Chapter 0.106 Do you want to become a mother?

The door to the cafeteria swung closed behind Rena with a sharp thud, echoing faintly through the corridor like a challenge hurled at fate itself. Her boots struck the marble floor in quick, furious strides. She didn't care who stared at her—students scattered from her path like leaves before a firestorm. Her crimson hair flared with every step, a silent banner of her rage.

Behind her, leisurely as ever, followed Jin Rotschy 

He walked like a shadow stitched in silk—his all-black outfit hugging his lean frame like it had been stitched directly onto his skin. Black shirt, black trousers, and those knee-high leather boots that clicked with authority. His collar was turned high, licking at his jawline like a mischievous grin in fabric form.

And speaking of mischief…

"Darling," his voice purred behind her, velvet soaked in trouble, "going somewhere *alone*? Without your husband? That's cold."

Rena didn't stop walking. If anything, she walked faster.

But Jin matched her pace easily, hands in his pockets, eyes glowing crimson with playful heat. "Tell me, are we sneaking off to a *private* spot to do a few naughty things? Is that it? I mean, if you're *that* eager to become a mother, Rena, I'm flattered—but I think we should at least finish our tea first."

She spun around so fast the hallway air snapped.

Her palm came flying toward his cheek like a slap of divine judgment.

But Jene caught her wrist mid-air, gently, almost lazily. His grip was warm, controlled—but not tight. The look in his eyes wasn't mocking now; it was… amused, but soft, too. Something in the red glow flickered with curiosity. Or maybe it was affection—he always kept it too buried to be sure.

"Violence against your husband?" he teased, lowering her hand slowly. "Tsk. Very unbecoming of a noble lady. Do you need a kiss to calm down, love?"

"Don't *love* me, you crimson-eyed lunatic," she hissed, trying to yank her arm back. "I swear, I'm going to burn you "

"That's a turn-on," he said cheerfully.

Her face burned crimson, her fury battling with the heat crawling up her spine.

He took a step closer, deliberately invading her space. "Okay, okay, let's take it slow. How about something educational instead?"

Rena blinked. "What?"

"Let's go to the library," he said, completely serious now, though the glint in his eyes suggested otherwise. "Read up on biology. Human reproduction. Purely academic reasons, of course."

"You're incorrigible."

He grinned. "And irresistible."

"Delusional, more like."

"Delightful, actually."

She turned again, marching forward down the hallway toward nowhere in particular, hoping the distance might cool the wildfire in her chest. But his footsteps echoed behind her like a persistent melody—always there, always two beats too close.

Rena stopped again and glared at him. "You're following me."

"I'm protecting my wife," he said innocently.

"I don't need protection."

He leaned in just a little. "You sure? You're awfully red. Looks like a fever to me. Maybe it's… a *crush fever.* Very serious."

She opened her mouth—probably to yell again—but her words stumbled. The hallway was quiet, and for once, she wasn't sure if the burn in her chest was anger anymore.

Jin just watched her.

And smiled.

It wasn't mocking now.

It wasn't even playful.

It was warm.

"I like you when you're mad," he said softly, as if confessing a secret to the moon. "But I like you more when you're just… you."

Her breath caught.

And for a moment, neither of them said anything.

The academy's stone corridor stretched around them, lit by soft light crystals. Outside the tall arched windows, the sun dipped lower, casting golden beams across Jene's dark form like a chiaroscuro painting.

"I hate you," Rena whispered finally, too quietly to convince even herself.

Jin's smile turned crooked. "That's code for something else, remember?"

"I *really* hate you."

"Really? Because that day you cried on my chest—"

She slapped a hand over his mouth again, exactly like earlier in the cafeteria.

But this time… her palm lingered.

And Jene didn't pull away.

The silence between them buzzed with unspoken things. Not loud. Not rushed. But palpable.

Finally, she dropped her hand, flushed and frustrated. "You're so full of yourself."

"Only because you won't fill me with anything else," he muttered.

She elbowed him.

He laughed.

And the tension broke—like ice cracking just enough to let the river flow.