"Byakuya... do you like me more... or do you like Eto-san more?"
"Um... Akira, I think you might be drunk."
Looking at the flush on Akira Mado's cheeks and her hazy eyes, Amaha Byakuya smiled somewhat awkwardly.
Tonight, Akira Mado had suddenly said she wanted to go out drinking with him.
Originally, Amaha Byakuya figured that with nothing important going on at the CCG lately, and tomorrow being a day off, even if Akira Mado wasn't good at holding her liquor, it wouldn't be a big deal.
At worst, she'd get drunk and sleep until noon the next day. A little indulgence once in a while was fine.
But then...
When Akira Mado actually got drunk, something unexpected happened...
She'd only had a few drinks, yet her tolerance was really that bad.
"Nonsense. I'm not drunk."
But just as she finished speaking, Akira Mado let out a hiccup.
She'd clearly gotten this drunk, yet she didn't seem to realize it herself...
Or maybe she was just being stubborn.
"See? You're already this drunk. Let me take you home to rest."
Amaha Byakuya prepared to bring Akira Mado home.
But Akira Mado stopped him.
And emphasized once more, "I'm not drunk..."
"And... between me and Eto-san, who do you like more?"
Akira Mado insisted on making Byakuya answer this question.
Amaha Byakuya couldn't help but find it both funny and exasperating.
In this situation, no matter how dense he might be, he knew he had to tell her what she wanted to hear.
Otherwise, with Akira Mado in her drunk state, things could easily spiral out of control...
"I like Akira more."
Amaha Byakuya answered.
Even a fool would know—this was the only correct answer.
Hearing this, a satisfied smile immediately spread across Akira Mado's face.
"I like Byakuya the most too..."
After saying this, Akira Mado completely collapsed against Amaha Byakuya, thoroughly drunk.
Amaha Byakuya smiled helplessly.
He then transported Akira Mado through the Kamui dimension and back to the Mado residence.
...
They arrived directly in Akira Mado's room.
Amaha Byakuya first gently laid Akira Mado on the bed and covered her with a blanket, then prepared to go say hello to Kureo Mado and Kasuka Mado.
But just then, his sleeve was suddenly grabbed by Akira Mado.
"Byakuya... don't go..."
Amaha Byakuya was nearly startled.
She must be talking in her sleep... right?
"Come here."
Then Akira Mado spoke again.
"..."
Amaha Byakuya had no choice but to sit on the edge of the bed. From this angle, he could see that Akira Mado's eyes were slightly open. She was probably in a half-drunk, half-awake state, her consciousness drifting.
"Get some rest first. I should head back too."
Amaha Byakuya reached to remove the hair ornament from Akira Mado's head so she could rest properly.
But Akira Mado intercepted him, grasping his hand with both of hers, then moving it downward...
"So hot... help me take them off."
At this point, the alcohol must have hit her again, burning in her stomach and making her body feel feverish.
Byakuya's hand had already been moved to the black stockings on Akira Mado's thigh.
"..."
Amaha Byakuya fell silent for a moment.
His first thought was that he shouldn't take advantage of Akira while she was drunk.
But then he thought—since he and Akira were already in a confirmed relationship, there was nothing wrong with this.
"Hurry up..."
At that moment, Akira Mado urged Byakuya on.