Chapter 97: [HUFFING]

Ding.

“Huh?” Eli blinked, nearly stumbling on his way back toward the living room.

[SYSTEM MESSAGE]

Mission Progress:

Task: [HEATING THINGS UP!] — SUCCESS

’What?’

His head whipped toward the glowing panel in disbelief. He had just been pointing out random crap about Elione’s penthouse—his couch, his shiny floors, the size of his bathroom. Sure, the bedroom comment might’ve been… questionable in hindsight, but he hadn’t meant it like that.

And yet, the system was declaring victory.

Eli’s brows furrowed, his lips parting. ’Wait—did I really…? There’s no way. There’s no way Kairo, the Medusa-faced ice block, got flustered because of… me.’

His brain replayed the moment in the bedroom: Kairo’s sharp eyes narrowing, his silence stretching, the stiff line of his shoulders before he abruptly turned away.

At the time, Eli had written it off as boredom. Disinterest. Maybe even disgust.

But now…

’No way. Did that actually… work?’

A bubble of laughter threatened in his chest, but he clamped it down, because the system’s smug glow practically screamed told you so.

He glanced over his shoulder at Kairo, who had already retreated to the living room. The man’s back was rigid, posture sharp as a blade. His hands were tucked in his pockets, but Eli noticed—just barely—the way his jaw was clenched tight, like he was keeping something contained.

Eli’s steps slowed, his mind spinning.

’It can’t be a bug… can it? But this is the second time. Caelen, too—when I was just yelling at him, I somehow got “success” on that mission.’

Weird. So, so weird.

But also…

Eli’s lips twitched into the faintest smirk as he sank into the couch, careful to mask it with his hand resting lazily against his mouth.

’Weird or not, I’ll take it. If this system wants to hand me victories for just… being myself, I won’t complain.’

Still, curiosity got the better of him. He peeked through his fingers, watching Kairo like a hawk.

The man stood by the window, his frame outlined in pale city light. Black eyes glinted as they cut toward Eli, suspicion etched into every line of his posture.

Eli tilted his head. ’Why is he looking at me like I’m dangerous? I’m literally curled up on a couch like a damn house cat.’

He gestured toward the empty sofa across from him, offering what he hoped looked casual and polite instead of strained. “Please… take a seat.”

For the first time since stepping inside, Eli caught it—just a flicker. The tiniest twitch of Kairo’s brow, like the words had landed heavier than they should have.

It made no sense. Nothing about this made sense.

Eli forced himself to focus, not letting it ruin his mood. ’Nope. Not gonna overthink it. I’ve had enough stress today. I’ll just… enjoy this one easy win.’

Eventually, Kairo moved. His stride was slow, deliberate, as though he were sizing up every step before committing. He chose the farthest couch—the one that put the most distance between them—and sat with an awkward stiffness Eli hadn’t expected from the infamous “Medusa” himself.

Eli’s brows pinched faintly. “…Is there anything wrong?”

The question slipped out before he could stop it, too direct, but Kairo’s obvious discomfort was gnawing at him.

Those black eyes snapped to him again.

Hard. Unyielding.

The weight of the stare pressed down on Eli, heavy enough to make his skin prickle. He resisted the urge to squirm under it, reminding himself he’d survived Caelen’s cocky smirks—this couldn’t be worse.

Except it was.

Because unlike Caelen’s arrogance, Kairo’s silence felt like being examined under a scalpel.

Then, finally—

Kairo exhaled. A low sigh slipped through his lips as his hand raked through his light-brown hair, the motion too casual to be careless.

“You’re quite… reckless, aren’t you?” His voice was calm, but the judgment in it was sharp enough to cut.

Eli blinked. “…Reckless?”

“Yes.” Kairo’s gaze didn’t waver. “And quite dense. And quite… foolish.”

Eli’s mouth fell open. ’Oh my god, he’s really going for it.’

Kairo’s delivery was blunt, as if he were simply listing off facts rather than hurling insults.

But to Eli? It was like being slapped three times in a row.

’He’s saying quite so much,’ Eli thought sourly, teeth grinding behind his forced calm. ’And did he just basically call me stupid? Because that’s “quite” rude.’

He puffed his cheeks a little, glaring at the man across from him.

Now this also got a reaction from Kairo—his brow arched ever so slightly, a small but sharp break in that stony composure.

“Are you… huffing?”

The way he said it was so flat, so serious, that it almost didn’t sound like a question at all—more like an accusation.

Eli’s arms snapped up across his chest defensively, his chin jutting out. “No, I am not.”

Kairo’s gaze didn’t waver. If anything, it sharpened, cutting straight through the flimsy wall Eli had thrown up.

“You are.”

Eli’s eye twitched. His nostrils flared. ’And so what if I am?’ His chest puffed slightly as his glare narrowed, lips pursing into a pout he would never admit was a pout.

“I’m not,” Eli repeated, his tone stubborn, petulant, a child caught red-handed but refusing to budge.

Kairo’s movements mirrored his without hesitation. His own arms folded across his chest, shoulders squaring, his presence doubling in weight.

“I don’t like liars, Elione.” His voice was low, edged with steel. “You’re huffing like a child right now.”

He tilted his head slightly, eyes narrowing further. “Why are you the one huffing?”

Eli’s nose twitched so violently he thought it might cramp. His glare sharpened, his voice coming out tight and clipped. “Because you were being rude.”

Kairo blinked once, slow. “I’m being rude?”

“Yes!” Eli snapped, nodding with an almost bratty finality. He didn’t even know why the annoyance burned so hot, only that it did.

First Caelen had been insufferably cocky. Now Kairo—Kairo, who he had respected, who he had tried to treat carefully—was cutting him down bluntly, without even giving him a chance.

Sure, Eli already knew Kairo was blunt. He was infamous for it. Cold, straightforward, merciless with his words. But hearing it directed at him? Without reason? Without Eli doing anything wrong? That was something else entirely.

He’d been respectful. He hadn’t pushed buttons, hadn’t crossed boundaries. He hadn’t even called him handsome.

And yet here he was, being labeled reckless, dense, foolish.

Eli’s jaw clenched, his teeth grinding against the words he wanted to spit out.

Kairo let out a slow breath, lifting his hand to pinch the bridge of his nose like Eli was a particularly persistent headache.

“You…” His black eyes lifted again, sharper than blades. “…really have no idea, do you?”

Eli blinked, thrown by the weight of his tone. “Idea about what?”

Kairo straightened in his seat, shoulders rising, posture like a general preparing to lecture a soldier. His arms unfolded, resting on his knees as he leaned forward just slightly, his eyes darkening even further.

The shadows of the city lights caught against them, turning his stare into something far more dangerous—like the void itself had sharpened into focus.

“Alright,” Kairo said, voice low and deliberate, the kind of tone that promised no escape. “Let me educate you.”

Eli’s entire body went stiff, his heart thundering against his ribs. He didn’t know it was possible, but Kairo’s eyes seemed to grow darker still—black swallowing black, cold and heavy.

’Now, why do I feel like I’m in trouble?’

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