Taming SSR And UR RANK Superwomen-Chapter 34 — The Heroine Who Chose Me Again

The bathroom was more spacious than Thomas had imagined.

It wasn’t luxurious like the rest of the campus, but it was impeccably maintained. The walls were covered in slightly aged ivory tiles, and the floor featured a geometric pattern in light gray tones. A warm light illuminated the rectangular mirror above the sink, where small droplets of water were still drying along the edges.

The scent was the first thing that enveloped him. It wasn’t just soap.

There was a soft blend of lavender with a sweet, slightly floral undertone—something he couldn’t quite identify. It wasn’t heavy or overpowering; it was clean, delicate... feminine without being excessive.

He took off his shirt, then the rest of his clothes with somewhat clumsy movements, still processing the situation.

’I’m pretty sure I’m going to wake up at any moment.’

The hot water eased the tension built up in his muscles. The exhaustion from the run, the encounter with Angel, the anxiety of seeing Ashley... everything began dissolving into the steam.

He closed his eyes. For a moment, there was only water and silence.

◇◆◇

Meanwhile, in the bedroom, Ashley carefully picked up Thomas’s clothes. She held them in her hands for a few seconds before walking to a compact washing machine installed at the end of the hallway. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

She didn’t look at the bathroom door, but she was aware of the sound of the water—too aware. She lightly shook her head, as if trying to clear unnecessary thoughts, and walked to her closet.

She hesitated for a few seconds before pulling out a loose-cut white cotton T-shirt and a pair of simple denim jeans.

Nothing flashy—just neutral colors. She took a deep breath and left them folded near the bathroom sink before stepping out.

◇◆◇

Thomas stepped out of the shower wrapped in a towel and looked at the borrowed clothes. They weren’t flashy or provocatively tight, but the cut was clearly feminine. Even so, the colors and style were simple—normal.

’...They’re women’s clothes. But they’re Ashley’s... that changes things.’

He couldn’t help picking up the white shirt and smelling it. He closed his eyes, quietly enjoying the clean scent.

He got dressed and opened the door cautiously. The cooler air of the room contrasted with the warmth of the bathroom.

’It’s way too late to have any dignity now.’

Ashley looked up. For a second, her eyes traveled over his figure with an attention she didn’t try to hide.

"It fits you better than I expected," she said in a neutral tone.

Thomas blinked.

"I’m not sure if that’s a compliment or a threat."

A faint curve, almost imperceptible, appeared at the right corner of Ashley’s lips.

"Depends on how you take it."

Thomas sat across from her at the small table in the center of the room. Silence settled between them again for a moment—dense, but not uncomfortable. He decided to break it.

"So..." he exhaled slowly. "It’s been two years."

Ashley nodded.

"Yep."

"How have you been, Ashley?"

"Training. Studying." Her tone was firm, almost automatic. "The academy demands a lot."

Thomas rested his elbows on the table.

"You always demanded more from yourself than anyone else did."

Ashley’s gaze shifted away for just a second.

"That wasn’t always a good thing," she said, and a shadow slipped into her voice—something that belonged to what neither of them dared to name yet.

He understood the reference and cleared his throat.

"Have they treated you well here?"

"It’s competitive." Her fingers intertwined on the table. "But I’ve progressed. I’m in the advanced strategic combat group."

Thomas raised his eyebrows.

"That’s impressive."

"Not as much as it sounds."

"It is to me."

Ashley looked at him more closely. The initial distrust was still there, but it was beginning to fade.

"And you?" she asked. "What have you been doing these past two years?"

Thomas hesitated. He couldn’t talk about the System.

"I’ve... worked. Worked a lot." He smiled faintly. "Survived, basically. It’s complicated trying to get ahead as a man."

Ashley held his gaze. She understood the discrimination men faced in a world governed by women—many took advantage of it.

She lowered her eyes.

"You were always good at enduring."

"Not always."

The silence grew heavier. Thomas took a deep breath. He knew that if he didn’t take the initiative, the conversation would fade. She was giving him a chance, and he couldn’t waste it.

"I’m glad things have been going well for you," Thomas began. "You’re making real progress, and knowing the kind of woman you are, I know you don’t earn recognition through talent or luck alone—but through effort and sacrifice. You were always like that, and it’s good to see it paying off."

Ashley stared at him without blinking. Her intertwined fingers tightened slightly, as if the acknowledgment had caught her more off guard than she wanted to admit. She looked away for a moment, then back at him.

"Thank you, Thomas... I appreciate you saying that. It always mattered to me."

Thomas held her gaze a second longer than he should have before looking away.

Ashley inhaled softly before continuing.

"I don’t know much about your life, but I know about your situation with Iris and why you left school. So I’ll congratulate you too. You were always very responsible. Naive and reckless—but responsible."

Thomas let out a brief laugh along with a sigh. It was a small jab at the past... and maybe also a disguised caress.

"Like you, being a crybaby and throwing tantrums?"

"And I’m still proudly both, thank you very much."

They both laughed, this time more naturally.

Then Thomas joked,

"I don’t want to imagine the day a crying heroine has to save half the city."

Ashley ran a hand through her hair with exaggerated pride and replied with a crooked smile,

"Then when I see your house on fire, I won’t come protect you. You’ll have to beg me to help."

"I already pay your heroine salary; you’ll have to help me whether you want to or not."

"What a coincidence. That day, you were on the side of my blind eye. I didn’t see you."

Their laughter grew louder, and they let it out without restraint. Ashley knew exactly which buttons to push to make him laugh and didn’t hesitate to joke about her blindness.

As the seconds passed, the tension that had been held in Ashley’s shoulders began to crumble. The firm, cautious cadet was gone; only the old friend remained, as if time hadn’t passed at all.

’I’m surprised she doesn’t resent me...’ Thomas thought.

The air between them seemed compressed. The laughter slowly faded, leaving behind a suspended silence. Ashley was about to speak, but Thomas moved first.

"I’m really sorry about what happened two years ago. I know we were both at fault, but I want to focus on my mistake and admit how stupid I was with you. I truly regret pulling away, Ashley."

She lowered her head, and nostalgia softened her expression.

"Thank you... I also recognize how upset I got, and I’m sorry for not listening to you that time. Since then, I’ve stopped being so... childish. I stopped victimizing myself over everything. It’s been hard, but I’ve changed a lot. And also..."

She looked away for just a second before continuing,

"I apologize for all the problems I caused. You were always so patient with me, and I only demanded things you couldn’t give. I know I hurt you a lot... and I’m sorry for that."

Silence returned—deeper this time.

Thomas took a deep breath and looked up at the ceiling.

"We were both stupid."

"Yeah. Definitely."

"We shouldn’t have listened to Lily."

"Right?" Ashley replied, as if finally releasing something she had held in for years. "My God, after you left, that woman ruined her own life. The last thing I heard was that she ended up with four boyfriends and got pregnant by two of them."

"Seriously?"

"Yes! The one who acted so mature about relationships was just a jealous, envious hypocrite. If she didn’t have everyone’s attention, she’d find a way to ruin whoever ignored her. It took me too long to see her true colors... and we paid the price."

"She’s a... well."

"Say it. A bitch!" Ashley blurted without hesitation.

Thomas laughed. Ashley crossed her arms and exhaled through her nose.

Then she studied him more carefully.

"In any case, you seem different, Thomas... steadier. More determined."

"I’m wearing women’s jeans, Ashley," he replied dryly.

She blinked. Then a genuine smile appeared on her face.

"They look pretty good on you." She tilted her head slightly. "I could almost get used to seeing you like that."

Thomas feigned indignation.

"Is that academic harassment?"

"Maybe." Her gray eye sparkled mischievously. "Although I think you provoked it by showing up without warning."

He looked at her, surprised. That was the Ashley he remembered—bold, flirtatious, capable of hiding humor behind a serious façade.

"I didn’t know the Academy of New Promises encouraged this kind of behavior."

"Only with special visitors," she replied, winking.

They both laughed. The tension eased visibly, but beneath the laughter was something else: memories—afternoons studying together, late-night confessions about dreams, traumas, and fears, even embarrassing tastes.

The most intimate friendship either of them had ever had—and never found again after they separated.

Silence returned, but this time it wasn’t uncomfortable.

It was heavy.

Thomas looked at her gently.

"I missed you a lot, Ashley."

She stopped smiling. His voice softened as he continued.

"Really. It wasn’t easy pretending I didn’t care. And even though I eventually accepted it after many months, you’ve never left my mind."

Ashley breathed slowly.

"I missed you too, Thomas."

Her words were simple. Sincere. A faint, almost shy smile formed between them. They looked at each other and held the gaze. Ashley’s eyes lowered slightly... toward Thomas’s lips.

He noticed. He felt warmth rise through his chest and descend into his abdomen. His eyes, almost involuntarily, traced the line of her neck, the subtle contour beneath the uniform shirt she was still wearing.

They looked at each other again. The air grew heavier. Neither spoke. It was as if two years of distance had compressed into that single moment.

And then, without warning, Ashley stood. In two steps, she closed the distance. Her hands gripped the white shirt he was wearing, and she kissed him—a deep, intense kiss, as if she had been holding it back for far too long.

Thomas reacted half a second later. When he did, he wrapped his arms around her firmly, pulling her closer. There was no doubt. No pride. Only accumulated emotion finally breaking free.

The kiss was warm, urgent, filled with everything they hadn’t said in two years—and for the first time since he walked into that room, Thomas stopped thinking.