Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Overview

　In this world, in addition to male and female sex (primary sex), there exist two further independent biological sex classifications—secondary sex and tertiary sex—making three in total. Secondary sex is divided into α, β, and Ω. Tertiary sex is divided into Dom, Sub, Normal, and Switch. Of these, α, Ω, Dom, and Sub each comprise only 1% of the total population and are referred to as Rare Sexes. Those who possess a combination of Rare Sexes, such as an αDom, are specifically called Mixed Rare Sexes.

Secondary Sex

　A sex classification whose existence has been known since before recorded history. α and Ω constantly emit pheromones. Secondary sex is highly hereditary.

α

　Both male and female α possess a penis and are capable of impregnating those who have a uterus. During extreme arousal, they may experience a Rut, in which they release a massive amount of pheromones.

Ω

　Both male and female Ω possess a uterus (in males, the uterus branches off from the rectum) and are capable of becoming pregnant. Approximately every three months, they experience a Heat—a period in which sexual desire intensifies, pheromones are released in large quantities, and the chance of conception dramatically increases. Heats may also be triggered spontaneously by external factors. To prevent unwanted Bonds from forming, unbonded Ω are encouraged to wear a collar-shaped Guard.

β

　A sex classification that lacks the characteristics of either α or Ω.

Bond

　A Bond is formed when an α has sex with an Ω in Heat while biting the back of the Ω's neck. Once Bonded, the pair can only perceive each other's pheromones. As a rule, a Bond mark never fades for the rest of one's life, and it is impossible to form a new Bond.

Pheromone Suppressants / Pheromone Perception Suppressants

　Since α and Ω constantly emit pheromones, they are required by law to take these medications daily in order to prevent unforeseen incidents. However, because these drugs have no effect during Heat and due to the risk of side effects, Ω are prohibited from taking them during their Heat. In addition, both α and Ω are also required to carry fast-acting arousal suppressants, available as an as-needed oral dose or injection.

Fated Pair

　A phenomenon in which a specific α and Ω experience immediate arousal upon meeting for the first time, overriding the effects of suppressant medications. From that point on, arousal occurs every time the two come into close proximity. When one encounters their Fated Pair, any existing Bond marks disappear.

Heat-Specific Contraceptive

　A contraceptive specifically developed for Heat. A single dose remains effective for approximately seven days.

Tertiary Sex

　A sex classification whose existence was only recently revealed through advances in science, including the observation of Glare and the decoding of the genome. Before this, it was believed to be a matter of personal preference. Unlike secondary sex, tertiary sex is not easily inherited and tends to emerge as spontaneous mutations.

Glare, Command, Care, Play

　Doms emit Glare, and by layering instructions onto it, they can issue Commands to Subs (denoted in italics in this work). When a Sub obeys a Command issued by a Dom, the Dom experiences a sense of fulfillment. In addition to this, the Sub experiences fulfillment when the Dom praises them—an act referred to as Care. Care also serves as the signal for a Command to end. This entire sequence is called Play.

Switch / Normal

　Switches are quite rare, even more so than Doms and Subs. A Switch can become either a Dom or a Sub at will or depending on the situation.

　Normal is a sex classification that lacks the characteristics of Dom, Sub, or Switch.

Rank

　Both Doms and Subs possess something akin to a strength hierarchy. This is called Rank. A Dom's Rank is determined almost purely by the strength of their Glare. The higher a Sub's Rank, the more they can refuse Commands backed by strong Glare. Conversely, unless a Sub is of high Rank, they cannot resist a Dom's Commands.

Play Bar

　In this world, play bars are common establishments where Doms and Subs go to find Play partners.

Safeword

　It is mandatory to establish a Safeword before engaging in Play. A Safeword is a special word agreed upon by a Dom-Sub pair; it remains effective exclusively between them until they decide to change it. When a Sub invokes their Safeword, the Dom becomes physically unable to emit Glare for a period of time, and consequently cannot issue Commands. Additionally, upon hearing the Safeword, a Dom instinctively becomes subdued for a time. Despite being called a "word," it can in fact be invoked simply by willing it, even if the Sub's mouth is physically obstructed.

Play Drive / Anxiety / Drop

　Doms and Subs possess what is known as a Play Drive, which is on par with the three fundamental human drives. Without Play, they enter a state called Anxiety. This is a state of mental instability in which Doms tend toward violence and Subs tend toward self-harm. If this worsens, it triggers a state called Drop. Described as feeling like one is literally plummeting into a bottomless abyss, it causes hyperventilation, nausea, dizziness, and other symptoms, ultimately leading to loss of consciousness. If left untreated, it can result in a vegetative state, complete incapacitation, or in the worst case, death.

　Anxiety and Drop can be triggered not only by unmet Play Drive but also by psychological stress. While medications can alleviate Anxiety and Drop, and a call from a trusted Dom or Sub can temporarily pull someone out of a Drop, these are fundamentally rooted in instinctive needs and cannot be truly cured. If at all possible, engaging in Play is the best course of action.

Space

　Subs may also enter a blissful mental state called Space. Unlike Drop, which is its polar opposite, Space is experienced exclusively by Subs and most often occurs during Play. The nature of the state and the Sub's perception during it varies from person to person.

Defense

　When a Sub is in danger, a Dom may enter a state called Defense. In this state, the Dom unconsciously emits powerful Glare, loses their usual reason, and becomes extremely violent. While it serves as a protective mechanism for the Sub, calming a Dom who has entered Defense is extremely difficult, and it can cause massive collateral damage.

Claim / Collar / Partner

　A Dom and Sub may perform a Claim. Simply put, it is when a Dom places a Collar on a specific Sub and forms a special relationship. A Dom and Sub bound in this way are called Partners.

Sex Examination

　The manifestation of secondary and tertiary sex typically occurs around puberty or later, making it difficult to determine by appearance alone before that point. However, since it is considered beneficial to know early for both physical and mental preparation, in this country all children undergo a free sex examination at roughly the same time as their enrollment in elementary school. Prenatal testing also exists but is expensive, and children of β parents—for whom the probability of producing a Rare Sex is low—typically rely on this elementary school examination.

Characteristics and Tendencies of Each Mixed Rare Sex

αDom

　A Mixed Rare Sex possessing both α and Dom traits. Because both sexes are strongly associated with leadership, αDoms are often found in the highest echelons and are sometimes called the "Supreme Mixed Rare Sex." Many αDoms are entrepreneurs or individuals who actively seek to contribute to society. However, because both α and Dom traits carry a tendency toward aggression, it is also common to find αDoms at the top of criminal organizations. Their fixation on someone they desire is stronger than that of a typical α, and violent incidents involving αDoms are not uncommon. They tend to be deeply loyal to those they consider part of their inner circle.

αSub

　A Mixed Rare Sex possessing both α and Sub traits. Perhaps as a reaction to their α nature, αSubs often exhibit stronger masochistic tendencies than an average Sub. Due to their α nature, they tend to have a strong fixation on Ω, but their Sub nature seems to cause this fixation to twist easily. Compared to other α types, αSubs have a higher probability of committing crimes such as confinement, murder, and double suicide, and also have higher rates of self-harm and suicide. However, it is also true that many αSubs excel as aides and coordinators to leaders, and the majority are pleasant individuals.

ΩDom

　A Mixed Rare Sex possessing both Ω and Dom traits. They tend toward sadistic inclinations, and some take pleasure in dominating αSubs who would normally outrank them; some even prefer to penetrate αSubs. Due to these qualities, they are sometimes called "Queens." It is not uncommon for αSubs abandoned by a fickle ΩDom to commit the violent acts described above. On the other hand, many ΩDoms also possess a naturally protective, big-sister-type temperament and a strong drive for reform. They are known to possess unique traits even among Doms—for example, when they sense danger to their Ω nature, they may experience a Defense to protect their own Ω self. Additionally, "Bite"—a Command that urges an αSub to bite their neck—is a special Command used exclusively by ΩDoms.

ΩSub

　A Mixed Rare Sex possessing both Ω and Sub traits. Bearing the risks of both Ω Heats and Sub Anxiety, they are still sometimes referred to as the "Weakest Mix" even today.

Liberation Movement

　A movement that began when ΩDom-led groups around the world simultaneously launched campaigns exposing the reality of Ω and Sub life across the globe. The information about ΩSubs in particular shocked the entire world, and the Liberation Movement made significant contributions to improving the status of Ω, Subs, and ΩSubs. This movement also paved the way for same-primary-sex marriage to be recognized for pairings beyond just α and Ω.

Chapter Text

　Kisaragi Nozomi slipped into the bar again today, smooth as ever.
"Welcome."
"Hey."
　He gave the master a casual nod and settled into a seat at the counter.
"Water, please."
"Right away."
　The master didn't bat an eye at his order. This was a bar, yes, but it wasn't a place where people came just to drink.

　Play bars—when had they first come into existence? This was a bar for Doms and Subs.
　Science had advanced, and it had been some time since the discovery of what was known as tertiary sex—Dom, Sub, and Normal—beyond the previously known classifications. Doms possessed the urge to command Subs, and Subs possessed the urge to obey Doms. When a Dom issued a Command through a power called Glare and a Sub obeyed it, this was called Play.
　A bar built for exactly that purpose—that was what a play bar was. Between the rental fees for the play rooms and additional charges depending on the nature of the Play, the bar technically didn't need to sell drinks at all. But being a bar served a dual purpose: age verification. Play could include sexual acts, or it could get rough. Some establishments actually refused to serve any alcohol whatsoever, to avoid accidents caused by inebriation.
　In any case, as long as neither party did anything the other didn't want, Play satisfied the needs of both. That was the common understanding.

　If only it were that simple, Nozomi thought. If it were, I wouldn't need to be in a place like this.

　Nozomi had been born into what you might call a distinguished family. The Kisaragi household, known for producing Ω—even now, most people had heard the name.
　Unlike tertiary sex, secondary sex—α, Ω, and β, which lacked the traits of either—had been known since before recorded history, alongside the primary sex of male and female. α excelled in physical ability, intellect, and charisma, and were sometimes called the "impregnating sex"; both male and female α possessed a penis. Ω were called the "conceiving sex"; both male and female Ω possessed a uterus and periodically went into Heat. Because Ω tended to produce more α and Ω offspring, and because α and Ω were biologically and psychologically drawn to each other, families with many Ω were protected by α clans, and their status naturally rose.
　α and Ω, Dom and Sub—each made up only an estimated 1% of the world's population, earning them the name "Rare Sexes." While the hereditary α and Ω were one thing, Dom and Sub weren't easily passed down—there was no such thing as a family lineage of Doms, for instance. However, someone could be born possessing both α and Dom traits by coincidence. Such individuals were called "Mixed Rare Sexes." At 0.01% by simple math, that sounded vanishingly rare, but think of it as one in ten thousand—in a city of a million, that meant a hundred people.

　And Nozomi was an ΩSub. Naturally, his parents raised their Mixed Rare Sex child with care, but without spoiling him. The family had little prejudice against same-sex relationships to begin with, so when Nozomi came out as being attracted to men, they accepted it without fuss. When he reached the age where he started talking about wanting to get married, they leveraged the family's connections to dig up match after match with αDom individuals and presented them to him.
　So why, then, had Nozomi—who had shown interest in the arranged meetings themselves—failed to find his αDom, and ultimately turned down every single introduction his parents had arranged?

　Both Doms and Subs had Ranks. A Dom's Rank was determined almost purely by the strength of their Glare. The higher a Sub's Rank, the more they could refuse unwanted Commands. This didn't mean they were less sensitive to Glare—rather, they could resist through sheer willpower, even when hit with powerful Glare.
　And Nozomi was an exceptionally high-ranked Sub. The highest, one might even say. No matter how high-ranked the Dom, no matter how forcefully they Commanded him to Kneel, if Nozomi didn't want to obey, he could stand unwavering. Thanks to advances in genetic research, Nozomi's status as a high-ranked Sub had been known since before he was born. That was why his parents had gone out of their way to find high-ranked Doms for his arranged meetings. Play was naturally a part of these meetings—since Doms and Subs needed regular Play, compatibility during Play was an essential factor. But every time, without fail, Nozomi had a rejection response to them.
　Nozomi was simply too sensitive to Glare. He had always gone through the motions of obeying, but once, after enduring as long as he could, he had secretly thrown up after his partner left. Yet his pride wouldn't let him admit it. He thought it was shameful—a highest-ranked Sub like himself, unable to withstand a Dom's Glare.
　Even if they found out, no one would probably care. They'd just look for someone else who was a better fit. Even thinking that, he couldn't bear it. And that was when Nozomi experienced his first "Drop."

　Unlike secondary sex, which typically manifested around puberty, tertiary sex usually emerged later—around high school age or into adulthood. From that point onward, a Sub who went too long without proper Play would start to deteriorate, body and mind. The resulting state was called Anxiety. If Anxiety persisted for too long, the Sub would "Drop." Nausea, difficulty breathing, the world going black—and at the end of it all, a ruined shell of a person, or death.
　If he couldn't stand Glare, there was no way he could get satisfying Play. Pile massive psychological strain on top of that, and Nozomi had plummeted straight into a Drop. He woke up in a hospital bed. He'd survived, but was told that he was in a dangerous state if things continued like this.
　Medicine had come a long way, and all sorts of drugs had been developed—including as-needed medications to prevent "accidents" for those with secondary or tertiary sex traits. Drugs to suppress unexpected arousal in Ω and α. Drugs to block the perception of pheromones. Drugs to suppress a Dom's Glare. Drugs to make a Sub unable to sense Glare. And drugs to suppress the symptoms of Anxiety. Nozomi was prescribed these.
　But Anxiety was fundamentally rooted in a Sub's instinct. Imagine there was a drug that suppressed your appetite—you'd still die if you didn't eat, drug or no drug. In the same way, no matter how much you suppressed Anxiety, without Play, a Drop was inevitable.

　After that, Nozomi picked out a cheap play bar that catered to men and started frequenting it. At this point he didn't care about secondary sex. If I met enough Doms, maybe I'd find one who was compatible, that was his thinking. His parents didn't stop him, and they stopped bringing arranged meetings, too. Nozomi, taking their silence as tacit approval, said nothing and kept going to the play bar. If anything, he was afraid to confirm whether they'd figured it out.
　Around that time, Nozomi started going off the rails. Dyeing his hair, getting piercings, sleeping with random men he met at the bar. He drew the line at actual crime out of lingering guilt toward his parents, and he always used protection—but beyond that, he did pretty much everything.
　And even after Nozomi tried one Dom after another, not a single one turned out to be compatible.

Chapter Text

　That day, too, Nozomi had played with some Dom he'd never met before. Every Dom's Glare still made him sick as ever, but at least this guy was good in bed. When he came back from the play room, he heard a shrill male voice.

"Ugh, can you just kick this impotent loser out already, Master! He calls himself a Dom but he can barely even produce Glare!! This is a scam!"
"Now, now, calm down..."
　The noise drew Nozomi's eyes over. A guy with delicate, pretty features—"cute" was really the word for him—was yapping his head off. Next to him, a slightly taller young man stood with his head hung low. His hair fell over his eyes, and he wore thick glasses—a plain, unremarkable young man.
　Nozomi knew him. He was the guy who was always huddled in the corner of the bar, nursing a juice. Nozomi had assumed he was a Sub—but he was a Dom?
"Anyway, you should ban this guy for good! His Glare doesn't even amount to a breeze!"
　Having said his piece, the man—who had been barking like a rabid dog—abruptly switched to a coy, honeyed tone. "Hey, anyone here who can actually satisfy me?" Just like that, men swarmed around him. But Nozomi couldn't have cared less about the guy, even setting aside the fact that they were both Subs.

　Nozomi tapped the shoulder of the young man who was still staring at the ground, as the master said "Sorry, as always..." to him. As expected, the young man's shoulders jolted, and he looked up at Nozomi with timid eyes. Even the master was looking their way. Was it really that surprising?
"Hey, you a Dom?"
"Yes, technically... but you heard all that just now, right? As a Dom, I'm..."
"Couldn't care less about that. You free after this? Come play with me. Cool? Cool."
　With a smile on his face but a firm grip on the young man's arm, Nozomi led him to a play room.

　Once inside, Nozomi looked down at the young man.
"First things first—what's your secondary sex?"
"Um, uh, α..."
"An α? I've seen tall Ω before, but a tiny α? That's a first. You serious?"
"I-I am! If you don't believe me, look for yourself!"
　The young man produced his insurance card, and sure enough, it read "Male / α / Dom." Nozomi was on pheromone perception suppressants so he couldn't verify it by scent, but with the card right in front of him, there was nothing to do but believe it. He also happened to notice that the young man was of legal age (which was obvious, given where they were) and that his name was "Iura Kasumi."
"Hey, who the hell just whips out their insurance card in a place like this? And 'Kasumi'[N: Kasumi means 'mist' or 'haze' in Japanese]—what a forgettable name."
"Ah, yeah... I get that a lot..."
　Cowed by Nozomi's exasperation, Kasumi hung his head and put the card away.
"Only fair I give you something back. I'm Nozomi. Male, Ω, Sub. Nice to meet you."
"You're an Ω!? ...Oh, sorry, I didn't mean—"
"It's fine. My Sub Rank is pretty high, and they made me do judo and stuff to protect myself, so I didn't put on much muscle, but I did shoot up height-wise."
"...Are you sure someone like me is okay?"
"I was just curious, that's all. Wanted to see how much of a 'breeze' it really is."
"That's rude!"
　He must have meant to glare seriously. But sure enough, the Glare was faint. Like a gentle breeze, just as they'd said. And yet...
"...I knew it."
　Nozomi pressed a hand to his face, muttering with a rueful grin.
"Huh?"
"Let's Play, Kasumi."
　Nozomi said it plainly to the dumbfounded Kasumi.

"Play...?"
"But first, we gotta set a Safeword. Oh, do you know what that is?"
"Of course I do! If a Sub says it, the Dom can't issue Commands for a while. It's a word agreed on in advance between a Dom and Sub to prevent anything from going wrong during Play."
"Yep, you know your stuff."
"Don't patronize me! We learn about this in school, you know!"
　That was right—a Safeword was mandatory. It was both an unspoken rule and codified in law. The one and only Command a Sub could issue to a Dom, and their last line of defense. That was what a Safeword meant to Nozomi.
　He had fond memories of literally kicking Doms out of the play room when they'd tried to start Play without setting one. Being a cheap bar, there were quite a few of those types, but seeing the shock on their faces when this Sub kicked them senseless despite their powerful Glare was deeply satisfying. He nearly Dropped every single time afterward, though.

"Let's just go with 'Red' for now. We'll think of a proper one starting next time."
"Wait—next time?"
"Alright, Play time. You remember the basic Commands, right?"
"...I'm starting to lose track of which one of us is the Dom here..."
"Just hurry up. What, are you scared?"
　Nozomi prodded the flustered Kasumi. Kasumi squeezed his eyes shut, took a deep breath, and opened them. He clenched his fists, then unclenched them. In a trembling voice, he forced out a Command.
"...Kn-Kneel."
　Nozomi's knees dropped. Just like that.
"!? Wait, why?"
　The Dom who'd issued the Command was the most bewildered of all. It was obvious from the scene earlier that no one had ever obeyed even a Command this basic from him. And honestly, even for Nozomi—especially for Nozomi—the Glare was absurdly faint. But.
"...Heh, you didn't forget the Glare. Good boy."
　That Glare was what he wanted. Like a breeze brushing his cheek, like wavelets lapping at his feet—that faint Glare, and Nozomi had deliberately chosen to obey it of his own free will. He'd never understood what people meant by "your body just obeys on its own," but for the first time, he felt the genuine desire to submit to a Dom.

"...Oh! Good boy—and, um, thank you."
　Kasumi came to his senses and offered words of Care. That alone sent elation surging through Nozomi's chest. A Dom praised me. I'm so happy.
"You don't need to thank me. More."
"You were so rough a minute ago, but you actually smile, huh... So this is what Play feels like..."
"Hey, we're not done yet."
"R-right! ...Okay, um..."
　This was probably Kasumi's first time doing Play, but then again, it was practically Nozomi's first real time, too. He knew he shouldn't rush things, but the desire for more Commands was impossible to contain.

"Come?"
　The Command came out as a question, but Nozomi got on all fours, crawled over to Kasumi, and settled back into a Kneel.
"Good, you came right to me. Good boy."
　This time, Kasumi even patted his head. Nozomi let his eyes fall half-closed and savored it.
"Hey, what's next?"
"Umm..."
　Kasumi's face was turning red, and he was getting more and more flustered by the second. Obviously—most of the Commands from here on out were sexual in nature. Watching him squirm over it was endlessly entertaining.
"You know—"
"Shush. And Stay!"
　Rattled by Nozomi's smirk, Kasumi shot him a quick glare and fired off two Commands in succession.
　Since Nozomi was obeying of his own free will, keeping silent and staying still was entirely self-imposed. Honestly, being told to Stay in this state was agonizing, but the desire to obey still won out.

　After deliberating for a while, Kasumi glanced at Nozomi—and turned red again. After a moment, he finally spoke.
"...Then, Lick this finger. Shush and Stay are released. You did well waiting. Good."
　And here Nozomi had been wondering what command he'd come up with—just that? Laughing inwardly, he ran his tongue along the offered finger.
　Nozomi had plenty of experience. He'd given blowjobs more times than he could count. He opened his mouth and, intending to tease, ran his tongue along the finger as slowly and provocatively as he could manage. He watched with amusement as Kasumi turned an even deeper shade of red.
"Your hands are soaked with sweat."
"I-I can't help it! This is practically my first time!"
"Alright, alright, I'll make it up to you by licking them all squeaky clean."
"Ugh..."
　Kasumi didn't pull his hand away, which pleased Nozomi. He kept licking the single outstretched finger with relish.
"O-okay, that's enough. Thank you for cleaning them. Good boy."
　Kasumi stroked Nozomi's head. He's figured out that I like being petted, Nozomi thought as he reluctantly released the finger.

　He wanted more, but unfortunately, Kasumi was probably at his limit mentally. Just as that thought crossed his mind, a sudden wave of sadness crashed over him. The joy he'd felt moments ago evaporated in an instant. This is bad, he thought—but by then, tears were already streaming down his face.
"Wh—!? Why are you crying? Did something happen? ...Oh, those scars—"
　As Kasumi's gaze fell on his neck, two feelings rose in Nozomi simultaneously: So he finally noticed, and I thought I'd covered those well with makeup.
　One of the symptoms of Anxiety was repeated self-harm. Nozomi, who had suffered from Anxiety for a long time, had managed through sheer pride to resist that urge—but he couldn't stop himself from scratching around his Ω choker. When an α bit an Ω's nape, a "Bond" was formed—a powerful connection that made each the other's one and only, regardless of their own wishes. That was why unbonded Ω were required to wear chokers. It had felt like a part of his own body, but ever since the Anxiety started, it had begun to feel like an obstruction.
　Even nails trimmed down to the quick, even nails carefully filed smooth, would leave marks if dragged across skin over and over again. He'd painstakingly concealed them with makeup, but some people still noticed. They never said anything, though. They knew they hadn't been able to satisfy Nozomi with their Play. And they knew that Nozomi never Played with any of them more than once, though he would sleep with them repeatedly.
　Should I just tell him everything? he thought, looking at the Dom before him. But the tears wouldn't stop, and he couldn't get the words out. If anything, his breathing was getting shallow. Shit—I'm going to Drop. He recognized this feeling.

　Then he felt a hand on his back.
"It's okay. Breathe in slowly, and out..."
　Gentle Glare washed over him as he matched his breathing to the hand on his back. The tears ebbed; his breath steadied.
"Say—tell me what's wrong."
　The word seeped into his brain. Am I really about to tell this Dom—someone I'd just met—the secret I'd never told anyone, not even my parents? He hesitated, but only for an instant. Nozomi chose to speak.
"I'm... not great with Glare."
"Okay."
"I've tried Playing with all sorts of Doms, but it never worked."
"...Okay."
"...Yours—yours is the one I want. Make a Claim with me. I don't want anyone but you...!"
　The tears he'd just managed to stop came pouring back. On top of that, he'd blurted out something mortifyingly embarrassing. Even so, he couldn't bring himself to pull away from the hand stroking his head.
"Thank you for telling me. Good boy. ...All right."
"...All right?"
　He managed to ask, sniffling and hiccupping.
"I'd like to hold off on a formal Claim and becoming Partners until we know each other better."
　Fair enough. A Claim between a Dom and Sub—a declaration of I want to Play with this person, I want to belong to this Dom. Lighter than a Bond between α and Ω, but still carrying real weight. He'd let it slip in the heat of the moment, but it wasn't the right time. His cheeks flushed, uncharacteristically.
"But let's start Playing together regularly from now on. If my Glare really is what works for you."
"It's you I want. I want to Play with you..."
　Whether from the exhaustion of crying or something else, his head was going fuzzy. I get to Play with this Dom again. I'm so happy. With that thought, he closed his eyes.

Chapter Text

　He felt like he'd been having some wonderful dream. Opening his eyes with that hazy impression, he found Kasumi still there.
"Oh good, you're back."
　He felt Kasumi's hand moving from his head down along his back in long, soothing strokes. His eyelids threatened to droop shut again, but he forced them open and sat up.
"You fell asleep, so I didn't know what to do. I called the master on the intercom, and he said, 'Looks like he's in Space, so just take it easy—you're welcome to stay.'"
　"Space" was the polar opposite of "Drop"—a Sub's blissful mental state. What Space felt like reportedly varied from person to person, but the consensus was that it was a state of profound contentment. Apparently, Nozomi had slept through his first Space. Or perhaps Nozomi was the type to fall asleep when entering Space. Either way, he couldn't remember the dream he'd been having. For some reason, that felt like a tremendous waste.
"Wait, you let the master see me passed out? God, that's embarrassing."
"Y-you think I wasn't embarrassed!? You wouldn't let go of me, Nozomi..."
　True enough—Kasumi's heartbeat was pounding loud enough to hear. Nozomi's own heart was hammering just as hard, though.
　Kasumi had been holding Nozomi like a parent cradling a child, stroking him, and Nozomi had been nuzzling against him in his sleep until he woke up.

　Also, having an erection was embarrassing. Play Drive satisfied, so now my sex drive kicks in? I just had plenty of sex with that other guy... Or maybe I'd been having that kind of dream? As he stood up with that thought—
"..."
"...Ha, haha..."
　Kasumi was hard, too. Well, I guess Play puts you in the mood, Nozomi decided.
"I'm going to the restroom..."
　Nozomi caught Kasumi by the arm as he tried to scurry off to the play room's en suite bathroom.
"And what about this?"
He gestured at himself.
"That's your problem! Deal with it yourself!"
　Kasumi went bright red and thrashed, trying to break free, but sadly, Nozomi was overwhelmingly stronger.
"Or are you not okay with sex?"
"That's—that's not the issue! I did my research on what kind of establishment this is before coming here!"
"Hmm, so you are interested?"
"I feel like I just walked into a trap! Fine, yes! I was hoping I'd get the chance with someone!"
　Kasumi shouted it like a man with nothing left to lose.
"But you kept getting rejected. Poor thing."
"That's right. I'm a Play virgin and a sex virgin, so what."
"Then wanna just jerk each other off for starters?"
　Kasumi's eyes were starting to go dead, so Nozomi dialed back the teasing and made a practical suggestion. Kasumi immediately froze.
"Doing that with someone I just met is a bit... Also, what do you mean 'for starters'?"
"I do it with guys I just met all the time, though?"
"Don't lump me in with you! Hey—Stay!"
"Nope~"
　Ignoring Kasumi's panicked voice, Nozomi pulled down his pants and underwear in one go. Technically, Kasumi had said Stay as a Command, but Nozomi had only ever been obeying by choice. His Play Drive was satisfied for now, and while the instinctive urge to obey had kicked in, his sex drive won out. If anything, the Glare only turned him on more.

"Huh, your body's small, but you're packing something pretty decent for an α."
"That makes it sound like I'm not that big...!"
"No, not at all. Bigger than me, at least."
"Don't use yourself as the baseline! It's only a little smaller than the α average, and the male average overall is way below mine! And even though I'm on suppressants right now, I can Knot properly, I'll have you know!"
"I'm pretty big for an Ω, too. Look."
"I mean, yeah, so it seems, but who just strips down like that!? Oh, for crying out—!"
　Kasumi—who had been peeking through the fingers covering his eyes ever since Nozomi dropped his pants—half-screamed, then seemed to give up entirely and kicked off the clothes that had been bunched around his ankles.
"Oh, but I'm a bottom, just so you know."
"I wasn't worried about that! Seriously, enough with the teasing..."
　Kasumi let out an exhausted sigh.

"Sorry, sorry, didn't mean to keep you waiting."
"Hey, don't touch that—ngh!"
　A light brush of the glans made Kasumi's whole body jolt. It was, as he'd claimed, not small at all. Sure, some of the men Nozomi had been with were bigger, but it was definitely above the male average. So he really is an α, Nozomi thought, and took it into his mouth on impulse.
"Wh—what are you—that's dirty—"
"It's not dirty. You scrubbed the hell out of yourself before coming here, didn't you? Every time?"
"...Is that so wrong? Even a failure like me is allowed to dream...!"
"You're not a failure, and you're not impotent. You get hard, you can produce Glare. You managed to Play with me just now, didn't you?"
"Don't—don't suck—I'm gonna—!"
　And he did. Even with suppressants, it was a pretty impressive load. Nozomi swallowed every drop and made a show of opening his mouth to prove it. That alone turned Kasumi's face crimson and got his cock hard again.

"Cute. Come to think of it, this might be my first time popping a virgin's cherry."
"We are NOT going any further than this!"
"Fine, fine. Then do mine."
"...If I must..."
　Kasumi's hand tentatively reached for Nozomi's cock. His technique was clumsy, but not bad.
"...Isn't this kind of big?"
"And like I keep telling you, it's still way smaller than yours—stop making me say it."
"Wow, you've actually got a six-pack..."
"Told you—judo."
"You said you didn't have much muscle... I'm jealous..."
　Kasumi's free hand wandered to feel Nozomi's abs, eyes wide with envy.
"If you wanna touch... go right ahead, mm..."
　Nozomi hiked his shirt up to his chest, and Kasumi—blushing slightly—began exploring his body with curious pats. The distraction meant his other hand lost all restraint on the stroking.
"Ngh—coming...!"
　That tipped him over the edge, and Nozomi came before he could hold back. I'm an Ω, and with other guys I always just went straight to sex, so I've never really done this kind of foreplay before, he reflected with his now slightly clearer head.

"Oh—! I'm sorry."
"It's fine—that's what we were doing it for. Is that how you usually handle it?"
"Ah, yeah, more or less..."
"Come to think of it, you were pretty good at the Play for someone who'd never done it before. How come?"
"Oh, um, I studied... at school and stuff..."
"Oh yeah? 'And stuff'? They don't do hands-on practice at school. Where'd you learn?"
"...Gh! You're totally making that face on purpose, aren't you!? I couldn't Play so I was constantly frustrated and watched Dom-oriented porn all the time!"
"Hmm, and you jerked off to it?"
"Yes! I'm a perfectly normal, healthy college guy!"
　They cleaned up and chatted while getting dressed. Teasing Kasumi was turning out to be addictive.

"Oh right, wanna exchange contact info?"
"Right, good idea. A certain someone wouldn't stop teasing me, so I almost forgot."
"Wait, really? That's so mean."
"Speak for yourself... As if. I've been thinking about nothing else this whole time, you know."
"Really?"
"After someone clings to you sobbing like that, how could I forget? I was worried you'd be the one to forget, actually—and I was right, apparently."
"I mean, I figured we'd just see each other here at the bar."
"I'd rather not come here anymore, honestly... Too many bad memories. And I finally found my Sub, so."
"For real? Then yeah, let's definitely swap info. What apps do you use?"
"Um..."
　They chatted a while longer about this and that, and when they thought about heading home, the last train had already gone. It was late, and the master told them they might as well stay the night. There'd be an extra charge for that, of course. Pretty shrewd businessman, Nozomi thought, then elbowed Kasumi out of the way and paid the entire bill. Kasumi stubbornly refused to share a bed, but one day I'll get him in the same bed, Nozomi schemed, grinning at Kasumi's contact info on his phone.

　Nozomi's phone alarm woke him. Morning. He was amazed at how refreshed he felt after just one real session of Play. He sat up and stretched.
　Today was a day off, but this was a play bar, not home. He needed to check out before the extra charges started piling up.
　Nearby, Kasumi stirred awake. Like this, he really didn't look like an α or a Dom at all. Like a little kid.
"Oh... right, we stayed the night here. Good morning. And about the bill..."
　Kasumi looked at him straight on and bowed his head.
"Already told you that's settled. I've got more money than you. Morning. Your glasses—oh wait, those are fake, aren't they?"
"Oh, you noticed? My eyesight is actually fine. I bought them because someone told me they'd make my Glare stronger."
"What a scam."
"Yeah, they didn't help at all... but I was grasping at straws, so I wore them every time I came here."
"Then you don't need them anymore, right? You've got me now. And you look cuter without them."
"Wh—cute? ...Well, yeah, I guess they are unnecessary now..."
"Also, you should get a haircut. That can't be comfortable."
"That's... someone once said I couldn't even produce Glare, and after that I didn't want to show my eyes..."
"Ah... okay, next time someone says that, tell me. I'll deck them."
"No violence!"
"Hmm, but we're both students, so it's not like I can be with you all the time..."
"You go to school!?"
"Wow, your bias against me is really something. I look like this and I mess around a ton, but I do go to school."
"Isn't that your own fault for cultivating that image?"
"Well... yeah, that's fair. Should I clean up my act?"
"Hmm, I don't... dislike it, and if it's what you want, I won't stop you..."
"Then I'll keep it. I dyed my hair on a whim, but I've actually grown pretty attached to it."
　Nozomi murmured, toying with a strand of hair.

　At the exit, Kasumi bowed repeatedly before leaving. Nozomi watched him go, already planning in his head when they'd meet next.

Chapter Text

　After that, Nozomi and Kasumi continued meeting at hotels for Play sessions. Kasumi gradually grew bolder—though it was still only things like Strip and Present, or stroking Nozomi's body after he Rolled onto his back.

　Before long, Nozomi found himself getting frustrated—not from his Play Drive, but from sexual frustration.
　True to his word, Kasumi had stopped coming to the play bar, but Nozomi still frequented it—not for Play, but to sleep with men. Being pinned down by a big, muscular man (though Nozomi could easily break free if he actually tried) and taken—that was supposed to be his thing. Yet during sex with these men, he found himself imagining more and more often what it would be like to do it with that small-bodied α.

"Hey, don't you think we should try it at least once?"
　Nozomi asked while licking Kasumi's cock. He'd actually begged Kasumi to give him the Command, since he was going to lick it anyway.
"What do you mean, 'try it'..."
"I want to do it with you."
"And it's just curiosity..."
"Just once. One time."
"You really think I'd agree to that? And keep licking properly—ah!"
"Mmph!?"
　Without warning, a hand seized his head and shoved him down to the base. Deep-throating with no warning was brutal, no matter how experienced you were. He looked up in protest, and through blurred vision, saw Kasumi wearing a sadistic smile. He can make a face like that? Nozomi barely had time to think before Kasumi thrust in again and again.
"You're thinking of me the same way you think about all those other men, aren't you? 'I wonder what it'd be like to sleep with him'—!"
　Nozomi tried to say no—and froze at the realization that he couldn't deny it. Maybe that was exactly what it was. But no—it was different. It had to be. He tried to say so, but his mouth was full and he couldn't speak. Kasumi was saying something else through gritted teeth, but Nozomi had no room to listen. Wait, how do I breathe again? I'm going to throw up. Shit. Again—

"...I'm sorry! Good!"
　A panicked voice, and then Kasumi suddenly pulled out, simultaneously releasing the Command. Nozomi gasped and wheezed on the spot. Kasumi's hand touched his back—less out of concern, and more like he simply had no idea what else to do.
"Sorry, if you touch—gonna throw up—"
　He managed to get that much out while on the verge of vomiting, and the hand jerked away. In its place, a trembling voice apologized over and over.

　After a while, Nozomi finally recovered enough to lift his head. Kasumi was looking down, refusing to meet his eyes.
"I'm sorry—I did something horrible to you—"
　Nozomi tried to organize his thoughts. Then, after another breath, he spoke.
"I can't say yet whether you're different from the other guys or not."
　No good. Every time I try to say it, my thoughts fall apart.
"It wasn't 'this guy will give me the sex I want.' It was 'I wonder what kind of sex this guy would have.' You're the first person I've ever thought that about."
"...Haha, what kind of pickup line is that..."
　Kasumi laughed weakly. Or rather, made a sound that resembled laughing—he wasn't actually laughing at all. Even Nozomi knew it was a terrible thing to say, but he hated himself for not being able to say anything better.

　But what Kasumi said next drove everything else from his mind.
"...I'm not the kind of person you think I am... 'Kisaragi Nozomi.'"
　Nozomi's breath caught. Why? I'd never given my full name.
"It was easy. During one of our later Play sessions, while you were in Space, I got it all out of you. Your address, your full name, your age, even the name of your university. I was surprised we go to the same one."
　This time, he truly had no words. Because that was a crime. And Kasumi had done it.
"I'm not the clean, decent person you think I am... Before meeting you, I used to look at stories about the obsessive nature of α and think it was terrifying, like it was someone else's problem. But I'm an α too, aren't I? How could I not become fixated after doing this kind of Play over and over? I don't just want to be your Partner—I want to make you my Ω. I want to sink my teeth into your neck and tie you to me for life. I never want to let go. But you're a Kisaragi. And a highest-ranked Sub, on top of that. Why were you at a cheap bar like that? Was I just something to pass the time? My Glare doesn't even amount to a breeze. There's no way I could ever satisfy you—and you talk about wanting only me... If I sleep with you, once won't be enough. I'll never be able to let you go. You might have said it casually, but 'just once' is impossible."
　Kasumi spoke haltingly, tears falling silently. It should have been terrifying—and yet Nozomi couldn't feel even a shred of fear.

"...You've got it wrong."
"What's wrong about it!!"
"Red. Hear me out."
　He hadn't expected to use the Safeword here. A Safeword stopped Glare, and also had a sedating effect on Doms to some degree. Kasumi bit his lip and fell silent, waiting. Nozomi straightened into seiza, fists pressed into his thighs.
"I'm sorry. Just listen. Not telling you my name—that was wrong. Kisaragi Nozomi is my real name, and yeah, my Rank is high. But the reason I didn't say anything was because I was scared. I am a high-ranked Sub, but all that means is I can refuse Commands. I didn't want to admit the rest. That a member of the Kisaragi family can't withstand Glare—even if everyone else accepted it, I couldn't. At first, I met a few αDoms through arranged meetings and tried Playing with them. That's when I knew it wouldn't work. I Dropped."
　He heard a sharp intake of breath. But Kasumi didn't interrupt.
"So I went to the play bar. I thought maybe it was only because the arranged meetings brought high-ranked Doms. Maybe an ordinary Dom would be bearable. But it still didn't work. When I first approached you—yeah, maybe it was just calculation and curiosity. But when we Played, I knew you were the only one for me. It's true that your Glare is the only one I can handle, but it's more than that. Talking to you was fun. I thought, clear as anything, that it had to be you. I haven't Played with anyone else since. You're my only Dom. ...And this part—please don't be angry—I kept sleeping with other men after that. But hearing what you just said made up my mind."

　He drew one more breath.
"Let's make a Claim after all. And then let's Bond. Iura Kasumi. I'll cut things off with every other guy. I'll be your ΩSub, and you'll be my αDom."
"...Were you even listening to what I said? I'm not a match for you. And there aren't many, but somewhere in this country, there have to be other αDoms with weak Glare. It doesn't have to be me..."
"You think you're the only one who got attached after all those Play sessions?"
"It's just a whim. Give it time and you'll get bored of me. I couldn't handle that. Before that happens—"
　It's no use. Nothing I say is getting through. And he knew exactly why—his own past behavior had made this inevitable. That was precisely why he had to say what he didn't want to say.

"Then I'll be the one who won't let you go. Say whatever you want and try to run—I know who you are, too. Don't think you can escape the Kisaragi family's intelligence network."
　Kasumi slowly looked up at Nozomi.
"...You'd go that far for some useless αDom?"
"I'd go that far. I'm never making the wrong choice again. I'll do whatever it takes to keep you."
"That's practically a threat, honestly..."
　Kasumi let out a long sigh.
"...In the end, I knew I should have cut it off, but I couldn't. I lose. Fine—let's do it."
　His voice was half resignation.
"That's not how this works. There's no winning or losing here. When my next Heat comes, we'll Bond—and we'll choose my Collar. Don't ever let go of me."
"...Are you really sure?"
"This is what I want."
"...All right. You are my Ω, my Sub. Since you've made me say all this—I won't let any other man take you."
　Kasumi traced a finger along Nozomi's Ω choker. As if fastening a temporary Collar there.

Chapter Text

　Nozomi was walking through the university campus during a break between classes. He reached the classroom he was looking for and made a beeline for his target.
"Yo."
"Wah!?"
"Don't yell like that, you'll draw attention."
"That's because you snuck up on me..."
　Every pair of eyes in the room was already on them, but the two continued in hushed voices.
"Oh hey, you got a haircut. Nice. That hair hanging in your eyes always freaked me out."
"I did, but... I feel like I look even more like a kid now..."
"Nah, it looks great. My cool αDom, looking good."
"That last part sounded totally deadpan, you know?"
"Just your imagination. Me? I came to see you."
"Ugh... I have to ask—you're not skipping class, are you?"
"Nope. My professors actually praise my work. The only thing they kept saying was they wished my behavior would improve—and it has."
"Your appearance hasn't changed, though... Well, I'm glad it's improved."
"Glad? Yay! I went around properly saying hi to everyone, too. They all said they were happy for me. Even the master."
"You're surprisingly conscientious about these things... Oh, my lecture's about to start. Please, please be quiet."
"You really have no faith in me..."

　The lecture ended, so they walked out of the classroom side by side. Both were done for the day—nothing left but to head home.
"I figured you were paying attention, but I didn't expect you to take notes."
"I mean, I was already there, right? Seemed like a waste not to. Plus I was curious about the classes my boyfriend takes. You looked so cool listening to the professor all serious-like."
"Also, I forgot to ask earlier, but... was it okay being seen with someone like me? You know, like... anyone giving you trouble?"
"Nah, totally fine. Nobody hassles me, and nobody's going to mess with you either. No one's petty enough to try anything when they know the Kisaragi family is behind me."
"I wasn't that worried about— Actually, I was. Sorry for being selfish."
"After everything you've been through, of course you'd worry. If anything, people being shitty to you should go down now. Plus I'm strong."
"I told you, no violence!"
　Before they knew it, they'd reached the exit. Nozomi led Kasumi somewhere more private, saying he had something to discuss.
"My Heat's coming next month."
"Wh—!?"
"I'm an Ω, of course it does."
"No, I mean—that is—"
"Yeah. When it comes, I'll call you. Bite me?"
"Ahhh—shouldn't we, um, go meet each other's parents before then..."
"Probably? I'm living alone in the dorm right now, though."
"That's not what I mean! We're talking about a Bond, you understand?"
"I know, I know. Both of us—let's go say hello to each other's families."
"...Okay."
　Kasumi fidgeted, looking slightly restless but unmistakably happy as he nodded.

　Kasumi's family home was in the suburbs.
"Here?"
"Yes."
　What Kasumi had brought him to was an old apartment building. Kasumi pressed the intercom, and pattering footsteps approached before the door opened.
"Welcome, oh my—"
　Kasumi's mother saw Nozomi and let out a gasp of surprise.
"He said he wanted me to meet his boyfriend, and I was wondering what kind of person he'd bring—and here he shows up with such a handsome young man. I had no idea my boy had it in him... I'm sorry we don't have much to offer."
"Not at all."
　Nozomi changed into the slippers Kasumi's mother had set out and stepped inside.
　This is Kasumi's home. There were traces of someone having hurriedly tried to scrub away years of accumulated scent—but even so, the faint traces of Kasumi's pheromones lingering in the air stirred a quiet arousal in Nozomi. He made a conscious effort not to look around too obviously as he headed to the living room.

"My family is just my mom."
　Kasumi had told him on the way.
"My father died when I was little, so I don't really remember him. Both my parents were βNormal, but I was born a mutant αDom who can barely produce pheromones or Glare, and spent my whole life getting bullied—and my mom raised me by herself through all of it. She even put me through the university I wanted to go to. I honestly can't thank her enough."
"She did raise you right."
"Though I was pretty rough around the edges after my tertiary sex manifested... She found a play bar for me, saying 'It's all I can do'—and even paid for it... So I'm sure she'll be happy about you."
　Kasumi held his hand firmly and looked up at him with a smile so bright it was almost blinding.

"It's nothing special, but please accept this."
"Oh, you shouldn't have. Aren't these from a fancy shop? Far too good for our little household—but since you went to the trouble, let's all enjoy them together."
　At her insistence, they ate the manju Nozomi had brought alongside the snacks Kasumi's mother had prepared, sipping tea and talking.
"To think my boy would bring home such a wonderful young man. I couldn't be prouder."
"Mom, you've said that like five times already."
"Well, it's the truth, so I can't help it. Kasumi told me the gist of things. To know that he's found someone who truly wants to be with him... it makes me so happy. You two had better be happy together, okay?"
"Yeah. Absolutely."
"Yes. I want to walk this path with him."
"If anything comes up, don't hesitate to come to me, all right? There may not be much I can do, but I'll do everything I can."
"Thank you."
"Oh, you don't need to be so formal. You can call me Mom if you'd like, you know?"
"Yes."
"...I see we're not quite there yet..."

　After Kasumi excused himself to the bathroom, his mother's expression turned serious.
"This might be a heavy topic for you, but there's something I want you to know. ...That boy has a habit of shouldering too much by himself. He lost his father so young, I think he feels like he has to make up for it—like he has to work twice as hard. Even more so after he found out he was an αDom."
　Nozomi's sex had been identified before birth through prenatal testing, but that test was expensive. And since the odds of two βNormal parents producing a Rare Sex were minuscule, few couples bothered. So when Kasumi's sex was discovered—both he and his mother must have gone through something far harder than Nozomi could imagine.
"That's why his condition weighed on him so much. But you're the one who changed that for him, aren't you? Then I'm sure you'll be just fine. Please—the two of you, be happy together."
　Nozomi fought back the tears threatening to spill. She hadn't been able to do what he could. That knowledge made her words all the heavier.
"...Yes."

"You two were definitely talking about something while I was gone."
　Kasumi came back from the bathroom looking suspicious.
"No, not at all. I was just telling him some funny stories from when you were little."
"Yeah, I had no idea little Kasumi used to do that kind of thing."
"What—wait! What did she tell you!?"
　Nozomi and Kasumi's mother both laughed at his panic, and when Kasumi shot them an exasperated look, they only laughed harder.

Chapter Text

"Here—this is my family home."
"Wow..."
　Kasumi stared up at the house, mouth agape.
"Everyone who comes here makes that face. Is it really that big?"
"It's huge! Compared to this, my place is..."
"It's just big, that's all. My siblings have all either married out or moved out on their own, so it's only my parents here."
"Hmm..."
　Nozomi unlocked the door and called out casually, "I'm home—brought him." He started to walk in when—
"Whoa."
　The door opened on its own. No—his mother had opened it. He'd told her roughly when they'd arrive, but had she really been standing behind the door this whole time?
"Please, do come in."
　Her makeup was flawless, and she'd even pulled out a kimono she never usually wore—there wasn't a single crack in her armor. Honestly, this was the most terrifying version of his mother Nozomi had ever seen.
　She was the top of the household. In the Kisaragi family, one Ω in each generation traditionally stayed to marry an α into the family, preserving the Ω bloodline. By custom, the head of the Kisaragi household had always been the Ω. And the current head was his mother.
　In the living room, his father sat with an imposing presence. He, too, was in a kimono. Technically his status was below his mother's, but—no surprise for an α—his aura was overwhelming. Is this what they call a pressure interview?

　Kasumi already looked like he had a stomachache. Same here. Truth be told, ever since they'd agreed to visit each other's parents, the weight on his chest had been constant. He still hadn't told them about his condition. Worse—he'd been avoiding them since the Drop, having fled to the university dorm shortly after starting to frequent the play bar, and had barely been in contact since. He'd only sent a brief email recently: he was bringing someone home, date and time.
"Um, this is for you. I hope you'll enjoy it."
"Thank you, that's very kind. Please give our regards to your mother as well."
　Kasumi's hand stopped dead. A beat later, Nozomi caught the reason.
"I hope you'll forgive our presumption, but Iura Kasumi—we've had a thorough investigation conducted into your background. Whether you are fit to be Nozomi's Bond and Partner. Whether you are someone we can trust."
　His mother spoke in a cold voice while his father sat with arms folded, radiating hostility. This isn't right. My parents were supposed to be warm, gentle people—not these razor-edged strangers.
"Mom—"
"Nozomi, stay out of this. This is between the Kisaragi family and Mr. Iura."
　There was nothing he could say to that. Nozomi ground his teeth and sat back down.
"Nozomi is the last of the Kisaragi line. If you marry into this family, you will bear the weight of the Kisaragi name. If Nozomi marries into yours, the Kisaragi family comes to an end. And either way, you will bear responsibility for the life of a single person named Nozomi. Are you prepared for that?"
　A long silence fell. Nozomi's mind was approaching its limit. But he refused to Drop—not until he heard the answer of his αDom. He held on with that single resolve.
"I—"
　Kasumi's voice trembled as he began.
"I come from a single-parent home. We don't have much in savings. My pheromones and Glare are both weak—I'm incomplete as both an α and a Dom. I've even nearly caused Nozomi to Drop."
　Kasumi clenched both hands into fists. Nozomi laid his own hand over them. Kasumi's hands were freezing, but Nozomi used that cold to anchor himself. He could only hope Kasumi was doing the same.
"But Nozomi told me that it had to be me, that no one else would do. And I need no one but Nozomi."
"And if we said no?"
"...Then I will take Nozomi from you. He is my Ω and my Sub. We can no longer let go of each other. If that's not allowed, then..."

"That's enough!"
　Nozomi couldn't bear it anymore and shouted. Three pairs of eyes turned to him. The fact that neither his father's nor his mother's expression had changed filled him with nothing but terror.
"Kasumi and I came here to be happy! Why can't you just be happy for us!?"
"Then tell me, Nozomi—what do you want? Why did you choose Mr. Iura?"
"I—! ...At first, I was drawn to Kasumi's Glare. But as we spent time together, I fell for Kasumi himself. I want to be his. His alone."
"...Were you truly drawn to his Glare itself?"
　His mother's eyes cut through him like she could see everything. Meeting that gaze, Nozomi knew—there was no hiding anymore.
"...I'm sorry. I can't handle Glare. Unless it's as weak as Kasumi's, it makes me sick..."
"You kept that to yourself all this time?"
"...Yes. I couldn't bear to say it. That someone from the Kisaragi family can't withstand Glare—that I'm defective—"
　The tears he'd been fighting poured freely down his face. Kasumi's hand on his back was the only thing telling him he was still here, still present. It's okay. Kasumi—my Dom—is anchoring me.
　After a moment, his mother let out a long sigh. The blade seemed to have been sheathed—but in the next instant, it was thrust at Nozomi once more.
"...We knew."
　A sharp intake of breath. Of course they knew. How could they not?
"The doctor told us. At the hospital. He asked why you'd gone so long without Play. We explained the situation, and he said you might have an aversion to Glare. They ran tests while you were unconscious, and we got the results a few days later."
　Of course. After he collapsed, there was no way his parents wouldn't investigate the cause. That was exactly why their silence had terrified him. And so Nozomi had run away.
"It wasn't your fault. It was ours, for not noticing. I thought you might hate us for it. So we decided not to interfere with your search for a Bond or a Partner—to let you do things your own way. Of course, we'd quietly arranged security for you at that bar... But it seems our stepping back only made you more anxious. ...I'm sorry."

　His mother bowed her head to Nozomi. And then to Kasumi.
"Mr. Iura, I'm sorry for testing you as well. An investigation can only reveal the surface. Speaking with you like this has told me everything I need to know. You're not the small person you think you are. And above all—Nozomi chose you. So you will make him happy. And Nozomi will surely make you happy, too. The Kisaragi family fully supports you both."
"Yes—both of you, I'm sorry for frightening you. Both your mother and I understand well the bond between α and Ω. Its weight. That's precisely why we were searching for an αDom who could make Nozomi happy. You are worthy. As a fellow α, I understood your resolve perfectly. Walk the path you've chosen together."
　The frigid air dissolved.
"Dad, Mom...gh—"
"Oh, we really did scare you, didn't we? I'm sorry, sweetheart. We're just your regular Mama and Papa again, so don't worry."
　His mother pulled him into a tender embrace and stroked his head. My parents are back. The realization flooded through him, and for a while, Nozomi simply cried in her arms.

"Kasumi, you did wonderfully too. When Nozomi's calmed down, you two go rest in his room. I'll call you when dinner's ready. You're welcome to stay the night."
"Oh, that's too much—"
"You want to, don't you?"
"...Yes."

"There, there. I'll make all your favorites tonight, okay?"
"Mm..."
"I really am sorry..."
"...Mm."
　The exhaustion of everything hit him all at once, and Nozomi's eyes fell shut.

Chapter Text

　When he opened his eyes, he was on his own bed in his own room. His bed—but Kasumi's face was right in front of him. So the goal gets achieved at a time like this. He'd been planning to sneak into Kasumi's bed at some point, but this took the wind right out of his sails.
　He lay there enjoying Kasumi's sleeping face, and before long Kasumi woke too. Ever since they'd started Playing together, Nozomi had been waking up refreshed—and Kasumi, it seemed, was also a quick riser.
"Oh, you're awake?"
"Yeah."
"...I'm absolutely exhausted..."
"Sorry, they're not normally like that."
"I know. I talked with them after you fell asleep, and they're both wonderful people."
"Huh? What did you talk about?"
"Not telling. Payback for last time."
"So unfair... And why are you in my bed? At the hotel you always insisted on twin beds and absolutely refused to share."
"I tried to say no. But after you cried yourself to sleep, the three of us carried you here, and then... it just sort of happened."
"Ugh, I should've pushed harder sooner... Oh well. I'll look forward to next month."
"Give me a break... Oh, it's almost dinnertime."
　Before leaving the room, Nozomi paused and looked around. He'd only brought the essentials to the dorm—everything else had been left in this room. Half-read manga, games he'd never finished, favorite clothes. Not a speck of dust on any of them. They'd been taking care of my things. The thought stung behind his eyes.

　Downstairs in the living room, his mother stood at the kitchen counter, makeup washed off. Both parents had changed back into everyday clothes. Dinner was a spread of all of Nozomi's favorites, and the mood was warm and easy.
"Mr. Iura, you go to the same university as Nozomi, yes? Please look after him there, too."
"Of course."
"If anything happens, let us know. We'll do everything we can for you two. By the way—have you decided on a place to live together? I happen to have a good property available."
"Dad, it's too soon for that."
"It's never too soon. Kasumi, I imagine you'd like to live with Nozomi sooner rather than later?"
"...Well, yes. But for you to do so much for us—"
"It's fine. Nozomi was our one remaining worry. If you decide to hold a wedding, we'll happily cover the costs. What about rings and a Collar? Would you like to buy them yourselves?"
"Yes... These are important, so we'd like to pick them out and pay for them ourselves. Nozomi and I are both working part-time and saving up for them."
"I had a feeling you'd say that. Take your time and choose well, the two of you. Nozomi, think carefully with Kasumi. And if you can't reach an answer, we're here to help."
"Absolutely. Come to us anytime. I really am sorry about earlier. But I'll say it once more—we support you. Just as Mr. Iura's mother does."
"...Thank you."
　Kasumi wiped away tears. Nozomi nearly teared up too, and hurriedly held them back.

"Nozomi, you will take the Iura name."
　After dinner, his mother spoke with a serious expression. Nozomi and Kasumi both opened their mouths to protest, but she stopped them.
"I'm not abandoning you. It's the opposite.
I said it earlier, remember? If Mr. Iura joins the Kisaragi family, you'll both have to bear its weight. The Kisaragi family is a precious lineage, protected for its ability to produce α and Ω. But that protection is also a very heavy chain."
　She paused, then made her declaration.
"The Kisaragi family ends with us. Your father and I discussed this and decided long ago. The times have changed. You two—be free."
"...Yeah."
　Nozomi had had many older siblings. All of them were Ω. He'd always thought something was off—no matter how strong the Ω bloodline, it shouldn't produce exclusively Ω children. He'd pretended not to notice. But among them, some had married α partners, some had married non-α, and some had struck out on their own without marrying at all. And Nozomi was surely the last.
"I understand, Mom."
　He accepted their resolve and answered.

Chapter Text

"...So yeah, sharing a bed in a room full of my pheromones—this was kind of inevitable, huh?"
　Nozomi ground his knee into Kasumi's erection through his pants, teasing it just short of making him come.
"Shhh! What if they hear us!?"
　Kasumi hissed back in a frantic whisper, hips pulling away sharply.
"Relax. My parents' room is far from here, and with this many Ω in the family, the soundproofing is top-notch. You wouldn't want Heat moans echoing through the house, right? The laundry chute and dust chute are over there, and the fan switch is that one. Spare sheets and everything are in that closet, and there's a mini-fridge too."
"Wow, that's very... practical."
"So, can I take your virginity?"
"How did we get there!?"
"Well, when my Heat hits, we'll both lose our minds, right? I figured we should try it once beforehand. Plus, sex at my parents' house is kind of a rare experience."
"Don't end on something so blunt!"
"Not interested?"
"I didn't say that!"
"Then it's settled. Also, I'm super horny now that the stress is gone."
"Seriously..."
"C'mon... let's do it?"
　Whispered into his ear, Kasumi's breath audibly caught.

　After making sure the door was locked, they undressed. Nozomi put a condom on himself first. Out of seemingly nowhere Nozomi produced condoms and lube (outside of Heat, a male Ω did produce some natural lubrication, but nowhere near enough for intercourse—lube was essential). Kasumi muttered "You planned this from the start, didn't you..." and started undressing too.
"Mm, well, just in case? I didn't know how the talk would go, but worst case, some comfort sex could've been nice."
"That's pretty heavy for a first time."
"I figured my parents would like you, though... I didn't expect it to be that intense. Sorry you had to go through that, Kasumi."
"That's not something you should apologize for."
"Yeah, you're right. Let's do this."
"The way you just switch gears—I envy that."
"Yay."
"That wasn't a compliment..."
"Oh, and I've already prepped, so."
"You really were fully prepared for this!?"

　They decided to skip Play this time—they wanted to keep as much sanity intact as possible.
"You really do love sucking cock, don't you..."
"Yep, love sucking Kasumi's big fat cock."
"Please don't say that without any hesitation."
"We've basically been doing everything but, so why are you still so bashful?"
　As he spoke, Nozomi loosened himself up with his fingers. Better safe than sorry.
"I'm close—please stop."
"Aww... I get it—you wanna come inside for your first time, right? Totally fair."
"That composure of yours is honestly irritating."
"...I mean, during Heat I use vibrators and dildos and stuff, and I've been with a bunch of guys, so I can't give you my virginity. But I've been wanting yours for so long, so—"
　Saying that, Nozomi spread his legs and parted the twitching rim of his hole for Kasumi to see.
"Savor every inch of me?"
　Seducing someone for the first time felt embarrassingly foreign—he'd always just gone straight to it with the men he'd slept with. His face burned. He was about to look away from Kasumi's gaze when his escape was cut off.
"I'm going to be the one who takes you, got it?"
　With that, Kasumi brushed a feather-light kiss against Nozomi's lips. Fumbling a bit with the condom, he slicked himself up with lube, and the tip of his cock pressed against Nozomi's entrance.
"Watch where I go in."
　It wasn't a Command, but Nozomi looked anyway. Anticipation swelled inside him.
"Nn, put it in."
　As soon as the words left his mouth, Kasumi began easing into him. The pressure was more intense than usual—partly because it had been a while despite the prep, and partly because his body was trying to pull in what it had been craving.
"Hff, nngh—"
　Kasumi clenched his jaw, clearly fighting not to come. His movements were painfully slow—barely enough to call stimulation. But it was unbearable in the best way.
"Nnn—!"
　When the head of Kasumi's cock grazed his cervix, Nozomi came softly. He'd suppressed his voice out of sheer embarrassment, but inside, his walls clenched and rippled, desperate to milk Kasumi dry.
"Fwah—!"
　That set Kasumi off too. After a moment, Kasumi shot him a reproachful look.
"...I mean, yeah, it was me coming that did it."
"Even so, I have my pride."
　Kasumi muttered while tying off the condom.
"Hey, the night's still young."
"You're right. Let's enjoy ourselves."
　Kasumi crawled over him and kissed him deeper as he slid back inside. Nozomi wrapped his arms around him and pulled him close.

　This time, there was no instant climax from entry alone. But the waves of pleasure that followed were relentless.
"Ngh—you keep hitting—the same spot—!"
　A slow, deliberate grind against his cervix, over and over. Kasumi looked composed after having already come, but Nozomi was at his absolute limit.
"You like it there, don't you? You came just from a little bump earlier."
"Can't—help it—seriously, stop, there—it's bad—I'll lose it—!"
"Makes you want to get knocked up?"
　All he could do was nod desperately. Then Kasumi leaned in close to his ear.
"Slut."
"—kh, nn—!!"
　That low whisper stroked every masochistic nerve he had, and Nozomi came hard. His insides clamped down, squeezing tight, begging for seed.
"Hah—too tight—!"
"Can't stop—ah—"
　Tears streaming, Nozomi rode out the orgasm for what felt like an eternity.

"...You really do love that spot."
"Ahh—"
　Before the aftershocks had even faded, Kasumi thrust up once. He didn't follow through—just the once—but still.
"I have to ask though... was it like this with the others too?"
　The question came tinged with anxiety and jealousy. Nozomi caught his breath and shook his head.
"No. This is a first. I mean, before, I mostly had sex right after a failed Play attempt, so that's probably part of it—but actually wanting to be bred from getting my cervix rubbed? That's never happened. Genuinely shocked me too."
　He rubbed his own belly as he said it, and Kasumi immediately tackled him into a hug.
"...I'll make you happy."
"You're saying that now?"
　Nozomi giggled and stroked Kasumi's hair.
"I can say it whenever I want. Anyway, you seem to have recovered quite a bit. I'd like to come too, you know."
"Wait—not that spot, seriously—it felt like I was about to go into Heat, that's how bad it was."
"Is that so? Then..."
　Kasumi pulled his hips back. As the deep-seated cock slid out, Nozomi got a bad feeling and clamped a hand over his mouth—but it was useless.
"Hyah!?"
"Here? Your prostate."
　Now Kasumi hammered that spot instead, and Nozomi's voice went high and reedy.
　Male Ω (and female α) possessed both a uterus and a prostate—remnants of the same ancestral organ, or so it was said. "One of the mysteries of the human body," some called it, but Nozomi couldn't have cared less right now. It felt incredible in a completely different way from the cervix. His brain was shorting out.
"Hii—hih—there, no—aah!"
"I keep—worrying, though—nnh..."
　Nozomi had no capacity to register the jealousy in Kasumi's voice.
"Ahh, I want to—touch this too—don't I?"
"Nooo! I can't—don't—aahh!"
　And then his cock was being stroked on top of everything, and Nozomi's head thrashed against the pillow.
　Even setting aside the fact that they were both men, Kasumi was unnervingly good with his hands. It was too much—Nozomi desperately wanted Kasumi to come already so this would end, and he hurtled toward the peak.
"Hii—nnnn—!!"
"Kh—me too—!"
　One last deep thrust, and Kasumi came inside. Feeling it, Nozomi's consciousness winked out.

　Blink. He woke. Still dark outside.
　He'd apparently passed out mid-act. His body was clean, the sheets had been changed, and he was dressed. Kasumi must have taken care of everything. Despite being smaller, he'd done all that, Nozomi felt guilty. I'll apologize later.
　His hips ached, but not badly enough to impair walking. He hadn't expected things to escalate that far. No matter how he played it cool, if Nozomi were wobbling around like a newborn fawn, it'd be pretty obvious what they'd been up to. Then again, his parents had put them in the same room, so maybe it was a moot point.

　Incidentally, it went without saying that during Heat an Ω's stamina became virtually limitless—and recovery was remarkably fast. Even after the most intense sex, you'd be back on your feet in no time. When sleeping with an α, the mutual drive was so powerful that the Ω might nod off mid-act, but outside of those moments they'd be connected almost constantly—or so he'd heard. And yet, after Heat ended, there was apparently almost no physical toll. Nozomi himself had never spent a Heat with anyone before.
　Setting aside the anxiety about talking to his parents, Nozomi's anticipation for Bonding with Kasumi was immense. And now that the anxiety was gone, the anticipation was only growing. Finally, I'll belong to this α. Every previous Heat had been a hellish cycle of chasing relief that never came, climaxing over and over with no one to answer the need. But Kasumi would fill that void—Nozomi was certain of it, for reasons he couldn't quite articulate. And it wasn't only about Heat. As a Dom, as a man—Kasumi would always be his complement. And he, in turn, could be Kasumi's. He truly believed that.

　In any case, it was still too early to get up. Nozomi snuggled against Kasumi and settled in for a second sleep.

Chapter Text

　With his Heat cycle approaching, Nozomi took his Heat leave. No school, no part-time job. He couldn't go out, so his options were limited to his phone, books, and games. And since Kasumi still had school and work, they couldn't meet.
　Technically, an α could take leave for their Bond (or prospective Bond), but to avoid disrupting Kasumi's life, they'd agreed he'd only take off once the Heat actually hit. And with Nozomi's pheromone levels spiking pre-Heat, meeting in person was out of the question. Aside from unexpected incidents, suppressant medications were strictly off-limits around the Heat window. Pheromone suppressants were absolutely forbidden.

　Nozomi was currently in the Kisaragi estate's detached cottage—a separate building constructed specifically for Heats. No matter how good the soundproofing was, having Heat sex under the same roof as your parents was deeply uncomfortable. So Nozomi had hauled in all his necessities and was hunkering down.
　Was he lonely without Kasumi? Not terribly. Sure, he missed him sometimes, but modern technology meant they could email and call. And knowing Kasumi was set up to rush over the moment Heat hit was enough to get by. What he couldn't manage was the sexual frustration. A phone could technically enable pseudo-Play or pseudo-sex with Kasumi, but something about that felt off. Nothing but the real Kasumi would do. Maybe having sex before Heat was a bad idea— but then again, it had been amazing, and as he used that memory as material for masturbation—

　It's here. His body flared with heat, and he felt the slick between his legs. But unlike the disorienting madness of past Heats, this warmth pointed in one direction only. And strangely, he felt both relief and urgency at once. That α will fill this void. But only that α will do.
　With trembling hands, he called Kasumi. He fumbled the screen several times. Every second of waiting was agony.
　The voice that picked up understood immediately.
"It's started?"
"Yeah. Hurry—"
"I'm on my way."
　The call ended. The instant loss of connection hit like a physical blow, but Kasumi was probably sprinting—he couldn't push for more. Next, he pressed the button on the wall, alerting both his parents and the car that was standing by near campus.

　From here it was war against the heat. I have reason. I have reason. Repeating it like a mantra, he staggered to the fridge, pulled out drinks and ready-to-eat snacks, downed some water, and swallowed the Heat-specific contraceptive. He left the empty blister pack out as proof he'd taken it. That alone took several minutes.
　His clothes were drenched and disgusting, so he stripped everything off. He ripped off the choker too and flung it onto the desk. From here on, the only one entering this room was Kasumi. A minute after collapsing naked onto the bed, he blacked out.
　When he came to, he remembered: I need to build a nest to welcome my α. He tore open the bag Kasumi had been swapping out daily, dumping its contents onto the bed. Sheets, pillows, shirts, pants—he piled them into a nest. He crawled inside, but the nest that should have been saturated with Kasumi's pheromones didn't cover his entire body. He wished, with a feverish resentment, that his body could shrink just for now. Also, there simply weren't enough pheromones. He wanted the real thing.
　His body was on fire. His hole in particular felt like it was burning. But only that α would do. Good thing I decided not to bring toys—"it just wouldn't feel right." Even so, he couldn't stop fingering himself. He couldn't stop rutting his cock against the sheets even though he knew it wouldn't satisfy him. His free hand drifted to a nipple, then he gave up and pressed his nipples to the sheets too, shoving his fingers into his mouth instead. Wrong—those weren't those slender, small fingers. Hurry, hurry, hurry.
　He wanted to bolt outside, but the room was designed so that an Ω in Heat couldn't open the door from the inside. And he was too far gone to move anyway. Hurry—

"Sorry to keep you waiting!"
　The door burst open and Kasumi charged in.
"Oh—wow..."
　Now that I think about it, I must look ridiculous right now, some calm corner of his brain observed, but there was no stopping any of it.
"Hur—ry—"
　His voice came out more wrecked and whiny than he'd expected. A beat later, Kasumi stripped with an edge of frustration. His pheromones hit at the same time—the scent of a breeze sweeping over grasslands, an image that bloomed in Nozomi's mind even as his body flared hotter. Good. My pheromones drew him in.
"Is it always like this?"
"No—first time—doesn't matter, just—"
"The nest is sweet of you, but it's kind of in the way."
"No, don't wreck it."
"Hmm... Should I just get in then?"
"Get in—I made it for you, Kasumi."
"Whoa, tricky... Like this?"
"Mm, good—it fits you perfectly."
"Well, yeah, it's made from my stuff..."
"I did a good job—praise me."
"Yes, yes, good boy."
"Nnnmm~!"
"Wait—you came just from me patting your head? God, that's hot... Can I? I'm going in."
"Mm—breed me—fill me up with your cum—"
　Having completely forgotten that he'd taken the contraceptive, Nozomi beckoned Kasumi with everything he had.
"Then as you wish—hh!"
"Hyaa—aahhh~!"
　His soaking-wet hole swallowed Kasumi far more easily than expected. Transcendent pleasure—and beyond it, the euphoria of something desperately, achingly missing being slammed into place. A single thrust sent Nozomi over the edge again and again, stars bursting behind his eyes.

　But not yet. There was still something he had to do while consciousness remained.
　He had to let Kasumi make him his Ω. And he had to make Kasumi his α.
"Kasumi—bite—here—now—"
"...You're sure?"
"The hell are you saying—I said bite me, now!"
"Honestly, you cry so easily... Okay then—"
　Be mine, the words vibrated against his eardrum, and then teeth sank in, piercing deep...

　Pop.
"HYGH!? Haahh..."
　The pain was blinding—tears spilled instantly. But even that transformed into pleasure. Everything this α gave him felt good. Something poured in through the bite mark, branding every cell with a claim of ownership. It was so exquisitely comfortable that Nozomi surrendered consciousness.

Chapter Text

　Sunlight, blinding, finally pried his eyes open. The Heat was over, it seemed—his head was clear. He rubbed his eyelids and sat up, startled by how light his body felt. He'd surely been having sex the entire time, but the rumors appeared to be true.
　Now then—he remembered up to the Bonding. Had it actually taken? He touched his nape. Sure enough, a bite mark. Thank god—it wasn't a dream.
　The problem was everything after. Recalling just how far he'd spiraled during a Heat with his Bonded partner for the first time was terrifying, but then again, not remembering would be a waste... He folded his arms and dragged out a few fragments of memory—and deeply regretted it.

　Kasumi had watched him piss while they were still connected every single time, and he'd leaked cum while doing it every single time. They'd showered while connected and he'd come over and over. They'd eaten while connected. They'd basically been connected and orgasming non-stop the entire Heat.
　Toward the end, Commands had gotten mixed in: forced to Stay still with Kasumi's cock buried inside while being ordered to Cum over and over, getting his ass spanked—"Honestly! You are so badly behaved! Say how many times you've come!" "Can't—dunno anymore—ah—coming again—hii—gh~!" —while spraying god-knew-what everywhere.

　This is mortifying. Heat made it unavoidable, sure, and he was genuinely a shameless mess. The sex was incredible, though—his ΩSub needs had been more than satisfied. But the problem was...
"Ugh..."
　A groan from beside him. Kasumi was huddled under the blanket, shaking.
"...That's my blanket, you know."
"Gah—"
　Nozomi yanked it off without mercy. Sure enough, underneath was a red-faced, half-crying Kasumi.
"I'm so embarrassed... Was I not, like, way too full of myself?"
"I mean, I barely remember anything. All I remember is the ass-spanking."
"So you do remember...But what you remember is probably just a tiny fraction. I remember everything... I mean, I also remember how cute you were, but my own behavior is so much more embarrassing..."
　Kasumi covered his now-even-redder face with both hands.

　Nozomi placed a hand on that head. He began stroking, gently, the way Kasumi always did for him.
"I'm your Sub, so you're welcome to do way worse than that on a regular basis, yeah?"
"I couldn't do that sober! That stuff is way too advanced!"
"Wanna start with a chastity belt, chains, and leather gloves?"
"Wow, tempting—no, that's not the point!"
"You were in Rut too, so it can't be helped. And I was, uh... into it too..."
"...You know, you really are a good person, Nozomi. Good boy."
"Hm? Is that what that was? I'll take it, though... But first—"
　Nozomi scooted close, wrapped his arms around the still-hiding Kasumi, and whispered in his ear.
"Thank you for making me your Bonded."
　Kasumi turned so red it was almost concerning, then mumbled, "Thank you too."

Chapter Text

　Nozomi and Kasumi were inside a certain shop.
"H-hello, we have a reservation under Iura."
　Kasumi presented both their IDs, his face taut with nerves.
"Hey, welcome, you two! I've been waiting. Come on, right this way."
　The man who checked their IDs and beckoned them over with a grin looked, if anything, even more frivolous than Nozomi. Despite telling himself not to judge by appearances, Nozomi couldn't help but wonder if this was really "Ice" and if this man was really the manager.
"Don't worry, I'm the manager. Just call me Akira. Thanks for coming in today, both of you."
　Akira seemed to read Nozomi's thoughts and smiled amiably.
"It's because you look like that that everyone gets suspicious, you know."
　A brown-haired employee who bore a strong resemblance to Akira muttered under his breath.
"Huh? Why? I figured this look would make me more approachable~"
　Akira twirled a strand of his bleached-blond hair around his fingertip. The employee sighed in exasperation and turned to help a customer who'd just walked in.
"...Anyway, never mind him. Here—this room. Go ahead and have a seat."
　Akira stopped in front of a door, unlocked it with a keycard, and stepped inside. The two followed. Once the door clicked shut, Akira gestured them toward a sofa, took the chair across from them, and got down to business.
"So, you're here about a Collar, right? What kind are you thinking?"

　It was Nozomi's parents who had recommended this shop. That said, both of them had already known the name well.
　"Ice" had opened its first location when they were in elementary school. Under the banner "Equality for all sexes," the shop carried products relating to every sex classification—not just secondary and tertiary. But that wasn't all. The store housed an in-house clinic and pharmacy, allowing customers to consult with a doctor before purchasing. Privacy was, of course, absolutely guaranteed, and they'd also launched an online store. The αDom manager "Akira" who had done all of this in one fell swoop was celebrated as "a young prodigy who burst onto the scene like a comet," and became famous—for better or worse—across all forms of media, often linked to the "Liberation Movement" that was happening at the time.
　Akira had since steadily expanded "Ice," and now had stores overseas as well. This was the flagship—the original location, still managed by Akira himself. They hadn't specifically chosen it; it just happened to be the closest one to both their homes.
　For a shop with this kind of pedigree, one might expect sky-high prices—but Ice's products were remarkably affordable. Even items that cost a fortune elsewhere were priced within reach of college students, which made the shop enormously popular.
　Ice also handled custom orders for rings and Collars, and that was exactly why the two were here today.

"Hey, what kind of Collar do you want?"
　At their new place, Nozomi flipped through several tertiary-sex lifestyle magazines spread across the floor, comparing the Collar sections.
The examples here are just for reference—custom is the way to go for Sub Collars, apparently. "One Sub in all the world deserves one Collar in all the world", and all that.
　The Dom was expected to foot the entire bill, of course. A Claim between Dom and Sub didn't carry the same legal or physical binding force as a marriage or Bond—which was exactly why formality mattered when it counted.
"Hmm... Starting from scratch is impossible, but with this many examples, I can't choose either..."
"The base should be sturdy—in case we attach a chain."
"Right... wait, no—is that chain thing still on!?"
"And I'd like some metal embellishments. They look cool."
"He just steamrolled right past me..."
"But I'm not great with most metals, so titanium would be best. So, what about the design?"
"You're just going to hand that part to me...?"
"I mean, I've got nothing."
"Neither do I..."
　They went back and forth like this for a while. Then something in one of the magazines caught Nozomi's eye.
"Oh—how about this?"
　Kasumi listened as Nozomi laid out his idea.

"Got it—so the base is light-brown leather, and the front gets a titanium padlock-shaped charm."
　Akira sketched the design as he listened, his pen gliding across the paper. It was exactly what they'd described.
"Yep. A chunky one."
"And the loop on the lock is where the chain hooks on?"
"Why are you in on this too, Akira!?"
"I mean, I'm an αDom myself, y'know? And I've made Collars for aaall kinds of people."
"A pro's eye doesn't miss a thing."
"Exactly."
　Akira winked. The rumors were true—"Akira" might seem flippant at first glance, but in conversation he was easy to talk to and perceptive enough to read between the lines.

"And one more thing—I'd like a bracelet."
"Huh?"
"Ahh, I see—a matching bracelet for Kasumi, with a key charm on it, right?"
"Yes, and I'll be paying for the bracelet myself."
"Wait! This is the first I'm hearing of this!"
"You unlocked my heart. Didn't you?"
"That goes both ways—you set me free, too."
"Nah, that's not quite what the lock and key mean. It's about the fact that this Dom holds the key to this Sub's heart. That only this Dom can guide this Sub into Space."
"Hey, that's embarrassing when you spell it out like that..."
"Wait—oh!"
　Nozomi buried his face in his hands, and a beat later, Kasumi turned just as crimson.
"And a bracelet bought as a set with the Collar means: this Dom will never, ever let go of their Sub's leash. Hmm, this was your idea, Nozomi?"
"I-I just happened to see it in a magazine..."
"But you're the one who chose it, right? That's sweet. You are loved, my friend. Subs with a possessive streak are pretty common too, actually—and that's what makes it great."
　Akira grinned as he finished the sketch, then tapped the paper with his pen.
"So, are we good with this?"
"Yes, please go ahead."
"It really is exactly what we described... Thank you."
"Alrighty, it's settled."
"Um, about the price..."
"Oh, right. Let's see..."
　Akira punched some numbers into a calculator and showed it to them. Their eyes went wide.
"Wait, is that really all!?"
"Are you sure!? Isn't there a digit missing!?"
"Nope, that's right. You two are young, and honestly, I do this more as a labor of love. Think of it as a support discount from me."
"We couldn't possibly—thank you so much!"
"Besides, I just charge the rich clients the full markup."
　Akira smirked. So much for the touching speech.
"Should you really be saying that out loud..."
"Hey, they pay whatever I quote. My stuff is that good. And that means I can pass the savings on to young folks like you. Oh, and since you're just starting out, all sorts of needs are gonna come up—when they do, please patronize our fine establishment! We do rings, too, just so you know!"
"Wh—what a salesman..."

　They were told the Collar would be ready soon and left Ice.
"Phew... He was easy to talk to, I'll give him that, but I'm drained..."
"I thought he was fun."
"You did look like you were enjoying yourself. But about that bracelet..."
"Yeah, everything Akira said was true. You're my only Dom, after all."
"...Yeah."
　Their clasped hands fidgeted. Nozomi squeezed tighter.

Chapter Text

　Today was the wedding. After Bonding, the Claim, and registering their marriage, the two had finally arrived at this day.
　The guest list included Nozomi's family and Kasumi's relatives, plus friends of both. They'd also sent invitations to the play bar's master and Akira on a long shot—and both had come. The master said he'd always worried about Nozomi and Kasumi, and thought of them like his own children. Akira said, "Well, obviously I'm gonna show up to the wedding of a couple whose Collar and rings I made. Oh, my little brother's watching the store." A later search revealed he apparently attended quite a few weddings of couples he'd worked with.

　Kasumi wore a tuxedo, and Nozomi had chosen a pure-white wedding dress. It was a once-in-a-lifetime chance, and Nozomi had requested it himself. His curiosity had always run deep. It turned out to be harder to walk in than he'd expected, but the joy far outweighed the inconvenience.
　When he showed Kasumi before the ceremony, Kasumi gazed heavenward and said, "How does it suit you that well...!?" Nozomi offered, "Hmm... good proportions?" and received a light swat. Indeed, every guest afterward agreed that Nozomi in his bridal gown looked nothing short of angelic.

　Before entering the ceremony hall, his mother performed the veil-lowering. Neither of them spoke, but she smiled through the tears pooling in her eyes—a smile that blessed his new beginning.
　Then, flanked by both parents, Nozomi walked the aisle. Every step along the virgin road was a testament to the journey—born an ΩSub, meeting Kasumi, and the long road to finding each other's hearts. Step by step he drew closer, and when he arrived, his parents placed his hand into Kasumi's.

　Words of prayer were spoken, and at last, the officiant's questions began.
"Kasumi, do you take Nozomi, here present, to be your partner—to love, to honor, and to cherish, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer?"
"I do...!"
"Nozomi, do you take Kasumi, here present, to be your partner—to love, to honor, and to cherish, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer?"
　Nozomi drew a breath and answered, clear and true: "I do."
　Kasumi's mother could be heard crying. She was apparently the most easily moved to tears of anyone present—she'd actually burst into full sobs when Nozomi showed her the wedding dress and called her "Mom" for the first time.

　Next came the ring exchange. With trembling hands, Kasumi received the ring from the officiant and slid it onto Nozomi's left ring finger. Nozomi took Kasumi's hand in turn—slightly smaller than his own—and placed the ring on his finger.
　The platinum rings were engraved with a relief of undulating flowers and young grass. Choosing them had been even harder than choosing the Collar—in the end, they'd settled on a design inspired by each other. They'd had the Claim completed as soon as the Collar was ready, and had a simple gold pair ring made at the same time—but they'd held off on the wedding until they could commission these bands. Now, next to that pair ring, the wedding band caught the light.

　Then Kasumi lifted the veil. As expected, he was on the verge of tears.
　Nozomi bent down slightly, and received Kasumi's kiss softly on his lips.

Chapter Text

Kisaragi Nozomi (currently Iura Nozomi)

　The youngest child of the Kisaragi family, a lineage known for producing many Ω. Though the only Mixed Rare Sex in the family, his Sub nature was discovered by chance during prenatal testing, which at least gave his family time to prepare. He grew up without any particular issues and had a vague dream of one day becoming someone's bride. When his Sub nature manifested, he began attending arranged meetings, but this was when he became aware of his aversion to Glare.

　By nature, Nozomi is curious and optimistic, but deep down he feels a need to live up to expectations—like his mother, the head of the Kisaragi family, and his brothers and sisters who married into α households. This repressive side of him prevented him from confiding his aversion to Glare to anyone, and the resulting inner conflict pushed him to his mental limit, causing him to Drop.

　After the Drop, something in him snapped and he began living recklessly. Incidentally, he had always secretly admired piercings and dyed hair, so even after meeting Kasumi he had no intention of going back. His hair is dyed a reddish-brown. Though he was living it up, he continued attending his university lectures properly throughout and maintained good grades.

　He was also seeking out Doms in parallel, but even a mild dose of Glare triggered a rejection response, after which he would rest for a while before having sex—a cycle he repeated day after day. Due to his constitution, consuming anything before Play was out of the question, but he felt bad just sitting there, so he always ordered water anyway. Since it was all but certain that Play wouldn't work out, he exclusively chose large, well-built men and had them hold him down (though he could easily break free if he tried) in an attempt to at least satisfy his masochistic urges as a Sub. Because he could even sense Glare through a screen, he had never once watched Sub-oriented adult videos.

　At over 170 cm, Nozomi is unusually tall for an Ω, and he tends to tease Kasumi, who is a few centimeters shorter. He attributes this to his high Sub Rank and his martial arts training, but in reality, tall Ω like him have apparently been increasing in recent years.

　He doesn't mind at all that Kasumi uses polite speech with him. In fact, he finds the rare moments when Kasumi gets so worked up that the formality slips to be incredibly arousing, so he's perfectly happy with the status quo. He actually quite enjoys the Play during his Heats, when Kasumi tends to lose control, and secretly wants to try slightly harder Play. Judging by how Kasumi is, he figures that's still a ways off—but he won't stop hinting. According to Kasumi, his pheromones carry the scent of a noble, dignified flower.

Iura Kasumi

　An only child born to two βNormal parents. Black hair, black eyes—"plain" in his own words, "cute" in Nozomi's. His father died in an accident shortly after he was born, and he was raised by his mother alone. Because of this, he privately feels deeply indebted to her and tends to push himself, believing he needs to work hard for her sake. He was already bullied at school even before his examination results, but when classmates exposed his secondary and tertiary sex examination results, the bullying intensified. He became a shut-in for a time, and between the frustration of his unmet Dom needs, things got somewhat rough at home as well, but with his mother's dedicated efforts he managed to get into his university of choice.

　At play bars, most Subs treated him the way Nozomi witnessed—occasionally, a few kind Subs would engage in "pseudo" Play with him, but it was barely better than nothing, and his frustration only grew. It was precisely because Nozomi's sensitivity to Glare was so strong that proper Play could be established between them.

　As a fellow regular at the bar, Kasumi had often seen Nozomi heading into a play room with muscular men, and while he admired him, he had resigned himself from the start to being out of the question. So when Nozomi approached him, he was genuinely shocked, and as he learned more about Nozomi's background, his distrust only deepened. Nozomi forgave him, but he still thinks he'll probably carry the guilt for the rest of his life. He doesn't like the taste of alcohol, so he always ordered juice.

　Years of distrust toward others led to a habit of using polite speech as a barrier, even with those who aren't his superiors, and he struggles to drop the formality even with Nozomi. He used to be self-conscious about his short stature, weak Glare and pheromones, and this speech pattern, but since Nozomi doesn't seem to mind—and since he's realized how aroused he gets watching Nozomi, who is taller and more imposing, look up at him and willingly obey his Commands—his complexes are gradually fading.

　Before meeting Nozomi, he watched Dom-oriented adult videos almost daily, and he does have a certain interest in slightly harder Play. Whether he could actually do those things to Nozomi, however, is another matter entirely. As a result, during Nozomi's Heats he loses control, and afterward he's left burying his head in his hands every time. He even finds it takes considerable courage just to have sex while Playing under normal circumstances. According to Nozomi, his pheromones carry the scent of a gentle breeze sweeping across a meadow.