Chapter 22

The park bustled with life, vibrant and lively under the glow of string lights and the distant hum of music. As they walked, Hisashi couldn't help but notice the subtle way heads turned to follow Hen Akoto. His tall frame, striking red hair, and natural confidence commanded attention without effort. She felt a mix of pride and unease at being in his orbit, conscious of the curious gazes directed their way.

Hen, unfazed by the attention, moved through the crowd with a relaxed stride, occasionally glancing at her to make sure she was keeping pace. When they reached the bar, he motioned for her to wait. "I'll grab us something," he said, disappearing into the crowd.

For a moment, Hisashi stood alone, taking in the atmosphere of laughter and chatter. The festive energy was infectious, and she found herself smiling—until a friendly voice interrupted her thoughts.

"Hey there," a young man said, stepping closer. His smile was polite but hopeful, his body language easygoing. "You here alone? Want some company?"

Caught off guard, Hisashi hesitated, unsure of how to respond. Before she could find the right words, she felt it—the unmistakable presence of Hen Akoto.

He wasn't just standing at the bar anymore. No, Hen had positioned himself to keep her squarely in his line of sight, his body angled just so, and his expression calm but with a distinct edge of amusement. His gaze locked on hers, silently communicating a question—and a challenge.

The sight of him brought an unexpected calm to her, steadying her nerves. She let a soft smile form on her lips, her gaze flickering back to the stranger. Before she could speak, however, Hen Akoto made his move.

Crossing the space between them with casual ease, Hen's voice broke through the din, smooth and unyielding. "She's with me," he said simply, his tone carrying a weight that left no room for argument.

The young man froze, his friendly demeanor faltering under Hen's steady gaze. "Oh, my bad," he said quickly, retreating with an awkward laugh. "Didn't mean to intrude."

As the man disappeared into the crowd, Hen handed Hisashi a drink, his grin lazy and self-satisfied. "I guess you've got options," he teased, raising his own glass in a mock toast.

Hisashi rolled her eyes, taking a sip to hide the grin threatening to break across her face. "And you've got a talent for showing up right on cue."

Hen chuckled, his gaze lingering on her a moment longer than necessary. "Someone's gotta make sure you're not distracted by amateurs."

The faint splashes of water from the nearby fountain seemed to punctuate the stillness as Hen Akoto and Hisashi found themselves tucked away in a quiet corner of the park. The din of the crowd faded, leaving behind an intimate cocoon where the tension between them simmered just beneath the surface.

Hen leaned against the shaded wall, his hands casually tucked into his pockets as he tilted his head toward her, the question hanging in the air. "What if I didn't intervene back there?"

Hisashi turned to him, her lips curling into a thoughtful smile, her fingers idly tracing the curve of the bench beside her. "I probably would've felt pressured to go along with it," she admitted, the honesty in her voice surprising even herself.

Hen arched an eyebrow, his expression shifting into one of mild amusement. "Pressured? You? Come on," he teased, a lopsided grin tugging at his lips. "You could've just said no. Or thrown some water in his face."

She rolled her eyes, her arms crossing as she leaned back against the wall, her stance matching his in a way that felt natural. "Oh, right. And miss out on your grand display of heroics? Please, Hen, don't deprive me of that." Her smirk was sharp, her tone light but tinged with just enough challenge to keep him intrigued.

Hen laughed, the sound rich and genuine, his hand brushing through his loose strands of red hair. "I should feel flattered, shouldn't I?" he quipped, his gaze flicking to hers, the amusement in his eyes mingling with something deeper.

Hisashi stepped closer, her playful smirk softening into a look that made Hen's breath catch. She leaned in, the faint scent of her shampoo mingling with the crisp night air as her lips hovered near his ear. Her voice dropped to a sultry whisper, each word deliberate. "I think you should tread lightly, Niko."

Hen's pulse quickened, her closeness disarming him in a way few people ever had. The challenge in her tone, the way her breath grazed his neck—it was intoxicating. He turned his head slightly, his eyes locking with hers, their faces mere inches apart.

For a moment, time seemed to suspend itself. The playful banter gave way to something heavier, charged with unspoken tension. Her eyes held a spark, a daring glint that matched the one flickering in his own. Hen's grin widened, a mischievous edge creeping into his voice as he leaned closer, the gap between them almost nonexistent.

"And what if I don't?" he murmured, his tone low and rough, laced with curiosity and an unmistakable heat.

Hisashi didn't immediately respond, her gaze flitting to his lips for the briefest second before meeting his eyes again. Her heart raced, the teasing façade threatening to crumble under the weight of the moment. "Then I guess we'll see what happens," she replied, her voice softer now, carrying the faintest quiver of excitement.

With a swift, almost instinctive movement, Hisashi closed the distance between them, her lips meeting his in a kiss that was both tender and electrifying. Hen Akoto's breath hitched as her hand glided up his chest, her fingers tangling in the hair at the nape of his neck. A wave of heat surged through him, igniting a fire he hadn't realized was simmering just below the surface. Her touch was a contrast—a delicate caress paired with the raw intensity of the moment, making the kiss all the more intoxicating.

Hen responded instinctively, his hands finding their way to her waist, pulling her closer as the kiss deepened. His lips moved against hers with a fervor that mirrored the pounding of his heartbeat. In that fleeting moment, the world seemed to vanish, leaving only the two of them enveloped in the quiet intimacy of their shared space. Every touch, every soft sigh blurred the line between friendship and something far more potent.

Hisashi's free hand grazed the hem of his pants, her fingers playing with the fabric in a teasing, deliberate motion. The sensation sent a thrill coursing through him, his body reacting before his mind could catch up. A low groan escaped his lips as her chest pressed against his, the proximity and the heat of her touch both thrilling and overwhelming.

But just as the moment teetered on the edge of something more, a voice pierced through the haze of desire, shattering the spell.

"Guys."

Hen froze, his body stiffening as Yuri's unmistakable voice cut through the charged air like a cold gust of wind. Hisashi stepped back abruptly, her breathing uneven and her face flushed. Hen turned away quickly, his hand bracing against the wall as he tried to steady himself, his pulse racing and his mind scrambling to regain composure. The lingering effects of their closeness only heightened his frustration, his body betraying him in a way that left him feeling raw and exposed.

"Did I miss something?" Yuri's tone was light, but the glint in his eyes betrayed his amusement as he sauntered toward them. His gaze flickered between Hen and Hisashi, taking in their flustered states with barely concealed glee.

Hen shot Yuri a glare, his voice sharp and clipped. "What do you want, Yuri?"

Yuri's smirk widened as he leaned casually against a nearby post, clearly enjoying himself. "Relax, Niko. I didn't mean to interrupt your…moment," he teased, his eyes flickering downward before snapping back up. His eyebrows arched, and he let out a low whistle. "Oh, man. Are you—"

"Shut up, Yuri," Hen growled, his irritation only amplifying his embarrassment. His hands clenched at his sides, his jaw tightening as he tried to will away the evidence of his reaction.

Yuri's expression shifted from amusement to something closer to genuine sympathy, though the twinkle in his eye never completely disappeared. "Wow," he said quietly, as if assessing the situation more seriously. "I didn't know it was like that."

Turning his attention to Hisashi, Yuri softened his tone, his usual mischief replaced with a touch of concern. "Xiangua's looking for you," he said, placing a light hand on her shoulder. The gesture was both grounding and a subtle cue to step away from the tension that still hung heavy in the air.

Hisashi nodded, her gaze flickering to Hen one last time before allowing Yuri to guide her away. Her cheeks were still flushed, and her mind was a whirlwind of emotions—confusion, embarrassment, and something she wasn't quite ready to name. As she walked off, the distance between her and Hen grew, but the intensity of what had just happened lingered, like a spark that refused to be extinguished.

Hen exhaled deeply, sinking onto a nearby bench as the pair disappeared into the crowd. He ran a hand over his face, his mind replaying the moment in vivid detail. The mix of desire, frustration, and vulnerability left him feeling unmoored, grappling with emotions he wasn't used to facing so openly.

First Meg, now this, he thought bitterly, the irony of the situation settling heavily on him. His reaction had been more visceral than he'd expected, and the public nature of it made it all the more unsettling. He sat there for a long moment, staring out at the fountain and listening to the soft splash of water, his thoughts a tangle of conflicting feelings.

Hen Akoto had always prided himself on control—on being steady and composed in every situation. But Hisashi had a way of unraveling him, of making him feel exposed in ways he wasn't sure he was ready to confront. And as he sat in the quiet aftermath, one thought stood out among the chaos: she was getting under his skin in a way no one ever had before.

After a few minutes of quiet contemplation, Yuri's familiar figure emerged from the crowd. His approach was casual, his footsteps light as he made his way to the bench where Hen sat. The grin on Yuri's face was all too telling.

"I must say, I'm in awe," Yuri began, his tone dripping with amusement.

Hen Akoto shot him a sidelong glance, his glare softened by the faint smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. "Did you plan this?" he asked, his voice half accusing, half amused, as he folded his arms across his chest.

Yuri chuckled as he plopped down beside Hen, leaning back and clasping his hands behind his head. "I might have sponsored the event," he admitted, the grin never leaving his face, "but even I couldn't have orchestrated that level of testosterone-fueled drama. Bravo, Niko."

Hen groaned, running a hand through his hair in exasperation. "Sure, let's throw Niko into an event where the one girl he can't figure out shows up in a swimsuit and kisses me. Thanks for the heads-up, Yuri," he said, his tone laced with sarcasm.

Yuri laughed outright, his amusement echoing around them. "What's the point of a surprise if you know it's coming?" he teased, nudging Hen's shoulder. "Besides, Hisashi in a bathing suit? I call that a win for everyone involved."

Hen gave Yuri a mock glare but couldn't suppress the grin breaking through. "Yeah, she looked… good," he admitted, his voice softening as his thoughts drifted back to the kiss. He shook his head, the memory still vivid.

Yuri's grin widened, his voice turning conspiratorial. "See? You should be thanking me. I provide you with these opportunities, my friend."

Hen chuckled, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. "Next time, maybe warn me ahead of time, so I don't walk straight into whatever that was," he replied, though his tone was more amused than annoyed.

Yuri tilted his head, pretending to consider the idea. "Nah. You'd overthink it and miss the moment entirely," he said with a mischievous wink. "You're better when you're caught off guard, Mr. Beast."

Hen rolled his eyes, though the smile on his face betrayed his amusement. "Don't start with that nickname," he warned, shaking his head.

Undeterred, Yuri leaned in, lowering his voice as if sharing a secret. "Do you think she'll give it a name too?" he asked, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

Hen groaned, throwing his head back against the bench. "Yuri!" he exclaimed, half-laughing, half-exasperated.

Yuri clapped him on the back, his laughter unrestrained. "Relax, Niko. Just enjoy the ride. And for what it's worth," he added, his tone softening just slightly, "you two looked good together. Maybe it's time you stop overthinking and just see where it goes."

Hen glanced at Yuri, the sincerity in his friend's voice cutting through the teasing. "Maybe," he murmured, a contemplative smile playing on his lips.

The two of them sat there for a moment, the bustling energy of the event humming around them, but for Hen, the kiss lingered in his mind—a moment he couldn't quite shake, and maybe didn't want to.