Infernal Academia

Chapter 56 - The Complications of Coffee and Clothing

It was the second time that Cobalt had ever shared a bed with Izzbelle, and by his count, that was two times too many.  True to her word, she didn't let him go once she had gotten her confession out of her system, and held him close the entire night as she slumbered beneath the Incubus' futon.

He, however, was not so lucky.

Trapped in the Oni's heated embrace, Cobalt was forced to contemplate his student's impassioned proclamations whilst feeling her heartbeat at his back, smelling her scent all around him and still tasting her saliva on his tongue.  He lay there, eyes open wide as he went through the things she had told him, word by word.

When she spoke at the altar in Inferno, he had simply hoped that she was only saying what she needed to appease her father.  When they were pushed together at the New Year's party, he was relieved to hear that she wanted to forget that it had ever happened.

And now... now she told him that she was in love with him.

Him.

Between her and Jelli... just what the Hell was going on...?

When she awoke in the morning, Cobalt was half-expecting her to grow angry and strike him in some way.  In fact, he was almost hoping for the eventual outburst of anger.  But no, Izzbelle just looked him the eyes for a moment before rolling out of the futon and wishing him a good morning before she climbed back out the window.

After that, he just couldn't focus on anything.  His nerves were completely worn ragged by constantly looking over his shoulder for any sign of Diate, and since finding out that the Devil had been in his room recently, the Incubus began to jump at every little noise or movement in the corner of his eyes.  It was starting to affect his work, as he could barely keep it together to get one class out of the way, never mind an entire day.

"Sir?"

Then there was the issue of the rose petals.  Since the altercation at the sports field and the issue of Izzbelle and Jelli had shunted it to the back of his mind, after he thought on it, Cobalt's anxiety only got worse.  When his teeth fell out, in place of blood, he found himself holding a handful of petals.  Caen had told him that Brass mentioned seeing roses too, right before...

"Hell to Cobalt, hello?"

It couldn't be happening, right?  Not now, after all this time.  He had avoided his fate; his Everlast Syndrome made sure of that.  Aside from the occasional flash of anger or frustration, he hadn't been feeling any symptoms or cravings either.  No, it had to have just been a trick of the light, or maybe some cruel joke on Diate's part.

Cobalt didn't even like meat all that much.

"Sir!"

He was suddenly snapped out of his daze by the sound of someone clapping their hands directly in front of his face.  Brought back to reality, the Incubus winced as sunlight glared into his eyes and the cacophony of dozens of people suddenly slammed into his ears.

"Wh- What?  Sorry?" he exclaimed, blearily looking around him.

He was sitting at one of the al fresco tables at a small café, just outside the Brimstone Shopping Mall.  It was a beautiful summer evening, and the town was abuzz with demons going about their business.  Somewhat confused, he looked down to find himself holding a cold mug of tea in his hands, while across from him, Whitney Brode sat with a worried look on her face.

"Sir, you've been spacing out since we got here.  C'mon, didn't I say you needed to relax and forget about this Diate guy?  That's, like, why we came here!" the Nymph said, opening her arms out wide.