Chapter 15
Baring Our Hearts in the Bath
The night sky was clear, filled with twinkling stars. From the houses lining the main street below the window, the warm glow of lamps spilled faintly into the dark.
The bustle of people drifted out from the shops onto the street — lively, even noisy — but after walking for so long through lonely mountains, the sound of human life was comforting.
Ai hung her washed underwear and socks by the window and cracked it open just a little. The cool breeze brushed against her freshly washed hair, refreshing after the hot springs.
While her body cooled, she stared absentmindedly out at the street below.
“Lady Lilith is really kind, isn’t she…”
Earlier, on their way back from the bath, Lilith had stopped Ai and tended to a scrape on her foot.
He was so attentive — gentle, considerate, and, to top it off, absolutely gorgeous. Arrows were flying straight into a maiden’s heart.
And when he spoke about his mentor, the person who raised him, he looked genuinely happy.
“Yes, my master is a very noble and admirable person,”
he had said, his face lighting up.
Admirable person, huh…
That’s basically like a parent. He really loves them, doesn’t he?
But… something felt strange.
Lilith was way too used to acting like a servant.
Would that “master” person really see him as a child? Or more like… property?
Weird.
Muttering to herself, Ai wrapped the gemstone she was entrusted with in her uniform’s tie and tied it securely inside her bra.
When she got dressed, she’d tuck it into her cleavage.
Small chest or not, she still had a bit of cleavage, thank you very much.
“Hey, Ai, look inside the backpack!”
Despite not being short on supplies, the two of them froze when they took a closer look at the gear the old man had given them.
Soap, towels, toothbrushes — and even spare underwear, sports bras, panties, and a T-shirt.
“Ugh, that pervy old geezer! What kind of face did he make when buying these? Maybe he knew we were coming to this world!”
“He did say he could see the future, remember? And Lilith’s clothes — they had some kind of brand tag on them!”
“No way, so those were from our world!?”
BANG BANG BANG!
“It’s me! Yoshii here! Please open up!”
“Okaaay! Coming!”
When Ai unlocked the door, Yoshii tiptoed in nervously.
Zarel had only booked two rooms, so this one ended up being shared by the “otherworld trio” — meaning Yoshii had to room with the girls.
“What’s up?”
“Well, I— whoa! You’re hanging your panties… and a b-bra!? Don’t do that!”
He turned bright red and hid behind a chair.
Heh. Pure little thing.
“Come on, we’re gonna be together for a while! You’d better get used to seeing some underwear. Why don’t you hang yours too?”
Before he could react, Ai snatched the underwear from his hand and flung it open.
“Kyaa! Look, Yoshii’s underwear! Briefs!”
“Whoa, so this is what briefs look like!”
“Hey! Stop it!”
“Ew, you were just wearing these, weren’t you!? Ewww!”
“Don’t look! Give ‘em back, please!”
Their loud shrieking and laughter easily drowned out the noise from below — just a bunch of energetic middle schoolers, full of life and noise.
The bathhouse, lit by the glow of bonfires, had a wide stone tub, with water trickling softly into it.
The steam still lingered, curling into the chilly night air like wisps of clouds.
The sky above was filled with stars, but a wooden fence surrounded the area to block the wind. With multiple entrances, it was clearly a communal bath.
Late at night, when most people had gone, two figures entered quietly, avoiding others.
One had golden hair and pale skin, slightly plump. The other, also pale, was thin, his red hair vivid even in the dim light.
Needless to say — Lilith and Kian.
They sank slowly into the hot water. The warmth tightened their skin just right — perfect.
“Ahh, this feels so good. It’s been ages since I had a proper bath.
Ugh, I’m done with sleeping outdoors.”
Kian pouted, and Lilith smiled gently.
“Lord Kian, only after sleeping under the open sky can one truly appreciate the comfort of a bed or a bath.
When you throw yourself into nature, you begin to see things differently.”
“You sound like an old man. Are you sure we’re the same age?”
“Eh? Ah… perhaps.”
That made Lilith pause for a moment.
Age, huh… are we really the same?
He remembered what his master once said — that he’d been found the same year the prince was born.
But how could anyone know the exact age of a found infant?
Lilith looked down, falling silent.
“What’s wrong?”
“No… I was just wondering when I was born.
…Never mind. Forgive me.”
A single leaf, carried by the wind, drifted over the wall and fell into the bath.
Ripples spread across the surface, the little leaf bobbing like a small boat. Lilith’s eyes followed it absently.
Did I have a father and mother too?
If my hair and eyes were ordinary colors, would they have kept me?
…Master…
Suddenly, a firm hand grasped Lilith’s.
He looked up — Kian was staring intently.
“Lilith… you’re angry, aren’t you?
I can tell. I’ve been so frustrated that I keep taking it out on you.
I need to apologize. Please, forgive me, Lilith! Forgive me! Is that enough?”
Lilith almost laughed.
“Yes, thank you, my lord.”
“Lilith, you should get angry more often — like those women do.
Why don’t you?
I know I’m selfish. The maids talk behind my back, saying I make things hard for everyone.
It… doesn’t feel good to hear that.
Maybe I need people to scold me more.”
“Lord Kian…”
Lilith was a little surprised.
He hadn’t realized Kian thought about such things. He smiled gently.
“You truly are kind, Lord Kian.”
Suddenly, Lilith’s gaze sharpened.
“Lilith?”
“Please, stay still, my lord.”
Lilith’s expression turned tense. Kian, nervous, ducked behind his back.
The flickering firelight shimmered on the surface of the bath — then the water rippled violently.
The reflected light gathered into a single bright point, glowing intensely.
Then a shrill, eerie woman’s voice echoed around them:
“Hoho! How lovely! Fufufu! Hohohoho!”
