Chapter 36: Salt Intake

What do normal people look for in a hot spring? The health benefits, maybe?

Me? I just want to stretch my legs. My bath at home is too cramped, so I love hot springs where I can really stretch out. Honestly, I couldn’t care less about the health benefits. A public bathhouse would be fine for me.

“Judging by the exterior of the house, I kind of guessed, but wow, this is a big bath.”

“Heh, go on, praise me more.”

Not that I was actually praising her, but she seemed pleased, so I decided not to say anything unnecessary.

Yeah, a spacious bath is great. It’s great, but I’ve got two questions.

First, why is this a mixed bath? I mean, we’re not even friends, let alone a couple.

And second…

“I can’t see anything because of all this steam.”

“Oh? Were you hoping to catch a glimpse of my bare, vulnerable self? You perv.”

I won’t deny being curious, but that’s not it. I’m just genuinely puzzled. The steam here is so thick it could set off a fire alarm—what’s the point? It feels more like a sauna than a bath.

“I won’t say anything about the gas or water bill, but if we stay like this, we’re going to pass out.”

“I’ve prepared drinks and salt candies, so we’ll be fine.”

That’s… quite the setup. Hold on, don’t tell me this is some kind of training? The more time I spend with her, the less I understand what it means to be a curse-breaker.

“I get that you’d want to embrace my sweaty body, but control yourself, okay? Even standing on your head, you couldn’t beat me.”

“I don’t have that kind of fetish.”

Getting all sweaty and embracing someone… doesn’t that just sound gross? I mean, yeah, I’d probably get excited if it happened, but the hesitation would still be there.

Anyway, that’s not the point.

“How long are we supposed to stay in here? If we overdo it, this could get dangerous.”

“……”

“And what’s the point of all this anyway?”

“……”

Silent treatment? Seriously? Where’s the chatty version of her? Don’t pretend you’re not here.

Damn it. The heat and the absurdity of this situation are starting to get on my nerves.

“I know you can hear me. How about responding for once?”

“……”

“Besides, sharing a mixed bath with someone I didn’t even know until recently… Well, maybe calling this a mixed bath is a stretch, but still…”

“Enough!”

“GYAAH!?”

What the hell!? Is she insane!? No, I already knew she was, but there’s a line between what’s acceptable and what isn’t!

Did I say something to piss her off? She just up and splashed me with water using a bucket. And not just any water—this was the same steaming water that’s filling the entire bathhouse with clouds of vapor!

“What if I got burned!?”

I lashed out, grabbing Shiro’s shoulder in anger.

“Ouch!?”

“Ah, sorry…”

The steam made it hard to see, and I ended up scratching her arm.

Damn it… I just scratched a girl’s skin.

Wait a second! I was almost seriously burned! Doesn’t this balance things out a little…?

“That’s cruel… A girl’s skin is delicate, you know? And now you’ve scarred it…”

Wait, is she crying? The steam obscures the wound, so I can’t see, but did it really hurt that much? My nails are a bit long, but still…

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to…”

“This might leave a scar… I might never be able to get married now…”

Honestly, she’s done plenty of things no proper bride-to-be should ever do, but that’s not the point. Or maybe it is?

Calm down. Apologizing is the bare minimum, but watch what you say. If I say something dumb about taking responsibility, I’ll be digging my own grave.

Yeah, quick fixes always come back to bite you. Nobody knows that better than me, someone who’s been winging it ever since that day. So don’t say anything stupid. Remember, quick fixes are the fast track to disaster… just like paying off debt with a revolving credit line.

“Since you clearly don’t like this training, shall we get out? I just remembered I have something to discuss with my ex-military grandpa. By the way, he’s a legend—took down over twenty people with a lousy gun—”

“Shiro! I want to stay here with you a little longer!”

“But it’s hard on you, isn’t it? You don’t have to push yourself…”

“As long as I’m with you, Shiro, even the harshest place feels like paradise!”

“Well… if you insist that much, I guess I’ll stay!”

Quick fixes are bad? Revolving credit is bad? Idiot. As long as you’re alive, you can fix anything. Even a stopgap solution is fine as long as you survive. People who can’t handle the present have no business thinking about the future.

It’s hot… Even if it’s technically cooler than a sauna, it’s still unbearably hot. Or maybe it’s hotter than a sauna…

“Hey, um, we’re both just wearing towels, right?”

“Do I look naked to you?”

Well, no. The steam makes it impossible to see anything. But still, I can feel it. Clearly.

“Uh, sitting on my lap is a bit much…”

“My grandpa’s strong even without a gun, you know. He’s killed enemy soldiers barehanded before—”

“Being close to you like this makes me happy, Shiro.”

“You’re such a perv. Don’t forget, this is training. Got it?”

Her words say one thing, but her body is shifting, moving against mine. Please, stop. My body reacts honestly too, you know.

“Is it tough for a virgin like you? Spending time naked with a beautiful girl?”

“…I mean, Kaede and I—uh, yeah, it’s tough.”

“What? What about Kaede? Spill it.”

She didn’t miss a word and turned to face me, sitting in a very dangerous position. This isn’t good.

I screwed up. Damn it. Her comment about me being a virgin pissed me off, and I let something slip.

“Well, uh, I got dragged into a bath by force… I mean, it was because of a curse—”

“Stop making excuses.”

It’s not an excuse… it’s the truth…

“This was before we met, right? I’m not blaming you or anything.”

Even if it were after we met, it’s not like I deserve to be blamed. So why interrogate me like this? Also, this position… it’s seriously not okay.

“What annoys me is you trying to dodge the question. By the way, my dad was the captain of the karate team in middle school, boxed in high school, and did wrestling in college—”

“Shiro! You’re the only one I’ve ever willingly shared a bath with!”

“Hmm… Only me? That means…”

“That’s right! You’re special to me!”

“I see… Oh, by the way, my arm’s starting to sting. Isn’t it true that licking wounds can help? Though, I can’t reach it myself.”

“Leave it to me!”

“Ah… mm… ah…”

What the hell am I doing…?

It’s… salty…