Chapter 260. End-of-Term Celebration (16)
"What the hell is her deal? Gave me a real scare."
Liliana grumbled as she gnawed on her cold chicken skewer.
"Um, sis. That lady's eyes were super scary."
"...It's okay. It's fine."
Nam Da-eun stroked Nam Da-hee's back while staring in the direction Ellis had stormed off.
The moment Ellis heard Nam Da-eun's words, she'd furrowed her brow and bolted from her seat without a reply.
"How rude—ignoring someone mid-sentence and just leaving like that. Hmph."
"Don't mind her, Liliana."
If anything, Nam Da-eun felt worried for Ellis. For her to approach out of nowhere and act like that... must be something urgent. Or was she angry at herself for not understanding her own emotions?
Nam Da-eun couldn't read Ellis's mind. But it was definitely not the composed Ellis she knew.
"Mmm. Still, that last line was badass. As expected of my disciple. Once she sinks her teeth in, she doesn't let go."
Liliana patted Nam Da-eun's back proudly.
"Thank you."
Hearing that made Nam Da-eun feel good too. She'd grown close to Liliana after spending so much time together. Seeing her often revealed how her quirky, fourth-dimensional vibe could be pretty cute.
"As befits Hoyeon's exclusive whore."
If only she hadn't tacked on that bit, it would've been perfect.
"...That phrasing leaves a bad taste, Liliana."
"Really? Bummer. I thought we had similar tastes, so I picked that compliment just for you."
Liliana tossed the empty skewer into the trash with a wistful sigh.
Watching her casual move sparked a thought in Nam Da-eun. Whore or whatever—it didn't matter. Sure, she wanted love, but ultimately, everything she did was for Lee Ho-yeon. She'd received an irrepayable debt from him and decided to live for him.
But was it okay to envy his other women?
"...Liliana."
"Yeah?"
"What should I do if jealousy... starts bubbling up? Or rather, is it even okay for me to feel that way?"
Nam Da-eun asked Liliana, who was stuffing her face with bungeoppang.
Liliana might look ditzy—pure, even—but her feelings for Ho-yeon were genuine. She loved him. Yet Nam Da-eun had never seen her jealous, no matter how many women he met.
Liliana pondered Nam Da-eun's question. How could she convey her thoughts to this mortal? Truth be told, she did feel jealousy. She just endured it. Before Da-eun arrived, she'd whined about it plenty of times. But there were differences. As a succubus, she was used to polygamy; these girls probably weren't.
"Eh, just do whatever you want, right? I'm a succubus, so I don't overthink that stuff. Experience shows it never works out when I do."
Like ignoring her parents' warnings about only meeting losers if she gamed too much—then landing a gem like Ho-yeon. Liliana spouted her absurd logic, oblivious as Nam Da-eun listened quietly. It was the most serious she'd seen her since that sex lecture—second only to that.
"I don't backseat-game either. That's my secret to staying young. Hehe."
Liliana's streams were popular because her rage-quits were adorable. Did she even know that?
"Ho-yeon might care a bit... but nah, he won't sweat the jealousy. More like he'd tell you to chase your own happiness."
"My happiness..."
That rang true. The Ho-yeon she loved would say exactly that.
"Yeah. Thinking about it, I can just do what I want."
Nam Da-eun bowed gratefully to Liliana.
"Thanks owed? Then let's grab some crepes."
"Sure, Liliana."
Liliana grinned and beelined for the next stall. Energized by her pure vibe, Nam Da-eun shed her conflicted expression, reverting to her usual stoic face. Her heart felt lighter now. Whether jealousy or acceptance, she could just follow her desires. A faint smile touched her lips.
*
The instant Nam Da-eun spoke, Ellis fled without a word.
"..."
Only in an empty spot did she stop.
Hearing that Ho-yeon was precious to Nam Da-eun had made her bolt instinctively. Now, alone and calm, irritation flooded in.
It was stifling—like her chest was clogged.
"Calm down. Just calm."
Ellis sat on a bench, breathing deeply. It was nothing. Whatever Da-eun's tie to Ho-yeon, it had zero bearing on her. They were just contractor and client. No reason for fondness from a massage, and it shouldn't happen.
"..."
Ellis was the queen bee. Always different, even as a child—still was. Even if she grew fond of him, she wouldn't chase like a drone. She'd be the queen.
Ordinary bees couldn't claim the flower. Her mother proved it—drones buzzed around her father, but he ignored them. He always returned.
"Haa."
Ellis steadied herself with a deep breath. No reason to feel bad. She and Ho-yeon weren't anything yet.
"...Right. Right. Why'd Da-eun say something so weird?"
Her chest eased. A masseur being a couple didn't mean subpar skills. Ellis shook her head and walked on.
"...What now?"
Why'd she even come to this stupid event? Should've worked from home. All Ho-yeon's fault... No. Unrelated.
"...?"
Something caught Ellis's eye.
- Let's try this!
- Claw machine? Sure.
- Fine by me.
Ho-yeon and Lumi, following Lucy into the claw machine tent.
"...Horny bastard."
Always with a different girl. Amazing, really. Tsk.
'Calm. Calm.'
Ellis felt her hard-won composure crumble again as she staggered away.
*
The sun climbed midday. Amid the academy central celebration buzz, the genius magic professor and stunning infirmary nurse duo drew eyes aplenty.
Few event games for profs, but food and drinks were fair game. Most faculty mingled afternoons; these two arrived early.
They headed for the cafe—perfect for young women to chat.
Im Sol slurped her chocolate latte, eyeing Baek A-young's hand on her chest. She'd initiated this meet.
"...Sol-ah."
"Yeah."
After deep breaths, A-young met her gaze shakily.
Thwack! Hands slamming the table, she shot up.
"What's your deal with Ho-yeon...!"
A-young's bold strike. An unexpected rival from left field—she needed the truth.
Slurp. Im Sol sipped, scanning her top to bottom. Trembling tension, wronged eyes. Yet her voice held trust in Ho-yeon. Classic 'he's innocent, you're the clingy one' glare.
"Haa."
Im Sol shook her head, pondering this pure soul. Anyone'd think Ho-yeon was hers.
"A-young. No idea what you're imagining, but... nothing like that yet."
"N-not yet...? Why, you said you weren't into him."
Im Sol chuckled dryly at A-young's world-crushed face.
"And you?"
"Uh, wha?"
"Why're you so desperate over one cadet?"
"Th-that's..."
Im Sol was baffled too. The saintess, never linked to men, suddenly smitten with a student? If scandals hit them both, eyes'd lock on A-young. Her love life was that newsworthy. Even her last slip took ages to die down.
"Ugh, uuu..."
A-young squirmed in frustration. But she couldn't spill to Im Sol. Couldn't admit loving rape-play, with only Ho-yeon accepting her.
Im Sol smirked inwardly. That wriggling was cute. She'd already kissed and blown him. Plus disciple-professor bond. Something infirmary-bound A-young couldn't touch.
"...Anyway. Nothing set, so don't overheat."
Im Sol brushed it off casually. She was ahead. Cute antics? No sweat.
She knew he was close to A-young, but not that close. A saintess's purity wasn't casual.
Unlike magic-obsessed Im Sol, who'd barely dated, A-young met hundreds daily yet stayed pure. An untouchable aura warded men off.
"...Got it. Sorry."
A-young calmed hearing Im Sol. 'Right. No need to snap.'
Brief flare-up, but fine. She and her darling were bound by unbreakable red thread. Other women en route? Irrelevant. Only she could fill his heart.
The genius mage and saintess pitied each other inwardly, masking with smiles.
'The last one standing wins.'
Im Sol was generous. Cadet flings? Laughable. But not to A-young.
'Darling's already mine.'
A-young thought only of him. First place was enough.
As Ho-yeon's conquest progressed, the women began recognizing each other. And the root cause, Lee Ho-yeon, had slipped into a barrier amid bushes off the main square.
Inside echoed male-female moans.
Lumi braced the wall, bent over, gasping each thrust as Ho-yeon's hips smacked her ass.
"This okay?"
"Y-yes... feeeeels good..."
Squelch-squelch.
Lumi shuddered violently, then spasmed hard. Legs giving out, but Ho-yeon seemed nowhere near done.
"J-just... 30 minutes max."
"Gotcha. No worries."
"Hng... ahhh!"
No overtime this time. Unlike Lucy, Lumi's focus could end anytime—he had to hurry back.