Yuto wasn't sure when he had dozed off, but when he woke up, the first thing he noticed was warmth.
His head rested on something soft, and a faint scent of lilac filled his senses.
It took him a second to register where he was.
His eyes cracked open, and the sight above him nearly made him bolt upright.
Lilith stared down at him with an amused expression, her fingers idly playing with his hair.
"Morning, darling," she purred, her eyes gleaming.
"Sleep well?"
Yuto groaned, rubbing his face.
"Please tell me I didn't fall asleep like this"
Lilith smirked.
"Oh, you did. Quite soundly, might I add"
She tapped his forehead lightly.
"You looked so peaceful, I almost didn't want to wake you"
Yuto sat up quickly, ignoring the heat creeping up his face.
"You could've just… pushed me off or something"
She leaned back, stretching with a satisfied hum.
"And miss the rare sight of you being vulnerable? Not a chance"
He sighed, running a hand through his hair.
"You're impossible"
She chuckled, standing up gracefully. "And yet, you keep me around"
He rubbed his face, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep as he grabbed his uniform from the closet.
"Alright, get ready too," he said, shooting a glance at Lilith, who was still lounging on his bed.
She stretched lazily, letting out a dramatic sigh.
"But darling, I'm already perfect as I am. No need for all this human routine nonsense"
"Yeah, well, if you show up in that," he gestured to her usual black dress, "people are going to stare even more than they already do"
Lilith smirked, running a hand through her hair.
"Oh? You mean to say you don't want people looking at me?"
Yuto groaned.
"Not what I meant, and you know it. Just… get dressed"
Lilith snapped her fingers with an exaggerated sigh, her dress shimmering and morphing into the academy's standard uniform.
Except, of course, hers was slightly altered, her blouse fit a little too perfectly, her skirt was just a bit too stylish, and somehow, she still managed to make it look anything but standard.
"Better?" she asked with a knowing grin.
He grabbed his bag and headed for the door.
"Close enough. Now, come on before we're late"
As they stepped out, Lilith walked beside him with a casual sway, her presence drawing attention as usual.
He had long since grown used to it, but Lilith, ever the entertainer, seemed to enjoy the attention.
"Darling, do you think they're admiring my beauty or just jealous of you?" she teased, leaning slightly toward him.
He rolled his eyes.
"Neither. They're probably just trying to figure out how I haven't lost my mind yet"
Lilith laughed, a rich, melodious sound that made a few passing students glance their way.
"Oh, but you have lost your mind. You let me stay in your room, after all"
Yuto groaned, deciding it was best not to argue.
As they reached the classroom, he spotted Alice waiting by the door, arms crossed, tapping her foot impatiently.
"You're late," she said, her gaze flickering between him and Lilith.
"Again"
He sighed, "It's just a minute or two"
"Still late"
Lilith grinned.
"Oh, don't be so harsh on him, dear Alice. He had a very comfortable morning"
Yuto shot her a sharp look, but Alice simply narrowed her eyes.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing!" Yuto quickly cut in before Lilith could make things worse.
"Come on, let's just get to our seats"
Alice didn't look convinced, but she let it go for now, leading the way inside.
Lilith chuckled softly as she followed, clearly enjoying herself far too much.
As Yuto slumped into his chair, he let out a deep breath.
As class began, he could feel the stares boring into the back of his head.
Winning the tournament had only made the rumors worse, whispers of favoritism, secret training, and even absurd theories that he was some kind of noble in disguise.
He slumped in his chair, resting his head on his desk.
'So bothersome…'
Alice, sitting beside him, poked his arm.
"So, Yuto, how does it feel to be the official strongest student in the academy?"
He groaned.
"Like a headache"
Alice laughed.
"You did kind of demolish everyone. Even Reika herself, which is a miracle, so isn't that something to be proud of?"
Before Yuto could respond, Lilith leaned in from his other side, resting her chin on her hand with a smug smile.
"Oh? Are we discussing Yuto's overwhelming victory?"
Alice shot her a look.
"We're just talking. You don't have to make it weird"
Lilith smirked.
"Weird? I'm just concerned. After all, my dear Yuto might be too popular now. Wouldn't want him to be taken away from you"
Alice's eye twitched.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
Lilith's grin widened.
"Oh, nothing~"
The tension crackled between them, drawing the attention of the rest of the class.
The murmurs spread like wildfire.
"Are they fighting over him?"
"I heard he's dating both"
"No way! I thought he was with Reika?"
"That guy's living the dream…"
"SO are we going over the fact that Reika might like this guy?'
Yuto sighed and covered his head with his arms.
"So bothersome…"
The whispers only got louder as Alice and Lilith continued their stare-off, neither willing to back down.
Yuto, still slumped over his desk, peeked out from under his arms.
"Can you two not start a war in the middle of class?"
Alice huffed and crossed her arms.
"I wasn't starting anything"
Lilith chuckled, flicking her hair back.
"Oh? Then why do you look so irritated, Alice?"
Before Alice could snap back, the professor entered the room, forcing everyone to settle down.
The lecture dragged on, but Yuto could still feel the occasional glare from envious classmates.
Winning the tournament made him a target, not just for duels.
Some people genuinely wanted to see him fail now.
When the lesson finally ended, Yuto stretched and grabbed his stuff.
He was about to head out when Alice grabbed his sleeve.
"Lunch?" she asked as if their earlier argument hadn't happened.
Before he could answer, Lilith draped an arm around his shoulder, her voice playful.
"Oh, I was just about to invite him to lunch myself"
Alice's smile twitched.
"Oh really?"
Yuto could already hear the whispers growing again.
"Didn't they argue in class?"
"He really is a womanizer…"
"I bet Reika's going to show up next"
Yuto groaned and rubbed his temple.
'So. Damn. Bothersome'
Just as he was about to somehow de-escalate the situation, a familiar voice chimed in.
"Am I interrupting something?"
Turning around, Yuto saw Reika standing there, tilting her head with mild amusement.
Alice sighed.
"No, you're fine, Reika"
Lilith, still draped over Yuto's shoulder, smirked.
"Oh? The whole gang's here"
Reika crossed her arms and gave Yuto a curious look.
"So, lunch?"
Yuto blinked.
"Uh…"
Alice was still holding onto his sleeve.
Lilith hadn't let go of him either.
And now Reika had just casually invited herself into the mix.
The rumors were writing themselves at this point.
He exhaled and raised his hands in surrender.
"Fine. All of us. Lunch. Let's just go before this gets even worse"
Lilith grinned, Alice rolled her eyes, and Reika simply smiled as they all walked toward the cafeteria together.
And as expected, the moment they sat down, the whispers began again.
"I knew it, he's a total playboy"
"Three girls? Seriously?"
"Poor guy, he looks exhausted"
Yuto rested his head on the table with a heavy sigh.
"Bothersome"
Alice poked his arm.
"You're being dramatic"
"You think?" Yuto mumbled.
Reika, ever composed, sipped her tea.
"You have been quite popular lately. Winning the tournament, always being surrounded by interesting company…"
Lilith smirked.
"I say he enjoys it. Just look at him, soaking in all the attention"
Yuto lifted his head, glaring at her.
"If I enjoyed it, I wouldn't feel like burying myself six feet under every time someone whispers my name"
Alice snorted.
"You're the one who agreed to sit with all of us"
"You all followed me!"
Reika gave a small, knowing smile, while Lilith simply shrugged, clearly entertained.
Yuto sighed and picked at his food.
"This better not become a daily thing"
No one answered, but the glances exchanged among the three girls told him exactly what he didn't want to hear.
This was going to become a daily thing.
Just as he resigned himself to his fate, a loud voice from across the cafeteria caught his attention.
"Yo, Yuto! Are you up for some training after this?"
It was Ryo, waving at him from another table.
Yuto sat up straighter, relief flooding through him.
"Yeah! Absolutely. I need a break from all this"
Alice raised an eyebrow.
"From what exactly?"
Yuto grabbed his tray and stood up.
"From you"
Lilith feigned offense, Reika chuckled softly, and Alice just shook her head as he made his escape.
Training with Ryo sounded like paradise compared to whatever this was turning into.
—
Yuto rolled his shoulders as he stepped onto the training field.
Ryo stood across from him, cracking his knuckles.
"Man, you've got it rough, huh?" Ryo grinned.
"Three of the most beautiful girls in the academy are constantly around you. Must be a nightmare"
Yuto groaned, stretching his arms.
"You say that like it's a good thing. Do you know how exhausting it is to be the center of attention all the time?"
Ryo laughed.
"Nope. But it's hilarious watching you suffer"
Yuto narrowed his eyes.
"Alright. I was gonna go easy on you, but now?"
He summoned a faint crimson glow to his hands.
"I think I'll enjoy knocking you around"
Ryo smirked, drawing his sword.
"Let's see if you can catch me first"
He dashed forward, his footwork sharp.
His blade swung in a precise arc, aimed at Yuto's shoulder.
Fwoosh!
Yuto sidestepped with ease, leaving behind a faint afterimage.
"Oh, come on!" Ryo shouted, slashing again.
Yuto ducked, pivoted, and delivered a quick, controlled palm strike to Ryo's stomach, pushing him back.
Ryo coughed, grinning.
"Alright, show off. I guess I'll have to get serious"
Sparks of blue lightning crackled around his blade.
Yuto smirked.
"Now we're talking"
Ryo lunged again, his sword charged with electricity.
Yuto responded by weaving through the attacks, dodging each strike by the smallest margin.
Then, just as Ryo thought he had an opening—
Boom!
A sudden burst of wind magic sent him flying backward, landing unceremoniously on his back.
Ryo stared at the sky, groaning.
"Okay… maybe I underestimated you"
"You always do"
"No wonder people say you're a monster"
Yuto chuckled.
"You should hear what Lilith calls me"
Before Ryo could ask, a familiar voice interrupted them.
"Well, well, well. That was almost impressive"
Both turned to see Lilith, standing at the entrance of the training field with her arms crossed.
Yuto sighed.
"You're everywhere, huh?"
Lilith smiled, walking over.
"Of course, darling. Someone has to make sure you don't break"
Ryo blinked.
"Wait. Darling?"
Yuto groaned, rubbing his temple.
"Not. A. Word."
Lilith waved her hand in the air, smirking.
"Come on, darling, you've worked hard enough for today. How about dinner? You deserve a nice meal after all this"
Yuto glanced down at Ryo, still lying on the ground with a dazed look on his face.
He chuckled and shook his head.
"Yeah, I think I'm done for today. Ryo, you good?"
Yuto called, walking toward his friend.
Ryo groaned and waved him off.
"Yeah, yeah… just give me a minute," he grumbled.
Yuto raised an eyebrow, then turned to Lilith.
"Sure, dinner sounds good. You want me to just leave him here?"
Lilith eyed Ryo with a playful smirk.
"Let him suffer for a bit longer. He'll be fine. Besides, we've got more important things to do"
Her voice was smooth, almost teasing.
Yuto rolled his eyes but couldn't help the smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
"Alright, alright. Lead the way"
Lilith handed him a towel she had summoned out of thin air, a small grin on her face.
"Dry off, hero. We're going to a nice place tonight. You'll need to look presentable"
Yuto grabbed the towel, wiping his face.
"I'm not a hero. And you know I hate when you call me that"
Lilith laughed softly.
"Oh, I know. But you're too cute when you act like you don't care about the attention. It's part of the fun"
"Not sure I'm having as much fun as you are," Yuto smirked back, shaking off the last of the sweat.
"Then you're not doing it right," she teased, twirling her finger in the air.
As they walked away, Yuto gave one last glance at Ryo, still attempting to get back on his feet.
"Don't worry about him," Lilith said with a smirk.
"He'll manage. I'm sure the floor is comfy enough for him"
"Haha, fine, lead the way"
—
The restaurant Lilith had chosen was a quiet, intimate place, tucked away in a corner of the academy grounds.
It had soft, golden lighting and was decorated with rich, dark wood and plants hanging from the ceiling, giving the atmosphere an air of sophistication.
As they walked in, the smell of sizzling dishes and freshly baked bread filled the air.
"Not bad, huh?"
Lilith asked, glancing at Yuto with a satisfied smirk as they were led to a secluded table near the window.
Yuto sat down, still a little surprised at how elegant everything felt.
"Yeah, this place is... pretty fancy," he admitted, his eyes scanning the menu.
He didn't exactly know what to expect, but it wasn't something this refined.
Lilith sat across from him, her dark purple dress flowing around her as she casually opened the menu.
"You're lucky I know places like this," she said with a wink.
"Not everyone gets to dine like this, you know"
Yuto chuckled.
"Yeah, well, you seem to have a knack for showing me the high life"
She raised an eyebrow, her lips curling into a playful grin.
"What, you don't like it? Maybe you just prefer your usual snacks and ramen"
Yuto gave her a dry look.
"I'm not complaining. Just... didn't expect a dinner like this with you"
Lilith leaned back in her chair, swirling her glass of wine slowly.
"I think you underestimate me, darling," she teased.
"But don't worry, you'll get used to the fine things soon enough"
The waiter arrived shortly after, placing a basket of warm, fresh bread before taking their orders.
Yuto wasn't sure what he wanted, so he went with the safest option: grilled steak.
Lilith, on the other hand, ordered something a little more extravagant, a seafood platter with a side of decadent sauce.
As the waiter left, Yuto rested his chin on his hand, looking across the table at Lilith.
The soft glow of the candlelight illuminated her face, making her eyes stand out even more.
Despite the tension and chaos of the past few days, he felt somewhat at ease.
"So, tell me," Yuto began, trying to shift the conversation away from awkwardness, "how'd you even find this place?"
"You seem to know every hidden gem location"
Lilith raised her glass to her lips, sipping slowly before setting it back down.
"I have my ways," she said cryptically.
"Besides, I thought you deserved a proper meal after your little tournament antics"
Her grin softened a little.
"You did well. I thought you'd play it safe with your sword skills, but magic? Bold choice"
Yuto shrugged nonchalantly.
"I wanted to mix things up. Besides, I couldn't let Reika have all the fun, could I?"
Lilith raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued.
"You two are an interesting pair," she mused, leaning forward slightly.
"There's something... unspoken between you two, isn't there?"
Yuto's brow furrowed.
"What do you mean?"
Lilith smirked.
"Oh, I'm just saying. It's obvious to anyone who's paying attention"
"You might not realize it yet, but there's something more than just friendly rivalry between you and her"
Yuto took a deep breath, staring into his glass of water.
"Maybe," he muttered.
"But that's not something I need to figure out right now"
He looked up at her, trying to change the subject.
"Anyway, thanks for treating me to dinner. I owe you one"
Lilith's expression softened, her eyes twinkling mischievously.
"Don't worry, darling. This isn't about repayment"
"It's about enjoying the moment"
She leaned back in her chair, her smile teasing yet somehow warm.
"But you're welcome, of course"
They both fell into an easy silence as their meals arrived.
The rich aroma of the steak and seafood mixed in the air.
As Yuto cut into his steak, he couldn't help but smile slightly.
He realized how much he was starting to enjoy these moments of peace, no matter how fleeting they might be.
Lilith wasn't just a demon causing chaos in his life, she had become something else, someone else.
Whether he wanted to admit it or not, he was starting to get used to her presence.
And that thought lingered in his mind as they continued their dinner.
An Hour Later
They stepped out of the restaurant, and the cool evening breeze greeted them.
The night sky was streaked with purple and blue, signaling the close of another eventful day.
However, as they made their way toward the main gate, Yuto immediately noticed Alice and Reika standing off to the side, waiting for him.
When they saw Yuto and Lilith walking toward them, their expressions shifted.
Alice's lips pressed together in a tight line, her arms crossed.
Reika was less obvious in her reaction, but her posture was stiff.
The whispers had already started to circulate in the academy, and now they were standing right in front of the source.
Lilith leaned in closer to Yuto, her grin mischievous.
"Looks like our little audience is ready," she said with a teasing tone.
Yuto couldn't help but notice the tension between them.
He knew Alice well enough to know that the rumors weren't sitting well with her.
And he could tell Reika wasn't too thrilled either, despite her calm demeanor.
'... I should have known that the rumors made them uncomfortable, their joking was a way to deal with it'
He was done letting rumors dictate what he could and couldn't do.
The uncomfortable feeling.
The stupid whispers and stares.
He was done with it.
Taking a deep breath, he stepped forward toward the girls, his heart thumping a little harder in his chest.
As he reached them, he didn't hesitate for a second.
Without thinking much further, he wrapped his arms around them.
First Alice, then Reika, pulling them close to him.
He took a moment to look at each of them before he spoke.
"I'm not letting all these rumors just fly by," he said with an easy smile.
"So… I'm going to kiss each of you. We're putting all the gossip to rest once and for all"
Alice's eyes widened, and she quickly took a small step back, her face turning slightly red.
"Are you… serious, Yuto?"
Her voice was a mix of confusion and disbelief, and it was clear she wasn't quite sure how to respond.
Reika didn't move, but her face also flushed slightly.
"What are you trying to do, Yuto?" she asked, her tone cautious but with a hint of amusement.
"You realize this won't end the rumors, right?"
"It might make everything worse"
Lilith, standing next to Yuto, smirked playfully.
"I think it's a bit late for that. But let's give them something to talk about, hm?"
Yuto chuckled and pulled them a little closer to him.
"I'm serious," he said, and before either of the girls could protest further, he kissed Alice lightly on the lips.
It was quick, not lingering, but it was enough to leave her momentarily stunned.
When he pulled away, she blinked a few times, processing what had just happened, her face still red.
Alice cleared her throat and gave him an exasperated look.
"I can't believe you just did that," she muttered, but there was a small smile tugging at her lips.
Next, Yuto turned to Reika.
She raised an eyebrow but made no move to pull away.
With a soft sigh, she allowed him to kiss her as well.
This time, the kiss was a little longer, and when Yuto pulled back, he saw the faintest smile on her lips.
But it was barely noticeable.
She didn't say anything at first, though the look in her eyes seemed to say that she wasn't particularly upset by it.
Finally, Yuto turned to Lilith, who had been watching with great interest.
She was already grinning, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
As he kissed her, it was different, there was a deeper connection in that kiss.
It was more than just a bold statement.
When they finally pulled apart, Lilith's smile widened.
"Well, darling," Lilith purred, "I think you've just added a whole new level to the drama"
Yuto glanced at Alice and Reika, who were now looking at each other, their expressions a mix of shock and disbelief.
"I hope you know what you're doing," Alice said, her voice slightly shaky but with a playful edge.
"You've just made things a lot more complicated, Yuto"
Reika was quieter but raised a brow.
"This definitely won't end well for you," she added, though there was a hint of amusement in her tone.
Lilith laughed, wrapping her arm around Yuto's waist.
"Oh, let's make things even more interesting, shall we?"
Yuto couldn't help but grin, even as he realized just how much more complicated things had gotten.
The rumors swirling around them were only going to intensify now.
But as they all stood there, the three girls surrounding him, Yuto couldn't help but feel a strange sense of satisfaction.
'The me of tomorrow can deal with the consequences, for now… I just want to be with them'
The Next Morning
Yuto awoke to the soft light streaming through the curtains of his room.
He stretched, feeling the weight of the events from the previous day settle in his mind.
He remembered kissing Alice, Reika, and Lilith.
He chuckled to himself, shaking his head.
"What have I gotten myself into?"
Beside him, Lilith was already awake, sitting on the edge of the bed, her eyes glinting with a playful shine.
She turned toward him, giving him a mischievous smile.
Without warning, she leaned in and planted a soft kiss on his lips.
Yuto blinked in surprise, still a bit groggy, but the kiss sent warmth through him nonetheless.
"Good morning," Lilith purred, her voice teasing as she pulled away, still grinning.
Yuto chuckled and rubbed his eyes.
"Good morning… That was unexpected," he admitted, still processing the kiss.
"I thought I'd return the favor," she replied, leaning back against the headboard.
"You do know what you've done, right?"
Yuto raised an eyebrow, already suspecting where this was going.
"Yeah, yeah. The rumors, the gossip, all that. I'm sure it's already spiraling out of control"
Lilith's smile grew wider.
"You've made quite an impression. I think it's safe to say that now, you're officially the academy's villain"
Yuto sighed as he stood up, stretching his arms.
"It's not that serious"
But even he couldn't help but laugh.
"I did have a bit of fun with it, though. Let's see what happens next"
—
As they headed toward class, the atmosphere felt tense.
Students glanced at him as they passed, whispers filling the air like static.
He heard someone muttering, "That's the guy—the one who kisses everyone. What a player"
"Did you see what he did with Alice, Reika, and Lilith yesterday? Unbelievable. He's nothing but trouble"
Yuto felt the weight of their stares, and as much as he tried to ignore them, the whispers followed him every step of the way.
He even overheard one student referring to him as "The academy's villain," the term ringing in his ears.
Lilith, walking alongside him, noticed his expression and smirked.
"How does it feel Yuto? The villainous, charming hero who has the attention of all the girls. How does it feel?" she teased.
Yuto didn't answer immediately.
His mind raced with conflicting thoughts.
Part of him felt proud, but another part of him felt… uncomfortable.
He didn't like the idea of being labeled.
He wasn't out to hurt anyone, yet here he was, the center of rumors and gossip.
"I didn't ask for this," he muttered.
"But if they want to see me as some villain, fine. Let them"
Lilith laughed softly.
"It's not so bad being feared, you know. Besides, you've got your girls, haven't you?"
"You don't think that'll just blow over?"
Lilith's smile faltered for a second, then returned to its usual teasing tone.
"I'm sure it will. But enjoy the drama while it lasts. You've got quite the reputation now"
As they entered the classroom, all eyes were on him.
He sat down in his usual seat, trying to ignore the attention.
He noticed Alice and Reika were already there, both of them avoiding his gaze, though he could feel the tension in the air between them.
Reika, after proving herself in the tournament, was moved to the fourth year right away, which of course is an amazing achievement but according to everyone else, Yuto had a hand in it.
He sighed and rested his elbows on the desk.
"Well, this is going to be a fun day"