Author's Notes: Chapter edited and corrected by Scott Fellman.
June 2 2xxx - Izumi Pov .
I smiled slightly as I looked at the image Darkness had sent me. It was part of her new routine. We'd sat down and had a long, in-depth talk about everything to expect from the relationship. I even made Darkness read large amounts of information on a mandatory basis.
Once we were finally finished, specific rules and routines were established. And this was one of them. Before changing from her training collar to her day collar, Darkness had to take a completely nude picture, wearing only her thick collar and nipple piercings. Then, one in her underwear so I could see which one she'd chosen for the day, which I had to approve. And finally, one in her UA uniform with the day collar placed around her neck.
All of this was to ensure she followed the "rules" correctly. It also worked the other way around. Once she could remove the collar during the day, she had to take a picture of her wearing clothes and her collar and then take a picture of herself naked with her training collar on her neck again.
Then, she could dress however she wanted. But she always had to send me a picture of her chosen outfit for my approval once again. I certainly had to take a trip to the mall with Darkness to buy large quantities of more 'revealing and sexy' clothes for her to wear.
I thought I was going too far with that, but Darkness, being Darkness, loved the idea of being used as a doll. Along with the 'free use' of her body whenever I wanted, Darkness was almost drooling at the thought.
"I really can't believe she's still doing that," Taylor said, looking over my shoulder. I laughed lightly.
"There's nothing wrong with it. It looks sexy," Ruby said, giving her a once-over.
"After that video in that sex shop, nothing should surprise you anymore," Azula said dryly. Taylor snorted as she blushed slightly.
"Yeah, well, it's the first time I've met someone like that. I just didn't expect it," Taylor defended herself. Azula snorted.
"Says the girl with a control quirk." Azula said mockingly. Taylor blushed.
"My quirk has nothing to do with my actual tastes!" Taylor replied, embarrassed.
"So… if Izumi asks you to help 'punish' and 'dominate' Darkness, you'd refuse?" Ruby asked with a mocking smile. My eyes sparkled.
"Do you want to do it? Darkness will love it." I said playfully while smiling mischievously at her.
"No!" Taylor exclaimed defensively.
"Is it me, or did that sound like a yes ?" Azula asked dryly while smiling slightly. Ruby and I laughed while Taylor moaned loudly.
"Aside from how much fun it is to tease Taylor. -"" Hey !""-Really, if you want to join me, Darkness wouldn't mind. In fact, you can go over there and 'use' her whenever you want. She'd love that, too." I said with a lecherous grin. This time, all three of them choked.
"Calm down, pervert. The day is just beginning, and we don't have time to waste," Azula said dryly, but she had a slight blush on her face.
"When I get to know her better?" Ruby said shyly. Taylor just looked away, embarrassed. I laughed at the three of them but didn't say anything. In fact, I was more impressed that none of them had refused outright, so it's possible they're interested to some extent. We'll have to wait and see how it all plays out.
I finished getting ready for class, as did the girls, and we quickly headed downstairs.
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"Miyamura, come with me," Aizawa said simply once classes were over. He didn't even wait for an answer before turning around and starting to walk. I looked at the girls around me, thoroughly confused, and I just shrugged.
"See you in a bit." I said simply before joining Aizawa. Aizawa was silent as we made our way to the staff room. I was terribly curious to know what Aizawa wanted from me. Aizawa walked in without stopping once we arrived, and I followed suit.
"Izumi?" I looked at Darkness, who was looking at me curiously before blushing slightly. She was wearing her UA uniform, just like me, but she had the consideration collar proudly around her neck over it, even though she could probably hide it.
I approached Darkness and, without hesitation, grabbed her hand. She blushed slightly but didn't shy away from my touch. She simply moved even closer to me.
"Darkness." I said while smiling slightly at her, and she nodded. Then, we both turned our attention to the others present. Aizawa had joined Midnight, no, Kayama without her disguise, and Vlad Queen, Sekijiro Kan.
Okay, this is weird. Darkness and I were standing in front of our homeroom teachers, and Kayama. A strange combination, except it wasn't. It was almost obvious they'd want to talk.
"Please sit down," Kayama said, pointing to the seats placed in front of them. If—if she's calling the shots, then yes, it's definitely about our relationship. I wanted to grimace, but I restrained myself, simply sitting quietly in the offered seat, Darkness quickly following behind me.
"We want to talk about your relationship," Aizawa said directly, almost snorting. I saw Darkness pale slightly as she brought her free hand to the necklace around her neck, not at all subtly; it wasn't as if she were going to lie about our relationship anyway.
" Shota! We said we'd do it gently! " Kayama scolded. Aizawa rolled his eyes.
"That was me being nice," Aizawa said dryly. I laughed lightly.
"As entertaining as it is to watch you berate Aizawa-sensei. Is there a problem with our relationship? " I asked softly. Kayama gave Aizawa one last glance before looking back at me and smiling softly.
"No, no, no, not at all," Kayama said immediately, trying to calm us down. "As you know, UA tends not to interfere in student relationships unless it interferes with the curriculum. We just have a few concerns," Kayama said softly. I tilted my head in confusion.
"What kind?" I asked. Kayama cleared her throat.
"Am I correct in assuming that Darkness's necklace is a necklace of consideration?" Kayama asked as she pointed at the necklace. Darkness blushed slightly.
"Yes, it is. It's also being used as a day collar." I confirmed immediately. Kayama nodded.
"Perfect, the fact that you know what that is tells me that at least he knows the basics of the dynamics they're in," Kayama said confidently. I nodded. "Once again, is it wrong to assume it's a 24/7 relationship?" Kayama asked again. I nodded.
"We are." I confirmed honestly. Kayama sighed.
"I was afraid so," Kayama muttered, and I frowned. Kayama seemed to notice. "There's nothing wrong! You're not in trouble or anything! " Kayama said immediately. My frown loosened slightly but still remained as I looked at her. Kayama cleared her throat. "As you know, a 24/7 relationship is something that requires a lot of commitment, a lot of emotional maturity, and a strong bond. We just... want to make sure you don't rush the pace, or you might get hurt emotionally." Kayama said, genuinely concerned.
"I'm sure you can understand our concern. You two didn't have any relationship of any kind besides being a team during the festival, so jumping right into that kind of dynamic sets off some alarm bells," Aizawa said, narrowing his eyes and staring at us. "It's our duty as teachers to make sure you're completely okay, and that includes getting involved if you're being downright stupid with your relationships," Aizawa said dryly. You really had to love Aizawa's honesty.
"I understand, teachers, but I assure you we know what we're getting into," I said honestly. Kayama grimaced.
"I know it may seem like it, and they may be fine now, but Miyamura, you have a lot more control than you think. You're responsible for Miss Dustiness in ways far more than just sexual gratification. Especially when it's negatively affecting her personal life." Kayama said with a look I couldn't quite place. I blinked a few times.
"Excuse me, what? Negatively affect your personal life? " I asked, confused. Kayama gave me a disappointed look, and I immediately frowned. What the hell were they talking about?
"She's constantly distracted. She's altered her uniform to make it smaller, especially her skirt. From what I've heard, she's canceled several plans with her classmates. She's been handing in her assignments late. Her performance during practice is worse than before. She spends more time in the 1A dorm than in her own dorm. Darkness's classmates have been talking about the new... addition to her breasts that were previously missing. And more," Sekijiro said coldly as he looked at me.
My eyes widened, and I finally got a good look at Darkness. Her skirt was definitely shorter; even while sitting down, you could tell how short it was now, as it left much of her plump thighs exposed. In fact, she looked like she was sitting on her butt, not her skirt.
She also didn't seem to be wearing a bra, despite the picture she sent me this morning. I could see the faint traces of her piercings on her uniform jacket, and since I was the one who picked out most of Darkness's lingerie, she wasn't allowed to wear anything so thin that it would show through or make anything inappropriate obvious.
And I finally remembered the past few days. I thought it was normal for Darkness to want to spend more time with me. The "honeymoon" phase was real; in fact, I was enjoying it too, but I didn't think it was to the point where she was canceling plans with her classmates.
"What?" I asked stupidly. "I never told her to do that." I said immediately. The three teachers' expressions turned completely confused. I slowly turned to look at Darkness, who was blushing deeply as she looked away. I looked at her flatly. "Something to say in your defense, Darkness." I asked coldly. She shuddered slightly.
"I…" Darkness tried to say timidly. I sighed tiredly and looked at the teachers.
"Okay, let's start at the beginning. While you're wearing your consideration collar, your day collar, you have no routine, no command, no rule to follow that's remotely sexual. The consideration collar will be worn during school hours and any social gatherings you may have."
"During that time, it's just a matter of acting normally, like you always would. Focusing on your studies and keeping your grades from slipping. Starting to train properly in training and learning how to use a weapon, avoiding being used as a human shield whenever possible."
"The whole sexual thing only starts when she puts on her training collar, which she shouldn't do if she has other plans. I also encouraged her to continue hanging out with her friends as usual. But apparently, she's been ignoring everything I've told her." I explained simply while giving Darkness a disappointed look. Darkness saw my expression and visibly flinched, then paled considerably.
I looked at the teachers, who seemed surprised by what I said.
"That... was well thought out," Aizawa finally said.
"You don't have to sound so surprised, sensei." I said dryly. Aizawa smiled at me mockingly.
"So… it was all Darkness's fault?" Kayama asked with a frown. Darkness shuddered.
"S-sorry! But I can't help it!" Darkness said quickly. "This-this relationship is everything I've ever dreamed of! It's amazing! I don't want it to end," Darkness said, embarrassed. Kayama sighed.
"I understand you, Darkness, I really do. As someone who is in the same community, I understand. But putting your relationship before your personal life? Especially when your dom told you to keep your life personal? That's just wrong." Kayama said, and Darkness shuddered. I sighed.
"S-sorry." Darkness said as she looked down. Kayama sighed.
"Very well, you will meet with me, both together and individually, to evaluate your relationship. As I said, I will not interfere in any way. But I want to know that you are being responsible with this for my peace of mind; it has nothing to do with the university. And Darkness, please, I expect you to behave as you should," Kayama said finally. Darkness nodded shyly.
"I understand, sensei. I'll talk this over with Darkness in depth. Thank you for letting me know." I said seriously as I looked at Darkness. She paled slightly. "Anything else?" I asked with a sigh.
"Yeah! How can I use a weapon?! She can't use a weapon!" Sekijiro chimed in. I snorted as I watched Darkness get embarrassed once again.
"She can, she definitely could. She just ignored it and didn't even try to improve in any way to use a weapon. She kept repeating the same thing over and over again, knowing she would fail. She's too strong, so she was worried the monsters would die too quickly and wouldn't be able to hurt her." I said dryly. Darkness blushed even more when the teachers gave her a flat look.
"Tell me he's joking." Sekijiro practically begged. Darkness visibly flinched and just looked away. Sekijiro groaned loudly. "You know what, I'm all for you two continuing to hang out and have your weird dynamic as long as you can get Dustiness competent with a gun again," she growled.
"It's not a strange dynamic. It's completely normal and healthy," Kayama chided as she slapped Sekijiro's shoulder, who just rolled her eyes.
"Whatever, I thought she'd improved when she decided to intern with Heathcliff and the Knights of the Blood. However, for her to return from that internship and perform worse was a huge red flag. In fact, it was the first thing that made me notice her," Sekijiro said with a grimace. I blinked a few times.
"Heathcliff?" I asked confused. "Who?" I asked again.
"You don't know Heathcliff?!" Darkness asked with a disbelieving gasp. " Kayaba Akihiko?!" Darkness asked once more. I felt myself paling considerably.
The damn Kayaba Akihiko existed in this world?! And he was some kind of hunter?! What the fuck?!
"I-I don't know anything about him. Can you tell me something about him?" I asked with a nervous smile. Darkness's eyes glittered slightly.
"Heathcliff, an A-Rank Hunter with a defensive Quirk, possibly the strongest in existence! Also known as 'The Paladin' and 'The Strongest Shield,' he is a legend! Throughout his hunting career, no one has ever seen his aura broken or him defeated! Even when fighting multiple S-Rank monsters! It's amazing!"
"He's the guild leader of the Blood Knights. A guild headquartered in Japan, but specializing in cleaning and searching for resources in Aincrad! I was lucky enough to learn directly from him during my internship! " Darkness said with a huge smile. My eyes widened slightly.
That sounds awfully close to the avatar he had in SAO. I really, really don't want to find out I'm in a Matrix-style simulation!
My paranoia aside. The strongest defensive Quirk? It had to be really tough if it had that epithet in some way. With monsters like All Might or Alexandria, which were the quintessential strength/defense Quirks, it had to be at least at that level.
"Wait, if he's so strong that he can keep his aura intact against S-rank monsters, why is he only A-rank?" I asked curiously. Aizawa snorted.
"He's unofficially rated as an S-rank. The problem is that his aura and everything else are measured as A-rank. And even though he has all the qualifications to rank up, the International Hunter Government is stopping his advancement with the excuse that the only other S-rank defensive quirk alive is Yuri Orloff, and Orloff and her barrier quirk are a completely different monster."
" Orloff can affect huge areas with her barriers, while Heathcliff sadly only works on himself. And while he has impenetrable defenses, his attack power isn't up to par." Aizawa said dryly. That... I guessed that made sense.
"Did anyone else take the internship with you?" I asked Darkness, and she nodded.
"Yeah, the Kirigaya siblings, Eugeo and Alice from my class, and Asuna from yours." Darkness said easily. I grimaced at that. Funny how she always went back to canon.
"Alright, as interesting as it is, it's time for you to go." Aizawa finally said, I nodded.
"Darkness, don't forget what we talked about." Kayama said immediately as she looked at Darkness.
"Don't worry, I'll take care of that. I'll even threaten to punish her," I said playfully.
"I'm sure she'd love that and be motivated to never learn how to use a gun," Aizawa replied dryly. I smiled widely.
"Oh, I don't mean any physical punishment. In fact, something she absolutely hates." I said sadistically. Darkness looked at me and shuddered violently.
"There's nothing you can make me hate!" Darkness said immediately with an eager smile, I just laughed.
"Ah, sweet summer girl," I said condescendingly as I looked at her. Darkness blushed. "I haven't told you yet because I wasn't ready, but I guess you need the motivation," I said playfully.
"W-what thing?" Darkness asked fearfully.
"Very well, new rule. The punishment for any serious offense while you are wearing your collar of consideration will be that we will have a date. On this date, you will be treated completely as Lalatina Dustiness Ford, daughter of the Duke. In the meantime, I have been studying, researching, and learning noble etiquette so I will act exactly like a proper gentleman, just like Walther Barness. Alexei." I said threateningly.
I could see the perplexed looks on the teachers' faces, but my attention was focused on Darkness, whose face had lost all blood, and her expression was entirely replaced by a grimace of terror as she looked at me. I smiled more sadistically.
"No!" Darkness gasped in disbelief. I laughed lightly.
"Oh yes. And it will be an order, depending on the offense you commit. The length of the appointment will be determined; if it's too serious, it may even extend for days. During all that time, you will be ordered to act as a noble befitting your rank." I said simply. Darkness shuddered more visibly than before.
"Monster." Darkness gasped, still pale. I laughed lightly.
"And proud, punishment isn't something you should enjoy, at least not when you break a rule while wearing the consideration collar. Sexual punishments are only for the rules while you have the training collar; don't forget that. If you want to avoid such a fate, just don't break any rules." I said amusedly. Darkness bit her lip.
"And if I do everything you asked for?" she asked timidly. I laughed lightly.
"I guess we could repeat what we did during our date more often. In fact, I have some ideas you'd probably like," I said playfully. Darkness flinched, but this time, she started blushing slightly.
"F-fine, I-I'll behave, Master." Darkness said lightly.
"Very well, pet. I'm glad you're so obedient." I purred as I stroked her cheek. I quickly released her before looking at the teachers. They still didn't know exactly what was going on.
"I don't think I understood the... punishment, but it seems you've got it all under control, Miyamura. I'll entrust you with the duty of looking after Miss Dustiness." Kayama finally said. I nodded.
"It's what I would do anyway; she's my responsibility, and I do it with pleasure." I said honestly. Kayama finally smiled slightly.
"I'm glad to hear that and that you take that privilege completely seriously. Now, you may go. We'll be waiting for the changes, Miss Dustiness; otherwise, you'll be summoned once more. Ken will be in charge of monitoring your progress for a few days to see if you're fulfilling your responsibilities," Kayama said finally. I stood up, and Darkness followed me. "Also, if you have any doubts or questions about your dynamic, remember that my door is always open," Kayama said, and we both nodded.
"Of course, goodbye." I said as I bowed slightly.
"G-goodbye! S-sorry for the trouble." Darkness said as she bowed slightly. Then we started to leave the room.
We walked in silence down the hall for a long stretch. I could see Darkness squirming more and more, I laughed lightly.
"Go get your training collar, pet. I suppose I can make an exception and punish you in a way you'll definitely enjoy just this once." I said in a firm tone. Darkness's head quickly turned towards me, and she quickly smiled.
"Yes, master!" said Darkness with a huge bright smile.
"I'll wait for you in my room. If you're not here in... 5 minutes, and you're not completely naked, wearing only your collar, kneeling beside my bed, I'll go easy on your punishment." I said dryly. Darkness seemed almost panicked.
"Understood, master!" said Darkness before starting to run. I looked at her amusedly as she ran almost desperately. She seemed to panic at one of the forks before deciding that the fastest way was through the window.
She literally opened the hallway window, and jumped out without even hesitating. I edged closer to the window and watched her land hard on the ground before quickly running away. We were on the third floor. I shook my head while laughing. I started walking in the direction of the girls' aura. I would make Darkness wait a few minutes.
Also, I had to look up Heatcliff, Kayaba, and his guild. I really hope he's not the damn boss on the top floor of Aincrad. Because I don't know how well canon works in the real world.