...
"Trainer, may I kiss you?"
The words Lucian heard before closing his eyes were the same ones he heard upon opening them.
Was it a dream? No, he hadn't even had the chance to fall asleep.
Lucian instinctively moved his neck, a sharp, unbearable soreness spreading from it.
This slight motion tugged at the shackles binding his hands, producing a crisp "clink" sound.
At that moment, he was sitting against a cold wall, still in the underground wine cellar.
"Teio..." Lucian's voice was hoarse; the environment was making him extremely uncomfortable.
He looked toward Tokai Teio, who was kneeling in front of him.
The tail behind her swayed left and right like a soft, long whip, conveying her owner's extreme delight, while the heart-shaped black mist condensed in her eyes seemed like solidified possession and greed.
Lucian lifted his gaze and suddenly met Tokai Teio's eyes.
Her trembling hot breath brushed against his face, ravenous yet holding onto the last thread of reason as she asked again, "Trainer, may I kiss you?"
Perhaps because of Haru Urara's precedent, Lucian didn't panic at first; instead, he calmed down to think.
Teio also harbored feelings of affection for him, but for some unknown reason, they had worsened, just like with Urara.
So, first, go along with her...
"Yes."
The moment the words left his mouth.
The next second, Tokai Teio's gaze fell on Lucian's lips.
Her body slowly leaned forward, one leg bracing between Lucian's thighs.
The movement was very slow, like savoring food fresh from the pot—wary of it scalding her mouth, yet curious about its flavor.
So she held her breath, in an exploratory posture... but what touched first before their lips was the tips of their noses, and her slowly closing eyes.
The instant their lips met, Tokai Teio's nose slowly exhaled a lingering breath, but her settled lips lingered far longer than the exhale.
Lucian kept his eyes open; when he saw Tokai Teio's beautiful eyelashes fluttering frequently, he understood the deep shyness she hid.
Outwardly strong, but in reality, compared to Urara... she might even be worse than Urara.
Then... there was an opportunity to pull her out!
After seeing through this, Lucian calmed down completely.
He didn't move, indifferent as if utterly ignoring her kiss, letting her explore on her own.
Thus, Tokai Teio's lips were like a dragonfly laying eggs, repeatedly lightly tapping the soft surface of a lake.
After a long while, their lips parted; the dry kiss left no stickiness.
Yet Tokai Teio seemed very satisfied.
She pressed her forehead against Lucian's, slowly opening her eyes while taking a deep breath, her legs scooting closer to Lucian once more. "Trainer, I want to hug you."
"Mhm." Lucian nodded again.
Tokai Teio opened her arms and embraced him, even boldly sliding onto his lap, her knees bracing on either side.
She greedily inhaled the scent on his body; though they had kissed, her still-parched lips intentionally or unintentionally rubbed against Lucian's skin, tickling him softly.
Seeing the timing was about right, Lucian spoke, "Teio, may the Trainer kiss you?"
Tokai Teio, still playing house, froze for a moment before widening her eyes, staring at Lucian in disbelief.
She cupped Lucian's cheeks, the affection in her eyes and her rapid breathing raging like an erupting volcano.
No words were needed; this time, she leaned in much faster, though there was still a noticeable pause just before touching Lucian's lips.
But it didn't matter, because this time Lucian took the initiative to capture her soft lips.
Guiding a team member in kissing had somehow become one of Lucian's duties.
He applied the teaching experience gained from practice, earnestly instructing and gently guiding.
At first, it was rough like a storm; Tokai Teio's eyes slowly narrowed, only able to passively endure Lucian's kiss.
Lucian's voice dropped to a husky whisper against her lips, his breath mingling with hers in the dim cellar air. "Teio, where are you retreating to?"
His hands, though chained, strained forward just enough to brush her waist, pulling her impossibly closer, the heat of their bodies igniting sparks that made the cold walls fade away.
"If you shrink back any further, the Trainer won't be able to kiss you."
The words were a teasing command, laced with raw desire; his gaze locked on hers, dark and intense, promising more than just a kiss—promising to unravel her completely.
Tokai Teio's cheeks flushed crimson, her heart pounding wildly as she felt the possessive grip of his fingers through the fabric, sending shivers down her spine.
"What about your tongue?"
Hearing this, Tokai Teio opened her small mouth.
The slightly upturned corners of her mouth proved she was still smiling.
...
What comes after the storm? A beautiful rainbow, a fresh world.
So Lucian's kiss shifted from turbulent to gentle, no longer chaotic as before or leaving her breathless and oxygen-deprived.
Slap once, then offer a candy; he pretended to be kind, beginning to tidy up his earlier misdeeds.
Yet Tokai Teio's slightly swollen lips couldn't recover in a short time, and the tiny scarlet dots on her fragrant lips couldn't be filled in all at once.
His thumb gently traced the curve of her lower lip, a tender apology that only heightened the electric tension between them, her body arching instinctively into his touch.
Once more, their lips parted.
Drawing out a silver necklace pendant, the craftsmanship rather crude, it was quickly snapped.
Tokai Teio curled up in Lucian's arms, breathing lightly, her hands clutching the fabric at Lucian's chest with strength.
Pitifully, the cloth at Lucian's shoulders had long been torn to shreds, in disarray.
"Teio." Lucian called softly.
Tokai Teio slightly lifted her gaze.
Lucian had still miscalculated a bit; though the black mist had dissipated some, it was still far from thin.
No matter, continue.
"Trainer... why are your kisses so skilled?" The wounds on her lips didn't hurt much, but she couldn't ignore them.
A familiar question; Lucian naturally gave a familiar answer. "I've seen it."
Tokai Teio believed him, wrapping her arms around Lucian's neck again. "Trainer, I really like you..."
Perhaps an unintentional murmur, but Lucian replied seriously, "Teio, your confession is like a dream I suddenly had on an early autumn night. I'm surprised, but I also want to wake up quickly."
"Why?!" Tokai Teio asked urgently, and after she removed her hands, clear red marks appeared on Lucian's neck.
"Because..." Lucian hurriedly moved his hands; the sound of the chains answered Tokai Teio's question for him.
"Quack quack quack quack quack! (No)" Tokai Teio hugged Lucian tightly. "The Trainer will run away! I won't let the Trainer run away..."
Fearing the darkness in Tokai Teio's eyes would condense again, Lucian temporarily set aside unlocking the shackles. "I don't plan to run; I just want to change places. The air here isn't circulating."
This was the truth; after kissing for so long, he felt his head growing dizzy again.
Teio's room? Whoever wants to stay can stay.
"Change places?" Tokai Teio asked, puzzled.
"For example... Teio's room."
"And, someone will eventually call me, worried about my situation. I'll reply properly right under Teio's watchful eyes, telling them not to worry. If I don't answer any calls, someone will report it to the police—then how could I continue staying with Teio?"
...