"Duels? In this day and age..."

Empty City sighed to Night Zero. He didn’t think he’d lose, but the whole thing felt like a hassle. Sleeping in his dorm would’ve been far more relaxing.

*Stare—*

“...”

“Why are you staring at me like that?”

“Maybe because you looked incredibly cool just now?”

Night Zero tilted her head, wagging a finger with mock seriousness.

“Say that as a statement. Not ‘maybe’.”

“Mhm! Absolutely. Definitely. One hundred percent.”

Beneath those long lashes lay eyes that seemed to dance with laughter. Empty City gazed at the girl before him. After everything that just happened, he didn’t want others knowing about them. Or rather—he didn’t want to eat in this noisy crowd. He wanted pure, undisturbed time with Night Zero.

The thought grew stronger. And Empty City acted on it immediately.

“No way...”

Night Zero’s gasp couldn’t match the shock surging through her. With a snap of Empty City’s fingers, the world around them flipped upside down!

They stood in a serene forest bathed in gentle light. A path sloped down a small hill to the right, vanishing into deep woods. Towering conifers surrounded them as they walked slowly. Rustling leaves, a gurgling stream, and birdsong wove a perfect melody into the late-autumn scenery.

*Why is it evening?* Night Zero had no clue.

“So creating a space on the spot was a lie? And saying that’s your only ability was fake too?”

“Mm. This is part of my power. ‘Night’ is my personal world. I can’t live here forever—it’s a space to rest, unwind, and store things. I just... take good care of it. Made it livable.”

Empty City explained gently.

“Then... since we’ve cleared that up, care to explain *this*?”

Night Zero kept her eyes glued to her chest. Looking up would play right into his hands—and she’d see that hungry gaze again.

She had no idea how she’d ended up in Empty City’s arms. This position was unbearably embarrassing.

A neatly set table stood before them. On it sat the couple’s set meal Empty City had grabbed from the cafeteria. But what truly caught Night Zero’s attention was their posture: on a single ordinary chair, Empty City sat calmly—while she perched sideways on his lap. To keep from falling backward, her arms were looped around his neck.

“This doesn’t feel half bad.”

Empty City dodged her question, a faint smile playing on his lips.

The warmth of her bottom pressed against his thigh. The soft rise and fall of her chest right before his eyes. Her legs, dangling slightly to his right, sheathed in black stockings. The girl in his arms held power over him beyond measure.

“And you?”

“Mmm... well... it’s... not bad...”

Caught off guard by his question, Night Zero’s blush spread to her ears. But she answered honestly. This *was* nice... He wasn’t groping her. He just seemed to want this quiet moment together.

“Then... would you feed me?”

“Eh?! That’s—”

“Of course, I’ll return the favor.”

*Too embarrassing! How could anyone do this?!*

No one was around... but feeding him while sitting on his lap? The shame was overwhelming.

Yet seeing Empty City’s smug, expectant look, Night Zero knew refusal was pointless. He’d just pull some trick to get his way anyway.

*Stare—* His sharp, unwavering gaze broke her resolve.

“Just once! Only this once. And... don’t drop me, okay?”

She repeated it like a mantra, still worried he might accidentally let her fall. Only after he nodded did she loosen her grip on his neck, shifting to face the food. *Couple’s set meal* was an understatement—today’s lunch looked suspiciously perfect for feeding someone. *Did he plan this from the start?* A chilling thought struck her. If so, Empty City’s scheming was terrifying.

She glanced back weakly—only to meet his mischievous eyes. Flustered, she whipped her head away and picked up the... delicious-looking Chinese-style cake.

“Ahhh...”

“Ahh what?”

“How can you eat if you don’t open your mouth?!”

“Shouldn’t it be mouth-to-mouth?”

Empty City looked utterly serious. That’s how it always happened in dramas... though usually with unconscious patients.

*This guy... he’s terrifyingly shameless!* Night Zero’s heart pounded. She peeked at him, trying to gauge if he was serious.

*If he really meant it... I guess... I wouldn’t mind...*

But—

“I’m open...”

His words shattered her thoughts. Her carefully gathered courage vanished. The blush from her wild imagination finally exploded across her face.

*Puff... puff...*

Two soft sounds echoed. Crimson fox ears and a matching tail sprouted instantly, dyed deep red from sheer embarrassment. Paired with her outfit, she looked utterly bewitching.

“You’re the worst!”

Night Zero yelped, shoving the cake into his mouth in frustration. At the last second, she softened her hand—afraid he’d choke. But Empty City had anticipated it all: her flustered panic, her fleeting anger, even the fox traits revealing her true nature.

*This Night Zero... is ridiculously cute.*

He swallowed the cake smoothly. But he didn’t stop there.

His lips closed around her finger, tongue flicking lightly over the cake-smeared tip.

“EHHH?!”

Night Zero yanked her hand back like a spring, leaping off his lap. The electric touch of his tongue triggered pure instinct.

She stared at her licked finger, face burning crimson. Her fox ears twitched wildly behind her.

*How to describe her now?*

*Steaming hot?* That word fit perfectly.

Empty City rested his chin on interlaced hands, watching her with a teasing smile. Unseen in his eyes: endless, boundless adoration.