Pushed to the brink by her shocking "No-guard Tactics," I had somehow managed to turn the tables and persuade Liliwood-san with a desperate, last-ditch plea.
Of course, the mental damage I’d sustained was immense, and it seemed the uphill battle was far from over.
Well, putting that aside... if it wasn't just my imagination, was Liliwood-san’s hair—or rather, her foliage—starting to grow?
She already had long hair to begin with, but it was reaching even further now. In fact, it looked like it was gradually encroaching upon the entire surface of the bathtub. It was growing! It was definitely growing, right before my eyes!
"...Um, Liliwood-san?"
"Yes?"
"Your hair... or rather, the leaves... seem to be increasing?"
"Ah, my apologies. I simply felt so comfortable that..."
Does her hair grow when she’s feeling good? Well, I remembered her hair withering when she was exhausted before, so I guess her hair reacts to her physical and emotional state.
When I pointed it out, Liliwood-san apologized and returned her hair to its original length. It seemed she could control it at will.
"By the way, did you call this an Onsen? I haven't used them very often. How do humankind usually enjoy them?"
"Hmm. Let's see. Naturally, people enjoy the scenery and wash their bodies, but they also drink alcohol while soaking in the tub."
"I see... I can prepare some Fruit Liquor right away, if you would like?"
"Eh? Ah, yes. If you're offering, I'd love some."
I hadn't really tried fruit liquor much. Back in my original world, I’d pretty much only ever drunk beer, so I was curious. It was a well-timed offer, too, since I was looking for a way to break the tension and change the mood.
"Then, please wait a moment..."
As she said that, a branch sprouted from Liliwood-san’s hair, and a familiar piece of the Fruit of the World Tree materialized.
Then, as if squeezed by an invisible hand, the fruit yielded its bounty. The overflowing juice poured into a wooden cup that had appeared out of nowhere.
After extracting the juice from several fruits, Liliwood-san held her hand over the cup. It was enveloped in a faint light for a few seconds before the glow faded.
"Here, please help yourself."
"Thank you very much."
A fruit liquor created right before my eyes as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Being made from the Fruit of the World Tree made it an incredibly luxurious drink, and it looked correspondingly delicious.
The aroma was potent, but not sharp; it felt soft and fragrant, like a true blessing of nature.
Well then, since it's freshly made... Wait, hold on a second. Liliwood-san is the World Tree. Which meant the Fruit of the World Tree was, effectively, a product of her own body.
Wait, what? Does that mean the liquor in this cup was also produced by Liliwood-san? In other words, this drink was essentially "a part of Liliwood-san." And I was about to put that inside my body?
Oh man, I’ve started thinking about weird things! What should I do? This is bad. After everything that happened earlier, I’m way too conscious of her.
But I can’t exactly back out now. I asked for it myself; I can't just say I'm too embarrassed to drink it.
"...Kaito-san?"
"!? I-I’ll enjoy it!"
Startled by her voice, I hurriedly raised the cup and took a gulp.
With one sip, a mellow fragrance bloomed in my mouth, and an extraordinary deliciousness stimulated my brain. It truly was a masterpiece. However, because I’d had those strange thoughts, I felt a dizzying sensation with every swallow.
Realizing I was in a dangerous headspace, I drained the cup in one go and called out to her.
Military strategy... I couldn’t remember which of the Thirty-Six Stratagems it was, but I needed to retreat and regroup.
"L-Liliwood-san, I'm going to... u-um, wash up!"
I realized the mistake immediately after the words left my mouth. What a fool I was. I had intended to flee, but instead, I had cut off my own path of retreat.
And, inevitably...
"Oh, in that case, I shall wash your back for you."
...She wasn't letting me go. Seriously, I’m starting to think the Six Kings all have way too much defensive prowess. Is this like how you can’t run away from a boss battle?
"N-No, I couldn't possibly trouble you like that, Liliwood-san..."
"No, please allow me to help. You are always taking such good care of me, Kaito-san."
"……Y-Yes……"
I was utterly defeated by that 100% pure smile.
To be honest, while I’ve certainly been looked after by Liliwood-san, I have no memory of ever taking care of her. But when someone directs such pure goodwill at you, it’s impossible to refuse.
W-Well, stay calm. It should be fine. Liliwood-san already agreed to hide her body, and given how serious she is, there's no way she’d break that promise.
I’ll just have her wash my back normally. Sure, I’ll be nervous, but there shouldn’t be a problem... probably.
However, as if mocking the thoughts I had while stepping out of the tub, Liliwood-san’s voice reached me from behind.
"Mm... K-Kaito-san."
"Y-Yes?"
I answered while taking great care not to turn around.
"Um, the towel is a bit small... it won't quite wrap all the way around my chest..."
"……"
I understood immediately. Even if it wasn't a tiny face towel, a standard-sized towel simply lacked the "firepower" required to cover someone of Liliwood-san’s proportions.
"...Would it be alright if I lengthened my hair to cover myself instead?"
"……Yes."
Dear Mother, Father—
Whether I’m actually alright or not, I no longer know. However, there is one thing I am certain of regarding this business of having my back washed—
It doesn’t look like things will go according to plan.