Chapter 16: Sometimes, even lilies bloom.

It’s already been almost three months since Yuria joined our household. She seems to have completely settled into life here, often wearing a gentle smile these days.

It seems that, without my knowledge, Master had been listening to her troubles and helping her work through them, and they’ve grown quite close. Including his training her in combat in the labyrinth, it looks like he’d been steadily laying the groundwork. That bastard.

About a month ago, she approached us with a clear sense of resolve and volunteered to join us in the bedroom.

It meant she had truly decided to put the past behind her and start living as her new self. Is this what they call "netorare"? Childhood friend-kun, sucks to be you.

When I first found out she was lactating despite not being pregnant... I honestly thought, “What kind of obscene race is she from?” But it turned out not just her race—she herself was pretty extreme.

Lulu and I stepped aside to be considerate, letting her spend time alone with Master. She was strong—strong enough to earn that much leeway. As a result, she ended up completely head over heels for him.

I tried to let her take over the role of Master’s nighttime partner, but things didn’t go quite that easily.

For about a week, we got to enjoy calm, peaceful nights—but then Master couldn’t hold back anymore. Thanks to his tyranny, I ended up being the one spending the night alone with him. I thought I was going to die.

Thanks to that, there are days when I can’t move from the bed, sore and exhausted.

My body just can’t take it. Yuria looks kinda down, Lulu’s started acting oddly flustered, and in the end, we had the first-ever Kisaragi Household Slave Conference: Pet Summit. As a result, we decided that all three of us would enter the bedroom together, and only take breaks when someone really needed to rest.

Ah, and due to Master's preference, my participation is mandatory.

Basic human rights? Yeah, they haven’t been implemented in this version of civilization.

---

Today, Master had been grinning to himself as he admired the newly completed facility in our house. He’d been oddly fidgety, alternately crafting things in his room or going out shopping.

I'm happy too, since I’d been looking forward to that facility. But still... it’s a little creepy.

What was built? In a word: a bath.

At Master’s request, the bathtub was made of smooth, white marble. It’s large enough for two people to lie down in together, and the washing area is slightly oversized as well.

Why was it made so big? Are you really going to ask that?

“I’ve never been in a bath before.”

“To think I could live in a house with a bath... I can’t believe it. It’s like one of my dreams has come true.”

The ladies were all visibly excited at the sight of the spacious bathroom. In the Kingdom where we live, bathing culture does exist, but only in upscale inns or noble households.

To commoners, it’s an unattainable luxury.

Many girls, especially those interested in beauty, dream of bathing—of places to “polish their skin.” I like baths too, of course.

It’s just that...

“…………”

On the washing floor, there’s a big soft mat with high water resistance. And seeing Master sneaking around buying chemicals... well, that makes me more anxious than happy.

It’s easy to tell what he’s planning—or planning to make us do. I am a man at heart, after all.

“By the way, what’s this thing used for?”

From a mysterious shelf in the bathroom, our third-ranking cat lady picks up a brightly colored, springy object and stares at it curiously. Lately, perhaps because she feels pressured by Yuria-san, she’s been trying harder to curry favor.

“Umm, do you know what it is, milady?”

Yuria-san, second in rank, tilts her head and glances this way after both of them fail to figure it out.

Incidentally, she’s quietly overtaken the cat-eared veteran. Turns out, no matter how far ahead you are, if you slack off, someone will catch up.

As for me, even if I try to slack off, I get dragged in or carried on someone’s back and forced into first place. In a way, that’s a cheat, haha.

“That’s, um, trash, so please throw it into the incinerator.”

“You can’t just throw things out on your own, senpai!”

Again, I am a boy. It’s not like I’m an expert, but back in Japan, there was a time I got curious and looked up a few things. So, you see, those two attached rod-like mystery objects... I kinda get what they’re for.

That pervert—he also likes seeing girls get along with each other. Not that I hate that sort of thing, but it’s not like I want to join in.

“For now, just put that away. Anyway, let’s hurry and start preparing the bathwater.”

Letting out a sigh at my failed attempt to dispose of it, I activated the magic device installed for drawing hot water and started filling the bathtub.

Given its size, it’s going to take a while. Guess I’ll wait in the living room for now.

I need to get towels and a change of clothes ready before Master gets back too...

I’d like the first time to be just a normal bath, but—who knows how this will turn out?

---

The cool night breeze feels nice on my heated skin. It really was a good bath—no weird implications, just genuinely refreshing. Even Master didn’t seem intent on jumping straight into anything from the start.

After all, Japanese people are creatures who find healing in baths.

Sitting here alone, gazing at a sky full of stars I’ve never seen back in Japan, a quiet sense of nostalgia wells up in me.

How long has it been since I came to this world? So much has happened. At first, I didn’t understand anything and kept insisting I was a guy, which got me into all sorts of trouble.

I learned just how brutal and terrifying this world could be, and right when I hit rock bottom, Master picked me up... Thinking back, despite everything, I’ve had many happy days.

I came to understand just how precious the things I’d taken for granted in Japan really were.

And I even made friends—Lulu and Yuria. Master too... well, barely, but he does treat me as someone important.

A kind Master and cute female friends. If you ignore the fact that my body is that of a girl, it’s honestly a dreamlike environment.

...Well, lately it’s scary how I’m becoming less and less resistant to doing things with Master.

I wonder what my old friends or my parents would say if they saw me now. My friends... honestly, they’d probably react just like Master.

I’m suddenly reminded of the time, right after entering middle school, when the seniors in the manga club made me wear a girl’s uniform to model, and an upperclassman who mistook me for a girl tried to flirt with me. I wonder how those guys are doing now.

As for my parents... I really hope they’re living strong. A lot’s happened, but I’m doing okay here. I just wish I could at least send them a message somehow.

“Phew, that was a nice bath... Ah, Senpai, can I have some juice too?”

Appearing with a towel draped over her head and still in her underwear was Lulu. Seems she’d just gotten out of the bath. She quickly noticed the lemon soda I was drinking and asked for some, so I poured her a glass with a wry smile.

“Thanks!”

She narrowed her eyes in delight as she gulped down the chilled fizzy drink. It really does hit the spot after a bath. Fortunately, no one in our home dislikes carbonated drinks.

“What about Yuria and Master?”

“Phaa... they’re still all over each other. I seriously couldn’t keep up anymore.”

Looks like after I got out, the beast-girl alliance opted for the wrong kind of bath use.

Even if you’re trying to spice things up, there are proper ways to do that, Master. Where did our mutual agreement to keep the first time normal even go?

With all that, even Lulu—who had been cuddling up—ended up completely worn out. Her outstretched, pale legs catch the eye a bit. Definitely different from my scrawny, squishy ones.

“...By the way, Senpai, are you a lesbian?”

“Bffghk—!”

The question slipped out so casually I spit out the juice I’d been drinking. It even went down the wrong pipe—ow.

“Cough, hack, what the heck kind of question is that!?”

What is that even supposed to mean?! Talk about completely out of left field! Sure, emotionally speaking, I guess I lean that way, since I do prefer girls, but...

Wait, does that make me a lesbian? I mean, it’s not like I love Master, but I’m okay with him. Other guys though? Yeah no, I’d absolutely rather not. So... lesbian?

I don’t even know myself anymore.

“Well, Yuria’s been kind of concerned about it for a while. She thinks you might be into girls. But you’re super close with Master, so she’s all confused. Like, if that’s true, how should she respond to her own feelings and stuff—”

...Come to think of it, I vaguely remember saying something about my first crush being a girl who looked like her.

"Same goes for me, but it looks like Shuuya-sama was getting consulted too, you know? For a while, it was like, 'Torn between Master and Ojou-sama, woe is me~!' She was squirming around like that, it was honestly really entertaining to watch."

"Sh-she actually has a surprisingly mischievous side, huh?"

I had no idea. Or rather, she’s more of a romantic than I expected. Then again, I suppose you wouldn’t devote yourself to a childhood friend like that unless you were. It sounds like she was incredibly attentive.

"She was all, 'I feel bad for Ojou-sama, but Master is the only one in my heart now,' and kept glancing around dramatically. I had a hard time holding back all the snark I wanted to throw at her. Senpai, praise me."

"Good work…"

Honestly, what am I even supposed to say to that? Could she have been a snake in the grass this whole time? Did I mess up? I don’t mind handing over the position of top slave, but if I get pushed out without any warning, I’m going to be seriously screwed here.

"…Huh? Oh—if it’s about kicking you out or anything, I think you’re fine. I wouldn’t want things to get genuinely tense, so I poked around a little. From what I could gather, she’s aiming for second or third wife status. Also, she's got her sights set on you too, senpai."

"Sorry, what?"

Wait, wasn’t this supposed to be a 'Master-only' kind of devotion? Also—what do you mean by having her sights set on me? Are we talking about my life? Is this a 'take me out and climb the ranks' situation?

"Pretty sure you haven’t noticed, so let me just say it—senpai, your reactions when you’re getting teased are just sooooo adorable. Like, just listening to them makes me want to bully you even more. You’re irresistibly cute."

Th-those eyes are seriously predatory.

Also, I have zero memory of ever reacting like that. I’m usually just screeching and flailing around, which should be a total turn-off, right!? I go full doll mode—expressionless, emotionless! I absolutely never gave those kinds of reactions. This is slander. A plot. Lies—I won’t be fooled!

"Senpai’s such a stubborn little brat who refuses to be honest, but she’s a total sweetheart underneath, and kind of tickles your maternal instincts, you know? I never had any interest in girls before, honestly. But I get why Master dotes on you. Yuria seems to feel the same way too. And, I mean, if it’s with senpai… I wouldn’t mind~"

What does “wouldn’t mind” mean, exactly? With her eyes sparkling like stars, Lulu leans in with a sultry motion and breathes softly into my ear.

A chill runs up my spine. Goosebumps. Everywhere.

"Scared senpai is so cute—I could just eat you up."

"E-eeek!?"

Nope. Nope, nope, nope. If I stay here, I’m gonna get eaten. Letting out a weirdly high-pitched scream even I didn’t know I could make, I shoved Lulu away and bolted to my room. Locked the door, threw myself onto the white sofa Master bought for me, and wrapped myself tightly in a blanket.

What is happening…!? I can’t believe there’s another beast out there stalking me now—not just Master…!!

This can’t go on. Something precious of mine is in serious danger. I have to do something. Anything…!

---

◇◆ADVENTURE RESULT◆◇
【EXP】
MAX Combo 2
BATTLE TOTAL 5
◆【Sora Lv.42】
◆【Lulu Lv.15】+2
◆【Yuria Lv.12】+3
◇―
＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝
Sora Lv.42 [423]
Lulu Lv.15 [153] → [155]
Yuria Lv.12 [126] → [129]
【RECORD】
[MAX COMBO] >> 30
[MAX HIT] >> 30
【PARTY】
[Shuuya] [Lv55] HP 772/772 MP 1380/1380 [Normal]
[Sora] [Lv42] HP 50/50 MP 420/420 [Normal]
[Lulu] [Lv15] HP 602/602 MP 32/32 [Normal]
[Yuria] [Lv12] HP 1040/1040 MP 60/60 [Normal]
＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝
【COMMENT】

"I can't stay in a place crawling with wild beasts! I'm going back to my room!"

"(Senpai really is fun to tease~)"