Chapter 124 - 124: Yes, Your Highness!

The brightly lit bathroom was filled with rising steam, swirling in the air, refusing to dissipate. Amidst the warm mist, two figures nestled together in the bathtub, wrapped in their own quiet world, undisturbed by the outside. Yukino's delicate arms rested loosely around Haru's neck, most of her slender body submerged in the water. Her usual icy gaze now shimmered with an unfamiliar softness, a deep, liquid warmth she had never shown before. Her lips, soft and moist, were slightly parted, revealing a glimpse of pearly white teeth as she bit down gently. A blush tinged her fair cheeks, carrying a mix of shyness and an unfamiliar yet blooming beauty. Yukino was completely drained, resting limply in Haru's embrace, barely able to lift a finger. Even she hadn't expected herself to indulge him like this—sitting together in the bath, tangled in each other's warmth. Earlier, when Haru had tried to carry her straight to the bedroom, she had adamantly insisted on taking a bath first. After all, they had spent the entire day climbing the mountain, and she had been through quite a scare. As someone who valued cleanliness, she refused to step into bed without washing up. And because of that, she had unknowingly given him an opportunity. She hadn't even had the chance to resist before he had already scooped her up and carried her into the bathroom. And then… things had naturally unfolded into this. Water droplets trickled down the tiled floor, the dampness and scattered splashes bearing silent testament to the events that had transpired. Haru tightened his arms around Yukino's slender waist, his voice low and gentle. "Feeling better now?" "Mm." Yukino knew exactly what he was referring to. She nodded but couldn't hide the complexity in her tone. "I do like that you're always there to stand up for others… but today, you really scared me." "I'm sorry." It was the only thing Haru could say. Yukino sighed, pressing her cheek against his chest. "How did you even manage that today?" "I'm Superman," Haru answered with a grin. Yukino rolled her eyes. She wanted to glare at him, but she was far too exhausted to move. Instead, she simply leaned against him, letting out a soft murmur. "I wasn't the only one who was scared today. My sister was too. But she still managed to keep her composure and take control of the situation… That's where she's always been ahead of me." "You'll surpass her one day." Haru's voice carried nothing but certainty. He had spent years by her side, watching her grow, supporting her every step of the way. If nothing unexpected happened, it was only a matter of time before she would surpass Haruno in every way. "I think so too," Yukino said with quiet confidence. After a moment of silence, she suddenly let out a soft chuckle. "After today, that little boy is probably going to see you as the hero of his life." That family had exchanged contact information with Haru before they parted ways earlier. Yukino was well aware of it. "And isn't that a good thing?" Haru smirked. "If he learns even a fraction of my skills, he'll never have to worry about making a living." "Oh? Which skills are you referring to?" "For example, my combat abilities." At that, Yukino chuckled. "I wouldn't be opposed to that. If that boy really learns from you, he'll probably become the star of his school's sports team someday." Her gaze softened as she spoke. She lifted her head slightly, her beautiful eyes hazy as they met Haru's. Her voice lowered, tinged with a rare tenderness. "Just like my sister said… don't go risking your life so recklessly again." "I promise." Haru tightened his hold on her, pressing her closer. Now, he finally understood why she had been the one to take the initiative earlier—to whisper those unexpected yet heartfelt words: I want you, Haru. The shock she had experienced today had been immense. Yet, at the same time, he had done something almost otherworldly—something straight out of a superhero film. He had truly performed a miracle, saving two lives before her very eyes. Everything had happened so fast that not even Yukino, with her usually unshakable mindset, could process it fully. And so, when they returned home, all those emotions—fear, admiration, disbelief—had intertwined, overwhelming her. But now, after everything, her worries had finally begun to fade. Haru held her close, his mind replaying the day's events. The moment that father and son had slipped from the cliff's edge, he had instinctively followed. But no one knew the truth. He hadn't grabbed onto the rock wall immediately after jumping. No—he had run through the air, catching them both first. Only after ensuring their safety had he pretended to find a handhold on the rocky ledge, making it look as though he had simply been lucky enough to catch himself. With his [Steel Body Lv2] ability, even if he had actually fallen all the way into the valley, the worst that could've happened was tearing his clothes. His body? Completely unharmed. That was why, the moment he saw them fall, he had jumped without hesitation. First, make sure you're safe. Only then can you protect others. Those were Yukino's words. Words she had once told him. After a while, Yukino stirred slightly, feeling her strength return. But still, she didn't move away from his arms. Instead, she simply murmured, "We should get out now." "I think we could stay a little longer," Haru suggested, his hands wandering along her slender waist. "We're not sleepy yet, are we?" A deep blush remained on Yukino's cheeks, never having faded. Feeling his hands creeping over her skin, she tilted her flushed face up, her voice carrying both embarrassment and frustration. "Are you ever going to stop touching me?" "No." Haru shook his head, then added with a smile, "This is something I'll never get enough of—not in this lifetime." At the word lifetime, Yukino's eyes flickered. A ripple passed through her gaze. In the next second, the shyness in Yukino's gaze melted into something deeper—an alluring, liquid warmth. Her voice, so different from its usual calm and composed tone, now carried the teasing sweetness of a lover. "You're trying to show me your perverted nature again, aren't you?" "Well, you've already seen it countless times. I guess I've gotten used to it," Haru replied with a chuckle. Yukino pursed her lips but, surprisingly, didn't refute him. A faint excitement flickered across her flushed cheeks. It was a rebellious kind of thrill—one that completely contradicted her usual demeanor. When Haru lowered his head, she closed her eyes gently, tilting her chin up in quiet acceptance, allowing him to kiss her. The steam in the bathroom seemed to grow thicker. Yukino's lashes trembled, her soft lips parting ever so slightly, releasing a breath as light as orchids. Her slender neck, and her delicate collarbones shimmered under the light. Each slightly quickened breath tugged at the unrest within her heart. After a few minutes, her face flushed a deeper red as she pressed a hand against his shoulder, panting lightly. "Let's move to the bedroom first." Haru let out a low chuckle. "As you wish, my princess." With that, he lifted her into his arms. Yukino's misty eyes flickered as she shook her head softly. "Princess doesn't quite suit me." "Then what would you prefer?" "Queen sounds more fitting." Without hesitation, she embraced the aura of a true ruler. "As you command, my queen," Haru responded with a smirk. _ _ _ _ The next morning, Haru and Yukino parted ways under the school's main building. As soon as Haru stepped into the classroom, every student inside turned to look at him in perfect unison. It didn't matter whether they were guys or girls—everyone's faces were filled with shock and admiration. Haru knew exactly why. That morning, while he and Yukino were getting ready, the news had been flooded with reports about yesterday's "Cliffside Rescue Incident." It had already gone viral. "What's with those faces? Are you all about to worship me or something?" Haru grinned, spreading his arms playfully to lighten the mood. The initially silent classroom instantly erupted into laughter. "Worship might be a bit much, but from today on, you're officially my idol!" "Too bad you already have a girlfriend. Otherwise, half the girls in this school would be lining up for you!" "Hey, can you all quiet down? I need details! What exactly happened down there at the cliff?" The entire classroom descended into a chaotic, buzzing marketplace. Haru understood their excitement—it was natural for teenagers to be thrilled by something like this—so he answered every question thrown his way without hesitation. Eventually, the commotion only died down when their teacher entered the room. However, before class began, the teacher chuckled and said, "Looks like everyone's seen the news. Amamiya's heroic act was truly commendable, but I just want to remind you—safety comes first. No matter how brave you are, you have to consider your own well-being before jumping into danger." Haru nodded obediently. The morning flew by in a blur. He had lost count of how many classmates had come up to express their admiration. By lunchtime, when he and Yukino entered the cafeteria, they once again became the center of attention. Thankfully, this time, no one dared to disturb them— Because Utaha, one of the most popular upperclassmen in school, had just arrived. Utaha and Megumi Kato sat down across from Haru and Yukino, their concern written all over their faces. "Are you sure you're not hurt? Did you go to the hospital for a check-up?" Utaha spoke at a rapid pace, not even bothering to pick up her chopsticks. It was clear that she was genuinely worried. Although Megumi remained silent, the concern in her eyes conveyed her thoughts just as clearly. "Don't worry, we're fine. We went to the hospital and got checked out," Haru reassured them, briefly summarizing the incident. With Yukino also vouching for their well-being, Utaha and Megumi finally relaxed. "I didn't see the news this morning," Utaha admitted, patting her chest as if to calm her nerves. "It wasn't until my classmates started talking about it that I realized you pulled off something incredible." "Our class was talking about it too," Megumi added. "Amamiya-kun, you're about to become famous." "It's fine. This kind of attention fades with time. As long as I lay low and avoid interviews, it'll pass," Haru said, already formulating a plan. Utaha's eyes lit up. "Laying low, huh? Well, that's perfect—I have a suggestion." The three of them looked at her in unison. Utaha's expression was filled with anticipation as she turned to Haru. "Have you heard about the Saitama Fireworks Festival? If we plan ahead, we can still make it to the second event." A fireworks festival? What a coincidence. Haru blinked in surprise. Yukino's hand, which had been holding her chopsticks, paused midair as shock flickered across her face. She stole a quick glance at Utaha's expression, making sure that this was purely a coincidence and not some elaborate scheme. Confirming that Utaha had simply arrived at the same idea on her own, Yukino let out a small sigh and shook her head in mild exasperation. Originally, she hadn't planned on telling them about it. And now, what was supposed to be a romantic getaway for two... Was about to turn into a trip for four.