Qin Yu couldn't understand Shenhe's sudden words.
Completely honest? Didn't you already do that this morning? And you did it all by yourself... Does Shenhe suspect something? Does she want me to explain the truth clearly?
Qin Yu's chest tightened, but she feigned composure and asked, "Shenhe, what exactly do you mean?"
"Being completely honest... there seem to be different ways."
Different ways? Qin Yu grew even more confused.
This feels like we're talking at cross-purposes. She had initially thought Shenhe had sensed something, but now it seemed more like a sudden whim.
Just as Qin Yu began to relax slightly, a new wave of uneasiness washed over her.
However, since the conversation was continuing, she had no choice but to follow along.
"How so?" Qin Yu asked, setting her clothes down on the sofa.
"For example... taking a bath together."
Ha? Qin Yu blinked, wondering if she had misheard.
The rain must be too loud; I must have misheard something.
Ugh, this rain is so annoying. I'll ask again.
Qin Yu nodded inwardly, forcing a smile. "Did you say something just now?"
"For example... taking a bath together."
".....No."
The long silence wasn't hesitation, but confusion, shock, and a deep, internal sigh.
Qin Yu couldn't fathom why Shenhe would connect "open and honest" with "bathing."
Sure, physical openness is a kind of honesty, but how could we possibly do that?!
The tangled mess of emotions inside Qin Yu finally coalesced into irritation.
What is Shenhe even thinking?!
"Why? I don't understand."
I should be asking you why you don't understand! Qin Yu thought bitterly, but she kept her irritation from showing on her face.
"Because it's impure!"
Shenhe tilted her head, puzzled. "This... counts as an impure act?"
"Yes."
Duh, of course it does.
"But we're both women?"
"Well..."
If we're both women, it shouldn't matter... How could it be like this?! But when it came to purity, Qin Yu wasn't entirely sure herself. She simply didn't want her body to be seen.
I can't dwell on this. At times like these, I should counter with a question.
Qin Yu countered, "But wouldn't you feel... uncomfortable if someone saw your body? Don't you think so, Shenhe?"
Surely she'll understand now. Doing this is wrong, at least for us. Qin Yu let out a soft sigh. How did Shenhe even come up with this idea?
Qin Yu's gaze accidentally landed on the discarded book, A Hand-in-Hand Guide to Closing the Distance Between Same-Sex Individuals Volume 4.
Could it be...?
Tch, if only I hadn't bought this! Qin Yu instantly regretted her purchase.
Shenhe pondered Qin Yu's question for a moment. Being seen feels uncomfortable? I think I understand, but... She looked up at Qin Yu.
"If it's you seeing me, I think... I could accept it."
Because it's special. Because you're the most important.
Qin Yu's mind went blank at Shenhe's sudden, utterly unexpected words.
"................. Huh?"
Evaluation: SS+
Accept what? Why would you accept that? Is that really possible? Don't you feel even the slightest bit ashamed?
I truly can't understand how you could say something so irrational. Why can't you understand my feelings? Why are you always so...
As if trying to occupy her now-blank mind, Qin Yu's thoughts coalesced into a tangled mess, leaving her deeply confused.
"W-why?" Qin Yu asked, her fingertips turning icy.
Wait, I shouldn't have asked that.
Her question seemed to give Shenhe an opening. Lowering her gaze slightly, Shenhe whispered, "Because you're incredibly important to me... Since you're special, I can accept it."
A surge of scorching blood rushed back to Qin Yu's fingertips, heat spreading through her entire body. Her skin flushed a vivid crimson, and the air seemed to thicken again, as if something had been mixed in.
No, I have to say something.
Forcing her chaotic mind to focus, Qin Yu squeezed out a sentence: "E-even if I'm special, but..."
What kind of friends look at each other's bodies?!
"As I said before, my Master taught me that to maintain cherished relationships, we must be honest with each other. If there's another way to be honest, I want to try it."
Ah, so that's how it is.
Hearing Shenhe's confession, Qin Yu felt her mind clear slightly, and reason allowed her to regain a measure of composure.
The situation was simple: Shenhe wanted their cherished relationship to endure and believed that mutual honesty was essential. Then, after reading something in that trashy book, she had mistakenly believed that bathing together was a form of honesty and wanted to try it...
Understanding the full context, Qin Yu felt a mix of helplessness and envy.
She envied Shenhe's pure and uncomplicated nature.
Whatever Shenhe did, it always stemmed from genuine thoughts and emotions.
Like now—simply wanting to ensure that what she cherished would endure.
Realizing this, Qin Yu's heart filled with conflicting emotions. Compared to Shenhe, she felt truly flawed.
No use dwelling on that.
In any case, now that she understood Shenhe's intentions, resolving the situation would be straightforward! Confident and in control, Qin Yu approached Shenhe and cupped one of her hands in both of her own.
"There's no need for that, Shenhe. Our relationship is already wonderful. And didn't we already agree? As long as... as long as you want me to stay, I'll stay. Don't you trust me?"
"That's not it..." Shenhe shook her head.
Before Shenhe could finish, Qin Yu pressed her advantage, saying, "I'm absolutely certain, because I'll never leave you, Shenhe."
Perfectly said.
Shenhe whispered, "I'm sorry."
Yes! It worked! A triumphant gleam flashed in Qin Yu's eyes, her mood soaring.
That's exactly how it should be.
"I never doubted our bond, nor did I ever think our relationship was lacking," Shenhe said softly, lowering her gaze. "I simply wanted to do more—to do everything I could for you."
Shenhe unconsciously tightened her grip on Qin Yu's hand.
I figured as much. Qin Yu's face still burned hot, and seeing Shenhe's bowed head stirred unease in her heart. Did I go too far?
I don't know. But if that's the case... there's no going back now.
Qin Yu withdrew her hand from Shenhe's back and gently placed it on her head, stroking her hair.
"It's okay."
You're the one who unilaterally created this whole mess...I hope she didn't misunderstand me. If Shenhe tells me she doesn't need comforting, I'll be furious for ten seconds before wanting to jump into the sea to cool down.
Fortunately, Shenhe remained silent, simply closing her eyes and quietly accepting the gesture.
Could she be enjoying this? Qin Yu grumbled inwardly, mentally exhausted by Shenhe's presence. But she quickly sighed to herself.
Never mind.
After stroking Shenhe's hair for a while, Qin Yu withdrew her hand and chuckled lightly. "Your hair's a mess. You should hurry and try on your clothes, then take a bath, okay?"
Shenhe's gaze softened. "Mm."
Yes, yes, hurry along.
Shenhe took the clothes into the bathroom and emerged a short while later.
"Does the size fit?" Qin Yu asked sternly.
If it doesn't... well, there's nothing I can do. Really, nothing. Seriously, what's the point of having such a perfect figure? If only she were more like me or Hu Tao.
But then she wouldn't be Shenhe.
Shenhe nodded. "I can wear it."
That's a rather vague way to put it.
It fits, but it's uncomfortable; it fits, and it's comfortable? Either way, this was all Qin Yu could offer.
"I'll go heat up some water. Wait here, okay?" Qin Yu smiled.
"Understood."
After heating the water, Qin Yu explained how to use the shampoo and other toiletries before returning to the living room.
The moment Shenhe was gone, Qin Yu couldn't help but exhale a long, weary sigh.
Ah—I'm so tired... Is hosting a friend really this exhausting? Or is it just like this with Shenhe? I just want to collapse into bed and sleep.
But it wouldn't do.
She hadn't bathed yet, nor had she arranged a place for Shenhe to sleep.
I'll ask her after she's done bathing, Qin Yu thought. After all, she's bathing right now.
Bathing. The thought made Qin Yu restless.
Familiar surroundings, familiar people, yet gathered together at an unfamiliar time.
Familiar people walking on familiar floors, touching familiar things, yet bringing an unfamiliar feeling.
And after this, she would have to go into the familiar bathroom used by the familiar person and do familiar things... Why did such utterly familiar elements become so complex when mixed together?
Is this what it feels like to have another person in the house?
Even if Shenhe did nothing but sit quietly, Qin Yu sensed that this space was no longer solely hers.
Her breath would mingle with the air, her gaze and movements would leave invisible traces on everything, her voice would echo in the room.
Every subtle gesture would ripple outward, gradually saturating the entire space. Then, like the beat of a heart, her presence pulsed outward, infusing every corner.
This had nothing to do with Qin Yu's will, nor Shenhe's.
It was simply because there were now two of them.
Qin Yu sat on the sofa, hugging her knees, her warm breath mingling with the air still carrying Shenhe's scent, blending together... Thankfully, this situation would only last one night.
Just one night?
This feels so strange.