After finishing the morning training session, Jacob quickly washed up and changed clothes before heading straight to Nina's apartment.
Jacob and Nina had agreed to have lunch at her place, then conduct special training for Noivern in the afternoon. His timing should be perfect.
About ten minutes later, Jacob arrived at Nina's apartment building.
He pulled out the key Nina had given him and carefully unlocked the door, stepping inside quietly.
Whimsicott, resting in the living room, immediately looked up at the sound. When it recognized Jacob, its face lit up with joy as it bounced toward him.
"Shhh!" Jacob caught Whimsicott's fluffy body and pressed a finger to his lips before quietly making his way toward the kitchen.
A delicious aroma drifted from the kitchen, accompanied by the sound of cooking.
At the stove, Nina stood wearing an apron with her hair tied up. She focused intently on simmering soup and stir-frying, working diligently to prepare lunch.
From Jacob's position, he had a clear view of Nina's figure—her slender waist contrasting perfectly with her curves, creating an elegant silhouette.
What a sight.
Setting aside everything else, Nina was undoubtedly perfect. At least from this angle, she was every bit as stunning as Raya.
Raya carried herself with elegance and noble beauty. Nina, meanwhile, possessed a refined and cool grace.
Jacob quietly approached from behind and gently wrapped his arms around her waist.
At the contact, Nina's body tensed slightly. She frowned and turned her head.
When she saw Jacob, joy sparkled in her bright eyes. The corners of her mouth curved upward. "When did you arrive? You startled me."
"Just now," Jacob said with a smile. He rested his head on her shoulder, looking down at the pot. The aroma made him sigh contentedly. "It smells amazing."
Nina's cooking skills had really improved.
"Go rest for a bit. It'll be ready soon." Nina felt the warmth of his hand on her waist, and her face flushed slightly. She shifted, trying to nudge him away. "Stop distracting me."
"Let me hold you a little longer." Jacob naturally refused to let go. He buried his face in the back of her neck and breathed in softly. "You smell good too."
About ten minutes later, Jacob and Nina sat across from each other in the dining room. The table overflowed with an impressive spread—chicken, duck, fish, beef, and seafood covered every available surface. Two wine glasses and a bottle of red wine sat at the center.
"Nina, are you trying to get me drunk?" Jacob asked with a teasing smile.
"I haven't had a drink in ages," Nina said, smiling at Jacob. "I usually don't get the chance. I only drink when you visit. Since I don't have class today, we can enjoy a little."
Nina lightly licked her lips like a mischievous cat. "Just one bottle. No more."
Jacob nodded. "Okay. Just one bottle—a small drink."
The two ate while sipping wine and chatting about recent events.
The most romantic thing between partners was sharing—sharing favorite songs, interests, hobbies, wishing they could share everything they loved and every trouble in their lives with each other.
Having been apart for so long, they seemed to have endless things to talk about. Without realizing it, more than half the bottle of wine had disappeared.
Nina's face had taken on a slight flush, her eyes hazy—she was already a bit tipsy.
"Jacob." Nina looked at him, leaning back in her chair. Her eyes seemed to hold a pool of spring water as she stared intently at him.
"Hmm?" Jacob's face also showed hints of being tipsy. He responded softly, looking back at the charming Nina.
"Will we be together forever?" Nina murmured.
The sudden shift in topic caught Jacob off guard for a moment.
Hearing Nina's question, Jacob's thoughts drifted involuntarily to Raya, and guilt stirred in his chest. But in that instant, his instincts took over, and he answered without hesitation. "Definitely."
At Jacob's answer, Nina's face brightened with a smile. Her long hair framed her face as she propped her chin on one hand, gazing up at Jacob. "Jacob."
"Rosa is having a concert tonight. I want you to come with me." Nina's face showed an expectant expression. She wasn't really a fan or celebrity chaser—she just wanted to go on a date with Jacob.
After not seeing each other for a month, Nina missed him terribly. Long-distance relationships were difficult. Only being able to video chat and call every day wasn't enough, especially since they'd only recently started dating.
That's why Nina had taken the initiative to suggest the concert.
"Okay." Jacob nodded in response to Nina's invitation. He really wasn't a great boyfriend—since they'd started dating, they'd spent more time apart than together. Now that he had time, Jacob wanted to spend as much of it with Nina as possible.
"Then it's settled. I'll handle the tickets." Hearing Jacob agree, Nina smiled. "This afternoon, I'll help train your Noivern. Tonight we'll go to the concert. For now, go rest for a bit. I'll take care of the dishes."
"I'll wash them," Jacob offered.
"No need. You go rest. I don't have much to do normally, and you're so busy—you should get more rest." Nina smiled, gently pushing Jacob toward the bedroom and gesturing for him to take a nap. "Go lie down. I'll call you when I'm finished with the dishes."
"Well... alright."
Watching Nina's considerate and caring demeanor, warmth filled Jacob's chest. A smile spread across his face. Soon he lay down on the bed and, aided by the alcohol, quickly drifted into a deep sleep. The faint fragrance from the bedding surrounded him.
One hour later.
Jacob slowly woke up. As soon as he opened his eyes, he found Nina leaning over the headboard, her eyes bright and sparkling as she watched him intently.
"When did you get here? How long was I asleep?" Jacob sat up quickly and asked.
"I just got here. Here, have some fruit." Nina also sat up and handed Jacob a fruit platter she'd cut and placed on the bedside table. "Do you want to rest a bit more?"
"No, I'm good. You should take a nap, though. If you don't, you'll be tired this afternoon," Jacob said, looking at Nina with concern.
"I slept well last night. I'm not sleepy at all right now. If you're not going back to sleep, we can leave now. Wait for me—I'll change my clothes."
"Okay."
About ten minutes later, Nina touched up her makeup and changed into a stunning outfit—a dark fitted shirt paired with tight, high-waisted jeans that showcased her impressive legs and alluring waistline. Jacob's eyes lit up at the sight.
Seeing Jacob's expression, Nina smiled. She put on her hat and sunglasses, then gently took Jacob's arm. "Let's go."
"Let's go."