Volume 4 Chapter 1 In Vera’s Case ～The First Bath～
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Huh? Vera’s never taken a bath before?” I asked, blinking in surprise.
”Never,” Vera replied calmly, her voice soft. “Undine cleans my body for me.”
After I saw Lena off to her new job and came back to the boarding house, I did some chores around the place. I also taught Vera how to cook, and we made dinner together. Once we finished eating, all that was left was bath time, then sleep.
”Humans are inconvenient,” Vera muttered, watching as I filled the bathtub and used a bit of ignition magic to warm the water.
I glanced at her. I see. With her spirit magic, Vera could probably stay perfectly clean without ever needing a bath.
Still…
”Humans don’t just take baths to clean themselves,” I said, waving her over.
”?” Vera tilted her head, looking confused.
”Baths feel really nice,” I told her with a small smile.
* * *
And so, I helped her undress and we decided to bathe together.
”Look,” I said, showing her. “You rinse off like this first before getting in.”
I poured water over myself, demonstrating the process. Vera picked up a small bucket, hesitated, then carefully poured water over her own body. She slowly dipped one foot into the tub.
”…Ah… it’s so warm,” Vera said softly, surprise flickering in her expression.
She smiled gently and slid the rest of her body into the water. The tub here was roomy—Lena and I could easily fit in it together. With Vera’s petite frame, there was even more space.
”How is it? Does the water feel good?” I asked, leaning back.
Vera nodded, a soft and peaceful smile blooming on her face. “Warm water… feels like being hugged,” she said, her voice dreamy.
”Hugged?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.
”Yeah,” she said, lowering her ears a little. “I don’t remember her face anymore, but… it reminds me of my mother’s warmth.”
She gave a faint smile, but it was touched by sadness.
…Vera probably didn’t part with her “mother” in a happy way. Children born from taboo unions—between different races—often couldn’t live freely or safely.
I didn’t know what to say. So instead, I stretched out my arm underwater and gently wrapped it around her slim waist.
”Then maybe,” I said, pulling her close, “being hugged in the bath will feel even better.”
Vera quietly settled on my lap.
”Soyuu… you’re kind,” she whispered, her arms and legs wrapping around me. She nestled her face into my neck, breathing softly.
”Soyuu. Kind Soyuu,” she murmured again, her words warm and heartfelt. “I like you. I really, really like you.”
Her lips brushed against my ear—light, gentle kisses, like butterfly wings.
Elves had their own ways of showing affection. My master once told me that, for elves, touching ears was a deep sign of trust—almost sacred. So when Vera touched mine, I knew it was more than just playfulness.
Moved, I leaned close and returned the gesture. I softly brushed my lips along her long, pointed ears.
”Hmm…” Vera made a quiet, surprised sound, her body shivering just slightly in my arms.
As I continued, she trembled gently, letting out breathy little gasps. Her hands clutched my shoulders, and she leaned even closer, resting her forehead against mine.
”I love you, Soyuu… I really do,” she said, her voice shaking slightly with emotion.
Vera reached up, and I let her guide my hands to her ears in return. She closed her eyes, letting out small, wordless hums as I traced their shape with care.
Finding her reactions sweet, I continued my touch, giving her ears more attention. Vera clung to me tightly, her breathing growing heavier with each passing moment.
”Soyuu… you’re always so gentle…” she whispered, tears glistening in the corners of her eyes. “It makes me feel warm inside… safe…”
After a long moment, I paused and looked into her face.
”You really like affection, huh?” I asked, brushing back her damp hair.
Vera nodded, her eyes still a little misty. “I’ve never been treated this way before… No one’s ever held me like this,” she admitted.
Then, she placed her hands on my cheeks and looked straight into my eyes, her gaze a little vulnerable.
”I’ve gone through so much. I’ve made so many mistakes… I’m not special like Elder Sister Lena. I’m just a fool who—mm!”
I pressed my lips to hers before she could say more.
When I pulled back, I held her gaze. “I think you’re just as important as Lena,” I told her. “You’re cute, and I want to cherish you.”
”But…” she began again.
I kissed her again, silencing her.
”I’m a bit selfish,” I said after parting. “Once something becomes mine… I never let it go. That includes my companions. Vera, you’re with me now. And I want you to stay. That’s what I wish for.”
She stared at me, her lips slightly parted, and nodded.
”…Even when you say scary things like that, Soyuu’s hands are still gentle,” Vera said, her eyes sparkling with quiet tears. “That’s why I love you.”
She rested her head on my shoulder and continued softly.
”I love Soyuu who takes care of me. I love Soyuu who feeds me good food. I love Soyuu who helps me take a bath. I love Soyuu who talks to me gently. I love Soyuu who hugs me warmly. I love… all of you…”
As if her emotions couldn’t be contained anymore, she tightened her arms around me, her body trembling slightly.
With the warm water surrounding us, and her small frame in my arms, Vera slowly began to move—just swaying gently in the water, like she wanted to dance in the warmth of our closeness.
I held her as she did, just letting her express herself.
”Ah… does it feel nice, Soyuu?” she asked, her voice innocent and gentle. “Does it feel good to hold me like this?”
She moved slightly more, creating little waves in the water as she leaned into me with soft breaths. Her face was flushed, her smile dreamy.
I nodded, wiping a tear from my cheek. “It feels really nice, Vera… thank you. I love you too.”
I matched her rhythm in the water, not in passion, but in warmth—like a quiet heartbeat echoing between us.
”Soyuu… I want to stay like this forever… Holding you… feeling close…” Vera whispered, holding onto me as tightly as she could.
Then, in a quiet, unsteady voice, she said, “Let’s kiss one more time… while we’re together like this…”
I leaned in, meeting her lips. Our kiss was long, slow, full of the feelings we couldn’t say aloud. We held each other, connected in every possible way that didn’t need anything more than warmth and heart.
She cried softly into the kiss, but I didn’t let go. We held onto each other through it all.
And then—
”Ah… it’s so hot…” Vera mumbled.
”Huh? Vera?” I looked down in alarm.
”…Fyaaa….” she murmured, her eyes spinning.
She’d fainted.
Right. That makes sense.
If it’s your first bath ever, and you stay in for that long while getting overwhelmed by emotion… you’re bound to get dizzy.
Panicking, I quickly lifted her out of the tub and dried her off, then carried her to bed and placed a cool towel on her forehead.
Thankfully, she didn’t seem sick afterward.
But when Lena came home a few days later and I told her what happened…
It was the first time she ever really got mad at me.
And she really let me have it.
Notes:
• Lena – Female. A young slave girl in her early teens. Her appearance is emaciated with brown skin, long black hair, and grotesque scars across her face, including one that blinds her left eye. She wears a black collar and tattered clothing. Her relationship to the protagonist is that of a rescued victim. She is silent and appears to have endured severe physical and emotional abuse.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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