Illicit Flower

Sweetness

Of fucking course I'm late.
Riya sprinted down the sidewalk, her backpack in her arm and her sandwich in her mouth. At home, she managed to shower, get dressed and pack her bag. Kaori, the elderly woman she lived with, even gave her a breakfast sandwich on her way out. But Riya's hair was still tied up in a messy bun from last night, and she wasn't wearing any makeup. As if being a succubus wasn't irritating enough, they also have a knack for bad luck.
You could always fly, Aya suggested.
My wings are still sore, and I don't need the attention, Riya snapped. What's your excuse?
I've been feeling weak lately, Aya responded. I don't know what it is, but try not to get in any more fights.
Riya sprinted across the road, not caring what people thought of the strange blue-haired girl running with a sandwich in her mouth. She narrowly avoided a truck, and Aya would've screamed if she wasn't used to her host's impulsiveness.
I don't mean to make you rush, but it's 8:58. The train will be there in two minutes.
Fuck this. Riya stopped running and her eyes glowed white. She focused on a passing car. She locked eyes with the driver and the car stopped.
What are you doing? Aya asked.
I need a ride. Riya replied as she walked up to the car. The driver, a woman in a business suit, was perfectly still. She wore her hair in a ponytail, her eyes were glowing white, and she was looking straight ahead. She slowly turned her head to Riya and unlocked the car. Riya got in the back.
"Miriyoku University," Riya told the woman.
And you couldn't call a taxi? Aya asked.
I'm broke, Riya answered. I'm not dealing with any more perverted drivers. You're in no condition to protect me and I'm not getting any blood on this outfit.
Aya disliked Riya's methods but stayed silent. She had been feeling very sore lately. How can a spirit feel anything? But some days Aya felt like she was glued to Riya's body, she couldn't roam freely anymore. It was getting harder to possess people, to use her powers at all. Aya was starting to feel exhausted, almost drained. And Aya didn't want to think about what would happen if she couldn't protect Riya.
In the car, Riya did everything she didn't have time to do at home; eat her sandwich, fix her hair, and do her makeup. And when she finished, she put on her headphones. She pressed play, closed her eyes, and leaned back in her seat.

After some time, the car abruptly stopped, jerking Riya forward. If not for her seatbelt, she would've fallen out of her seat.
What the-
You have arrived, Aya said, sounding a lot like Siri.
Riya stepped out of the car. She thanked her possessed driver and snapped her fingers. The woman's eyes returned to normal.
As Riya turned, she heard the woman say "What the fuck?" before speeding away.

Riya stopped again, her eyes glowing red. She sensed another... Someone like her was nearby. She hoped it wasn't Mai, Riya wasn't prepared for another fight. Still, she followed the sense.
The bakery, Aya suddenly said. I sense a hostile presence in there.
When Riya got to the bakery, she saw an older man yelling at what Riya assumed was the cashier. Another Asian girl who appeared to be in her twenties, with short, black hair above her shoulders, and a purple apron. The older man looked irate, the counter was the cashier's only protection.
Riya immediately knew that the cashier was the succubus. But the hostile energy was clearly coming from the man. Every few seconds, Riya saw him pound his fist on the counter. The cashier, however, looked indifferent if not slightly annoyed. He obviously wasn't the first customer to yell at her.
Aya, Riya began. I have to-
No, I get it. Aya said with a sigh. Sex demons have to stick together, right? But don't kill him.
You're no fun, Riya complained.

Riya opened the door, ringing the bell. The man clearly heard it but didn't stop yelling at the cashier.
"Stop pretending that you don't know me!" He shouted.
"I'm not pretending," she said coldly.
Riya managed to get a better look at him. From the back he was wearing a tan jacket, jeans, and gray sneakers. Riya guessed that he was starting to age, she could see the gray strands of hair standing out. His hair had been neatly combed back, but the smell of his cologne made Riya's eyes tear up. He probably bathed in it.
"How can you be so cruel?" He asked her. "We loved each other. We had a child together!"
"I'm not Misao." She answered.
He was so angry that he didn't notice Riya walking up behind him. Her eyes turned fully black, and her tail slowly slid out from under her skirt. Meanwhile the cashier wasn't even looking at him, she was busy writing something on a notepad.
He took a step back and covered his ears, "Stop lying! Please, I-I miss you. I still love you. It's been years. Come back to me. Please."
Wow. I almost feel sorry for him. Riya said to herself.
Now don't be rude, Aya scolded.
I'd like to point out that I'm not the one screaming at a girl, Riya answered.
The cashier finally stopped writing on her notepad and looked up. "No."
"Heartless slut!"
He raised his hand and that's when it happened. Riya pricked the back of his neck with her tail. He froze, his hand suspended in midair. The spot where Riya stung him turned black, and it grew to the size of a quarter. He grasped at the back of his neck and turned to see Riya's tail.
"You..." He pointed. "You're..." He looked at the cashier, then back at Riya. "You're both..."
His eyes rolled to the back of his head, and he collapsed.
"Thanks," said the cashier, her eyes still on her notepad.
"No problem." Riya looked at the man on the floor, "Do you know him?"
After a pause, the girl said, "Yes and no."
"What do you mean?"
The cashier stopped writing and looked up, and Riya noticed her brown eyes. "Obviously you know I'm a succubus," she said. "And that," she pointed to the guy on the floor. "...is Makio. When my mother was in college, she used Makio as a testing ground for her developing succubus powers. Then she dumped him for my father and Makio didn't take it well."
"Wait, this guy is your mother's first?" Riya asked.
The cashier nodded, "The problem is... I look exactly like my mom when she was younger. I could be her twin. And I guess Makio never forgets a face. He's been stalking me for weeks but today's the first time he actually approached me."
Riya carefully stepped over Makio's body, "I don't get it. If you knew he was stalking you, why didn't you do anything?"
She scoffed, "There's always rats on my tail. Unlike the others, he wasn't a threat. Until today."
So she's paying the price for her mother's actions, Aya assumed. Poor girl. And unfortunately that pattern sounds very familiar-
Shut up. Riya didn't want Aya analyzing anyone today.
"I'm Saotome, by the way." said the cashier.
"I'm Riya," she replied.
"I know," Saotome said flatly. "Shirakiin Riya. You come in here all the time, with Asumi and Nanako. You're always asking for donuts, croissants, pies, ice cream... You've got quite the sweet tooth. Anyway, I was wondering when you'd finally make your move."
Riya raised an eyebrow, "Excuse me?"
Saotome smiled, "Don't play dumb. Makio gave you the perfect excuse to talk to me."
Riya laughed nervously, "Bullshit. You say you've seen me here all the time, but I don't remember seeing you. I didn't even know you worked here."
"Let's just say I have my ways." Saotome responded.
So she's been spying on me? Riya asked.
I don't think that's what you should be focusing on, Aya replied. Saotome seems interested in you.
Riya snorted, Bullshit.
"She's right, you know." Saotome suddenly said.
Riya blinked, Did she just-
Saotome smiled and stared right into Riya's eyes, I can hear the thoughts of the living and the dead. I was disappointed that you didn't have any dirty thoughts about me.
"What in the fuck?!" Riya shouted.
Good thing the shop was empty, and Makio was still unconscious.
Riya could hear Aya laughing, She's a bold one.
Saotome giggled, "It's Aya, right? Your host is so vulgar."
You get used to it, said Aya.
Riya rolled her eyes, "Fuck you both."
Saotome winked, "Well if you insist."