Chapter 56: The Sweetheart’s Smugness
The dining room of Jun’s dorm was a study in quiet elegance. The morning sun filtered through the sheer curtains, casting a warm, golden glow over the polished oak table. The atmosphere was one of disciplined domesticity, the air filled with the subtle aromas of green tea and freshly brewed coffee.
Mei sat at the far end of the table, her posture impeccable. She wore a tailored, lavender-purple silk blouse that accentuated her long, elegant neck and model-like proportions. Her expression was calm and analytical as she sipped her black coffee, her eyes scanning the financial and news feeds on her sleek terminal. She rarely spoke unless necessary, but her presence was commanding—a silent observer of the dorm’s micro-politics.
Beside her, Akane sat perfectly straight, dressed in a pristine black high-collared top. She was entirely absorbed in a thick, physical novel, her eyes moving across the pages with a focused intensity. For Akane, the quiet of the morning was a luxury she rarely enjoyed.
Sora sat at the head of the table, radiating an aura of serene authority. She wore a soft, light blue silk camisole that complemented her pale skin and dark hair. In her hands, she held a delicate porcelain cup, sipping her tea with a slow, deliberate grace. The transition from the “Iron Lady” to a relaxed, soft woman was complete, but she still carried herself with the confidence of someone who knew she belonged at the center of the room.
Suddenly, the heavy double doors swung open, and a wave of vibrant, sugary energy burst into the room.
Hana walked in, wearing a soft, baby-pink cropped sweater that made her look irresistibly cute and approachable. Her hair was perfectly styled, and she had a massive, glowing smile on her face. She looked like a girl who had just won the lottery.
As she entered, her eyes immediately locked onto Sora. The smile didn’t waver, but the energy behind it shifted entirely. Hana lifted her chin, a smug, victorious look crossing her face. She deliberately puffed out her chest, her posture shifting to emphasize her C-cup breasts.
The two women stared at each other, the air suddenly thick with unspoken rivalry.
Sora was the first to break the silence. She set her teacup down with a soft clink and let out a wicked, melodic laugh. “Well, well, look who decided to grace us with her presence. The ‘sulking princess’ has finally emerged from her tower, I see.”
Hana didn’t flinch. She walked over to the table, pulling out a chair with a flourish. “I wasn’t sulking, Sora. I was just taking my time enjoying the fact that Jun-oppa came to fetch me this morning. He was so desperate to see me that he couldn’t even wait for me to get dressed.” She paused, her eyes narrowing playfully. “I guess the rumors are true. He really does have a special kind of ‘care’ for his childhood friend, doesn’t he?”
Sora’s eyes flashed with amusement, but there was a sharp edge to her smile. “Is that what you think? That he was ‘desperate’?” Sora leaned forward, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial, silky tone. “Hana, dear. I’ve been with Jun-sama since the very first night. I know exactly what it feels like when he cares for you… intimately. When he uses his hands to touch you. When he pins you down and takes complete control.” She let the words hang in the air, her gaze traveling over Hana’s body with an air of superiority. “It’s an experience you can only truly understand when you’ve been wrecked by him.”
Hana’s smile tightened, her cheeks flushing a faint pink. She didn’t want to lose the upper hand, but the reality was that Sora had been Jun’s first woman. She had been the one to share his first time. The thought of their intimacy sent a sharp, jealous pang through Hana’s chest. She sat down abruptly, pulling her plate toward her with a childish, aggressive motion.
“Just eat your breakfast, Sora,” Hana muttered, stabbing a piece of fruit with her fork. “Not everything is a competition. Some of us are just happy he loves us.”
Across the table, Mei remained perfectly still, her eyes shifting from her terminal to watch the two women. A slight, unreadable smile touched her lips. She found the dynamic fascinating—the way they fought for Jun’s attention was like watching two predators circle each other.
Akane, meanwhile, glanced over the top of her novel. She saw the shift in her mistress. Sora, who had spent years behind a mask of cold authority, was now engaging in petty, emotional banter. Akane’s heart warmed. For years, she had served a lonely, pressured girl. Now, seeing Sora smile, tease, and fight for her place in a circle of women, Akane felt a deep sense of relief. Sora was finally living.
Just as the tension reached its peak, the sound of a door opening echoed from the hallway. Jun walked in, his hair damp from the shower, wearing a casual, fitted white shirt. He stopped, his eyes taking in the scene: Hana aggressively eating her fruit, and Sora looking utterly victorious.
He didn’t need to ask what had happened. The evidence was right in front of him.
He walked over to his seat at the head of the table and sat down, pulling his plate toward him. He glanced at Hana, who was currently pouting and refusing to look up, then at Sora, who gave him a warm, satisfied smile.
“So,” Sora asked, her voice returning to its usual elegant cadence. “Did you have any plans for today, Jun-sama? The weekend is still young, and I would hate for it to be wasted on… bickering.” She shot a pointed look at Hana.
The tension in the room didn’t just hang in the air; it was a physical pressure. Jun could practically feel the laser-focus of Sora’s glare cutting across the table, followed by the prickling heat of Hana’s defiant, childish pout. The two women were like oil and water, constantly trying to dominate the same space. He took a sip of his coffee, his expression remaining perfectly neutral despite the simmering storm beside him.
He thought for a moment, the silence stretching as the two women waited for his answer, their rivalry momentarily suspended in anticipation.
“I don’t have any plans for today,” Jun finally said, his voice calm and measured. “I’ll probably stay in and rest. However, tomorrow is Sunday. I might go down to the shopping district then. I heard L’Aura is dropping a new limited edition collection this weekend. I need to grab a few things before the class schedules begin on Monday, and it might be worth a look.”
Hana’s head snapped up, her earlier sulking instantly forgotten. Sora’s eyes widened, a spark of excitement crossing her face.
“I would be delighted to accompany you,” Sora said immediately.
“Me too!” Hana chimed in, her voice an octave higher. “I need some new clothes for the week anyway!”
Jun just let out a soft, internal sigh. The dynamic between the two women was exhausting, but he had to admit, it kept things interesting.