CHAPTER 86: CHAPTER 10.14 : YURA & DEVY (2)

The room instantly fell into a suffocating silence. Every single person unconsciously held their breath, waiting with anxious anticipation for what was about to unfold. In their minds, the most logical expectation was the sudden sound of a sharp slap, or perhaps a viciously humiliating insult spilling from the lips of Yura Atenri—the girl who was already infamous for being cold-blooded and merciless.

Both of her hands moved leisurely, lifting up to the sides of Al’s head. The motion looked deceptively relaxed, but her fingers were slightly curved, resembling the claws of a predatory tiger ready to pounce at its prey.

The few seconds that followed stretched endlessly, each heartbeat echoing painfully inside their chests. The wooden chairs beneath them creaked faintly as their bodies instinctively pressed back toward the support. Johan’s neck veins bulged as tension seized him, while Karen, completely unaware of her own nervousness, realized too late that the glass in her hand had begun to tremble ever so slightly.

Yura’s gaze sharpened. One corner of her lips—usually frozen in an emotionless straight line—began to curl upward. But her smile... it was not a cruel grin. It was not a scheming smirk either. Instead, it was an unreadable expression, one that even her closest friends found difficult to decipher.

"You..." Yura whispered softly, almost inaudible.

And then, when both of her hands finally reached Al’s cheeks, her touch landed—gentle, almost tender, but not without firmness. It was the kind of contact that carried a strange weight, as if she was silently solidifying her resolve.

Al was genuinely taken aback by the unexpected and completely inappropriate touch. He could feel the coldness of her fingertips pressing against the warmth of his skin, the contrast making the blood rush uncontrollably to his face.

Reflexively, his breath caught, his eyes widening slightly. After all, they had only just met, and yet this young woman in front of him had already dared to invade his personal space and touch his face directly.

Everyone else in the room grew increasingly uneasy, shifting uncomfortably in their seats. What Yura was doing right now looked undeniably strange. Yet not a single one of them could truly grasp the intention behind her actions.

Yura leaned in closer, her eyes never leaving Al’s face. Their distance now was barely the span of a hand.

Al instinctively raised his own hand, trying to remove Yura’s hold on his cheek, and spoke with a strained, confused voice.

"Excuse me... Miss... you seem to be doing something that is not exactly—"

But his words were abruptly cut off by something far more shocking than any of them could have anticipated.

"You will be my boyfriend starting tonight." Yura declared flatly, her voice void of hesitation.

The silence that followed was absolute. Even the ticking of the wall clock suddenly seemed deafeningly loud.

"What?!"

That single thought exploded simultaneously inside everyone’s minds.

The entire room froze.

Rina turned rigid as stone. Johan’s mouth fell open wide. Karen almost choked on her drink. Armin quickly covered his lips with both hands, utterly unable to believe what he had just heard. Even Zaza, who was notorious for being outspoken and unfiltered, found herself completely speechless. Meanwhile, Devy—who was sitting closest to them—simply exhaled deeply, closed her eyes for a moment, then shook her head slowly as if weary of it all.

One by one, every pair of eyes flicked back and forth between Yura and Al, desperately trying to confirm whether or not they had heard correctly.

Yura had just openly declared Al as her boyfriend. Something none of them would have ever imagined, not even in the wildest corners of their thoughts. This was the very same Yura who was rumored to have rejected David Virellano himself, and now she was boldly declaring her relationship with someone like Al.

"...Eh?" Al was no less bewildered than the rest of them.

His hand stopped mid-motion, though his eyes still carried the shape of a giant question mark. "Did you just... did you just say that you’re making me your boyfriend?" he asked in genuine confusion, almost as if seeking confirmation that his ears had not deceived him.

"Hmph... I dislike repeating myself." Yura’s eyes narrowed even further, her hands pressing more firmly against Al’s cheeks, forcing his lips into a slight pout.

Al’s face flushed red, not out of embarrassment, but because the pressure on his cheeks made it difficult to endure. His breathing came out uneven, small huffs escaping between pursed lips.

"Ugh... Miss, please... your hands." Al managed to speak while slipping both of his hands between Yura’s fingers and his face. With surprising ease, he pried her hands off.

Yura was momentarily stunned, as if her prey had suddenly slipped out of her grip.

"Yura, what exactly do you mean by this?! Are you saying you just asked Al to be your boyfriend?" Rina abruptly stood up, still overwhelmed by the absurd scene unfolding right before her eyes.

Yura turned her gaze toward Rina, who was sitting beside Al, and gave her a faint smile. She then leaned forward again toward Al, this time attempting to grasp his chin delicately with her elegant fingers.

"I did not ask. I gave an order." Yura’s tone turned icy cold.

And just like that, the entire atmosphere shifted. A suffocating aura of superiority radiated from Yura, as though an invisible command authority had descended upon the room. Goosebumps prickled along everyone’s arms; they shivered, paralyzed, unsure how to respond.

The very air seemed to thicken. Rina felt the fine hairs along her nape stand on end, while Johan instinctively lowered his head slightly, as though bowing before an undeniable presence.

Everyone, except for Al. He was far more concerned with moving his head backward, trying to dodge Yura’s swift, invasive fingers.

"Yura!" Rina snapped, her voice sharp, trying to resist the oppressive dominance.

Yura looked visibly irritated at the interruption. She turned her entire posture toward Rina, standing tall to emphasize her dominance and authority before speaking once more—

"What is your problem, Rin?! You are not even his girlfriend, are you?" Yura’s voice cracked through the air, sharp and merciless. Her piercing eyes shifted briefly toward Johan, as if dragging him into the confrontation. Her tone carried the weight of a whip, lashing at the atmosphere until the entire room trembled with tension.

The sound of her words shattered the air. Johan instinctively clenched his knees with both hands, his fingers turning white as his grip tightened. His chest constricted, as if the pressure of Yura’s presence alone was crushing him. Rina, on the other hand, felt her heart hammer violently, though she stubbornly kept her chin lifted high, refusing to show weakness.

From the beginning, Johan had already been uneasy. But Yura’s blunt words only twisted that discomfort further inside him. He had never thought of it that way before—but now her remark planted a seed of doubt in his mind. Was Rina perhaps protecting Al more than necessary? Why did she react so strongly whenever Al was involved? Was it really wrong if Yura teased Al? Shouldn’t it be better if she supported both of them, if she truly considered them good people?

That thought coiled inside Johan’s chest like a parasite. He tried to suppress it, forcing himself to continue trusting Rina, praying silently that she would show her love for him more clearly—enough to crush these uninvited doubts.

"It’s not like that," Rina replied coolly, her voice steady even as her insides churned. "What I meant was... I just don’t know what you’re planning to do with him. This is literally the very first time you two have ever met. And what do you mean by saying you’re ordering him?"

"Do you think I would lower myself to ask someone to date me?" Yura shot back with icy pride. "If you have no relationship with him whatsoever, then stop being bothered by it. Right now, this is between me and this boy." Her gaze swung back to Al, sharp as a spear. The intensity in her eyes made it feel as though Al was being cornered, interrogated under the full weight of her presence.

Rina could only bring her palm to her forehead, exhaling deeply. She dropped back into her seat, leaning slightly against Johan’s arm with exasperation.

"You really... you always think you can do whatever you please." Her voice was quiet, resigned. She knew—everyone knew—that once Yura had set her mind on something, no words could sway her. That was how they had always known her to be.

"I suppose you still see me as someone who acts on a whim," Yura answered, softening her tone just slightly, even smiling faintly as she closed her eyes toward Rina.

But that gentle smile only sent another shiver down spines. When Yura smiled sweetly, it was far more dangerous than when she was openly angry.

Rina rested her head against Johan’s shoulder, deciding to let Yura chase whatever she desired. After all, what harm could there be if Yura and Al were together? Both were her friends.

Yura then slowly turned her gaze, meeting the eyes of each person around the table one by one before declaring:

"I am not doing this thoughtlessly. But... I truly want him to be my boyfriend, starting tonight."

Her words froze the air once more. Every single one of them looked at her in open shock.

Karen unconsciously dropped her spoon onto the table, the clattering sound slicing through the heavy silence. Zaza bit her lower lip, staring at Al with a conflicted expression—somewhere between pity and envy.

"So... you actually like Al?" Zaza asked, her curiosity breaking free.

"I never would have guessed. Did you really fall in love with him at first sight?" Armin added, his voice brimming with disbelief.

Karen nodded vigorously, her eyes wide.

Rina and Johan exchanged glances, then turned to Yura together, equally stunned by the idea.

"Huff... you’re all mistaken," Yura said, sounding almost disappointed. "How could I possibly fall in love at first sight? If anyone here fell in love at first sight, it would be this boy with me—not the other way around."

The entire table’s attention shifted instinctively toward Al. But Al, the center of all this bizarre discussion, sat calmly, choosing silence. His mind was still searching for the right timing—the perfect opening to cut through this absurd conversation. He took a deep breath, casting his eyes toward the glass window, wishing something outside would break the suffocating atmosphere. But the only thing he saw was his own faint reflection.

"And then?" Zaza pushed further.

Yura crossed her legs elegantly, sitting back while her eyes gleamed dangerously. The mood in the room shifted again, as though what she was about to reveal carried the weight of something secret and monumental.

"You all know how rumors about me circulate."

"About your sadism?" Rina cut in immediately.

Yura glanced at Rina, her irritation flickering, but she only sighed before shifting her gaze toward Devy. Then, calmly, she continued.

"Not that. I mean the rumors about me and Devy."

"Oh, that rumor. So... the two of you are really...?" Armin asked, his curiosity spiking uncontrollably.

The others shook their heads in disbelief, silently assuming that the rumor about Yura and Devy being lovers was true.

But Yura firmly shook her head.

"Devy and I are more like family. But whatever it is between me and her, it is not what people think. For now, I cannot explain everything about what is truly happening, or who she really is."

Her friends exchanged glances, struggling to erase the dangerous rumor from their minds.

"And then?" Zaza pressed once more.

Yura exhaled again, clearly hesitant about what she was about to say.

"I honestly never planned any of this. I only intended to drop by, to see for myself this friend you all talked about." Her eyes turned to Al.

"Hmmm?" Rina murmured.

"But something has been bothering me ever since I returned home." Yura leaned forward slightly, lowering her voice. The others instinctively leaned closer, sharpening their ears, everyone except Devy and Al.

The silence thickened unbearably. Even the faint hiss of the air conditioner became audible.

Yura finally spoke again.

"The real reason I came back was because of my parents’ unease about the rumor. Even though they know it isn’t true, you understand how the elite families live, how vital their image is."

Everyone nodded quietly.

"My parents hoped that while I was abroad, I would find a partner. They assumed I simply disliked local men, especially after I rejected David. And since my eighteenth birthday is only three months away, my parents are already arranging an engagement."

"E-Engagement?!" Zaza gasped, her voice rising with excitement as though she had just stumbled upon the juiciest gossip imaginable. The others were equally shocked.

"So... does that mean you want to make Al your fiancé?" Karen asked innocently.

Yura tapped Karen’s head lightly with her finger, making the poor girl flinch.

"Not quite." Yura’s eyes swept the room, ensuring it was safe before sharing something more private. She locked eyes with Devy, who gave a silent nod.

Devy subtly raised her fingers.

WOSHHHHH!

An invisible ripple of energy spread out, blanketing the entire area. A magical soundproof barrier. The realization struck immediately—Devy was a magic user, an Entra wielder.

The room became instantly muted. It felt as though the outside world no longer existed. Their voices could not escape. Only those within the barrier remained, trapped together inside the suffocating bubble.

Normal people would never sense the barrier, but Johan and Rina felt its vibration faintly. They exchanged uneasy looks, their martial-arts-trained bodies sensitive enough to detect something was off, though they couldn’t fully understand what. Their bodies were still recovering from the earlier fight, after all.

But one person noticed everything clearly.

Al.

A magician? he thought to himself.

He smirked slightly and activated his Dimensional Eye, scanning Devy. To his surprise, she was indeed a magician. Just like how he had failed to notice Fani before, even after staying some time in the Virellano residence.

I must have been relying too much on the Dimensional Eye. My natural detection has become dull lately, he admitted inwardly.

Still, Al did nothing. Devy wasn’t doing anything harmful—only ensuring their conversation remained private.

"I am being arranged to be matched with several people. Including David. But it seems David already has a fiancée. Even if he didn’t, I still wouldn’t want him. But he isn’t the real problem here..." Yura explained.

"Then who?" Zaza leaned forward eagerly, desperate for the climax of the gossip.

Yura’s expression hardened. Her gaze turned sharp and unyielding as she uttered a single name.

"Tano."

The air shattered into stunned silence. Time itself seemed to halt. Every pair of eyes widened, jaws dropped in disbelief. Out of all possible names, it was that one.

"T-Tano?! Do you mean that Tano?" Armin stuttered.

"Tano Juanda?" Even Johan, who had been quiet all this time, finally spoke.

"What were your parents thinking, choosing a rotten man like him?!" Rina burst out angrily.

"See? Even you can’t accept it. So how could I?" Yura groaned. "I couldn’t accept it when my parents suggested it. They know what he is—a scoundrel, a playboy, a destroyer of women’s lives. How many girls has he ruined already? And he’s a whole ten years older than me."

"Then why not just reject it outright?" Armin asked.

Yura shook her head grimly.

"It’s complicated. You all know my family and the Juandas have deep business ties. My parents insist, saying that someone as ’sadistic’ as me could surely tame him. Huff... but even if I really were sadistic, what’s the point of taming Tano?"

"But he’s wealthy, and your families are on equal footing, aren’t they?" Karen asked innocently.

"Urghhh... you..." Yura snapped, glaring.

"A-Ahaha, sorry... sorry." Karen quickly lowered her head, embarrassed.

Everyone collectively sighed, frustrated and at a loss for words. They understood all too well how elite family politics worked. They were still young, still beneath the iron grip of their parents’ authority. If the elders had already decided, what power did they have to change it?

"Then what does any of this have to do with me?" Al finally cut in, his calm voice slicing through the thick air. "Do you want to use me as a fake boyfriend? To polish your image until your parents stop forcing this engagement on you?"

Yura’s eyes widened, stunned. She hadn’t expected him to hit the nail on the head so quickly. Her gaze flicked to Rina, then to Devy, then back to Al.

"You’re sharper than I thought," she admitted.

Al lifted his chin, resting it lightly on his right hand as his elbow propped on his knee. He turned toward the large glass window, his reflection faintly visible in the shimmering surface. His lips curled into the faintest, cocky smile.

"Of course."

The chandelier’s light reflected against the glass, outlining the shadow of Al’s self-assured grin—calm, arrogant, but undeniably confident.

Yura stared, about to speak again. But Al had already shifted back from his fake-cool pose, turning to face her directly.

"But I refuse." His voice rang clear, steady, and decisive.

The words hit like a thunderclap.

Yura’s eyes widened, her pupils trembling. Her lips quivered slightly, unable to conceal her shock.

"Re... fuse...? Did you just say... you refuse me?" she stammered.

Rina quickly moved, stepping toward Yura in panic. Her stride was hesitant, her shoulders trembling, her hands shaking. She tried desperately to explain on Al’s behalf.

"Al... you didn’t mean it that way, right? Tell her you didn’t mean it. H-Haha, right Al?" she pleaded nervously.

But Yura straightened her back. Both fists clenched tightly at her sides. Her figure towered, casting a long shadow across the floor. The atmosphere thickened, heavier and heavier, her aura of menace suffocating everyone in the room. She no longer cared about Rina standing in her path.

Al tilted his head, confused. To him, his refusal had been reasonable—there should have been nothing strange about it. But when he looked around, he saw only shock and fear etched on the faces of the others. Even Johan. They sat frozen, unable to act, waiting desperately for Rina to calm the storm.

What is going on here? Al thought.

Yura’s expression hardened, her gaze becoming blades of steel aimed directly at him. She didn’t blink. Her presence became crushing, merciless.

"You dare refuse me?!" she snarled.

"You dare refuse me?!" she repeated, her voice rising like thunder.

"Y-Yura... please," Rina begged, her voice trembling.

But Yura ignored her completely, shoving Rina aside with a single push. The force made Rina stumble back a step, nearly losing her balance. The sudden movement left everyone choking in alarm.

"Devy," Yura commanded sharply.

Devy stood up instantly, moving with obedient precision, as if the order was absolute.

And then—

WOSSHHHHHHH!!

Something entirely unexpected happened once more.

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