Ryuu lit a new cigarette after Lucka left. The familiar clicking sound from the lighter, the minty sweet scent that could put together his sanity, it was and would always be the only thing he needed. The slow, chilly breeze made the glimpse of tiny flames flicker under the dim light of the study room. He dazed out as the smoke whirled around him thickened, blew away, and disappeared into the night.

Ryuu tugged back his tangled long hair while exhaling a deep sigh. His fiery gaze settled at the dark sky outside the windows like it could burn down the whole pine forest ahead.

After the bittersweet goodbye, the gruesome thought crippled again from the back of his mind. Lucka relapsed, and the guilt consumed him. The feeling clashed his chest, choking him and cutting his nerve into a million pieces. How bad was it? He couldn't even bring it out. She should do another circle, another long road, and endless patience, alone, and there was no excuse for cold turkey—

A sneeze from the doorway cut his wired mind. He glanced back and said, "Chione, come here. She's already left." Ryuu put out his cigarette and closed the window. He sighed. Unfortunately, the girls keep me from smoking tonight.

A young woman with long molten gold hair popped up behind the door. The bangs hang above her bright green eyes, covering half of her porcelain face. Chione entered the room while biting her lips. She said, "Um, I'm so sorry, Ryuu. I didn't mean to eavesdrop." She continued, "I just... want to check on her." Her hands clutched the white blanket around her body as she moved hesitantly.

"How long have you been standing there? How if you get caught?" Ryuu shook his head. He asked, "Did you hear all of that?"

Chione nodded and looked down. "Ugh, yeah. I was listening from the start." She said and glanced at him, "sorry."

Ryuu sighed. "It's fine. Just never do it again."

Chione nodded as her gaze fixed on her toe. She murmured, "She'll be mad if she knows I'm in Samarina, especially in her house and with her cousin."

Ryuu cast her a thoughtful expression. He said, "It's inevitable. And Lucka was right about the marriage part, though." Ryuu smiled pathetically.

Chione's eyes flickered slowly. She said with a lower tone, "I'm so dumb. I just realized Lucka has feelings for you. I feel like getting in the way."

Ryuu said with a bitter tone, "You're not getting in the way."

Chione pouted and tilted her head. She said, "But we've been doing her wrong. How about your feelings?"

"My feelings?" Ryuu asked as he raised his eyebrows.

"I know how you look at her," Chione said without hesitation in her voice, "besides the fact, we have a relationship behind her back."

Ryuu was quiet. His jaw tightened.

"Sorry," she mumbled.

Ryuu let out a long sigh. His eyes lingered on the floor. "Lucka and I will never work. Poseidon was generous enough to intervene in Hera's place and allowed me to keep my oath, staying by her side for this long," he said, finally looking at her and sitting on the edge of the desk, "I can't be more greedy."

"That's why you took this second best. The stake is smaller if you can gain my family's support. Despite, we'll go against her," she said.

"Chione."

Are you jealous? Ryuu thought.

"Sorry." She said, "But I won't say he was generous."

"You still want to talk about this?" Ryuu's tone turned cold.

She nodded.

Ryuu massaged his temple. He wondered if Lucka befriended Chione too long until they shared the same bullhead. "You already apologized three times. Yet, you keep slaughtering me," he said, giving up, "I can't judge Poseidon's decision."

Chione stepped closer to him. "If Poseidon isn't Hera's brother, would he do that? He's just guilty after making Medusa's life miserable and agreed to get her killed in Perseus' hands in the end," she said, "he doesn't give a fuck if Euriale vents her resentment at you or Lucka."

Ryuu kept his eyes on her. He said, "Yeah, sadly, that's true."

The silence fell between them. Then Chione said, "I'm sorry, I was rude. I thought I worsened the situation. I'm the one who left. But now I'm back without notice and dating her beloved cousin."

Ryuu tilted his head. He folded his arms in front of his chest while his mind replayed the day when Chione suddenly appeared at Grevena hospital three months ago. She looked familiar, but he didn't recognize her at first. While on the other hand, she was deliberately flirting with him.

And following that first meeting after a long time, Ryuu grew a strong affinity with her. They weirdly had the chemistry he didn't have from almost all of his previous partners. And as their relationship would benefit them, they decided to put on a leash on each other.

"Ain't it funny?" He sarcastically said with a smirk on his lips. Yet, there was a pain in his eyes.

"But at least, you can use me to your heart's content without feeling immoral," Chione said and ran her fingertips across his cheek.

Immoral? Alas, it was unavoidable that their relatives thought he groomed the sole Ladon descendant from the Circe lineage. And like rubbing salt to the wound, they'd done something forbidden. How could he forget that depraved night? It'd always stayed in his mind like it just happened yesterday.

The earth-wrecking memory had tormented him since. It always made him despise himself. But with Chione here, it made everything less painful. All the weight in his chest had heaved. Ryuu knew any discretion would still have a cost. Thus, the exchange of his freedom was another damage for Lucka.

But he didn't have a fairer choice. Because if they follow their nasty desire, it would only lead them to a horrible ending. He wouldn't let them fall into the same hell as their parent did.

Ryuu caught Chione's hand and drew her closer to him. "Right. Let's use you to my heart's content." He whispered, "like a slut." Then he continued with a deeper voice and unwrapped the blanket around her, "And this slut needs to learn her lesson."

Chione gasped. "Ryuu, it's cold!" She clasped her hands around her body as she looked around the room. It seems like she was regretting her words now. But Ryuu knew better. She said, "Uh, but, here?"

He ran his hands to her bare hip and switched their spot before the desk. "Yes. Right here, right now. Or should we do it in the garden?"

Chione batted her long eyelash and shook her head with wide eyes. "No, please! It's colder outside." She nervously licked her lips and murmured, "just do it here."

"Good," he said with a darker tone, "tell me, Chione. How many whips should you get for eavesdropping?" He muttered in her ear, "Look, how arrogant you are. You even dare to backtalk like that."

"Uhh... five?" There was a pale flush on her cheeks as she said meekly, "I've apologized."

"No. You deserve ten." Ryuu caressed her silken skin between the shoulder blade up to her throat and pressed it slowly. He said, "If you're sorry. Tell me, why am I so pissed?"

Chione gasped. She said, "W-when Lucka's not here, I beg to see you. You took the risk to let me in," she breathed tensely, "but I heard something I shouldn't hear."

Ryuu smirked as he whispered, "You're quick-witted. Yet, you play with my mercy. Now be a good girl." He squeezed her hip with his other hand and said, "bend over."

Chione let out a small whimper. She muttered, "Your duality always amazed me."

"Yeah? So can you imagine I touch Lucka with this side of me?" he said coldly.

Chione shot him a hurt, disbelief look. "Don't tell me you ever thought about it?! Ryuu, it's too disturbing! Didn't I say you should use me instead?"

"That's it, slut. Be obedient, or Keep talking back, and I'll gag the shit out of you with my hard cock," Ryuu said and pressed her throat harder.

Chione whined as she obeyed. She glanced back and said with a wavered voice, "I was wrong. Please, be more lenient to me."

Ryuu snorted. "The audacity," he said, "you even ask me what to do? You surely don't know your place, do you?" He grabbed a handful of her hair. It's not painful, but it still served the purpose of frightening her.

Cione whined, "Please, Ryuu. I'm begging you," Chione looked up at him with glazed eyes while both of her hands supported her body on the table.

Ryuu tilted his head. Well, he could see she was trembling in anticipation. The girl knew he was in a lousy mood and didn't want to anger him more. But the fun part was that she still had the ball to warn him not to release all of his frustration on her.

What a cutie. Are you concerned once the situation suddenly turned into playtime? But it's too late.

Chione wasn't a docile girl to start with, and watching her ready to cry anytime like this only excited him more. He said, "Alright. Say the word if you can't handle it."

Ryuu stepped back and unbuckled his belt.

Sephiroth wasn't the type who spent hours in the bathroom. But this Monday morning, he felt to do so. It happened after he summoned Lucka and received a clear, spiteful glare from her.

He'd let her go back to her apartment and get ready afterward. It was already half an hour ago, but he still allowed the cold water from the shower to drench his head. It seemed like he needed to clear his mind from intrusive thoughts completely.

Yesterday he was able to stay undisturbed. But seeing Lucka again this morning made his mood haywire. It was such an unfamiliar emotion. Why does the girl keep making me have weird feelings?

Sephiroth actually knew there was a particular reason why. But he was reluctant to admit it. He deliberately had harassed her for the second time, and funny enough, though late, now his little conscience couldn't stay still.

He wasn't the most righteous person, a pure heart gentleman like Angeal. Nor was an entitled, reprehensible womanizer like Genesis. But one he knew, he was pretty good at controlling his lust. And he'd never been so offensive around women. He was so used to them soliciting themselves at him. But her? She was bluntly defying me, he mused. She wasn't someone who craved his attention. So with the current event, he was fully aware that he'd far crossed the line.

He was guilty.

But if Lucka isn't that irresistible, I won't feel so sinful.

Irresistible? Since when do I see her that way?

No. More importantly, do I just blame the girl because I couldn't control myself?

Sephiroth grunted. His mind unintentionally replayed the first time he saw the girl's finely sculpted, half-naked body inside her dark bedroom. How tender her lips were when he touched them on the rooftop. And how her silky, wet mouth wrapped around his thumb—

Sephiroth glanced down and found his lower body part hardened. He gritted his teeth.

Stop.

The more often they interacted, the more his control weakened. For sure, he knew their relationship was chaotic. But he didn't need any ramifications if he'd lost control completely. He had to do something before it happened because he didn't want to aggravate their alliance.

Lucka slammed the apartment door until the hinges made a loud, creaking sound behind her back. But she could care less it'd break because Tseng said it was reinforced with titanium.

Her bolted stomp let her straight to the bathroom. Her fingers snatched the toothbrush and toothpaste from the cabinet. She brushed her teeth thoroughly, brushed and brushed until tears flooded down her cheeks.

She glared at her reflection in the mirror with contempt. Then she kept washing her mouth as her restless mind replayed the previous nasty scene between her and the General.

Seeing his face again this morning would only recall the horrific memory, and she abhorred it.

Lucka tossed her clothes across the room and took a warm shower while the withdrawal symptoms exacerbated her body slowly. She just realized Ryuu didn't give her any Buprenorphine, despite the fact he still kept the drug test. Shit, don't tell me you did it on purpose, Ryuu? Don't tell me you are actually abandoning me.

A loud sniff came from her wet nose, and her eyes felt hotter than the warm shower stream. Fuck, whatever. I'll think you're just too old to remember a thing.

There, she cried again. She let out all of the negative emotions she had for now. Because she knew she wouldn't have the time to wail later.

Tseng stepped aside from the door to let the girl enter the house. He let her take a seat across from him on the sofa. After Lucka informed him earlier that she'd come to give the report, he noticed something was odd. It was only an hour before the work hours started at ten. Why did the girl want to meet him in his apartment instead of the office?

But after noticing her dim eyes, he carefully asked, "You good? Do you want hot matcha, Lucka?"

Lucka shook her head. "No, thank you, Tseng. I want to ask for work leave for a day. I'm sick."

Tseng nodded. Her pale and lifeless face was convincing enough. "Do you want to go to the hospital? I can accompany you."

She shook her head again. "It's alright. I can handle it. Thank you, Tseng, for worrying me."

"Call me if you need something. I'll also tell Reno to assist you if my hands are full."

"I appreciate that." Lucka nodded. Then she put a brown envelope on the table. "This is the data updates of the drug dealers. But I apologize that it's still a summary. I made it in a hurry," she said. "I met the son's Boss of a high-class dealer at the Poetry Night through Genesis' invitation. But I didn't contact Reno, and instead, Cissnei suggested Genesis' assistant." Lucka put a luxurious small box on the table. She added, "and I've got the drug."

Tseng straightened his back. He looked at them and back into her eyes. He didn't expect her to get the drug this fast. Dealing with a drug dealer was meticulous work. He estimated at least they'd need two weeks to a month to get the new drug. And not to mention, Lucka being a rookie without a Turk supervisor and succeeding in the first field mission was remarkable.

Tseng did a brief look at the paper and the drug. Once he was satisfied, he put them back on the table. Again, her brilliance amazed him. "You did an excellent job Lucka. Veld must be pleased to know this," he said with a smile.

Lucka stayed still. Tseng was confused that she didn't give any response. He asked, "Is there any problem?"

The girl quickly looked away. The swift mood made an awkward silence between them. He noticed something was wrong, then he tried again, "You should report any important matter to me. So we can solve it and proceed with the mission further."

Lucka stole a glance. Her hand curled tightly in her lap. She said slowly, "I don't think I can carry on this duty."

Tseng was surprised. "What do you mean you can't? You're halfway to completing the mission. You still need to meet him to access the drug production lab."

"That's it, Tseng. I can't see him again," Lucka whispered.

Tseng's jaw tightened in alertness. His gut told him the man had done something terrible to her. Now she started to speak up that he needed to be careful with his question. He asked cautiously, "Did something undesirable happen?"

Lucka cast down her gaze. Her silence pervaded the room.

"Lucka? You can trust me. I'm in charge of your safety here," Tseng said calmly with a softer tone.

Lucka swallowed. She vaguely nodded.

Tseng took a deep breath. He asked with a more careful tone, "What has happened?"

Another silence hung heavy. Lucka hugged herself with her steel hands as her empty eyes were bored to the floor.

He felt terrible if he pushed further. But after noticing how distressed the girl was, Tseng couldn't stay still. He said, "I know it must be difficult to speak up. But this matter can't be solved by itself. You need to tell me so that we can resolve this together, Lucka."

Lucka glanced at him slowly and rested her gaze on her hands. She gave him a few nods before taking a deep breath and whispered, "He... he touched me." She added with a choked voice, "you know Tseng, I'm so sorry I can't fulfill your expectation. It's my mistake. But it just… it's… " she trailed off.

Tseng waited, but he never heard the end of her sentence. He cursed inwardly. Sure, predators were everywhere, especially in environments swarmed with criminals. It was such an error they'd missed preparing her to face this circumstance. Not that he wanted to make any excuses, but it was also inevitable because her arrival in Gaia and the request came together at short notice.

"Lucka, my deepest regret to hear that," he said. "It's not your fault. I'll help you settle this mission. Do you mind if I inform Veld about the reason? If he knows, it'll be easier to establish an argument."

The girl gave him a weak nod.

"Do you have evidence like a voice record or hidden camera?"

Lucka's body tensed, but she shook her head rather hastily.

Tseng didn't know the meaning behind her hurried response, but he felt awful if he pushed further, so he let it slip. He said, "How are you feeling now? Do you need to see a therapist? I'll find you one."

Lucka glanced up at him with almost teary eyes. She nodded eagerly. And somehow, it smashed his icy heart. What a poor girl.

"Okay. Please take a rest. I'm giving you three days off. Notify me if you need more time. And you can only come back after you feel better." Tseng said.

She'd got the drug, and she deserved the break.

Lucka nodded again and put a weak smile on her lips. "Thank you, sir, for your understanding. It means the world."

Tseng hummed and escorted Lucka out of his house. He had to meet Veld immediately.