The warm mist of the bathing area filled the air as I turned to Ran with a gentle smile.
"Well then, next is you, Ran. I'll wash your back."
Ran nodded and turned around without a word.
"Close your eyes. I'm starting with shampoo," I said softly.
I lathered up my hands and gently began working the foam into Ran's hair. My fingertips moved with practiced care, massaging her scalp with a gentle rhythm.
"Is there any spot that feels itchy?" I asked.
"Everywhere," she replied without hesitation.
I giggled. "Oh no, Ran. That's not good."
I rinsed her hair with warm water, the soft stream washing away the suds. Then I moved behind her.
"Next is your back."
My hands, slick with soap, moved carefully across Ran's shoulders and down her back. I worked in gentle, circular motions, gradually washing her arms and sides as well. Our bodies were close, and I could faintly feel the presence of her against my back — soft and warm, moving with her every breath.
Though I tried to stay calm, a quiet embarrassment stirred in me. On some days, moments like these made my heart race more than I expected. I quietly lowered my head, hiding my face with the towel wrapped around me.
Ran didn't seem to notice. With her usual innocence, she continued washing every part of my back carefully and thoroughly.
"All done," she finally said, breathing out in relief.
"Did that feel good, Mobu?"
Her words were honest and without any deeper meaning. She simply wanted to know if the bath was relaxing.
"Yeah. Thanks," I replied.
"Hehe, I've gotten better, haven't I?"
"You have. It was like being in heaven."
Ran beamed at the praise, then wrapped her arms around me in a light hug from behind. Her cheek rested against my shoulder.
"Mobu...…"
Her hands came forward, gently brushing my chest. As they lowered, she froze suddenly, pulling away slightly.
"Okay! Now it's MarMar's turn," she said quickly.
"I-I will," Margrethe said, her voice shaking a little.
"You should let me wash you," Ran offered with a smile.
"It's fine. I'll wash myself."
"But it's hard to wash your own back."
"Then I'll ask RanRan."
"I want to warm up again, too," Ran said cheerfully, stepping into the tub again with a small splash. "You'll be fine, MarMar. I'm good at this. Just relax."
"I… I'll try."
Margrethe emerged from the water slowly and sat down in front of me, showing her back while tightly holding the towel wrapped around her front.
"P-Please wash me like this."
"Alright. Can I wash your hair first?"
"Yes... just, don't look too much."
"Okay, close your eyes."
She did as she was told. Ran reached out and gently removed the pins from her hair. Her silver-blonde strands fell like silk down her back.
"You have beautiful hair."
"D-Don't say unnecessary things," she mumbled.
"I was just being honest."
"...You think it's beautiful?"
"Yeah. I wouldn't say it if I didn't mean it."
Margrethe's voice grew quiet. "Ah... thank you."
She began to shampoo her hair gently, noticing how soft and fine the texture was — different from Ran's wild waves. Margrethe's felt refined, like it had been carefully cared for every day.
"Feels good, right?" she asked while massaging her scalp.
"Y-Yeah... Ah!"
Her body twitched slightly.
"Don't touch my ears."
"Just washing near the edge. Almost done."
"...Okay."
Ran rinsed her hair and wrung out the excess water with a towel.
"Done. Now, if you take the towel off your back, I can wash it."
"C-Can you close your eyes?"
"Sure."
Ran obediently shut her eyes. After a bit of rustling, Margrethe spoke again.
"I-It's fine now."
When she opened her eyes, her back was bare, though she still clung to the towel over her front tightly.
"Your arms must be tired holding it like that."
"If you think so, then hurry up and get it over with."
She smiled wryly. She applied soap to her hands and began washing her back gently.
"Hah!"
She flinched at the first touch.
"Relax. I'm just starting."
"S-Sorry...…"
"I'll be careful. Tell me if anything hurts."
"Okay..."
Her skin was soft, delicate, and sensitive — just as I had imagined from someone raised as nobility. She was nothing like the carefree Ran, whose confidence showed even in her posture. Margrethe, by contrast, sat stiffly, almost like a fawn in the woods.
"Next, your arms."
"Alright."
She was more relaxed now, her voice calmer. I reached around carefully, making sure not to press too close.
"Don't lean in so much," she said quietly. "Your chest is touching me...…"
"I have to reach around you. I'll be careful."
"D-Don't go too far. That's—too close."
"Got it."
Ran worked cautiously, avoiding any unnecessary contact. When her hand brushed near her underarm, she jolted again.
"D-Don't touch there!"
"Just hold still."
"...Okay."
She looked down, staying still while she finished washing.
When Ran reached the lower part of her back, she hesitated slightly, then continued with soft, measured movements.
"...Ah."
"Was that ticklish? Sorry."
"I-It's fine now."
"It's done. You can wash the rest yourself."
"Okay...…"
She turned away, gently setting the towel beside her and quickly rinsing her front.
"I'll go ahead and soak. Come on," she said.
"Alright."
After that, I followed them with soft splashes, and soon the three of us were sitting in the warm bath.
"Hey, Mobu," Ran said with a grin. "MarMar has a really pretty body, doesn't she?"
"...Yeah. You kind of exposed everything already."
"Her skin's really nice too."
"It is... but I think yours might be even softer."
"Really?"
"I wouldn't lie to you, Ran."
"Hehe... me."
Ran leaned against my shoulder, wrapping her arms around me again.
It was the first time I'd experienced this kind of closeness while both of us were so vulnerable. Her body pressed lightly against mine, warm and comforting.
Ran really did seem like the perfect Main Heroine.
"...C-Can I join too?"
Margrethe's voice came quietly from the side.
"Of course. You'll catch a cold if you stay out too long," Ran said gently. "Come on."
Margrethe slowly moved closer, sitting right beside me. Without her towel, her silhouette shimmered under the clear water. Her frame looked slender from behind, but now up close, she had a graceful figure in her own right — not as full as Ran, but soft in all the right places.
"Do you two always bathe like this?"
"That's right," Ran replied. "We've been together since we were kids. We don't have anyone else to rely on."
"I see...…"
Neither of us mentioned Blaze.
"Our bond's just that strong. I envy you. I never had anything like that."
"But you do," Ran said, smiling. "We're your friends now too, right?"
"...Yeah. I guess that's true."
Margrethe leaned in slightly. Her arm brushed against mine, and her body gently swayed beneath the water.
"Nice to meet you again, Mobi. You too, RanRan."
Notes:
• Ran - Female. An orphan and a close friend of Mobu. She has 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.
• Blaze - Male. The protagonist of the game, born into the wealthy Rosinore family. He has blond hair and a heroic appearance. Blaze is kind and lacks arrogance despite his status. He is destined to become a hero and defeat the Demon King. His relationship with Mobu and Ran is complex, as they are not part of the main story.