I Took A Succubus's First Time-Chapter 182: Masaki’s Cry

A second magic circle ignited, flooding the space with radiant light. The intricate sigils shimmered with an otherworldly glow, pulsating as though breathing. Then, as swiftly as it had appeared, the brilliance dimmed, dissipating into the air like embers carried by the wind.

In its place, a woman now stood.

"Masaki," Yuuna addressed her, her voice steady yet imbued with an unmistakable warmth. "Have you been well since that day? I trust Kyouka's faction has provided you with proper care."

Masaki lifted her gaze, her expression unreadable. "Yes," she answered, her tone composed yet laced with something deeper—hesitation, perhaps. "Kyouka's faction has been welcoming. I have been well accommodated."

The words came smoothly, but there was a weight behind them. A burden she had not yet shed.

Masaki belonged to the Souichiro Faction—the same faction that had orchestrated the attack on Yuuna's territory. She had stood among the assailants, wielding her strength against the Yuuna Faction. But before that, before Souichiro had taken her through threats and coercion, she had been one of Yuuna's own.

She had been the first to pledge herself to Yuuna.

And the first to betray her.

Yuuna exhaled softly, her shoulders easing as if casting off an unseen weight. "I'm relieved to hear that."

A quiet chuckle came from Kyouka, who stood beside Masaki. "Yuuna, do you truly believe I would harm Masaki?" Her voice was light, yet her gaze held a quiet intensity. "You should know me better than that by now. I wouldn't lay a hand on her."

Yuuna met her gaze, a faint, knowing smile curving her lips. "I never doubted you, Kyouka. I truly appreciate what you've done for my sake." Then, her tone shifted, regaining its edge. "Now then, I'm here because—"

"You sound tired." Kyouka's voice cut through Yuuna's words, her keen eyes narrowing in scrutiny. "Are you alright?"

Yuuna hesitated, just for a moment. Then, she exhaled. "I'm fine. I just feel a bit drained from the sudden disappearance of the Love Link enhancement. But it's nothing concerning."

"Love Link?" Kyouka's brow arched slightly. "You used the Child of Anti-Prophecy to strengthen yourself against Chihiro?"

Yuuna's gaze hardened. "Used?" she echoed, her voice carrying the weight of unspoken disapproval. "That is not the right word, Kyouka."

She exhaled, composing herself. "Kouhei-kun despises that term, and I will not reduce him to a mere tool. He wishes to help us—he chose this. Through his power, he grants us strength, and with the energy he gave me, I was able to persuade Chihiro." A small, almost wistful smile flickered across her lips.

"I see…" Kyouka murmured, unreadable.

"Now," Yuuna said, regaining her focus, "let's return to what I came here for."

She turned to Masaki.

"Masaki, I want you to rejoin my faction and stand with me against Souichiro."

A sharp intake of breath.

Masaki's fingers twitched at her sides. "B-But…"

"This is the only way, Masaki," Yuuna pressed, her voice unwavering. "If you want to reclaim your sister, then lend your strength to me. Together, we can bring him down."

"I…"

Masaki hesitated.

A storm raged within her.

Souichiro still held her sister—his bargaining chip, his leverage. If she defected, if she rejoined Yuuna, there was no telling what he would do. She had seen his cruelty firsthand. She had witnessed it with her own eyes. She knew exactly what he was capable of.

And yet…

That was not the only reason she faltered.

She had betrayed Yuuna once.

She had been the first to swear loyalty to her, and the first to break that oath. She had abandoned Yuuna when she needed her most. She had turned away and chosen Souichiro instead.

Now, she was being offered a second chance.

Did she deserve that?

Could she truly return to the very faction she had once betrayed?

No. That was impossible.

She lowered her gaze. The words felt heavy on her tongue, but she forced them out.

"I'm sorry, Yuuna-sama," she whispered. "But I don't think I am worthy of returning to the Yuuna Faction. I have already betrayed you once… There is no saying I won't do so again. There is no real benefit in allowing me back."

The room fell into silence.

Only the distant hum of residual magic filled the air, crackling softly before fading into nothingness.

Masaki still bore the crushing weight of guilt, a relentless torment that never loosened its grip. Not a single day had passed without that unbearable shame pressing against her heart, gnawing at her from the inside. The memory of what she had done to Yuuna clung to her like a festering wound, refusing to heal. No matter how much she wished to turn back time, to undo the past, it was impossible. The damage was done. All that remained was the burden she had to carry, a stain on her soul that would never fade.

Yuuna took a step forward, closing the distance between them until their bodies were nearly touching. The warmth of her presence, so close yet unreadable, sent a shiver down Masaki's spine. Yuuna was slightly taller—just a centimeter or two at most—but the difference was negligible. They stood eye to eye, their gazes locked in an unspoken exchange of emotions too complex to put into words.

Yuuna's voice was calm, yet each syllable struck with quiet force.

"You hesitate because of your guilt," she said, her tone unwavering. "You believe that betraying me makes you unworthy of returning. That burden is weighing down your heart, filling you with doubt, tearing you apart."

A hand reached out, warm fingers gently cupping Masaki's cheek. The touch was impossibly soft, yet it sent a pulse of electricity through her.

"But there is something you fail to understand, Masaki."

Yuuna's eyes darkened, not with anger, but with a quiet intensity.

"I never once resented you when you left me to follow Souichiro," she said. "And now that I know the truth—now that I understand what forced your hand—I could never blame you."

She finally understood everything.

Souichiro had played his cards well, twisting the knife into Masaki's greatest weakness—her sister. He hadn't wanted Yuuna to gain independence, hadn't wanted her to carve her own path. So he had schemed, manipulated, and stolen Masaki away before she could truly cement herself by Yuuna's side.

But Souichiro's reach had limits. The others in Yuuna's faction had no such weaknesses. They had nothing he could use against them. And that was why, despite his efforts, he had failed to stop her completely.

Yuuna exhaled softly, then extended both arms, wrapping them around Masaki. The embrace was firm, unyielding, as if anchoring her in place.

"You don't need to torment yourself anymore," she murmured, her breath warm against Masaki's ear. "You didn't betray me, Masaki. You were protecting your sister. I understand that. I always will."

The dam broke.

Masaki's lips quivered. Her breath hitched. The emotions she had repressed for so long—years of guilt, of pain, of helplessness—rushed to the surface, bursting free in an unstoppable wave.

Tears welled in her eyes, blurred her vision, and then spilled over, streaming down her cheeks like an overflowing river. Her chest heaved as a sob tore from her throat.

"Uwaaaaaah...! Ah… Ah…" The words came out in broken, desperate cries. "I'm sorry, Yuuna-sama… I'm so sorry for betraying you… for leaving without saying a word… I… I'm so sorry… Uuu..."

Her body shook violently, wracked with grief and remorse, her sobs raw and unrestrained.

Yuuna's hand ran over the back of her head, fingers threading through her hair, offering silent comfort. "There, there," she whispered, her voice soothing. "It's alright now. Let it out."

Kyouka stood in the background, watching silently.

Yuuna had changed.

Time and time again, Kyouka had witnessed her transformation, and yet, she still found herself astonished. She had thought nothing could surprise her anymore. And yet, here she was—watching something unfold that she had never expected to see.

A twinge of jealousy stirred inside her.

Eventually, Masaki's sobs faded. Her body still trembled, but the worst had passed. With shaky hands, she fumbled for a handkerchief, wiping away the tear tracks that streaked her face. Her breaths came out uneven, sniffles interrupting the silence. Slowly, she lifted her gaze to Yuuna, her eyes red-rimmed yet filled with something new—relief.

"I don't know if I'll be of much use to you, Yuuna-sama," she admitted, her voice hoarse from crying. "And I don't know if I have the strength to truly aid you against Souichiro-sama… but if you will accept me, I will fight by your side."

Yuuna smiled. A soft, genuine smile that held neither doubt nor hesitation.

"Really?" she asked, a note of warmth in her tone.

Masaki nodded.

"Thank you, Masaki."

And with that, Masaki was once again a member of the Yuuna Faction.

***

Kouhei lay sprawled on his bed, his gaze drifting aimlessly across the ceiling.

The space beside him was empty. Cold.

He had already spent the night with the girls, indulging in their warmth and pleasure, but now that they were gone, an odd sense of loneliness lingered.

He let out a quiet sigh.

"Well, not like there's much I can do about it," he muttered under his breath. "They were all pretty exhausted..."

The thought barely had time to settle before a sound caught his attention—the soft creak of a door opening.

His eyes flicked toward the entrance of his room.

A silhouette stood in the dim light, framed by the doorway.

A slow, familiar voice cut through the quiet.

"Okumura-kun," the figure murmured. "Would you mind if I joined you?"

The soft glow of the hallway light illuminated her features.

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It was Misuzu.