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Chapter 102 - Chapter 102: Morning on the Island

The next day.

Golden rays of sunlight spread across the island, weaving warm threads over rooftops and gradually awakening the busy streets. The morning breeze carried with it the salty scent of the sea, blending with the aroma of fresh bread rising from the small bakeries that had opened their doors at dawn. The sound of students' footsteps began to fill the streets as they made their way to school, bags swinging on their shoulders, while office workers had long preceded them, already immersed in their daily routines with practiced vigor.

Inside one of the apartments of the residential complex, silence reigned as if it were a world cut off from the morning bustle outside. On the large bed, Kojou slowly opened his eyes, immediately feeling the soft weight and intimate warmth pressing against his chest. His half-awake gaze quickly caught sight of the "culprit" preventing him from rising.

A breathtakingly beautiful woman clung to him in deep slumber, her gentle breaths brushing against his neck, her lithe body intertwined with his with no space left between them. Her long brown hair flowed like silk across the pillow and his shoulders, while her milk-white skin seemed to glow faintly under the stray beams of sunlight slipping through the window. Her ample chest pressed against him with tempting heat, and the perfect curve of her hips suggested a mature femininity designed to entice, while her long legs encircled him in complete surrender. Beneath her right eye, a tiny beauty mark added a captivating touch that made her allure even harder to resist.

On her lips rested a faint, satisfied smile—the smile of a woman still immersed in the warmth and pleasure left behind by a long, passionate night. They were both naked, as if their bodies had woven a tapestry of desire the night before, and now only the quiet calm of morning remained to record its aftermath.

That woman was none other than Lucretia Zola, famed by daunting and awe-inspiring titles such as the Witch of Sardinia and the Scholar of the Gods. Yet here, in this moment, she was neither witch nor legendary scholar, but a lazy, pampered, affectionate woman who wanted nothing more than to remain in the embrace of the man she had chosen, clutching him as if he were her entire world.

Kojou smiled faintly, a small, almost invisible curve of his lips, before leaning down to plant a gentle kiss on her forehead. The touch was as light as a passing breath, carrying a tenderness that needed no words. Then, as he lifted his head, his body suddenly shifted into an ethereal, translucent state, dissolving into strands of golden mist that swirled around him briefly before vanishing. A heartbeat later, he reappeared beside the bed in silent steps, as if he had been nothing but a fleeting shadow—careful not to disturb Lucretia's deep slumber.

As he moved away, the intoxicating fragrance of her warm body faded—the alluring blend of her unique perfume and the natural scent of her skin, like dew-kissed blossoms. But soon, his nose caught another aroma seeping through the air, one far more familiar and far more demanding. The rich scent of food drifted in from the living room: fresh eggs, toasted bread, and perhaps a hint of hot black tea. Kojou didn't need to think twice; it was obvious that Nagisa and Atalanta had just finished preparing breakfast, waiting for him to join them at the table.

Kojou left the bedroom with quiet steps, passing through the corridor where half-drawn curtains let streaks of sunlight dance across the wooden floor. The atmosphere was a blend of homely warmth and the faint echo of daily life creeping in from beyond the windows. With each step, the aroma of food grew stronger, wrapping the space in a comforting sense of morning routine.

When he reached the living room, he was greeted by a lively and heartwarming scene. Nagisa stood in a light-colored apron over her school uniform, her sleek black hair neatly tied back so it wouldn't get in the way. Her face was set in focused seriousness as she moved slices of toast from the pan to a plate on the table. That mixture of responsibility and lingering youthful innocence in her eyes made her appear like the dependable younger sister, though the bright energy radiating from her gave her a touch of cheerful vibrancy.

Meanwhile, Atalanta sat by the table, her brilliant green eyes fixed on the food like a huntress poised to strike. Her long orange hair spilled freely over her shoulders, and her feline ears twitched lightly at every sound, fluttering with childlike impatience. From time to time, her thick tail swished in restless rhythm, betraying how close she was to losing patience with the long wait.

As soon as they saw him step out of the room, Nagisa lifted her head, offering a gentle smile—a mix of welcome and curiosity glowing in her gaze.

"Good morning, Kojou-kun," she said softly, her cheerful smile brimming with early-morning energy.

Atalanta, on the other hand, wasted no time waiting for permission to speak, exclaiming with childish excitement:

"Finally! The food's ready—hurry before it gets cold!" Her eyes sparkled like a cat who had just spotted a banquet of fish.

In that moment, Kojou realized how simple yet full of life the scene was: a mature woman lost in her dreams behind the bedroom door, another acting responsible to keep their morning in order, and a third with half-human charm and half-animal instinct eagerly waiting for her share of the meal. This odd blend of spirits coexisting under one roof reflected only one truth… this island was far from ordinary, and his life hadn't been either for quite some time.

"Morning," Kojou nodded to Nagisa as he picked up a bowl of salad from the kitchen, setting it in the center of the table within everyone's reach. He then sat down between Nagisa and Atalanta.

"Thanks for preparing breakfast," Kojou said with a smile toward Nagisa, genuinely grateful. Without her, he would have been left with a cold meal in the morning—especially now that she cooked for four instead of two, as it had been before.

Lucretia didn't know how to cook, and the same went for Atalanta. As for Kojou himself, he could manage a little, thanks to Nagisa's earlier guidance, but waking up early was always difficult for him. Ena, Erica, and Lili were still on the mainland with no plans to return soon, so the burden of preparing meals naturally fell to Nagisa for the time being.

Asagi, meanwhile, was staying at Rin's house, and since she had no talent for cooking either, she was also out of the equation.

"It's no problem. It's not that big of a deal—especially since, ever since I became your Blood Servant, my physical and mental strength has grown a lot. So really, there's no trouble," Nagisa replied, smiling brightly.

Her smile was so beautiful, so infectious, that Kojou couldn't help but smile back. He leaned over and placed a simple, affectionate kiss on her cheek.

A faint blush spread across Nagisa's face at the unexpected gesture, a flicker of shy surprise glinting in her eyes before she lowered her head slightly, trying to hide her widening smile. She wasn't used to such direct displays from Kojou first thing in the morning, yet her heart couldn't deny the warmth that bloomed in her chest.

Atalanta said nothing at first. She sat upright in her chair, arms folded loosely, eyes locked on the food laid out before her. Her green gaze held the mature focus of a hunter sizing up its prey, calm and patient. Yet, her feline ears twitched at every puff of steam rising from the eggs and toast, betraying the animal instincts she couldn't quite suppress.

"Come on already! Stop flirting in front of the food! I'm starving here," she muttered in a low but steady voice—more the tone of a grown woman than that of an impatient child. Yet, when her hand darted toward the bread with surprising speed, a small smile curved her lips, as though admitting her hunger had finally won over her restraint.

"Quite an appetite this morning?" Kojou remarked lightly, watching her nibble at a piece of toast with more care than her quick grab suggested.

Atalanta lifted her eyes to meet his, a half-smile forming as she wiped away tiny crumbs from her lips with a fingertip.

"Good food doesn't wait… and a good hunter never delays the prey."

Kojou chuckled softly at her reply, which balanced wisdom with instinctual simplicity. Nagisa, meanwhile, only shook her head with a gentle smile as she set more dishes onto the table before taking her seat opposite them.

...

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