I Took A Succubus's First Time-Chapter 167: Need For Validation
Now what?
Misuzu stood frozen, her hands clenching the hem of her skirt as her face burned with such intensity that it felt like steam might start rising from her skin. The heat in her cheeks spread down her neck, making her feel suffocated by her own embarrassment.
She couldn't bring herself to look at Kouhei. Not after what she had just asked.
I actually said it… I asked him to perform a Love Link with me…
Her heart pounded against her ribs, and her mind spun in frantic disarray. She had never imagined that Love Link was something that involved sex. If she had known, would she still have asked?
"You don't have to do that, Yuki-san," Kouhei said, watching her with a hint of concern. "It's not like performing a Love Link is the only way for you to get stronger."
His words pulled her back to reality, and she finally forced herself to meet his gaze.
Kouhei's power didn't solely depend on the Love Link—it was a power that resonated with the strength of his bonds. The deeper the connection, the greater the strength his partner would receive.
Misuzu exhaled softly, the weight in her chest easing just a little. And yet… the thought of gaining power that way didn't repulse her.
In fact, the more she thought about it, the more she considered it.
Misuzu was a virgin.
Despite having lived for over a century, she had never entered a relationship. She had never fallen in love. The concept had always felt distant—something that didn't concern her.
Demons lived for eons, so love wasn't something they needed to chase. They had time. Countless centuries to find the one meant for them. Humans, however, were different. Their lives burned bright but brief, like fleeting embers in the wind. That was why they sought love so early. They had to, or else they'd lose their chance.
And so, love had never been something Misuzu needed.
Until now.
She didn't understand it. She wasn't even sure if it was possible for her to fall in love. And yet, here she was—sitting beside Kouhei, seriously considering surrendering her first time to him.
Her fingers tightened at her sides as she lowered her head, her voice barely a whisper.
"S-Still… I want to become stronger," she admitted, her lips trembling. "So that I can stand beside Yuuna… and fight for her."
She inhaled sharply, forcing herself to lift her gaze again.
"Which is why I don't mind doing it with you, Okumura-kun."
Kouhei's breath hitched.
His heart stammered in his chest, and for a moment, he forgot how to respond.
Misuzu was breathtaking. Not just in a normal, conventional way—her beauty was otherworldly. Ethereal. Like a goddess draped in human skin. And now, hearing her say those words, with her face flushed and her golden eyes shimmering with determination—
It was almost too much.
"Um…" Kouhei swallowed thickly, his throat suddenly dry. "Have you ever… experienced anything like that before?"
Misuzu shook her head, her hair swaying with the motion.
"No. But is that a problem?"
Kouhei felt a lump form in his throat.
"N-No, not at all," he said quickly. "But… um… it's not exactly that simple, you know? I mean… for the record… do you even have feelings for me?"
"I think so."
"Well, that's only natural, I suppose. There is no way you're in love with me..."
Her response was so casual—so matter-of-fact—that it made Kouhei freeze.
"Wait… D-Did you just say you think you like me?"
Misuzu lifted her head and looked directly into his eyes, unwavering.
"At first, I wasn't sure," she confessed. "But… it seems that's the case."
She had been confused—so utterly lost in the unfamiliar emotions swirling inside her. She had never felt attraction before. Never experienced the longing or the aching desire that came with love. But now, after realizing she didn't mind the idea of sleeping with Kouhei—after accepting that the thought of performing a Love Link with him didn't disgust her—she finally understood.
What Yumi and that nurse had told her was true.
She was in love.
In love with Kouhei.
"Which is why…" Misuzu whispered, her voice trembling, "I wouldn't mind doing it with you."
Kouhei swallowed hard.
This was practically a confession—one that caught him completely off guard. His pulse pounded in his ears, and he wasn't sure how to respond.
Before agreeing to help Misuzu today, he had sought advice from the others, wanting to understand what exactly she needed.
Misuzu, much like Yuuna, was the type who refused to rely on others—even on her own leader. She carried her burdens alone, unwilling to be a weight on anyone else's shoulders. It wasn't mere pride that shaped her into this person—it was the way she had been raised.
She craved validation.
And since both she and Yuuna had grown up under similar circumstances, they had both developed an aversion to seeking help.
They had been groomed to be leaders—taught that true leaders never relied on others because they were supposed to be strong enough on their own.
Yuuna knew better now. She had learned the hard way that stubborn self-reliance could be dangerous. Because she had refused to depend on others, they had struggled immensely in their battle against the Corrupted One. If Kouhei hadn't called for reinforcements, the outcome could have been disastrous.
That was why he wanted to change things.
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"Misuzu has a strong need for validation," Yuuna had told him the night before, her voice laced with quiet concern. "She was raised as nothing more than a tool, but she failed to meet expectations. Because of that, she was never given attention. Still, she kept trying—desperately—despite knowing that no one would acknowledge her. After she joined my Faction, she discovered modeling and pursued it. Most likely, her deep-seated need for validation is what pushed her into that world."
That was how Misuzu had become the person she was now.
Everything she did—the way she carried herself, the fame she chased, the unwavering determination in her eyes—it all stemmed from the same deep-rooted desire.
"I'm asking for your help, Kouhei-kun. If you can change her… even just a little… maybe she'll finally learn something about herself."
Kouhei knew that was easier said than done.
People's thoughts and behaviors didn't just change overnight. Especially not when they had spent centuries reinforcing them. And for demons, who lived long enough to witness the rise and fall of entire civilizations, such ingrained beliefs were even harder to break.
But Kouhei had already made up his mind.
If he wanted to help Yuuna's Faction stand against Souichiro's, he couldn't just focus on strengthening a select few. He had to forge strong bonds with all of them.
And that would start with Yuki Misuzu.
"If you get the chance to bed her, Kouhei, don't hesitate." Hina had told him.
Her voice was as cold and emotionless as ever, but her smile carried a rare warmth.
"That's probably pushing it," Nagisa had chimed in with a teasing smirk. "I mean, getting Misuzu into bed after just a day with her? That's a hell of a stretch… but, well, if anyone can do it, it's you, Kou-kun."
"Kouhei-sama, we believe in you." Aria had added, her unwavering confidence piercing through his doubt.
Kouhei had only laughed awkwardly, rubbing the back of his head.
"Getting her into bed seems… like a bit of a reach, but, uh, I'll do my best."
Forming a Love Link with Misuzu wasn't something that could be rushed—it would take time, patience, and trust.
But Yuuna had been clear:
If he had the opportunity to lay Misuzu down in bed, he shouldn't hesitate.
Now, that opportunity had presented itself.
And yet… Misuzu still didn't fully understand what the Love Link truly entailed.
But even after learning the truth, she still wasn't backing down.
"Um… I know I'm beautiful, and I'm quite confident in my body."
Misuzu's voice was steady, yet there was an undeniable warmth beneath her words. Her eyes shimmered as she looked at Kouhei, her lips curving into a faint smile.
"I've seen how boys lust over me on social media. So many have tried to win me over."
She tilted her head slightly, studying his reaction.
"Which is why I'm confident I could make you feel good."
Kouhei's brain practically short-circuited.
His mouth opened and closed like a fish gasping for air, but no words came out. His mind raced, trying to process what she had just said.
Then, as if snapping out of a trance, he took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts. He met Misuzu's gaze and slowly reached out, his fingers gently cupping her hands.
"I'm sorry, Yuki-san." His voice was calm but firm. "But something like a Love Link can't be achieved if all you truly desire is power. I told you this before, didn't I?"
Misuzu nodded. "Yes, you did."
But then—
Her grip on his hands tightened.
Her fingers trembled slightly, but her resolve was clear.
"Right now… I'm not asking to do this for power. I don't care about what Love Link offers."
She inhaled deeply, as if bracing herself—then her voice softened into something almost vulnerable.
"What I really want… is to have you with me."
A deep blush spread across her cheeks, and Kouhei found himself swallowing hard.
She was adorable.
As if drawn by an invisible force, their bodies leaned forward. The tension between them was thick, electric—pulling them closer, breath by breath.
This was dangerous.
Misuzu was an up-and-coming celebrity. If anyone caught them like this in public, the consequences could be disastrous.
And yet—
Neither of them cared.
They were only inches apart now. Their lips were mere moments from meeting.
Then—
"YOU TRAITOR!"
A furious shout ripped through the air.