Harem Stealing System

After separating from the cafeteria, Eiden and his group went their separate ways toward their respective classes. The group of girls Lyra, Linda, Crysty, and Sasha also dispersed into their own schedules.

Eiden noticed, as he glanced at Lyra . His classes and Lyra's were interlinked in such a way that they would end up in the same room for this period. It wasn't often that happened, and though he didn't think much of it at first, the detail stuck somewhere in the back of his mind.

When they entered, Eiden took his usual spot in the third row, leaning back slightly with that casual ease he always carried in class. Lyra, however, slipped quietly into the fifth row. She settled into her chair, the faint rustle of the paper bag on her lap giving away the fact she was holding something. Her hands rested over it, almost protectively, as her gaze lingered on Eiden's back. She seemed to be having an internal battle with herself should she give it to him now, later, or maybe not at all?

On one hand, her heart urged her to act; Valentine's Day came only once a year. On the other, a voice of hesitation whispered doubts into her mind: What if he doesn't like it? Would I come off too strong? Would he think I'm clingy?

The thought made her fidget even more, fingers tightening slightly on the paper bag. Then she reminded herself Linda had already given him chocolates, and he'd accepted them without hesitation. And she… well, she was closer to Eiden than Linda, wasn't she? That fact gave her a small flicker of courage. I hope, she added inwardly, her cheeks warming as her eyes trailed up to the back of his head again.

Eiden's focus, however, was entirely elsewhere. The professor who entered the classroom wasn't the usual elderly man who taught this subject. Instead, it was Miss Mika, stepping in as a substitute.

The original professor was quite old, plagued with frequent health issues, so much so that it was a miracle he hadn't retired yet. His occasional absences meant that different professors would take over his class from time to time. Today marked only the second time Miss Mika had filled in.

The moment she stepped inside, Eiden's attention locked onto her. He wasn't just watching her because she was striking in appearance tall, composed, with an elegance in the way she carried herself but because of what he knew. She had been secretly involved in his project, adding information without his knowledge, and he still had no clue what her motives were. That mystery kept him on edge, his curiosity and wariness intertwining.

Miss Mika, for her part, began the class without giving any indication she noticed him watching. Her voice was clear, calm, and precise, each sentence carrying a kind of practiced poise. But after some time, her eyes swept over the room, and then—just for a brief moment her gaze locked with his.

Eiden felt it instantly, the subtle shift in the air. Her eyes lingered for only a few seconds before she retracted them, continuing the lecture as if nothing had happened. But in that instant, he caught something her expression had changed ever so slightly. Not enough for anyone else to notice, but enough for him to feel a faint, unexplainable confirmation of… something.

Behind him, Lyra was still in her own world, staring at his back. Her mind churned with anxious thoughts as she tried to predict how he would react to her gift. What if… he doesn't smile? What if he just says thanks politely and forgets about it? Yet she also thought of the moment Linda had handed over her chocolate, and how naturally Eiden had accepted it. That memory made her clutch the paper bag tighter.

And so, for the entire class, Eiden's eyes were on Miss Mika… while Lyra's were on Eiden.

Eventually, the lecture concluded. Miss Mika gathered her things with graceful precision, walking out of the room as quickly as possible without losing her dignified composure. Her heels clicked softly against the floor, each step deliberate.

Eiden rose from his seat, ready to leave, when he felt a light tap on his shoulder from behind. Turning around, he found himself face-to-face with Lyra. For a second, he had almost forgotten she'd been in the same class his attention earlier had been entirely on Miss Mika. He blinked once before asking, "You need anything?"

Lyra hesitated, her lips parting but no words coming out at first. Eiden noticed the pause and decided to be patient, standing still and waiting. After a few seconds, she brought her hands forward from behind her back, revealing the paper bag she'd been clutching. She extended it toward him slowly, her fingers brushing lightly against his as she handed it over. Her voice, soft and almost trembling, escaped in a quick blur of words:

"Happy Valentine's Day." Her face flushed a deep shade of red, and her eyes were fixed firmly on the ground as if afraid to meet his gaze. Eiden smiled faintly, his fingers curling around the paper bag. He peeked inside and saw the contents wrapped neatly in decorative paper. He could already guess what it was.

He let a genuine warmth touch his expression, enhanced subtly by his Face Master skill, then softened his tone with the Soothing Voice skill. "Thank you so much," he said gently. Lyra didn't look up, unable to see his expression as her head remained bowed.

Eiden chuckled quietly, adding, "I'm really thankful for the effort you put into this. I can tell this is homemade… I'm looking forward to eating it." Lyra lifted her head slightly at that, enough for her eyes to peek through her fringe. "I don't know how it'll taste to you," she admitted, her voice still small, "but I hope it's to your liking."

"I'm sure it will be tasty," Eiden replied with quiet confidence. Hearing that made her lips curl into a small, delighted smile. "Thank you," she whispered.

Eiden tilted his head slightly. "Why are you thanking me instead? That made her smile turn a little awkward. She didn't have an answer at least not one she could say out loud so she just kept holding onto that little smile, her thoughts swirling again, wishing above all else that he would truly enjoy it