I had realized it wasn’t a dream but reality. (This episode contains some sexual content. If you are sensitive to such content, you can skip it, as it will not significantly affect the story’s progression.)
I was scooping hot water from the large bathtub into a pail when, *clack*, I heard the footsteps of someone entering.
A man in the large public bath, alone. Something was bound to happen…
“Yo, Brother, since we’re here, I’m joining you.”
“Oh, it’s just you.”
It was Karubene who had entered. I thought that since it was hell, succubi would be popping up everywhere, and it would turn into a scene where they’d say, “Let me wash your body♡.” I’d pretend to reluctantly refuse, saying things like, “No, no, I can’t let you do this.”
Once I was relieved that everyone had returned safely, I was flooded with a strange, happy excitement. I felt like I could say weird things and just be met with exasperation. It was far, far better than dying and disappearing.
While I was lost in such fantasies, Karubene had already plunged into the bathtub.
“Ahhh, this is the best! Brother, come here and drink with me!”
When I turned around, he was holding up a bottle of wine. In his other hand was a golden goblet.
“Where did you get that?”
“It was decorating the hallway.”
Seriously, who knows what kind of treasure that is. It would be a disaster if Lord Hades found out. Without a second thought, he poured wine into the golden goblet and drank it all in one go.
“And where did that wine come from…”
Just as I was about to say that, the bathroom door opened, and Piyo came in.
“Whoa, it’s huge! Yeehaw!”
She jumped into the bathtub with a splash. Before I could even scold Piyo, everyone else started coming in one after another.
What, what, hey, what is going on? They know I’m in here, right? Even the succubi would have been better than this. Because they were purely business, right? It was practically their job. So, I could accept it and enjoy it, but… that’s not the point.
“Everyone, I, I’m here!”
“We know! But you probably can’t get in the bath anyway, right?”
Karubene, his face flushed from the wine, squinted and smiled. What a guy.
“You guys are unharmed, but I’m covered in wounds!”
“Aww, the survivor is complaining~”
Damn it, he knew I couldn’t refute that. And Cecilia just calmly entered as well, wasn’t she okay with this sort of thing?
She ignored my presence and sank into the bathtub. Veronica entered right behind her.
“You’re covered in wounds, kid.”
“Ah, thank you for… for that time. For fighting with me until the end.”
“No, I should be the one thanking you. I reached my limit sooner than I expected.”
That wasn’t true. Veronica had always fought at the front. Because of that, she had also taken attacks from the enemy.
“Hey, hurry up and go already.”
“Eek! D-don’t push me!”
I heard Nina and Lauren’s voices from the entrance.
“You’re already blocking the way!”
Lauren was pushed in with a thud. As a result, the towel she was holding slipped from her hand.
“Ah–”
“N-noooo!”
Lauren, who was about to cry out, was bumped from behind by Nina and nearly fell. And behind them, as if waiting, Philiana burst in.
“It’s been so long since I’ve been in such a large bath!”
They both headed towards the bathtub.
“Lauren, are you okay?”
“N-no, don’t look! Y-you pervert!”
She snatched up the fallen towel and covered herself. In the meantime, Elana arrived and sat on the edge of the bathtub. Pauline also walked over with soft steps.
While it might seem noisy, Lauren’s reaction felt normal, didn’t it? Of course, she was wearing a towel around her waist, but one wouldn’t normally be inclined to share a bath with the opposite sex, would they?
When I looked back, everyone else was in the large bath, enjoying themselves. Well… I guessed that was to be expected. There were no bonus opportunities here like, “Here’s a reward for your hard work, let me wash your back for you♡” or “This is just for this time, okay!”
Even Lauren, with a dry rustle, circumvented me and went to join everyone else. There was nothing I could do. I’d have to wash my own back, all alone and sadly.
I wiped my body with a towel warmed by the hot water. Sadly, there were no showers, but hot water came out if I turned the faucet. I filled a pail and poured it over my head. Just then, I felt a touch on my back from slender fingers.
“Huh? Cecilia?”
“I thought I’d help you recover while we’re at it. It’ll be tough to return to your original world otherwise.”
Despite everything, she had a kind side. Warmth spread gently from my back. Ah, this feels good… *gurgle*. Suddenly, the warmth disappeared, and an immense weight descended.
This weight and the enveloping softness…
“Fufufu, were you expecting me?”
“Ugh, Philiana.”
Someone else was pulling on my arm.
“Hey, Piyo, let’s help wash too!”
“Ah, thank you.”
Her foamy wings enveloped my arm more gently than I expected. My other arm was being carefully wiped by Pauline.
Could this be…?
“So this is what a harem is like!”
“Shouldn’t that line be mine?”
Karubene stole my line.
“Well, well, hey, for now, you should gratefully accept what you can get.”
Saying that, he shoved the wine bottle into my mouth, as I couldn’t move.
