A Heart Growing Strange (1)
As Seong Hyun-jin's expression colored with bewilderment, Serena Eldark pressed even closer. Their breaths mingled in the scant space between them. Feeling that, Seong Hyun-jin was startled all over again. Her breath against his cheek was scorching hot. And the sheer closeness of it all shocked him too.
It was only natural that her breasts—smaller than Karin's but objectively quite impressive—would squish softly against his firm body like that. Feeling their plush give against his solid frame, Seong Hyun-jin swallowed hard.
"Hmm? When would be good?"
Serena wasn't even wearing anything particularly pretty or provocative. Yet right now, she looked unbearably sexual to him. Not just those full breasts pressing against him, but the cinched waist clearly outlined beneath her black uniform, the alluringly wide hips, the firm thighs bulging ever so slightly against her sheer white stockings peeking from under her skirt, and those long, shapely legs boasting perfect proportions—they all seized his gaze, stirring the primal instincts of any man.
And her platinum blonde hair, cascading in gentle waves over her rounded shoulders, was so tempting he wanted to reach out and touch it, to bury his nose in those silken strands and lose himself.
"The child we make together... I bet they'd be adorable."
With her looking like that and saying things like that, it was impossible for Seong Hyun-jin to stay composed. His eyes had already stopped obeying him, roaming her body against his will, drinking in every curve.
Serena noticed. It was like those lecherous stares from men she'd always despised—the ones drawn not to who she truly was, but to the beauty she possessed, like insects swarming honey. They'd always disgusted her...
But not now. Because it was Seong Hyun-jin looking at her that way. Far from unpleasant, it felt so good she didn't know what to do with herself. She even caught herself wishing he'd stare even more.
...I've really changed, haven't I?
Serena let out a quiet, inward chuckle at her own transformation. But she wasn't the one who'd caused it. It was all this man before her—Seong Hyun-jin.
So if anyone was to blame for her acting like this... it was him. He was the one who'd made her this way. Which meant this was his responsibility to bear. No mercy for that troubled look on his face.
Serena pressed her body even tighter against him, lifting their intertwined hands to her lips. She pressed a deep, lingering kiss to the back of his hand.
"You look like you've got a lot on your mind."
"Well... you're the one saying all this stuff..."
"But Father's given his permission. Now it's just a matter of becoming husband and wife. Doesn't that make it fine?"
"I-I mean, sure, but shouldn't we think about that after graduating from the academy...?"
"We could always make a baby a little early."
"......"
Seong Hyun-jin met Serena's gaze. Her eyes gleamed with raw lust, like an eight-ton truck with failed brakes hurtling toward him. It felt like all the desire she'd bottled up was exploding at once.
Of course, it wasn't rational. Attending the academy for another two years while pregnant would be a logistical nightmare.
A bit more level-headed than her aggressive advance, Seong Hyun-jin tried to rein it in.
"Still, that's not—"
"...Tonight."
Serena's voice took on a sultry edge. At the change, Seong Hyun-jin's throat bobbed as he swallowed dryly. Then came the words that short-circuited his reason entirely.
"It's a dangerous day."
"...!"
BAM!!
The moment Serena dropped her bombshell, the closed hospital room door flew open.
"Th-that won't do!"
"You two are still students!!"
"I think that's way too soon!"
Ciela Teraport, Yeonhui, and Clarice Levatein, who'd stepped out earlier, burst in, their voices frantic as they cut off Serena and Seong Hyun-jin's conversation. As if they had to stop them right that instant.
Seeing the three intruders, Seong Hyun-jin was first surprised, then unusually flustered as he stammered,
"Wh-when did you hear that...!?"
"That's not the point! Separate right now!"
"Y-yeah! Let go!"
Ciela, Yeonhui, and Clarice grabbed at the tightly clinging pair, trying to pry them apart. Too flustered to resist, Seong Hyun-jin just went "Uh, uh" as they pulled at him.
But Serena wouldn't have it. Her draconic strength was beyond anyone there—even Seong Hyun-jin.
Grip!
Serena outright hugged his torso to keep him from pulling away, then swung him back with her, shaking off the other women. The three stumbled back, staring blankly, and Serena shot them a cold glare.
"What right do you have to try separating me from my love?"
She snapped icily.
"Whether I make a child with him or not is none of your business. Who are you to interfere?"
She had a point—they had no right. Normally, the others would have backed off at that. But anyone could see Serena was being irrational now, giving Ciela, Yeonhui, and Clarice ample ground to argue back.
"You're still a student—having a kid doesn't make sense, junior!"
"Serena junior, that's going too far!!"
"Regain your senses!"
"Hmph."
Serena just snorted at their pleas. Having cleared the biggest hurdle—her father's approval—and convinced no one could stand between her and Seong Hyun-jin anymore, she'd unleashed all her pent-up urges. Rational appeals fell on deaf ears.
Luckily, the chaos let Seong Hyun-jin regain his wits. Looking at Serena, who still clung to him refusing to let go, he said,
"Serena? Calm down for a sec."
Other voices faded, but his cut through crystal clear. Serena's eyes cleared, filling with affection as she gazed at him.
Seong Hyun-jin gently grasped her shoulders and eased her back a bit. A flash of disappointment crossed her face. He smiled softly at her.
"I think we should at least wait until after academy graduation."
"...Really?"
"Yeah, probably..."
He reached out, stroking her hair tenderly.
"Besides, it'd make things hard for you—and I don't want that."
"......"
Somewhat calmed and regaining reason, Serena's face flushed deeper. Realizing what wild things she'd said in her haze, she was mortified.
"Ah......"
"Serena?"
Seong Hyun-jin tilted his head at her rapidly changing expression. Not just her face—her ears and those massive, unhideable horns flushed red too. He let out a light chuckle.
Blushing now, after all that?
She'd said things that would shock or fluster anyone who heard, yet now that sanity returned, she was a flustered mess. The contrast was so cute, Seong Hyun-jin felt like teasing her.
"Serena, by any chance right now..."
"I-I just remembered something urgent!! I forgot something I needed to tell Father! Gotta go!!"
Serena released him in a flash and bolted out the door faster than a blink. Seong Hyun-jin stared at the empty space she left and the creaking door swinging shut from her forceful exit, chuckling softly.
Then he turned.
"Freeze right there."
"...!"
"!"
"......"
Seeing Ciela, Yeonhui, and Clarice trying to sneak out, Seong Hyun-jin hardened his expression slightly.
"So, why were you eavesdropping?"
"It-It was just by chance..."
"...We were just waiting in the hall, and we overheard."
"Y-yes. We definitely didn't intend to listen from the start..."
"...For real, Clarice?"
Clarice nodded frantically when he checked. Ciela chimed in.
"We really came out to give you two time alone and were just waiting, but the voices carried so well that we couldn't help it... But thanks to us, you avoided a sticky situation, right? If we'd left you alone, it really would've... uh..."
Ciela trailed off, her face turning beet red. Seong Hyun-jin was momentarily speechless, and Yeonhui and Clarice flushed too.
After a brief silence, realizing they weren't lying, he nodded.
"If that's how it was, I get it. Sorry for misunderstanding."
"Okay..."
"...Hyun-jin junior."
Yeonhui spoke up then.
"Just to make sure... You don't plan to stay only with Serena junior forever, do you?"
"Why do you ask—"
He started to question, then caught on to her feelings and amended,
"...For now, yeah. I'm not thinking of taking on any other women."
"...I see."
Truth be told, there was one more spot. If his master, Karin, ever confessed her love, he'd make room for her in a heartbeat. Of course, he knew that would never happen.
I wonder when I'll win Master's heart.
It'd have to wait until this body fully matured, at least.
Thud!
In the guest room at Levatein Duchy, a woman staying there slammed her fist on the table and rose.
"...Is that undeniably true?"
"...Yes, Lady Karin."
Unlike her rough gesture, her lustrous black hair—like a night sky in winter snow—flowed softly. Even in this tense atmosphere, her beauty stole breaths.
Sword StarHakodate Karin.
She'd come to Levatein Duchy to help clean up after the war her disciple had gotten involved in. Now, she burned with anger at the news from Kaijid Levatein, the family's second son.
It wasn't fiery rage. But it was so chillingly cold that Kaijid, who would have preferred outright fury, couldn't even speak easily before her.
Like her image, her wrath froze to the bone. Still, knowing he had to deliver the message fully, Kaijid elaborated.
"During the exchange with Celestial Academy, your disciple discovered Wise Star Abraham Nobwells' taboo research and clashed with him... resulting in injuries."
"......"
Karin silently gathered her sword. Then she announced curtly,
"I'm going."
The cleanup wasn't fully done, but knowing how much she'd already helped, Kaijid didn't stop her. When the news reached the ducal family, the duke himself had said to let her go, as she'd surely worry.
"Yes, understood. I'll prepare a carriage right—"
"No need."
Before Kaijid finished, Karin cut him off. Heading for the balcony door, she added,
"I'll get there faster on my own."