The day after class, Milo and Lira returned to the same room they'd set up for their kissing tutorial. But unlike the previous day, something had shifted in the air. The rumors had spread, ignited by Professor Veria's parting words as she left their session the day before, licking her lips and muttering to passing students that "they were real good." That single comment had set off a chain reaction. Whispers were now circulating all over campus, piquing the curiosity of more than a few students.
Milo sat at the front of the room, tapping his fingers against the desk, his mind racing as he tried to calm himself. Lira, unbothered as usual, was arranging cushions in a semi-circle on the floor, ensuring that everything was in place for their session.
"You think people will actually show up?" Milo asked, his voice betraying a mix of nerves and anticipation. His muscles were tense from the thought of teaching again, but there was a new layer to the feeling—a buzz that seemed to hum just beneath his skin, as if his body was preparing for something he didn't fully understand yet.
Lira glanced at him, smiling confidently. "Oh, they'll show. Veria practically did our advertising for us. Now, they want to know what made us 'real good.'"
As if on cue, the door creaked open, and two students timidly stepped inside. They glanced at each other before speaking up.
"Is this the, um… kissing tutorial?" one of them asked, clearly unsure.
Lira waved them in warmly. "That's right. Have a seat. We'll get started shortly."
The two students sat on the cushions, their curiosity piqued despite their awkwardness. Milo couldn't help but notice how they kept glancing at him, their eyes lingering just a moment too long. It made him feel exposed—but also something else. He felt their gaze feeding into him, boosting his awareness of the attention he was drawing.
More students filtered in after that, some in pairs, others alone, all whispering and exchanging glances as they took their seats. Milo could feel the shift. The air was thick with interest, all of it pointed at him. Lira had been right—the rumors had spread like wildfire.
Finally, Lira stepped forward, clapping her hands to get everyone's attention.
"Alright, everyone, thanks for coming. Today, we're going to focus on the basics of intimacy and connection." She spoke confidently, as always, but this time, Milo felt different. He wasn't just standing beside her; he was the center. Somehow, all eyes seemed to naturally drift toward him, even when she was speaking. "Kissing is about more than just technique. It's about reading your partner, syncing with their energy, and building a connection. Milo will be helping to guide you through it today."
Milo stepped forward, and as he did, he felt something awaken in him. His nerves still hummed, but there was a strange clarity now. His power—it wasn't just making him better at understanding how to kiss, how to move—it was pulling the room's focus toward him. He noticed the way everyone seemed a little more attentive when he spoke, their eyes drawn to him, as if his presence demanded it.
"So, uh... let's start simple," he said, forcing a smile as he began. "Light kisses first, like Lira said. It's not about rushing. Focus on your partner's breathing, how they move, and try to follow their lead. When you feel ready, go a little deeper."
He walked around the room, stopping to kneel beside different pairs of students as they awkwardly leaned in to practice. His words were soft but guiding, helping them relax as he watched their hesitant movements. "Don't rush it," he told one pair. "It's about feeling your way through it, not thinking too much."
He could sense the way his ability was at play now, the subtle way it made his guidance seem natural, authoritative. One of the girls looked at him with wide eyes as she leaned back from her partner, a small blush creeping across her cheeks.
"Like this?" she asked, her gaze locked on him rather than her partner.
Milo nodded, giving her a reassuring smile. "Yeah, that was perfect. Just relax. You're doing great."
He moved on to the next pair, but he could feel it—how the room was becoming more attuned to him. He wasn't just giving instructions; he was influencing them. His presence, his confidence—it was drawing them in, making them hang on his words, making them want to please him.
Lira watched him from the side, her arms crossed, a satisfied smile on her face. She could see it too. Milo was coming into his own, growing more confident by the second.
As he continued to guide the students, Milo felt his own technique sharpening. His ability seemed to expand, not only allowing him to adapt to each person's needs but also subtly affecting the people around him. Their gazes lingered on him more. He felt like the center of gravity in the room.
When another pair asked for help, Milo moved to them, guiding their movements by example. "Here, just lean in a little closer. Keep it soft. It's not about force; it's about the feeling."
His hands lightly adjusted their posture, his tone more confident now. He could feel his anxiety fading away, replaced with a growing certainty. He was in control here. And not just of his own ability—he was controlling the atmosphere, influencing the energy in the room without even meaning to.
One of the students, a tall guy with dark hair, spoke up, breaking the comfortable silence. "So, we heard you had a... 'session' with Professor Veria yesterday. That true?" He smirked, clearly trying to stir the pot.
Lira's response was quick and sharp, her gaze cutting through the teasing. "Yes, she helped us test out our method. If you're here to learn, we'll teach you the same way. If you're here for jokes, the door's that way."
The student faltered for a second before nodding. "Yeah, we're here to learn," he said, though Milo could feel his attention shifting back to him, as if he, not Lira, had become the main attraction.
By the end of the session, Milo felt an odd sense of fulfillment. The students were leaving, most with satisfied smiles on their faces, but more than that, he could sense how their energy had shifted. They weren't just learning how to kiss—they had been captivated, drawn into the moment because of him.
As the last of them left, Milo collapsed into a chair, feeling the weight of it all but also the exhilaration of success.
Lira sat beside him, still smiling. "You really got their attention today, huh?"
Milo shrugged, but he couldn't deny it. "Yeah... I don't know what happened. I just... it felt like everything clicked."
"Your ability's working for you," she said simply. "And it's not just about you anymore. It's about how you affect others."
Milo thought about that for a moment, feeling the truth in her words. His power wasn't just for him—it was something more, something that reached out and pulled others in. He smiled, realizing that maybe, just maybe, he was beginning to understand it.