I had come to Isis-san’s castle as promised, and now I found myself in the middle of an unprecedented crisis.
Isis-san was floating toward me, her skin as white as snow. My heart was pounding so hard I could hear it. She wasn't exactly wearing a towel; she was merely holding one in front of her, barely concealing the essentials.
"A-A-Isis-san!?"
"……Yes? ……Is something wrong?"
"W-W-What are you doing!?"
"……What? I’m…… taking a bath…… with Kaito."
Aaaah! Don't tilt your head! The towel is moving! I’m going to see something!
How long was I going to keep staring? I needed to look away right now! I forced my body to obey and managed to tear my eyes away from her. With my back still turned, I spoke in a frantic rush.
"I-I’m getting out!"
"……No."
"Huh? Wait—!?"
"……You have to stay…… or you won't…… get rid of your fatigue."
Wait, something was wrong. Isis-san had just placed a hand lightly on my shoulder to stop me. She didn't seem to be using much force, yet I couldn't move an inch. Despite her delicate appearance, was she really that incredibly strong?
I was trapped. I had to brace myself. Clear your mind, Kaito. Be strong. Stay calm... stay calm...
While I struggled to regain my composure, I heard the sound of her sliding into the tub.
"……Nnh…… Haa……"
Could she please not make such suggestive sounds? My sanity was about to burn out in a heartbeat.
"……It feels so good."
"Y-Y-Yes, it does……"
Oh man, what was I supposed to do? She sat right next to me like it was the most natural thing in the world. Her voice was strangely alluring, and even though I tried to keep my eyes fixed elsewhere, they kept drifting back.
Her skin was so white! Her shoulders were so small! A-A-And…… a ponytail!?
She must have tied her hair up to keep it out of the water. In a ponytail, the nape of her neck—usually hidden by her long hair—was fully exposed. Her skin was flushed and slightly reddened from the heat, looking as beautiful as a work of art.
If I stayed silent, I felt like I'd lose my mind, so I tried to force a conversation.
"A-A-Isis-san…… um, well…… aren't you…… embarrassed?"
Wait, what was I saying? I was so shaken that my attempt to change the subject had only led us into more dangerous territory.
Upon hearing my question, Isis-san’s cheeks flushed a deeper shade of red. She spoke while looking down.
"……I’d hate…… for anyone else to see…… but if it’s Kaito…… it’s okay."
She was going for the kill. She was absolutely out to murder my self-control.
She was too cute, and the distance between us was too small. At this point, wouldn't catching a glimpse just be an act of God?
No, no! Don't be ridiculous! Just because she felt that way about me didn't mean I could take advantage of it. It would be despicable to ogle her when I hadn't even reciprocated her feelings yet.
Calm down. I'm fine. Keep my eyes up. Don't move carelessly. No weird delusions. Okay, I've got this!
"……Kaito."
"Wha!?"
"……Yes?"
"A-A-A-Isis-san!? Y-Y-Y-Your hand!?"
Mocking my resolve, she reached out under the water, took my hand, and gently hugged it against her.
I felt the heavenly softness against my upper arm…… and within that softness, a slightly firm, protruding point. That meant…… in other words……
"……I’m…… so happy…… that Kaito came…… today."
"……"
Her words weren't even registering anymore. My reason was on the verge of total collapse. Every one of my senses was focused on the floral scent drifting from her and the soft cheek resting on my shoulder.
My head felt fuzzy, as if I had a fever. The hand she wasn't holding began to move of its own accord—
"……I thought…… you might not…… come."
"……Eh?"
Her lonely voice brought my hand to a sudden halt.
"……I believed…… that Kaito…… wasn’t that kind of person…… but…… I was still…… so anxious."
"……Isis-san."
"……That’s why…… I’m so happy…… you really came…… When I’m with Kaito…… I feel warm."
"……"
Isis-san leaned into me with a look of pure bliss. Sensing the deep-seated fear of loneliness in her heart, I used my free hand to pinch my thigh as hard as I could.
Her affection was pure and beautiful. She just wanted to touch someone, to feel their warmth. She wasn't using calculated, seductive tactics like Chris-san; she was approaching me because she sincerely wanted to be near me. That was exactly why my heart was racing so much.
I couldn't tarnish those pure feelings with dishonesty. I refused to do anything that would betray her trust.
I have to hold on. You can do this, Kaito!
"……So, um…… how did we end up like this?"
"……I’ll wash…… your back…… We can wash each other."
"……Y-Yes."
How did it come to this? Just how many trials did God intend to put me through? It really felt like the universe was trying to break my sanity.
(I haven't actually done anything, you know?)
Shut up, Natural Goddess. You're a distraction.
Just as I snapped back at the Natural Goddess for responding to my thoughts as if it were the most natural thing in the world, I felt something like a sponge touch my back.
Actual sponges didn't exist in this world, but they had a similar material used for bathing. I couldn't remember the formal name for it; Kusunoki-san, Yuzuki-san, and I just called them sponges.
Regardless, Isis-san began to scrub my back with careful, gentle strokes. Occasionally, her long hair would brush against my skin, making my heart skip a beat. However, thanks to my change in mindset, I felt a little calmer and more at peace than before—
"……Ah…… sorry…… I dropped it."
"～～！？！？"
The sponge tumbled past me. Isis-san reached out from behind to grab it…… pressing her entire body against my back.
The sensation of her skin and her slightly cool body temperature felt incredible against my overheated skin. The heat in my body spiked instantly. To make matters worse, she seemed to be having trouble reaching the sponge; she kept shifting, and I could feel her chest moving up and down against my back.
Was this heaven or hell? I was on the verge of a total system failure.
"……I got it…… Shall I wash…… your front, too?"
"I-I-It’s fine! Really!"
The front was bad. Very bad. I was managing to hide it with the towel for now, but I was still a healthy young man. No matter how hard I tried to maintain my self-control while being pressed against a girl as stunning as Isis-san, a certain part of me was going to react.
I shook my head vigorously. Isis-san tilted her head in confusion but proceeded to rinse my back with warm water.
Okay. I made it. I survived. Good job, me. You really pulled through.
"……Now…… your turn."
"……Huh?"
"……We’re washing each other…… Now…… it's Kaito's turn……"
"……"
……Right. I did think she had mentioned washing each other at the start.
Wait, what? I had to wash her back? When I was already at my breaking point? But if I refused now, she’d look so heartbroken. I couldn't possibly say no.
Unaware of my internal turmoil, Isis-san stood up and sat down in my place.
Wait, Isis-san! Cover your front! I can see something small and pink!
"……Kaito?"
"Stoooooop! Don't turn around! I'll wash you! Just stay right there!"
"……Okay."
Please, let my sanity hold out. Please, don't let me have a nosebleed...
Aaaah! Her skin was so soft and smooth! It was beautiful! This was a truly grueling ordeal. Empty your mind, Kaito. Just focus on washing.
"……Nnh…… ah……"
Could she please stop making those sounds? This was getting seriously dangerous!
Dear Mother, Father—in a shocking turn of events, I ended up in a bath with Isis-san. Her guard is so non-existent that, honestly, rather than my fatigue being healed... my head is about to short-circuit!