Wait, something was definitely wrong here. Had I accidentally wandered into the hot spring Sieg-san was supposed to use?
No... she’d clearly just spoken to me, so she knew I was here.
While I was still reeling from the shock, I heard the sound of splashing water. Sensing Sieg-san entering the tub, I hurriedly averted my eyes.
"S-Sieg-san?! What—why are you here?"
As I stammered the question, I instinctively lowered my gaze. Thankfully, the water was a milky, opaque white. I was safe... No, wait, that didn't make this "safe" at all.
"I've heard the most surprising thing... Apparently, once you become a couple, it's mandatory to bathe together."
"...Excuse me?"
"I remember hearing Luna tell Lilia that once."
"No, that was..."
I definitely remembered that conversation. Or rather, it was a prank Luna-san had pulled on Lilia-san. The whole ordeal—including Luna-san's subsequent punishment—should have been settled.
But Sieg-san was bringing it up now? I didn't take her for the type of person to fall for such a story...
With those thoughts swirling in my head, I waited until she was settled in the water before turning toward her. Sieg-san wore a playful, teasing smile.
I knew that look. She was fully aware that Luna-san's claim was nonsense, yet she’d decided to follow through anyway.
"Um, Sieg-san?"
"Well, if I'm being honest... it’s just a bit of childish jealousy on my part."
"Jealousy?"
"The subject came up during our last trip to the beach. I realized that everyone except me had shared a bath with you at least once before."
"...Now that you mention it, that’s true."
Thinking back, she was right. It wasn't that I’d ever intended for things to turn out that way, but I’d somehow shared a bath with every one of my lovers except for Sieg-san.
"So, since the opportunity presented itself... well... I am embarrassed, of course, but..."
Looking that bashful was practically cheating. Her reasoning was so incredibly sweet that I couldn't possibly turn her away.
"Well then, um... would you like to have some sake with me?"
"I would!"
When I finally gave in, Sieg-san beamed with a truly radiant smile.
"Also, I’m wearing a strapless swimsuit, so you don't need to be so tense."
"Oh... I see..."
"Would you have preferred if I weren't?"
"N-No, that's not what I meant..."
"Hehehe."
"Sieg-san!"
"I'm sorry. Your reactions are just so fun to watch."
Sieg-san was being quite the little devil today. Still, I felt a wave of relief knowing she was wearing a swimsuit. It definitely took the edge off my tension. If she were naked, I wouldn't have been able to help being hyper-aware of her.
Feeling a bit more relaxed, I retrieved some Japanese sake from my Magic Box and we shared a toast.
"The stars are absolutely beautiful, aren't they?"
"They really are. There isn't a cloud in sight tonight. We have a perfect view of the heavens."
"I feel like I'm being terribly extravagant."
"I know the feeling."
I agreed with her gentle assessment. Sitting here in this magnificent setting, sharing quiet conversation and pouring drinks for my beloved lover...
Yeah, this was a truly luxurious moment. Especially with Sieg-san’s calm presence, even the silence felt like something precious.
"...This reminds me of that time I visited your house. Remember? We sat on the engawa together and drank sake."
"It does. The stars were beautiful that night too... It’s already been over two years, hasn't it?"
"Time flies."
Strictly speaking, since I’d been back in my original world for a portion of that time, my personal sense of it was closer to a year and change, but pointing that out would have been tactless.
"...Kaito-san, would it be alright if I came a little closer?"
"Eh? Oh, yes."
"Then, if you'll excuse me."
With that, Sieg-san slid through the water until she was right beside me. We were close enough for our shoulders to touch.
Even though I knew she had a swimsuit on, being this close made me incredibly nervous. Below the surface, the water was opaque, so I couldn't actually see anything anyway...
Suddenly, I noticed Sieg-san’s shoulders were a bit stiff. Her flushed face probably wasn't just the result of the hot water and the alcohol.
...Of course. I wasn't the only one who was nervous; she was too. It would be pretty pathetic if I was the only one acting flustered.
Fighting back my own anxiety, I gently reached out and put my arm around her. I was momentarily taken aback by how soft and smooth her skin felt, but I pulled her close to me regardless.
"Ah... Hehe."
Sieg-san looked surprised for a moment, but then she gave a happy little giggle. She rested her head on my shoulder, snuggling into me even more than before.
Amidst the tension and the lingering embarrassment, there was an even stronger sense of happiness. Sieg-san and I looked at each other in the silence before our lips met in a tender kiss.
"...Oh, that's right. Forgive me, Kaito-san. I told you one lie."
"A lie?"
"I’m not actually wearing a swimsuit."
"..."
I’d had a nagging suspicion. We were pressed so closely together that I hadn't felt the texture of any fabric... but now that she’d confirmed it, I was going to be painfully aware of it. I really wish she’d waited until right before we got out of the tub to tell me that.
Serious-senpai: "Aaaaaagh?! Seriously?! Screw this! This is too much sugar! My teeth are rotting just watching this!!"
???: "Could you stop screaming for a second?"
Serious-senpai: "Shut up! How am I supposed to stay calm?! We haven't even gone through half of his lovers yet! There's nothing but despair ahead of me! I know you're just going to go off and flirt with him yourself once Lilia's turn is over! Give me a break!!"
???: "I have no idea what you're talking about. I'm just a fan, not Alice-chan..."
Serious-senpai: "...Wait, you're still sticking with that? It's been too long. Give it up already..."