(Yuuta's POV)
There I was, kneeling in the middle of the road like some criminal caught red-handed. People passing by probably thought, Wow… that guy really messed up.
And Erza? She was standing there, arms crossed, looking as if the entire crowd didn't exist. Public opinion? Pfft. She could care less.
"Tell me now," she said, voice cold and sharp, "who was that woman? And what's the story behind her? Are you… having an affair?"
Uff. I threw my hands up in disbelief. How little trust can one woman have? "Erza, I didn't even look at my crush after meeting you! How loyal do you want me to be? I mean, seriously, you're asking this now?"
She didn't say a word. Not even a hint of belief in her eyes.
I exhaled and tried to reason. "First of all… why are you saying 'affair'? It doesn't make any sense!"
She let out a sigh, her expression turning that classic superior adult who's about to school a mortal look. "Listen, you mortal. When I was little, my mother told me a story. She said… if a man makes a promise to a woman in a dream and doesn't fulfill it, that woman can appear in reality. If she's a ghost… it means you broke a promise. And by that logic… you cheated on me."
I slammed my fist on the ground. Bam! Dirt flew everywhere. "Bullshit! Who even tells their kid this nonsense? That's not a bedtime story—that's a nightmare fuel! Seriously, horror story, not lullaby! My brain is bleeding!"
Erza just folded her arms tighter and stared at me, unblinking. No reaction. Just silence.
I was limping back to the hotel like a zombie fresh out of a grave, one hand clutching my ribs, the other shielding my poor pride. "Ow… my head… my ribs… even my dignity hurts…"
Behind me, Erza walked with her usual flawless grace, silver hair swaying like she owned the universe. Arms folded, eyes sharp as ever, she said in the most casual tone imaginable, "Stop complaining. I didn't hit you that hard."
Didn't hit me that hard? Lady, if this wasn't hard, then I didn't want to know what "hard" meant. At that point, they'd be serving up a special edition "Yuuta Pancake" at breakfast.
Allen trailed behind us, carrying Elena. She was fast asleep, little breaths soft and even, completely oblivious to the chaos her parents had caused. Honestly, I doubted anyone in this world could fight a Nefarion alone… except, of course, for a Royal Dragon. Which I was definitely not.
Just as my knees gave a warning wobble, Erza's hand suddenly caught mine. She leaned her shoulder against me, steadying my steps. Her voice came low, almost hesitant. "I… I'm sorry. I shouldn't have hit you that hard."
I blinked, stunned. Did she just… apologize?
"No, it's fine," I mumbled. "I'm just tired. Not your fault."
For a few steps, silence wrapped around us. It was just her and me, the rhythm of our steps, and the sound of my heart pounding far too fast. For a moment, it felt like something out of those corny romance novels—where the world fades and only the two of you exist.
Of course, that's when the universe decided to intervene.
"Cough… cough…"
We looked up. The hotel receptionist stood there, smiling politely, though his eyes glimmered with amusement. "Forgive me for interrupting, Mr. and Mrs. Kounari. But… perhaps you should know there are quite a few people watching."
Both Erza and I jerked apart so fast it looked suspicious. "N-no, you've got it wrong!" I stammered. "She was just helping me walk because I'm… exhausted!"
"Yes," Erza added a little too quickly, her laugh uncharacteristically awkward. "He was collapsing from fatigue, so I… supported him. Nothing more."
The receptionist's polite smile didn't budge. "In that case, may I suggest our hot springs? They're perfect for relaxing tired muscles."
My ears perked up like a starving dog hearing the word "meat." "Hot springs?!"
Erza tilted her head, violet eyes narrowing in curiosity. "Hot… springs?"
"Yes!" I shouted—too quickly, too excited. "Make it private. For me and my wife."
Oh, I was already sprinting mentally. A private couple's hot spring? This was it—step one of every man's dream scenario! She had no idea. None at all.
Erza's head tilted further, as if trying to decode a difficult spell. "What is… hot spring, Yuuta?"
I grinned like a madman. "It's basically a bath filled with hot water. Perfect for sore muscles… and to, you know, let your brain turn off for once."
Her eyes flickered with interest. "A bath… with hot water?" She actually looked intrigued. "That sounds… exciting."
I nearly danced on the spot. "Exactly! Let's go now. Trust me, you'll love it." My grin probably gave me away—like a kid hiding forbidden candy behind his back.
Then her eyes narrowed, suspicion settling in. "What about Elena? She would want to enjoy this… hot water too, wouldn't she?"
I froze. So that's her play, huh? Drag our daughter in to kill the couple's vibe. Not on my watch.
"No," I said firmly. "She's tired. Let her sleep. Tomorrow, we'll bring her. Tonight… just us."
Her eyes drilled into me like she was interrogating a criminal. "Hmm… why are you so excited about hot water?"
I scratched my head, feigning innocence. "I just… want to show you how amazing baths are in our world. That's all."
She hummed, clearly unconvinced, but her gaze softened. "Hmph. Fine."
With that, she turned, striding toward her room, her silver hair swishing like a queen's banner.
I clenched my fist in victory, a grin splitting my face. Yes! Step one of Operation Private Hot Spring: complete.
Before heading to the bath, I made sure Elena was safe. Sitting on the bed, I looked at Allen seriously. "Protect Elena. If she wakes up, tell her Mama and Papa will be back soon."
Allen bowed deeply. "Yes, my Master. This servant will guard the little princess with my life."
"Oh, and one more thing," I added, lowering my voice like it was a top-secret mission. "If she starts crying or demanding something… tell her Papa downloaded her favorite cartoon, Dragon Boys, all seasons, on my phone. She can watch it."
Allen placed a hand to his chest and knelt down. "Understood, Master. Please… have a good time with your mistress."
"…Of course I will," I muttered under my breath, praying Erza wouldn't beat me too badly.
With everything settled, I took Erza's hand and led her toward the private couple's hot spring.
The room was paradise itself—steam rising like a dream, lanterns glowing warmly against stone walls, and the faint mineral scent filling the air. Open roof with full moon scenery. My heart pounded like a drum. This was it. The dream.
And naturally, Erza ruined it with one line.
"Why would humans wants to sit in boiling water like frogs?" she asked, suspicion sharp in her violet eyes.
"It's not boiling," I protested, dipping my hand into the water. "See? Just hot. Comfortable hot."
She crouched down, testing the water with a fingertip. A second later, she yanked her hand back. "Hot!"
"Yes, hot! That's the whole point!" I sighed.
She gave me the side-eye. "So this is what humans do for… fun?"
"Relaxation," I corrected. "Big difference. Trust me Erza, you'll love it."
Feeling the moment was right, I peeled off my shirt, then tugged at my pants.
That's when her face turned bright red. She slapped a hand over her eyes. "Wh-what are you doing, you shameless mortal?!"
I blinked. "Uh… taking my clothes off? You can't exactly soak in a hot spring wearing jeans."
Her face went red as steam. "Why in public? And why in front of me?!"
I raised my hands in surrender. "Oh, come on, Erza. I booked this room under a private couple coupon. No one's coming in. And besides, it's not like it's your first time seeing me without clothes." I tried to sound casual, but my voice cracked halfway through.
That was when I heard it. The ominous crack crack crack of bones shifting—Erza's fists tightening.
Her violet eyes narrowed dangerously. "So this was your plan all along, wasn't it? Dragging me into a private hot spring just so you could see my body?"
I swallowed hard, my throat suddenly dry. "N-no! I mean—well, maybe I should've asked permission, my dear wife… my bad…"
Her fist came down like divine judgment.
"Wack! You pervert mortal!"
"Ou-ouch! Not there, please—!" My voice broke into high-pitched pain.
"I'm leaving." She stood abruptly, turning toward the door. "Enjoy your hot spring alone."
Panic struck me. I grabbed her leg desperately. "Please don't go, Erza! I waited a week for this!"
She froze, glaring down at me. "No. I can't trust you. What if you… do something to me?"
"Come on," I groaned, clutching my side. "Everyone knows I don't have the guts—"
"Oh really?" Her voice turned sharp. "Then what about the time you stumbled into my chamber, hmm?"
"That was different! You were drunk! If you weren't, I'd be dead already!" I protested.
She narrowed her eyes, then huffed. "No. I'm not staying. Enjoy your hot spring… alone."
I let out a defeated sigh, finally releasing her leg. "Fine. I can't force you. If you say no, then no. I'm a man of morals—I'll respect your choice."
That… actually made her pause.
Her eyes flickered, just for a second, uncertain. "…Wait. Are you serious?"
"Of course." I forced a smile. "Go ahead. I'll stay here alone."
She turned toward the door. "I'm really leaving."
"Please go. I'm sorry I tricked you," I said softly.
Her hand lingered on the doorframe. "I'm serious, Yuuta. I'll leave."
I sighed, lowering my gaze. "…I'm sorry, my wife. Be careful on the way. I'll be here when you get back."
She puffed her cheek. "Fine, idiot. I'm going."
Slam. The door closed with a thud, leaving me in silence.
I raised a hand toward the empty doorway. "Wait, Erza…"
But she was gone.
Why… why did it feel like she didn't actually want to leave?
"Erza?" My voice cracked in the empty room. "Are you still there?"
No reply.
"…She really left." My chest tightened. "She really doesn't care about couple things at all."
I dragged myself toward the steaming pool. "Fine. I'll enjoy it alone. Not like it's my first time being left behind."
I dipped a finger into the water, then slid in fully. The warmth enveloped me, easing my body but not my heart. The ceiling was open to the night sky, and through the rising steam, the full moon stared down like a silent witness.
I placed a towel over my eyes, sinking deeper into the heat. But no matter how soothing, my mind wouldn't quiet.
"…I was foolish," I whispered. "To think Erza would ever want to sit here with me. She doesn't love me. She's just… stuck with me. Forced by circumstances." My chest tightened. "She never loved me. I forced her into this. That's all."
Ten minutes slipped by, but my mind refused to settle. The hot spring was supposed to melt away my aches, but instead of enjoying the warmth, all I could think about was her.
Erza.
No matter how I tried to relax, her face kept appearing in my head. The way she puffed her cheeks when she was annoyed, the sharp glare that could freeze a man in place, even the rare moments when her voice softened.
I leaned back against the stone, covering my face with the towel. "What's the point of sitting here if she's not beside me?" I muttered. The steam swirled, but the emptiness beside me felt heavier than any weight on my chest.
A tear slid down my cheek, lost in the hot water. "…She really doesn't love me at all."
But then—
"Uff."
"Who said I don't love you? Idiot."
My head snapped up. That voice. That commanding, familiar voice.
I pulled the towel from my face, blinking against the fog. My eyes slowly adjusted to the haze of steam swirling in the air—
And then I froze.
Through the mist, a familiar silhouette emerged, stepping with unshakable grace into the pool. Ripples spread as she sank into the water beside me, close enough that I could feel her warmth bleeding into mine.
My breath caught in my throat. "E-Erza…? Is it really you?"
The steam curled around her, shrouding her expression, but there was no mistaking it.
"…Erza..How?"
---
To be continued.