After a pleasant and peaceful dinner, we sat chatting over the black tea Ein-san had brewed for us. Just as the hour was growing late, Kuro made a certain proposal.
"It’s about that time, so let’s ‘all’ take a bath together!"
The moment I heard those words, I bolted. I’d never moved with such lean, desperate speed in my life. I stood from my chair with minimal motion and sprinted away at full power without even looking back at Kuro and the others.
And then, a few seconds later... I was in the changing room. It was no use; the people around me were far too broken. To Kuro and her peers, my top-speed sprint must have looked like a snail crawling. They’d hauled me off to the changing room before I’d even realized what was happening.
"……Kaito……did you want to……take a bath……that badly?"
No, you've got it all wrong, Isis-san... I wasn't sprinting toward the bath; I was sprinting to get away from it. The fact that I’m even here is entirely the fault of that monster maid.
The changing room was built of wood and radiated a traditional Japanese vibe, feeling exactly like a high-end hot spring resort. Unfortunately, I didn't have the luxury of standing around to admire the scenery.
"……H-Hey, Kuro? I’m asking just in case, but this isn't, you know, separate for men and women……"
"Eh? Let’s just go in together. We can scrub each other’s backs!"
"……I will……scrub Kaito’s back……too."
Mixed Bathing, just as I’d feared. Somebody, help me! No, this is seriously bad. I mean, Kuro, Isis-san, Ein-san, and Alice... with four beauties in a Mixed Bathing situation, I’ll be lucky if I can even remain conscious.
There had to be something—some way to escape. But if I said I didn't want to, Isis-san and Kuro would be heartbroken. Ugh, what am I supposed to do?
"Wait just a minute! A maiden’s skin isn't something to be exposed so easily!"
Support came from an unexpected quarter. Ah, right—come to think of it, Alice was incredibly shy. She was a precious ally in this group.
Alright, that made it three against two. We were still at a numerical disadvantage, but we could put up a decent fight—
"In fact, I’m still traumatized by ‘that incident’! After bathing with Kaito-san that time, I was... I was... forced into a state where Kaito-san has no choice but to take me as his bride!"
"Stop phrasing things in such a misleading way!"
Alice’s trauma referred to the accident in the bathroom we’d had a while back, but her choice of words was terrible. People were definitely going to get the wrong idea.
"……I am surprised. To think that Shaltier would go that far with Kaito-sama, leaving Chrome-sama aside……"
"Wait, Ein-san? It’s a misunderstanding... a mis—"
"I feel like I could die of embarrassment just remembering it now. He even saw my ‘most important parts’…… so thoroughly……"
"Hey, you, shut up!"
Was this girl my worst enemy instead of an ally? I understood she was flustered because she was embarrassed, but I really wished she’d stop blurting out unnecessary details.
"Therefore, I strongly advocate for ‘wearing swimsuits’!"
"……Why?"
"What do you mean why, Isis-san? Because if we don't, then our naked bodies will—"
"……I don’t want……anyone but Kaito……to see me……but……if Kaito……wants to look……I’m……okay with it."
"She’s way more aggressive than I imagined!"
As Isis-san stated this matter-of-factly, I was just as stunned as Alice.
The image of the snow-white skin I’d glimpsed when I entered Isis-san’s hot spring before flashed through my mind. I involuntarily gulped. N-No, stay calm... keep it together!
Isis-san definitely didn't understand the implications beyond that. It was simply a statement born of a love that was too pure; she just wanted to do whatever I desired. That was exactly what made this so hard on me.
"……I……w-well, I mean, it’s embarrassing, but…… if Kaito-kun wants to see……"
"Not you too, Kuro-san!?"
Kuro’s words, spoken while she looked down slightly, had tremendous destructive power compared to her usual self. They were already chipping away at my sanity before I’d even stepped foot in the water.
I take back what I said earlier. Alice, you don't have to be quiet—try a little harder! Change the subject, change the flow, do something!
"I-It’s no good! Even Kaito-san is a man…… he’s a ‘sheep disguised as a wolf in sheep's clothing’!"
"……In short, isn't that just a sheep?"
However, Alice was clearly panicking herself, as she began spouting nonsense that earned her a sharp retort from Ein-san.
The conversation was turning into a total mess, but then Kuro quietly approached Alice and whispered something in her ear.
"Shaltier……"
"……Eh? A-Ah, I see. That’s one way to do it…… I get it now……"
"E-Err, you two, what are you……"
"Actually, Kaito-san, let's just go for it! Let’s all get naked and bond!"
"Seriously, what just happened!?"
Impossible. For Alice to change her mind that easily... just what did Kuro say to her? I’m sure it was nothing good.
Wait, is this really happening? Is the plan for us to all bathe together a done deal?
With Alice, my only ally, defecting to the other side, I finally had no place left to run. I unconsciously took a step back—
"Isis-san! Please don't start undressing yet! At least use a separate changing room!"
"……Eh? ……Yeah…… okay."
That was close. I was almost hit with a complete surprise attack. Right. I didn't see anything. I absolutely didn't see a glimpse of thin blue fabric at her chest. Not at all.
It’s fine, everything's fine... stay calm, empty your mind.
As I was trying to center myself, Ein-san gave a bow to Kuro and spoke.
"……In that case, I shall wait here. If you require anything……"
"What are you saying, Ein? You’re coming in too, okay?"
"……N-No, but, as a maid, I cannot possibly bathe with my master, Chrome-sama……"
Huh? Wait, was it just my imagination? For Ein-san, she seemed unusually faltering. She almost looked... flustered.
"Ein-san? If you don't want to, you don't have to force yourself."
"……N-No, it is not that I dislike the idea of bathing with Kaito-sama…… this is, err, my own problem……"
"Hmm?"
If she disliked it, she could just say so, and I’d persuade Kuro to let her off the hook. But Ein-san’s reply was strangely evasive.
In the end, Ein-san was pushed along by Kuro and moved to the adjacent changing room along with Kuro, Isis-san, and Alice.
Dear Mom, Dad—
As expected, it seems I am cursed when it comes to baths. An incredibly difficult trial has suddenly come crashing down on me. And what bothers me most is Ein-san’s behavior, which is so different from her usual self... I have a feeling there’s more trouble ahead.
Alright, it's time for the mixed bathing episode! Are you ready? Because I am!
Serious-senpai: "I'm not ready!!"