Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest

Chapter 702 157.5 - The Trip

'Humph! Take this!'  
Irina didn't give herself time to second-guess as she shifted across the bed and wrapped her arms around Astron from behind. The warmth of his body was startling, and she could feel the steady rhythm of his breathing under her touch. For a brief moment, she hesitated, almost surprised at herself, but she didn't let go. 
Astron flinched slightly, his posture stiffening. "What are you doing?" he asked his voice calm but edged with a subtle tension. 
"Nothing," Irina replied innocently, though her grip remained firm. 
"This doesn't feel like nothing," he said, his tone now carrying a hint of dry humor. 
"It may not feel like it, but it is nothing," she retorted, her voice light and unbothered. 
"Don't slide your arms," he warned, his sharp purple eyes flicking toward her as if he could sense her next move. 
She smirked slightly, leaning just a bit closer. "What are you going to do?" 
Astron sighed, his gaze returning to the window. "Aren't you pushing it a bit far?" 
"So what?" she replied, her tone more defiant now. "Is it wrong?" 
"Wrong?" He paused, his voice steady but thoughtful. "I don't know. But it certainly feels quite… fast." 
Irina chuckled softly, resting her chin lightly against his shoulder. "I disagree," she said, her voice carrying a playful edge. "I feel like I've waited for a long time already." 
Astron turned his head slightly, his sharp gaze meeting hers. For a moment, his expression was unreadable, but the faintest twitch of his lips suggested he wasn't as unaffected as he wanted to appear. 
"Do whatever you want." 
"Hehehehe…" Irina giggled softly, a note of triumph in her voice as she buried her face against Astron's back. The warmth of his body was less than she'd expected, a faint chill clinging to him that made her pause for a moment. Whether it was the contrast with her own warmth or something intrinsic to him, she couldn't quite tell. 
Still, she didn't pull away. Instead, she tightened her hold, her arms wrapping securely around his waist as she let herself sink into the moment. The faint scent of him—a clean, subtle fragrance with a hint of something sharper, like steel or ozone—lingered in the air. It wasn't overwhelming, but it was enough to make her heart beat just a little faster. 
"You're cold," Irina murmured again, her voice soft and slightly muffled against Astron's back. 
Astron glanced over his shoulder, his sharp purple eyes flickering with curiosity. "That's how I usually am," he replied evenly. "You're the one that's hot." 
Irina stiffened slightly, her cheeks flushing at his choice of words. "W-What?" she sputtered, but before she could gather herself, he continued. 
"It appears you're feeling something," Astron remarked, his voice calm but with a faint edge of teasing. "Maybe… cool down a bit?" 
Her face turned crimson as his words fully registered. Feeling something? Cool down? She buried her face further into his back, more out of embarrassment than anything else. This guy! He's impossible! 
But as quickly as the flustered thoughts came, Irina's defiance flared up. So what if I feel a little warm? It's not like I'm doing anything wrong. Why should I care what he thinks? 
"So what?" she said aloud, her voice gaining a bold edge. "What if I feel a little warm? You'll just have to deal with it." 
Astron sighed softly, his tone neutral as ever. "I guess," he said, a faint trace of resignation in his voice. 
Irina smirked, her embarrassment now tempered with a small sense of victory. She tightened her hold slightly, resting her cheek against his back as the tension of the moment began to fade. The soft hum of the train and the gentle motion of its journey wrapped around them like a cocoon. 
"Goodnight, Astron," she murmured, her voice softer now, the earlier teasing replaced with a quiet sincerity. 
Astron didn't respond immediately, his gaze fixed out the window. Then, with a calm steadiness that was so uniquely him, he said, "Goodnight." 
The cabin fell into a peaceful silence, and slowly but surely, the two drifted off to sleep, their breaths falling into an unspoken rhythm as the train carried them further into the night. 
******* 
Irina's dream unfolded like a vivid, forbidden fantasy. The warmth of an unseen presence, the closeness of a certain someone, the intensity of shared glances that led to something far more daring—it was all too real, too overwhelming. Her heart raced, her body responding in ways she hadn't expected, and as the dream grew more intense, a rush of emotions and sensations coursed through her. 
But just as the dream reached its crescendo, a sharp jolt of awareness cut through the haze. Her eyes snapped open, her breathing uneven as reality came rushing back. The soft hum of the train grounded her, and her hazel eyes adjusted to the dim light filtering through the cabin. The scenery outside the window slowly came into focus—the train was still moving, its rhythmic motion steady and unchanging. 
The world outside was bathed in the soft hues of dawn, the sky just beginning to lighten as the first hints of sunrise painted the horizon. Golden rays crept into the cabin, casting gentle patterns across the bed and walls. The scene was peaceful, serene—an almost cruel contrast to the storm of emotions Irina felt. 
Her cheeks burned as the memory of her dream lingered, vivid and embarrassing. She glanced down at herself, her face turning crimson as she realized… something sticky. A quiet groan escaped her lips, and she pressed a hand to her face, mortified. 
Why now? Why this? she thought, biting her lip. I can't believe… I actually had a dream like that. And about… him. 
Irina blinked as her breathing steadied, the vivid remnants of her dream still swirling in her mind. Her cheeks burned hotter as she became aware of herself, and the mortifying reality of something sticky struck her fully. 
Gathering her thoughts—or trying to—she glanced around the cabin, her hazel eyes darting to where Astron had been lying earlier. The sight of the empty space filled her with both confusion and relief. 
Where did that guy go? she wondered, narrowing her eyes at the now perfectly made side of the bed. A small sigh of relief escaped her. At least he's not here to see this mess. 
She let out a soft, self-conscious laugh, her body relaxing slightly. "Haaah…" A sense of calm returned as she took stock of the situation. Alright, focus. First things first. 
She swung her legs off the bed and stood, her movements brisk as she focused on dealing with the evidence of her embarrassing dream. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath and summoned her mana. A shimmering light surrounded her hands as she chanted softly under her breath, casting a combination of magical constructs. 
"[Sweep], [Evaporate]…" Her voice steadied as she worked, meticulously layering the spells. The [Clean] spell activated with a soft hum, the sticky discomfort vanishing instantly as her mana swept through the fabric and her clothes. Within moments, she was entirely refreshed, and the mortifying remnants of her dream were gone. 
Irina let out another sigh, running a hand through her hair. "This is ridiculous," she muttered to herself, though the relief in her voice was palpable. 
She stretched her arms above her head, feeling oddly well-rested despite everything. The tension that had built up in her chest throughout the trip seemed lighter now, dissipated by the warmth of the bed and the peaceful rhythm of the train. 
"This guy…" she murmured, her lips curving into a small smile as she thought about Astron. "Whenever I'm with him, I sleep really well." 
The thought lingered in her mind, and with it came a faint blush, though she quickly shook it off. Don't think too much about it. Focus on getting ready for the day. 
She padded toward the bathroom, grabbing a fresh set of clothes along the way. The soft glow of the cabin lights illuminated her path, and as she stepped inside, the sound of running water greeted her. The shower was warm and inviting, a perfect way to start the morning after the strange but restful night. 
As the water cascaded over her, Irina allowed herself a moment of peace, closing her eyes and letting her thoughts drift. The train continued its steady journey, and the soft light of dawn spilled through the window, promising the start of another eventful day. 
The warm water cascaded over Irina's skin, soothing her muscles and washing away the remnants of sleep. She tilted her head back, letting the spray hit her face as she sighed contentedly. The gentle steam enveloped her, and for a few precious minutes, she let herself relax completely. It wasn't often she had the chance to indulge like this, and she savored every moment. 
This is nice, she thought, a small smile playing on her lips. I could stay here forever. 
But eventually, the practicality of the day called her back. Reluctantly, she turned off the water and stepped out, grabbing a towel to dry herself. The cozy warmth lingered on her skin as she wrapped the towel around her body. Out of habit, she didn't think much about it as she exited the bathroom, her damp hair falling loosely around her shoulders. 
"Good morning," she said casually, glancing up—and freezing in place as she met Astron's sharp purple eyes. 
Astron sat in the cabin, perfectly composed as usual, his gaze fixed on her with an unreadable expression. His eyebrow arched slightly, and after a moment, he replied evenly, "Good morning." 
Irina blinked, her mind slow to catch up as she wondered why his reaction felt… odd. Then she noticed the direction of his gaze, her eyes following it downward. Realization struck like a bolt of lightning. 
Oh no. 
She wasn't wearing any clothes. Just the towel. 
Her cheeks flamed a deep crimson as she coughed awkwardly, her hands instinctively clutching the towel tighter. "Cough… uh…" 
Without another word, she spun on her heel and retreated back into the bathroom, shutting the door with a decisive thud. Her heart raced as she pressed her back against the cool door, mortification washing over her in waves. This is so not good! How could I forget?! 
From the other side of the door, Astron's calm voice carried through. "Why not change here?" 
Irina's eyes widened, and she immediately understood what he meant. He's referring to yesterday… 
Her embarrassment quickly turned to irritation. "Fuck off," she shot back, her voice sharp but shaky. 
A faint hum of amusement came from the other side, though he said nothing more. Irina groaned, running a hand through her damp hair as she tried to collect herself. This guy is impossible! Absolutely impossible! 
Muttering under her breath, she quickly dried off and dressed, making sure everything was in place before stepping out again. This time, she held her head high, determined to ignore the smug glint she was sure would be in Astron's eyes. Just act like it didn't happen. Move on. Stay composed. 
Easier said than done. Nôv(el)B\\jnn