Allen continued stepping into the spacious bathroom. His steps faltered when he saw Kazien, who was bathing, cleaning his body, sitting on a bathing bench without wearing a single stitch of clothing.
Realizing someone's presence, Kazien immediately turned around. His gaze was cold and sharp.
"Why have you come to me here?" asked Kazien curtly. "Isn't it impolite of you to barge in while I'm bathing?"
Allen gulped, trying to gather his courage. "Are you still angry about what I said to you?"
Kazien did not answer. He looked away and simply continued his bathing activity, scrubbing his body with soap as if Allen weren't there.
Allen felt completely awkward facing Kazien, who appeared to be angry with him. He felt ignored, yet he knew he deserved it.
"You know?" exclaimed Kazien, trying to explain. "I chose to come here because Aunt Elisa invited me! If not for her request, there is no way I would have been willing to come here!"
This time, Allen couldn't say anything. Then, Kazien fell silent again.
Seeing that cold response, Allen gathered the courage to take a step further. He walked closer to the wet area where Kazien was bathing.
Kazien stopped his movements, then stared at Allen in astonishment.
"Why are you standing in front of me?" asked Kazien. "Aren't you afraid of me?"
Allen still didn't answer. However, his next action was truly beyond Kazien's expectations.
Without warning, Allen began to unbutton his shirt. One by one, he stripped off the clothes clinging to his body and dropped them onto the dry floor. There were no clothes left on his body until Kazien could clearly see Allen's naked body standing upright right in front of him.
Ba-thump! Ba-thump! Ba-thump! Ba-thump!
Allen's heart beat fast, racing with adrenaline. Standing completely naked in front of Kazien, who was also naked, required extraordinary guts, especially after his earlier accusation.
"Prove that my accusation was wrong!" challenged Allen with a flushed face but a serious gaze. "And make me not afraid of you anymore!"
Kazien stared at him flatly. "How?"
"What do you usually do to Alvin so he doesn't feel afraid anymore?" asked Allen.
Kazien answered with a flat expression. "He always sits on my lap when we soak together. Our skin touches."
Then, Kazien looked at Allen with a warning. "It's better if you don't force yourself. I don't want you to fall in love with me!"
Although his heart was pounding hearing that warning, Allen did not back down. He took a small bench and decided to sit next to Kazien, then began washing his body with water and bathing with him.
"I guarantee that I will not fall in love with you!" stated Allen firmly while pouring water over his own body.
Kazien could only sigh internally seeing his cousin's behavior.
I don't know what's going through his mind to be reckless enough to bathe with me like this! thought Kazien. He is indeed cute. But, there is no way I would cheat on Alvin just for him. If he ends up falling for me, I'm sure it will become a very troublesome matter for me!
However, not long after, the bathroom door opened again.
Alvin entered the room. He saw the two cousins sitting side by side cleaning their bodies. Without hesitation, Alvin took off his clothes. He joined them in the bathing area to clean his body.
And now, the three of them were bathing together.
However, the atmosphere in the bathroom became very awkward. Only the sound of splashing water and soap being scrubbed could be heard. Kazien was busy with himself, and so was Allen. They didn't speak to each other.
Alvin felt a bit uncomfortable because he arrived at the wrong time. He saw the tangible tension between his fiancé and his cousin.
Are the two of them going to not talk to each other like this? thought Alvin anxiously. I'm the one who can't stand it if the atmosphere is like this.
Alvin knew that if no one tried to fix their relationship now, it was certain that the two of them would never be able to make up due to their respective pride.
"How long are you two going to act like little children?" scolded Alvin finally, breaking the silence. "Isn't it better if you just make up? Remember, you two are family!"
His words seemed to slap both of them very hard.
Both Kazien and Allen stopped their hand movements. They both fell silent, reflecting on and thinking about Alvin's words, which were true.
Allen turned slowly towards Kazien. "Forgive me, My Cousin." said Allen sincerely. "I was very wrong to you for carelessly accusing you without proof."
Kazien sighed, his face softening. "No, you're not wrong! I am the one at fault here! I impudently praised your cute face and forced my emotions on you. Even though you are my cousin."
Allen blinked, a little curious. "Does... does my face really look very cute in your eyes?"
Kazien smiled slightly. "You are truly cute! That is a fact. Just ask Alvin if you don't believe it!"
Alvin nodded firmly, confirming Kazien's words. "Yes, Allen. Your face is cute."
Kazien looked at Allen. "Do you believe my words now?"
Allen nodded. "Yes!"
"Hahaha."
At that moment, Allen no longer felt afraid of Kazien. His suspicion vanished. Likewise, Kazien no longer felt angry at Allen.
Both Kazien and Allen were now engaged in light conversation that made them laugh together while rinsing their bodies.
Relief radiated from Alvin's face, having succeeded in restoring the relationship between the two cousins.
After rinsing the soap from his body, Allen suddenly threw out an idea.
"Kazien, Alvin," called Allen. "How about starting tonight, the three of us sleep together?"
Kazien raised an eyebrow, then looked at Alvin, wanting an answer from him.
Alvin smiled mischievously. "Just so you know, I always sleep on top of Kazien's body. If you don't mind that, then I'm willing to sleep with the three of us."
Allen shrugged casually. "Do whatever you want! I just feel bored always being alone."
"Will the three of us bathe together like this too?" asked Kazien to make sure, his eyes twinkling playfully.
Allen nodded enthusiastically. "Of course!"
"You're not afraid of me?" asked Kazien again with a disbelief look.
Allen patted his wet chest. "My fear of you is gone! Look! Do I look afraid sitting naked next to you like this?"
Kazien shook his head while chuckling.
"Isn't this enough proof that I'm not afraid of you anymore?" challenged Allen proudly.
"I depend only on the answer." replied Kazien. "If Alvin agrees and you no longer feel wary of me, then I don't mind fulfilling your wish."
Allen looked at Alvin's face with full of hope awaiting his answer. His feelings were anxious.
Alvin smiled broadly. "In that case, I agree! Starting tonight, the three of us will always be together."
Allen was filled with overflowing happiness after hearing Alvin agree to his request. He couldn't hide a wide smile from his face. For him, Alvin's agreement was the gateway to the end of his loneliness all this time.
If he already agreed, Kazien will definitely agree too, right? Allen thought hopefully. His eyes shifted to look at his cousin. I can't wait to enjoy our time together, the three of us.
As if answering Allen's inner hope, Kazien nodded slowly. "If Alvin has agreed, then I agree too!" said Kazien firmly. He looked at Allen with a much warmer gaze than before. "Starting today, the three of us will always be together, Allen."
The happiness Allen felt grew even larger after hearing that answer. The burden of loneliness that had inhabited the large mansion for years felt lifted instantly.
"Thank you!" exclaimed Allen sincerely. "Thank you very much! I won't feel lonely anymore."