Morning
Warm sunlight filtered through the blinds, soft and golden.
The room was quiet, eerily so.
No giggles, no snoring, no wine bottles clinking.
They were gone.
Kain blinked slowly, still on the floor where he'd chosen to sleep.
His back ached slightly, but not from discomfort, just the toll of the night's indulgence.
He sat up, ran a hand through his messy hair, and yawned like a man with no regrets.
The bed above him?
Empty.
Sheets smoothed, covers folded neatly.
No trace of Holly.
No scent of betrayal, at least, not to anyone who didn't know where to look.
He stood, cracked his neck, and made his way toward the kitchen.
That's when he saw it:
A folded piece of paper.
Propped up beside the coffee machine.
Written in the messy, hopeful handwriting of a clueless man.
"Thanks for letting us crash here, bro!"
"Last night was amazing. Holly and I are going to be at the festival—I owe you big-time. You really are the best. Hope the floor didn't kill your back too much lol."
P.S. I will return your video when I'm done studying it!
–Aiden
Kain stared at the note.
Then he laughed.
It echoed through the dorm like a god reading a punchline from a peasant.
"The best," he repeated with a grin.
"You really believe that, huh?"
He picked up the note, gave it a slow twirl between his fingers, then set it beside the keychain still resting innocently on the table.
"Best Bros 4Ever"
The plastic gift winked in the morning light.
Kain sipped from the mug he prepped the night before, eyes burning with that signature chill.
"You're welcome, Aiden," he muttered under his breath.
He stretched, took one last look around the room, and began dressing for the upcoming festival the academy was about to hold.
The festival.
The academy's annual "peace and unity" event.
Booths, banners, laughing students, couples sneaking off behind food stalls.
A perfect setting for chaos wrapped in smiling faces.
Kain glanced at his phone.
Two new messages.
Both from Iris.
Iris:
The festival's today. Wear something decent. And try not to seduce anyone's girlfriend.
Also, bring extra money. The girls are already forming hunting parties to make sure you stay with them. And be sure to give extra love to Lupa and Aqua, as they can't be seen with you.
He scoffed, sliding the phone into his pocket.
"Hunting parties, she says like I'm the prey, but she is right, I should give Lupa love before she hunts me again"
Outside, music was already starting, cheerful, forced, and way too early.
He stepped to the door, but paused.
One last glance back.
At the folded note.
At the keychain.
At the memory of Holly's voice last night, breathless, whispering his name just beneath the sheets, Aiden had been too blind to notice it was never his.
He chuckled and shut the door behind him.
A few minutes later…
The academy grounds were alive.
Students wore pastel uniforms and fake flower crowns, enchanted kites soared overhead, and tables lined with sweets and spell-scribbled trinkets formed makeshift alleyways between the dorms and training fields.
And in the middle of it all?
His girls.
Ruby, threatening vendors for bigger samples.
Alyssa and Yani are trying to bribe the vendors with money for better gifts.
Darcy, trying to hold back an angry Lyla from hitting the poor booth guy.
Beatrix, setting up a photo booth that was somehow both cute and cursed.
And Iris was likely waiting near the main hall, clipboard in hand, trying to keep the entire system from falling apart.
He smiled to himself as he walked down the stone path like he owned the damn academy.
His black shirt clung just enough to flex his muscles.
The collar sat loose, slightly crooked, intentionally careless.
His white hair caught the sunlight like a halo, though everyone who knew him understood it was anything but holy.
"Hmm, just how much money did she spend on this whole thing?"
Some couples took photos in front of floating lanterns, clubs hosted rigged games, and sweets lined every other booth.
It was peace, unity, and blissful ignorance all wrapped in a seasonal lie.
A perfect day for corruption.
Ruby was the first to spot him.
She broke off from arguing with a vendor and stormed over, a free tart in one hand, frustration in the other.
"Kain," she huffed, "these assholes tried giving me half a sample"
He looked at the tart, then at her.
"That's tragic," he said dryly.
"Fix it"
"I could steal you the whole booth"
Her smile curled, devilish and bright.
"That's why I love you"
She hooked herself around his arm before he could walk away, not that he minded.
Further down the path, Alyssa and Yani were practically drowning a vendor in sweet voices and intense stares.
They were definitely trying to buy affection-laced snacks "for a friend" who everyone knew damn well was standing twenty feet away.
Darcy was dragging a red-faced Lyla from an angry shouting match with a confused milkshake seller.
"I ASKED for some light sprinkles, not magical glitter vomit!"
Darcy grinned over her shoulder.
"She's on a warpath again, Kain"
Lyla spotted him instantly.
Her fury faltered.
She stomped over, wand still glowing in one hand, but as soon as he held out his arms, without a word, she caved.
She slammed against him, face buried in his chest.
"Fix it," she muttered.
"I always do," he said as he glared at the poor dude to remake the whole drink.
Beatrix stood nearby, setting up her photo booth with militant precision.
Cute frills layered over sharp iron.
When she noticed him and the others, she quickly joined them to have fun.
And then across the crowd, he saw her, Iris.
Standing beneath the cherry-blossom-covered archway near the main hall, clipboard in hand, lips tight, eyes scanning the chaos.
She didn't wave.
Didn't smile.
Just nodded.
His phone buzzed.
Another message.
Iris:
Keep your promises today. Don't do anything stupid.
He chuckled.
"Right," he muttered, slipping the phone away.
"Time to enjoy the day"
They strolled deeper into the heart of the festival.
The sounds were louder here, more obnoxious.
Some poor bastard was butchering a love ballad on stage, off-key and overconfident, while a few upperclassmen clapped out of pity.
"There's the talent show," Ruby muttered, wrinkling her nose.
"I forgot how painful this part is"
"I didn't," Kain replied.
"I was hoping someone would make a fool out of themselves"
Yani tugged on his sleeve.
"Kain~ can we go to the food crawl next? There's deep-fried everything"
Alyssa clapped her hands excitedly.
"Yes! Deep-fried chocolate peaches!"
Lyla made a face.
"That sounds like a sugar coma waiting to happen"
"Only if you're weak," Beatrix said, already scanning the stalls like she was planning tactical strikes.
Darcy was halfway through stealing a lemonade without paying.
Kain leaned back in the chair Ruby dragged him to.
He watches a group of over-energetic juniors try to juggle flaming fruit in the name of "performance art."
Somewhere in the background, enchanted balloons were bursting midair in little glitter explosions.
Someone had rigged the archery game to fire crooked arrows.
The fortune-telling booth smelled suspiciously like vodka.
This was the academy's way of pretending they were normal.
And he was perfectly content to sit right in the middle of it.
His phone buzzed again.
Iris:
Reminder. Aqua and Lupa. If they find out you didn't make time, I'm not saving you.
He exhaled.
Right.
His sea princess and his fox queen.
He stood.
"I'll be back"
Ruby blinked.
"Where are you going?"
"Just making sure the fox and the fish don't drown in loneliness"
Yani tilted her head.
"You're leaving already?"
He ruffled her hair.
"I'll come back with something sweet"
"Better," she muttered, cheeks pink.
Alyssa whispered, "Bring something for me too, please~?"
Darcy smirked.
"Bring back some chaos"
Lyla rolled her eyes.
"Bring glitter. I'll start a war"
Beatrix raised an eyebrow.
"Bring yourself back in one piece"
He gave them all that same lazy grin.
"No promises," he said as the noise faded as he stepped off the main festival trail.
He slipped behind the rows of colorful tents into a quieter part of the academy grounds.
No enchanted lights.
No fake smiles.
Just the rustle of leaves and distant laughter.
He found Lupa first, leaning against a tree, cloak pulled just enough to hide the tail and ears, hood low over her eye
She didn't smile.
Didn't move.
Just stared.
"Kain," she said, voice flat and sweet, like honey over a blade.
"You're late"
"I'm here, aren't I?" he replied, calm as always.
Her arms crossed.
"You saw the others first"
He stepped closer, not flinching when her nails tapped against the bark in rhythm with her breathing.
Her eyes narrowed, but the heat behind them flickered softer for just a second.
Then the air shifted.
Behind him, the quiet steps of someone who never needed to announce her presence.
Aqua moved like she belonged beside him, because she did.
"Kain," she said gently.
He turned, already smiling.
"You came dressed for peace," he said, eyes scanning her flowing outfit, light and comfortable.
"I came to be with you"
She slipped her hand into his, and just like that, the tension melted around him.
Even Lupa's claws relaxed, if only slightly.
"Did you eat?" Aqua asked sweetly.
"No"
"Then I'll make you something after. You'll stay a little while, right?"
He nodded once.
"Iris said to give you both attention today. I'm obeying"
Lupa tilted her head.
"So it takes the Headmistress to remind you?"
"No," he said smoothly, eyes locking with hers.
"It takes Iris to stop you from burning the dorms down"
That earned a grin.
She stepped closer until her breath touched his throat.
"Maybe I'll behave. If you kiss me first"
"Kiss her second," Aqua said, squeezing his hand.
"You really want to cause a scene this close to the dumbass juggling booth?"
Lupa laughed.
"I'd juggle his head"
Still, she leaned forward when he pressed a quick kiss to her lips.
Her breathing slowed.
Obsession temporarily soothed.
Then he turned to Aqua, who didn't hesitate to rise to her toes and kiss him gently.
Her touch was warm.
Soft security that told him she didn't care about who came before or after.
Only that he came at all.
"I missed you," she whispered.
"I know"
They stood in silence for a moment before Kain pulled back.
"I can't stay long"
"Then make the time count," Aqua said softly.
Lupa's smile was sharper now.
"Oh… he will," she said, giving him a naughty look.
Kain licked his lips as he dropped off his pants and took off his shirt.
They followed his example as Aqua and Lupa stripped themselves of clothing.
Aqua's whole body seemed to shimmer in the moonlight.
Lupa's ears perked up and twitched, and she positioned herself in front of him, her tail undulating in a hypnotic rhythm.
Kain groaned, his cock already hard and twitching.
He reached for Lupa, pulling her close as he captured her lips in a passionate kiss.
Their tongues danced, a sensual prelude to the pleasures to come.
Aqua wrapped her arms around Kain's waist, her breasts pressed against his back as she nipped at his earlobe.
"You're so hard already," she whispered, her voice filled with arousal.
Lupa broke the kiss, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she glanced at Aqua.
"I think he needs a little help getting ready," she purred, her gaze drifting down to Kain's rigid length.
Aqua grinned, her hand slipping between Kain's thighs to wrap around his cock.
"I like the way you think," she said, stroking him slowly.
Kain let out a low groan, his hips involuntarily thrusting into Aqua's touch.
"Fuck, that feels good," he growled, his grip tightening on Lupa's waist.
Lupa giggled, her tail swishing back and forth.
"I think we can do even better than that," she said, her hand trailing down Kain's chest to join Aqua's.
He tugged Lupa closer, claiming her lips in another searing kiss as his hips bucked into Aqua's grip.
"Naughty girls need to be punished," he groaned against Lupa's mouth, his hands roaming over her curves, squeezing and caressing.
Lupa broke the kiss with a gasp, her breath hot against Kain's ear.
"Then punish us," she commanded, her voice husky with need.
Kain didn't need further encouragement.
With a growl, he pressed her against the nearest tree.
He grasped her hips, lifting her onto her tiptoes as he positioned his aching cock at her entrance.
Aqua knelt behind him, her breasts brushing against Kain's back as she leaned in to whisper in his ear.
"Don't forget about me"
With a wicked grin, Kain shoved his fingers into her dripping wet pussy making her press her hands on the tree for support as he kept thrusting.
Lupa's cry of pleasure mingled with Kain's groan as he buried himself to the hilt, his cock throbbing within her welcoming heat.
Kain's thrusts were relentless, each one driving deeper into Lupa's clinging flesh.
His hands still went in and out of Aqua's warm wet pussy only inside how he shook his hips.
Aqua's moans harmonized with Lupa's cries, creating a symphony of pleasure that filled the moonlit air.
Lupa's tail thrashed wildly, knocking over a nearby trash bin as she surrendered to the intense pleasure coursing through her.
"Ahh, Kain! Yes, just like that!" she wailed, her nails digging into the bark of the tree.
Kain's groans deepened, his cock pulsing and twitching within Lupa's convulsing walls.
The sensation of her tight heat, Aqua's pulsing pussy, and the cool night air on his fevered skin pushed him closer to the edge.
Suddenly, Aqua's hips jerked, a sharp cry escaping her lips as her orgasm hit.
Her inner muscles clamped down around Kain's fingers, milking them as waves of ecstasy crashed over her.
"Mmmmhhh~~"
The dual sensations of Aqua's climax and Lupa's undulating movements proved too much for Kain to resist.
With a guttural roar, he drove into Lupa one final time, his cock exploding within her as he flooded her with his hot release.
Lupa's body arched, her cry of pleasure blending with Kain's as their climaxes peaked in perfect sync.
"K-kain– Nghhhh Ahhh~~~!"
Kain's fingers continued to pump into Aqua's spasming pussy, drawing out every last tremor of her orgasm.
As the aftershocks subsided, Kain slowly pulled out of Lupa, his softening cock slipping free with a wet plop.
He turned to Aqua, his eyes dark with satisfaction as he helped her to her feet.
"You were amazing," he murmured, pressing a gentle kiss to her lips.
Aqua smiled, her cheeks flushed with post-coital bliss.
"I love it when you can be romantic," she replied, her voice husky with lingering desire.
Lupa didn't respond as it looked like her head was still recovering from the amazing pounding she received.
Ten minutes later
He walked back to the main festival.
His lips still tasted faintly of Aqua's kiss, sweet, soft, and his neck bore the ghost of Lupa's bite.
The lovely moans still lingered in his ears before the chaos of the festival hit him instantly.
Music, perfume, clashing colors.
Someone nearby was screaming over a rigged claw game.
Someone else proposed to their girlfriend with a cursed cupcake.
Balloons popped with glitter and minor hexes.
He spotted his girls immediately.
Ruby was standing on a bench, loudly threatening to arm-wrestle a grown man for a second tray of cinnamon sticks.
Darcy was fanning herself while coaching Yani on the art of "accidental bump-and-grabs" for freebies.
Lyla looked like she was one bad flirt away from freezing the cotton candy stand to a solid block.
Beatrix, perfectly poised, was dealing with a knight cosplay competition by pointing out everyone's posture flaws.
And Alyssa was happily giving out handmade flower pins with terrifying enthusiasm.
"Ladies," Kain greeted with that signature smirk.
Every head snapped toward him.
A blur of movement.
Within seconds, he was surrounded, arms around his waist, hands on his sleeves, heads leaning against his chest.
"Kain~"
"Why did you take so long?"
"Did you miss me?"
"You smell like Aqua again, unfair"
"Have something to eat!"
"Do we get our alone time now?"
He let out a low laugh, wrapping one arm around Ruby and patting Yani's head with the other.
"I was making sure my secrets didn't burn anything down"
Beatrix raised an eyebrow.
"You mean Lupa"
He didn't deny it.
"And Aqua?"
"She's happy," he replied, which was more than enough.
Then, just as he turned to lead them toward the games, he saw it.
The moment that shifted the atmosphere like a cracked mirror:
Aiden.
Walking straight down the main path.
Smiling like sunshine.
Holding Holly's hand like a man who thought the world was still whole.
And trailing behind him?
Hazel, cheeks pink, but you can see the jealousy behind her eyes.
Nina, arms crossed, scoffing at everything, clearly unhappy that Holly was Aiden's current partner.
Kain stopped.
The girls followed his gaze, and in that instant, something unspoken passed between all of them.
Amusement.
Ruby was the first to speak, licking sugar from her thumb.
"Wow. She really is putting on a show"
Darcy chuckled.
"What do you call this move again?"
"Acting," Lyla said dryly.
Beatrix smiled without warmth.
"Or survival"
Yani held Kain's shoulder.
Alyssa tilted her head.
"Are we supposed to pretend she's not yours?"
Kain's smirk returned, slow and cold.
"Of course! How else can we enjoy this scene every day?"
They chuckled as they walked towards them.
Aiden hadn't noticed him yet.
Too busy laughing at something Holly whispered.
Too busy basking in the false warmth of loyalty.
But Holly?
She noticed.
Her posture shifted, only slightly.
The kind of subtle tension a body has when it remembers exactly who it belongs to.
She didn't look.
Didn't dare.
But her hand squeezed Aiden's a little too tightly.
Aiden looked up, bright as ever.
"Kain!" he beamed, waving him over like nothing in the world could go wrong.
"Didn't think I'd see you this early. The festival's been wild, huh?"
Kain clasped his hand like a brother.
"The wild part's usually when you're involved"
He said it with a grin.
Aiden laughed, not catching the way every girl around Kain shared a glance.
Not catching the stiffness in Holly's jaw.
Or how Kain's girls tried their very best not to burst out laughing.
Sadly, only Hazel and Nina noticed this, but they would not dare say something until they were one hundred percent sure something else was going on.
Kain turned his eyes to Holly.
Her expression was perfect, sweet, composed, maybe a little shy.
But her eyes wouldn't meet his.
"Good to see you, Holly," he said with warmth, gentle and friendly.
She swallowed before answering.
"You too, Kain"
And then, as if to reassert the illusion, Aiden beamed and held up their linked hands.
"She and I are doing great now, thanks to you, man! I knew spending time with my best friend would help strengthen my resolve in love"
Kain's girls went silent.
Like hunters watching prey stumble deeper into the woods.
Kain chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Glad to hear it. That's what I'm here to support my favorite couple"
Holly flinched so subtly, it could've been the breeze.
"You're the best," Aiden added, full sincerity in his voice.
Kain smiled.
"The very best"
Beside him, Ruby let out the softest scoff.
Lyla bit her tongue hard enough that it probably bled.
Darcy just watched Holly with mild interest, like a cat waiting for a mouse to move wrong.
Yani, Beatrix, and Alyssa just looked up at the sky, waiting for the fireworks to start.
Kain turned his back, not even allowing Hazel or Nina to say their peace as he looked at the little hill filled with couples.
"Say, Aiden, you want to watch the Fireworks with Holly alone?"
"I can distract Hazel and Nina just long enough"
Aiden's eyes sparkled with dumb sincerity.
"For real? You'd do that for me?"
Kain didn't miss a beat.
He smiled like a perfect friend, as always.
"Of course, man. I just want you two to enjoy the moment. You've earned it"
Behind him, Holly tensed.
Not in fear.
Not in guilt.
But because she knew what that meant.
She didn't dare squeeze Aiden's hand again, not after that line.
Aiden nodded.
"Thanks, bro! You really are the best"
Kain turned back to his girls as Aiden walked off with Holly in tow.
Ruby was barely holding in her laughter.
"You really gave him the win?" she asked.
"I never give," Kain replied smoothly.
"I lend"
Beatrix hummed.
"So what's the real prize today?"
Kain's eyes flicked to the right.
Hazel.
Nina.
Still nearby.
Still pretending they weren't eavesdropping.
Still pretending they weren't annoyed.
[System Notification]
[Hazel | Affection: 10% | Loyalty: 2% | Lust: 0%]
[Emotion: Jealous]
[Small Thought: "He's always stealing Aiden's attention… wait—why do I care?"]
[Nina | Affection: 9% | Loyalty: 2% | Lust: 2%]**
[Emotion: Annoyed]
[Small Thought: "What does he have that makes girls act like this?"]
Kain smirked to himself.
There it is.
They weren't mad at him
Not really.
They were mad at the feeling creeping in behind their ribs.
Curiosity.
Danger.
And something hotter.
He leaned back slightly, arms draped lazily around Ruby and Lyla's shoulders.
"I think it's time I reminded them what I really do best," he said.
Darcy grinned. "Which is?"
"Giving the right kind of attention."
Yani nodded, totally innocent.
"Do you want me to trip and spill something on Hazel?"
"No," Kain said thoughtfully.
"My target right now is Nina"
His gaze locked onto Nina, arms crossed, mouth tight, her eyes practically spitting fire.
A perfect cocktail of pride, denial, and just enough instability to make the fall fun.
"Are you sure about that?"
Lyla asked beside him, voice low.
"She's got claws," Ruby added.
Kain smirked.
"Then I'll bleed just enough to make her interested"
He broke off from the group with lazy confidence, not needing a plan, because he was the plan.
Nina noticed him instantly.
Of course she did.
She stood near a Hammer Strength game booth, watching someone miserably fail at ringing the bell.
Kain stopped just behind her.
"You could beat that in your sleep"
She didn't look at him.
"What do you want?"
"To watch you beat it," he said easily.
"Unless you're scared"
Her head snapped toward him.
"Scared?"
A little puff of heat escaped her mouth.
Draconic temper flaring already.
Perfect.
"You always talk big," she muttered.
"What's the catch?"
He tilted his head, smiling.
"No catch. Just figured someone with your strength shouldn't be standing around like some background extra"
Nina bristled.
"Excuse me?"
Kain just nodded toward the booth.
"Prove me wrong."
The vendor, already sweating, stepped back.
"Uh… sure, ma'am. Be gentle?"
Nina grabbed the hammer like it weighed nothing.
One fluid swing.
BANG.
Bell hit.
Sparks flew.
Everyone turned.
She tossed the hammer back with one hand and crossed her arms again, eyes daring Kain to say something.
He clapped slowly.
"I was wrong"
"Damn right you were"
"You're not strong," he said smoothly.
"You're terrifyingly strong"
Nina's lips twitched, almost a smile.
Almost.
He leaned in just a bit, his voice lowering like a secret meant only for her.
"And I like terrifying"
[System Notification]
[Nina | Affection: 13% | Loyalty: 2% | Lust: 6%]
[Emotion: Smugly Curious]
[Small Thought: "...He liked that? Wait. Why do I care?"]
Kain pulled back.
"Well then. I'll let you get back to looming"
She blinked.
"That's it?"
He turned, hands in his pockets.
"Only if you let it be"
He left her standing there, still annoyed, still confused, but thinking.
Just how he wanted.
Back with his girls, Darcy gave him a slow clap.
"Smooth"
Yani handed him a cookie.
"Do you want me to trip on her next?"
"Not yet," Kain said, biting into it with a grin.
"Now we wait for her to come to me"