Chapter 149

The following day, Ichigo showed up to work early like always. The street was still quiet, the air cool enough to make him shove his hands deeper into his pockets. He leaned against the wall outside Ikumi’s office, watching a couple of pigeons fight over crumbs on the sidewalk.

After a few minutes, he heard the click of the lock from inside. The door creaked open just enough for her to peek out — and before he could even greet her, Ikumi grabbed him by the front of his shirt and yanked him inside.

He stumbled forward, boots thudding on the wooden floor. “What did I do wrong now—”

Before he could finish, her hand was already between his legs, cupping him firmly. Not enough to hurt, but enough to get his full attention.

“You’re gonna fuck me, alright?” she said flatly, her eyes sharp but her cheeks slightly flushed.

Ichigo blinked once… then chuckled. “I guess the reason I sneezed yesterday was you.”

She raised a brow. “Huh? What does that even mean? Whatever — I can’t even think straight, okay? Maybe if you fuck me I’ll go back to normal. Just do it… you know you want to.”

He tilted his head slightly, smirking. “What makes you think I want to?”

Ikumi didn’t hesitate — she grabbed his hand, pressing it against her chest so he could feel her heartbeat through the thin fabric of her blouse. “This. Boys like you go nuts over them. So… we doing this or what?”

Ichigo gave her a slow once-over before answering. “Take me out to dinner first, alright? Then I’ll fuck you. Now let me go — you’re lucky you’re pretty, otherwise, man, I would’ve slammed you.”

‘Equal rights, equal fights,’ Ichigo thought with a grin.

Ikumi’s jaw dropped slightly. “You… really want me to take you out first?”

“Sure. Let’s go. I was feeling like getting some junk food today anyway,” he said, walking past her toward the door like the whole thing was normal.

Ikumi stood there for a moment, hands on her hips, staring at him in disbelief. What is up with this generation?

With a small shake of her head, she grabbed her purse, locked the office, and followed him outside.

The sun was higher now, warming the pavement. She slid into the passenger seat, crossing one leg over the other while sneaking a glance at him as he started the car. Ichigo just kept his eyes on the road, one hand on the wheel, the other resting casually on the gearshift.

They didn’t talk much on the drive, but the air between them was heavy with tension — the kind that made her tap her fingers against her thigh, and made him smirk faintly without looking at her.

When the small restaurant sign finally came into view, she was already wondering if she was going to stick to her “after dinner” plan… or just drag him into the backseat before they even got inside.
“So tell me, boss,” Ichigo began, leaning back in his chair, one arm resting lazily on the table. “What’s the deal? Like… what’s the real reason you want me — of all people — to bang you? I thought you had a boyfriend or something.”

Ikumi crossed her arms, scoffing. “No, I don’t. And don’t act stupid — you know damn well why I’m asking you of all people, you bloody pervert.” Her eyes narrowed at him, but her cheeks carried the faintest hint of pink.

Ichigo chuckled, a low, amused sound. “Man, you’re a riot. But you act so innocent in front of your kid… kinda hot though, won’t lie.”

That made her blush deeper, and without missing a beat, she kicked his shin under the table. But he didn’t even flinch — just smirked like he’d been expecting it.

Then, under the table, he slipped his shoe off and stretched his leg out, pressing his foot against her crotch.

Ikumi’s eyes widened, and her mouth opened to curse him out — but before she could, the server appeared beside their table with a polite smile.

“I’ll have the—hmm—” Ikumi started, but her voice faltered when Ichigo began to slowly rub his foot against her, a deliberate, teasing motion that made her knees twitch slightly under the table.

“Excuse me, ma’am,” the server asked, tilting their head, “is there a problem?”

She snapped her gaze to Ichigo, glaring, before clearing her throat and forcing a strained smile toward the server. “Oh no, I just… swallowed wrong. I’ll have the medium grilled salmon, with mashed potatoes and steamed vegetables.”

“Good choice. And your beverage?”

“Iced t—” She froze again, her voice catching when his foot pressed right into a more sensitive spot. Her breath hitched before she forced herself to finish. “—Tea.”

The server nodded and scribbled on their notepad before turning to Ichigo.

“I’ll take a well-done ribeye steak with fries,” he said casually, “and a Coke.”

“Your meals will be ready shortly,” the server replied before walking off.

The moment they were gone, Ikumi reached under the table and grabbed Ichigo’s foot, squeezing hard enough to make him laugh out loud.

Heads turned in the restaurant, a few customers glancing over. Ikumi quickly let go, hissing, “Are you crazy?!” in a low voice.

“Nah,” he said, grinning, “but that was kinda fun. I might be an exhibitionist now that I think about it.”

She shook her head, muttering something under her breath, and let him pull his leg back to put his shoe back on.

When the food arrived, the shift in Ichigo was almost jarring — gone was the teasing troublemaker, replaced by someone who actually treated her like a lady. He poured her drink for her, slid her plate closer, and even pulled out her chair slightly when she adjusted her seat.

For once in a long time, Ikumi actually felt like a woman being taken out, not just a tough, no-nonsense boss. And the fact that Ichigo already knew her hard-boiled, stubborn self… yet still treated her with that easy, confident charm, caught her off guard.

When the bill came, he didn’t even hesitate — just paid for it without saying a word.

Pervert or not, she realized, Ichigo was still a gentleman.

When they stepped out of the restaurant, Ichigo casually slipped his arm around Ikumi’s waist, pulling her close as they walked toward the car. His grip was firm but relaxed, like it was the most natural thing in the world.

“Alright,” he said with a sly grin, “wanna book a motel, or should we go back to your place?”

Ikumi’s cheeks tinted red. “Um… let’s book a motel. I don’t want my son hearing all that noise.”

Ichigo smirked. “Wow, you’re really confident in my ability, huh? What if I can’t satisfy you?”

“Then I’ll force you to,” she shot back, her confidence flaring. “I know how to make a man hard again.”

He raised a brow, chuckling. “Hmm… maybe that’s why your boyfriend left you.”

Her glare could have cut steel.

“I’m joking,” he said quickly, his smirk returning. “But honestly… I don’t mind being a stepfather. Just so we’re clear.”

Ikumi’s lips twitched like she wanted to say something back, but she stayed quiet. They got into the car, and she navigated him toward a motel far from her usual routes — far enough that none of her customers or acquaintances would ever see her there.

When they finally pulled in, the neon motel sign buzzed faintly above them, casting a faint pink glow over the car. She booked the room quickly, keeping her head down at the front desk.

As they walked toward the elevator, she suddenly froze. “Oh, I forgot about the condoms.”

“Nah, I hate those,” Ichigo said without hesitation.

She glanced at him. “What if you have diseases?”

“I’m immune to all diseases,” he replied flatly.

Her eyes narrowed. “How?”

He leaned closer, voice dropping just enough to make her heart skip. “I’ll tell you… after I break your back.”

The elevator doors slid shut, trapping them in a small box filled with faint elevator music and heavy tension. Her blush deepened, but she didn’t look away from him.

The ride to the fourth floor felt like it took forever. When the doors opened, they stepped out together and walked down the narrow hallway, the muffled sounds of TVs and other… activities drifting from other rooms.

She unlocked the door to their room — small, clean, with a king-sized bed dominating the space. She’d booked it for two hours, ignoring his earlier comment that it was too short.

“Alright,” she said, setting her purse down, “let me take a bath first.”

She disappeared into the bathroom, and the sound of running water quickly filled the room.

Ichigo dropped down onto the bed, the mattress dipping under his weight. He laid back, one arm behind his head, staring up at the plain white ceiling.

A faint smirk tugged at his lips.
‘Man… this is gonna be fun as hell,’ he thought.

TO BE CONTINUED