High School DxD: Lustful Ascension

Qingqiu shrugged. Why not use a simple and quick method if available? It wasn't that he didn't want to think, but reasoning really wasn't his forte. He could think of gentler methods, but implementing them was troublesome.

"There's too little information. I've had no interactions with these three, so I can't judge," he admitted.

Sona frowned, "Are you sure you haven't offended anyone?"

"Positive."

Qingqiu was confident; he hadn't even had time to pursue his own targets, let alone bother with others.

"Then why are they targeting you?"

The suspects were identified, but the motive remained elusive. For a moment, Sona and Tsubaki had no solution.

"No idea, maybe because I'm handsome," Qingqiu quipped, accustomed to being targeted due to his protagonist template.

"If you ask me, bring them all in and interrogate them, starting with the third-year with the dyed yellow hair."

Qingqiu fanned the flames, "Look at his shifty eyes. He looks like trouble. Even if he didn't do this, he's probably done other shady things."

After spending a few days with Qingqiu, Tsubaki realized his distaste for blond males and had grown used to it.

"Uesugi, it's because he has yokai blood. His hair color is natural," Tsubaki explained.

Upon hearing it was natural, Qingqiu grew more animated. "It's him, I'm sure. He must have eavesdropped on our conversation, then got jealous…"

Sona covered her ears, exasperated. "Tsubaki, show him out!"

"Yes, President."

Tsubaki blocked Qingqiu's mouth with her hand and dragged him out of the student council room.

Qingqiu couldn't resist, leaving a bit of saliva on Tsubaki's hand as revenge.

Feeling the warm, moist sensation of Qingqiu's tongue on her palm, Tsubaki blushed.

"Tsk... little pervert, always taking advantage when he can."

Seeing Tsubaki's flushed face, Qingqiu wrapped his arm around her and pressed his lips against hers over her hand.

"Mmm—"

With his mouth covered, Qingqiu could only make indecipherable sounds.

Tsubaki reluctantly removed her hand, "What do you want to say?"

Qingqiu had nothing to say; he merely wanted Tsubaki to lower her guard. With his goal achieved, he seized the chance to kiss her again.

As their lips met, Tsubaki paused, realizing she'd been tricked. She instinctively tried to push him away but stopped, recalling their time spent together and the possibility of a future relationship.

Tasting her soft lips, Qingqiu attempted to part her teeth. He employed all his kissing techniques—probing, entwining, sucking—but Tsubaki held her jaw firmly shut, giving him no opportunity.

Intent on continuing, Qingqiu found himself breathless, while Tsubaki's breathing remained steady.

In the hallway, Qingqiu couldn't afford to get handsy or use diversionary tactics, especially suspecting that if he did, Tsubaki might retaliate with a hold that would teach him a lesson about overstepping without sufficient strength.

Just as Qingqiu was about to give up, a warm, slippery tongue met his, tracing its way into his mouth.

Qingqiu stared at the beauty before him, momentarily stunned.

Tsubaki shot him a flirtatious glance, wrapping her arms around his neck and closing her eyes.

Indeed, fortune favors the persistent, Qingqiu thought, invigorated by the unexpected turn of events. He concentrated on guiding Tsubaki, who, despite her lack of experience, was willing to follow his lead.

Fortunately, Tsubaki was quite cooperative, and with Qingqiu leading the way, they quickly found their rhythm. They were entwined, savoring each moment, as Qingqiu's mind buzzed with a delightful chime.

"Ding! Talent detected: Mirror Reflect."

"Beginning replication..."

After about ten minutes, Qingqiu reluctantly released Tsubaki's luscious lips. He hadn't expected that even kissing required utilizing the talent he'd mastered through basic physical abilities. In truth, without it, he might have found himself breathless during the kiss. Increasing his strength was urgent!

Reflecting on the experience, Qingqiu couldn't help but relish the memory. Tsubaki's saliva tasted far better than that of Hamazaki Reina and her friends, with a subtle, refreshing fragrance. He wondered if it was due to her strength or because she had been reincarnated as a devil. Kissing Reina and the others often depended on what they had eaten—strawberries, cake, or something less pleasant, at which point Qingqiu would refuse to kiss.

"Tsubaki-senpai, how about another round?" Qingqiu asked, seizing the rare opportunity to indulge further.

Tsubaki rolled her eyes, playfully annoyed. "We're going to be late for class. Don't push your luck. Go on, think about who might be targeting you."

"Tsubaki-senpai," Qingqiu said, pulling her closer, "We've already kissed, so let's just call each other by our names."

In Japan, calling someone by their first name is reserved for close relationships. Between men and women, it signifies either family ties or a romantic connection, as with childhood friends who are closer than lovers.

"You've already done it, so why ask?" Tsubaki sighed, "Okay, consider today's kiss an advance payment—don't overthink it."

"If it's an advance, a few more wouldn't hurt," Qingqiu reasoned.

Tsubaki hesitated. His argument made sense—more advances could help win Qingqiu over. So, they indulged in a few more kisses until Sona, unable to stand it any longer, came out to usher them away.

Back in class, Qingqiu wore a satisfied grin. Having progressed with Tsubaki, he felt closer to hitting a home run. As he reveled in his future prospects, his dual cultivation ability surprised him once more.

"Replication failed."

"Acquired talent: Mirror Reflect · Remnant."

"Talent description: Returns 20% of received damage to the source."

Success required authenticity; without it, failure ensued. Qingqiu had anticipated this possibility, though he hadn't had the chance to test it until now. Unexpectedly, the experiment yielded an unforeseen reward. Although he failed, it wasn't a complete failure.

Glancing at his watch, he noted that an hour had passed since parting with Tsubaki. It seemed that if no fluid exchange occurred within an hour, it would be deemed a failed replication. Yet even in failure, he obtained a partial version of the talent.

[•———•——•———•]

𝙥𝗮𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙤𝙣(.)𝙘𝙤𝙢/𝙂𝙤𝙙𝙊𝙛𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧

✨ • 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀: 𝙂𝙚𝙩 𝟲𝟬+ 𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙖𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙚𝙡𝙨𝙚.