My Eros System Grants Me Infinite Romance Routes-Chapter 139: We Need to Talk...

"About why you’re always hanging around me, Akira replied quietly, but in a firm voice.

The accusation hung in the air. Rina’s eyebrows rose, and even Aoi paused in her painting to listen.

"I’m not..." Ayame started.

"You are," Akira interrupted calmly. "You transferred here less than a week ago, and somehow you’re everywhere I am. The café. The art room. Basketball practice. And now here again." He crossed his arms. "If you want to talk to me about something, just say so. You don’t have to be creepy about it."

Ayame’s composure cracked slightly. "I’m not being creepy."

"Then what are you doing?"

She hesitated, clearly scrambling for a cover story. "I’m doing research. For a project."

"What kind of project?"

"Social dynamics. Group behavior." The lie came smoothly, but Akira could see the tension in her shoulders. "You’re... an interesting subject. Popular, athletic, with a diverse social circle. I’m observing how different personality types interact."

"That’s weird," Rina said bluntly.

"It’s psychology," Ayame countered. "Observational study is a valid research method."

"Still weird to do it without telling people," Aoi added quietly.

Akira studied Ayame for a long moment. Through Heart Strings, he could just barely sense the frost-colored thread connecting them... thin, brittle, pulsing with suspicion and determination.

"If you want to observe me, fine," Akira said finally. "But be upfront about it. We could hang out sometime. You could actually talk to me instead of lurking in corners."

Ayame blinked, clearly not expecting that offer. "You... want to hang out with me?"

"Why not? You’re in our class. You’re new to the area. Makes sense to show you around, help you make friends." He gestured to Rina and Aoi. "These two didn’t know each other well before, but now look at them. That’s what school is for, right? Making connections?"

"I... suppose," Ayame said slowly.

"So stop being creepy and just ask next time you want to know something about me or my friends." Akira’s smile was friendly, but his eyes were sharp. "Deal?"

"Deal," Ayame agreed, though the word sounded reluctant.

"Good. Now, was there actually something you wanted to ask Rina about?"

Ayame glanced at the painting again, and Akira saw her mentally marking it. Whatever suspicions she had about Rina corrupting it, she was filing them away for later investigation.

"No," she said finally. "I think I have what I need."

"Great. Then we’ll see you tomorrow in class?"

"Yes. Tomorrow." Ayame headed for the door, then paused. "Kanzaki-kun? Thank you. For the offer. I’ll... take you up on it sometime."

"Looking forward to it."

She left, and the tension in the room eased slightly.

"She’s so weird," Rina muttered.

"She’s lonely," Aoi said unexpectedly. Both Akira and Rina turned to look at her. "What? It’s obvious. New school, no friends, doesn’t know how to approach people. So she watches from a distance instead." She went back to painting. "I used to do the same thing before being the class rep gave me an excuse to talk to people."

"You’re probably right," Akira said, though he knew the truth was far more complicated.

"She’s definitely going to try to purify that painting," Ai warned. "She thinks Rina corrupted it. And technically, she’s not entirely wrong."

"Can we stop her?"

"Not without revealing ourselves. Your best bet is to finish the painting quickly and move it somewhere less accessible. Once it’s hung for the festival, it’ll be surrounded by too many witnesses for her to try anything."

"And if it becomes a gate?"

"Then we deal with it when it happens. One crisis at a time, darling."

Akira watched Aoi return to her work, pouring more of herself into the canvas with every brushstroke. The painting pulsed again, stronger this time, and he could swear the trees were moving slightly when he wasn’t looking directly at them.

"Aoi," he said carefully, "maybe you should take a break. You’ve been at this for hours."

"Just a little more," she murmured, lost in her work. "I can see it so clearly in my mind. I just need to get it right."

"Aoi..."

"Please, Akira-kun. Just a little more."

He exchanged a worried look with Rina, who shrugged helplessly.

They stayed with Aoi for another hour, watching as she brought the painting closer and closer to completion. And with every stroke, the vibration grew stronger.

By the time they finally convinced her to stop for the night, Akira was certain of one thing: the painting was alive.

And it was hungry.

—

[CULTURAL FESTIVAL: 4 DAYS REMAINING]

[PAINTING EVOLUTION: 47% COMPLETE]

[AYAME SHINOMIYA - SUSPICION (RINA): 78%]

[AYAME SHINOMIYA - SUSPICION (AKIRA): 18%]

[WARNING: MULTIPLE CRISES CONVERGING]

—

The next day, Rina walked into the girls’ bathroom after last period, desperate to splash some cold water on her face.

The passive feeding Ayaka taught her was working: she could feel the ambient lust from the hallway slowly refilling her reserves, but it was exhausting learning to control it.

She was alone for maybe ten seconds before Ayame Shinomiya walked in.

The door closed behind her with a click that sounded too loud in the tiled space.

"Kurogane-san," Ayame said quietly. "We need to talk."

Rina straightened, immediately on guard. Something about Ayame’s tone set off alarm bells. "About what?"

"About what you are."

The words hung in the air like a death sentence.

Rina’s heart rate spiked. "I don’t know what you’re talking about."

"Yes, you do." Ayame moved closer, her hand reaching into her pocket. "I’ve been watching you. Studying you. The energy signature, the enhanced physical capabilities, the way people react to you. You’re not human anymore. You’re something else. A parasite."

"You’re insane..."

"Am I? Then explain the violet glow in your eyes. Explain how you moved fast enough to cross a field in seconds. Explain the demonic essence radiating from you like a beacon." Ayame pulled out a small piece of paper covered in intricate symbols. "You’re a demon. And I’m here to purify you."

Rina’s eyes widened. "Wait, you can’t just..."

"Did you corrupt that painting?" Ayame interrupted. "The one in the art room? I felt the taint on it. The same signature that clings to you. Did you turn it into a beacon intentionally, or are you just too young and stupid to control your influence?"

"I didn’t do anything to that painting!"

"Liar." Ayame moved faster than Rina expected, pressing the paper talisman against Rina’s bare forearm.