Chapter 0.149 Sarcasm

The karaoke room still smelled faintly of jasmine and burnt citrus—remnants of Rena's perfume mixed with the sugary aftermath of spilled fruit punch. The walls, padded with velvet-blue panels, muffled the world outside, locking the two of them in an insulated pocket of dim purple light. The LED moon above cast a gentle glow on the room, catching the shine in Rena's hair and the metallic glint of the hair band now wrapped tightly around her ponytail—the final relic of Astell, and now the symbol of a vow deeper than magic.

.. 

Rena adjusted her eyeliner in the mirror set into the wall, dabbing beneath her amber-gold eyes with a tissue to erase the faint smudge of her tears. She re-tightened her ponytail with an almost military precision, her fiery red hair cascading down her back like a comet's tail. Her breath was slower now, though her heart hadn't quite forgiven her for what had nearly happened. She was still warm all over, her skin humming under her clothes, and her thoughts...

Well. She didn't trust her thoughts anymore.

She turned around.

Jin was already watching her. Leaning against the wall like sin itself—jet-black shirt now rebuttoned with lazy grace, his long leather coat draped over one shoulder. His crimson eyes glinted mischief, and his smirk curved like a knife meant for trouble.

Then Jin said 

"Rena," he began, voice low and laced with sarcasm, "how were my lips? Sweet? Addictive? Tell me, don't be shy."

Rena blinked. And then, to his surprise, she smiled. No flustered stuttering, no offended outburst. Just a slow, steady smile that curled her lips and made her eyes shimmer.

"Yes, my love," she replied smoothly, "your lips were delicious."

Jin narrowed his eyes, the corner of his mouth twitching upward. "Hmm... Good. You too, by the way. But—what about your lower lips? What color are they?"

He expected a shriek, a flying object, maybe a slap. Instead, Rina casually smoothed her skirt, one brow raised.

"Who knows?" she said, teasing, her voice as smooth as silk soaked in danger. "You lost your chance to find out. Your problem now, darling."

Jin laughed, long and rich. "Oh, so we've reached that level of honesty. Excellent. I like this version of you—wicked and unfiltered."

"And I like this version of me too," Rena said sweetly. "Because I've stopped being embarrassed around you, dear husband."

He leaned closer. "Is that so? Then tell me, really now…"

His hand moved toward her waist. She dodged it in a flash.

"Pervert!" she hissed, pointing at him like he was a convicted war criminal. "Don't even try it!"

Jin raised an eyebrow, amused. "A moment ago, you were begging me to—"

"Different context!" she snapped. "Totally different situation!"

His grin sharpened like a wolf's. "Ah... You're thirsty. That's what this is. Tell me, darling—how many times have you imagined me while, let's say… you are your secret habit, uh, I do not mean secret training 

Her face turned scarlet. She grabbed a throw pillow and hurled it at him. "I have *never*—! I don't—! You egotistical maniac stupid pervert 

He dodged the pillow effortlessly, laughing. "Gorilla."

"I'm the *gorilla*, you idiot?!", screamed angrily red-faced.

His crimson eyes danced with wicked joy. "I meant the one in the zoo. You seem upset. What, are the animals your relatives?"

Rena stared at him for a full three seconds. Then, very slowly, she exhaled through her nose.

"Yes," she said, deadpan. "They're from your side of the family."

Jin's brows shot up, impressed. "Interesting. So if I'm related to animals, and *you* married me..."

"I like dangerous beasts," she said with a smirk.

He clapped once, mock-seriously. "Bravo. You're embracing it now. Did you know, by the way, that some people believe humans evolved from apes?"

Rena looked at her husband 

"Are we doing evolution theory now?" she muttered.

"Absolutely," he replied. "But I've always wondered—if humans evolved from apes, why do apes still exist? Simple. Because *some* of them didn't evolve. Some remained gorillas. Like you."

"Are you *trying* to get smacked?"

"Just saying. You *chose* to marry someone with animal instincts. Don't blame me now."

She threw her hands in the air. "I hate this. You ruin every nice moment with that giant mouth of yours!"

She rushed at him, fists flailing—not to injure, just to express her overcharged fury. She pounded his chest with the softness of a disgruntled rabbit. "Idiot! Jerk! Scoundrel! Shameless, red-eyed demon!"

Jin caught her wrists, easily, with one hand.

Then, grinning, he brought her fingers to his lips and gently bit her knuckles.

Rena froze.

Then—her ears turned pink. "Don't think I'll forgive you just because you bite my fingers!"

He licked one finger slowly. "Tastes sweet."

She slapped his chest, turned around, and stormed to the door. "Enough! Time's up. My mother-in-law is waiting for us at dinner!"

Jin's smirk widened. "

Right, your mother, Mrs. Amberhart, will be at dinner. 

Rena stopped dead in her tracks.

"What do you mean *she* will be at dinner?"

Jin tilted his head, feigning innocence. "I thought you knew."

"*No*, I did *not* know!"

As she marched out, her boots clicking furiously against the polished floor, Jin strolled behind her like a cat who just knocked over every vase in the house.

"Should I tell your mom about our little... karaoke adventure?" he mused aloud.

Rena spun around. "If you say *one word* about what happened, Jin Rotschy I swear I will kill you."

He grinned.

And behind him, the moon shone brighter, as if amused by the madness unfolding beneath it.

............. 

Heat: Finally, Rena overcame her shyness and began to express her inner feelings.

But I still want to touch Rena on 🍑🤣