REVIEWS

Phantom117a: No problem, Pal. Trust me, I always need to vent an idea or two to someone to be able to focus on my works. Been there, so I can relate.

Jamieoeyes: A good question. Now, Jaune is not going to get with ALL the Huniepop girls - Brook and Ashley are on the NO-GO list, just so you know, but I ain't saying who else - and you are pretty on-point with your belief Jaune will aid those girls with their issues, and that will be part of what draws them to him! But there is more that I have planned, so stay tuned for that!

Alexdel27: Aye, his fortune is smiling wide at him right now. But everything has a price, and Jaune is soon to pay his due to fate.

Xerzo LotCN: YA REALLY THOUGHT BLANK WAS THE JOKER?!

As always, here is the discord, guys: /FVXgdXtMUv

And remember, chapter 8 is going to go up on Slatreon (YOu know what I mean) for early access. In case ya'll not wait another two weeks, head there, and for a bit, you can read the chapter before its public release in 2 weeks. The link to my Slateon (Again, you know what I mean!) is at the bottom of this here chapter!

Well, true to his word, Jaune did, in fact, call the renovations crew once again. And he also discovered how the place was missed the first time. There was a switch on the right as soon as you entered the door. Kyu pressed it by mistake some time ago but didn't notice the walls of the stairs altering. As it turns out, the basement - the club under it - was likely an illegal, unlicensed place. He had to call his lawyer to make sure he wasn't in trouble, but the man assured him he was fine.

The previous owners would have been in serious trouble should they have been caught, but seeing how they were deceased, the authorities couldn't place any charges on them. They asked him to give the place a swipe to make sure there were no new pieces of evidence, and after the police were done, it was the turn of the renovation crew.

He wanted to keep the place as large as it currently was for extra space. He also, at Kyu's plea, kept the actual stripping area, though he had a door installed and the wall filled out to make sure he wouldn't have to go in there. The alcohol that was in there was also not an issue, according to his lawyer, as he could do whatever he wanted with it. They only asked if they could take a bottle of expensive scotch.

Jaune had no issues with it.

The renovation team needed only three days to complete the work. They even worked through the night! Thanks to some industrial-grade earplugs, Jaune and the girls could sleep without any issues, and now that they were done, he made to buy some up-to-date furniture and so on. The place was still too sweet to tear down!

Ashley was totally in love with it, especially the new TV wall he had installed. The place was great. Additionally, Aiko contacted him not long ago and said she had wrapped up the purchase of 20% of Black Dreams Modeling. Jaune was now the proud owner of a fifth of that company.

Life was good. Well, almost.

"CLOSE THE FUCKING DOOR!" Lillian shouted as Jaune accidentally walked outside his room. Yeah, outside his room, into his hallway. Why? Because Lillian apparently thought she could just walk around NAKED after showing. He closed the door, alright, not wishing to keep staring, but he had to admit, Lillian had been quite something.

It has only been roughly a week since she and Ashley, and later Aiko, who took a room downstairs, moved here. Things had been stable, and he won't lie, but it was also not entirely good. Ashley and Aiko didn't ask him who knew what kind of trouble, but Lillian was less cooperative. She just seemed to be out to annoy him or make him uncomfortable in some way or another. And as Kyu would put it, not even in the sexy way.

It was almost like she wanted to get him in trouble with something, but nothing worked, so she just kept trying! He sighed, rubbing his face. "Why didn't you get a towel?!" And shouted back through the door.

"There weren't any that fit me!" She replied before slamming her door, and Jaune took it as the cue to exit his room, finally walking into the hallway.

"Yeah, she will take some work," Kyu remarked.

"You think?!" And Jaune replied, frustrated. "Lillian has proven herself to be nothing but trouble, Kyu. Like, be honest, how is it ok to get wasted in another man's house?! She was not even wearing pants!"

"Well, is this another scenario? I'd think she was subtly asking you for some action, but she is a classified brat, so that is not the case. It is as you suspect: She just wants to make things difficult for the hell of it! And here I thought you two were on amicable grounds at the very least."

"I thought so, too! But not long after she and Ashley moved in, things just…went downhill." Jaune replied, walking downstairs, where he found Ashley browsing a magazine.

"Sup, Jaune. Lillian being difficult again?" She asked as he went to grab some coffee from the kitchen.

"Yeah." He replied, making himself a pot. "Tell me, why is she like this?"

"Wouldn't know what to tell ya," Ashley replied. "Lillian has just always been this way. Or, well, been this way as long as I've known her. She and I are related by marriage, actually. My aunt married her father, who, at the time, already had Lillian."

"I see," Jaune replied slowly, pouring his coffee. "How was she back then?"

"Completely different from now. She was still into strange, dark stuff, but she was not as much of a handful, you know? I honestly cannot begin to imagine what it is that got her this way." Ashley replied, and Jaune listened closely. There was a clue in there.

"Duh! Of course there is! Come on, dude; it is clear as day that Lillian doesn't get along with her stepmother." Kyu added, and Jaune had to admit that could be the case. Still, he needed more information.

"Is her mother - you aunt, I mean. Is she being mean to Lillian in any way?"

"No! Goodness, no, my aunt is a sweet woman. It's Lillian who is the issue, and I am not even saying this to protect her. We just don't know where this entire thing comes from, and it only got worse when my younger cousin, Ray, was born."

"Another cousin?"

"Yeah, my aunt and uncle got busy, so Lillian is a big sister," Ashley added. It became clearer to Kyu as time passed and Ashley talked about the issue. But she was going to tell Jaune later. They had an appointment to get to.

"Dude, let's go to the gym! We can talk there."

"Alright, Ashley, thanks for talking with me. Hopefully, this insight will help me understand her better."

"Good luck with that, Jaune!"

"Well, whatcha know! Welcome back, kid! You've been gone for a bit." The trainer at the gym welcomed Jaune warmly. "Heard you've been busy. Meetings for business and the likes?"

"Something like that. Ready to begin?" Jaune asked.

"Sure!"

And so, Jaune began his workout routine for the day. The trainer kept pushing him, especially since he had an aura, but that was alright. After all, the guy likely didn't deal with people with aura often, or did he? He was undergoing a training regime meant for people WITH aura since he could recover faster thanks to the healing properties of aura.

However, this was not why he was here today. He actually had different kinds of plans. Sure, staying fit was important, but there was also another issue. His father. Coral had given him a new perspective on things, and if everything she said was true, then he truly was trapped on the island. In a sense, that was.

Since he got rid of the bug in his scroll, his father likely lost his track once and for all unless there was some other trick he was unaware of. Even then, even if Jaune went out of Bella Dia, it is not like he will be there when he gets off the ship or bullhead instantly, giving Jaune enough time to run away back to the island potentially.

Still, he'd like to avoid that. So one of the reasons he was training was to build his body to a preferred physique, to be ready in case he'd need to fight. He had to give it his all since he was no longer at rock bottom. He was rising. And now he had things to lose. Things he won't let anyone take away from him!

Not again.

"Jaune?" The boy turned his head to the side but focused back on his workout. His head whipped back when he noticed who was currently standing next to him. Beli.

"Beli! I didn't know it was already yoga time." Jaune replied, slightly surprised at her early arrival.

"It isn't. In fact, I wanted to call you and tell you that the class is not being held today. I just got a call from the owner, really last-minute, saying someone booked the hall for some other event." Jaune stopped his workout, focusing on her.

"How come? Actually, where is the owner?"

"Sorry!" And on cue, the owner appeared, going to Beli directly. "I'm sorry, Beli, but the offer was just too good to pass up. You know how it is! I promise to give you a fat bonus for the inconvenience."

Beli sighed. "I guess there is no harm done. I already messaged my students, telling them the class for today was canceled. So, I guess I have some free time on my hands now."

"Dude, this is your chance to gain some points with her!" Kyu urged Jaune. "Ask her out for a stroll or something!"

"S-say, Beli, if I am not being a bother, would you like actually to join me on a stroll? Since the Yoga class has been canceled, you are not the only one with some free time on your hands now." Jaune asked, and Beli seemed slightly surprised by his request.

"Oh, sure! We can go as soon as you are done and…" She sniffed the air a bit. "Shower."

"Right. Give me a few." Jaune replied.

Sometime later, Jaune was all fresh and ready for their stroll, with Beli waiting in front of the gym for him. They departed at a steady pace, with Jaune deciding to go somewhere Beli would want to go. She chose the nearby park, and once there, Beli began speaking. "It's so nice here. It is especially good to know there are no Grimm."

"This is a park in the middle of a populated area, so…" Jaune trailed off, but then he changed the subject. No need to be Captain Obvious. "But anyway, Beli, how about you tell me a few things about yourself? For example, how come you ended up teaching yoga in Bella Dia."

"Now there's a story. As you can guess, I grew up in Anima, like you, but I didn't grow up in the most kind conditions. It wasn't a bad neighborhood, but just a poor one. My father worked tirelessly to feed me and my mother. My mother was the one who inspired my love for yoga, as she earned money by teaching it back in our village!"

"Truly? And where are they now?" Jaune asked but saw Beli's expression, saddened for a bit.

"They…They are no longer around. A Grimm attack took them from me when I was 16. They left me everything, and I used some of the money to come here, where I managed to earn my living by teaching yoga, just like my mother." Beli explained and, at the same time, made Jaune feel bad for asking. It seemed many girls had some kind of emotional baggage to them, but Beli here didn't seem to have one as great as Aiko's. If anything, hers is straightforward and, unfortunately, common with Remnant.

"You must miss them," Jaune remarked.

"I do. I miss them dearly, but they raised me right. I try to keep to their teachings every day, but to be honest, it is hard sometimes." She admitted. "My mother was very beautiful in her youth. She was around my height but had a slimmer waist than I could ever dream of. Me? No matter how much I seem to work out, I cannot get rid of this chub."

"Blasphemy!" Kyu shouted.

"What do you mean? I don't see anything wrong with you, Beli." Jaune replied, trying to make her feel better.

"Maybe due to my clothing obscuring everything, but I can assure you, I am anything but fit," Beli stated again. "It's just…It's hard, you know? Especially the smell of meat. I try to keep to my vegetarian diet, but I just can't at times."

"Vegetarian diet?"

"My parents always told me to respect life, and as such, eating meat was wrong," Beli stated, but Kyu seemed a bit uncomfortable about it.

"Ummm. Red flag? I know there are crazy fucks nowadays who treat meat-eaters like murderers on the street. Think there was even a murder based on this where a guy was shot for enjoying a barbeque. Sheesh."

"You don't have anything against those that eat meat, though, right?" Jaune asked, trying to be sure.

"Oh? Oh! I'm so sorry. I know how I must have sounded, and I apologize. I saw the news on the internet, the jokes, and stories, so I know that some people out there take things…Too far. I didn't mean to sound like that, I swear!" She panicked, apologizing constantly.

"Hey, hey, calm down. It's alright, Beli; I didn't paint you for one either way. I am just surprised, that's all. You say you have trouble around meat, but if that is the case, why not indulge? Actually, stupid question. Let me rethink it: Don't animals eat other animals to survive?" Jaune asked, and Beli seemed to give thought to his words.

"They do, but that is the cycle of life," Beli answered.

"And aren't we part of that cycle as well? Our ancestors didn't thrive on plants and tofu alone; they ate plenty of meat to survive, especially in the winter months." Jaune stated, and Beli had to admit he had a strong point.

"Right. But then, what do you think I should do? I don't want to go against my parent's beliefs and teachings."

"You are not. I mean, think about it. If it comes to survival, as it has always been, you are not killing and eating an animal for sport or pleasure but to feed yourself in order to survive. If that is the case, you are not disrespecting life or committing a crime but just saving your own. If anything, not eating the meat of the animal is insulting. If it died, at least give meaning to its death, and use its flesh to feed the hungry."

"That's…That's actually a very enlightened way to put it. I never saw it like that before." Beli admitted. "So, essentially, by eating their meat for the purpose of continuing your own, you are not actually disrespecting life."

"You are just following the natural order," Jaune added again. He was just going with his gut in his conversation, but seeing how he had Beli interested, it was worth going forth. "So, if things like fast food are tempting, maybe giving yourself a cheat day is not so bad. Sure, resisting the temptation is admirable, but should you really do it at the cost of your health?"

"What do you mean?" Beli asked, confused but unknown to her; Kyu had already had her read out.

"Beli, be honest. Don't you think you might be pushing yourself a bit far? I mean, you call yourself fat, but I really don't see anything to indicate that. If anything, all I see is a beautiful woman who takes real good care of her body."

"Beautiful?!" Beli echoed, a blush spreading across her face.

"Smooth, dude, real smooth."

"You…Really think I am beautiful?" She asked, staring at him closely.

"I do," Jaune replied with honesty.

"I had people tell me that before." And there goes the wind in his sails. "Many men tried their luck with me at the gym before, Jaune. Many called me beautiful. But no one said so after discussing my weight. An embarrassing subject as it might be, no one has actually said to me this way."

"What way?"

"Genuine." Beli clarified. "I could tell that you didn't say it to just get into my pants. It means a lot to know you think of me as such." The blush on her face was ever so present, but something seemed off with her. "However…Isn't this unfair?"

"Unfair?" Jaune asked in confusion.

"To Aiko, I mean."

"Ah, so it seems they have been in touch," Kyu remarked. "Whatever the two told one another, you need to walk on eggshells. Odds are whatever we tell Beli here will reach Aiko's ears, and you don't want a mess at the early start!"

"I know the two of you have already been…intimate, to some degree. But she told me you, and she shared some tense moments the other night, something about your past and probing too much. She warned me not to bring up any subjects related to your family."

"Y-yeah, that is a sore one, yeah," Jaune admitted. "And I admit to me and Aiko doing things."

"Then, are the two of you together? Like a couple?" Beli asked, nervousness in her voice.

"No," Jaune said slowly. "If anything, I am unsure of our relationship beyond her being my investment agent. And if I am honest, I am also not sure I want a relationship now."

"Why not?" Beli seemed to almost jump at that one. "I mean, you have looks, money, connections - surely, women are lining at your door!"

"Beli, I am not a playboy. The women living in my house do so because of the business agreement I struck, and Aiko quit her university job to join me as my agent, so I gave her a room as well. No matter how you look at it, they didn't move in because we are all in a relationship. I just had the space." Jaune stated, but then something happened that honestly shocked him.

"Wait, you were not in a relationship with them all?"

"What kind of question is that?!" Jaune half-shouted back at her, shocked by her question.

"I mean…My father actually had three wives?" Beli gave him an awkward smile. "Look, in my culture, it was not against the law for a man to have more than one wife. Pretty sure such cultures are very common, especially in nomadic Vacuan tribes. From what I read, the number of wives a man has is relative to their power and standing in society in those tribes."

"I…Wait, hold on, unwind." Jaune needed a moment. He needed a moment bad.

"She agrees with the harem plan! Damn! This is luck at the hundredth power!" Kyu cheered.

"So, you didn't ask me about Aiko because you thought I was cheating on her with you?" Jaune asked.

"Oh no, I was asking because I didn't know if you asked her for permission to add more women to your…" She cleared her throat. "Harem."

"Do men have to ask for permission from existing members?"

"Yes!" Beli replied strongly. "It ensures no interlopers or house breaks join that might ruin the harmony."

"O-ok…" The tables had been turned on him BIG TIME. "Still, not like most women enjoy this, right?"

"You're right in that regard," Beli said slowly. "Many women don't understand the value of this, but Jaune, tell me, how many women are there compared to men on Remnant?"

"Less? Roughly equal?"

"Jaune, I don't know where you learned, but truth be told, there is one man for every three women on Remnant," Beli revealed to him, shocking him. "I know. It is a scary number."

"But how? Surely, there is a roughly equal number of boys and girls being born every day!" Jaune stated, trying to make sense of things.

"It's because of the Huntsman career. Apparently, since women get pregnant and need to raise their children, most huntresses retire for good to raise their families. But men always feel the need to be the ones to support the family, meaning most families with a Huntsman father in them, well…I don't need to explain further, do I?"

"No…No, I guess I get what you are trying to say. Most women survive because men die often in the line of duty."

"Yes. Believe it or not, there was a woman in my village who re-married three times because her husbands died fighting the Grimm." Beli stated once again that Jaune understood more and more of the situation. That, and Kyu's guess about Beli possibly holding herself back.

"So, if I were actually to date Aiko, you'd have nothing against me dating you as well so long as Aiko was aware of everything?" Jaune asked, testing the waters.

"Of course! Plus, I…You don't seem like the type of guy to neglect any of us. A real danger in those situations is nepotism."

"Favoritism."

"She is not wrong. If your women feel like you care more about one of them than the rest, you can wake up in a real nasty situation." Kyu added, giving her wisdom.

"How could you say so much about me, Beli? And with such certainty?" Jaune asked her. "We haven't known one another for long. Nor met on normal terms."

Beli blushed from embarrassment. "Please don't bring that incident up. I already said I'm sorry!"

"And I wasn't blaming you; I just pointed out a fact," Jaune added, trying to make sure Beli felt comfortable.

"Well, I always was good at telling what was on people's souls. I don't know; it just came easily to me. I could tell when someone was troubled. And I could tell when someone was lying, too. And when I look at you, Jaune, I see a sense of loss. A lack of clear direction. I see hurt, betrayal, and despair but also hope and courage. I see kindness in your eyes and hear truth in your words. But…" She frowned. "I also see anger."

"Anger?" Jaune replied with confusion. "What do you mean by that? I am not usually the kind of man to get angry or aggressive easily, if at all."

"Not that kind of anger. But something deeper. A resentment you carry that weighs you down." She added, making Jaune somewhat tense in the process. "It must be hard, carrying such a burden."

"I…I am not sure what you mean, Beli, but I can take a guess. I try not to think of the bad things in my life now, that I escaped it all and made it big here on Bella Dia." Jaune admitted.

"Jaune, there is nowhere to run and hide from one's past. It can only be faced." Jaune flinched at that. How could he face Pyrrha or anyone else without them potentially harming him? Morally, they had a good standing compared to him, who used illegal means to get into Beacon. The law was not on his side. "But, do so at your own pace, alright? There is no need to force anything."

"Thank you, Beli." Jaune was relieved to hear those words, signaling to him that she was indeed not probing into his business. Good. "I feel we deviated from the original subject, however. Tell me, Beli, since your father had three wives, do you happen to have any siblings as well?"

"Two brothers from my father's second wife and one sister from his third. I had a fairly large family. Had. My sister was killed in the same Grimm attack as my parents, and the boys actually went to become Huntsmen as well…" She trailed off. "I didn't want them to go down that path. I was scared I might lose them. But I couldn't stop them. Now, I think they must be in their last year at Haven by now. Almost graduate Huntsmen, ready to take on the hordes of Grimm."

"Are you proud of them? Few choose to fight after such a loss." Jaune asked.

"Strangely, I am. But always worried and afraid as well. They used to visit, but I think I strained our relationship. I often tried to ask them to drop out and move in with me so we could be a family, but they were adamant about their desire to be huntsmen." Beli explained. "Those boys…" She sighed. "They have their mother's stubborn demeanor."

"Did you speak with them recently? As in, this week or month?"

"Yes! I did. In fact, I spoke with them last week, asking them how things were going. They changed a lot since they were young…" She cracked up with some laughter. "Believe it or not, Maru, the youngest of the twins, used to wet the bed. A lot. One time, he somehow wet the bed three times in a row!"

Somewhere in Haven Academy.

"My ears are burning!" A young Huntsman shouted as he stood in his dorm, doing an assignment.

"Heh." Jaune shared the laugh. "Yeah, I can relate in some strange way. My twin sister, Alice? She also used to wet the bed, though she doesn't hold that kind of negative record."

And at Beacon.

"Who's speaking ill of me?" Alice asked as she felt her ears flare up during Combat Class.

"Miss Arc, something the matter? I see you rubbing your ear." Miss Goodwitch asked.

"Nothing, Professor, I just think someone is speaking ill of me," Alice replied.

"Ah, the old saying that when your ears burn, there is someone saying something bad about you. Very well, let's continue."

"Hehehe. Your sister definitely would have hit you if she knew you said that, wouldn't she?" Beli asked.

"You have no idea…" Jaune replied vaguely since he was pretty sure he'd have to hide from bullets. "But that being said, I guess we both have experience when it comes to big families."

"Indeed. I even thought about what size mine might have one day." Beli said. "I grew up in a large family, but since coming to Bella Dia and my brothers being away, I just felt a bit lonely. I have Aiko and other friends to help keep me company, but it just doesn't feel the same. This is why when my time comes to bear the burdens of motherhood, well…I hope the Gods bless me with many children."

"Oh, I don't think my blonde stud here will have an issue fulfilling THAT wish," Kyu remarked, which really made Jaune uncomfortable.

"I hope you find yourself a good husband first," Jaune replied with a smile, catching Beli's attention. "It takes two, no?"

Beli blushed. "Y-yes. Honestly, I don't even know how to deal with such a prospect. I mean, I haven't…I did watch movies on the CCT, but never…You know. The real thing."

"Yeah…Me neither." Beli's eyes widened slightly.

"Really? But-"

"I just never had the luck," Jaune replied quickly, cutting her off. "All advice I ever got was that one needs confidence, but I never put any real importance on that."

"If that is all you got, then I can both affirm and deny its effectiveness. Sure, confidence is important, but kindness, empathy, and thoughtfulness are also important." Beli stated. "And, well, I guess being funny, smart, and good-looking is also a nice addition."

"Sounds like a tall order," Jaune commented, only getting a roll of the eyes from Beli.

"I know. Honestly, there is always the issue of women demanding too much and getting disappointed when they must settle for less." Beli stated. That part really struck Jaune as hurtful to some degree. "S-sorry. I must have sounded crazy again."

"No, you do have a point, to some degree. But don't men have to go through the same issue? I don't think we demand that much, right?"

"Honestly? I think most men are just after sex."

"She's not wrong," Kyu commented.

"But there is the rare romantic, isn't there?" Jaune asked, and Beli gave it some thought.

"I guess. But pray tell, then, Jaune, which one do you think you are?"

"Hey now, aren't you the one that reads people? You tell me!"

"I think…I think you are a good choice for any woman out there." Jaune smiled upon hearing those words.

"Now you are just saying it to make me feel better about myself." He replied. "Well, if we are still throwing compliments, I guess I could take my turn. Beli, listen." He inhaled deeply. "Kyu, I need your aid here."

"Repeat after me!" The fairy said, a grin on her face.

"You are by far one of the most drop-dead gorgeous women I have seen so far on the island. I mean, have you seen your chest in the mirror?-" Jaune stopped himself as Kyu grinned on his shoulder, trying to act innocent.

"Oh! Oh my…" Beli looked down at her chest and hovered over it. "Aren't they fat?"

Kyu signaled him the answer. "N-no. Beli, I can tell you are not fat. You take such good care of yourself; there is no way I can imagine you gaining weight. If anything…" And now Kyu took over again. "Your chest is one of the best around, excluding any implants."

"Really Kyu?! Really?! Are you making me compliment her chest?! I thought I was managing to get somewhere without being a pervert!" Jaune shouted at the very through their thoughts.

"Hey, just shut it and watch!"

"Oh my…" Beli said again, her face now blushing madly. "I think I need to sit down, I-...Oh Gods…" She took a seat on a bench, looking a bit flustered. Jaune was confused by this.

"Kyu?"

"Yeah, I figured as much. She always seeks the approval of others, but when it comes to men giving her nice words, she puts herself down and, given her little talent, can likely tell when those men are saying nice things just to get a whiff of that." Kyu laughed. "But as she said so herself: You are genuine. This means whatever you say, it actually STICKS. Look at her! I bet her panties are getting damp! Capitalize on this chance, and take her home for the night! Wait! No, you have roomies. Go to her place and seal the deal."

"I am not going to sleep with her!" He replied strongly. "I'm not ready yet!"

"Bitch, are you a man or-"

"Jaune?" Beli called out to him. "I…I thank you for your words. B-but, pray tell, we haven't gotten around to those messages I mentioned before. I could give you a small one right here if you'd want."

"Ok?" Jaune said slowly, sitting next to her on the bench. Once he did, Beli began running her hands down his upper back and arms. She was examining him.

"Strong musculature, but full of knots. Here."

"Ok- Ouch!" Jaune reacted as Beli pressed a pressure point on his shoulder, causing a wave of pain and then warmth to shoot through him. "Gods, that…That hurt, but now it feels…It feels nice, actually."

"Your upper torso is full of knots," Beli said, sounding actually worried. "Jaune, have you ever gotten massages for your body?"

"I always saw them more like a luxury- Gods!" Another point pressed, another feeling shooting through him.

"They are not a luxury! In fact, your body is so full of knots that I am surprised you can still move fluidly. Even amateur ones can help greatly to maintain your body's flexibility." Beli continued to massage him, reaching his neck. "Oh, Gods. Jaune, you really need a good massage."

"Is it that bad?" He asked, already feeling concerned.

"It's pretty bad. You are one bad night's sleep away from waking up with a neck that doesn't turn." Beli stated, which actually spooked Jaune a little. "Since I have the rest of the day off, let's actually go to my place!"

"Take the invite! Take the invite!" Kyu shouted at him, and Jaune found himself with no other choice but to take Beli's offer. So, they got off the bench and began searching for a taxi, but Jaune was already calling Nicky. Granted, what Jaune failed to notice was the slick trail of liquid that fell from Beli's dress.

"Alright, here's my apartment!" Beli said, opening the door. Her place was quite cozy, full of traditional decorations, and very…peaceful overall. "Let's go to the bedroom. Once there, I ask you to strip your top so I can begin. I need to go fetch my oils."

With those words said, Beli left the room, going elsewhere to fetch her supplies. Once she was gone, Jaune easily found the bedroom and obeyed Beli's words, stripping his top and lying on her bed. Of course, the situation was not lost on Kyu.

"Dude, she just used your knotty body as an excuse to bring you to her bedroom," Kyu stated smugly stating so as she sat on Jaune's head.

"I realized that…"

"When?"

"After my shirt was off…"

"Ha! No turning back now, boy! When she comes back, I expect her to be fully naked, and once she asks you to turn around, she will mount you and ROCK YOUR WORLD! YES! Finally, this much-generated mana is sure to-"

"Here I am!" Beli announced as she entered the room, and Jaune was curious if Kyu was right, so he tried to look at her, but she moved fast. "Let's get to work, shall we? Please, lay your head down on the pillow and breathe calmly."

Jaune gulped but did as she said. He then felt a weight settle on his back. "Beli?"

"Sorry, I had to get a good position. Here." The sound of a cap being removed was the next thing he heard before the cold feeling of the oil touching his skin hit him, making him shiver slightly.

"That's cold!"

"I know. Usually, I'd warm them up, but I reckoned you could take it." She replied as she continued to apply the massage. It hurt whenever she began to press on a knot to undo it, but then the sensation of relief was worth the pain. "So, Jaune, we talked quite a bit about me back in the park. But what about you? I know I am not supposed to ask a lot of questions regarding your family. Aiko warned me. But I am still curious about some other things."

"Such as?" He asked sluggishly.

"Well, who unlocked your aura?" Beli asked, curious.

Jaune didn't want to answer, however. "I am afraid that is not a free subject to discuss. I can tell you it was no one in my family, though."

"I see. I see. Have you…Ever unlocked someone's aura before?" She asked again, now officially confusing him.

"Unlocking someone's aura? No, I never did that before. I just had mine unlocked, but I never unlocked a person's aura. Besides, I think the island has laws about that. Why do you ask?" He asked back.

"Well, believe it or not, our father unlocked the auras of the twins," Beli replied, trying to undo a knot in Jaune's upper back. "Said it was going to come in handy for the two."

"Your father had aura?" Jaune asked.

"Yeah, but he was not a Huntsman. He once told me he wanted to unlock mine as well. He said it would help me be more in tune with myself if I had my aura to interact with. They say aura is an extension of our soul, right?"

"They do say that, yes."

"And…How does it feel? Having an aura, I mean."

"It's strange at first. Like a warm blanket was suddenly drawn over you. Then, it feels like nothing, really. You don't feel it after getting used to it, but you know it is there, and you can…I don't know, feel it?"

"You just said you do not feel it anymore after getting used to it." Beli pointed out.

"I know, but it is just hard to find the words for it. You don't feel like you do when you first get your aura, that is for sure, but the feeling after that is different. Like there is always something watching your back." Jaune explained. "And I just…I don't know if this is because I have more than your average Huntsmen-in-training, but in my case, it is like constantly wearing armor. A thin sheet that can bounce off bullets and heal my body. Add in my semblance, and I can claim to be unstoppable."

"Semblance?" Beli caught on to the detail. "What is your semblance, if you don't mind me asking?"

"I can amplify aura." He replied with a simple answer.

"Oh! Woah, that sounds powerful. From what you just said, your aura is already above average, and if you can amplify it further…They say semblances are meant to reflect the wielder." Beli stated. "If you can amplify yourself, what do you think that says about you?"

"I can also amplify others." He added, then began to think. "And I guess I never gave it much thought. I mean, my semblance came in after I was kicked out of Beacon, so-"

"Wait, you were kicked out of Beacon?"

"Fuck." Jaune swore aloud. "Forget I said that."

"B-but why? Beacon is meant to be the best Huntsman Academy in all four kingdoms! And you said your aura is above average, and your semblance is-"

"Beli!" Jaune raised his voice, spooking her, "Just…Drop it, alright? It is part of the subjects I do not wish to talk about. It slipped, nothing more. Don't give it more importance, alright?"

"I… Ok, Jaune." She applied pressure at another point again, making Jaune curl his toes from the pain. "Still, it does explain your physique. You must have trained hard."

"Yeah…I tried my best." Jaune said vaguely. However, even his best was not enough. The sabotage done by his father is what led him to where he is now. Not the fact he was getting a message from a potentially naked woman currently on his back, but the fact he was not in Beacon, training further to become a Huntsman. That still frustrated him.

"Jaune? Your muscles tensed up. Please, try to relax so I can work."

"Sorry." He apologized, trying to relax. "It's just the bad memories."

"I apologize if I dug too deep," Beli said. "My curiosity got the better of me."

"It's alright, Beli, again. You have nothing to really apologize for."

"You are too kind, Jaune. I don't- What…Is this?" Beli suddenly said, sounding horrified by something she had found. Jaune wondered what she might have seen, but then he remembered the incident. Did she touch him in the front and feel the wound left by the bullet? "Jaune, why do you have a bullet exit wound?"

"Exit wound?" He echoed in confusion. Was…Was he actually shot FOUR times?! He could only recall three shots: two bullets reflected by his aura and one that got in and didn't come out. He has it even now! But then again…He wasn't in the best state of mind back then. Could it really be possible there was a fourth bullet?

"Here." She pressed her finger on it, and Jaune had to admit that was definitely the back of the area he was shot in. "It looks…strangely fresh as well."

"Y-yeah…I got shot before coming to Bella Dia. It is actually how I got my semblance?"

"What?!" Beli gasped. "How?"

"Some guys ganged up on me. Wanted to rob me. Seeing my aura must have made them panic because one of them pulled out a gun and…I guess he fired an additional bullet. From what I remember, all of them bounced off my aura, but the last one. I was left bleeding right there. But then my aura seemed to just…Replenish extremely fast. Before I knew it, my wound closed itself, and I could get up. Those punks had run away, likely not wanting to go down for murder."

"Oh my Gods…" She said softly, leaning over his back. Of course, Jaune had omitted certain details about that night so as not to worry Beli more. "Jaune…You suffered so much."

"It's alright. It is just a flesh wound, and aura can work miracles." He downplayed it, but Beli didn't seem to like it.

Bit of Smut coming up. It's not big stuff, not even a job, but still, some things you best not be reading in public. As always, this is merely a message to let you know if you want to skip it.

"Jaune. Turn around, please." She told him and lifted herself off of him slightly. Kyu had been silent so far, but when Jaune turned around, he saw the reason why. Beli wasn't naked, wearing her yoga pants, but she was TOPLESS. Her breasts were in full display before him, and Jaune couldn't help but feel his body's heat rousing.

She then made a gesture that truly left him speechless. She took his hand and guided it to her breasts. Jaune couldn't help but squeeze by reflex. The soft, tender feeling was driving him crazy! However, as he stared at Beli in her eyes, he saw them closed, and she blushed madly. "Beli? Are you alright?"

"This is…Very embarrassing. I admit. But can you feel it?" She asked, making him gulp. "My heart is beating."

"Y-yeah. Quite fast, too. Look, Beli, I don't-" He tried to remove his hand.

"No!" But she didn't let him. "Don't, just…feel my life."

"Beli…"

"Jaune. I understand now that you suffered a lot. And this suffering still haunts you. I am not sure I have a right to discuss this with you or even force you to tell me about everything. I am not delusional. I am not going to fool myself into thinking I can help you. But what I want is the truth. Did you mean it? Back then, when you called my chest beautiful?"

"Pretty sure I didn't use those exact words!"

"Shut up! Roll with it!" Kyu shouted.

"I did…"

"Even now, seeing it bare and in front of your eyes? Even feeling it?" She asked further, and Jaune squeezed her again, making her shiver from the sensation. "Oh, that- I didn't know having my breasts touched feels this good."

"Beli, if you are not comfortable, we can stop," Jaune said, not wanting to overstep.

"I am. I am good." She said, yet Jaune still had doubts. "Just surprised. Never had I had my chest touched by a man before. The only exception being, well, the doctor, but they never touch me like this."

"Do you…Want me to touch the other one as well?" He asked, receiving a nod from her. He grabbed her other breast, and Beli couldn't hold it anymore. She moaned vocally, causing her to blush more and cover her mouth.

"Did I make that sound?" She asked.

"You did. You just moaned from the pleasure." Jaune explained to her, and Beli seemed more than just a bit surprised by that,

"I wasn't aware I could make such a noise."

"Haven't you ever moaned? What about during masturbation?"

"I admitted to watching such videos before, Jaune, but I never said I was pleasuring myself to them!" Beli pointed out strongly. "But…The real thing is different. Your hands are so rough and big. But the way you are holding my chest is so gentle. You are not being rough with me."

"I don't want to cause you pain," Jaune explained. "I know some women are more sensitive than others."

"And this is another detail I like about you: You are considerate of others before being concerned about yourself. Here. You can let go now." Beli said, and Jaune let go without saying a word. She then prepared another bottle. "We have to scrub you in the front as well."

The oil was applied to his chest, and Beli got to her, massaging his body from the front. Yet, the fact that she was sitting on his lap with her chest revealed that she really didn't do Jaune any favors. The boy tried to keep his cool, not to get a hard-on, but it was very difficult to do so, especially with Beli's chest swaying in his face.

Kyu, however, was not hiding or shying away. She was watching from the side, enjoying the show. "Tell me, Jaune, are you…happy?"

"Why ask me that?" He asked back.

"Right now, I mean. Are you happy right now? With me massaging you?" She clarified her question.

"Y-yes, I guess. I mean, hard not to be."

Beli giggled softly. "I can tell. Your…sword is getting hard."

"Oh, Gods…"

"I guess it was unavoidable," Beli said, then checked her work. "There, done." She got off of him, reaching for her top and putting on a shirt.

"FUCK!" Kyu swore aloud.

The smut part is over.

Jaune sat up, aroused - yes, but so was Beli. Her teasing was not exactly fair to either of them. However, before Jaune could speak, she beat him to the punch. "Do you want me to call you a taxi? It is pretty late."

"N-no need. I will call one myself." Jaune replied, slowly getting out of bed. Once he was off of it, however, he felt his upper body…lighter. Like he just had several weights taken off of him. "Woah. Are those the effects of those massages?" He asked, to which Beli was able to reply.

"That is correct. If we do them regularly enough, you should have good flexibility atop being well-built. But, on another subject…How'd you like my massage?"

"I liked it a lot, including the surprise. They are very beautiful, Beli. And it goes to reinforce what I was saying. You have no reason to be insecure about your body. You are gorgeous."

"Oh, stop…" Beli giggled a bit, blushing. "B-but, you know…I wouldn't mind showing them to you again."

"Really?!" Jaune replied, shocked.

"Yes! You'd be helping me see if I put on weight, so I know when to diet and exercise more!" Beli was quick to find an excuse. "But…That is if you want to see them again?"

"I- Well-..."

"DUDE! Take it! This is a clear way for you to develop your relationship with her!" Kyu shouted at him, and Jaune found himself replying strongly.

"Yes, I would very much like to see them again in the future!"

"O-okay. See you tomorrow at the gym, then." Beli said, starting to leave. "And Jaune?"

"Yes?" Beli pulled her shirt a bit, showing him more cleavage. "Dust!"

"I will be waiting."

After he got out of the taxi and went back to his home, Jaune couldn't find sleep. Instead, he decided to do the next best thing and go downstairs to the extra area. He recalled a jacuzzi being there. He chose to soak in, trying to relax. He had taken care of his 'issue' after he arrived, and now, he was de-stressing.

"Fuck…That was intense." Jaune said, with Kyu neatly sitting on the side of the jacuzzi.

"Tell me about it! I didn't think she had it in her! She actually came topless to you, and you didn't notice until she told you to turn around! And that bullet hole wound! Man, girls are bound to dig the potentially dangerous aura you will have with that scar!"

"I mean, I didn't think Beli was…You know."

"Easy there, Buster! She is no easy harlot! Trust me, I can read them. No, she is suppressing herself! She wanted it, dude! She wanted Rod tonight, but the more modest side of her prevented her from going through with the rest! Heck! Had she wanted to, she could have at least given you a handy to release the pressure!"

"Then what? If all my dates with Beli end in the bed, I don't know how I will be able to maintain things with the others."

"Dude, don't you see? You have the perfect opportunity before you! You heard her as well! Three women to even one male? Harems being culturally acceptable in some parts of the planet… It practically lays down the groundwork for your own!" Kyu stated strongly.

"What about your mana? Has the reserve in me grown?" Jaune asked, slightly frustrated.

"A bit. If you want to generate serious amounts, you need to do the real thing. Go all the way!" Jaune sighed, hearing Kyu, then used some water to wash his face and lean his hair back. "You did, techncaily, double the normal human amount already. But that only because humans in your world have shit magic capabilities anyhow."

"Then what are we to do now?" Jaune asked, trying to get more answers from Kyu.

"Now? Not now, but tomorrow? Dude, I think you need to speak with Lillian. From what Ashley told us, that girl is jealous of her new mother or something, and pins every blame on her. We need to tame that brat!" Kyu stated strongly.

"Must you put it that way?"

"It is what it's called!" Kyu added. "Still, Beli might be easier than I originally suspected her to be. She already stripped out of her own will, and you accepted to join her for more sessions. And you can see her boobs! Whenver you just ask! Do you know how unfair that is to me?"

"Aren't you invisible? What stops you from peeking up skirts?"

"Huh…Nothing! I never considered that angle before. Can't go far from you, but I might not need to do if the broads in question are those we pass on the street,"

"See? Now, can I continue my bath in peace?"

"I got no further questions." Kyu said before going away, leaving Jaune to continue bathing in the jacuzzi. Today was really exhausting, mentally so.