Chapter 54: Hana’s Sulk
Saturday morning at the Academy island arrived with a crisp, salt-tinged breeze that swept across the manicured lawns. For most, it was a day of relaxation, but for Jun, it was the start of a rigorous routine. The rhythmic thud-thud-thud of sneakers hitting the pavement echoed through the quiet residential district.
Jun was in his element, his breathing steady and controlled, his muscles working in perfect synchronization. Beside him, keeping pace with a focused intensity, was Mei. She had joined him for his morning run, her athletic frame moving with a grace that spoke of her disciplined upbringing. Though she was not as naturally explosive as Jun, her endurance was impressive.
As they rounded the final bend toward the dorm, Jun slowed to a brisk walk, his skin glistening with a fine sheen of sweat. He wasn’t winded; he was energized.
Waiting for them at the entrance was Akane. She stood with her usual poised precision, holding a tray with chilled towels and refreshing electrolyte drinks. As Jun approached, she stepped forward, offering the towel with a slight, respectful bow.
“Good morning, Jun-sama,” she murmured.
Jun took the towel, wiping his face. He looked at the tray and then at her. “You know, Akane, you don’t have to do this. We have maids for the household. You can assign the refreshments to them.”
Akane’s expression remained neutral, but a small, proud glint appeared in her eyes. “I prefer to do it myself, Jun-sama. I take pride in my duties—both as your woman and as a maid. To serve you is not a chore; it is my privilege.”
Jun gave a small, appreciative nod. He didn’t push the issue, knowing that for Akane, the act of service was her way of expressing her devotion. He stepped aside, and Akane handed a chilled towel to Mei.
“Thank you, Akane,” Mei said, her voice soft. There was a brief, silent moment of understanding between the two women—a mutual respect for their roles in Jun’s life.
Jun sighed, looking toward the upper floors of the dorm. “Where are the others?”
“Sora-sama is in the study,” Akane replied. “She has an online meeting with the Tsukama Group. She mentioned she would likely be finished before lunch.”
“And Hana?”
Akane’s gaze shifted toward the hallway. “She is still locked in her room. She hasn’t come out since last night.”
Jun rubbed his temple, a dull headache beginning to form. He didn’t need a psychic to tell him what was happening. He knew Hana’s patterns. Between the movie announcement and the subsequent digital firestorm, Hana’s possessive streak had likely gone into overdrive. She was sulking—a storm of jealousy and longing.
Jun walked toward Hana’s room, his footsteps heavy. He stopped in front of her door and gave a firm knock.
“Hana. Get up,” he commanded.
“Hana isn’t here!” a muffled, indignant voice shouted from inside. “She’s gone! She’s moved to another island! Leave her alone!”
Jun let out a huff of amusement. “I can hear you breathing, Hana. Stop playing and come out.”
“I don’t want to! Go away!”
Inside the room, Hana was currently buried under a mountain of blankets, her face pressed into a plush pillow. She was in a state of total emotional turmoil. Jun-oppa is so stupid! she thought, punching the pillow with a frustrated grunt. Why does he have to be so handsome? Why does he have to be so charming? Now every girl in the Academy is obsessed with him! It’s not fair!
She rolled over, hugging the pillow tightly to her chest, her heart aching with a mixture of love and territorial rage. The thought of the movie premiering today—the thought of thousands of girls seeing the way Jun claimed Sora—made her want to scream. She wanted to be the only one he looked at, the only one who knew the secrets of his touch.
Suddenly, the sound of a key turning in the lock echoed through the room.
Hana squealed in surprise, bolting upright as the door swung open. Jun stood there, his expression a mix of boredom and amusement, holding the spare key.
“Get out of bed, Hana. Stop sulking,” Jun said, stepping into the room.
Hana immediately crossed her arms, pouting with a dramatic intensity. “How could you?! You just barged in! This is a girl’s room! You can’t just enter without a formal invitation! Where is your sense of propriety, Oppa?!”
Jun’s eye twitched. He didn’t have the patience for the “propriety” argument. “I’m entering my woman’s room in my own house,” he replied flatly.
Before Hana could launch into another protest, Jun moved. With a swift, powerful motion, he reached down and grabbed her, hoisting her up and throwing her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.
“Put me down! Put me down right now!” Hana shrieked, her legs kicking frantically in the air. “This is kidnapping! I’m calling my lawyer!”
Jun didn’t say a word. Instead, he brought his hand down in a sharp, resounding SMACK across her rear.
“Ah…!” Hana let out a sudden, involuntary moan. The shock of the slap sent a jolt of pleasure through her, her body reacting instinctively to his dominance. Her protests died in her throat, replaced by a shaky, breathless gasp.
However, Hana’s pride was a stubborn thing. Despite the heat pooling in her lower belly, she tried to reclaim her indignation. She squirmed in his grip, her voice returning, though it was now an octave higher and lacked its previous conviction.
“That… that was unnecessary!” she huffed, her face turning a vivid shade of red. “You can’t just smack me whenever you want! I’m a national sweetheart! I have an image to maintain! You’re just being a bully, Oppa! I’m still mad at you, so don’t think for one second that I’m—”
SMACK!
Before she could finish her sentence, Jun delivered a second, even firmer strike to her backside.
“Nnngh…!” Hana’s voice broke into a high-pitched, needy whimper. Her back arched instinctively, her body curving into his as the second shock of pleasure rippled through her. The air left her lungs in a rush, and her eyes glazed over for a moment, her mind turning to mush under the weight of his possessiveness.
She stopped struggling entirely, her limbs going limp in his arms. The “Nation’s Sweetheart” had completely vanished, replaced by a woman who was utterly undone by a simple show of authority.
“It’s… it’s not fair,” Hana whispered in a small, defeated voice, her head lolling against his shoulder. “You can’t just… handle me like that.”
Jun didn’t answer. He simply carried her down the hall, his grip firm and possessive. He didn’t stop until he reached the master bathroom, where the steam was already beginning to rise.
“You’ve spent enough time sulking,” Jun murmured, his voice dropping into that low, commanding register that always made Hana’s heart race. “Now, you’re going to take a shower. With me.”
Hana’s heart leaped. The anger and jealousy vanished instantly, replaced by a wave of intense anticipation. As he set her down, she looked up at him with wide, shimmering eyes, her pout replaced by a look of total devotion.