Chapter 247: Chapter 247- Candy

The afternoon light filtered softly through the blinds of Julian’s quarters, painting warm stripes across the simple table where a small game of poker was unfolding.

Emma, buzzing with vibrant energy. She was clad in a playful nurse outfit that suited her petite frame far more than it suggested any medical authority.

Her short, fiery red hair bobbed as she moved, and her golden eyes sparkled with triumph. The uniform, with its small chest area, accentuated her cuteness rather than her sensuality, making her look like an enthusiastic, if not entirely professional, caregiver.

To his right, Zoe presented a stark contrast. Dressed in a full, proper doctor’s coat over a conservative yet elegant shirt and skirt, she exuded an air of cool, clinical intelligence.

Her long, straight black hair fell over her shoulders, framing a face with stunning blue eyes and a typically placid expression.

The outfit hid the generous curve of her bust, but the sleek stocking sheathing her legs and the subtle click of her heels against the floor added a layer of undeniable, intellectual sexiness to her poised demeanor.

Emma leaned forward with an excited grin, her short crimson hair swaying slightly as she slammed her cards down. "Ha! Full house! I win again!"

Across from her, Zoe exhaled through her nose, her expression calm and unreadable as she placed her own losing hand down. "...I lost," she said flatly, her tone so devoid of emotion it almost sounded like a system report.

Julian sat between them, leaning lazily in his chair with one hand supporting his head. "You’re surprisingly good at this."

Emma beamed, clearly enjoying the compliment. "Of course! I used to play this all the time with my friends back then. Poker nights, game nights, you name it!"

Julian smirked faintly at that, remembering her is a popular model.

"Alright then," he said, his voice carrying a calm amusement. "You win again. So, what’s your wish this time?."

Emma tapped her chin thoughtfully, pretending to think hard. "Hmm... what should I ask for this time?" Her golden eyes gleamed mischievously before she suddenly brightened. "Oh! I know! I want a new skill!"

Julian raised a brow, clearly entertained. "A new skill? That’s... quite the reward you’re asking for."

Zoe, still emotionless, added without looking up, "Statistically speaking, the probability of him granting that is low."

Emma puffed her cheeks. "Oh, come on! I’m sure he can figure something out."

Julian sighed softly, though the hint of a smile curved his lips. "You’re really treating me like some sort of magic vending machine."

Emma leaned closer, clasping her hands together dramatically. "Pleeease? Just one tiny, shiny new skill! Something cool!"

Zoe tilted her head slightly toward Julian. "If she gets one, I want one too."

Julian gave her a sideways glance. "I thought you didn’t care about games like this."

"I don’t," Zoe replied blankly. "But I don’t like losing twice."

Julian rested his elbow on the table, a faint smile tugging at his lips as he looked at Emma. "Why do you even want another skill, Emma? You already have Pyrokinesis. That’s a powerful ability on its own."

Emma twirled a strand of her red hair, her golden eyes flickering with a mix of determination and warmth. "I know... but I want to get stronger. I don’t want to just watch from the sidelines while you fight. I want to stand beside you, Julian."

Julian went quiet for a moment, studying her expression, the spark of courage that never seemed to leave her. Then, without another word, he reached out and pulled her into his arms.

"You’re already strong enough for that," he said softly, his voice calm yet heavy with honesty. "So don’t rush it. Strength that grows too fast tends to burn out just as quickly."

Emma froze, her cheeks instantly turning pink. "W–Wait, Julian...!" she stammered, her voice muffled against his chest. "You can’t just say that out of nowhere..."

Julian chuckled lowly, enjoying her flustered reaction, but before he could tease her further, he felt a gentle tug on his sleeve. He turned his head and there was Zoe, looking up at him blankly, one hand still gripping his coat.

"...Me too," she said flatly, though the faint pink tint on her cheeks betrayed her calm tone.

Julian blinked, then sighed in quiet amusement before opening his other arm. "Come here, then."

Zoe stepped in without hesitation, resting her head against his shoulder while maintaining her usual calm demeanor. Emma, still flustered, glared half-heartedly from the side.

"Greedy," she muttered under her breath.

Zoe, eyes half-lidded, replied in her monotone voice, "You just got yours first."

Julian chuckled again, holding both of them for a moment before glancing at Zoe’s outfit the white coat, the neatly fastened stethoscope, and the sheer seriousness she carried despite looking completely out of place.

"...By the way," he asked, a hint of amusement in his voice, "why are you dressed like a doctor?"

Zoe looked up at him, expression still unreadable. "Because I wanted to look cool."

Julian blinked once, then let out a soft laugh. "Fair enough."

Emma sighed dramatically beside them. "You do look cool, Zoe. Too cool. I can’t even compete."

Zoe simply nodded in quiet agreement, while Julian just smiled.

The intimate mood was palpable, and Julian, swept up in the warmth of the moment, began to lean in, his intention to steal a kiss from each of them clear in his smoldering gaze.

But Emma suddenly pulled back, a playful spark in her golden eyes. "Stop! Wait a second, I wanna get something!" she chirped, bouncing off the couch.

She skipped over to a small purse she had left by the door and rummaged through it before returning with a small, crinkly packet held triumphantly in her hand.

"Tadaa! I’ve always wanted to do this!" she announced, presenting a pack of colorful, fruit-shaped hard candies.

Zoe, who had been observing the shift in events with her usual calm detachment, tilted her head slightly. "Candy...?" she inquired, her flat tone laced with a hint of genuine confusion.

"Right!" Emma beamed, tearing the package open. "We all put this one candy in our mouths but we don’t chew it! We take turns kissing and passing it around with our tongues until it completely dissolves! How about it? Fun, right?"