Taking the winding path that snaked through the woods, Ace hurried uphill. Golden sunlight filtered through the leaves and dappled the ground in shifting patterns. His boots crunched on fallen leaves as he breathed deeply, savoring the air thick with the earthy scent of damp soil and pine needles. A thrill of excitement buzzed in his chest as he rushed along the faded trail.
Finally, he broke through the trees and stopped, his breath catching in awe. Nestled among the rocks was a small pool of shimmering water, steam rising lazily into the cool air. The vibrant turquoise surface rippled gently, as though beckoning him closer. Ace could almost feel the warmth radiating from it, even at a distance.
Arriving at the pool's edge, he carefully crouched down and lowered his hand into the water, letting its soothing heat envelop his skin. It was perfect—not too hot, not too cold. The warmth seeped into him, chasing away the lingering chill of the hillside.
Ace closed his eyes, letting the sounds of the forest wash over him: the cheerful chirping of birds, the soft rustling of leaves. Together, they formed a calming symphony that made his worries seem to dissolve into the crisp air. Breathing deeply, he allowed himself to revel in the moment.
When he gently opened his eyes, he stood and gazed at the steam rising gracefully from the pool. The mist thickened the air with a comforting warmth as it disappeared into the canopy of ancient trees overhead. His eyes wandered to the winding, moss-covered trail that had led him here.
There, under the dappled sunlight filtered through the trees, stood Emi. The interplay of her unreal beauty and the divine backdrop stirred an unspeakable feeling within Ace. He suppressed it quickly, catching sight of Dame Wasp hovering beside Emi. Her tiny figure darted playfully through the golden beams as if dancing with the light.
Shaking his head to dispel his wayward thoughts, Ace focused on the natural masterpiece before him: the spring. Smooth, moss-covered rocks formed a natural basin, the water overflowing into a small, cascading stream of vibrant turquoise. It shimmered like liquid gemstones, inviting him to lose himself in its magic.
Without further hesitation, Ace began to undress, eager to enjoy the spring's embrace. Though it was afternoon, the uphill air still carried a refreshing chill that made the thought of the warm water all the more enticing.
Emi had noticed her master's lingering gaze, the way his eyes rested on her with an unspoken longing. It stirred something deep within her, evoking her innate instincts as a tantric sex doll. Yet, with her senpai Dame Wasp hovering nearby, she, like her master, suppressed those feelings. Turning her attention to the surrounding forest, she let its serene beauty distract her. The secluded atmosphere, filled with birdsong and the occasional rustle of leaves, created a tranquil symphony that softened the silence.
As Ace looked around for a place to set his clothes, Emi approached him, her movements graceful and purposeful. Without a word, she took his clothes from him and stored them in her storage talisman. Standing just a breath away, her presence felt magnetic. Ace's thoughts wandered dangerously—he wanted to grab her, pull her into the spring with him, and lose himself in her under the filtered sunlight that danced across the water's surface.
But he refrained. Instead, he nodded at her and calmly stepped into the spring, sinking into the warm water. Leaning against the smooth stone edge, Ace let out a contented sigh as he allowed the spring's warmth to envelop him.
The sensation was transformative. The buoyant water soothed his tired muscles, melting away the aches from hours of riding through the woods. Despite his superhuman strength and stamina, Ace was not immune to exhaustion and pain. Moments like these reminded him that even enhanced bodies needed rest. The mineral-rich water worked its magic, leaving his skin feeling refreshed and invigorated.
Breathing deeply, he savored the earthy aroma of the forest mingled with the unique mineral scent of the spring. A serene expression settled over his face as he leaned back, resting his head against a rock. Closing his eyes, he let the wonders of the spring flow through him, soothing every fiber of his being.
The world's worries seemed to dissolve in the spring's embrace. The tranquility of the forest, the soft murmur of the nearby stream, and the rhythmic cadence of his breath created a profound sense of peace. Ace realized he had never experienced anything before. Growing up in the city, his vacations were often spent at relatives' homes, theme parks, or resorts—never in nature's untouched splendor.
Now, with this hidden haven all to himself for the afternoon, he felt blessed.
"What's wrong, girls?" Ace asked, opening his eyes and turning his head to find his toy summons. Dame Wasp was circling around Emi, while the latter seemed to be avoiding her senpai for some reason.
Before Dame Wasp could respond, Emi stepped forward and asked, "Master, may I go to the creek to catch some fish and grill them for you?"
Not missing a beat, Dame Wasp added, "Master, may I gather herbs for flavor? Also, I think I can scrape up some salt from the surroundings." She shot a pointed look at Emi as she spoke.
"Sure, but first, someone explain to me why you two are fighting again. I thought you'd gotten close enough to team up on me by now," Ace said, resting his arms on the rocks and propping his head on his hands. His gaze shifted between his toy summons, noting their odd behavior.
Dame Wasp huffed before answering, "Master, I suggested Emi join you in the hot spring while I prepare the food, but she refuses. It seems I'm only her senpai in name." She shot another sharp glare at Emi.
Dame Wasp didn't want to be the reason her master and Emi missed an opportunity to enjoy each other's company, so she asked Emi—through the status screen—to accompany their master in the spring. She thought it'd be a good idea while she went to the forest to gather herbs and catch fish. But Emi ignored her, which was a first as normally Emi would never say not her.
Now that she had gotten to know Emi, Dame Wasp found herself more than happy to share their master with her. She valued their growing bond and felt no jealousy—only a desire to see their master enjoy the serenity of this breathtaking scenery to the fullest.
"Master, may I go?" Emi asked, her voice soft but insistent. She didn't wait for Ace to respond to Dame Wasp, knowing full well he was holding himself back for her senpai's sake, just as she was. Emi's guilt weighed heavily on her. The idea of indulging in intimate moments with her master while leaving Dame Wasp out felt selfish. She resolved to suppress her innate tantric instincts, just as Ace seemed to be doing, out of respect for their bond as a trio.
Ace sighed, noticing the subtle tension between them, and nodded. "Sure, you two can go ahead. But don't wander more than a mile radius from me," he said firmly, his tone a mix of authority and care. "And remember to keep me updated."
His gaze lingered on them as he gave his permission. Though they weren't children, they were still only a few weeks old in existence. Knowing he could recall them to his side at any moment provided him with some peace of mind.
"Master, she ignored me again," Dame Wasp pointed out, her voice tinged with frustration, though it sounded more like complaining. She looked helpless, her tiny wings twitching in the air as she hovered nearby. Seeing her usually obedient junior suddenly act rebellious and ignore her left her confused. Unable to understand why Emi was acting this way, Dame Wasp turned to Ace for an explanation.
Ace sighed, his gaze softening as he looked at her. "Rose, I understand where you're coming from," he said gently, "but you can't force others to do something they don't want to do. Since Emi doesn't want to let it go..." He trailed off, his tone implying that he wasn't going to force the issue. He didn't bother explaining Emi's behavior further to Dame Wasp, knowing it would only make her feel bad and guilty.
It was like a family planning an exotic vacation, only for the mother to suddenly be called into work and unable to join them. The mother, despite her disappointment, wants her family to enjoy the vacation without her, knowing they've been looking forward to it for so long. It's one of the reasons she worked so hard.
But the family, out of love, chooses to stay behind, because they can't bear the thought of her returning to a empty home. They wouldn't be able to enjoy the vacation knowing she's alone. Not every family expresses their love in this way, but some do—turning their love for each other into a source of pain that cements their bond stronger. But in the end, when they sit together at the dinner table, sharing a meal, it's the togetherness that makes it all worth it.
Dame Wasp gave a respectful nod, her wings vibrating faintly as she hovered in place. Emi, meanwhile, hesitated for a moment, glancing at Dame Wasp before bowing slightly to Ace and turning toward the forest path. Ace watched them go, the soft rustle of their movements blending with the natural symphony of the forest around him. He felt blessed to have such a dynamic with his toy summons. He couldn't help but wonder if this would continue if he were to turn a villain into one of his toy summons.