[He doesn't want the noodles to soak up all the broth, and he can tell Hakuryuu's hungry from the way those eyes follow the bowl. He intends to make this quick, but he also intends to do this now -- if he lets the kid keep his hair like this for too long the water will cool on his head, soak into his clothes, and he'll get cold. Who knows how susceptible fresh-off-the-island soccer players are to the common cold? He's not risking it.

The towel is taken, slipped out of Hakuryuu's grasp with deliberate gentleness, then Fudou steps around behind him to drop it back over his head, hands coming down softly to ruffle his hair through the fabric and soaking up some of that excess water. He makes sure to wrap the longer strands with the towel and pat them dry before they can drip onto the boy's back, hands squeezing with practiced ease. His grip is firm but he never yanks or snags at the hair, massaging into his scalp and fluffing up the top of his head before he pulls the towel away.]

There. You wanna make sure your hair's dry before you come out, so do it thoroughly -- you're not in trouble or anything, but it's still pretty cold in Tokyo this season so you'll catch a cold if you're not careful.

[With a light pat on his shoulder, Hakuryuu is free to move. Their first, brief, minute of contact ends peacefully as Fudou takes a moment to go back to the bathroom and toss the now-wet towel into the hamper as well. He calls from the hallway.]

Can you grab the jug of tea from the fridge? It's barley.