...
On the way back to the inn, Haru Urara nestled in Lucian's arms.
"Cold?" She was only in thin athletic wear; Lucian draped his jacket over her.
Haru Urara pulled it over like a blanket, covering part of Lucian too. "Trainer needs some too."
Seeing her downcast, Lucian patted her shoulder. "Still thinking about the loss?"
"Mm… just a little sad…" She didn't want him to worry. "Only a tiny bit."
"Good." Lucian leaned close to her ear, mimicking her morning whisper. "When we get to the inn, Trainer will give Urara kisses."
Haru Urara glanced at the driver in the rear-view mirror and whispered back, "Then I want lots."
"As if I could stop you."
"Right—Rice-chan said she'd come with me today. Where was she this morning?"
"I didn't want to wait until midnight to sneak into Trainer's room, so I told Rice not to come." Haru Urara stared impatiently out the window. "How much longer? So slow. If I carried Trainer, we'd be there already."
...
Back at the inn, Haru Urara let herself go, clinging to Lucian like glue. "Trainer, shower—go shower~"
"Didn't you shower after the victory stage?"
"I want Trainer to shower. Go~"
"How can I if you won't let go?" Lucian spread his arms; she still hung tight.
"Urara's coming in to scrub Trainer's back."
Lucian usually gave in to her—she rarely fought with Seiun Sky and was generally well-behaved.
A rare solo trip, so he indulged her.
Lucian peeled off his upper clothes first, revealing a healthy skin, then placed fresh clothes in the basket.
Haru Urara tied her hair up, bath sponge in hand, hesitating. "Trainer, should I take my clothes off? I'm scared of getting splashed."
"No need."
Her eyes sparkled with mischief as she tugged at his waistband, fingers brushing the warm skin just above. "But why not? This is my only set— the spare's sweaty."
Lucian caught her wrist gently, his voice low and teasing, breath warm against her ear. "Because I like Urara in her sporty outfit."
A soft flush crept up her cheeks; she bit her lip, pulse racing under his thumb. "But… tomorrow I'll have nothing to wear."
"Throw it in the washer later. Worst case, we head home tonight."
"Okay… okay."
Her voice trembled with anticipation as she stepped closer, the air between them thick with heat.
"You said back scrub, right?" Lucian swept his wet hair back; droplets clung to his temples like suspended needles, sharp and glistening.
Haru Urara's gaze traced the line of his jaw, the curve of his collarbone, the way water traced paths down his chest. She pressed the sponge to his skin, slow circles that lingered longer than necessary, her breath hitching each time her knuckles grazed him.
Lucian's hand settled on her waist, thumb brushing the hem of her top, sending shivers through her. "You're supposed to scrub, not tease."
She dropped the sponge with a playful pout. "I want to tease."
His laugh was low, rumbling against her palms as she flattened them over his heart. The sound vibrated through her, electric.
...
No one knew if the innkeeper checked the water meter the next day—or wondered why Lucian's room had used so much water overnight.
But that was tomorrow's problem.
Freshly showered, Lucian and Haru Urara lay quietly in bed, arms wrapped around each other.
Post-impulse calm settled in; the world seemed to breathe softly between them.
Then Haru Urara stirred in his embrace.
"What now? Keep rubbing your face on my chin?" Lucian looked down.
"Trainer's stubble is prickly—it tickles when I rub." She nuzzled happily. "Trainer needs to shave."
"Not that bad, is it?"
"When we get back, Urara will shave Trainer." She rubbed her cheek against his stubble, then tipped up to kiss his lips, soft and lingering.
Lucian suddenly rolled over, facing away. "Sleep."
Haru Urara, tumbling from his arms, blinked. "No—Trainer has to hold me to sleep!"
She vaulted over him, slipping to his front. "Need hugs to fall asleep…"
"No hugs~" He rolled back.
"Hmph…" She sat up, kettle-boiling mad. "I can only sleep in Trainer's arms."
Straddling him, she slid into his embrace, guiding his hand to her waist. "If Trainer's not good, Urara will cause trouble!"
"Threatening me?"
"Hmph, exactly—threatening Trainer. What're you gonna do?"
His fingers tightened on her waist, pulling her flush against him; their breaths mingled, hearts pounding in sync.
...
...