For the following days Seo Yoori gathered her friends in the campus café. Iced americanos and scandalous gossip were passed around with equal intensity.
"We need to know more about this… Hanazawa Takumi," Yoori said coolly, but the way her fingers clenched the coffee straw betrayed her tension. "I want everything—his past, his habits, who he talks to. Dig deep."
Her friends exchanged glances, nodding without question.
For now, she couldn't confront him herself. Not yet. She wasn't even sure if she wanted to.
Until then, she could only rely on them—anything to keep her name from being tied to him.
Meanwhile, in a high-end district just off campus, Xuē Liuyue stood behind the bar of her exclusive lounge, swirling a glass of aged plum wine between her fingers.
"So… the cold princess is on the hunt," she murmured with a sly smile.
One of her alluring sorority girls leaned in, whispering with a grin, "Yes, mistress. We confirmed her friends have been asking around—looking for anything they can find on Mr. Hanazawa."
Xuē took a slow sip, her violet-highlighted hair catching the low light.
"Interesting."
Their last encounter had left her genuinely curious. She wanted to know more about what actually happened between the two of them that made heiress of the illustrious Seo family hunt him.
She wanted to see how far that flame would burn… and how messy things would get in the process.
"That man…"
He was hiding something. And that only made him more interesting in her eyes.
If something did happen between those two… then it might just be the perfect opportunity—
To make both of them suffer.
⸻
The Next Day – Morning
Raizen Kuronaga had spent the past few days bouncing between bars, trying—and miserably failing—to seduce women.
None were as drunk or vulnerable as Seo Yoori had been that night, but it was still worth the effort.
Just being near alcohol, sweat, and flirtation let him absorb ambient lust energy… even if it wasn't as potent.
Enough for him to survive and slowly increase his capabilities.
But right now, lust energy wasn't his only problem—money was.
He couldn't keep relying on Ryo's allowance forever.
He needed cash. Real cash.
If he wanted freedom, influence, and better movement in this city, money was the key.
He'd already realized something important: money wasn't just a resource—it was bait. The kind of bait that attracted high-quality women.
"I need money. Real money," he grumbled,
walking beside Ryo on his way to Business Strategy class.
"Have you tried applying for a job?" Ryo asked.
"That's the problem," he muttered. "I've been searching online, but the only jobs I can get in this city are low-paying crap. I can't waste hours just to earn pocket change—I need something bigger. Way bigger."
Raizen glanced at him. "How about you? What's your job?"
Ryo straightened a little. "Me? I'm working at a publishing company—owned by another student from one of the elite schools. I can try to hook you up with something there, Master."
Raizen threw a casual thumbs-up without breaking stride.
Ryo waved him off and turned toward his own classroom.
But the moment Raizen reached his, a knot twisted in his stomach.
"Oh right. This class."
He remembered clearly who was in it. Xuē Liuyue and Seo Yoori. Both of them. Together.
This was going to be hell.
⸻
Business Strategy Class – Lecture Room
When Raizen stepped in, he froze.
Seo Yoori was already seated, legs crossed, looking elegant and unreadable as ever. Xuē Liuyue lounged just a seats away, her signature smirk already in place.
Both women turned to look at him the moment he walked in.
That stare…
One pair of eyes was like a tiger hiding behind a charming smile, waiting to pounce.
The other?
A snake, coiled and patient, clearly here with bad intentions.
He gulped.
He took his seat.
To his left—Seo Yoori, smiling just a little too sweetly, pretending she wasn't out for blood.
To his right—Xuē Liuyue, eyes narrowed in quiet amusement, as if she already knew how this would end.
"I'd rather be failing at flirting in a bar than be sandwiched between these two maniacs," Raizen thought.
Xuē saw it, he was trying to avoid her too. This made her feel better knowing both of the people she hated are now intertwined in a drama.
⸻
The Lecture
The old professor began the lecture as soon as he entered. It flowed smoothly, without interruption, and proved surprisingly useful. The class was unusually focused, each student absorbed in understanding the material. Even Raizen found himself paying attention—this was exactly the kind of information that could help him fix his financial situation and support whatever ventures he might pursue next.
When the lecture ended, the professor quietly exited the room. But moments later, the elderly man returned—this time pushing a cart stacked with old books and student files.
"Now, let's move on to a much more important matter," he said, adjusting his glasses. "Today we'll focus on city positioning strategies—using data we've gathered from all of you."
He tapped a thick file against the desk, his expression grave. This was important.
"Thanks to our school's internal surveillance system, along with your performance reports, we've gathered a city-wide profile of your business contributions. Projects, jobs, investments—anything of value you've done. This determines your standing not just in class, but in the city and will reflect your status when you stepped in the real world."
Gasps and mutters filled the room.
One by one, names were called. The comments ranged from "Good potential," to "You need to be more engaging," and even, "Your job is worthless, Mr. Lee—find another."
Then—
"Hanazawa Takumi."
The room fell silent. Ever since his arrival, this guy had stirred curiosity—everyone wanted to know what he'd actually done so far.
The professor looked down at his notes, then raised an eyebrow.
"Ahem. According to this data, Mr. Hanazawa… you are currently unemployed. No projects. No business ventures. Not even a part-time job."
Laughter trickled through the room.
"He's a freeloader?"
"Damn, how's he surviving in this school?"
Seo Yuna bit her lip, looking worriedly in Raizen's direction.
Fujikawa Sayaka smacked her forehead. "That guy… he really is something, huh?"
Raizen clenched his jaw.
"Damn it. I'll get kicked out at this rate. I can't afford to leave this city yet—I still need to squeeze everything I can out of it."
He stood up.
In a desperate situation, he had no choice but to rely on his professor's help.
"I—I'm sorry, Professor," he said, his voice low. "I've been struggling to find any job or project. Is there anything you could recommend that might suit me?"
The professor blinked at him, then sighed.
"Well, Mr. Hanazawa. With no experience or standing, it's going to be difficult. You'll have to take on something big to even get back on track."
He looked to the class.
"Anyone know of an opening?"
Silence.
His demonic soul urged him to prove his worth without. Takumi's human side, on the other hand, was simply afraid to ask. But Raizen was no longer just one or the other—he was both, and yet neither.
As he stood there, part of him felt foolish for reaching out. But deep down, he knew the truth.
He couldn't rely on himself anymore.
He wasn't some powerful being. He was a nobody in this city.
And no amount of pride could change the weight pressing down on his shoulders.
Seo Yuna glanced around anxiously, hoping someone—anyone—would step in to help him.
Xuē watched him squirm under scrutiny. "So this was his face when cornered. Not bad… not broken yet. Good."
The professor shook his head.
"No promises, Mr. Hanazawa—but I'll see what I can do."
Then—
"I do," a voice rang out.
Gasps.
Every head turned.
Xuē Liuyue had her hand raised, smiling faintly. Her voice was calm, but amused—like she was enjoying a private joke.
"I think there's a perfect job for Mr. Hanazawa."
The class exploded in whispers.
"Wait, what?!"
"Wait—she's helping Takumi? Weren't they enemies?"
"I told you they're in a relationship! I knew it"
"She really has the heart of a queen…"
The professor blinked. "Oh? What kind of job?"
Raizen looked at her, confused. "What the hell is this woman planning?"
But instead of answering directly—
Xuē slowly raised her hand again—this time, and dramatically pointed across the room.
To Seo Yoori.
The tiger.
Seo Yoori's eyes widened.
The room went silent.