A Cunning Festival, Valentines with Hayes

The day was calm and quiet, an unusual luxury at the academy. For once, I wasn't drowning in studies, magic practice, or unexpected chaos, which meant I could actually relax.

Or so I thought.

Just as I settled into my seat near the dorm's balcony, enjoying the late afternoon breeze, a soft knock echoed from the door.

I blinked. Unexpected visitors weren't exactly common.

Rising from my seat, I opened the door—only to be met with the sight of Diana Hayes, standing there in all her usual, elegant grace.

But something about her seemed… different.

Her posture was still as composed as ever, her golden-blonde hair falling in gentle waves, but there was a softness in her expression, something almost hesitant. And, perhaps most notably, she was holding something behind her back.

"Diana?" I asked, raising a brow. "What's up?"

She was quiet for a brief second, her emerald eyes searching mine before she finally spoke.

"There's a festival happening today," she said smoothly, though I noticed the faintest flicker of something unreadable in her gaze. "A traditional one, in the city. It goes from the afternoon until midnight."

I nodded slowly, waiting for her to continue.

Then—she did something unexpected.

She pulled her hands from behind her back, revealing a neatly folded yukata, its fabric an elegant mix of deep blues and soft silver patterns, clearly picked with me in mind.

My eyes widened slightly. "Diana, is that—"

"I would like you to go with me."

Her voice was steady, but there was something gentler about it, as if she had been considering these words carefully before saying them.

I stared at the yukata, then back at her. "Wait… are you asking me on a date?"

Diana tilted her head slightly, a small, knowing smile forming on her lips. "Would you say no if I was?"

My brain short-circuited for half a second.

I cleared my throat, desperately trying to ignore the sudden warmth creeping up my neck. "W-Well, it's not like I have other plans, but—"

"Then it's settled," she said smoothly, stepping past me and placing the yukata in my hands before I could protest further.

I blinked. "Wait, I didn't even—"

"I'll meet you at the entrance in an hour," she added, already turning to leave, completely unbothered by my flustered state.

And before I could process any of this, Diana glanced back at me one last time, her smile holding something undeniably soft.

"I look forward to seeing how you look in it, Sera."

And just like that—she was gone.

I stood there, holding the yukata, my heart pounding a little harder than I wanted to admit.

What just happened?

The sun was beginning to dip lower in the sky as I made my way to the festival entrance, my fingers lightly brushing over the soft fabric of my yukata. It fit perfectly, hugging my frame in a way that felt both graceful and foreign, the deep blues and silvers shimmering under the soft glow of the lanterns hanging above.

And then—

I saw her.

Diana stood at the front of the festival, waiting for me.

Her yukata was breathtaking—a flowing design of midnight black and deep crimson, embroidered with elegant golden details. The contrast against her porcelain skin was striking, her golden hair swept up with delicate ornaments that shimmered in the last remnants of daylight.

I swallowed, my breath momentarily stolen.

She was stunning.

The festival lanterns illuminated her in warm hues, making her seem almost untouchable—like something out of a dream.

And then, as if sensing my gaze, she turned.

The moment her emerald-green eyes landed on me, they softened, something gentle and unreadable flickering behind them.

For a moment, neither of us said anything.

Then—

"You look beautiful," Diana said, stepping closer, her voice low and certain.

I blinked, feeling an unexpected warmth creep up my neck. "I—um. You—" I cleared my throat, very much not handling this well. "You too."

Her lips curved into a small, pleased smile.

I exhaled, trying to steady myself, but that was pointless because the moment we stepped forward, into the heart of the festival, I couldn't ignore how we looked together.

Walking side by side, wearing matching traditional attire, our movements instinctively in sync—it was undeniably the image of a couple.

The occasional glance from festival-goers, the soft smiles and knowing looks—I could tell what people were thinking.

And if I was being honest…

I wasn't entirely against it.

I glanced around, taking in the lively, bustling atmosphere of the festival—the warm, golden hues of the late afternoon sun filtering through the rows of stalls, casting long, soft shadows along the crowded streets.

The aromatic blend of sizzling skewers, sweet dango, and freshly baked taiyaki filled the air, the scent mingling with the faint, rhythmic hum of traditional festival music drifting from the distance.

Paper lanterns hung overhead, swaying gently with the breeze, their delicate colors glowing faintly in the fading sunlight. Though they weren't yet lit, I could already imagine the transformation that would take place once night fell—the entire festival bathed in a sea of warm, flickering lights, turning this place into something straight out of a dream.

People moved about in groups, their laughter light and unrestrained, the energy of the festival contagious. Children darted between stalls, their faces alight with excitement as they clutched small, colorful masks or carefully balanced treats in their hands.

And here I was, standing beside Diana—her presence strangely grounding, despite the overwhelming liveliness surrounding us.

I let out a small chuckle, adjusting the folds of my yukata. "So," I said, turning to her, "you'll have to lead me through this, Diana. This is my first time at a festival like this."

Diana, who had been quietly watching me, her emerald eyes shimmering with something unreadable, tilted her head slightly before offering a small, amused smile.

"I expected as much," she murmured.

There was something in her tone—something almost indulgent, like she was pleased to be the one showing me around.

She reached out, and before I could process it, her fingers brushed lightly against mine, her hand lingering for just a second before she gently—deliberately—took hold of it.

"Then," she said smoothly, her grip firm yet careful, "I'll take the lead."

The warmth of her hand against mine sent an unwelcome shiver up my spine.

I blinked. "You—wait, Diana—"

But she was already pulling me forward, her confidence effortless, guiding me into the heart of the festival.

And, despite my initial hesitation, I let her.

Diana's hand in mine was steady, her grip firm yet gentle, and despite the unspoken tension curling in my chest, I let her guide me through the festival streets.

The crowd buzzed with laughter and energy, lanterns swaying softly above, casting a golden glow as the sun dipped lower, painting the sky in shades of amber and violet.

"Diana," I muttered, slightly breathless from trying to keep up with her stride, "aren't you moving a little fast?"

She huffed a soft laugh, tilting her head just enough for me to see the playful glint in her emerald eyes. "If I don't, you might wander off and get lost."

"I wouldn't get that lost—"

"You would," she cut in smoothly, shooting me an amused look. "You were so distracted by everything earlier that you didn't even notice I was watching you."

I paused, lips parting slightly.

…She had been watching me?

Diana must have caught my reaction because she smirked, her fingers squeezing mine just slightly before she turned her attention back ahead. "Come," she said, pulling me toward one of the stalls, "I believe the first part of a festival experience is the food."

My thoughts were still scrambled from her words, but before I could dwell on them, my attention was stolen by the sheer variety of foods surrounding us.

We passed by stalls lined with grilled skewers sizzling over open flames, the sweet aroma of dango drifting through the air, fresh taiyaki shaped like fish being poured and flipped in their molds. Booths selling candy-coated fruits, delicate mochi, and soft, buttery castella cakes lined the pathway, their colorful displays nearly irresistible.

I let out a small hum. "Everything smells… amazing."

Diana chuckled. "Then let's start here."

She guided me to a nearby stall where an old vendor greeted us warmly, expertly flipping yakitori skewers over an open flame.

"Two, please," Diana said smoothly, already reaching for a small pouch of coins.

I blinked. "You don't have to pay for me."

She shot me a pointed look, arching a perfectly shaped brow. "I invited you, didn't I?"

I opened my mouth to argue, but she beat me to it.

"You wouldn't refuse a gift from a lady, would you, Sera?" she added, her voice carrying a teasing lilt as she handed me one of the skewers.

I stared at her, then at the skewer, then back at her.

"…You are really enjoying this, aren't you?"

Diana simply smiled, taking a slow, deliberate bite of her skewer.

And, as expected, my eyes betrayed me, catching the subtle way her lips parted slightly, the delicate way her teeth sunk into the grilled meat, the slight tilt of her head as she savored the taste.

I gulped.

"…Sera?"

I snapped my gaze away. "Nothing!" I said quickly, biting into my own skewer.

Diana chuckled, clearly amused.

We continued wandering, stopping by more stalls—she made me try every sweet thing in sight, fed me a piece of mochi despite my protests, and at one point, brushed a crumb off my lips with her thumb, forcing me to experience a full-body shutdown in real-time.

By the time we reached a mask vendor, my face was warm from more than just the festival lights.

"Oh, these are lovely," Diana mused, picking up a fox mask, running her fingers over the delicate details.

I hummed, glancing at the variety of designs—kitsune masks, oni masks, traditional Noh masks, each hand-painted with intricate details.

Then, as I turned, I noticed something.

Diana, still examining a mask, had her attention momentarily occupied.

A perfect opportunity.

I grinned, reaching for a mask of my own—a delicate, mischievously-smiling fox mask—before swiftly putting it on.

Then, before she could notice, I leaned in just beside her ear, my voice dropping just slightly.

"Diana."

She stilled, just barely, before turning toward me.

The moment our eyes met—her brows furrowing slightly as she took in the sudden closeness—I tilted my head playfully, adjusting my mask just a little.

"Am I still as charming," I murmured, "if you can't see my face?"

Diana blinked.

Then—to my utter shock—she smirked.

I had about five seconds to realize my mistake before she stepped in, closing the space between us so effortlessly that I barely had time to react.

Her fingers brushed along the edge of my mask, tilting it just enough so she could see my mouth.

My breath hitched.

"Charm isn't just about appearances, Sera," she murmured, her voice low and entirely too smooth.

She leaned in just enough that I felt the warmth of her breath against my skin, her lips dangerously close to mine.

"It's about presence," she continued, emerald eyes locked onto mine. "And, at this moment…"

Her fingers brushed against my chin, light but deliberate.

"You are very charming."

I completely forgot how to function.

"D-Diana—"

She chuckled, pulling away just before I could combust on the spot.

"I'll take this one," she told the vendor casually, selecting a mask for herself before handing over the payment.

Meanwhile, I stood there, stuck in place, trying very hard to restart my brain.

Diana turned back to me, adjusting her own mask before offering her hand once again.

"Shall we continue?"

I stared.

Then exhaled, defeated.

"…I'm doomed," I muttered, placing my hand in hers.

She smiled knowingly.

And with that, we continued into the heart of the festival, the lights growing brighter, the sounds louder, and the night only just beginning.

The festival was alive now, the sun having dipped below the horizon, leaving the sky painted in deep hues of indigo and violet. With nightfall, the paper lanterns that had been swaying gently in the breeze all evening flickered to life, casting a warm, golden glow over the bustling streets. The atmosphere shifted—what had once been a lively afternoon festival now felt almost otherworldly, like we had stepped into a scene from an ancient tale.

And through it all, Diana never let go of my hand.

She held it casually, fingers laced with mine in a way that felt natural—as if this had always been our dynamic. Every time I thought about pulling away, she would squeeze slightly, a silent reassurance that I didn't have to.

And I… didn't mind.

Not at all.

"You're being awfully quiet, Sera."

Diana's voice was smooth, the amusement in her tone unmistakable.

I blinked, realizing I had been too lost in thought. "Huh?"

Her emerald eyes gleamed beneath the festival lights, and she tilted her head, a knowing smirk playing on her lips. "You're staring again."

I absolutely was, but I wasn't about to admit that.

"Am not," I huffed, looking away too quickly—probably too obvious.

Diana chuckled, clearly not believing me. "Are you sure? You've been so mesmerized all night—by the lights, the food, the festival…"

She leaned in slightly, voice dipping lower.

"Or is it me?"

I choked.

Diana laughed, the sound entirely too pleased with itself.

"You're enjoying this too much," I muttered, still recovering from the way her words had completely wrecked my brain.

"Of course," she said smoothly, leading me toward another part of the festival. "It's rare to see you this flustered. I would be a fool not to enjoy it."

I groaned, covering my face. "Diana…"

"Alright, alright," she mused, tugging me along. "Come. There's one more thing I want to do before the night ends."

I frowned but followed. "And what's that?"

She didn't answer.

Instead, she led me through the twisting paths of the festival, past more glowing lanterns, through the scent of incense burning near the shrine, past the small groups of festival-goers laughing and enjoying their time.

And then, just as I was about to question her again—

We stepped into a clearing.

The festival noise dimmed, and all that remained was the soft rustling of trees and the flickering glow of a few lanterns hanging from the branches. Beyond the trees, the view opened up, revealing the vast night sky, the stars twinkling above like scattered diamonds.

And beneath it all—a lake.

The water reflected the lantern lights and the glow of the festival, shimmering like liquid gold.

I inhaled softly, the sight nearly taking my breath away. "Diana…"

She let go of my hand, stepping forward, her posture relaxed, as if this place was somewhere she belonged.

"The festival will end soon," she murmured, glancing back at me with that same unreadable softness. "And when it does…"

She lifted a hand, gesturing toward the sky.

The first firework shot up.

It exploded in a burst of red and gold, illuminating the night with a shower of dazzling lights.

More followed—fireworks blooming in the sky like flowers, painting the world in vibrant shades of blue, green, violet, and silver.

And in that moment, I realized—this was what she had brought me here for.

Not the games. Not the food. Not even the teasing or the masks.

This.

A quiet moment beneath the stars. Just the two of us.

I turned to her, the flickering glow of the fireworks reflecting in her emerald-green eyes.

She was watching me.

Not the fireworks.

Me.

The realization sent a sharp warmth curling in my chest, something unnerving yet thrilling all at once.

I swallowed. "Diana…"

She took a step closer.

And another.

My breath caught as she reached up, fingers grazing my cheek, tilting my face just slightly toward hers.

"Thank you for coming with me," she murmured, her voice barely audible over the distant crackle of fireworks.

I swallowed. "You… You didn't have to go all out just for me, you know."

Her lips curved into a small, knowing smile. "I didn't have to."

The words hung between us, heavy with something unspoken.

And then—

She leaned in.

It was slow, deliberate—giving me every opportunity to pull away, to stop this before it happened.

I didn't.

I didn't want to.

Her lips met mine, soft at first, like a fleeting whisper against my skin.

Then, as I responded—as I leaned into her, as my fingers curled against the fabric of her yukata—she deepened it.

The distant crackle of fireworks faded into a hazy blur, the world narrowing down to the warmth of her lips, the press of her body just close enough to set my heart racing.

Her fingers brushed along my jaw, tracing slow, teasing circles, her touch both gentle and commanding, as if she knew exactly what she was doing to me.

And when she finally—finally—broke the kiss, she didn't move far.

Our foreheads remained pressed together, our breaths mingling in the cool night air.

She smirked, her fingers still resting lightly against my cheek.

"You taste sweet."

I exhaled, still trying to process what just happened.

"You—" I started, but she simply laughed, pulling away just enough to look at me properly.

"You should know something, Sera," she murmured, her voice lower, softer.

I blinked, still dazed. "What?"

She leaned in just slightly, her lips brushing my ear.

"You were always the only one I wanted to take here."

My heart stopped.

Before I could respond—before I could even process the weight of her words—another firework exploded above us, casting the world in brilliant, burning gold.

And then—

She kissed me again.

This time, it wasn't gentle or testing. It was bolder, more daring, her lips moving against mine with unspoken confidence. There was no hesitation—no waiting.

A soft gasp escaped me as her fingers curled into the fabric of my yukata, pulling me closer with a slow, deliberate tug.

I barely had time to register the way her body pressed against mine before I felt it—

The teasing graze of her tongue against my lips.

My breath hitched.

She wasn't just kissing me anymore—she was exploring, tasting, her movements smoother, deeper, as if she had been waiting for this moment all night.

A sharp shiver ran down my spine as she nipped at my bottom lip—not too hard, just enough to leave a lingering sting, just enough to drive me insane.

I gasped, my hands instinctively reaching for her, my fingers grasping at the silk of her yukata as heat curled in my stomach.

Diana chuckled against my lips, her breath warm and teasing, her thumb stroking along my jawline as she tilted my face just the way she wanted.

"Sensitive?" she murmured against my mouth, her tone low and undeniably smug.

I swore my heart nearly gave out.

I should've said something—should've retaliated, teased her back, anything—but she took advantage of my silence, kissing me harder, deeper, her tongue slipping past my lips in a way that had my entire body melting into hers.

She tasted like the festival's lingering sweets, hints of mochi and red bean paste, but underneath that—something uniquely Diana. Something dangerous.

Her fingers traced light, tantalizing patterns along the back of my neck, sending electricity buzzing beneath my skin.

And then, just when I thought I might actually lose myself completely, she pulled away—agonizingly slow, her lips lingering just barely apart from mine, her breath still mingling with mine in the cool night air.

I stared at her, dazed, my own breath coming unevenly.

Diana smirked.

Her emerald eyes shimmered with mischief, her lips still kiss-swollen, her entire expression far too pleased with herself.

"I like that look on you," she mused, her fingers still grazing my jaw, as if she wasn't finished with me yet.

I swallowed, still reeling, still processing. "What look?"

She leaned in one last time, pressing a slow, lingering kiss just below my ear, her lips featherlight, teasing, before whispering:

"The one where you want more."

And just like that—I was ruined.

Completely, utterly ruined.

The fireworks continued to bloom above us, painting the sky in dazzling reds and golds, but I barely registered them. All I could focus on was her—the lingering heat of her lips, the slow, teasing graze of her fingers against my jaw, the way her breath ghosted over my skin like a promise yet to be fulfilled.

I had no words.

None.

My brain was still trying desperately to catch up, my heart beating far too fast as Diana pulled away just enough to study my reaction.

She knew.

She knew exactly what she was doing to me.

And she was enjoying it.

I swallowed hard, trying to regain some kind of composure, but it was pointless. My legs felt weak, my hands still clutched at the fabric of her yukata as if letting go meant losing balance entirely.

And Diana?

She just smiled—soft, unreadable, devastatingly confident.

"Are you breathless, Sera?" she murmured, her voice carrying an unmistakable note of satisfaction.

I forced myself to breathe, glaring at her through the haze of flustered disbelief. "You—"

She raised a delicate brow. "Yes?"

I scowled, attempting to shove her away, but she only caught my wrist, turning the tables effortlessly.

"Oh?" she mused, her fingers looping lightly around my wrist, playing with the pulse point just beneath my skin. "Still have some fight in you?"

Damn her.

I refused to give her the satisfaction of knowing just how badly she was affecting me.

I squared my shoulders, inhaling sharply, and tilted my head just so, letting my lips barely brush against hers—not kissing her, just hovering, making her feel the absence.

Diana stilled.

For the first time tonight, I had her full attention.

A flicker of something passed through her emerald eyes—something intrigued, something almost impressed.

I smiled, slow and deliberate, letting my voice drop just enough.

"Are you breathless, Diana?"

She let out a quiet hum, her grip tightening ever so slightly.

"Oh, Sera…" she murmured, and I barely had time to react before she closed the distance once more.

This kiss was different.

Not teasing.

Not playful.

It was possessive.

She kissed me like she was staking a claim, like she had no intention of letting me forget this moment. Her hands slid down my arms, past the silk of my sleeves, fingers grazing along my sides in a slow, agonizing motion before finally resting at my waist.

My breath hitched as she pulled me flush against her, the warmth of her body pressing into mine through the delicate fabric of our yukatas.

I gasped against her lips, and she took advantage, her tongue sweeping past my lips effortlessly, deepening the kiss into something sinful.

Heat coiled low in my stomach, my head spinning from the sheer intensity of her.

I clung to her, my fingers fisting the back of her yukata, a quiet whimper escaping before I could stop it.

Diana chuckled against my mouth, low and pleased, her grip on my waist tightening just slightly.

"There it is," she murmured, her lips brushing mine between kisses. "That's what I wanted to hear."

I would've been embarrassed, but at this point, I was too far gone to care.

The fireworks exploded one last time, a final burst of gold and crimson illuminating the night—

And in that moment, standing beneath the lantern-lit sky, wrapped up in Diana's touch, lips swollen from her kisses, I realized—

I didn't want the night to end.

Not yet.

Not when she looked at me like this.

Not when she touched me like this.

Not when, for the first time in a long while, I felt like I was falling into something I didn't want to escape.

I was still trying to catch my breath, my lips tingling from the way Diana had just completely ruined me, when she suddenly pulled back, her emerald eyes twinkling with something mischievous.

I blinked, still dazed.

"…What?"

Diana smiled, tilting her head just slightly, her fingers lingering at my waist before she finally—finally—released me.

"The night isn't over yet, Sera," she murmured, her voice smooth as silk, laced with an unmistakable teasing edge.

I stared at her, heart still hammering in my chest. "What do you mean?"

She stepped back, gracefully adjusting the folds of her yukata before reaching for my hand again.

"Come with me," she said simply, intertwining our fingers.

I narrowed my eyes. "Diana, what did you do?"

She let out a soft, knowing laugh, leading me away from the fireworks and deeper into the quieter parts of the festival. "You'll see."

Something about the way she said it—the certainty in her voice, the deliberate pace of her steps, the way her fingers curled around mine with such ease—made my stomach flutter.

I followed, the warm lantern lights gradually fading behind us as the path shifted—the sounds of the festival growing distant, replaced by the soft, rhythmic sound of water.

My steps slowed slightly as I realized where we were heading.

The luxury inn and onsen.

A place that wasn't just a hot spring—but a private, high-class retreat, built into the mountainside, its natural springs offering breathtaking views of the night sky.

I stopped in my tracks. "Wait. Diana."

She turned to me, expression pleased, clearly enjoying how quickly I had connected the dots.

"…You planned this," I accused, narrowing my eyes.

Diana's lips curled into a smirk. "Obviously."

I exhaled, trying to process this. "So let me get this straight—you brought me to a festival, kissed me senseless, and now you're taking me to a luxury hot spring for the rest of the night?"

Diana hummed, stepping closer, her hand slipping from mine only to trace up my arm, sending a slow, deliberate shiver through me.

"Exactly."

My brain short-circuited.

I took a slow, steadying breath. "Diana, that sounds—"

"Incredible?" she finished for me, grinning.

Dangerous. That's what I had been about to say.

But looking at her now, her confidence unwavering, her touch so effortless, her expression so incredibly smug—I knew this was a losing battle.

I sighed. "…You're impossible."

Diana simply chuckled, stepping past me as she reached for the sliding doors leading into the inn's private entrance.

"And yet, you're still following me."

I groaned, running a hand down my face. "This is going to kill me."

She glanced over her shoulder, her smirk deepening.

"Oh, Sera," she murmured, voice low and entirely too amused, "you haven't even seen the best part yet."

And with that, she slid the doors open—revealing a private, luxurious hot spring illuminated by nothing but lanterns and the silver glow of the moon.

The moment Diana slid the doors open, I froze.

The sight before me was breathtaking.

Nestled between smooth stones and lush, carefully arranged greenery, the private hot spring pool shimmered beneath the soft glow of hanging lanterns. Steam rose gently from the water, curling into the night air, illuminated by the silver glow of the full moon above.

The entire space felt untouched by the outside world—serene, quiet, and dangerously intimate.

I swallowed hard.

"…Diana," I started, because what was I even supposed to say to this?

She simply stepped forward, gracefully shrugging off her outer haori before glancing at me over her shoulder. "What? Did you think I would settle for anything less than the best?"

I exhaled sharply, dragging a hand through my hair. "Diana, this is—"

"A private bath for us," she finished smoothly, reaching for the edge of her yukata.

My brain stalled.

Hold on.

Wait.

Before I could fully process what was happening, she turned just slightly, her fingers moving with unbothered ease as she loosened her obi, the fabric slipping from her shoulders.

I immediately whipped around, my face heating instantly.

"D-Diana!" I sputtered, my voice coming out higher than I wanted.

She laughed softly, her amusement clear as ever.

"Sera," she murmured, voice low and laced with mischief, "are you embarrassed?"

Embarrassed?

Embarrassed?!

I was dying.

I refused to turn around. "You— you can't just start—undressing in front of me like that!"

Diana let out a hum, the sound entirely too pleased with itself. "Why not? It's a hot spring."

I should have known.

I should have known this was going to end me.

I could hear the rustling of fabric behind me, hear the sound of bare feet stepping forward onto the stone, and I knew—I knew—if I turned around, I was done for.

Then—a hand on my shoulder.

I tensed.

"Relax," Diana murmured, her breath warm against my ear. "You're acting as if you've never bathed with someone before."

I swallowed. "I haven't."

A pause.

Then—her laughter.

Light. Delighted. Unfairly beautiful.

"Oh, Sera," she said, and I could hear the absolute amusement in her voice. "You really are adorable sometimes."

I groaned, covering my face. "Diana—"

"Come," she interrupted, stepping past me, the warm steam curling around her bare shoulders as she lowered herself gracefully into the water. "You'll feel better once you're in."

No, I won't.

Nothing about this was safe.

But at this point, I was in too deep—literally and figuratively.

I sighed deeply, forcing myself to stop overthinking before finally—finally—untangling my own obi and stepping toward the water.

The moment I sank into the spring, the heat immediately eased the tension in my muscles, the contrast of the cool night air making the sensation borderline euphoric.

I let out a slow exhale, closing my eyes for a moment.

"…Okay," I admitted. "This is nice."

Diana chuckled, shifting slightly in the water. "See? I told you."

I cracked one eye open, watching her through the thin veil of steam.

She was leaning back against the stone, her golden hair damp from the mist, her emerald eyes half-lidded as she studied me with undeniable interest.

And that's when I realized.

This was the most dangerous part of the night.

Not the teasing.

Not the kisses.

Not even the way she had completely wrecked me beneath the fireworks.

No—this.

Being alone, half-bare, surrounded by steam and low whispers of night, her watching me like this.

I swallowed.

"…Diana."

She smiled, and before I could react—she moved.

The warm water rippled around us as she closed the space between us effortlessly, her presence wrapping around me like the steam curling in the night air.

I tensed, but not from discomfort.

No.

It was from the way she reached for me, her arm sliding around my bare waist, her fingers pressing against my skin in a way that sent a slow, sizzling warmth spreading through my body.

Her touch was unhurried, deliberate—like she had all the time in the world.

And then—she did it.

The first kiss landed at the curve of my jaw, featherlight, teasing, her lips barely grazing the damp skin.

A quiet gasp escaped me before I could stop it.

Diana smirked against my skin, clearly pleased by my reaction.

She took her time, trailing slow, languid kisses along the column of my neck, her lips pressing just enough to leave behind a lingering sensation—a memory of where she had been.

The heat of the onsen was nothing compared to this.

Each kiss sent a shiver rippling through me, her lips exploring, moving lower—pausing at the dip of my collarbone, lingering there, teasing, burning.

I exhaled sharply, my fingers curling against the stone edge of the spring as my body betrayed me, melting into her touch despite the warning sirens blaring in my head.

"Diana—" I started, only to be silenced the moment she captured my lips again.

This kiss was deeper, slower, bolder.

She kissed me like she was memorizing every detail, her tongue tracing along the seam of my lips before slipping in—hot, smooth, deliberate.

I whimpered, my resolve crumbling instantly as I kissed her back, my free hand moving instinctively to her shoulder, gripping it for balance.

Diana's fingers tightened at my waist, pulling me flush against her, her other hand cupping my cheek, angling me exactly how she wanted.

The steam curled around us, the water shifting with our movements, but I barely registered it.

All I could focus on was her.

The way she deepened the kiss, coaxing me into matching her rhythm, the way her body pressed into mine, the way her lips—soft, but demanding—felt so impossibly intoxicating against my own.

My breath came out shaky when we finally parted, my heart hammering against my ribs as I stared at her, dazed.

Diana's smirk returned, smug and unbearably pleased with herself.

"You're very quiet, Sera," she murmured, her thumb brushing lazily against my cheek. "No protests this time?"

I glared weakly at her, still struggling to form a single coherent thought.

"Y-You…" I exhaled, still breathless. "You're doing this on purpose."

Diana chuckled, completely unrepentant.

"Of course I am."

And then—she leaned in again.