People naturally tended to feel fond of things that were cute or beautiful.
Psychology called this behavior the teddy bear effect.
Rose was no exception.
Then there was the fact that Ashe was strong.
At the police station, Ashe and Rose had settled their sparring match using nothing but their hands and feet.
During it, Rose's butt had gotten a memorable impression of Ashe's skills.
Then, on Airport Road, Ashe had faced the Dreadnoughts and demonstrated her mastery of her Super Gene.
She had dispatched them cleanly and decisively, displaying strength far beyond anyone else's.
You could say that the two things combined.m.
had given Rose her first impression of Ashe.
A powerful warrior.
And Rose happened to be someone who respected the strong and admired heroes.
Ashe's strength had given Rose a favorable first impression of her.
But that was all.
It wasn't as if Rose was thrilled to have Ashe move in.
So Rose's question sounded like concern, but what she really meant was:
All the rooms here are spacious. We originally arranged for everyone to have a room to themselves, so you don't need to share mine.
There's only one key for each dorm room, and I don't have a spare to give you.
You don't need to worry about supplies. The dorm has everything you need, and you can move straight into whichever room you choose.
If anything is missing, you can just put in a request, and it'll be delivered right away.
That was what Rose really meant.
Of course, Ashe had figured that out.
She just didn't plan to act like she had.
Once words were spoken, they couldn't be taken back.
Once you made a decision, you had to see it through. Otherwise, there was a good chance you'd never accomplish anything.
You'd end up achieving nothing, with nothing but regrets.
That was how Ashe had lived in her previous life: muddling through life, then muddling through death.
She had no intention of doing the same this time.
Ashe gazed at Rose with an amused smile.
"That's great. Sorry for the trouble, but could you put in a request for me?"
"I look forward to living with you, Rose, my roommate."
Ashe took one of Rose's hands and looked at her, plainly caught off guard.
She raised an eyebrow.
Taming a wild horse was what made it fun. Ashe really wanted to ride a red one.
"Mm-hm, sure."
Rose answered Ashe almost on instinct.
Meeting Ashe's gaze, Rose felt, for just a moment, like prey in a hunter's sights.
"Side Quest: Tame the Wild Horse activated. Host, conquer the fine steed before you. She will bring you unexpected rewards."
"By the way, do you have any spare toiletries?"
"I've had a long day. I'm exhausted. If you do, could I borrow a set? I'd like to take a shower."
Her thoughts were a little jumbled.
Still, Rose went to get a set of toiletries and handed them to Ashe.
Watching Ashe carry them into the bathroom,
Rose still hadn't come back to her senses.
Just like that, she had a new roommate?
Half an hour later.
Rose lay on her bed with her phone in her hand, but her mind wasn't on it at all.
She kept sneaking glances at Ashe, who had finished showering and was walking around the room.
After glancing—not staring—for what felt like ages, Rose finally couldn't take it anymore.
"Seriously, could you wrap that towel around yourself properly?"
"You're exposing yourself, you know!"
"Huh?"
As if only just realizing it,
Ashe looked down at what she was wearing.
Above the snow-white towel, glimpses of pale skin peeked out, impossible to conceal completely.
Below her striking figure, faintly visible were the toned abs she'd developed through years of training.
Look closely, and tiny beads of water still clung to her firm skin.
Her warm, fair, long, shapely legs were exposed, too.
They still bore traces of muscle from training, yet were as flawless and pure as fine jade, impossible not to notice.
Looking over her outfit, Ashe scratched her head as if embarrassed.
"Sorry, sorry. I'm used to dressing casually at home. I'll be more careful next time."
"It's fine. Just be mindful, okay? You're a girl, after all. You should be a little more careful."
Rose waved it off as if it didn't matter.
Only after watching Ashe adjust the towel wrapped around herself did Rose look away.
Rose cleared her mind and stared at the phone in front of her, but her thoughts kept drifting back to how Ashe had looked just now.
Damn it, what am I thinking?
She bit her red lip, trying to pull herself together.
Rose didn't know why she had spoken up about Ashe's outfit.
They were both girls. It didn't matter how either of them dressed.
It wasn't as if Rose had never seen other people like that.
And she wasn't some delicate flower, either.
As a soldier, she had been in every kind of environment and faced every kind of situation.
By all rights, even if Ashe had been naked—no, even if Ashe had dressed however she liked, Rose wouldn't have cared. She could've just pretended not to notice.
But for some reason,
ever since Ashe had come out dressed like that,
Rose's eyes kept drifting toward her.
What was wrong with her?!
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