Of course, Kanade Natsukawa understood that the soft sensation spreading across his back was from the lathered body wash. Yet, in this intimate space, with Mahiru Shiina standing so close to him in nothing but her swimsuit, his instincts occasionally tricked him into thinking otherwise. Was it truly just the foam… or something else pressing against him?
This is just how guys are wired, isn't it?
The sudsy foam spread warmly and gently across his back as Mahiru carefully washed him. Though her movements were deliberate and delicate, Kanade couldn't help but feel restless. It wasn't discomfort from her touch—far from it. It was the sheer unfamiliarity of being cared for so attentively in such a vulnerable situation.
"Kanade's back is so broad…" Mahiru murmured softly after spreading the foam evenly.
"Uh, well, that's probably because I'm a bit taller than average," Kanade responded, trying to keep his tone light. Standing at nearly 1.8 meters, his height was considered exceptional in Japan. Compared to him, Mahiru was petite and adorable, a perfect embodiment of the "most endearing height difference" trope.
"And boys generally have broader backs, right?"
"No, that's not it." Mahiru shook her head, her voice laced with tenderness. "It's because it's your back. I've always relied on this back of yours."
Kanade felt the light pressure of Mahiru's palm near his shoulder blade.
"Do you remember? When I sprained my ankle, you carried me home on your back," she added, her tone soft and nostalgic.
"Oh, yeah. That was when you got hurt saving a cat, wasn't it?" Kanade recalled. He had found her sitting on the edge of a flowerbed, looking utterly dejected after attempting to rescue a kitten stuck in a tree. The cat had ultimately freed itself and scampered off, leaving her alone with a twisted ankle.
"I was really happy then, even if I didn't show it…" Mahiru admitted shyly, her voice almost a whisper.
"Well, you looked like you were at a loss for what to do," Kanade replied with a wry smile. "That's why I helped. Besides, I wasn't exactly unhappy about the situation myself."
"You always find me," Mahiru said, her hand gently sliding across his back. "No matter what trouble I'm in, you're always there, showing up right when I need you most."
Her hand moved to his chest as she leaned forward, closing the distance between them entirely. Mahiru rested her face against his shoulder, pressing herself against his back.
Kanade froze. The softness and weight he felt through the foam were unmistakably not just the body wash. His breathing grew ragged.
"A-As long as you're willing… I'll always carry you, support you," Kanade stammered, his thoughts scattered. "I promised to always look out for you, and I'll never disappear."
Mahiru hummed softly in response, her presence warm and comforting against him.
Kanade, however, couldn't ignore the blazing heat creeping up his body. "That said, staying in this position for too long might be a bit… challenging. Maybe we could… back up a little?"
Mahiru's body tensed briefly, but she made no move to let go.
"It's okay," she murmured. "Even if you're not carrying me, I want to stay by your side. I won't leave all the burdens to you… because we're partners, walking forward together."
Kanade could feel her determination in those words.
He was already familiar with Mahiru's habit of sharing responsibilities. Initially, Kanade had insisted on handling all the grocery expenses while Mahiru took charge of cooking and cleaning. But over time, she had insisted on sharing those costs and eventually took over most of the housework. She had seamlessly transformed from being a helpful neighbor to someone more akin to a loving caretaker—or perhaps even a "wife."
As Kanade pondered this, Mahiru broke the silence with a hesitant confession.
"And… Chinatsu told me… that if I stayed the night and did this, it would make you happy."
Kanade was speechless.
Not because he felt deceived by his younger sister—quite the opposite. Chinatsu clearly understood her older brother well.
She wasn't wrong. I am really happy right now.
Mahiru, noticing his silence, seemed to misinterpret it. Thinking he might be upset with Chinatsu, she wrapped her arms around him more tightly and reassured him.
"Chinatsu only gave me advice. It's not like she made me do this… I wanted to on my own."
"Urgh…" Kanade groaned softly, the sensation of her embrace growing even more intense.
He didn't dislike her closeness—in fact, he loved it. But his self-restraint was hanging by a thread, and Mahiru's actions felt like deliberate attempts to test his limits.
Could it be… that my angel has turned into a little devil? Kanade wondered, a mix of panic and amusement flitting through his mind.
"I-I understand," he managed to say. "But maybe you should let go for now? If this keeps up, I'll… overheat before we even get into the bath."
Though reluctant, Mahiru obediently released him.
In the mirror, Kanade saw her curl in on herself, her arms hugging her shoulders as she shyly muttered, "Ugh… this is so embarrassing…"
Her reaction left Kanade both exasperated and amused.
If you're going to feel this shy, why even start something like that? he thought with a wry smile.
Still, her letting go brought him a sense of relief. Finally able to collect his thoughts, Kanade decided to tease her a little, if only to regain some balance in their dynamic.
"It's up to you where you sit."
Kanade Natsukawa had said those words, not anticipating Mahiru Shiina would interpret them in the most daring way possible.
He stared, wide-eyed, as Mahiru gracefully slid into the bath, her alabaster skin glowing under the steamy bathroom light. Her legs moved with delicate precision as she positioned herself not just near him—but directly between his legs.
"Uhh…"
This… can't be real. Kanade's thoughts raced as he tried to process the scene unfolding before him.
Mahiru settled down smoothly, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Her petite frame fit perfectly within the space between his legs. As the warm water rippled around them, she leaned back against his chest, resting her full weight on him without hesitation.
The faint floral scent of her hair wafted up, and though it was tied back, a few stray strands brushed against his chin. Her smooth, bare shoulders pressed against his skin. Kanade felt his body tense up, every muscle suddenly hyper-aware of her proximity.
Why does this feel so planned? Kanade thought. Was this her intention all along?
Though Mahiru's actions seemed innocent on the surface, Kanade couldn't shake the feeling that she had orchestrated this moment. From her insistence on joining him in the bath to her decision to sit so… intimately, everything had unfolded as if following a deliberate script.
"Didn't you say I could sit wherever I wanted?" Mahiru asked, tilting her head slightly to look at him. Her soft lips curled into a smile that was both sweet and teasing.
Her cheeks were tinged with a rosy hue—likely from the warmth of the bath, but also, Kanade suspected, from her own bashfulness. Still, there was a glimmer of satisfaction in her caramel-colored eyes, as if she were silently congratulating herself on her boldness.
"I-I did, but…" Kanade stammered, his voice faltering. "I didn't think you'd sit here of all places…"
"Why not? It's the most comfortable spot, isn't it?" she replied, her tone laced with feigned innocence.
Mahiru adjusted her position slightly, causing a cascade of sensations that nearly made Kanade's brain short-circuit. Her back pressed more firmly against his chest, and he could feel the faint, rhythmic beat of her heart.
"Y-Yeah… Comfortable…" Kanade echoed weakly, trying—and failing—to sound nonchalant.
"Besides," Mahiru continued softly, "you said you'd help me relax in the bath, didn't you? If we're this close, it's easier for us to take care of each other."
Take care of each other? Is that really what's happening here?
Kanade swallowed hard, his throat suddenly dry despite the humid air. He forced himself to stay still, though every nerve in his body was screaming at him to either escape or… give in.
Mahiru shifted slightly again, leaning her head back to rest against his shoulder. "You're so warm, Kanade," she murmured. Her voice was gentle, almost dreamy.
Kanade's mind blanked for a moment. The combination of her closeness, the soothing heat of the water, and her tender words was dangerously intoxicating.
"I-I guess the bathwater helps with that…" he mumbled, desperately trying to ground himself in reality.
"That's not what I meant," Mahiru whispered, her cheeks flushing even deeper.
Kanade's breath hitched.
There was no mistaking the vulnerability in her voice or the way she clung to him so trustingly. In this moment, Mahiru had placed her full faith in him, allowing herself to be entirely open and unguarded.
Kanade closed his eyes, taking a deep breath to steady himself.
"Mahiru," he said softly, his voice steady despite the storm of emotions swirling inside him. "You're really making it hard for me to stay calm."
Mahiru turned her head slightly, looking up at him with wide, innocent eyes. "Why? Did I do something wrong?"
Kanade sighed, his lips curling into a wry smile. "No… You didn't do anything wrong. But being this close to you… it's not easy to keep my thoughts pure."
At that, Mahiru's face turned scarlet. She quickly turned back around, her hands fidgeting nervously under the water.
"I-I just thought… since we're dating… this is normal, isn't it?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Kanade chuckled softly. "You're not wrong. But you have no idea how much self-control it's taking for me right now."
Mahiru bit her lip, her embarrassment evident. Yet, she didn't move away. Instead, she tilted her head back once more, her caramel eyes locking with his.
"Then… you don't have to hold back so much," she whispered, her words trembling yet resolute.
Kanade froze, her words hanging in the air like a spark waiting to ignite a fire.
"Mahiru…"
"I trust you, Kanade," she continued, her gaze unwavering. "I know you won't do anything to hurt me."
Her words were like a balm to his frayed nerves, soothing yet challenging him at the same time. Kanade let out a deep breath, his tension slowly melting away.
"Of course I won't," he said firmly, a gentle smile spreading across his lips.
With that, he reached out and gently placed his hands on her shoulders, his touch light yet reassuring. Mahiru relaxed under his touch, her body leaning further into his.
They stayed like that for a while, the silence between them comfortable and warm. The only sounds were the gentle ripples of the water and the faint hum of their breathing.
For Kanade, this moment was nothing short of bliss.
I guess… it's okay to let myself enjoy this. Just a little.
As he held Mahiru close, he silently vowed to cherish every moment they shared—whether it was in the warmth of a bath or the simple, quiet moments of their everyday lives.
She was like this—sometimes indulging in little gestures like this, even though she would always end up embarrassing herself in the end. And yet, she stubbornly persisted in doing them.
However, Natsukawa Kanade wasn't exactly calm enough himself—neither in mind nor body—to point this out. So, he couldn't retort, managing only a strained, "Y-yeah."
"Well, then there's no problem, right?" The angelic young lady seemed to be trying to encourage herself as she made this declaration, then pressed the back of her head firmly against him.
It didn't hurt at all, but it made him feel ticklish both physically and mentally. So, Kanade lightly touched her shoulder in an attempt to stop her.
Shiina Mahiru's body suddenly jerked violently in response, sending a splash of water echoing throughout the small bathroom.
"Maybe it's better if we keep some distance…" Her voice trembled slightly. "Not that I dislike it, it's just… uh… mmm…"
Kanade's interest was suddenly piqued, finding her reactions quite amusing.
"Didn't you say it was okay to touch you?" he asked teasingly, though all he had done was lightly graze her shoulder.
"Well, that's true…" Mahiru muttered hesitantly.
Her words and actions had been off ever since earlier. Though Kanade understood how she must feel, he couldn't resist letting a faint smile creep onto his face as he slowly reached out and wrapped his arms around her.
Mahiru's body visibly tensed at once, so Kanade gently held her in place, hoping she would settle down and stay still.
"Can you try not to move, Angel-san?" he murmured softly near her ear, just to be safe, even though he was confident she would comply. His words made her body tremble once more, but she eventually submitted, curling up in his arms in a docile posture.
Kanade was pleased that she cooperated and calmed down. However, at this rate, it was clear that both of them would be too embarrassed to truly get closer.
Not that he had any intention of casually touching her under such circumstances, to begin with.
It felt as though he was hesitating more about physical contact now than back when they were at the pool. But given the situation, it couldn't be helped.
After all, they were in a completely private space, and both understood the potential risks involved in leaning on each other here. How could Kanade not be mindful of that?
To avoid any kind of overreaction, Kanade carefully monitored himself and, as usual, gently tightened his embrace, holding her close.
The richer-than-usual scent of her shampoo momentarily overwhelmed his senses, stirring his mind, though not enough to make him lose control. He used this type of touch to soothe Mahiru's stiffened body, which was tense from nerves.
He was careful not to touch any sensitive areas, instead encircling her entirely with his arms. This kind of embrace seemed enough to ease her unnecessary tension.
Mahiru rested her head against Kanade's arm, remained silent for a moment, then exhaled softly.
In the quiet bathroom, their breathing sounded unusually distinct.
The two of them sat there in silence, listening to the sound of water droplets from the faucet striking the surface of the warm bath, rippling outward with a soft plink. Gradually, the warmth from within began to envelop them both.