18.5 The Taming of the Shrew
"......Yeonja, this is the last place."
"Dina, this is......"
The place where she tugged at the hem of Ian's clothes and led him. A hotel she'd scouted yesterday with help from Cheong-ah and Behena. The kind of upscale spot where wealthy nobles or merchants stayed during trips or business deals. Cheong-ah had recommended it as perfect for their first night together. He'd chosen it reluctantly as the capstone to their delightful date, but...
Still too soon.
"Ah, no! I mean no! Yeonja, forgive me! Pretend you never heard that. 'Twas a slip of this tongue!"
She fumbled the words, turning away in a panic. That was when—
Whoosh—!
The downpour resumed, as if the sky had ripped open anew.
"Ah......"
Soaked through like drowned rats. Her prettily loosened hair, her clothes—all sodden and limp, an ugly sight.
Ian grabbed Dina's hand and pulled her along. "Dina, let's head inside first. We need to get out of this rain."
§
Thump-thump-thump...
Her heart pounded like mad, over ten beats a second, it felt like.
We... we ended up coming in after all.
Her resolve had weakened just as the torrent hit, forcing them into the hotel. Reserved in Behena's name, they simply collected the key and climbed the stairs hand in hand.
Why must I feel this way...?
Was it shame? Or her body heating from the rain? For some unknowable reason, her temperature soared, slick sweat beading where their palms met.
Just climbing a few stairs shouldn't make my body burn like this...
Even rational thought would have fretted over the sweat grossing him out, but her tension-clouded mind couldn't judge that far.
Thump-thump-thump.
My heart's about to burst.
Step by step. Each one accelerated the frenzy. Gazing at Ian's profile ahead doubled it, ready to explode.
Thud-thud—!
Now beyond mere fluttering—it leaped like it would rupture.
Of all times, why did the rain have to pour then...?
Her whole body aflame, cheeks blazing—like catching a fever for the first time in her life.
I hope Yeonja doesn't think this old woman's lost her senses with age?
Her body was still young... Even now, grown by his power, she looked quite youthful. No prior romantic experience whatsoever—surely that was fine?
...Or does lack of experience make me pathetic?
No, not him. My Yeonja wouldn't think that.
Besides, the saintess—once a comrade—had said men adored painting on a blank canvas, the less experience the better.
It'll be fine. I have no male experience...
...Wait, does getting punched or kicked count?
Unnecessary worries mounting. Gulp.
Sticky saliva slid down her throat. Swallowing the sudden flood, she instinctively glanced at him.
Then Dina wildly shook her head, screaming inwardly.
Bah! What does it matter! We're just dodging the rain—for both of us!
A reflexive, embarrassed cough escaped. "Ahem, khm..."
Ian turned back with a puzzled look. "You okay, Dina?"
"......'Tis nothing. Rather, have we reached the room?"
"Yeah, right there. Room 5-2."
He pointed to the sign on the wall. Sure enough: 5-2.
A number I'll never forget.
Click.
The door opened, and Ian led her inside by the hand.
Dim interior. A luxury hotel room, impeccably tidy.
"......Huh. Nice. Clean room too."
"Y-Yes... Quite tidy, indeed."
She stammered in reply to his words. Caught his sidelong glance.
He asked softly, "Dina, why so tense?"
"T-Tense? This one knows no such thing."
Feigning composure, bravado. But her quivering voice and stutter screamed nerves.
It's obvious—what am I even saying...!
Dina inwardly berated her foolish self.
Mindful, Ian pulled her gently to the bed without comment. "C'mere, let's sit. My legs are starting to ache."
"Ah, very well."
Plush bed. Soft quilt's touch.
"Dina, um......"
She felt his cautious gaze. He started to speak, then hesitated.
What does he want to say?
Waiting demurely felt stifling.
Better ask straight.
No sense agonizing alone.
"Yeonja, what troubles thee?"
At her probe, Ian scratched his head sheepishly. "Nah, it's just... looking at you now, you're suddenly so damn pretty."
"Ah......? S-Such words so abruptly—'tis embarrassing."
Her head dipped. Yeonja and his bold embarrassments. Even soaked and unsightly...
Dina's heart fluttered, but Ian flushed no less.
......Ugh.
Not embarrassment at being in a hotel with a woman. Since earnings improved, he'd done this with Cheong-ah or Bella now and then... even all three together.
So why the sudden awkwardness?
Because a sealed room with a familiar lover differed vastly from being alone with an unfamiliar woman.
Dina wasn't unfamiliar, true. But she wasn't a lover either, was she?
Like a little sister, yet reliably comrade-like at times. Lately, openly affectionate, appealing as a woman.
How could he dislike it when her charms overflowed? More than enough to spark his own attraction.
Though her usual childlike form—goddess's curse—let him cling to restraint...
She's an adult now?
Grown by his blessing into womanhood. His own body youthened, vigor surging.
Just holding hands en route, he'd felt his groin stirring. Still throbbed hard now.
Lucky his loose pants hid it...
"Ah, aah... Y-Yeonja, forgive me! I-I didn't mean to look!"
Dina, head lowered, caught sight of his prominent bulge and whipped away in shock.
"......Ah."
Right, no hiding that. Even standing, it'd strained like drilling through pants. Dim hall helped if not stared at.
Sitting now, shape distorted clearly inside. Especially with her head aimed right there.
Stiff, awkward air between them.
Can't be helped, huh...
Then—
"A-achoo."
Dina's tiny, stifled sneeze.
Never caught cold in my life...!
Of all moments. She inwardly cursed the timing.
Only then did Ian notice she was still drenched.
"Dina, shower first."
"Ah, aaah...?!! W-What dost thou mean?! Yeonja! I-I said no such plans for today! I apologized for my slip earlier—why sudden like this?! Yeonja, this one needs time to prepare her heart...!"
She panicked, words tumbling at "shower."
Ian hurried to clarify. "......No, not that. Shower with warm water—you'll catch cold."
"Hah!? I-Is that so?! Forgive me! This one misunderstood."
"Whatever, just go shower. I'll grab clothes for you."
"Ah, very well. Sorry, Yeonja."
Dina grabbed towels and entered the bath. Soon, whoosh—the shower ran.
"What clothes for Dina...?"
Something comfy...
"......Wait."
Rummaging, Ian realized: She'd taken only two towels. Nothing else.
Won't wear wet clothes out, so she'll emerge naked.
Lewd thoughts circled his head. Hair seemed to grow faster. Groin swelled again.
"......Hoo."
Brief deliberation. Ian rose slowly, shedding wet clothes one by one.
"Fuck it."
Not some eunuch.
Muttering, he pushed open the shower door and stepped in.
Dina stood eyes closed under warm water. Sensing him, she turned—then startled at his nudity.
"Y-Yeonja...?!"
Ian closed in swiftly. Where was the bold, big-sis vibe from her earlier kiss-tease? Even in adult form now, she seemed small, cute somehow.
"Dina."
"W-Wai, wait—mmph?!"
Soft lips met hers; eyes widened round. Then his tongue tapped playfully—hers drifted shut.
"......Mmwah, slurp."
The deepening kiss. Dina wrapped her arms around his neck.