In the dimly lit room, a melody intertwined rhythmically with a giggle that was difficult to hear clearly. It held a mysterious quality with a hint of amusement, yet it did not originate from her; rather, it came from the other side of the room, subtly revealing that someone else was nearby.
Her body was frozen, her eyes locked on the floor beneath her. Yet, she could sense the unmistakable rhythm of high heels nearing her, accompanied by an enticing fragrance that lingered just at the tip of her nose.
Additionally, she could sense the touch of that individual as well. It was a familiar emotion, yet the source of that familiarity eluded her memory. The clarity of the moment intensified as she sensed that person's next move—the way that person smoothly climbed on top of her, embraced her neck with their arms, and initiated a dance.
Powerless to move away from that body, unable to articulate her thoughts, and helpless to soothe her heart, which was racing inexplicably.
And the embarrassment peaked when she faintly heard a moan near her ear, coupled with the rhythm of that person's body moving up and down against her.
Her cheeks flushed as she shut her eyes, convincing herself that this was merely a figment of her imagination and was nothing more than a dream. Yet the misguided thought collapsed when an unexpected ache struck her head as a gentle bite on her earlobe accompanied whispered words in her ear.
“I've been knowing you for long enough, but I sincerely apologize, Seele. I really can’t help but need you right now.”
Her blue eyes widened in surprise for the first time during this encounter, meeting the enchanting magenta gaze that was watching her intently. What astonished her wasn't merely the knowledge of her name but the unsettling sensation that she couldn't recall their initial encounter.
Conversely, upon noticing the puzzled expression on Seele’s face, the beautiful girl with enchanting and somewhat mysterious magenta eyes simply chuckled. Gradually, the girl's body pressed closer, bringing their noses nearly to touch, allowing them to feel each other's warm breath and hear the rhythm of their heartbeats.
"However, you can take your time; don't have to rush because this might take us a while."
—————————
The dark space, illuminated by flashing lights synchronized to the music, created an enchanting scene that exuded an air of ambiguity. Facing that spectacle, the blue eyes instinctively squinted, experiencing a mix of tension and discomfort simultaneously.
For those clad in expensive, stylish attire, however, the scene sparked nothing but excitement and enthusiasm. More specifically, the excitement was evident in the loud cheers and exuberant gestures of men and women raising their drinks high, reveling in the performance, even if it meant setting aside their usual dignified and polite demeanor.
Meanwhile, at the center of this allure was a stunning woman, gracefully removing her delicate lingerie layer by layer, revealing the beautiful, private parts bestowed upon her by nature.
In a hidden corner farthest from the stage, the blue eyes gradually shifted their gaze and turned away, unable to continue watching. Yet, she couldn't bring herself to stand up and leave, especially with her twin sister, Seele, and her best friend, Senti, sitting next to her, embroiled in a fierce argument.
“How many times have I told you? I understand if you wanted me to participate, but what was the reason for bringing Seele here as well???!! Are you really unaware that she doesn't belong in a place like this, you idiot?!!! Yet you still induced her to go to this damn club!!!”
“How am I supposed to know what’s in this club? Besides, Seele said she wanted to find you, so I just brought her here. And that was not inducement, so be careful with what you say."
""You jerk!!!! It was your bringing Seele here that forced me to come!!!!"
"The reason for that is you saw my message but chose not to reply. And I thought you agreed, yet now it seems you're blaming me for this."
"You..."
Their argument grew increasingly loud, drowning out the music and drawing the attention of those around them. Just when the situation was escalating, a deep and pleasant voice cut through the chaos.
“It's alright, “Seele”. It’s clearly my fault for not gathering more details about your situation and causing Senti-san to misunderstand. You two should stop arguing about this. Besides, shouldn’t we prioritize figuring out how to leave, just as we intended?”
The red hue of “Seele”'s face softened as she looked at her twin sister, who had the reflection of her own features but gentler, mirroring the calm blue eyes that seemed to embody an angelic heart, effortlessly soothing the anger within her. This calming influence extended to Senti as well, who scratched her head, feeling a pang of regret and remorse that seemed to come from nowhere.
With a heavy sigh, "Seele" lowered her eyelids in an attempt to relax. After that, just as she began to wrap her arms around herself, her eyes fluttered open and she caught sight of the woman performing a provocative dance around the pole. That scene unintentionally caused her expression to be one of unmistakable revulsion.
“If Seele said so, then it's time for us to start working on our plans. Seele and I tried to exit, but the guards stopped us, saying we weren't allowed to leave just yet. They didn’t even bother to provide a reason and forced us to return to our seats. Even at present, they are keeping an eye on us. What about you, Senti?”
Senti sighed softly, feeling slightly parched. She leaned in to pick up the glass of wine sitting in front of her, but quickly withdrew her hand when she caught sight of “Seele”'s intense and curious stare. Even though it was just a small action, it unconsciously stirred a sense of caution and suspicion within “Seele” regarding her best friend.
After all, according to “Seele”, Senti never drank alcohol.
Unfortunately, Seele, her little sister who was seated beside Senti, was unaware of this. However, her twin noticed that Senti was feeling hesitant, so she softly handed her a glass of orange juice.
“It's not a good idea to drink alcohol right now, so feel free to try this orange juice.”
A hint of hesitation and confusion flickered in Senti’s eyes, briefly evoking a familiar magenta hue in Seele’s memory. Nonetheless, not wanting to reject Seele’s good intentions, Senti reached for the glass of orange juice, accidentally brushing against Seele’s finger.
However, she didn’t drink it immediately. Instead, she looked over at Seele, smiled, and posted the question to her best friend’s younger sister.
“Ah, thank you, Seele. But doesn’t this place only serve alcoholic drinks? How did you manage to order a typical orange juice here?”
Seele blinked, her expression one of confusion as she processed Senti’s words. Nevertheless, a shy smile broke through as she responded.
“Isn't it normal to order any drink we like?”
“Or this idiot might have thought that our only drink options at a club were alcoholic ones. And even if she didn’t like it, she’d have to swallow her pride and choose something to order.”
"Seele" watched from nearby, feeling a sense of relief as some of her anxiety began to fade while observing the situation unfold. Yet despite her efforts to stay calm, she couldn't remain motionless when Senti touched with Seele's glass of orange juice.
The moment the sentence concluded, “Seele” intended to leap forward and snatch the glass from Senti's grasp. Unfortunately, Senti was quicker and took the glass to her lips, drinking from the same spot where Seele had just taken a sip, completely disregarding the straw Seele had just inserted for her.
Due to this, the expression of frustration that seemed trapped within “Seele”, along with the triumphant look on Senti's face, reignited the atmosphere that had just calmed down. Sitting beside her, Seele sensed that the tension between the two was palpable. In order to change their focus, she promptly switched to a different subject.
“Hmm…. Let's return to the matter at hand. How about Senti-san? Is everything okay?”
Senti averted her gaze from the furious individual, beamed warmly, and directed their attention towards Seele. Still, “Seele”'s eyes gleamed with intensity as she kept looking at her.
“Interacting with you feels much smoother than having discussions with her. For that reason, I, Senti-san, will share what she has heard in return.”
Typically, Senti's cheerful and carefree demeanor, paired with her radiant smile, helps to alleviate the tense atmosphere. Nevertheless, Seele had a feeling that something was amiss.
“According to what I gathered from the guests here, they mentioned that some dancers will be visiting each table to put on performances to give an invitation.”
“Invitation?”
The skepticism in her blue eyes was evident; however, before Senti had the chance to respond to her doubts, her twin sister displayed a clear look of disgust as she muttered dismissively about "invitation".
“Invitation? Just to rub their private parts on something and strip in order to appeal to the perverse and lewd nature of those present, all for the sake of earning some money?”
“Please don't say that, “Seele”. We can't know for sure what the invitation means. Right, Senti-san?”
For a fleeting instant, Senti fixed her gaze on Seele, seemingly deep in thought, but her cheerful demeanor returned the moment Seele looked her way again.
“The invitation refers to lap dance performances. This means the dancer will perform erotic dance privately for a specific guest. If that guest meets a dancer they are interested in getting a private dance from, they can ask her at the end of her set. Additionally, guests can also give tips to attract the dancer's attention, similar to what’s happening right now.”
Unaware of her actions, Senti traced her finger along the rim of Seele's glass of orange juice, creating a rhythmic sound that left "Seele" feeling uncomfortable as she listened to her friend's odd manner of speaking. However, in contrast to her twin sister, this evoked a sense of familiarity for Seele once again.
“Besides, do you know that lap dance has another intriguing interpretation?”
Her eyes, with vaguely red color mixed with a familiar hue, created a sense of overlap as they gazed charmingly yet somewhat invitingly at Seele.
“Do you like it? I will do it just for you, my dear.”
Blinking in surprise at Senti’s sudden shift in demeanor and her words, Seele felt herself blush slightly and instinctively leaned back, wary of the situation. Fortunately, the dimness of the surrounding shadows allowed her to partially conceal her expression upon hearing those words.
On the other hand, "Seele" largely ignored Senti’s teasing and instead felt a wave of boredom, wishing to wrap up the discussion as soon as possible.
"Isn’t there any valuable information on how we can escape from here, Senti?"
“Not at the moment, yet there remains a potential. They mentioned that this evening marks a unique and rare occasion, beginning exclusively by invitation. Consequently, all the guests must remain until that one makes their decision.”
Upon hearing the news, a look of skepticism crossed "Seele’s" face, and then she frowned in thought about their next move.
“Decision? So we just have to wait? Who knows when that person will show up? We also cannot determine if that one is actually a dancer working at the club or simply someone in search of a dancer.”
The moment "Seele" asked the question, a wave of apprehension washed over the blue eyes, suggesting that something was amiss. Seele quickly turned her gaze forward, only to discover countless bright eyes in the darkness watching them. Strangely, it appeared that neither "Seele" nor Senti noticed the unsettling presence at all.
The faces of the guests began to contort into grotesque shapes, their laughter echoing everywhere, merging with the music and creating discomfort that pierced the core of Seele's mind.
Struggling to breathe, Seele's hand involuntarily rose to her head, as if to shield herself from the sudden, unexpected pain. Yet, amidst the agony, she began to hear faint, indistinct sounds echoing closely in her ears.
"Congratulations..."
"...found it..."
"...found it..."
"Congratulations..."
"Congratulations, you've found your other half..."
In the corner of her vision, Seele could vaguely make out "Seele's" worried face, along with the surprise etched on Senti's features. Despite the pain she felt, Seele mustered all her rationality and managed to issue a warning, even as her surroundings were fading into darkness.
“Leave… leave… it’s not safe… leave… quickly, “Seele”, Senti-san…..”
—————————
The melodious music danced close to her ears, pulling Seele from her deep slumber. However, the lingering ache from the previous headache persisted, causing her to open her eyes wearily.
In the midst of her actions, soft light flooded her vision, prompting her to frown at the sudden brightness. Little by little, the uncomfortable sensation faded as her body adjusted to the intensity of the surrounding light, which also brought back the memories of what had transpired before she lost consciousness.
Startled by a sudden surge of memories, Seele felt a wave of panic wash over her as she looked around, searching for the familiar faces of her twin sister and her sister's best friend. Unfortunately, all she found was an unfamiliar room, where a girl with magenta eyes and a familiar appearance sat next to her, smiling and secretly observing her every gesture.
The girl had long, straight, gray-brown hair adorned with a few peacock feather-like accessories, giving her a simple yet charming look. A delicate bracelet with intricately carved silver-gray details wrapped around half of her forearm. Upon closer inspection, Seele noticed a silver-gray chain connecting the end of the bracelet to another small bracelet of the same color on her bicep. Just below her elbow, Seele spotted another small, elegantly curved bracelet that hugged a small section of that girl's forearm, positioned a short distance from the one below. The accessories on that arm were perfectly parallel to those on the other side.
However, this was all Seele could glean from the glimpses between the veils that covered the girl's body. And what lay beneath those veils, Seele really didn't have the courage to imagine or predict further since the mere idea of what lay hidden under it filled Seele with embarrassment.
That’s why, as she gazed at the enchanting magenta color, Seele's blue eyes unconsciously averted that beautiful girl’s gaze, directing her attention to the floor. As a result, the girl adjacent to her laughed, her cheerful magenta eyes glistening with love and charm as she kept her attention on Seele. For the first time in their conversation, that girl spoke in a teasing, flirtatious tone.
“This is the first time you truly locked eyes with me for a moment before glancing down at the floor again, Seele, my dear. That’s quite a positive change.”
The way she addressed Seele brought confusion and bewilderment, as if they had known each other for ages. Yet, Seele could only set aside those complicated feelings temporarily, her gaze still fixed on the floor as she apologized.
“I'm sorry; I really didn't mean to. I apologize for any offense or discomfort I caused. However, I have to head out right away, so…”
As she spoke, Seele flusteredly sat up, intent on escaping this situation as quickly as possible. But the girl's voice stopped her in her tracks once again.
"What about the invitation?"
A strange sensation washed over Seele at this familiar phrase.
"Invitation?"
"Lap Dance. Didn't you invite me?"
Embarrassment reached Seele's face, reaching all the way to her ears. Then came a confused and embarrassed shake of her head.
"It must be a mistake or misunderstanding; Seele really had no intention of inviting you or participating in a... ah, hmm, Lap Dance. Besides, isn’t this the first time we’ve met?"
The girl appeared momentarily stunned by Seele's question, but then chuckled at her own reaction. Quickly, she sat up gracefully, inching closer to Seele and unintentionally causing a few veils draped over her body to shift slightly to one side. Seele noticed this and shyly and swiftly averted her gaze.
“Is that so? Yet, I feel that beneath the surface, your memories reveal that you have a sense of who I truly am.”
Silence hung in the air.
A hand reached out, gently touching Seele’s cheeks and caressing them softly. This tender gesture triggered a reflex that made Seele’s heart race and her body tremble slightly. Strangely, she found herself unable to summon the courage to pull away or end this contact.
“However, that's perfectly okay, because you ain't even seen my dark side. So, let’s do it right this time. It's reserved for you only, Seele~”
That girl's words seemed to carry an invisible influence, causing Seele’s heart to beat even faster. It felt as if her body were under a spell, effortlessly obeying everything the girl instructed, as she slowly moved back to her seat.
Despite her body complying with the girl’s instructions, Seele's anxious blue gaze remained fixed on the floor. This inadvertently caught the attention of the girl, who bent down to touch the corner of Seele’s eyes, drawing her focus.
“Don’t be afraid, Seele. Just like always, breathe in and out slowly. You'll realize that there's nothing around that can cause you any harm.”
Seele hesitantly met the enchanting magenta gaze, following the girl's advice. Gradually, calmness washed over her. Subsequently, that person placed a kiss on her forehead and shared a sweet sentiment with her.
“That’s my girl. Good job.”
After speaking, the girl beamed at Seele with pride before moving to the center of the room to prepare for her dance. Whether intentional or not, this action seemed to ease Seele's vigilance; she unconsciously touched her forehead where the kiss had just been placed.
—————————
However, this performance was different from the hazy memories Seele held. The opening melody was no longer gentle and melodious, nor did it gradually sink into her subconscious as she had anticipated. Instead, it erupted in a frenzy, propelled by the pounding of drums and tambourines, filled with anxiety and tension.
Before Seele's eyes was a seductive dance, portrayed with striking realism and detail through every gesture and movement radiating the charm and allure of the girl.
Each movement, skillfully portrayed to the rhythm of the music, as the girl gracefully lowered her veils, enchanting the audience with a mesmerizing performance. In the distance, her blue eyes caught sight of a silver necklace that harmonized beautifully with her other jewelry and accessories.
However, the tempo suddenly slowed, and a sinister waltz began to play, reaching Seele's ears. Unconsciously, it stirred a sense of unease within her at this abrupt change. Yet, the mysterious girl's dance captivated her, distracting Seele from her feelings and drawing her complete attention to the performance of that enchanting person, to [____].
As the dance continued, the next veil fell away, revealing two silver-gray strings on either side, connected to the necklace around her neck. These strings were pulled taut, linking to a bra that concealed the sensitive areas of the woman's upper body. At the center of the necklace was a modestly decorated semicircular accessory. However, as soon as the fourth veil was removed during the dance, another small piece of jewelry on the girl with the magenta eyes was exposed to the gaze of the blue eyes. Below the semi-circular accessory was another ornament, secured by two small strings on either side, preventing the bra from shifting.
The blue eyes gradually gazed upward again, encountering the enticing magenta tone. The heart struggled to maintain a consistent rhythm and began to beat erratically, making breathing slightly difficult.
Gradually, the music grew more lively, sensual, and decadent. With the fall of yet another veil, more details of the dancer's outfit were revealed as she moved closer to Seele during the dance.
The body curve, where the body's sensuality was created at the waist and hips, was accentuated by a delicately crafted belt. Intertwined with a few white and red veils, which reached close to the floor, the attire revealed glimpses of her smooth, bare feet—half-concealing, yet half-revealing the beauty before the gaze of that person accidentally fell into that dance.
From the music to the dance, the costumes, and the performer, everything merged into a vivid display of desolation, swirling in the delightful turmoil within Seele's heart. Then, as the music suddenly crescendoed before slowing once more, the colorful climax unfolded with all the veils cascading down. In that moment, Seele's mind began to settle, and she realized the girl was sitting atop her, arms wrapped around her, gazing at her with affection, while Seele embraced that alluring body in return.
The previous tone had completely faded, replaced by a gentle new one. Even so, those sounds remained with Seele, echoing through her body and resonating in her heart.
Her cheeks flushed, her breathing became labored, her heart raced, and an uncomfortable heat enveloped her. Despite doing nothing but sitting and watching the captivating dance, she felt overwhelmed.
Seele hesitated to gaze into the enchanting magenta, lacking the courage to confront it. The mix of helplessness and an uncontrollable desire compelled her to sigh and bury her face in the other person's bare shoulder, whispering her indescribable thoughts and feelings with difficulty.
"Is this love or is it lust? You've made it so hard for Seele to tell."
Silence filled the room, and no response could alleviate the anxiety that gripped Seele’s heart. However, the touch of that person was a different story. It served as a guide, a map for her to uncover her own truth.
That person gently brushed the corner of her eye, treating it as if it were a precious treasure.
“Your eyes reveal a desire for me, but your mind hesitates and presents a counterargument that suggests it's merely a fleeting attraction.”
The girl’s hand glided smoothly over her form, tracing its curves like a gentle stream, caressing her skin tenderly.
“Your body reacted to all of my responses, but that unclear memory indirectly led you to a mistaken premonition about them.”
Delicately, those lips glided down to her chest and touched the spot that echoed with her heartbeat. It felt as if an invisible red thread was weaving their fates together.
"Your heart beats for me with every pulse, yet there is an underlying anxiety within you. And you ponder whether this is due to the body's instinctive responses."
Seele's hand instinctively tightened around the figure before her, not out of desire to possess it but in search of comfort and familiarity.
"Are you someone Seele can trust? Since you know me so well."
At that question, for the first time throughout the meeting, a gentle smile—free of temptation—graced the charming face before her, effortlessly melting away all the turmoil in Seele's heart. Under its influence, as if she were under that girl's spell, Seele felt as if she would do whatever that person liked.
“Why shouldn't we make another effort to try? Just like the other nights when we became one. And I promise you, what we do tonight…..”
A slender finger gently pressed against the girl’s lips, followed by a soft whisper, like a drop of love wine, intoxicating to the magenta hue.
“That you won't kiss and tell, Vita.”
A name that shouldn't have come up unexpectedly slipped from Seele's lips, catching the magenta-eyed girl in front of her by surprise. She hadn't anticipated hearing her own name spoken by Seele once again.
However, that surprise quickly faded when Vita leaned down, her nose lightly brushing against Seele's, her eyes brimming with passionate affection for the person before her.
"You know, Seele, I realized this was love the moment we touched. You completely captured my heart then, and no one else could make me feel the way you do. You are the only one who can evoke those wonderful feelings within me. Only you, Seele."
With a gentle motion, Vita slowly pushed Seele's body down. Strangely, beneath Seele was no longer the sofa she had been sitting on; instead, there was a white bed that seemed to exist in a separate realm from the previous scene. Yet, her attention was solely absorbed by that person's seductive voice—the only one lying atop her, pouring every emotion into her through each gesture and magenta gaze.
“So, it's all yours if you want me. I'm all yours if you truly want me, Seele. Just say it—said I'm all yours if you want me, Seele.”
The blue gaze met the magenta, a complex emotion stirring within her heart. Her hand instinctively reached out to caress Vita's cheek, as if to comfort, to envelop, and to hold onto this feeling.
“It's only for you, Vita. So please, do me right; be gentle with me, my love.”
—————————
Her tired red-hue eyes slowly opened, gradually adjusting to the hazy scenery around her. As her vision cleared and her eyes adapted to the surrounding space, her mind struggled to recognize where she was. All she knew for certain was that she was lying on a sofa in some unfamiliar room.
Why was she here? What had happened? And where was this?
These were the wandering questions that filled "Seele"'s mind. But before she could ponder further or try to recall the situation, another sound rang out from her pocket, pulling her from her thoughts.
Frowning, "Seele" took her phone from her pocket. Her expression shifted from a frown to one of fatigue mixed with a hint of relief when she noticed a familiar name displayed on the screen. Sighing, she touched the lock screen and swiped it aside to answer the call.
“I thought you were dead somewhere! Why are you answering the phone so slowly?”
The energetic voice on the other end filled the atmosphere, making "Seele" even more tired as she raised her hand to her head and rubbed her temple. Then, she slowly sat up and instinctively turned toward the door in front of her, not wanting to stay here any longer.
The atmosphere of the room left "Seele" feeling claustrophobic and restless, as if something peculiar was afoot. It left her with an odd sense of caution, as her instincts urged her to tell "Seele" that she should leave this place immediately.
“Are you ignoring me? I, your best friend in the world, called out of concern for you, but you treated it like a waste of time. Didn’t anyone teach you manners, “Seele”?”
“…”
"Seele" stared silently at the screen for a moment before decisively pressing down to silence the annoying voice. However, the person on the other end seemed to sense her intention and quickly raised her voice, speaking faster.
“Wait, don't hang up! I apologize, okay? It was my fault; I shouldn't have spoken to you like that. But couldn't you have at least responded? Are you really happy to let me talk to myself?”
Grabbing the doorknob, she heard a light click, signaling that the door was not locked but had opened normally. This only intensified “Seele”'s unease, especially as memories of what had occurred at the strip club rushed back to her.
“I don’t care. Let’s discuss this later. Is Seele still with you? I can't remember clearly what happened after we were at that club, but at least there's one thing that stands out in my memory.”
The voice was laced with anxiety, carrying a hint of chaos as if each inhalation made it increasingly difficult to bear the weight of memories. Unconsciously, "Seele" tightened her grip on the phone.
“Before I lost consciousness, I saw you take her away.”
She recalled the look in Senti’s eyes as she gazed at her sister—a reflection of lust, desire, longing, and an intense emotion: love.
“…”
In response to "Seele’s" words, the other party remained silent, as if unsure how to reply. This only fueled the anger and anxiety in "Seele," causing her voice to take on a threatening tone.
“Say something, you idiot. Seele, how is she?”
She stepped out of the room and faced the bustling night street. However, her current mood left her indifferent to her surroundings or even to the reason why that single door had led her to this place. Her attention was solely on Senti’s hesitant and uncertain words.
“Hnmm…., to be honest, I'm not quite following what you're trying to convey. Take Seele away? Me?”
Her heart raced with an invisible fear, accompanied by a rising sense of ominous premonition.
“I haven’t even met you or her today. You…”Seele”… You really didn’t mistake me for someone else, did you?”
At that moment, as "Seele" turned back to look for the door, it had vanished completely, leaving her with nothing but a weathered and filthy wall, worn down by time.