Chapter 35: The Pinnacle of Vulnerability

Whoa! This corridor is incredible. It’s like a traditional inn with connecting walkways. How many meters is it from end to end?

And why am I…?

“Come on! Be a man!”

“I can’t do this…”

Why the heck is a guest like me being forced to scrub the floors with a rag? I’m on the verge of death here.

“Aren’t you embarrassed to lose to a girl? That’s why your so-called harem is only a sham.”

She says something nonsensical and sprints past me.

Ah… Wow…

Even though I was completely exhausted, I suddenly feel a surge of energy. It’s like some primal force is driving me, telling me I have to catch up no matter what.

“Oh, look at that. You’ve suddenly got some energy.”

Of course I do.

It’s been since second grade, you know? This kind of experience.

Does Sei even realize? How can she not notice? She’s so oblivious—no, downright defenseless!

“All right! At the very least, we’re doing three laps!”

“I’ll do as many laps as it takes…!”

My breathing is ragged, but my determination is at its peak.

I’ve heard before that science advances because of men’s pervy thoughts. I always thought it was a silly tale, but now I get it.

Perviness is power. It’s literally a force that sustains this universe. The fact that it’s easily snatched away by regulations or mysterious organizations is downright cruel.

“Well, there’s some masculinity in you after all.”

Yeah, there sure is. For better or worse, I’m oozing masculinity right now.

Whoever said “your name defines your essence” was onto something. Pure white—her skin, her underwear.

Thanks to that, I feel like I can endure this ordeal.

“I’m gonna die…”

I’m drenched in sweat. Damn it. I’ve lost count of how many laps I’ve done.

Maybe it’s not that many laps, but the distance is just too much.

The reward kept me going, but there’s no way I’d do this again. If there’s a next time, can I request black?

“You… you’re surprisingly… persistent…”

Oh, so she’s wiped out too, huh?

Well, that’s no surprise. Even an athlete would struggle with this.

“You didn’t quit, so I… ended up pushing myself too hard…”

Oh, so she was matching my pace. Is this really the kind of thing you do as if you’re competing with a friend in a shuttle run? And for what purpose?

It feels like I was just saddled with chores for no good reason. If that’s the case, I might leave a mark on those healthy thighs of hers as payback…

“Next… Let’s move on…”

It looks like there’s something else she wants to do. She wobbles to her feet, still exhausted. Can’t we rest longer? My breathing hasn’t even settled yet. And it’s so hot… Someone, please, bring air conditioning…

“Next is… that…”

…That? What’s she talking about?

“A waterfall…?”

“Exactly, the Sei family’s artificial waterfall.”

What even is an artificial waterfall? Aren’t waterfalls supposed to be natural?

Uh… it’s more like a kiddie pool with water forced down from above. What is this?

Are they pumping the water up? Doesn’t this violate some building code?

“Wait, are you saying we’re doing waterfall training? You’ve gotta be kidding.”

“I’m dead serious.”

Before I can even react, she dives straight into the so-called waterfall, fully clothed. Doesn’t she care about her skirt getting soaked?

“Come on, hurry up.”

“Uh… I don’t have a change of clothes…”

Even if I did, there’s no way I’d want to. Hygiene is a big concern here, too.

“There’s a towel right there, isn’t there? Just wrap it around yourself and get in.”

What kind of joke is this? Why do I have to dress like I’m in some hot spring photoshoot in front of a classmate I’m not even that close with? What if the water pressure from the waterfall makes the towel slip off?

“Do you really think I’m going to do that in someone else’s backyard?”

“You’re a guy, so it’s fine.”

What do you think guys are? Even guys have some sense of shame, you know.

…Fine. I’ll just take off my pants, then.

“Wait! What kind of outfit is that?!”

…Isn’t this better than just a towel? Sure, showing my boxers in front of a girl might be questionable, but you were showing your underwear too, weren’t you?

You realize my view has been full of your backside this entire time, right? Compared to that, this shouldn’t be a big deal.

“I’m coming in.”

“D-Don’t come near me! Pervert!”

…How is this my fault?

Yeah, okay, I get it. A guy in boxers approaching a girl in a narrow water area isn’t a great look. But I didn’t want to do this waterfall training in the first place. If I had a choice, I wouldn’t be here.

“Then I’ll stop. No waterfall training for me.”

“That’s not an option! Hurry up and get in!”

“I just don’t want to get my pants wet…”

“Then fine, stay like that! But don’t leave me to suffer here on my own!”

…I don’t even have the energy to argue anymore. She won’t explain why we’re doing this, which is also frustrating.

…Wait. Is she…?

“What’s wrong? Why are you facing away?”

Well… I can’t exactly look at you like this…

Actually, shouldn’t you be the one turning around? You’re the one in a compromising position right now.

“Hey, just hold on a second.”

“What’s with the fidgeting? Are you itchy?”

“N-No… don’t worry about it.”

This is way too much for my eyes. How can she be so oblivious?

Your underwear is see-through! If you keep showing me stuff like that, my own situation is going to get… noticeable.

Damn it… I hate that I’m reacting to this. Why are guys so stupid?

“Just hurry up and get in already! What’s the point of me freezing here alone?”

There’s no point in both of us freezing, either. But wait—freezing? Isn’t this temperature actually kind of refreshing?

Praying she doesn’t notice the “state” I’m in, I slowly wade into the water. Okay… yep, it’s freezing.

“I really don’t want to do this. Why is it so cold?”

“It’s training. It wouldn’t mean anything if the water wasn’t cold.”

Training…? Is this part of some exorcist ritual or something? Was the floor scrubbing earlier part of it too?

And look at you—you’re shivering like crazy. Why push yourself so hard?

…Fine, I’ll do it. If I don’t, I’ll never get out of here.

“It’s so cold I can barely talk…”

I never thought I’d be chattering my teeth like this at this time of year.

This reminds me of when I tried to skip swimming class by blasting myself with cold water and air conditioning… It didn’t end well then, either.

“Pathetic. You’re supposed to do this naked, you know.”

“You’re kidding, right?”

“Why would I lie? Normally, I do this naked.”

Even in your own backyard, that’s just insane. What if your parents’ guests showed up unexpectedly? That’d scar them for life.

Why don’t you have something like a white robe? You know, like the stuff monks wear? Wouldn’t that make more sense?

“If you were nicer… I could train the way I usually do…”

The waterfall’s so loud I can barely hear her, but I think she’s blaming me. Why do I always get treated like I’m insignificant?

“What does my personality have to do with anything?”

“Because you’d mock me. About my body.”

…?

“Just watch! I’ll become so stunning that gravure idols will run away in shame!”

Is it even possible to dramatically improve your figure at 17? Sure, there’s room for some growth, but…

Even if your figure improves, wouldn’t you still be embarrassed by stuff like this?

“I don’t have any intention of mocking your body…”

If anything, I’d mock this ridiculous training. Building something like this in your yard and doing naked rituals? It’s no different from some bizarre cult’s nonsense.

“Then you wouldn’t mock me if I stripped right now, would you?”

“I wouldn’t, but don’t do it.”

“If you don’t want to see, just say so!”

Why am I getting yelled at? I’m trying to stop her purely out of consideration here.

The water’s cold, the waterfall is intense, and I’m exhausted from scrubbing floors and waking up early. My mental state is hanging by a thread here, and now I’m getting yelled at?

“Fine, take it off! Go ahead, strip! I swear on my life I won’t mock you. Do it now. Come on, strip.”

Of course I’m getting cold. Not just from the water—the mood is turning icy too.

“…Do you want to see?”

“Obviously. Why even ask?”

“…So you’re confessing, then?”

Where did that leap in logic come from?!

Liking someone and finding them attractive are two different things, aren’t they? Or am I the weird one here? Maybe hanging out with girls like her has warped my sense of normal.

“…Depending on how well you train.”

“What?”

“Just focus! You’re in the middle of training!”

She yelled at me again. I only asked a question!

How am I supposed to focus with a see-through-bra girl standing right in front of me?

What’s the point of this training, anyway? What’s next? How long is this waterfall training going to last?

Am I even going to get home today…?