Maybe it was because I arrived early, but it was pretty empty. Since we shared a campus with a university, there were a few people that looked like university students, all walking around with a listless look on their faces.

     There was barely anybody wearing the same uniform as me. As I walked on, feeling a bit lonely, I suddenly heard footsteps behind me.

     Not believing my gut, I turned around and, as I thought, there she was — Sorahashi-san.

     「…You noticed me. I wanted to give you a little surprise from behind.」

     「Good morning, Sorahashi-san.」

     「Mhm, good morning.」

     How rare. She wasn’t usually the type to come to school early. Maybe she was up earlier than usual because of the opening ceremony.

     「It’s so cold today.」

     「Right? Winter’s in full swing.」

     「Kurumi, what were you up to during winter break?」

     「Well, I was…」

     We made small talk as we headed towards the school. Like I thought, she had spent a fruitful winter break having fun with her friends. She smiled as she told me about how she went to ring the bell on New Year’s Eve, looking so much more innocent and adorable than when she was wearing a collar.

     When I looked more closely at her, though, I noticed she seemed a little restless. She was sweating even though it wasn’t hot at all. Doubting my eyes, I put my hand to her forehead. Those little things could be signs of a serious illness. One had to stay vigilant.

     「Huh… Kurumi?」

     「Ah, sorry. You seemed a little off, so I thought you might have a fever.」

     「Were you worried about me?」

     「Yeah. I’d be sad if you collapsed.」

     「Ahaha, you’re such a worrywart. That makes me a bit happy, though. There’s nobody around to worry about you when you live alone. …But, well, I’m the one that chose to do so.」

     She chuckled. It was okay as long as she was fine, but I continued to wonder why she seemed so off.

     「Say, Kurumi. Can you re-tie my scarf for me? I was in a bit of a hurry today, so it’s gotten a bit messy.」

     「Sure, but…」

     I thought she was supposed to be quite dexterous, but taking a closer look, her scarf was indeed wrapped up more sloppily than usual. I gently reached out to grab it. At that moment, a strong wind blew, making the scarf come undone little by little.

     My eyes widened.

     Underneath her scarf was the black collar I’d gifted her. Even if there weren’t many people around because it was so early, it was a terrible idea to have this exposed out in the open. I quickly took the scarf and put it back around her neck.

     That scarf that had originally been mine had completely become hers.

     「…Sera.」

     「Aha, I’ve been found out.」

     She smiled.

     It was different from before — seductive, far from innocent. But that was also her true face.

     In the end, I couldn’t ever go back to being a human. After all, just seeing her collar made my heart flutter so much that I stopped caring about everything else. Surely, these emotions welling up from the deepest depths of my heart were not permitted to human beings.

     I gently took her hand.

     「Where are we going?」

     「…Who knows.」

     In any case, I was looking for somewhere where we could be alone. I entered a nearby university building, looking for a place where nobody would be. There were probably open classrooms at this time, but they might have cameras installed. I had no choice but to take her into a bathroom stall.

     It was silent in there. I took a deep breath and untied her scarf.

     Just gazing upon that black collar around her pale neck sent shivers down my spine. Everything that had been building up inside me began to overflow. I pushed on her chest to force her down onto the toilet seat.

     「Even though other people might have seen… If you won’t keep your scarf wrapped up properly, Sera, I’ll need to teach you a lesson.」

     「Hehe. How are you going to discipline me today, Master?」

     「I’m going to make sure that impertinent mouth of yours stays shut.」

     Her golden hair was as dazzling today as ever. When she looked at me with those indescribably colored eyes, I felt as if my desires were all exposed. If I’d never met Sorahashi-san — if I’d never agreed to her request — would I still be wearing the face of a human?

     I felt her neck, feeling her body heat. Then, her hand touched my scarf.

     「Did Mizuki-chan give this to you?」

     She whispered.

     「…How did you know?」

     「Not telling. …You should take it off. It’ll feel better that way.」

     「That’s…」

     It had been a long time since I’d received a present from Mizuki. I wanted to treasure it. It didn’t feel right for this occasion, though. While I was in thought, I felt a tug on my scarf. It was a gentle tug, different from the one I had felt from Mizuki earlier.

     Her eyes came close.

     As I was captivated by their brilliance, I felt something touch my lips. About ten seconds passed before I realized what had touched them was Sera’s own lips. As soon as we parted, everything began to feel unreal. All I could do was blink.

     She laughed enthusiastically. I opened my mouth, but before I could say anything, she deftly undid my scarf and tucked it into her coat.

     「I’ve taken something important from you, Master.」

     I wasn’t sure if she meant the kiss or the scarf. However, I could tell that she was trying to tempt me. My heart was beating so fast that I thought it would burst, and I touched her coat.

     「Always just doing whatever you want. If you want to be punished this badly, then I’ll let you have it.」

     「I look forward to it.」

     「…Good.」

     I began to unbutton her coat. It was the first time that undressing someone else had made my heart beat this fast. I was so excited that I just couldn’t help it, and I felt that she probably was feeling the same.

     I could feel myself falling. I knew that this depravity was no good, and that I had to escape. But I was so obsessed with her, so obsessed with the things we did together, that I didn’t want to at all.

     That emptiness I felt might have been the last bit of conscience I had left as a human being. It, too, was hidden behind the sound of my heartbeat and faded away.

     「Bad girls need to be punished until they learn to behave properly. Prepare yourself, Sera.」

     I smiled.

     Nobody else knew about the Sorahashi Sera that wore a collar. She belonged only to me. It’s not that this fact gave me a sense of superiority, but I knew it made my chest and the pit of my stomach tighten. I touched her as I always did.

     How might I discipline her today?

     With all human thoughts gone from my mind, that question was all that remained.

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