Year: 774 / end of October

Our new life

At the wheel of her miraculously functional pickup truck, Ruri had just passed through the control gate limiting access to the Royal Nature Park. Presenting her personnel card which mentioned her title of zoologist of the domain, she greeted the few rangers who ensured the filtering of the entrances and whom she knew all.

More than two years had passed since 17's decision to become an official member of the ranger team ensuring the safety of the animals.

But this short time was enough for him to become the central element of the system and the right-hand man of Owen, the chief of the rangers. He was the only one who knew about the supernatural abilities of his "unofficial" second-in-command, which made him capable of neutralizing any poacher in a second. In addition, the camera system he installed and controlled remotely made it virtually impossible to break in. The efficiency of 17 as a ranger had allowed him to redeploy some rangers to other tasks, such as welcoming visitors, and even transfer some others to other parks in need of personnel.

His reputation was growing in the small world of animal protectors, and in recent months he sometimes had received requests from all over the world to help fight illegal hunting or take care of hard-to-reach monsters.

Ruri accompanied him most of the time, although she was also very busy herself.

Always ahead in her studies, she had passed most of the exams required to obtain her degree. All she had to do was finish writing and defending her thesis, and that's what she spent most of her free time on. However, she had very little time off. Ruri worked mostly with 17 in the park, taking care of the animals and ensuring that the many protected species living there were well adapted. Occasionally, however, she had to return to her university for a few days. 17 would fly her to her apartment, which he would reach in a few minutes, before coming to pick her up, usually at night.

The rest of the time, they lived together in the tiny cabin lost in the heart of the forest, surrounded by the sound of the wind in the trees and the wild animals that sometimes approached right outside their doors.

Ruri was just coming back from a 4 days absence during which she had participated to a conference on marine monsters. The occasion for her to present in a conference the report of their past expedition, on which she had written many articles which had fascinated the scientific community, and to exchange with other zoologists.

In order not to force 17 to leave the park during the day, she had proposed to drive home this time.

However, she was impatient to reunite with her companion and the young woman began to accelerate as soon as she could along the dirt road that led her there. The beauty of the surrounding landscapes that were gradually abandoning the colors of autumn was a spectacle of which she never got tired, year after year. Without realizing it, captivated, Ruri was now entering the clearing where the cabin was located when a thud was heard on her car's roof, immediately followed by three others, much lighter.

Amused, she immediately stopped and opened her window.

- Am I under arrest, ranger? she asked to the shadow she could now clearly see moving above her.

- Could I see your ID, young lady? a familiar voice answered.

- Oh, doubly polite ! Here, you will see that I work here Sir.

Ruri then gave her staff card to 17 who had just landed and was now standing by the driver's side door.

- A zoologist's card? Who gave you this?

- My boyfriend. He also works here.

- A boyfriend? Describe him to me, so I can see if I know him.

- Handsome, dark-haired, with a questionable sense of humor and taste in clothing, but he's super strong and a divine kisser.

- I can see who it is. Excellent choice, he is really perfect in every way.

- And I forgot to say it but he is also an incredibly modest person, resumed then Ruri by laughing. Anyway, congratulations, what an efficiency, how long have you been spotting me?

- The guards called me as soon as you walked through the front door.

- It's nice to know that I'm not being spied on here AT ALL.

- They don't spy on you, they inform me.

- Oh, yes. Subtle nuance. Well, can I have it ?

- Have what ?

- My welcome kiss! exclaimed Ruri as she leaned on the open window of her car door to lift herself up and bring her face close to 17's.

- Oh yes, I forg...

But 17 stopped immediately, and after a few seconds Ruri reopened her eyes to see that he had just turned his gaze mechanically towards the back seat where there were many bags with colorful logos. Seeing his right eyebrow slightly raised, Ruri understood immediately and decided to anticipate his question.

- Ah. I see. So let's make this short: yes, I went shopping while I was in town. Yes, I was reasonable. Yes, it will fit in my closet, and no, I didn't break the bank. Reassured?

- Does my opinion really matter in this ? sighed 17 as he walked to the back door to open it.

- Not really.

- That's what I thought. Okay. I'm going to help you put this stuff in the hallway and then I'll get back to work..

- Oh, really? Aren't you staying?

- What for?

- Nothing... I just thought... we'd take a little time... romantic... just the two of us... we haven't seen each other for days, didn't you miss me? muttered Ruri, disappointed to see 17 leave so quickly.

- I came to meet you, but I can't be gone for more than 5 minutes, you know that. My job is to protect the animals from any intrusion.

- Yes, yes, I know, said Ruri in a very small voice.

Of course, she knew that 17 took his work very seriously and did not like to take breaks during the day. Usually this was not a problem for her, as they were together most of the time.

But after having been separated several days, the young woman had simply languished for him, and on the long way which had brought back her towards the park she had not been able to prevent herself from dreaming of their reunion.

A candlelit meal?

An intimate evening spent together?

A whole bunch of images straight out of a girlie movie had crossed her mind during her trip.

A little saddened but understanding, Ruri thus left the car to realize with amusement that 17 had already had time to take all her things that he carried with his usual ease. The young woman even laughed when she saw him, the pile of bags on his back making him look like a giant turtle.

"After all, he came to meet me... and if the rangers called him it's probably because he told them to tell him when I was coming..." thought Ruri suddenly.

This thought calmed her down a bit.

17 had made great efforts over the years to live and integrate better with humans, forcing himself to speak more and to be more polite than he used to be. However, Ruri knew that deep down he didn't care about all these demonstrative acts that he didn't understand the need for, even towards her. His feelings manifested themselves differently in him. He expressed them through everyday, natural and almost imperceptible acts.

By the care he took in preparing her breakfast every morning, including when he left before she even woke up, leaving everything she needed on the table.

By listening to her.

By his unfailing presence, supporting her with a look or a simple smile when she had to prepare a speech for her studies.

By the unwavering trust he placed in her, constantly asking her opinion, while the opinion of all the other humans did not matter to him.

She meant something to him, she knew it, and the simple fact that he had taken a little time to come and meet her was his way of telling her, even if he was perhaps not really aware of it. So Ruri smiled at him without saying anything more, while 17 put down his heavy burden on the door step.

Suddenly, as he was about to leave, he noticed the outfit the young woman was wearing.

- Is this... new? he asked her after a brief hesitation.

- Oh ! You noticed my new outfit ? Bravo, it's so rare! Yes, I bought this little wonder yesterday. It looks good on me, doesn't it? I love the color, don't you?

17 didn't answer anything, his sharp gaze roaming up and down Ruri's body.

She wore a purple wool turtleneck sweater with long sleeves that were wider than the rest. Over her black boots and tights, a small skirt decorated with rhombuses of several colors in purple and violet tones particularly attracted his attention.

- So? asked Ruri again, impatient.

- Uh... yeah... it's...

- Cute?

- Short.

- I'm sorry ?

- Isn't this skirt a bit short?

- Yes, it's a miniskirt 17, that's the principle.

- But don't you risk catching cold with it?

- No, because I put on tights.

- Ah.

- And I wore a turtleneck. This is the number one rule of clothing. If the bottom is short, the top is covering, and vice versa. Otherwise it can be vulgar, of course.

- Yes, of course, it's ... logical.

17's cautious face concealed with great difficulty what he was really thinking, but his bewildered look did not escape Ruri who hastened to question him with a smile.

- Do you have a specific comment on my outfit?

- No.

- Do you like it then?

- Yes.

- But?

- But nothing at all.

- Great then! So can you go back to work for a bit while I pack up all my stuff?

- But didn't anyone tell you ... anything? 17 immediately resumed, as he was no longer making any movements to indicate that he intended to leave the place.

- Who could have?

- I don't know... the other rangers for example?

- Could my answer have any impact on their lifespan?

- This is not excluded.

- So we'll say no.

- Ah.

- You know you're cute as hell when you're like this ? said Ruri, smiling more at 17's confused look.

- When I'm like what ? he asked her to change the subject, as he was hesitating to question her about what the rangers had said regarding her outfit.

- Jealous...

- I am not.

- Ah well, you think so? Tell me babe, does the idea that these other men could look at me bother you? she began, a teasing gleam illuminating suddenly her glance.

After a silence, 17 answered, in a deep voice:

- Yes.

- I see... And what would you think if one of them thought I was pretty in this outfit? continued Ruri as she walked towards him, one step at a time, slowly, giving her gait a new sensuality as she untied the braid holding her long hair.

- It would probably make me deeply angry...

- Interesting, cyborg. And now...

- Now what? asked 17, as he placed his gloved hands on Ruri's hips, who had reached him.

- Imagine if one of them touched me like you just did, what would your reaction be?

For any answer, 17 brought back Ruri against him in a single gesture and kissed her with force, provoking in her a chuckle of pleasure.

- Excellent answer, murmured the young woman, breathless, between two kisses.

- Nobody touches you but me, human. Otherwise I'll pulverize it.

- So I was right, you're jealous.

- I don't care how this feeling is called.

17 turned then abruptly, placing Ruri against her car's door to better stick his body to hers. Suddenly he felt deeply the ardor of his desire revived by these long nights that she had spent far from him.

He wanted her now.

Right away.

And Ruri understood it also in an instant, feeling the hands of his lover caressing one of her thighs, before he seizes it and holds it firmly against him, tearing off has the young woman a first cry of excitement.

- 17, wait I...

But Ruri did not seek a long time to make pretence, so much she desired him too. Moaning of desire, she kissed him more and more, untying with eagerness his scarf that she took off him before letting it fall on the ground. As if he waited only a signal of her, 17 seized again her waist for returning her, pressing against her his lower abdomen that she felt hardened of excitation.

Gasping, Ruri immediately arched her back, turning towards him to better watch him.

The click that made 17's belt while he was detaching it made her shudder. Ruri enjoyed his determined face, his assured and dominating gestures and his glance fixed itself on her beautiful curves which seemed to fascinate him. He smiled, like a cat ready to savor a prey long coveted and that he was finally going to devour.

- I thought you didn't like to be away from the park for more than five minutes, she said, as a final challenge.

- I can do a lot of things in 5 minutes, Ruri, said 17 as he finished unbuckling his belt and threw it aside.

Then, undoing one of the buttons on his jeans, he continued:

- A lot...

Another button gave way, punctuating 17's words whose breath was getting shorter and shorter.

- Lot of things.

But as he was about to remove the last button, an image suddenly appeared in his right eye, triggering a small audible alarm that Ruri recognized immediately.

- Don't tell me that... Raaaah no please tell me it's not true! she exclaimed, while 17 gave a tap of spite on the door of the pick-up.

- I hate humans, he murmured as he buried his head in Ruri's hair, gradually regaining his breath and his senses.

- Hahahaha ! It's true that if even poachers don't have respect anymore, where is the world going ?

- You think it's funny?

- It's your face I find funny, Ruri said to him as she turned around, looking with amusement at 17's pouting face as he was putting on his clothes.

- And I'm the one with a questionable sense of humor?

- Roooh stop complaining. Well, who is it this time? A regular? A newcomer?

- The little fat guy with glasses. The one who sets rabbit traps.

- Mr. Hamada?

- Because you also know the names of these idiots!?

- Yes, you stop them several times a week, so I have to... Don't you?

- I don't get paid to be friends with these idiots. As for this one, what's the point of knowing his name since I'm going to go smash his skull in.

- Look on the good aspect of the situation.

- What's the good aspect ?

- Frustration increases pleasure.

- Yeah... mumbled 17, clearly not convinced by the argument.

- Promise me you won't hurt Mr. Hamada too much.

- Yeah...

- How cute you are when you make that face haha! Come on, go now. We will have all the night to continue this conversation, resumed Ruri placing on 17's lips a delicate kiss that he returned, smiling, before giving her a slight nod to say that he had understood.

Still a little dazed, the young woman took a deep breath to calm herself down.

"Maybe I should have asked him to flick Mr. Hamada from me anyway," she thought, amused to imagine how a frustrated 17 would treat this poor man, unaware of the threat he was facing.

While continuing to laugh as she pondered the scene that was to unfold in the woods, Ruri turned around, picked up the larger bags and entered the cabin.

Once past the creaky front door, she looked around the main room and kitchen.

Not a single object was out of place, everything was perfectly ordered, folded, washed, put away. She laughed again at the sight of this decor as perfect as a magazine clipping.

17 really didn't like messes and she knew that he had taken advantage of her absence to do a big cleaning, as he did every time she had to leave for a few days. Their two characters were diametrically opposed, but this did not cause any tension between them, as 17 did not like to waste his time in long discussions that bored him deeply. On the contrary, he seemed to have come to terms with this situation, as if living with Ruri had allowed him to curb his need to tidy up, which had previously turned into a mania. He had since made clear progress, letting Ruri buy from time to time small objects of decoration which brightened up a little the very spartan interior of the hut. In addition to the household appliances, she had managed to buy a plaid and cushions for the sofa, matching mugs for 17 and her, a few frames to hang on the walls and a large television that sat above the fireplace that he had put back into service.

This was not the only repair he had made.

In the more than two years he had been setting up the garage, he had turned it into a workbench, filled with tools of all kinds that he had found in the attic or bought at the local hardware store. His manager was one of the few humans with whom 17 had established some sort of relationship, and they often spent long minutes talking together, exchanging techniques or tips. 17 had a real talent for repairing anything mechanical, and as he was comfortable with the use of tools he had decided to furnish the hut himself, something in which he had also proved to be very good.

While thinking about all this, Ruri started to put all her things in the wardrobe that 17 had made for her and installed in the bedroom.

Once her clothes were put away and a washing machine was started, Ruri hurried to take care of the animals living there. Because the home of a park ranger and a zoologist would not have been able to stay for long without the presence of some rather peculiar roommates.

The two most imposing were undoubtedly their horses.

Shortly after they moved in, Ruri had been contacted by a farmer whose farm was one of many adjacent to the park. The local veterinarian was on vacation, so he had needed advice and when he had learned of the presence of an animal specialist in his immediate environment, he had come to her for help. In his herd of thoroughbred horses were two young males, two brothers, with whom he had been having training problems for some time. Previously very docile, the animals had begun to lose their obedience and seemed to have become very nervous.

After a brief observation Ruri had quickly determined the origin of the problem: both suffered from an ear disease that had suddenly worsened and made them almost deaf, hence their sudden change in behavior. Horrified, the young woman had heard the breeder explain that in their condition, the animals had become useless and costly, and that he would have to slaughter them. She had called 17 and they both had decided to buy the two horses to save them from this unjust fate.

Since then, the two brothers lived a peaceful life with them, 17 having cleaned and refurbished the barn that adjoined the cabin. He had also built a wooden fence to delimit a meadow in the quarry where they spent most of their days. Ruri had contacted the veterinarian as soon as he had returned, and while he had managed to cure them of their illness, he had been unable to do anything to restore their lost hearing.

However, with patience and gentleness, 17 and Ruri had managed to finish training the horses, which they were able to ride and which they used mainly for long walks in the immense forests of the park, or to go on small errands in the nearby village. Their deafness was only partial, and it was no longer an obstacle to their movements, as they had learned to trust their new masters.

Although from the same litter, the horses did not look alike.

Ruri had chosen the older of the two for her, a magnificent thoroughbred with a light gray coat, spotted with white and a dark gray mane and tail. As for 17, his horse was dark brown, with shiny, coppery highlights that glistened in the sunlight. His black mane gave him an imposing stature that only a white sock on the right front leg could disturb.

When they saw Ruri crossing the fence to join them, the horses came to meet her with little neighs of joy, which turned into little quick breaths of satisfaction as the young woman stroked their muzzles.

But the horses were not the only ones to have taken up residence in the cabin.

A family of dormice had also taken up residence in part of the attic, as well as an owl that had decided to make its nest in the garage. In addition to the mice, insects and spiders that were obviously there before their arrival, a couple of parakeets completed this Noah's Ark lost in the trees.

Busy feeding and caressing all this menagerie, the young woman did not really see the time passing and it was only at the end of the day that she could finally settle on the sofa with a hot chocolate and her computer to consult her mailbox and the one she shared with 17 so that he did not have to deal with the administrative steps he hated.

It took her almost an hour to get through all the overdue e-mails, and now there was only one left, the title of which intrigued her immediately.

"Need your expertise and support, Northern Regional Nature Park... Ah, no doubt a new request for assistance for him," Ruri thought to herself as she was about to click to read the mail when her phone began to ring, displaying 17's number.

The young woman, intrigued, immediately picked up the phone.

- Yes babe ? An emergency? An injured animal?

- No.

- Is Mr. Hamada still alive?

- Yes.

- Here I am reassured.

- Could you meet me at the bottom of the hill in sector F4?

- Why?

- I have something to show you.

- What is it?

- This is a surprise.

- Uh... okay. Can I take the quad?

- If you want, I filled it up yesterday.

- Okay, give me 15 minutes and I'm there.

- Okay.

Ruri hung up, even more puzzled.

17 didn't call her often when he was working, and each time it was to report a problem or ask her a question about one of the animals in the park. He was not in the habit of playing guessing games either, but he was very quiet on the phone, a sign that nothing serious had happened. So, after putting on a tracksuit to move around more easily, Ruri went to the garage, started the quad bike and went into the woods.

Sector F4 was a very remote part of the park, located almost in its center. Rocky, far from everything and very difficult to access, this area did not interest the poachers because it was only populated by snakes, lizards and some common birds. Its only interest was geological, since several geysers and very small hot springs were found there, and a few walkers sometimes went there under the guidance of the forest rangers. But as the sun was already beginning to disappear behind the surrounding treetops, this place was now just a vast silent space, as if cut off from the rest of the planet, devoid of any form of life.

"I hope you really have a good reason 17..." said Ruri to herself as she parked, still doubtful about the reasons for this strange call.

Not seeing him, she began to call him.

- 17 ! I'm here! she shouted, without getting an answer.

"If this is another one of your dubious jokes, I swear I'll find a way to deactivate you cyborg!" thought the young woman, quite irritated, before shouting again:

- 17 ! Where are you at the.. AAAAAAAAAAAAAH!

In a fraction of a second, Ruri felt on her waist the pressure of 17's hands, which had just appeared right behind her. Without warning, he lifted her above the ground and in an instant reached the top of a small hill on top of which was one of the hot springs.

Very delicately, he put down Ruri and landed in his turn, a few meters farther, to position himself in front of her.

- Hi, he then said, smiling.

- You and I are REALLY going to have a conversation about this habit you have of carrying me around like I'm a backpack!

- A very cute backpack.

- I am serious!

- Me too.

- Raaaah anyway, so ? Can I have an explanation ?

- I wanted us not to be disturbed.

- For what?

- Didn't you tell me earlier that you wanted to have a romantic moment since you haven't been here for several days?

Ruri, incredulous, looked at the landscape around her. All around her she saw only rocks and pebbles of varying sizes, pieces of basalt whose volcanic gray almost blended with the blackness of the sky from which the sun had disappeared.

Not a single sound disturbed the gloomy silence.

A desert of stone, dark and cold.

- So, she finally asks, you're telling me that... this... is a romantic date, and that's why you made me come?

- Yes.

Not really knowing whether to get angry, laugh or cry, Ruri remained silent for a moment, before looking this time in 17's direction.

He had his hands on his hips, stood up straight, and wore a wide smile that she could see very well in the darkness of this emerging night. She knew him well enough now to know that he was serious, and even proud of himself. She clearly did not expect this explanation. Yet, although part of her was in dismay, she couldn't ignore the fact that 17 must have thought he was doing the right thing. After all, he was right, she was the one who had brought up the idea of a moment "alone together", and no other place in the park was more isolated than this one.

Ruri was still very surprised at the strangeness of his choice for this place. But anyway, she couldn't really blame him, so she decided not to hurt him and tried not to show her disappointment too much.

- Okay so we're going to... have a... date here?

- Absolutely.

- And you, you find this place... romantic?

- Yes. Nott you?

- Uh... Yes. Yes, I do. Yes. Totally.

- Mmmm my cyborg instincts tell me it's not totally true, human, 17 replied with a laugh.

He seemed to find the situation and the dazed air of Ruri very amusing, which destabilized the young woman who did not know really what she should answer.

- Well... let's say I was expecting... something else but it's nice of you to have tried... she stammered, still trying not to offend him.

- I find this place perfect. And romantic.

- Ok but don't exaggerate either, I know that you try to be nice and that you make efforts but well... Ruri replied at once.

- Don't you like my surprise? Why not?

- Are you really asking me why? Ruri questioned him, trying to contain the annoyance that 17's persistent smile was beginning to provoke in her.

- Yes.

- Are you really serious?

- Yes.

- You're inbelievable! I mean, I know you have a hard time with some... feelings and concepts but... How can this pile of dusty rocks be romantic?

- What would you have wanted?

- I don't know, a restaurant, candles, going to the movies, flowers,... Oh anyway ! Never mind! It's just... I wanted... I thought... something more...

- Human?

- YES!

- But I'm not.

- I know!

- You once told me that you loved me as I was and that you didn't want to change me.

- I KNOW but... but it's just... Ruri stammered, confused and red with shame.

It was then that 17 burst out laughing, before approaching her and gently placing a kiss on her lips that made her shut up immediately.

- Haha! You know you're cute when you do that?

- When I do what?

- When you lie.

- I am not !

- Ah well, you think so?

Ruri was about to answer but she didn't, suddenly realizing the similarity of this exchange with the one they had had earlier. Doubt assailed her, and she realized when she looked closer that 17 was still smiling at her, but that this smile was not ironic. It was a smile full of love and tenderness.

- Look better, he whispered to her. Around and above.

Then, still without understanding but much more calmly, Ruri observed the surroundings.

Pebbles.

Rocks.

Nothing new at first glance.

But 17 insisted, still smiling, encouraging her to continue.

"Around..."

Ruri then laid eyes on what had been there all along but which she had not immediately paid attention to.

The source.

A very small pool of turquoise blue water, to which the rays of the almost full moon of this autumn night gave pearly reflections which quivered on the surface in sublime silver bubbles under the effect of the heat emanating from the depths of the earth. If in the daytime it could appear ordinary, this tiny spring had become a real concentrate of beauty, like a precious stone revealing all its splendor thanks to the expert cut of a jeweler.

"Above..."

So Ruri looked up.

Lost in the heart of the park, this small piece of land was so far from civilization that none of the artificial lights of humans disturbed the purity of the starry sky. An inky black sky, illuminated by countless stars scattered like diamonds on a necklace.

This place was in fact...

- Beautiful... Ruri murmured, stunned.

- I know, 17 replied, gently stroking a lock of her long hair.

- How did you get the idea to come here?

- I improvised. After I stopped the poacher I went back to work, but I thought about what you said and how you wanted something romantic. So I thought about what I could do and I remembered this place.

- But we've been here together before, and I don't remember paying attention to how beautiful it was.

- In fact we have been here before, it's true, but during the day. You know that I often train in the evening? Well, this is one of my favorite places. It's isolated, quiet, and I don't risk disturbing the animals. I come here to be alone, but I had noticed that the landscape is much more beautiful after dark.

17 then let out a small sigh and resumed, scratching the back of his head a little sheepishly.

- In fact I owe you an apology for that, he said to Ruri who raised an eyebrow in sign of incomprehension.

- Why?

Without answering, 17 kissed her delicately, tightening around her slim waist his powerful hands that caressed Ruri's back, before getting lost again in the labyrinth of her sublime hair.

- Because I should have brought you here a long time ago. And also because I should have thought of organizing this romantic evening for you. Ruri... I know that such things are important to you. But I never think about it. For me it's... well... I don't think about it. I'm sorry, I hope I didn't hurt you earlier?

- It doesn't matter, Ruri answered, looking at him with her big green eyes that small tears of joy made sparkle.

- Really?

- Yes, you idiot. This place is just perfect. Everything is perfect. You're here, and that's all I need. I just... needed to know that you missed me a little bit.

- A little bit ?

17 temporarily loosened his gentle embrace and pulled his head back in surprise before resuming:

- Do you think I missed you just a little bit?

- Well... yes.

- I see.

- What do you see?

- That it's time to continue.

- Continue what?

- The romantic moment, says 17 to her, releasing her completely.

Faced with the questioning glance of Ruri, he smiled again. And his smile was this time much more intense, so much so that the young woman felt herself blushing instantly.

He looked at her with envy.

Little by little appeared in his eyes this dominating and powerful gleam and this confident air in front of which she knew she was unable to resist.

Again, and still without a word, he took off his scarf which he let fall at his feet, before removing just as quickly his gloves and the two t-shirts he was wearing.

- But... what... tried to ask Ruri.

But 17 had approached her again, removing his shoes and socks just before he reached her.

He then took hold of Ruri's hands and placed them on his belt.

- Undo it, he answered her, in a firm tone that sounded like an order that the young woman did not wait a second to execute, shivering at the contact of 17's lips that were on her already half-opened mouth.

Satisfied, 17 finished removing all of his clothes.

Still smiling, he then took a step to the side to enter the hot spring in which he sat. Then, once installed, he raised his right hand and with a single movement of his index finger he signaled to Ruri to join him.

- So what are you waiting for? he asked.

- Do you want me to come?

- No. I want you to take off your clothes first. Then you can join me. Unless you're too shy or afraid?

- Me, afraid ? Who do you think I am?

- Haha there, that's better, human. Come on. You wanted romance, right?

- You really have a very particular definition of "romance" 17.

- Does it bother you?

- Not at all...

Having regained her senses and without taking her eyes off 17 who was enjoying the show, Ruri took off each of her clothes one by one and then came to immerse herself in the almost boiling water of the spring. Seeing her companion nodding to her, she turned slightly to sit on 17's knees who immediately surrounded her with his arms.

During some seconds, he kissed with delicacy the soft and pearly skin of the nape of Ruri's neck, of which he knew that she adored this caress. Taking his time, he deposited on her flesh short kisses, which were as many intense ticklings that the young woman welcomed with pleasure by small tremors and cries of pleasure.

- And so, what's the program of this romantic date ? she finally asked, savoring the softness of 17 which began to slowly caress her chest.

Giving then to his kisses a more intense force, 17 brought back her against him of a gesture, before murmuring, in the hollow of her ear:

- I'll show you how much I missed you, Ruri.