Chapter 38. What the Waves Can’t Wash Away

"AYAKAAAA! YOU LOOK SO PRETTY!!!" 

Keiko's excited scream nearly shook the walls as she lunged at Ayaka, squishing her cheeks with both hands. 

"A-Are you sure...?" Ayaka stammered, her voice small. "I-Isn't this a bit too much?" 

She stood in front of the mirror, hesitant, her fingers nervously tugging at the frilly trim of her swimsuit. 

The sapphire blue fabric hugged her figure in a way that made her feel… exposed. It wasn't revealing, but it still accentuated her small waist and the soft curves of her body.

The delicate frilled skirt draped over her hips, slightly fluttering with every little movement, teasingly hinting at the toned length of her legs beneath. 

Her collarbones were visible, her long, wavy hair cascading over her shoulders in elegant waves. 

She swallowed hard. 

M-Maybe this was a mistake… 

"M-Maybe I should just wear the cardigan I brought over it..." she muttered, reaching for it like a lifeline. 

Keiko immediately snatched it away. "No way!" 

"You'd just take it off the second you go swimming anyway!" Yuki added. 

"T-Then I'll just remove it when I swim!" Ayaka insisted, her blush deepening. 

Keiko smirked. "Nope! The Ice Prince needs to see this." 

Ayaka nearly choked. "W-What?!" 

Before she could protest, Keiko lifted her phone and snapped a photo. 

"K-Keiko!" 

Keiko grinned mischievously and turned the screen toward Yuki. 

Yuki gasped. "Oh wow… Ayaka, you look insane." 

"L-Let me see!" Ayaka leaned in— 

And then— 

Her entire face turned red. 

"I-I look weird! Delete that!" 

"No way!" Keiko grinned. "Emi, let's make her even prettier. Let's make her so stunning that the Ice Prince's brain malfunctions." 

Emi laughed. "Say no more." 

She gently pulled Ayaka down into a chair and started weaving soft braids into the top of her hair, letting the rest of her glossy curls tumble down her back.

The look framed her face beautifully, enhancing the delicate slope of her shoulders and the graceful arch of her neck. 

"There!" Emi announced proudly. 

Ayaka hesitantly turned toward the mirror— 

And froze. 

She didn't just look cute. 

She looked like someone who could break hearts without even realizing it. 

Keiko smirked. "The guys are so screwed." 

------

Downstairs, the guys were waiting. 

Shou glanced at his phone. "They're late." 

Kazumi leaned lazily against the railing. "Probably taking their time." 

Hikaru chuckled. "Girls always do." 

Akihiko was silent. He stood near the door, arms crossed, his usual indifferent expression in place. But there was something in the way he was standing—rigid, slightly impatient. 

Then— 

"Sorry we're late!" Keiko's voice rang out. 

"We had a living doll to dress up!" Yuki teased. 

And then— 

"Presenting... Ayaka!"

The moment she stepped forward, the world shifted. 

Conversations stopped. 

Jaws went slack. 

Even the breeze seemed to pause. 

Her long hair cascaded down her back like liquid silk, moving with every step.

The deep blue of her swimsuit hugged her form perfectly, emphasizing her tiny waist, the soft curve of her hips, and the long, toned shape of her legs.

The frilled skirt danced around her thighs as she walked, revealing just enough to tease but not too much to be inappropriate. 

She was stunning. 

And the guys noticed. 

Shou blinked. "Ms. Midnight… really is something else." 

"I bet you guys will get she'll cause a distraction, the second we step out..." Hikaru muttered. 

"Agreed..." Sota said, almost breathless. 

Kazumi smirked. 'Perfect.'

He turned his attention to Akihiko, watching him carefully. 

Unlike the others, Akihiko didn't react right away. 

But there was something in his expression. 

Something dangerous. 

He was staring at her. 

His blue eyes were locked onto hers, his gaze unwavering, intense. 

Kazumi grinned. "You may be popular with the girls, Mr. Surgeon..." he murmured teasingly, stepping closer, "But don't forget—Ayaka is just as popular with the guys." 

Akihiko didn't move. 

Didn't blink. 

Kazumi chuckled. "They were even talking about her earlier, Sota was planning to ask her out so better not let your guard down. Ayaka's more popular than you think." 

That did it. 

Akihiko's jaw twitched. 

His fingers curled into a fist. 

And then— 

Ayaka's gaze met his. 

Her heart pounded. 

He was staring at her, his piercing blue eyes unreadable. Cold. Unmoved. 

Her stomach twisted. 'He doesn't like it…' 

Maybe she looked silly—

"Alright, let's go!" Haruto's voice cut through the tension, and everyone started moving. 

Ayaka let out a breath, feeling relieved— 

But then— 

A shadow loomed over her. 

Before she could react...

A hand blocked her path. 

She barely had time to process before— 

Warm fingers wrapped around her wrist.

Her breath hitched. 

Akihiko was standing in front of her, his grip firm, his gaze, possessive. 

"You." 

His voice was low. Cold. 

Ayaka swallowed hard. "W-What…?" 

His fingers tightened just slightly. Not enough to hurt, but enough to make sure she felt it. 

"You should only be looking at me and only me." 

Her heart slammed against her ribs. 

The way he said it—his voice deep, almost threatening—made her breath catch. 

"Don't get out of my sight." His tone was sharp, authoritative. But then— 

His fingers slid from her wrist— 

And intertwined with hers. 

Her entire body stiffened. 

He was holding her hand. 

She tried to look up at him, but his gaze was locked ahead, his grip firm. 

Yet, just before he turned away— 

He muttered, so softly it was almost lost in the breeze— 

"…It pisses me when other guys look at you." 

Her breath hitched. 

"Did you say something?" she whispered. 

"Nothing." His reply was curt. 

But his grip didn't loosen. 

Meanwhile, Yuki and Kaito, who were lounging nearby, watched the whole thing unfold. 

Kaito sipped his drink. "Seems like Mr. Surgeon has no intention of letting any guys near her." 

Yuki smirked. "And the funniest part? Ayaka is the only one who doesn't know." 

As Ayaka and Akihiko stepped outside, still hand-in-hand, Kaito let out a low chuckle. 

"This trip just got very interesting."

"Ayaka! Let's get in the water!" Keiko's voice rang out like a siren call as she grabbed Ayaka's wrist, tugging her toward the sea without warning. 

"Let me borrow her for a bit, Dr. Nakamura!" she shouted over her shoulder with a playful grin.

Akihiko didn't respond verbally—he didn't need to. Seated under the shade, he simply watched, his intense blue eyes tracking

Ayaka's every movement. The sunlight dappled across his skin, highlighting the hard lines of his chest and muscle beneath.

His silver hair shimmered in the light, damp at the tips, in a way that looked maddeningly perfect—like he'd just stepped off the cover of a magazine.

His lean torso glistened faintly, well-defined abs visible beneath the slight rise and fall of his breathing.

His body exuded effortless power—a balance of strength and grace that made it nearly impossible to look away.

Yet it was the quiet confidence, the cool detachment in his gaze, that made hearts race.

Ayaka could feel the weight of his stare even as Keiko pulled her deeper into the surf.

"So… what's Dr. Nakamura's reaction, hmm?" Keiko teased as she passed Ayaka a float, eyes glinting with mischief.

Ayaka turned away, cheeks flushing with heat not just from the sun. "H-he didn't say anything!" she stammered. 

She conveniently omitted the part where Akihiko had leaned in, his voice low and firm, "Stay where I can see you." The memory sent a fresh wave of heat through her.

Before Keiko could pry further, loud voices interrupted.

"Yo, check this out!" Kazumi and Hikaru strolled past, eyes locked on something—or rather, someone.

"Dude, look at the girls swarming Akihiko!" Hikaru laughed. "That one's bold—already sitting next to him like she's claiming him."

Ayaka's eyes snapped toward the shore.

Sure enough, a girl had confidently taken the chair beside Akihiko, tilting her body toward him, clearly trying to engage.

Her eyes were glued to his physique—trailing the sharp cut of his jaw, the defined lines of his chest, and his powerful arms resting casually on the armrest.

Keiko leaned in with a smirk. "Uh-oh. Someone's trying to snatch him."

Ayaka's stomach twisted. Right. The Ice Prince. Always surrounded. Always wanted.

She looked at Akihiko again—silver hair, flawless features, his body built like a dream, toned and powerful yet relaxed.

He was every girl's fantasy—and suddenly, she felt a pang of something she couldn't quite name.

"That's unusual..." Kazumi murmured. "Wait… is he coming over here?"

Akihiko rose from his seat in a fluid, almost predatory motion.

Muscles shifted beneath his skin with every step, the sun casting shadows across his back and shoulders.

Without sparing a glance at the girl beside him, he strode toward the water, entering with smooth, confident strides.

"Well, well! Look who's finally getting his feet wet!" Kazumi called out, clearly entertained.

Akihiko's response was cool as ever. "It was too noisy over there."

Hikaru grinned. "Looked more like someone was hitting on you again. So, what'd you say this time, Nakamura?"

Kazumi leaned in. "Yeah, spill. Don't keep secrets."

Ayaka's heart pounded, eyes fixed on him.

Akihiko didn't hesitate. "I told her I already have a girlfriend."

Kazumi and Hikaru nearly choked. "G-GIRLFRIEND?!"

Without fanfare, Akihiko moved closer, his hand slipping beneath the surface to wrap around Ayaka's waist.

He drew her against him, fingers resting possessively at her hip, water rippling around them. It was subtle—but unmistakable.

Ayaka froze, heat flooding her face. 'G-girlfriend?! He's joking… right? Just trying to get rid of her…'

But Akihiko's expression didn't change. Calm, sure, confident.

Kazumi caught it instantly. He followed Akihiko's subtle motion, then turned toward the shore—where the once-curious girls were now retreating, defeated.

"Guess they got the message." Kazumi muttered, grinning.

Suddenly, he tugged on Hikaru's arm. "Yo, let's go check if Haruto's got the barbecue ready."

Keiko caught on with a smirk. "Good idea. Come on, Hikaru."

"Wait! I wasn't done—!" Hikaru flailed as Keiko pushed his floater. "I need to talk to Ms. Midnight—!"

"Later!" Keiko called, clearly enjoying herself.

Left alone, Akihiko finally released Ayaka's waist, though the lingering warmth of his touch remained.

Ayaka crossed her arms, trying to regain composure. "Unbelievable. You used me as a human shield just to dodge another confession?"

Akihiko chuckled, a rare sound, warm and teasing as he splashed her lightly. "I never said you were a shield."

"Oh really?" Ayaka narrowed her eyes, splashing him harder. "You've got a funny way of showing it."

His grin widened, blue eyes flashing as he advanced. "Careful, Ayaka. Keep that up, and I'll have to catch you."

Her laughter echoed as she darted away, Akihiko in pursuit, his usual icy composure stripped away, replaced by something playful… alive.

Up on the shore, Kazumi, Keiko, and Yuki watched with skewers in hand.

Yuki nudged Kazumi. "You used to like Ayaka. Why are you playing matchmaker now?"

Kazumi grinned, watching Akihiko—now soaked, silver hair plastered to his forehead, as he splashed after Ayaka. 

"Yeah, I liked her. But let's be real—Ayaka's the only person who can melt that cold, stoic Ice Prince's frozen heart. Watching him like this? It's the most entertaining thing I've seen in ages."

He smiled faintly, gaze softening. "Besides… I want her to be happy. And honestly, if anyone's gonna handle Dr. Nakamura, it's Ayaka. I am give them my blessing!"

He leaned back, stretching. "I officially wave the white flag."

Keiko laughed. "You're not wrong. He does treat her differently."

"The real question is…" Yuki added, "When's Ayaka gonna figure it out?"

They all sighed dramatically in unison, watching as Ayaka shrieked, laughing while Akihiko cornered her, the tension between them practically crackling in the air.