...
The oppressed serf finally sang in triumph—Lucian had mustered some backbone for once. Could it be that fever actually gave him a boost?
Who knows? In any case, to sum it up in one sentence: "Lucian tests the horse's strength, and time reveals a person's heart."
The tables had turned. Now, the one holding the high ground was Lucian.
"Still acting cocky?" Lucian stared straight into Silence Suzuka's eyes.
She thought he was going to kiss her. Even before he got close, Silence Suzuka had already parted her lips slightly in anticipation.
But Lucian didn't kiss her. He just looked at her with a smile.
"Not cocky anymore," Silence Suzuka replied obediently. It seemed she couldn't keep underestimating her Trainer.
Lucian's ears twitched as he caught the sound outside the window. "It's raining. Did you bring an umbrella?"
Silence Suzuka shook her head, softening unusually. "No more... I'm really not cocky anymore."
"That's more like it." Lucian planted a kiss on Silence Suzuka's lips before lying down beside her. "I'm not dizzy anymore. I kinda want to take a shower."
"No, Lucian-kun, don't push yourself. You can't shower when you have a fever."
"I feel fine now. If I don't shower, I won't be able to sleep—it's really uncomfortable." As strange as it sounded, Lucian was telling the truth.
"Are you really better?"
"Couldn't you tell earlier?"
"Idiot... how could I tell something like that?" Seeing how confident Lucian was, Silence Suzuka stopped insisting. "I'll shower too. Carry me."
"Why? Did your legs get tired from being suspended, or from kneeling—"
Before Lucian could finish, Silence Suzuka clamped her hand over his mouth. "D-don't say anymore!"
She felt like her Trainer was developing in a... mischievous direction. Not that she disliked it.
Lucian raised his hands in surrender, and Silence Suzuka finally let go. "Carry me, or I'll carry you instead."
"Alright, alright~ I'll carry you." Lucian scooped Silence Suzuka up in a princess carry and headed to the bathroom.
...
After spending over an hour washing up, Lucian carried Silence Suzuka back to bed.
"You spent all this time with me. What about your exams?"
"Good grades don't come from last-minute cramming." Silence Suzuka didn't seem concerned. "Besides, being with Lucian-kun actually helps me study better."
"As long as you have a plan." Lucian nodded.
"It's still early—I'm not sleepy yet. I can study for a bit." Silence Suzuka got out of bed with impressive
efficiency and immediately settled at the study desk.
Lucian put noise-canceling headphones on her. "Then study. I won't disturb you."
Silence Suzuka nodded. "Lucian-kun, you have to wait for me to sleep. No falling asleep on your own."
"Don't worry, I napped so much this afternoon—no way I'm sleeping now."
...
While Silence Suzuka studied, Lucian turned down his phone volume and started scrolling.
Before long, Seiun Sky called.
Lucian considered stepping out to the balcony to answer, but Silence Suzuka's sharp gaze was already locked onto him.
"Moshi moshi~ Trainer~" Seiun Sky's voice was sweet from the very first word.
"I'm here. Why are you calling so late?"
"Miss you, miss you~ Did you have fun on your beach trip?"
"Yeah, it was great."
"Right, Trainer went off to play with Spe-chan and Teio. Soooo fun." Seiun Sky's tone was dripping with resentment—anyone could hear the jealousy.
"So, do you want me to be happy or not?"
Since Silence Suzuka already knew about his relationship with Seiun Sky, Lucian didn't hold back.
"Well... I do want Trainer to be happy. If Trainer's unhappy, I'll feel sad too."
At some point, Silence Suzuka had put down her pen and walked over, pressing close to listen.
Feeling jealous, she suddenly attacked Lucian's lips with a flurry of kisses, preventing him from speaking.
"Trainer, why'd you stop talking?" Seiun Sky sounded confused. She could've sworn she heard faint smooching sounds—why did it feel so familiar...?
"Nothing, just took a sip of water." Lucian put a finger to his lips, silently warning Silence Suzuka not to cause trouble.
Having learned her lesson tonight, Silence Suzuka obediently curled up against Lucian's chest, quietly listening to his conversation with Seiun Sky.
Yet another masterpiece in the making.
"Trainer, it feels like I haven't seen you in days. My lips are feeling kinda itchy..." Seiun Sky's voice turned sugary.
Silence Suzuka pinched the flesh at Lucian's waist and muttered, "I knew it... little green-tea bitch..."
Lucian moved the phone away and whispered into Silence Suzuka's ear, "Silence Suzuka, keep it down!"
Silence Suzuka: "Hmph."
Lucian lightly nibbled her earlobe before bringing the phone back. "It hasn't been that long. I'll stop by the school tomorrow. Have you all been studying properly?"
"Dunno. I haven't been with them—I prefer studying alone in peace."
"Classic angler tactics." While chatting with Seiun Sky, Lucian idly traced Silence Suzuka's face and delicate lips with his fingers.
Until she bit him, forcing him to pull back.
"Angler tactics?! Don't make me sound so shady~"
"You didn't tell Spe-chan and the others you barely studied, did you?"
"I didn't... and even if I did, Spe-chan might not believe me." Seiun Sky's words were practically an admission of guilt.
"That's so mean. Spe-chan would totally take it seriously!"
Meanwhile, Silence Suzuka had already discreetly recorded this entire exchange.
"You just got back from a trip with Spe-chan, and now you keep saying her name... Trainer, do you even miss me...?" Seiun Sky swiftly changed the subject.
"Miss you, miss you~ You have an exam tomorrow afternoon, right? Shouldn't you be resting? Review a bit more in the morning."
"Just finished washing up—was about to sleep. But before that... Trainer, kiss me."
"How? We're not even face-to-face."
"Like this~ Mwah, mwah, mwah, mwah~"
Silence Suzuka stared at Lucian but didn't stop the recording.
Lucian gulped. "Got your kisses."
"But what about Trainer's? You haven't kissed me yet!"
"Uh... I'll make it up to you later. This is kinda embarrassing." Lucian shot an awkward glance at Silence Suzuka in his arms.
"Fine then~ Goodnight, Trainer~"
"Goodnight."
...
"Like this~ Mwah, mwah, mwah~" Silence Suzuka mimicked Seiun Sky's sugary tone mockingly. "Hmph, this time I got it on recording."
Lucian wiped imaginary sweat off his brow. "Don't go spreading that around. She'd actually kill me."
"Relax, I'll only play it when you and Seiun are both present."
Lucian was about to protest, but then it hit him—this might not be a bad thing. That way, Seiun Sky would finally understand his relationship with Silence Suzuka.
...