A trial... it is the crucible through which humanity has grown since ancient times. Some say these trials are bestowed upon us by the gods themselves.
There is a saying that God never gives a trial one cannot overcome... but is that truly the case? At least for me, I had absolutely no confidence that I could survive the trial the goddesses had presented to me now.
As I stood before the milky-white waters of the hot spring, I trembled with trepidation, imagining the hardships and tribulations awaiting me... No, that was a lie.
I was a young man, after all. My mind was consumed by thoughts of the four suggestive figures I was about to see.
When the bath was first decided, everyone except for Chronoa-san—the three other goddesses—had suggested some nonsense about us all changing together. I had somehow managed to talk them out of it by promising that we would at least share the bath itself.
Then it came down to a choice: would I go in first and wait, or join them later? Honestly, if I went in later, I didn't think I’d have the courage to step inside. In fact, there was a ninety percent chance I would simply run away, so I chose to go in first.
I hadn’t soaked in the tub yet. I felt that if I did, my brain would immediately boil over and I would pass out.
Still, why was everyone in such high spirits? Only Chronoa-san, the sole voice of reason, had resisted until the very end. Sadly, she was unable to say no to Shiro-san’s orders, and so she had consented to the mixed bathing while wearing an expression as if the world were ending.
Yes, Chronoa-san’s reaction was the normal one, wasn't it?
"Thank you for waiting."
"!? !?"
While I was lost in thought, a familiar, inflectionless voice echoed through the air, followed by the sound of light footsteps.
Given that I couldn't hear Fate-san or Life-san's voices, let alone Chronoa-san's, it meant the first one to enter was indeed Shiro-san, the one at the top of the hierarchy.
Knowing I would be instantly defeated if they arrived completely naked, I had enlisted Chronoa-san as an ally to make them agree to at least wrap themselves in towels.
Perhaps I had let my guard down because of that agreement. Hearing Shiro-san’s voice, I reflexively turned around... and I regretted it immediately.
"Wha—!? Wait, what? Sh-Shiro-san?"
"Is something the matter?"
"Wh-Wh-Why... the t-t-towel..."
"I have it wrapped properly, do I not?"
"It’s only around your waist!"
Yes, Shiro-san had appeared... and as I had requested, she was indeed wearing a towel. However, she was wearing it the way a man would. Thanks to that, Shiro-san’s full, shapely curves and the tantalizingly beautiful peaks of her chest were laid bare. Blood rushed to my face in an instant.
Shiro-san always managed to subvert my expectations. I had been far too naive.
Or rather... as expected of Shiro-san, she was simply too beautiful. Even the phrase "Incarnation of Beauty" felt inadequate. Her limbs were exquisite, and her proportions were nothing short of the golden ratio. I knew I had to look away, but my body refused to obey.
"Sh-Sh-Shiro-san!? A-Anyway, please cover your chest!"
"Why?"
"What do you mean, why? That’s..."
"But Kaito-san, you seem pleased, do you not?"
"Don't read my heart at a time like this! Just cover up!"
"……? I understand."
If I said I wasn't pleased, I’d be lying. After all, this was the semi-naked form of the peerless Shiro-san. The image was seared into my brain forever.
While tilting her head curiously, Shiro-san followed my request and lightly flicked her finger. The towel grew larger, firmly concealing her chest.
That was close. I was about to have a massive nosebleed within minutes of entering the bath. Shiro-san was terrifying.
My relief was short-lived, however. The door to the changing room adjacent to the hot spring opened, and Fate-san and Life-san appeared.
"Kai-chan! Sorry to keep you waiting!"
"~~!?"
Fate-san had mentioned before that despite her petite stature, she was well-endowed... and she was exactly right. Although her height was similar to Kuro or Alice, her chest, wrapped in the towel, was quite large—perhaps even matching Hina-chan's size.
She was what people called a loli-big-breasts type. Personally, I’d always thought that trope was a bit niche, but the moment I saw it in person, I did a complete 180. The contrast between her height and her chest emphasized a certain forbidden allure. The destructive power was incredible.
"This is my first time in a hot spring... and my, it seems to have quite a lovely atmosphere."
"~~~~!? !?"
And then there was Life-san... She was beyond words. She was a weapon.
The largest chest I had ever seen, rivaling even Lilliwood-san's, reigned with an overwhelming presence even behind the towel. It bounced as if it were about to spill over with every step she took. I couldn't look anywhere else.
My limit was fast approaching. It felt like my brain was about to suffer a thermal meltdown...
"In that case, I shall fix it."
"Huh?"
Shiro-san made the announcement and flicked her finger. The heat in my head, which had been on the verge of making me pass out, vanished instantly. But as soon as my vision returned to Shiro-san and the others, the temperature spiked again.
Just as I felt dizzy once more, the heat faded... only for my face to flush again seconds later.
What was this? Even though my bashfulness hadn't diminished at all, I was being forcibly cooled down every time I hit my limit. This was absolute torture! She had even cut off my escape route into unconsciousness!
"There."
Was this person really a goddess and not a demon? I felt a shiver at the way she systematically dismantled every way I had to retreat.
Feeling a sense of despair at being trapped, I braced myself for the next part of the trial... and then I noticed something.
"……Um, where is Chronoa-san?"
"God of Space-Time! Come on out already! It’s disrespectful to keep Shallow Vernal-sama waiting!"
"I-I-I know... I'm coming... now..."
At Fate-san’s call, a faint, trembling voice came from the changing room. As if having finally made up her mind, Chronoa-san stepped out.
She was so slender that it looked as if the towel would fall if she let go of it, but she possessed a charm entirely different from the other three. Because she was so tall, the sight of her in a towel was incredibly risqué. It felt as if one step would reveal everything.
Chronoa-san held the towel tightly, crossing her arms over her chest. Her face was already bright red, and her body was shaking like a newborn fawn.
How should I put it? I felt terrible for Chronoa-san as she desperately fought her shame, but... it was actually quite soothing.
Perhaps it was because the other three were far too open, but I couldn't help but feel my heart throb at her normal, bashful reaction.
"Wh-Wh-What is it, Miyama? I-If you're going to laugh, just laugh!"
"Ah, no, well... You were just so beautiful that I couldn't help but stare."
"Wha!?"
What was I saying? I must have been incredibly confused.
Hearing my words, Chronoa-san’s face turned even redder, and she began to gasp like a fish out of water.
"Y-Y-You! T-To utter such sweet words... How indecent!"
"S-Sorry. It just slipped out."
"Ah, n-no, forgive me. I didn't mean to blame you... It's just, I am not accustomed to such compliments..."
"God of Space-Time, that's cheating! Flirting with Kai-chan the second you arrive!"
"I am not flirting!"
Chronoa-san shouted back with a look of desperation at Fate-san, who was grumbling with her cheeks puffed out. Her voice echoed through the Sanctuary, where no one but us remained.
Dear Mother, Father—I’ve finally begun the mixed bath with the four, but I feel like I've been hit by a devastating attack right from the start. My head throbbed at the thought of what lay ahead, but I wasn't even allowed the mercy of fainting. Truly—my prospects are looking quite troublesome.
Serious-senpai: "Gah... thud."