Don't worry about not bringing anything for me. Flowers aren't my thing anyway, and honestly, I'm just happy you thought of us newcomers at all."

'I… what? Why would I bring something for you?'

"Though…" He continues, thoughtfully, almost to himself. "I hope Ms. Nekonome won't misunderstand this. I know you didn't do it intentionally."

At the mention of her name, Nekonome-sensei looks up from her fish.

"Hm? Oh… yes. Yes, Kai's quite right." She nods, suddenly stern. "Gin, it's very good of you to welcome the new members with gifts. That's the kind of initiative I like to see! But you mustn't leave people out."

"Sensei, I didn't—"

"If Kai weren't so open-minded about it, he might well have thought you disliked him." She continues, wagging a finger. "I did tell you we'd be getting three new members, Gin."

'What… What is happening?'

He called me ugly, took my gifts and used them to charm both girls… and somehow I'm the one being lectured?

"Ah, Sensei, I'm sure Gin just forgot." Kai says gently, stepping in to defend me. "There's no way he'd exclude someone on purpose. It's all water under the bridge."

'Bastard!' I grit my teeth. 'You're the one who brought it up!'

"See, Gin? You should be grateful to have such an understanding club member." Nekonome-sensei looks at him with open approval. "I'm sure you'll all get along wonderfully. Do take good care of them."

Then she gathers her container of goldfish to her chest like a treasured infant.

"I've got a faculty meeting, so I'll leave the rest to you. Run the meeting for me, would you, Gin?"

And just like that, she's gone, the door sliding shut behind her.

I stand there, in disbelief, still trying to understand what happened.

'…That's not a student.' I think, slowly turning to look at Kai Hino, who smiles back at me with a pleasant, untroubled expression, like he's done nothing wrong. 'That's a demon. An actual demon.'

And next to him sit the two most beautiful girls in the school, already charmed by his evil before I've managed to exchange a single word with them.

************

A/N: Hello Everyone! How are you all?

I'm so glad I didn't rush it, otherwise it wouldn't have turned out as great as it did🤣. How was it? I think it was nice. Cuteness and fluff to start off, and ragebait to conclude. I'd feel sorry for Him, but he kinda deserves it.

Hmm... How to deal with him was something I've been considering. As the manga is ecchi and harem, Gin's allowed to do a lot of stuff to the girls... But that ain't me. So permanent solutions are needed, but murder hobo is off the table... For now😀. But behind that, not much to say.

Hopefully you all enjoyed the chapter, and have a wonderful rest of your day/night 🌃