The warm steam still clung faintly to Ariz's skin as he descended the staircase, each step sinking softly against the polished wood. The house was quiet in the warm, lived-in way he'd grown used to—soft yellow lamps glowing along the hallway, shadows stretching gently across family photos on the walls. A hint of dinner spices drifted in from the kitchen—ginger, soy, something warm and comforting.
And beneath all that… something else slipped into the air around him.
His newly awakened body radiated a subtle, irresistible pull—the Aura of Allure—a natural warmth that floated around him like a barely noticeable fragrance. It wasn't overwhelming; just enough to make anyone who looked at him feel a tug, a faint spark of awareness they couldn't explain.
Ava purred in the back of his mind, pleased.
[Your charm is leaking, baby. Anyone who sees you is going to feel it.]
I'm looking forward to it, Ariz thought, adjusting his collar with a faint smirk.
[Oh, you'll enjoy this very soon.]
***
As soon as he reached the last step, the front door of the house, right across him opened.
Cold night air seeped in as a woman stepped inside, loosening the scarf around her neck. Long blonde hair spilled from her bun in a soft, golden wave.
The elder daughter of Ayaka—
Rachel.
She always carried herself with quiet elegance. She had a cool aura, with a naturally curvy hourglass figure, and soft blonde hair tied loosely. Compared to Ayaka's warm, springlike presence, Rachel felt more like a calm winter breeze. A faint smudge of tired eyeliner sat beneath her eyes from another long day at work.
Like Ariz, she wasn't awakened, working instead with the city administration, handling logistics and technical affairs.
She shut the door and the moment she lifted her head—She froze.
Her scarf nearly slipped from her fingers.
"…Ariz?"
Her eyes drifted slowly—almost unwillingly—from his eyes to the sharper line of his jaw, to the subtle sculpt of his collarbone beneath his shirt, then lower to the toned shape of his torso. A warm blush crept across her cheeks.
What… happened to him? Did he always—no… impossible.
Ariz smiled softly. "Welcome home, Rachel. Looks like you had a hard day today."
The smile hit harder than he expected—her heartbeat jumped.
"You… look… different. What happened to you?"
Before he could respond—
"BIG SIS!! BIG SIS!! Let me tell you!! Let me tell you!!!"
Vivi came charging out of the living room, and skidded to a stop beside Rachel, bubbling with excitement—until she saw him.
Her eyes widened. Her jaw dropped. She leaned forward to confirm he was real, and it was not her imagining things.
"…Ariz? W-what—the—your face—your everything—what happened to YOU?!"
Rachel shot Vivi a look, but she clearly felt the same shock.
Vivi circled around him, shamelessly scanning him from head to toe.
"Is this because of your awakening? But that didn't happen to me when I awakened!!" she muttered, cheeks flushing as her eyes repeatedly drifted back to the lines of his chest and waist.
"What?!" Rachel snapped, spinning toward Vivi before turning back to Ariz—this time stepping even closer without realizing it. "You really awakened? For real?"
"Yeah," Ariz said with a modest smile. "For real."
"That's wonderful. When did it happen? Tell me everything," she said, bright-eyed and eager.
Meanwhile Vivi kept staring at him with the intensity of a starving cat staring at a bowl of cream.
He looks so good… why am I staring? Why am I looking at his neck?! STOP— Vivi's mind spiraled as a bit of drool threatened the corner of her mouth.
Ariz chuckled softly. "Let's eat first. Rachel, go freshen up—we'll talk during dinner."
The Aura of Allure, along with his newly sharpened and striking features, made Rachel's heart flutter.
"Alright.. I'll take a shower and be back" She nodded quickly, clutching her scarf as she moved toward the stairs… only to pause halfway up, glancing back at him for just a second. It was brief—but it was enough for Ariz to notice.
God… what's wrong with me…
Rachel quickly turned and headed upstairs, embarrassed.
[Ohhh, she looked back twice~] Ava teased.
Please stop narrating my life, Ariz groaned internally.
Now only Vivi remained with him. She shifted sheepishly, biting her lip as her eyes dragged over him again.
"He looks so hot…" she whispered—then froze when she realized she'd said it out loud. "I MEAN—not hot—I'm not staring—I didn't say anything— I—uh—"
Watching her acting like a startled bird, Ariz laughed and decided to tease her a bit.
He stepped closer to her.
"Oh? So you do find me attractive, huh?" he whispered, placing both hands gently around her waist.
Vivi short-circuited instantly.
His scent, warmth, and closeness—combined with the Aura of Allure—made her thoughts shut down.
DING!
[NEW QUEST ISSUED!]
Mission:"First Kiss."
Objective: Get your first kiss of life, idiot
Time Remaining: 1 minute
Punishment: Impotency if you fail to complete the task in time
Reward:
• +30 Drops RE
• Ability — Abyssal Grip
• Store unlock
As soon as Ariz saw the message floating before his eyes, all traces of his smirk faded, instead he started sweating.
AVA… what the hell???
[What are you yelling at me for? I have no control over the quests. And you should hurry, or it's all over.]
Goddammit… Why does this always happen at times like this… Well, she already has a crush on me. She won't mind… he cursed internally.
He glanced at Vivi—stammering, bright red, his hands still resting on her waist. He made a decision in a single breath. Looking quickly around to ensure the hallway was empty, he pulled her closer by her waist in a hug.
"I-I-I-I—w-wait—what are you—" she stammered helplessly.
Ariz lowered his face toward hers, and before she could say anything else, his lips met Vivi's soft lips.
It seemed time slowed down.
Her lips were warm and plush, her breath trembling against his. He could feel his heartbeat pounding—and Vivi's even louder. She looked up at him, wide-eyed, then slowly melted into the kiss, fingers curling into his shirt.
"Mmm…"
Quest Complete!
The soft chime snapped him back. He swiftly stepped back and looking at Vivi, he instinctively licked his lips.
"I-I'll go help out in the kitchen.." Saying that Ariz slipped away.
Vivi stayed rooted in the hallway, her neck to her cheeks flushed a deep red and her mind completely blank, struggling to process what had just happened.
" H-he—he—…"