~Chapter 18: Genuine Smile~

Eve's eyes slowly opened as Chung moved slightly closer to her for warmth. One of Chung's arms were wrapped around Eve's petite waist while the other held her hand, intertwined. Eve used her free hand and managed to get Chung to let go of her hand and waist. She pulled the blanket and covered Chung with it before leaving.

Hearing the sounds of Eve's movements and no longer able to feel Eve beside him, Chung's eyes snapped open and grabbed her hand. He pulled her back into his bed and hugged her. The warm blanket covered their whole body as they crashed back onto the soft mattress. Chung's arms were once again, around her petite waist as he snuggled against her.

"Chung! It's morning already! Wake up!"

One of Chung's eyes opened as he stared at the clock on the wall, groaning softly. He slowly opened both cerulean eyes, narrowing them at the clock before snuggling against Eve once again.

"It's still early.. No worries... We have about two hours and thirty minutes. You wake up too early. By the way.. You're warm. So, I'm going to be selfish for today. You're not leaving this room until I wake up and have received all warmth from you."

Their bodies touched each other as Eve sighed softly and smiled at Chung. She turned around to face Chung and kissed his soft lips. Chung let himself smile as he kissed Eve back before slipping back into deep slumber with his beloved Eve by his side. Eve's eyes closed as she began to think of Chung and how their time was spent together.

'Chung.. You say that I'm warm. but... You're the one who's warm. You're the one who's giving me warmth. I missed this feeling.. Now, I'm happy that I've got it back. I'm glad that... Chung is beside me again..'

While on the other side of the dormitory, Elsword was wiping his blade and Cornwells. The dim light beside him was soon fading along with him as he blends into the darkness. As soon as the light fades, his blade and Cornwells were ready to be used once again.

'Who was I going to fight against again...? Ara Haan..? That girl specializes in using a spear and martial arts. Even if her spear is from a faraway distance from her, she would still be able to use martial arts. Not only that, she could use that to hold me off while preparing for her next skill... Ara Haan.. Not an easy opponent.. I shouldn't underestimate her like I did with Aisha...'

Elsword's head snapped up as he realized Aisha was included in his thoughts once again. He sighed and laid back against the mattress. He slowly closed his eyes, but not before Aisha's smiling face crossed his mind.

Aisha stood outside Elsword's dorm, smiling brightly while holding a key. She silently put in the key and turned it. The soft sound of the lock becoming unlock snapped Elsword's eyes open. Elsword was about to grab his blade until he recognizes the presence before him. He immediately laid back and pretended to sleep.

Aisha looked around the room, and Elsword was pretending to sleep. Aisha nodded to herself before setting down a small pouch of homemade cookies and... A good luck charm. Aisha silently clapped her hands together and made a wish to the good luck charm.

'I hope that... Elsword will win the final round and get what he wants. Well.. It's probably not strong gear or weapon, but.. I think he might be a little happy with the reward. Then again.. Elsword is not like any normal guy. He doesn't want any kind of strong gear or weapon. I think.. He already has a goal, and that goal.. Won't be accomplished until he learns a lesson. Okay.. I'm reading too much romance novels. Wait.. I should leave the room now before Elsword could wake up and slash me with his blade.'

Aisha immediately and silently left the room, and locked it before going back to her own dorm. Elsword' s eye slowly opened and he stared at the homemade cookies and the good luck charm. He smirked lightly before taking a small piece of the cookie and letting it melt inside his mouth.

'It's sweet.. Not that I mind. I guess.. Aisha is sweet as well.. Wait! I shouldn't have any kind of feelings for her. Bad Elsword!'

While outside, in the cold breeze, Rena smiled sadly before slapping herself in the face, and pinching her cheeks. She attempted to smile, but it came out forced. Rena sighed as she laid back against the roof's cold surface.

"I thought.. I can forget last night's incident, but I can't.. I want to smile again, but... I can't.. Even if I do smile, it'll come out as forced or sad.. It won't be a genuine smile.."

She sighed as Raven's cold expression crossed her mind. Rena grew depressed as she stood up, jumping down from the roof. She landed gracefully on the ground as she stepped back inside the warm dormitory. Rena slowly took each steps towards her room. As she passed Raven's room, Raven stepped out and grabbed her hand. With a warm hand touching her cold one, Rena turned her head around, her green eyes met with golden eyes. She braced herself for his cold words. Raven sighed as he noticed her getting stiff.

"Stay here."

Raven lets go of her hand and walked back inside his dorm for a moment. He soon came back with a light green scarf with tints of blue. He slowly wrapped it around her neck. His long fingers came in contact with her neck, making her flinch. Raven touched Rena's cheek, the very spot where he had slapped her. He leaned in towards her sensitive ear and Rena could feel his hot breath.

"Sorry. Does it still hurt?"

Rena shook her head silently with a faint blush on her face. Raven sighed in relief and smiled a little before turning it back into a frown. However, Rena was able to catch a glimpse of his small smile and her depressed feeling was starting to go away.

"Good.. It's cold, so carry that scarf around with you. Go back to your dorm and sleep. Early riser.."

Raven spun on his heels and walked back inside his dorm. However, he managed to catch Rena's soft "thanks". He closed the door to his dorm, Rena stood in front of his dorm, smiling a genuine smile like usual.

'Raven... Does he trust me a little bit now? I.. I'm just glad that.. He still worries about me. His soft side always comes out in situations like this. Maybe.. I can see that smile again one day. i just need to endure and wait. Someday... He'll forgive me.'

~Author's Note~

Holy! Almost 100 reviews! It's a miracle! I never expected this story of mine to receive such good feedback! O: Wait, is "feedback" a good word for this situation? XD

Anyways, I'm sorry! Ara VS Elsword will be coming up next chapter. I just want to make some sweet moments between our main couples. And... I'm so sad... The Arch Angel set disappeared! :( It was so beautiful too! It helped me win against a Sheath Knight! TT^TT

However! The good thing is that... Code: Electra finally came out! Well, it came out yesterday, but I just want to announce it! :D Now! I shall wait patiently for Shelling Guardian! ^_^

Here are my replies to my amazing reviewers~

TsukixnoEvernight: Technically, they are cold idiots right now, but soon.. They shall become warm idiots~ XD Aisha is a stubborn yet gentle girl, so... Of course her determination will outlast Elsword. XD Well, true.. But then, that's not true either. XD Eve.. She shows emotion despite being a Nasod, just not this kind and gentle Eve in this story. XD Elsword will show more emotions eventually. And yes, I did. XP I was excited, but April Fools.. TT^TT And of course Eve's is most awesome and beautiful one! :D I think Eve's and Chung's look the best out of all of them. And hell yeah.. My friend, she avoided all Chung's until I posted some pictures of the gender bent skill-ins. Also... Thanks for your humble compliments~

Yumi-San Angel: XD At first, I was going to make Aisha bratty, but then.. If all characters in the story are mature, then.. Aisha should also be mature and understand things a bit better~ But she'll still have some childish traits despite being mature. XD

Kat983: I knew it. XD You were a Raven x Eve fan. XD And the Arch Angel set was for free on April Fools, but it's now gone.. TT^TT Also, I did see the genderbent skill-ins. XD You should try Raven x Rena once in a while. Sometimes, they could help you in your writing. For example.. I don't support Raven x Eve at all, but I still read them, so I could get some experience and enjoy other authors' hard work on their stories~ :) As long as Chung x Eve exists inside of me, they'll prevail! :D

FanfictionLover: Lol! Don't worry~ It's just pretending. I'm just glad that she enjoys reading this as much as you do~ :)

KibaTsumeShippo: O: Viola friend! :3 My effort... XD I don't put that much effort since they're short. XD A bittersweet romance is always the best! Well.. In my opinion. XD And a 100 reviews.. A miracle~

NobelTJ99: Chung x Eve shall prevail! :D Lol~ My story's the only one that's keeping you here? XD Surely you've read other stories by other Elsword authors. They're much better than I am. XD The story won't be ending any time soon, so no need to worry yet.

Hospes: I try.. XD I want to keep my updates consistent. Thats okay~ At least you reviewed! :) O: You got a midnight lecture because of your grades?! Is it okay now? I hope you're not too stressed out. XD Elsword x Aisha fan.. :3 All Cheve, Elsia, and Rera~ XD I just made up those names.

RegretContract: :D Yay! Another Chung x Eve! :3 Infinity Sword... i couldn't find that many stories with Infinity Sword, and his skills are pretty cool. So, I used him~ :) Lord Knight is everywhere. Not that many Rune Slayer either.. And its sad...? O:

Thanks for reading!

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