Jax's stomach growled like an angry beast as he walked through the city streets.

'Food. Need food. Now.'

His feet carried him automatically toward the one place that mattered.

Nyara's stall.

The familiar scent of grilled meat and spices hit him before he even turned the corner. His mouth watered instantly.

"Professor Jax!"

A small figure came barreling toward him at full speed.

Brian.

The catfolk boy crashed into Jax's legs and wrapped his arms around them in a death grip.

"You came back!"

"Yeah, yeah," he muttered, patting Brian's head awkwardly. "Let go before you cut off my circulation."

Brian released him but stayed close, bouncing on his feet. "Mom said you might not come back! She said professors are busy people!"

"Your mom underestimates my appetite."

They walked to the stall together, where Nyara was already preparing ingredients. Her ears perked up at their approach, and her tail swayed happily behind her.

"Professor Jax! Welcome back!"

Her smile was warm. Genuine. It made Jax feel... comfortable.

Memories from last night flashed through his mind. Her soft moans. The way her tail wrapped around his leg. Her claws digging into his back.

'Damn. That was a good night.'

He cleared his throat and took a seat at the counter.

"Told you I'd be back for lunch."

Nyara giggled. "I remember. The usual?"

"Double it. I had a rough morning."

"Rough?" She tilted her head curiously while her hands worked the grill. "What happened?"

"Had to teach a class. Apparently, students these days don't appreciate being told they're garbage."

Brian climbed onto the seat next to Jax, eyes wide. "You called them garbage?"

"Only the ones who deserved it."

"That's so cool!"

Nyara shot her son a look. "Brian, that's not—"

"It's educational," Jax interrupted. "I'm teaching him honesty."

She sighed but couldn't hide her smile.

While Nyara prepared his meal, Jax reached into his coat and pulled out an envelope.

The same money he'd gotten from Lysandra the other day.

He glanced at Nyara, making sure she was focused on cooking, then leaned toward Brian.

"Hey, kid."

Brian looked up. "Yeah?"

Jax pressed the envelope into his small hands.

"Give this to your mom when you get home tonight. And keep it a secret, got it? Don't tell her until you reach home."

Brian looked at the envelope, then back at Jax, confusion written all over his face.

"But why—"

"Just do it." Jax's voice was firm but not harsh. "Your mom works hard. She deserves it. Now hide that before she sees."

Brian quickly stuffed the envelope into his pocket, still looking bewildered.

Jax turned back to the counter like nothing happened.

'The hell am I doing? Being charitable? Gross.'

But he couldn't deny the small warmth in his chest.

From a distance, hidden behind a market stall, Lilith watched the scene unfold.

Her red and yellow eyes were wide with surprise.

'He's... different.'

The Professor Jax she'd seen in class was cold, crude, and terrifying. The one sitting at that food stall was... kind?

He was laughing with the child. Talking gently with the catfolk woman. He'd just secretly given them money.

'He's not what I thought he was.'

Her heart fluttered.

Then she noticed something else.

Two figures lurking nearby. Watching the same scene.

Seris and Astrid.

Lilith's eyes narrowed. 'What are they doing here?'

A few minutes earlier.

Seris and Astrid had been walking through the city when Seris spotted a familiar figure.

"There." She pointed. "That's our perverted professor."

Astrid followed her gaze, lip curling in disgust. "What's he doing here?"

"Probably heading to a brothel," Seris said matter-of-factly. "He would have been paid today. Men like him are predictable."

Astrid nodded. "Let's follow. I want to see what kind of filth he gets up to."

They trailed him through the streets, keeping their distance.

But instead of a brothel, he stopped at... a food stall?

"What the hell?" Astrid muttered.

They watched him greet the catfolk woman with a smile.

"Look at his eyes," Seris whispered. "Lustful. I bet he's plotting something with her."

"Disgusting," Astrid agreed.

Then they saw him hand something to the child.

An envelope.

The two exchanged confused glances.

"What was that?" Astrid asked.

"Money, maybe? But why would he..."

They watched him laugh with the boy. Watched him chat casually with the woman. Watched him act... normal.

"This doesn't make sense," Seris muttered.

"Maybe it's a trick," Astrid offered. "He's probably manipulating them for something."

"Probably."

But neither sounded convinced.

Jax's ears caught it.

Whispers. Footsteps trying too hard to be quiet. The distinct feeling of being watched.

He didn't turn around immediately. Instead, he took a bite of the skewer Nyara had just placed in front of him.

'Delicious. Now then...'

He glanced over his shoulder.

Two familiar faces tried to duck behind a fruit cart.

Too slow.

"Seris. Astrid."

His voice carried across the street with the authority of a drill sergeant.

"Get over here. Now."

The two girls froze. Then, slowly, they emerged from their hiding spot and walked toward the stall like criminals approaching the gallows.

Nyara looked up, surprised. "Professor? Friends of yours?"

Jax smiled warmly. "Students, actually. Nyara, this is Princess Seris and Lady Astrid Ren Aleris. Two of my brightest."

Nyara's eyes went wide. Her ears flattened against her head.

'A-Astrid Ren Aleris?! The Aleris family! And Princess Seris—actual royalty!'

Her spatula clattered against the grill. Her tail went stiff.

"Y-Your Highness! Lady Aleris!" She bowed so deeply she nearly hit the counter. "W-Welcome to my humble stall! I'm so honored! Please forgive the simple setting—I had no idea such distinguished guests would—"

"Relax, Nyara," Jax said calmly. "They're just students. Treat them like anyone else."

He turned back to the girls with that same warm smile.

"These two have a beautiful friendship, you know. True companions. You can tell just by looking at them—loyal to each other, always watching each other's backs. It's admirable. Rare, even."

Seris and Astrid exchanged bewildered looks.

'Is he... complimenting us?'

"They're also excellent students," Jax continued. "Sharp minds. Good instincts. The academy is lucky to have them."

The girls didn't know how to respond.

Jax gestured to the empty seats. "Sit. Eat. My treat."

"We're not—" Astrid started.

"Sit."

They sat.

Nyara, still flustered but delighted by the prestigious customers, quickly prepared two more servings.

"This is amazing!" she said happily. "I'll make you both something special!"

Brian ran over, equally excited. "Are you princesses? Real princesses?!"

Seris managed a polite smile. "Yes."

"That's so cool! Do you have crowns? Do you live in a castle?"

"Brian," Nyara called gently. "Don't overwhelm them."

The atmosphere was warm. Friendly. Almost... wholesome.

Jax ate his food calmly, watching his students try to process the situation.

A few minutes later, Nyara took Brian inside to get more supplies.

The moment they were gone, Jax's demeanor shifted.

He continued eating his skewer, but his voice dropped to ice.

"So. Why were you following me?"

Seris went still.

Astrid's eyes flickered, but she maintained her composure.

"Following you? We weren't—"

"You were behind the fruit cart for six minutes," Jax interrupted, not looking at her. "Before that, you were at the cloth merchant's stall. You've been tailing me since I left the academy."

Astrid's confident lie died in her throat.

"I... we..."

Her face flushed. Her cold mask cracked.

'How did he—what—'

Jax finally looked at her.

She looked like a confused kitten caught knocking over a vase.

'Cute.'

He took another bite of his skewer.

"Now then. Your punishment."

Seris tensed. "Punishment?"

"For the crime of spying on a professor, you will both eat lunch here every day for the rest of the year."

Silence.

"...What?" Astrid asked.

"You heard me. Every day. Here. Nyara's cooking."

He'd already noticed the people walking by, slowing down to stare at the two noble beauties sitting at the humble stall. Word would spread. Customers would come.

'You're welcome, Nyara.'

He called out toward the back. "Nyara!"

She emerged, wiping her hands. "Yes, Professor?"

"These two will be eating here every day from now on. If either of them misses even a single day, tell me immediately. I'll handle their punishment personally."

Nyara looked uncertain. "Professor, but..."

"I insist. Your food is nutritious. Good for growing students. I feel strongly about this."

She hesitated, then smiled. "Alright. I'll take good care of them."

"I know you will."

Jax stood to leave.

Astrid let out a sharp laugh.

"You think you can scare me?" She crossed her arms, smirking. "What punishment? What are you going to do? Give me detention? Make me write lines?"

Jax smiled.

It wasn't a nice smile.

"Try me. Miss lunch here tomorrow. I'll show you a side of me I've kept hidden for quite a long time."

Astrid's smirk faltered.

She gulped.

'What side? Isn't what he's already shown bad enough?'

Jax turned to face her fully.

"Astrid, was it?"

She nodded stiffly.

His cold eyes softened just slightly.

"I like your face."

"W-What?"

"That cute little expression you make whenever your coldness breaks. It's entertaining."

Her face went red. "I'm not—I don't—"

"So here's a tip for showing me that cute scaredy-cat face."

His voice dropped back to ice.

"Break your friendship with her."

Astrid frowned. "Why would I—"

"Because if you don't, you'll get caught in more of her punishments." He turned away. "And pay Nyara for the food. I lied about the treat."

He walked off with a lazy wave.

"See you in class."

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