"So this is what a bath is?" Ye Han is currently savoring the feeling of extreme bliss engulfing his whole body. "I guess the animes were right, soaking yourself in a bath helps in relieving stress."
This concept is new for our returning hero. He might have heard rumors or hearsays regarding this delightful wonder but in a war-torn world, vacation is not an option.
He looked around the bath and realized another crucial information. "Their bath is bigger than my apartment room." With a newfound determination, he sank even deeper in the bath and thought of any money-making business he might use for the future.
***
At the same time
"So that's how the two of you met huh?" The mother and daughter pair are currently having a girl talk with each other. With Akari uncomfortable to the point of fidgeting every second and an Akagi squealing to very high frequencies.
"Stop reminding me, mom! It was so embarrassing." Akari said with a very deep blush on her face.
"How could I stop? This is a wonderful occasion Akari! And I can sense that Ye Han is a good man." Akagi smiled cheekily.
"Mother!" Akari couldn't help but shout in embarrassment. She doesn't need her mother reminding her of that.
When she saw Ye Han lying on the ground bleeding, she felt scared. Scared that the one she considers as her only friend will be gone from her. She wanted to protect him no matter what it takes. Unknowingly, this gave rise to feelings she will unaware of until later.
"You're so cute Akari."
"I'm going out mother." Akari excused herself.
"Okay! Take care."
Akari slammed the door shut and immediately escaped from that place. 'What is he doing right now?' She thought.
She has been informed that Ye Han will be staying in her mansion for the night. 'Should I go to visit him? But I can't even face him right now. Mother has already embarrassed me in front of him. Does he think that my family is weird? Do I look weird in his eyes?'
Very.
Deep in thought, her feet unwittingly brought her in front of the door of his room. 'Yup, I'll just visit him. Nothing else, just visiting. Yeah, I'll visit him! I haven't visited him while he was in the hospital. That's right, as a friend I'll visit him!'
"Ye Han it's me, Akari." She knocked.
"…"
"Ye Han?" She knocked again.
Still no answer.
This time she knocked harder.
But no matter how much she knocked, Ye Han still did not answer to her calls.
"Where might he be? Maybe he's already asleep. I'll just talk to him tomorrow." She sighed in disappointment.
Fortunately or unfortunately, she was caught by Yue, who had just seemed to finish her chores and is about to retire for the evening. Before Akari could go away she was dragged by her.
"Yue?! What are you doing?"
"This is what I call, a proactive move." She said in a flat voice, but desperately trying to imitate an expert wingman's tone. Opening the door, she instantly shoved Akari inside like she was some sort of doll.
Yue immediately slammed the door shut.
"Yue! Let me out!"
But Akari realized that her shouting might wake the sleeping Ye Han. She silenced herself to avoid disturbing the occupant of the room. 'This is just a visit, nothing more.'
She glanced at his bed but was surprised to find it empty. "Where did he go?" She strained her ears and picked up the sound of running water. 'He's bathing?!'
She immediately blushed to realize the fact that a wet and steaming hot Ye Han emerge from the bath. 'What should I do? He'll think that I'm some sort of pervert!'
But her panic thoughts were interrupted by a loud thud coming from the bathroom. "Ye Han! Are you okay?" She asked. She already forgot the fact that she was currently inside his room and was fantasizing about him earlier.
But she only heard a groan coming from inside. So without hesitation, she went inside.
What she saw is an unconscious Ye Han lying on the floor. Thankfully, his bottom part was covered by a towel and is not lying on his own blood.
"Ye Han, what happened?!" She asked with fear in her voice. But Ye Han remained unconscious.
'He might have overstayed inside. This is bad. He needs to cool down.' She easily carried the unconscious Ye Han outside and put him on the bed. 'He's surprisingly light.' She thought.
She then turned the AC on to cool him down. 'That's a relief. He just fainted due to prolonged exposure. Nothing to worry about.' She thought caressing his white hair. 'He still wears his eyepatch bathing? That's weird.'
Akari stayed with him for a couple of minutes and finally decided that he was okay. "Time to go."
But suddenly, Ye Han's hand got hold of her arms gripping it tightly. "Please… don't go."
She looked at him and saw the tears falling from his eyes. 'A nightmare?'
"Please… no more…"
For all the time that Akari knew Ye Han, she has identified him as someone carefree. Even in the face of danger. He always has the blank look on his face and is a money hungry bastard. He has never shown himself fall into sadness. But to see him this weak made her heart clench in pain. It felt like her chest is being crushed.
"I… don't want… to be… alone."
Akari cried. She did not know why. But seeing Ye Han like this urged her to do something. Embarrassment can go to hell, as long as she could stay by his side everything's okay.
"You'll never be alone anymore Ye Han, I promise." Akari took Ye Han into her embrace and maybe Ye Han also felt the comfort, he also hugged her back.
"I don't care who you are or what your past is, as long as I'm here you'll never be alone. I promise."
And with that, they both fell into a peaceful slumber.
***
Outside the room.
"Are you really sure that both of them are inside?"
"Yes, madam."
"But I can't hear anything!"
"…"
"Dear? What are you doing?" Ryo asked his wife who is currently sticking her ear to the door.
"Sshhhhh. I'm trying to listen here." Reprimanded Akagi.
"What is going on here Yue?" Ryo looked at the maid.
"Ye Han and the young miss are currently inside the room, sir."
"Huh…" Ryo blanked out. But finally, he realized. "Huh?! That brat and my daughter?! I'll kill him!"
But before he could storm inside and give Ye Han a massive piece of his mind and an intense beating, a hand held him in place. He looked back to see Zhi Ruo smiling in amusement.
"You're really overprotective. Don't worry nothing's happened… yet."
"Why can't I hear some frisky sounds?! I need them friskies!" Cried, Akagi. "That's it, I'm coming in." This time Zhi Ruo did not even decide to stop Akagi. This only made Ryo frown even more. 'She gets special treatment?! Am I even your son?'
Nonetheless, he followed. The purity of his adorable daughter is at stake here. But just like they say "expecting for the worst is really different on seeing the worst." Seeing the scene in front of him snapped his mind. And like a wild animal who got his territory disturbed by trespassers, he pounced at him with wild and untamed ferocity. His fists clenched into a tight ball, ready to blow a hole through the brat's face. He wants to obliterate Ye Han into smithereens with just one blow.
Unfortunately for him, the mother and grandma plus loyal maid squad are there to rescue the night. With a combined punch to the gut, a blow at the back of the head and a vicious kick to the groin, it instantly knocked Ryo out. His mouth frothing, making him look like someone who just ate something poisonous.
"Mission accomplished!" Akagi did a victory pose.
"Yue, take the camera." Ordered Zhi Ruo.
"I have already brought it." Coming underneath Yue's skirt is a camera ready to record the scene in front of them.
Ye Han and Akari are currently asleep. But what made Ryo infuriated and made the 3 women look fondly is the way they are sleeping. Both of them are hugging each. Akari held Ye Han tightly, his head resting on her chest. Plastered on their faces are blissful smiles. But Akari's smile is not just peaceful, it also showed determination. Whatever that determination is, the trio could never hope to know.
"When was the last time we've seen Akari so happy?" Akagi asks holding back her tears.
"It has been a long time madam."
"…"
*click click*
Zhi Ruo did not bother to answer as she is currently clicking the camera for pictures. Although she looked normal, the blurring motion of her hand as it rapidly changes memory cards and takes pictures is enough to convey her feelings.
"It's been a long time huh?"
"I hope that this happiness lasts for a long time."
"I hope so."
"Do not worry madams, if Ye Han even tries to make young miss sad, I'll make it hell for him."
"That's a good dedication there Yue." Zhi Ruo replied finally satisfied of all the pictures she took.
"Well, it seems we have overstayed here. We better go out lest we disturbed the two. Yue, take Ryo out and bring him to his room." Zhi Ruo ordered.
Yue was quick to the draw and immediately lifted the unconscious Ryo like a sack of pathetic potatoes. "I'll excuse myself."
"So when will be the wedding, Empress Dowager?"
"Don't rush things, Akagi. Let nature takes its course." Although her words were conservative but deep inside she is already thinking of names for her great grandkids. 'I need great grandkids to spoil."