Lunch ended, and the halls flooded with students. Jin was lagging behind, lost in thought, when he turned a corner and collided with someone.

Thump.

"Oh man," Jin said, looking down. "I'm sorry. Are you okay?"

The girl on the floor looked up, rubbing her hip. "Ow... watch where you're going..."

Jin froze.

She was stunning. An upperclassman, judging by her confidence. She had dark crimson hair with blunt bangs, golden eyes, and a figure that tested the structural integrity of her uniform. Her skirt was scandalously short, revealing thigh-high socks, and she wore a distinctive choker with a padlock.

Focus, Jin, he scolded himself. You're staring. Do something, you idiot.

"Here," Jin offered a hand. "Let me help you up."

She took his hand, her grip firm. "Sorry about that," Jin mumbled.

"It's okay, Jin," she smiled, a sultry curve of red lips. "No harm done."

"How do you know my name?"

"Ha! Who doesn't know your name?" she laughed. "You're the guy who beat up Leven Soto."

Great, Jin thought. My fifteen minutes of fame.

"My name is Lilith," she said, stepping closer. "Lilith Eve."

"Nice to meet you, Lilith. Sorry, but I have to go. Don't want to be late."

"Hey, wait."

"Huh?"

"You should take me on a date sometime."

Jin blinked. "Wait... what?"

"Is that a no?" Lilith tilted her head.

"Well, I mean... you kind of caught me off guard."

"Well, think about it," Lilith purred. She grabbed Jin's shirt collar, pulled him down, and planted a kiss on his lips.

Jin pulled away, eyes wide. "Wow. Are you always so forward?"

"Only for things I really want," Lilith winked. "Well, Jin, I'll let you get back to class. I will be seeing you around very soon."

She walked away, her hips swaying hypnotically.

That girl is wild, Jin thought, watching her go. But... wow.

"JIN!"

Lynn popped up behind him like a jump scare.

"I wasn't doing anything!" Jin jumped.

"Huh? What?" Lynn looked confused. "Hurry up! The bell is going to ring!"

"Alright, here I come."

As he walked away, a shiver ran down his spine. He felt it again. That dark energy. Faint, but definitely there.

After school, Jin, Lynn, Maya, and Noah waited by the gate.

"What in the world is taking Luna so long?" Jin complained.

"There she is," Maya pointed. "And she is with your favorite person, Jin."

Luna was walking down the steps with Leven Soto.

"Great," Jin grumbled. "If it wasn't for the mission, I would leave her behind."

"Hey Jin," Maya whispered. "Do you feel that?"

"Yeah," Jin stiffened. "That dark aura has returned."

Noah looked around. "You guys can feel that too? I thought that was just a me thing."

"You can sense energy?!" Jin asked, surprised.

"If that's what you call it," Noah shrugged. "I always get a chill when bad stuff is nearby."

"Maybe you're not completely useless," Jin muttered.

"Okay," Maya said. "Is it just me, or is that feeling getting closer?"

"It's definitely not just you," Jin watched Luna and Leven approach. "Maya... remember what Master Miyamoto said? The swarm was led by someone who looked like a human."

"You don't think it's Leven, do you?" Maya asked.

"All I know is he is walking closer and the aura is getting stronger. I'm not saying... I'm just saying."

Leven stopped at his stagecoach. "Good day, sir," the driver called down. "Will the young Ms. Yi be joining us today?"

"Not today, Bitterman," Leven sighed, watching Luna walk away. "Not today."

Luna reached the group. "Come on, Luna," Jin scolded. "Keeping us waiting just to talk to him."

"Oh, get over it," Luna rolled her eyes.

At that moment, Lilith Eve walked past the group. She caught Jin's eye and winked.

"Hey, Jin. See you later."

"WHAT THE HECK WAS THAT!" Lynn and Luna shouted in unison.

"What?" Jin raised his hands. "Can a girl not say hi to me?"

"Not her!" Lynn hissed. "She is a third year! THAT'S LILITH EVE!"

"Is she a big deal or something?" Jin asked.

"Jin," Lynn whispered. "That is Lilith Eve."

"She is only like the most popular girl in school!" Luna explained frantically. "She is top of her class, on the track team, the ace of the volleyball team, and captain of the swim team!"

"Like, let's totes be real, fam," Lynn added. "She's cray popular because of her gravity-defying breasts."

"How does she even know your name?" Luna demanded.

"Well, apparently everyone knows who I am now," Jin shrugged.

"HEY!" Lynn stomped her foot. "Stop avoiding the subject!"

"I'm not avoiding anything! A pretty girl said hi to me. What's the big deal?"

Maya face-palmed. "And there's where you messed up."

"Huh?"

"PRETTY?!" Lynn and Luna shrieked.

"You think she is pretty?" Luna glared.

"Well, answer her! We are waiting!" Lynn crossed her arms.

"I mean... yeah?" Jin looked at Noah for help. "What's wrong with that? Come on, help me out here, Noah."

"I hear and see nothing," Noah said, staring at the sky.

"Oh, so is that what you like?" Lynn stepped closer. "Maybe you would like me more if I had my tits and butt all out all the time?"

"Is that what you want?" Luna added. "Women are more than just sex objects, Jin!"

"I thought better of you," Lynn shook her head.

"Perv," Maya spat.

"Not you too, Maya?" Jin pleaded.

"Sorry," Maya giggled. "This is too good."

"Okay, wait! Everybody just shut up and hold on!" Jin shouted. "All I did was say she was pretty! That's it! I only know her because I bumped into her after lunch. That is it! My gosh, guys, you're acting like I wanted her to kiss me."

Silence fell over the group.

"SHE DID WHAT?!?" Luna, Lynn, and Maya screamed.

"Aw hell," Jin groaned.