Classroom of the Elite: Liquid Inspiration

Vol 0. Chapter 5.3 - Beneath crimson and amber

Kiryūin Fūka

I led Kiyotaka through the estate, navigating the halls with ease. The silence between us was broken only by the soft shuffle of our feet against the polished floors. I could feel his gaze on my back, probably wondering where I was taking him.

As we descended the stairs, I glanced over my shoulder. "Just a little further."

About 80 more steps, but Kiyotaka could take it. He wasn't an old man with arthritis. 

Halfway down, he spoke. "Why is it getting narrower? Shouldn't stairs get wider as you go down?"

I turned to face him, arms crossed. "Getting claustrophobic already?" I teased, raising an eyebrow.

"Just an observation," he countered, his voice level and calm. "I'm surprised you noticed."

I let out a snort, taking a step closer to him on the narrow stairway. "Oh, he's got jokes now. Careful, Kiyotaka. Keep that up, and I might actually fall for you. I like boys who make me laugh."

"Matsushita also told me that," he quipped.

I tilted my head, a frown tugging at my lips. Matsushita? The name didn't ring a bell. Was that the girl he danced with last Christmas? 

I placed my hands on my hips, leaning in closer. "To mention another girl's name so fondly in front of your fiancee... how could you?"

"Fond? You're imagining things," he replied, his expression frustratingly unfazed. "But, would that end our engagement?" 

I let out an unladylike snort, waving a hand dismissively. "If that's the case, I'd encourage you to cheat on me as much as you can."

"The contract had a castration clause if I did that," he replied, his face deadpan.

It didn't. My mother might have decided the engagement for me, but she wasn't as heartless as to not give me a copy of the contract they signed last month.

"Oh? Well, that's hardly my concern, is it? All I want is to get out of the engagement," I said, shrugging my shoulders.

"How cruel of you, Fūka," Kiyotaka sighed, shaking his head.

I winked at him. "You brought it upon yourself."

"Ah... I should keep my mouth shut, then."

"Good idea!"

As we descended further down, I couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. Despite his demeanor, Kiyotaka was fun to banter against. It made my feelings about our predicament a bit lighter.

We reached the bottom of the stairs, and I led him down a narrow hallway. The walls were lined with old photographs, generations of Kiryūins staring down at us with stern faces. I wondered what they would think of me now, leading my future husband here.

"Here we are," I said, stopping in front of a nondescript door. "My home inside my home."

Kiyotaka simply stared at me.

Okay, maybe comedy wasn't meant for me.

I pushed the door open, revealing a small, cozy room. Bookshelves lined the walls, filled with my favorite books. A worn, comfortable couch sat in the corner, piled high with soft blankets and pillows. And there, nestled among them, was my precious teddy bear.

I plopped down on the couch, hugging the bear to my chest. "Welcome to my inner sanctum," I said, grinning up at Kiyotaka. "Don't touch anything. I've got a system."

He raised an eyebrow, his gaze sweeping over the cluttered room. "You're just inviting me to touch something," he commented, then ran a finger along the spine of a well-worn book.