CHAPTER 153: LEWD INTENTIONS

Sophie spread the blanket out on the grass, smoothing down the corners. The courtyard was mostly empty—just a few students scattered around, reading or napping in the afternoon sun.

Lune set down the basket she’d been carrying and sat without ceremony, legs crossed beneath her.

"I still don’t understand why we needed to bring food," Lune said. "The dining hall is open."

"Because this is a date, Lune. Dates have ambiance." Sophie flopped down beside her and started unpacking. Bread, cheese, some fruit she’d stolen from the kitchen. "Besides, when’s the last time you ate outside?"

Lune put a finger on her chin, like the answer was along the line of "years".

"See!? You need this."

Lune picked up an apple, examining it like it might contain secrets.

"I suppose."

They ate in comfortable silence for a while. The sun was warm but not unbearable. A breeze rustled through the trees lining the courtyard.

Sophie bit into her bread and watched Lune, who was methodically cutting her apple into perfect slices.

"So," Sophie said, "why don’t you talk to anyone?"

Lune’s knife paused.

"I talk to people."

"You talk to Aegis. And me, I guess. And Scarlett. But that’s pretty much it."

"That’s sufficient."

"Is it, though?" Sophie leaned forward, resting her chin in her hand. "Don’t you get lonely?"

Lune set the knife down. She looked out across the courtyard, her expression as unreadable as always.

"No."

"Liar."

Lune’s eyes flicked to Sophie, a brief flash of something defensive.

"I’m not lonely. I just don’t see the point in forcing interactions with people I don’t understand."

"And you understand Aegis?"

"Yes."

Sophie waited, but Lune didn’t elaborate.

"Okay, but like... why? What makes her so different?"

Lune picked up an apple slice and bit into it. She chewed slowly, deliberately, like she was buying time to think.

Finally, she said:

"Because Aegis is real."

Sophie blinked.

"You mean, like, genuine?"

"Sure."

"Ohhhh.... And we aren’t?"

"... Not in the same way, no." Lune then gestured vaguely, as if trying to capture something intangible. "I can’t think of a better way to explain it than that."

Sophie tilted her head, studying Lune’s face. The way her yellow eyes stayed fixed on the apple slice, avoiding eye contact.

"Huh. I guess that’s kinda sweet... In its own way."

"Take my words however you wish."

Sophie grinned and stole a piece of cheese.

"You know, you’re not as boring as you pretend to be."

"I don’t pretend to be anything."

"Yes, you do. You act all emotionless and mechanical, but you’re totally not."

Lune finally looked at her.

"How would you know?"

"Because you agreed to come on this date with me." Sophie popped the cheese into her mouth and chewed smugly. "If you were really that detached, you would’ve said no."

Lune opened her mouth, then closed it. Her ears turned the faintest shade of pink.

Sophie laughed.

They kept eating, the conversation drifting to lighter topics. Sophie complained about Vera leaving. Lune mentioned a painting technique she wanted to try.

.... Sophie asked if Lune had ever kissed anyone before.

Lune froze mid-bite.

"Why would you ask that?"

"Curiosity." Sophie leaned back on her hands, the picture of casual innocence. "So? Have you?"

"No."

"Really? Never?"

"Never."

Sophie’s grin widened.

"Do you want to?"

Lune set her apple slice down very carefully.

"Why?"

"Because I’m bored. And you’re cute. And it might be fun."

"That’s not a good reason to kiss someone."

"According to who?"

"Books," Lune quickly answered. "I’ve researched the topic."

"Well, it’s a great reason, if you ask me."

Sophie scooted closer, closing the distance between them.

"Come ooon. Think of it as an experiment. You’re always saying you want to understand people better. What better way than to try new things?"

Lune’s expression didn’t change, but Sophie watched as Lune parted her lips to say something, closed them, and opened them again.

"That’s a terrible argument."

"Is it? Cause I have a feeling it’s working~"

Lune stared at her. For a long moment, Sophie thought she’d push her away or say something cutting.

Instead, Lune said,

"I... suppose such a thing would be informative. Perhaps I would come to understand why Aegis does it so often."

"Exaaaactly, right? I mean, come on. Imagine one night, you’re dancing with Aegis beneath the stars, and she tries to kiss ya. What would you do?"

Lune tilted her head. It looked like she was actually trying to envision the situation, watching it play out before her very eyes.

"I... don’t know." She admitted, and it sounded like she was surprising herself.

"See!? I think..." Sophie shifted closer. "You could use a bit of informal education."

Sophie shifted until their knees were touching.

"Alright. Lesson one: close your eyes."

Lune’s brow furrowed.

"Why?"

"Because that’s how it works. You don’t just stare at someone while you’re kissing them. That’s creepy."

"I’ve seen you kiss Vera with your eyes open."

"That’s different. We were being exhibitionists. This is educational." Sophie grinned. "Come on. Trust me."

Lune hesitated, then closed her eyes.

Sophie studied her for a moment. Lune’s face was so still, so carefully neutral, but her shoulders were tense. Her hands gripped her skirt.

"Okay, now lean in. Slowly."

Lune leaned forward, her movements mechanical and precise, like she was following a diagram.

"Not so stiff. Relax a little."

"I am relaxed."

"You’re literally holding your breath."

Lune exhaled.

Sophie bit back a laugh and leaned in herself, closing the distance until their faces were inches apart.

"Now," Sophie whispered, "just... let it happen naturally. Don’t overthink it."

"That’s not helpful advice."

"Sure it is. Stop analyzing and just—"

Sophie closed the gap.

Their lips met softly. Tentatively.

Lune stayed perfectly still for a second, like she was processing the sensation, then—slowly—she started to respond.

Her lips moved against Sophie’s, awkward at first, then gradually finding a rhythm.

Sophie kept it gentle, letting Lune set the pace.

When they pulled apart, Lune’s eyes fluttered open. Her cheeks were faintly pink.

"Well?" Sophie asked, unable to hide her smile. "How was that for informal education?"

Lune touched her own lips with two fingers, her expression thoughtful.

"Strange."

"Good strange or bad strange?"

"I’m... not certain."

Sophie’s grin widened.

"Wanna try again? For research purposes, obviously."

Lune’s eyes flicked to Sophie’s mouth, then back up.

"Okay."

This time, Lune didn’t wait for instructions.

She leaned in and kissed Sophie herself, one hand coming up to cup Sophie’s jaw. The kiss was less tentative now, more confident, and Sophie made a surprised noise in the back of her throat.

[Whoa. WHOA. She learns fast.]

Sophie’s hands found Lune’s waist, pulling her closer. Lune’s fingers slid into Sophie’s hair, and when Sophie parted her lips slightly, Lune followed without hesitation.

The kiss deepened.

Sophie tilted her head, and Lune mirrored the movement. Their tongues met, and Sophie felt Lune’s grip tighten in her hair.

They broke apart for air, both breathing harder.

"I think," Lune said quietly, her voice slightly unsteady, "I understand now."

"Yeah?"

"Yes. It’s... not entirely unpleasant."

Sophie laughed breathlessly.

"Wow. High praise."

Lune’s lips twitched—almost a smile. Then she put her hands on Sophie’s cheeks.

[Eh?]

"You want more?"

Lune blinked.

"I... I’m not done learning."

And she pulled Sophie back in.

---

{Aegis}

Aegis adjusted her coin pouch as she left Master Corin’s shop, mentally tallying her profits.

[Another three hundred gold. Not bad for an afternoon’s work.]

The Summer Auction was coming up in a few weeks, and she needed every coin she could scrape together. The items up for bid would be worth it—legendary artifacts, rare materials, things that would give House Starcaller a serious edge.

She made her way through Rosevale’s merchant quarter, weaving between carts and crowds until she reached the familiar rundown storefront.

Black Remedies looked... less rundown than before.

The sign had been repainted. The windows were clean. Through the glass, Aegis could see actual customers browsing the shelves.

She pushed the door open.

Rosalie was behind the counter, carefully packaging a set of healing potions for a well-dressed noble woman. Her green hair was tied back, and she wore a clean apron instead of the stained, tattered thing she’d had on when they first met.

She glanced up as Aegis entered and broke into a wide smile.

"Lady Starcaller! One moment, please."

Aegis waited while Rosalie finished with her customer, who left with a satisfied nod and a coin purse considerably lighter.

As soon as the door closed, Rosalie practically bounced over.

"You won’t believe the day I’ve had! Three nobles came in this morning asking for custom orders. Custom orders! And I sold out completely of stamina potions. I need to brew another batch tonight, but I also have two commissions for mana restoration elixirs, and—"

Aegis held up a hand, giggling.

[Cute.]

"Breathe, Rosalie."

Rosalie took a breath, still grinning.

"Sorry. I’m just... this is incredible. A month ago I was one failed experiment away from closing the shop permanently. Now I can barely keep up with demand."

[Well, of course it is,] Aegis thought, watching Rosalie gesture excitedly at her newly organized workspace. [I basically gave her thousands of hours of playtime’s worth of alchemy knowledge. And, I asked Lady vermillion to spread the word. This would be the natural result, of course.]

All those side quests, all that grinding crafting potions to min-max her stats—it was paying off now in ways the game developers probably never intended.

"You’re doing great," Aegis said. "Keep it up. And remember, quality over quantity. Don’t burn yourself out trying to fill every order."

"I won’t. I promise." Rosalie hesitated, then added, "Thank you. For everything. I know you didn’t have to help me."

Aegis waved her off.

"You’re talented. You just needed the right recipes and a little push."

They chatted for a few more minutes about upcoming orders and ingredient sourcing, then Aegis excused herself.

The sun was starting to set as she made her way back toward the academy. Her manor was closer, but she wanted to check in on Sophie and Lune first. Make sure they hadn’t burned down the dorm room or something equally chaotic.

She entered through the main gates, nodding at the guards who’d long since stopped questioning her comings and goings.

The courtyard was quiet, bathed in golden evening light.

Aegis was halfway across when movement caught her eye.

She glanced over.

And stopped dead.

Sophie and Lune were on a blanket in the grass, completely tangled together. Sophie’s hands were in Lune’s hair. Lune’s knee was between Sophie’s thighs.

They were...

They were making out.

Aegis’s brows shot up to the top of her head.

[How in the fuck did THAT happen?]