Feeling the sting of Moka’s slap, Tsukune felt as if his entire world had shattered. He wanted to call her back and apologize for his mistake, but she was already gone before he could gather himself. Her beautiful silver hair and mesmerizing red eyes had vanished, leaving no trace behind.

“Tsukune.”

Even Kurumu’s bright and bubbly voice wasn’t enough to shake Tsukune out of his stupor.

“Tsukune.”

Seeing that her destined one was so shocked by Moka’s slap, Kurumu eventually grabs Tsukune and roughly shakes him.

“Tsukune!”

After Kurumu had practically rag-dolled him, Tsukune finally snapped out of his daze. Turning toward her with a saddened expression.

“Kurumu…” he whispered sadly. “Moka’s gone.”

Kurumu smiled, seizing the opportunity.

“Tsukune, let’s get out of here before any swimming club members wake up.”

Tsukune nodded, still shaken but recognizing the practicality of Kurumu’s suggestion.

The two of them leave the swimming building before anyone can stop them.

Once outside, Kurumu immediately clings to Tsukune, using her large assets to her advantage. However, Tsukune was still in shock. Despite Kurumu’s efforts, Tsukune’s mind was full of Moka’s words.

Tsukune, stay out of my sight!

Tsukune responded with only one-word answers or nods. Realizing that seduction wasn’t working, Kurumu switched tactics.

“Tsukune, when you see Moka, you should apologize to her.”

At the mention of Moka, Tsukune finally spoke.

“I… I want to, but I was just so shocked earlier…”

Kurumu smiles.

Yes! He’s opening up. Now, I just need to keep this going so he sees how dependable I am.

Hugging Tsukune, Kurumu recalled her mother’s advice: men are often emotionally deprived and respond well to physical touch and verbal reassurance.

“You joined the swimming club for her too, right?”

Hearing that, Tsukune frowned.

“Originally, I wanted to spend time with her in a club where she wouldn’t be put on a pedestal just for who she is…”

Kurumu smiled, touched by Tsukune’s desire to treat someone with such respect. It meant that if his affections did shift, he would still value her deeply.

“And?” she asks.

“And, of course, a place where we could get closer.”

“But?” Kurumu asked with a gentle and encouraging voice.

“I guess… I was being too selfish?”

There was uncertainty in Tsukune’s voice.

In that moment, Kurumu found herself at a crossroads. She could choose to undermine Moka, subtly tarnishing her reputation and driving a wedge between her and Tsukune. Doing so would undoubtedly increase her chances with him.

Kurumu opened her mouth to speak but then quickly closed it.

No way am I doing that!

Despite her reservations about Moka, Kurumu had a strong sense of pride. As a succubus from a powerful lineage, she had been raised to value her abilities, heritage, and integrity. Resorting to underhanded tactics, like manipulating Tsukune’s perception of Moka, was beneath her.

If I’m going to win Tsukune, I’ll do it with my own natural charm!

Kurumu raised her voice, snapping Tsukune’s attention back to her.

“Tsukune!”

He turned to face her, momentarily captivated by her mesmerizing purple eyes.

“Now that you mention it, you were being a bit selfish,” Kurumu said, her tone sharp but not unkind.

Tsukune's shoulders slumped, guilt weighing him down. But Kurumu wasn’t finished.

“If you ask me, you should have been more considerate.”

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

Before he could respond, she gently pulled him into a comforting embrace, pressing his head against her chest and softly rubbing his hair.

“Tsukune, I know you care about Moka,” Kurumu continued, her voice filled with warmth and sincerity.

Tsukune felt a surge of emotion as he listened.

“That means you're willing to go above and beyond, right?”

“Yeah,” he responded quietly.

“Then it also means you need to communicate your intentions clearly,” she explained, her tone now softer, “not just assume the one you care about will understand or follow along.”

Kurumu released Tsukune and looked him straight in the eye.

“Do you understand what I’m saying?” she asked, her voice steady but gentle.

Tsukune met her gaze and nodded. “I understand.”

“Good. Then make sure you find her tomorrow and apologize properly, okay?” Kurumu said firmly.

Reinvigorated by her words, Tsukune nodded again, more resolute this time. “I will!”

Seeing his determination return, Kurumu smiled warmly. “You know, you look much more handsome when you’re this focused.”

As she turned to leave, she glanced back over her shoulder with a teasing smile.

“And don’t think that just because I’m helping you make things right with Moka means you’re off the hook with me.”

Kurumu winked at Tsukune, her playful glint unmistakable. “I’m still after you!”

Stunned by her bright optimism, Tsukune tried to respond, but Kurumu darted off, clearly not wanting to prolong any conversation about Moka.

Alone with his thoughts, Tsukune smiled to himself, feeling a mix of gratitude and confusion. He nodded, then turned back toward the dorms, ready to face what came next.

----------------------------------------

Unfortunately, despite Tsukune and Moka’s resolve, three days passed without any resolution, as Moka had not shown up at the academy during this time.

The most affected by her absence was Tsukune. Despite Kurumu’s encouraging presence, Tsukune felt a profound sense of loneliness without Moka by his side.

On the second day, Tsukune visited her dorm to check if she was still there, but the dorm manager asked him to leave because he was attracting unwanted attention from the female students.

By the fourth day, the rain was pouring heavily. Tsukune trudged to school under the cover of an umbrella, looking up at the gray sky and lamenting the fittingly dreary weather.

Very fitting…

Entering the academy, Tsukune went through his classes on autopilot, his mind preoccupied. After school, he wandered the halls, trying to ignore the whispers of the students around him.

“Did you hear?”

“What’s up?”

“Moka hasn’t been to school for a while.”

“Yeah, it’s all that guy’s fault.”

“He’s way more ruthless than I thought.”

Sighing, Tsukune’s anxiety grew.

W-What if she left the school? She wouldn’t do that, would she?

“Oh?!”

Tsukune turned toward the familiar voice, finding his teacher, Shizuka, approaching him.

"Tsukune! You’re just the person I wanted to talk to!"

Without waiting for a response, Shizuka continued, “Have you decided which club you will join? You and Moka are among the few students who haven't made a choice yet.”

Doing his best to keep a respectful demeanor, Tsukune replied, “Sorry, ma’am, I haven’t chosen a club yet...”

Shizuka smiled brightly. "Splendid! I was wondering if you and Moka might be interested in joining my club?" She continued with a small advertisement, “The newspaper club! Nobody has joined yet, and sadly, it might get shut down," she added in a whisper.

“The newspaper club?” Tsukune said, sounding a bit surprised. He considered it for a moment.

It sounds like a quiet and peaceful club...

“Well… but…”

But no club would be worth joining if Moka isn’t there…

“You and Moka are going to need to join a club eventually, Tsukune,” Shizuka said.

Tsukune nodded, feeling a bit melancholic. “Well… I—”

“That sounds great! I’ll join that club!”

Tsukune’s eyes widened as he heard the familiar voice he’d been searching for over the past few days. “Huh?” He turned around to see the unmistakable figure of the pink-haired girl he’d been crushing on for the past month.

“Good morning, Tsukune!” Moka greeted cheerfully, noticing his stunned reaction.

Barely able to believe his ears, Tsukune stammered, “M-Moka?!”

Unable to contain his emotions, Tsukune stepped closer to Moka.

“M-Moka! Y-You’ve been gone for so long! I wasn’t sure if you’d come back!”

Moka, noticing Tsukune’s flustered reaction, couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Hehe, after the pool incident, I was pretty drained, so I ended up sleeping for three days to recover,” she explained, scratching her head with a sheepish grin. “I basically overslept.”

Relieved to hear that Moka hadn’t left the school or ignored him, Tsukune felt a surge of joy. “Great!! That’s totally great! Amazing, even!”

Seeing Tsukune’s genuine happiness, Moka couldn’t help but return his joy with a bright smile. Tsukune felt an overwhelming sense of relief.

Yes, this feels right. Moka should always be smiling.

Just as Tsukune and Moka were about to enjoy their moment, Shizuka, desperate to save her club, burst into their scene.

With a giant “Welcome” poster in hand, she excitedly proclaimed, “All right then! We have a club!”

Tsukune and Moka both looked at her in surprise.

“What?!”

“I haven’t even agreed yet!” Tsukune protested.

Shizuka chuckled with a triumphant grin.

Kurumu, who had been quietly following Tsukune, chimed in with a playful tone, “I’ll join the club too!”

“Kurumu?!” Tsukune finally noticed her.

Kurumu playfully stuck her tongue out at him and giggled, “Hehe.”

Not wasting a moment, Shizuka thrust a clipboard into their hands, forcing them to write down their names.

After getting their signatures, Shizuka happily waves them goodbye.

Kurumu turned to Moka with a smile. “And here I thought you wouldn’t come back.”

Moka felt a twinge of apprehension toward Kurumu but held back her frustration.

I should be mad at her now… but she did help me and Tsukune after all.

Kurumu then turned to Tsukune and gave him a wink. “Well, I’ve got some errands to run. So you two better not get up to any trouble.”

Moka tilted her head, surprised. She had expected to fight for Tsukune’s attention today.

I guess… Kurumu isn’t that bad?

Tsukune watched as Kurumu walked away without a fuss, feeling grateful inside.

Thank you, Kurumu! Now I can finally talk to Moka alone.

Moka and Tsukune turned toward each other, both speaking at the same time.

“Moka,” Tsukune said.

“Tsukune,” Moka said.

They both looked at each other in surprise.

“Oh?” Moka said.

“What?” Tsukune said.

Moka giggled. “You go first.”

Tsukune chuckled. “No, no, you first.”

The two glanced at the ground, waiting for the other to speak first.

Eventually, Tsukune began, “I… I wanted to apo—”

“I’m sorry!” Moka’s loud voice interrupted him.

Turning to Moka with a surprised expression, Tsukune said, “What?? No! I’m sorry, why are you apologizing?”

Moka smiled softly. “It’s because… I should have told you about my weakness to water.”

“But I also dragged you into the club,” Tsukune protested.

Moka shook her head. “You didn’t force me. I could have stopped you, but I was too afraid to reject you. I didn’t want you to hate me.”

Tsukune quickly took Moka’s hands in his. “I would never hate you!”

Startled by the sudden contact, Moka blushed.

“I should have been more considerate toward you,” Tsukune continued. “I promise that from now on, I’ll be more mindful when making decisions that involve both of us.”

Hearing that, Moka’s smile widened.

“Okay, thank you. I’ll trust you more… just like you trusted me with your secret.”

Hearing this, Tsukune couldn’t help but blush.

With the two so close, they found themselves inching toward each other.

“Moka…” Tsukune whispered.

“Tsukune…” Moka whispered back.

Just as they were about to get even closer, a voice startled them.

“You two done making up?”

Kurumu’s sudden appearance caused them to pull away and look away from each other comically. Noticing their blushing faces, Kurumu chuckled.

“I see you two are okay. That means I don’t have to hold back anymore!”

Without warning, Kurumu charged at Tsukune, wrapping him in an enthusiastic embrace with her chest. The unexpected action left Tsukune feeling faint while Moka scrambled to pull Kurumu away.