After we finished undressing and wrapped ourselves firmly in towels, Alice and I headed toward the bathroom. Somehow, we had naturally ended up holding hands, but we were both silent, and a strange tension hung heavy in the air.
The awkwardness of changing in the same room had clearly affected me, but I knew I had to keep my composure. Alice’s expression was a complete blank right now, but that certainly wasn't because she was calm. If anything, it was the exact opposite—she was hanging on by a thread, and even the slightest push might send her spiraling into a total panic.
If I froze up as well, we’d likely end up standing there paralyzed until our time ran out. I had to pull myself together and take the lead.
"Wow, the bathroom has a unique feel to it. It’s tropical, almost. There are even flowers floating in the water."
"Y-You’re right. It has an ethnic vibe. Man, this kind of atmosphere is nice, too."
Given the cottage’s wooden exterior, I had imagined a traditional Japanese-style bath, but this was a stylish tub filled with floating red and orange flowers. It was built somewhat shallow, the perfect depth for lying back and stretching out one's legs. While it wasn't incredibly wide, it was more than large enough for two people to relax... No, wait. My sense of scale was warped. A bath that could comfortably fit two people side-by-side was actually quite big. Living in a mansion with massive baths had clearly skewed my perspective.
"Let’s wash up individually before we get in. The water’s quite clear, so let’s keep our towels on."
"U-Understood. Roger that..."
While scrubbing each other's backs was a romantic staple, I knew it would be impossible in Alice’s current state. Besides, I didn't want to risk triggering any of her past trauma. We washed ourselves separately and then stepped into the tub, making sure our towels remained securely wrapped.
"Ah, that faint floral scent is nice."
"It is. The temperature is a bit lukewarm—perfect for a long soak."
"Yeah. Let’s just take it easy. We did a lot of walking today, after all."
"Ah... um... is that all?"
"Eh? Yeah. Did you have something else in mind?"
"N-No, it’s not that I have a specific request. But, well, we’re lovers in a mixed bath together. If that’s the case, shouldn't there be some lovey-dovey or romantic developments? That’s just what I was thinking."
The girl who had just been talking about her mixed-bath trauma had done a complete about-face. It was likely a sign that she had regained some of her mental footing. Being allowed to keep the towel on probably provided a sense of security that gave her heart a little more breathing room.
"I’d prefer it if you could be a bit more specific... about..."
"Hmm? Kaito-san?"
"Ah, n-no, it’s nothing!"
"Huh?"
I had turned toward Alice and was suddenly struck by a wave of shock. Wait... is her towel see-through? There was no doubt she was wearing one, but for some reason, it had become strangely transparent. Her skin was clearly visible, and I had accidentally caught a surprise glimpse of the unprotected peaks of her breasts.
What was going on? It was supposed to be a thick towel; there was no way it should be that translucent. Was it the material? Regardless, the sight had caught me so off-guard that I felt my entire face flush a deep crimson.
"I wonder... That look you just gave me, Kaito-san..."
"Ah, wait, Alice!"
"Hwah?"
I reacted instinctively to her puzzled tone and tried to stop her, but it was too late. Alice lowered her gaze and immediately froze. As she realized her towel was completely transparent, her face turned red with incredible intensity.
"Hyaaaaah!? W-w-why is it so see-through!? This... this is basically like being naked!"
"C-Calm down! I... I caught a glimpse by surprise, but I haven't looked down since then! I'm not looking now! Wait, no, that’s not it... just try to stay calm!"
As Alice screamed and scrambled to hide herself with her hands, I spoke while keeping my face averted. I was so flustered that I knew I was probably making no sense.
"I mean, your towel isn't see-through at all, Kaito-san!"
"Eh? Ah, you’re right... Huh? How is it possible for there to be such a difference between them?"
I checked my own reflection in the water. The towel around my waist was perfectly opaque. It was clinging to my skin because it was wet, but that was all. As I wondered how towels from the same cottage could be so different, Alice seemed to have a sudden epiphany. Her expression shifted from embarrassment to pure, unadulterated fury.
"That damn woman... She swapped my towel for a fake... I am definitely going to send her flying later..."
I didn't quite understand the specifics, but Alice clearly knew exactly who the culprit was. Her face was now burning with rage rather than shame. I suspected her best friend—the God from the other world she often mentioned—had something to do with this. Only a being of that caliber could have swapped a towel right under the Phantasm King's nose without her noticing.
Machina: "Happenings are an essential part of love! That’s what I learned from romance manga! So, consider this a nice assist! Though... the aftermath is scary. Really, really scary..."
Serious-senpai: "Guh... Your 'assistance' is the last thing we need. Dammit, the sugar levels are off the charts..."