Kiyomi's ears twitched.
Slowly, deliberately, she sat up on the couch, tails swaying behind her as her eyes narrowed with interest. Cain could see the glimmer of interest and mischief twinkling within. That alone was alarming.
"Oh?" she said lightly. "Am I missing something here?"
Maris reacted instantly.
"No! Nothing to miss here! It's just Jayden's idea of a joke, right?! Getting close to a teacher is a tactic to get through the school year, yeah?"
Cain stifled a groan as Maris attempt at covering it up was so bad that it just made things even more suspicious.
Kiyomi blinked once.
Then she laughed lightly, waving a hand as if the whole thing had just clicked into place. "Ahh. That kind of tactic." She nodded at Maris with an approving smile. "Bold, but effective. I respect the hustle."
Cain froze.
Slowly, he turned his head to look at her.
"…You do?"
Kiyomi met his gaze with an easy expression, ears relaxed, posture loose. Completely convinced.
