The conversation at the snack shop shifted as Lily crumpled her empty fry wrapper with a dramatic sigh. Her orange eyes narrowed at the crumpled grades sheet she had pulled from her bag.
The paper was marked with red ink, with a large failing grade circled at the top and comments like "See me after class" scrawled in angry teacher handwriting.
Afternoon light slanted through the shop windows, catching the orange highlights in her hair and making her pale skin glow as she leaned forward in frustration, elbows resting on the table.
Her orange pleated skirt had ridden up slightly as she shifted in her seat. The memory of her earlier wardrobe malfunction was still fresh, but her worry about her failing grades was far greater.
"Math is literally trying to murder me!" Lily announced, her voice bold but laced with genuine frustration. "Exams are in two weeks, and I don't understand half this crap. Derivatives? Integrals? It's all gibberish!"
Ash, sitting shyly beside Alex, nodded cautiously, her golden eyes reflecting memories of her own bad grades. She wasn't in a good position either, since she had barely attended classes or studied.
Her fingers twisted together in her lap as she leaned closer to the table. "I... I'm not good either," she mumbled, her voice small and hesitant. "Missed a lot... because of... It's hard to focus. Exams scare me."
Alex sat calmly beside her, silently finishing his drink. His crimson eyes moved between their anxious faces, noticing how Lily's bold facade had cracked to reveal her genuine worry and how Ash kept her gaze lowered, her body curled inward.
His usual lustful thoughts faded, and he stopped paying attention to their bodies.
Liza noticed the change too and immediately suggested something in his mind.
'Come on, help them out! Both are hot, and your help won't go to waste!'
Her intentions were as shameless as ever.
Alex wouldn't have refused anyway.
"Library," he said simply, his voice low and steady. "I guess I can help out."
Lily's orange eyes widened, a blush creeping across her face as she slipped into her usual tsundere attitude.
"What? You think you're some genius tutor now? I don't need... Wait!" Her expression suddenly changed. "You're actually a genius, right?! I remember always seeing your name at the top of the grades list..."
Ash interrupted shyly, her voice soft but hopeful. "You're... good at science?"
Alex nodded. "Not great, but I can help out."
Lily huffed, crossing her arms.
"Fine! Not because I need your help or anything! Just... exams are close. And you're... okay at explaining, I guess."
Ash's golden eyes lit up cautiously. "I... would like that. If it's not bothersome."
'Great! More time to slowly feed their lust,' Liza purred in his mind, her voice dripping with amusement.
She was already planning to gradually influence the girls' feelings and make them more receptive to Alex.
They left the snack shop together. The walk back to the campus library was filled with new conversation, Lily boldly leading the way with complaints.
"This better not be boring! If I fall asleep, it's your fault!"
Ash walked closer to Alex than before, her golden eyes occasionally flicking toward him with quiet gratitude.
Suddenly, she stopped.
The change in her expression was immediate. Her golden eyes were filled with deep fear as she stared ahead.
Alex noticed and followed her gaze.
It was Jake.
His usual cocky attitude was still there, but the hood of his sweatshirt was pulled low over his face. As he walked toward them, the entire group froze.
Ash immediately moved behind Alex.
"He's... he's coming for revenge," she whispered.
But that wasn't what happened.
Jake walked past them while keeping as much distance as possible. As soon as he drew near, he lowered his head even further and quickened his pace.
"Huh..." Ash murmured, completely dumbfounded.
She quickly regained her composure, though. She had definitely seen the fear in Jake's eyes when he caught sight of Alex's glowing red eyes.
"I told you it's going to be okay."
Alex turned toward her and gave her a warm smile.
The simple gesture made Ash blush intensely.
She backed away a few inches and released her grip on his arm when she noticed Lily's frown.
"What?! You're not in a romantic movie. Move your asses!" Lily complained in her usual cute tone.
She had no idea what Ash had been through or why Jake had frightened her, but her loud energy helped ease the tension between them.
The library was quiet that afternoon. Sunlight slanted through the high windows, and the smell of old books and coffee filled the air.
They headed straight for the most secluded corner of the floor, Alex's usual spot. It was a forgotten corner surrounded by tall, dusty shelves where almost no one ever came.
A worn couch rested against the wall, with a small table in front of it and a few mismatched chairs nearby. An old lamp on a side stand cast a soft yellow light over the area.
It felt like a private hideaway, perfect for studying without interruptions.
Lily dropped her bag onto the table with a thud.
"This spot is perfect! I don't want to be seen with a pervert!"
Ash sat shyly on the couch beside Alex, her golden eyes nervous but determined as she pulled out her worn notes.
"I... don't get derivatives. Limits... chains. It's confusing."
Alex calmly opened a textbook on the table.
"Start simple."
He explained the concepts in a low, steady voice, breaking each one down into clear steps.
Lily leaned forward, her orange eyes focused on the textbook.
"Wait... that's it? Slope of a tangent line? Why didn't the teacher explain it like that?"
Ash tried solving a problem, her pencil scratching hesitantly across the paper.
"So... the derivative of x squared is two x?"
Alex nodded.
"Good."
The two girls had fallen surprisingly far behind.
Ash's golden eyes lit up, a shy smile slowly appearing.
"I... got it."
Lily immediately became competitive.
"Ha! Don't praise him too much. He'll get cocky!"
But when Alex praised her for getting an answer right, she quickly looked away with a shy blush.
'This is boring already! Do something fun,' Liza teased inside his mind.
Alex ignored her.
He couldn't simply fool around when exams were approaching and both girls were clearly struggling.
Lily eventually admitted with a sigh, "I act like I don't care, but failing scares me. My scholarship is on the line. If I bomb these exams, I'm screwed!"
Ash bitterly followed up, "I... thought I was fine. I hated studying, but now I'm realizing how far behind I am."
Unlike Lily, Ash had a serious reason for struggling academically. She had endured severe bullying since high school, and it had affected nearly every part of her life.
Alex noticed her expression and calmly reassured her.
"You're not that... dumb. You're just behind a little. We'll fix it in time."
Hours passed as they worked through problems and took small quizzes.
Lily eventually raised her hand triumphantly.
"Right answer! I deserve a chocolate bar."
Ash giggled softly at her reaction.
Despite their earlier complaints, both girls became increasingly serious about studying. They were also genuinely grateful for Alex's help.
Lily's pride occasionally slipped, revealing what she really thought.
"Your voice when you're explaining things... is kind of nice..."
She immediately shook her head.
"Never mind!"
Ash gave Alex a cautious glance.
"You're... patient. Like you actually care about us."
The library grew darker as afternoon turned into early evening. The golden sunlight faded into a soft amber glow, and the air became cooler as the building gradually emptied.
Books and notes covered the table like a battlefield. Pencils had worn down, and their coffee cups had been emptied and refilled twice from the vending machine.
Lily's orange hair had fallen messily over her face as she leaned over another problem.
Ash's hoodie sleeves were pushed up, and her golden eyes grew brighter with every correct solution. Her confidence was slowly returning.
Lily stretched with a loud yawn.
"Okay, I admit it. You're good at this. I actually understand derivatives now. Like... they make sense."
Ash nodded shyly, her golden eyes resting on Alex with quiet admiration.
"Me too. I never thought I'd understand those rules."
Alex calmly closed the textbook.
"Tomorrow, same time. Every day until the exams."
Lily gave him a bold but soft smile.
"Deal. But I'm buying chocolate next time. My mouth is bitter!"
Ash let out a small laugh.
"I... like candy."
Lily turned toward her, her expression becoming more genuine.
"You're cute when you laugh. Do it more."
Ash blushed, but her smile remained.
"Thanks... You too. You're... fun."
Lily immediately puffed herself up.
"Of course I'm fun! Someone has to keep this group alive."
They packed their things slowly, sliding books into their bags and carefully folding their notes.
Lily stood and glanced at Alex, her usual boldness mixed with a hint of shyness.
"Thanks... for today. Really."
Ash looked at Alex one more time.
"Yes... thank you. See you tomorrow?"
Alex nodded.
"Tomorrow."
He stretched his arms, finally feeling relaxed.
It was his first time tutoring anyone, and apparently, it had gone well.
He couldn't set a proper schedule for their future study sessions, though, so he exchanged phone numbers with the girls and created a group chat.
That resulted in four girls' numbers being saved on his phone, a massive increase considering he had only had his mother's number before.
Once the girls had left, Alex claimed the couch for himself. His bag rested beside him, his phone in his hand as he reviewed their notes and planned for the next session.
'Hehehehe! My torture is finally over!' Liza announced with a laugh.
She had been silent for most of the study session, but Alex paid no attention to her filthy giggling.
Then he felt someone approaching.
Slowly.
He looked up.
A familiar figure emerged from between the tall shelves.
It was Erin.
She stopped several feet away, her face flushed and her breathing uneven. She had clearly been watching him from the shadows for some time.
Her eyes locked onto Alex with intense emotion, her body trembling slightly as she struggled to contain herself.
She had been there the entire time.
Hiding.
Watching.
Jealous.
And unable to look away from him.
Alex stared at her in surprise.
"Erin?"
Her lips parted, and her voice came out barely above a whisper.
"M... Master."