Chapter 78 A Bit Too Playful

-Prior to Ben and Bail's arrival-

The duo of Azi and Shizu continued their bath and while they had enjoyed the comfort of each other's bodies, they had incorrectly bathed themselves as they should have washed themselves with soap and water before entering the tub of water.

"While I do enjoy our moment, I believe we should get a proper bath in. I can still smell the sweat from your morning training."

"Alright but I'm not letting you wash me, not unless you let me clean you as a fair exchange."

Still haunted by how roughly Shizu had previously "cleaned" him, he hoped to either never experience such an embarrassing event again or be able to get even with her.

Shizu, the stubborn kind of person she was, would not back down as she endeavored to win the next battle to determine who was the more dominant one between the two.

This had become a common occurrence between them ever since that day they fought each other while drunk. Shizu had never lost in a duel to any man, so she tried to rebuild the pride she had built since childhood.

On the other hand, Azi always loved a challenge and became a bit emotional when it came to competitions or a battle of wit. This combination of personalities was likely a match made either in heaven or hell as it seemingly caused them to have a never-ending exchange of battles over the simplest things.

Their last exchange ended in a draw and they were raring to gain the upper hand against the other.

"Sure, I accept your challenge, but prepare yourself. I am not so easily able to be embarrassed like a certain someone."

Shizu grasped Azi's back a bit tighter to bring his head deeper into her bosom. Azi flushed a bit but retaliated with a firm squeeze of his hands that still groped Shizu's chest. Using his pointer finger and thumb, he pinched the somewhat firm pair nubs on Shizu's breasts.

Unprepared for the simulation she received, Shizu moaned in pleasure as her large breasts were quite sensitive and Azi knew this all too well. Before the atmosphere became too steamy and pink between the two, Shizu broke from their embrace as she let go of Azi's back and promptly left the bathtub.

Azi could see that Shizu had blushing cheeks but was unable to confirm what he saw as she had turned her back to Azi. She then moved over to where the stacks of wooden stools and buckets were kept. Grabbing a pair of sponges and bars of soap, Shizu sat on a stool and readied herself to be cleaned.

She gestured for Azi to come over which he did, but he had a cheeky expression on his face as he grinned as if he were already victorious. This made Shizu scoff in dissatisfaction as she didn't like how arrogant men could be and it was especially irksome due to how young Azi looked.

She likened Azi visage like a mischievous little puppy and prompted him to hurry up.

"Just get started!"

Shizu turned her face away from Azi and hid the pout that she had from his sight, Azi on the other hand deftly moved to lather the sponge with the bar of soap and his wet hands. After filling a bucket with some water from the wooden bath tub, he began to wash and scrub her back.

Azi again marveled at the soft feeling of her skin and the well-defined contours of her muscles. They were not overly masculine but instead helped to heighten the appeal of her womanly charms. Shizu had a natural hourglass figure and had a bit of excess fat in her rear that made it somewhat pleasant to feel.

Wanting to pay Shizu back, Azi scrubbed her rear with a bit more force with the sponge and gave her butt a nice squeeze and fondling. To his dismay, Shizu kept a stoic expression as she took his teasing act in stride, but she made a mental note to be rougher with him when she got the chance.

Seeing that he was getting nowhere with his rough scrubbing and groping, he realized that he lacked the strength to really cause Shizu any discomfort or pain without the infusion of his fortifying magic. He would have to think of a creative way to get a rise out of Shizu so he used the time he spent washing her long red hair to think of something he could do.

After prompting Shizu to close her eyes, he poured the basin of warm water over her head to wash off the suds of soap from her hair. After parting and straightening her long hair with his hands, he noticed that Shizu somewhat shivered when he brushed his hand against the back of her neck.

Picking up on her reaction, Azi brought his face close to Shizu's wet nape and began kissing it lightly, she again shivered but kept a stoic silence. He then more fervently kissed Shizu's nape and began to nibble on her neck in a more sensual manner.

He then sucked on her skin which caused a few red marks to be formed on the back of her neck. This was somewhat in retaliation to Shizu's previous offensive when they slept together as she would usually give him love bites that would mark his neck and face while he was asleep.

He was always embarrassed every morning as Ougi brought it to everyone's attention no matter how hard he tried to hide the red marks.

Shizu moans a bit at the unfamiliar feeling of having her nape sucked and kissed. After Azi got his fill of fun, he proceeded to lather his hand with soap and reach around to her front.

Purposefully using his hand rather than the sponge, Azi began to caress and rubbed his palms into Shizu abdomen to lather her body in suds. Shizu was given a reprieve as she was not as sensitive in that part of her body as she had very well-trained abdominal muscles.

It was only until Azi moved his hand up to her chest that she began to feel as if she were in danger. She was still sensitive in her breast and the slippery feeling of his soapy hands added to the pleasant feeling of his already silky-smooth palms.

She did her best to hide her moans, but all attempts failed as Azi concurrently began to kiss the back of her neck again as he fondled her chest. Shizu cried out a louder moan which made Azi feel a sense of pride and victory well up in his heart. This emboldened him as he put more force into his actions.

"Azi, wait! I am not hmmmmm ahhh Hmmmm...."

Shizu turned her head to the right and attempted to cry out for mercy, but Azi did not relent. He instead moved his lips to seal Shizu's own to prevent her from making any pleas.

With her lips sealed, she attempted to pull away to tell Azi to stop but he chased her lips relentlessly until all she could do was writhe upon the stool she was sitting on. Azi did not stop and it felt as though hours passed to them.

Azi would think back and believe that he went overboard with his teasing as he felt he was getting out of control with his actions towards Shizu. He did enjoy the overwhelming sense of fulfillment whenever he was with her.

Azi suddenly stopped when he felt Shizu's whole body start to convulse and he worried that she was in pain. But when he released her mouth from his kiss, he could see that her eyes were glazed over and was panting in expectation and excitement.

"More."

She uttered this single word and turned her whole body to face Azi. She then pounced and Azi was unable to resist Shizu's heavy-handed strength. Forced to the ground and now on his back, Shizu startled him and began lathering her hand with soap and then lathered her front with soap.

Azi did not know what Shizu was about to do, but when he saw her lean forward Azi panicked a bit as he felt that he was going to again be suffocated by Shizu. To his surprise, Shizu only locked his lips and kissed him deeply.

Her tongue intertwined with Azi's in a wet and rushed fervor. She then began to gyrate her body atop his body and used herself like a sponge to clean him.

Azi attempted to moan as he felt the all too familiar and overwhelming softness of Shizu's body against his own. This was like the time he was enveloped from behind when Shizu punished him, but it was much more intense and felt more pleasant than painful.

He could feel his lower region begin to rise as it rubbed against the womanly parts of Shizu's lower body.

Shizu and Azi began to feel a pleasurable sensation rising in their minds and after a few minutes, they both felt a pleasurable release. Shizu's body convulsed for a second time while Azi felt something release from the tip of his manhood. Both of them moaned in pleasure but the sound was muffled by their deep kiss.

Shizu felt something slimy drip onto her lower back which made her feel a sense of incongruity. Releasing her kiss first she saw the state that Azi was in, he was panting heavily and his eyes were glazed over.

Touching her lower back, she felt the slimy white liquid stick to her finger and when she brought it to her sight she blushed at the realization of what it was and what they had just done.

"Get up Azi. We need to clean ourselves up."

Her voice timid, Shizu was the first to get up. She helped Azi to his feet and this time they more normally cleaned each other. Azi was a bit out of it for a while as the new sensation was something he had forgotten.

Shizu kept silent but moved her hands to clean the long part of Azi's lower body. Azi blushed as a pleasant sensation that shot up the entire length of his back as she began to stroke his member back and forth with her soapy hands.

She blushed as this happened, but she continued to support Azi's body that went a bit limp in her hands. In his stupor, Azi attempted to kiss Shizu but not wanting to lose herself again, she denied him by placating him with a kiss on his cheek.

Azi and Shizu now sat across from each other in the tub of warm water. Azi was still out of it as his body was still reeling from his pleasant experience. He came to a few minutes later and he asked with a meek tone of voice.

"Umm... why did you.... uh nevermind.

Azi blushed a bit and turned his head down. He thought to himself that maybe he shouldn't ask. It seemed like a too sensitive topic to touch on, but a sense of worry overcame him.

'Did I overdo it? Did I...' But before he could finish that thought Shizu said plainly.

"I promised to only give myself to someone stronger than me."

As a woman in the army, she was looked down upon by men and was constantly harassed by those who pined for her familial connection to the king. She needed to be strong as she was the eldest of her siblings.

She had to protect herself and more important to her, she had to protect her family.

"I see." Said Azi, he then joked a bit to lighten the mood but it had a ting of resolve in his words. "I guess I have my work cut out for me. I'll work hard to pass your trials!"

He said this as he looked down at his hand under the water, he formed them into fist as he made this declaration and smiled a bit too himself.

Shizu furrowed her brows at this, she was glad that Shizu was so enthusiastic but she had hoped to help Azi relax today. She was successful at first but felt her efforts had little effect as it might have emboldened him. So, she had to ask to confirm his ambitions.

"Why do you work so hard? You have been pushing yourself to the breaking point these days. What is your goal?"

Azi thought for a moment and said plainly while he hides a bit of the truth.

"It feels natural for me to push myself. I don't want to fail others or ...myself?"

He grimaced a bit as he felt a headache overtake his mind, he remembered that figure from his dream and recalled what he said.

Are you enjoying your life?

He could answer yes but felt that it was wrong of him to feel that way.

Seeing him struggling with this thought, she thought to comfort him but hesitated. Was she manipulating him? Every time Azi looked as if he was in a moment of weakness, she would be there.

They were close and she wanted to see if Azi could become her potential fiance, but remembering Ozen's agenda she stalled in her action and second guessed herself.

So, she did what she thought was right and wrapped Azi in her embrace. She could feel Azi relaxing in her arms and was relieved that he was no longer making a pained expression. To this day, she still wonders about Azi's past and could only guess at what he was like.

But she understood that Azi was a hard worker, but not just that. He was a selfless person. From protecting her from the kengiri, to coming to her aid during her expedition, and even aiding Touma by giving him his stamina potions.

Azi was a generous and kind boy. Sure, she butted heads with him but they got along through their small competitions and ensured that neither of them got overly hurt.

She again heeded Kajima's words, she must let him choose and only try to guide him rather than force him down a path he did not choose for himself.

After a bit more hugging, the two of them ended their bath and got changed. Shizu gave him one last kiss in order to placate his mind and they exited the bathroom hand in hand.

To their surprise, Ben and Bail were talking with Kajima in the living room and a bit of evidence remained as they both had reddened cheeks and their attire was not as securely fastened as some of their skin was exposed.

Luckily, their dignity was well protected, but it looked as if they had just done the deed which made Ben and Bail have slack jawed expressions.