Cael was about to leave when he and Asa overheard the whispers.
Asa Mitaka, sitting in the front passenger seat, bit her lip and lowered her gaze. Her expression dimmed, but her poise remained. Self-confidence and sensitivity weren't mutually exclusive. Just because she didn't react strongly outwardly didn't mean the comments didn't hurt.
Cael frowned.
Alright, alright. So this is how they want to play it.
He gently stroked Asa's leg, offering a comforting smile. "Asa, don't worry. I'll just step out for a moment."
"Cael…" Asa clutched his sleeve, her delicate brows furrowed. "Forget it. It's fine. I'm used to it. They're just talking."
Cael smiled faintly, brushing a strand of her hair from her forehead and pressing a light kiss to her lips. Looking into her eyes, he whispered with certainty, "Asa isn't allowed to get used to bad things. Whoever bullies you, I'll handle them."
Feeling Cael's breath on her face, Asa's cheeks flushed bright red. It wasn't their first intimate moment, but every teasing gesture from him made her blush like this.
Damn it. If only I could be as thick-skinned as Yoru… she thought, a faint voice echoing in her mind.
"I told you, I can hear you…"
"Then… don't go too far, okay?" Asa whispered. She disliked the classmates, but she didn't want Cael dragged into trouble because of her.
"Don't worry. I know what I'm doing."
Cael gently pried open her fingers clutching his sleeve, pressing another soft kiss to her lips. Sweet lip balm lingered, and he quickly pushed his thoughts away.
Tsk. Damn charm, truly messing with my mind, he muttered inwardly.
He stepped out of the car, closing the door behind him, and walked directly toward the two girls who had been gossiping earlier.
"Hey, excuse me, ladies!" Cael greeted, smiling gently.
The girls froze, stunned that he was actually approaching them. Flustered, they exchanged awkward glances.
Heh. These two were all talk. The real deal always revealed the truth.
The short-haired girl elbowed her bespectacled friend. "I told you we were too loud just now. See? We really got caught…"
"Ahem." The spectacled girl cleared her throat, trying to appear confident. "May I help you?" Her eyes darted nervously, betraying her unease.
Even knowing he was Asa's boyfriend, they couldn't help feeling inferior in front of someone so obviously high-value.
"You're Asa's classmates, right?" Cael asked with a gentle smile.
"Asa?" The short-haired girl blinked in surprise.
Damn it. You're gossiping about her and don't even know her name?
"Oh! Uh… yes, you mean Mihoshi, right…?" The spectacled girl quickly corrected herself.
"That's right," Cael confirmed, smiling. He pulled out his phone, flicking to a photo of him and Asa Mitaka. "I'm Asa's boyfriend. She doesn't use social media much, so I have a small favor to ask."
Seeing Asa smiling in the photo, envy lit their eyes. "Uh, what is it?"
"This is a post I shared on Instagram. I'd like you to like it and, if possible, repost it in the class group or campus circle."
"Oh~ I get it!" The short-haired girl smiled knowingly. "This is what you call 'staking your claim,' right?"
"Exactly," Cael nodded. "Asa is still in college, and I don't want her harassed by male classmates."
"But we're not really close to Mihoshi," the spectacled girl said, hesitant.
"Don't worry. You won't help for free." Cael handed them two movie tickets. "Here, these are for you."
The girls' eyes lit up immediately.
"Wow! The upcoming blockbuster—'Heartbreak, Flowers, and Chainsaws'!"
"Front row, too! Must be expensive!" the short-haired girl whispered, leaning closer.
"Can we really take them?!" The spectacled girl's hesitation vanished.
"Of course. The liking and reposting are all yours," Cael said with a gentle smile.
"I'll do it!" The short-haired girl claimed the tickets first, fiddled with her phone, and said, "Handsome, I'm done! I'll take the tickets now~"
"Of course."
The spectacled girl quickly followed, completing Cael's request.
"Thank you! You're so kind. I wish you and Mihoshi a hundred years of happiness!"
"Mm-hmm, I'll take your auspicious words. Bye-bye!"
The two girls walked off, grinning, completely satisfied.
Cael whistled softly as he returned to the car.
"I thought you were going to kill them, but that's it? Useless. I was looking forward to it," the passenger voice said playfully.
"Hmm?"
"Oh, so this is Asa's disobedient side."
Cael noticed the scar and spiral eyes. "You can call me Yoru," the new voice introduced itself.
Cael nodded seriously. "Yoru… pretty name. Did Asa give it to you?"
Yoru smirked. "Asa couldn't come up with something this nice. So, what did you do just now? Chat and laugh with them?"
"What? Jealous, Yoru?" Cael teased. He didn't know if this personality still counted as Asa, but the contrast was… cute. Dominant, teasing, exciting. Damn it. His fondness extended to this version of her too.
"Hmm?" Yoru raised an eyebrow. A mere human daring to act so carefree—he had gone too far.
"Cael, look at me," Yoru commanded.
"Alright, alright." Cael found this surprisingly enjoyable.
Yoru's lips curled into an alluring arc, her hand climbing subtly to Cael's nape. She pulled him sharply toward her and kissed him hard.
Before Cael could react, her teeth nipped at his lips, dominance in every motion. His pupils contracted sharply.
Asa's consciousness within him was stunned. She was completely flustered, a tide of grievances spilling out.
No, what is this?!
"Yoru, what the hell are you doing!!!"
___
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