The courtyard fell quiet in the evening, the last golden rays of sunset dancing across Ryo's sweat-covered body. Beads of sweat slid down his muscular frame, darkening the soil beneath him. Kaori and Mikoto's figures had long disappeared beyond the gate, leaving only the faint scent of gardenias drifting in the breeze.
Kushina gently closed the courtyard gate. Turning around, her heart suddenly skipped a beat, Ryo stood directly behind her. His tall frame cast a heavy shadow, engulfing her completely. His gaze was sharp like a hawk, locked on her with an oppressive intensity. The air felt thick, almost solid.
"Hungry?"
Kushina's heart pounded. His presence was hotter, more forceful than usual, surging toward her like a summer storm. She instinctively took a half step back but forced herself to respond calmly. "...Mm."
The word had barely left her lips before her feet left the ground. She was effortlessly lifted into Ryo's arms. His grip was firm, steel-like around her waist.
"Ah!" Kushina gasped, instinctively clinging to his broad shoulders, her cheeks flushing red. "Ryo! Put me down, I can walk!"
"Too slow. Punishment." Ryo's voice boomed above her head. He entered the living room without releasing her, heading straight for the large sofa.
Kushina tried to twist away, but as her toes touched the carpet, a powerful force closed in on her.
"Running?" Ryo's voice lowered. The strength wasn't overwhelming, but it locked her down like iron shackles. An electric-like tremor ran through her, making her lean back. In that moment, Ryo closed in like a wall, pinning her firmly against the sofa. The air thinned instantly, filled only with the sound of their breathing.
Kushina looked up into his eyes, which burned with restrained intensity. His gaze scorched her, making her chest tighten. Her pulse beat wildly under the pressure, and her foot accidentally brushed the fabric of his training clothes. His eyes darkened instantly. The hand gripping her wrist tightened slightly and began tracing up her arm with slow deliberation, as if inspecting territory already claimed.
"You're awful..." Kushina's voice trembled with embarrassment, her face flushed with color. She tried to glare, but the pressure left her with no escape route.
Ryo leaned in. The distance between them vanished. Kushina couldn't react in time, pinned by sheer force. All she could feel was the rumble of his chest, vibrating through her entire body. In the quiet living room, only their breathing remained, echoing like the clash of wills on a battlefield.
This so-called "punishment" continued until Kushina's eyes were dazed, her cheeks flushed, and her whole body softened like water. Ryo still held her slender wrist as he pulled her toward the kitchen.
"Cook with me." His tone allowed no refusal.
Still dazed, Kushina was pushed in front of the stove. Ryo stood behind her, his firm chest pressing against her back. He picked up a tomato to wash, movements efficient and clean. His breath brushed past her ear, raising goosebumps.
"Focus, Little Tomato," he said with a teasing chuckle. Then, his large hand wrapped around hers, guiding her to slice the tomato. The motion was slow and deliberate, every movement firm. His knuckles grazed hers with invisible authority, causing her heart to race.
The kitchen filled with the sweet, tangy scent of tomatoes and his intense, masculine presence. She could feel the rise and fall of his chest behind her, its rhythm like distant war drums. The hands that guided hers also gripped her attention, making her heartbeat unsteady. Kushina's face burned, her hands moving stiffly like a puppet. Ryo's eyes narrowed, lips pressed into a tight line, suppressing the storm under his calm surface.
Dinner ended in silence, like a draw in an emotional battle. Kushina washed the dishes quickly, then made her escape upstairs. But just as she reached the stairs—he caught her again.
Bang.
She was pinned to the cold wall by a sudden force. Ryo's arms propped on either side of her, completely blocking her escape. His tall frame loomed, pressing in with suffocating pressure.
"Why are you running?" His voice was low, his gaze razor-sharp, falling on her heaving chest.
Kushina's back was against the cool wall, her front against his burning-hot chest. The sharp scent of his aftershave now mixed with the residual heat clinging to him. She looked up helplessly, locking eyes with the dark depths of his stare. There was fire still smoldering there, along with a hunter's playful satisfaction.
Before she could speak, Ryo moved closer. This wasn't teasing anymore. It was a direct challenge. Only their eyes remained locked. Her body froze.
The hand against the wall moved to her waist, gripping her firmly. His fingers slowly slid downward, each inch carrying an intense charge.
"…Ngh." Kushina's breath hitched. The tension shattered her self-control. Her legs lost strength. Her mind blanked, and her faint protest was swallowed by the silence.
Ryo's grip tightened, wrapping fully around her waist. Her resistance collapsed completely. The night deepened outside, stars flickering coldly. As the storm calmed, Ryo suddenly let go and stepped back.
Kushina slumped against the wall, eyes closed, gasping softly. Her lashes trembled like butterfly wings.
Ryo's Adam's apple bobbed hard. His muscles tensed. He didn't look back. Instead, he turned and walked toward the balcony, each step heavy and sharp.
"…Shower." The single word was guttural, almost forced through clenched teeth. A moment later, the glass door slammed shut.
The cold air swept away the remaining heat. Kushina pressed against the wall, her heart pounding like a war drum. After a while, she finally managed to stand and slowly returned to her room.
Through the balcony door, she could hear the sound of cold water crashing down. Ryo's figure stood in the mist, surrounded by an animalistic tension.
Late at night, Kushina curled up in her soft bedding. The flush on her face had faded, but a strange sensitivity still lingered. Ryo's aura had not fully dissipated. The sound of water stopped. The house fell silent.
Creak.
The door opened softly. Steady footsteps approached the bed like approaching drums.
The corner of the blanket lifted. Cold air followed.
Ryo slipped under the covers and pulled her directly into his embrace.
"Ah…" Kushina shuddered slightly, immediately pressed into his chest. His skin was cool from the shower, but the heat underneath surged like fire. Her back met his solid chest. One arm locked around her waist like a chain. The other supported her neck, his wrist resting against her temple.
He smelled like soap and steam, his presence overwhelming. His breath wrapped around her, dominating everything. His heart pounded against her back, syncing with hers, forcing its rhythm onto her.
Kushina couldn't breathe properly. His arms were the eye of the storm. Every muscle seemed charged, vibrating with suppressed power.
In the darkness, his embrace locked her in place. Kushina dared not move. The moonlight was blocked behind the curtains. She could clearly feel his defined chest against her back, and the unyielding grip around her waist.
His breathing was deep and slow, but the pressure remained.
Her mind stayed alert. Her pulse raced. But gradually, the security behind her began to soften her tension. Exhaustion from the day rolled in like waves. Her eyelids grew heavy. Ryo's heartbeat echoed like a bell tower, and his arm was an impenetrable barrier.
Her breath evened out. As if in a daze, she whispered softly, "…Ryo…"
In an instant, the arm around her waist tightened violently. She gasped as if her bones would snap. Behind her, Ryo's sharp inhale cut through the silence. His muscles bulged, tension surging again.
The lava that had frozen erupted once more. The air burned.
But nothing happened. He didn't move further. Just a harsh, controlled breath. Then silence. His chest pressed tighter to hers.
His restraint finally returned, though barely. The pressure eased just slightly.
The moonlight was cold. Kushina's breathing slowed. She drifted into sleep, still nestled in his arms. Safe, within the core of the storm.
(To be continued.)