Ken yo, kaku katariki – 108
16 – Various Things
Just as in the east and west on earth, the empire did not originally have a culture of going to baths.
But once the purple and silver route was opened, and oriental culture entered, it gained explosive popularity.
As there was a tradition of cleansing yourself in rivers and lakes, it was easily accepted.
These days, there were public bath houses in every city, and houses had their own bathtubs.
And the Avansiel was no exception.
“Huh… I see.”
The room was filled with steam.
Aize Lilieth muttered as she sank in the hot water.
In such places, she stood out due to her skin.
Though, she would have likely attracted attention regardless. She had the figure of a model and the air of alluring maturity.
Sherry could not help but compare herself.
It wasn’t that she lacked confidence herself. However, she still felt a sense of defeat and inferiority towards her friend.
“Why would he say such a thing?”
“It doesn’t matter who the opponent is. I am going to win.”
Aize smiled confidently. Next to her, the girl with blue hair sighed with exasperation.
“I shuddered when I heard they were fighting with another school. How would I explain it to the others, if we got disqualified?”
Said Millie Alensen. She gracefully pushed back her hair and…then someone splashed water onto her.
“Huh!? Hey, Fae! This is no place to be swimming!!”
“Ah, sorry.”
Millie sighed. And then she glared at Tory Suzumiya, who should have been monitoring her better.
(Now that I think about it, those three are together quite a lot. I guess they get along?)
Sherry mused as she watched them.
Just then, the door opened and a girl with blonde hair came in. It was Iria.
Everyone turned their heads.
“Huh? What is it?”
“Uh…nothing…”
“Iria, you look so pretty!”
Said Fae, taking over from the not so bold Millie.
“What do you eat to get skin and a waist like that?”
“Fae. Get off of me.”
“Oh, don’t be like that. I know! I’ll help wash your back.”
“Huh!?”
“Hehe… You really must tell me your secret… Ah!?”
Someone had bonked her on the head, and Fae sank like a frog.
Then she was grabbed by a girl with black hair. Tory.
“Excuse me. I’ll take her away now. Enjoy your bath.”
“Yes…”
Tory waved her hand and left. Iria smiled at her.
“Phew…”
After washing off, Iria let out a sigh as she sank into the water.
“Hey, hey. What is going on with you and teacher anyway?”
“What?”
“He was your escort at the party, right? Isn’t that kind of like stating your intention?”
“Huh? You think so?!”
It was not Iria who said that, but Fae.
Millie wasn’t completely wrong.
Usually, you were only escorted by a romantic partner, or someone very close. Even family members.
Still, Iria shook her head with a chuckle.
“There were other reasons for it. He was more of a guard… Also, he needed to be introduced to the others.”
“I am not talking about that. How do you feel, Iria?”
Millie asked, and Iria froze.
Sherry glanced towards Aize.
What happened during summer vacation.
They all knew how much Yukito had worked to resolve things behind the scenes.
He had been emotional support to Aize as well. And cared about ending things her way. Both Sherry and Aize were grateful for that.
And after such a dramatic adventure, surely she must have some feelings…
Of course, she did not want to see such a rivalry between her friends.
“…”
However, Aize was in her own world, and was happily enjoying the water.
Well, perhaps such things were too early for her.
“For me, he is…”
Iria finally opened her mouth.
“I owe him. He is a tutor…but someone I can’t leave alone.”
It did not look like she was lying or trying to conceal her feelings.
“Uh, um, Iria. What do you mean by that last part?”
Asked Sherry. Iria tilted her head, as if remembering something.
“Well…when I see him… Sometimes my heart starts to beat faster. Especially when he laughs.”
“Uh…”
“Also, he is pretty hopeless with things outside of swords. So you have to keep an eye on him. He doesn’t even eat properly…”
Sherry’s head sunk into the water.
(That’s love…! No matter how you look at it…!)
She is already thinking like a wife.
Millie looked at her with disbelief.
“…But it’s not all bad. Of course, with the sword, he is so serious… And he praised my sword. He said it was beautiful…
(This is…quite bad.)
Sherry and Millie looked at each other. Then she smiled, as if she had found an interesting toy.
“Stop it, Millie…”
“But it will be so fun.”
“Don’t tease her. She’ll just sulk.”
Sherry sighed as Iria looked puzzled.
This was a surprising side to her. Clearly she had no idea about the expressions she made when around him.
“Well, I suppose I will have to root for you then.”
“What do you mean?”
“Various things.”
Sherry said with a laugh.
