YOKAI ROMANCE

Naru sat on the edge of the bed, still only in his underwear, while Leyla stood in front of him with her arms crossed and an expression that promised trouble. He was still wet, dark strands of hair draped over his shoulders as he tried to calm the situation."You know, this isn't fair. You touch me and then just leave me like this to suffer," he said, raising his eyebrows. "You're the one who barged into my bath in pajamas, so calm me down!"

Leyla sighed, rolling her eyes. "Oh no, no. I won't let you get away with this." She pointed at his leg. "You got hurt, you were bleeding, and you planned to hide it from me. Are you aware of how stupid that is?"

Naru shrugged. "Honestly, I thought you'd be proud. It means I'm capable enough to survive without your worrying."

"Proud? Proud?!" Leyla stepped toward him, lowering her voice to a deadly whisper. "Do you want me to explain how my stomach turned when I saw blood in the water? How terrified I was that the injury was worse than it looked?" She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself, but her hands still trembled. "You don't understand how much you mean to me, do you?"

Naru looked up at her. Something flickered in his eyes, but then he smiled in that way only he could—slowly, with confidence, but also with a certain gentleness that broke down every defense she had."So, I mean something to you?" he asked quietly.

Leyla pressed her lips into a thin line. "Naru..."

"Because if it means what I think it means..." He pulled her by the hand and settled her onto his lap, so she was now sitting on his thigh, close, too close. "Then you can just say it directly. I promise I won't die from honesty."

Leyla felt her heart race. The warmth of his body was inescapable, and his closeness was becoming more of a problem."I've already told you everything you need to know," she said, but her voice wasn't as convincing as she wanted it to be.

"Oh, really?" Naru tilted his head, reducing the distance between them, his lips only a few centimeters from hers. "Because I think you left something important out."

Leyla opened her mouth to say something, but before she could, Naru was already there—his fingers gently caught her neck, and then his lips met hers. There was no rush, no pressure, just warm, slow passion that coursed through her like an electric current.

It was a kiss that spoke all the words they hadn't said to each other—how much they needed one another, how much they wanted to be closer, but also how they were still careful not to cross a line.

When they finally pulled apart, Leyla was breathless. She looked at him, and he just smiled, brushing a damp strand of hair from her face."You are..." she started, but didn't know how to finish the sentence.

"Incredibly charming? Unbearably attractive?" he offered, raising an eyebrow.

Leyla lightly smacked his shoulder. "No, you're... a stubborn idiot."

"You know, I could kick you out of my room," Naru said.

Leyla just shrugged, deliberately tossing her damp hair over her shoulder in a way that seemed innocent but was anything but."Oh, sure. But that wouldn't solve your problem, would it?" she said calmly, then winked at him.

Naru groaned, covering his face with his hands. "Gods, why does it have to be you?"

But before he could indulge in more self-pity, Leyla suddenly stood up from the couch. She pulled off her wet pajamas in one swift motion, tossing them aside, left only in her underwear. And not just any underwear.

Naru straightened his back abruptly. His gaze automatically ran over her, then quickly darted away, as if he was battling inner conflicts."Who the hell did you dress like that for?!" he asked, his voice slightly higher than he intended.

Leyla looked him straight in the eye, raising an eyebrow. "For myself."

"For yourself?" he repeated as if he hadn't heard correctly.

She crossed her arms and leaned slightly toward him. "Yes, Naru. You don't need someone to feel good in your own skin. I like wearing nice underwear. It's a matter of principle."

Naru looked as though he was trying to process that information. "But you've never had... I mean, anyone...?"

Leyla laughed, amused by his confusion. "And so what? Do you think that just because I haven't had anyone, I should wear a baggy pajama and penguin socks?"

Naru furrowed his brows. "Well, yeah. I mean, I don't know! What kind of logic is that?!"

Leyla just laughed and grabbed a dry robe from the chair, casually draping it over her shoulders. "Naru, it seems you've spent too much time among warriors and demons. You need to broaden your horizons a little."

Naru frowned. "And you need to stop testing my self-control."

Leyla stepped closer, leaning toward him. "And what if that's my goal?"

Naru held his breath. His eyes flickered to her lips, then back to her eyes. "Don't play with me, Leyla."

"Oh, but it's so much fun," she whispered.

He kissed her.

His lips found hers in a moment when they both forgot about everything else. It was a mix of frustration, longing, and something they dared not name. Leyla felt the warmth of his hands gently touching her waist, but he didn't pull her closer, as if still battling himself.

When they finally parted, both were breathless. Leyla was the first to smile."See? It could have been worse."

Naru just shook his head. "No. It could have been better."

His hand moved, fingers lightly brushing the edge of her robe, as if testing fate. "Can I... just take a little peek?"

Leyla laughed and pushed his hand away. "Dream on, prince. Dream on."

The morning after was as chaotic as she expected.

When she woke up, Naru was already awake, sitting on the edge of the bed and watching her with a smug smile that promised nothing good."What?" she mumbled, pulling the blanket higher over herself.

"Just thinking about how nice a morning after a wild night is," he said in an innocent tone.

Leyla's eyes snapped open. "A wild night?! Are you insane?! All we did was—"

"—kiss until exhaustion and then fall asleep in each other's arms?" he finished for her, laughing. "Oh, yes. Definitely the wildest night of my life."

Leyla grabbed a pillow and threw it at him, but he just ducked and caught it before it hit him."Okay, okay!" he said, raising his hands in surrender. "Calm down, princess."

Leyla groaned and got out of bed."Where are you going?" Naru asked, watching her with clear interest.

"To find coffee, because without it, I won't survive this conversation with you."

As she walked toward the door, Naru slowly leaned in closer to her, trying not to be too abrupt. His fingers barely brushed against her skin, lightly trailing over her shoulder while his lips hovered dangerously close to her neck. He could feel her warm breath and the slight shiver that only tempted him further.

But just as he thought he would finally succeed in his intentions, Leyla suddenly moved, unintentionally elbowing him straight in the ribs.

"Oh! Are you okay?" she asked, confused, turning toward him.

Naru tried to hide the pained expression on his face, but he couldn't stop a short gasp from escaping. "Of course. Everything's under control."

"Are you sure? Because you look like you just swallowed a rock."

"Maybe I did swallow something, but it wasn't a rock…" he muttered under his breath, stepping back slightly and rubbing the sore spot.

Leyla frowned, then shook her head. "Did you really think you could catch me off guard just like that?"

"Trust me, princess, I had a plan. A very good plan."

"Oh? And how did that turn out?"

"With aching ribs and a wounded pride."

Leyla laughed and ran her hand over his cheek, looking at him gently. "Maybe you'll have better luck next time."

Naru sighed. "With you? Unlikely."

Should he try again?

He got dangerously close, but in vain. Leyla already knew his tricks. Every attempt he made to make her falter—whether it was a light touch on her waist, leaning in closer, or using his deep, seductive voice—was met with her perfect indifference.

"Leyla," he murmured, his fingertips gliding down her upper arm. "I could swear you're teasing me on purpose."

She yawned carelessly. "Imagine that."

He tried again—this time, resting his chin lightly on her shoulder. His hair, still slightly damp from the night before, tickled her skin, but she simply turned and gave him an innocent look. "We should go, you know?"

Naru didn't move. "I don't care about breakfast or court advisors. Just you."

Leyla barely stopped herself from rolling her eyes. "I know, but, see, I do care about breakfast."

Naru sighed and fell back onto the bed. "I'm going to eat you alive."

She laughed. "Try it, and you'll see how that ends for you."

He said nothing, but he knew that one day, he would win this game. Just… maybe not today.

Leyla stretched and got out of bed, and Naru watched her every move. However, just as he thought he would finally focus on something else, Leyla suddenly spoke.

"Akihiro helped me in the library last night."

Silence.

Naru blinked, then abruptly sat up. "Excuse me?"

Leyla pretended not to notice how his jaw clenched. "I said Akihiro helped me last night. I needed some books, and he happened to be there and…" She waved her hand dismissively. "It's nothing serious."

Naru slowly slid off the bed, approaching her step by step. "Nothing serious? Akihiro? Near you?"

"You're acting like a jealous husband, Naru."

"But I am… your husband."

"Jealous?"

Leyla leaned against the table, secretly amused by his reaction. "Naru, really, you're overreacting. He's not even interested in me that way."

Naru clenched his jaw, battling his own jealousy. "Just because he doesn't show interest doesn't mean I trust him. That fox has his own plans."

Leyla stepped closer and gently placed her hands on his shoulders. "Hey. There's no one else, just you, remember?"

His eyes were still dark with jealousy, but he was slowly melting under her touch. "That's not the point, Leyla. I… I just don't want him near you."

She shook her head and pulled him even closer. "Do you really think I'd replace you with someone else?" she asked softly.

Naru sighed, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her against him. "No. But I still want you to know you're mine."

Leyla smiled, then kissed him gently. "Well, you already know that."

Naru growled, capturing her lips in a passionate, hungry kiss that said everything he couldn't put into words. She responded with equal intensity, her fingers running through his hair until they both had to pull away to catch their breath.

Leyla then playfully tapped his chest with her finger. "And now, we really have to go to breakfast."

Naru rolled his eyes but let her go. "This isn't over."

Leyla laughed as she walked toward the wardrobe. "It never is."