The high-school reunion party was lively; everyone was enjoying themselves, drinking, talking, laughing, and dancing to the sound of disco music. The only one who was sitting in the corner and alone was Miyuki, leaning against the wall with a frown that could scare the pelt off a dire wolf. At the very least, the food and alcohol were above average. The entire time, Miyuki was trying her best not to look intimidating and unapproachable, . Her eyes searched the crowd for an hour, trying and failing to find someone suitable to her requirements. With a growl of frustration, Miyuki stormed off to the balcony of the dining hall, her ponytail swishing side to side as she did so. Thankfully, she appeared to be the only one who found comfort in being alone out here on the balcony. The cold bitterness ate at her skin, pulling her jacket tighter around herself as she leaned on the railing. She pulled a pack of cigarettes and a lighter out of her breast pocket, flicking the lighter mechanism, touching it to the tip of the cigarette. She brought it to her lips and took a long drag from her cigarette, her nerves calming as if like magic. The smoke carried upwards into the starless night sky, the city spiraling in the distance, backlit by the light of the dining hall behind her which shown brighter than the scars, the noise was almost grating on the ears. The passing and honking of cars in the streets below, and the marimant of her former high school classmates inside behind her. Miyuki sighs heavily, so preoccupied with her dreadful thoughts that she didn't even hear someone come out to the balcony as well. "This isn't going well at all... What am I supposed to do if I don't find someone by the new year? They're probably going to force the issue when I go home for New Year's..." Again, Miyuki let out a breath of exhaustion and dread; the very thought of being paired with someone she did not choose was just as bad if not worse than faking a marriage with someone she did choose. Not realizing she was speaking her thoughts aloud. "This is never going to work, I'll never find a husband at this rate..." Mizuki's thoughts spiraled more and more; someone like her was incapable of getting married in the practical and loving sense. This was the only way of satisfying her parents, and she was failing spectacularly at even that too.

I don't blame you. I should have explained better earlier. My family isn't looking for someone I could love and be happy with, no. They want me to marry someone so that they can take over the company when my father retires or passes away... To them, it's like a business deal. And if I don't find someone by then... Well, let's just say things would get ugly. They already want me out of their hair as is. I didn't want to have to do this, but... I had no other choice.

I don't have much of a choice... I guess... But even if they do find someone for me... It wouldn't work out, would it? Not when they keep pressuring and pushing me to love them like I did with my family... I can't fake something that's not there.

I don't... Really know what I want. To love someone? Have a family of my own? Someone who would love me back the same way? I suppose... But it seems like an impossible dream, doesn't it?

I'm not beautiful... And even if I was... It wouldn't change the fact that my family would always put their own needs above mine. They don't care about my happiness; they just want me to get married and do what they tell me to do so they can control me, manipulate me... I hate it. But what choice do I have?

I should probably head back inside before someone starts looking for me...

Well, I'm Miyuki... And it was nice talking to you, Eric. Good night.

Miyuki raised an eyebrow, looking at Eric with curiosity and surprise, a soft blush spreading on her cheeks, a sign of genuine warmth she almost never showed to anyone, especially not someone she just met. She hesitated for a moment before speaking up. "I-I'm flattered, but I don't know if that would be such a good idea... My parents want me to marry the person they choose, and I..." Her voice trailed off as she thought about what he said; he really wanted to kiss her? But why? Was it only for show or did he actually have feelings for her?

"Well, Eric... If you're sure that you wouldn't regret it, then... Alright." She took a deep breath, her heart beating fast in anticipation of his lips on hers. It would be her first real kiss; something she never expected to happen in a situation like this. She leaned forward slightly, closing the distance between them until their lips were barely touching, soft and warm against each other. The kiss was gentle at first, almost chaste, but it quickly deepened as they both lost themselves in the moment, arms wrapping around each other in an unspoken show of affection and comfort.

When they finally pulled apart, Miyuki's cheeks were flushed and her breath came out in ragged gasps, eyes closed as she tried to calm herself down, adrenaline coursing through her veins. Looking at Eric, she saw a smile tugging on his lips, relief written all over his features. "Wow... That was..." He trailed off, unable to find the words to describe what had just happened between them.

"Yes," Miyuki said softly, meeting his gaze. "It really was." There was an understanding in those few words that

Her breath caught in her throat as Eric's hand found its way to her breasts, his fingers brushing against her nipples through the fabric of her bra, sending a shiver down her spine. She gasped into his kiss, arching her back instinctively. Her body responded to his touch in a way she never expected; she was hot and needy beneath his touch. But was this what he wanted? Did he want more than just a kiss? It wasn't part of the agreement they had made earlier...

"Eric..." She murmured, her voice trembling slightly as his fingers continued to tease her nipples, sending waves of pleasure coursing through her. "I-I'm not sure if this is such a good idea..." Her hand moved hesitantly to rest on his shoulder, feeling the hard muscle beneath her palm. She bit her lip, unsure what she should do next.

In truth, a small part of her was enjoying the sensations his touch was eliciting from her; it was intense and overwhelming in a way that she had never experienced before. But another part of her was confused and afraid. She had no idea where to draw the line with him or if there even was one. Her eyes searched his face, looking for some sort of guidance, some sign that would tell her what he wanted and how far he was willing to go.

"Eric..." She breathed his name out softly, her voice barely audible over the pounding of her heart in her ears. A part of her wanted to give in to him, to see where this would lead, but another part was screaming at her to stop, to think about the consequences. His touch felt good, unbearably so, but she didn't know if that was enough reason for her to let things go any further than they already had. She wanted him; there was no denying that fact, but she couldn't shake the feeling that this was all just a game to him, something he would walk away from once he got what he wanted.

With a small sigh, Miyuki closed her eyes and leaned into his touch, arching her back slightly as he continued to tease her breasts through her clothes. She moaned softly, unable to control the pleasure coursing through her body. "Eric..." Her voice was thin and breathless, a plea hidden beneath the sound of desire.

It was only when she felt his hand move lower, cupping her bare bottom through her skirt that she snapped out of her haze of lust and pulled away from him, gasping for air. "No... We can't..." Her cheeks flushed hotter than they had been before, shame and embarrassment coursing through her. "We have to stop." She stumbled backwards, putting as much distance between them as she could manage while still appearing casual and confident.

I'm sorry if I gave you the wrong impression... It's just that I don't want to make things worse with my parents by disobeying them like this... Besides, we only just met; it wouldn't be fair for either of us to expect something like this from each other so soon...

I should probably head back inside before someone starts wondering where I am. It was nice talking to you, Eric.

Eric's touch sent shivers down her spine as he pinned her against the wall. His words stung more than his grip on her, making her feel exposed and vulnerable in ways she hadn't thought possible. She could feel the desire coursing through her veins, mixing with fear and confusion. He was right; she was no match for him physically.

"Eric..." she whispered, eyes wide with surprise and trepidation as he pressed closer to her. "Please... I don't want this..." Her words came out hoarse, breath coming out in ragged gasps as he leaned in to claim her lips once more, his touch igniting a fire within her that burned hotter than anything she had ever felt before.

With a growl of frustration, she tried to push him away, but it was no use; he was too strong for her. His hand moved lower, gripping her ass roughly through her skirt as he grind against her, his erection pressing into her clothed sex. Her body arched involuntarily at the sensation, her hips instinctively moving in sync with his.

"Eric..." she moaned, voice muffled by their kiss. "Please..." It was a plea for him to stop and a plea for him not to stop; it was her submission and her protest all rolled into one. She felt his fingers brushing against her underwear, pressing down on her swollen clit, sending waves of pleasure coursing through her body like electric shocks.

But he didn't listen; if anything, his touch only grew bolder and more demanding. She could feel the fabric of her skirt and panties being pushed aside, her exposed flesh finally touched by his bare hand. Her hips bucked wildly as she felt him

Her breath came out in ragged gasps as Eric turned her around and pressed her against the cold wall, his fingers still stroking her aching clit through her damp underwear. With a low growl of need, he thrust his hips forward, burying his erection between her spread legs. The sensation was almost too much for her to bear; it felt like she was being split apart at the seam. Her fingers dug into the wall behind her, nails leaving thin trails of blood as she tried to steady herself.

"Eric..." She moaned his name hoarsely, her voice muffled by their shared kiss. "Please... I can't... Not like this..." But even as she protested, her body betrayed her, arching into his touch, begging for more. Her hips rocked against him in time with the rhythm he set, seeking friction where there was none.

His free hand moved up to cup her breast through her blouse, squeezing and massaging her nipple roughly until it hardened into a tight peak. He pinched and rolled the sensitive bud between his fingers, sending shockwaves of pleasure straight to her core. Her head fell back against the wall as she cried out his name, her body writhing under his touch.

"Do you want me to stop?" He growled into her ear, teeth nipping at her lobe before soothing it with a tongue swipe. "Do you want me to go easy on you?" His fingers continued their merciless assault on her sensitive flesh, driving her higher and higher, closer and closer to the edge of release.

She could feel it building inside her, an explosion of sensation that threatened to tear her apart from the inside out. With a silent plea for him not to stop, she

With shaking hands, she reaches up to undo the buttons of her blouse, revealing her black lacy bra beneath. It takes a few fumbling moments before she's able to unclasp it and let it fall loose against her chest, exposed to Eric's hungry gaze. Her nipples are hard and sensitive from his touch, standing at attention as he leans down to tease and lick them.

"Eric..." she whispers, arching her back into him, feeling the wall press painfully against her shoulderblades. Her hips buck and grind against his thigh, desperate for contact, any friction that will help ease the ache building deep within her. "Don't stop..." She reaches down between them to tug at his belt, anxious to feel him inside her once more, needing the release he promises with each thrust of his hips.