The World Is Mine For The Taking-Chapter 742 - 114 - Date With Zeruel...? (2)

"W-What are you doing here, Selene?" I asked, glancing down at her with a mix of surprise and confusion.

I hadn’t expected to see her here—especially not in this part of the country. The academy, in general.

"Hehe~" she giggled playfully, a grin spreading across her face. Her eyes sparkled with excitement. "Well, since I’m gonna be a first-year cadet next academic year, I figured it’d be smart to get familiar with the surroundings, y’know?"

Her voice carried an almost infectious enthusiasm, bright and bouncy like she’d just stepped into a dream world.

I blinked, still trying to process it all.

Technically speaking, she wasn’t even supposed to be here. Only current cadets and official academy staff were allowed to step past the dormitory gates. But considering she was my younger sister and she was set to enroll next year, I supposed someone had given her special permission.

Still, she hadn’t awakened her ability yet. That was a significant detail.

I sighed softly and gave her a small nod. "Well... I guess it wouldn’t hurt if I followed you around and showed you the academy."

"That’s great!" she clapped her hands together. "Actually, I was hoping you’d join us."

I paused.

Her words echoed in my head for a second before finally registering.

"...Us?" I asked slowly, narrowing my eyes.

Was she here with someone?

A bad premonition began to stir in my gut.

"Yeah, well..." she trailed off with a sheepish smile, her tone suddenly teasing.

And then—

"Sorry to keep you waiting," came a voice from behind, smooth and familiar.

That voice sent a jolt through my spine. I didn’t even need to turn to know who it was.

It was Leon.

When I did glance back, there he was—standing casually, his usual calm demeanor painted across his face.

"Oh? Zeruel’s with you too?" he said with a small tilt of his head, his tone easygoing, like he hadn’t just sent a shockwave through my chest.

"Yup!" Selene chirped cheerfully. "I mean, the more the merrier, right?"

Without hesitation, she looped her arms around Leon’s, pressing her breasts softly against him as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "Right, Leon?"

I stared in disbelief.

This girl... Just a year ago, she’d cry when she lost her favorite pen. And now?

Cheeky, bold, and clearly trying to get close to Leon in a way I hadn’t prepared myself for.

Was this because she’d started developing a crush on him?

Well, it kind of looked that way.

And honestly, I couldn’t blame her.

Still, I seriously doubted Leon would pay her any real attention—not with the dozens of beautiful, high-class women already gathered at his feet.

But even thinking that didn’t stop the way my stomach twisted with a sharp pang of something ugly. Envy, perhaps. Or maybe... disappointment.

Because deep down, I wanted him to look at me too.

"Eh, it doesn’t hurt anyone if we all go together," Leon said with a smile so effortless it felt like a breeze brushing past my skin. "So yeah, I’m fine with that."

"Yay~!" Selene squealed with delight, gripping his arm tighter and pushing her chest into him even more.

It was clear—she was trying.

I couldn’t help but envy that part of her. That fearlessness.

If I had even half her confidence... what would I do?

The thoughts slipped into my mind like an uninvited guest.

I imagined myself saying it—leaning close to Leon, tilting my head with a flirty smirk.

"Leon~, you’re such a gentleman, helping my sister like this," I’d say sweetly, letting my voice trail into something playful.

He’d shrug casually and reply, "It’s not like I’ve got anything better to do. I’m free. I’d do it for you too, if you wanted."

"Teehee~!" I’d giggle, brushing against him as I wrapped my arms around his, hugging tight, feeling the warmth of his body. "Thank you, Leon. Wuv you~...!"

"Hehe..." he’d laugh, that killer smile flashing. "I wuv you, too."

And then... our faces would slowly drift closer. The space between our lips disappearing. Breath mingling. Heat building.

Just as our lips were about to touch—

Smack!

I slapped my own cheek hardly.

Hard enough to bring me back.

What the hell was that?!

Why the hell was I imagining that just now?

Gods, Zeruel... You seriously need to stop this. You can’t just imagine that kind of stuff. No matter how badly you want it, that kind of fantasy isn’t helping.

I shook my head, trying to clear the blush that was now burning across my cheeks.

But no matter how much I tried to fight it, this feeling inside me refused to go away. The more I tried to suppress it, the stronger it came back—rising like a tide.

I was losing control of it.

"Uh, sis?" Selene’s voice pulled me back.

"Huaah?!"

A weird sound escaped my lips before I could stop it.

I immediately felt the heat rise to my ears. My face probably looked like it had been dunked in boiling water.

Leon was staring right at me. I blushed harder.

I definitely wasn’t in my right mind right now.

"Are you okay?" Selene asked, giving me an oddly gentle smile. "It’s fine if you don’t want to come with us, okay?"

But her expression... wasn’t entirely gentle. There was something else hidden beneath it. A glint of mischief. A teasing smirk that told me everything I needed to know.

She was planning something.

She wanted this to become an opportunity to get closer to Leon. She was baiting me. fɾēewebnσveℓ.com

If that was her game...

Then I’d play it too.

"I-It’s fine!" I said quickly, forcing the words out with what I hoped sounded like confidence. "I was just... um, just a little excited. To, well... show Selene around the academy grounds."

Leon looked at me for a beat longer, then smiled—calm and sincere.

"Well, in that case," he said, "shall we start then?"

And just like that... everything was set in motion.

This 𝓬ontent is taken from f(r)eeweb(n)ovel.𝒄𝒐𝙢