There were only two restaurants on campus, a steakhouse and a seafood restaurant. I've been to both. Veil chose the steakhouse, but it felt different this time because Veil was with me.
After our food was ordered and the server left us, Veil leaned across the table to say,
"I really appreciate you letting me use the lab still."
I looked down and moved a strand of hair behind my ear.
"I did agree to it... and I didn't say there was a time limit," I mumbled.
"... You're right, but what about your new assistants? Do they get to use the lab whenever they want as well?"
I fumbled with my fingers, and as I opened my mouth to answer, the server arrived with our drinks, a daiquiri for me and lemonade for him.
"Thank you," I said, while pulling my drink in front of me.
"No problem, I'll be back with your food as soon as it's ready," He replied, then we were left alone again.
"... Don't get drunk," Veil commented. I took a sip of my drink and chuckled lightly.
"I can't get drunk, don't worry."
"...Oh, good... my new teacher comes in drunk all the time, it's really annoying."
I choked on my drink. Veil watched me struggle to catch my breath without changing his expression.
"Your teacher?!" I muttered in shock.
"Yeah... teachers can get away with pretty much anything at this school... well, except murder or getting pregnant," he replied nonchalantly.
I was dumbfounded, but he finished his drink as if we were just discussing the weather.
"You haven't told me about your new assistant, yet," Veil noted, looking up slowly to meet my gaze. I looked back down at the table so quickly that I nearly strained my neck.
"I don't have a new assistant," I muttered. I was feeling too bashful to look up, but then his fingertips brushed my cheek. They were cold and slightly damp from holding his glass. I twitched slightly and met his eyes.
"So... I'm the exception for you too?"
I inhaled sharply. It wasn't that I hadn't tried to get a new assistant... but in truth, I wish it could still be Veil. If I admit this to him, I'll just be giving him more ammunition to tease me.
"Interesting..." he murmured with a smirk.
I didn't dare meet his eyes again after that, because I was afraid my heart couldn't handle it.
The meal was even more delicious than I remembered, and on the way back to the dorms, Veil held my hand.
I couldn't bring myself to snatch away.
We stood in front of the dormitories quietly for a while. I wasn't sure what to say, so I was frozen in place.
"... Can I see your room?" He asked suddenly.
"No way!" I blurted.
He blinked in surprise, and I could feel my face going red. Then Veil smiled.
"You're right, that was too abrupt," he said sweetly. My lips quivered because I wanted to tell him so many conflicting things. I wanted to invite him inside, tell him good night, and beg him to stand here with me a little longer, all at once.
"... You're really not drunk, right?" he inquired, and I huffed.
"I already told you, I can't get drunk."
He put his fingers under my chin, tilting my head upward. Then Veil leaned in so close I could feel his breath against my lips as he spoke.
"Good... because it wouldn't be right to do this with a drunk person..."
I wasn't sure what he meant until he kissed me, deeply and passionately.
My mind was spinning, and my emotions were going crazy... and I hated myself for enjoying it so much.
He grinned again as he pulled away,
"I'll settle for that, tonight," he muttered. Then he patted my cheek and left.
My face was frozen as I stumbled back to my room. I couldn't even blink. I sat on my bed and held my forehead.
"What... just happened?" I mumbled to myself.
The weekend passed in a blur.
When Monday came, I still wasn't sure if I'd see him, but as soon as I sat down at my desk, I heard a man yell,
"VEIL!!"
It was so loud I jumped in my seat. Next, I saw Vision running down the hallway, his face speckled green.
I didn't want to, but moments later, I burst out laughing.
That eased some of the tension I was feeling, and Veil showed up a little after my last class ended.
"Hey..." he greeted from the doorway.
"Oh... hi..." I replied. He closed the door behind him, and every nerve in my body went into a panic.
When he got close, I swallowed hard.
"... You do realize I'm eighteen now?" he asked while pulling me up from my seat.
My mind was spinning, so it took me a while to reply,
"What do you mean?"
"I mean... I'm an adult. That was the issue, right? Someone like you would never pursue someone underage," he noted as he held me close.
"Th-that... I've never thought of you that way," I mumbled.
He released me from his hug and backed away to take a good look at my face.
"... You're my student... I couldn't possibly... think of you like that..." I added. I wished that I would shut up, that some miracle would happen and make me lose my voice... but that didn't happen. If he pushed just a little bit, I'd take it all back... I'd confess everything to him.
"Oh... I see. My mistake, then," he said as he took a step back, and I instantly felt colder. "Don't worry, I can handle rejection. Nothing like this will ever happen again."
His tone was unreadable, and when I finally managed to look up at him, he didn't seem bothered.
He said nothing else before leaving me alone.
The moment the door closed, I slumped down onto the floor.
I couldn't believe myself.
He stuck to his word. He would still occasionally use the lab, but he wouldn't spend much time talking to me. Every conversation was short, stiff, and professional. I had no one to blame but myself.
After about three weeks of this, I folded.
"... Maybe... we can try... becoming closer," I mumbled as he was working on a new invention.
"... I thought we were already friends," he muttered calmly, not bothering to look my way. Still, his words helped me relax.
"Oh, I'm glad..." I replied.
"You know... I was actually interested in you; it wasn't a game for me... if you wanted to be with me. I would have taken it seriously, because I actually liked you."
His words cut me deep.
"... If y-you still feel that way, we—"
"I don't."
I fumbled with my fingers and stared down at my desk, thinking of what I could say next.
"Veil, I've been looking for you," a beautiful girl called from the doorway.
A heavy uneasiness swirled around in my stomach.
"Well, you found me," he answered playfully, while walking over and handing what he'd made to her.
On closer inspection, I realized it was an adorable robotic cat.
"Oh wow, this is so cute!" she squealed.
"I'm glad you like it," he replied. After that, they walked away together. I gripped my desk so tightly that my nails dug into the wood, and I bit down on my lip hard enough to taste blood.
I agonized over that event all night, and I wasn't glad when he showed up again the next day.
"I got something else to work on," he said while taking his usual seat.
"Oh, what are you making today? A perfume for your girlfriend?" I remarked bitterly.
Veil glanced at me, stone-faced, and he didn't reply; he only started pulling items from his bag and then walked over to the chemicals closet.
We didn't speak at all over the next hour. After he finished whatever he'd been working on, he packed up to leave without even a goodbye.
I felt so stupid.
Though as I was sitting alone, I got to thinking. Was the rush of emotion I got when he kissed me normal? Was this anxiety?
I needed an explanation. My emotions didn't make sense anymore, and I refused to accept that they were genuine.
I used my powers to recall and analyze the components of his saliva. Which is when I discovered it had temporary addictive properties and caused my brain to release serotonin, dopamine, and oxytocin.
So... the reason I feel so crazy is... Veil is a literal drug.
I re-examined his file and saw that he has to take suppressants every day, and if any student intentionally activates their powers, my teacher ID would warn me by changing colors.
Many S-tier or higher cursed have a passive power effect that they can't control... Addictive bodily fluids seem to be Veil's. I wonder if he's even aware of it.
I must have been completely normal before he kissed me on Friday. Now I can't get him out of my mind at all.
This is dreadful... I should warn his little girlfriend.