Chapter 27, Bath

THIRD POV

Semi had managed to get her to stop crying and breathing hard. He cleaned her arms, not making her glance at it. The bruises can be easily healed with time, it wasn't that major. The cuts weren't that deep too. Placing a small bag full of ice on her arms, he heard her hiss in pain. She looked away and bit her lip, trying not to cry. Semi cupped the side of her face and kissed her forehead softly, surprising Shirome.

"Ice is bad for bruises.. I'll just massage them to get the blood flow going," Shirome said and winced as she did so. Eita was so worried that he wanted to stop her, but knew she was right.

She looked at Semi who flashed her a soft gentle smile, she forgot the pain for a moment. She smiled a little, making Semi a little relieved.

After 20 minutes of resting, the girl calmed down. Semi held her hand softly, and she looked in confusion.

Semi smiled, "Bath time."

She nodded and let him help her sit up, her legs slightly wobbled but she managed. The bruises on her arms slightly went away, you could barely see it unless you really stare.

"You heal up quick," His brows were raised as he examined her arms.

"Genes, I guess," She quietly said. They both entered the bathroom and Shirome sighed at the warm place. It smelled nice too.

"Eita," She called to the boy who was about to leave the bathroom.

"Yeah?" He raised a brow.

She shyly looked away, "I can't strip by myself..."

"...Oh," He awkwardly scratched his cheek with a finger.

"Alright, I won't look I promise," He reassured as he got near the girl.

She nodded and raised her arms. Semi gulped nervously and slowly removed her jersey. He gently placed it on the side, he went for her shirt.

"Eita, it's okay. I trust you," Her calm voice soothed him.

He slowly and gently pulled her shirt over her head. He tossed it to the side and blushed at the sight, "I-I'll wash your clothes later."

"Are you sure? Just put it in a plastic bag–"

"No no, it's fine," He reassured.

She turned to him, this time with a slight blush, "Um, I can't remove my knee pads and shorts."

He froze, unblinking. He felt his heart stop, then beat fast. His face was completely red, "R-Right."

Shirome sat on the lidded toilet and raised her leg, Semi crouched down and pulled it off. He did the same with the other, and now all he has to do is pull off her shorts.

She stood up and Semi gulped before nervously tugging on her shorts. He looked away and pulled it off, he tossed it to the side. He stood up with his eyes closed and went to the shower. He opened his eyes and set the shower to a warm temperature, he prepared two low chairs.

"You can come in here now," He said, Shirome stared at his back.

She walked and Semi moved away, looking away. She inhaled silently, "Eita, my undergarments."

"W-W-What?" He stuttered and accidentally looked at her. He blushed as he saw her in her undergarments, both colored black. She just blankly stared back. Semi couldn't tear his eyes off, she might be a little short but her body was really nice. Her skin was milky too.

She gave him a reassuring look, "Sorry... maybe I'll try to do it myself."

"Sorry.. are you sure? Can you manage?," He stammered.

She slightly laughed, "It's fine. It's not like we're doing anything wrong anyways, right?" She said.

He gulped and just nodded, "I'll wait for you then."

30 minutes passed including bathing at the tub. She went outside with a towel wrapped around her. Semi sighed in relief when he saw she already dressed with her undergarments.

As much as he wanted to help her, he respected himself and her too much to draw the line in what to do and what not to do.

"Sorry, for requesting too much again," Shirome sheepishly said as she started to dress and wear her shirt and shorts painfully. Semi looked away again and fiddled with his fingers while sitting on the bed.

He felt the bed sink and noticed that Shirome yawned with her hand over her nose and mouth.

"You must be sleepy," He whispered as he put the covers up until her chin. She almost dozed off but was confused when Semi sat her up again.

"Let's dry your hair first, okay?" He grinned and hold up a blow dryer with a towel.

The gradient head nodded as Semi proceeded to dry off her hair. She had her eyes closed and took time to calm down.

After drying, she went straight to sleep.

Semi had texted her manager and said that he'd be escorting you back to your hotel tomorrow.

—

a/n - important
roughly 3-4 years ago (2020/2021 back then, it's 2024 now to which im undergoing edit of all chapters) the scene with semi was supposedly showering and bathing with shirome to support her. but it was too sexual for me and my readers, and made me quite uncomfortable looking back at it.

it didn't seem relevant to the story, seeing as semi isnt her potential love interest at the bonus ending.

i still have the copy of the original but i dont plan to publish it again. thank you for understanding!