Chapter 223: Yurine, Help Me!
The rough-hewn logs were stacked tightly to form a high fence, tracing a warm arc in the night. Four bronze-colored lanterns stood silently in the corners, their dim yellow light piercing the curling mist, casting swaying shadows on the wooden wall.
Steam from the hot spring rose in wisps, mingling with the light, weaving a flowing, gauzy veil. The pool water was crystal clear, but the heat surging from the earth gave it a pearlescent glimmer, as if it were a pot of rich soup about to boil. Tiny bubbles frequently surfaced with a soft pop, sounding exceptionally clear in the quiet night.
"Hey, hey! You two are so unfair!"
"We all came to the hot spring together, but you two were secretly getting intimate in the room and left me out... I demand fair treatment!"
Lucoa was leaning against the edge of the pool, her arms spread wide on the rim, her buxom figure shimmering in the steam and water. She tilted her swan-like neck back slightly. Her long, gold-streaked hair was tied in a large bun, with two strands loose at her temples. Seeing Ryohei and Yurine arrive, she immediately raised her slender arms in protest.
"Who was getting intimate?"
Yurine, holding a soft towel, glanced at her. Her small, delicate, white feet stepped into the water as she sat down. She folded the towel into a small square and placed it on her head, closing her eyes in comfort.
"I was just scrubbing his back," she said gently. "That's perfectly normal for a couple. Including you would be the abnormal part."
"But, from another perspective—" Lucoa held up one long, pale finger, her logic twisted and shocking. "It is the natural duty of a vassal to serve her master! Never mind scrubbing a back, even... helping to relieve stress... is to be expected!"
"...Is your devotion really that high?" Ryohei's mouth twitched. Leave it to you to be full of lewd talk.
Yurine's cute face twitched. She opened her eyes, shot Lucoa a nasty look, then turned to Ryohei with a bright smile. "Ryohei-kun, do you have any... thoughts? It's okay, please, don't be afraid to say it out loud. I'll understand!"
"...Are you trying to entrap me?"
Yurine: "..."
"You found me out!" Yurine smiled sweetly and gave Ryohei's shoulder a light pat.
"..." Now it was Ryohei's turn to be speechless. Are you serious right now?
"I bet Ryohei-kun was just thinking about getting a chance to 'handle' me. Right, Ryohei-kun?" Lucoa's sultry voice cut in.
Ryohei looked at her, pushed himself up on the edge of the pool, and stood. "I wasn't thinking about it then, but I'm planning on 'handling' you right now."
"Ehh? Are you serious?"
Lucoa opened her eyes wide, her magnificent heterochromatic gaze fixed on Ryohei as he walked toward her. She covered her red lips with her hand and glanced at Yurine, who was watching them with narrowed eyes. Lucoa flashed a secretive smile. "Ryohei-kun, this isn't good, is it? Ms. Yurine is still here. Shouldn't we be a little more discreet?"
This was practically a loud-voiced conspiracy. Yurine's face darkened.
"It's fine. Yurine will understand."
Ryohei stopped in front of Lucoa, looking down at her. He held out his hand. "Give me your hand."
"Mhm." Lucoa tilted her head cutely and placed her pale hand in his. Ryohei immediately pulled her up out of the water, and glittering droplets rolled down her breathtaking curves.
Today, Lucoa wasn't wearing the swimsuit they had bought together. Instead, she had changed into a brightly colored bikini printed with large pink and purple petals. The design was unique—two palm-sized triangular cups were connected by thin ribbons, which seemed to have a push-up effect, making her bust look even more full and alluring, her deep cleavage on full display. The high-waisted bottoms were made of very little fabric, looking both sexy and cute.
Ryohei found himself staring, very tempted.
However, the gaze from behind him was rather... piercing. Ryohei dutifully walked around to Lucoa's back and planted his foot on her plump backside.
"Be gone!"
"Ehh?"
This development was completely unexpected. With a shriek, Lucoa fell splash into the water, sending a huge spray up.
Ryohei felt triumphant as he watched Lucoa quickly resurface, wiping the water from her face. He turned to a stunned Yurine, put one hand on his hip, and grinned.
"She's been slandering me all night. I have to teach her a lesson! I can't let her keep pushing her luck!"
"Ryohei-kun, I'm not the kind of obedient vassal who just takes her punishment, you know... I will fight back!"
A wicked smile on her face, Lucoa turned, widened her stance, and sank her center of gravity. She raised her hands like claws, ready to pounce.
"You dare resist!" Ryohei charged—and was immediately caught in her embrace, unable to move.
"Ahem~. This feeling of 'subordinates rebelling'... it's actually quite nice." Lucoa smiled smugly, reaching up to pinch Ryohei's cheek.
"..." Being held by the soft, fragrant Lucoa—really soft—also felt quite nice to Ryohei, but he couldn't show it. Not with Yurine watching like a hawk.
Ryohei shot an arm out toward Yurine, calling for aid: "Yurine, help me!"
"..." Yurine, who had been annoyed by their closeness, was now just exasperated. She couldn't help but put a hand to her forehead.
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