The Equation of Hearts

√𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝟹𝟼ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨ـﮩ٨ـﮩ

She left the bath and while in a bathrobe, left the room. She saw the politician pressed against the wall. The bodyguard she was just thinking about had him there and was pinching his cheeks, whispering in his ear. It was slightly homoerotic, she couldn't deny, but it was also rather intimidating. She went back around the corner and listened in to what she could;

"...Lest I remind you," she had tuned-in mid-sentence, "that we don't actually like you. It's your own principle keeping you trapped here," Kato mumbled and inhaled, "had my father not saved your sister, you wouldn't have been here. And yet, you stand here and claim I've a debt due?" He seethed. It was anger so calming, Athena found herself surprised she understood he was mad, "you've the riches of your father and no class. Listen to me, Kuragiri," he announced, "you bring out a side of me I abhor beyond what you in this world could understand. I've given you the means, it's up to you to make it or deface it as you have for any sense of morality you have." He hummed and let the man go, "don't believe you've done me a favour, uncle. Not at all. Quite like my father, I don't need you. And you will absolutely be a liability." He promised. Athena found herself shaking, "I'm giving you the ease of mind of letting you repay debt. But debt comes with interest. You should know."

"You don't believe in interest." Kuragiri exhaled shakily. There was silence for a moment, "not for your religion, no," Athena could hear the smile of victory.

"If we were to speak about religion," Kato began, he turned to face Kuragiri and eyed him below the blindfold, "I wouldn't have touched you. Even looking at swine makes me sick." He monotonously confessed, "that, or to promise Avicii to you as your father before you. I digress. Leave." He ordered and urged towards the door, "and take the servants with you." He added. A maid rushed past, as did the rest of them. The mere summon of them to Kato's word, and they had left. Athena bit her lip - he was hiding a side of himself from them. That monotone, indifferent Kato the family had gotten used to. There was an authoritative and sharp-tongued man beneath. The door closed and locked. It was her alone in the suite with him.

He sighed and his sandals were heard to pad past, she jumped into him and latched her arms around his neck fluidly, smiling up at him, "I heard everything," she confessed, leaning up to him. He wrapped his arms around her waist to keep her from falling, he didn't seem to care. "Who would have thought the sweet, innocent bodyguard was so... dominant. I didn't know you knew Kuragiri." She cooed and tilted her head. She was showing nearly everything with the bathrobe's low lapel. He rested a towel on her head,

"Go to sleep," he urged while drying her hair,

"Oh? And what about you?" She giggled and pressed more of herself against him, where she bit her lip playfully. "Don't you want to join me?" She whispered, she let her shoulder on the gown fall to tease. But he didn't react.

"No." He replied and pulled the sleeve up, "compose yourself." She was pushed away,

"And what was that? Why were you so mad? Will I get to see the sheer force of that?" She spun and sat on the bed. He shook his head,

"Not at all. As for what it was..." he trailed away, "not to your concern." He looked away as she decided to skip the teasing and get straight to it. She was impatient and the view was nice. "And tell me when you want to change. I'd have left." He excused himself.

"What? Where are you going? Aren't you here to finally-"

"Not everyone wants to sleep with you." He left the room and stood outside. "Some people would rather speak to you as a normal person. Instead of watching you humiliate yourself." He berated slightly. She was still naked, and she crossed her arms, peeking out of the door.

"Sex is normal." She frowned and he looked away.

"Stop." He ordered. She didn't say anything for a moment. She could see the scowl he was trying to hide. She had done it again. She forgot her goal and failed harder.