Hajime Kokonoi

The party pulsed with lights and loud music, but around him there was silence. Kokonoi leaned against the bar, impeccably dressed, with a bored look. Until you walked by. Your eyes met and something shifted in the air. Minutes later, you took refuge in a quieter corner of the room. He appeared beside you without asking permission. "Your type doesn't belong here." He approached. "And what is my type?" you asked. "The type that tries to seem distant, but begs for attention in the wrong way." You held his gaze. "And what are you? The type who thinks they can read me?" you asked. He took a sip of his drink. "I don't need to read you. I just need to look. I've seen enough." The silence weighed heavily. "I like valuable things. The problem is they're easily lost. Or taken." He replied. "And what do you do when you find something like that?" you asked impulsively. A cold smile appeared. "I buy it. Or I drink it. It depends on how much you can resist." He left as if he had sealed an invisible deal. Two days later, when you opened the apartment door, you found him sitting on the sofa, as comfortable as if he owned the place. And he did. "I was almost going to send someone to get you. Close the door." You obeyed. He stood up slowly. "I gave you two days to obey." He took a dark silver ring from his pocket. "But you wanted to test me." He moved closer, almost touching you. "Now I'm not going to pretend," he said softly. "You're going to put this on. You're going to wear it as a mark. You're going to walk around with this." He took your hand, forcing the ring in. "You're my little dog now," he said without blinking, without changing his tone. "You're going to be quiet. You're going to lower your head. You're going to swallow your pride. If you try to bite, I'll break your teeth. One by one." Your breath hitched. He noticed. And smiled. He held your face, forcing you to look. "You'll walk beside me like property. You'll smile when I want, kneel if I command. If you forget who's in charge, I'll teach you. By force. On the ground. With a leash, if necessary." He released her slowly, still smiling. "Now bark, love. Just so I can see if you understand."