The intense red in her face made Hawke automatically think that she must have pressed her hands very hard against her own mouth.
Hawke blushed violently like a ripe pepper this time, mentally preparing to answer that loaded question, taking much longer than necessary while processing it, making the awkward silence hang heavy in the air between them. He finally mustered enough courage to speak, but just before he could, she interrupted him, completely changing the subject.
"Hey, why don't you forget all these distractions for a bit and help me with my hair? I need to wash it properly."
---
Hawke carefully applied some kind of thick, foamy substance from a plant completely unknown to him to Kaira's voluminous hair, which fell loosely over her back, smoother and softer than ever. Kaira's large buttocks were prominent enough to literally trim the natural fall of her long hair like a shelf.
Hawke had to consciously maintain a safe distance from her exposed back with extreme care so that the "worst" - or rather, the "best" - wouldn't happen prematurely in an embarrassing way.
He began by making firm pulling movements with one hand while the other massaged her soapy hair, spreading the foam evenly. Her tanned back became progressively covered in foam as well in the process.
"Gyaaaa!"
She let out a small involuntary moan, quickly covering her mouth with both hands after Hawke got too excited and completely missed the mark, pulling too hard.
"Are you okay?! Sorry!"
"Pull a little less, ugh!"
Kaira complained, somewhat annoyed.
"I should have called Yuka to do this; she has much more delicate hands!"
"Is this better?"
Hawke immediately corrected the movement, desperately trying not to lose focus due to the proximity of their bodies.
"That's... much better like this."
They were silent for a moment while he continued working.
"What do you think of the smell?" Kaira asked.
Hawke instinctively brought his nose very close to her wet hair and inhaled deeply.
"It's good... really good! What exactly is it?"
"I don't know for sure, Yuka makes it," Kaira explained. "I think it's with specific plant saps mixed in, crushed fruits, and flowers. I think it's good enough now , I'll rinse it."
After Hawke gently released the thick strands of her hair, she lowered herself completely into the water, staying there for some time, repeatedly running her hands through her hair to remove all the excess foam stuck to it, since all the white foam was emerging and spreading on the surface of the water around her.
She finally came out of the water, dramatically shaking her head and hair forming a perfect arch like a crescent moon of crystal-clear water, then ran her hands through her hair, organizing it.
"What did you think?"
"Y-you look beautiful!"
"Not ME, you idiot!" Kaira blushed visibly and gave him a light punch on the shoulder.
"The HAIR!"
Hawke was completely embarrassed by his mistake.
'What should I have said? I know absolutely nothing about women's hair!'
"It's great! Smells good, silky..."
He improvised desperately.
Kaira smiled, satisfied with the response.
"HEY!!"
They both jumped simultaneously at Yuka's sudden, loud shout. She was already quite close to them; she had been washing her own hair alone at the shallow edge and carefully redoing her two characteristic braids a short time ago.
"I also want you to help me wash MY hair!" she said, looking half sideways for Hawke, half jealous.
"Why are you asking that?! Your hair is already completely washed!" Kaira replied, confused, pointing.
Yuka retorted, visibly a little irritated:
"When did you take my products and WHO let YOU use MY products without asking permission?! And since when do you care about and take such good care of your hair?!"
Kaira nervously looked from side to side, mentally searching for a convincing answer.
"H-hey! Don't say such cruel things! I always take perfect care of my hair!"
"LIAR!"
Yuka snapped directly.
Kaira opened her mouth indignantly to respond and start a serious discussion, but was abruptly interrupted by a water ball thrown with precision by Hawke's hands that hit her squarely in the face. He had correctly suspected that they would start a long and unproductive argument and thought it extremely prudent to interrupt somehow before it escalated.
"Hahahahaha!"
Yuka laughed loudly, clutching her stomach, when another water ball also violently hit her in the face. She looked intently, searching for the culprits ; Hawke and Kaira had thrown water balls simultaneously at her.
"HEY! That's betrayal!"
The three quickly began a chaotic aquatic war. Soon Kuggi also enthusiastically joined the group, coming from the center of the lagoon. They laughed loudly and enjoyed themselves.
Kuggi threw a ball harder than he should have in a playful manner and hit Kaira squarely, then cowardly fled to the deep center of the lake. Seeking immediate revenge, she followed him determinedly, swimming fast.
Hawke, excited, was going to join them too, swimming gradually moving away from the safe edge of the lagoon.
Looking casually back, he saw Yuka still standing on the shallow edge, clearly visibly afraid to go deeper.
'I had completely forgotten! She doesn't really know how to swim yet!'
Hawke quickly returned to the edge and extended his inviting hand to Yuka.
"Come! Come here!"
Yuka hesitantly stretched out her small hand towards his, but just before it touched Hawke's fingers, she pulled it back; she was too obviously afraid. Hawke decided not to wait any longer, simply taking her firmly by her delicate arm and pulling her into the water.
"Don't be afraid at all! Do you want to learn how to swim for real?!"
Yuka nodded enthusiastically, shaking her head vigorously.
Hawk carefully held her slender waist, making her instantly turn red with blood rushing violently, letting out a completely involuntary sigh.
"Calm down, take a deep breath." He guided her patiently, teaching her in detail the correct arm movements; how to row, how to push the water, and didactically explaining the necessary leg movements to propel herself. After a few intense minutes of concentrated practice, they were comfortably in the middle of the lagoon, with Yuka using the newly learned movements to hover alone above the water without sinking.
Hawke held and released her repeatedly by the waist, giving her increasing confidence.
He glanced distractedly around, searching for where Kaira had gone; she had furiously followed Kuggi to the far other side of the lake and was now chasing him, running across the lake. Hawke could hardly imagine the consequences that this brief moment of searching, this momentary inattention, would have.
His hands were loose from Yuka's waist, leaving her floating supposedly alone and safe in the middle of the lake.
When he finally returned his full attention to her, it was too late to prevent it.