Chapter 0.105 We take a shower together

Rena tried to hold her scowl, but the effort was crumbling fast. Jene's smug grin had that maddening effect—equal parts charm and pure chaos. Her golden eyes narrowed, but the blush didn't fade, nor did her quickened heartbeat. She hated how *easy* it was for him to twist her emotions into knots with just a few teasing words.

"Are you done embarrassing me in public?" she said through clenched teeth, stabbing her fork into a broccoli like it had personally insulted her.

Jin leaned back in his chair, sipping his tea like a satisfied troublemaker. "In public? Yes. For now." He smirked. "But in private? Oh, I still have a few ideas."

She blinked. "Don't even—"

"Actually…" he interrupted, crimson eyes gleaming, "since we're talking about private ideas—"

"Oh no."

"I was just wondering…" he drawled, tapping a finger to his chin like a philosopher on the verge of epiphany, "how you'd look in a black bikini. You know, something elegant. Tastefully scandalous. Maybe with a little moon motif on the straps—something that screams *'dangerously adorable'*."

Rena froze, mid-bite.

Her breath hitched. The fork stopped halfway to her mouth. She stared at him, expression suspended somewhere between shock and fury. "You—what?!"

Jin tilted his head, absolutely unbothered. "Just a thought. For research purposes. I've heard wearing swimsuits together builds trust in political engagements."

"You're insane."

"Flawlessly so."

She buried her face in her hands for a moment, trying to suppress the heat crawling up her neck. Her voice came out muffled. "You need professional help."

"Probably," he said cheerfully. "But before we call a therapist—hear me out."

Rena slowly looked up. "There's *more*?"

"Oh, definitely," he said, leaning in, voice dipping into that warm, playful register that somehow made everything worse. "What do you say… we go have a bath together after lunch?"

She stared.

He smiled wider, mock innocence painted across every line of his expression. "Purely for hygiene reasons, of course. I just thought it'd be… efficient."

"*Efficient?*"

"Yes. You know, water conservation, mana synchronization, emotional bonding…"

"You mean *you being a pervert.*"

"That's a strong word," Jene replied, feigning offense. "I prefer 'proactive intimacy planning.'"

Rena's hand went to her drink. Jene's eyes flicked to it with alarm.

"You're not going to throw that, are you?"

"I'm *strongly considering it.*"

He chuckled. "Then I'll have to dodge again. It's becoming a routine."

"You keep saying things like that and I'll do more than throw tea at you. I'll *boil* you in it."

Jin made a dramatic face. "Kinky."

"You're *impossible!*" she hissed, cheeks a furious shade of rose now.

Jin just grinned and leaned forward on his elbows, voice low enough that only she could hear him—thanks to the sound barrier he'd whispered into place earlier.

"But admit it," he murmured, "part of you wants to know what I'd look like wet, too."

Her jaw dropped. "You are!!!!!!!! 

"Exquisitely evil?" he offered.

She stood up so suddenly her chair screeched against the floor. Her golden eyes were wide with disbelief, and something else buried just beneath it—heat, confusion, and a flicker of undeniable curiosity she hated herself for.

Jin didn't rise. He just sat there, looking pleased with himself, the devil in black, sipping tea like this was all part of his daily routine.

She leaned down, planting both hands on the table as she got in his face.

"You are *not* dragging me into some fantasy where I strip down just because your brain operates on chaos and hormones."

He blinked slowly. "Noted. So… you prefer lingerie?"

She slapped a hand over his mouth.

His laughter vibrated against her palm.

"I hate you," she whispered through gritted teeth.

His crimson eyes softened just slightly. "You say that so often, I'm starting to think it's code for 'kiss me.'"

She pulled her hand away and stormed out of the cafeteria, her tray forgotten, heart pounding against her ribs.

He watched her go, still grinning—but something had changed. The amusement lingered, yes, but beneath it… something warmer stirred.

He liked making her blush.

He liked annoying her.

But more than anything… he liked *her.*

*Because she looks cute when she's angry.*

And deep down, he wondered if she knew just how much.

........ 

Heat: thank you so much for reading.