The night air in the palace carried a chill.
Hiroki held Kaguya in his arms, nuzzling against her ear.
"Ever since we were little, you've been my tether."
"I only feel at peace when I'm by your side. It's you who gives me a sense of security."
As he said this, memories surged through Kaguya—especially recollections of that life-threatening moment he faced—not helping but stir a sense of guilt within her.
Without further words, he turned her around gently and slowly pressed her onto the bed, tidying her disheveled hair with a tender gaze.
Their eyes locked.
Kaguya felt a flutter of nervousness. "Hiroki… what are you doing?"
"We haven't seen each other for so long. Stay with me tonight, okay? I just want to hold you close and sleep peacefully."
He lightly inhaled the scent from her hair, then lay on his side beside her, refusing to loosen his grip.
Her heart softened. She didn't speak, simply reaching out to caress his cheek.
It feels different… really different…
Before, when she hugged him, it always felt like embracing a warm and soft body pillow. Now, she was the one being held like that pillow.
And now he radiated waves of raw masculinity.
Especially as they gazed into each other's eyes—the gentle humor and deep affection glowing in his eyes—her heartbeat quickened and a blush crept across her face.
Hiroki reached for her hand, drawing her into an increasingly intimate atmosphere.
Kaguya pulled her hand free and brought up a serious matter—one she deeply cared about.
"Hiroki, where did the Dragon Vein send you? What happened over there? And… her…"
"...Mmm... She's the you from a thousand years ago—the unsealed you..."
Realizing how dangerous this conversation could become, Hiroki half-propped himself up and leaned forward, kissing her full on the lips.
Their lips met, their tongues entwined.
"Um... Mmnn…"
Kaguya's mind went blank, her strength instantly drained away.
She couldn't possibly resist, nervously returning his kiss while gripping his head tightly.
Her cheeks flushed a deep red, her heart skipping a beat. In the haze swirling inside her, one thought flickered repeatedly: How come you're so experienced?
Her innocent response sent a thrill through Hiroki.
Caught in the wave of emotions, Kaguya felt momentarily dizzy—yet Hiroki was no longer satisfied with just one kiss.
Coldness.
Scorching heat.
Two conflicting sensations struck simultaneously, making Kaguya shiver involuntarily, waking her from the trance.
Only then did she realize most of her clothing had already been pushed halfway up.
That's why she felt the cool air.
As for him, his own clothes had been stripped away almost entirely.
The burning sensation unmistakably came from the most intimate part of him.
How could this happen... This guy has definitely lost all traces of innocence from before...
These thoughts flashing in her mind, she quickly forced him away, stopping his advancing moves.
Her face burned red.
Her breathing uneven.
She shot a brief glance at his bare torso, half-embarrassed and half-annoyed as she demanded, "Just how many women have you done this with?"
Though meant as a challenge, the tone that escaped her lips sounded soft and delicate—more like coquetry than accusation.
Even Kaguya herself was surprised at the sound of her own voice.
"None."
Hiroki panted, shaking his head as he explained,
"Kaguya, no matter what I've done with her, it's always been because of your special relationship with her."
"I love her—it's the same as loving you. Because my feelings for you came first, then I would only..."
"Enough." Kaguya didn't want to hear more. She cut him off, gripping her clothing tightly and slowly moving her body away.
"Just sleep by yourself."
She got off the bed and shuffled slowly away.
Close one… nearly bought it…
Her legs felt weak…
She walked into the bathroom.
Removing all her clothes, she turned on the lights inside. Standing in front of a mirror over three feet tall, she could completely see every inch of her fully exposed skin.
The kiss mark on her neck was clearly visible.
And just below her collarbone, there was an obvious red handprint.
"That guy was too eager..." As memories of what had just happened resurfaced, her cheeks flushed red. She bit her lip and whispered to herself.
Splash... The shower turned on. The water poured from the nozzle, flowing continuously across every part of her body.
Instantly, warmth spread through her entire body, even slightly fading the marks upon her skin.
Kaguya let out a long breath, her mood gradually calming down.
Throughout the bathroom, steam mixed with the fresh scent of running water filled the air.
Meanwhile, Hiroki lay on the bed for quite some time before adjusting his clothes and stepping outside.
In the hallway outside the room, Kaguya Moon leaned against the wall, hugging a white pillow.
"Moon?"
Kaguya Moon smiled inwardly with satisfaction. At last, there'd been no mistake...
"Waiting for me?" He asked.
"Yeah, I'm not familiar with this place."
She glanced at his current state, reaching out gently to comfort him as she whispered, "I'm the one who understands you best, right?"
Hiroki blushed, "Don't do that... she might see..."
See? How exactly?
Kaguya Moon raised an eyebrow, smirking playfully, "Isn't that kinda hot?"
Hiroki gave him a strange look.
You're pushing it!
He still maintained a spiritual connection with Kaguya.
If she decided to interfere while they were intimate, what would that even mean...
God...
Just thinking about it made his face twist in discomfort.
On Kaguya Moon's side, seemingly having imagined something himself, his smile grew increasingly odd.
"A lot's been going down lately, but things are finally settled. No need to be tense anymore. Let's relax. Come on, let's go back and rest well."
Kaguya Moon pulled him along.
"Moon, good night."
After walking a distance, Hiroki stopped, saying to him.
"Hei, where are you going?"
Seeing him heading in a different direction, Kaguya Moon approached to block his path.
"To rest. It really is late today," Hei yawned deliberately, saying so.
Kaguya Moon hurled the pillow in his hand at his face, his voice tinged with sadness and hurt, "So you only care about hers? Don't my feelings count at all?"
"Then don't bother coming back to me ever again."
After saying that, she turned around to leave.
Hiroki sighed inwardly, already dealing with a headache. He grabbed her and pulled her back.
"I was just trying to figure out which room I should go to. I've been gone too long... I'm a little lost with how everything's set up now..."
It's just sleeping—big deal!
I guess we'll just sleep then.
...
The stream kept on flowing endlessly.
Inside the bathhouse, Kaguya's expression slowly hardened.
What is he doing?
Tearing clothes? Is he stripping Kaguya Moon down?
Moments later, when he revealed that pale naked body, Kaguya slammed her fist into the wall, water splashing everywhere from the impact. Her brows twitched with visible frustration and fury.
"Scumbag! Whispering sweet nothings one minute, and the next—jumping into bed with another woman? Hmph… hah…"
Behave—both of you!
Fueled by anger, she tried to control his body, wanting him to stop entangling with Kaguya Moon.
But unexpectedly, nothing happened.
His body had matured, his strength grown—he was no longer the kind of person she could control at will.
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