Chapter 1 – The Invisible Loser and the Mysterious Book

In class, I’m completely invisible. No, maybe even less than invisible.

I do have friends, but in the end, they’re just the same kind of guys.

The ones I always hang around with are Tanaka—the chubby one with glasses—and Sato, the hardcore game otaku.

The three of us call ourselves the “Loser Alliance.”

“Haruto, you couldn’t talk to Aoi-chan again today, huh?”

“You guys are the same, right?”

“Haha… well, yeah, obviously.”

Laughing together over conversations like this is our daily life.

We think we’re supporting each other, but maybe we’re just sharing the misery.

Just walking down the school hallway makes my chest tighten.

The landing is always crowded with beautiful girls.

Of course, Aoi, the gal group leader, Misaki, the pure-type student council president, Mizuki, the all-around athlete, Ayaka…

They’re all cute. No, way too cute.

Still, I can’t say a single word to any of them.

Even in group work during class,

“…Um, is this material okay?”

That’s about my limit.

Anything more and my throat closes up, my face heats up, and I instinctively look away.

They just smile and ignore me, or quickly return to their circle of friends.

Obviously.

A plain, uncool guy like me doesn’t even register in their eyes.

Around the girls, those guys are always there.

Takumi, the soccer team’s captain.

Handsome, rich, with the face of someone who thinks being surrounded by girls is only natural.

Sho, the basketball team’s ace.

Tall and muscular, he gives one smile and gets squeals from the girls.

And then there’s Yuto, the student council president’s boyfriend.

Smart, a model student. But rumor has it he’s quite the player behind the scenes.

Only guys with high status get the girls.

It feels like that’s the rule in this school.

Looks, athletic ability, money, outgoing personality…

I don’t have any of that.

So I’m always on the outside.

Just watching makes my chest ache.

Why can’t it be me…?

I mutter it over and over in my mind.

Class ends, and today I’m walking home alone again.

My head is full of today’s events.

The sight of Aoi laughing happily with Takumi during lunch break.

How Misaki passed right in front of me without even glancing my way.

And how Tanaka patted my shoulder, saying, “Ignored again, huh?” but that just made me feel even more empty.

This school’s human relationships are total shit…

I think vaguely while walking.

“The conditions for fitting in are way too many. Money? Looks? Sports? You gotta have it all, or you’re screwed…?”

As I was thinking that—

Suddenly, a small old bookstore in the alley caught my eye.

I’d passed by here countless times before, but for some reason, I hadn’t noticed it until today.

The sign was tattered, reading “Old Book Hall.”

…For some reason, I felt drawn to it and opened the door.

Inside the shop was dimly lit, filled with the scent of old paper.

Books were piled up nearly to the ceiling, and a dusty atmosphere hung in the air.

Behind the counter stood a kind-looking old woman.

Her white hair was tied back, she wore glasses, and she had a gentle smile.

“Welcome. Feel free to look around. Are you searching for something?”

“No… just, you know, on a whim…”

I answered vaguely and headed deeper into the store.

The books lined up were anything but ordinary.

They were all old, with titles in unreadable languages.

Covers like magic tomes, letters like spells…

What a weird shop, I thought as I scanned the shelves—

One book suddenly caught my eye.

It had a black leather cover with gold trim.

In the center was a large heart-shaped symbol.

An arrow piercing through it, somehow bewitching and carrying a strangely sensual shape.

Thump!

I instinctively picked up the book.

It was heavily weighted and somehow warm.

When I opened the pages—

The inside was pure white.

No, the moment I opened it, I thought I saw a faint light leaking out.

“You like that one?”

The old woman’s voice came from behind me.

“Eh, ah… yes. It just kinda caught my attention…”

“Hehe… I think it’s the perfect book for you. The price is fine as is.”

It was cheap—about 500 yen.

I took some cash from my wallet and bought the book.

“Enjoy it. This book is sure to change you.”

The old woman’s words sounded strangely meaningful.

When I got home, it was the usual cramped apartment.

“Welcome back, Haruto. You’re late again today.”

Mom greeted me with a smile.

Dad, tired from work,

“If anything happens, tell me,” he called out.

My family is kind.

…But I can’t tell them anything about school.

Saying it would just make them worry.

I returned to my room and sat down on the bed.

I placed the book I bought on my lap and stared at it.

The heart symbol looked like it was pulsing.

“…Guess I’ll open it.”

With trembling fingers, I slowly opened the cover.

Then—

In that instant.

The room was enveloped in a dazzling light.

Chapter 2 – Lustara’s Liberation

After finishing dinner, I returned to my room.

Mom’s curry was as delicious as always, but my head was still full of what had just happened.

I sat down on the bed and placed the black book I’d bought on my lap.

It was covered in dust, so I carefully wiped it clean with a tissue.

The heart-shaped symbol on the cover seemed to glow faintly every time I stroked it.

…Was it my imagination?

“A mysterious book…”

I muttered as I traced the symbol with my finger.

Then—

Snap!

The book opened on its own.

A dazzling pink light spilled out from inside, exploding to envelop the entire room.

I instinctively covered my eyes with both hands.

But the light quickly vanished.

And then—

There she was.

The moment she appeared, the air in the room shifted completely.

Long golden hair cascaded down to her waist.

Skin white as snow, delicate and flawless.

And eyes glowing with an intense purple hue, emitting a bewitching light.

Her red, glistening lips curved into a smile that stirred the soul of anyone who looked.

Her mere presence made it impossible to tear my eyes away.

She slowly stretched, elegantly arching her back.

“Mmm~♡ …Ahh, it’s been so long since I could move this freely!”

She let out a satisfied breath and shook her body.

Each and every gesture was incredibly seductive.

Then she slowly turned toward me.

“Hehe… I’ve finally found a ‘candidate’ ♡”

“Wh-What the hell…!?”

I instinctively recoiled, almost falling off the bed.

My voice shook.

“Wh-What is this… a dream? A hallucination? Who are you…?”

She giggled softly and quietly drew closer.

“This isn’t a dream, Haruto-kun ♡”

“How do you… know my name…?”

She crouched right in front of me, staring straight into my eyes.

A sweet, dizzying fragrance tickled my nose.

“You opened the book, didn’t you? Which means— you’re the one who liberated me.”

Saying so, she touched my cheek with her fingertip.

“Gh…!”

A sharp pain shot through me.

…It really hurt.

This wasn’t a dream.

“See? It’s reality, isn’t it?”

She smiled playfully and stood up.

My heart was pounding furiously.

Even when I tried to look away, I found myself pulled toward her.

“…So, who are you…?”

She brushed back her golden hair and smiled bewitchingly.

“I am Lustara.”

The air grew taut for a moment.

“The goddess who rules over love and desire.”

I was speechless.

“A goddess…?”

“That’s right ♡”

She continued as she slowly approached.

“Pure love is lovely, but… I am the one who fulfills deeper, fiercer, more inescapable desires.”

“Pleasure, domination, submission… all of those things ♡”

Her words sent a shiver racing down my spine.

“Hundreds of years ago, I was sealed into this book by human hypocrisy and fear.”

“But—”

She smiled.

“Thanks to you setting me free, I’m now liberated.”

I stayed silent, simply staring at her.

“But… why me…? I only bought the book…”

Lustara giggled and gently lifted my chin with her finger.

“Hehe… People like you are exactly what I need.”

“Only those harboring strong desires can open this book.”

Those words made my chest thump!

“The longings you’ve buried deep inside your heart… that’s what guided you to me here ♡”

My face flushed hot in an instant.

“St-Stop it…!”

“No need to deny it.”

She brought her face close to my ear and whispered sweetly.

“That’s… your ‘power,’ you know.”

A thrilling tingle coursed through my entire body.

“Hey… what are you going to do?”

Her voice was so close it felt intimate.

“Will you accept me?”

Lustara circled behind me, slowly spreading both her arms wide.

“Haruto-kun ♡”

She whispered into my ear.

“I’ll grant you a ‘special power.'”

My heart refused to slow down.

“The power to draw people to you… to bend them to your will.”

“Everyone who ignored you… they’ll all change ♡”

The faces of Aoi, Misaki, and the others flashed through my mind.

“…Is that… really true?”

Lustara smiled gently and pressed her finger to my lips.

“You’ll understand once you try.”

And then—

“Now, shall we begin? ♡”