MMMS 77

“Ryuuto-kun can certainly stay here! You’re my benefactor… Please, stay at the Zenjou house tonight,” Aoi said firmly.

Her usual gentle demeanor had shifted. Before either of them could protest, she was already calling over the servants, calmly but efficiently instructing them to prepare guest rooms.

“Eh? But that’s not really right, Aoi,” Ryuuto said, scratching his cheek. “I didn’t give any notice ahead of time…”

“It’s fine, really.” Aoi smiled, though a faint blush crept into her cheeks. “Just think of this place as your own home. And think of me as your… um, as your big sister.”

He gave her an apologetic shake of the head. “It’s already late, and asking the servants to get guest rooms ready now… I’d feel bad about that.”

Then, as if a thought struck him, he tilted his head slightly. “How about this—Alice and I can stay in your daughter’s room for the night?”

“…”

Aoi froze.

Irisviel stared at him, utterly baffled.

“…I understand,” Aoi finally said, composing herself. “Let Alice stay in Rin’s room.”

He nodded. “What about me?”

She hesitated. Her eyes lowered slightly, long lashes casting shadows across her cheeks. Her voice came out barely above a whisper. “Ryuuto-kun… you can sleep in my room tonight.”

…

In the bathroom of the Zenjou house—

“…Phew.”

Aoi let out a long sigh as she sank into the warm water, her body finally relaxing after a day of quiet anticipation.

Her light-brown hair was tied up neatly, though one soft strand clung to her cheek, swaying slightly with the steam. The faint glow of the bathlight reflected off her smooth, fair skin, which had taken on a gentle pink hue in the heat. The curves of her mature figure, made more inviting by the misty air, carried a quiet allure.

Since Ryuuto's call the night before, she had been holding herself together with tension she hadn’t quite noticed. Now, surrounded by warmth and silence, she could finally let it melt away.

She leaned her head back slightly, eyes drifting toward the night sky through the window.

‘Tonight… I get to sleep with Ryuuto-kun, fufu…’

Her cheeks flushed a deeper shade, not from the heat. That night they spent together at the love hotel had never truly left her thoughts. But this time felt different. This was her home—her maiden room—her sanctuary.

Her heart fluttered quietly.

Ryuuto-kun was just so pure. So unaware of how charming he looked in the eyes of women like her.

‘He really doesn’t know,’ she thought, lips curving into a secret smile. ‘Just how dangerous that innocent face is…’

‘Really now... he always does this.’

First he throws a girl into confusion, then turns around and looks at her with those clear, innocent eyes like he’s done nothing wrong. Aoi sank a little deeper into the water, her arms resting along the tub's edge.

‘Even tonight… why didn’t he ask to bathe with me?’

If he had said he wanted to, she would’ve let him. No hesitation, no shame. Just a simple yes.

Last time, he was the one who insisted. He was so eager, so worked up about it. But now… he hadn’t even brought it up.

‘Could it be… he’s already tired of me?’

Aoi pursed her lips, sinking her chin into the water.

‘No way. Impossible. Ryuuto-kun would never think that. He wouldn't turn away from me… not like that.’

But then her thoughts turned to her. That silver-haired woman who came with Ryuuto today. That foreigner with her beautiful face and graceful manners.

‘Alice…’

There was something in her eyes—Aoi had seen it clearly. That unmistakable spark of desire.

‘She definitely has feelings for Ryuuto-kun.’

As a woman, she could tell. The way Alice looked at him wasn’t casual or polite. It was wanting.

‘What is wrong with her?! She’s already married, and she still wants to lay hands on him? That’s going too far!’

A surge of heat—not from the bath—rose in Aoi’s chest. She sat up a little straighter, her fist quietly clenched under the water.

‘No matter what, I have to protect Ryuuto-kun from someone like her.’

‘He’s just too kind. Too pure. Someone has to keep him safe from women with dangerous intentions.’

Just then, a soft creak echoed through the steam-filled bathroom.

She blinked, then turned her head toward the door.

And there he was.

The black-haired youth stepped through the mist, casually walking inside as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

“…Ryuuto-kun!?”

Her eyes widened. Steam clung to her skin, and her face flared hot in an instant, as if the bath had suddenly boiled over.

She shrank back into the tub, voice caught in her throat. Her heart pounded furiously in her chest, and her thoughts scattered like startled birds.

“Aoi, let’s bathe together.”

“Mmm…” Her face turned away, cheeks flushed. After a moment, she gave a small nod. “If Ryuuto-kun wants to soak in the bath with me… of course that’s fine.”

“Okay.”

Without hesitation, he stepped into the tub and eased himself into her arms.

Warm water rippled gently around them. After a moment of quiet, she wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him in close. Her slender touch was soft, almost trembling, but full of affection.

A gentle, almost dizzying scent drifted from behind him. When he turned slightly, his eyes met Aoi’s warm, affectionate gaze.

“Haha… Aoi, you didn’t tie your hair up properly? It’s tickling my neck.”

“Does Ryuuto-kun not like it?”

“Of course not.”

“Mmm… I’m glad. Really glad.”

Aoi leaned closer, her lips brushing near his ear as she whispered, barely audible, “I thought you didn’t want to bathe with me anymore.”

“How could that be? That’s not true at all. Bathing with Aoi is one of my favorite things.”

“Hehehe… That’s right. Ryuuto-kun really is the best.” Her voice softened again, and a small, bashful smile appeared on her lips as she nestled against him.