The mansion’s sheer scale was one thing, but the bath in my house was truly enormous. It was big enough that I could practically swim in it if the mood struck me.
I wasn't entirely sure how much of the bath additive to use for a tub this size, so I added it in small increments, stirring the water each time to check the concentration.
Eventually, it looked about right. The water turned a milky white, resembling a milk bath more than a typical cloudy hot spring.
The scent wasn't dairy-like at all, however; it was a sophisticated, aromatic fragrance. Dipping my hand into the warmth, I found the water felt silky. I could easily imagine my skin becoming incredibly smooth after a long soak.
Even for a prototype, the quality was exceptional. The realization of the concept—a luxury bath fit for a noble—was impressive. Honestly, I was amazed they could produce something this refined in such a short window of time.
"Excuse me~."
"……Eh?"
As I was marveling at the technical prowess of Kuro's Trading Company, I heard the door click open. Then came Illness-san’s voice from directly behind me.
"I-Illness-san?! W-W-What's going on?"
What was happening? Had she forgotten something and come to deliver it? Or did she have news that someone else hadn't actually finished their bath yet?
It... it was fine, right? If she were here as a maid to tell me something, she’d be in her uniform. I thought it was probably safe to turn around... but I decided to keep my eyes forward just in case.
"Since I'm here~, I thought I would wash your back~ for you, you see~."
"Hah?"
Wash my back? Illness-san was going to wash mine? C-Calm down. The sheer shock of the unexpected was making my head spin. I had to try to keep my cool.
"B-By the way, Illness-san... what are you wearing right now?"
Wait, didn't that sound incredibly pervy?! I'd phrased it all wrong... no, but it was vital information. If she was in a swimsuit, I could turn around with a clear conscience.
"What I'm wearing~? I'm in a bathing garment~."
"Oh, I-I see."
Thank goodness. A bathing garment—also known as bath-wear—was exactly what it sounded like: clothing designed for use in a bath. Since it was intended for the water, it was likely more... something than a standard maid uniform, but surely it wasn't as revealing as a swimsuit.
This was Illness-san, after all; she would be perfectly prepared. I felt ashamed of my racing heart and my own lecherous imagination.
In any case, I could turn around now.
"Is that so? Well, since you're offering, I'll take you up on that."
"Yes~."
"Well then... !?"
I turned around, fully reassured by her words, only to freeze the moment my eyes landed on her. To put it simply, Illness-san rarely showed any skin; she usually favored long sleeves and floor-length skirts outside of her uniform. Even though this was for a bath, I couldn't help but stare at her pale skin—a sight I was almost never afforded.
But that wasn't the real problem. The real problem was the outfit itself.
...The bathing garment I’d imagined was a thick, one-piece suit, something like a sturdy swimsuit. The one Illness-san wore was nothing like that.
It looked like... a baby doll nightie. It was as if she’d draped a see-through dress over a bikini.
N-No, I was sure it was a legitimate bathing garment and not a piece of lingerie. But that was exactly what it looked like... and if anything, it was more provocative than a standard swimsuit.
Specifically, the way the transparent outer layer clung to her... it made it impossible to know where to look.
"Kaito-sama~? Is something wrong~?"
"N-No! It's n-n-nothing at all!"
"Is that so~? Well then~, please, this way~."
"Ah, right."
This was bad. Once the thought of a "baby doll" entered my head, I couldn't see anything else. A wave of embarrassment washed over me.
Illness-san didn't seem bothered, but the fact that someone as modest as her was dressed like this was enough to make my heart hammer against my ribs. The outfit’s sheer destructive power was overwhelming.
As I sat down with my back to her as instructed, I remained acutely aware of her presence right behind me.
"Well then~, let me wash~ your back~."
"P-Please."
I’d shared baths with others many times before and had my back washed, too. But for some reason, the realization that it was Illness-san made me incredibly self-conscious.
I supposed the contrast with her usual self was just too vast.
Her touch was incredibly gentle. She scrubbed my back with a pressure that could only be described as divine. Though I had been panicking just moments ago, the sheer comfort of it began to soothe my soul before I even realized it.
"Is there anywhere~ that still itches~?"
"No, that's perfect."
"Then~, I'll rinse you off~. Will you wash the front~ yourself~?"
"Yeah. I'll take care of the rest."
"Understood~. In that case~, let's get your hair~ nice and clean too~."
After rinsing my back, she moved on to my hair. This actually wasn't the first time she had washed it for me.
Since Illness-san was the one who usually cut my hair, she often used a shampoo station to give me a wash.
She was so talented at it that it was almost addictive, a testament to her skills as a maid.
This time, we weren't at a station, and I was just sitting there, but the experience was no less blissful. The way she thoughtfully included a light scalp massage was truly appreciated.
My once-frantic mind had completely settled, leaving me in a state of profound relaxation. I felt that this was, above all else, thanks to Illness-san’s immense sense of inclusivity—her overwhelming maternal aura.
Serious-senpai: "They're flirting so hard... it's physically painful... B-But still, regarding that inclusive, maternal vibe—well, she's older, so it's technically accurate, but when it comes to characters who give off that 'babumi' feel, I think Illness has officially usurped Kuro as the series' representative."
Me-o: "……"
Serious-senpai: "I mean that as a compliment! A compliment!! It’s just that the Main Heroine has already become Kaito’s lover, so they have the air of a stable couple—or even a married one! I think she’s just moved on to a higher stage than everyone else!!!!"