The Succubus's Plaything

Chapter 46: Payment

Hina turns her back towards me and follows her class to the next spot, leaving me alone with my conflicting thoughts.

I'm supposed to give her something, not money, but I get to decide the price? Connecting the dots with how she's been acting lately, I can only assume that she means something physical.

I sigh. Should I just give up on the notes? It's possible that I can find someone else who was writing things down, but that's doubtful. Straightening out my back I lightly jog to catch up with the group.

"Hey!" Exclaim once I catch up to Gabriel and lightly hit him on the shoulder to gain his attention. "Have you been paying attention to the lectures?"

"Yup. Why? Haven't you?"

"Ehe.. Nope."

"I think she mostly said that as a threat to get us to pay attention though. I don't think most people are paying all that close attention."

"I suppose, but still, I kinda want someone's notes."

"I saw Hina writing some notes before, you should ask her for a copy."

"Yea.." I don't really want to fill him in on how that already went.. "I think I'll do that.."

...

I decide the price.. I could give her a compliment maybe? The teacher has once again begun lecturing, and I realize that once again I'm not paying attention.

Ok. Think later, focus now.

...

"So, have you decided the price yet?" Hina walks up to me with a playful look in her eyes, her step has a seductive swing to it.

We are back in the hotel, and currently stood in the hallway outside my room. I'm exhausted from the amount of hours I've spent on my feet, so I'm on my way to change out of my school uniform before heading to the baths.

I have decided my price. It's obvious she means something physical, like a kiss or something of the like, but I don't want to give her the wrong idea, so a kiss is a no-go. A hug might be fine though, although it is arguably stingy.

"Will a hug suffice?" I ask, forcing myself to sound like a businessman.

"Well, I did say you could set the price." She grins as if she's won a big victory. "I do however take my payments in advance."

"That's fine.." The situation changes to awkward and I can't decide whether or not I'm expected to hug her now. "Like, right now!?" I spin around to make sure no-one is walking around a corner.

"Why not?" Hina smiles happily. "And I don't mind if you let it go on for a while."

"Riight.." Crap, I didn't think of that. How long is a hug normally? Me overthinking things is definitely not helping me.

"Your room is right here though.. Maybe we should hide in there so no-one can come around the corner?" The way she says that is playful, but not forceful.

I hesitate for a moment, thinking over all the different possibilities.

"That's ok with me. I'm gonna be going in there anyway, so don't get any weird ideas."

Hina laughs, finding my reply amusing. "Isn't the girl supposed to be the tsundere one? It comes off funny in a guy."

"Yeah yeah. Laugh all you want, just don't misunderstand me." I hold up my card to the reader, and with a little blip, the door unlocks.

Without saying another word, I walk into my room with Hina following me. "So, how would you like m-"

Unable to reason myself to a "good opportunity" to do this in a way that can't be considered flirting, I just spin around and do it.

"H-Hal!?" Hm? She gets flustered?

"Your payment. I didn't know how to do it in a way that wasn't weird, so I just did it." My arms wrap around her waist, and the thought of how perfect her shape is flies through my mind.

And also, is that perfume I smell?

"I-I don't mind.. But could you give some warning next time?.."

"Y-yeah. Sorry.." I release my embrace and take a step back.

Despite her surprise, she does seem a little disappointed that it's over.

"I really should have made you do more though." She sighs regretfully. "I gave you my word. I'll send you the notes. Is it fine if I just send you a digital copy?"

"Yeah, that should work great. Thanks."

Suddenly a familiar blip is heard from the door, and we both spin around just in time to see the door swing open. Standing in the doorway is a surprised Minoru, and a Gabriel who takes a moment to register what's going on.

"Really?" Minoru looks done. "First last night, and now even before the day is out you're here!?"

"Last night? What are you talking about?" Gabriel takes a step forward, and I can almost literally see the cogs turning in his head as he nears the incorrect assumption."

I'm about to exclaim to him that nothing happened and not to draw any hasty conclusions, but before I get the chance, Hina speaks up.

"I thought we said not to tell anyone!?"

Ok, with that said, now there really isn't anything I can possibly say to straighten this out. Point of no return: long gone.

"Yeah! And I thought that being discrete was a prerequisite for that!" Minoru says back, his voice is nearly a hiss.

Truth is, after how dirty Hina did Minoru last night, there is no way he isn't feeling a bit bitter, and a breakout of emotion is inevitable, even if she doesn't step it up along with him.

"Did you two-?.." Gabriel has pieced together the obvious, and gestures toward Hina and I.

"They did. They spent all night together."

Gabriel immediately looks at Minoru with a weird look. "And where were you?"

"I was-.." Minoru pauses, deciding which answer would be less embarrassing for him. "Not here."

"Ah. Shame. That would be hilarious. I'm imagining the image of how uncomfortable you'd be in that situation, probably hiding under the covers and plugging your ears." While Gabriel's statement does feel completely unprecedented, it does serve to completely defuse the situation.

"Really?" We all look at Gabriel with a dead look in our eyes. "Who do you take us for?" 

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

Lupus: Interview time! How do you feel about your chances?

Hina: Pretty good Lupus, I think I've just about gotten Hal wrapped around my finger, and now given him other things to think about other than that succubus.

Lupus: Soon you'll be heading back home. How do you expect things to go down?

Hina: Yeah.. That could get a little hectic honestly. Since Inesa doesn't technically know, we could have a relationship behind her back.. But no. I want to be Hal's girlfriend, so Inesa is the one who needs to get out of the picture.

Lupus: Well that sounds fun, how do you believe Inesa will respond?

Hina: Not well, but I do think she'll get over emotional and likely dig her own grave.

Lupus: So she'll paint herself in too bad of a light?

Hina: Exactly. Inesa is too reliant on her genetic charm, if she really wants to stay ahead, then she needs to make some efforts, which I think she'll fail catastrophically.