Morning
Kain rose just before the sun touched the edges of the academy's stained-glass towers.
The world outside his window was quiet.
The kind of stillness that begged to be broken.
Not with noise, but with intent.
Today, that intent was Nina.
By the time he left his dorm, he was dressed in his usual half-casual charm: collar loosened just enough to look effortless, cuffs rolled, and a pendant tucked just beneath his shirt.
By the time he arrived in the courtyard, it had become lively.
Students meandered with breakfast in hand, professors stalked the halls, and somewhere near the central fountain, Aiden was already yelling his way through the morning.
"Kain! KAIN!"
The idiot came running.
Kain stopped mid-step, letting his shadow fall long behind him as Aiden caught up, hair a mess and eyes full of naive hope.
"Can we hang out today?"
Aiden asked, almost breathless.
"I think I messed up badly. Nina and Hazel won't even look at me. I tried apologizing again this morning, but Nina gave me this… this look!"
He tried his best to mimic Nina's cute expression, which only made him look stupid.
Kain tilted his head, managing the perfect mix of empathy and disinterest.
"Rough"
Aiden flinched.
"I deserve that"
"No, you deserve worse," Kain said, then clapped a hand on his shoulder.
"But I'm sure you'll bounce back, you always do!"
"I was hoping you could help me win them over. I mean, you're good with people. Hazel kind of likes you, right? And Nina… I think she respects you. Or something…"
Kain let the silence stretch until it got uncomfortable.
He glanced toward the fountain where Nina had just passed by, her tail flicking lazily behind her as she pretended not to notice either of them.
And her horns… they glowed a faint blue.
"I'll see what I can do," he said.
"But I have a few things to handle today"
Aiden nodded rapidly.
"Right, yeah. Totally. You're busy. Sorry!"
Kain gave a faint smile.
"Don't worry. I'm always watching"
Aiden didn't seem to know if that was comforting or not, but it didn't matter because he knew his best friend would bounce him back into their grace.
[Nina | Affection: 25% | Loyalty: 10% | Lust: 16%]
[Emotion: Tired]
[Small Thought: "I want someone…"]
It seemed that now was the time to score some more points.
He let Nina walk ahead, her pace unbothered, her mood less so.
She wore it plainly, like a second outfit, irritated, detached, and quietly craving something more.
Something Aiden would never understand.
Kain, however, did.
"Hey," he called, voice warm and low, the kind of tone that made people instinctively lean in.
Nina's steps slowed.
Her tail flicked once, almost like a warning.
She didn't stop.
"I was hoping we could talk," he added, walking beside her now, not in front, not behind.
Equal footing.
Equal danger.
She finally glanced his way.
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"I thought you were too busy for that"
Kain smiled gently.
"For you? Never!"
She snorted but didn't move away.
"Did Aiden send you?"
"He might've mentioned something," Kain admitted.
"But I'm not here for him"
"No?"
"No"
They reached the edge of the gardens, less crowded and quieter.
Nina veered off the path and took a seat on the low marble railing, arms crossed, gaze fixed somewhere distant.
"I'm tired of pretending," she muttered.
"Tired of giving him second chances. I don't even know what he wants anymore"
Kain leaned beside her, arms resting loosely on the railing.
"What do you want?"
The question hung in the air like a challenge.
Nina turned to him then.
Not just glanced, turned.
Fully.
Her hair caught the light, horns glinting faintly.
"I want someone who listens. Who sees me! Who doesn't act like I'm part of some reward for doing the bare minimum!"
Kain didn't say a word.
Just listened.
Nina looked away again.
"But it's not like I'm gonna find that here. Not really"
He let the silence breathe before responding, voice low and unintrusive.
"You might be wrong"
She scoffed, though softer this time.
"You gonna prove me wrong, Kain?"
He gave a faint smile.
"You'll see"
Nina stared at him for a moment too long, then looked down at her hands, fiddling with the tip of her tail, a nervous habit.
But also cute.
"Don't make promises," she muttered.
"I don't," he replied.
"I just keep them"
[Nina | Affection: 34% | Loyalty: 16% | Lust: 18%]
[Emotion: Guarded]
[Small Thought: "Why is it so easy to talk to him…?"]
Progress.
Nina felt a lump in her throat.
She couldn't say anything after that but just looked at him.
And for a heartbeat too long, Kain thought maybe she'd say something snarky, something defensive.
Maybe she'd tell him to go to hell.
Instead—
She leaned in and kissed him.
Not deep.
Not desperate.
But real.
A soft press of lips, unsure at first… then firming just enough to feel the way he didn't pull back.
Her eyes were closed.
His weren't.
When she pulled away, it was like she'd just come back to herself.
Her eyes were wide, her face flushing, tail flicking wildly.
"I– I have to go," she stammered, standing up so fast her heel slipped on the stone.
She caught herself with a hiss and bolted off, her steps hurried and awkward.
Kain stayed still, heart calm, even as the air around him still buzzed with surprise.
He touched his lips.
The heat that came off her was something new.
Progress indeed.
[Nina | Affection: 46% | Loyalty: 24% | Lust: 28%]
[Emotion: Conflicted, Curious, Flustered]
[Small Thought: "That… shouldn't have happened. Gods, what am I doing?"]
A breeze rustled the leaves nearby.
Then a voice, soft, velvet, and too close.
"You promised to spend today with me, remember?"
He turned only slightly.
Lupa was behind him, arms folded behind her back, wearing a frilly lilac sundress that made her look deceptively sweet.
Deceptively.
Her golden eyes gleamed beneath the canopy shade, though her smile was that of a girl who'd been patient long enough.
Her fluffy ears were doing that cute, annoyed look a pet would give you when you refuse them a treat.
"I waited all morning," she said, stepping into his space.
"And watched you the whole time"
She leaned up, brushing a kiss just below his jawline, her voice a breath.
"Even when she kissed you"
Kain raised a brow, amused.
"Jealous?"
She pouted, still close.
"Nooo~. I'm just reminding you. You belong to me, too"
He chuckled.
"I belong to no one"
Her hand slid into his.
"No, silly," she whispered, eyes shining with something… possessive.
"I meant the other way around"
Before he could reply, she tugged him gently by the hand toward the trees.
A small, private shrine hidden behind the garden wall.
He knew it well.
Her favorite spot.
"You're mine today," she said sweetly.
"And if anyone else tries to steal you… I'll just kill them~"
Kain chuckled, which made Lupa pout.
"Don't laugh at me," she whined, her voice a breathy whisper.
Before Kain could respond, she dropped to her knees before him, her hands already working to free his growing erection from his trousers.
Kain's brow raised in surprise, a low chuckle rumbling in his chest.
Lupa's eyes locked onto his.
She unbuckled his belt and tugged his pants down just enough to reveal the thick head of his cock, already glistening with precum.
Lupa's tongue darted out, licking a slow, deliberate path from base to tip, collecting his essence and savoring the taste of him.
"Delicious," she murmured, her voice a husky purr as she wrapped her lips around the head of his length, sucking gently.
Her eyes never left his; the need to please him and herself was in full motion.
Kain's fingers tangled in her fluffy ears, tugging lightly as he groaned at the sensation of her warm, wet, pouty mouth on his cock.
Her tongue swirled around the head of his cock, her hot breath mingling with his pre-cum as she lavished attention on his sensitive tip.
She hollowed her cheeks, sucking harder, her eyes locked onto his with a sultry, fox-like intensity.
Kain's hips instinctively jerked, his fingers tightening in her ears as he groaned at the sensation of her mouth on him.
The tip of his cock brushed against her tongue, and she took it in, her lips sealed around him as she bobbed her head, taking him deeper.
"Fuck, Lupa," Kain grunted, his voice strained with pleasure.
"That's it, take me all the way!"
She moaned around his cock, the vibrations sending shivers up his spine.
With a pop, she released him from her mouth, her tongue laving over his shaft before diving back in to worship every inch of his length.
Kain's other hand slid into her fluffy tail, tugging gently as he watched her work him over.
Lupa's movements became more urgent, more desperate.
She wanted to make him lose control, to claim him completely as hers.
Her tongue danced over his shaft, teasing the sensitive skin, before swirling around the head once more.
Kain's breaths grew ragged, his fingers tightening in her ears and tail.
He could feel the heat building within him, the pleasure coiling tighter and tighter.
Lupa's eyes burned with a fierce possessiveness, her movements becoming more insistent as she sensed his approaching climax.
"Enough," Kain grated, his voice low and strained.
"I'm close, Lupa. If you don't..."
He didn't need to finish the sentence.
Lupa understood, her movements becoming more frantic as she sucked and licked, determined to bring him over the edge.
With a final, desperate moan around his cock, she took him as deep as she could, her tongue stroking the underside of his length.
With a guttural groan, he let go, his cock pulsing as he spilled his seed down Lupa's eager throat.
Lupa's throat worked to accept every drop of his release.
As Kain's orgasm subsided, she slowly released his softening cock from her mouth, a satisfied smirk curling her lips.
She'd pleased him well, and he'd rewarded her with his essence.
But Lupa's triumphant gaze faltered as she noticed the glint in Kain's eyes.
A dangerous, possessive spark that sent a shiver down her spine.
She should have obeyed his order and stopped when he told her to, but her insatiable hunger for him had gotten the better of her.
Before she could plead her case, he had already ripped her sundress off and spun her around, putting her hands against the shrine.
Lupa let out a startled yelp.
Her tail twitched anxiously, a mix of fear and arousal coursing through her veins.
"I warned you, Lupa"
Kain's voice was a low, menacing growl as he stepped close behind her.
"You should have listened"
His hands roamed over her frame, gripping her hips possessively.
Lupa felt his hardness pressing against her.
She bit her lip, bracing herself for what was to come.
Kain's fingers found her pert nipples, pinching and rolling the sensitive buds until Lupa gasped, arching her back in response.
He leaned in, his hot breath ghosting over her neck before he sank his teeth into the tender skin, a sharp nip that made her shiver.
"Mmm, you like that, don't you?"
Kain murmured against her neck, his tongue tracing the path of his teeth.
"Let's see how much more you can take..."
His hands continued their exploration, sliding down to cup her mons, his thumbs teasing the edges of her pussy lips.
"Nghhh~~ Kain… Hurry…"
He grinned.
With a swift movement, his thick cock slid between her slick folds as he positioned himself at her entrance.
He gave her a moment to adjust, to feel the heat and hardness of him pressing against her.
Then, with a primal grunt, he thrust forward, burying his length deep inside Lupa's willing body.
She cried out, her back arching as he stretched her, filling her completely.
The sensation was overwhelming, a delicious ache that spread through her core.
Kain's hands gripped her hips tightly, his fingers digging into her skin as he began to move, withdrawing almost to the tip before plunging back in.
Each thrust was deep and powerful, driving Lupa forward as she met his rhythm.
"This is your punishment, so no whining!"
Lupa whimpered, her eyes fluttering closed as she surrendered to the pleasure, her body moving in sync with his.
The shrine creaked beneath them, the sounds of their lustful coupling echoing through the air.
Kain's relentless pace showed no signs of slowing, his powerful thrusts stirring up a frenzy within Lupa's depths.
Her inner walls clung to him, rippling around his girth as he pounded into her.
Lupa bit back a moan, her face a picture of concentration as she focused on satisfying him.
"Mnghhh~~"
Kain slid his hands to cup Lupa's breast, his fingers pinching and tugging at her sensitive nipples.
The added stimulation sent jolts of pleasure straight to her core, her hips bucking instinctively to meet his thrusts.
"Yes, just like that," he groaned, his grip on her breasts tightening.
Lupa's moans grew more urgent, her body tensing as the pleasure built to a crescendo.
Kain's relentless pace pushed her closer and closer to the brink, his hands never ceasing their ministrations on her breasts.
"Nghh Kain… so rough~~"
With a final, guttural grunt, Kain slammed into her one last time.
His cock pulsing as he spilled his seed deep within her quivering depths.
Lupa's eyes flew open, a silent scream of ecstasy on her lips as her orgasm crashed over her, waves of pleasure coursing through her veins.
As the final throbs of his release subsided, Kain withdrew from Lupa's spent body, his softening cock leaving her slick and sensitive.
Lupa collapsed onto the floor, her legs giving out from beneath her in the aftermath of their intense coupling.
Before she could catch her breath, Kain was behind her once more, his cock hardening again as he stood over her prone form.
With a swift, decisive motion, he aimed his length at Lupa's face, coating her cheeks and lips with his hot, sticky cum.
Lupa lay there, panting and trembling.
Kain swiftly tucked his now-flaccid cock back into his pants and zipped them up, not bothering to clean himself up before using a bit of magic to tidy his attire.
With a nod of satisfaction, he turned to Lupa and waved his hand in a circular motion.
A soft glow emanated from his palm, enveloping Lupa and himself in its warm, cleansing light.
As the magic took hold, Lupa felt a soothing sensation wash over her skin, erasing the sticky mess from their coupling.
Her face, once coated in Kain's seed, was now pristine once more.
Even the shrine floor seemed to sparkle under their restored tidiness.
"There," Kain said, his tone matter-of-fact.
"All cleaned up, now I have to catch up with Nina," he planted a quick kiss on Lupa's forehead before he left.
A couple of minutes later…
The door to the sparring rooms creaked open.
Inside, the soft hum of enchantments echoed off the high stone walls, every panel glowing faintly with layered protective runes.
Training dummies lined one side, while padded mats stretched across the center floor, stained with sweat and pride.
A place where Kain had also seduced Lupa… good times.
Nina was already there.
She stood in front of the mirror, tail swaying lazily, adjusting the straps of her black sports wrap.
Her cropped top clung to her like a second skin, exposing the subtle muscles of someone who trained more than she bragged about.
Her greatsword was laid out carefully on a bench nearby.
She caught his reflection before she turned around.
"Did you follow me here?"
Kain stepped inside and closed the door behind him, locking it with a casual flick of mana.
"Of course not. This is just a coincidence, I promise!"
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
A pause.
Then she turned fully to face him, arms crossed, not in hostility, but to hold herself steady.
Although her horns glowed a faint red… was she embarrassed or denying reality?
"That kiss meant nothing," she blurted.
Denying reality, it is.
"Didn't say it did," he replied, already walking toward the rack of weapons.
"…You didn't stop me"
"I didn't want to"
Another pause.
Longer.
He picked up a short sword, tested the weight, then switched to a staff.
Although he was used to his gauntlets, he wanted to test if he could overpower her with such a small weapon.
Behind him, she muttered, "Idiot."
"Coward," he said, without heat.
She blinked.
Kain turned back, now holding twin sparring blades.
"You run every time you feel something. Every time it gets real"
"I don't run—"
"You bolted like I stabbed you"
Her lips pressed into a thin line.
"You're pissing me off"
"I'm counting on it,"
He tossed her greatsword, which she caught midair, scowling.
"You want to prove something?" he asked, stepping onto the mat.
"Then stop talking"
She didn't hesitate.
The second her feet hit the mat, the air changed.
Tension snapped into focus.
She moved like lightning, low, fast, precise, and he barely dodged her opening strike.
Her greatsword skimmed his ribs as he twisted, countering with a palm to her side that made her stagger back.
"Still pull your hits," she hissed.
"Only with girls I like," he shot back.
She came at him again, feinting left before sweeping low.
He blocked, but she was already spinning behind him, tail whipping against his leg for distraction.
The back-and-forth dance of blades and limbs escalated until their breaths were short and their faces flushed, not just from exertion.
Then, he pinned her.
One arm locked her wrist to the mat.
The other braced her shoulder.
Their bodies pressed together, breath mingling.
She glared up at him.
"Get off"
"You sure?" he asked, voice low.
She opened her mouth.
Closed it.
Opened it again.
"You… infuriating bastard"
Kain smiled.
Then let her go.
She sat up, eyes wide, heart racing, and not just from the spar.
"Training's over," he said, brushing imaginary dust from his shoulder.
"We're even"
She didn't respond right away.
Just stared at him like she couldn't decide whether to slap him or—
"…Thanks"
"For what?"
"…Letting me feel like I almost had you"
"Almost?"
[Nina | Affection: 52% | Loyalty: 38% | Lust: 40%]
[Emotion: Competitive, Conflicted, Warming]
[Small Thought: "Damn it… I liked that"]
"So what do you want?"
He blinked in surprise.
"What do you mean?"
She scratched the back of her head, her horns heating up again.
"I lost the duel… so I have to grant you one request"
Kain's smile didn't waver.
If anything, it deepened, dangerously so.
He stepped closer, his shadow falling over Nina, and for the first time since they started sparring, she didn't flinch.
She didn't move at all.
Maybe she knew what was coming.
Maybe she didn't care.
"You said one request," he said, voice low, velvet over steel.
"And I only want one thing"
She tilted her head slightly, trying to keep her cool.
"Just say it already"
He didn't.
He took it.
Kain grabbed her by the waist and pulled her in like it was the most natural thing in the world.
His mouth crashed into hers with heat and intent, not soft, not gentle, claiming.
Her eyes went wide, her breath caught in her throat, but her body betrayed her in an instant.
Her fingers tangled into the front of his shirt, and she kissed him back like it was a war, a challenge, a question she didn't want answered.
Her horns glowed a faint pink as he pressed their bodies tighter, breath mingling, raw heat simmering just beneath the surface.
This was not the kind of kiss anyone gave out of courtesy.
This was the kind that left marks.
When he finally pulled away, just enough to look her in the eyes, her lips were parted, dazed, and bruised.
She blinked slowly, dazed.
"You… asshole…"
"Still mad?"
"…Little bit"
He chuckled, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Then hit me later"
She looked like she might.
But not right now.
Right now, she looked down, face flushed, lips twitching between frustration and something softer.
She stepped back but didn't go far.
"…That didn't count," she muttered.
Kain raised an eyebrow.
"Didn't count?"
She met his gaze, challenging, competitive, and maybe a little afraid of what she was feeling.
"That wasn't me granting your request. That was you stealing it"
He smirked.
"So you owe me one still?"
"…Shut up"
[Nina | Affection: 64% | Loyalty: 41% | Lust: 57%]
[Emotion: Heated, Torn, Denying Everything]
[Small Thought: "If he kisses me like that again, I don't know if I'll stop…"]
The room was quiet again, only the hum of enchantments and the echo of two hearts, a little out of rhythm, a little too close.
Then—
Knock knock.
"Oi! Kain, Nina! I was looking for the both of you!"
It was Aiden's voice, soft and unaware as always.
"You guys want to grab a bite? It's my treat!"
Nina shoved Kain hard and grabbed her greatsword.
"You tell anyone about this," she hissed, "I'll gut you!"
Kain only winked.
She stormed out first, tail swaying like a banner of war, even pushing Aiden lightly.
He scratched his head in confusion.
"Um, bro, did I do something wrong again?"
Kain gave him a confused look.
"What do you mean by that, dude?"
Aiden sheepishly scratched his arm.
"Just that… I want to find a way to apologise to her and Hazel, and knowing you're helping me, I–"
Kain flicked his forehead.
"What are friends for, right?"
Aiden rubbed his forehead, grinning despite the flick.
"Yeah. Still, you're doing more than most would, even if Hazel and Nina keep treating you like you're the villain"
Kain shrugged with that infuriating ease of his.
"I just don't get it, man," Aiden sighed as they started walking side by side to the ring again.
"I mean, sure, I technically ditched them both to be with Holly, but she's my girlfriend, and I don't want to mess up this relationship"
"But to be mad at me and basically ghost me? I feel like they're taking it too far!"
Kain kept pace, hands in his pockets, casual, as he clicked the record button on his phone.
Aiden kept talking.
"Hazel is pretty much ignoring me and treating me like dirt"
"And Nina has been all stormclouds and 'I'm fine'—but she's not fine. I mean, I get it. I made a mistake of not being open to them as I am with Holly, but they must know I care about them too, right?"
Kain offered a light nod.
"You're not wrong. But feelings aren't math, Aiden. Doesn't matter if they're being irrational. It still hurts"
Aiden winced.
"...Yeah. I know"
They reached the edge of the sparring floor.
Kain stopped walking.
"You're frustrated," Kain said simply.
"Want to work it out the old-fashioned way?"
Aiden blinked.
"You serious?"
Kain cracked his knuckles.
"Might knock some sense into both of us"
Aiden laughed, stepping back and raising his fists, not like a full spar, more like a venting match.
"Alright, but don't go easy just because you're secretly everyone's therapist"
Kain smirked.
"Wouldn't dream of it"
The first few strikes were fast, clean, nothing lethal, just muscle memory and motion.
Aiden threw himself into it harder than usual, powered more by confusion than hate.
Kain, meanwhile, stayed measured, letting Aiden get in a few hits, enough to feel like he was doing something.
A solid hit landed on Kain's shoulder.
Aiden immediately looked guilty.
"Shit, sorry—"
But Kain only grinned, a bruise already forming.
"That's the best you got?"
Aiden grunted, throwing another punch.
"Why the hell are they mad at you anyway? I mean all you did was set me up with Holly… and Lupa and Aqua who cheated on me… but that was them, not you, who hurt me!"
Another jab.
Another block.
Kain sidestepped with lazy grace.
"They don't know what they feel," he murmured, letting the next hit land on his side.
"And you've got no idea how much they care"
Aiden paused, chest heaving, sweat already beading on his brow.
"It's not fair"
"Since when was love fair?"
Kain asked, brushing the sweat from his jaw.
"They feel left out, man, because you did leave them out… of your personal life, of your love"
"But they must know I still care!"
Aiden shouted, slamming a punch into Kain's palm as he caught it mid-air.
"They have too!"
Kain held his fist, eyes locking with Aiden's.
"Then tell them that, not me, stop being a coward"
Silence stretched for a beat.
The sparring wards around them flickered faintly.
Aiden exhaled, deflated.
"Okay… I should be a man and speak with them"
Kain smirked.
"Atta boy, now here's a 50, buy us some beer and some snacks"
Aiden chuckled as he grabbed the money and left.
Kain watched him leave with a smug expression as he took out his phone and stopped recording.
"Oh, poor fool, you just gave me the key to seal the deal"