...
"So, Teio, is there something you need by following me here?"
"Nothing really." Thanks to the veil of darkness, she didn't need to avert her gaze—she used her heart as eyes, not caring that she could only see outlines.
"Then won't Teio head back to the dorm?" Lucian's plan to work on lesson plans always got interrupted—last time it was Seiun Sky, this time Tokai Teio.
Tokai Teio smoothed the strands of hair scattered by a gentle breeze, her voice calm as still water. "Trainer, have you forgotten what you once said to me..."
He could hear the seriousness and care in her tone. "It's about massaging McQueen, right?"
Blessed by the goddess of luck, even in a night filled with killing intent, he could always turn danger into safety.
"Mm." Tokai Teio hadn't expected Lucian to remember.
But that couldn't be the reason she'd "let him off."
If Lucian didn't remember, Tokai Teio would only grow more resolute in a certain decision.
If he did remember, it was like a chronic poison, gently seeping into her bones.
"McQueen's situation was too sudden. A fracture is a terrifying thing for you all. Teio wouldn't want to lose McQueen as a rival, right?" Lucian hadn't expected Tokai Teio to care so much. "But... I did go back on my word."
"Hasn't the trainer thought of compensating me?"
"Hm... What does Teio want to do?"
"Of course, repay me with a massage the same way!"
"Now?"
"Now."
Lucian checked the time—it wasn't too late. "Alright, come to my place first. I'll give you a massage."
"Okay~"
Hearing Tokai Teio's words, Lucian subconsciously thought she wasn't angry anymore.
But the intent was not the wine—Tokai Teio's goal wasn't the massage at all.
This was her first time entering the trainer's home alone.
Unlike before, when she always needed someone to lead so she could shyly follow.
Treat it as a drill for the coming New Year.
Tokai Teio took several deep breaths—not to relax, but to remind reason that the glass cover must contain the flames of impulse.
Walking through the night, their shadows danced under the streetlights.
Moonlight like broken silver melted into rippling water; every circle of ripples was the night's tranquil yet eerie smile.
The quieter it was, the more restless she became.
...
"Come in." Lucian handed her a pair of slippers. "Anything you want to eat?"
Tokai Teio shook her head. "Dieting, no eating~ Straight to the point!"
"Is Teio in such a hurry?" Lucian chuckled, leading her to sit on the living room sofa. "Soak your feet first."
"Does the trainer think I stink? I said I don't have foot odor."
"No, it's just that warm water makes the massage more effective. Sit for a bit."
Lucian went to the bathroom to fetch water. After Tokai Teio soaked her feet and he dried them, he crouched down and began the skilled massage.
Tokai Teio gripped the sofa with both hands—right now, Lucian was full of weak points in her eyes.
She playfully splashed the water with her foot, sending droplets blooming.
"Eh?! I just dried them." Lucian couldn't dodge; a few drops hit his face. "I should've moved the basin away."
But tonight he was the one compensating, so he didn't dare say anything arrogant.
"Sorry, Trainer, sorry." Tokai Teio used her sleeve to wipe Lucian's face. "Couldn't hold back for a moment."
"But I'm still moving the basin." Lucian shifted it aside, toweling her feet again. "No more mischief, okay."
"Got it~ Got it~"
...
Lucian focused on the massage; Tokai Teio searched for topics.
She couldn't stay silent—the quiet atmosphere was like a boiler over fire for her now, making her heart grow hotter.
"Trainer, has Auntie set you up on blind dates or anything?"
"There were some before, but I didn't go. That's how my family is—I've only been working a few years, and they're already pushing marriage." Lucian was quite speechless.
"Does Auntie still push you now?" Tokai Teio asked again.
"Not anymore."
"Why?"
"Hm... Probably thinks I've grown up, have my own opinions, and they're reassured." Lucian had to lie—he couldn't say Mom's targeting you all, right?
"I see... Trainer, a lot of people must have chased you, right?"
Lucian looked up at Tokai Teio. "Teio, why so gossipy tonight?"
"Bored, just want to chat casually with the trainer." When Tokai Teio lied, her feet swayed unconsciously, nearly brushing Lucian.
"Indeed, many have chased me." Lucian lowered his head, continuing the massage.
"For a big family like the trainer's, wouldn't uncles and aunties arrange a marriage alliance or something?"
Lucian frowned. "Reading novels?"
"No! Just asking casually. Trainer, answer quickly."
"That situation doesn't exist—at least not for me."
"Okay~"
Tokai Teio chatted sporadically with Lucian.
She suddenly realized that whether in looks, ability, or family background, Lucian was exceptionally outstanding.
She remembered the stranger who approached him tonight... Never met, but she hated her intensely.
Honey she liked could be shared, but the trainer could not!
She didn't want her most beloved thing coveted by too many—merely looking made her heart rebel.
Should she hide the trainer? Like how Daddy hides fine wine in the cellar... Tokai Teio's immature thoughts multiplied.
But it also showed she wasn't yet "terminally" ill—if properly guided and treated, the condition might be controlled.
Perhaps talk therapy, perhaps surgery, perhaps long-term antidote... Which one? Let future Lucian figure it out.
...
"Teio, Teio?"
"What?" Tokai Teio snapped back.
"Massage done. Why daze again? Early-onset dementia at such a young age..."
"Trainer! Say that again, and I won't forgive you!"
"Wrong, wrong, won't say it." Lucian grinned, not looking apologetic at all. "Thirsty."
"I'll get the trainer some water."
Tokai Teio hopped off the sofa, slipped on her slippers, and walked to the water dispenser in the corner.
Glug glug——
Watching the water fill the cup, Tokai Teio instinctively touched her pocket but pulled her hand back.
She told herself inwardly, "Just a drill, just a drill... Even if the little packet is in my pocket, it's just a drill."
He administered chronic poison; she used gentle medicine.
Tokai Teio watched the water stream, her abnormally curved smile like an incomplete painting, outlining a sickly beauty.
"So I ruled out the hand-chop option... all because of your gentleness, drag me that san."
...