Like every morning since high school started, Lyon oversleeps and misses his alarm.
Waking up on time has always been a challenge, but ever since he took that night job, it's become outright impossible.
Still, thanks to the reflexes he's developed as a seasoned latecomer, he manages to wash up, eat breakfast, and get dressed in record time.
He races down the stairs from his third-floor apartment and nearly crashes into Isabelle Lazar—the goddess of the second floor.
A woman of unmatched beauty.
Seduction in human form.
Wavy burgundy hair.
A body with outrageous curves, firm and toned.
Clearly the result of years at the gym.
To him, she's been a forbidden erotic dream since he first discovered what women were.
Actually, it was because of her that he discovered it.
That big, round, firm ass—he's admired it so many times under the short skirts she always wears.
Those massive boobs constantly on display, squeezed into plunging necklines.
And those soft, plump lips, always painted a bold red.
All of it has fueled his teenage hormones like gasoline on fire.
But Lyon has long accepted the cold truth: she's thirty-four—more than twice his age.
He'd only stand a chance with her in a world where pigs fly and he wakes up on time.
And yet… did she just smile at him?
His heart skips a beat.
~Impossible. Must've been my imagination...~
Shaking off the absurd thought, he bolts out the gate, ready for another desperate sprint to avoid getting scolded by his first-period teacher.
Outside, Brianne and Clare are waiting for him, visibly impatient.
Behind them, a blazing red Ferrari.
«Do you always leave this late? You and punctuality must live on different planets!»
Clare teases him, her tone a mix of playfulness and scolding.
Lyon blinks in confusion.
«What are you two doing here?» he asks, surprised… but oddly happy.
«My dear Bry insisted we pick you up,» Clare murmurs, shooting her friend a smug grin.
Brianne suddenly blushes.
«I-It's normal! H-He's part of the student council now, so we can't let him ruin our reputation with his constant lateness!»
Brianne blurts out, blushing hard.
[Brianne... she was worried about me?]
Without further delay, the three of them hop into Clare's flashy sports car.
Lyon can't help but wonder just how filthy rich she must be.
Brianne takes the passenger seat next to Clare.
Lyon settles in the back.
«Hold on tight!» Clare shouts.
Then hell begins.
She drives like a maniac—dodging cars, taking sharp turns at full speed, nearly hitting pedestrians.
Lyon clutches the front seat, eyes squeezed shut.
~I'm gonna die. I'm gonna die. I'm seriously gonna die!~
«What's with that scared face, Lyon? You've got the Vampire Crystal, remember? It takes more than this to kill you,»
Clare mutters, watching his terrified expression in the rearview mirror.
«I'm even holding back just because you're here.»
~She's holding back?! My dad doesn't even drive this fast on the highway!~
Lyon does everything he can not to throw up.
«So, how was your first night? Did you and Brianne kick some punk's ass?»
«No…» Lyon mumbles, too nauseated to say more.
«Then I'll show you some real action tonight!» Clare grins, shooting Brianne a quick look.
«I got a tip about something shady going on in an abandoned factory in Dagenham's industrial district. Can I bring the newbie?»
Brianne glares at her.
«We'll talk about it later,» she replies coldly.
The car screeches to a stop in the school parking lot.
Lyon stumbles out, legs like jelly, somehow not vomiting.
Clare grabs his arm, pressing her massive boobs against his cheek—his face sinks into them.
«Bry wants everyone to know you're part of the student council now,» she says.
«This should help make that clear.»
Brianne blushes and grabs his other arm, pulling him toward her.
Her breasts squishes against the other side of his face.
«I'm the student council president! That's my job!» Brianne snaps.
With both girls clinging to him, Lyon makes his grand entrance into the school courtyard.
Every pair of eyes is on him, dripping with bitter envy.
As always, Eirik waits for him at the entrance.
When he spots Lyon, he looks ready to explode, muttering curses under his breath.
«See you in the council room after class, little Lyon,» Clare says.
Then, she kisses him on the lips.
Lyon freezes. He can't even process what just happened.
But the rest of the school definitely can.
A furious murmuring rises all around him.
«We're gonna kill you, Lyon! How dare you get kissed by Clare?!»
Meanwhile, Clare and Brianne have already returned to class, leaving him alone to face the angry mob.
«We're gonna kill you, Lyon! How dare you get kissed by Clare?!»
Meanwhile, Clare and Brianne have already returned to class, leaving him alone to face the angry mob.
«Was that kiss really necessary?» Brianne grumbles.
Clare simply flashes her a wide, amused smile… then suddenly turns serious.
«He reminds you of him, doesn't he…?» she asks, her voice almost melancholic.
Brianne gives a small nod.
Later, in class, still shaken from the morning chaos, Lyon sees Eirik leaning toward him.
His face is red with fury.
«You bastard…! How the hell do you come to school with two senior girls pressing their boobs in your face?! That's selfish! A real friend would've shared!»
He's actually crying.
Lyon's never seen him this upset.
Before Lyon can respond, Elaine approaches—clearly embarrassed.
«Lyon, can we talk…?» she asks.
Then she shoots Eirik a glare.
«...alone.»
Grumbling, Eirik lets him go.
«First Brianne and Clare, now even Elaine. And tomorrow? Ana Garroza or some other international model?»
Elaine pulls Lyon into the hallway, her expression serious.
Other students whisper as they walk by.
«I wanted to talk about what you told me a few weeks ago…» Elaine begins, hesitant.
Lyon's heart starts pounding in his chest.
«I remember you said I was the most beautiful girl in the world,» she whispers, her face turning red.
Lyon tries to stay calm—but it's impossible.
«And now… well, since we're both on the student council...»
Lyon swallows hard.
~Here it comes. She's going to confess. She'll say something like, "I turned you down because I didn't want to drag you into this world… but now that you're part of it… I like you too!"~
«I don't want your feelings getting in the way of my work.
I didn't like you then, and I don't like you now,» Elaine states coldly.
Lyon's world collapses—her words hit like a punch to the gut.
«Am I really that ugly…?» he mutters, lowering his gaze.
«It's not about looks. Girls want someone who makes them feel safe—someone strong, not a spineless pushover. Someone like… Gin LeBlanche.»
~Gin? That delinquent? Elaine's really into a guy like him?!~
Lyon is speechless.
Elaine glances around, eyes cautious.
«Let's go back to class. If people see us here too long, they might get the wrong idea.»
Devastated, Lyon silently follows her.
After classes, as planned, Lyon heads to the council room—still shaken by Elaine's rejection.
«Late again!» Brianne scolds him with a resigned tone.
Gin is already sitting there with them.
Lyon stares at him, baffled.
~I still can't believe someone like Elaine is drooling over that guy…~
«What are you staring at, brat?» Gin growls.
«Enough, Gin,» Brianne scolds. «We're a team, remember?»
Gin just grumbles in annoyance.
«Anyway,» Brianne continues, ignoring the tension, «here's tonight's schedule: Gin, you'll patrol Croydon District. Elaine and I will cover Brent. Clare and Lyon, you're on Dagenham's industrial zone. That's all for now.»