The usual hum of voices filled the classroom, but today, there was something different in the air. It wasn't just the usual murmurs and idle chatter between friends and partners. There was an underlying tension, a kind of nervous energy that pulsed through the room, making the space feel smaller, more intimate. The students had been practicing their kissing techniques both in and out of class for weeks, but today it was different—today it was official. No more just trying things out behind closed doors or whispering tips during breaks. This was a project. Their technique, their chemistry, was about to be put on display.
Lira sat quietly at her desk, trying to focus on her breathing, while the rest of the room buzzed with conversation. Beside her, Milo was slumped, looking even more exhausted than usual. His eyes drooped slightly as he fought to keep them open, his body clearly still drained from overextending himself during the last tutoring session. He stifled a yawn, rubbing at his eyes, seemingly indifferent to the growing anticipation that spread like wildfire through the class.
At the front of the room, Professor Veria stood with her usual bright, expectant smile, her clipboard in hand, waiting for the noise to settle. But it didn't, not yet. The tension wasn't quite thick enough to quiet them, not until things began.
"This is really happening, huh?" someone muttered from the back, their voice just loud enough to carry.
"Can't believe we have to do this in front of everyone," another responded, their tone a mix of nervous laughter and dread.
"Think of it as a performance," someone chimed in from the side, their words dripping with fake confidence. "Just like a theater class, right?"
"You mean theater class, but with your lips?" another joked, earning a few chuckles, though the laughter felt more like a release of tension than genuine amusement.
Among the murmurs, some students were already looking at the door, wondering if there was still time to run. Others, like the delinquents lounging in the back, seemed completely unbothered. They'd attended Milo and Lira's tutoring sessions, but now that it was all being presented in front of the class, they looked bored, almost indifferent. Their disinterest was stark compared to the others—students who hadn't gone to the tutoring sessions now whispered snide comments about how ridiculous it was.
"Honestly, this whole thing was just an excuse for them to make some money," one girl muttered under her breath, crossing her arms. "What a waste."
"They probably worked something out with the teacher," another added with a sneer, casting a glance toward Milo. "Bet they'll make us pay for tips next."
The delinquents, overhearing the comments, exchanged quiet looks but didn't say a word. They weren't paying Milo or Lira any attention, unlike the students mocking them, who couldn't stop glancing over as if trying to figure out whether Milo's sleepy demeanor was indifference or something else entirely. There was a curiosity in their eyes, even if they didn't want to admit it. Why were they so calm? Why weren't they nervous like the rest of them?
Milo, oblivious to the chatter, yawned again, his head dipping slightly as exhaustion weighed him down. Lira, on the other hand, was more alert, though she avoided looking directly at anyone. Her mind buzzed with thoughts about what was to come, the significance of what they were about to do. They had practiced endlessly, but this felt different. This was no longer just an assignment or something done in secret during tutoring—it was a test, a public display of their progress, their connection.
Professor Veria finally cleared her throat, and the chatter subsided. The quiet that followed was almost eerie, the class waiting with bated breath for her to speak.
"Alright, class," she began, her voice warm but firm, "you've all been working hard on this, and today's your chance to show just how far you've come. Remember, this isn't just about the technique—it's about the connection. I want to see how well you can trust each other, how well you can let go and communicate through touch, through intimacy. You'll be critiqued on more than just the physicality—I want to see emotional connection too. Got it?"
A few students nodded hesitantly, while others exchanged uncertain glances. The stakes felt higher now, like they were being asked to bare themselves in a way that went beyond the surface. The weight of what was about to happen settled in, the tension shifting from nervous energy to something more intense.
Veria smiled brightly, unfazed by the awkwardness that lingered in the air. "Let's get started! Pairs, I'll call you up one by one. Take your time, and remember—this is about connection, not perfection."
The first pair shuffled to the front, clearly uncomfortable as they stood awkwardly in front of the class. The room was silent except for the occasional nervous cough, the weight of everyone's eyes on the couple. As they kissed, there was a clear lack of chemistry, the whole display more mechanical than intimate. Veria watched closely, offering gentle critiques about their posture, their breathing, and their lack of fluidity.
"Relax," she told them, her voice soft but firm. "You're too stiff. You need to let yourselves trust one another."
One by one, the other pairs followed, some better than others. A few couples moved with surprising ease, their practice showing as they kissed with more confidence, but there was still a stiffness—a reluctance to truly let go in front of their peers. The room was filled with an odd mix of apprehension and intrigue, each performance adding to the growing sense of tension as they all waited for the inevitable.
And then, finally, it was time.
"Milo, Lira," Professor Veria called, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Your turn."
The shift in the room was immediate. Everyone's eyes turned toward the pair, curiosity now bubbling to the surface. This was what they had all been waiting for. The teasing, the mocking—all of it seemed to evaporate, replaced by the anticipation of what Milo and Lira would do.
Milo stretched lazily, as if he hadn't just been sleeping moments ago, and stood up, his usual sluggishness masking whatever might be happening underneath. Lira followed, her heart pounding in her chest. They had practiced countless times, but standing here now, under the scrutiny of their peers, made it feel like something completely new. Something heavier.
As they stood at the front of the class, Veria gave them an encouraging nod, but it wasn't necessary. Milo was already moving, his hand lifting to Lira's chin with a casual confidence that startled her. His touch was familiar, but there was something different about it now—something more deliberate, more intense. Her eyes widened slightly, but before she could process it, Milo turned her head toward him, locking her gaze with his.
For just a moment, his pupils flashed, a soft pink shimmer that flickered in his eyes, and Lira felt a rush of warmth spread through her, making her knees feel weak. The room seemed to fall away, the chatter, the tension—everything was swallowed by the magnetic pull between them.
"I want you," Milo whispered, his voice low and rough, the words sending a shiver through her entire body.
Lira's lips parted in surprise, a soft breath escaping her as she nodded. "Ok," she whispered back, barely able to process what was happening. Her heart raced as he leaned in, his lips capturing hers in a kiss that was nothing like their practices. This was raw, intense, filled with a hunger that made her head spin.
Milo's hands moved with certainty, sliding down to her waist as he pulled her closer, guiding her back toward the desk. Without breaking the kiss, he sat on the edge and pulled her into his lap, his fingers digging into her skin as he deepened the kiss, making her melt against him.
The room around them was silent, every eye glued to the display of passion unfolding before them. Even Veria, who had been watching so closely all day, sat back in her chair, her cheeks flushed as she observed the sheer intensity of the connection between them.
Milo's kiss was relentless, his hands roaming her body with a possessive hunger that made her pulse race. Lira could feel the heat radiating from him, his energy overwhelming her senses as his lips moved with a skill that left her breathless. She clung to him, her hands gripping his shoulders, her body arching against him as the kiss deepened, became more urgent, more consuming.
For fifteen minutes, they were lost in each other, the room, the project, everything else forgotten. When they finally pulled apart, both of them were panting, their bodies still pressed tightly together, their lips swollen and red.
The rest of the class sat in stunned silence, their earlier teasing forgotten as they processed what they had just witnessed. Even the delinquents, who had paid little attention earlier, were sitting up straighter, their eyes wide with a mixture of awe and disbelief.
Veria cleared her throat, her voice slightly shaky. "Well, I think it's safe to say you've mastered the art of connection," she said, a faint blush still coloring her cheeks.
Milo smirked as he helped Lira back to her feet, her legs still shaky from the intensity of what had just happened. As they made their way back to their seats, Milo felt a strange sensation wash over him. His head grew heavy, and a wave of exhaustion hit him harder than before. He blinked, trying to focus, but his vision blurred at the edges. His legs felt weak, like the strength was being drained out of them with every step. By the time they reached their desks, Milo had to slump into his chair, letting out a deep breath.
"Are you okay?" Lira whispered, noticing the sudden shift in his demeanor. She reached out, placing a hand on his arm.
Milo nodded slightly but didn't respond right away. His body felt heavy, and his mind sluggish. He realized his ability—the one he'd subconsciously activated during the kiss—had taken more out of him than he'd expected. It wasn't the first time he'd felt this kind of fatigue, but it had never been this overwhelming. He'd used too much of his energy without realizing it, and now his body was paying the price.
"I'm fine," he muttered, offering Lira a small smile despite the pounding in his head. "Just… overdid it."
Lira frowned, clearly unconvinced, but with the rest of the class still watching them, she didn't press the issue. She gave his arm a squeeze before pulling her hand back, her eyes filled with concern.
Around them, the class buzzed with hushed whispers and side conversations, everyone trying to make sense of what they'd just witnessed. The earlier tension had transformed into a mix of awe and confusion. Even the students who had mocked Milo and Lira before now seemed unsure of their earlier opinions, casting furtive glances in their direction.
Professor Veria, ever the professional, composed herself and stood up, addressing the class with a bright, albeit slightly flushed, smile. "That was quite the display," she said, her voice carrying over the room. "Milo and Lira have set a high bar. I hope you all paid attention to the level of connection they achieved—it's not just about the physicality but the emotional intensity."
A few heads nodded in agreement, but most of the students were still too stunned to react properly. Milo, meanwhile, rested his head on the desk, trying to clear the fog in his mind. He didn't like feeling this weak, especially not in front of everyone, but he had no choice but to ride it out.
As Veria continued offering feedback and critiques to the rest of the class, Milo's thoughts drifted. His ability, the one that amplified emotions and intimacy, had clearly pushed him too far this time. He knew he needed to learn to control it better—to limit its effects so it wouldn't leave him completely drained after every use. But right now, he just wanted to sleep.
Lira glanced at him again, her expression softening as she realized how much effort he'd put into their performance. She reached out, brushing her fingers lightly against his arm in a gesture of quiet support. Milo didn't say anything, but her touch helped ground him, reminding him that despite the exhaustion, they had succeeded. They had done exactly what they needed to do—and more.
The rest of the class carried on, though the atmosphere had shifted. Milo and Lira's display had set a new tone, one that everyone seemed to acknowledge, even if they didn't fully understand it. The day had felt different from the start, and now it had cemented itself as something more than just another lesson. It was a turning point.
As the class finally came to a close, and the students began to pack up their things, Milo gave Lira a tired smile. "You okay?" he asked, his voice hoarse.
"Yeah," Lira said, though her eyes still lingered on him with concern. "You?"
Milo shrugged, already feeling the weight of his exhaustion pulling him down. "I will be. Just need some rest."
Lira nodded, understanding. She helped him gather his things, the two of them moving quietly as the rest of the class trickled out. The day had been a challenge, but they had faced it together—and despite everything, they had come out stronger on the other side.