The S-Class Mage is a Gyaru!?-Chapter 54: Rising Star, Part Eight

Before I can get to the point where I can actually use the pill, I need to lay the foundation. Obviously, if I just show up on the day of the event and kiss Akari, she will definitely notice something’s off.

But unfortunately, seducing Nakamura Akari is like trying to flirt with a brick wall. A very gay, very dense brick wall.

It goes something like this...

---

The Many Attempts At Seducing Akari Nakamura

Attempt one:

I spend an hour modifying my uniform to perfection. Shorter skirt, hitting just above regulation length. Tighter blouse, top two buttons conveniently forgotten. Even a hint of lace peeking out, because I am not above using every weapon in my arsenal.

My entrance to practice is calculated. Sun streaming through the windows at just the right angle, hair flowing, hips swaying. The kind of entrance that got Professor Sato to bend me over his desk without a second thought.

The result of all this effort?

"Your shirt’s buttoned wrong," is all she says before going back to making out with Haruka.

[Are you fucking kidding me?]

---

Attempt two:

I time this one perfectly.

Wait until she’s done sucking face with Haruka for once, right as Professor Chen is droning on about mana theory. My pencil case is loaded with freshly sharpened writing instruments, ready to be "accidentally" dropped.

The execution is flawless. I stand up to "check something" on the board, making sure to walk past her desk. As I pass, I let my favorite pen slip from my fingers. It hits the floor with a soft tap.

Then, channeling every ounce of seduction that got me into Class 1, I bend over. Slowly. Deliberately. My skirt rides up just enough to show the lace tops of my thighs highs, position calculated to give her the perfect view of what’s underneath.

Three boys in the back row actually choke. Someone drops their textbook. Even Reina, miss perfect princess herself, actually stops taking notes.

Akari’s response?

"Yo, Lily, you dropped something."

[I will murder you.]

She doesn’t even look up from where she’s doodling little hearts in her notebook, probably thinking about Haruka’s dick or whatever.

[Maybe I should just bash her head in with the pen instead.]

---

Attempt three:

The classic "help me stretch before practice" routine. A tried and true method that’s worked on everyone from Professor Sato to that hot guy from Class 2. I wear my shortest shorts, the ones that show just enough ass to be distracting. Position myself right in Akari’s line of sight.

"Could you help me stretch?" I ask, voice honey-sweet. "I’m just so... tight today."

She doesn’t even look up from her phone, probably sexting Haruka or something equally crude.

"Nah, you’re flexible enough," she says, thumbs tapping away. "Besides, Haruka’s way better at that stuff."

[HOW ARE YOU THIS OBLIVIOUS?]

Fine. Time for Plan B.

During our triangle formation practice, I execute the perfect "stumble." My ankle gives way (on purpose), sending me falling right toward her. Any normal person would catch me, maybe cop a feel, create some tension.

But no. Not Akari fucking Nakamura.

This bitch uses her magic to catch me. MAGIC. A perfect cushion of mana, I don’t even know how she did it, that stops me mid-fall.

"Careful," she grins, clearly proud of her quick thinking. "Can’t have you falling before the big day."

[I hate you. I hate you so much.]

I’m about ready to scream. The pill sits heavy in my pocket while I watch her and Haruka going at it against the lockers, all tongues and wandering hands and zero awareness of anyone else.

[Maybe I actually should just force it down her throat.]

"Everything okay?" Reina asks, catching whatever murder must be showing on my face. "You’ve been acting weird lately."

I paint on my sweetest smile, the one that got me out of three detentions last semester.

"Just nervous about the exhibition!"

[And plotting murder. But mostly the exhibition.]

Two more days. Two more days to somehow get close enough to that idiot to slip her the pill. Just two days to figure out how to seduce someone who’s apparently immune to every trick in my extensive book.

[This would be so much easier if she wasn’t such a...]

Right then, because the universe hates me, Akari decides to show off. She does some complicated hand gesture and suddenly the whole gym is filled with cherry blossoms. Again. Like we get it, you’re talented.

"Pretty cool, right?" she grins at me, all pink eyes and perfect teeth.

[Stop making this harder.]

"Very impressive," I say, voice dripping enough honey to drown a bear. "Maybe you could show me how you did that sometime?"

"Oh, sure!" She beams, actually fucking beams. "It’s super easy. You just gotta..."

And she launches into an actual explanation of the spell mechanics, completely missing my attempted bedroom eyes, the way I’m leaning forward, everything.

[... I might actually give up. This is so hard.]

---

Two days before the exhibition, and we’re still practicing. In my humble opinion, we don’t stand much of a chance of winning, but it doesn’t matter.

I don’t need to beat the Honda Guild. I just need to look better than Nakamura.

The gym’s hot as hell today, which isn’t helping anyone’s temper. Especially not mine. Watching Akari and her little gyaru cheerleader making googly eyes at each other between every attempt is enough to make me want to strangle someone.

[If I have to watch them swap spit one more time...]

"Focus," I snap as Akari’s mana spirals out like some drunk, blue tornado again. "Your form is sloppy."

"Maybe if you weren’t such a stuck-up bitch about it-"

"Maybe if you actually listened-"

And we’re in each other’s faces now, close enough that I can see myself in the reflection of her eyes. Close enough to slip her that pill, if it was the day of the event and I wasn’t so fucking pissed.

"I am listening," she snarls. "But your fancy proper technique shit isn’t-"

I step closer, jabbing a finger at her chest.

"My ’fancy proper technique’ is what’s keeping us from exploding, you oversexed excuse for a mage. Now, are you going to keep getting distracted or are you going to focus?"

She glares.

"Fine, fine, come on, I’ll focus," she says that last word with a bit of a mocking edge and I have to exhale deeply to stop myself from continuing the argument.

But, that’s when I notice it.

Her cheeks are flushed pink. Those obnoxious pink eyes are dilated. And is she... is she actually biting her lip?

[Wait a fucking second...] I raise a brow.

I pull back, staring at her.

[What? Are you serious? THIS is what gets you hot and heavy!?!?]

"Um," Reina cuts in from where she’s been watching our little show. "Should we take five?"

Haruka’s sprawled out on the bleachers, actually grinning.

"Nah, let ’em fight. It’s kinda hot."

[Oh my god.]

"Whatever," I turn away, trying to process this revelation. "Let’s just... try the formation again."

But I can’t help noticing how Akari’s mana feels different now. I’ve never been particularly good at sensing others’ mana, but in this case it’s just noticeable enough for me to feel. It’s... Warmer. More... excited.

So, I try it out more.

"Your stance is pathetic," I snap, circling her like a shark. "Honestly, did you learn magic in a barn?"

Her mana pulses. Hard. Now that I’m focusing on it so intently, it becomes obvious.

[Oh, this is too good.]

I step closer, right up in her personal space. Close enough to see her throat bob as she swallows.

"Maybe if you spent less time with your tongue down Haruka’s throat and more time actually practicing-"

"I-I do practice," she stammers and looks away.

"Could’ve fooled me." I reach out, grabbing her chin. Force her to look at me. "Now do it again. And this time, try not to embarrass yourself."

I swear, I feel her twitch as soon as I touch her.

This is... kind of crazy isn’t it?

[Who knew the mighty S-Class was such a fucking bottom?]

Every time I snap at her, it pulses. Every time I get in her face, it surges.

[You’ve got to be kidding me. All this time trying to seduce her and what gets her going is me being a bitch?]

"Your stance is wrong again," I say, testing my theory.

Sure enough, her mana spikes. Her breath catches.

[Unbelievable.]

"Ugh, sorry... Give me a-"

"Don’t be sorry," I step closer, voice sharp. "Be better."

The whole time, I’m trying not to grin too much.

Eventually, though, I feel like it’s time to regroup.

"You know what?" I announce to the room. "I think we’re done for today. Clearly some of us need to... cool off."

Akari won’t meet my eyes as she practically runs to Haruka, who’s wearing the biggest shit-eating grin I’ve ever seen.

As I pack up my things, I can hear them whispering:

"Babe, were you actually getting turned on by-"

"Shut up!"

"Oh my god, you were!"

[Two days until the exhibition. Two days to use this... interesting new information.]

The pill sits heavy in my pocket as I watch them leave, Akari still blushing, Haruka still teasing.

[Maybe this won’t be so hard after all.]