The turbulent first day was over. The second day would be a festival hosted by Lilliwood-san, centered around the theme of communing with nature. Unlike the first day, it didn't look like there would be any combat involved.
I personally enjoyed things like forest bathing, so I was actually quite excited for it. And so, just as the second day of the Six Kings Festival was about to begin—
"Today, I'm the one washing Kaito-kun's back!"
"...I'm... washing it."
"Ugh, umm... personally, it's a bit traumatic for me, so if I'm allowed to wear a swimsuit..."
"Everyone, please, calm down."
I really wanted the day to start already! Couldn't the story just skip to the next morning like it does in novels?
I was still a bit tipsy, and I was worried my inhibitions were starting to slip. Besides, why was Lilliwood-san even here?
"N-No, I'm quite lost myself... Ein suddenly brought me along..."
"Ein-san did?"
Right now, Kuro, Isis-san, and Alice were embroiled in a terrifying debate over who would wash my back. Well, I say "well," but it wasn't well at all. More importantly, what was Lilliwood-san doing here? She definitely hadn't been around yesterday.
I looked over at Ein-san, the apparent culprit. She gave a single nod and approached Kuro and the others.
"Chrome-sama, if I may be so bold, I have a proposal."
"Hmm? A proposal?"
"Yes. Kaito-sama only has one body. While having all three of you wash him at once is an option... I suggest we establish a rotation."
"A rotation?"
Oh boy, she was starting to say something weird. I could tell one thing for certain: whatever she was about to say, it wasn't meant to help me. If anything, I felt like the situation was about to get much worse.
As Kuro tilted her head in confusion, Ein-san bowed and continued.
"Yes. Since each of you is scheduled to tour the festival with Kaito-sama on the day you are in charge... how about 'the person accompanying Kaito-sama the following day gets to bathe with him alone and have him all to themselves'?"
The three of them froze, looks on their faces suggesting they were wondering why they hadn't thought of that sooner. But wait—how was this supposed to be better? Was it better than everyone piling in at once? Or would the "destructive power" actually increase because it was a one-on-one encounter?
While I stood there stunned by the sudden proposal, there was someone else wearing a similar expression.
"Is it just my imagination? Considering that I've been brought here... it feels as though Ein's suggestion just naturally 'included me' as well?"
"What a coincidence. I heard it exactly the same way."
Lilliwood-san and I exchanged a look. However, Kuro and the others were already taking the idea seriously, oblivious to our confusion.
"That means more alone time with Kaito-kun!"
"...T-True. That would make the embarrassment a little more manageable, so I'm actually on board with that."
"...Ein... is a genius."
It looked like it was going to pass. What should I do? Should I stop them? Considering Lilliwood-san, I really ought to step in, but I wasn't sure if she was officially part of the deal yet—
"Then Lilliwood goes first today!"
"...Yes."
"Sounds good."
She was included! No, no, that’s not right! Kuro and the others might be fine with it because they wanted to, but Lilliwood-san would surely be uncomfortable—
"Wait a second, everyone, that's—"
"Please, wait. I cannot agree to this."
Lilliwood-san cut me off before I could finish my protest. Right, of course she'd hate it. I expected her to give them a piece of her mind, but...
"While 'I personally don't mind,' wouldn't Kaito-san dislike it? I cannot agree to this without first obtaining his consent."
Wait, what? That wasn't what I expected to hear. I could have sworn she just said she didn't mind bathing with me.
I must have misheard. Yes, that had to be it. The modest Lilliwood-san would never say something like that—
"I see. What do you think, Kaito-kun? Would you hate taking a bath with Lilliwood?"
"Huh? No, it's not that I'd hate it, but Lilliwood-san would—"
"Then there's no problem!"
"...Eh?"
"I see. If Kaito-san doesn't mind, then by all means."
"...Wait, what?"
Something was definitely wrong. My ears were failing me. I was certain Lilliwood-san just said "by all means."
"L-Lilliwood-san?! A-Are you sure?! We're talking about bathing together!"
"Yes. Though I doubt Kaito-san would find it very enjoyable to bathe with a 'tree' like myself..."
"Excuse me?"
A tree? Oh, I see. Since she was a tree spirit, she saw herself more as a plant than a person, so she didn't have the same sense of modesty.
This was bad. Even if she thought of herself as a tree, I still saw her as a beautiful woman. I had to fix this misunderstanding—
"However, I am glad that Kaito-san doesn't find the idea unpleasant. I've wanted to deepen my friendship with you, but it's been hard to find the time... I'm truly happy to have an opportunity like this."
"Ah... I-I see..."
"Yes. Thank you."
"..."
Seeing her smile with such genuine, heartfelt joy made it impossible to say I wanted to back out now.
Ugh, I couldn't bear to let her down when she was this happy. That meant I just had to grit my teeth and endure it. It should be fine, right? Lilliwood-san was a refined, mature adult. She wasn't the type to do anything scandalous.
In fact, compared to bathing with Kuro and the others, it would probably be much easier to maintain my self-control.
With that thought, I gave my consent to bathe with Lilliwood-san.
I had no idea at the time... that this naive optimism would soon come back to haunt me as a terrifying ordeal...
Dear Mother, Father—
In an unexpected turn of events, I ended up taking a bath with Lilliwood-san. I think it'll be okay since it's her, but really—am I under some kind of mixed bathing curse?
Serious-senpai: "Gah?! N-No way... I was bracing myself for an event with the three girls who love Kaito, and then a great cannon of a chest appears out of nowhere?! This... this difference in size is a decisive military factor!"