Shiro didn't want to take a bath after our talk earlier. I could see that her mood has definitely changed as her smile looks a lot more forced than before, but I guess that's natural considering her point of view. I know perfectly well how happy she was when we bathed together as she always took her spot against me, drifting off to sleep. It's not that I don't like it, but now that she's aware of the concept of love and a intimate relationship between two people, I want her to come to realize it herself since up until now, she thought a friendship would involve all of those things. It'd only cause problems for her in the future if we continued like that.
But even now as we're laying down in bed, Shiro's instead facing the window instead of me. We've been laying down like this for a while now, so I guess she's asleep about now... And so, I quietly get out of our bed before heading downstairs.
Opening the fridge, I grab out a blood blood bag, labeled 'DH' as it looks like we're running out of human blood.
"I'll restock the fridge for you tomorrow."
"Eh?"
Suddenly, a voice comes from behind me as I'm met with Lisa in her pajamas.
"You know I have sensitive ears. I was curious if someone broke in." Right... I sometimes forget Lisa's impeccable hearing. Shiro didn't seem to hear me, and even though I thought I made no noise, Lisa still managed to hear me.
"Thanks." I say while cracking open the blood bag, before downing the whole thing within seconds.
"You know it's not good to go to sleep on a full stomach."
"I know. I just..." Actually, why am I out here?
"Is it about Shiro?"
"...Maybe."
"I heard your little conversation earlier. It was kinda heart breaking to hear all that you know."
"Sorry I couldn't put on a better performance for you." I reply while putting the bag into the recycling bin.
"What was it that you said? That friends don't take a bath together? Even though I had to bathe you when your mother handed you off to me?"
"We both know that it didn't last long." I can essentially count off the number of times I shared a bath with Lisa on one hand. "Plus, I see you more as family than anything."
"So then why not see Shiro the same way? It was clear that she just wanted to be close to you, so why push her away?"
"Hahh~ I'm honestly not too sure myself. But Shiro doesn't understand what it means to be in 'that' kind of relationship, so I felt that it's better for her to learn how to differentiate between the two."
"Sounds like to me you're just making excuses."
She could be right, but I genuinely believe that this is the right move. I won't lie, a part of me is curious how Shiro and I would turn out, but with her utter obliviousness to loving someone in that way, there's no way I can even humor that possibility.
"Say what you will, but I want her to be able to know what it is she wants."
"Right~ Even though she wants to be closer to you. Got a better excuse?"
"Why are we even having this conversation..."
"You're obviously dwelling on it."
"Shiro's my responsibility."
"Yeah, and 'you' are 'my' responsibility. I need to make sure you're not doing something stupid." I think what I'm doing is fine right now. With this, Shiro will slowly understand what it means to be friends. "Also I couldn't help but notice what you said towards the end there."
"Eh?"
"That whole, "So let's start with being friends, for now, thing." Although I don't think Shiro caught that, but it sounded like you wouldn't mind if you two progressed further, right~"
"...Was just a slip of the tongue."
"Hmmm~ Kay, have it your way." She seemed to be wanting to tease me about it more but instead just shrugged her shoulders. "So that means Shiro has no one to take a bath with, right?"
"I guess?"
"Cool! Then I'll just take Shiro off your hands."
"What do you mean? She's-"
"I'll take my baths with her from now on." Before I could fully question her, she cuts me off with a devilish smirk on her face. "I've come to like Shiro after these past events. I think it'll be better for her to be properly educated in this matter, plus I don't want her feeling lonely with you pushing her away like this."
My body tenses up throughout the entirety of her words, but eventually loosen up as she finishes.
"Haaah~ Fine."
"Ohoo? Giving up just like that?"
"No. It might be good for her." Currently, she spends all of her time with me, so I feel like having the chance to spend time with others is a good thing. Might make her see what friends truly are; even if Lisa's actually planning on bathing with her.
"Fair enough."
"I'll be going back to the room. Sorry for disturbing you."
"Goodnight~" She sends me off, heading back into her room with me going back upstairs to my room with Shiro.
A bath with Lisa... It came as a surprise and I'm not entirely sure why Lisa would go that far, but if it'll help Shiro, then I have no complaints.
And so, I slide myself back into bed gently, trying my best not to disturb Shiro who's still facing the window.
"...Sweet dreams, Shiro." I speak softly before closing my eyes. We have another big day tomorrow, visiting my mom again.
Shiro will probably pass out again if I'm not paying close attention, so I need to make sure I'm well rested. However, my thoughts circle back to the kiss once more as I end up touching my lips with my fingers. It's not fair, she didn't even know what she did or the significance of it, leaving me with this odd feeling in my chest...