Self Control

Ryuen followed reluctantly, wincing silently as Aika tugged at his hair like a leash.

He shot a glare at her back, but Aika didn't seem fazed.

If anything, her steps grew more determined, her loose dress swaying in the cool breeze.

The weight of Haruka's laughter echoed faintly behind them, only adding more to Ryuen's embarrassment and annoyance.

"Could you not treat me like a pet?" Ryuen uttered, after they had gotten away from Haruka and Yuta's sight, he swatted her hand away and stepped back.

Aika huffed, and crossed her arms, but refused to look at him. "You're my bodyguard. I can treat you however I like."

Ryuen raised an eyebrow, his patience wearing thin. "I protect you from danger, not… give you baths."

Her cheeks reddened slightly, though she quickly turned her face away to hide it.

"You're misunderstanding. I didn't mean—" She paused, groaning. "What if I asked you to?" She paused and sighed, "Just come with me."

Ryuen sighed, dipping his hands into his pockets.

He had half a mind to walk away, but he knew better than to argue with someone like her.

"Lead the way, Your Highness."

The path curved toward a secluded part of the palace grounds.

Where a hot spring bubbled quietly behind a curtain of leaves, smooth stones and grasses surrounded the spring

Aika stopped near the edge of the spring, finally letting go of Ryuen.

She turned to face him.

Her expression was a combination of frustration and something else he couldn't quite place.

"Wait here," she said, her tone softer than before.

Ryuen crossed his arms, watching as she stepped toward the water.

He noticed the tension in her shoulders as she slipped off her sandals and dipped a toe into the spring.

"Aika," he called out, breaking the silence.

She froze, half-turned toward the water, and frowned. "What?"

"What's this really about?"

She hesitated, gripping the hem of her dress.

For a moment, she looked vulnerable, like she was about to cry.

But the moment passed, and she straightened her posture, her usual demeanor returned.

"It's none of your business," she said curtly, stepping into the spring.

"Just stand guard."

Ryuen sighed again, his eyes scanning the forest and the sky.

Who knows where an intruder would come from

He could hear the distant rustling of leaves, the chirping of crickets, and the faint boiling sound from the spring.

The environment was oddly soothing, but he couldn't shake the feeling that Aika was hiding something.

Minutes passed in silence, broken only by the occasional splash of water as Aika moved.

Ryuen kept his back turned, respecting her privacy despite the ridiculous situation.

"Ryuen," Aika called softly.

He glanced over his shoulder, careful to keep his gaze above her neck. "What is it?"

"Thank you."

The unexpected gratitude caught him off guard. He blinked, his expression softened slightly.

"For what?"

"For not asking too many questions," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "And for staying."

Ryuen didn't reply immediately.

Instead, he turned back around, his gaze fixed on the trees ahead.

"It's my job," he said simply, though his tone carried a hint of warmth.

The same voice he used when talking to his students.

Aika didn't respond, but Ryuen could feel the thick in the air begin to dissolve.

For the first time, the silence between them felt comfortable.

Not filled with hate, anger, annoyance and frustration

Unknown to them, Haruka had followed and was peeking from behind a tree.

With a mischievous smirk on her lips.

"Well, well," she mumbled to herself. "This is going to be fun."

Moments later, the sound of footsteps echoed through the garden.

Causing Ryuen to raise his guard.

Haruka stepped out from behind the trees, her mischievous expression evident.

Despite the effort she added to hiding the smile.

"Mind if I join?" she said, her voice laced with sarcasm.

Ryuen groaned, rubbing his temples. "Can't I have a moment's peace?"

Aika's glare followed, annoyed that Haruka dared ruin such sweet and peaceful moment.

The fact Haruka decided to show up when she was about asking Ryuen something very important, angered her even more.

"What are you doing here?"

Haruka smirked, crossing her arms.

"Just checking on my favorite Sensei. Don't mind me."

Ryuen pinched the bridge of his nose, silently praying for patience. "Haruka, leave."

Haruka ignored him, her gaze darting between Ryuen and Aika. "You two seem… close."

"We're not," they said in unison, their voices overlapping awkwardly.

Haruka chuckled, clearly enjoying herself. "Sure you're not."

She stepped closer to Ryuen, winked at him, and cupped his cheeks in her palms.

"You look so adorable," she said, pausing for a second.

"My dear Ryuen."

Aika froze.

The word dear and Haruka casually saying Ryuen's name ignited a bomb within her.

But she kept calm and sighed.

"Haruka, isn't he supposed to be your teacher? Isn't such behavior frowned upon in the human world?"

Her gaze was fixed on Ryuen, who stared back at her with curiosity.

He allowed Haruka to do as she pleased, which irked Aika even more.

Haruka tilted her head, unfazed.

"He's not my teacher anymore. Just someone I respect… and got attracted to."

Her eyes the. narrowed. "Is there an issue, Princess Aika?"

'Provocation?'

Ryuen raised an eyebrow, his expression a combination of confusion and curiosity.

What was Haruka planning? And why did it involve provoking the princess?

'And why haven't I taken her hands off me?'

These questions came randomly, but deep down, he wanted to see how Aika would react.

'Would she act dominant and controlling or let Haruka continue?'

It reminded him of watching college girls argue over trivial things, like he used to.

He always enjoyed it.

Suddenly, Aika stepped out of the stream and grabbed Ryuen's hands, pulling him down to her level.

She frowned. "I'm not going to bite you, idiot. Go lower. I want to tell you something."

"Oh," Ryuen muttered as he lowered himself, while Haruka stood nearby, arms crossed.

As soon as Aika got him close enough, she leaned in as though to whisper something.

But instead, she grabbed his collar and leaned back, pulling him into the pool with her.

SPLASH.

The sound echoed through the garden, and water splashed onto Haruka, ruining the dress Akari had made for her.

Before Ryuen could recover, Aika pushed him against a boulder and wrapped her arms around his neck.

To his surprise, she embraced him.

Ryuen's hands froze, hovering inches away from her body.

"No way!" Haruka exclaimed, her eyes wide in shock—if not wider.

'She's right… No way.'

Ryuen's thought the same thing Haruka did as he shifted his gaze to Aika.

Who was now looking up at him with a warm smile.

A smile that made him flinch and nearly caused a heart attack.

"Y…y…your highness, what is going on?" he stuttered

"What else could be going on?" she asked, her crimson eyes darkening—but in a way that sent chills down his spine.

"Hmm, Ryuen, bathe with me again, and I'll reward you. You've earned it."

Ryuen's heart skipped a beat. Her words reminded him of someone familiar.

Infact, everything about her reminded him of someone, she even spoke like that person.

As much as he wanted to refuse, his body betrayed him.

Choosing to delve deeper and find or what she was hiding or why she was acting suspicious.

It betrayed him so completely that his hands moved on their own.

Without warning, Ryuen placed his hands on her face.

"Huh?"

"...I'm sorry, Your Highness," Ryuen mumbled, cutting her off before forcefully pushing her away and into the water.