Opening her eyes with a groan, Momo tried to sit up, only for her body to refuse as a dull aching soreness rippled throughout her entire body. It was painful and uncomfortable, but for some reason, Momo couldn't suppress the pleased sigh that escaped her lips.
"Hmmm, someone sounds happy with their decisions."
Picking up her head, Momo glanced up at Kiniro, who was looking down at her as she lay on his chest, "What did you expect me to wake up screaming and kicking?"
Kiniro smirked, "No, I think you got all of that out of your system last night."
"Just know that if I could move, I would slap you right now," Momo muttered as she tried to move her arm and failed, "Are you happy with yourself, you brute? I won't be walking straight for the rest of the day! I don't even want to look at the state of my legs right now."
A self-satisfied smile spread across Kiniro's lips, "I may have gotten a bit overzealous with my teachings last night."
"May? I remember passing out three times and waking up in a different position each time with you still inside of me," Momo protested as she glared at Kiniro, who grinned back at her, "And every time I asked if you had enough, and guess what your reply was."
Now it was Momo's time to smile as she remembered the inescapable sea of pleasure Kiniro had drowned her in, "I never said that was a bad thing."
"Well, you certainly have a unique way of showing your appreciation," Kiniro muttered, "I don't even get a good morning."
Momo's smile broadened as she felt some strength return to her limbs, "Well then, let me show you just how much I appreciate your lessons."
Before Kiniro could say a word, Momo slipped beneath the covers, preparing to give Kiniro a very special thank you.
---
Sitting in the common room, Kasumi stared off into space with a vacant look in her eyes, wholly occupied with the memory of what she had witnessed last night.
"You're up early."
Kasumi flinched and, without even thinking, her hands shot down, wrapping around Nagi's grip and sheath ready to draw, when she realized who had spoken, "M-morning Mai."
"Did you get any sleep at all last night?" Mai asked as she opened the fridge, "I didn't see you come back last night after you went searching for Momo."
"I-I must have gotten back after you went to sleep," Kasumi said as her hands landed back in her lap.
Mai paused for a second, "Did you end up finding her?"
"N-no."
Mai snorted as she took out a box of fruit, "She must have flown off, then. Honestly, between the two of you, I thought she could handle the truth."
Kasumi frowned and looked over at Mai, only to find her classmate leveling a challenging gaze at her, "I'm not going to argue with you again, there's no point in it."
"I'm glad we both agree," Mai sniffed as she turned ready to walk away, only for the door to slide open as Momo walked in with a confident smile on her face.
"You're back, did you have a nice-" Mai's sarcasm died on her lips as she found Momo's eyes, 'Why is she looking at me like that?'
"Momo, are you alright?!" Kasumi asked in a panicked voice as she stood from her seat and stared at Momo with frightening intensity.
"Of course, I'm fine, Kasumi," Momo replied with a small smile as she cocked her head to the side, "Why wouldn't I be?"
Kasumi couldn't help but blush, "N-no reason, I-I was just worried since you didn't come back last night."
"Oh, that's so sweet of you," Momo said, "I'm so sorry I worried you I didn't mean-"
"Where did you go, Momo?" Mai suddenly interrupted while staring at Momo with a suspicious gaze, "And where's your broom?"
Momo's eyes slid over to glance at Mai, "I think both of you already know where I was last night, as for my broom."
Momo held out her hand, and a second later, a dark streak shot through the open door before slamming into her open palm. With its entrance, the streak summoned a gust of wind that swept through the room, carrying the intoxicating scent of roses and cherry blossom.
Mai and Kasumi's eyes widened as they sensed the faint trace of cursed energy that came along with the powerful perfume.
"I didn't want to bring it out since I'm still getting used to its powers, but I think it suits me, don't you think?" Momo asked as she showed off her new cursed tool. The handle was carved to resemble a dark ebony tree limb, with tiny flowers and vines etched into its surface, mimicking the actual crimson red flowers and vines that formed the broom instead of straw.
At first glance, the broom looked like a beautiful floral decoration, but a closer look revealed the dangerously sharp thorns covering the vines and the underside of each flower.
"He gave that to you?" Mai asked in a hushed whisper as she forcefully pulled her eyes off the curse tool that seemed to demand that it be appreciated, "Why would you go to him after everything that's happened?!"
Momo smiled, vanished as she glared at Mai, "Because you said it yourself, the strong will do what they want with the weak. But unlike you, I decided that I wasn't going to be weak anymore."
Mai's jaw clenched as she felt the contempt pouring off Momo's eyes, "You think that this makes you strong. Getting a handout and a fancy new toy?"
Momo smirked, "Jealousy isn't a good look on you, Mai, and once I master this toy, I'll be untouchable."
"And just what did it cost you?" Mai asked, starting Momo down, hoping that her confidence would crack, "I doubt he just gave it to you out of the kindness of his heart."
"Its price was something I doubt you'd be willing to pay," Momo replied coldly, "But if I had to, I would give it up a hundred times for a fraction of what I've received."
"And that doesn't bother you at all?!" Mai asked, her voice trembling with rage, "It doesn't bother you that you did something so shameful?"
"Not in the slightest," Momo answered without hesitation, "And you would say the same thing if you had even the slightest bit of self-worth, instead of spending all your time wallowing in pity."
"I'd rather wallow than reduce myself to a woman who sleeps around to get her way," Mai spat, her eyes practically burning with rage, "Do you think that one night is enough to completely change who you are as a person. Do you really think it's that easy?"
Momo grinned, "I'm not the one who's afraid of the answer, after all. If it only takes a single night to change your fate, then that means your weakness isn't the product of some broken society or world. It means that your weakness is an inherent quality of you as a person, and that a far scarier reality isn't it, Mai?"