Together

Chapter 60

"How did we end up in this situation?" Lucy asked, dread written all over her face.

Rouen remained silent as a tick mark appeared on his head.

Those bastards! he thought.

Besides them, who else would even think about moving the barricade that separated the two sides? Kouen had entered the hot spring and immediately thought something seemed weird. Just as he got in and went further in, he saw a silhouette; only to see Lucy staring back at him, eyes wide. Now they were in a situation where they just kept silent and stared.

Lucy dipped herself into the water, hoping to cover her chest. On the other hand, Kouen just stood there, baffled. His upper body was shown but the bottom was deep into the water. Lucy glanced up at him, her face a bit red.

"This is...awkward," she said.

Kouen sighed and sat down, leaning against a rock. "There's nothing we can do about it now."

"Can't we ask the maids?"

"They're probably sleeping by now."

"That's true," Lucy said, sinking deeper with a look of dismay.

She was still shocked at seeing Kouen in the same bath as her. She peeked a look at him and noticed how well-built he was. Some scars etched themselves onto his arms from sword fighting but other than that, he was well-toned. His crimson red hair that was usually tied up was now let down and wet. He noticed her stare and gulped.

Her long blonde hair was wet and her face was flushed from the hot bath. Her eyes were glossy from the steam and her lips were parted as she stared up at him. He could make out her collarbone, water trailing down from it. He looked away, his face red.

"Kouen?"

"N-Nothing," he stammered and cleared his throat. "Anyway, why are you so far away? It's not like I'm going to do something to you."

"B-But," Lucy stammered, embarrassed.

Kouen sighed and combed back his hair with his hand. He inched his way to Lucy so that he was now back to back with her. Lucy widened her eyes and blinked furiously, biting her bottom lip. She could feel his broad back on hers, leaving a tingling sensation in her.

"Lucy, can I ask you a question?" he asked. "When will you stop seeing me as a friend?"

Lucy lifted her head up as she heard his question. She glanced back at him, a serious expression on his face. She looked back down in guilt, sinking a little deeper. She knew she was being unfair to him.

"I don't know," she replied.

Kouen looked down. He had expected that answer from her and because of that, he smiled. He turned around and made his way to the front of her and picked her up at incredible speed. Kouen sat back down into the water with Lucy facing him, standing on her knees.

Her face was flustered and she covered her breasts. Kouen grinned and looked up at her handsomely.

"Then I'll wait until you stop looking at me as a friend," he smiled with a tinge of sorrow.

Lucy widened her eyes at his reply. She smiled down sadly at him. "Who knows how long you're going to have to wait."

"I don't mind waiting," he said. "I've waited for ten years. I can continue waiting."

Lucy laughed as she bent down and kissed his forehead, catching him by surprise. Her lips created a tingling sensation on his head. Kouen stared at her, speechless.

"We'll see about that."

She smiled at him, her lips curled upward seductively. Her eyes etched themselves into his, leaving a lasting memory. They were so bright and clear, the first time in ten years that he had seen them.