After Zumi finished his address, the room fell silent. One by one, the Yamato siblings stood to swear their allegiance.
Kaito was first. He rose, nodded firmly, and declared, "I'll guard the mansion and Ana with my life." His tone was unwavering.
Next came Hinata. She bowed respectfully to Zumi and said, "I am honoured to serve as your Guard, Zumi. You have my steadfast support."
Raiko followed, jaw clenched with resolve. "No one will disturb the peace at the Hyatt Centric Hotel. I'll handle it."
Sakura stood last, her eyes fierce yet calm. "I'll watch over Kathy from the shadows. Trust me."
Finally, Gia stepped beside Zumi, her gaze full of respect and determination. "Zumi, I'm ready to be your right hand," she announced with quiet conviction.
Each pledge reverberated through the room, cementing their unity and loyalty to Zumi's vision. Pride swelled in Zumi's chest as he met each of their eyes. He knew they bickered like any family, but their shared devotion to him—and to the future of the Kogane Family—overrode every other concern.
Once everyone settled, they turned to logistics: who would fill which role, what obstacles might arise, and how to overcome them. Insight and suggestions flew around the table, and their strategy session stretched deep into the night.
When dawn's first light filtered through the curtains, all six were still huddled over maps and blueprints in the suite's living room, voices low but charged with determination. Though exhaustion tugged at their limbs, excitement buzzed in the air. Facing this challenge together gave them courage.
At last, Zumi brought the meeting to a close. The siblings dispersed—Kaito, Sakura, and Kathy back to the mansion, the others to their hotel quarters—while Zumi and Gia remained to tidy up.
Alone with her, Zumi noticed the weariness in Gia's eyes but also her unbroken resolve. He offered her a warm smile. "You did well today, Little Hawk."
Gia's tired features lit up. "As long as you're pleased with my work, I can push through anything," she replied.
Zumi returned her smile, reminded once more that having Gia by his side was one of his best decisions.
"Gia. Here. Now." Zumi's command cut through the air like a blade.
Gia lunged from the couch and straddled him in one fluid motion, her thighs gripping his sides with desperate strength. Her eyes locked onto his—wild, hungry, waiting. His hands seized her waist, fingers digging into her flesh.
"You've earned this," he growled, pulling her closer until their faces nearly touched. "Your loyalty demands reward." His breath scorched her skin. "No one serves me like you do."
A violent shudder racked Gia's body. Tears spilled down her flushed cheeks as she trembled beneath his praise, her entire being consumed by a devotion so raw it bordered on worship. Her world collapsed to this single point—his approval burning through her veins like liquid fire.
He pulled her close, inhaling deeply of her scent—like cherry blossoms and fresh rain. His heart beat fast as he leaned in to whisper into her ear, " each day will be difficult, but we have each other."
With confident hands, he traced the outline of her jaw, his thumb brushing against the pulse in her neck. Gia shivered at his touch, her breath hitching slightly. She leaned into him further, their bodies aligning perfectly. The sensation of her soft skin against his was like a symphony of whispers, each caress telling him how much she wanted this. Desire coursed through him as he trailed kisses down her neck and along her collarbone.
Her fingers dug into his shoulders as he undid the top button of her blouse, revealing the smooth expanse of skin beneath it. He groaned softly at the feel of her supple flesh under his fingertips. Gia's silence told him everything he needed to know: She wanted this too. In reply, he pressed his lips against hers once more and pulled back slightly to breathe in her warm scent again - a mix of the sea with a hint of vanilla that made his head spin with longing.
As their tongues entwined in a familiar dance, he could feel Gia's entire being melt into him; every ounce of tension leaving her body like sand slipping through his fingers. They moved together on the plush couch; their passionate embrace becoming a dance as old as time. Their heartbeats synced, like a rhythm only they could understand, filling the room with a silent melody that was as intoxicating as the finest whiskey.
With his eyes locked onto hers, Zumi's hand moved to unpin Gia's hair, letting it cascade down her back like a waterfall of silk. The moonlight that cascaded in through the windows made her skin glow, painting her with a silver hue that made her look ethereal.
Feeling his gaze on her, she looked up, her eyes filled with an aching want and desire that was mirrored in his own. She traced her fingers down his chest, leaving a trail of fire that made him shiver. Their clothes seemed too restrictive, a barrier to their need, and yet it was a boundary they were not yet ready to cross.
"Gia," he murmured, tasting her name on his lips. She muffled his words with another kiss as if to imply there was nothing left to say. Moaning low in her throat, she returned his gentle fervor with a passion of her own, fingers curling into his hair while her other hand clenched at his shoulder.
Time seemed to stop. Outside, the world moved on, but within their intimate sanctum, they were the only two who mattered. The worries of their world, their responsibilities, everything that waited beyond the suite's doors felt like a distant dream.
The night drew on, and the passionate dance continued like a flame that refused to be extinguished. Their ragged breaths filled the room, a symphony of whispers against their tangled bodies. The taste, the scent, the feel of each other was everything they needed.
Eventually, a soft hush fell over them, their bodies still entwined, basking in the afterglow of their shared connection. Gia's hand traced idle patterns on Zumi's chest as he pulled her closer, their bodies fitting together like perfect puzzle pieces.
Looking down at her, Zumi stroked Gia's hair gently, pride swelling in his chest. His 'Little Hawk' was truly exceptional, and he was fortunate to have her by his side. And as day began to break, casting golden rays through the window onto their spent bodies, he pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, promising that no matter what came next, they would face it together.
In the stillness of the morning, the silence of the suite was broken only by their slow, steady breaths, the lingering touches, and the unspoken words of love that hung heavy in the air. As they drifted off to sleep, held close in each other's arms, the dawn of a new day signaled the start of their arduous journey, a path they chose to walk together. Their bond, stronger than ever, was their greatest weapon against the trials they were yet to face.
Sunlight sliced through the windows, warming Zumi's eyelids until they fluttered open. The clock read 8:03. Gia's weight pressed against his chest, her dark hair spilling across his shoulder, her breathing soft and rhythmic. He brushed his lips against her forehead. She stirred, lashes lifting to reveal drowsy eyes that found his. A flush crept up her neck as she tilted her chin upward, pressing her mouth to his. "Good morning, master," she whispered, her voice husky with sleep. His fingers traced the curve of her scalp, and she closed her eyes, arching slightly into his touch like a contented cat.
A sharp knock broke the silence. "Master Zumi," called Sebastian from the hallway, "Miss Hinata has arrived."
Gia slipped from the Couch, her bare skin catching morning light as she padded to the door. She cracked it open just enough to peek through, her body hidden behind the wooden panel.
"Send her up," Zumi called, already stepping into his pants.
Sebastian bowed to Gia and retreated down the stairs. When she closed the door, Zumi was buttoning his shirt over his abdomen, muscles shifting beneath tanned skin.
The door opened again. Hinata froze in the threshold, her gaze landing first on Zumi's half-dressed chisled body, then darting away—only to meet Gia's nakedness. Her cheeks flamed crimson. She fixed her eyes on the floor, shoulders hunching inward.
"M-Master," she stammered, fingers twisting together, "I-I'm here for my f-first day as your Personal Guard." She said realizing that Gia and Zumi has slept with each other the night before.
A soft chime broke the tension in Zumi's head as a translucent blue screen materialized before his eyes. "NOTIFICATION," it read in crisp text. "Subject: Hinata Yamato. Intimacy Level: 9 out of 10. Respect Level: 9 out of 10. Loyalty Level: 10 out of 10." Below this data, a message glowed: "Hinata now qualifies for System Character status. To complete integration, fulfill two requirements: 1) Demonstrate authority that inspires her complete devotion, 2) Share physical intimacy with her." Seeing her blush shyly letting go of her Fierce persona Zumi Smiled as he finished putting his clothes on and to sit on the couch before him.
Seeing her blush shyly, letting go of her fierce persona, Zumi smiled as he finished putting his clothes on and moved to sit on the couch before her.
For the first time since he met her, the fire in her crimson eyes softened—not extinguished, but glowing with a gentler warmth. She tried to avert her gaze, tucking a strand of silver hair behind her ear, yet her flushed cheeks betrayed the emotions she so often kept locked away.
Zumi leaned back against the couch, studying her carefully. "So," he said with a faint smirk, "the fearless warrior does know how to blush."
Her lips parted, ready with a retort, but no words came. Instead, she folded her arms defensively and looked to the side, a subtle pout forming. The dangerous aura she usually carried was gone, replaced by a fragile vulnerability that made her seem almost human—almost tender.
The silence between them wasn't awkward, though. It was charged, alive with an unspoken truth. And as Zumi watched her fight her own flustered expression, he realized that this moment was worth more than any victory on the battlefield.
Zumi glanced at her, his eyes tracing the lines of her body with quiet admiration. For all her attempts to act flustered and shy, her very presence was magnetic—powerful in a way that made his chest tighten. The sleeveless black top she wore clung to her figure, its high collar giving her a sharp, commanding look, yet it also revealed the sculpted shape of her arms and shoulders. Every movement hinted at the strength lying beneath her skin.
His gaze drifted lower, noticing how her fitted pants hugged her hips and thighs, accentuating the natural curves of her body. She was undeniably feminine, yet her form carried the solidity of someone forged through combat and discipline. Her waist was thick and strong, not delicate, and he found himself drawn to it—proof of her power rather than fragility.
Beneath the fabric, he could easily imagine the lines of her abs, carved and honed through relentless training. It wasn't the soft beauty of someone who relied on charm alone, but the kind that came from fire, sweat, and unyielding will. That balance—of alluring curves paired with a body that radiated strength—was what captivated him most. She was breathtaking, not because she tried to be, but because every inch of her reflected who she was: fierce, unbreakable, and stunningly real.
Zumi smiled faintly, unable to keep the thought to himself. "You don't even realize it, do you? How incredible you look… not just dangerous, but beautiful."