CHAPTER 57: A TRAIL OF STOLEN KISSES

---

I’d been watching Akane all evening.

The courtyard was dim except for the warm glow of lantern light spilling across the stone tiles, catching the sheen of sweat on her skin. She moved like a predator—silent but certain, every step calculated, every swing of her blade crisp and clean. There was no wasted motion.

Even her hair, tied up loosely, swayed in perfect rhythm with her strikes, and every now and then a single rebellious strand would slip free, clinging to her cheek. She’d brush it back with a quick flick of her wrist, completely unaware of how my eyes followed the movement every single time.

How did Ren have this in front of him and still act like a half-distracted fool? Pathetic.

When her final strike cut through the air, the sound sharp as a whip crack, she exhaled—controlled, measured. She rested her blade against her shoulder, but I didn’t miss the faint rise and fall of her chest from exertion. That was when I stepped forward, wooden sword lazily balanced across my shoulders.

"Care for a spar?" My tone was casual, but the grin tugging at my lips carried an edge.

Her amber eyes narrowed, measuring me, but there was a spark there—curiosity, maybe challenge. Her lips curled just slightly, and I knew I’d hooked her.

"Feeling confident, Ren?"

"Always," I replied, tilting my head. "But tonight... I’m feeling something more."

Not like that useless original, stumbling through moments like these. He wouldn’t know what to do with ’something more’ if it begged him.

We squared off, the lantern light throwing our shadows long and sharp against the tiles. She moved first—fast, almost faster than I’d expected—but my body flowed with hers effortlessly, like I’d been reading her every move for years. Her strikes were sharp, calculated, but no matter how hard she pressed, I met her each time, blade locking with blade.

"You’re stronger than usual," she murmured between clashes, a flicker of something in her voice.

I let my smile deepen. "Maybe I’m just inspired."

She lunged again, but this time I stepped into her guard, twisting my wrist to catch her weapon in a bind. My foot swept low, forcing her to shift her stance. In that single heartbeat, I spun her, the world blurring for her as I guided her momentum, until her back hit the ground with a soft thud.

The cool stone beneath her contrasted with the heat radiating between us. I braced my hands to either side of her, leaning in until my shadow swallowed hers. Her breath came faster now—not from the spar, but from the closeness.

"You’re different, Akane," I said, my voice low, almost a whisper meant for her alone. "Not just strong—you’re the kind of woman who makes a man want to fight harder... never let go. I’ve always wanted you by my side... more than you know."

And Ren never deserved you. He never will.

For a moment, her eyes searched mine. Her lips parted—maybe to protest, maybe to demand an explanation—but I wasn’t going to let her speak.

I kissed her.

Not a timid brush of lips, but a deep, unashamed kiss that spoke every thought I’d kept hidden, every image of her that had haunted my mind. Her shoulders tensed at first, but then the resistance softened. Her hand, which had been resting stiffly on the tiles, curled into my sleeve, almost without her realizing it.

When I finally pulled back, I stayed close enough for our breaths to mingle, my grin curling into something wicked.

"Guess I’ll have to challenge you to more spars... if I want to feel that again."

I’ll give you moments he never could, Akane. And when I’m done, you won’t even remember him.

---

I pushed off the tiles and rose to my feet, offering her a hand. She hesitated before taking it, and I pulled her up with an easy strength.

For a moment, we just stood there—her eyes still holding that flicker of heat from the kiss, her lips faintly parted. I stepped back, letting the wooden sword rest against my shoulder again.

"Sleep well, Akane," I said, already turning away. The fight was over, but I knew the real battle had only just started—in her mind.

That kiss will replay in your thoughts all night, and when it does... you’ll crave more.

Damn you, stop it!

Ren’s voice barked inside my skull, full of panic.

That’s not yours to take!

I ignored him.

My boots had barely carried me three paces before I heard it.

"Ren—wait!"

I turned, masking the smirk that wanted to break free. She was jogging toward me, her cheeks flushed in a way that had nothing to do with training.

"I... I just need to confirm something," she said, breathless.

Her hand shot out, gripping my sleeve before I could speak. Then she rose on her toes and pressed her lips to mine.

It wasn’t hesitant this time—it was deliberate, warm, her fingers curling in the fabric of my shirt.

No! Akane, don’t! Stop!

Ren’s voice was desperate now, hammering in my mind like fists against a locked door.

I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her closer, deepening the kiss until her knees softened. The lantern light pooled around us, the night air cool against our skin, and for a moment, there was nothing but her warmth and the taste of victory.

When we finally broke apart, she stepped back quickly, as if realizing what she’d just done. "Goodnight," she murmured, then turned and hurried toward the training hall, her steps uneven.

I watched her go, letting the smirk finally claim my face.

Guess that confirms it.

Ren’s voice was a hoarse whisper now. You’re going to ruin everything...

I chuckled under my breath. "No, Ren," I murmured so only I could hear. "I’m going to make it better."

---

The halls were quiet when I stepped inside, the echoes of the courtyard still warm in my head. Akane had already vanished to her quarters—most of them had, really—but I wasn’t ready to call it a night.

That’s when I saw her.

Sora, sleeves rolled up, standing at the kitchen basin, steam curling around her as she rinsed the last of the dishes.

I moved without thinking. Silent, deliberate steps until I was right behind her. Then my hands slid around her waist.

She stiffened instantly, glancing back over her shoulder. Her eyes widened, and a flush bloomed across her cheeks.

"R-Ren? What are you doing?"

I leaned in just enough that my breath brushed her ear. "Just... wanting to be close to the girl I have a crush on."

Her blush deepened, and she turned slightly in my grip, trying to keep her body between me and the doorway. "Someone might see us," she whispered, glancing toward the hall.

I smiled. "Let them."

Before she could protest, I gave her a quick kiss. Her breath caught, and I gave her another—longer this time.

The dishes clinked faintly as her hands gripped the counter. Whatever hesitation she had melted fast. Her gaze softened, her lips parting just enough for me to take more.

One kiss became two, then three—each one hungrier than the last. She was in the moment now, leaning into me, the warmth between us chasing away every scrap of space.

Get away from her!

Ren’s voice roared in my head, frantic and furious.

This isn’t you—it’s not right!

I ignored him, keeping my focus on the way Sora’s fingers curled into my shirt, pulling me closer.

When I finally pulled back, she was breathing fast, cheeks pink, eyes darting toward the hall again.

"You should go," she whispered, but she didn’t move from my arms.

I smirked, brushing my thumb over her lower lip. "Only if you promise we’ll finish this later."

Her answer was a shaky nod. That was all I needed.

---

What the hell is wrong with you?!

I slammed the thought against the walls of my own mind, but it was like screaming through glass. I could see her—Sora—still standing there with flushed cheeks and trembling hands, lips red from the kiss.

You don’t just walk up to her like that. You don’t—

Don’t what? the clone’s voice slid through my thoughts like oil on water. Don’t take what you’ve always wanted? Don’t let her know what it feels like to be wanted—really wanted?

You manipulated her. You caught her off guard!

He chuckled, a low, infuriating sound. I gave her something you’ve been too much of a coward to. You hide behind "the right time," "the right place," while I make moments happen.

You’re going to ruin everything, I bit out. Her trust, my friendships—

Our friendships, he corrected mockingly.

And trust me, she’s not thinking about trust right now. She’s thinking about my hands on her, the way I kissed her until she forgot the room around us.

The worst part?

I could feel it—her heartbeat still pounding, the faint taste of her lips lingering in our mouth. My own pulse betrayed me, reacting to the very thing I was condemning.

You’re disgusting, I hissed.

Maybe, he said, smug. But I’m the one actually living. You’re just watching.

---