After we took turns washing each other's backs, we settled into the hot water to soak. The day had been clear, but a light dusting of snow was falling now, lending the scene an elegant, atmospheric beauty.
"Come to think of it, while hot springs are relatively rare in this world—or a bit minor, at least—you've had one here at your castle for a long time, haven't you, Isis-san? Did you hear about them from Alice after all?"
"...Yes... Shaltier... knew so many things... that we didn't... and she taught us... so much. She taught Ein about maids... and Kuromueina about Baby Castella... and many other things."
Wait, I just heard a few things I couldn't simply overlook. If that were true, it meant Alice was the one responsible for giving rise to both that Maid Fanatic and the Devil of Baby Castella.
Then again, I doubted Alice had any malicious intent. Surely, had she known those two would develop such fanatical, bordering-on-madness obsessions with maids and baby castella, she never would have shared that knowledge in the first place. After all, when it came to both subjects, Alice was usually the one suffering for it.
"I see. Alice came from another world tens of thousands of years before the Hero Summoning was even a thing. As the very first Otherworlder, it makes sense that she’d possess all sorts of knowledge previously unknown to this world."
"...Yes... Shaltier's stories... were so interesting. She told me about hot springs... back then too. I longed for... the idea of everyone bathing together... so I had her build one."
It occurred to me then that the reason this world contained so many things reminiscent of my own—beyond the influence of former Heroes—might actually be Alice. Apparently, the world she originally lived in was quite similar to ours. Of course, there were differences; the era Alice had been transported from was more of a sci-fi setting, featuring things like "Magic-tech" that fused sorcery and machinery.
"Do you ever bathe with the people under your command, Isis-san?"
"...When our schedules align... but... it seems they were being considerate today... so I could take my time... with Kaito."
"I see, that’s very kind of them. Thanks to their consideration, I’m able to relax like this with you."
"...Yes... I’m happy too... to be alone with Kaito."
As she spoke, Isis-san leaned against me, resting her weight on my shoulder. Since we were bathing, we were naturally both naked; the sensation of her bare skin against mine made my heart skip a beat.
It was only natural that I ended up averting my eyes, tilting my gaze slightly toward the sky. Honestly, even if I had grown accustomed to this to some degree, I still got nervous.
Isis-san was being quite defenseless... or rather, she simply trusted me from the bottom of her heart.
"...Ah, r-right. It’ll be quite late by the time we get out of the bath. We spent a good while chatting with everyone after dinner, so the night is already half-gone."
"...Yes... there is still some time... but I think it is nearly the hour for sleep. Do humans... usually sleep around 10:00 PM... I wonder?"
"Well, it varies from person to person. For me, just as you said, I’m usually in bed between 10:00 PM and midnight. I don’t often stay up past the turn of the day."
For Isis-san, sleep was more of a hobby; she had no biological need for it. Consequently, her knowledge of human sleeping habits relied mostly on what she had gleaned from books.
That said, her information wasn't wrong; in fact, it was quite accurate. Applying it to my own life, I usually fell asleep around that time and woke up between 6:00 and 8:00 AM.
"...I see... Hey, Kaito... Can I... ask for something... selfish?"
"Eh? Oh, sure. I don't mind at all."
"...Um... I have a room prepared for you to stay in... but if it is alright... I want you to sleep in my room. I want to be with Kaito... every moment today."
"...Isis-san. Yes, of course. Come to think of it, I stayed in your room the very first time I visited your castle, too."
The castle was vast and contained plenty of rooms, and she had indeed prepared a proper guest room for me. However, her true wish was to spend more time together.
I had no reason to refuse. I offered a smile to reassure her, as she had begun to look a bit lonely. Upon hearing my answer, her face lit up with a brilliant, joyful expression.
"...Yes!"
Watching her nod so happily made me feel a mix of bashfulness and warmth. Surrendering to the surge of affection I felt for her, I gently placed my hand on her shoulder and pulled her into a light embrace.
Serious-senpai: "...A-Ah... I-I have a bad feeling about this... Hieee...!"