CHAPTER 78: RIN, THE BUSINESSMAN!

The Dean’s office smelled faintly of old books, ink, and the arrogance that came from having an office big enough to house an entire family.

Rin stood at the door, shifting from foot to foot, already regretting agreeing to this meeting. He pushed the door open and stepped inside.

The Dean didn’t even look up from his papers.

"You’re late."

Rin’s mouth twitched.

"I’m on time, Sir. You’re just early."

"Late," the Dean repeated flatly, finally glancing up with that expression teachers used when they knew they were going to ruin your day.

Rin’s eyes flicked to the side... and there he was. Evan Vortellion, sitting like he owned the world, one leg crossed over the other, gaze locked on Rin like a predator spotting prey. His smirk said everything.

Rin forced his eyes away, muttered a reluctant, "Sorry," and took the farthest chair possible.

The Duke’s gaze didn’t leave him for even a second. Rin could practically feel it burning holes in his face.

DING!

[WARNING! You are being stared at by a suspicious predator!]

’No kidding,’ Rin thought, crossing his arms and pretending to be interested in the Dean’s boring desk ornaments.

He would do anything not to have a fucking eye contact with that nasty predator after what he did yesterday.

#FLASHBACK

After the health demonstration, Rin had decided to just grab his luggage from Evan’s mansion since there was no need to go back.

He’d rung the bell. Twice. Then knocked. Five times. Still nothing.

’Maybe he’s not home. Perfect. The heavens are on my side!’

The door wasn’t locked, so he let himself in. His shoes barely made a sound on the marble floor as he made his way upstairs to the guest room he’d stayed in before.

The air felt... different. There wasn’t any trace of that oppressive demonic energy. That was the reason he left that room after all.

"Stop thinking about that horrible scene and focus on packing before that monster gets here," he slapped his cheeks.

Immediately, he quickly packed his things, shoving clothes from different angles into the box and snapping it shut with a sigh of relief. Sweat dripped down his neck... the box was heavier than it looked.

He was just about to grab the handle when....

SNATCH!

The box was gone from his hands. He looked at his bare hands and spun around.

"—!"

The Duke stood there, tall, broad-shouldered, his smile the kind that made you want to check for hidden knives.

"You’re here, little Omega,"

"Well, yes. I... I was just getting my luggage!" Rin blurted. "Sorry for coming in without permission..."

Evan set the box on the bed and, without asking, opened it.

"What are you doing?!" Rin demanded.

"Checking to make sure you didn’t steal anything," Evan replied smoothly, rifling through Rin’s folded clothes like he expected to find a crown jewel.

"I don’t steal!" Rin snapped. "What’s there to steal here?"

Evan didn’t answer until he’d finished his inspection.

"Oh my... seems like you didn’t," he admitted at last, closing the lid. His eyes met Rin’s. "Then why are you leaving?"

Rin’s mouth tightened. "Because I have work to do. I work at the clinic, remember?"

"Right! Clinic assistant," Instead of pressing, Evan’s tone shifted. "That demonstration you did today... You used a condom on me, then."

Rin blinked. "...What? I...did?"

Evan tilted his head slightly.

"You don’t remember?"

A faint smile curved his lips as realisation dawned in his eyes.

"You really don’t remember what happened during your heat."

Rin took a step back.

"Stop talking. I don’t want to remember if I actually did something to you. Anything that happened that day was a mistake,"

"A... Mistake?"

Evan advanced, slow and deliberate. Rin’s legs hit the bed. He fell back onto the mattress, his breath catching as the Duke leaned over him.

"You’re even more interesting like this..." Evan murmured, his hand braced on the bed beside Rin’s head.

He bent down, lips brushing Rin’s collarbone before his tongue brushed his nipples through the clothes. Rin froze as he curled his toes.

"No... stop!"

He said to the Duke but he refused to listen. Instead, he bit his nipples hard.

Rin gritted his teeth, then grabbed the only weapon at hand.

THWACK!

The luggage box slammed into the Duke’s head.

Rin didn’t wait to see his reaction. He bolted out of the room, down the stairs, and out of the mansion gate without looking back once.

---

#Back to Present

"...and that’s why you shouldn’t be late," the Dean finished, glaring at Rin.

"Uh-huh," Rin said flatly. He hadn’t been listening to what the Dean had been saying. He was trying to forget about what happened yesterday while thinking about it.

The Dean sighed and gestured for him to sit tightly in the corner, which he already did.

The office door opened. Three people entered, all dressed in fine trade guild uniforms... dark blue coats with gold trim.

They shook hands with the Dean and Evan, greeting Rin with polite curiosity before settling in.

Business talk began... something about distribution, markets, and "product potential." Rin stayed quiet until his name was called.

"Sir Rin," one of the guild members said, "we’d like to see this... condom prototype."

Rin crossed his legs and leaned back.

"And what do I get out of it?"

They blinked.

"Excuse me?"

"I’m not showing you anything unless we sign a contract first."

That earned him a few frowns, but also a curious smile from Evan.

"We were thinking," the woman from the guild said carefully, "profits split evenly. Twenty-five per cent each... the guild, the academy, the Duke, and you."

Rin snorted. "No."

The Dean raised a brow.

"No? Why are you refusing?"

"I’m the one with the invention. I get forty per cent."

"That’s too high," one of the men argued.

"Then I walk out of here with my prototype." Rin stood up, brushing off his coat. "Good luck inventing it yourself."

Murmurs. A tense pause.

They whispered among themselves, coming back with, "Thirty per cent."

"Thirty-five, or I’m gone," Rin said firmly. He patiently waited. After all, he has good managerial skills, also good at negotiation, which he studied in college. But his skills weren’t able to get him a job in real life.

Another round of whispered negotiations later.

"Fine. Thirty-five."

Rin grinned.

"Pleasure doing business with you."

He handed over the prototype, along with written instructions: use once, dispose safely, do not try to wash and reuse.

After the contract was signed, Rin left the office, heading to the clinic.

.

Theron was the first to see him. "Well, look who’s officially a businessman!" He clapped Rin’s shoulder.

The nurses gathered around, congratulating him.

The same pregnant Omega student from that day smiled as she approached Rin.

"I... wanted to thank you before I leave the academy," she said softly.

Rin’s expression softened. He hugged her gently.

"Be careful out there, okay?"

"I will..."

She nodded and left.

.

The nurses immediately started chattering about going to Madame Boutique for dresses.

"I’m going to get a blue gown,"

"I’m going for red,"

"What about you Rin?"

"What are you saying? Rin might be cute but he can’t wear a dress,"

"Awww! Too bad! I wanted to see Rin in a dress,"

They laughed as they teased him.

But Rin didn’t understand what was going on. He scratched the back of his head.

"Dresses? What for?"

They exchanged looks.

"The graduation party, of course."

"What?" Rin blinked. "It’s already here?"

"The party will be held by the end of the week. In three days." Theron confirmed, smirking. "Better find something nice to wear, Rin."

Rin groaned. "...Great!"

DING!

[NEW QUEST! Attend the graduation party without being dragged into unnecessary trouble!]

[Reward: ???]

[Failure: Emotional damage.]

Rin groaned even louder after seeing the new quest.

"Just fucking great!"