My knees eventually stopped quivering but when I stood up, it still wobbled. Thank the gods Akira was there to catch me. I just hoped he'd still be there when he knew…I blinked and breathed in, willing away the thought. I glanced at him.
He was smiling, checking my knees as if I had injured it. He looked up at me. "The second round will have to wait."
Sex, yes that was this was all about. Another deep breath and the panic ebbed away.
"I don't think I can even walk to the tub outside," I said, exaggerating.
"Let me carry you then." He eyed me up and down. "But I'm going to take all off of your clothes first."
I raised my hands and flailed. "I can do it myself. I was only kidding."
"There's no need to be shy." Akira's lips curled, amusement dancing on his eyes. "I've done it plenty of times already. Come on, raise your hands again, Reiko-senpai."
Before I could open my mouth, Akira grabbed my hands and took off my inner shirt, crouching down. "Let me get your bra."
I put a hand up. "I'll get it."
Our interactions went back and forth just like that until I was stripped. Akira—it still sounded weird but rolled off my tongue smoothly—handed me a towel to wrap around myself. After I did, Akira came to my back, crouched, and tried to lift me up, princess style.
"No! I'm heavy," I yelled as my feet left the ground.
He grunted, his nose scrunching as he raised me up to his stomach. He exhaled. "I'm strong, aren't I?"
I stared at him with mouth slightly open. Beads of sweat dotted his forehead. His arms were twitching.
"You are." I chuckled. "But let's not get carried away, Mr. Incredible."
Akira pursed his lips. A line on his forehead began forming. "I can, you know, carry you outside."
"I know." I bit my lips, trying to understand the shift of his mood. Was it the American reference? I really should think harder before I let my tongue loose. Akira still didn't look convinced.
I sighed. "I just don't want you to get hurt."
The tension on his shoulders eased. His brows straightened. "Fine. I'll show you my sturdiness some other time."
With that, Akira set me down, but he still seemed odd…angry even. He started walking away but I grabbed his arm before he could move past me without a second thought. Realizing it, I let go the instant he turned around.
"I'm sorry," I mumbled and looked down on my feet. "I didn't mean to grab you."
"Let's go." He took my hand.
The air was not as frigid as I thought but with only a towel around me made me hesitate. But Akira beckoned me to the side of the tub with a faucet and small chair on it.
"It'll be less cold this way. Let's wash up first," he said.
He was right. The water was hot. Akira's mood improved then. He scrubbed my back and I did the same for him. No pun intended. A bottle of my usual shampoo was there as well, confirming a part of my earlier theory.
Akira got in the hot tub first. I joined him shortly, dipping my toes first, testing the water. A strong whiff of rotten eggs was coming from the water. I hesitated before I submerged myself, facing Akira, our knees touching.
A few minutes in silence passed. I glanced around anywhere but him until I could no longer hold it in. My gaze landed on him. He was looking right back at me, watching, his expression neutral.
I swallowed and then exhaled. "This feels great and I…"
"Isn't it?" He leaned back, resting his arms on the edge of the tub.
I nodded, averting my eyes again, pushing down the urge. I wanted to snuggle in the crook of his arms like we used to do when we were taking a bath in my apartment.
"You don't want to sit beside me?" he asked.
I glanced at him hesitantly. "Is it okay?"
His lips crack in a smile. "You're asking me that after what we did earlier? Didn't you miss bathing with me?"
I would be lying if I said I didn't, yet I couldn't say anything.
Akira held out his hand. "Well, I missed it. I didn't know I'd find it odd to be taking a bath alone."
Letting out a breath, melting, grinning, I took his hand. He pulled me and embraced me from the back. His lips touched my cheek. "I'm glad you're here."
"Me too," I whispered and gave his hand a firm squeeze. "I missed this too."
I missed you.
Gods, I was in deep shit.