“So let me get this straight. I thought you are being modest when you say your score were below average.” Hana shifted her gaze toward the red haired boy. “But this score are sit at the bottom of the ocean.”

“Yep. That’s me.” Leon cracking his stiff neck, then lay his back at the sofa. “So your school is like flooded with hot girls or something?”

Swiping her phone in cautions manner, Hana tried hard to find a little light of hope on Leon’s examination report.

“Nope. He’s completely idiot.” She mumbled.

“I heard that!”

“Good. Your ears are working. Finally i can write something positive about you.” said the silver haired girl in flat tone.

The rain was still pouring on the outside. Einstein, the black cat stood by the window, watching the water fell from the sky. Maybe he was thinking about the world problem and how to solve it. Or maybe he was just find the two hooman inside this room are amusingly idiot and he himself had to gaze toward the rain for a little salvation for his heart. Don’t know which one it is, he was just a cat afterall.

The pair already back to the living room after felt that the dining room was too formal for them. So they settled in sofas, with hot coffee and a bowl of biscuit, talking about themselves in carefree manner. It was more fit to them, more natural and more relaxing. In fact, both of them fell into comfort zone and started to opened up each other, telling each other story of the past.

Hana Hazerman, born from high class minor family that famous for producing high quality soul-pairing. Her mother died when she gave birth to her and her father were picked up by a retired witch as a lover. Her unlucky fate sealed when she was trapped in internal struggle of family conflict. As legitimate successor, her mother held the right to be the next family head. Her aunt, the current head, was pushing her daughter to be the next head. She suffered from superstition about silver hair which resulted in isolation from her family member except her bedridden grandmother. Her dream was to be put a revenge toward her family by being a damn good soul pair and raised her own status so she could looking down at her family.

Leon, an unwanted child. Life with his mother since he could remember in the outskirt of cocoa plantation, 70 km from Vanskoria city. Trained by his mother friend whom he called uncle some basic mana manipulation and body strengthening. While his birth certificate stated that he had a chance to held Alpha core, it was never shown during his obligatory core examination on his 10th, 12th, and 14th birthday. Lost his mother just when he was 13 due to drugs overdose. Using debt, he ran a core examination after his 15th birthday and finally had his alpha core legalize. After months of examination, finally he arrived at Guild headquarter to choose her soul-pairing. His dream was to be a respected Hunter so he could living a plentiful life.

Both had different reaction when they learnt how their pair was so fucked up. Hana worried that even if they became pair it would not working out. Without family backup from both pair, it would be against fate itself. Leon on the other hand just shrugged it off. He used to be an underdog, beaten and drowned in insult for his whole life. But he was here today, ready to be a hunter. Everything will came together he said.

Hana put her hand on her chin, thinking something. “Your question is rather odd. In the first place Vanskoria is a place where a multiple race were mixed together like a big giant frying pan. In the past almost every big countries tried to make this island as their own right? So beauty standard in his city is rather vague.”

“I have a good eyes y’know. Please write it down as one of my positive thing i got.” Leon threw a piece of biscuit into his mouth. “Pretty is subjective, ugly is absolute. Is it that hard? Maybe your sense is rather weird?”

She threw the sofa pillow toward him. “Yes, i’m a weirdo wasting my time tried to make reason to pair with you while a skirt chaser like yourself just babbling of nonsense like an idiot.”

She put her hand on his mouth. “Oh, I beg you pardon. You are not like an idiot.” Hana smiled. “You ARE 100% Idiot. It’s not subjective, it’s absolute.”

Leon had a sweat on his forehead. It was a weird feeling he had since they met. He felt a sense of obligation to not oppose her. It’s his gut said that being on the bad side of her will bring further bad things toward him.

Tried to laugh it off, he teased her. “But it was you who fed me. You must be care a lot about this idiot.” He said with a grin.

The half baked attempt ease her mood were completely had the opposite effect. Hana furrowed her eyebrow and put down her phone.

“I told you before that this may be not what you think.” She started, but then realized that the boy in front of her was an ignorant fool.

“Look, do you know how the soul pairing works?” She already felt her temple pulsing even before hearing his answer.

“They match each other perfectly? Like really really fit together both mentally and physically?” He answered, still try to fishing some mood from the girl.

“Correct, but not quite.” She calming herself. “It happened because our mana resonance each other. Pairing who had high mana affinity would have huge resonance. And each resonance bring certain bit of information which we called the Will.”

“Me as your soul pair were trained to manage that flow of information. That’s why the soul pair as myself were also called a ferro, which means someone who carry the will.”

Leon eye’s flickered from this explanation. His initial playful manner vanished in instant, now she had all of his attention.

“As you probably know, in this matter dungeon is doing the opposite way. Instead resonance in sync, they were radiate noise that threw our mana frequency off balance, resulting mental fatigue, disorientated, confused, and other mental illness that by the end of the rope, it may caused the hunter death in dungeon or mental breakdown.”

The silver haired girl snorted. “You did not know any of this do you?”

Leon had a bit of history lesson from tale and never on formal education. So this whole information was new to him.

“But what do soul pair, a ferro, actually do then?” He asked, avoiding the question.

Satisfied that her explanation got through his thick skull, Hana smiled. “We mend the mana frequency, strengthening it and reduce its defect factor. I said before that mana contain information right? That including your emotions. In fact, the biggest factor of mana fluctuation came from unstable emotions. Before diving, we took this unnecessary emotion and control it, so hunter will have clear mind when they dive, and stay clear during diving.”

“In the past, this technique were not yet invented. Resulting high rate of death toward someone who dive, even when they could come back to surface safely. Some ended lose their mind, some became suicidal, other suffer devastating trauma.”

“Did you get that or i should repeat it again?” She asked with playful manner.

Leon shook his head. “I get the point. Now what about what you said being this may not what i think?”

She smirked, clearly enjoying his curiosity. “Well, have you realize that we felt a lot closer than it was supposed to? Look at us, we just met and somehow we felt already knew each other for years. We became comfortable toward each other, even if we were just doing nothing.” She tilted her head, still smiling. “Or at least i do feel that way.”

Somehow he started to realize what she said was all true. It was some sort weird familiarity that he felt when he met her. It was uncommon to be felt like that toward someone who he has just met for an hour or two.

“I see…” He nodded several time. “That’s also happened to me. But i did say before that i want you to be my pair.”

“Regret it already?”

He shook his head. “Not a bit. I had a chance to win a rare silver haired girl with outstanding brain and body. I’ll be dumb not to seize it.”

The utter flat and without hesitating tone surprised her. Her smile blooming sweetly. But it was not enough, she need open him more.

“You know, this room was prepared to held soul pair interview.” she smiled wryly. “I’m not quite understand how but when a pair candidate inside this room, they will emulate the same bond that a real soul pair would had.”

His gray eyes glued toward the silver haired girl. He had trouble to responding to this information.

“So, this all affection between us right now is fabricated? We could felt comfortable each other just because we are inside this room?” That was his best respond.

“It’s all depend on us whether this was just fabrication or not.” A tinge of red blushes on her cheek. “The basic way it works, the pairing thingy i mean, is that me as a ferro will always responded toward your will, your emotions. On the other hand, you as the main pair, will have to looked after me, kept me by your side because i carry your will.”

Hana felt her heart beating a bit too hard. She had been exposed to his will ever since he step inside this room for the first time. Yes she had her training mentioning something about how exposed toward his emotion would gave her certain degree of happiness. But she never expect that when she let her guard down his whirlpool of emotions would push her brain into ‘happy’ frenzy like this. Maybe their affinity that exceed 90% has anything to do with it.

Or maybe i’m just damn horny…

Mentally rolled her eyes, she kept getting more emotions flowing from him. Admiration were a sweet candy for her heart. Lust was even more stronger punch, sending a strong pulse toward her heart and southern area of her body. But the most intense feeling that she felt was he said he wanted her to be his. That one thing was the trigger that made her lose her coolness. And now they come to this, she decided to roll the dice and see where the turn of event will unfold.

Fixed his sitting position, he started to noticed how the girl in front of him slightly changed. Her upper button shirt were opened, revealing her white skin and enchanting collar bone. The most noticeable difference were her reddish cheek and her eyes. Those blue marble were moist, bringing out an undeniable sexiness.

“What… are you okay?” He asked, uncertain.

Tilted her head, Hana were confused, before a small smile came out from her lips. “I’m just enjoying myself.” she chuckled. “You have been admiring me since while ago.”

“I’ve told you right? Your feeling flew into me. While i’m a bit hesitated, i decided to just go with it. And it turn out felt really good. Please be gentle, it’s my first time feeling like this.”

The girl in front of him let out a girly giggles which had huge effect on his bottom half. Trying hard to held his head right, he coughing awkwardly for several time. The hint were too big for him to miss. But he didn’t want to rush thing out.

“So, w-what will happen now? I’m not backing up, still wants you to be my pair.” he muttered, trying to fish a reaction or approval from her.

Hana felt her head lighter as the feeling of lust and strong possession flooding into her heart.

“You know.” Somehow she able to opened her mouth. “This room was designed like an apartment for a reason. Because they know there is a chance that pairs with high affinity will somehow end their interview with a seal of deal, in the bedroom, if you know what i meant.”

An intentional paused, she clearly enjoying this.

“Now, like i said before. I’m a ferro which responded toward my hunter’s will.”

Another pause, another giggle.

“So... what is my hunter’s will?”

Even Leon could feel his face reddened by those seductive words and open invitation. A real man could only answer those words with one thing.

Whatever, she wants it!

The dice had been rolled, the odd numbers has been came out. He, trying hard to let his perverted grin in check, came at her with numbing excitement in his heart. She, felt the flood of lust were too much to handle, lost to herself as her body reacting crazily toward the stimulation. She knew he could do whatever he wanted to her, even if she refused.

If she could refused that is…

The kisses came first, placed in golden plate and silver spoon, it was smooth and tender at first, before changed into a greedy and violent deep kiss. Their stare leaping each other when their lips separated. The desire to own each other peaking as his hand already hugging her hard. The soft moan from her were enchanting, bringing his desire to eat her more.

The tease, the kiss, the moan were like a paragraph in love novel, written someone drunk in love, or maybe drunk just from a glass of white wine. Because after a short wonderful time they had, the room’s intercom blinking several time, before a low tone of Mr. Yang sounded on it.

“I’m sorry disturbing both of you. I just wanted to inform that the time is almost up.”

Both of them freeze when they heard the voice, before Hana shut her mouth with her hands to held her giggle came out.

Leon, amusing when looking at the silver haired girl in his arm, answered with playful manner. “Thanks Mr. Yang. You came at a wonderful time, not disturbing us at all. Is it possible to extend the time?”

He chuckled when Hana let out even louder giggle. “What are you thinking? This is not a karaoke room!” She whisper while holding her giggle.

Mr Yang, felt that his timing was wrong, coughing awkwardly before answered. “I’m sorry but i believe that is not possible. Mr. Leon already have another interview schedule after this.”

There was a deafening silent after Mr. Yang dropped it. Leon sweating hard when he saw her eyes turned sharp in instant, sending message toward the boy in her embrace to shut his mouth.

“Mr. Yang, how many girls that have appointment with Mr. Leon?” Her tone were freezing cold.

The bald man scratching his head in uncomfortable manner. Even from his office he could felt that he has just doing something nasty for the young lad. Sending an apology from his heart, he took his tablet before answering.

“Well, he have 5 candidates, but only 3 answered so he will get 2 more interview today.”

“I see, thank you Mr. Yang. We has just finished the interview so we will get out in a moment.”

The sound of connection being cut was all they can heard in the room. Einstein who felt that his master in trouble tilted his head toward the two hooman in the room while having a big grin on his face. The black cat really knew how to enjoy the situation.

“So, two more girl eh? When are you going to tell me? If you have a plan to tell me that is.” Hana voice was poisonous.

Leon gulped. “I-I haven’t read my email about other candidates.”

Their body swapped, with Leon on the bottom and Hana’s tight pressed his bare stomach. Desperately trying to ignore the soft and warm feeling that felt heavenly, Leon was too late to realize that Hana already had his phone on her hand.

“W-Wait, that’s invading personal property y’know!”

His plea met a wall as Hana casually swiping his phone before her eyebrow raised a little.

“Well well lookey here. An email already opened, clearly stated you had 3 interview today.”

“A-About that…” He desperately thinking of some excuse.

“Oh wow, she is so pretty.” She held his phone so he can saw the screen. “She was younger, from a family, and bigger bust than mine.”

Leon almost screaming when he saw how scary her face. Then really screaming when she threw his phone away. But he dare not to woke up, not in front this female who had predator looks on her face.

“Leon the boy had lie toward me. Leon have to be punished.” She said while leaning forward toward him.

Again, he almost scream. The warm from her tight already put his brain fried, now he was exposed by two mountain that so soft like a marshmallow. Her smell tickled his nose and her warm breath bringing him to the edge with every beat. His hand moved by himself toward her butt.

“Stop, stay.”

Those two words made him stop. He felt weird once again because he really wanted it, his hand dying to squish her bottom. But with just her word, his hand stopped because he felt he should stopped.

“The lesson continued my dear hunter.” She giggled while moving her body slowly, creating wave of pleasure for him.

“While you can have your will to me and i felt obligated to take care of your will, it was also the same for a hunter toward his pair. He will felt obligated to listen and do as a ferro said.” She took a deep breath, her lips turned into a sly grin. “Because deep in your consciousness you know that your pair would never betray or harm you. You are her everything, your half soul pair.”

His grey eyes widen a little as Leon took her words, especially her last words.

“I’m sorry, i should’ve told you before. I’ve hurt you.” He whispered slowly.

Those word clearly had an impact to her as she could felt his regret was real. Biting her lips, she took several breath to calmed her down. She need to true to her heart and not let his words sway her resolution.

“Good, i felt that you are really regretting this Leon.” For a second she smiled sweetly, before changed into a devilish a second later. “But this is a final lesson for you today.”

“Remember that i can alter your emotion from our connection? I will try it to you now.”

“W-What-”

His words cut with a kiss from her. It was a deep and passionate kiss as she use all her body to squeeze him. All the warmth, the soft feeling that he felt before was already made him on the edge. And now her kiss was like a final push on his button. His desire and lust peaked as his hand finally broke free and found her bottom was indeed so squishy. He could felt he was about to come just from this intense feeling he felt.

But it never came.

Slowly, his desire died down. All the initial feel was vanished one by one. When her lips parted from his, he could feel his head was clear from all lust and desire. No, he was familiar with this feeling.

He was content from any sexual desire.

“W-What? But i didn’t…”

His eyes met her and she let out another giggle, a devilish one this time.

“This what i meant by altering your emotions. For the rest of the day i’m sure that you will no longer have any urge to humping some helpless girl that you lied to. I’m a good girl right? I have just tamed a hungry wolf.”

Hana’s lips kissed his cheek and she whispered into his ear. “A bad bad wolf.”

Still giggling, she enjoying his expression to the fullest. A mix of confusion and regret flooded into her. While she felt a bit guilty, this was necessary to teach him a lesson.

She went into the bathroom, feeling happy about her things she has done. A hunter would had many women, she knew and she accepted it. Hell, in their situation it was needed to lessen the burden of not having any families as backup. But she would not tolerated if another women wanted to be his pair.

Huh?

Now that she think about it, is he still wanted to be her pair? And why she was so persistent to be his?

And that kiss? that hot kiss that make her melt?

As her cool head came back to her she could feel that her action were really embarrassing. She baited him to take her and she had to admit she enjoyed his touch.

W-what have i done???!!!

…

Mr. Yang tighten his necktie just to make a small delay. He already anticipated that both of them would displeased by his interference earlier.

“Oh well let's get on with it.”

He found the young lad sat on sofa with completely confused look.

“You okay Mr. Leon?”

Leon nodded slowly. His eyes suddenly focused.

“Say Mr. Yang, can i consult you for a moment?”

The bald man raised his eyebrow as he listened his story. He kind of surprised by the girl acted, but not in bad way.

“I think you just owe Ms. Hana a favor.” he said with reassuring smile. “Sealing the deal in the first interview was a clear sign that a pair have high compatibility and it indeed encouraged to be a pair as soon as possible.”

“But in your case you already have another appointment. If you set your pair on Ms. Hana right now, not only you will be fined for breaching the invitations that already sent for the other candidates, but politically you need to send some gift to compensate the other candidates that already agreed to do the interview.”

Leon paled. He clearly has just dodged a bullet.

“Thanks god! i will be completely broke if i have to pay for that.”

Yang chuckled. “Be careful with social etiquette in magus society Mr. Leon. Ignore it then it will come back at yourself with interest.”

Not long after Hana shown up. Already back to her previous cool attitude as if nothing happen.

“As a guild representative, thank you for coming and agreed to do the interview. further agreement should be decided by both party and i hope the best for you.” said Mr. Yang with wide smile.

Leon sent a glance to the silver haired girl but she just ignore him completely. He could only sighed hard for that.

Mr. Yang clapped his hands. “Ah, one last thing.” He stood in front of the door. “There is a tradition in this room. If the interview went fine and the pair felt they match each other, they will held their hand as they passed this door together.”

“You know, when both of you passed this door, all the spell that make both of you like a real pair will be canceled. Because of that you may felt a lot of discomfort for a while, more so with the ferro as she was the one who carries his will.”

“So holding hand together really helpful.” He bow a little. “Good day madam and sire.”

They watched the bald man opened the door and leave them alone. Leon took a deep breath, clearing his mind from unnecessary thought.

“I’m going to hold your hand, and we are going to pass that door. Whatever happen we are together.”

Without asking he took her hand and held it properly. Hana felt another jolt of electricity crawling under her skin. It was his determination that she felt, all warm and comforting.

“Now that i think about it, your question earlier was really make sense aren’t they?”

“What if all of this were fabricated?”

The boy laughed. “Are we going to be like this all the time? You worried then i just say let’s go for it?”

Hana chukled. “Idiot as always. Boys first?”

She let him lead her. Her heart beating harder as she step through the door.

At first, it was nothing. Then suddenly, a huge emptiness fell down on her, suffocating her with nothing like she ever felt before. The only thing that kept her stand was the warmth on her hand.

“It was painful…” she whispered.

Leon nodded. “Felt like woke up from a dream. Like losing someone dear to me.”

For a moment they fell in silent. Einstein took the moment to snuggling toward Hana’s leg, meowing to gain attention.

“You know, that was my first kiss.” She muttered, her eyes locked toward the him.

Then she smiled sweetly. “Please take responsibility okay?!”

Between the rain, the black cat, and the flowery smile from her, Leon felt their hand were already felt comfortable together and reluctant to let it go.