...
Flustered, Seiun Sky fled the scene, even failing to notice the sensation of Lucian's hand and Silence Suzuka's hand touching her.
For her, tonight would also be a sleepless one.
After returning to her room, she lay awake for a long time before her mind gradually settled.
However, the storm of conflict soon swept over her again.
Did she run away too hastily? What if the Trainer lost patience and went to find someone else?
No, no—how could the Trainer be that kind of person? Besides, his attitude earlier wasn't forceful at all... If he had been a little more insistent, she might have reluctantly allowed some things.
Ahhh! So annoying—
If not for fear of disturbing her roommate, Seiun Sky would have thrashed around wildly right now, rolling back and forth on her futon.
Tangled thoughts plagued her, and in the end, she took out her phone.
...
The sudden glow of the phone screen was especially conspicuous in the darkness.
"Your phone lit up," Lucian said, withdrawing his hand from Silence Suzuka's waist.
"A notification? Or is someone messaging you this late, Lucian-kun?" Silence Suzuka leaned in closer, her head already hovering near. "Seiun?"
"Yeah, she's asking if I'm asleep."
"Didn't she just run away? Did she change her mind already?"
"I don't know."
Lucian found this scene eerily familiar—back when he shared his first kiss with Seiun Sky, he had received a call from Silence Suzuka.
Though only vaguely similar, since he wasn't kissing anyone now, and there was another difference: this time, it wasn't a call, but a message.
In any case, he was busy—best not to ask what with.
"Give me the phone. I'll reply for you, Lucian-kun."
"That's not a good idea..." Lucian quickly turned off the screen, afraid Silence Suzuka might stir up trouble.
But the trouble had already been set in motion—Lucian just didn't know it yet.
"You won't give it to me? Then I might not sleep at all tonight," Silence Suzuka threatened lightly. "Don't worry, I'll send it right in front of you. I won't say anything bad."
"Fine, fine."
Since he'd already given in once, doing so again didn't matter.
Silence Suzuka took the phone and focused on it for the moment, openly chatting with Seiun Sky in front of Lucian.
Silence Suzuka: "Not asleep yet. What's up?"
Seiun Sky: "I left too quickly earlier... I didn't even say goodnight to you, Trainer."
Silence Suzuka: "Oh."
...
Seiun Sky froze on the other end, her thumbs hovering over the keyboard for a long time without typing anything.
Had the Trainer really gotten angry? Otherwise, why would he suddenly be so cold?
Thinking back on her actions, it really did seem like she'd just taken what she wanted, satisfied herself, and then heartlessly pushed him away.
What should she do? The Trainer had never gotten angry before—how was she supposed to make it up to him?
...
Not just Seiun Sky—even Lucian was baffled.
"You just killed the conversation. Would've been better not to reply at all and let her think I was already asleep."
Silence Suzuka shrugged. "Seiun got her fill and then ran away, interrupting my time with Lucian-kun."
"And if Lucian-kun got worked up because of it? Who'd have to take care of it...?"
"Besides, how can you be so sure Seiun won't reply?"
Her words left Lucian speechless.
Put that way, it sounded like both he and Silence Suzuka were the victims here.
Wait—no!
Lucian lightly patted Silence Suzuka's round backside.
He was the only victim here!
...
After a brief pause, another message from Seiun Sky arrived.
Seiun Sky: "Trainer... are you mad at me?"
Silence Suzuka: "No. Go to sleep."
Seiun Sky: "Don't be like that... Now I can't sleep."
Silence Suzuka: "Weren't you the one who said you were going to sleep?"
Seiun Sky: "Trainer, you are mad, aren't you? I—I'll make it up to you, okay?"
...
Silence Suzuka had mastered the art of playing hard to get.
"Suzuka, how are you so good at this?" Lucian was stunned.
"One horse girl understands another," Silence Suzuka said, propping herself up on Lucian's chest, a hint of pride in her voice. "Or just read more books. Quantity leads to quality."
In short—she had attained enlightenment.
"Books about this? What kind of books?!"
"Don't ask now. Seiun sent another message."
...
Seiun Sky, who was already struggling to sleep, felt even worse after Silence Suzuka's replies. Now, sleep was completely out of the question.
"I don't want the Trainer to talk to me like this..." Her ears drooped, her heart filled with unease and disappointment.
But in the end, she had been in the wrong.
She'd only thought about her own pleasure and ignored Lucian's feelings.
Still, nighttime was when emotions ran high. Many of the things she was saying now might fill her with regret by morning.
...
The conversation continued.
Silence Suzuka: "Make it up to me? I never asked you to. And why would you need to?"
Seiun Sky: "Because I only cared about kissing you... Trainer, please don't be mad, okay?"
Seiun Sky: "I know it's uncomfortable for boys when they get... excited. I can think of a way to help."
Silence Suzuka glanced downward before replying: "No need. It's fine now."
Was Silence Suzuka accidentally making things worse? Did Seiun Sky and Lucian's love life need her to push it forward?
Seiun Sky had no idea Silence Suzuka was the one holding the phone, so she assumed Lucian was still upset.
Seiun Sky: "Trainer, should I come back now...?"
Silence Suzuka quickly typed: "Too late. I was just teasing you."
If Seiun Sky came over now, she would be the one forced back under the covers—not nearly as fun as sitting pretty like this.
Lucian: "Suzuka, stop looking at me with that 'worthless mongrel' glare."
"Hmph." Silence Suzuka snorted lightly, ignoring him as she checked Seiun Sky's next message.
Seiun Sky: "Trainer, you're really not mad anymore? Please don't be... I've realized my mistake now."
"Lucian-kun, how about I make Seiun write a 500-word essay detailing how she plans to make it up to you?" Silence Suzuka waved the phone teasingly.
"No, don't mess with her. And if Seiun finds out later, she'll be too embarrassed and angry."
Lucian took the phone back and sent a few comforting words to Seiun Sky, finally putting an end to the farce.
"Hmph, Lucian-kun cares more about Seiun after all..."
"How could I ever neglect my Suzu-chan?" Lucian wrapped an arm around Silence Suzuka's waist and sat up.
Silence Suzuka half-heartedly pushed against his chest.
Sometimes, Lucian had to take charge.
She could train to improve her speed, stamina, strength... But there was one thing no amount of training could effectively enhance—
Sensitivity.
...