As Anima washed my back, I lost myself in thought. What was the right way to handle things once she finished? Or more importantly, just how far did she expect this to go?
In a natural flow of events, since she had washed my back, the next logical step would be for me to return the favor. However, given our earlier conversation, Anima had used Status Preservation magic to fix her towel firmly in place. It felt as though she hadn't considered the possibility of having her own back washed at all.
The crucial factor here wasn't general common sense, but Anima’s own perspective. I knew from our interaction just a moment ago that she was barely suppressing her bashfulness. One wrong move could shatter her composure, so I wanted to stay within the bounds of what she was prepared for.
"There, I’ll rinse you off now."
"Yeah. Thank you."
While she worked on my back, I handled the front of my body myself. Finally, Anima used the shower magic tool to wash away the suds. My turn was officially over. So, what was next?
Sympathy Magic was a godsend in moments like these, though it was only part of the puzzle. I had to read between the lines, watching her expressions and the way her eyes moved to grasp her true intent.
"I-I’ll wash my own body now," she stammered.
Her words suggested she was going to handle it herself, but her eyes flickered toward me for a heartbeat, and my magic picked up a trace of a hidden emotion—expectation. Considering everything, including the strange things Alice had likely been telling her, it all started to click.
"Anima, I'll wash your back in return."
"What? Oh, but Master, I couldn't possibly have you do such a thing—"
"I'm not doing it as your master. I want to do it as your lover."
"Oh... Yes! In that case, I... I look forward to it."
I should have known. Including the fact that she had mentioned a "naked relationship" earlier, she had clearly been hoping for us to wash each other's backs.
Despite her initial hesitation, she grasped my intent to set aside our roles as master and servant. She looked genuinely happy as she sat on the stool before me, releasing the spell on her towel and pulling it against her chest to shield her front.
Anima’s pristine white back and the tail at her hips were laid bare. My heart hammered at the sheer beauty of the sight, but I knew that if I let my nerves show, she would catch the anxiety from me. Fortunately—or perhaps unluckily—I had been through enough mixed baths to have a steady grip on my emotions. I was a little rattled, sure, but I was able to keep it together.
"Alright, I’m starting now," I said softly.
Giving her that brief notice, I applied body soap to the sponge and gently worked it across her skin, just as she had done for me. Even if I had been rough, I probably wouldn't have hurt her, so I didn't have to worry about strength control as much as she did.
"Is the pressure okay?"
"Yes. It feels wonderful... Ah, no. As your attendant, I should feel guilty for this, but as Master's lover, I... I feel so happy. Please forgive my disrespect for my expression softening like this."
"Ahaha, I'm actually happier knowing that you feel that way. When you were washing mine earlier, I could tell how much you were looking out for me, and it made me feel quite happy too."
"If that is the case... then I am glad."
Whether she was acting as a maid or a lover, Anima seemed to be wrestling with many different thoughts. But it wasn't a painful struggle; I got the sense she was enjoying the process of finding a balance within herself.
As I continued to wash her back, she suddenly spoke up in a tiny voice.
"Master... um, please listen to me, but don't look this way."
"Hmm?"
"I'd get too nervous to say this properly if we were face-to-face. I don't want to wait, though. Please, let me say this while I’m immersed in this feeling of happiness from having my back washed by you."
After that preamble, Anima fell silent for a few seconds. Then, she began to weave her words together, slowly and with immense weight behind every syllable.
"...I adore you. No, that is too stiff. Let me say it more simply... I love you, my always kind Master."
"Anima... thank you. I love the serious and cute Anima too."
"I'm so happy. It is embarrassing, but more than that, it's just..."
Her straightforward admission of love was ticklish but sweet. A blissful warmth seemed to settle between us, and I found myself savoring every second of the feeling.
Serious-senpai: "Guh... kgh... I-I'm not done yet..."
Machina: "..."
Serious-senpai: "Hey, stop it! What's with the skewer and the fruit? Don't look at me with those expectant eyes!?"