CHAPTER 500: A KISS

Heiren smiled, his gaze shifting from Coco to Kairo. "Mr. Covez wants you in the room now. It’s your turn."

Coco chuckled softly, her hand gently patting Kairo on the shoulder. "Looks like it’s your turn in the hot seat now, my friend. Are you ready for it?"

Kairo squared his shoulders, determination and anticipation evident on his face, then he drew in a deep breath before he nodded firmly. "I’m ready.. Besides, it’s not like I’ll run away from this opportunity even if I’m not ready."

"Relax." Coco shot him an encouraging smile, offering silent support. "You’ve got this, Kairo. I just know it."

He made his way into the room to face Mr. Covez and he stopped, taking one last deep breath as he braced himself for the upcoming interview of the guildmaster of the renowned hunter guild.

Coco flashed Kairo a warm smile and gave him two silly thumbs up, a gesture meant to boost his confidence, but in response, Kairo couldn’t help, but laugh at the gesture, the sight of Coco’s support giving him a much-needed boost of courage.

Not to mention, that gesture looked quite awkward.

Nonetheless, he closed the door behind him, steeling himself for the interview that awaited him in the room with Mr. Covez.

The door clicked shut, sealing him away from Coco’s gaze.

Coco sighed and turned to Heiren, her gaze seeking his reaction to his own experience in the office. "So.. How was it for you, Heiren? Did he grill you with questions?"

Heiren shrugged, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "It was fine.. I mean, Mr. Covez is pretty straightforward, not much beating around the bush, no nonsense, making it easy for me to be comfortable with him."

Coco raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued by Heiren’s response. "Well.."

She paused and thought of the best choice of words to say, skepticism dripping in her tone. "You’re being rather vague yourself. Did you and Mr. Covez get everything sorted out, or are there still things left hanging?"

She watched Heiren carefully, her eyes searching his face for any clues that might tell her the truth.

However, Heiren caught Coco’s gaze with a charming smile, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. "I’ll tell you, but first.."

He left the sentence hanging, a small smirk on his lips as he waited for the suspense to build up, feeling quite a tease at the moment.

Coco frowned, her patience clearly beginning to wear thin.

She knew Heiren could be a real tease at times, but she was in no mood for games right now.

She crossed her arms and let out a huff of annoyance.

"You’re really going to make me do this the hard way, aren’t you?" She retorted, her voice laced with frustration. "Alright then, what is it that you want me to do?"

Heiren chuckled at Coco’s reaction, finding amusement in making her a bit agitated before he opened his arms wide, a cheeky grin on his face. "Just one hug, my wife. That’s all, and you can get the answer you seek."

"Just a hug? That’s easy." Coco said and rolled her eyes, but despite her annoyance, she couldn’t help, but find his antics endearing.

She grumbled under her breath, but then gave in, moving forward to give him a quick embrace.

Though.. As Coco moved toward him to hug him, Heiren couldn’t resist speaking up again, his mood to be a tease not yet satisfied so with a sly smile, he added. "And of course, a kiss, too."

"Now, you’re just pushing your luck." She hummed, the tone of her voice lighthearted and teasing as well.

However, Coco did the opposite of her words and raised her hands to touch his cheeks, her palms closing in on his face to bring him down to her height.

Coco’s touch caught Heiren off-guard, his playful expression slipping away— he was just joking!

Yet there she was, her hands gently touching his cheeks and leaning in toward him with unexpected closeness, chasing his eyes to widen slightly in surprise, his heart suddenly beating a bit faster.

The teasing smile on his face faltered, and without hesitation, Coco closed the distance between them, her lips meeting Heiren’s for a gentle kiss.

The action was filled with so much tenderness that Heiren could feel deep in his chest, though he may not have been fully aware of the emotions behind it— Coco poured the love she feels for him into the kiss, unsure of when the next opportunity would come to the light.

Heiren’s eyes fluttered shut as the warmth of Coco’s lips pressed against his, his heart doing a small flip in his chest.

He thought that Coco would only kiss him for a second, but she deepened the kiss, tilting her head slightly to allow their lips to fit even more closely together.

The intensity of the moment took Heiren’s breath away, his mind unable to comprehend what was happening, but just as suddenly as it had begun, Coco pulled away, breaking the contact with a soft, lingering brush of her lips against Heiren’s.

He was slightly dazed, his heart still racing, and he could only stare at her, surprised with another unreadable look in his eyes.

Heiren stared at Coco in a daze, his thoughts momentarily frozen in place, his brain struggling to catch up with what had just happened, the lingering feeling of her lips was the only thing in his mind.

Coco let out a giggle, her smile widening at Heiren’s dazed state.

She knew that she caught him off guard so the sight of such a usually caring and composed young mediator flustered was quite amusing to her.

Not to mention, her feelings for Heiren.. Well, it wasn’t exactly friendly so she will take every chance she will get to give him a smooch— no matter how the opportunity presents itself to her.

"So?" She inquired, her eyes sparkling with satisfaction. "Are you going to tell me what happened there now?"