Marked by My Omega Rival After Moving In (GL, ABO) - Chapter 42

“Big Ice Block, what’s wrong?”

Yu Xiaoxiao stopped in her tracks, confused as she looked up at the pale face in front of her. She almost seemed to be worried about scaring her, so she softened her voice and called out again, “…Xiang Shuhuai?”

—Being asked about the most secretive thoughts deep within her heart, Xiang Shuhuai was momentarily speechless. She stared at the innocent, pure expression of the child in front of her, almost wanting to tightly shut her mouth and close her eyes, pretending she wasn’t there. That way, she wouldn’t have to face the question.

Seeing her reaction, Yu Xiaoxiao seemed to suddenly realize something, and let out a drawn-out “ah” sound, nodding knowingly.

“Is it because you’re afraid of water, Big Ice Block?”

She said it so naturally.

Yu Xiaoxiao seemed completely fascinated by the idea that Xiang Shuhuai was like a kitten, and logically deduced from that, as if comforting a kitten, she continued in the same tone.

“—It’s fine, the hot spring water is really shallow, and it’s comfortable. I’ll be here with Youyou Jie, and your assistant Yi, so you won’t drown. You can even sleep in the water! If anything happens, we’ll call you. You won’t be scared then.”

The way she said it made it seem like if Xiang Shuhuai didn’t agree, she would start talking to her like a pet, “Mm, okay? Mew?”

…Better not listen to that kind of talk, Xiang Shuhuai thought to herself, almost sighing.

“—Okay.” In the end, she responded, “It’s fine. I’m not afraid.”

“Mm,” Yu Xiaoxiao smiled brightly. Despite Xiang Shuhuai’s intense gaze, she reached up and ruffled her hair, “Good girl. Not afraid, not afraid, I’ll protect you.”

…Why is she calling herself ‘sister’ now?

Xiang Shuhuai silently complained, but didn’t say anything. Instead, she was handed a sandwich.

“Eat, Big Ice Block, I’ll hold your hand.” The troublemaker was completely unaware, laughing cheerfully. “We’re going to go into the hot spring soon. If you drop a slice of tomato into the water, Youyou Jie will beat us both up!”

“…Sister wouldn’t hit anyone.”

Xiang Shuhuai muttered quietly, offering a pointless protest.

In her mind, she added—she wouldn’t hit anyone. But she would beat your conscience in many ways. Far more painful than physically hitting you.

“Wow, that’s you!” Yu Xiaoxiao pouted, “Youyou Jie hitting me really hurts!”

As she said this, she extended her hand and exaggeratedly rubbed her forehead.

Then, her eyes quickly swept across Xiang Shuhuai, before she said, “But, I guess, you’re so thin and light, it’s like you’d fall apart if she used a little force. If I were Youyou Jie, I wouldn’t hit you either—what’s wrong, Big Ice Block? Are you not hungry? You didn’t eat properly at lunch, what if you faint later…”

Her mouth kept moving, but her hand never let go of Xiang Shuhuai’s wrist, guiding her forward.

Xiang Shuhuai tried to focus on what she was saying, as Yu Xiaoxiao’s words came so quickly that she couldn’t look away. She felt like Yu Xiaoxiao was like a giraffe from an animated commercial, her eyes curving into a smile, and when she opened her mouth, out poured a stream of rainbow-colored words that turned into rainbow candies, each with a word on it, forming long sentences.

Her mind was filled with colorful, bouncing words, making her dizzy, and she forgot all about the thoughts she had earlier.

So, Xiang Shuhuai decided not to think about it anymore, simply being led forward step by step by Yu Xiaoxiao.

It seemed like Youyou really liked Japanese hot springs. Not only were the bamboo elements and colors very Japanese, but even though it was a private hot spring, and usually no more than five or six visitors came, she had still decorated the changing room to look like a large bathhouse.

—Fortunately, the space was several times bigger, with a cotton-linen curtain that could be pulled up to separate the area.

Before the curtain was pulled up, Yu Xiaoxiao hung herself on one end and stared at Xiang Shuhuai with wide eyes.

“Big Ice Block?” She seemed a little dissatisfied with Xiang Shuhuai not paying attention to her and just quietly packing her things, “Big Ice Block—”

Xiang Shuhuai, feeling cornered, turned around, “What is it?”

Yu Xiaoxiao blinked her eyes, “Let’s go in together later, okay? We’ll shower first, then go into the hot spring.”

“…Okay.” Xiang Shuhuai could only agree, “You go back.”

“Then I’ll really go back?” Yu Xiaoxiao pouted, mumbling, “Don’t leave first, okay? Don’t sneak away, even if you don’t want to go in, just tell me—”

It seemed like she was afraid Xiang Shuhuai would run off, as she kept mumbling while slowly backing away, pulling the curtain closed and hanging it on a hook.

“—Now change, Big Ice Block.”

Xiang Shuhuai responded with a barely audible “Mm.”

…How could she say it so casually?

Just thinking about Yu Xiaoxiao being right behind her, separated by just a thin curtain, the sound of fabric rustling as she took off her clothes, exposing her skin, and removing the hair tie from her braid, letting her soft, fluffy hair fall onto her smooth shoulders…

Xiang Shuhuai could already feel her face burning.

She bit her lip, the heat rising from her cheeks so intensely that she couldn’t move for a moment.

“—Big Ice Block?” Hearing her remain still for so long, the person behind the curtain called out in confusion, “What’s wrong?”

“…Nothing.” Xiang Shuhuai answered, thankfully her voice was steady and not shaking, “I’ll be done soon.”

“Oh.” From the other side, the voice responded, “I’ll wait for you.”

Xiang Shuhuai took a deep breath and, gripping the edge of the towel, quickly and decisively removed the rest of her clothes, wrapping herself tightly in the bath towel.

She tugged at the towel, trying to hide her pale body as much as possible.

“Big Ice Block?” Hearing her moving, the voice from the other side called again, “Are you done?”

“…Mm.”

Xiang Shuhuai responded, took a deep breath, and finally made up her mind, pulling open the curtain between them.

…She was afraid of seeing any disgust or aversion in Yu Xiaoxiao’s eyes.

So, Xiang Shuhuai deliberately avoided looking at Yu Xiaoxiao, instead lowering her gaze and saying, “Let’s go.”

“…Ah.”

Seeing her for the first time, Yu Xiaoxiao froze.

She stood there dazed, staring at Xiang Shuhuai, and after a long moment, she responded, “Ah, okay…”

The stunned look in her eyes made Xiang Shuhuai uncomfortable, and she instinctively tugged at the towel around her chest.

But the look in Yu Xiaoxiao’s eyes wasn’t one of disgust, nor was it a lewd, objectionable scrutiny, but Xiang Shuhuai still couldn’t understand the meaning behind it.

It left her utterly confused.

…So, what does that mean?

“Yu Xiaoxiao…” she whispered, “Let’s go shower.”

Yu Xiaoxiao, holding a small bath basin, nodded slowly, still dazed.

She stayed silent, following Xiang Shuhuai into the bathroom.

—Fortunately, the bathroom had partitions, so they didn’t have to be completely honest with each other. Xiang Shuhuai let out a sigh of relief.

The warm, abundant water poured down, soaking her long hair, and the curtain of water made her close her eyes without thinking, letting it slide down her face. Soon, she could hear the sound of water from the other side. After her body warmed up, Xiang Shuhuai finally raised her hand to pull her wet hair behind her.

…Ah.

She glanced around and suddenly realized.

—She had forgotten to bring her toiletries.

After weighing the options of “drying off and going back to get them” and “just getting wet and rushing into the hot spring,” Xiang Shuhuai finally decided to ask Yu Xiaoxiao for help.

“…Yu Xiaoxiao,” she tried calling, “Uh, can I borrow some body wash?”

“Of course.” Yu Xiaoxiao laughed from the other side, a rustling sound of rummaging through things, with the faint sound of water, “Wait, let me find my favorite one.”

Soon, a hand reached through the opening with a bottle, “Here you go, Big Ice Block.”

Xiang Shuhuai thanked her and took the bottle, squeezing a bit of body wash into her hand.

—It was a sweet, mild, creamy milk scent.

It was the same smell she had always sensed on Yu Xiaoxiao and at her house, a comforting, familiar scent.

She really was a child. Xiang Shuhuai thought, this sweet scent was so cute.

“Hehe, Big Ice Block,” the alpha girl giggled from the other side, “—Now you’ll smell like me.”

She said it so naturally that Xiang Shuhuai immediately blushed.

…What is she even saying?

What, what is her scent…

In the end, she still used the shower gel with Yu Xiaoxiao’s scent, leaving her smelling sweetly of milk after her bath. Then, it was time to change into a swimsuit.

…The bath was done, and the swimsuit was almost ready. This is what Xiang Shuhuai told herself. She closed her eyes, gritted her teeth, and it would pass soon.

Her sister had even smiled at her back then, saying that everyone could go in without swimsuits, but Xiang Shuhuai really didn’t have the courage for that. She had refused for a long time before finally getting Song You to give up on that idea.

Yu Xiaoxiao was the first to change into her swimsuit and go into the hot spring. Xiang Shuhuai, on the other hand, took her time, gathering the courage to enter the hot spring courtyard while holding a towel.

The hot spring was outdoors. Despite the coolness of the mountains, the natural misty warmth surrounding it made her feel warmer as soon as she stepped near the pool.

Song You and Yi Anning were already in the water, chatting casually, while Yu Xiaoxiao sat at the edge, dipping only her calves and feet in the water. She saw Xiang Shuhuai coming from a distance and waved excitedly, calling out, “—Big Ice Block!”

Xiang Shuhuai stepped on the uneven cobblestones, lowered her gaze, and walked over.

She was wearing a plain dark one-piece swimsuit, the skirted bottom loose enough to cover some of her protruding bones.

Yu Xiaoxiao, on the other hand, was in a sporty two-piece, her hair tied up in a small bun. She looked ready to jump up and run to the beach to play volleyball, her muscles defined and graceful.

—Exercise made her body healthy and beautiful, and Yu Xiaoxiao didn’t shy away from showing it. She sat there, relaxed, without a towel around her, not trying to hide her body in any way. Her cheerful and radiant expression exuded an irresistibly natural charm. She was truly beautiful, and it was impossible not to want to get closer to her—like a moth to a flame.

…So, she really does have abs.

Xiang Shuhuai thought to herself.

But she was so different from Yu Xiaoxiao. Standing there, she was acutely aware of this difference. She was unhealthy, insecure, and ugly.

…But even so, no matter how much she thought about it, she had no reason to back out. She had slowly made her way to the edge of the hot spring and finally made up her mind. With a deep breath, she removed her towel and prepared to get into the water.

The moment she looked down, she saw Yu Xiaoxiao’s wide, round eyes staring at her.

As soon as their eyes met, Yu Xiaoxiao’s face turned bright red.

Xiang Shuhuai froze for a moment, watching the tips of her ears turn red, and soon, her own face was flushed as well.

—Neither of them had said a word, and they both ended up blushing furiously.

It was Song You, unable to watch this any longer, who called out to the two of them: “Xiao Shu, come in, you’ll catch a cold if you stay out here too long. And Xiaoxiao, stop just soaking your feet, come on in and sit for a bit.”

“Oh… ah! Okay, okay.”

Yu Xiaoxiao nodded in a daze, only realizing what was going on halfway. In a fluster, she jumped into the hot spring with a splash, earning a helpless look from Song You.

Xiang Shuhuai snapped out of it, avoiding Yu Xiaoxiao’s gaze, and entered the water.

—The temperature of the hot spring was just right—not too hot, but warm enough, with a faint scent of natural minerals.

She sank into the water, listening to her sister and Anning chatting casually, her fingers idly stirring the water as she felt the warmth surrounding her body.

Xiang Shuhuai had a hard time tolerating heat. The warmth seeped into her limbs, and after only about ten minutes, she felt completely drained, her body soft and without any strength.

Seeing that she looked tired and her eyelids were heavy, Song You laughed and reached over to hand her a floating pad, one that could be used to nap on.

“Alright, Xiao Shu,” she coaxed her little sister, “It’s fine, sleep a bit. I’ll wake you later.”

Xiang Shuhuai lazily replied, “Mmm, sister…”

Before she could finish the sentence, the heat from the water took away her consciousness, and she fell into a deep sleep.

Yu Xiaoxiao sat in the water for a while, feeling bored. She got out and went back to the shore, playing with some stones.

She sat by the edge, quietly glancing over at Xiang Shuhuai. She saw that the “Big Ice Block” had already fallen asleep on the floating towel, her pale face now tinged with a healthy flush, her expression peaceful and serene.

Yu Xiaoxiao couldn’t help but keep staring at her, at that half of her beautiful, damp side profile.

At that moment, Xiang Shuhuai slept soundly, her unbound hair falling loosely, wet with hot spring water, trailing along her pale shoulders and back like seaweed, delicate and beautiful. The only thing marring this peaceful scene was the distinct bruise on her wrist, standing out on her pale skin.

Xiang Shuhuai’s skin was extremely fair. But it wasn’t that glowing, milky white; it was closer to a transparent, colorless pale white, almost like glass, fragile and translucent.

Yu Xiaoxiao couldn’t help but feel a strange sense of worry—would this delicate Xiang Shuhuai, in the heat of the hot spring, melt away?

A strange longing rose in her chest.

It was the first time Yu Xiaoxiao had felt this way, when she had seen her back then wrapped in a towel, gripping the corner nervously, her pale, fragile shoulders and collarbones—she wanted to embrace Xiang Shuhuai.

She wanted to hold those fragile shoulders, protect her, and make her pale skin bloom with warmth…

Why did she have such thoughts?

It was really strange. Yu Xiaoxiao wanted to smack her own head, checking if something was wrong with her. But she couldn’t make a noise, not wanting to wake up the “Big Ice Block” who was finally getting a good nap.

So, she sat there, absentmindedly stirring the water with her hand.

Song You and Yi Anning were happily chatting, probably talking about their experiences while studying abroad. Yu Xiaoxiao tried to focus on their conversation, so she didn’t dwell on the odd thoughts in her mind.

She heard Yi Anning say that Xiang Shuhuai was two years younger than her, and when she went abroad to study, Xiang Shuhuai happened to be at the same school on an exchange. One time, during class, she encountered gender discrimination, and at that time, Yi Anning, shy and easily flustered, was isolated and helpless. But Xiang Shuhuai, whom she didn’t know well, stood up for her, drove the local male student who had challenged her out of the classroom, and even withdrew from the course afterward.

That’s how they became friends. Later, after Yi Anning returned from studying abroad, she joined Xiang Shuhuai in her startup.

“Actually, Xiang Shuhuai is three years younger than me,” Yi Anning added, her usual serious expression softening with a faint smile. “She skipped a grade. Can’t really tell, right? She’s really good at everything. Back then, I thought she was in the same grade as me.”

…What was the “Big Ice Block” like back in university?

Yu Xiaoxiao couldn’t help but wonder. Or maybe she should call her the “little Big Ice Block”…

—No, wait!

Yu Xiaoxiao suddenly realized something was wrong.

She had clearly told herself not to think about it, so why was she still thinking about the “Big Ice Block”?

This strange feeling lingered until they finished their hot spring bath and returned to their rooms to shower.

Xiang Shuhuai was still deep in sleep when she was called to wake up. Her eyes were wet and dazed as she looked around. Yu Xiaoxiao couldn’t help but feel a bit mischievous, and before she fully woke up, she reached out and messed up Xiang Shuhuai’s long hair.

—Xiang Shuhuai woke up, but she was still sulking, walking away. When Yu Xiaoxiao teased her again, she received an uncharacteristically angry punch.

Xiang Shuhuai showered first but forgot to bring her toiletries. She called out to Yu Xiaoxiao for help, and the shampoo and shower gel she handed her were still the milk-scented ones that belonged to Yu Xiaoxiao.

That delicate hand paused for a moment, lightly tapping her wrist like a kitten, but she still accepted them.

—This is fun, Yu Xiaoxiao thought.

After Yu Xiaoxiao finished her shower, she came out in about five minutes, only to see Xiang Shuhuai sitting on the bed with her damp hair, swaying as though she was about to fall asleep.

The room was warmly lit with soft yellow light, casting a peaceful glow on her figure, the light gently outlining her long hair.

Her hair hadn’t been dried, and it hung loosely, the damp strands sticking to her nightgown, which had a large wet patch.

Yu Xiaoxiao, who never liked blow-drying her hair—her own hair was shorter, tied into a little bun, and would naturally puff up after a while—looked at Xiang Shuhuai and suddenly felt a deep, sisterly responsibility.

“Big Ice Block?” she called softly, “You haven’t dried your hair yet.”

“…Mmm.” Xiang Shuhuai shook her head as if trying to shake off her drowsiness, “I’m not drying it…”

“You’ll catch a cold, Xiang Shuhuai.” Yu Xiaoxiao said, looking into her unguarded eyes, and then proposed, “How about I help you?”

“Ah, I—”

In the end, Xiang Shuhuai nodded. And Yu Xiaoxiao, having experience drying small kittens, knew just how to dry long-haired cats properly. Fortunately—Xiang Shuhuai wasn’t actually a cat, so she didn’t mind the blow dryer and didn’t struggle.

Thus, despite a bit of tension at first, Xiang Shuhuai quickly relaxed.

She trusted Yu Xiaoxiao’s hands, her body leaning slightly with the rhythm of Yu Xiaoxiao’s brushing. It felt like the most pleasant experience Yu Xiaoxiao had ever had drying a cat. And the big “cat” beneath her closed her eyes, seemingly falling asleep.

After a while, when she saw that the seaweed-like soft long hair was half dry and fluffy on her pale back and shoulders, Yu Xiaoxiao stopped the blow dryer and gently ran her fingers through the hair.

As the sound of the dryer quieted, Xiang Shuhuai slowly opened her eyes.

Still groggy and out of it, she stared up at Yu Xiaoxiao, her face flushed with the warmth from the hot spring. Her lips, once pale, now had a soft pink tint.

Her face carried a faint flush, making her look incredibly soft and alive. Only the bruise on her mouth, a dark scar, stood out, making Yu Xiaoxiao want to reach out and gently erase it.

That fluffy, warm long hair, and her skin—all of it radiated a faint sweet milk scent.

Looking at Xiang Shuhuai like this, Yu Xiaoxiao had a thought deep in her heart.

…It was like she belonged to her.

Xiang Shuhuai, the warmth in her hands, and the whole room bathed in warm yellow light…

Everything was soft and sweet, so warm and tender. It enveloped both of them, becoming a mist, lingering and unclear.

And in Xiang Shuhuai’s eyes—those cold, distant, beautiful eyes—there was a misty haze.

Her pupils had been touched by the warm water, reflecting Yu Xiaoxiao’s figure, just faintly in the mist. Her eyelashes trembled gently, like ripples in the water, soft and warm.

And in that water, only Yu Xiaoxiao’s blurred reflection remained.

Only Yu Xiaoxiao.

And so, Yu Xiaoxiao—dazed—bent down.

What she first tasted on her lips was a cool minty flavor.

It must’ve been mint, the taste of mint toothpaste, lingering on her soft lips.

Then, there was the bitter taste of the medicine on her wound.

Only then did the faintly sweet milk flavor appear, lingering on her lips, with a hint of strawberry scent… Had she just drunk strawberry milk?

Xiang Shuhuai’s lips were burning hot.

But they were so fragile, so soft that Yu Xiaoxiao wanted to swallow her whole…

…Eh?

Yu Xiaoxiao suddenly froze.

What… was she doing?

And under her lips, Xiang Shuhuai’s body was completely stiff, her eyes wide open, staring at the alpha girl right in front of her.

…Had she just kissed Xiang Shuhuai?