Eileen resisted the urge to just yawn and run away, forcing a polite yet awkward smile as she stammered:
“W-Who doesn’t have thoughts, right… just human nature…”
“Yes, human nature. As long as your conscience is clear. You’re Sydney’s companion, aren’t you? You’ve helped her a lot, I’ve noticed. But don’t pull out your gun. Try not to kill anyone here.”
The softer Joshua’s voice became, the more Eileen’s fur bristled. She had the feeling that this angelic woman standing before her must have spilled plenty of blood to maintain her place here.
“S-Sorry… I’m leaving…”
She had only come to say thanks and didn’t want to linger, especially now, when she felt as though the woman before her could see straight through her entire being…
“I’ll speak with Sydney. But, Sydney will soon be working as a librarian at your school, so I’ll be relying on you to look after her. And as an initial return… pay closer attention to the two people tailing you outside. They mean you no harm, but others in the future might not be the same.”
“If you don’t mind, we’re also short on people here. Since you’re Sydney’s friend, that means you’re someone she trusts. You could consider joining us.”
Joshua left as though she had never spoken with her at all. And abruptly, in her hand, there appeared… a golden cross?
It was similar in style to Sydney’s, though based on its weight, this wasn’t solid gold, just gold-plated. Yet somehow it was heavier than pure gold itself, making Eileen’s eyes widen.
She… gave it to me?
But since things had reached this point, Eileen didn’t plan to stay any longer. This place was too strange. If she lingered too long, Utoya would get angry again…
But outside, there were actually two people following her? Who could they be?
Holding the cross, Eileen quickly strode out. Since it was still daytime, she had to get back as soon as possible and shake them off…
Thunk.
Another pull — the world spun around her. Though she could struggle, the familiar feeling made her relax, letting herself be dragged.
The reason was simple: the moment that calloused hand touched her, she knew it was Utoya’s — rough in the right places, yet carrying a violent kind of tenderness.
Her startled cry was swallowed back down. When her vision refocused, she was already standing in a narrow alley beside the church, stacked with discarded building materials. Sparse sunlight trickled down, lighting up the drifting dust. The faint smell of church disinfectant lingered, but more overpowering was… tobacco smoke?
A steady hand pressed her against the cold brick wall. The pressure was firm enough to hold her in place, yet precise, carrying an undeniable sense of control. She lifted her head and met a familiar pair of golden eyes, sharp and scrutinizing.
Why are you following me like some creepy ghost…
Utoya was no longer wearing her signature bulletproof combat gear covered in pockets and tactical attachments. Instead, she was dressed in matte-black urban tactical wear:
A high-collared zip jacket, cargo pants with multiple pockets, long black stockings, and tactical boots wrapping her ankles. Every inch of fabric radiated simplicity, utility, and a subdued sense of threat, framing her as sharp and striking.
Her short black hair was messier than usual, a few strands falling across her forehead.
But what made Eileen’s pupils shrink was the sight of Utoya’s long fingers loosely holding a slender blue lady’s cigarette, its ember glowing faintly as thin smoke curled from her lips, drifting around her cold face before dissipating.
“I thought you didn’t smoke.”
Eileen smiled faintly, surprised. No wonder she had felt someone watching her. And looking like this… she actually looked kind of… cool. Almost…
“I smoke… only when I’m anxious. Most mutants are sensitive to smells, makes it harder to catch them.”
Utoya’s voice was husky, clearly unused to smoking.
“I’m sensitive too, you know. Don’t smoke anymore, I noticed you right away…”
Eileen shrugged. That kind of disguise wasn’t very good. Even she, fresh from beating Whitney up, had noticed someone tailing her.
“That wasn’t me. I wouldn’t let you notice me. You must be talking about this one.”
Utoya shook her head and held up her phone. The screen showed a ridiculous photo: Eileen smiling as she held Sydney’s blushing hand, while a black-haired, green-eyed figure — clearly Rosakaya — clenched her fist in the shadows. And obviously, the photographer had been Utoya.
Oh, great…
Eileen’s mouth twitched. So that gaze had been her sister’s. Why was she being tailed by two obsessed women… Rosakaya, what the hell… had she dyed her hair back? But still…
“That’s my sister… she’s just worried about me. Why are you here?”
Eileen sighed inwardly. She would have to talk with Rosakaya, but she definitely didn’t believe Utoya had come just to protect her.
“…To watch you. And I saw some things.”
Utoya inhaled deeply from the cigarette, closed her eyes as though making a decision, then crushed it out.
“That Sydney kid is a nun. Don’t get any strange ideas. And — didn’t we agree you’d give me one day? You really can’t keep your wor— mmph!”
Eileen pressed a hand to her forehead in exasperation. So that’s what this was about. At this rate, whether she left or not didn’t even…
Suddenly, the hand on her forehead was pushed aside. The figure before her leaned in, enveloping her completely…
…..
“Cough! Cough! Cough! What the hell!”
It might have been a gentle kiss, but the smoky air forced into her mouth made it suffocating instead. Eileen didn’t smoke, so this was torture.
The hot breath, laced with strong nicotine, was forced into her mouth. Utoya’s unyielding strength invaded every corner, her tongue sweeping across teeth and palate with punishing force.
The acrid bitterness of tobacco burned Eileen’s throat and nose. It was harsh, overwhelming, and domineering — just like the action itself. Her technique was clumsy, even careless, several times nearly making Eileen gag. She almost bit down more than once, but Utoya’s arms locked around her tightly, refusing to let go.
Who tries to shove it down someone’s throat on their first try?! That’s not kissing, that’s inducing vomit… does she even know what she’s doing…
Tears welled up. Eileen coughed hard but glared at Utoya through it all… this bastard…
“This is punishment, little cat. Don’t get involved with shady people…”
Utoya slowly straightened, reluctantly pulling them apart. Eileen’s face was flushed red, panting like a cat, while Utoya herself turned aside, cheeks tinged with color, her voice trembling slightly:
She’s nervous?
Eileen, cheeks burning, inhaled the fresh air, pulling her fogged thoughts back into her body. She licked her lips slightly, then muttered:
“T-That was my first kiss! You actually…”
“It was mine too.”
Utoya looked at her earnestly. Eileen only rolled her eyes.
“Who cares about you… but…”
“Could we… do it again?”
It was… kind of nice, wasn’t it?