Akira, thinking she was alone, started to mutter some Japanese phrases to herself.
"Eh, nani kore? Naze watashi wa konna ni yoi kimochi ni natta no?" (Eh, what's this? Why did I feel so good?)
She started to blush, recalling the recent events. "Ahh, Aaron-kun wa hontōni kakkoi... Kanojo wa mochiron watashi dake no mono!" (Ahh, Aaron is really cool... Of course, he's all mine!)
Just as she was lost in her thoughts, she turned her head to realize Aaron was standing just a few steps away, having heard her innocent ramblings. The color in her face deepened as she stammered, "Ah, Aaron-kun! K-Kiite imasen deshita, ne?" (Ah, Aaron! You weren't listening, right?)
Aaron raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk on his face. "What are you doing, Akira? Practicing your Japanese soliloquies?"
Akira, caught off guard, replied with a flustered tone, "Ah, etto... just, umm... thinking aloud. Demo, Aaron-kun, anata wa watashi no hanashi o kikimasen deshita, ne?" (But, Aaron, you didn't hear my talk, right?)
He chuckled, "Maybe I caught a phrase or two. Seems like someone was praising me in secret."
She playfully pouted, "Hmph! Kikitakunakatta no ni!" (You weren't supposed to hear!)
Aaron leaned closer, teasingly asking, "What are you murmuring about, Akira? Trying to confess something in Japanese?"
Blushing fiercely, Akira stammered, "Ah, no! I mean, um... Anata wa... I mean, you didn't hear anything, right?"
He grinned, "Oh, I think I caught some lovely words. Someone's being shy in two languages now?"
She huffed, "You... You weren't supposed to understand!"
Akira tried to hide her mischief, "You know, Aaron, you've got some talents there." However, under her breath, she muttered, "Demo, amari norikonaide ne," implying, "But don't get too carried away."
Aaron's ears perked up, "Caught that! You think I'm getting too cocky, huh?"
She smirked, "Oh, you understood? Sore wa omoshiroi," which translates to, "That's interesting."
He smirked back, "I've got an ear for languages. Helps in my line of work."
Akira laughed, "I bet it does. But remember, watashi wa itsumo ichi ho amai," softly adding, "I'm always one step ahead."
Aaron raised an eyebrow, "Now you're just showing off. But alright, I like the challenge."
She winked, "It's not showing off if it's true, ne?"
He chuckled, "Guess I'll have to up my game then."
Akira ended with a teasing tone, "Ganbatte kudasai, Aaron-kun," urging him to "do his best".
Akira looked at him with a playful yet stern expression, "Anata wa hontou ni mujaki ne, Aaron-kun," which means, "You're truly innocent, aren't you, Aaron-kun?" She continued in English, "Do you remember how you shamelessly... well, let's just say left your mark all over me?"
Aaron, trying to keep a straight face, responded, "Well, things got intense. I can't exactly control everything, especially when I'm with someone as captivating as you."
She huffed, switching back to her Romanji, "Souka, kedo sonna koto de watashi no kokoro to karada wo yogoshita wa!" indicating, "Is that so? But you've tainted both my heart and body!"
He grinned, "You're bringing that up again? Look, we both got carried away. It's all part of the experience."
Akira rolled her eyes, "Experience? Hontou ni otokonoko ne," translating to, "Such a boy." She smirked, "But don't think I didn't enjoy some parts of it."
Aaron smiled, "That's more like it
Aaron leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a seductive whisper, "You know, if you keep talking like that, I might just get aroused enough to... well, mark you all over again."
Akira's usual confident demeanor faltered, her cheeks turning a deep shade of red. She looked away, trying to hide her embarrassment, "You... You really know how to shut me up, don't you?"
He chuckled softly, "You see, women are especially cute when they're quiet."
Akira looked at Aaron with contemplation, her voice hesitant, "Do you... prefer me when I'm quiet? Or do you actually like it when I'm all high and mighty with my ojou tone?"
He thought for a moment, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "I won't lie, sometimes that ojou act can be... well, a bit much. But that's part of who you are. It's what makes you, you. Some parts of it are endearing, and some can be a tad annoying."
She blinked, a little surprised by his candid response. "So you're saying I'm... annoying?"
Aaron chuckled, "Occasionally. But aren't we all? I have my moments too. It's the quirks that make us unique, right?"
Akira pouted a bit, "Well, when you put it like that... but still, maybe I'll be quiet just to prove I can be 'endearing' too."
Akira leaned in closer, her breath warm on his ear as she whispered, "Master..." emphasizing it with her Japanese accent melded into the English word, making it sound sultrier than he'd expected.
"I want to change for you," she murmured, her eyes shimmering with sincerity, "to be the suitable bride you deserve. Because honestly, sometimes I feel I don't deserve someone as understanding as you."
Aaron's heart skipped a beat, caught off guard by her words and the vulnerability in her eyes. He pulled her closer, "You don't need to change for anyone. Just be yourself."
Aaron, with a teasing tone, mentioned, "You might want to consider changing your panties. It might... you know, be more arousing for me."
Akira, her face turning a shade redder, replied with a playful pout, "Always thinking about that, aren't you, Master? But maybe I like keeping you on edge."
Akira's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Oh? So you have a thing for panties, Master? Tell me, would you want to sniff all women's panties or just mine?"
He rolled his eyes, "You're making it sound worse than it is."
Akira continued her playful interrogation, "So, tell me honestly, Master. Do you have a preference?"
Aaron raised an eyebrow, finding himself surprisingly entertained by the turn of the conversation. "Alright, if you really want to know, I'd say I have a thing for lace. There's something about the way it looks and feels. Delicate yet provocative."
Akira's eyes lit up with mischief, "And what about colors? Do you have a favorite?"
He thought for a moment, then replied, "Black or deep red. They exude a sense of... allure."
She smirked, "And what if I told you I have a pair in deep red lace?"
He looked her up and down, his gaze intensifying, "Then I'd say you're even more devious than I thought."
Akira laughed, "You have no idea."
Aaron shook his head in mock exasperation, "I'm starting to wonder what I've gotten myself into with you."
She winked, "Only the best kind of trouble, Master."
She began counting with her fingers, a twinkle in her eyes.
"Kei? She noticed how your eyes lingered a tad too long during one of her strategy sessions. Those royal blue lacy ones, which she claims gives her 'strategic advantage'. Ever seen her blush that hard?"
Aaron shifted uncomfortably. "I didn't exactly..."
Akira shushed him, continuing with a playful giggle. "Johnna? Oh, that was amusing. Remember when she was meditating by the stream, and a gust of wind? Pastel green with tiny daisies. She gave you a healing glare that day."
He cleared his throat, "That was an accident."
"And Rei? She practically went into stealth mode when you caught a glimpse during a mission briefing. Black silk with a hint of lace. Very Agent 007, I'd say."
"Mere coincidence," Aaron mumbled.
Akira didn't let up. "Mina? After that obstacle course race. Neon sporty ones. I think she mentioned something about 'aerodynamics'? And how they give her 'extra speed'."
He sighed, "Okay, maybe I should be more careful."
"The ever-peaceful Ayumi? Remember the peace talks under the cherry blossom tree? Soft pink, very fitting. You were probably too busy being mesmerized by her words."
"I really respect her!" Aaron defended.
Akira chuckled. "And lastly, Sakura. During the knight's parade? Crimson red, fit for a knight of her stature. She challenged you to a duel after, didn't she?"
He groaned, "It was just a practice session.
Akira's laughter faded, her tone switching to a more playful one. "Do you think those 'incidents' were mere coincidences, Master? You don't really understand these girls, do you?"
She leaned in, her tone more secretive. "Kei, with her sharp mind? You think she'd just be careless? She probably wanted to see your reactions. Maybe it was a bit of a game to her."
"And Johnna," Akira continued, amusement in her eyes, "she's always lost in her stories, but she's sharp. Did you really think she wouldn't notice your wandering gaze? She's been giving you hints through her stories, you know."
Aaron blinked, surprised.
"Rei? Always so gentle and nurturing. You might think she's all softness, but there's a hidden strength there. The way she looks at you? It's not always as innocent as you think."
Aaron felt a bit nervous remembering Rei's intense stares.
"Mina's competitive spirit is no secret. Peek at her and she'll challenge you to a duel. And trust me, you don't want to lose."
He remembered the challenging tasks Mina had thrown his way.
"Ayumi," Akira chuckled, "she's the epitome of grace and elegance. But cross her and she has ways to set things straight. Those traditional tea ceremonies? Each has a lesson."
"And Sakura," Akira's grin grew wider, "never underestimate her. Behind that quiet demeanor is a storm. Peek at her, and you'll find yourself facing unexpected challenges."
Aaron sighed, "I never realized."
Akira continued her teasing exposition, "Oh, you think they just let you off easy? Each girl has her own way of getting back."
"Kei," Akira smirked, "She's strategic. Did you ever wonder why certain things just happened to go wrong for you after those incidents? A missed meeting, your favorite drink spilled? All orchestrated."
Aaron frowned. He hadn't realized those little mishaps were orchestrated by Kei.
"Johnna? She might seem in her own world, but remember that time when you felt really inspired after reading a random story, only to feel foolish later? That was her, writing thinly veiled tales about a man with wandering eyes."
He remembered feeling embarrassed when he finally realized that the character bore a strange resemblance to him.
"Rei, the stealthy assassin yet acting as a caretaker, has a talent for silent retribution. Those small cuts on your clothes, shoes mysteriously going missing, and unexpected cold showers? Rei's gentle reminders."
"Then there's Mina, our fitness enthusiast. She ensured you were challenged physically. Those random invites for extreme workouts? All her. Believe me, she loved watching you huff and puff."
"Ayumi, with her Yamato Nadeshiko personality, sought to teach you decorum. She roped you into traditional ceremonies and long lessons on propriety, testing your patience and manners."
Aaron recalled those testing times, "That explains the surprise tea ceremony lessons."
He nodded, now realizing they were more than just cultural exchanges.
"And Sakura, the most mysterious. Did you ever feel like you were being watched? Or feel an eerie coldness when alone? That was her, lurking in the shadows, reminding you she's always there."
Aaron swallowed. It was one thing to peek, but another to realize the consequences.
"Every girl," Akira finished, "has her way of teaching you a lesson. Subtle, but effective."