Taming SSR And UR RANK Superwomen-Chapter 12 — A Date Under Coercion
The chime of a small bell announced their entrance into the shop. The aroma of toasted sugar and freshly ground coffee filled the air, clashing almost offensively with Selene’s mood.
The place wasn’t empty, but it was quiet enough that no one paid them any attention. Light wooden tables, display cases packed with pastries, and soft music that seemed designed to lower one’s guard... or so Thomas thought.
Selene stood there for a few seconds, arms crossed, surveying the place with obvious displeasure.
"How convenient," she muttered. "A nice, quiet place full of normal people. Is this also part of your ’I won’t go into details’?"
Thomas walked up to the counter naturally, as if he weren’t carrying an invisible sentence over his head. He looked over the menu with genuine interest before answering.
"It’s part of eating something without getting killed, yes."
She clicked her tongue and walked over to a table near the window, dropping into the chair with little care. Her posture was closed and defensive; her crossed legs emphasized the thickness of her thighs, and her arms clutched her coat as if she still needed to protect herself from something.
Thomas ordered two coffees and a couple of random desserts without asking her. It wasn’t an impulsive decision, but a calculated one: the fewer questions he asked, the less room he gave her to assert control.
When he came back with the tray, Selene looked at him with disdain.
"I don’t remember telling you what I wanted."
"That’s why I ordered something simple," he replied, sitting down across from her. "If you don’t like it, I’ll eat it."
"How generous," she shot back sarcastically. "Do you always take advantage of people under coercion?"
Thomas rested his forearms on the table, interlacing his fingers without leaning in too much. He didn’t want to seem invasive.
"No. Only those who agree to sit with me."
Selene narrowed her eyes.
"That wasn’t a choice."
For a few seconds, silence settled between them. Selene looked out the window, avoiding eye contact, while Thomas watched the steam from the coffee slowly fade.
’Don’t rush anything,’ he told himself. ’If I push, she’ll notice. Besides, this girl has social status and is physically attractive. I can’t aim too high yet—it has to be a simple request.’ 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶
Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced at Selene’s tense profile. Her long, light-blue hair, tied into twin ponytails on each side, gave her a youthful look that contrasted with her anger.
"Do you always do this?" Selene suddenly asked, not looking at him. "Act like everything is normal?"
"Only when pretending otherwise would be more dangerous."
She let out a dry laugh.
"What an empty answer."
"It’s an honest one."
Selene finally lowered her gaze to the table. Her fingers moved closer to the cup, but she didn’t take it. She stayed that way, hesitant, as if the simple act of drinking something he offered would amount to a symbolic defeat.
"Do you know what I hate the most?" she continued. "People who think they can buy peace of mind with sugar and smiles."
Thomas didn’t rush to answer. He picked up his own cup, took a sip, and let out a relaxed sigh.
"Do you think I’m trying to buy you?"
"I’m beautiful and very attractive, but I’m not stupid. You’re not the first one to try something like this."
"What a terribly conceited young lady," he commented with a light touch of irony.
"I’m not conceited. I just am, kid, okay? No matter how much it bothers you, it’s reality."
Thomas couldn’t help but give a sideways smile as he took another sip of his coffee, maintaining eye contact with her. Selene looked at him directly for the first time. Her eyes flashed with irritation.
"Is that a judgment?"
"No. It’s an observation."
"And what are you observing about me?" she asked, defiantly.
’That you’re tired. That you don’t trust anyone.’
But he didn’t say any of that.
"That you don’t like beating around the bush," he replied. "So I won’t. I didn’t bring you here to convince you of anything today."
"Today?" she repeated.
"Not today."
Selene’s frown deepened even further.
"You’re worse than you look."
"Thanks."
She shook her head and finally picked up the coffee cup. She took a small sip, almost reluctantly.
"...It’s not bad," she muttered, looking away.
Thomas smiled, this time without forcing it.
"See? Not everything is a trap."
"Don’t get excited," she cut in. "I’m still here because I don’t have a choice."
"I know."
The simple fact that he didn’t deny it threw her off slightly. Selene set the cup back onto the saucer more carefully than expected.
"Then tell me, Thomas," she said, using his name with deliberate intent. "What do you do when you’re not kidnapping girls with dangerous gifts?"
He raised an eyebrow, amused.
"Eat desserts. Walk around. Overthink things."
"Pathetic."
"Probably."
A different kind of silence settled in this time. It wasn’t comfortable, but it wasn’t hostile either. Selene absentmindedly nibbled at the edge of the cake.
Thomas lowered his gaze for a moment.
The red letters were still there, floating in front of him, patient.
[Failing the mission will severely punish the Bearer.]
He lifted his gaze back to Selene.
’I’m forced to make this girl like me today. It’s not my style to push this hard, but I don’t have a choice. I won’t deny that my stomach is a nervous mess, though. What kind of punishment is this system talking about? Something equivalent to her power?’
