Chapter 159: She needed to use the Bathroom

Hot steam filled the bathroom.

Between my mother and me, an inexplicable awkward tension lingered.

Even though I was the closest to my mother, as I thought about it, I realized that I had never bathed with her naked.

Was that why? I found myself staring at her as if mesmerized.

More precisely, I was fixated on the voluptuous curves that were unmistakable even beneath the towel.

…Why me?

That was the first thought that came to mind.

As I naturally lowered my gaze, I caught sight of my own chest—far more lacking compared to my mother’s.

How strange.

Even if I wasn’t exactly like her, this body had undoubtedly inherited her genes.

My mother possessed an overwhelming, almost violent kind of allure.

Why hadn’t I inherited that conspicuous trait?

“Ahem. You’re staring too much, my daughter.”

At my mother’s flustered voice, I snapped back to reality.

“Hehe, it’s just that your body is so attractive, Mother.”

“…Is that so? I feel like I’ve put on a little weight lately.”

If that was considered ‘putting on weight,’ then most women in this world could justifiably be called pigs.

A large, full chest, a smooth and slender waist, and wide hips—yet not a single ounce of unnecessary fat anywhere else.

A body where everything that should stand out did so beautifully, and everything that should be slim was perfectly contoured. It was, perhaps, the ideal figure that every woman dreamed of.

In contrast, I was simply petite.

I once thought my body had a charm that evoked a protective instinct in others.

But now, for some reason, it just felt powerless.

“Let’s get in.”

My mother extended her hand toward me.

A spacious, rectangular bathtub, large enough to fit three people comfortably. I took her hand and carefully stepped into the water.

The warm water wrapped around my feet, seeping in. A pleasant drowsiness slowly spread through my body.

My mother leaned back against the tub. As I followed suit and sank into the water, the warmth enveloped me completely, leaving behind a lingering relaxation.

“Haa….”

A soft, contented sigh naturally escaped my lips.

My mother, seated across from me, watched and let out a quiet chuckle.

“I wonder how long it’s been since we last bathed together. You must have been five years old—”

She suddenly covered her mouth with her hand.

The flicker of embarrassment on her face made it clear that she had just realized she had made a slip of the tongue.

I had never once bathed with Artasha. And being five years old? That must have referred to another Tina, not me.

It seemed my mother had momentarily confused me with her.

“…I’m sorry, my daughter. That was my mistake.”

To be honest, I felt a little hurt.

But it wasn’t because she had mistaken me for another Tina.

“Were you happy?”

The source of my resentment was jealousy—that she had done something with the other Tina that she had never done with me.

Pouting slightly, I slowly lifted myself out of the water. Cutting through the gentle waves, I moved toward my mother and sat right on her lap.

The warmth of our overlapping bodies spread through me.

My mother looked flustered but didn’t push me away, perhaps out of guilt.

“Tina must have been very cute when she was five. Since you still remember it so vividly.”

“Uh, um… T-That’s…”

“On the other hand, I’ve already grown up, so I must not have that same charm anymore.”

I glanced at her. Her eyes wavered with uncertainty.

“N-No! Tina, you’re incredibly lovable…”

“More than the previous Tina?”

“Huh?”

I gazed at her intently, silently urging her to answer.

“Did you love your previous daughter more, or do you love me more?”

“T-Tina… That’s not something I can compare—”

“…That was an answer in itself.”

As I lowered my head with a sorrowful gaze, my mother pulled me into her embrace without a moment’s hesitation.

“Tina, the one I love the most right now is you.”

“……”

“As a mother, I’m not sure if I should say this, but…”

Looking deep into my eyes, she continued in a quiet voice.

“The way you are now… you’re even more lovable.”

At those words, my heart began to race.

A trembling smile spread across my lips, and my fingers twitched lightly atop my thigh.

“……I love you, Mom.”

I wrapped my arms around my mother’s neck. As I drew closer, our chests pressed together through the towels.

Or rather, it would be more accurate to say that mine was swallowed by hers.

“Please take baths with me more often from now on.”

“Fufu, my daughter is such an adorable little spoiled child.”

With a gentle smile, my mother tenderly stroked my hair.

A warm happiness welled up inside me—alongside a faint, bitter emotion lingering in my mouth.

It was undoubtedly jealousy.

The memories my mother had built with the other ‘Tina.’ I wanted to have them too.

Every single moment she had shared with her. Even the things they hadn’t done together—I wanted my mother to do them with me instead.

So that no matter what, she would never think of the other ‘Tina’ again.

I wanted to cover all those memories and make them mine alone.

‘…How ugly.’

Even I could see how twisted my jealousy was.

But that was just how much I loved her.

“Mom.”

“Hmm?”

“Did your daughter… ever wash your back before?”

“No, back then, she was too young for that.”

Hearing that, a spark lit up in my eyes. A bright smile spread across my lips as I hugged my mother tightly.

“Then I’m the first?!”

“Uh… yes, I suppose so.”

Excitement bubbled up inside me.

I straightened up in the bathtub, spreading my shoulders wide.

“I’ll wash your back!”

I was so thrilled that I completely forgot to be mindful of my body.

The towel, which had been loosely wrapped around me, slipped off and fell to the floor.

Now standing completely bare in front of my mother, my face flushed red with embarrassment.

“……”

My mother gazed at me in silence.

Her stare felt oddly… embarrassing.

Trying to break the awkward atmosphere, I scratched my cheek and mumbled,

“Uh… You made this body, Mom… Isn’t it pretty…?”

It was meant as a joke, just playful teasing.

But for some reason, the atmosphere only grew more… peculiar.

***

After finishing a somewhat awkward bath, I headed to my mother’s bedroom.

As the one caring for her, I had the responsibility of staying by her side even at night.

But to be honest, more than duty, I simply wanted to sleep next to her.

“Hehe, of course. Bring your pillow.”

Fortunately, my mother readily allowed it.

With an excited heart, I grabbed my pillow and lay down beside her.

“Hehe, Mother, you smell nice.”

I buried my face in her hair, rubbing my nose gently against it.

A faint lavender scent spread softly.

That fragrance seeped deep into my heart, wrapping me in comfort.

“We used the same soap, didn’t we? You smell nice too, Tina.”

“Having the same scent makes us seem like lovers.”

“…Is that so?”

With a lingering smile, my mother gently stroked my head.

Then, as she blew out the candle, complete darkness filled the room.

“It’s been a while since I could sleep soundly with my daughter.”

“I love it, Mother.”

“I love it too. Let’s have breakfast together tomorrow.”

“Yes!”

My mother turned to face me quietly.

From this angle, I could see how her chest naturally shifted downward as she lay on her side.

“…Mother, can I sleep in your arms?”

At my request, she silently opened her arms wide.

Without hesitation, I nestled into her embrace.

Her warm body heat wrapped around me, bringing a drowsy sense of peace.

“Sleep well, my daughter.”

“You too, Mother…”

Held in the arms of the woman I loved most in the world, I slowly closed my eyes.

Maybe I was a little tired.

It didn’t take long to fall into a deep sleep.

***

-Rustle-

A faint movement woke me slightly.

The night was pitch-dark, making it hard to see, but I could tell my mother had gotten out of bed.

“Mother…? Where are you going…?”

I rubbed my increasingly heavy eyelids and asked in a quiet voice.

“Ah, Tina, did I wake you?”

She gently stroked my head.

“I must have drunk too much water before bed.”

She meant she needed to use the bathroom.

“Okay… Be careful on your way…”

Mumbling sleepily, I closed my eyes again.

Just as I was drifting back into sleep, a thought crossed my mind.

Memories Tina had built with Artasha—memories beyond my reach.

And the longing to create my own memories with my mother, ones that flesh and blood alone could never grant.

I wanted to build something special, something just for the two of us—memories that even the former Tina could never touch.

I grabbed my mother’s sleeve.

Mother stopped walking and looked at me with puzzled eyes.

“What’s wrong, dear?”

“Umm, y-you’re going to pee, right…?”

At my blunt words, Mother looked slightly flustered.

“Yes…?”

“W-well, you see…”

I don’t know why this thought came to me. I’m not even sure if I should say this.

But more than anything, I wanted to have a precious memory with Mother—one that only the two of us would share.

“I-It’s not anything weird… Please don’t think it’s strange…?”

“Sweetheart, I could never think that of you.”

Embarrassed, I crossed my legs.

“Th-the bathroom is pretty far from here… and it’s a hassle to go…”

Mother smiled softly and shook her head.

“Hoho, you don’t need to worry about that. It’s not that far.”

“Y-you really don’t have to…”

“Hm?”

Confusion flickered in Mother’s eyes.

Hesitating, I quietly lifted my nightgown, exposing the area below my navel.

“I-I have… an inscription here.”

Mother’s gaze fell upon the engraved mark on my lower abdomen.

“Th-this… has the power to purify all impurities in my body into holy water…”

“So?”

“So… what I mean is…”

Late at night.

Maybe it’s because this is the time when human desires grow stronger.

Before shame, the first emotion that rose in me was possessiveness.

I want it.

I want it.

I want it…

A memory with Mother that I could never have before.

A memory only Mother and I would share—something just between us.

“So… even if impurities enter me… they’ll instantly turn into clean holy water…”

Hearing my words, Mother blinked slowly, her face blank.

“…Huh?”

“I-It’ll all be purified the moment it comes in anyway! S-so, you know…”

I met Mother’s trembling eyes.

Biting my lip, I hesitated before slowly parting my mouth.

Ah—

Mother stared at my open mouth.

“I-if it’s comfortable for you… I’d be happy too…”

“T-Tina…?”

“I… I’ll take anything that’s yours…”

Mother froze completely on the spot.

Her expression was as if she’d been struck by lightning.

Her body stiffened without the slightest movement—only her violently trembling pupils remained active.

And those pupils…

Were fixed solely on my mouth.