After the adjustment ended, Aimi lay limply against the edge of the pool.
The warm spring water enveloped her exhausted body; she didn't even want to move a finger, and her mind was a complete blank.
Roy leaned against the pool wall, his breathing gradually steadying.
He looked at Aimi, then stood up from the water.
He walked to Aimi's side, bent down, slipped one arm under her armpit, and scooped up the back of her knees with the other.
"Eh?"
Before Aimi could react, she was lifted into the air.
A princess carry.
Her heart skipped a beat, and she instinctively reached out to wrap her arms around Roy's neck.
This posture pressed her entire body against Roy's chest, allowing her to clearly feel the warmth of his torso and smell the masculine scent mixed with the mineral aroma of the hot spring.
Aimi's face turned red again.
But this time she didn't hide; instead, she gently leaned her face against Roy's shoulder.
Roy carried her out of the hot spring pool, his steady footsteps sounding against the stone path.
Water droplets fell from both of them, leaving a wet trail on the stone floor.
The shower area was on the other side of the hot spring pool, a semi-open space separated by bamboo curtains, containing two showerheads and several small wooden stools.
Roy gently set Aimi down, letting her sit on a small stool.
"Sit steady."
"Mm..."
Aimi sat obediently with her legs together and her hands on her knees, as well-behaved as a kitten.
Then she saw Roy turn on the showerhead, test the water temperature, and walk toward her with the sprayer.
"Wait..."
Aimi finally realized: "You... you're going to help me wash?"
"Otherwise?" Roy said matter-of-factly. "In your current state, can you wash yourself?"
Aimi opened her mouth but couldn't find the words.
Maybe she could, but Roy helping her wash...
She wanted that too~
Roy crouched down beside her, and the stream from the showerhead gently poured over Aimi's shoulders.
The warm water flowed down her collarbone, past her chest, and followed the curves of her body all the way down.
Aimi shivered, her entire body tensing up.
Roy's palm pressed against her shoulder; the warmth from his palm transmitted through her skin, bringing a reassuring strength.
His fingers slowly rubbed her shoulder with just the right amount of pressure.
"Relax a bit."
His voice was deep and gentle, as if coaxing a startled kitten.
Aimi's tense shoulders slowly relaxed.
Roy's hand slid down her calf and finally held her small foot, helping her clean her toes one by one.
Every movement was very slow and careful, as if he were handling a piece of fragile porcelain.
Aimi looked at his focused profile, and an indescribable emotion welled up in her heart.
This man... is so gentle~
Aimi bit her lip, and the fact she had been refusing to admit finally surfaced.
She liked Roy.
It wasn't just that she didn't dislike him; she liked him.
She had liked him for a while now.
And now, after everything that had just happened, she found herself completely conquered by this man.
Not just her body, but her heart as well.
Roy's hand had already reached her waist, his fingers lightly brushing over the small of her back, bringing a tingling sensation.
Aimi couldn't help but shrink back slightly, letting out a soft hum.
"Ticklish?"
"A little..."
The corner of Roy's mouth curled up slightly as he deliberately tickled her waist again.
"Roy!" Aimi cried out reproachfully, reaching out to swat his hand.
The two of them locked eyes and both laughed.
The atmosphere suddenly lightened significantly.
Roy continued helping her wash.
"Your skin is very nice," Roy suddenly remarked.
Aimi's face turned red again: "Wh-what are you saying all of a sudden..."
"The truth," Roy said plainly.
But Aimi's heartbeat accelerated uncontrollably.
Roy's hand moved from her back to her front, slowly sliding down along her ribs.
Aimi's breathing tightened instantly.
"Wa-wait!"
Aimi suddenly reached out and grabbed Roy's wrist.
"H-here... I can do it myself!"
Aimi's face was as red as a cooked shrimp, and her voice was trembling.
Roy looked at her, a hint of a smile in his eyes.
"Are you sure?"
"S-sure!"
Aimi nodded vigorously, her head bobbing like a chick pecking at grain.
Roy didn't force it and withdrew his hand.
"Then you wash yourself, and I'll wash up too."
"Mm..."
Aimi took the showerhead and watched Roy walk to another showerhead, turning his back to her to start rinsing.
She breathed a sigh of relief, but her heart felt an inexplicable sensation.
Disappointment? Probably.
She shook her head, pushing those messy thoughts out of her mind, and began to wash herself seriously.
The hot water washed over her body, carrying away the exhaustion and stickiness.
She stole a glance at Roy beside her.
Through the mist, Roy's back was straight and sturdy, with broad shoulders and a tight waist, and...
Aimi quickly pulled her gaze back, her heart pounding.
She sped up to finish washing herself and then turned off the shower.
"Finished washing?"
Roy's voice came from behind.
"Mm..."
"Then I'll help you dry off."
"No need..."
Before she could finish, a large towel was draped over her head.
Roy stood behind her, gently drying her hair with the towel, his movements incredibly tender.
Aimi looked at the man in front of her through the gaps in the towel, and her nose suddenly felt a bit prickly.
Having Roy is so warm.
It warmed her to the core.
"What's wrong?" Roy sensed her abnormality and stopped his movements.
"Nothing," Aimi shook her head, her voice a bit muffled. "Just... thank you."
"Thank me?" Roy chuckled, then reached out and ruffled her hair.
"Silly girl, you helped me today, so I should be the one thanking you."
It was just a few words, but Aimi could hear the tenderness within them.
The corners of her mouth curled up, though her eyes were a bit moist.
After drying her body, Roy picked up the prepared bathrobe nearby and draped it over Aimi.
"Put it on, don't catch a cold."
Aimi obediently extended her arms, letting the bathrobe envelop her.
Roy bent down again and lifted her in a princess carry.
This time Aimi wasn't surprised; she naturally wrapped her arms around his neck, curling into his chest like a lazy cat.
The distance from the shower area to the room wasn't far, but Aimi wished the path could be a bit longer.
She leaned against Roy's chest, listening to his steady heartbeat and feeling the vibration of his chest; her whole body relaxed.
At the door of the room, Roy freed one hand to push it open.
He gently placed Aimi on the bed and pulled over the quilt to cover her.
The bed was warm, but Aimi's heart suddenly felt a bit empty.
She watched Roy straighten up and turn to leave.
He was going to leave.
Aimi's fingers tightened under the quilt.
She wasn't a woman who liked to fight for things.
From childhood to adulthood, she had always been the type to stay quietly in a corner, not competing, not grabbing, and not making a fuss.
But today...
Today was her first time.
She didn't want to be alone.
"Roy..."
Her voice was as faint as a mosquito's hum, but it was exceptionally clear in the quiet room.
Roy's footsteps stopped, and he turned around.
"What's wrong?"
Aimi bit her lip, her face tinged with a faint pink under the dim bedside lamp.
"My... my bed is quite big..."
Her voice grew smaller and smaller, and the last few words were almost squeezed out from between her teeth.
After saying this, she wanted nothing more than to pull the quilt over her head and bury herself.
Roy looked at her, stunned for a moment, and then the corners of his mouth slowly curled up.
He understood!
"It has been quite cold at night lately," Roy also said suggestively.
"Aimi, will you be cold?"
Aimi nodded vigorously, unable to stop her lips from curling upward.
"It... it will be a little..."
"Then should I stay with you?"
"Mm!"
Roy lifted a corner of the quilt and climbed in.
As soon as he lay down, Aimi curled into his arms like a kitten.
Her face was buried in his chest, her hands tightly encircling his waist, her entire body curled up beside him.
"So warm..."
"With you here, I'm so warm~"
Her fingers lightly stroked his back, as if confirming that he was truly there.
Roy didn't speak; he just reached out to hold her, his palm gently patting her back.
The room was extremely quiet, with only the sounds of their breathing intertwined.
Aimi huddled in Roy's arms, her entire being surrounded by his scent.
Very warm.
Very safe.
In Roy's arms, Aimi's eyelids grew heavier and heavier, and her body gradually relaxed.
Before losing consciousness, she thought hazily.
Tomorrow, I must go and cheer hard for Roy.
To see him take the Champion title.
He must look very handsome then.
With a smile on her lips, she sank into dreamland...
***********************************
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