Chapter 9

Even so, Rinka was adorable just now.

In addition to her cat-eared maid outfit, she purred and acted affectionately.

I know it might be a bit of a special way to enjoy things, but as a man, it might have been the best situation.

But what will happen in the bath...?

I predict that Rinka will present her mysterious theory that "since we are married, it's only natural to bathe together."

"Master... the bath is ready."

"Ah, yes. Thank you."

For some reason, I use polite language.

And Rinka seemed to be trying to say something, fidgeting.

What's wrong?

"Can I... join you in the bath?"

My prediction was spot on, but she said it more modestly than I expected.

She's being careful not to upset me.

"I thought Rinka would be more assertive."

"Kazuto might prefer to bathe alone. I thought if I pushed it, you might get annoyed."

"I wouldn't hate it..."

"Since we are married, it's not strange to bathe together. More than that, I want to bathe with Kazuto... Is it really not okay?"

It's hard to refuse when she puts it like that.

Well, we aren't actually married, but as a couple, it's not strange to bathe together.

I wonder what other couples are like.

"Sure. Let's bathe together."

"Really? Thank you, Kazuto... I mean, Master."

Rinka smiled in relief.

She really wanted to bathe with me, huh?

"But as a condition, Rinka, please wear a swimsuit. I'll wear a towel."

"What are you talking about? We are married, so there's no problem showing each other our bodies."

"Why are you so assertive about this...! You're less hesitant about this than becoming a cat-eared maid."

"That's true. Being a cat-eared maid was embarrassing."

"Isn't being naked embarrassing?"

"It's... not a problem. Because my body has... always belonged to Kazuto..."

What... what is she saying?

Rinka's face turned bright red as she made this incredible statement.

I feel like my blood is boiling.

If I weren't a wimp, I would have pounced on her right now.

Lucky for you, Rinka, I'm a wimp!

...Is this a good thing?

"Should I wear a swimsuit after all? I'd prefer to go in without anything..."

"Please wear a swimsuit. If you don't, I can't guarantee my sanity."

"That's disappointing... but if Master says so, I'll wear a swimsuit. I'll change now."

Saying this with a disappointed look, Rinka left the living room.

She really wanted to go in naked.

And it seems she welcomes the idea of my sanity flying out the window.

"...This is getting dangerous."

Before coming to the Mizuki household, Kaclar told me to cross the line.

And now, Rinka seems to be hinting at "that kind of thing."

Or maybe I'm just imagining it?

I might be mistaken.

But it feels like Rinka would accept anything I do...

I still don't have the courage to cross that line.

I'm such a wimp...

◇

"How is it, Master? Any itchy spots?"

"Um, I'm fine."

I close my eyes tightly and tense my body, waiting for time to pass.

The pleasant sensation of her fingers runs over my head.

I never thought Rinka would wash my hair.

She insisted on washing my head and body, so I had no choice but to agree.

I sit in a chair, maintaining a forward-leaning posture.

When I slightly open my eyes and look to the side, I see Rinka kneeling and washing my head.

Her long hair is tied up at the back of her head.

She's wearing an off-the-shoulder bikini.

The swimsuit she wore for today's pool live performance.

"Kazuto... Master's hair feels wonderful. I could touch it forever."

"R-Really?"

"Yes. It makes me feel so happy."

Her blissful voice echoes above my head.

She really seems happy.

Wash, wash, wash.

As she continues to wash my head, I feel her fingers.

Her gentle and meticulous touch feels very good.

It's more like she's massaging my scalp with her fingertips.

It's almost like a scalp massage.

The pleasant sensation gradually calms my tense heart.

"I'll rinse it now."

"Okay."

She rinses my head with a shower, careful not to get water in my eyes.

At first, I was worried, but I ended up feeling refreshed.

"Next is your back... This is something Satoru taught me. Boys feel... when girls wash them with their bodies—"

"Please just use a body sponge. I brought one."

Without a word, Rinka moved behind the chair where I was sitting.

...Did you want to wash me with your body?

But my mental fortitude isn't strong enough to handle such an erotic scenario.

Please forgive me...

"Hmm... hmm..."

The body sponge provides a pleasant stimulation to my back.

At the same time, I hear a strangely seductive voice from behind.

She must be scrubbing my back diligently.

I feel a sense of guilt being washed by the popular idol Rinka.

And it's not like I'm making her do it; she wants to do it herself.

The sounds of "hmm, hmm, hmm" coming from Rinka's mouth are so alluring, and I can feel my heart rate rising.

"Is this... okay for your back?"

"Ah, yes. Thank you."

"Next is... the front."

Saying this, Rinka moved in front of me.

Then she reached for the towel wrapped around my lower body.

"W-Wait! Are you serious?!"

"Of course I am. I don't joke about things like this."

"It's more embarrassing! Do you not feel any resistance? Touching a man's... you know?"

"Kazuto's... I actually want to touch it!"

"Even if you say it so clearly...!"

"It's fine, don't worry. I've fantasized about this scenario many times, so I think I can do it well..."

Rinka swallowed hard.

Her lustful eyes were those of a predator.

...Let's consider this without thinking about the "married" relationship.

As a couple, it doesn't seem like a problem.

I wonder what other couples are like.

I don't know the details, but I feel like we are progressing more slowly than the average couple.

As I ponder this, Rinka, with her cheeks flushed, started fidgeting noticeably.

"Eventually... it's fine, right?"

"Huh? Eventually, what?"

Her voice was too soft to hear.

I asked without thinking too much.

Rinka's face turned bright red, and she mumbled.

"Bad Master. Making me say it on purpose. Well, if it makes you happy, I'll say it. Se—"

"Stop, I'm sorry! It's my fault!"

I understood what she was going to say with that embarrassed gesture and the "se" sound.

Well... that's understandable.

In this situation, it would be strange not to be aware of it.

"..."

Silence filled the space between Rinka and me.

I could feel the foamy body soap dripping down my back.

I hadn't rinsed my back yet.

"...I'll wash the front myself. Can you rinse my back?"

"...Okay. Leave it to me."

I feel like I made a decision that would earn me the "wimp" label from all the men in the world.

But... it's still embarrassing.

It will take me a bit more time to cross this line.

The warm shower water cascades down my back.

I could have rinsed myself with the shower.

"Thank you, Rinka. Can you give me the body sponge? I'll wash the rest myself—"

I couldn't finish my sentence.

After all, a surprisingly soft object was pressed against my back.

The rough texture must be the swimsuit.

There was no doubt that something was changing shape under that texture.

Rinka's arms strongly embraced my upper body, pressing her chest against me even more.

"R-Rinka! What are you doing?!"

Has she finally decided to take the initiative?!

Unable to bear my wimpiness, has she decided to pounce on me?!

"Am I... not attractive enough?"

"...Rinka?"

"Satoru said... if a man doesn't make a move even after I try my best to appeal, it means there's no chance... Do you dislike me, Kazuto?"

Her voice, trembling on the verge of tears, reached my ear.

I could feel Rinka's body trembling against my back.

"No, of course not. I like you, Rinka."

"Then why...?"

Why... I wonder what she means by that.

Does she mean... pushing me or something like that?

"It's... because I'm a wimp, or maybe we're not at that stage yet..."

"It sounds like an excuse. Tell me, Kazuto. What's wrong with me? I'll fix it, so don't hate me..."

"There's nothing wrong with you! ...Um, maybe it's better to do it in a normal room for the first time!? I think we should take it step by step before doing it in the bath."

I can tell I'm in a state of confusion. I don't even know what I'm saying.

But it's understandable.

Being hugged by Rinka in a swimsuit and asked what's wrong in a fragile voice...

I didn't know where to start.

"...You don't think I'm unattractive, right?"

"Of course not! Rinka is the most attractive girl in the world."

"Do you really want to...?"

"O-Of course...!"

"Do you like me?"

"Of course!"

"Will you sleep in the same bed with me tonight?"

"Of course!"

"Can the lights be a bit dim? It's my first time, so I'm embarrassed."

"Of course—wait, what?"

"Thank you, Kazuto... I really like you."

She hugged me tightly from behind.

This conversation... was it about that?

In the flow of the conversation, I feel like I made a huge promise.

It seems Rinka was... serious.