Chapter 65 – In the Bath

Ｒｅ​ａｄ ｏｎ Ｋａ​ｔＲｅａｄ​ｉｎｇ​Ｃａｆｅ

Editor’s Note

Edited

“Lie down properly.”

“N-no… T-teacher! Y-you allowed it…”

“When did I ever!”

“Eek…”

When I shouted, Evelyn inhaled sharply and straightened her posture.

I could see her cotton candy-like fluffy hair scattered all over the floor.

It’s been more than 3 seconds since it fell on the ground, so it’s not edible anymore.

While having such ridiculous thoughts, the ‘object’ placed beside her caught my eye.

I don’t know what it is, but I do know what it is.

There was a slight complication to this contradictory statement.

My consciousness, which had momentarily drifted elsewhere, awakened as ‘it’ was pulled out.

The cloth covering my eyes had become soaked and slipped down, allowing me to see.

Along with Evelyn’s embarrassed face as she pulled it out.

So… I do know what it is.

Since it was pulled out from inside me, it must be the method Evelyn had talked about.

But I don’t know what exactly it is.

Looking at it, the phrase “life is a practical exam” came to mind.

Perhaps I had been thinking too easily about entering a game world.

…There are too many unknown things popping up.

Like the one currently drooping next to Evelyn.

It has hardened as if to say it had stirred my insides. Looking at that thing, which resembles a large intestine, my body trembled involuntarily as I recalled what had just happened.

“Phew…”

The more I thought about it, the more uncomfortable I felt, but I moved closer to examine it more carefully.

It was still moist, with a strange scent seeming to emanate from it.

The inside is still soaking wet with milky substances.

And it’s covered with numerous wrinkles.

…I really never imagined I would see what the inside of me looks like.

I was left speechless by the absurdity, but I could guess what Evelyn’s plan was.

Whether it’s possible or not… it wouldn’t matter what I think.

It’s not like it’s being stamped out by a press in a factory, what would I know?

It must be possible since she did it…?

“You can make it this time, right?”

When I asked that, Evelyn hurriedly responded with a voice filled with pain.

“O-of course!”

She was panting heavily as if it was too much for her. The floor was soaked with sweat flowing from her body.

…Thinking this should be enough of a warning for now, I helped her stand up.

She too seemed to know her fault, as she didn’t say anything more.

“When do you think it will be completed?”

“S-since the most important part is done, soon.”

I see…

“You may go.”

“Y-yes!”

I was tired.

It’s also annoying to wrestle with something that’s already over.

I decided to just let it go.

The sooner Evelyn makes it, the less tired I’ll be.

At my words, she got up shakily and left the infirmary with the slimy ‘thing’.

Tomorrow is the weekend.

I had stayed at the infirmary with the excuse of having work to do to Philia, which means no one would be looking for me right now.

“Haah…”

– Why are you like this? Didn’t you like what happened earlier? If so, I could—

“No thanks. It’s not about that.”

– How prickly, my contractor.

…Strictly speaking, I wasn’t alone.

Hearing the gloomy voice as if feeling neglected, I felt strange. Close to irritation, I’d say.

You didn’t say anything during all that, and now you speak up after it’s all over?

…I wouldn’t have had the presence of mind to say anything anyway, but still.

Even if I had asked for help, I would have hesitated because of the ‘payment’ and probably wouldn’t have asked for help.

It wasn’t exactly… a life-threatening situation after all.

By the way, isn’t this person, no, spirit busy? Why does it seem like they’re always around?

“Isn’t El busy? You seem to be around all the time.”

– Isn’t it my duty to take care of my contractor?

“…I’d appreciate it if you could respect my personal time.”

– I’ll try.

I don’t particularly expect it.

Shouldn’t I be grateful that she doesn’t demand payment for this?

Anyway.

To calm my sour mood, I left the infirmary.

Since the time is different from usual, I thought I might be able to enjoy it leisurely.

…Nothing strange, just.

A bath. A bath.

Arriving at the bathhouse and peering inside, there was no one.

…It felt rather peculiar to come at a specific time just to have it to myself.

I had never experienced receiving the attention of numerous women all at once.

Due to the wall I’ve put up in my heart, they don’t come close… but the stimulation is too intense.

Still, the bath is something I can’t give up.

It was something I enjoyed very much even before coming here, so it was natural.

…Though in reality, I rarely went directly due to being busy with work and playing games.

How bitter.

Isn’t it better to just live here?

They pay me, and the facilities are clean.

If there’s a complaint, it’s that there’s no computer, but I only played Yuri games on it anyway…

As my heart kept sinking, I quickly took off my clothes and put them in the locker.

Just in case, I put everything including my shoes inside before entering and immersing my body in the warm water.

As warmth enveloped my entire body, I felt my tense body loosen.

“Hmm, this is nice.”

Just then.

Noisy sounds began to be heard from outside.

Tilting my ear, I heard cheerful voices.

“Huh? I heard someone saw the teacher going in?”

“Should we check inside?”

It seemed like other students had come.

Looking at them, I think I understand why fan culture caused problems long ago.

…Honestly, I don’t dislike having naked interactions with them.

But still, it’s a bit… you know.

I tried to calm my racing heart and submerged underwater.

Being immersed in warm water was more pleasant than I thought.

Like returning to a mother’s womb?

I’ve never returned, but it feels that way.

I held my breath to prevent bubbles from rising to the surface. The sense of someone peering inside turned into disappointed footsteps.

Only after the chattering sounds disappeared far away could I exhale and resurface.

“Puhah…”

Water dripping from my hair flowed down my breasts in a stream.

Looking at this, I felt both a sense of whether I really had to go this far and a feeling that it would be easier to just give up.

…Especially since no one had given any assurance that someone could return in the first place.

More than that.

Why are they so fixated on me?

Of course, I admit that what I did then was quite… impressive.

But is that… really enough to warrant all this?

Asking myself that, I could only tilt my head in puzzlement.

…Falling in love at first sight. To put it fully, someone who falls in love quickly.

That must be it.

If I let it flow, it will eventually subside, so I just have to wait.

Thinking this while splashing around, I sensed someone coming in again.

Since it was very close, I hurriedly submerged again.

But this time, whoever came seemed persistent, as the footsteps clearly drew closer and closer.

Splash.

Eventually, I heard the sound of someone entering where I was.

It was close.

I could see someone’s body right in front of me.

For some reason, there’s a familiar-looking tail. The firm abs also seem like something I’ve seen many times before.

…Looking at the well-groomed fur, I suddenly came to my senses and peeked my head out.

Then I saw a familiar face looking at me with a peculiar expression.

I muttered with an awkward smile.

“You came at a late hour…”

“It just happened that way.”

It was Michelle.

Feeling awkward after seeing everything there was to see, I leaned against the wall while gently avoiding her gaze.

Looking at me intently, Michelle asked with a very curious voice.

“I’ve been wondering for a while… does Teacher Iris dislike seeing other women’s bodies?”

“…Pardon?”

“I apologize if I’m mistaken.”

“Ah, um…”

It was a difficult question to answer.

It was because I, who was inside here, was a man.

Actually, there was nothing else particularly.

If I had been a woman from the beginning, wouldn’t I be happily surrounded by students by now?

…I probably would have been.

As I hesitated without responding, she seemed to misunderstand something and stood up.

“If that’s the case… I think it would be best for me to leave. I’m sorry.”

“Ah, th-that’s not it!”

“…Is that so?”

I said that without realizing.

Even though there wasn’t really any other reason.

But I felt like I shouldn’t just let her leave.

…It’s too absurd of a misunderstanding.

Such things would accumulate and remain as suspicion, so I decided to act boldly.

I looked at her body submerged in water and her wet face as I spoke.

It was somewhat okay after seeing her a few times.

…Fortunately, I could blame the hot water for my face heating up.

“It’s not really like that. Truly.”

“I see.”

Michelle said that while looking at me intently.

The gaze, which felt a bit hot, was somewhat embarrassing.

To divert my embarrassment, I decided to ask a question.

“By the way, did you know I was here?”

“…I didn’t know before coming in, but once I entered, I could tell. Teacher Iris’s scent remained in the changing room.”

“Ah…”

That’s a really good nose.

While I was admiring her nose and ears alternately, she hesitated as if there was something she wanted to say.

Just as her mouth was about to open.

“The bath seems quite nice too. Right?”

“We followed the teacher in, and I like it.”

Murmuring sounds were heard, and I instinctively submerged myself again.

As I did so, in front of my eyes.

Something large was casting a shadow.

Editor’s Note

If those are ‘walls’ around her heart, then I’m Fort Knox.