The movement under the covers ceased, a rather ambiguous temperature passing between the palm and the foot.
After Machi uttered 'Let go' without any trace of coquettishness, Law didn't release her. Instead, he blinked at her, his thumb gently stroking upward from her ankle.
Then, with a soft thud, Law flew out from under the covers and landed on the floor.
Just moments before, Machi had kicked out with her other foot. Law only had one hand free, so the kick landed squarely on his abdomen.
Rubbing his slightly sore stomach, Law climbed back onto the edge of the bed.
Looking at Machi, who was frowning silently, he said, "You really put some force into that."
Machi's gaze simply drifted downward, glancing at the area below Law's abdomen.
Her look seemed to imply that she had already been quite polite… otherwise, the kick wouldn't have landed on his abdomen.
Following her gaze, Law looked down and immediately understood, feeling relieved that the kick hadn't landed on a more vital spot.
"Do you want to sleep with me?" Machi asked abruptly.
Such a direct question caught Law off guard. He stared at her, his expression gradually turning strange.
Machi remained completely unmoved, her face like ice.
She understood her own feelings clearly and wouldn't resist what might happen between a man and a woman.
However, even though she knew full well her significant weight in Law's heart, Law had never even expressed basic 'liking' for her, so how could she give herself away so easily?
Perhaps it was because Law valued everyone he knew so highly that Machi couldn't discern whether his kindness towards her stemmed from 'liking' or not.
Unaware of the complex thoughts swirling in Machi's mind within those few seconds, Law said seriously, "I'm not that kind of casual person."
No sooner had the words left his mouth than a fluffy pillow flew towards his face.
Law hurriedly reached out to catch the pillow. Immediately, a force transmitted through the pillow, as Machi had gotten up and kicked it.
It all happened in a flash!
Law simply released the pillow, letting it hit his chest, while his hand shot out and grabbed Machi's calf.
Thump.
Law was forced off the bed edge and onto the floor again, but he stabilized himself.
With a reverse press, he pinned Machi, who had launched herself into a kick, against the edge of the bed. The slightly heavy impact caused the floorboards to groan.
The pillow slowly slid off his chest. Law stood by the bed, while Machi's upper body lay on the bed edge, her legs from the knees down dangling over the side.
The noise promptly woke the sleeping Linne and Shachmono.
'Young people are so full of energy,' The two elderly individuals sighed in their respective rooms.
Inside the room, Law released Machi's calf and said, "Don't move."
The tone brooked no argument, freezing Machi's knee which had been about to jerk upward.
Law leaned over Machi, ignoring the faint anger on her face.
He reached out with his right hand and tucked a stray strand of her purple hair behind her ear.
The jade pendant hanging on his chest inadvertently slipped out from his collar, dangling between them.
Their eyes were drawn to the pendant, simultaneously evoking memories of the past. A silent atmosphere fell over the room.
After a moment, Law broke the silence with a smile, "Seriously, back then when you snatched the pendant, was it because you liked it, or did you want to sell it for money?"
'Sell it for money.'
Machi didn't voice those words. Her gaze shifted from the pendant to Law's face. A glimmer flashed in her eyes as she answered evasively, "I liked it."
Hearing this, Law looked quietly at Machi.
Their eyes met without a word. Only the sound of their breathing filled the room.
Law lowered his head, leaning closer to Machi's face. Her eyes widened slowly, her heartbeat quickening, a blush appearing on her cheeks.
His gentle gaze was like a soft spring breeze, lightly caressing Machi's brows and eyes.
A strange feeling blossomed in her heart. Perhaps not good at speaking at this moment, Law suddenly took off the pendant and put it on Machi. The smooth, round jade settled gently between her breasts.
Then, he reached out his index and middle fingers together, and pressed them against the pendant.
A heartbeat, growing faster and faster, transmitted through the pendant to his fingertips, allowing him to feel Machi's nervousness clearly.
Even a woman with such a strong personality could possess the shyness expected of a young lady.
When had it started?
After becoming familiar with Ging, Law often thought that someone like Ging, who never considered staying in one place, shouldn't get involved with women, shouldn't start a family, and certainly shouldn't have a son.
He also believed he was the same kind of person as Ging. Before traveling to all the places he wanted to see, he had never considered settling down anywhere.
However, when faced with a specific time and place, and the person who had always occupied a place in his heart, he found himself utterly unable to resist the moment of heartthrob.
Should it be called a natural progression, or a love at first sight that had been accumulated for over ten years?
He didn't know how to describe that feeling. It was like... a girl you knew who never cracked a smile suddenly opening her heart, smiling like a flower, just for you.
Perhaps it was that heartthrob born from extreme contrast.
There was no denying it… Law was indeed smitten.
"I like it very much too." he whispered.
Machi's breath hitched for a moment. Then, she stared intently at Law, reached out to touch the pendant, her fingertips meeting his, each claiming half its surface.
"The jade?" She asked.
Law suddenly buried his face near Machi's ear and murmured, "You."
The words brushed against her slightly heated earlobe. In that moment, the sound of their heartbeats drowned out their breathing.
Snap...
Law suddenly felt several thin threads tighten around his body.
Then he was lifted, dangling in mid-air.
'In...!'
Law looked down at the Nen Threads binding his chest and waist, a helpless expression on his face.
'Alright then, you win this round.'
Machi slowly sat up on the edge of the bed, holding a Nen Thread in her hand, looking up at the suspended Law.
"Does this count as a failed confession?" Law asked, looking down at her.
Machi took a deep breath and shook her head.
"Then why did you hang me up?" Law sighed.
"Who told you to beat around the bush? If you're a man, be more direct." Machi snorted coldly.
"You said it."
Law laughed. Shin flashed briefly in his hand. The Nen Threads on his body silently snapped.
In the next instant, his figure blurred, and he pressed Machi down onto the bed.
"Listen well, Machi. In the past, now, and in the future, you are mine."
Machi's eyelashes fluttered lightly.
A heartfelt smile appeared on her face. Just as she was about to say something, she saw Law lower his head, sealing her lips.
"Mmm..."
Machi involuntarily closed her eyes. She felt a large hand roaming over her body, sending currents like electricity coursing through her.
Within moments, she realized her shoulder straps were sliding down.
The cold air hit her exposed skin, raising goosebumps, but they were soon smoothed away by Law's body heat.
Machi's captivating bright eyes grew hazy.
Slightly suppressed pants began to sound softly between the sheets.
She reached out her arms and wrapped them around Law's broad back.
As if merging into one.
Outside the window, the chirping of insects, which had been silent for a while, started up again.