Thanks to Emily’s expanded range of activity, work became easier, and after that, the store closed without any problems. Patty went home, and Rachel said she had work to do, so she immediately went up to her room.
“Well then, Kent, shall we go home?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Catherine must have already returned home and be preparing dinner. It was a rare occasion to return home with just Marie.
“It’s unusual for us to go home together like this,” Marie said.
“Even so, we get there right away,” Kent replied.
Kent’s house is across the street from the store. Because of that, they arrived in no time.
“We’re home!”
“Welcome back, Mother, Kent.”
Catherine greeted them as Kent and Marie entered the house.
“By the way, Elnet said she’d be coming over later.”
“Oh really? Is there something she needs?”
Kent told Marie what Elnet had told him in the evening.
“It seems she wants to borrow the bath.”
“I see… that’s what it is.”
Marie replied with a look of understanding.
“Well then, Kent, enjoy your meal!”
As they were eating the black object that Catherine had prepared for dinner, a visitor arrived.
“I’m sorry to intrude so late at night.”
Elnet entered.
“Would you like to eat with us, Elnet?”
“Yes, I think I will.”
Catherine asked, and it appeared Elnet hadn’t eaten yet. Catherine prepared a portion for Elnet and set it on the table.
“Um… is this safe to eat?”
Elnet asked, looking at the black object that was Catherine’s dinner.
“It looks a little strange, but it’s delicious,” Kent replied.
“Is that so? Then I’ll have some… *munch*… It’s quite good.”
Contrary to its appearance, Elnet, looking surprised, put the black object into her mouth.
Elnet was satisfied, asking for multiple refills.
“Thank you for the meal, Catherine. It was quite delicious.”
“Thank you, Elnet.”
Catherine replied happily.
“I’m sorry. I made you go to such lengths today.”
“No, it’s fine. Even if it’s just a shower, sometimes you want to soak in the bathtub.”
“Ah, yes. That’s true. Sometimes you feel that way. Hahaha.”
Elnet replied with a somewhat hesitant demeanor.
“Elnet, I understand. Leave it to me.”
Marie said softly to Elnet.
“Well then, Catherine, let’s take a bath together.”
Marie took Catherine and went to the bath first.
Kent and Elnet, who were left behind, sat side-by-side on the sofa.
“!? ”
Elnet pressed herself tightly against Kent, took his hand, and kissed him.
“*Gulp, smack.*”
Elnet’s tongue entered Kent’s mouth. Kent wondered what to do. Should he accept it instinctively, or use reason to stop it? However, Kent was weak against pressure. He ended up accepting Elnet, and they shared an intense kiss.
“Actually, I’ve never experienced love before. But now, I can’t control my feelings anymore.”
Then, Elnet reached for Kent’s pants, trying to pull them down.
“This is too much, don’t you think?”
Kent hastily stopped Elnet. In a space just between the two of them, the situation might have progressed further, but Marie and Catherine were under the same roof. Especially since he was in an adult relationship with Marie, it would be disastrous if they were caught in such a situation.
“But…”
Elnet said with a disappointed expression.
“I’ve finished my bath.”
Suddenly, the living room door opened, and Marie came out of the bathroom.
“Oh my, I was looking forward to seeing how far you’d get, but it seems like not much progress was made,” Marie said, wrapped only in a bath towel.
“Did you perhaps know this would happen, Marie?”
“Well, perhaps. I don’t know what Caro would say, but I’ve done something similar to Kent, so I can’t say anything if he gets involved with another woman. And besides… Elnet is…”
Marie stopped herself from saying something.
“Kent, I’m done with my bath.”
Catherine also emerged, wrapped only in a bath towel. Kent found it strange because she usually changed clothes before coming out.
“Well then, Kent and Elnet, why don’t you two go take a bath together?”
“M-Marie!”
As if being pushed out by Marie, Kent and Elnet were ushered into the bathroom.
“Marie says we should, so shall we?”
“Y-yes.”
Looking a little tense, Elnet started to undress.
“Huh? Elnet, you’re wearing underwear?”
“Y-yes, why?”
“I thought it was because you were of high status.”
Ordinary commoners don’t wear underwear. They hide themselves with simple things like wrapping cloth. However, wealthy commoners and aristocrats wear specially tailored underwear.
They took off their clothes and entered the bathroom.
“Do you know how to use the shower?”
“Yes, I do. The store also has a shower, so Rachel taught me how to use it. Come to think of it, this is very convenient. Let me wash Kent first.”
With that, Elnet expertly put body soap on the sponge for washing and began to lather. Perhaps she had no experience washing others, she began to wash Kent’s body with unpracticed movements. After washing Kent, it was Kent’s turn to wash Elnet.
“Alright, Elnet, I’ll wash you?”
“O-oh. Please.”
Kent began washing Elnet with practiced movements. Perhaps due to his sword training, there were scars on various parts of his body.
“Kent, you seem quite used to this.”
“W-well, yes.”
Kent had washed Caro and Marie’s bodies many times, so he had become accustomed to washing women. He cleaned Elnet with smooth movements.
“It really is nice to soak in the bathtub,” Elnet said, looking satisfied. They both soaked in the tub. While it wasn’t very large, being a family bathtub, it was spacious enough for two.
“Looking at Elnet’s body, I wondered if the scars on your body came from your sword training?”
“Yes, some of them did. But I also have guard work, so I inevitably get injured in battles. I didn’t care about being scarred because I had given up on romance, but does it bother you, Kent?”
“Not at all. I just happened to notice while washing you.”
“That’s good then.”
With that, Elnet hugged Kent. Then they kissed and looked into each other’s eyes. Elnet’s face was flushed, perhaps with nervousness.
“Elnet, shall we continue like this?”
“This means… I too… will know a man… *gasp*~”
Elnet’s strength suddenly gave out, and she leaned against Kent.
“Hey, Elnet. Are you okay?”
Kent shook Elnet, but she showed no signs of waking up.
“Marie! Elnet… there’s trouble. Could you come here for a moment?”
He used the intercom in the bathroom to call Marie. Marie quickly entered the bathroom.
“Kent, is something wrong?”
“Elnet suddenly went limp. Please help me carry her.”
“Oh my, she must have gotten too hot.”
Kent and Marie dried Elnet and laid her on the sofa in the living room.
“Thank you, Marie.”
“It’s nothing. More importantly, Kent, shouldn’t you put on clothes? You haven’t even dried yourself yet, have you?”
At Marie’s urging, Kent dried himself and changed into a jersey. The air conditioner was on in the living room, keeping the temperature comfortable. Elnet would wake up soon.
“It seems the plans didn’t pan out. Were you disappointed, Kent?”
“Marie, don’t tease me.”
“I’ll pick up where you left off, so you’ll have to settle for that,” Marie said, giving Kent a light kiss that barely touched his lips.
