Chapter 17
The volleyball storage room remained steeped in stillness, the golden light outside now deepening into a gentle amber hue that glinted off metal racks and dust-speckled walls. The air was warm, quiet—too quiet—except for the faint sound of a heartbeat ringing in Kokoro’s ears.
He stood frozen, his back near the rack of volleyballs, heart pounding in his chest like a war drum. Mika, leaning against the now-locked door with that mischievous smile, had just shattered every perception he held of her.
She took a slow step toward him, her pale white eyes shimmering like polished moonstone under the dusty beams of light, lips curled in sly amusement. There was a dangerous glint in her gaze now—not cruel, but calculating... deliberate.
Kokoro finally broke the silence, his voice stuttering out like a faulty engine.
"W-Why are you doing this...?"
Mika stopped, her arms folded just under her chest, pushing her form just slightly forward with casual confidence. Her soft giggle, musical and calm, filled the air like honeyed wind.
"And... aren’t you even afraid...?" he continued, his cheeks redder now, hands fidgeting at his sides. "I-I mean, we’re alone... in a locked room, just the two of us... You don’t know what I might do to you."
It was meant to come out as a warning.
But instead, it sounded more like a panicked cry from someone barely keeping their thoughts straight.
Mika’s face slowly transformed.
Her brows rose slightly, and her gaze narrowed—not in fear, but in utter amusement. Her lips curved into a playful smirk, her expression exuding the confidence of a lioness who had just cornered her prey.