chapter: 0.49: Nobody refuses Rochey

A soft silence settled between them after Jin's calm declaration.

"I'll go," he had said.

And for a few seconds, Rina just watched him, unsure if she should feel touched... or terrified.

Then she finally whispered, **"So that means… you'll be in the academy next year? When I'm in second year?"**

Jin looked at her, his crimson eyes glowing faintly under the glossy black strands of his wet bangs. He smiled—a teasing, lazy smile, full of mischief.

**"No,"** he said lightly, resting his chin on his palm.

**"I'll be in your class. When you go back."**

Rina blinked.

"…That's not how that works."

He tilted his head like a cat playing with its prey, amused.

Rina shook her head, trying to maintain her composure.

**"We've already finished the first semester of first year,"** she explained carefully.

**"When we go back, we start the second semester. You can't just *appear* in my class. That's not allowed."**

Jin leaned back, watching her with evident amusement.

She continued, more confidently now, hoping logic might stop the madness.

**"You've never been to school before. No one knows your academic level. You have no transcripts, no grades, no placement scores. The academy's entrance exams closed months ago. You'd have to wait until next year to apply officially—"**

**"Mm-hmm,"** Jin interrupted, still smiling.

And then—he laughed.

Softly. Smoothly. For the first time since she met him, he genuinely laughed.

It was a surprisingly warm sound.

Not cruel. Not mocking. Just… amused. Calm.

**"Rina,"** he said between chuckles, **"you're adorable."**

Her heart thudded.

That wasn't what she expected.

He looked at her, his crimson eyes dancing.

**"Those things you mentioned... tests, forms, grades—"** he waved a hand as though swatting at invisible insects, **"—those are for people who *need* to ask permission."**

She frowned.

**"You *do* need permission—"**

**"No, I don't."**

His voice was gentle. Certain.

**"You forget,"** he said, sipping his iced coffee again, **"I'm a Rotschi. And when someone says 'no' to us..."**

He grinned, almost boyishly.

**"...we burn them down."**

Rina's mouth opened. Then closed.

He continued, nonchalant.

**"If the academy refuses to accept me, Mother will destroy it. Building, board, principal, legacy, everything—just gone. She probably wouldn't even have to leave the car."**

He smiled again. This time with a casual softness that made her stomach twist.

**"Besides,"** he added, glancing at her, **"she wants me to socialize now. So it's happening. End of story."**

Rina blinked.

She had no idea what to say to that.

So she said nothing.

Just stared at him. Silent. Processing.

But of course, Jin didn't let the moment last.

**"Anyway,"** he said, setting his glass down and leaning forward with a mischievous glint in his eyes, **"let's stop talking about the academy. That wasn't our *main* topic, was it?"**

Rina stiffened.

No. No, no, no—

He was smiling too much. That smile meant danger.

**"Let's return,"** he said, voice dipping lower, more teasing, **"to the real question..."**

His crimson eyes glittered like bloodied gemstones.

**"Why were you waiting for me, Rina?"**

He leaned closer.

**"Did you want to sleep in my room tonight?"**

Rina choked on air.

Her whole body locked up, cheeks blazing, eyes wide.

**"O-Or—"** he continued, unbothered, **"—maybe you had something a little more..."fun" in mind?"**

His voice was smooth as silk, deliberately slow.

**"Did you want us to do something... naughty?"**

He smirked, then added innocently:

**"But do you have... protection, my dear future wife?"**

That did it.

Rina slapped her hands over her face, practically shaking in her seat.

**"STOP!"** she squeaked, her voice muffled by her palms.

Jin grinned, deeply entertained.

**"No?"** he asked, clearly delighted by her embarrassment.

**"Then what *were* you hoping for, Rina? A kiss? A cuddle? Something else entirely? You *did* ask for a kiss earlier—"**

**"I WAS HALF ASLEEP!"** she cried, still hiding behind her hands.

He laughed again, quietly.

**"Mm, convenient excuse."**

**"I'm not talking to you anymore,"** she mumbled, utterly humiliated.

**"Ever again."**

**"You'll have to eventually,"** Jin said, standing up smoothly.

**"We're getting married, remember?"**

She didn't respond.

Just stayed frozen, face buried, cheeks on fire.

Jin walked past her toward the door.

Paused.

Then said softly—so softly she barely heard it:

**"...Goodnight, Rina."**

And then he was gone.

Leaving her in the moonlit kitchen, heart pounding, hands trembling, and absolutely, utterly unsure of what the hell she had gotten herself into.

..... 

heat: Now Jin will go to the academy. 🖤❤️‍🔥