Rebirth: The Universe's Hidden Heiress-Chapter 161: [Parallel World] A Passionate Night (1)

Note: The Parallel World series happened in a parallel universe; the plot and settings are completely unrelated to the previous story. This Yuka is still the famous "Vase."

Nori’s expression showed keen interest as he asked Kenji to sit down. He then took out his experimental kit, which he always carried with him, and collected some of Kenji’s pheromones.

After a brief analysis, he turned to Yuka and said, "There’s no issue."

"But both your pheromones are quite unique," Nori remarked, raising an eyebrow. "To put it in simple terms, Yuka’s pheromone can ward off others’, except yours. She can remain fully conscious surrounded by pheromones other than yours, even making alphas lose their ability to act. Meanwhile, your pheromone is almost imperceptible, not noticeable to others, nor does it impact them in any way."

"If we could merge your pheromones together..." Nori fell into deep thought. "My previous hypothesis might be verifiable. Maybe that legendary drug, capable of liberating people from pheromone control, can indeed be developed."

Grasping the potential consequences, Kenji seriously asked Nori, "What’s the likelihood of success for this drug?"

"How would I know without trying?" Nori rolled his eyes. "I need to take your pheromone back to the lab. Both of you should come over these next few days to provide more pheromones, until I successfully create the drug."

"Okay, I’m off. You two... follow me," Nori glanced at Yuka. "Let’s be clear, I won’t return your billion-star coins. Consider it an investment of a billion in this project. When I successfully develop the drug and it’s out in the market, I’ll give you thirty percent of the profits."

"That’s fine," Yuka said with a shrug, leading Kenji into Nori’s hovering vehicle to go to his laboratory.

Following Nori’s instructions, Kenji registered his information at the lab’s main entrance, which would allow him free access to Nori’s lab from then on.

As Kenji sat down in the chair, he still found it hard to believe.

The relationship between the Science Academy and the Alliance Army was distant at best; the Academy was essentially an independent body, with its only connection to the Alliance Army being the provision of new weaponry, purely transactional in nature. Yet here he was, sitting in the core laboratory, providing pheromones that could potentially revolutionize the entire Alliance.

When it was time for Kenji to release his pheromones, Yuka left for an adjacent room, understanding her reason, his ears instantly reddened.

After Nori finished extracting Kenji’s pheromones, Kenji, still seated, asked, "So, if a beta is not in a heat cycle, their pheromones are less attractive, right?"

"Obviously," Nori looked at him. "Isn’t that common knowledge? Pheromones emitted during their heat cycle that make alphas lose control of their physical responses."

Nori suddenly narrowed his eyes and said, "If you’re wondering whether your pheromone is attractive to Yuka, I can assure you it is. After all, you two are a perfect match, with a hundred percent compatibility. This attraction doesn’t diminish, whether you’re in a heat cycle or not."

"You don’t have to doubt her affection for you," Nori said, hands in his pockets as he looked at Kenji. "I’m sure you’ve heard plenty of rumors about her, but now you must understand what kind of person she really is, right?"

"If you think she likes you only because of the pheromones, you could try after I develop the drug. See if she still likes you when your pheromones aren’t influencing her," Nori continued, staring at Kenji.

Kenji, feeling exposed by Nori’s words, swallowed nervously and said, "I was indeed afraid that she might not like me as much, but I will work hard to keep her liking me."

Nori, almost amused by this, reflected on the unpredictable nature of human love: unstable and all-in, without leaving room for second chances.

Seeing the seriousness in Kenji’s eyes, however, Nori remained silent for a moment before saying, "Okay."

Yuka emerged from the next room, and both Nori and Kenji fell silent about their previous conversation.

"Is everything done?" Yuka asked Nori.

Nori nodded, "Just leave."

"That’s just who he is. I hope you don’t mind," Yuka said to Kenji as they left Nori’s lab.

Kenji nodded, then asked Yuka, "Where are we going now?"

"Where do you want to go?" Yuka replied.

Looking at Yuka, Kenji remembered his conversation with Nori. He indeed feared that Yuka might suddenly stop liking him. If that day ever came, he wasn’t sure if he could stay sane. But he believed in Yuka’s feelings for him at the moment and, feeling a sudden impulse, perhaps to seize the moment or to show his determination, he took Yuka’s hand in his, surprising her.

He leaned in close and whispered, "Anywhere, as long as I’m with you."

He released a bit of his pheromone and gently rubbed the inside of Yuka’s wrist with his finger.

This was the boldest move he had made yet, and what might happen next could be even more out of control.

Kenji’s face was flushed, and his hand holding Yuka’s trembled slightly, nervous she might reject him.

Yuka understood Kenji’s hint. Her heartbeat quickened, and she held Kenji’s hand back, seeking confirmation, "Is it okay?"

"...Yes," Kenji answered.

Yuka felt light as air walking, almost in a daze as she led Kenji to a hotel owned by her family. At the front desk, amidst curious glances, she acquired a card to a top-floor room and then entered it with Kenji.

She rubbed her hair, then asked Kenji again, "Is this really okay? Should I get another room?"

"No need," Kenji replied, his cheeks still flushed. "I’ll go take a shower."

Yuka nodded absentmindedly and sat on the bed, contemplating life. After a moment, she couldn’t help but tap on the butler icon and asked, "What should I do now?"

The butler looked up from its game of matching three, a large question mark appearing over its avatar, and then advised, "The internet suggests you should join him in the shower. Don’t be afraid, be bold."

Yuka stood up and took a deep breath, walking towards the bathroom door. She was about to knock politely and ask if she could enter when Kenji suddenly activated the defogging feature. The mist on the glass door dissipated, revealing his muscular figure.

Sensing someone at the door, Kenji turned around, locking eyes with Yuka, then quickly covered his mouth and turned his back to her.

Seeing Kenji’s panicked reaction, Yuka felt less nervous. She tapped on the glass door, which chimed lightly, and asked, "May I come in?"

Kenji, leaning against the wall with his hands, felt dizzy despite the moderate temperature in the shower. He couldn’t believe Yuka asked such a question. He sneaked a glance at her standing outside the door, then quickly turned away and murmured a "Yes."

Having come this far, Kenji felt less shy than usual. Hearing the glass door open behind him, his back muscles tensed, creating attractive lines as he felt Yuka’s hand touch him.

Yuka took off her opticomputer, silencing the smart butler, and tossed it out the door along with her shirt.

Preferring a bath over a shower like Kenji, Yuka filled the tub with water and slowly lay down in it. She watched Kenji still facing the wall and said with a hint of amusement, "How long are you planning to face the wall?"

Kenji clenched his fists against the wall and slowly turned his head.

The bathtub’s surface was covered with rose petals provided by the hotel, concealing what was beneath, but Kenji still felt a tightness in his throat.

Enchanted by Yuka’s smile, he walked over and knelt by the tub, unable to resist holding her hand and leaning in to kiss her fingertips adorned with rose petals.

As he was about to kiss her hand, Yuka withdrew it, replacing her fingertips with her lips.

The water in the spacious bathtub, large enough for two, began to ripple.

Rose petals fell onto the floor with the splashing water. The sounds of water masked the subtle noises and soft moans in the bathroom.

The temperature rose, and the scent of pheromones mingled in the air.

The snow in Kenji’s heart, unable to withstand such warmth, started to melt slowly, turning into warm water that sprinkled in the rose garden, wetting the pink petals.

Yuka, satisfied, bit gently on Kenji’s gland, preparing to lift herself off him with her hands braced on the tub’s edge. But Kenji grasped her waist, pulling her back into the water, pressing against his chest as they kissed.

Yuka pushed her wet hair back, hearing Kenji say, "Mark me for life."

Yuka paused at his request. She looked at Kenji lying in the water, his neck covered with marks from her kisses and his arms with scratches from her nails. On her, there was only a red mark where Kenji had squeezed, when he was unable to resist the overwhelming feelings.

"Why?" Yuka asked him, gently touching his throat, feeling his tension. "A lifelong mark seems like a shackle to me. You’ll need my pheromone for every heat cycle, you’ll depend on me. I could easily control you with my pheromone. Even so, do you still want it?"

Kenji firmly held Yuka’s wandering hand and said, "Yes."

He didn’t want to overthink, didn’t want to worry about so many things. He believed he would always love her and that she would firmly choose him.

Yuka smiled softly, looking down. "Okay, but no backing out, no regrets."

Before Kenji could assure her he wouldn’t, Yuka’s kiss fell on him again, a more intense scent of rose pheromone filling the bathroom.

Kenji, slightly dazed, obediently tilted his slender neck.