Maki remained standing at the door, her silhouette framed by the soft hallway light. Miss Ceasar rose from the sofa with quiet frustration, adjusting her blouse and brushing a strand of hair behind her ear with studied nonchalance. Austin, for his part, thought it best to stay silent. His instincts told him this wasn't a moment for words—just observation.
Miss Ceasar broke the tension first, her voice sharp and laced with irritation.
"Why the hell are you here? Shouldn't a Shogun brat like you be buried in schoolwork or something useful?"
Maki let out a dry chuckle, the kind that scraped beneath the surface. Her eyes gleamed with barely concealed rage, though her smile remained composed. She closed the door behind her with a deliberate click.
"Shouldn't I be asking you that? The infamous leader of the Port Yakuza, cornering a student behind closed doors? Tsk. A teacher pouncing on a minor—strictly forbidden, wouldn't you say? If you want to keep breathing comfortably around here, you might want to behave like a good Russian girl."
Austin watched the exchange unfold like a spectator at a drama too dangerous to pause. The only thing missing, he mused, was popcorn and commentary.
Thankfully, salvation arrived—along with a breeze of street-worn cynicism.
Lorenzo stepped into the room, his eyes scanning the tension like smoke before settling on Austin. He exhaled, unimpressed.
"Damn… must suck to be you right now." A brief pause. "Anyway—lunch is over. Head to class, ya idiot. And you too, Student President… Maki, right? Be a little more school-presentable next time."
Maki's gaze narrowed just enough to register displeasure. Even Lorenzo knew better than to fully wade into a fight between women. Without another word, she turned and exited. Austin followed, grateful to escape with his dignity somewhat intact. He threw Lorenzo a brief glance filled with unspoken thanks.
Now alone with Miss Ceasar, Lorenzo folded his arms.
"So, Boss… any closer to figuring out what actually drew you here? Or is this another one of your instinctual hunts?"
Miss Ceasar let out a long breath, then laughed softly—darkly. Her eyes shimmered with something between desire and obsession.
"Oh, I've figured it out all right. I'll make him mine, Lorenzo... even if it's the last thing I do. That little Shogun brat won't derail my plans."