Chapter 30 Decision

Number One's eyes were glued to the tattoo of two black feathers as cold water streamed down on his body. It has been more than twenty minutes but he was still undecided on what to do.

The benefits Nami provided him were something he needed in the near future but what she expected from him in return wasn't that easy to give. Number One's life was always on the edge of life and death so having a love partner would only endanger her.

'I guess I can only let her decide,' Number One thought with a sigh. He couldn't give her the love she wanted, so it was only fair to give her a chance to back away.

Number One would always choose the path that would benefit him more and it was hard to give up the new Soul Arts from the Heavenly Feathers. He treated people how they treated him and Nami was just too nice to simply use her until he didn't need her anymore.

'Why can't she be like Luna?' Number One lamented. Luna was exactly in his comfort zone and he didn't need to worry about hurting her feelings.

Number One was already planning to get out of the shower when Nami suddenly knocked on the door and asked worriedly, "Are you okay in there? Just checking in since it has been a while."

Her action just proved Number One's thoughts once again and it actually made him uncomfortable. He felt like he needed to treat her with similar care and he didn't like it.

"I'm fine. I will be done soon so wait for me outside," Number One responded casually and dove under the stream of water for one last dip. He didn't hear Nami's reply but he didn't think too much of it.

It turned out to be a mistake to trust a locked door that much. Number One finally turned off the shower and got out to wipe himself when he saw the door knob started turning. He was only able to reach for the towel to cover his chest as Nami opened the bathroom.

"Oh!" Nami exclaimed in surprise and covered her mouth as her eyes moved on their own. "I saw clean towels on the bed so I thought I might bring it for you."

Number One was willing to believe it since Nami carried two towels in her hands but her gaze wasn't as honest as her words. She stared at his crotch and didn't seem willing to look away.

"I have a towel with me so you can wait outside," Number One informed calmly but his words flew past Nami's ears. She walked inside with no shame and even closed the door behind her.

"I can help wipe your body," Nami suggested happily and approached with a towel in hand. "I don't mind seeing you naked if that's what you are worried about. You are my training partner so there shouldn't be anything to hide when it comes to our bodies."

Normally that would be the case and Number One didn't care if he was seen naked. The problem was his Hidden Soul Artifact which was the only reason he could cultivate. He would still be nothing without it so he had to protect this secret with his life.

"I will not lie to you," Number One spoke calmly as he extended his arm to stop her. "Even though you have been nothing but kind to me, I still don't trust you fully. You have to remember that your sister almost killed me not long ago and everything happened so fast. I only met you today so don't expect me to instantly fall in love with you and share all my secrets. That's not how it works."

"Oh…" Nami paused as she smiled gently. "That's alright. I am fine with it. I already said I will do anything to regain your trust. You can take as long as you need to feel comfortable with me."

"There is also a big chance that I wouldn't fall in love with you at all, so you are free to leave at any moment," Number One revealed honestly. "I do like the Heavenly Feathers and want to use them for my own benefits but it is not fair to lie to you. I am telling it now so you can decide what to do right away."

Nami's gaze softened as if she just saw something cute. "Aww, to think you are so considerate. Why would I leave such a good man behind? Your words only make me want to stay with you more. It shows that you don't just want to use me which is the exact opposite of all men I met in the past. They only think about their benefits but you actually care about my feelings. I love it."

Number One was rendered speechless at how she turned it around. He was exactly like the rest of the men. He just wasn't a total asshole.

"Don't worry, I will stay with you until you can trust me. I don't expect you to love me but I believe you will eventually accept me," Nami assured with a loving smile. "Also, you can keep your secrets to yourself. I won't force you to tell me anything that you are not comfortable with."

Nami pursed her lips and added while trying to approach again. "Now that we have all the talking all behind us, can I help you? You are still wet."

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"I am still going to do it myself," Number One shook his head. "That might expose one of my secrets so I hope you can respect my personal space until I am sure of you and can trust you more."

"Hmm? How can wiping water expose your secrets?" Nami asked in confusion before scanning his body. "Is that something on your body that I can see or touch?"

Number One remained silent but Nami was quick to locate the problem as she gazed at the only covered part. Instead of pushing further, she suddenly reached down to her white skirt and ripped a long strip off the bottom.

"What are you doing?" Number One questioned with raised eyebrows but Nami only tied the strip around her head and covered her eyes.

"Now that I can't see, it should be fine, right?" Nami asked as she kneeled on the ground and suggested, "I will only wipe the bottom part so you don't need to worry. I won't discover your secret this way."

Number One had no more excuses to stop her and Nami helped herself without waiting for his agreement.