"Dinner was delicious, wasn't it?"
"Yes... Well, I suppose it was quite good."
In the cramped old dorm room, Ran seemed especially cheerful after returning from our meal. Maybe it was the excitement of having a sleepover—our days had fallen into a quiet routine lately, and this was a nice break. I could understand how she felt.
"Hey, Mobu. You started the bath for us, right?"
"Yeah. It's ready now—perfect temperature."
"Nice! Let's get in then. Come on, MarMar."
"Okay."
Margrethe picked up the bag she had left on the bed. She must have gone back to her room during dinner to grab her pajamas and a change of clothes.
"Come on, Mobu, you too."
"Right."
"Huh!?"
As I stood up, Margrethe's voice cracked with surprise.
"Mobu, you're... joining us?"
"Of course. We always bathe together. Right, Mobu?" Ran added casually.
"Yeah, that's true."
"W-Wait a second... I-I don't usually take baths with men..."
"Baths are relaxing," Ran replied with a carefree smile.
"Still, that's a bit..."
Ran's expression turned somber.
"But we're friends now..."
Margrethe hesitated.
"Um... Mobu, you're not going to look at me... are you?"
"Don't worry. The bath is big. You can just sit at the edge if that makes you more comfortable."
"O-Okay..."
Even as she agreed, her eyes flicked nervously around the room. She set her bag down, picked it up again, and finally gave a small nod.
"Alright. Let's go in."
Looks like she made up her mind.
"It's just a bath. I won't go back on my promise to Father."
"Nice! Let's go, let's go." Ran took my hand and led the way with brisk steps. She reminded me of an energetic dog heading out for a walk.
* * *
Margrethe was adorably nervous.
In the dressing room, she ducked behind a cabinet to change, only peeking her head out now and then. When she emerged, she had chosen the largest towel she could find and wrapped it tightly around herself, from her shoulders all the way to her calves. It looked almost like she was wearing a snug, fluffy gown. Her hair was tied up neatly in a bun.
Ran and I entered the bath as we usually did, without hesitation.
"Let's get in," Ran said with ease.
She stepped into the bath openly, not bothering to cover herself. The water wasn't deep—just below the knees—so her whole figure was clearly visible until she sat down. With a splash, she sank comfortably into the water, which rose to about halfway up her chest.
"Mm... This feels great. Mobu, you're on point today too, huh?"
"Yeah."
"Come on, MarMar. Hurry in. I added some herbs I picked in the forest—it's a herbal bath tonight."
"I thought it smelled nice," she said.
Margrethe stayed wrapped in her towel, clutching it tightly. The thick white fabric clung to her from top to bottom, and with her hair tied up, she looked especially formal—almost like she was preparing for a ceremony instead of a bath.
"Mobu, don't turn toward me," she warned, eyes focused straight ahead.
I understood. If I moved carelessly, she might catch a glimpse she wasn't ready for. Ran, meanwhile, remained carefree as ever.
I stepped carefully into the water, making sure to keep a respectful distance. Margrethe had already taken a seat at the edge of the bath, towel still wrapped securely around her, legs dipped gently into the warm water. Her back was turned, and her posture was stiff with caution.
"Come on, Mobu. Hurry up and sit," she said, her eyes never rising from the water. Understandable—if she looked up now, I'd be standing right in front of her.
"Alright, alright," I replied quietly.
I eased into the bath across from her. She sat beside Ran, still wrapped in her towel like it was a lifeline. I thought about teasing her by sitting next to her, but decided against it. That would be too much.
Even through the rippling surface, I could tell she was aware of everything—every shape and every shadow under the hot water.
"This is a good bath, Mobu," Ran said.
"Yeah. Rainy season makes me want to soak like this. The air's so heavy lately."
"I know, right? My hair gets all frizzy and wild."
She leaned toward me and took my hand, guiding it to her head. Her long hair, untied, floated in the water behind her like jellyfish drifting through a gentle current.
"It's all because of the humidity."
Margrethe finally spoke up, her tone a little more relaxed now. Her face had been bright red earlier, but it seemed she had found her composure at last.
From where I sat, I still couldn't see her clearly. But I was glad she was able to join us.
"RanRan has such lovely, thick curls. It's really cute and elegant."
"Eh... really? Washing it is a pain though. Sorry, Mobu."
She raised one arm and tugged lightly at her blonde ringlets to show me. As she moved, her chest shifted slightly above the water's surface. Her hair shimmered with a soft pink hue, looking silky and full of life. That pale complexion of hers matched the light tones of her blonde hair so well—it was almost unfair how good it looked on her.
"My hair isn't as curly or elegant as RanRan's."
"But it's straight and seems easy to wash."
"That's true."
"And your red hair is cute too. It's glossy and shiny."
"Must be hard to manage though, huh?"
"Ehehe, no worries. Mobu's got it down."
"Um... about that, I've been feeling a little—"
She paused, looking unsure for a moment.
"Well, since we're warmed up now, Mobu... Let's go wash up."
Splash.
Ran took my hand and stood up, leading us to the washing area beside the bath.
"Wash each other... huh," I heard Margrethe mutter behind us.
"Who goes first, Mobu?"
"I'll wash your, same as usual, Ran."
"Wow, okay then! I'll leave it to you!"
Ran sat back down and turned her back to me.
"Let's start with your hair."
I poured warm water gently over Ran's head, then reached for a bottle of shampoo. This world may be fantasy, but the essentials like soap and shampoo are surprisingly modern and convenient.
I squeezed some shampoo into my palm.
"Close your eyes, okay? It stings if it gets in."
"Okay."
I worked the shampoo into her scalp with my fingers, slowly massaging it through the thick layers of her hair. Ran's hair was long and voluminous—I had to divide it into three sections just to clean it properly.
Margrethe was quiet. From the corner of my eye, I could tell she was watching us from the side. I had a small towel wrapped around my waist, so at least my lower half was covered.
"Next is the body, please."
A voice echoed softly from the bath. We pretended not to hear it.
"Alright, Mobu."
Ran gathered her hair and pulled it forward over her shoulders. Her back, now exposed to me, was smooth and pale, slightly flushed from the warmth of the bath. Her spine traced a straight line down the center, delicate and graceful.
"It stings if you use a washcloth, so just your hands, okay?"
"I remember."
Ran never liked rough scrubbing. She said it irritated her skin.
I lathered the soap between my hands and placed them gently on her back. Her skin was soft, the warmth of the bath still lingering.
Carefully, I started washing her back—slow and gentle, like brushing over a fragile surface. I moved to her sides, then up to her shoulders and the nape of her neck. I even cleaned behind her ears.
She twitched slightly when I reached her neck and underarms, clearly ticklish. Her hands tightened against her thighs, and she closed her eyes, trying not to react. I could tell she was holding it in, maybe more than just from being ticklish—but I didn't say anything. This had become part of our normal routine.
I continued down along her spine, then gently cleaned around her lower back. This bathroom even had a shower hose for rinsing, powered by hand rather than magic or electricity. It wasn't anything fancy, but it did the job. Ran always made sure to clean thoroughly, even if it tickled her endlessly. She squirmed quietly as I finished.
"All done."
"Phew..."
She exhaled, visibly relaxed.
"You should try washing yourself next time."
"Maybe..."
She began washing her chest, stomach, and legs with soapy hands, taking her time.
"...Well then, next is Mobu."
As she turned around to face me, I turned my back to her.
Notes:
• Ran - Female. An orphan and a close friend of Mobu. She has long, dark hair and a gentle appearance. Ran is kind and trusting, often relying on Mobu for guidance. She survives the demon attack by hiding in the secret base with Mobu.
• Margrethe - Female. A new student and sub-heroine character in the game. She is a Mage class with low physical strength. Her appearance is not described in detail, but she is noted to have a pleasant scent. She initially comes off as hostile but warms up to the protagonist, Blaze, over time. She is proud and insists on being addressed with honorifics, reflecting her noble upbringing. She has a strong dislike for men, considering them weak and arrogant. Her relationship with Mobu starts on a tense note, but she eventually shows a more vulnerable side, acknowledging her need to improve her physical strength.