Chapter 47: Only Him

A small drone flew over the university pathway and stopped in front of Nero, holding a card between its metal grips.

"Special delivery! Your Awakener License, personally delivered by the Federation’s greatest AI!" Enis announced proudly. "A little gratitude would be nice, you know. I accept compliments, five-star reviews, and public declarations of my greatness."

Nero took the card and examined the photograph and name printed on it. After spending years as an unawakened student whom everyone avoided, he finally had an official Awakener License.

"You also need to update your Awakener status at Pride University," Enis reminded him. "Getting a license doesn’t mean you can ignore their paperwork. Trust me, bureaucracy is the one monster even I can’t kill."

"I’ll take care of it. Thanks, Enis."

"You’re welcome, my favorite human!"

With that, the drone flew away, leaving Nero to slip his license into his pocket.

He was feeling rather thirsty, so he decided to buy something cold from a nearby vending machine.

However, just as he retrieved his drink, a familiar voice came from behind him.

"Mr. Savior~ There you are! Do you know how long I’ve been waiting for you?"

Nero turned around and found Serina standing a few steps away with one hand resting on her hip.

Her long dark hair fell past her waist, with blue strands underneath that became visible whenever she moved her head. She wore a fitted blouse that emphasized her slender waist, paired with a short skirt that revealed her long legs.

However, what caught Nero’s attention was the mischievous smile on her face, which immediately gave him a bad feeling.

"W-Waiting for what?"

Serina approached him and gently placed a finger against his lips.

"Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten our little agreement."

Nero immediately remembered their phone call last night, along with the exact wording of the System’s choice.

’Give Serina a kiss tomorrow, then ask if she’d prefer two children or three.’

’...Why did I choose that option again?’

Oh, right. The Rare reward.

Before he could think of an excuse, Serina lowered her hand and intertwined her fingers with his.

"Come with me for a moment."

She led him toward a narrow passage beside the vending machine, where an overhang blocked most of the sunlight.

"Why does this feel like something we’ve done before?" Nero asked.

"Because you keep saving me, Mr. Savior~"

"Last time you dragged me somewhere like this, someone was chasing you."

"Well, nobody’s chasing me today."

For some reason, that answer made Nero even more nervous, especially when Serina turned toward him and tapped her cheek twice.

"I’m waiting~"

Nero examined the cheek she was offering. She wasn’t wearing any makeup today, just as she had promised during their phone call, although he couldn’t see much difference.

"Don’t tell your father about this."

Serina pressed her lips together, trying not to laugh.

"I’ll consider it."

"That’s not very reassuring."

"Come on, Nero. You’re taking an awfully long time for someone who promised me a kiss."

’Fine. I already promised her anyway.’

Nero placed his unopened drink on a nearby ledge before leaning forward and kissing her cheek.

Her skin was surprisingly soft and warm, but just as he was about to pull away, Serina suddenly turned her head.

Her fingers caught the front of his shirt as she stood on her toes and pressed her lips against his.

’W-Wait! She’s kissing me?!’

Nero hadn’t expected her to kiss him on the lips, and for a moment, he had no idea how to respond.

Fortunately, Master Playboy began taking effect, easing his nervousness and helping him understand what Serina wanted.

She wasn’t merely trying to embarrass him this time. She genuinely wanted him to kiss her.

Realizing this, Nero responded instead of pulling away.

Serina made a small sound of surprise, but when he began withdrawing, she followed him and kissed him again, moving her hand from his shirt to the back of his neck.

Nero gradually forgot about the students passing outside the passage as he wrapped an arm around her waist and drew her closer.

Her earlier teasing had left him unsure about what she wanted, but now there was little reason to doubt her intentions.

He kissed her again, and Serina happily leaned into his embrace, occasionally pulling away for a breath before closing the distance once more.

By the time they finally separated, a faint blush had appeared on her cheeks. She remained in his arms, resting her fingertips against his chest with a satisfied smile.

"Not bad, Mr. Savior. You’re getting better at this."

"You kissed me first."

"And you were very eager to help, weren’t you?"

Nero was about to defend himself when he suddenly remembered the System’s choice.

’Wait. The choice!’

He had already kissed her, but there was still another condition. Unfortunately, the System had promised him a Rare reward, and he wasn’t about to give it up after coming this far.

’Do I seriously have to ask her that now?’

"Serina, can I ask you something?"

"Of course~"

"Well... would you prefer two children or three?"

For the first time since they met, Serina didn’t immediately respond, but her surprise quickly turned into a delighted smile.

"Oh my! Mr. Savior, are we already discussing our future family?"

’System, you bastard!’

"J-Just answer the question!"

"Hmm, let me think." Serina tapped her chin, pretending to consider the matter seriously. "Three, I think."

"...Three?"

"Of course! Two boys and a girl would be nice, although two girls and a boy sounds wonderful too."

She leaned closer with a playful smile.

"What about you, darling? Do you have a preference?"

’Darling?!’

Nero had expected her to laugh at him, not start planning an entire family!

"I-I don’t really have a preference."

"Then three it is! I’m glad we settled that."

"Wait, we’re not actually settling anything!"

"Why not? You’re the one who asked."

"That was just a hypothetical question!"

"Really? And here I was thinking you wanted to make me a mother."

Nero could practically hear the System laughing at him, but fortunately, a notification finally appeared.

[Ding! Choice Completed: A Promise.]

[Reward Obtained: Borrowed Familiarity (Rare).]

’Finally!’

At least he hadn’t embarrassed himself for nothing.

However, Serina clearly wasn’t finished teasing him.

"Say, Mr. Savior. Do you have experience kissing other girls?"

She was smiling, but something about the question made Nero nervous.

"N-Nothing like that! What are you saying?"

As those words left his mouth, Nero suddenly remembered Lilly.

’Ah, shit...’

Serina watched his reaction for a moment before smiling again.

"I’m just playing with you~"

Nero wasn’t sure whether to feel relieved, especially when she touched his lower lip with her finger.

"Still, I didn’t expect you to be this good."

"Didn’t you already say that?"

"What’s wrong? Can’t I compliment my future husband?"

"Who said I’m your future husband?!"

"You asked me how many children I wanted, Nero. Don’t tell me you’re planning to abandon us already."

"There’s no ’us’ yet!"

Serina gasped dramatically.

"How cruel! You stole my first kiss, made me choose how many children we’d have, and now you’re refusing to take responsibility?"

’How did I become the villain here?!’

Serina tilted her head with an innocent smile before asking another ridiculous question.

"What if I get pregnant from all this kissing?"

Nero’s eyebrows twitched.

"I know how babies are made! Do you think I’m stupid?!"

"Pfft! Hahahaha!"

Serina burst into laughter and rested her forehead against his chest.

"Serina?"

Just then, a familiar voice interrupted them, causing both Nero and Serina to freeze.

A girl stood at the entrance of the passage, staring at them with her mouth slightly open.

Nero recognized her immediately. She was the same friend who had chased Serina after her prank last time.

Back then, Serina had pretended they were an intimate couple to make the girl leave, but there was considerably less pretending involved this time.

"What are you doing here?" the girl demanded.

Her face gradually turned red as she examined the two people embracing in front of her. However, because Nero was standing deeper beneath the overhang, she couldn’t clearly see his face.

When the girl tried moving closer, Serina immediately grabbed Nero’s hand.

"Let’s run, Mr. Savior!"

"What?!"

Before Nero could protest, Serina snatched his drink from the ledge and pulled him toward the other end of the passage.

"Hey! Serina, wait!"

The girl’s voice echoed behind them as she hurried after them, but the two managed to reach the other side of the building before she could get a proper look at Nero.

"I’ll deal with her. Don’t worry, Nero," Serina assured him, handing him his drink.

"Are you sure?"

"Of course! Now hurry up and go before she sees you!"

Serina gave his arm a small push, and Nero decided not to argue.

However, after walking a short distance, he couldn’t resist glancing back.

She was still standing near the corner, her cheeks slightly flushed and a smile lingering on her face.

Seeing her like that made Nero feel rather strange.

’She really did kiss me.’

If someone had told him a week ago that a girl like Serina would willingly kiss him, he would’ve assumed they were making fun of him.

After all, the Nero from a week ago could barely hold a conversation with a beautiful girl without getting nervous, yet here he was discussing how many children he wanted with one!

’No, wait. That part wasn’t my idea.’

Then again, this was Serina Blackwood, and knowing her personality, she might have done all that just to tease him.

’...I really can’t tell with her.’

Nero sighed before continuing on his way.

Meanwhile, Serina watched him disappear around the corner before turning toward the approaching footsteps.

"What did I just see, Serina? I need answers!"

Helen stopped in front of her and pointed toward the direction Nero had escaped.

"Y-You were kissing someone in broad daylight!"

Serina smiled at her reaction.

"Helen."

"What do you mean, Helen?! Answer me!"

"What’s there to explain?"

"Who was that guy?!" Helen demanded. "Don’t tell me you kissed him just to tease him!"

Serina rolled her eyes.

"Do you seriously think I’m that kind of woman? Would I kiss someone just to tease him?"

Helen nodded without hesitation.

"..."

Serina burst into laughter.

"Hey! You weren’t supposed to agree that quickly!"

"Then tell me who he was!"

Serina shook her head, still smiling.

"If you think I’m that sort of girl, you’re wrong."

Her attention returned to the corner where Nero had disappeared. She wished he had stayed a little longer, especially after that unexpected question about their future children.

’Two children or three, huh?’

The thought made her smile again.

"Only him."

Helen stared at her.

"...Oh my God."