Chapter 123: Give Up
"One condition? What is it?" Rai asked, curious.
Ayra smiled as she sat the cub down on the bed while Ally happily turned to look around. Ayra signaled for Rai to come with her to the corner.
And so Commander Lynn stood there with both arms folded, watching as Ayra and Rai went to the corner to discuss something private.
"So what is it?" Rai asked in a low tone.
"I want you to help me make your brother smile or laugh," Ayra said as she turned to stare at Commander Lynn who was still staring at them with a serious expression.
She turned back to Rai. "Give me some tips on how to make him smile or laugh or something. It’s a bit urgent," she explained.
Rai stared at his brother who was watching them from a distance and then burst into laughter. Commander Lynn narrowed his eyebrows, staring at them with a curious glare while wondering what they were on about.
"What is it? Why are you laughing?" Ayra asked.
Rai held his laughter as he stared at Ayra with a smile. "Are you being serious about my brother? He almost never laughs or smiles or anything. So you should give up immediately for your mental health."
"..."
Ayra gasped. "He doesn’t?"
Rai shook his head while he said, "I can’t even remember the last time he laughed or so... He almost never does. He’s always with that cold firm face. I guess I’m used to it though. So you should give up and also get used to it."
Ayra blinked. She couldn’t get used to it—she needed more soap!
"So there’s no way out...?"
Rai sighed. "At least for now... I don’t know. But why do you want to make him smile...?" He stared at her. "Do you perhaps really really like my brother?"
"..." Ayra gave no response. She searched her brain.
But before then, Rai smiled as he said, "I can tell you do!" He smiled. "That’s good then because it’s obvious brother also likes you a lot! So much! I haven’t seen him like anyone like this before," he shook his head.
Rai added, "But brother is always so awkward and bad at showing his feelings. So please bear with his terrible ways, okay? I believe he’ll learn fast enough," he smiled at her.
Ayra couldn’t help but smile back as she patted him by the ears. "Thanks. I’ll keep that in mind."
"So can I go and play with the cub now?" Rai asked.
"Sure, go."
The two of them turned back to where others were. And immediately their eyes met with Commander Lynn.
Commander Lynn had his cold eyes at them. Staring at them as if they were suspects or something.
Rai ignored him and rushed to join his peers in playing with the cub on the bed.
Ayra on the other hand smiled as she walked up to Commander Lynn and stood beside him, arms folded.
Lynn stared at her, clearing his throat as he said, "What was that about... Did my brother disturb you?"
Ayra could tell it was his way of asking, "What did you guys talk about?" He was certainly curious to know that judging from how he was staring at them.
But Ayra smiled as she said, "Maybe if you smile for me I’ll consider telling you. What do you say?"
But Commander Lynn stared at her blankly and looked away. Ayra shook her head with a smile. "So cold..." She said, staring down at the teens playing with the cub.
With a smile, she watched as they tried teaching the cub different words.
"Ally.. say Rai... My name... Uncle Rai..." Rai said hopefully.
But Ally tilted her head while she stared at Rai without saying anything.
Silence, and the others burst into laughter while teasing Rai.
"My turn..." Kan said. "Ally.. say Kan. Kan," he smiled at the cub in hopes of a response.
The cub hesitated, staring at Kan who now made a funny face. Immediately, the cub smiled brightly as she said, "Ka! ka! ka!"
Kan immediately smiled. "Close enough. I’ll take that," he said with a bright smile.
Ayra shook her head with a smile watching them. She also thought about how she was going to achieve making Commander Lynn smile.
And after some thoughts, she thought of the ultimate trick. Ayra smiled as she slowly turned to stare at Commander Lynn.
Commander Lynn met her eyes. "What is it?" He asked.
But Ayra casually smiled as she leaned closer. "How’s your body feeling?"
Commander Lynn blinked, confused before he replied, "I believe they’re fine.. why...?"
Ayra smiled as she said, "I don’t think they are. Turn around and face me, I’ll help you calm down your whole body."
Commander Lynn was confused but Ayra turned him to face her. And with him facing her directly, Ayra stared at him. "I’m about to start... ready?"
"Ready for...?" Commander Lynn was still confused as Ayra made her way to his body.
She wanted to use her ultimate trick—tickling him. And so she gently brought her hand up to his chest.
Commander Lynn stiffened. He felt his jaws stiffen as he stared down at her, his heart fluttered as his cheeks flushed. He could hear his heart pounding as he stared at her. "What.. what are you doing...?" He couldn’t pull back, he only panicked.
But Ayra smiled as she said, "Don’t worry, I’m not going to harm you at all. Just enjoy the feel of it.." she smiled as she slowly ran her fingers through his bare body.
Ayra teased his body for a while, watching as Commander Lynn stood there struggling to keep a straight face.
Commander Lynn couldn’t let her know that he was panicking inside. His heart was beating out of control, and he was struggling not to make it obvious that he was holding himself to act on his impulse.
Ayra smiled as her hands made their way to his ribs side. And with a mischievous smirk, she immediately began tickling him as she knew best, hoping that it would clear her task.