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Chapter Text

"So, what do you think?"

"What do I think?" Jihyo scoffed, her eyes scanning the expansive space around her. With a sigh, she dropped her duffel bag onto one of the nearby wicker chairs. "That this is too much," she answered the girl on the other end of the line. The soft sound of waves breaking in the distance drifted in through the open windows, mixing with the cries of seagulls. The salty, humid coastal air caressed her skin.

"What?" Joohyun asked, her voice sounding confused through the phone. "Why?"

Jihyo exchanged glances with Jeongyeon, who was standing by one of the large ocean-view windows, the morning sun bathing her in a golden glow. She pressed the cell phone to her ear and smiled, a genuine smile that lit up her face. "Because I thought we were staying in a hotel, not a beach house!" Her eyes sparkled with amazement as she observed the vaulted ceiling of light wood and the wide windows that let in natural light.

"Does it bother you?" Joohyun's voice held real concern, almost a whisper.

"No, not at all!" Jihyo exclaimed, and at that moment, an even wider smile spread across her face as she saw Sana enter through the main door, the girls following closely behind, enthusiastically pointing at something in the distance and pulling her in different directions, their high-pitched voices filling the space with laughter. Jihyo raised her eyebrows at her girlfriend, who just rolled her eyes with a knowing smile, her ponytail swaying slightly, letting Chaeyoung guide her toward one of the hallway doors and open it with childish curiosity.

Jihyo sighed, her admiration palpable in her tone, her eyes scanning the carefully selected furniture. "How on earth could you afford this? It looks like it's straight out of a magazine."

"I didn't think you cared about my money," Joohyun said with a chuckle on the other end of the line, the sound slightly distorted by the distance.

"But this must have cost you a fortune! Look at these views, and the space!" Jihyo replied, her eyes still marveling at the wide living room that opened up to the blue immensity.

"Calm down," Joohyun told her, her voice soothing, almost lulling. "It didn't cost me a dime."

"What are you talking about?" Jihyo frowned, confused, the sea breeze softly drifting through the windows.

"I pulled some strings; they owed me a favor," Joohyun explained in a casual tone, as if she were talking about the weather.

Jihyo scoffed in disbelief, leaning against the frame of a mahogany door. "You asked for a whole house as a favor? A beach house like this?"

"Only for a week," Joohyun replied. "It's all yours; you can do whatever you want. It has four rooms with private bathrooms, so Momo will be able to sleep in her own room, and the girls will have to share one."

Jihyo huffed again, but this time with a hint of undeniable satisfaction, and walked toward one of the nearest rooms. She went in and examined it, noting the large four-poster bed, dressed in immaculate white linen, the windows that faced outside, and two large sliding glass doors to one side. She opened one, and the sunlight flooded in, blinding her for a moment with its golden intensity. She opened it completely and took a few cautious steps, feeling the soft, warm sand under her feet. The waves broke rhythmically on the shore, a constant and relaxing sound. "It's beautiful," she said, astonishment in her voice, looking at the immensity of the ocean that stretched to the horizon.

"I knew you'd like it," Joohyun said, a note of pride evident in her voice, echoing through the phone.

Jihyo sighed, the soft sound mixing with the lull of the waves. "You really outdid yourself, Hyun. This is... incredible."

"Maybe a little," Joohyun's laugh was light, almost a distant echo. "But it was worth it, wasn't it?"

Jihyo was about to reply that it was perfect when she heard soft footsteps behind her, the slight creak of the wood underfoot. She slowly turned her gaze to see Sana entering the room, with her suitcases in each hand, her hair a little ruffled by the breeze. She left them at the foot of the large bed, with a soft thud that barely broke the silence, and gave Jihyo a smile, a smile that lit up her eyes.

Jihyo returned it instantly, feeling a comforting warmth spread across her chest. "Yes, of course, it was," she told Joohyun, her voice now tinged with a deeper gratitude. "And thank you, truly. It's more than we ever imagined."

"It's nothing, really," Joohyun replied with a casualness that Jihyo knew was forced. "You don't have to thank me."

"Even so, it's..."

Sana moved closer to her, her arms wrapping around her from behind in a soft, protective hug. She left a warm kiss on Jihyo's cheek, the contact of her lips gentle. Jihyo placed a hand over the arms that were embracing her, feeling the warmth of Sana's body and the calm beat of her heart. "You went overboard, as always. This must have been a headache."

"It's fine," Joohyun said in a carefree tone, although Jihyo could detect a slight pang of fatigue in her voice. "Like I told you, I just pulled a few strings. It was no big deal." There was a pause, and Jihyo imagined Joohyun at her own house, perhaps with a cup of tea in her hand. "Oh, you need to tell Jeongyeon and Nayeon that I'm depositing the money they sent me for the return trip back into their accounts."

Jihyo frowned, gently squeezing Sana's hand. "I don't think they'll take that well. You know how proud they are."

"I won't accept the money," Joohyun replied with a firmness that left no room for doubt. "Besides, it will be more useful to them. They can use it for their shopping or for a spa day there. You know how they are."

Jihyo sighed again, feeling another kiss from Sana, this time more prolonged, on her shoulder. The sweet scent of her perfume and the saltiness of the ocean enveloped her. "Okay, I'll tell them. But I don't promise anything with those two." A small smile formed on her lips as Sana's hug tightened a little more.

Jihyo hummed softly, her voice resonating against Sana's chest. "And you, when are you leaving?"

"In a couple of hours," Joohyun said, the sound of a metallic zipper audible on the other end of the line. "Seulgi is finishing up a few last-minute things. We'll leave tonight."

Jihyo smiled, pointing slightly at the sky with her chin, where a fluffy, dog-shaped cloud with a small curly tail lazily peeked out. Sana let out a soft giggle against her neck, her warm breath making Jihyo shiver pleasantly. The girl sighed, enjoying the moment; the weight of Sana against her was reassuring. "So," Jihyo continued, "after so much mystery, where are you two going?"

Joohyun groaned on the other end of the line, a sound of frustration. "I don't know, really. Seulgi has been irritatingly ambiguous. She says it's a surprise and won't spill the beans."

"That's a good thing!" Jihyo exclaimed, turning slightly in Sana's embrace to look into her eyes for an instant before returning to her position. "You should be good to your wife. She goes to great lengths for you."

"I know!" Joohyun protested, and Jihyo could almost see her rolling her eyes. "Too much, I can assure you. It's just that I want to know now. I'm impatient, you know that."

"You'll know soon," Jihyo assured her with a soft, musical laugh. "And I expect a souvenir from wherever you go. Something pretty, huh?"

"I'll bring you several things, don't worry," Joohyun promised. Jihyo heard the sound of the girl moving, the rustle of clothes, and the dragging of a suitcase across the floor, as if she were in a hurry. Then, a deeper sigh, this time of resignation or perhaps anticipation. "Now, I have to go. I have to finish packing my suitcase before Seulgi drags me out the door."

Jihyo hummed in approval, a soft murmur. "Okay. Let me know when you arrive safely, please. And don't forget to send me a photo of Seulgi's surprise, huh?"

"I will, don't worry," Joohyun said, her voice now a little more hurried. "Take good care of yourselves and have fun. Give Sana my regards."

Jihyo rolled her eyes affectionately, a mischievous smile forming on her lips. "Sure, sure. Goodbye, Hyun. Enjoy your surprise!" The line went dead with a soft click, leaving Jihyo immersed in the sound of the waves and Sana's warm embrace.

"What did she say?" the Japanese woman asked, her voice soft and melodic, as she took Jihyo by the waist to turn her gently until Jihyo was facing her.

"That the house is ours for a week," Jihyo replied, raising her hand to release Sana's hair from the high ponytail that held it. Her fingers began to run through the soft strands, lightly massaging her scalp with a tender gesture. "It's amazing, isn't it?"

"Yes," Sana wrinkled her nose slightly, an adorable gesture, and looked toward the beach, where the golden light of the sunset was beginning to paint the waves. "The view is beautiful, I have to admit. And the rest of the place is perfect; the girls have already taken over their room and are unpacking as if they were going to stay forever."

"And what about the others?" Jihyo asked, interested, as her fingers continued to play with Sana's soft hair, now completely loose and falling in waves over her shoulders.

"They're fighting over the last room," Sana said, laughing softly, the sound vibrating against Jihyo's chest. "It has a jacuzzi on the terrace—it's insane."

Jihyo let out a laugh, imagining the scene. Sana continued, with an amused look. "In fact, they wanted this room," she said, looking over her shoulder toward the interior of the spacious room before returning her gaze to Jihyo. "We were lucky you came in before Momo could claim it and barricade herself inside."

"Yeah, I guess so," Jihyo replied with a playful smile, her eyes twinkling. "Besides, it's nice, don't you think? It has a full view of the beach. We can sneak out whenever we want to swim under the stars without anyone noticing."

Sana nodded slowly, her eyes fixed on Jihyo's. Delicately, she brushed a rebellious strand of hair from Jihyo's face, her thumb caressing her cheek. She watched her for a moment, the air charged with sweet anticipation, before slowly leaning in to kiss her. But before their lips could meet, the door burst open with a bang, revealing two small figures.

Tzuyu and Chaeyoung quickly entered, like tiny whirlwinds, interrupting the intimate moment. Sana pulled away from Jihyo, a disguised cough escaping her throat, and turned with a forced smile to look at the girls.

"We finished unpacking!" Tzuyu exclaimed, her face lit up with excitement and a smudge of sand on her cheek.

"Are you sure? Did you put everything in the drawers?" Sana asked, raising an eyebrow with skepticism.

Tzuyu nodded firmly, "Yes! Everything's ready!" Then she approached Jihyo, tugging lightly on her shirt. "Can we go swimming now? Please, please!" Her big, pleading eyes looked up at Jihyo.

Jihyo smiled at her, a glimmer of amusement in her gaze. "Maybe, but we should ask the others if they want to come with us. We can't leave them alone."

Sana turned to see Chaeyoung, who was looking between Jihyo and Sana with wide eyes, full of curiosity and a childish suspicion. The Japanese woman extended her hand to the girl, who still hadn't said a word, and asked her sweetly, "And you, Chaeng Chaeng, what do you want to do?"

Chaeyoung took Sana's hand instantly, her small fingers clinging on with enthusiasm. "I want to swim! I brought my toys to share with Tzuyunnie!" Her voice was high-pitched and filled with uncontrollable excitement.

Jihyo and Sana exchanged glances, a silent understanding passing between them. Jihyo sighed softly, a mix of resignation and amusement. Then she leaned in a little toward Chaeyoung, with a conspiratorial smile. "And did your moms finish fighting with Momo over the room yet?"

Chaeyoung shook her head vigorously, her braids swaying back and forth. Tzuyu chimed in with childish seriousness, her eyes big and round. "Aunt Momo was shouting and threatening to throw herself into the jacuzzi if they didn't let her have the room."

Jihyo rolled her eyes, letting out a stifled laugh. "Looks like we're going to have to look after three kids the whole trip, not just two. What a sight."

Sana smiled, a bubbling laugh escaping her lips, squeezing Chaeyoung's hand. "Maybe. I think maybe we should go see how things are now. That way we can ask your moms if they want to go swimming and make sure Nayeon didn't drown Momo in the jacuzzi." Her eyes twinkled with mischief.

Jihyo rolled her eyes again but nodded; the plan was solid enough. Tzuyu and Chaeyoung smiled widely, their faces illuminated. They ran out of the room, their high-pitched, happy laughter echoing down the hallway. Sana followed them, but before disappearing through the doorway, she turned and held out a hand to Jihyo, her eyes inviting her to join her. Jihyo took it with a playful groan, allowing Sana to gently pull her toward the living room.

Once outside the room, they walked down the hallway. The only sounds were the distant, high-pitched giggles of the girls; the rest of the house was dangerously quiet. "I know I was just joking, but now I'm worried they actually drowned her," Sana commented with a slight tone of unease in her voice, without letting go of Jihyo's hand. She continued to pull her gently, moving gracefully among the elegant furniture of the main living room until they reached the closed door of the bedroom.

"Don't worry, because Momo can put up a good fight. Besides, Nayeon is weak; she couldn't do it. Have you seen the muscles Hirai has?" Jihyo said, scoffing with amusement as she reached out a hand to open the room door.

"You notice the muscles Momo has?" Sana asked, raising an eyebrow with a mischievous smile, stopping Jihyo's action by gently holding her wrist.

"Maybe," Jihyo replied, a mischievous smile peeking out on her lips.

Sana scoffed and rolled her eyes, a playful gesture. Jihyo pouted. "You can't say you haven't seen them, too. It's hard not to notice."

"I won't say anything else," Sana conceded, a barely contained smile. Jihyo was about to protest, but Sana gave her a radiant smile, moving to open the door to the room.

Inside, everything was dangerously quiet. Sana peered in first, cautiously, followed by Jihyo. With unease, they noticed Nayeon and Momo lying on the large bed, each with their cell phone, just looking at it without saying a word, their faces strangely serene. Jihyo frowned, looking around the room, which seemed to have survived a pitched battle without a scratch. "What happened here?" she asked, her voice tinged with skepticism.

Nayeon looked up from her phone, her eyes blinking. "What happened with what?"

Sana approached slowly, watching them with suspicion. "You're surprisingly... calm. Too calm."

"Yeah," Momo said, not looking up from her screen. "We reached an agreement."

"And what is it?" Jihyo asked, her curiosity piqued.

Momo finally looked up, an expression of triumph mixed with exhaustion. "Because neither of us wanted to give up, and because Jeongyeon flat-out refused to let me sleep in here with them, I just have permission to use the jacuzzi whenever I want."

Jihyo blinked. "That's it? That's what all the drama was about?"

"It was hard to get there!" Momo exclaimed, sitting up in bed. "Jeongyeon wanted to completely forbid me from entering! She said it was the only way to have peace!"

Sana scoffed, looking around the room. "And where is Jeongyeon now? Did she give up and go into hiding?"

"In the bathroom," Nayeon said, gesturing with her thumb toward the wooden door. "Getting changed. I don't blame her; she needs a break after mediating this room madness." A dramatic sigh escaped her lips.

Jihyo nodded, her mind returning to the girls' request. "About that, as you know, the girls are bursting with excitement. They want to go swimming."

Momo, who was still sitting on the bed with her phone almost glued to her face, lazily pointed toward the window that overlooked the sea. "They have practically the whole beach to themselves, so let them go crazy!"

"That won't be possible," Sana said firmly, crossing her arms and adopting a more serious posture.

Momo frowned, lowering her phone for a moment. "Why not? Did they lose their swimsuits?"

"Tzuyu doesn't know how to swim," Sana explained patiently, her gaze fixed on Momo. "And I don't think the best option to teach her is the ocean. It's too deep, and the waves are strong, even on a calm day like today."

Jihyo nodded, her face serious. "In fact, I agree with that. The sea can be treacherous for a beginner. It's an unnecessary risk."

Momo looked at Jihyo with narrowed eyes, a look of slight offense crossing her face. "When I asked for help learning to swim, you just threw me into a pool and tossed me a life preserver, and I was scared of the deep end!"

"The difference here is that my daughter is 8 years old," Jihyo replied with a sarcastic smile, raising an eyebrow, "and you're almost 30, Momo. You're a full-grown adult."

Momo made a face of indignation, as if she had been insulted. "I'm the same age as your girlfriend, Park! Don't be dramatic and don't add years to my age!" She pointed an accusing finger at Sana.

Nayeon, who had been observing the interaction with barely disguised amusement, intervened before the discussion could escalate. "Actually, that's a good idea. I also don't have the energy to deal with sand sticking everywhere, or the afternoon sun burning my skin. We can go to the pool. Joohyun gave you a guide or something, didn't she? I remember seeing it on the living room table."

Jihyo nodded, grateful for the interruption. "Yes, there's a heated community pool a few minutes from here. We can walk, or if we're feeling lazy, we can drive. There's plenty of space for the girls to play and for us to relax."

Nayeon smiled widely, with a glint of relief in her eyes. "Then we'll do that. I'll look for my swimsuit and a big towel."

"We'll do the same," Sana said, smiling as well.

Momo sighed dramatically and got up from the bed, stretching like a lazy cat, her muscles briefly tensing under the fabric of her clothes. "I already have my swimsuit on under this, but I guess Nayeon will kick me out any moment, so I'll go find a good spot on my own."

"Good choice," Nayeon told her with a laugh, already heading toward her own suitcase.

Momo gave her a mocking grin and walked out, while Jihyo and Sana followed her with a shared sigh, closing the room door behind them. Momo walked to the main living room, sitting lazily on a large, fluffy armchair, already with her cell phone in hand.

Sana scoffed with a smile, giving Momo a light, playful tap on the head as she passed before walking quickly toward their room. Jihyo followed her, closing the door behind her.

The Japanese woman moved nimbly toward her open suitcase on the floor, pulling out several brightly colored garments, some with tropical patterns.

Jihyo, for her part, locked the door with an audible click and cleared her throat, a slight nervousness in the air. Then she moved to get her own medium-sized rolling suitcase. Sana pursed her lips, holding up two swimsuits in a seductive way. "Which one do you think is better, honey?"

Jihyo looked at the swimsuits. One was a pastel bikini with ruffles, delicate and feminine; the other was a black one-piece with daring cutouts that hinted at much more than it covered. "Are you going to wear... that?" she asked, pointing to the black bikini, her eyes slightly widened.

Sana nodded with an innocent smile, her big, expressive eyes twinkling with mischief. Jihyo let out a shaky breath, her eyes darting back and forth between the two options, noticing the confidence with which Sana held the bolder piece. "The black one... the black one looks nice," she managed to say, her voice a little hoarser than expected.

Sana nodded, her smile widening, moving fluidly to begin taking off her cotton shirt, revealing the smooth skin of her abdomen. Jihyo cleared her throat, suddenly feeling awkward and a heat rising to her cheeks. She moved to her own suitcase, distractedly looking for something, rummaging through clothes without a clear objective. She moved a couple of garments, pursing her lips, shaking her head to herself, searching more deeply into the bottom, feeling Sana's silent scrutiny. Beside her, Sana finished changing, the soft rustle of fabric slipping. "What do you think?" she asked in a melodious voice.

Jihyo turned to look at her, her eyes slowly traveling up Sana's body, from her toned legs to the curve of her hip, the perfect fit of the black swimsuit accentuating every contour. She felt her cheeks flush even more, an uncontrollable blush before she forced herself to look into her eyes. "You look beautiful," she managed to say, the truth in her voice undeniable.

Sana smiled, a satisfied smile that lit up her face. She took a light floral dress from a nearby hanger and put it on with grace, covering the daring swimsuit. Then she approached Jihyo, the closeness of their bodies making Jihyo's heart beat a little faster. She left a soft, prolonged kiss on her girlfriend's cheek, her lips soft and warm. She leaned on her shoulder, her warm breath against her neck, the scent of her perfume now more intense. "What are you going to wear?"

"I don't know, whatever, really," Jihyo said, a hint of distraction in her voice, still processing the image of Sana in the swimsuit. Her fingers tightened slightly on the fabric of her own suitcase.

Sana hummed thoughtfully as Jihyo continued to pull things out of her suitcase, discarding options with small murmurs. Finally, Jihyo decided on a black crop top with vibrant green patterns and matching shorts. Sana separated from her, going to sit on the bed, with her legs crossed, watching her expectantly.

Jihyo swallowed hard, looking at the garment in her hands and then at Sana, repeating the pattern several times. Finally, she sighed, letting out a trembling breath. Moving her hands with deliberate slowness, she began to take off her shirt, very aware of Sana's gaze on her. She clenched her jaw, removing the shirt and folding it carefully. She felt silly, really. It wasn't the first time Sana had looked at her like this, and it definitely wouldn't be the last, yet she still felt like a blushing teenager.

“Do you need help with that, my love?”

Jihyo cleared her throat, the heat in her cheeks spreading. “Yes, please.”

Sana nodded, smiling sweetly, and gracefully moved to walk behind Jihyo. With delicate hands, she unhooked Jihyo's bra, and Jihyo trembled slightly, a shiver that wasn't from the cold. “Thank you,” Jihyo murmured, feeling a bit more relieved instantly.

Sana didn’t move away from her position. Slowly, she placed a hand on Jihyo's back, the warmth of her fingers against the exposed skin, and gently turned her until Jihyo was looking at her. The girl smiled slightly, her cheeks tinged with a soft pink, and asked in a sweet voice, “What’s wrong?”

Sana lowered her gaze, directly to Jihyo's ribs, and raised a hand to lightly brush the skin with a gentle touch. “Does it hurt anywhere?” she asked, concern palpable in her voice, her eyes fixed on the spot.

Jihyo looked at her in surprise, her eyes wide open. She definitely expected something more, perhaps a flirtation or a more intimate caress. Finally, she reacted, shaking her head. “No, it doesn’t.”

Sana nodded, gently withdrawing her hand and leaning in to kiss Jihyo's forehead, a tender and chaste gesture. “Do you want me to leave so you can finish changing? Or I can turn around?”

Jihyo smiled, a mischievous glint in her eyes, and tilted her head, softly shaking it. She moved closer to Sana, their bodies brushing against each other, to place a soft kiss on her lips. “Don’t worry, I trust you.”

Sana smiled, her eyes shining with affection, and stepped back, walking back to the bed. She sat on the edge, now looking out at the vast and mesmerizing sea through the doors. Jihyo smiled, feeling her heart beat strongly in her chest, and finished getting dressed.

She picked up a light shirt with an open back and put it on, the fabric cool against her skin. “I’m ready,” she said, turning to face Sana.

Sana took a moment, her eyes contemplating the horizon, before turning to look at Jihyo. She smiled, a sweet and serene expression, and stood up. She walked to get a large beach bag, into which she began to put several soft towels, dry clothes, and a bottle of sunscreen. Jihyo came over to help her a little, folding a towel and handing her the sunblock. Finally, Sana smiled, tying the bag. "It's time to go see if the others are ready, too."

Jihyo nodded, her enthusiasm growing with every second. She let Sana lead the way, walking out of the room and into the hallway, ready for the day.

—

"Okay!" Sana said, finishing spreading sunscreen on Tzuyu's face with smooth, circular motions. The protector shone slightly on the little girl's skin, protecting her from the sun. "Are you ready, Tzuyunnie?"

"Yes, Miss Sana!" the girl said, raising a hand seriously and placing it next to her face like a miniature soldier, her big, bright eyes full of enthusiasm.

"And you, Chaeng Chaeng, are you ready?" Sana asked, turning to the other girl.

"Yes, Miss Sana!" the little girl replied, replicating the same military gesture as Tzuyu, a mischievous smile on her lips.

"Good!" the Japanese woman said, her voice full of cheer, and began to walk toward the pool stairs, where the crystal-clear water invited a dip. The sun reflected on the surface of the water, creating tiny sparkles. "This is the first swimming lesson, Chaengie, do you want to remind Tzuyu of the important rules?"

Chaeyoung turned to look at Tzuyu, her face adopting an expression of fake seriousness. "You must wear your floatie at all times, not go to the deep end if you're not with an adult, not run near the pool, and not eat in it," she recited solemnly.

Tzuyu nodded, serious, absorbing every word as if it were a crucial mission.

"That's it!" Sana said proudly. "Now it's time to get in." She was the first to do so, touching the pool with her foot before slowly submerging herself until the water covered her thighs. "You can come in; the water's fine," she announced, her voice echoing slightly in the calm of the place.

Chaeyoung was the first to obey, walking determinedly toward the steps and entering with an enthusiastic jump, splashing water around with a high-pitched laugh.

"It's your turn, Tzuyunnie," Sana said to Tzuyu, extending a hand to her. Tzuyu nodded, her small body moving cautiously to enter the water. Sana moved closer, taking her hand and helping her down the slippery steps. Tzuyu touched the water with her fingertips, her eyes curious, and asked Sana, "What's the first thing we have to do?"

Sana thought for a moment, her gaze lost in the shimmering surface of the water. "Now... I don't really know," she admitted, a slight hesitation in her voice.

Momo, who was watching them from outside the pool, let out a look of disbelief, taking off her clothes with quick movements to reveal her swimsuit. She moved gracefully to enter the water. "You should use my technique," she told her.

Sana turned quickly, pulling Tzuyu closer to her side. "I'm not going to throw her into the pool!" she exclaimed, a hint of indignation in her voice.

"That's Jihyo's technique!" Momo retorted with a laugh.

From one of the lounge chairs by the pool, Jihyo, who was applying sunscreen to her arms, scoffed softly, not looking up from her task.

"My technique is simple," Momo insisted, with a smile on her lips that promised mischief.

"What is it?" Sana asked, genuinely curious and a little exasperated by the interruption.

Momo turned to Tzuyu, her eyes shining with kindness and an unusual patience. "The first thing you have to do is lose your fear," she explained. "Are you scared?"

Tzuyu looked at Sana, seeking approval in her eyes. Sana nodded with a reassuring smile, giving the girl confidence. Then, Tzuyu looked at Momo and murmured, "A little, Auntie."

"Don't worry about a thing!" Momo exclaimed, her voice full of confidence, a resounding echo in the open space. "You have five perfectly capable adults to take care of you; nothing will happen to you." She pointed to Chaeyoung, who was laughing nearby, splashing water enthusiastically, her dark curls soaked. "Soon you'll be able to swim with Chaengie."

Tzuyu took a moment, her big eyes weighing Momo's words, and then nodded slowly, her determination growing like a little flower. "What's the first step?" she asked, her voice full of childlike anticipation.

Sana pouted, a playful grimace she couldn't hide. "You stole my apprentice," she said, crossing her arms with an air of fake defeat.

"I didn't," Momo replied with a mischievous smile. "We'll both teach her."

Sana nodded, her smile returning, lighting up her face. "Okay."

Momo nodded in turn and said, her voice didactic, "What you have to do now is learn to float, which is simple." She moved toward the deeper part of the pool, gliding effortlessly into the cool water. She began to move her hands and feet slowly, her body floating with a natural grace on the surface, the sun glistening on the water droplets that formed on her skin. "The movements have to be calm and confident," she explained, her voice resounding clearly over the gentle splashing of the water.

Tzuyu said with determination, "I want to try it."

Sana nodded, her smile encouraging, and helped her, holding her hands. "For now, it will be easier for you since you have your floaties, but it's still a good start," she explained. Tzuyu nodded, feeling her feet leave the pool floor. For an instant, panic washed over her, and she quickly moved closer to Sana to cling to her.

Sana hugged her gently. "It's okay, it's okay, nothing will happen to you," she whispered. Tzuyu nodded, taking a deep breath, and slowly pulled away, feeling the support of the water. Just then, Chaeyoung passed by them, kicking and throwing water enthusiastically, her giggles echoing.

"You can do it!" she told Tzuyu in a sing-song voice.

Tzuyu nodded, gathering her courage, and moved further away, cautiously moving her feet and arms, imitating Momo's calm movements. She looked at the water beneath her and then looked up at Sana, her eyes bright with excitement. "I'm doing it!" she exclaimed.

"Yes!" Sana told her with a proud smile. Tzuyu turned to see Jihyo, who was sitting in one of the lounge chairs next to the pool. "Mommy, I'm doing it!" she shouted.

Jihyo, with a big smile, responded with the same enthusiasm: "You're doing a great job!"

Then Jeongyeon, who was watching from the edge, spoke, her voice clear and animated. "Soon you'll swim better than all of us!"

Tzuyu smiled widely, radiant with pride, and Momo approached, the water gently stirring around her. "The first step is complete," Momo said, proud of her little apprentice's progress.

"What's next?" Tzuyu asked, her eyes full of expectation.

Momo smiled at her, a playful glint in her eyes, and began to move, the water around her body forming gentle ripples, ready for the next lesson.

—

After that, time flew by, and thanks to Momo and Sana's help, Tzuyu had made great progress. She was already moving confidently in the water on her own, following Chaeyoung with enthusiasm, her giggles echoing through the pool.

Sana sighed, running a hand through her hair to push it away from her face. She watched Jeongyeon and Momo swimming in the distance, splashing water and laughing like children. Then, her gaze fell on Nayeon, who was laughing at something Tzuyu had said, holding her tenderly in her arms. Sana smiled and turned her gaze to Jihyo, who was sitting on the edge of the pool. Slowly, she began to move toward her, the water barely reaching her mid-waist. Jihyo heard her and quickly smiled, moving to meet Sana halfway.

Sana lowered her gaze, the sun shining in her eyes. "What are you doing there all alone?" she asked, the gentle splashing of the water accompanying her words.

"Just watching the girls, they're having fun," Jihyo replied, her voice soft, with a smile that barely showed.

"Yes," Sana said with a giggle, a light, happy sound. "I'm sure they'll end up dead tired."

Jihyo hummed in agreement. "Yes, maybe, and very hungry, too."

Sana laughed, wrinkling her nose adorably, a gesture Jihyo found irresistible. Jihyo moved, taking Sana's arms gently to move and place them softly around her neck, closing the little distance that separated them. Sana raised an eyebrow, surprised by the boldness, and Jihyo gave her a smile full of mischief.

"What are you doing?" Sana asked, her voice a barely audible whisper, her heart beginning to race.

"Nothing," Jihyo answered, with an even bigger smile. Her hands slid down Sana's legs, moving up slowly, causing the girl to instinctively wrap them around her waist. The closeness was intoxicating.

"The girls are here," Sana said, her eyes wide, looking at Jihyo with a mix of surprise and warning.

Jihyo gently shook her head, her eyes fixed on Sana's, a deep tenderness reflected in them. "We're not doing anything wrong; we're just hugging," she said with a reassuring smile, disarming any objection.

Sana sighed, a silent acceptance, and nodded, pulling her even closer, feeling Jihyo's hands secure her embrace on her lower back. Jihyo moved them, gliding smoothly through the water, until they were closer to Nayeon and Tzuyu. Seeing them, Tzuyu smiled widely and asked, with innocence, "Are you going to play?"

Jihyo smiled and replied, with an evident fondness in her voice, "Maybe, but we'd rather watch you."

Just then, Chaeyoung came splashing forcefully, water flying around her as she approached. She pointed at Jeongyeon, who was a certain distance away, engrossed in her own race. "My mom is cheating in all the races she has with Miss Momo!" she exclaimed, her voice a playful reproach.

Sana let out a giggle, leaning to rest her cheek against Jihyo's shoulder, feeling her girlfriend's warm skin. "I didn't know your wife was a cheater," she said with a knowing smile, and with a quick flick of her hand, she splashed water at Nayeon, who was submerged up to her chest.

Nayeon, feeling the splash, flinched a little, shaking her head. "What can I say? I've learned to stay quiet," she said with a sarcastic smile, her eyes teasing.

Jihyo raised an eyebrow, in a clearly mocking tone. "You, quiet? Since when?"

Nayeon rolled her eyes with exasperation, letting go of Tzuyu, who was already getting impatient to go and continue playing with Chaeyoung. "Love changes people." She shrugged with a dramatic gesture.

Jihyo scoffed, a contained laugh vibrating in her chest. "I actually think you just give up."

Nayeon turned to Sana, her eyes full of a fake warning, though a smile peeked out on her lips. "Get away from your girlfriend."

"Why?" Sana asked, a playful smile on her lips, not moving an inch from Jihyo's embrace.

"Because I'm about to drown her," Nayeon replied with feigned seriousness, one hand pointing at Jihyo. "And I don't want you to pay the consequences."

Sana pretended to think about it, tilting her head to the side as she looked at Jihyo. "Unfortunately, Nayeon has a point," she said with a dramatic sigh.

"Are you going to abandon me?" Jihyo asked, in a tone that mixed surprise with a hint of playful disappointment.

Sana shrugged, looking around. The other girls weren't looking at them, engrossed in their own games. Then, Sana leaned in, kissing her deeply, squeezing her neck with one hand while the other rested on her waist. She pulled away slowly, the kiss leaving a warm trail on Jihyo's lips. "Yes, I will," she told her, a mischievous smile.

Without another word, she quickly swam away, watching as Nayeon swam toward Jihyo, jumping and dunking her under the water with a loud splash. Sana laughed, a big, loud laugh that echoed in the air. Then, she looked at the others, simply enjoying the afternoon, and her smile grew even wider.

—

"Ugh, I'm dead," Jeongyeon said, drying her hair with a fluffy white towel. She dropped onto one of the wicker armchairs in the living room with a sigh of exhaustion. "What's the plan now?"

"Dinner," Momo replied, adjusting the summer dress she had put on in front of the mirror. "Nothing works up my appetite like a good dip."

"Where are we going?" Tzuyu asked, her little legs moving excitedly, sitting on the floor by the window, still full of energy from the afternoon.

"I'm sure it's somewhere good," Sana replied, moving gently to touch Tzuyu's damp hair, pushing it away from her face. "There are a lot of places around here."

Nayeon frowned, walking out of the kitchen with a thoughtful expression, a towel still draped over her shoulder. "Where's Jihyo?" she asked, looking for her friend.

Sana sighed slightly, a melancholic expression on her face. "She's still asleep. She must be exhausted."

Jeongyeon also frowned. "Should we wake her up?"

"I don't think so," Sana replied, her voice tinged with indecision. She bit her lower lip. "She said she wasn't hungry, but it doesn't seem like a good idea to just leave her alone and have her wake up with no one in the house."

Jeongyeon considered the idea, her gaze fixed on the Japanese woman. "I can stay with her."

"Or we could buy dinner and come back," Nayeon added, offering another option as she leaned against the kitchen doorframe.

"No, no," Sana said quickly, shaking her head, her eyes pleading. "I really don't want to ruin the rest of your night."

"Even so, leaving the two of them doesn't feel right," Momo intervened, her voice showing a slight concern as she fixed her hair in front of a wall mirror.

Sana approached Momo, offering her a reassuring smile, placing a hand gently on her arm. "Don't worry, I'm not hungry either, and if I get hungry, I can make myself something. Besides, it's not the end of the world; we'll be here for a few more days. We'll go to dinner tomorrow." Then, she looked at Jeongyeon, her eyes trying to convince her. "We'll be fine."

Jeongyeon finally sighed, resignation on her face and her shoulders relaxing. "Okay, okay. We'll take the girls anyway. It seems like they need to burn off some energy, and that way you two can rest." The idea of a little peace and quiet for the other two seemed to relieve her.

Sana nodded, grateful. Then she turned to Tzuyu, who was listening attentively. "What do you think, Tzuyunnie?"

Tzuyu nodded enthusiastically, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. Quickly, she took Momo's hand, her small fingers wrapping around her aunt's. "I'll be good!" she promised.

Sana smiled and nodded, a warm glint in her eyes. "Then it's decided. Now you'd better go before it gets any later."

Jeongyeon stood up, stretching with a satisfying groan. "We'll take the car, and make sure you call us if anything happens, okay?" Her voice, though relaxed, had a hint of responsibility.

Sana nodded. "Don't worry, we will. Enjoy your night!"

"We'll bring you something back!" Momo said with a smile, as the others began to gather their things. The sound of Chaeyoung and Nayeon's laughter filled the air as they got ready.

Sana nodded with a smile. The girls got up, leaving the wet towels piled in a corner and grabbing their bags and light jackets. Sana watched them patiently, giving the girls one last affectionate smile before watching them walk out the door. The soft sound of the wood closing behind them left a sudden and profound silence in the house, broken only by the distant murmur of the ocean.

She sighed, the atmosphere now calm and serene, a comforting stillness. She moved slowly to turn off a few lights that were no longer needed in the living room, plunging the room into a cozy dimness.

Then, she walked to her room and opened the door with a reverent softness. Jihyo was in bed, sleeping peacefully, her breathing even, slight snores barely audible coming from her. The faint light of the room outlined her sleeping figure.

Sana smiled tenderly at the sight of her, her eyes full of affection, and covered her with a soft, light blanket to protect her from the incipient cold that was beginning to seep in with the night breeze. After that, she walked to the sliding doors of the terrace, opened them wide, and a burst of salty, fresh air invaded the room. She smiled as she contemplated the immensity of the beach, which stretched out under the sky that was turning dark, purple tones.

She went out and decided to sit directly on the warm sand, still retaining the day's heat, watching the spectacle of colors in the sky, where the first stars were beginning to speckle the growing darkness.

The rhythmic sound of the waves breaking on the shore was like a lullaby, enveloping her in a deep peace. She stayed there for a while, just looking at the beach, listening to the constant murmur of the ocean, and enjoying the moment. She was happy there; it was only the first day, and she believed nothing could be better. She was there, with her girlfriend, with Tzuyu, with her friends, far from all the bad things, from everything that could hurt them. Sana believed she couldn't ask for more. She smiled, her fingers digging into the sand, playing with the grains, and her smile grew even wider.

Then, she felt a presence behind her, a soft shadow that settled beside her. She turned in time to see Jihyo approaching, the traces of sleep still on her face and her hair slightly disheveled from the pillow. The sea breeze moved some strands over her eyes. Sana smiled at her and greeted her with a soft, "Hey."

"Hey," Jihyo sat down next to her in the sand with a sigh of satisfaction. "How long have I been asleep?" she asked, her voice a little hoarse, still with the drag of sleep.

"A couple of hours," Sana said, her gaze turning to Jihyo, her eyes fixed on her girlfriend's profile. "The girls left, and we'll be alone for a couple more hours."

Jihyo nodded, stifling a yawn she tried to hide with her hand, though the sound escaped her. "What are you doing here?" she asked, though she already seemed mesmerized by the view, her eyes scanning the vast expanse of the sea under the falling night.

"It's beautiful," Sana said, her eyes fixed on the sky that was beginning to fill with bright spots. "You can... see the stars, the moon. You don't see that easily at home, with all the city lights."

Jihyo smiled, observing the vast, starry sky that unfolded above them, a dark canvas speckled with diamonds. "You're right," she said, the tone of her voice filled with pure admiration.

Sana smiled, looking up to see her, noting how the faint moonlight illuminated Jihyo's face. "You should keep sleeping; you're probably tired."

"Not at all," Jihyo laughed softly, a melodious sound. "I think I could run a marathon now." Her energy seemed to have been completely restored by the rest.

"Sure," Sana joked, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "I want to see you try."

Jihyo smiled and lightly nudged Sana's shoulder with hers, a playful gesture that brought them even closer. Sana returned the smile, biting her lower lip with a contained sweetness. Then, she returned her gaze to the sea, staying silent for a few minutes, absorbed in the constant ebb and flow of the waves that dissolved into a fine white foam.

After a while, Sana spoke, her voice soft and reflective, almost a murmur against the vast backdrop of the ocean. "Do you remember our first trip?" she asked Jihyo, her fingers playing with the sand.

Jihyo, beside her, made a sound of acceptance, a deep and warm "Mmm" that indicated she was listening attentively.

"We said we would travel again," Sana continued, her voice tinged with nostalgia and a longing that now felt tangible. "With Tzuyu, to show her the city."

"I remember," Jihyo said, her eyes fixed on the starry horizon, as if she could see the memory projected in the darkness.

Sana smiled, lowering her gaze to the sand, her thoughts becoming more intimate. "For a while, I thought that was just going to be a fantasy." Jihyo looked at her, her expression of attentive listening was a refuge. Sana, with a slight tremor in her voice, raised her face to meet Jihyo's gaze, a vulnerability exposed in her eyes. "For a long time, I thought everything I wanted couldn't happen, you know?"

Jihyo nodded, her silent understanding a balm for Sana's soul. The Japanese woman sighed, a long and burdened sigh, as if releasing the weight of uncertainty. "I spent a lot of time imagining things, imagining what our dates would be like, our trips, what it would be like to be able to... I don't know, kiss you in public, go out and be able to pull you onto the dance floor to show you that you're mine." The words, a whispered confession, were lost in the sound of the waves.

Jihyo said nothing, just looked at her, her eyes filled with a deep tenderness and overflowing affection, absorbing every word from Sana as if they were the most precious. Sana smiled, taking Jihyo's hand, intertwining their warm fingers in a gesture of belonging. "And now," she scoffed, a choked laugh that turned into a sigh, her eyes shining with tears of pure joy that the moon seemed to gather. "I have everything I ever wanted."

Jihyo smiled, a soft, loving gesture that lit up her face under the faint moonlight. She moved closer to Sana, her body almost brushing hers, and cupped her cheek with her free hand, her thumb gently caressing the warm skin. "I think it was always possible," she whispered, her voice barely a sigh that the wind seemed to carry away. Sana looked at her, her eyes full of a silent question, of a newborn hope. Jihyo smiled, her dark eyes shining, reflecting the starry sky. "I know we didn't start in the most traditional way, and... there are so many things I want to try with you now. We have so many dates to plan, so many places to explore..." Her voice filled with a contagious enthusiasm, painting images of shared futures.

Sana smiled, her heart beating hard in her chest, feeling the sweetness of those words. Jihyo leaned in a little more, her warm breath brushing against Sana's ear. "I feel like we have all the time in the world now that things are calm, and that's what counts for now, don't you think?"

Sana nodded, Jihyo's words a balm for her restless soul. The weight of her worries dissipated with every syllable. Jihyo smiled at her. "I promise to give you all of that. I promise to make all your dreams come true from now on. I promise that I'll be the best girlfriend in the whole world. What's more, I'll be the last woman you ever love." Her voice was firm, laden with an unshakable conviction.

Sana scoffed, a mixture of laughter and surprise, a sweet disbelief. "Seriously?"

"Of course," Jihyo said, her voice full of certainty, her eyes fixed on Sana's, sealing the promise under the vast and silent starry sky, with the constant murmur of the ocean as a witness. "And to prove it to you..."

Jihyo slowly stood up, gently shaking the sand from her legs. Then, she turned to Sana and smiled, "Would you grant me this dance, Miss Minatozaki?" Jihyo asked, her hand extended directly in front of Sana, a silent invitation, waiting, wanting her to take it under the faint moonlight that reflected on them. The night air seemed to hang, expectant, carrying with it the faint murmur of the sea breeze.

Sana smiled sideways, narrowing her eyes, even if it did nothing to hide the playful glint emanating from them—a flash of pure joy and mischief. Her gaze was a mix of amusement and deep affection.

"Of course, Miss Park," she replied in a melodic voice that sent a pleasant shiver down Jihyo's spine, a melody that resonated in the girl's heart. She took the girl's hand, letting her grip become firm and warm before allowing Jihyo to gently pull her until she was standing, their bodies now closer, the proximity a sweet anticipation of the dance.

The soft sand under her feet, delicate and warm, made Sana let out an involuntary sigh, a sound of pure contentment that mingled with the whisper of the wind. Jihyo smiled, a tender gesture she didn't dare break, and pulled the girl closer, until her two hands rested gently on her waist. Sana, in turn, wrapped her arms around Jihyo's neck, pulling her in even more. Sana smiled, because she knew Jihyo was smaller than her, just a few centimeters, enough for her to think about teasing her, although the idea was merely a fleeting thought. But there, face to face, with the sea just a few meters away, the rhythmic sound of the waves crashing against each other, a natural soundtrack for their moment, Sana could smile, just a little, letting happiness wash over her.

She moved her hands slowly, delicately, drawing soft circles on the skin of Jihyo's back; it was smooth, a warm silk under her palms. She wasn't fragile, she knew, but she didn't want to mark her, she didn't want there to be a single scratch on the girl, on her girlfriend. She leaned in slightly, the soft scent of Jihyo's skin filling her nostrils, a sweet and comforting fragrance.

"You're beautiful," Sana murmured, her voice soft and full of overflowing affection, each syllable a testament to her admiration. "I'm so happy to be here, Jihyo."

Jihyo smiled, her eyes closing for an instant to savor the warmth of Sana's words, which enveloped her like a comforting hug. Sana's breath on her neck gave her a delicious shiver. "Are you?" Jihyo asked, her voice slightly broken by emotion. The sea breeze caressed their hair, and the sound of the waves became an echo of their own heartbeats.

Sana leaned in a little more, their foreheads almost touching, enjoying the closeness they felt, the outside world disappearing. "Yes," she said, her voice a whisper full of sincerity, a promise etched in the salty night air.

Jihyo smiled, a new sparkle in her eyes. Without a hint of hesitation, she began to move slowly, swaying to the rhythm of an invisible beat. There was no music, they weren't following specific dance steps—they were just moving, the two of them, in perfect sync, their bodies an extension of each other.

Sana smiled even wider, if that was possible, her eyes crinkling with pure bliss. She pulled away, just a little, to take Jihyo's hand and give her a small spin, an unexpected twirl that made Jihyo let out a loud, free laugh, echoing in the immensity of the deserted beach. There was no one there to hear them, nothing they had to protect themselves from.

Sana let out her own laugh, loud and almost broken by emotion, before pulling Jihyo close again, continuing their soft, rhythmic dance that only they understood. The girl exhaled sharply, now more confident, each movement more fluid, still delicate, with that touch of tenderness that neither of them wanted to let go of. But now with something more certain; her hands were firmly placed on Sana, her fingers gripping the fabric of Sana's thin dress, feeling every fiber, every inch of her girlfriend's tanned skin, every heartbeat of the closeness they shared.

"I didn't know you danced so well, Minatozaki," Jihyo whispered with a mischievous smile, her voice barely audible over the murmur of the waves. The sea breeze played with their loose hair, and the salty scent of the sea mingled with Sana's sweet fragrance.

"I have a few secret tricks," she replied, winking at her, her smile dazzling under the moonlight.

Jihyo nodded, pulling away a bit as she bit her lower lip, examining Sana's face: her large eyes, which shone with a contagious joy, her cheeks now flushed from effort and emotion, and her lips curved in a wide smile that took her breath away. "Are you going to reveal them all now?"

"No," Sana said, shaking her head with a smile that couldn't fit on her face. "That wouldn't be ideal. Otherwise, you'd stop being surprised." Her eyes twinkled with mischief.

"I don't think that's possible," Jihyo replied, laughing softly, the laugh a crystalline sound in the stillness of the night. They continued dancing, their bodies moving in an intuitive dance. This time it was her turn to give the Japanese woman a spin. She twirled her gently before pulling her back toward her, so that Sana's back was delicately resting against her chest, their bodies touching again, an intimate connection that bound them.

Jihyo swayed them a little, moving closer to Sana's neck, just inhaling her scent, a mix of sea salt and something sweet and floral, barely brushing her hair with her lips. "You were right when you said I won the lottery with you," she murmured, feeling the warmth of their closeness envelop her completely. "You're smart, beautiful, good with kids, you know how to cook and dance... Are you really real, Sana? Are you not a dream?"

Sana smiled, feeling the warmth in her face from Jihyo's sincere words. She tilted her head back a little, resting it on the girl's shoulder, and closed her eyes for an instant. "I'm as real as you are, Jihyo," she replied, her voice soft and full of overflowing affection. She could feel the steady beat of Jihyo's heart against her back, a soothing rhythm that anchored her to the present.

Jihyo smiled, a tender gesture that spread across her face. She tilted her head to finally leave a kiss on Sana's bare shoulder, delicate, barely a brush against the warm skin, a spark that ignited a fire. She didn't stop swaying, slowly, their bodies moving to a rhythm of their own. And then, she left another kiss, this time stronger, more defined, enough for Sana to sigh, a sound that vibrated in the air. Sana's hand moved instinctively to take Jihyo's arm that was wrapped around her waist, to anchor herself, so her knees wouldn't give out and she wouldn't fall onto the sand right there, under the starry sky.

Jihyo smiled again, her dark eyes shining. She moved a hand to remove the delicate hair of Sana's that was in her way, and when the girl's neck was finally free, she felt her mouth go dry, just a little. It was beautiful, delicate, firm, an irresistible invitation. Jihyo could feel Sana's faint pulse under her fingers and it was the perfect moment to kiss it, to do whatever she wanted.

She leaned in, leaving another kiss, soft and delicate, and then another, and another, until it became a moist trail of touches that ascended Sana's neck. Jihyo took her time; there was no hurry, not anymore.

She left a bite, not enough to break the skin, but enough for Sana to let out a muffled groan, an adorable and sensual sound in a way only she could make. Jihyo smiled against her skin, following the path, leaving kiss after kiss, until she reached her jaw, where she placed another bite, this time more forceful, more marked, feeling the tension under her lips.

Sana's eyes were closed, her mouth slightly ajar, and her breathing seemed to be balanced, as if it were under control, but Jihyo knew her too well. She could feel Sana's hand gripping her arm tightly, her fingers clenching with each new sensation, and her legs trembled slightly against her, a clear indication of the storm raging inside her.

Jihyo smiled for a moment, just to engrave in her memory how beautiful Sana looked like this, surrendered, vulnerable, with the blush rising on her neck and chest. She was in front of her, lost in sensations that only Jihyo could give her, and that thought filled her with a silent euphoria. And then, she acted. She pulled away from Sana, just a little, not letting the cold night air invade her too much, and Sana helped a lot, because she read her mind. Jihyo swore that the girl could do it at this point, that their minds were so connected that one read the other's desire.

Sana turned, quick and decisive, not caring about the soft shift of her feet in the sand, because her lips met Jihyo's. The kiss was instantaneous, a soft but urgent collision, charged with an electricity that made their skin tingle. Jihyo's hands slid from Sana's waist to her hips, pulling her in with a gentle but undeniable force, drawing even closer to the warmth of her body.

Sana's hands gripped the back of Jihyo's neck, her fingers tangling in her girlfriend's hair, deepening the kiss, making it wilder, more passionate. A muffled gasp escaped her when Jihyo's tongue came out to brush her lower lip, an invitation she couldn't resist. She parted her lips, letting herself go, allowing Jihyo to do whatever she wanted with her. Their tongues fought in a frantic dance, and Sana was sure Jihyo wanted to win, and she would let her—she would let her win a thousand times—because all she wanted was for Jihyo to be happy, to feel secure, secure enough to return to the same playful woman from before, the one she could laugh with, the one she could talk to.

That first day at the beach had given them that: that feeling that things were getting better, that they could finally love each other without completely hiding, that Jihyo felt well enough to talk to her, to trust her, to let her into her heart completely. Sana was going to do whatever it took to keep things that way, and if that meant letting Jihyo take control in those moments, possessing her with every kiss and caress, she would do that too, without hesitation.

Jihyo sighed, a deep and satisfied sound. Her hands played, caressing Sana's hips, then moving up her waist, and finally up her back. Her fingers moved against the delicate fabric that covered her body, feeling the warmth of her skin through it. Sana just sighed, closing her eyes even tighter, squeezing them shut. Her fingers tangled in Jihyo's hair, tugging on it, just a little, not to push her away, not to hurt her, but to tell her without words how much she wanted this, how much she loved her.

Jihyo smiled against her lips, a delicate and silly smile, overflowing with pure happiness. She didn't speak, didn't say anything, because she took Sana's lips with hers again, not even giving Sana time to breathe, to do anything. She bit her bottom lip, sweetly, just enough for Sana to move a hand to Jihyo's chest. Maybe to maintain balance, or because she needed to grab something so she wouldn't fall, so she wouldn't completely dissolve in that wave of sensations Jihyo caused in her.

And then, the Korean woman pulled away, but not completely, because her lips returned to her skin, to her cheek, to her jaw, and then to her neck. Jihyo's hand held her waist tightly, not hurting her, but with a possessiveness that made the fine hairs on Sana's skin stand on end.

The girl turned her head to give her more space, feeling Jihyo's tongue come out to taste her skin. Sana didn't even stop to think about how it probably tasted like the sea and a strange mix of perfume; she didn't allow herself to be embarrassed, because Jihyo's tongue worked wonders: soft, delicate, moist touches, just enough for muffled sighs to escape her lips, and an occasional moan that she stopped by biting her bottom lip.

And then, she opened her eyes. She was dizzy; all she felt was Jihyo, Jihyo and only Jihyo, a wave of sensations that overwhelmed her.

With all the strength she had, she stopped her, her hands firm on Jihyo's shoulders, her breathing ragged, the beats of her heart thumping in her ears. Their gazes met, a deep and silent connection. Sana examined her: her hair ruffled by the wind and passion, her lips swollen and cheeks equally flushed, a reflection of her own state. She didn't speak, because Jihyo already knew what she was thinking, she knew why she had stopped her, what she was feeling.

And then Jihyo nodded, tilting her head for a moment as a sign of understanding. Then she moved closer, leaving a delicate and soft kiss, without much pressure on Sana's lips. When she pulled away, she whispered: "It's okay." Sana looked at her, sighing, feeling Jihyo's breath against her lips, a constant caress. The girl's hands went up, cupping her cheeks with infinite tenderness, and she looked into her eyes before whispering to her: "Everything is okay."

Sana finally nodded, and a small "Okay" came out of her. Then, she cleared her throat, feeling a lump in her throat, and said again: "Okay," this time more firmly.

Jihyo examined her carefully, looking at every detail of her expression, every nuance of emotion in her eyes. Then she spoke again, her voice a whisper that mingled with the sound of the sea. "We don't have to do anything you don't want," she said, and her hands traced slow and comforting patterns on the skin of Sana's bare chest. "I want what you want, Sana. Everything."

"I want you," Sana replied, her voice barely audible, laden with a pure emotion.

Jihyo smiled, slowly shaking her head, a soft laugh escaping her lips. "You never stop being cheesy, do you, Minatozaki?"

Sana pouted, maybe a little more prominently than usual, but it didn't last long. Jihyo looked at her with overwhelming tenderness and pulled away a little, extending a soft hand for her to take.

Sana did, their fingers intertwining, feeling the warmth of her palm. Jihyo leaned down to leave a kiss on her knuckles before turning and walking toward the inside of the room. Sana followed her, her eyes fixed on her back, watching the gentle sway of her hips, the way her legs moved gracefully. Her mouth went dry, and when they were finally inside, and Jihyo let go of her hand, she couldn't help but tremble, from the anticipation that was invading her, and from a fear, just a small hint of dread, that she felt deep down.

She watched as Jihyo stopped, turning to close the two large doors that opened to the sea. The sound of the waves was muffled a bit, and then she turned to look at her.

Sana swallowed, her hands sweating, because Jihyo always looked at her with love, with sweetness, something soft and protective. But now, her eyes were dark, with dilated pupils and a predatory glint, one that made the knot drop to her abdomen, burning, almost scorching her.

And then, she began to walk toward her, slowly, with a deliberation that seemed like a spectacle, a show staged just for Sana, always for her.

And she was going to let herself go, she was going to enjoy it, everything Jihyo was willing to give her. Her eyes lowered, just a little, because Jihyo's light shirt did little to hide the new bra she was wearing, revealing a glimpse of dark lace. The Korean woman seemed to enjoy the intensity of her gaze, because her fingers went up, taking her hair to completely expose her skin. Then, she took the shirt, just a little, to push it aside, exposing even more of her shoulder, and Sana felt like she could faint at any moment.

She sighed, opening her mouth to say something, anything, but the words didn't come out. She didn't make the effort to close the distance between her and Jihyo; instead, she just stood there, her fists clenched at her sides, watching as Jihyo now played with the hem of her shirt, biting her lip, looking Sana up and down, almost as if she wanted to throw herself at her to taste her. The burning in her abdomen intensified, expanding, and then Jihyo spoke. This time her voice was hoarse, almost low, and it resonated completely through Sana, reaching the depths of her being.

"What are you thinking about, Sana?" Jihyo asked, her voice a sensual murmur.

The Japanese woman looked at her hands for a moment, feeling the dampness of her palms, before answering, her eyes fixed on Jihyo's: "I'm only thinking about you."

Jihyo smiled, a slow, seductive smile that lit up her features. She brought a hand to the collar of her shirt and unbuttoned the first button, the sound a small audible click in the silence. "It seems that's all you know how to do," she murmured, her dark eyes full of promise and a sparkle that made the girl tremble.

And Sana couldn't help but think about how different everything was from their first time. Not just because of the situation they were in, with the sea breeze gently seeping through the cracks of the recently closed doors and the moon as the only witness.

Not just because of everything they had to go through to get there, the trials, the fears, the half-confessions. But because now Jihyo was different. The first time, Sana guided everything, she felt safe, she felt in control, because she knew that was what the Korean woman needed.

Jihyo's life was perfectly controlled down to the smallest detail; she was always attentive to everything, never allowing herself to fully relax, there was always something on her mind: work, the bad things that haunted her. And Sana had come to offer her something different, to offer her the chance to take the reins of her life for a while, just enough to allow herself to be vulnerable, to be the one controlled instead of the one controlling. It was a tacit exchange, a dance where the roles were reversed, and Sana was more than willing to follow her rhythm.

But now, Jihyo had regained control, not out of necessity, but out of choice, a newfound confidence that radiated from every pore of her skin. Because she was happy, she could go to sleep peacefully, with the certainty that she would wake up alive, without pain, without the constant weight of fear. She could be with Tzuyu without the unsettling thought of an imminent threat. She could be with Sana, simply talking, laughing, holding hands in public, because the barriers that separated them had crumbled. Now control wasn't something oppressive that had been given to Jihyo without a choice; now it was something good, something she could hold on to without fear, a silent strength that empowered her. Sana couldn't be happier to witness this transformation.

She cleared her throat, raising her face just a little, as if the security she felt were a cloak that enveloped her, though inside her heart beat strongly. In the best voice she could articulate, a mix of longing and a hint of defiance, she spoke: "You can't blame me, can you?"

Jihyo smiled in a way that made Sana's stomach churn with anticipation. She undid another button on her shirt, the soft click echoing in the silence of the room like the ticking of a clock marking the time of their encounter. She took another step toward Sana, shortening the distance that separated them to a breath. Sana bit her bottom lip, her eyes fixed on the slow, deliberate movement of Jihyo's fingers. Then she spoke again, her voice barely a whisper filled with desire: "I couldn't think of anything else if you're like this in front of me."

Jihyo undid another button, the fabric of her shirt opening to completely reveal her shoulder, the soft curve of her collarbone, part of her flat abdomen, and the dark, exquisite lace of the bra that Sana suddenly yearned to remove. Her dark eyes, filled with a palpable desire, fixed on the Japanese woman's, scrutinizing every reaction. "Like what?" Jihyo asked, her voice now a raspy caress, a question that went deep into Sana's being.

"Like this," Sana whispered, her voice barely a thread, laden with a boldness she didn't know she possessed. "Taking off your clothes, looking at me like you want to eat me." Her eyes, big and dark, did not leave Jihyo's, trapped in a game of glances.

Jihyo scoffed, a soft exhale. With a decisive movement, she unbuttoned the remaining buttons of her shirt and let the garment fall carelessly to the floor, a small pile of linen at her feet. Sana had to hold her breath for a moment, the air trapped in her lungs. She had seen Jihyo like this before, in such a brazen and natural state, uninhibited and vulnerable. And she loved it; she loved it with every fiber of her being.

"Maybe you're not wrong, Minatozaki," Jihyo said, her voice now a low, dangerous purr. She closed the distance between them with a few slow and delicate steps, as if each movement were a calculated act of seduction, until Sana could practically feel the warmth of her body, Jihyo's breath on her face, "The truth is, I'm dying to taste you," she whispered, her eyes fixed on Sana's lips, a declaration that made the Japanese woman's heart flutter.

And Sana truly felt that she could die right there, in that large room that had become their sanctuary, with her girlfriend in front of her, under the dim light of the lamp that cast dancing shadows on the walls. She wouldn't find a better place to surrender, to lose herself completely in the woman who had her so captivated.

"Then try it," she said, her voice a challenge tinged with pure longing.

Jihyo smiled, a soft smile that didn't reach her dark eyes. She leaned in slowly, her hands rising to cup Sana's cheeks, planting several delicate kisses on her forehead, her eyelids, the corners of her lips. They were completely different from the fiery vibe she had set up before, an unexpected sweetness. Jihyo placed a kiss on her lips, short, delicate, a barely perceptible brush, clearly not enough to satisfy the hunger that had settled in Sana.

Jihyo pulled back a little, still holding her cheeks, stroking them with her thumbs. "Are you okay?" she asked, her voice soft, almost a whisper.

Sana scoffed delicately, a soft exhale. "I'm fine, I'm perfectly fine," she replied, her voice still a little shaky. "The one I'm worried about is you."

Jihyo hummed, nodding slightly, her gaze fixed on Sana's eyes. Then she bit her bottom lip, a sigh escaping her. "You're not going to hurt me, Sana," she said, her voice low, a sincere promise.

"I know," Sana said, moving her hands up to Jihyo's waist, letting her fingers play, tracing soft caresses over Jihyo's abdomen, her fingers moving up to the valley of her breasts, simply drawing meaningless patterns, resisting the urge to get closer and trap the skin between her teeth. Sana sighed, the tension in her body a mix of longing and a delicious fear. "Are you sure? Completely sure?"

Jihyo nodded, her eyes fixed on Sana's, without a hint of doubt. "Yes, I am."

Sana nodded in turn, her hands now moving more confidently over Jihyo's body, stopping on her breasts, feeling the soft curve beneath the fabric. She squeezed, once, her fingers sinking slightly into Jihyo's skin, causing her to stifle a gasp, her eyes narrowing for a moment, a spark of pure desire. Sana breathed heavily, her chest rising and falling quickly, and then, her voice hoarse with emotion, she told her, "Then don't waste time."

Jihyo didn't need to hear any more. She launched herself directly into kissing Sana, hard, with an undeniable avidity. Their teeth gently collided, a passionate encounter where their tongues fought for dominance, exploring each other. That was what they both wanted, and now that they had the chance, they weren't going to waste a second. Sana sighed, groaning against Jihyo's lips every time her teeth gently bit her bottom lip, every time Jihyo's hands moved lower down her back and pulled her even closer, eliminating any space between their bodies.

Sana sighed, a barely audible sound that was lost in the rising tension. Her own hands, as if they had a life of their own, rose, sliding her delicate fingers along Jihyo's arched neck. There was no hurry; she took her time, squeezing gently, with a sweet possessiveness that ensured Jihyo could not, and would not, pull away. Slowly, her fingertips descended, caressing the exposed skin of her shoulders, until their tips brushed the delicate straps of Jihyo's garment. Sana wasted no time; her lips claimed the girl's mouth more forcefully, with an almost desperate demand, swallowing the hoarse groan of pleasure that escaped her own lips when, finally, the straps gave way and Jihyo's breasts were freed, rising with each ragged breath.

It was the Japanese woman's turn to bite Jihyo's bottom lip, a barely perceptible brush before her tongue danced to soothe the invisible pain. Her hands continued their descent, and the first touch was unexpected, an electrical shock that made Jihyo's mouth open slightly, a muffled gasp that was lost in the air, far from Sana's lips. The second movement of Sana's thumbs over Jihyo's already hard and erect nipples was more confident, more pronounced, a deliberate pressure that elicited an involuntary and desperate grip from the Korean woman on Sana's back. Her nails dug lightly into the exposed skin, causing a muffled cry from the Japanese woman at the sudden and delicious burning sensation. Her hands squeezed, once, twice, until Jihyo let out the first loud and liberated moan of the night. Sana almost had to repress the urge to thank Jeongyeon and Nayeon for their insistence on leaving them completely alone.

Jihyo looked magnificent like that, undone and surrendered, and she certainly sounded even better.

"Sana," the girl broke the silence, her voice low, tinged with a contained breath, "Sit on the bed."

Sana obeyed, a low growl escaping her lips as she separated from Jihyo for an instant. With a heavy movement, she got onto the bed and leaned back against the soft pillows, her eyes fixed on Jihyo. A pitiful pout formed on her lips, waiting for the other girl to come closer. Jihyo let out a sweet laugh, a melody that dissolved the tension. With fluid movements, her expert hands unhooked her bra, letting it fall to the floor without a single glance.

Then, with a hint of mischief, she bit her lip as she slid the delicate shorts down her legs, also freeing them to join the previous garment. Sana's pout intensified, a playful lament she couldn't suppress: "I wanted to do that."

Jihyo rolled her eyes, a mix of affection and amusement in her gaze. She moved gracefully to get onto the bed and sit delicately on Sana's lap, her legs on each side of her waist. With her arms crossed over Sana's neck, Jihyo murmured a soft "I'm sorry," before placing a delicate kiss on the Japanese woman's forehead.

Sana shook her head gently, her lips claiming Jihyo's in a deep kiss, while her hands pulled her closer by the hips. "It's okay," she whispered, her voice hoarse, as her hands descended to rest directly on Jihyo's thighs. She squeezed the warm skin, her nails barely brushing the edge, an anticipatory shiver. "I can still take these off," she murmured with a suggestive smile. With a light touch, her hand slid toward Jihyo's entrance, barely tracing a hypnotic pattern over her clitoris through the fabric. Jihyo closed her eyes, her grip on Sana becoming painfully tight. She moved her hips, once, twice, feeling the delicious friction that Sana's expert fingers offered her.

"Y-Yes," Jihyo gasped without another word, biting her bottom lip as she sought out Sana's eyes, a silent plea in her gaze. "You can do it."

Sana smiled, nodding slightly. "I know," she whispered, tilting her face to begin a delicate trail of kisses along Jihyo's jaw, moving calmly down her neck, to the soft valley between her breasts. Finally, she trapped one of Jihyo's nipples between her lips. She growled lightly when the girl pulled her hair, just enough for a slight pain to settle on her scalp, just enough for Sana to feel her own pussy get wet in response.

She moved her tongue, slowly, as if she were savoring the most beautiful and perfect thing in the world, while her other hand went up to play with the forgotten nipple. “Ah,” Jihyo moaned, a low, raspy sound, and her hips sped up for a moment. "Sana."

"What?" Sana's voice was a hoarse murmur, tinged with anticipation.

"If you keep doing that, I'm going to finish." Jihyo murmured the warning, her breath ragged against Sana's hair.

Sana hummed, a low note of contentment, before leaving a delicate and possessive bite on Jihyo's breast, just enough to elicit a loud moan from the girl. "Isn't that the point?" Sana asked, pulling away just enough to add another finger to her caresses. She pressed, lightly but deliberately, and Jihyo felt her eyes roll back, her mouth opening in a silent gasp and her muscles freezing in a delicious paralysis. "Don't you want me to make you feel good?"

"Y-yes," Jihyo murmured, regaining control of her limbs with a visible effort. And then, before Sana could react, a strong, decisive hand rested on her wrist, stopping her. "But it's not your turn."

Sana wanted to scoff, wanted to reproach, but deep down she knew Jihyo was right. She knew Jihyo yearned for control, but Sana, in her core, loved to see her annoyed, just a little, with that adorable touch of frustration. "And what will you do?" she asked, with a raised eyebrow, her voice tinged with a playful challenge.

Jihyo shrugged with an enigmatic smile, moving Sana's hand away from her crotch to place it firmly on her own hip. "Something."

This time, Sana let out a small laugh, not mocking, but genuinely surprised by the answer. "Did you run out of words, honey?"

"No," Jihyo smiled, a mischievous glint in her dark eyes. She began to leave a shower of delicate kisses on Sana's cheek, while her hands moved with an exasperating slowness. Her nails pressed into Sana's skin, not enough to break it, but enough to send a current of anticipation. Jihyo's hands continued their journey, moving down Sana's slender waist, down her hips, until they stopped at the edge of her dress, brushing the delicate hem. Only then did Jihyo speak, her voice a sensual promise. "You look so damn hot in this, Sana."

Sana tensed, a quick breath escaping her parted lips. Jihyo moved even closer, her warm breath against Sana's ear, an irresistible temptation. "It's a shame I have to take it off."

And without further delay, Jihyo began to pull up the dress, slowly, as if every inch of fabric were an exquisite torture. Sana let her, feeling her chest rise and fall with a feverish anticipation, every beat resonating in her ears. The fabric slid higher and higher, until the slightly cool air hit her exposed skin, making her hairs stand on end. Jihyo smiled, a triumphant glint in her eyes as she lifted the fabric over Sana's head, discarding the poor dress with a carelessness that bordered on insolence. It fell to the floor, a forgotten mound.

Jihyo smiled, sticking her tongue out to lightly wet her dry lips, and Sana believed she had never witnessed a scene as erotic as that in her entire life. "Who would have thought? You look a thousand times better like this."

Her hands moved up, tracing the same path as before, a phantom caress that Sana already knew, until they stopped in the valley between her breasts. Her fingers barely touched her, a minimal, almost imperceptible pressure, just enough for her skin to tingle and for Sana to feel a sigh of frustration grow in her throat. But Jihyo didn't give her time to complain, because, immediately, her lips landed on Sana's, trapping her in a kiss that cut off her breath.

This time, Sana took her, returning the kiss with an unprecedented ferocity, gasping and moaning desperately. She didn't care how needy she sounded, nor would she mind beginning to beg Jihyo to do something, anything, to quench this burning thirst. Her hands clung to Jihyo's waist, pulling her in even closer, their bodies joining in a never-ending dance of skin against skin. The kiss became deeper, wetter, their tongues intertwining in a battle of pure desire.

"Ji," Sana murmured, her lips barely a thread apart from Jihyo's, her voice raspy with need. "My love." She said, hoarsely, her voice almost a plea. "Touch me."

Jihyo didn't answer. Instead, she trapped her again in a muffled kiss that made Sana stifle a protest.

"Not yet," Jihyo whispered, pulling away from Sana's mouth by just a breath. With a hand on Sana's cheek, she turned her with an imperious delicacy, leaning down. She went lower and lower, the anticipation tensing the air between them, until she couldn't take it anymore; her own desire, raw and potent, won the battle. She took Sana's nipple between her lips, her tongue moving in a rhythmic and ridiculously delicious pattern that drew a deep, guttural moan from Sana.

Jihyo growled, squeezing her eyes shut, biting softly, sucking eagerly, letting herself be carried away by the explosion of sensations. She pulled away for an instant, barely enough to capture the other nipple between her lips, repeating the process with the same devotion and mastery.

Sana rolled her eyes, a gesture of frustration and longing, trying to move her hips to feel something, anything, but it was useless. Jihyo had her trapped, each knee flanking her hips, preventing any movement. When had the woman become so deliciously wicked? Sana decided she didn't care, because then Jihyo released her breast with a loud, wet 'pop' and rose to look her directly in the eyes. A slow, confident smile drew on her lips. "Lie down."

The girl could only nod, feeling Jihyo move away from her slightly so she could lie down comfortably. Once Sana was lying down, the Korean woman launched herself onto her, one of her knees deliberately settling between her legs. If Sana moved enough, she could feel a minimal fraction of friction in her core, which, if she was honest, did not help at all in calming the growing need.

She growled again, because Jihyo didn't waste time this time. Her fingers went directly to her breasts, pressing, squeezing, and playing delicately with them. "How do you feel?" Jihyo asked, her voice a whisper that was both sweet and dominant.

Sana felt her cheeks blush under the intensity of Jihyo's gaze. She hadn't been embarrassed all night; there was no reason to be. But the girl's gaze, directed right at her, piercing and expectant, made her stammer. "D-do you really want me to start talking?"

Jihyo squeezed a nipple, just enough for Sana to let out a soft curse. "Yes," Jihyo whispered, with a languid smile. "Do you feel good?"

Sana growled, clenching her jaw and slightly arching her back when Jihyo repeated the action, a cruel delight in her eyes. "Y-yes," she said, closing her eyes. Her hands instinctively went up to Jihyo's to squeeze her tighter. "Yes, Jihyo. You, ah …you make me feel so good."

The Korean woman smiled, leaning down to kiss her again, and Sana was already getting tired of that, she growled, biting Jihyo's lip, moving her hands to hug her back and pull her to her. Jihyo made a surprised sound for a moment, which caused her knees to move, just a little, enough for Sana to be able to move too, to be able to start feeling something.

She moaned, pulling away from Jihyo's mouth as her hips executed a specific movement that sent electric waves of pleasure throughout her body. But it wasn't enough; she wanted more, everything Jihyo could offer her. However, the Korean woman didn't move, she just kissed her again, allowing Sana to move, to pathetically rub herself against her leg, knowing she had all the power to do more. The air grew thick with tension, Sana's desire almost palpable.

"Jihyo," Sana's voice was a dry whisper, already hoarse with need. "Park Jihyo."

"Minatozaki Sana," the girl replied with a quickness that showed her enjoyment, pulling away to look at Sana with a languid, victorious smile.

Sana swallowed, her eyes fixed on Jihyo's. "Do it," she said, completely out of breath, moving her hips faster, harder, a frantic dance of supplication. "Touch me, please, or I'll—"

"Come?" Jihyo interrupted her, the challenge in her tone an exquisite provocation.

"Cry," Sana snapped breathlessly, her brow furrowed in a mix of frustration and delight. She kept moving, her hips seeking the friction that Jihyo denied. A muffled moan escaped her lips when Jihyo, with a cruel subtlety, flexed her leg just enough to increase the friction. "God, Ji. Please." The plea was pure, straight from the soul, a desperate request for relief.

"Okay," Jihyo said, an innocent, mischievous smile playing on her lips. "Only because you asked so nicely." She moved away, removing her knee from Sana's center and lowering her hand to caress her abdomen with deliberate slowness.

"God, I ha–" Sana began, her breath caught in her throat, but Jihyo silenced her with a deep, consuming kiss. When they separated, Sana whispered, her voice a warm and provocative coo: "I don't remember ever playing with you so much; you're being wicked."

Jihyo hummed, her gaze fixed on her eyes, a slow fire burning in them. "Maybe." Her hand descended even further, an electrifying trail in its wake. Jihyo bit her lip, the image of Sana's skin against hers being etched into her mind as she slid it over Sana's body, until it brushed her thighs and, with a delicacy that was pure torture, she parted her legs. "I like seeing you like this, angry."

Sana closed her eyes, her back arching just a little, an involuntary response to the touch. She didn't say anything, didn't answer, because Jihyo didn't give her the opportunity. Before she could process it, Jihyo's fingers descended completely, her palm falling firmly onto her pussy, feeling the pulsating heat and moisture. "God, Sana," Jihyo growled slightly, looking up to meet Sana's eyes, now open and hazy with desire. "You're so wet."

"Y-yeah," Sana whispered, her fingers clenching Jihyo's hair a little, an anchor in the midst of the storm of sensations. "For you," she said, her voice almost a wail. "Only for you, Jihyo-ah." The confession spilled from her lips, pure and unfiltered.

Jihyo smiled, her eyes shining with a potent mix of satisfaction and pure lust, admiring how Sana reacted. "Yes?" she asked, her voice low, hoarse, an auditory caress that promised more.

Sana nodded frantically, her hips moving with a desperate urgency, seeking more friction, more relief from the unbearable tension growing inside her. "Please, Ji." She said, her voice trembling, barely a whisper that was both a plea and a command. "Please, fuck me."

Jihyo didn't answer, but her smile widened, transforming into a grimace of pure delight. Instead of words, her hand went up, agile and decisive, to slide Sana's panties down her hips. The thin fabric slipped down her thighs, brushing against her sensitive skin, until they finally came off and fell to the floor with a soft, almost inaudible sigh.

With the panties out of the way, Jihyo placed her hand back on Sana's pussy, this time without barriers, the skin exposed and receptive. Sana gasped, her body arching upward, seeking more contact, more pressure. Jihyo obeyed, her fingers beginning to move in slow and deliberate circles on her clitoris, exploring every fold and curve, every millimeter of the now-exposed skin. Sana moaned, a deep and sustained sound, her hands clenching the sheets beneath her, her hips moving in sync with Jihyo's movements.

"J-Jihyo." Sana said, frowning, her voice tense with restraint. "Hyo,"

"Yes?" Jihyo's response was a whisper laden with amusement, her hand stopping for an instant on Sana's clitoris.

"I-I'm, ah, really going crazy here," Sana whispered, her hips moving with a pathetic urgency.

"If I touch you, you complain; if I don't touch you, you also complain," Jihyo replied, lowering her hand toward Sana's entrance, barely letting the tip of her finger brush against it before moving back up toward her clitoris, pressing with more intensity. "You need to make up your mind, woman." Jihyo's voice was a purr of pleasure, enjoying every second of Sana's sweet torment.

Sana growled, squeezing Jihyo tighter against her, her body trembling with every movement. "I can't, you have to do something." The plea was clear, a total surrender.

Jihyo hummed, a sound of pure satisfaction. She collected the juices that emanated from Sana, sliding slowly, before raising her hand directly to her face, watching as her fingers glistened with moisture. "Oh my God, you're unbearable, what the hell—?" Sana began, frustration coloring her voice.

Jihyo didn't answer. Instead, she brought her fingers to her own lips, sticking out her tongue to lick them shamelessly, savoring Sana's essence. Sana's breath caught, her pupils dilated and her abdomen tightened with an almost painful sensation, almost sick with how much she loved the sight of Jihyo sucking her fingers, tasting her indirectly. It was an exquisite torture, a power game that was driving her crazy.

And the girl didn't do much to help that feeling go away, because her eyes were fixed on Sana's, watching her with an intensity that burned as her fingers went deeper into her mouth. Sana could see the way Jihyo's cheeks moved, how her tongue did its best to clean them with an exasperating slowness. And then she let them go, with a wet sound and a bit of saliva connecting them, a shining thread of desire. "What?" Jihyo asked, lowering the same hand to draw patterns on Sana's chest, feeling the moisture there, the saliva running slightly down her body, the valley of her breasts, her abdomen, until the delicate tips traced touches on the inside of her thighs. "Aren't you going to keep complaining?"

"Oh, this is damn unfair—!" Sana couldn't finish her sentence because she was already trapping Jihyo again, using her tongue, tasting her with a feverish intensity, trying to ignore the sweet and bitter taste that was now joining with her own saliva.

And then Sana felt it. First it was Jihyo's index finger, just the tip, barely entering enough into her cunt for her to feel the promising brush. Then she did it again, and again, each entry a sigh, each withdrawal an agony, until one finger was completely inside her and Jihyo began to move, slowly, making sure to feel her completely, to not leave a single centimeter out, exploring every corner of her interior, filling her with a sensation that was both new and familiar, profound and overwhelming.

Sana sighed, opening her mouth to say something, but the word died on her lips. Instead, a loud moan, too high-pitched for her liking, escaped her throat, a sound she didn't think she had ever made before. Jihyo's fingers were long, slender, just the right length to be able to push her to the limit with just that. Sana knew, with an overwhelming certainty, that Jihyo knew exactly what she was doing.

She didn't even stop to think about how on earth she had learned to do whatever she was doing to her. She supposed it was the years, the experience. After all, the girl was older, had more mileage, and the Japanese woman had no choice but to close her eyes and enjoy, to surrender completely to the sensations that were invading her.

" Ah, J-Jihyo ," Sana said, barely able to form the words, her voice just a rough whisper. "Another, please. God, Jihyo, give me more, please." The plea flowed from the depths of her being.

Jihyo smiled, her eyes shining with a mix of lust and deep satisfaction at seeing Sana so surrendered. Slowly, she introduced another finger, this time without the same calculated delicacy. She pushed with a determined force, making Sana gasp, the sound of her surprise mixed with pleasure, and arch her back. The sensation was intense, almost painful in its magnitude, but at the same time incredibly pleasurable, unleashing a cascade of sparks through her body. Every movement of Jihyo's fingers seemed to be synchronized with Sana's own desire, as if she knew every secret of her body better than she did.

Sana closed her eyes, a tremor running through her limbs, letting the sensations invade her completely, every fiber of her being focused on the pressure and the heat. The internal friction was constant, deep, and it filled her in a way that made her feel complete.

Jihyo's fingers moved with millimeter precision, curving upward to brush that magical spot inside her that made her mind cloud over, her vision fill with specks of light, and her body tremble uncontrollably. Sana's breathing became erratic, each inhalation a gasp, each exhalation a repressed moan.

She could feel how the tension inside her was increasing vertiginously, how every fiber of her being was preparing for the inevitable and glorious climax that was approaching. The pressure was becoming almost unbearable, but it was a sweet, longed-for pressure.

"Faster," she whispered, her voice broken, barely recognizable. "Fuck, Ji. Faster."

And Jihyo obeyed her, accelerating her movements, her palm slapping deliciously against Sana's clitoris every time she pulled her fingers out and repeated the sequence. Sana's abdomen contracted in a spasm of pleasure, and her hips soon began to move, fast, without rhythm, a messy and urgent dance. She was close, she was completely close, and it hurt, a sweet and agonizing pang. The room smelled of them, of sweat and desire, and soon, wet, fast sounds flooded her ears, the rhythmic splashing of skin against skin, Sana's ragged gasping. She growled, maybe at another time, maybe after it was all over, she would be deeply embarrassed, enough to not be able to look Jihyo in the eyes for the rest of the night. And that was okay, it was a price she was willing to pay to be able to finish, to reach that longed-for peak.

"Sana," Jihyo spoke, her voice barely a gasp, her breathing ragged. She rose onto one elbow, her free hand moving to the girl's jaw, a firm, possessive touch. "Look at me."

"N-no," Sana growled, barely opening her eyes, which were now glazed and hazy with pleasure. "I c-can't."

"Sana," Jihyo called again, her thumb barely brushing Sana's wet, parted lips. "Hey, look at me." Jihyo's voice was a soft plea, but with an undeniable authority.

Sana finally opened her eyes as best she could, a hoarse growl and a moan escaping her throat. Before Jihyo could say anything else, Sana leaned in, taking Jihyo's finger between her lips, without breaking eye contact. Her tongue moved along the entire digit, savoring the moisture that was driving her crazy, as she watched Jihyo accelerate her movements in her pussy almost involuntarily. It was burning, her skin, her soul was burning from how good it felt. And Jihyo cursed, a whisper that Sana barely heard among the high-pitched beeps that were now ringing in her ears. Her legs ached, her muscles tense. She was sweaty, sticky, but so, so close to the edge.

Finally, she let go of Jihyo's finger, but it didn't move away. It kept playing with her face, with her lips, tracing the outline of her mouth. Sana spoke, her voice barely audible. "Don't stop," she murmured, moving her hand as best she could to press her forehead against her girlfriend's, a desperate act of connection. She closed her eyes, moving frantically, her hips thrusting against Jihyo's fingers. "Don't stop, Jihyo. Please, please, I..."

"I love you," Jihyo whispered, biting her bottom lip, her eyes fixed on Sana's face, whose expression was completely lost, her eyes closed in imminent ecstasy. She let out an exhale, feeling her fingers begin to squeeze inside Sana, barely giving her room to keep moving. Her wrist had started to cramp from the effort, but she didn't care; she had to continue, she wanted to continue. "I love you, Sana. God, I love you so much," she whispered, her voice full of raw passion. "Come, for me, please, let me make you feel good, please, Sana, please." The final plea was the push Sana needed, the last drop.

Because soon Sana's nails dug into Jihyo's back, leaving burning crescent-shaped marks—so much for not wanting to mark her skin, Jihyo thought with a wild smile. The girl's walls closed tightly around Jihyo's fingers, her moans intensified, becoming a crescendo of pure pleasure. Her muscles froze, her back arched off the bed, and she screamed, loud and clear, a cry of release that echoed in the room. Jihyo loved every second of that sound, watching the tension release from Sana's body, until she finally relaxed, falling back onto the bed with a big sigh. Her breathing was still ragged, her chest rising and falling quickly, while Jihyo remained inside her, moving her fingers slowly, helping her to prolong the pleasure, to savor the last waves of the orgasm.

When Sana groaned from the overstimulation, when she took Jihyo's wrist to pull her away from her, the girl obeyed, slowly withdrawing her fingers, moving to get off her girlfriend and avoid crushing her. But Sana didn't let her. She moved her hands and legs to trap Jihyo on top of her, pulling her tightly to her chest, sighing when she felt Jihyo's warm moisture near her skin. She didn't comment on it, and instead, she moved her hands over Jihyo's back, over her shoulders, over her soft hair. She leaned in just a little to take the girl's shoulder and leave a soft bite, a playful mark of possession. "You're crazy," she murmured, her voice still with a hint of recent euphoria.

Jihyo hummed, burying herself in Sana's neck, inhaling her scent, a fragrance that intoxicated her. "You think so?"

"I know so," Sana said, and then she pulled away to look at the girl's eyes, now filled with a tenderness that contrasted with the ferocity from before. "Playing with me like that, doing... that. You're crazy, I think you wanted to kill me." A lazy smile spread across her face, a reflection of the happiness she felt.

Jihyo smiled, her eyes crinkling adorably, an expression that disarmed Sana. "I love you."

"I love you more," Sana said, moving to get more comfortable in the embrace, tangling her legs with Jihyo's. "I love you so much. I'm sorry, did I hurt you?" Her fingers gently brushed the crescent-shaped marks she had left on Jihyo's back.

"No," the girl said, her voice soft and reassuring. "I told you that you wouldn't hurt me, you didn't."

Sana sighed, leaving a tender kiss on Jihyo's forehead, moving to pull the sheet over their tired bodies. She left another kiss on Jihyo's closed eyelid, "Are you okay?"

"So much," Jihyo said, a lazy smile on her lips. She moved her hand to gently run it along Sana's arm, a soothing contact. "I've never been better."

Sana smiled, her hand tracing slow patterns on Jihyo's waist, pulling her closer, feeling the lingering warmth of her body. She began to play with the edge of the girl's panties, the fabric barely brushing against her sensitive skin. Jihyo closed her eyes, a soft moan escaping her lips. "Hey," she began, her voice a sleepy murmur. Sana just made a sound, a signal for her to keep talking. "Can we sleep?" she asked, moving closer, seeking the security of contact. Sana immediately moved her hand up to her girlfriend's back, listening attentively. "Can you... can you hug me? I don't want you to touch me... like that. But I want you to hug me, please?." The plea in her voice was tender, vulnerable, and Sana didn't need to hear it twice.

Jihyo's head soon touched her chest, listening to the accelerated rhythm of her heart, and her own muscles relaxed. "Thank you." She hugged her tighter, one hand caressing her back. "We'll do it later, okay?"

Sana gently shook her head, getting more comfortable in the embrace, not resisting leaving warm kisses on the girl's face, wherever her lips found a place: on her cheek, on her temple, on the corner of her lips. "We don't have to," she whispered, her voice laden with tenderness. "Just sleep, honey. I'll be here, I'll hold you all night."

Jihyo smiled, closing her eyes with a sigh of pure contentment, snuggling even closer against Sana. And Sana imitated her, letting the accumulated tiredness of the day envelop them, taking them together into a deep sleep.