Ryuichi was confused.
Didn't they just say they weren't going to bathe together?
Then why were all four of them suddenly standing right behind him now?
Rias sighed, arms crossed, clearly exasperated.
"You're one to talk. You made the entire bath boil — how are we supposed to soak in that?"
"...Oh."
Only now did Ryuichi notice how abnormally hot the water had become.
He'd gotten carried away earlier — his magic power had surged and overflowed, releasing energy into the spring. With nowhere else to disperse, it naturally heated the entire pool to a near boil.
"My bad. I got a little too into it," he admitted.
Even though the water was practically scalding, it didn't bother him much. Compared to the pain of intense training, this was nothing.
Rias and the others didn't press the issue further. Seeing he was fine, they relaxed as well.
"The water near the spring outlet still feels normal. Let's soak over there," Rias suggested, leading the way toward the gentler section.
She eased herself back into the water with a satisfied sigh.
"Pardon the intrusion," Akeno said with a mischievous smile as she followed her.
From his seat in the pool, Ryuichi watched as each of the girls passed by, their silhouettes highlighted by the steam. His gaze naturally lingered — perhaps a bit too much.
He was already more than familiar with Rias and Asia — intimately familiar, in fact — but Akeno and Koneko… this was the first time he'd had such a clear, unobstructed view.
Then, as if sensing his gaze, Koneko suddenly glanced sharply in his direction.
"Keep staring and I'll hit you."
"Kind of hard not to stare," Ryuichi replied with a small smirk. "Should I leave, then?"
Koneko didn't answer — which was answer enough. Clearly, she didn't actually want him to leave.
Rias settled near the edge of the bath, her flawless body half-submerged, shoulders gleaming above the water as she gathered her long crimson hair.
"Ryuichi, come help me tie my hair," she said with a gentle smile.
"Sure."
As he stood, several pairs of eyes inevitably followed.
The sight of his tall, toned physique drew different reactions from each of the girls.
Rias looked calm — she'd seen it plenty of times before.
Asia turned red to the ears.
Akeno's expression was her usual playful one, eyes glinting with sultry amusement.
Koneko, on the other hand, muttered under her breath, cheeks puffed slightly.
"What a lewd guy."
"It's called a natural reaction," Ryuichi replied coolly.
He sat down behind Rias on the smooth stone ledge and began tying up her long red hair with careful hands.
"Sit here beside me," Rias said, patting the spot between her and Akeno.
Ryuichi didn't hesitate. He sat down, shoulders brushing both women's.
The air grew warmer — and not just because of the hot spring.
Rias looked radiant, her skin flushed pink from the heat, her delicate collarbone glistening with droplets that slid down toward her chest — the feature she was most proud of, and which she now subtly emphasized by straightening her back.
She could feel his gaze on her. That made her smile.
"Fufu… Ryuichi," Akeno suddenly purred, "would you like me to wash your back?"
"Sure. I'm looking forward to it," Ryuichi said with a relaxed grin.
Across the pool, Koneko let out a quiet hmph, her cat ears twitching faintly.
She thought to herself, So he's like every other guy — only interested in the big ones.
Ryuichi shifted forward slightly, and Akeno knelt gracefully behind him. With practiced hands, she dipped a soft towel into the water and began to gently wipe his back.
Her movements were slow, smooth, and tender — the perfect blend of sensuality and care.
"How does that feel?" she asked in her honeyed tone.
"Feels great," Ryuichi murmured, half-lidded eyes filled with contentment.
"Though a nice drink would make it perfect."
"You're pushing your luck," Koneko muttered.
"Can you blame me? This doesn't happen every day," Ryuichi replied with a chuckle.
"There's some sake in the cabinet nearby!" Asia exclaimed eagerly. "I'll get it for you!"
"Asia, you really spoil him too much," Rias said with a sigh and a wry smile. "Your head's completely full of Ryuichi these days."
"Th-that's not true!"
Face red as a tomato, Asia hurried off, rummaged through the cabinet, and soon returned with a tray holding several cups and a bottle of sake.
"Ryuichi, I brought— Wah!"
Before she could finish, her foot slipped on the wet stone — and in a flailing motion, she stumbled forward, sending the sake flying. The liquid splashed across Ryuichi's face and chest before she tumbled headlong into the pool with a loud splash!
Ryuichi reacted instantly, spreading his arms to catch her before she could go under.
"Eh!?"
Asia blinked in surprise, her face inches from his. Then the realization hit her — she was sitting in his arms.
"S-sorry!" she stammered, cheeks burning bright.
Ryuichi could only shake his head with a helpless smile.
"Be more careful next time."
"I-I didn't mean to slip…" she pouted softly — though she didn't seem too upset about ending up in his embrace.
Rias cleared her throat loudly, smirking.
"Ahem. Asia, how long exactly do you plan to stay in his arms?"
"Ah—!"
Asia shot up, face even redder, flustered beyond belief as she scrambled to her feet.
She really couldn't handle even the mildest teasing.
At that exact moment, Ryuichi felt warm arms snake around his neck from behind. Akeno leaned close, her soft, curvaceous body pressing against his back as she playfully licked a few drops of sake from his cheek.
"Ara ara… such a waste. That was good sake," she teased, voice dripping with amusement.
"H-hey! Akeno, seriously—!"
"Akeno-senpai!"
Rias and Asia both exclaimed in unison, neither of them calm anymore.
Ryuichi froze — Akeno's "weapons" were every bit as lethal as her lightning magic. The soft warmth pressed against his back made it very hard to think straight.
He could feel her breath, hot and teasing against his ear, making his neck prickle.
With a resigned sigh, Ryuichi muttered,
"Akeno, could you not mess with me right now?"
"Ara, you don't like it?" Akeno asked innocently, her lips still curved in that sultry smile. She showed no signs of letting go.
Rias's eyes practically flared with jealousy.
"Akeno, that's enough!" she snapped. "You're going too far."
"Oh? My, my… why so upset, Rias? Don't tell me you really like him that much?"
Akeno laughed softly, pulling Ryuichi closer and sinking with him back into the water.
"Because I like him too, you know~ Can't you lend him to me for just a little while?"
"Like him? You just want to tease me," Rias retorted sharply, arms crossed under her chest.
"Ara ara~ That's not true at all," Akeno said sweetly, still holding onto Ryuichi. "Ryuichi's just so charming. Isn't it natural I'd be a little tempted?"
And with that, she clung to him even tighter.
Ryuichi could only sigh, helpless against her playful assault — feeling very much like a toy in Akeno's mischievous hands.