Chapter 76
Chapter 76
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 76
Chapter Title: Lost Bond (4)
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I hadn't gotten the result I wanted from consulting Alicia, but I did pick up a hint.
Shock therapy.
Exactly as it sounds—deliver a powerful jolt to the mind to awaken Rafne's memories.
There was no guarantee it would work.
But according to Alicia, there was precedent.
That alone made it worth a shot.
'The problem is how to create that situation...'
Rafne was the only daughter of the prestigious Martinez family.
To set up the scenario I had in mind, I'd first need the academy's permission.
And to get that, I'd need at least some justification.
"...Justification... justification."
I was walking back to the classroom, chin in hand, lost in thought after finishing my business with Alicia.
The best outcome would be if Rafne volunteered and made the request to the academy herself.
But she wasn't an idiot; no way she'd do that.
There was zero benefit for her in doing what I asked.
"......Wait, benefit."
What if I dangled something irresistible enough to make her lose her head and do something stupid?
Recalling the Rafne from my memories, it seemed entirely possible.
"......"
I stopped in my tracks, sorting through the ideas bubbling up as I pieced together a scenario.
'...This could actually work if I play it right.'
A pretty convincing picture took shape in my mind, and a smile crept onto my lips.
"...Alright, let's do it."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Back in the classroom, I mentally organized the plan for the day.
First up: stir Rafne's emotions.
The Rafne before she lost her memories had been anxious without me nearby.
Of course, things had improved a lot after lifting the curse, but she'd still insisted on staying close.
She got uneasy if I wasn't right there, barely ate, and couldn't sleep properly.
So the current Rafne, influenced by those lingering emotions, should feel the same.
Avoiding her completely might even amplify it.
That's why I made a point of staying out of her sight all day.
The goal: have her desperately searching for me.
The method was simple.
Whenever break time hit, I'd slip out of the classroom, kill time elsewhere, and slide back in at the last possible second.
'...Right on cue, just like I thought.'
Heading back from the rooftop, I turned a corner on the stairs and spotted Rafne loitering by the classroom's front door.
She looked incredibly anxious, pacing back and forth, biting her nails, and peering inside nonstop.
'Should I go now...?'
I hesitated, then shook my head.
'No, not yet. I need to push her to the brink, make her lose it completely.'
A parched person's thirst grows with every moment, their craving for water intensifying.
And if the oasis that's always been right there suddenly vanishes?
The longing skyrockets.
That's when I'd offer her the water—when she couldn't take it anymore.
'...Gone.'
I watched from around the corner as she finally huffed in frustration and stomped back to her own classroom.
Then I returned to class and listened in.
Not that I was actually studying.
My head was full of the plan.
'...What if she bursts in during class?'
I imagined Rafne unable to hold back, charging into the middle of a lesson.
Running the simulation, I figured that scenario might actually make justification easier, so I stuck to hiding.
Thankfully, the current Rafne seemed rational enough—unlike before her memory loss—so no interruptions happened.
'Keep dodging like this.'
Things went smoothly; I stayed off her radar.
Once, right after class ended and I stepped out, her classroom door creaked open, her hair visible.
But thanks to the Hide Presence skill from training with Siegfried, I slipped away unnoticed.
I kept hiding from her like that.
From afar, her anxiety seemed to be mounting.
'Stick it out till tomorrow?'
I figured another full day of avoidance would let me gauge her state better.
That was the plan...
But Rafne caught me faster than expected.
I'd half-anticipated it—she'd set up an ambush to trap me after school.
"Where the hell have you been every single break━!!"
Like yesterday, it was after classes ended.
I'd lingered in the classroom before stepping into the hall, and there she was, waiting.
She snapped at me with an irritated voice, clearly pissed.
She'd probably targeted dismissal time to corner me no matter what.
Hmm, desperate enough, maybe?
I'd planned to avoid her face one more day, but since she'd nabbed me, time to roll with it.
I fed her the excuse I'd prepared.
"...Eh, just running errands here and there."
Most breaks I'd spent on the roof, truth be told.
But I played it casual anyway.
"...Errands?"
My loaded words shifted her expression.
That old glint returned to her eyes.
Empty, lightless pupils.
The gaze of Rafne consumed by obsession, rationality crumbling.
Seeing it confirmed my provocation had worked—her imagination fired up right on cue.
To Rafne, who'd probably misunderstood my relationship with Emily as something romantic, that line was perfect bait for more misconceptions.
She closed in fast, pressing close and staring up at me.
Those dark, swamp-like eyes fixed on me.
Facing them head-on after so long sent cold sweat down my back.
But no showing it. Stay cool, act like it's nothing.
"Hey, you..."
She growled my name softly.
The current Rafne was far more volatile than pre-amnesia; just her stare was overwhelming up close.
She glared and demanded,
"What exactly have you been doing, running around?"
Why did it feel like I was the cheating boyfriend caught red-handed?
Not that I minded—I'd planned it that way.
I nearly reflexively groveled and apologized under her gaze.
But calm down. The strategy now: provoke her more.
"W-Whatever I'm doing... what's it to you."
I stammered and averted my eyes, but I got it out.
Even I had to admit it was pretty provocative.
From her perspective, the Ken she'd always bullied spouting that? Unthinkable.
"W-What...?"
Her fists clenched, body trembling—clearly effective.
Good, one more push...!
"More like you, Rafne—you're way too clingy lately. New bullying tactic or what?"
"W-What...?"
My sudden shift flustered her; she even stuttered.
Going according to plan, so I pressed on.
"Or did I get hot after losing weight, and now you're into me?"
"H-Huh?! N-No, that's not it! I-I'm not affected by your looks...! Ugh...!"
She trailed off mid-sentence, face flushing as she backed away.
Then, hiding her embarrassment, she flashed a slight smirk and glared.
"...Ken, skipping out and slimming down's made you pretty cocky, huh?"
The Ken she'd seen as a pushover suddenly pushing back? Must've pissed her off.
Plus the frustration from me vanishing earlier.
Her unease boiling over at me not dancing to her tune—she looked riled up.
A little more, and the picture I wanted would form.
I stared her down, refusing to yield.
"Y-Yeah... I'm not the old me anymore."
"Heh, full of yourself now."
Cracking her knuckles, she prepped— a hit incoming soon.
"Perfect. Been a while; time I gave you a proper attitude adjustment, Ken."
She gazed at me with a soft smile.
Fueled by pure rage.
Good, now...!
"T-Think I'll just take it lying down? Better brace yourself."
I smirked arrogantly, baiting her.
She stared blankly for a second.
Face screaming, 'What the hell's he on about?'
Then a condescending smile.
"Hmph, that confident?"
"Damn right. ...Or hey, wanna make it a bet?"
"......A bet?"
My sudden pitch made her cock her head.
The word "bet" popping out of nowhere clearly threw her.
Before suspicion set in, toss the bait.
Get her so fixated on the carrot I dangled that my goal slips through naturally.
I put on my most challenging face, locking eyes with her.
"We duel. You're confident, right? If you win, then... well..."
I pretended to mull it over, then dropped the prepared condition.
"You can do whatever you want with me."
"...Whatever... I want?"
This was the carrot I'd prepped.
Vanishing from her sight to stoke her anxiety.
Then, when we met, resist to paint me as defiant, not hers to command.
Follow up with the duel pretext, offering her power over me.
"...Do whatever... with Ken..."
Hearing the prize, her anger evaporated; she stared dazedly.
Probably picturing that "whatever."
Time to paint a vivid picture of what she'd crave.
"Yeah, whatever. Grill me, boil me, lock me up somewhere by your side forever—your call."
I teased provocatively, piling on the bait.
The condition I figured she'd bite hardest at.
...Too blatant? Worried she'd catch on.
"L-Lock me up...? By my side... forever...?!"
But her ragged breathing, flushed face, and lust-filled eyes said no need to worry.
From her reaction, she was hooked completely.
Not letting the moment slip, I continued.
"But if I win, you grant me one wish."
Perfect timing for my winning condition.
This was my real goal.
Dangle an irresistible prize to ensure she couldn't refuse, then tie my needed demand to victory.
'Come on... bite... bite...'
A straight-up "wish" would've been too generic to fly.
That's why I'd starved her of me first.
Hide any oddity in my terms behind the bait.
Still, inwardly fretted if it was too obvious.
Bracing for something like 'What kinda wish? Don't mess around!'
Hoping she'd skip the doubt.
"Deal! Bet! Right now! We settle this immediately!"
And Rafne jumped in without a second thought.
Too easy...?
"C-Calm down, Rafne! Right now's too rushed!"
"You screwing around?! You brought up the duel first━!"
The terms must've looked too sweet; she'd lost all reason and lunged.
But we couldn't duel right then.
Needed proper setup.
"What if I don't accept the result!"
No way I'd let the loser whine 'Pretend it never happened!'
Especially not her—that'd ruin everything after dragging her to the table.
It was reasonable from her side too, so I proposed a solid safeguard.
"We make it official. In front of an academy professor."
"...Official meaning... a mana seal?"
"Exactly. Spell it out clear: 'If Ken Fine Stein loses to Rafne Bell Martinez, he becomes her property.' ...Like that."
"P-Pro... pro... propertyyy...!!"
Her eyes sparkled like a kid spotting Santa on Christmas.
Breaths grew heavier, gaze drowning in desire.
Her twitching hands itched to grab me—the bait had worked perfectly.
"Deal! Tomorrow after classes! I'll snag the professor!"
"Y-Yeah... appreciate it..."
She didn't seem to entertain losing for a second.
Makes sense—no second-year could beat Rafne.
I'd been stressing how to explain to a prof, but she'd handle it.
How badly did she crave ownership...?
Suddenly recalled the old Rafne who'd imprisoned me.
Straddling my lap under moonlight, face mad with lust as she seduced me.
'...Can't lose, no matter what.'
If I lost and became hers? Might never escape.
Could break my promise not to cross lines till I could handle the consequences.
Us two turning into three...
Not planning to lose, of course.
Just imagining it made my shoulders tremble.
"See you tomorrow━!! Keep the promise━!!"
Rafne flashed the brightest smile I'd seen lately and dashed down the hall.
'Good, preparations are fully locked in.'
I clenched my fist, watching her go.