"I-I don't mean anything else by it… I just thought… since it's rare for us to stay overnight together… I wanted to… take a bath with you…" Mahiru stammered, her voice trembling.
Kanade Natsukawa froze. He couldn't immediately process what his girlfriend had just said. Her hesitant and shaky tone sent his mind into overdrive as he stared at her, dumbfounded.
Faced with a more forward Mahiru than usual, Kanade couldn't hide his inner turmoil. He scratched at his flushed cheeks, his gaze darting nervously around the room.
"W-Wait, but wouldn't that be… you know, risky? I mean, if we're… naked?"
"I-I'll wear a swimsuit. That should be fine, right?"
"Wear a… swimsuit?" Kanade repeated, falling silent as the implications of her suggestion sank in.
Logically, he understood that wearing a swimsuit offered a layer of coverage. But practically speaking, wasn't it nearly the same as wearing nothing? Swimsuits left most of the skin exposed, and in the intimate privacy of a bathroom, the context was entirely different from a pool or beach. The thought of Mahiru in such a state, so close to him…
The half-revealed look was undeniably the most enticing.
"Still… have you really thought about how much contact there would be?" Kanade asked, taking a deep breath.
No matter how much of a gentleman he tried to be, if his girlfriend was right within reach without much covering, he wasn't confident he could keep his composure.
Mahiru's long lashes fluttered briefly, and her gaze fell downward.
"If we're washing each other's backs, there's bound to be some contact, right?" she murmured.
"Well, that's true…" Kanade nodded, though that wasn't quite the point he'd been trying to make.
"Honestly… I already told you, I don't hate it. I actually… like it when you touch me. If I didn't, I wouldn't be saying this," Mahiru added, shaking her head slightly.
"…I see," Kanade muttered, his face growing even hotter. Her words sounded like an open invitation, filled with an irresistible allure.
She's too pure yet too enticing!
Of course, Kanade knew Mahiru didn't mean anything inappropriate. She was likely yearning for the harmonious, intimate connection she'd always envied in his parents' relationship—something completely different from her own family's cold, transactional dynamics.
Though Kanade knew that his own parents weren't as perfect as Mahiru idealized them to be, he understood why she held onto that image. Her longing for that kind of bond made sense, and he couldn't fault her for it.
Kanade sighed inwardly. If bathing together was her way of pursuing that closeness, how could he say no?
"So… as long as I wear a swimsuit too, it's fine, right?" Kanade confirmed. The idea felt odd; after all, he was used to bathing naked.
"Y-Yes, that's fine."
"Are you sure?" he asked again, his tone hesitant.
"Once the words leave your mouth, there's no taking them back," Mahiru replied, nodding with determination.
Isn't that supposed to be a guy's line? Kanade thought, bemused. Still, seeing the resolve in her expression, he decided not to dismiss her determination.
The solution seemed simple: Kanade just needed to endure it.
He reasoned that since Mahiru was his one and only, starting with something like this to deepen their bond wasn't a bad idea. He just needed to suppress his desires and focus on the emotional connection.
Recalling the swimsuit he'd stored away after summer vacation, Kanade nodded firmly. "Alright, I understand."
Later, Kanade slipped into his swimsuit and entered the bathroom, feeling a mix of nervous anticipation and unease.
Mahiru had asked him to go in first, saying she needed time to change. But as he waited, the tension in his chest grew unbearable. His heart pounded louder with each passing second.
Though he'd seen Mahiru in a swimsuit before, this was an entirely different situation. They weren't surrounded by others at a public pool; this was a private, enclosed space, just the two of them.
Wasn't bathing together something reserved for couples with a certain level of experience? The thought alone made Kanade's skin crawl with embarrassment.
Even without entering the hot water, his body felt feverish.
He closed his eyes tightly, trying to clear his mind. But just as he began to calm down, he heard the creak of the bathroom door opening behind him.
Kanade turned stiffly, his movements mechanical.
Standing in the doorway was Mahiru, her fair skin glowing against the dim bathroom light. She was timidly peeking in, her expression a mixture of nervousness and resolve.
In that moment, Kanade froze completely.
Mahiru's swimsuit was entirely different from the one he remembered from their pool outing.
This time, she wore a black bikini—simple, with no excessive frills or embellishments. The dark fabric stood in stark contrast to her pale, flawless skin, covering just enough to be modest but still accentuating her figure.
Though not excessively revealing, the bikini highlighted her elegant curves, a testament to her natural beauty.
Kanade found himself staring before quickly averting his eyes, realizing how inappropriate it was to gawk. Still, he couldn't help but be struck by how breathtaking she looked.
"Is it… strange?" Mahiru asked hesitantly, her voice soft.
"N-No, not at all… it suits you perfectly. It's just…"
"Just?"
"…It's too stimulating," Kanade admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.
Mahiru's cheeks turned a bright red at his words. Of course, she had known this would be awkward, but hearing it directly still flustered her.
Kanade wasn't sure if this situation was adorable or torturous. One thing was certain: keeping his composure tonight was going to be his greatest challenge yet.
Ordinarily, Mahiru Shiina would never choose such a daring swimsuit. The skimpy bikini, consisting of little more than fabric and strings, barely managed to cover her skin, leaving an unsettling lack of security.
"That's exactly why I didn't wear it at the pool. It would've been way too embarrassing if others saw me in it," Mahiru admitted, her voice trembling.
"Then… why did you even buy it?" Kanade asked, genuinely puzzled.
"W-Well… because your sister, Chinatsu, said… that unless I went this far, you'd never fall for it," Mahiru replied weakly, her cheeks instantly blooming with a rosy hue.
"Fall for what exactly…" Kanade groaned, covering his face with his hand.
But as he glanced at Mahiru once more, he couldn't deny that it was effective.
If she looks like this, falling for her is unavoidable.
Mahiru had such overwhelming charm in that moment that Kanade wanted to crouch down and block her from his view just to regain his composure. Unfortunately, he couldn't—and didn't want to—look away completely. Instead, he took deep breaths, trying to steady his mind, though he couldn't help but sneak glances at her every now and then.
The close quarters of the bathroom, paired with their minimal clothing, only made the situation more overwhelming.
"Um, uh… w-well, let's start with washing our hair," Kanade blurted out, his eyes fixed intently on the corner of the room to avoid looking directly at her.
"Y-Yes, let's do that!" Mahiru squeaked in agreement, her voice rising an octave. She quickly retrieved a waterproof bag she had brought along and began pulling out bottles of shampoo and other products.
Kanade noted the sheer number of bottles with a mix of admiration and bemusement.
Girls really use so many different products just for a bath?
He could only marvel at her dedication. Meanwhile, Mahiru shyly gestured to the chair in the bathroom.
"Kanade, um… sit down here."
"You mean… you're going to wash my hair?"
"I… I want to," Mahiru replied firmly, her tone leaving no room for debate.
Caught off guard by her unexpected determination, Kanade hesitated before relenting. He sat down on the chair, feeling strangely like he was being led along by Mahiru's whims.
How did I end up being the one following her lead?
Mahiru stepped behind him, holding a brush in one hand.
"I've always wanted to take care of your hair myself," she admitted softly.
As she began combing through his hair, Mahiru's earlier tension seemed to melt away, replaced by a quiet sense of contentment. A faint smile played on her lips, and Kanade could feel the care she put into every stroke of the brush.
He knew this side of Mahiru well—the way she could become completely absorbed in something she cared about. And while her meticulousness could sometimes be overwhelming, it was also endearing.
Kanade let out a small sigh of relief. The calming atmosphere she created helped him push aside the awkwardness of the situation. Instead of focusing on their surroundings, he began to appreciate the gentle sensation of her touch.
Closing his eyes, Kanade decided to leave himself in her hands, allowing her to take the lead.
A soft chuckle came from behind him.
"You've suddenly relaxed," Mahiru noted, her tone light and amused.
"Well, if you're going to wash my hair, I might as well leave it to you. I know you'll make it feel great," Kanade replied with a faint smile.
"I'll do my best to meet your expectations," Mahiru said, her voice tinged with happiness. She continued combing through his hair with practiced ease.
"First, you brush to remove any loose dust and debris before rinsing thoroughly with warm water. This step is especially important, though with your short hair, it might not be as necessary," she explained with a touch of professionalism.
"Huh, I never bother brushing before a shower. It sounds like a hassle," Kanade admitted.
"Well, your short hair doesn't tangle easily, so you can get away with skipping it. My hair is much longer, so it's essential to keep it from knotting," Mahiru explained.
Kanade glanced at her reflection in the mirror. Her long, silky hair flowed past her waist, gleaming with a healthy shine. It was smooth and flawless, the kind of hair anyone would envy.
"I bet keeping it that beautiful takes a lot of effort," Kanade remarked with genuine admiration.
A soft, self-deprecating laugh came from behind him.
"My hair is naturally good, so it's not as much work as it might seem… But I do try to take care of it. Beautiful hair can make any outfit look better," Mahiru said with a hint of resignation in her voice.
Kanade felt a pang of sympathy as he listened to her. Even something as simple as caring for her hair must be part of the effort she puts into being "perfect."
But for now, he decided not to say anything, letting himself enjoy the quiet closeness they shared.
"You're such a typical girl, huh," Kanade Natsukawa teased, recalling something he'd once heard—that girls often exude confidence about their appearance, regardless of their actual physical traits.
"I just want to feel proud of myself," Mahiru replied earnestly, nodding.
As she finished her statement, Kanade noticed her picking up the showerhead after combing his hair. Realizing she was about to rinse him off with warm water, he obediently closed his eyes.
"Okay, I'm rinsing it now," Mahiru gently reminded him.
Warm water began cascading over his scalp as Mahiru carefully rinsed his hair.
"This first rinse is important. If you've used any styling products, it's best to wash some of it out at this stage," she explained with a calm, almost professional tone.
"Got it, got it. Next time for sure," Kanade replied, pretending to be serious but secretly thinking it was overkill for guys. Still, he couldn't help but find Mahiru's instructive nature adorable.
"Honestly… Listen properly, would you?" Mahiru pouted, her cheeks puffing slightly in mock frustration. "You're lucky you have naturally good hair. If you'd just take a little better care of it, it could look even nicer, you know?"
"Ugh, but doing all that every day sounds like such a hassle." Kanade sighed dramatically.
"No slacking!" Mahiru huffed in exasperation.
Somehow, through the process of washing his hair, the initial tension and embarrassment between them had eased. Their banter returned to its usual, lighthearted rhythm.
"Once we start bathing together regularly in the future, you'll probably get used to these habits," Kanade mused absentmindedly, his laziness prompting the careless comment.
The moment the words left his mouth, Mahiru froze.
Standing behind him, she went completely still for a good ten seconds before quietly shutting off the showerhead.
Kanade blinked in confusion, glancing at her reflection in the bathroom mirror.
He caught a glimpse of Mahiru pouring shampoo into her palm, her movements stiff but deliberate.
"Um… Mahiru?" Kanade ventured cautiously.
"You say things like that so casually. That's exactly what's wrong with you," Mahiru muttered, her cheeks aflame.
"Huh…?" Kanade tilted his head, puzzled.
As Mahiru worked the shampoo into a lather, she began applying it to Kanade's hair with slightly less delicacy than before.
"I'm happy, don't get me wrong… but with comments like that, you're in no position to criticize your parents," Mahiru grumbled, her tone a mixture of embarrassment and scolding.
Kanade finally caught on to the implication of his earlier words—bathing together regularly in the future. He instantly felt the heat rise to his own face.
"…Ah. Yeah, I guess that did sound a bit…"
"A bit?" Mahiru retorted, her expression a mix of shyness and exasperation.
Kanade chuckled awkwardly, the tension in the room climbing once more.
The two of them fell silent after that, their embarrassment keeping them focused on finishing the task at hand. Mahiru skillfully completed the steps for conditioning and rinsing his hair, her usual precision returning.
As the hair washing came to an end, Mahiru hesitated briefly, holding a bottle labeled Body Wash.
"…Um, well… I-I guess it's time to… wash your back too," she stammered.
Kanade tensed, his whole body going rigid.
Of course, after washing his hair, the logical next step was washing his body. He hadn't expected Mahiru to insist on doing it for him, though she had mentioned wanting to help wash his back. Still, he'd assumed that was more of an offhand comment, not something she'd seriously attempt.
Okay, it's just like getting a back scrub at a public bath. That's all it is. Nothing weird about it.
He tried to convince himself, but the growing warmth in his chest made it hard to believe.
"You… you don't have to force yourself, you know?" Kanade said, his voice laced with concern.
"I-I'm not forcing myself!" Mahiru shot back, her voice rising defensively. "This is nothing! A simple task! O-Of course, I'll leave the front to you. I'll only wash your back…"
Despite her bold declaration, the way she fidgeted betrayed her nervousness. Kanade could practically feel the heat radiating from her face.
"Y-Yeah, that's fine," Kanade replied, his own voice faltering.
He was grateful for her offer but couldn't shake the tension bubbling inside him. If she had tried to insist on washing more than just his back, he didn't trust himself to handle it calmly.
As he leaned forward slightly to give her access to his back, Kanade could feel his body heating up—not from the water, but from a mix of embarrassment and anticipation.
Behind him, Mahiru lathered up the body wash with a loofah, the soft sound of bubbles and fabric filling the quiet bathroom.
The silence between them, punctuated only by the occasional sound of water, was stifling. Kanade was acutely aware of every little sound and movement, making the atmosphere unbearably awkward.
"…Well, here I go," Mahiru murmured softly.
Kanade braced himself as he felt the gentle, springy pressure of the loofah against his back.
"…"
This is bad. This is really bad.
The warmth and softness of her touch were far more distracting than he'd anticipated. It took every ounce of willpower he had not to react.
He had clearly overestimated his ability to remain composed.