Episode Ninety-Three

“Shigure-san, let’s go inside soon.”

Ibara, her cheeks flushed, tugged at my sleeve.

“No… but it’s still light out.”

“We can sunbathe too, so it’s a win-win.”

“Well, it’s hard to hide things, you know?”

“Your body is beautiful, Shigure-san. You don’t need to hide it.”

She presses herself against me in a coaxing, pleading way, as if to say so it’s fine, right.
In the end, the answer was already decided.

“……………I won’t do anything weird, alright?”

“You won’t?”

“I, I won’t.”

“Even though you want to touch my body?”

“That’s different.”

Because I love you, I want to touch you.
But acknowledging the desire to touch and actually touching are separated by a chasm as vast as the Alps.
If they were the same, the world would be full of criminals.
So I have to hold back.

“Oh, you’re such a stubborn one…”

　Muttering something like that, Ibara took her bath set out of her suitcase and began to take off the yukata she’d just changed into.
I hurriedly turned my back.
Even so, I couldn’t stop the rustling sound of fabric.
My heart was pounding so hard it hurt.
While I was pointlessly undoing and retying the sash of my yukata, I heard the soft sound of fabric falling to the floor.

“Shigure-san, are you ready yet?”

“I’m taking it off now, I tell you!”

“I’ll go first, then.”

The sound of feet shuffling across tatami, followed by the sound of the glass door opening.
Riding on the fresh air that flowed in, I caught a faint scent of wild fields and mountains.

“Wow, lovely!”

A bright, carefree voice that swept away the suggestive mood from just moments before.
Perhaps it was because I had declared so clearly that I wouldn’t.
Whether “giving up” is the right way to put it — I’m not sure.
If so, it seems like I’m the only one still self-conscious about it.
This is just getting into an outdoor bath. Just that, and nothing more.
With the feeling of taking a flying leap, I pulled my underwear off from my feet.
Covering the bare minimum with a towel, I passed through the glass door.
Ibara was already soaking in the cypress bathtub.
Conscious of not staring directly at the bare figure half-concealed by the thin mist, I get in anyway.

“Ibara, you haven’t properly washed yourself, have you?”

“Well, I couldn’t hold back.”

She chuckled, like a child caught at mischief.

“There’s only one shower. You can use it first, Shigure-san.”

Indeed, the washing area was designed for one person.
Taking her offer and washing away the sweat, I felt a piercing gaze from the side. It was far too obvious. I wished she’d at least try to hide it a little.
I could almost hear the sound effect “staring”.

“…Ibara.”

“Mmph.”

“Show a little restraint.”

“Sorry, can’t.”

“It’s not impossible.”

“Your skin is lovely, Shigure-san.”

“…Is it?”

Was that sarcastic?
No, I know she’s not that sort of girl.

“And your breasts are beautifully shaped too.”

“Don’t casually make sexual remarks.”

Still, being seen was within the realm of possibility. I was prepared for it.
I rinsed the shampoo out, feigning calm.
　That part was fine. But then.

“I’ll wash your back for you.”

“Eh?”

Splash. Water spilled over the bath’s edge.
Seeing Ibara’s naked form rise casually, my breath nearly caught in my throat.
No flattery needed – she looked like an angel.
This wasn’t the first time I’d seen Ibara naked.
　But she looked far more beautiful and captivating than when I’d seen her before in Sereno’s bathroom.
Nothing should have changed.
As I stared blankly, Ibara grinned.

“You were staring too, Shigure-san.”

“S-sorry.”

I hastily turned my whole body away.
Ibara was right. What am I doing, getting lost staring at her?

“You can look all you like.”

“Idiot.”

“Right then, I’ll wash your back, shall I?”

“I told you, you don’t have to.”

“Gotcha.”

“Hyah!”

A cold substance touched my back with a squelch. A slippery sensation. Body soap.
Ibara’s palm slid down between my shoulder blades.

“Mmmph, truly beautiful.”

“…Enough with the flattery.”

“It’s not flattery. Your back’s so smooth, and your stomach’s all… firm.”

Ibara’s fingertips traced my skin, as if tracing the line of my waist.
From my ribs, across my sides, tickling the top of my hipbones.
A shiver ran up my spine, burning my brain.

“Your legs are beautiful too.”

“Mmm…”

A sound escaped me as she traced the outer curve of my thigh.
I hastily covered my mouth with my hand.
The “atmosphere” I thought had vanished enveloped us in an instant.

“I told you not to do anything strange.”

“But I’m just washing your body.”

“Liar.”

Then why were her lips touching my neck?
　Like tracing veins, her tongue slithered from beneath my ear down to my collarbone. Repeating kisses that sucked me in.
I know. I have to hold back. I mustn’t react.

“Mmm…”

Even knowing that, my jaw jerked.
When touched by Ibara, it felt unbearably good.
Something hot and soft pressed against my back, slippery with body soap.
　This… is Ibaras.
I shouldn’t, but the heat melts my reason away.

“Shigure-san, turn towards me.”

Obeying the voice, I received a kiss that felt like biting.
A slick tongue knocked against my front teeth.
Opening a gap, she entered immediately.
Not a shred of restraint. Like a dog pouncing on its food.
But it felt so good, I couldn’t resist.
　Our tongues rubbed together, sending a tingling pleasure down my spine.
My vision blurred, making me dizzy. Was it oxygen deprivation? Or perhaps the cumulative effect of days without proper sleep and travel fatigue.
But it still wasn’t enough.
We pulled apart, drew close again, layering kiss upon kiss.
It was strange. Even though we were touching so deeply, I couldn’t bear the craving for more.
　Somehow, Ibara’s hand had left my thigh.
It traced my side, stroked my solar plexus, touched the base of my swell.
There, the hand hesitated, pausing.

“Is it alright?”

“…Only to wash, then.”

“Yes, only to wash.”

I know.
Both Ibara and I are liars.