The steam from the bathroom clung to Kai's skin as he stepped out, a towel draped loosely around his neck. His wet hair dripped cool water onto his shoulders, sliding down the defined muscles of his chest. He felt fresh, his Constitution 10 body humming with vitality, but the hunger in his veins had nothing to do with food.
He walked into the small kitchen area.
Ye Rou was standing by the hearth, her back to him. The morning sun streamed through the window, turning her loose house dress translucent in places, outlining the generous curves of her body.
Kai stopped, leaning against the doorframe, and just watched.
It was a domestic scene, but through Kai's eyes, it was a masterpiece of eroticism.
The kitchen was warm, and a fine sheen of perspiration glistened on Ye Rou's neck. Kai watched, mesmerized, as a single bead of sweat rolled slowly down the side of her throat. It trailed over her collarbone, shimmering like a jewel, before disappearing into the deep, shadowed valley of her cleavage.
She was stirring the tea with a rhythmic motion.
Swish. Swish.
With every rotation of her arm, her heavy breasts swayed. They rose and fell with her breathing, pressing against the fabric, heavy and soft. She was unaware of his gaze, humming a soft tune, completely relaxed.
Kai's eyes drifted lower.
As she reached for a jar of sugar on the upper shelf, she rose onto her tiptoes.
Clench.
Her ass muscles tightened, lifting the hem of her dress slightly. Her buttocks were round and perfectly shaped—a peach ripe for the picking. They jiggled slightly as she settled back onto her heels. It was a perfect ass to fuck, wide enough to cushion his hips, soft enough to leave handprints on.
"God," Kai whispered internally. "She's not a mother. She's a temptation."
He pushed off the doorframe, his footsteps silent until he was right behind her.
"Is the tea ready, Mom?" Kai asked, his voice dropping to a smooth baritone.
Ye Rou jumped slightly, turning around with a hand on her chest. When she saw it was him, her startled expression melted into a warm, doting smile.
"Oh, Kai," she breathed, her eyes crinkling with affection. "You startled me. Yes, my son, it is ready. I brewed it strong. It will give you energy for today."
She picked up the ceramic cup, steam rising from the amber liquid. She took a step toward him, holding it out with both hands.
"Here. Be careful, it's—"
She stopped mid-sentence.
Her eyes, which had been focused on the cup, drifted down slightly as she extended her arms. It was a natural movement, checking the distance between them.
But her gaze landed on his waist.
Kai was wearing his Academy trousers. They were standard issue, made of a durable but thin fabric. And Kai, having just spent the last minute fantasizing about her bending over the counter, was not in a neutral state.
He was hard.
A thick, undeniable ridge of flesh strained against the zipper of his pants. It wasn't just a bulge; it was a weapon. The outline of the head was clearly visible, tenting the fabric, pointing aggressively upward.
Ye Rou froze.
The cup in her hands trembled, the tea rippling ominously near the brim.
Her eyes went wide. She stared at the erection. It was right there. Inches from her hands.
A violent blush exploded across her face. It started at her neck, raced up her cheeks, and turned her ears a deep, burning crimson.
He... he is...
Kai saw her looking. He followed her gaze down.
Fuck, Kai thought, his heart skipping a beat. No way. She saw it. You fucked up, Kai.
Panic warred with a dark thrill. She wasn't looking away. She was staring at his cock.
For three agonizing seconds, neither of them moved. The air in the kitchen became thick enough to choke on.
Then, Ye Rou snapped out of it. She jerked her eyes up, refusing to meet his gaze, looking somewhere over his left shoulder.
"I... I guess you are being late!" she squeaked, her voice an octave higher than usual. She shoved the cup into his hands, almost spilling it on him. "You should drink and go to the Academy, my son! Right now!"
She was breathless, flustered, her chest heaving as if she had just run a mile.
"Mom?" Kai started, feigning confusion, though his pulse was racing.
"Go! Hurry!" she insisted, turning her back on him abruptly to face the counter, pretending to busy herself with a rag. "Don't want to keep your team waiting!"
Kai stood there, holding the hot tea. He looked at her back. He could see her ears were still bright red. She was trembling.
She knows, Kai realized, a smirk fighting its way onto his lips. She knows I'm a man now. And she didn't scream.
"Umm... yeah. Sure, Mom," Kai said, his voice calm. "You're right. I'm going."
He downed the tea in one gulp, ignoring the burn.
"See you later."
He grabbed his bag and walked out the door, leaving Ye Rou gripping the counter, fanning her flushed face with a trembling hand.
The morning air did little to cool Kai down as he walked to the Academy. If anything, the encounter had only fueled his fire.
He arrived at the meeting spot—a small plaza near the fountain. Group 9 was already assembled.
Gu Ling was pacing back and forth, her arms crossed, her foot tapping impatiently. Leng Yue was leaning against a pillar, cleaning her fingernails with a small dagger. Yun Xi was adjusting her glasses, looking nervous. Instructor Han Rou stood in the center, looking much more put-together than the last time he saw her, though she flinched slightly when she saw him approach.
"Finally!"
Gu Ling threw her hands up as Kai strolled into the plaza.
"Look who decided to show up!" Gu Ling snapped, marching up to him. She poked a finger into his chest—hard. "You are late again! Why are you even in our group? You have zero concept of time!"
She glared at him, her red ponytail whipping around. "Do you think just because you... did one thing right, you can be lazy?"
Kai looked down at her. He remembered her moaning on the floor of the Hall of Mirrors.
"Good morning to you too, Gu Ling," Kai smiled lazily.
"Don't 'good morning' me!" she hissed.
"Gu Ling, that is enough," Instructor Han Rou interrupted, her voice firm but lacking its usual bite.
Han Rou adjusted her glasses, avoiding Kai's eyes for a split second before forcing herself to look at him professionally.
"We should not forget that Kai is the one who completed the task," Han Rou stated, addressing the group. "If he hadn't... intervened... and neutralized the threat... none of us would be standing here. We would likely be dead. Or worse."
A shiver went through the group. The memory of the hypnotic gas and the shameful things they had done under its influence was still fresh.
"Yes..." Yun Xi squeaked, stepping forward. She looked at Kai with shining, adoring eyes. "Teacher is right! We should thank Kai! He was so brave! He went into the gas alone!"
Yun Xi clasped her hands together, pressing them against her ample chest. "Kai, you are so good! You saved us!"
Leng Yue looked up from her dagger. She met Kai's gaze. Her expression was cold, but there was a flicker of respect—and curiosity—deep in her eyes.
"The weakling was... useful," Leng Yue admitted quietly. "I acknowledge his contribution."
"Ugh, fine!" Gu Ling huffed, crossing her arms and looking away, a faint blush dusting her cheeks. "He did save us. Whatever. But he's still annoying."
Kai chuckled, enjoying the dynamic.
"Well, it was my duty," Kai said, playing the humble hero card perfectly. He shrugged his broad shoulders. "There's nothing to thank me for. It was for the team. I couldn't let anything happen to you guys."
He let his gaze linger on Han Rou for a second longer than necessary.
"Kai, you are so humble!" Yun Xi gushed.
"So shut the fuck up if you don't want a thank you," Gu Ling muttered, rolling her eyes, though she didn't move away when Kai stepped closer to the group.
Instructor Han Rou clapped her hands once to dispel the awkward tension.
"Alright, settle down," Han Rou commanded. She pulled out a scroll from her sleeve. "The West Dormitory mission is officially cleared. But the Academy waits for no one."
She looked at Kai, then at the girls.
"So, what do we have to do now? We need to report to the Elder Hall for debriefing. And Kai... you have a reward to claim."
**********************
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