Chapter 34: The Flame
The quiet of the night settled over the dorm as Kikidori leaned back against the headboard, his thoughts scattered. Toga rested against him, her head on his shoulder, humming softly to herself like she didn't have a care in the world. Her presence was oddly calming, even though Kikidori knew it shouldn't be.
"This is nice," Toga said suddenly, her voice light and carefree. "Just us, no heroes, no villains... no rules."
Kikidori sighed. "You're pushing your luck just being here. If anyone finds out—"
"No one will," she interrupted, sitting up to look at him. Her golden eyes locked onto his mismatched green and blue ones, a playful yet intense energy radiating off her. "Besides, you wouldn't let them take me away, would you?"
Kikidori frowned. "You don't make it easy to defend you, Toga."
She grinned, leaning in closer until their faces were mere inches apart. "Good. Easy is boring."
Before he could react, she swung a leg over and straddled his lap, her hands resting lightly on his shoulders. Kikidori stiffened, his pulse quickening as her mischievous grin widened.
"Toga, what are you doing?" he asked, his voice low and cautious.
"Nothing you don't want me to," she replied innocently, though the glint in her eyes was anything but.
"Toga—"
She cut him off by leaning forward, her lips brushing against his ear as she whispered, "You really need to stop being so serious, Kiki. Life's more fun when you let go a little."
Her fingers trailed down his arms, sending a shiver through him. Kikidori clenched his fists, trying to keep his composure. "Toga, this isn't—"
"Isn't what?" she teased, her lips dangerously close to his. "Isn't right? Isn't allowed? Isn't what you want?"
Kikidori's jaw tightened, but he didn't answer. Toga smirked, clearly enjoying his internal struggle.
"You're so cute when you're flustered," she said, her voice dropping into a softer, more teasing tone.
Before he could respond, she leaned in and kissed him again, this time more deliberate and lingering. Kikidori's mind screamed at him to stop, to push her away, but his body betrayed him as he kissed her back, his hands resting lightly on her hips.
Toga's hands slid up to his face, holding him in place as she deepened the kiss, her actions bolder and more confident. When they finally broke apart, both of them were breathing heavily, the tension between them almost suffocating.
"You're insane," Kikidori muttered, his voice rough.
Toga laughed, her face flushed but her smile radiant. "And you love it."
She shifted slightly, her movements sending another jolt of awareness through him. "Admit it, Kiki. You like having me around. You like me."
Kikidori looked away, his face heating up. "You're impossible."
"And you're mine," Toga said, her tone soft but possessive. She leaned forward, resting her forehead against his. "You can try to deny it all you want, but I know how you feel."
Kikidori sighed, his resolve crumbling as he wrapped his arms around her. "You're going to get me in so much trouble."
Toga grinned, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Worth it."
As the night went on, Toga stayed close, her playful and affectionate nature making Kikidori question everything he thought he knew about himself.
The end of Chapter 34.