Chapter 38: Break - 2
The sun hung high in the sky, casting its warm rays down on the poolside. The group, after finishing their work cleaning the pool, had decided to enjoy the summer day by taking a well-deserved break.
The boys, clad in summer shorts, and the girls, wearing their swimsuits, were now gathered around, enjoying the cool breeze and clear water.
Raizel, ever composed, had donned black shorts, his usual stoic expression unshaken as he stood by the side of the pool.
Issei, ever the excitable one, wore bright green shorts and was busy trying to teach Koneko and Asia to swim, his energy never seeming to wane.
Meanwhile, Rias, Akeno, and the rest had already dived into the water, enjoying the playful competition of a swim race.
After their race, Rias and Akeno climbed out of the pool, water glistening on their skin as they shook their hair dry. The air was filled with lighthearted chatter, and the group settled onto lounge chairs around the pool.
Issei, ever curious and prone to making things awkward, was trying to observe the girls a little too closely. "You two swim beautifully," he commented loudly, though his gaze lingered a bit too long on Rias and Akeno figure.
With his usual calm demeanor and monotone voice, Raizel spoke, "Issei, take your eyes off Akeno."
The group's attention shifted as Issei turned to Raizel, looking slightly annoyed. "What's the big deal, Raizel? We're just enjoying the view."
Raizel's expression remained unchanged. "Your gaze is inappropriate. Show some respect."
The two began a lighthearted argument, their contrasting personalities clashing in a humorous way. The rest of the group watched with amused expressions, the banter providing some entertainment.
As the argument continued, Rias approached Issei with a playful smile. "Issei, could you help me with something? I need someone to apply sunscreen on my back."
Issei's eyes widened, and he eagerly nodded, grabbing the sunscreen bottle. "Of course, Rias!"
Not to be outdone, Akeno sauntered over to Raizel, her usual teasing smile firmly in place, though a faint blush colored her cheeks. "Raizel, would you mind helping me with sunscreen as well?"
Raizel gave a small nod, accepting the bottle from her. Akeno lay down beside Rias, the two women now side by side, their backs exposed to the sun.
Issei and Raizel took their respective positions, beginning to apply the sunscreen.
As Raizel carefully spread the lotion on Akeno's back, her skin warm under his touch, Akeno turned her head slightly, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Raizel, could you apply some on my front as well? Specifically... my breasts?"
The group froze, their heads snapping toward Akeno in surprise.
For the first time, they witnessed something unexpected—Raizel's ever-composed face cracked, a deep blush spreading across his cheeks. His usually calm demeanor faltered, his expression flustered and shy.
The sight was too much for the group to handle, and they burst into laughter, teasing Raizel relentlessly. "Raizel, blushing? This is a rare sight!" Kiba exclaimed, grinning.
Rias giggled, her eyes sparkling. "Who knew our stoic Raizel could get so flustered?"
Akeno herself was enjoying the moment, her playful nature shining through despite her own blush. "Oh my, Raizel, I didn't mean to embarrass you."
Amidst the laughter, Issei, oblivious to the tension, blurted out, "No fair! Is he really getting to squeeze those big, soft jugs melons!"
The laughter died down as the atmosphere shifted. Raizel's blush faded, replaced by a cold, steely gaze. His voice, though calm, carried an icy edge. "Issei, stop looking at Akeno like that."
The chilling tone silenced everyone, a shiver running down their spines. Issei gulped, realizing he had crossed a line. "S-sorry, Raizel. I didn't mean anything by it."
Raizel, though slightly uncomfortable,tried to keep his cool. "Issei, you should learn when to keep quiet."
The system, ever the troll, chimed in Raizel's mind.
[Well, that escalated quickly. First, you're blushing, and now you're delivering death stares. Quite the range of emotions today, huh?]
Raizel sighed internally, his mental voice sharp. 'You're not helping.'
[Oh, but I am. Watching you navigate these situations is highly entertaining.]
The system chuckled, clearly enjoying itself.
Raizel mentally rolled his eyes, but didn't respond. He was used to the system's antics by now.
---
As Raizel squeezed the lotion into his palm applying it on her breasts, he felt the heat rising in his cheeks.
Akeno's soft, inviting sounds—"Hngg~ mnhh~"—echoed in his ears, making it increasingly difficult to maintain his stoic facade.
He focused on the task at hand, trying to ignore the way her skin glistened under the sunlight, but the warmth of her body and the intoxicating scent of her hair were overwhelming.
"Come on, Raizel! You can do better than that!" Akeno teased, her eyes sparkling with mischief. She leaned closer, her breath warm against his skin, and he felt his resolve wavering.
In the back of his mind, the System was having a field day.
[Look at you, Raizel! Struggling to keep it together while she practically melts in your hands. How cute!]
"Shut up," he muttered under his breath, trying to block out the incessant teasing. The System's voice was relentless, mocking him as he fought to keep his emotions in check.
[You know you want to—]
" Fucking focus, Raizel!" he snapped, shaking his head as if that would rid him of the System's taunts.
He could feel the heat rising in his body, and he cursed himself for letting Akeno get to him like this.
Meanwhile, Issei, oblivious to the tension, was busy making a fool of himself. "Hey, Akeno! Need any help with that?" he called out, a goofy grin plastered on his face. "I'm great with lotion! Just ask any girl!"
Raizel seized the moment, grateful for the distraction. "Exactly. This is between Akeno and me," he said, his voice steady as he tried to regain control of the situation.
But the System wasn't done with him yet.
[Oh, look at you, trying to act all serious while your heart races. How adorable!]
"Why are you even here, Issei?" Akeno continued, her cheeks flushed. "You're just making things worse!"
Raizel and Akeno exchanged a glance, a silent understanding passing between them. They were both embarrassed, but they were also united in their annoyance at Issei's antics.
"Issei, you really need to learn when to back off," Raizel said, his tone firm. "This isn't about applying just lotions."
"Yeah!" Akeno added, crossing her arms defiantly as she teased. "You not helping! You should focus on rias."
Issei pouted, but the two of them stood their ground, a united front against his foolishness. The tension in the air shifted slightly, and Raizel felt a sense of relief wash over him.
Maybe they could turn this awkward moment into something more manageable.
"Fine, fine! I'll go… do something else," Issei grumbled, backing away with a huff. "But you're missing out on my expert lotion skills!"
As he retreated, Raizel turned back to Akeno, who was still blushing but now wore a small smile. "Thanks for that," she said softly, her eyes sparkling with gratitude. "I didn't want him ruining this moment."
"Neither did I," Raizel admitted, feeling a sense of camaraderie with her. The System's teasing faded into the background as he focused on Akeno.
"Now, where were we?" Akeno asked, her playful tone returning as she leaned closer once more.
Raizel took a deep breath, steeling himself for the challenge ahead. "Let's just… get this over with," he replied, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips.
Together, they faced the awkwardness, their teamwork turning a potentially embarrassing situation into a moment of connection. And as Raizel applied the lotion, he found that controlling his emotions was a little easier after the incident.