Aimi's first reaction was to turn around and run.
Her feet had already moved, her toes turned in a different direction, and she was preparing to slip away quietly.
"You're here."
Roy's voice suddenly rang out, deep and lazy, carrying a sense of relaxation unique to soaking in a hot spring.
Aimi's footsteps froze in place.
"Hurry up, help me finish, then we can sleep early later."
Roy's voice drifted through the steam, his tone casual.
"Watch me bring back a Champion title for you tomorrow in perfect condition."
As he spoke, he reached a hand out of the water and rested it on the edge of the pool.
Then, his other hand also reached out and grabbed the bath towel around his waist.
There was a "splash" sound.
The bath towel was pulled away.
Aimi's pupils instantly dilated.
Through the hazy steam, she saw Roy's body.
Broad shoulders, a firm chest, well-defined abs, and... and that...
Aimi's mind went blank, and she subconsciously swallowed.
Her face instantly flushed, the heat spreading from her neck to her ears, then to the top of her head.
She knew she should turn around and leave right now.
Immediately. Right away.
But her feet wouldn't obey her.
Her legs felt like they were nailed to the ground; she couldn't take a single step.
Her gaze was fixed firmly on Roy, unable to look away.
That face, even partially hidden by a towel, revealed sharp contours, a handsome nose, and a clean jawline.
Those muscles weren't the exaggerated, bulky kind, but lean and firm lines, each one perfectly placed as if carved with a knife.
And then there was what she had been most curious about before...
Aimi's heart pounded as if it were about to explode, a "thump-thump-thump" echoing in her chest, making her eardrums vibrate.
She had never seen a man's body before.
No, to be precise, she had never seen a man's... with her own eyes.
Her breathing became rapid, her chest heaving violently, and the bath towel wrapped around her loosened slightly.
"Hurry up."
Roy's voice rang out again, with a hint of urging.
"Didn't you say you were going to help me venting fire? Otherwise, my condition will plummet tomorrow."
Roy's words pierced through Aimi's confused mind, making her a bit more lucid.
"Unloading..."
Right, Misty had said before that athletes need to venting fire before a big competition, or it would affect their performance.
She guessed Misty and Roy had made an appointment to... do that... tonight.
But Misty was so drunk right now, lying on the bed like a dead pig; forget helping Roy, she couldn't even stand steadily.
Misty's drunken face flashed through Aimi's mind.
There was absolutely no way she could come over tonight.
If no one helped Roy tonight, what if his condition really was bad tomorrow?
What if... what if he lost the match because of this?
Aimi didn't want to see Roy lose.
And...
Aimi bit her lip, a voice in her heart whispering quietly.
Besides, your feelings for Roy have long since ceased to be those of ordinary friends.
From the moment he defeated her father on the arena stage.
From the moment he spoke those gentle words in front of her.
From the moment he defended Misty, yet also made her own heart throb inexplicably.
Aimi's feet shifted on the floor, her toes curling up from nervousness.
Two voices were fighting in her head.
One was the voice of reason: What are you doing? Leave quickly!...
But the other voice said: But Roy needs someone to help him... and... and you clearly...
Clearly what?
Aimi closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
When she opened them again, the hesitation in her eyes had diminished significantly.
She slowly took a step forward.
One step.
Two steps.
Three steps.
Each step was very light, as if she were afraid of disturbing something.
Her feet stepped on the wooden floor, making a slight "tap-tap" sound that, mixed with the steam and heat, created an unreal Mew feeling.
When she reached Roy's side, she crouched down.
The edge of the hot spring pool was paved with smooth stone slabs; as her knees knelt on the stone, the cold sensation made her shiver.
But what made her heart race even more was Roy, right there within reach.
Seeing him up close, Roy appeared even more formidable.
Aimi's hands were trembling as she slowly reached out.
...
After a while, Roy felt that his condition was right.
He reached out from the water and grabbed Aimi's wrist.
With a "splash," water sprayed everywhere.
Before Aimi could react, she was pulled down by a powerful force.
"Ah!"
She gave a startled cry, lost her balance, and plunged into the hot spring pool.
The warm water instantly submerged her to her chest, splashing both of their faces.
Then, her whole body was pressed against Roy.
Roy was also stunned by this sudden turn of events.
He reached out to remove the towel covering his eyes and squinted at the person in front of him.
The steam cleared a bit, and his vision became clear.
An exquisite and cool face appeared before him.
"Aimi? Why is it you?"
His voice carried obvious surprise, and his brows furrowed slightly.
Aimi's face was so red it felt like it was about to explode.
Her lips trembled, her voice as faint as a mosquito's hum.
"I... I came for a soak... and then... I saw you..."
Her voice grew softer and softer, the last few words almost squeezed out through gritted teeth.
"I thought you weren't here... so I wanted to squeeze in a quick soak... and then..."
She couldn't go on.
It was too shameful.
She Bite her lips, wishing she could find a hole in the ground to crawl into.
Roy looked at her, the surprise in his eyes gradually turning into something else.
Aimi was pressed against him like this,
and she didn't run.
Roy looked into her eyes; in them were shame, nervousness, panic, and a hint of... arousal.
Moreover, Aimi clearly could have turned around and left just now.
But she didn't; she had taken action.
Rough guessing Aimi's mindset, Roy asked gently, beginning his pursuit,
"Then why didn't you say anything just now?"
"And you even helped me..."
Aimi's body trembled.
She lowered her head, not daring to meet Roy's eyes.
After a long silence, she finally spoke, her voice so low it was like she was talking to herself.
"Because... because I didn't want to see you in a bad condition..."
She took a deep breath, as if bolstering her courage.
"...and lose tomorrow's match."
Roy didn't say anything, just watched her.
Aimi felt his gaze, and the temperature of her face rose a few more degrees.
Silence.
More silence.
The steam from the hot spring pool curled upward, the flame in the stone lantern flickered gently, and their shadows swayed against the bamboo wall.
Aimi gritted her teeth and finally spoke.
"And also..."
Her voice was even softer, almost inaudible.
"I think you're very good."
"You're very good to me."
Another brief silence.
Then, her voice rang out again, carrying a sense of desperate resolve.
"I... don't dislike you..."
Aimi didn't say she liked him, but used the euphemism of not disliking him.
Roy's breathing grew a bit heavier.
He didn't waste any words.
He simply reached out and gently cupped Aimi's chin, turning her face toward him.
Their eyes met under the dim light.
In Aimi's eyes, there was shame, nervousness, a hint of fear, but more than anything, a resigned softness.
"Then..."
"Aimi, can you continue to help me adjust my condition?"
Aimi's body jerked as if it had been hit by a Thunder Shock.
Continue...
Roy wanted to continue with her...
With a "boom," her mind exploded into a blank space.
Silence.
A long silence.
The steam from the hot spring pool condensed into tiny droplets of water on her exposed skin.
Finally, after a very long silence, Aimi moved.
"Then tomorrow..."
"You must absolutely show your best condition~"
Roy looked at her, the corners of his mouth curling up.
He reached out and gently stroked her hair, his fingers running through her damp strands and lightly brushing against her scalp.
"Of course."
His voice wasn't loud, but every word was clearly articulated.
"With you helping me, I will definitely take the Champion title tomorrow."
Aimi lowered her head, her lips close to Roy's ear, her breath warm against his auricle.
"Okay~"
This "Okay" was drawn out, the end of the word rising slightly, as if she were Charm, and also like a promise.
"Then... let's begin the... adjustment!"
***********************************
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