Episode 18: The Bath Challenge
“A bath! That’s a great idea. I’ve been wanting to try out that tub!”
The bath in this castle uses underground water. The water is at just the right temperature, so there’s no need to heat it. In other words, it’s a hot spring.
It hasn’t been used for 250 years, so I was worried the pipes might be clogged, but when I turned the tap during the bath cleaning, the hot water came out without a problem. It’s probably because the hot spring components are diluted, being colorless and transparent, that it didn’t solidify.
“Well then, shall we take a bath together?”
“Yes, yes, together… Eh!?”
“Why are you so surprised? We talked about this before, didn’t we?”
“We did, but still! Doing it on the first day, without any mental preparation… Ah, ah, ah…”
Good. This is how Mizuha should be.
“I see. So, I, the younger one, am mentally prepared, but Mizuha, the self-proclaimed older sister, isn’t yet. Hmm.”
“I can do it! I can get mentally prepared! But… wait just a little. Deep breath, deep breath.”
Mizuha continues to take deep breaths.
“Okay. I’ll go in first, so come when you’re ready.”
I leave Mizuha in the hallway and go to the bath, turning the tap to fill the tub with hot spring water. Then, I grab the towel and change of clothes I bought yesterday, along with soap and shampoo, and return to the bathroom.
I wash my hair and body before soaking in the hot spring.
I stretch my arms and legs.
It feels so good.
I only lived as a Japanese person for fourteen years, and most of that time was spent in the hospital. So, I’ve never actually been to a hot spring. Yet, when I sink my body into the hot water like this, I feel like, “I’m Japanese!” Is it engraved in my genes? No, I’m not even Japanese in my genes since I was reincarnated. Then it must be my soul. The information that Japanese souls love hot springs must be engraved in them, for sure.
“Mizuha is taking her time. Well, I guess she’s not coming.”
I don’t think the timid her can get her so-called mental preparation done so quickly.
In the first place, when I think about it carefully now that I’m alone, I’m starting to wonder if I myself am mentally prepared.
What if Mizuha suddenly came in naked? And what if she saw me naked?
…No good. It’s embarrassing. My face is burning up.
“If, by any chance, Mizuha forces herself to come here, I think I’d be the one to lose. I should get out before that happens.”
I get out of the tub. At the same time.
“M-Mental preparation complete!”
Mizuha opens the door and enters the bathroom.
She’s covered in a white bath towel. Meanwhile, I’m completely naked. I’m the one who’s defenseless.
“Eek!”
That scream, which I don’t want to admit, came from my mouth.
It’s embarrassing to be seen suddenly like that! It can’t be helped!
I reflexively cover my crotch with both hands.
“Eh? What’s with that cute reaction… Even though you were the one who invited me… When it comes down to it, you make such a maiden-like sound…”
“I-It was just because it was sudden and I was surprised! Why did you come in without making a sound!”
“I didn’t try to hide my presence! I was just being normal!”
Oh, no.
Was I so nervous that I didn’t even notice Mizuha taking off her clothes in the changing room?
This is bad. At this rate, I’ll really end up in the younger brother position!
Calm down. For now, let’s get back in the tub. I’ll hug my knees to minimize skin exposure. Okay. This should increase my defense.
“…”
Mizuha is silently washing her body.
I look at her back. A beautiful back. But I can’t stare. I avert my eyes. Then I look again. My eyes are involuntarily darting around. I can’t stand the atmosphere. But I was the one who invited her, so I can’t run away. I must endure. What am I enduring? I’m starting to lose track.
Eventually.
Mizuha gets into the tub.
She’s not naked. She’s still covered in that white bath towel. I’m relieved. But I don’t want her to know I’m relieved, so I don’t show it.
I have to act composed. But what does composure mean in this situation? Staring would just be rude. Is doing nothing the right answer? But that would make me look like I’m frozen with tension.
I don’t know.
After all, I’m just a kid veteran who’s lived two lives as a child. I don’t know anything about the subtleties of relationships between men and women.
And yet, the fact that I created this situation myself means I’m cornered, isn’t it…?
I admit it. I’ve lost. I have to get out of the bath before my body boils over and I collapse.
And then.
Half a moment before I made my decision.
“I-I can’t! I give up! I wanted to act like a composed older sister, but I’m too embarrassed to go on… I’m going to cool my head outside!”
Mizuha splashed water everywhere as she jumped out.
She was so fast that I couldn’t tell if she put on her clothes or not, and she rushed out of the changing room.
“D-Did I win? And if I did, what did I win?”
I ask myself, now alone.
It’s pointless.
There are battles where you gain nothing whether you win or lose. That’s the only lesson I’m left with.